The Dragon Paladin

Chapter 11

The next day, I was able to see Ma. She was asleep most of the time, but I was just glad to be there with her.
The second night Soldier was with us, she gave me a short magic lesson. Something to do with "finding my element?"

"How it happened for me," she says, "I had just arrived at this planet after leaving home. I was walking over a field, when suddenly, a giant woolly rhino started charging at me. I didn't know what to do. I'd never seen one before. So I did the worst thing possible and ran. It eventually backed me against a cliff. Time this day, I still don't exactly know what happened or how, but I closed my eyes and when I opened them, the rhino was impaled on the topmost branches of a tree that hadn't been there 2 seconds before."

Fascinating. That's the thing with woolly rhinos. They're very aggressive and territorial.

"So...how do I find mine?" I ask.
Soldier stands up. "It's different for everyone." Ok, I know that. She pulls me up beside her. "It will take a while, but that's okay." That is not very reassuring.

I stand up and put my hand on a tree.
"Soldier, why do some packs attack each other?"
"Why do you ask?"
I hesitate. "A while ago...the day Ma and Uncle Kolivan asked me to join the Blades, I took a walk so I could decide. I got caught in a trap, and a boy had to cut me down. He tackled me and accused me off being a spy sent by the humans to find other dragons."
Soldier tilts her head. "That sounds interesting. What did this boy look like?"
I concentrate on bringing the memory back.
"He...was slightly taller than me, not scrawny, but not exactly muscled. I think he had blonde hair?"
"And which way is his pack? Can you remember?"

I concentrate for a little longer. I look down and see a faint blue line on the ground. It leads off to my left, towards the mountains.
I point in that direction. "That way."

Soldier chuckles, and shakes her head. "I'm so sorry you had to see him like that. You met Arthur, he's naturally suspicious of anyone who isn't from his pack." I'm confused.

"If he's suspicious, then how come you know him?"
Soldier shrugs again. "I make rounds when I don't need to teach my class. You remember Kaylum?"
I nod.
"He's one of my students. I teach the children of my pack how to handle and develop their abilities."

I nod. Soldier keeps talking.
"I see your wings haven't developed fully yet."
I look up in surprise, reaching for the two nubs on the back of my shoulders. "That-that's what it's supposed to be?!"
Soldier nods. "You haven't shifted all the way, have you?"
I shake my head and tremble. This...does this mean I'll be able to fly one day?
"Would you like to?"
I nod eagerly. And then a thought hits me. "Do you think you could teach me magic? And how to fly?"
"Oh, absolutely."
"With the others?"
She hesitates. "I admire your enthusiasm. However...you'd be at least 3 years behind the rest of the class."
"I know. But I'm a fast learner. My uncles said so."
"The ability to learn quickly is useless if you do not understand what you are learning." She gestures to my exposed arm. "You don't even have your mark yet."
"I know, I know. But how can I get my mark if I don't practice? I don't know how to do magic, I want to learn. Besides..." I look down. "What if Ma gets sick again and you're too far away to help?"
Soldier stops to think for a bit. "Alright. I'll see what I can do. For now, let's get back to Krolia."
I nod, and follow her back.

                   .................................................

I couldn't make out the shapes, but I think there were two people fighting. It's all blurry, so I'm not sure. One is blueish-purple, the other in black and faded indigo. I think. I watch for a while. Damn. Black is winning. I don't know why, but this makes me blush.

When I wake up, I feel warm inside. I'm smiling. This feeling is familiar, but how?

I come up to the main room after getting ready. Ma is there, and she smells completely healthy. She looks up to greet me.
"Good morning, Ellie."
I hug her. "Good morning."

Something is up. The look she shared with Soldier as I came in.

"What's going on?"

Ma is the first to speak.
"Soldier and I have been talking." That much is obvious. "And we've decided that you should study magic with her, at the Bayband Pack House."

What? Ma...wants to send me away? There are so many things I could be feeling right now, but I can't focus on any of them. Tears blur my vision as I run past them and head  for the woods. I can't believe it...Ma doesn't really want me? What am I supposed to do now?

I come to a stop in a small clearing, and try to gather my thoughts. I've only had a real family for a couple of weeks, and no suddenly I don't? Just goes to show you can never really trust anyone.

"Ellie?"
I don't look up.
"Ellie, please. Let me explain." Soldier sits beside me. "I admit, there were better ways for Krolia to say what she did. But it doesn't change the fact that someone like you, not harnessing their magic, could meet a bad end."
"Yeah? How?" I notice bitterness in my voice.
"Magic is a very powerful source of energy. It sits in your body, accumulating until you have enough to actually use. If not tapped at a certain point, it could overcharge, and you will get very sick. Some people have died because they weren't trained."
I meet her eyes.
"I know this is a lot to process," she continues. "But it will be worth it in the long run."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"Not just because I'm now Vita's pilot?"
Soldier shakes her head. "I can teach you to fly her. I know all her quirks, and I can show you how to do some pretty difficult manouvres. You don't have to come with me, back home, but it would be an advantage."
I look away.
"Just think about it?"
I nod, reluctantly. Guess I need to talk it over with Ma.

When we get back to the cave, Ma wraps me in her arms.
"I'm so sorry," she whispers. "I should have thought of a different way to tell you. Gentler."
"No," I say, hugging her back. "It's not your fault, Ma. I guess...I guess I just have issues with being left behind."
She holds me tighter. "You know I only want what's best for you, right?"
I nod. "You will come visit me, right?"
Ma strokes my hair. "Of course, I will. Me, your uncles, and Regris. We'll call every night, as well.

A//N

Well, that took longer than it should have. I'm really sorry you guys, I really tried with this chapter. I've just been super busy, and stressed. Hopefully I can get the next chapter out in two weeks? See you then!