Chapter Six
“Damn, my legs hurt,” hissed a cadet from a shower stall not far away. The run had taken them around the entire academy making many of them sweat and pant with exertion. Sergeant Macfie was far from done with them at that point, however. They were all sent to the showers and to bed only to rise the next morning before the sun was up. He ran them again around the entire academy twice. Then when the sky began to lighten, he lead them to an obstacle course called the mountain range. Followed by more calisthenics. Water breaks were given frequently but far too short.
“You think the bloke would’ve givin’ us a break in the shade,” another boy prompted.
“At least ve have ze rest of ze day off,” commented another. “I mean, meeting ze staff and council can’t be bad, right.” He gave a hopeful shrug of his shoulders.
A few second and third year cadets with them mocked him with laughter.
Jeremiah smirked slightly to himself as he listened from his own shower stall. The workout was indeed extensive. Far more exhausting and challenging than the exercise sessions he and Jessica had done anticipating this. He stood in the hot water for a few more moments letting it soothe his sore muscles. His thoughts drifted to his sister, wondering how she was fairing. Macfie hadn’t given any special treatment for the women. They had worked just as hard with just as short water breaks. He gave a sigh as the water turned off by itself. His time was up. He grabbed his towel and dried himself off enough to put a pair of trousers on. He dried off his hair before placing his towel over his shoulders and headed toward his area to comb his hair and shave.
“Hullo Jeremiah,” greeted the redhead he’d met on the wagon. He was tall and somewhat thin showing his bare chest with a towel wrapped around his waist. His red hair was still dripping with water onto his shoulders.
“Good morning, Ralph,” he answered with a smile.
“You and Jessica did really well,” he offered.
“Thanks!”
“What you say we go explore this place a bit before we go to meet the staff?”
Jeremiah beamed. “I was actually planning on it. You don’t mind if we meet up with my sister, do you?”
“No, not at all. I wouldn’t mind. What should we see first? This place is huge!” At this point Ralph had grabbed his pants and was struggling to get them up. “Man, these are tight! I think they’re too small.”
“Are you sure they’re yours,” offered Jeremiah suggesting that Ralph had possibly grabbed the wrong pair.
“I thought they were.” He checked the sack of clothes he had been given. His name was on it and another pair of pants were inside. A different color than what he had. Ralph dug deeper out of curiosity. Digging out a full set of dark grey clothes that were his size but a bit tight looking. They matched his tight fitting pants. “Look at this! It’s another uniform of sorts,” he stated as he held up a hooded shirt for Jeremiah's inspection.
Jeremiah nodded. “I got one too, but if yours is too small, you might want to let administration know,” he offered. “Maybe lady Valindrei can help,” he added with shrug.
“I might just have to,” he stated uncomfortably as he tried to slip his finger in between his pants to see how much room was between his pants and waist. They were pretty tight.
“Though,” Jeremiah started again as he begun to shave and eyed Ralph, “they might supposed to be that tight.”
“Maybe,” muttered Ralph trying to get them situated. Jeremiah laughed slightly and went back to his shaving as Ralph struggled with his pants.
When finished Jeremiah took the towel from his face and wiped his face clean. “Meet me outside when you’re finished,” he suggested to Ralph after placing the razor and comb back into his small case where he kept his other hygiene products and zipped it up.
“Yeah, sure,” said Ralph working on his hair.
Jeremiah hurried to his bunk and finished getting dressed. His uniform was tight fitting as well but comfortable. He shrugged his shoulders and finished by putting his jacket on. It wasn’t long after that Ralph joined him and they took off for the women’s barracks to meet up with Jessica. Other cadets were already enjoying the day or heading out to explore the Academy.
To their left they caught a few people practicing on the training grounds. Being the last day of the week, they were free to do what they wanted for the most part. The new arrivals, however, were scheduled and required to know where their classes were and meet their instructors.
Jessica smiled seeing Ralph with her brother. “Good morning Ralph,” she greeted.
“Mornin’,” he said, his ears turning pink slightly. “I, um, suppose you’re grateful we finished that crazy run earlier?”
Jessica chuckled, “Yeah. Well, I was thinking we could see the eyrie first,” she suggested looking at her brother for his opinion. He gave a pleasant nod before she looked back at Ralph, “You up for it?”
