aldmoor academy

~~~chapter one~~~~

"Glynis!" Cordelia shouted running after her sister who was laughing hysterically. They had been playing by the lake all day and she was starting to get tired.

" Catch me if you can!" Glynis shouted back. All of the sudden Cordelia had an idea. She stopped running and got down to her knees, palms digging into the brown autumn leaves. She concentrated all of her power into shifting and leapt forward, instantly shifting to a six foot, one-hundred-pound timber wolf. The wolf stretched hearing the satisfying click of her bones as she did so and ran forward. After a minute or two of running, the wolf caught up to Glynis and pounced onto her, careful not to dig her claws into the girl's skin as they tumbled to the ground.

"Ouch, no fair, you shifted that's not allowed!"

The wolf easily shifted back to human, revealing Cordelia, who smirked down at her sister, eyes bright.

"Gotcha, fishy," Cordelia huffed still out of breath from her chase.

"Yeah, yeah whatever, let's get back now," Cordelia knew her sister was referring to their makeshift treehouse in the woods as it was where they had been living for the past two years ever since their parents had died. Food and clothing were scarce so they normally had to steal from the village markets and hunt in the woods and by the lake. They were actually supposed to be hunting by the lake that day, that was until Glynis decided to play a game of cat and mouse, so now they had no food and were going to have to see what they could steal from the market. Again.

" We have to make a quick stop in the village because someone distracted me from hunting and now, we have no food to satisfy our hunger," as if on cue, Cordelia's stomach rumbled and she turned to glare at her sister as if the sounds her abdomen was making proved her point. Glynis just shrugged and gave the green-eyed girl a mischievous smile. Cordelia was right however; both of the girls knew that food was a top priority and was not to be taken for granted. Both girls were skinny from their lack of proper diet and nutrition but they were by no means weak. Quite the opposite actually. It was no secret that they were beautiful, it made sense since Glynis was a siren whom were naturally beautiful and Cordelia was a hybrid known for their beauty... and danger. despite this, there was nothing really special or extraordinary about the girls. They were your run of the mill teenage girls, just fighting to survive.

The sisters walked hand in hand out of the woods and to the entrance to the village square where the villagers were all gathered trading and selling all sorts of things from apples and bread, to ornaments, silverware and robes. Cordelia let go of her sister's hand and made her way over to the apple stall, discreetly placing some in her hand and into the brown leather satchel her father gave her before he died.

Just as she was about to steal some brioche from a neighbouring stall, Glynis's voice broke out from amongst the crowd.

"Lia come quick!"

Thinking the worst, Cordelia lifted the front of her long red skirt and bunched it in her hands as she ran into the crowd searching for her sister. Her black lace up boots made soft thundering sounds on the ground as she maneuvered around the sea of villagers, adrenaline flooding her sharpened senses preparing to protect her sister by all costs. 

The green-eyed girl eventually stopped moving, turning around looking for her sister and just as she was about to call out Glynis's name, a soft manicured hand tapped her clothed shoulder. Cordelia cautiously pivoted to face the person only to find grey eyes staring back into her green ones. She huffed annoyed.

"There you are Glyn, i was worried about you," She glanced at her sister looking her up and down trying to determine whether she was hurt or not.

" Sorry Lia but you've got to see this!" The silver eyed girl whispered. Just then Cordelia realised that the crowd was gathering in the village square, where announcements were made, and the noise level was dimming. Cordelia faced her sister, about to ask what was going on when a man stepped onto the raised platform. He had shoulder length ebony hair that curled and framed his face that sported a thick, full bird. he looked to be in his forties, wearing a brown leather tunic with long flared sleeves and a belt securing it into the hem of his leather trousers which were worn out at the knees. A sword of pure silver nested comfortably at the man's hip; attached to the belt on his trousers. There was something off about this man, Cordelia could practically smell the deception coming off of him in waves; there was something odd about the way he walked to the middle of the platform with such predatory grace. The green-eyed girl guessed he was a wolf shifter like her or more accurately werewolf. Cordelia hated that term; it made her kind sound like monsters so she referred to them as wolf shifters.

" Listen up!" the man roared with authority, effectively capturing the crowd's attention (not that he needed to anyways)." By order of king Rhysiand vii, " Both sisters bristled at the mention of Tarrin's vicious ruler. The king was known to be cruel and coldhearted ever since his wife and son died, taking out his grief on the kingdom. "A new decree has been passed that states, any child up to 18 will be given the chance to draw their name for an opportunity to attend Aldmoor Academy of Dragon Riding as the new term starts."

Murmurs broke amongst the crowd as people processed the news, some intrigued and some not caring at all. Glynis looked up at her sister with pleading eyes.

"Please Lia, can we put in our names pleaseee" the girl dragged out the final please, giving her older sister the puppy dog eyes.

"Ugh fine, but I can't guarantee we both get drawn Glyn" Cordelia said somberly, looking down. The odds of both of the sisters winning were astronomical and although this was the biggest opportunity of her life, the green-eyed girl didn't know if she could leave her sister behind.

On the other hand, Aldmoor Academy was a once in a lifetime experience and extremely expensive, the girls knew that if they didn't win, they'd never get the chance to go for free ever again. They had a chance to go onto the best dragon riding school in the kingdom and learn to harness their magical capabilities.

aldmoor academy was known for their strictness and cruelty but they produced some of the best dragon riders tarrin has ever seen and many went on to be in the kings personal army where they were paid...handsomely.

"I know," With that, the girls made their way to the table where another man, dressed in plain black tunic and leather trousers was sat with a pen and several pieces of scrolls in a little woven basket.

"Names," The man didn't even look up at them and Cordelia scoffed at his rudeness.

" Glynis Hendrix and Cordelia Hendrix," Glynis replied, sensing her sister's offence at the blatant rudeness of the man and not wanting a fight to break out between them.

"Okay, wait over there" Cordelia turned her head over to where he had pointed to find a crowd of kids waiting at the back of the platform.

Several minutes had gone by of the two sisters talking and waiting anxiously, when the man from the sign-up table stepped up onto the raised platform, holding two small woven baskets in his arms. He took slow, antagonizing steps towards the middle of the makeshift stage. Cordelia bit her lip in anxiety and desperation. She knew that the chances of both sisters getting their names drawn were very slim but a part of herself couldn't help but hope that the universe was on her side. 

After what felt like forever, the man silenced the crowd.

" And the winners are" He reached a gloved hand into the basket rummaging it around the contents and pulled out a single slip of brown paper. Cordelia froze in anticipation as the man unfolded the paper.

"Cordelia Hendrix," the words were like poison seeping into her already broken heart, shutting down all of her organs. She knew she couldnt go, who would take care of her sister, who would keep her safe? The green-eyed girl stood there rooted to the spot, her eyes wet with unshed, salty tears. She was so deep into her own mind that she didnt even see the announcer pick another piece of parchment before the thick words tore through her silent despair.

" Glynis Hendrix."