This is part of chapter one for story one, I will be adding in actual titles later when I've decided it more definitely, started to debate with myself over the title all of the sudden, but if it needs to be called something, for the time being refer to it as Dragon Master (I had a cool idea to name the books after the different main dragons that are present throughout the story but I'm not sure yet).
Chapter One- Late Days
I crept down the wooden staircase as quietly as possible, flinching at every creak, hoping he thought it was just the wind.
As I came to bottom of the stairway I peeked around the corner at the dark man who had, until recently, been my direct superior. I knew deep down I would always see him as a mentor, or really, a father figure, but I no longer was bound to follow his every order, at least, not officially. But just as I knew I would always look up to him, I also knew that despite the fact that I was no longer his student, my master would not hesitate to scold me severely for staying abed till nearly noon.
Looking into the kitchen of our rooms I found myself in luck, Master Darius’ back was to me. I smirked, optimistic for the first time that morning. Now for the tricky part. I moved away from the corner and reached inside myself for my magic. The tingly feeling I got whenever I used it infested every part of my body and I focused my mind. By bending the light around me I would be able to pass Master Darius invisibly if I moved with care.
When I was finished working the spell, I peeked around the corner once more, and straight into the dark brown eyes of my master.
“AHHH!” My scream was not at all manly or even remotely dignified as I jumped back in fright and, my foot catching on the steps I had so recently descended, fell backwards onto the hard wood my spell broken and my fresh from bed appearance easily seen. “What are you doing? You nearly killed me!” I fought for control of my voice, mindful of the nearby open window, and floundered, attempting to right myself without toppling onto Master Darius.
“What am I doing? I was simply walking about my own rooms. I should be asking you what you were doing.” Master Darius’ voice was deep and it seemed to shake my very bones. From his tone and stance I could guess he hadn't had the most delightful morning.
I decided to press my luck anyway and replied with my usual tone of impudence. “Well I was trying to sneak past you.”
“Oh?” He actually chuckled and raised an eyebrow, which scared me a little, as he usually didn't laugh over my refusal to wake up at a decent hour most days. He continued, sure, which I presumed meant I would soon find out what exactly had ruined his morning. “You? Sneaking? Well I must say you aren't very good at anything that requires restraint, so I have no clue why you thought you’d be good at sneaking of all things. I heard you the second you rolled out of bed.” He looked at me sternly and I gulped, unsure of what his point was going to be. “A charming, womanizing young man like you obviously can’t control himself.”
Ohhh… I groaned inwardly. So it’s this again…
“I swear, half the women in this kingdom are after you, Nathaniel.” He was scowling now, rather than laughing or smiling. “I’d have a more exact number for you but I haven’t the time to take a poll!” He said sarcastically, then turned on his heel and started walking away from the steps where he’d had me cornered, towards the table where papers lay scattered and his tea cup was steaming.
I got up and followed. “Well perhaps we could ask the King to add the question into the next census,” I quipped. “I’m willing to bet it’s more than half.”
Master Darius scowled at my grin as though it was something evil, and perhaps it was. “Don’t you even dare consider that with any seriousness Nathaniel!”
“And why not,” I teased as I walked towards the stove to make myself tea.
“Because it wouldn't be nearly as funny as you think it would be.”
“Hmmm…” I considered his words as I lounged against the counter waiting for the water to heat. After a few moments, my curiosity got the better of me. “So why are you in such a delightful mood anyway?” I said 'delightful' so sarcastically Master Darius couldn't help but smirk.
“Why are you only just getting out of bed?” He answered my question, with a question of his own.
I grimaced, having hoped he would have forgotten about it, or at least not mentioned it. Rather than respond I took a sip of my freshly brewed tea.
He looked at me quizzically, and rather than waiting for an answer, supplied one. “Out late charming more young ladies? Well I guess that explains why Lady Iris was about at the crack of dawn this morning, mooning after you like a lost sheep.”
I could hear the annoyance in his voice and made another face. At least that explained his mood, and why he kept picking at my so called charm.
“One of these days it’s going to go too far you know, what will you do then?”
“Nothing.” I replied blandly, I knew where this was leading, right down a path into an argument that I wasn't going to let him win this time. “Because no one aside from the two of us knows the truth, and it’s not like I’m actually going to act on these inclinations of a future these women want.” A tone of bitterness had entered my voice.
“Nathaniel.”
I heard the caution in his voice but didn't care. This argument always ended the same way, unless I could get in the last word first that is. “Can you imagine the look on their faces if they actually knew? I personally think their faces would be hilarious if they found out I was a—“
Master Darius moved faster than I thought he possibly could and caught my elbow as I turned to face him. I dropped my teacup in surprise, but wouldn't let him see the fear I knew was inside me. “How foolish are you? The walls have ears Nathaniel!” He spoke in a hushed voice, but I could hear him perfectly. After a moment I looked into his eyes and recognized the look. It matched the fear I felt in my own body. I had never realized before that the reason he had so vehemently forbidden talk of the truth was out of fear, or at least, out of fear for me. Then he sighed and let me go, looking tired and older than usual.
I looked down, now somewhat ashamed that after all these years, all of these arguments, I had never realized that his fear had been for me, what would happen to me. But now that I did I felt terrible for always bringing it up, and realized that it had been out of my own fear that I always had.
Finally, after a few moments of silence and quiet thought, “it’s not like anyone would actually believe it you know.” I said the words in such a small voice I had trouble believing them myself, though I knew they were true. “No one would ever believe a Dragon Master, let alone one as powerful as me, could actually be…” Looking through my eyelashes I saw his shoulders stiffen, so I let my sentence drift off, unfinished.
Feeling I had made my point I stooped and started picking up the pieces of my teacup, mending them back together with my magic until the pieces made a whole once more. As I did this, and then mopped up the spilled liquid with a rag and then refilled the now repaired teacup Master Darius had sat back down and continued to sift through his papers.
“You know if it could be any other way…” His voice was low as I walked past him to take a seat across from him at the table.
I sipped my tea, letting it warm the cold that had enveloped me. “Yeah,” I said, my own voice low and roughed by emotion, “I know.” I looked down into my cup, letting my shaggy, dark brown hair cover my eyes, which were stinging with unshed tears of frustration. I knew Master Darius was right, I always had. I knew, I had trouble accepting it, but I always knew, no one could so much as suspect the truth, no one could know I was a girl.
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