Eye of the Storm (DISCONTINUED)

Eye of the Storm-Chapter 3

I had finally reached SkyHaven Dragon Rider's Academy.

It had been a long, hard journey on the road from my grandfather's house (I still wasn't used to calling him that). I had gone several days without food or water, and some nights I ended up sleeping out in the open. Once or twice a kind cart driver would give me a ride, and I would sleep for hours until they had reached their own destination and kicked me out. I had gotten lost several times, but I had, at last, reached my destination.

Above me, a huge arch made of marble glittered in the sunlight, welcoming me to SkyHaven. A path branched in all directions from my feet, and a mansion rose high up a few yards in front of me, the sign out front of it engraved with the words "SkyHaven House". The left branch of the path led to a huge stable yard, surrounded by stalls with gargantuan doors and stone walls, where the dragons undoubtedly lived. To the right were more buildings, these ones labeled, "Tack", "Hatchery", "Food Storage" and "Tool Shed". I looked on in awe. This was where I was meant to be, I was sure of it.

A pretty young woman came out of the house and saw me. She was dressed in a pristine SkyHaven riding jersey and black leggings. She looked with obvious interest at my clothes, and burst out laughing.

I looked down at myself and grimaced. I was still in my old, ripped tunic and trousers, covered in dung and dust, and clutching the dragon egg to my chest. I bowed my head, my face burning. I heard the woman's laughter stop.

"I'm sorry, child, for laughing at you. I just couldn't help myself! Come inside, you're in obvious need of a bath."

I looked up to see that she was smiling kindly at me, her arms open wide to show that she meant no harm. I took a step closer and she beckoned to me.

"Come in!" So, I did just that.

The inside of the SkyHaven House was just as grand as the outside. Gilded marble pillars carved with dragons wound their way up to the arched ceiling, which was decorated with swirling clouds and golden rays of sunshine. The floor was polished, honey- gold wood, and there was a long red carpet leading up to a front desk. The young woman ushered me towards it. "Don't be afraid, now," she coaxed.

The woman sitting behind the desk had short, artificial gray curls topping her head. Her face was pinched and irritable, and I instantly recognized her as someone not to be messed with.

"Well, Cynthia, what have you dragged in now?" the pinch-faced woman snapped. Cynthia smiled.

"I found her at the Archway. She was holding this." She took the gray egg from my arms and showed it to Pinch-Face. I grabbed it back, hugging it to my face as if I was a small child and it was a favorite stuffed animal. Cynthia smiled at me. "She's going to need lodgings, aren't you...?"

"Kiera." I said shortly.

Cynthia turned back to Pinch-Face. "Kiera will need lodgings. And I daresay you aspire to be a rider?" she asked me kindly. I nodded.

Pinch-Face's face became even pinchier. "Well how are you going to be paying for your lodgings, Miss Kiera?" she directed this sharp question at me. I shrugged hopelessly and looked to Cynthia. Her smile had faded and she looked at Pinch-Face with nothing short of contempt.

"Put it on my bill," she instructed shortly, and held out her hand to Pinch-Face.

Pinch-Face sighed and put a key in Cynthia's outstretched hand. "Your room is on the fourth floor, number four twenty-seven."

Cynthia smiled again. "Thank you, Jean." She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the left side of the desk, where there was a short hallway ending in a door. She ushered me to the door and pressed a button that was on the wall next to the door. She turned to me.