"Elsie!" Marcus roared, his face flushed with rage as he stood in the barracks doorway. His voice dropped to a menacing growl, "I heard you took the dragon. Where is it?" His eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of the creature. Despite his anger, a flicker of unease crossed his features.
Elsie sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Esaess," she whispered, the name finally escaping her lips.
The spacious barracks erupted into a fiery inferno. From the deepest shadows behind Elsie, Esaess materialised, his body rapidly expanding. A fearsome fire dragon, shimmering with fiery red scales, emerged before them. Its breath, a torrent of searing flames, threatened to engulf the entire room. Marcus, his bravado shattered, paled visibly. He instinctively grabbed Elsie's iron shield for protection. The dragon lunged, a torrent of blood-red flames erupting from its maw and engulfing Marcus. He barely managed to dodge the fiery onslaught.
Marcus's heart pounded as he dodged Esaess's fiery breath. The intense heat singed his skin, tears stinging his eyes. "What did you say to this dragon, Elsie?!" he roared, his voice cracking angrily. Esaess let out a deafening roar in response, the fire in its eyes intensifying.
Elsie remained silent, her gaze fixed on Esaess's sparkling golden eyes. A bone-chilling fear gripped her, causing her body to stiffen involuntarily. Did the dragon sense her fear? Elsie felt an inexplicable connection with the creature for a fleeting moment as if they were communicating without words.
"Esaess…" Elsie whispered, her voice barely audible. She cautiously approached the dragon, which was preparing to unleash another fiery blast at Marcus. Gently, she stroked Esaess's hump and wings, attempting to soothe the agitated creature.
The other riders gathered around, watching the unfolding drama with awe and apprehension.
Marcus straightened, his gaze alternating between Elsie and Esaess. "I didn't mean to make you feel threatened, my dear," he said to Elsie, his voice catching in his throat.
"I didn't take anything from the incubation chamber, Father!" Elsie insisted, holding Esaess close as the little dragon clung to her arm. She scanned the faces of the other riders, who seemed to be enjoying the spectacle of their minor argument. Clearing her throat, she addressed the general, "I mean, I didn't take anything from there, Sir Larousse," she corrected herself, saluting him respectfully. "Princess Katya was there, and she said Esaess wanted to be with me."
The rhythmic clack of heels broke through the murmur of the barracks. The princess parted the crowd, her gaze warm as she stepped between Elsie and Marcus.
"So, his name is Esaess?" Katya asked Elsie, her eyes fixed on the dragon, who seemed perfectly content in his master's arms.
Elsie bowed deeply, then nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. His name is Esaess," she replied, gently stroking the hump of the dragon, who looked rather pampered.
Katya strolled through the barracks, her gaze sweeping over the hundreds of curious eyes watching her. Elsie, with the legendary red dragon rumoured to have been acquired through dubious means, was the centre of attention.
"Elsie Larousse didn't steal anything from the incubation chambers," the princess declared, her voice firm. "The dragon – that magnificent beast with fire breath like blood – chose her."
She stepped into the centre of the barracks, her gaze sweeping across the rows of beds that separated the male and female riders. "I expect you all to respect her from now on."
Despite some initial reluctance from those still wary of her dragon, the whispering riders eventually acknowledged Elsie's authority. With a flourish, they pressed their index and middle fingers to their chests, then raised them high in a gesture of respect. "Reoma. Ttoperis. Reinu," they declared in unison, Marcus among them. Love. Respect. Unity. The oath of the dragon riders, sworn in the ancient Eventide Language and sanctified by the Saints. With a warm smile, Katya offered Elsie the final greeting and recited the oath aloud.
"I'm sorry, Elsie," Marcus said, his gaze filled with apology.
Elsie nodded, then accompanied Magnus to the top of Fire Mountain to test Esaess's power and the compatibility between the prospective rider and her dragon.
Marcus quickly followed Elsie and Magnus as they headed towards Fire Mountain, retreating from the princess's presence. Reaching the foothills, he grabbed Elsie's hand and hugged her tightly. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart," he whispered. I didn't mean to frighten you in the barracks." He confessed, "I was just trying to see if you and Esaess had a true connection. If a rider claims a dragon through theft, the dragon won't be receptive to their emotions."
Elsie pulled away, her head held high. "I didn't steal Esaess from anyone, Father," she declared.
"I know, sweetheart," Marcus soothed, gently stroking Elsie's hair. "That dragon tried to protect you when you felt scared of me. I'm truly sorry," he whispered. Then, he kissed her head softly and added, "I'm so proud of you. You got the most feared dragon!"
Elsie managed a stiff smile, shaking her head in disbelief. A short, nervous laugh escaped her lips, quickly cut off. "Can I change coaches?" she asked, avoiding Magnus' gaze. "I don't want to drag the Larousse name through the mud if I fail training with you."
Magnus clenched his fists, a predatory glint in his eyes. "We'll be the best riders ever," he declared.
"Thanks, guys," Elsie said, giving them both a quick pat on the shoulder and a slightly strained smile. "But I'd like to learn from other coaches."
Marcus was a legendary dragon trainer, and Magnus was poised to follow in his footsteps. But besides them, there were two other formidable coaches and their assistants. No one knew which direction Elsie would choose. Marcus and Magnus exchanged worried glances.
She fled Fire Mountain, frantically searching for the princess. Instead, she stumbled upon the person she'd been desperate to help.
"Miss Waldorf!" Elsie called out brightly, hurrying towards the elf woman. Her head was tucked into a wilted lavender hood, a rumpled mess. "I have a question for you," she said, hesitating. Elsie glanced around nervously, making sure no one was eavesdropping.
Holly's gaze narrowed, fixing on Elsie's amber eyes. A hint of a smile played on her lips as the meaning of Elsie's plea dawned on her. "What is it, Elsie?" she asked, her voice flat, emphasising each word. Arms crossed, she stood ramrod straight, a picture of defiance.
Elsie wiped the sweat from her brow, the afternoon sun beating down her face. She looked around the long, open bridge linking the barracks to the martial arts building, her breath catching in her throat. Finally, she turned to Holly, her eyes wide with admiration. "Please, Miss Waldorf," she pleaded, "teach me to be a great rider like Princess Katya."
Suddenly, a shadow fell between them. "What did you say?" a voice startled them from behind the dead tree.