The Dragon Paladin

Chapter 7

My  legs are shaking as I exit the lion. Not from fear, but adrenaline. The most exciting thing I have ever done. We didn't go flying yet, just stuck to the cavern and worked on stop, turn and go. I think Shiro could sense how nervous I was, and congratulated me every time I got something right. We're now back in the cave, and Krolia is talking to someone I can't see in another language. Which raises the question, how does she know the Sharamudoi language? She doesn't speak it perfectly when she talks to me, but that doesn't matter. Looking around, there doesn't really seem to be much to do. Actually, yes there is. I just hope Krolia doesn't object. While she's not looking, I pick up one of the knives hanging from the wall and head outside.

Now, what am I looking for? The plan is to make some mats and baskets, and for that I'll need willow switches, bark from young tress and long dry grass. The sun is rising by the time I've found everything, and directly overhead by the time I'm done. The baskets are watertight with lids, for storage. The mats are to keep the chill off our backs at night. On my way back, I take a closer look at the knife I sto...borrowed. The whole thing is about the size of my forearm, including the handle. Even Jondalar, skilled as a flint knapper though he is, couldn't make a knife this beautiful. What a strange symbol on the hilt. The blade itself is beautiful in a terrifying way. On one side, it's smooth like a normal knife. The other side has three barbs. Nice. You can go hunting with this knife, and the animal dies sooner. In a fight, you can put your opponent through as much pain as possible before they die. Just stick  it in and then rip it out. Ah, what a delicious thought. Your enemies face going pale, eyes and mouth wide in shock and pain, fighting for each breath. Their blood dripping down your blade as you give it one final twist.

Wait, what am I thinking? I'm not sadastic! Ellie, stop thinking like that right now! I sigh. Maybe I should bring some food back as well, just in case.

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I'm standing in the entrance of the cave, wondering what's going on. Krolia's moving fast, changing stuff around and hiding everything.I clear my throat to get her attention.

"Uh, Krolia?" She walks right by me,arms filled with tools. "What's happening?" She puts the stuff in the back of the shuttle, completely ignoring me. I can't say if this is normal for her, I only just met her. She's busy right now, but what am I supposed to do? Do I just leave her be? Help? What?

I pull myself out of my thoughts to find Krolia glaring at me and pointing at the wall.

"Did you take one of these blades?" Her voice is accusing, and her eyes are flashing. It scares me. I hand it over, and she hangs it back up with the others.

"My brothers are coming to see the lion," she says. "We're all under orders from the eldest, Kolivan. He has high standards for everything, and where did you get that stuff?" 

"Hm? Oh, I made them. I spent the morning weaving, and got the food on the way back." Two salmon, several katniss roots, and some wild rosemary and lemon thyme.

"Why so much fish?"

"I like fish, and salmon is my favourite." Real answer: fish is the main food for dragons. And I'm half dragon. Yeah, it's my favourite. Krolia just nods as if m answer makes total sense.

"Alright, kid. I'll finish up here, and you do the cooking, okay?"

Just because I'm an omega? Fine.

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I'm just about done with the cooking, when a strange sound just outside the cave makes itself known. You know the way the wind sounds during a storm, when it's blowing so hard it starts whistling? Like that, but with thunder instead of wind. Lo and behold, it's a pod. The door open, and out steps a giant. Not really a giant, but this guy dwarfs Krolia and she's significantly taller than me. What's with that yellow and red rope between them? It's Connecting them at their hearts. Mostly yellow, less red. It's translucent. Maybe some kind of bond? I'm calling it a Family Bond. I wonder what other kinds of bonds there are. I mentally slap myself, and realize this guy scares me. Broad shoulders, red marks on his face, weird outfit. Not to mention those glowing yellow eyes. Why are his eyes glowing? That's not supposed to happen, is it? I turn back to the food, and listen to their conversation.