The Dragon Hunter

6

It took about three days for Luna, Quin and Minx to reach Grey-Castle. As the large stone wall came into view a knot tightened in Luna's stomach. She could see soldiers dressed in the Hunter's society uniform patrolling, two waiting outside a large steel gate, guarding the entrance into the city. They watched her as they approached.

"Licence please," One of them stated, eyeing Minx and holding out his hand. Luna rummaged around in her jacket and pulled out a small booklet, like a passport; her Tamer licence. He took it and after a few seconds smiled and handed it back. "Luna Autumn. We've been expecting you. I take it these are Minx and Quin?"

"Yep," she replied, returning his smile. He was old, maybe in his late fifties, greying hair visible beneath a hat like the one Axel had worn. He nodded to his partner and they stepped to one side. He pointed towards the crowded street past the gate.

"Keep going down this street until you see a statue, man riding a stag. You can't miss it. Turn left there, keep going again. Third alley on the right if you want to take a shortcut, look for a hanging sign with the three headed dragon logo. Like this," He pointed to the logo on his jacket. He smiled warmly again. "Welcome to the society, Miss Autumn."

Luna nodded, walking past them and into the busy street. The differences between Penen and Grey-Castle were immediately clear. People stared in awe at Minx. Quin sighed and rubbed his face.

"What do you think it'll be like?" He asked, looking up at her. Luna just shrugged.

"Don't know. Probably better than that darn cabin."

He laughed as they pushed their way down the street. Minx kept her head down, nervously looking around.

"I don't like this," She whispered. "Can I just meet you there?"

Luna shook her head. "You don't know your way around. You'll get lost."

As they continued the crowd gradually got busier and busier, more and more people appearing out of nowhere. A few led horses or donkeys behind them, and a small boy ran past, chasing a dog. A statue came into view, glittering silver in the morning light. It was a man riding a stag, just like the soldier at the gate said, dressed in a long flowing trench coat with a dragon on his shoulder. Luna whistled, stopping and staring up at it.

"Forest Silver Claw," She nodded. "He had skill if he trained that thing."

Quin frowned. "Why?"

"First of all, that's a rare species. I've only ever had my hands on one egg. Sold for quite a bit. Second, they're notoriously cunning. That thing would trick you at every opportunity if it didn't think you were worthy."

Quin smiled slightly. "You know your stuff, don't you?"

She tussled his hair and laughed. "You being sarcy mate?"

Suddenly Minx yelped and tugged on Luna's hair. Luna turned to tell her to stop and was faced with a tall man holding Minx by the neck. He was dressed wealthily - the fabric he wore was defiantly silk. Fine jewellery decorated his fingers and wrists and a small blue dragon was chained to his shoulder. They stared at each other for about a minute before Luna slowly spoke.

"What are you doing?"

"I'd like to ask you the same question, kid. Where'd a poor wretch like you get a dragon?"

Luna scowled and pulled Minx free from his grasp. She gasped and hugged Luna's chest, breathing heavily. She didn't back down.

"Minx? I hatched her," She lied. Luna hadn't actually hatched Minx, they'd met shortly after she'd started to train with Charlie in order to obtain a licence. People were watching in awe at the teen squaring off against the obviously rich man.