“See the great ones! You betcha!” and his excitement propelled him toward the eyrie.
She laughed as both her and Jeremiah followed.
Outside the wind picked up the dust of the parade grounds, the sun was high above them causing the light to glare off the ground and into their faces. They blinked several times on their way until their eyes adjusted. There were several that wore the same dark blue jackets they did. Some wore a light blue one. They were riders. It wasn’t a long walk. Only a short way ahead stood the base of the great eyrie. The tower rose high into the sky honeycombed with the roosts of the giant raptors that stayed there. Massive beams of great oaks supported it along with guidelines that started three quarters of the way up to control the tilt it took in the wind. The structure was truly awe inspiring.
Ralph led the way gawking at its vastness. “How can they not just pause and stare at this?” he asked in wondering awe.
“Perhaps it’s because they’ve been here long enough that it’s just become another random object,” observed Jessica looking up at it and taking it all in. “Kind of like how they behaved when that dragon roared.” She chuckled at something funny she remembered. “Hardly anyone was fazed, but he scared the snot out of you though.”
Ralph made a somber expression at that. “Who would have thought a dragon would be here anyway?” he asked.
“True, very true,” she agreed. “But he was amazing wasn’t he?” she asked.
“Are you crazy,” stated Jeremiah, eying her as if she was insane to find such pleasure in the dragon. “It’s a dragon!”
Jessica shrugged. “Perhaps not all of them are vicious. I mean, why would he be allowed here if he was dangerous. Lady Valindrei just looked annoyed. If he wasn’t supposed to be here, wouldn’t there have been a lot more frightened people. Even the great ones were calm. They would have been trying harder to frighten him off if he was the enemy.”
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“Good luck with that,” cried out Ralph. “Did you see the size of him? He must have been at least twice as along as a great raptor! How do you out fly something like that?” Ralph’s tone was serious but they had entered the eyrie then. He hadn't noticed Drael had been inside this whole time wrapped around the circumference of it.
“Pretend you're a noisy crow wanting to drive away a hawk,” he grumbled from the shadows. His voice was all that gave him away. His body blended into the dark shadows deep inside.
Jessica’s mouth was opened to protest with Ralph. Her heart seemed to have stopped at the sound of the voice. She looked around cautiously. “Who said that,” she asked but no answer came. She exhaled a slow breath as Jeremiah moved in and around the two of them looking toward the darker end of the eyrie.
The dragon made no movement eyeing up the new cadets. He liked the reaction of the red head. He was looking around for him wildly. The other two spoiled his fun, however, he could smell their fear. But they were already acting decisively. Still he could have one final laugh. Unknowingly, they had walked over the end of his tail. It stirred to life underneath the straw floor by the door. Flicking for the feet of all three cadets.
All three of them went down with a grunt. Jeremiah looked around confused and startled. Hearing a voice at one end and being tripped in another. A tightness built in his chest as the fear of realization kicked in. “That dragon,” he whispered alarmed, “it’s..it’s in here!”
Jessica looked around picking herself up on her arms. Her heart pounded in her chest at this unexpected outcome, however, she seemed to remain calm showing no fear on her features. Instead, she almost looked excited. Jeremiah slowly and cautiously got to his feet, still looking around, wishing he had his sword.
“It helps if you blink or just close your eyes to adjust,” called Kennar out from high above. He was on his way down. A large basket was strapped to his back. “Drael, you have had your fun! Now unveil yourself.”
A deep mirthful chuckle came from the back. His mighty head slid into view; his neck flexing back and forth. “This one has spirit,” he mused looking straight at Jessica as he watched her. She looked at him with complete amazement and wonder. “You, young woman, reek with caution but hold it back. Your friends are fine as well,” he pulled his gaze from her looking now at Jeremiah and then at Ralph. “Perhaps the brown haired male is the smartest of all three,” he mused.
“Amazing,” commented Jessica as she rose to her feet. A small smile spread across her face as if she had ignored what he had said. She was more surprised to learn that the dragon could speak. Jeremiah put himself in front of his sister bravely, but he was frightened. He eyed the approaching man carefully wishing he’d hurry up. Both he and Ralph wondered what they should do.
