The Others

Chapter Seventeen

It doesn’t take me very long to realize how badly I behaved towards Jonathan. I’ve sat completely embarrassed in my tent for a couple of hours, before I admitted to myself that I had to go find him to apologize to him. I do not know where my sudden anger came from, but I do know that I was not fair to him. He had a request from the king, he got hurt and even worse, his Other got hurt as well. And all I did to help him, was being angry for him being straight with me and telling me what’s what between the two of us.

I walk out of my tent, followed by Lilly who has not said anything yet today. Where would be the best place to find him? I have no idea where his tent is, and I’m a bit too embarrassed to go to Mart.

While thinking about the course of action, I look around. Instantly I notice that it’s pretty busy. People are not running, but walking extra fast. It’s like something’s wrong.

The moment I notice Isla, I instantly run to her. She doesn’t stop, but gestures me to walk with her. ‘Is something going on?’ I ask her. Isla shrugs.

‘Wrong is a big word’, she says. ‘But the King’s on his way. We just received the news that he decided to visit us. The reason why is not yet known, but everyone’s going crazy. As long as I have been stationed with the sixth division, he’s never paid us a visit. I hear he does it with the fifth from time to time, but it’s all just hearsay.’

‘What could be the reason for him to visit?’

Isla shrugs. ‘Many. Maybe there’s a new promotion. Or demotion. Or maybe he needs some of us for a quest. I really can’t say, Maya. If I knew, you’d be the first I’d tell. All I know is that we need to gather at the southern field, as quickly as possible. The King does not like to wait, and to be honest, I’m dying to see what the man’s all about.’

That I do agree with her. I do not know a lot of King Storm, other than that he’s married to a Queen -who’s name I also do not know, to my own embarrassment- and that he’s the grandson of the Last Dragon rider. As far as I am informed, he also does not have an Other, and therefor is not magic. But with his grandfather in mind, I would not be surprised if that’s the wrong information.

I look behind me, and see Lilly stroll behind me. A smile appears on my face. She’s getting bigger, and bigger. Her wings are resting tightly on her back. Not so long ago I tried to convince her to fly, but for some reason she refuses to. She just keeps walking on all fours. Her wings look pretty big, but I am starting to fear that she has issues with it. Or she might not be properly motivated by me.

When we reach the field, I see that it’s crazy busy. People are standing in formation, perfect squares, and the captains are making sure of it. I stand on my toes, to try and look over the people’s heads in hope that I see Jonathan. But because I am pretty short myself, it’s of no use.

“Come, you can step on me”, I hear Lilly say. It’s the first time I hear her in my head today, but I gratefully take her offer. I walk over to her, step on her foot and she gives me a small push so I can rest on the side of her chest so I can look over the crowd.

It’s beautiful to see the fifth division like this. People standing with their Others, trying to move as little as possible. Captains running around, trying to give people designated areas to stand. I see the officers are gathered in the front, all three. Together with Mart. Jonathan’s standing next to Mart, with Thalia sitting next to him. I bite my lip, when I think back of our last conversation.

A screech takes my attention away from them, and I look up. I instantly notice the beautiful eagle, flying high, together with all the other birds. I was right to think that Feather was the biggest, most beautiful of all. His wings seem huge, even from afar. It’s a beautiful sight. I have never seen him move, let alone fly.

The sound of trumpets takes my attention away from the beautiful bird and I focus on the officers, and Mart. The general walks up front, and I see three horses riding towards us. One of the horses is white, and the golden embroidery reflects in the sunlight. There’s no doubt about it, that it’s king Storm.

I hear everyone holding their breath, while the king comes closer and closer. He stops when he reaches the men, and I see them all bow down deep. Jonathan as well. They start talking together, but I can not even hear what they are saying, that’s how far I am in the back.

“Maya”, I hear a voice inside my head, but it’s not Lilly. It’s Jonathan. I look around me to make sure he’s not standing next to me, but I see him right there, at the front of the crowd.

“Can you come? And bring Lilly.” My throat feels dry when I hear his voice. The embarrassment takes over, and I notice my head becoming warm and red.

‘What’s wrong?’ Isla whispers to me. I look at her, and I can see that she notices my redness.

‘They want me coming to them…’ I say. ‘And Lilly as well.’

Isla’s eyes get bigger. ‘What are you waiting for? Go. Go!’ she pushes me in the back, and I carefully break formation to walk to them.

Mart, Jonathan, the king and the rest, all turn their faces to me while I walk to them. Lilly follows me, and I’m pretty sure even she’s excited to see the king.

When I get closer, I start to see his features. He has pretty long, blonde, curling hair and a blonde beard. I expected him older than he is, but he looks absolutely dapper.

‘A blonde?’ I hear him say when I reach them. ‘I expected you a brunette.’ I do not know what to answer.

