Koindras: A DragonRaid Tale

Chapter 3

"Did you hear what Quid got from his parents?"

Dianna looked up from her book, a lock of her red hair falling across her face.  "He got one of those compact Sacred Scrolls.  He's been talking about getting one of those volumes for months."

"I know," said Pequilla.  "But Ian somehow didn't consider that Quid's parents might get him it, so he had his parents buy a copy for Quid.  Personalized and everything."

Dianna gasped.  "Oh, no!"  She said.  "I mean, it is so sweat of Ian to think of getting a copy for Quid, but what a shame.  Does Ian know now?"

"I guess not.  Quid told me yesterday that he avoided having to reveal that bit of information at their breakfast bash.  He said it is a top of the line edition though, he really likes it, but it is sort of bitter-sweet."  Said Pequilla.

"I can imagine."  Dianna closed her book and stood up, stretching.  "I heard that Drake got his sword…finally".  They both smirked.  "I hope he doesn't get too zealous before we get to the Dragon Lands on a real DragonRaid." 

"Well, I think that Ian and Quid will help to keep him in line, or at least the sword in its sheath."  Pequilla laughed as she turned to the mirror and began to comb through her long black hair.

"I'm going to head over to the range and get some practice in, want to come?"  Asked Dianna.

"I don't think so.  Not right now at least.  Quid is supposed to come over and we are going to the Academy to see if there are any missions posted."  Pequilla said.

"Already?  I thought that you would want to rest a little after graduation?"

"And this comes from a girl who is going to practice her bow and arrow before breakfast."  Pequilla laughed.

"Well, I can't get rusty, I mean…"  Dianna took her bow and quiver off their hanger.  "I know, I know, I want to go on a mission too.  I'm just so nervous.  It felt so safe at the Academy."

"It wasn't you know really safe though.  I mean, even in some of the LightRaider tests we could have bought our ticket to the Everlasting Kingdom."  Pequilla said.

"You're right.  And I know that our first adventure will probably have a seasoned LightRaider along to assist us, but still, I guess I'm going to miss the Academy."  Dianna said.

Pequilla smirked and turned back to combing her hair.  "Well, as Professor Wulf always said, 'learning is a book that never can be closed.'"  She could hear Dianna laughing heartily as she closed the door.  As she finished combing her hair and began to braid it, Pequilla looked into the mirror and saw the trace of a tear down her cheek.  She would miss life as a student too.  It had been very hard at times, but it had instilled in her the love for discipline that she didn't think that she could have ever known.  Not only had she been equipped to 'fight the good fight', she had friends to whom she had grown so close.  She was sure that they would continue to be friends and even go on adventures together, but there was something about the Academy.  She knew that it was one of those life experiences that will never be able to be captured again.

As she finished braiding her hair she went over to her desk by the window.  Outside the sun was rising and soft clouds drifted across the sky.  A cool breeze blew in through the window.  She opened her copy of the Sacred Scrolls, a well-worn copy, the same complimentary copy that all students of the Academy received when they enrolled.  Although it was a bit heavy, it seemed to be as familiar to her as the back of her hand.  She turned to the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 10 and read quietly, "Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' for it is not wise to ask such questions."  Why not, she thought.  Why should she not think that they days as a student at the Academy were not going to be the best days of her life?  However, even as she thought this, she knew what the Scripture meant...if you lived tied too firmly to the past, you would not be free to see or even be available for what the OverLord had in store for you in the future.  However, she couldn't help shake the melancholy feeling she had.  As she looked out the window she heard a soft knock at the door and thought of another saying of Professor Wulf, 'A knock at the door brings adventure.'  She rose to answer it.