Adelaide (Summoner Fan Fiction)

Chapter 2: Hidden

The boy lifted his hand to shake Adelaide's in an attempt to show that he meant no harm, but she continued to protect Celtore with her hands. She had made it look like she moved Celtore away to stop him from harming the salamander, but she actually did it to protect her dragon. Celtore was the only thing left that kept the memory of her father alive, and she wanted to keep it that way.

The boy lowered his arm and instead spoke to Adelaide, "My name is Fletcher, I'm one of the first years of the academy." He smiled to show his innocence.

Adelaide gave in her futile attempt to stay quiet until the boy leaves, the rule 'Always answer to a question!' her parents taught her took over her intentions to stay hidden. She sighed then replied to Fletcher, "My name is Adelaide, but please just call me 'her' like everyone else does. I'm a second year." Her noble blood forced her to shake Fletcher's hand, and in doing so Celtore dropped a little in her one-armed caress, his claws hung tightly on her uniform. Adelaide grimaced in pain, but continued to allow Fletcher to grasp her hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Adelaide." Fletcher tilted his head to prepare for the scolding Adelaide had been planning to do, but alas, she had a change of heart. It felt nice to be addressed by her real name, but who can blame the others for calling Adelaide 'Her'? She had never told anyone else her name, only Fletcher and the Provost knew it, and she was reluctant to tell them both.

Fletcher pointed to the salamander on his left shoulder, "This is Ignatius. He's a Salamander Demon." Fletcher smiled and leaned his left shoulder forward so Adelaide could see him better, even though she didn't need to.

She smiled, "Yes, I know what species he is." She looked down to her slumbering dragon and sighed again, "This." She looked up at Fletcher in disappointment, "Well, this is Celtore. He is an Acid Bellower dragon," Fletcher leaned over Celtore. Adelaide held up her hand to keep Fletcher as far from Celtore as possible, "I wouldn't go near him, if I were you. He has a temper. No matter what mood he is in at first, it could change within a second. He projects acid from his acid glands just below his jaw, it may look like he's not well, but he's perfectly fine. He knows where it hurts most."

Just at that moment the servant entered the library, he looked at Adelaide in surprise, "Excuse me, madam, but are you not supposed to be in your room? Sleeping?"

Even the use of the word 'sleep' made her cringe. Sleeping, or simply closing her eyes, forced her to see the horrific death the albino orc inflicted on her father. She could not get the the images out of her head. She looked at the servant, "I'm not tired." Of course, she lied, how much she would have loved to sleep without waking in fear, drowned by her sweat and tears. She couldn't tell them that she had nightmares about the orcs, they would kick her out of the academy for cowardice.

Adelaide looked at Celtore, his dreaming made her realise how tired she really was. She thought about going back to her room, but the other second years would be making their way down to breakfast soon, and what would be the point of going to sleep when all she would do is constantly wake in fear. "I will go down to breakfast." She announced to the others, the word woke Celtore from his deep dreaming. He licked his chops and jumped onto Adelaide's shoulder as she walked to the library doors.

As she walked outside a strange light hovered over her other shoulder. The dragon swiped playfully at the air, trying to catch the orb like he attempted to do each morning. The other second years followed after her, surrounding her with similar garments and orbs until she was finally a grain of sand on a beach again. Hidden.