Firedrake the Firelord

Chapter 30

I wake up the next morning to the sunlight streaming through my window. Standing and stretching, I notice that the sun is very high in the sky. It must be only six a.m. For a while, I just stand in the middle of the room thinking about nothing and everything. Then, I decide to change. I pick a gold dress with silver lace, silver shoes, and a gold pin go hold back half of my hair.

I am looking out the window when there is a knock. Leaving my beautiful view, I open the door. Firedrake is standing on the other side mid-knock. I laugh at his position.

"Hello," I finally manage.

"Good morning," he replies.

I slip out of the doorway and let the door shut behind me. We begin to walk.

"Where are we going?" I ask him.

"Breakfast," he answers.

I nod. We walk in silence for a while. There is something nagging at me, though.

"Firedrake?" I ask. "Why did you call me pretty?"

He sighed. "I figured this was coming."

I only raise an eyebrow.

"Listen, Elliot, there are things that are going to happen that I can guarantee you won't like. I am going to be involved in many of those situations. While what I said was very true, it was partly because of my role in your future life," he tells me very seriously. "Just remember that."

"O-ok," I reply not exactly sure how to respond to that.

By now, we are to the dining room. Firedrake opens the door for me. I slightly smile and nod as I pass him. Willyn is standing at the table when I enter. I walk over to the table and sit down. A slight smile appears on Willyn's face as she sits. A servant, I assume, brings out a plate of food and sets it in front of me. It is filled with eggs, bread, and bacon. I push the bacon aside and begin to eat.

"Elliot," Willyn says. I look up at her. "I have some unexpected business to attend to this morning. Lessons are cancelled until further notice. You may go anywhere in the castle with Firedrake until lessons are back on. I may not be here for lunch, either, so Firedrake may eat with you in place of me. You are to get to know each other better. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Aunt Willyn," I reply, even though it is an odd assignment.

"Good," she says.

The rest of our breakfast is quiet. Neither of us talks. Willyn seems distracted. The silence makes me wonder what has happened. Hopefully, it has nothing to do with Shane or Ethan. Somehow, though, I have a feeling that it has everything to do with them.

After breakfast, Willyn rushes off and Firedrake comes to get me. I follow him out of the dining room doors and into the hallway.

"What would you like to do?" Firedrake asks me.

"I don't know," I reply. "I've never really seen the rest of the castle so I have no idea what there is to do."

He stops walking to think. It is actually quite funny to watch him think. He makes all these different funny faces. I laugh at him. He struggles not to laugh as well. Finally, he has a suggestion.

"Do you like to be outside?" he asks.

"I love being outside," I answer excitedly.

"Good," Firedrake replies. "Follow me."

He turns right and begins to walk down a stone corridor.

"Why are all the corridors stone?" I ask. "It is very dull and depressing."