Soar

Chapter 18

I had little luck with the sword that day, or the next when Hedyr arrived as I was walking home. The only thing I succeeded in learning was which muscles were necessary to wield a sword. Hedyr was the image of patience, promising that with more time I was sure to learn; if not with the sword, then with something else.

Tryven caught wind of our endeavor and renewed his efforts to have me join patrols. To my dismay, Hedyr encouraged this notion. His reasoning was that it would give me a chance to see more of the kingdom to which I now belonged.

"You do not have to join the riders," Hedyr said, "You could just travel with us this once."

It was difficult to argue because Hedyr was so persistent. In the end my only hope for peace was to agree.

The night before we were to leave, Tryven arrived at Erizar's house. Hatesa let him in.

"What do you have, bird boy?" she asked, seeing his hands hidden behind his back.

I had become familiar with the sly smile now spreading across Tryven's face. "A gift for Azadryn."

"Does it want me to have it?" I asked, getting up from my seat. Tryven's last gift had been a terrified little bird he had intended to use to teach me bird speech. It had been so upset by hiding in his hands that it had flown at my face the moment it was released.

Tryven laughed. "Yes." He brought out the gift. It was a mask.

"Did you make that?" Hatesa sounded more than a little impressed.

Grinning, Tryven jumped forward to give it to me.

"Thank you," I breathed. The mask was fashioned after a dragon's head. The scales were fine pieces of metal, most of them a rich bronze color. Two small horns curled away above the eyeholes.

"I had help," Tryven admitted.

I carefully took the mask in my hands and stroked the smooth scales. "It is beautiful."

"Every patrol rider ought to have one," he said.

Hatesa scoffed. "Not every one." She had told me before how she hated have things in her face.

"Your feathers and paint are still a mask," Tryven retorted. "Try it on, Azadryn."

The mask fit well and did not hinder my sight at all. Tryven beamed when I told him it was well-made.

"I hope you are not teasing the poor peacock," a voice called from outside.

"Runedan!"

The dragon pulled way when I rushed to hug him, saying he wanted a good look at the peacock's craftsmanship. He scrutinized the mask with a solemn expression. "You did not fashion it after me," he said, sounding injured.

Tryven only rolled his eyes. "Putting aside Sverrhu's feathers, I have no material that would match your scales. This way, Azadryn looks fearsome and her face is protected. Most of our masks would crumble against a blade."

"Or a fist," Hatesa added like she knew from experience.

I carefully undid the ties at the back of my head. "And I need every advantage."

"When do you leave?" Runedan asked.

"At first light."

"Then I will say farewell now." Runedan lowered his head to butt his nose against my shoulder. "I have patrol duty as well."

My heart sank. Both of our kinds were doing everything in their power to keep us apart. "Then I will see you when I get back."

His eyes were dim. "Be careful, Azadryn."