The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 13

Elysia hurried down the stairs and towards the kitchen. She was trying to outpace her new guardian but no matter how fast or slow she moved, he was always right behind her. Shortly after being introduced to this strange man yesterday, Elysia had quickly come to realize just how much she already hated him. He was everywhere and, unlike her previous guards, this man refused to speak.

No matter what Elysia said or did, he never spoke a word. It was infuriating. Just one word, that was all she asked for. Even a grunt of acknowledgment would be better than the silence he radiated.

He never made any noise, even when he walked or ran. It was as if he were a ghost, silent, yet haunting her with every step. There was no escape for her. Only when she were to use the facilities or sleep, and even then he was right outside the door. His presence emanated through the walls. She could feel him with her always, a reminder that she messed up, a reminder that her father did not trust her enough to leave her alone. Ever.

Now as she ran to the kitchen, she felt her guardian matching her pace behind her. She flung the door to the kitchen open and slipped inside, hoping she could evade her guardian if only for a brief second. But alas, he easily stopped the door with his hand and entered behind her.

She sighed loudly and wandered around, searching for her friend. After asking another chef, she discovered Sirey outside fetching eggs from the hens.

Elysia laughed as she watched a hen start pecking at Sirey as she struggled to snatch the hen's eggs from the nest.

"Don't make me fry you," Sirey threatened the feisty poultry. The hen bocked at her and continued to peck at the young apprentice-chef's hands. "Dang bird!" Sirey sucked her finger as it bled.

"Maybe if you didn't threaten to roast her all the time," Elysia offered, biting back laughter.

Sirey jumped, the princess' voice startling her. The young apprentice-chef squatted down in defeat. "I swear this stupid hen has a death wish."

"I'm starting to know how she feels," Elysia said softly.

Sirey finally seemed to notice the strange man in the cloak behind the princess. "Who's your friend?"

Elysia rolled her eyes. "He's not my friend."

"Ouch," Sirey said standing up. "You know he's right behind you."

"Trust me, I am fully aware of his presence."

"Then you might want to watch what you say," Sirey suggested. "After all, he is human."

"I'm not so sure," Elysia muttered, stepping closer towards her friend and wincing as she felt her guardian move behind her.

Giving up on the eggs, Sirey moved out from the coop area and started walking towards the pasture. "So what's the deal with him then?" She made sure her voice was low as she walked alongside the princess, but Elysia had the feeling this mysterious man had the ears of a hawk.

"He's my father's latest idea of a punishment for me. Except this one is apparently permanent."

"That's harsh. But come on, he can't really follow you forever, right? At some point your dad will see you can take care of yourself."

"I wish," Elysia grumbled.

"So what's his story? He doesn't look like he's from around here."

Elysia stared off into the distance of the pasture. Several cows grazed there alongside goats and sheep. Though the livestock had a large area to roam they were still enclosed by fences. Elysia suddenly empathised for them. She too was confined to her cage.