The Hatchling

Gilded Scales

Gold?

He was a royal?

"Don't freak out on me okay?" He begged. "I'm just the son of someone in the royal guard. Getting our scales plated is only done so they can identify us easier."

I glanced at the other two. Macho man was certainly a good fighter and stick boy had to be a good flyer. I knew myself well enough to know I was a strong fighter.

Looking back at Alric, I examined him. He had muscles, but only those of someone who occasionally exercised. His hands looked soft and uncallused. His skin was smooth and without flaw.
He had never been in a fight in his entire life.

"We're pretty boys guards," I snorted bitterly, rolling my eyes in disgust. "You're the muscle," I pointed at Yuri. "You're the scout," I said to Milo. "And I'm the wild card."

Alric stood up, obviously irritated with me. "If you're implying that I'm helpless, then you're mistaken," he snapped at me.

I let out a feral snarl from deep in my throat and felt my body itching to shift as my blood pressure rose. "Look at you. You're soft. You've never had one talon even graze that precious skin of yours," I sneered, standing up to match him. "Whatever. Don't expect me to deal with your slack later on. You'll be pulling your own weight from here on out."

I sat back down, done with the conversation.

Unbelievable.

I was stuck with some idiot who probably didn't even know what the difference between a gale and a headwind was.

"Lunch is now being served. All squads please make your way to the dining hall and stay with your groups," a monotonous voice announced over the intercom on the wall of our room.

I slammed open the door and stormed out.

"W-Wait!" Milo cried out, hurrying to my side. "Aren't we supposed to stick together?"

I growled under my breath and paused, waiting till the other two were close enough for me to continue.

Milo stuck out like a sore thumb. He was so much taller than the rest of the crowd, like a tree walking around.
He must've been thankful for the tall roofs and doorways.

Immediately once we reached the dining hall, I picked out Halli with her wild red curls bouncing around her.
She was embracing a very upset Micah who constantly kept trying to pull his uniform off his skin.

I sprinted over to them and hugged Micah tightly.
"Where've you been?" I hissed at him.

"Trying to hide and planning my escape," he replied sardonically, about to say something else when he looked behind me and pointed. "Who're those people? Is that your squad?"

Turning, I saw the three guys watching me expectantly, waiting for me to rejoin them.

"Yes," I huffed. "The green eyed monster is a royal. Shoot me."

"Lucky duck!" Halli squealed excitedly. "You have all the cute guys! Especially the tall one. He's so dreamy."

I stared long at her, and then back at the anxiety stricken plank of wood standing back there. He looked like he would need an inhaler soon.

"You're joking right? Ew. The tan one is the attractive one, but alas, he is taken. And there's no way I'll ever find that soft royal attractive."

Halli stared at Milo for another long second and then turned around.
"That's my squad," she giggled, pointing to the group of girls that faintly reminded me of Halli herself. All dainty, petite, and practically bubbling over with enthusiasm.