Winnow (On Hold)

Chapter Three

The Caves

Stephanie had her hand wrapped firmly around Riley's wrist as she walked her out of the Gloriam house. After a few moments of struggling, Riley was finally able to free herself as she walked alongside her roommate up the cobble stone road. She was led to the middle of the great square, where the dormitories lay on all sides. On the furthest side of the square sat two dormitories that were the same size, their names in large metal letters on their roofs. The one closest to the girls left was called Imperium, and the other, Callidus.

The two girls rushed down the narrow dirt path between the two dormitories. A forest began behind Imperium and Callidus, but the girls didn't mind because the path only got wider as they went on. After a short minute of walking, there was a large opening to what seemed like a cave. Stephanie and Riley stood in front of it, Riley's mouth agape. To Riley, the darkness seemed menacing.

"Don't be scared," Stephanie took a deep breath and grabbed Riley's wrist again before pulling her towards the looming darkness. The girls walked down an immediate shallow slope, lights that were placed periodically down the jagged black stone wall, flickering on as they walked by.

"What is this place?" Riley questioned her newfound tour guide.

"The dragon caves. Dragon-based sports are very popular right now." Once at the bottom of the slope, Riley could hear loud breathing that she could only assume belonged to a dragon.

"Don't be scared. The dragons bred in schools, aren't dangerous unless they're given an order to be," Stephanie informed Riley as they came to the arena. The ground flattened out and was made of loose dirt which was the colour of sand. The ceiling of the arena was high up and pure, jagged black rock. She was able to make out stands that were encased by rock. At the other end of the arena, which was about two football fields away, there was a large black opening in the wall, that could only lead to where the dragons were being housed.

"Maybe we should go, I have a feeling that we shouldn't be here," Riley whispered.

"Chill. I wanted to see the baby dragons!" Stephanie stomped her feet like a child.

"We could get in trouble, Steph!"

"Fine. Whatever helps you sleep at night," she sighed frustratedly. Riley grabbed her hand and began leading Stephanie up the incline from which they had entered. Once out in the fresh air again, Riley took a deep breath. The two girls walked down the dirt path back to the cobblestone square where they were met with Riley's acquaintances, Preston and Liam.

"Steph, this is Preston and Liam. I met them on the train."

"Hey, I'm Stephanie, or Steph, whatever is fine. I'm Riley's roommate. But speaking of rooms, we would just love a tour of your dorm!" Stephanie imposed.

"Yeah, sure. We're just right here in Callidus," Liam shrugged while leading the group to the dorm on the right of the path. The marble shone in the sunlight, a stray beam reflecting right into Riley's eyes. She tried not to make a fuss before stepping into the shadow of the building. Once they had climbed the stairs, Preston raised his right hand, which caused the doors to open in a suspenseful manner. The boys pushed open the door labelled seventeen, and were immediately met with their burgundy and silver central common room, which was packed full of other students. The first person Riley recognized was Gina, sitting in a big burgundy leather chair with a self-entitled smirk sitting on her smug face. She laughed along with Jackson, the boy from Wales, that Riley had met on the train.