The Blue Dragon: Book One

Chapter 3

Miska flicked her long black striped tail -the tip running over my face making me grimace and swoosh it away. She was staring at William manage the men, screaming and ordering them around about all kinds of ropes to pull and tie -calling them things I've never heard of, and ignoring our game of cards. I flicked my cards down, Ace, Jack, and a King. 

"Hah! Miska I'm pretty sure I win." I cried pointing at the cards. I still had no idea how to play this game, and was pretty sure Miska made it up just to occupy me. I was having fun, nonetheless. 

Miska glanced at the card and purred, "Yes, yes. You win." 

I threw my hands in the air with a triumphant "Yes!" and kicked my legs, scattering the cards all over the place. Miska chuckled but returned her gaze to the stocky man. 

What was so interesting about Will to Miska anyways? Miska was a tiger a moody one at that. Why would all her attention go to some scrawny boat boy? I followed her gaze and watched the man swing his sword in a circle, careful not to hit anyone, and slowly approach the side of the ship, peering out at the sea as if there was never a more beautiful sight. I glanced out the side of the ship myself. Water, water, and more water. I think I'm going to be sick! I glanced at William who was still gaping over the lapping waves and shrugged. He saw something I couldn't, I convinced myself, he's been in love with these waters almost as long and much as I've been in love with clouds. I smiled up at the sky, almost memorized by all the beautiful pictures the white cotton balls created. Miska scoffed, "Day dreaming again, are we?" 

"You haven't been playing our game for a past hour." I retorted, "What's so great about staring at men anyways. That's all you've been doing." 

Miska sighed, "If I told you, you would run off asking all sorts of questions that aren't safe to ask right now, Ree." 

"I wouldn't ask anyone anything!" I cried earning me a glare that could kill. I lowered my voice. "I wouldn't, if you'd just tell me everything that's on your mind, tigress." 

Miska shook her large furry head, small droplets of salty water flinging off and landing on my skin. She laid her head down on her huge white paws and sighed, "There's something familiar about that boy." 

"Familiar?" 

Miska hummed. "He has to be of close decedent to The Shurahs or maybe The Lyconides... He's so... Swift. Look at him as he walks and dodges certain steps." 

I glanced at William who was padding through the crowd of rowdy men who were pushing each other, obviously in a small friendly fight, and watched as they fell backwards, right in front of Will who sidestepped them, made a full 360 and then half turned past another man all while holding his plate of fruits -not a grape falling. Miska nudged me, gaining my attention again and folding her ears back, "He's a shifter."