Legend of the Sand

~Chapter 15~

I heard a knock on my door, jolting me upright in my bed and pulling me out of my half awake half asleep state.

'Who is it?' I asked groggily, suddenly regretting my short sleep.

'It's Leora. Can I come in?'

'Of course.'

Opening the door she walked in, a strange material clasped in one hand. A smile crept on her face. I raised an eyebrow, unsure what she was holding and why she was so happy about it.

'More weapons? More saddles?'

'No, no my dear, these are some new clothes, I think you'll love them. They will allow you to move freely and be protected in training.'

I furrowed my brows, looking down at my own outfit. What was wrong with this one.

'I'll leave you to get changed, grab some breakfast and meet me at training.' She left and waved goodbye, closing the door behind her, before I could tell her about my dream last night. I sighed and took off my clothes, only now realising how dirty they were. I slid on this new outfit, it was sleek black leather leggings with a sleek black leather top with medium sleeves like my old one. A pattern like dragon scales snaked down both sides, with a belt around my waist that had a place for my dagger and other weapons to rest in their sheaths. There were lightweight metal plates on the shoulders and knees. A pair of leather bracers slid around my forearm and around my thumb. The entire outfit fitted like a glove, I'm not sure how she got my measurements so exactly, maybe she measured me in my sleep, ok I didn't want to know how but I was thankful for it.

I grabbed my weapons and made my way down to the dining hall area. There is food to be eaten. As Luna had said yesterday.

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After having eaten a lovely variety of sweet and savoury foods I made my way to the training, hoping this time that using weapons would end better than last time when I tried to use my powers. I opened the doors to the sound of many swords clanging and the twang sounds of bowstrings releasing. Repairs were coming along nicely, it was barely noticeable that there was a fire, the Queen's work probably, or someone else with powers like hers. The only sign was that some of the beige walls were blackened with smoke.

Glancing around I saw the Queen on the right of the arena, sitting and sharpening her sword, she looked up and beckoned me over to her. I strode over cheerfully, quite happy about my new clothing.

'Very nice, I knew it would suit you.'

I smiled in gratitude, 'Thank you.' She lifted her sword, a big silver two handed broadsword, I wouldn't have thought that would be her choice but apparently she wielded it with ease.

'Today we learn about how to use a sword.'

'But I don't have a-' She tossed me a sword, much smaller than hers, just one handed. It had a thin long shiny blade and a coppery hand guard above the leather handle. I caught it nervously, gripping the hold tightly.

'Now copy me.' She brought her sword to her side and swung it diagonally up and across. I copied her, making a smooth sharp movement.

After a few more techniques learnt I was getting used to this. The movements were becoming more natural and fluid. Leora let me keep the sword as she said it suited me, she infused it with air and water, giving it a sharp blue glint and a lighter feel.

'Very good.' Said the Queen, smiling at me, 'next time we can learn how to use that bow, the dagger is pretty straight forward. Then we move onto the elements again.' That sounded good to me. Suddenly my mind jerked back to the dream I had.

'Leora, can I talk to you? Somewhere a bit more private.'

She looked confused for a moment but then nodded her head. 'Of course, lets go to my room.'

We left the training arena and I followed her through the winding passageways. Up staircases and past guards until we reached the familiar swirl patterned door, her room. We entered it and took a seat on the soft Queen sized bed, closing the door behind us.

'What was it you wanted to talk about Auryon, are you okay?'

'I'm-I'm fine, really, I just had a dream last night. Like the one I had before, of the King killing a dragon. Only this time it was different...'

'Go on dear.'

I sighed, 'I dreamt that the King was speaking to someone, a boy. Telling him how I was growing stronger by the day and that this boy had gained gained your trust and that it would be easy to take me and use me to fight for them. They wanted Onyx to follow me there too. It was not a nice dream I can tell you that.'

The Queen went slightly paler than she already was, 'Auryon I don't think that was a dream, it was a vision like I predicted you might get. We must keep you safe, I shall get one of our best guards to stay with you at all times, don't worry, Onyx will be protected too, by my own dragon Azura.'

'So what I saw was real?' I asked shakily. 'They are going to try take me?!'

'No, do not worry, not on my watch.' She replied regally and fiercely.

I tried for a smile though it probably came out like how Onyx looked when he tried to smile. 'Thank you.'

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I left the room feeling better now that I had told someone and I felt safer. I walked down the hallways and extravagant rooms with intricate designs. Making my way to the stables I hummed a random tune while looking down and fiddling with the Onyx pendant necklace around my neck. As I was about to reach the stables down the final hallway I suddenly collided with something solid.

'Ouch!' Was my first reaction.

'Hey, watch it!'

I looked up to see the boy that I kept seeing around. His chestnut hair and eyes shimmered in the light of the many hanging candles held in crystal above. His eyes looked like they had something hidden in them. He glared at me before walking off in the direction he was going. Then it occurred to me why was he at the stables? I didn't see anything else there when I was there, only Onyx. What was he up to.

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