The Flaming Ice

Chapter 10: Waterbreath

We took up the same routine each day. Well, not much of a routine. On days we had Tribe fighter lessons, we went to the lesson and came right back to Aqua's quarter. On days without lessons, we remained in her quarter. A Tribe guard had begun to regularly bring in a kill for us to share, but the most Aqua ever ate of each was three mouthfuls. We alternated between sitting in her nest and soaking ourselves in the stream.

This lasted for seven days.

I would say I'm bored with it, just staying in one place all day long, but I can see how King Golden Sky told Aqua that she has to have an escort when she leaves the base really dampened her spirits. The most she's ever talked was to tell me I could have the rest of the kill brought in. I hope I bring her comfort by staying with her at the very least. It pains me to see her like this: greatly crestfallen and - I hate to even think it, but - depressed. Sometimes I notice tears clinging to her cheeks, but the most I've ever heard of a weep was a sniffle.

Not doing much for this long has really allowed me to think about everything that's been happening to me. I still find it mind-blowing how I went from my human world to a dragon world in my sleep, yet this isn't a dream. And I didn't wake up in just any dragon world. It's a world in the middle of a war, with an entire prophecy dedicated to how a dragonette will end it. And of course, that dragonette is me, the one who woke up randomly in a rainforest, destined to save a whole other species. One that shouldn't even exist.

I've also begun thinking about Jasmine again, and the familiar pain that's always a duo with that topic accompanies it even here. I can only imagine what she would say if I could tell her I traveled to a land full of dragons where I was part of a prophecy saying my destiny was to end a war. She'd probably just say something like, "Did you fall asleep while drawing dragons again?" or "Are you thinking of writing a book?"

As much as we were close to and trusted each other, I don't think she would believe that story for a second.

I also realized that I should take this insane opportunity to learn all about dragons - real dragons, if that makes any sense - that I can. I've noticed that the water dragons have webbed talons, most likely to allow them to swim better. They are also kind of smaller and leaner than I originally thought dragons would be. Their tails remind me of a mermaid's, and their wings look like strong fins. I've noticed that I look nothing like water dragons besides my ability to breathe underwater like them, but that doesn't mean I don't look like fire or ice dragons.

Aqua shifts beside me. Right now I am lying next to her on her nest. Her breathing is deep and rhythmic; she's clearly asleep. The vines to the entrance of her quarter shift for a moment before a dragon walks in. At first I assume that it is a Tribe guard bringing a kill, but then I realize it's Wisdom. I blink in surprise at him; he hasn't come in here even before. Why is he now? Unless....

He smiles sadly down at Aqua before looking at me. He talks softly to not wake the lilac dragonette. "Come with me, Zoey. I think it's a good time to start your training."

Honestly, I kind of forgot all about that after the commotion with River and then being alone with my thoughts and Aqua for so long. My excitement renews as I remember from the revealing rite that I'm supposed to learn all three dragonbreaths. I look at Aqua and whisper, "I'll be back soon," before carefully getting up and following Wisdom to his quarter.

I gaze in awe at the place when I pass through the vines. It is relatively small compared to the other quarters I've been in, but that doesn't matter. There is a nest in the corner of the quarter, and in the center is a pond, in which the only light comes from to illuminate the quarter. Wisdom urges me forward and we stand at the edge of the pond. My eyes ache as I look down into the watery light, but it's almost impossible to drag them away.