The Huntress' Dragon

Chapter 8

Honey stood alongside Emmett, Carson, and Deema in a clearing in the woods. Much like the one Mary had her in about four days ago. The evergreens were thick and full. Life seemed to have returned to the forest since the death of the giggling creature. Oh, how things have changed. Honey could feel a glare from Deema's eyes but she wasn't sure why that was directed at her. Mary stood in front of them and muttered a few words before standing aside and telling them to walk on through the shimmering film. Honey was excited to see what awaited her on the other side.

She was not disappointed.

When they stepped through the film they were in a city; a huge, gigantic city! It was amazing. The streets were incredibly wide and it was clear to Honey that they were built for people and dragons. The street was paved in stone and there were markets bustling on either side. The houses were large and built from rock, with big, arched windows. The people were clearly elves, fae or something Honey couldn't identify. Everyone was cohabitating. It was amazing.

"So Honey, on this trip we're going to try and explain to you everything we can think you may have questions about whilst showing you our world. If at any point you want to slow down or stop, just pull my arm and we'll take a break. Ok?" Carson told Honey with a friendly smile and held his arm out for Honey to hold.

She looped her scarred arm through his gingerly as they began to walk forward.

Emmett started, "I think you've figured out now that we ride dragons, we haven't discussed it whilst you've been here because Mary thought it might scare you to know that that was your future and she wanted to break you in slowly."

Emmett dodged a person before continuing. "We have been part of the Reds a lot longer than you have, we got picked up around the ages of eight and nine. We came from very different backgrounds but around here, to have a dragon rider in the family is an honour so people gladly give up their children. Sure, we don't see our parents often but we have our soul mates, our dragons. I can't tell you how amazing it feels to be with them, Honey, but you feel whole - they take away your pain."

On every day apart from Wednesday, you will train. On Wednesday, you'll go to school. In class, you'll learn about dragon history, how to care for your dragon, social norms, the like. Apparently, dragon rider's have got to be able to kill but dress nice and know how to eat politely - makes no sense but whatever."

He dodged another person. "We thought about where to take you to show you all that you've got to learn so we decided to start here - where it all begins." Emmett pointed to a huge library looking place before Carson pulled Honey up the steps to go inside, Deema trailing behind.

A man greeted them all with a familiar smile.

"Good morning Mr Huntington, Mr Huntington, and Lady Hallewell. What a delight to have you all present in this building once again. And who's this?" The extremely old man had an incredibly happy smile on his face as he greeted Honey. Honey was still trying to process the fact that Deema was a Lady!

"And you are, Miss?"

"Her name's Honey, Mr Ainsley. She doesn't have a last name." The older man frowned like he was searching through an archive that could disagree with any common man's knowledge before the happiness took the light on his face once again.

"My, that can't be right, her father wouldn't have let her go without his last name - Charles Adire was one of the kindest and strongest riders I ever had the pleasure of meeting. You, Honey, are a spitting image of your father. Was he proud when you took after him in becoming a rider?" The old man was clearly thinking the boys were telling a joke when they said she didn't have a last name. Politically, she didn't. Her family name was stripped away and no one was to speak the name of them. Honey stepped forward from Carson to the man who'd spoken her father's last name and told her more about him than anyone ever had - her father was from here!