Dragon Tide Chronicles: Dawn Rising

Chapter 12: Insignia of Storms

Chapter 12: Insignia of Storms

After Alexander had growled at me, Ore had marched right up to him. Alexander tilted his head and looked at him.

“What’s YOUR problem?” He growled. Ore grabbed his leather armor.

“That’s exactly what I was going to say, Dragonling. What in the world is your problem? Why did you treat my sister like that? I can put up with your grouchy attitude, but this is not acceptable.” Alexander snarled, and replied in a low voice,

“Let go, of my armor. NOW.” Alexander was quite angry, and the way he spoke suggested he was going to be very violent if Ore didn’t let go.

Ore growled and yanked harder, while saying, “Not until you…” Riiiip. Ore had managed to rip the worn leather, and Ore lost his balance and let go. Alexander’s eyes gleamed blood red, only brighter then usual. I glanced at his chest for a moment, and Ore did as well, and we both saw the same thing at the same time. A faded blue tattoo-like symbol, a circle with a line coming out of the top, and two from the bottom. The next instant, Alexander growled and covered the exposed symbol. He then got up, and punched Ore in the gut. He then kicked him literally out of the house, and then stalked off to the room, with a needle and thread. I just stood there, listening as he growled and hissed in a furious anger.

I got the courage to speak up, and asked, “What was that symbol on your chest that I saw?” The very next instant, he roared,

“MIND YOUR OWN BUISNESS!!” I shut up. I knew when not to press him too much. Besides, I didn’t think it was worth it.

Orph came back with Ore on his shoulder. “So what did you guys do to make Alexander mad?”

Ore shrugs, “I don’t know. Something about the symbol on his chest and me ripping his armor.”

Orph winced. “I had the misfortune of doing that once, and he literally tried to rip my head off. I’m not kidding.” I whistle.

“So why does he get so mad about that symbol? Why is it such a big deal?” I frown. That symbol doesn’t look like just some pop culture kind of thing. It looked more like an ancient symbol. I’m not skilled in ancient symbols, but that looks like a typical example of one. Weird.

“I don’t know. He doesn’t say anything about it, just gets really mad if I bring it up or see it. I’m pretty sure it’s something that he doesn’t want to talk about, so I just try to avoid the subject.” Orph sighs. “Just one of the many things I don’t know myself about him.” At that point, Alexander had come out, but was still extremely angry. The armor had been repaired, with almost no trace of the damage, that didn’t help the situation though.

He sits down, and sighs. “Hey, Orph? Could you get me something to drink?” Orph nods.

“I’ll be right back, Alexander-saya.” Saya, for your information, is an honorific given when one is a close friend. I wondered if Alexander would return the courtesy, out of irritation, I expected him not to.

“Thank you, Orph-saya.” Alexander replies curtly. I blinked in surprise. So he does have a degree of courtesy, it’s just that he refuses to do so to us.

Shut up, pixie. Alexander’s voice snaps in my mind abruptly. Great… so now he can get inside my head. That’s just great. I moan mentally.

Oh, one more thing, Danica. He says in a sly voice.

What?! I snap in irritation.

Apples. I frown, and the memory of the last incident does not arrive fast enough for me to dodge the dozens of apples that start smacking me in the face. “ALEXANDER!!” I yell in anger. “Stop it! Argh! This is why I hate dragonlings!!” Finally, he stops only after he aims a watermelon in my face. I dodge it, and it hit’s Summer in the face. There is silence for but a moment, before she screams in rage.

“Arrggh! Look what you did to my hair you stupid dragonling!” She yells, grabbing a frying pan and rushes at, swinging like crazy. He just takes off, with her close behind, yelling all the while. While cackling his head off. Another unwanted part of his personality. The stupid prankster didn’t stop until she actually did bonk him on the head, at which he simply calmed down and went to bed. I glance at Orph, who had just come in with some water. I point at Alexander’s room, not wanting to talk with anyone. Orph thanks me, and then heads on in.

I was beginning to think that I was going to go insane before I ever got out of here. That would be wonderful if that happened. Alexander’s smug voice rings out annoyingly in my head. Oh shut up dragonling. You’re a stupid scaly excuse for a lizard’s cousin.  That shut him up. I decided to take a nap, hoping that I would at least get a good rest.