Warrior (book one of Kefale Academy series)

Chapter Six: Leaving Ovaros

It's the day of the carriage's arrival, and I'm standing in the front of the barracks with all of my friends. My dresses had come in yesterday, and I had given Brylin hers. She would have screamed at me if she could. But she couldn't, so she settled for hugging the life out of me instead. In the past few weeks I had grown to love the people here. Even if they said I was fifty four instead of eighteen.

The carriage had gotten here already, and I was surprised at the size of it, including the size of the horses. They were huge. If I had been listening correctly when Captain Daruk told me what they were, they're called Shiloxxii. They originated in the home of the shapeshifters apparently.

I mean, seriously, these things aren't normal. Their head looks more like a dragon than a horse, and they don't have front hooves. They have the legs of a dragon, claws included. They had spines running down their neck too, and horns on the side of their face.

Anywho, I stood there, mouth agape as they loaded my stuff into the carriage led by six of these Shiloxxii. I decided to walk up to one, not knowing if it would bite me. As I walk over to them, each one of them lower their heads, almost like a bow of respect.

"Holy shit. It's almost like they recognize her or something," I heard their caretaker say behind me. "I know they can be loyal, but I've never seen them bow to someone."

I turned around and looked at the caretaker with confusion. He shrugged at me. "Can I pet them?"

"If they let you. Go and head and ask them. They can understand us very well," he responded to my question.

I turned to the Shiloxxii and asked out loud, "Can I pet you guys?"

A startling voice sounded within my mind, "Yes, you may pet us, young one. I am the leader of this herd, Navari. We are the only six here in Leifhari." As the voice echoed in my head, with my jaw dropped open, the Shiloxxii at the front of the line bent its head down to my level, blowing on my face gently, confirming it was Navari. "If you ever need me, my lady, do not hesitate to call out to me and I shall be there as quick as the wind carries me."

I was still startled, reaching up to pet Navari's massive head. "Uh..." I started, looking at the caretaker from over my shoulder. "Are they supposed to be able to speak back, or am I just hearing things?"

"Well, there are no reports of them talking to anyone except the soul people. I guess they used to talk to the shapeshifters too, considering they're natively from that land," he responded, coming to stand next to me. "What did he say to you?"

"He said that he is the leader of this herd, and they are the only six that are in Leifhari right now. Oh, and that if I ever needed him, just to call for him and he would come," I said, still petting Navari's head, my hands reaching up to rub behind his ears.

"Well, those are facts, Miss Alvundara. He is the leader. Did he tell you his name? We have names we call them, yes, but we are uncertain if those are their real names."

"Navari. That is his name." I said, giggling as Navari let out a small purr when I rubbed his ears. That must've come from his dragony type self, because horses can't make that noise.

The caretaker nodded, "Ah, see, we had been calling him Ovaro. I guess we shall call him Navari now." Turning to address the Shiloxxii, he apologized, "Navari, I am sorry for having called you the wrong name all of this time."

"It is alright, little human," Navari said, speaking into my mind.

"He says it is alright," I say for Navari and stop petting him asking, "Say, Navari, what are the names of the rest of the herd?"