“Hmm,” hummed the dragon looking back at Jessica. His black tongue flicked out tasting the air around her. By contrast his head was easily large enough to eat her whole. “You’re not afraid? I supposed the brave ones are bound to show up. What’s your name?”
“Jessica, Jessica Faulkner,” she replied as she stepped around her brother. He just stood there uncomfortably. “You must be Drael,” she added with a smile.
“Indeed I am. Why are you not afraid?”
“If you were to harm me I think you would have done so already. Besides, why would you be allowed here otherwise,” she added observantly.
“Don’t always assume just because I’m here means I will be kind at all times.”
“Of course,” she added, “You’re a dragon. I wouldn’t expect anything less, but I still find you intriguing.”
By now, Kennar finished coming down the remaining stairs. “You two seem to be getting along well. Mind his quills, however.” He proved his point by reaching up onto the dragon’s neck to flick one causing it to rattle against the others.
All three of them looked at the dragon’s back to see what he was talking about. Long quills ran along his already impressive spikes. Ralph let out a small gasp a little. “So, it’s true about your kind? Y-you are the night’s dagger.” He was close to stammering and he was so nervous.
Jeremiah remained behind his sister looking uneasy. Jessica stared at them with awed infatuation as Drael gave the young man a simple nod. Jessica peeled her eyes away looking back at Kennar. “Are you Kennar, his rider?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered with a nod. “Drael honored me with the title, but we are more like brothers.”
“I see,” admired Jessica glancing at dragon then back to Kennar. “I hope I didn’t offend.”
The man laughed, “You can call me a dragon rider if you prefer. It’s just that it holds no significance to us.”
Drael huffed in quiet content. ”You can say that’s all he does,” he rumbled. Kennar pushed heavily on the great ebony’s large head, cracking a fresh grin. Jessica beamed at their friendship.
Ralph found his voice after that, clearing his throat loudly. The dragon turned a massive dark eye toward him. “Uh, I wanted to ask why you can speak and not other dragons?”
Drael snorted indignantly. Ralph flinched back a step in fear. “My kind are not the only ones capable of speech but the lesser species know their place! If they wish to surpass me then they must do so like me and my elders before me!”
Kennar put a kind hand on Drael’s neck. “He meant no offence Drael, just let it go.”
“Do you let others ride you or only your brother,” asked Jessica suddenly.
Jeremiah looked at her apprehensively. “Sister,” he whispered under his breath shocked she would ask such a question.
Drael drew a heavy breath letting it out slowly before he spoke, “Just Kennar rides me. I am not a ferry to be bidden after.”
Jessica stepped back slightly. Her smile, fading. “I meant no offence, Drael, my apologies,” she apologized, swallowing nervously. She looked toward Kennar hoping she hadn’t offended him either.
Kennar gave a gentle wave of his hand. “He’s short tempered. Pay no mind for now, but I’m sure you’re not here to see us. The great raptors are all up the stairs. Mind your step!”
Jessica gave a nod, her smile slowly returning. Jeremiah looked relieved. He couldn’t wait to get away from the dragon. “Thank you sir,” said Jessica, respectfully pleased they were allowed to go see them. She looked up at the dragon again but Jeremiah grabbed her arm and pulled her away before she could embarrass him further. Ralph quickly followed just as eager to get away as Jeremiah. He looked over his shoulder with unease at Drael. It wasn’t until they started to ascend the stairs that he relaxed a bit. The roosts of the giant raptors were pungent. Mostly smaller hawks and falcons occupied the lower roosts. Still, even they dwarfed them in size.
Their bedding varied by raptor. A brown hawk with red primary feathers on its wings grasped a rough barked log. Its neighbor merely stood on a nest of twigs and small branches that wove together into a bowl. Both spaces were easily fifty feet across perhaps longer.
“Wow,” commented Jeremiah as they looked around, back to his usual self.
Jessica’s heart fluttered with excitement as they cautiously and respectfully looked around keeping their distance. They had been taught in their classes before coming to the academy how to take care of a smaller specie of bird of prey and knew the basics of how to take care and treat them. However, even though the great raptors had a greater intelligence, it was wise to keep their distance and respect them unless they were ready to be ridden or approached. “This is absolutely amazing,” she said excitedly.
