Fire and Foe

Ariella knew she'd be in deep trouble if she got caught. Only a few weeks after being admitted, and she was already breaking the rules. *It's for a worthy cause, though,* she told herself, clutching the pouch hanging from her neck. The thrill of rebellion made her heart race, but the purpose behind it gave her courage.

The walls were slick from the night dew, but she'd always been adept at climbing. The wind carried a faint chill as she scaled her way to the roof, her movements quick and practiced. Reaching the top, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief and knelt down, keeping her silhouette low against the night sky.

Gently, she opened the slightly large pouch at her neck. A pair of bright green, slitted eyes blinked back at her. Limus, her dragon, uncurled and stretched her tiny form, her emerald scales gleaming faintly under the moonlight.

The hatchling hopped out, her forked tongue flickering as she tasted the night air. Limus's wings, though far too large for her small body, unfurled instinctively, catching the teasing wind. A sharp gust suddenly lifted her off the roof, prompting a shrill squeak from the young dragon.

Ariella let out a soft laugh, stifling it with her hand. "The wind trying to show off again?" she teased, scooping Limus back into her arms. The dragon huffed, curling into her lap and sending a wave of mild annoyance through their bond.

"Don't be mad, my little ball of light," Ariella cooed, scratching under Limus's chin. The dragon purred, her earlier irritation melting away.

Limus heaved her chest and let out a tiny roar at the sky—a sound that was more adorable than threatening. Ariella giggled, stroking her dragon's soft scales. "That's right. My dragon is the bravest, strongest dragon the world has ever seen." Limus squeaked in agreement, puffing herself up proudly.

The young rider leaned back, her gaze drifting toward the stars. The beauty of the night sky felt bittersweet, a reminder of home and everything she'd left behind. Life as a dragon rider was exciting, yes, but it came with sacrifices. Once the Emerald deemed someone worthy of being a rider, they became part of a new family—one that didn't include the people they loved most.

Though riders were allowed to write letters or occasionally visit home, it was never the same. The bond with their dragon demanded focus and devotion, leaving little room for anything else. Ariella sighed, her thoughts heavy with memories of her elder sister. The two of them had been inseparable once, bound by a shared love of the wind. It was her elder sister who had taught her to climb trees, jump off cliffs, and embrace the thrill of the breeze rushing past her face.

Limus shifted closer, sensing her rider's sorrow. Ariella smiled faintly, running a hand along the dragon's back. "I'm fine," she whispered, more to herself than her companion.

Her building was relatively isolated compared to the others, surrounded by towering trees that swayed in the wind. It housed about twenty girls, each sharing a room with a partner. Ariella's roommate, Urma, was likely still in the library. The girl had a tendency to bury herself in books until the late hours, a habit Ariella found endearing if a little excessive.

The sound of rustling leaves pulled her from her thoughts. Her eyes snapped to a shadowy figure darting into the woods. Narrowing her gaze, she stood cautiously, her curiosity piqued. The figure was cloaked, blending almost into the darkness.

Limus, now alert, growled softly. Through their bond, Ariella felt the hatchling's unease. "Stay calm," she murmured, carefully tucking Limus back into the pouch. Her dragon sent a brief image of herself sticking out her tongue, as if to protest. The level of smartness her dragon had surprised her most times.

Ignoring the playful jab, Ariella leaped from the roof. Her legs wobbled slightly upon landing, but she steadied herself quickly. She'd missed this—the exhilaration of jumping, of chasing the unknown.

Quiet as a shadow, she followed the figure into the forest. The dense canopy above filtered out much of the moonlight, making it harder to see, but she pressed on, guided by the sound of movement ahead.

A faint voice reached her ears, and she slowed her pace, careful not to alert whoever it was. Finally, she reached a small clearing and froze. There, standing in the moonlight, was Freya.

Ariella's breath caught. The elf's fiery red hair glowed like a beacon in the dark, unmistakable even from a distance. Freya, a reserved presence at the academy, was not someone Ariella expected to find sneaking out into the forest.

Freya glanced around, her sharp ears twitching as she scanned for any signs of pursuit. Ariella quickly ducked behind a tree, heart pounding. She knew her hiding attempt was futile. Elves had enhanced senses, and the sound of her racing heartbeat alone could give her away. But Freya seemed too carried away to notice.

Freya seemed satisfied she was alone and knelt on the grass, shrugging off the bag beneath her cloak. Ariella peeked cautiously, her curiosity burning brighter than her fear.

From the bag emerged a golden dragon, its scales shimmering even in the dim light. The hatchling stretched its wings, revealing a blood-red dot on its forehead—a mark unlike any Ariella had ever seen.

The dragon, Sanguis, as Freya had mentioned one time during class, was no ordinary hatchling. Even from afar, Ariella could sense the power radiating from him. He was larger than most hatchlings and exuded an aura of dominance that made Limus squirm uncomfortably in her pouch.

Freya smiled faintly, watching her dragon with an expression of pride and wonder. She closed her eyes, and a faint ripple of energy filled the air. Ariella's breath hitched as she realized what was happening—Freya was drawing on her magic, something elves were renowned for.

The connection between Freya and Sanguis was palpable, their energies intertwining in a delicate dance. Sanguis reared back, opening his jaws as if preparing to unleash a roar.

And then, it happened.

A jet of flame erupted from the dragon's mouth, illuminating the clearing with a deadly glow. Freya ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the fire. Ariella gasped, unable to contain her shock. The sound echoed through the forest, shattering the fragile silence.

Freya whipped around, her fiery gaze locking onto Ariella's frozen figure.

Ariella stumbled backward, her mind racing. She hadn't meant to intrude, but now she was caught—by Freya, an elf with a golden dragon and untold magical power.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Freya's expression was unreadable, her piercing eyes drilling into Ariella. Sanguis growled softly, his blood-red eyes narrowing.

"I—I didn't mean to…" Ariella stammered, but the words died in her throat.

Freya stepped forward, her movements graceful yet deliberate. "You shouldn't be here," she said, her voice calm but firm.

Ariella swallowed hard, her heart hammering in her chest. Limus stirred in the pouch, sending a wave of nervous energy through their bond.

Freya tilted her head slightly, her gaze softening. "You saw everything, didn't you?"

Ariella nodded hesitantly, unsure of what to say.

"Then you know," Freya said quietly, "this is no ordinary dragon."