Dragon Academy

Chapter 1

It was dark, not just dark. Blindingly dark. But so it had been in more ways than one for the past decade. Her footsteps echoed on the stones, sending several skittering down the mountain side. All pretence at covertness had been lost several miles back. They knew she was there. Knew how many she had with her. It didn't deter her. She could tell several eyes were on her as she climbed higher, using senses beyond the abilities of most humans. It wasn't easy to climb this mountain of shadows, where nothing seemed to grow and only rocks showed any sense of life. Everything vibrated with an intense energy not to be found in the natural world. An hour later the ground finally levelled off and she came to a stop. She stood facing the darkness which seemed to be deeper and more menacing than it had been before. A tingling coursed down her spine.

In a split second she had leapt to the side, hitting the ground and rolling out of the way as bright red, scorching flames roared past her and annihilated the spot where she had been standing a moment ago. Smoke rose from the seared rocks, obscuring her view. She couldn't stay here, she had to move. Another flame shot out forcing her to roll away, barely managing to avoid it. She leapt to her feet, listening. The next flame appeared out of nowhere and caught her arm before she could spin away.

'Damn!' she cursed at the intense stinging now coursing up and down her arm. She didn't have to look to know her right sleeve had been reduced to ashes and her skin was no longer smooth. It didn't matter. She hadn't expected to leave here alive, let alone in one piece.

'Enough!' The voice boomed across the mountains like a monstrous clap of thunder. Although she couldn't see anything, she could sense a change in the atmosphere. Instead of hatred a general tolerance seemed to pervade the air. She stood tall, ignored her arm and stared straight ahead into the darkness. Two brightly lit orbs were floating towards her. As she watched, they grew in size until they seemed to consume the darkness with their brilliant light. She stared at them, and they stared back, unmoving. Two huge eyes the colour of the deepest sunset orange.

She bowed low from her waist and dropped to one knee in obeisance. 'Your servant, Ancient One.'

Nothing happened for a full minute which seemed to last ten times longer as she stared at the rocky ground, expecting to be engulfed in flames every second. Then the booming voice spoke again.

'We have never had a human here before.' She remained silent. 'What is it that you want that you risk your very life?'

She kept her head bowed, partly from respect, partly from fear. If she was going to die, she didn't want to see it coming. 'Humans are stupid creatures,' she said softly, 'we have destroyed the world many times and seek to destroy its guardians.'

A stony silence met her words. She took a dep breath, her next words would determine her fate. 'This is why I have come here, to end the destruction by making an alliance.'

The silence this time lasted much longer. The atmosphere however went from grudging tolerance to disbelief, anger and suspicion, shifting constantly.

'An alliance with a human?' the voice asked finally, 'Why would we do that?'

She kept her eyes fixed to the dark ground. 'The world needs this to survive. Humans don't know this yet but we are not strong enough to protect it on our own.'

'If humans die, it will be no great loss to us.'

'No it won't,' she agreed, 'but until all humans are dead, you are still hunted, and forced to live in secrecy.'

There was a mild rumbling from all around her. They were discussing it at least. But she still couldn't feel relief. Her life still hung in the balance.

'So, the alliance allows us to roam freely?'

She bowed her head further. 'With humans protecting you, you may live un-harassed in the human world.' She could still feel the disbelief in the air. And who could blame them? Ever since St. George had proclaimed dragons be hunted, these majestic creatures had feared for their lives.

'And what do you want in return?' the voice was filled with suspicion.

'Knowledge,' she said simply, 'knowledge about how to protect you and how to protect the world.'

The two great orbs floated closer, until she could feel an intense heat surrounding her. 'You are no ordinary human. Who are you?'

She closed her eyes as the heat intensified. 'I am Yong Bohoja reincarnated,' she said softly, her throat dry, 'Humans know me as Sonja Drey.'

The heat became unbearable, her throat closed up and she could feel her blood boiling. So this is how I die, she thought struggling to breath, as the darkness closed in on her, suffocating her slowly.

+++

'Sonja!'

She winced and ignored the voice.

'Sonja!' It was louder and she realised it was coming from right next to her. She sighed and opened her eyes to see Valerian leaning towards her, his lean face intense. He stared into her eyes and then his gaze shifted to the crystal orb in front of her filled with what looked like white smoke. 'Fore-seeing?'

She sat up and pressed her fingers to her temples. 'More like reminiscing.' She looked up then, her hands falling to the antique desk she sat at. 'Are they here?'

He nodded with a slight smile that never failed to make her heart beat just that little bit faster. 'They are being taken to the tower now.'

She stood up and left the room followed closely by Valerian who held a folder in his hand.

'They will have to be watched closely,' she said as they walked along the long stone corridor that connected her office to the rest of the building. 'There can be no mistakes, these are very valuable. Let the keepers and hatchers know.'

'Already done,' he confirmed, keeping pace with her quick strides. At five foot ten she was quite tall, but he often marvelled at how she could walk so fast with her signature six inch heels that brought her head on a level with his. She glided flawlessly over the floor as they turned into a different corridor.

'Ah, there is one thing I needed to talk to you about...'

'Later,' she waved a hand in the air, 'this is more important.'

'I think you will want to know this now,' he persisted.

She sighed and turned her head to look at him. Valerian rarely wasted her time on trivial matters, this must be important. 'What is it?'

'We have found some new guardians.'

She halted in her tracks and swung round to stare at him. 'More than one?'

He nodded. 'Yes, three to be precise.'

'Where?'

He glanced at the folder. 'Scotland, Korea and Spain.'

Her brow furrowed. 'Are they en-route?'

He nodded. 'The ones from Korea and Spain are.' He cleared his throat, 'the one from Scotland isn't.'

She frowned at him. 'Why not?'

He sighed and spread his hands. 'She's different.' The slightly raised eyebrow prompted him to say, 'She's...she's Megan Reeve's granddaughter.'

Sonja's frown intensified. 'And she hasn't any idea of what she is? How is that possible?'

'Her parents didn't want her involved, but she has the ability.

Sonja nodded, her gaze unfocussed as it rested on the far wall. 'Then we need to be careful.' Her gaze sung to him. 'You have to persuade her and bring her here.'

His mouth fell open. 'Me? But I'm the deputy headmaster! I have duties...'

Her gaze stopped him cold. 'This is too important to leave to a mere scout. It has to be you. You are the only one I trust to bring her here safely.'