The Flaming Ice

Chapter 17: Leaf

Five days have passed since we played Fish-Attack, and five days have passed since Aqua and I encountered Prince Tiger. We have yet to tell anyone about it, and even to each other we have a silent agreement to not bring it up. Neither of us had magically gained the answer on why and how Tiger ended up so deep in Water Tribe territory that day. I had asked her if we should tell King Golden Sky about it, even if it's just a partial lie in saying we spotted a fire dragon in the rainforest, but I was surprised when she shook her head.

"Tiger didn't cause any harm, not that we know of," she had reasoned while we spoke about the matter in her quarter that night. "Maybe fire dragons aren't taught properly about the Dragon River borders and respecting them."

It was a reason that I don't think even Aqua was fully confident in, but it's the only assuming answer we have.

Now, Aqua and I are making our way to the Novice Cave, walking the same route we have since I first came here. It's become such a routine over the days, both the Tribe fighter and the waterbreath lessons alternating each day. It brings me certainty that, generally, those facts won't change, at least until I leave for the Ice Tribe.

We join our Tribe fighter novice group of River and Leaf and wait only a few more minutes for Coral to arrive. Then we listen intently to Cryptic Abyss for what today's lesson's plans are.

"Today we are going to be working on teamwork while fighting," the trainer explains. "All five of you will be in one big spar, but in two teams, one with three of you and the other with two. I do realize this may be unfair, but the team of two will have to prove to me that you can fight harder to match against a team of three. This will be different in the sense that you do not have to pin down any dragon for a certain amount of time. You are to continue the spar until I call it to an end. Am I clear?"

We all nod.

"Can I be on the team of two?" Coral asks hopefully.

Cryptic Abyss moves her dark gray eyes to Coral. "I was planning on you teaming with Leaf anyway. Aqua, Zoey, and River will be on the other team."

None of us protest as we spread out around the area, preparing to start. I look over to my right to see Aqua beside me and River on her other side. River meets my gaze with his own determined one and nods to me.

"Three versus two?" he hisses to Aqua and me. "This will be easy."

I chuckle at his cockiness. He probably would have said the same thing if he was the one on the team of two.

"I wouldn't underestimate them if I were you," Aqua warns the dragon, glancing at him. "Leaf has to be the best fighter out of all of us, and Coral can be really unique in her moves. They should make a good team together."

"But against us?" River bursts out with great pride. "We have the prophesied dragonette, the princess of the Water Tribe, and me on our team!"

I laugh. "I like how we all have titles except for you."

"Hey, I do have a title," the sky-blue novice insists. "'River the Strong'!"

Aqua audibly snorts at that, but our conversation is interrupted as we notice Wisdom strolling over to us from the tunnel.

"Good morning, Wisdom," Cryptic Abyss greets the elder dragon as he approaches her with a respectful dip of her head. "Do you need something? We were just starting a spar to improve teamwork."

"A spar?" Wisdom echoes, his old gaze scanning over us five novices. "Excellent. Would you mind if I spectate this spar?"

"Not at all, Wisdom," approves Cryptic Abyss breathlessly. "We'd be honored for you to watch. Plus, it'd probably make them fight better," she adds in a hiss.