Fated to be Together

Challenges and Issues

Chapter 3

Challenges and Issues

Violet showed Zara her plans to win the challenges with the poisons from her brothers book. Zara didn't like the idea, but there was no stopping Violet. Zara pulled her red hair into a braid for the day and made sure her daggers were in their holders. Her favorite dagger she got from her brother as a going away gift was strapped to her thigh. Violet was still getting ready as Zara stepped out of the room. Bodhi stood leaning against the wall. He hadn't spoken much to her since the last sparring.

"Morning." Bodhi said, standing straight.

"Morning. You talking to me now?" Zara asked as they walked down the hall. Bodhi didn't answer her. Zara had to bite her lip. "You mad at me or something?"

"No." Bodhi said. Zara glared at him. He flinched. "It's nothing, Z. Don't ask." Zara moved away from him and walked faster. Bodhi sighed and backed off.

"Your in a hurry." Zara looked up as she reached the breakfast line. Garrick was coming up to her with a smile on his face. It felt like the boys found any reason to find her.

"Just want to eat. First round of challenges are today." Zara said. Garrick nodded as they stood together. "Is Bodhi in a bad mood or something?" Garrick looked at her.

"I don't know." Garrick said. Zara sighed as she loaded her plate with food. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about." Zara saw Bohdi standing in line, but he wasn't looking at her. He was glaring at Garrick.

'What the?' Zara thought. Zara didn't want to know, because she could of sworn she saw jealousy in Bodhi's eyes. 'I need to focus on becoming a Rider. Not men right now.' Zara slipped away from Garrick and joined her friends at the table. Garrick watched her go and saw Bodhi glaring at him. Garrick shook his head and headed to the Command Table where Xaden sat. Bodhi disappeared and Xaden didn't miss Garrick stealing looks at the Tauri girl.

Later.

"Keep the temperaments of each specific breed in mind when you decide which dragons to approach and which to run from at Threshing." Kaori said, changing the projection he's conjured from a Green Daggertail to a Red Scorpiontail. He was an illusionist and the only Professor in the Quadrant with the signet ability to project what he sees in his mind. Zara was leaning back in her seat as she looked at the Red Scorpion Tail. "Red Scorpiontails, like Ghrian here, are the quickest to temper. So if you offend him, you're..."

"Lunch." Ridoc said and the class laughs. Zara couldn't help but join the laughing.

"Precisely. So what's the best way to approach a Red Scorpiontail?" Kaori asked.

"You don't." Rhiannon mutters.

"They prefer that you approach from the left and from the right." A woman said.

"Excellent. For this Threshing there are three Red Scorpiontails willing to bond." Kaori said. The image changes to a different dragon.

"How many dragons are there in total?" Zara asked.

"A hundred for this year." Kaori answers, changing the image again. "But some might change their minds during Presentation in about two months, depending on what they see." Zara and Violet share looks.

"That's thirty-seven fewer than last year." Violet said.

"Yes, Cadet Sorrengail, it is, and twenty-six fewer than the year before that." Kaori said. Fewer dragons were choosing to bond, but riders entering the quadrant has remained steady. Zara was getting worried.

'Why are there fewer and fewer dragons willing to bond?' Zara thought. Attacks at the Eastern borders were increasing, according to every Battle Brief.

"Will they tell you why they won't bond?" A first-year asked.