The Tale of Tara and Emiko

XXVII-Emiko

Two other kids were in the Initiates' room when I arrived, ten minutes late. (Dang it!) Selene and Zia had gone to the spectators' area.

The first one I knew, Reed. We were friends all throughout grade school, but kinda drifted apart later. Still, he managed a feeble wave, which I returned.

"Hey," he said, walking over to me. "Nice to see someone I actually know here."

I smiled. "Yeah. Oh, who's she? I've never seen her before." I pointed to the girl sitting in the corner where the walls and floor met, sulking. Her dark red hair fell across her face, covering hazel eyes.

Reed shrugged. "Can't say I have either."

The announcer, I think her name was Millie, began her speech. The same speech I've heard twice, one for each of my best friends' Initiation.

"Welcome to the Emerald Sanctuary!" she chirps. Her Yelah perches on her left shoulder, its scale color rippling between raspberry and rose. "For centuries, we have been granting this legendary honor to the young men and women of our society. We are truly blessed to be able to befriend dragons, work in harmony with them, and even learn their language.

"The three lucky individuals who will be receiving their Familiar today are Reed Cattersby, Emiko Naga, and Tara Grey." There was a polite applause.

"So that's her name," Reed whispered as the three of us walked out into the center of the amphitheater. Why a sanctuary would be built with an amphitheater, I don't know.

Reed stepped into the center of an intricate design of swirls-the written language of Dragon. The runes glow for a soft second, the shadows parting to reveal the majestic dragons.

First, the wingless, deep blue, powerful Ecila.

Then, the silvery Anel with a look of disdain on its face.

A rocky brown Anaile with glowing red-orange spaces between its scales, growling and snarling.

A great Amrak, sending tremors through the ground with every powerful step.

A pint-sized Yelah, floating around like a bumblebee, its plum-colored scales shiny and polished.

A group-no, a dance of Ubonihs, their quickly shifting scales changing to look like a blue morpho, then a dragonfly, then a wasp.

A Dlofnep with cream-colored shimmering scales, looking just as nervous as I was.

And finally, a Letap, pitch black. Its form warped and changed in size and shape like a shadow next to a flickering flame. Chains of light, blinding to look at, were looped around its neck and talons. It thrashed against its shackles, spooking the Dlofnep, who ran to hide behind the Amrak.

Reed looked at the dragons in awe. He bowed his head slightly, something few people do anymore. The dragons inclined their heads respectfully back, all except the Letap.

Surprisingly, the Ecila scampered forwards, leaping up to perch on Reed's arm. The audience clapped, the water dragon squeaking and hissing playfully. I'd never seen Reed happier.

When he walked back, he whispered "I think his name is Ripple."

Mustering all the strength I could, I walked the ten paces to the center of the runes. It felt like a mile. The dragons watched me warily.

I knelt down and reached my hand out to the trembling Dlofnep. "It's okay. I'll protect you. You'll be okay, they can't hurt you." The timid dragon sniffed my hand, padded forward towards me, and bumped her nose against my fingertips, purring. I could pick out Selene and Zia's proud grins from the crowd as my new Familiar followed me back to where I stood before.

"What's your name?" I asked. The Dlofnep made a noise between a snuffle and a cat's meow, saying something in Dragon. "Leona?" I asked. "Lora? L....ia? Oh, Lenora!" It looked like she was smiling once I nailed the pronunciation. I laughed quietly.

Finally, it was the new girl's turn. Tara. She wordlessly strode up to the circle, not making eye contact with anyone. Shoulders back, chin held high. Her gaze passed over all the remaining dragons, stopping at the Anaile. It was as if she sensed something we couldn't. Tara narrowed her eyes, and the dragon stepped back in fear.

Tara held out her hand.

The Anaile, fear still in its eyes, slunk forward to meet her. It looked almost as scared as Lenora had, if not more, but dared not disobey this new human.

"Scoria!" Tara called out to the audience. Her voice was unexpectedly light for the cold attitude she'd shown. The crowd looked nervous, whispers flitting across the open space as Tara walked back to her place.

That's not my name, the Anaile protested. Scoria is not my name.

"It is now." Tara's whisper was so soft I could barely hear it.

I will not yield.

"And risk death? I know who you are, loathsome little lava lizard. You will heed my command, or die trying."

You humans disgust me.

I couldn't help but be curious. Who was this girl? What did she mean when she said she knew who Scoria was? And why wasn't the dragon fighting back?

"Uhhh...thank you for attending!" the announcer says. I don't hear the rest of her speech, having already hurried out of the building. I'm vaguely aware of Lenora following me.

When I made it out the exit, I was instantly bear hugged by Zia and Selene, huge smiles on their faces. Vine and Squall started talking in quiet Dragon with Lenora, asking question after question.

"That was great! You were great!" Selene cried. I was on top of the world.

I felt a hand tapping my shoulder. It was that Tara girl, the one with the Anaile.

"Hi," she muttered.

"So you can speak normally," Zia noted.

"I had no idea that wasn't what I was expected to do!" Tara said. "I can't believe I trusted my brother that much. I knew he was messing with me!"

I laughed. "It's alright. I'm sure you made quite the mark on the audience."

"Emiko, can I speak with you for a moment? In private?" Zia pulled me around a corner, out of earshot when I nodded, whispering "I don't trust her."

"Why?" I whispered.

"Did you see the way she chose her Familiar? Through fear. Just like the first dragon tamers, who saw dragons as inferior beings, scared into submission and obedience. It was cruel, inhumane, and no way to treat our equals. I don't like her. I don't trust her. And I don't think you should either," Zia hissed.

I sighed. "She's fine, Zia. And so is her dragon. You heard her, her brother was playing a really mean prank on her. And people can change! Be nice to her, will you?"

"Only because I'm friends with you," Zia admitted begrudgingly.

When we walked back, Tara and Selene were chatting animatedly. Selene saw us and waved.

"Hey there, Emiko, Zia! Tara's awesome, she's so kind and friendly! Thanks for introducing me to her, Emiko!"

"I was thinking," Tara quietly added. "Now that we've all got dragons, who's up for a friendly game of capture the flag? I've got a pretty large backyard, we could play there."

I laughed nervously, avoiding eye contact with Zia. "Uhhh...sure! Why, heh, why not? Here, give me your address, I'll be there in, um, ten minutes."

"Make it fifteen," Selene said, turning to Tara. "You ever had boba tea?"