Dragon

Chapter 5

Maay looked down at the bed, enjoying the satisfaction welling in her chest, though it clashed with the hollow sensation in her stomach. Sure the sheets were wonky and the thick blankets were likely to come untucked during the night, but she'd made it all by herself. At least, once Mara had showed her how it was done.

Fancy not having servants to do it for them. She smoothed out a wrinkle in the blankets, frowning when another popped up further down the bed. How had the servants back at the castle managed to get the linen and wool to behave? It'll have to do. Mara's amused smile was enough to tell her that she needed to improve.

Perhaps if this was to be a prolonged stay, otherwise her adopted parents had enough people to make a hundred beds. Though no one had mentioned just how long they planned to keep her here. Weeks? Months? Surely they would be able to tell she was no dragon after a week or so, if not sooner.

"Now then, the basin for washing is just behind that screen." Mara pointed to the three metal panels fencing off one corner of the cave. Apart from the twin curtains across the entrance, it was the only concession given to privacy. Never mind that the cave mouth itself opened out to a narrow flight of stairs pressed against the tunnel wall. "I'll ensure you've warm water in the morning, but we usually fetch it ourselves."

Maay frowned back down at the bed. These men and women, whether of humble or noble birth, were equal to the lords and ladies of this land. Why did they opt to leave such luxury and instead subject themselves to this drudgery? Even the guardsmen had people to assist them in the more mundane matters.

"Tomorrow I'll show you around the Hall and where to get what you need, providing your lessons have not started."

"Lessons?" She was as well learned as any lady. What could they possibly have to teach her?

The amused smile was back. Not an open mockery of Maay's ignorance, more as if Mara chuckled at herself and how she was once just as unknowing. It reminded Maay of the afternoons she spent tutoring those young ladies she'd grown to think of as her sisters.

Some of them were only a few years old and the dragons hadn't even given her the chance to say goodbye. Not even to the man who'd taken her in. Or the woman she'd always see as her mother. How had they taken her sudden departure? A tear trickled down her face. She brushed it away, but another took its place, more following close behind.

"Hush now, child." Arms were around her, pulling her into their motherly embrace. "No need to cry. It took me a while to get used to how things are done here." She gently rocked back and forth, a hand caressing Maay's head. "It'll become easier sooner than you realise."

But I don't want to be here. Little was familiar, yet the lack reminded her of home all the same. The cold leeching through the stone where there should've been warmth. The gloom when she was used to the light. If only their tests would be quick and in her favour. I don't want to be a dragon. She'd no desire to spend the rest of her life here. I want to go home.

"Mara!" The roar ripped through the cave, assaulting her ears until they felt stuffed with the sound. Again the cry came. Keening through the air.

Maay pulled away from the old woman, her heart pounding as if she'd been made to run all the way the mountain. Hands pressed against her ears, she stared up at the knight. Who called so urgently? She daren't try to ask. How could anyone hear a thing above that noise?

Suntanned face suddenly pale, Mara hurried for the entrance.

Maay followed, not sure what else to do, stumbling as another wailing blast assaulted her senses. The words garbled by volume and the echoes bouncing back at them. Maay put a hand out to steady herself, rocking back on her heels. She could feel the words humming through her body.