“You said it. They're huge!” Ralph added.
Shortly after his comment a great eagle far above them gave out a mighty screech followed by a loud and long angry hiss. They looked up with alarm. Two large eagles were fighting over what seemed to be the remains of a deer. The two were golden eagles. They screeched and hissed at each other again for the venison until the one with bright yellow-orange eyes grabbed what was left of it and started to fly away. The other, a young one by the look of it, chased him. The three of them carefully ran to the other end of the tower to a large opening to watch.
“Oh, he’s beautiful,” whispered Jessica watching the older one spread his massive wings and glind in the air as the younger one went in to attack to get the meat. Ralph and Jeremiah watched with anticipation when the thump of heavy boots echoed through the eyrie. Kennar hurriedly climbed past them racing for the top. Jessica glanced at the man wondering if they should follow or just watch on from their location. It was quietly suggested they stay as Kennar continued alone. They turned back to the fight and watched in anticipation as the two eagles collided. The older dropped the meat as claws grabbed claws. The one with bright eyes screeched angrily.
As the two great raptors continued, Kennar ran for a coil of rope that held a weighted lure on it. With it he still climbed higher making for the most upper parts of the eyrie. Near the top he hollered sharply, “Great ones! Not here! Don’t fight here! Come back!”
Ralph looked up at were the caretaker was shouting from giving him a baffled look. “How does he hope to stop them?” The twins didn’t answer as they were stunned by the scene.
Bright Eyes, gave Kennar a collection of disappointed chirps and calls in protest looking at him with an odd expression. He almost looked apologetic but the younger one refused to give up. Almost as if the challenge was more than the want of his food but his position at the top. To which Bright Eyes would fight to the death to keep. He managed to pull away from his challenger and fly higher. The younger one still flew after him determined.
With a curse Kennar dropped his arms. The lure tumbled back to the floor. He wound it up carefully while walking back down the stairs. His legs felt like jelly from the massive climb he made. His breath was shallow and heavy as well. After several minutes of walking carefully down he paused near the still awed inspired cadets. “Quite the show isn't it?”
Ralph nodded excitedly. “Yeah! Won't they get hurt?”
Kennar nodded. “The loser will need my attention. To make it worse, it’s Bright Eyes that Razor challenged. It will be bad if he is unfit to fly.”
“Is there anything we can do to help,” asked Jessica eager yet there was a hint of apprehension in her voice.
Kennar looked at her smiling. “They will be fine. All of you, however, need to leave the eyrie now. I must convince my brother to possibly fly after them.”
“Yes, sir,” the three of them said respectfully and quickly headed for the exit. Exiting out of the large eyrie doors another challenging cry echoed above them. High above, they say the two great eagles lock talons and dive toward the ground at a deadly speed as they pulled themselves against each other, diving in a circle. Several people looked up in anticipation and concern. The twin’s hearts were pounding. Ralph felt as if he had witnessed a lot more than he should have for one day. “It’s crazy seeing them attack each other like this,” he muttered behind the twins.
“Indeed,” agreed Jeremiah as they continued to watch. Jessica didn’t reply. A look of deep concern grew on her face. She wasn’t watching out of fascination anymore but of what location they were falling. They were directly above them. The parade grounds were full of cadets and riders. She grabbed her brother as they fell closer and closer. It made her uncomfortable and she wasn’t sure if they were safe there. As her fingers closed around his jacket, she began to pull him toward their barracks but still keeping an eye on the falling raptors.
Shouts of panic were heard from afar but not clear enough to understand what exactly was said. Surely it was to get the fear stricken people in the parade grounds somewhere safer. However, several hundred feet away, the young Razor finally let go at a dangerously close level to the ground. Bright Eyes pulled his wings opened, flipping upright and took flight with skilled eased, unfazed and flew back to the top perch of the eyrie. Razor, however, didn’t catch the air as quickly. People on the ground hurried to get out of the way. He skidded to an awkward stop slamming into a large wall. The wall thankfully held but he slowly pulled away from it in a daze.
Kennar went running out to asses the extent of his injuries while the three huddled next to each other standing at the opening of the women’s barracks. “I suppose this is a great welcome to Arch Academy,” commented Ralph cynically. The two looked at him with unease.