The Dragon Paladin

Chapter 12

Well, today was the day. I'm leaving Ma, to go study magic with Soldier. I place the few of my belongings that aren't already stored inside my lion into one of the many baskets I have woven. My blade, fur blankets, herb jars and some rocks I dug up in the river.

Soldier stands behind me. "You ready to go?"
I say nothing, and keep my back turned.
She pats my shoulder. "I'll give you some time to say goodbye."

I don't need to be told twice. I drop my bag and sprint to where Ma is standing, on the opposite side of the cavern. I wrap my arms around her tightly. We stay like this for a moment, before Ma puts some space between us. She puts one hand on my shoulder, the other tilting my chin upward.

"Don't worry," she says. "You'll be safer with Soldier and her pack in Erin, than you will here with me. At least until you can fly."

I don't say anything. Just quietly hug her one last time before going back to Vita and my new mentor.

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

After about two hours of flying, we landed in one of the Bayband Pack hangars. It is safe to say I am more than a little nervous. This is the place I'll be living for who knows how long, doing who knows what.

A noise inside the hangar catches my attention. I look out the window of Vita's cockpit, and find...that alpha who tackled me, throw what I'm assuming is an empty oil drum into a trash pile? Is he angry about something?

"Soldier?"
"Say no more."
And out she goes. I watch her walk over to the taller male. She puts her hand on his shoulder, and he holds her close. It's kinda cute how he has to bend down to do so. Then he looks up at Vita. Through the window. To me. His face darkens. He then turns sharply and leaves. Did I do something? What was with that look? I wanna go home.

Soldier helped me carry my belongings up to the pack house. I kept my blade on me.

The closer we got, I noticed, the more decorations were being put up.

"Soldier?"
"Yes?"
"Why are there so many banners and flags with a smiling sun on them?"
"The pack is preparing for Litha, celebration of the summer solstice. It's next week, on the 21st."
I nod, as if I understand. I don't. Although, it does sound familiar. Why does it sound familiar? Litha. Summer solstice. Longest day of the year.
"Its the day that the Sun God is at his strongest, right?"
Soldier smiles at me. "That's right," she says. "Who taught you?"
I blink. "Taught me.....what?"
Soldier laughs. "Magic, of course! You can't have known that detail about Litha if you hadn't at some point studied magic."
I look down at the ground. "I don't remember."

The conversation goes quiet, until we reach the pack house. Its enormous! It looks more like a small mansion!

Absolutely breathtaking. I wonder how many others there are.

Inside looks and feels so much bigger than it does when you see it from the outside.

"Clever little illusion," Soldier states, "isn't it?"
I nod, awestruck. The entranceway is huge! We walk through the front doors, and into the house.

This house has aesthetic. I like it.

I follow Soldier to the room I'll be staying in. The beds are in the corner, leaving an empty space in the center. It's quite spacious. I wonder who else is here. I can see from the sheets, that two of the four beds are taken.

Soldier clears her throat. "The others are outside, hanging up chimes in the gardens. I'll send them in once we're finished with afternoon classes. In the meantime, you can get settled." I nod, as she walks over to the wall. She presses a button and a door opens. "This is your wardrobe. You already have a few basic items, such as blankets and toiletries. You may decorate your space as you wish." I nod as she continues. "Your roommates are a beta named Clara, and an alpha named Kaylum." My stomach drops. This'll be fun.