‘Step aside, girl’, king Storm continues. ‘And let me see that wonder of yours.’

I do as he says, and I see Lilly sitting down, tilting her head. The king walks up to her, and tries to touch her, but she growls.

‘It’s okay, Lilly’, I whisper. ‘It’s okay.’

Lilly looks at me, and then changes her attention towards the king. He tries again, and this time she accepts his touch.

‘What a beautiful color, the crimson’, the king says out loud. ‘She will be wonderful on paintings, right next to Emeraugh.’ A million questions pop-up in my head, but my dry throat prevents me from saying them out loud.

I notice Jonathan looking at me, and look back at him. The moment our eyes meet, he turns them away from me. Of course he’s still angry with me…

‘Why do you insist on calling her Lilly?’ the king turns his attention to me. ‘I received a letter from Mart which stated that you have heard her name. Have you requested obedience yet?’

Mart steps forward. ‘My liege’, he says. ‘Jonathan is quite busy with her upbringing, and training. But certain aspects have not been explained yet.’

The king looks up, and then turns his attention to Jonathan. ‘You’ve had months, boy. Why did you not speak to her about obedience yet?’

Months? Wasn’t Jonathan away on a quest. In the name of the king himself? Nice lie.

Jonathan takes a step forward. ‘She’s not ready yet’, he says simple. ‘And about that, I was wondering if you could ask someone else to do her upbringing from here on out. I feel like I’m not the right guy for the job.’

I feel my heart beat fast. Did he really just say that? In front of the king?

‘No’, the king says strict. ‘It will be your task, Jon. And do not ask me that again.’

I feel tears coming to my eyes. The king turns back at me, and observes me. ‘Are you okay?’ he asks me. I try to swallow, but my throat is still dry.

‘I…’ I stumble, but it’s practically impossible to get a word out of my mouth.

‘Walk with me’, the king says, and he turns his back at me. He walks away, and I see him tell the two men he came here with, to leave us alone. They’re most likely his bodyguards.

While staring to the ground- and trying to avoid Jonathan’s piercing gaze- I do as the king requested, and follow him. When we’re far away enough, he stops, and looks at me. ‘I can see that you’re still processing’, he says. His voice sounds completely different from how it did when we were standing with the others. Much friendlier, and calmer. ‘Is there anything else I need to know about? Are you not content with Jonathan?’

I shake my head. ‘No, my king’, I say. ‘That’s not it.’ Storm nods.

‘Then what is it, child?’

I look back at the others, to make sure they can not hear me. ‘I do not know what’s wrong.. it’s all just a lot’, I stumble. The king smiles. ‘I know it is, but you need to ride the wave. You know how long we have waited for a gift, like yourself? The dragons do not break from their shells anymore, and you are the first in a long time to receive an Other like this. You will have a key role in many stories to come.’

I shake my head again. ‘But what if I do not want to play a role in anything? I have never asked for this.’

The king rests his hand on my shoulder. ‘Faetur has chosen you. There’s no choice in the matter for you. You will be the first dragon rider of the new generation. If all goes well, you will be the one to bring back the age of the dragons. You will be the trainer of the new riders. I can not tell you how glad I am with your existence.’

I take a lock of hair in my hand, and start playing with it, while staring at the king. ‘You are asking a lot of me’, I tell him honestly. The king shrugs.

‘That is true, girl. But I am sure you will find me very reasonable, later on. For now, I hope my nephew will do his duties to take care of you. And if you ever need anything from me, all you have to do is send me a letter. If you use his royal seal, I am pretty sure the letter will arrive as quick as possible.’

I nod, but a thousand questions pop through my head. ‘Will your nephew join us?’ I ask him.

The king observes me. ‘Has he not disclosed this information yet?’ he tells me.

I frown. ‘How would your nephew disclose information to me?’ I ask him. ‘Do you mean personally?’

The king chuckles. ‘Well, you will notice sooner or later. For now, do not worry about anything other than your own personal growth. I will visit you more, to see how your process is going. And it might be that I will request you to come to the palace, one of these days. The queen would love to meet you, and Faetur as well.’

I nod. ‘It would be my pleasure’, I lie to him.

‘Is there anything that I can do for you?’ the king asks me humbly, and I’m pretty startled by his attitude towards me. I’m just a simple soldier, I do not understand why he’s so nice to me.

‘I hope it’s not too much to ask’, I start. ‘But my brother joined the army, eight years ago. I heard he might be with you in the castle, and I would love to see him. I have lots of things to tell him.’

The king nods. ‘Have you informed the general?’ After seeing me nod heavily, he assures me: ‘Then I will talk it over with him. Leave it to me.’

‘Thank you’, I say with a smile, and I bow down. The king puts his hand on my shoulder once again, and we walk back together.