Master Fong explained to us that there had to be four dragons. HAD TO BE. Rai didn't look like he was coming back any time soon he was having plenty of fun on the heylin side. The only one who seemed upset about it was Kimiko, but then I always figured they had a thing going. Master Fong wouldn't look at her when he broke that news, which was the better of the bad news. The worst news was that Rai would not be welcome ever again inside this temple. He was no longer the dragon of air. I hate to say it but I was hoping for another girl. Kimiko is pretty but I don't see us getting along that well what with her firecracker temper and all. Omi accepted what Master said with no question as usual. Kimi had tears in her eyes but nodded. Rai was cool but not that cool. It sucks to loose a friend but it's his choice. Well was his choice.
"I have already sent for the new Dragon of Air. She will be here tomorrow. I will ask you as part of your daily chores to clean out the room next to Kimiko's. As I remember it is blue. This will suit Air very well. Remember, Apprentices, change is not always bad." With this cryptic farewell we were dismissed. Kimi headed for the kitchen to do the dishes and clean up which was her chore all week. Mine was the garden, which to me wasn't a real chore at all. Kimi hated it. Omi on the other hand didn't seem to have a favorite; he went about every thing with almost robotic efficiency. I had just started my gardening when Kimi wandered in. She looked like she wanted to talk but didn't know why.
"How are you so calm? Raimundo betrayed us! HE LEFT US! He didn't even say goodbye. I knew Omi would be calm but YOU! He was your friend. Why aren't you angry? Why?" Kimi was crying hard by this time, and I didn't know what to do. My hands were covered in mud, but she was bawling. I wrapped my arm around her without touching her with my hand and damn that's awkward.
"Kimi, listen to me a minute. I know what he did was lower'n a snake's belly, but it's his choice. He should've done it different. You know it and I know it, but it's still his choice. He did what he felt he had to, right or wrong we gotta accept that.."
She nodded, then realized I was hugging her funny, saw my hands and smiled at me.
" Clay, you're a sweetheart you know it? Thank you for letting me yell at you even though you're not his keeper. I wonder what the new girl will be like."
" I, too, was also thinking about that. Maybe she will be able to train with me. I will not number on it though, being a girl and all." Kimi shot him a dirty look.
"That's count on it and I dunno, buckaroo, maybe she'll whip your tail." I look around in time to see someone coming up the dirt road which if you followed it long enough would take you to the closest village. I pointed so that Kimi and Omi would look that way.
"That is a whole lot of dust for one person." Omi observed hoping for a fight.
"That's cause it isn't just a person, they are on a horse." I could hear the pounding hooves from here. As it got closer I was able to make out a pale blond, tiny rider. She slowed her horse as she got close, Omi ran to get Master Fong. Before I could help her down she slid off her bareback horse in an extremely practiced manner. She is wearing a pale green (my favorite color) tank top and blue jeans. Her hair was long pale blonde and was almost curly, but it was her eyes that you noticed. They were a lavender color I had never seen before. Those same eyes were laughing at me at this moment. An easy-going smile spread across her face as she stuck out a tiny hand.
"Name's Sage O' Banyon, the new Dragon of Air, Pleased to me you."
"Sage? Everything about you screams earth! How are you air?" Kimi demanded.
"Kimi, lets not be rude or anything." I said with only a bit of sarcasm.
The girl just laughed. She turned and bowed to Master Fong before either of us knew he was there.
"I see you have met our new dragon in training, Apprentices. She comes from Ireland. It was difficult to find her there, on an Island mostly populated by earth people, I hope you will make her feel at home. According to Dojo it may be a few days before the next WU shows itself. Her training will start tomorrow. I Welcome you to our temple Sage and hope you enjoy your time here." Master Fong bowed and excused himself leaving us to handle this girl. She was staring at something off to the left of me when I looked it was dojo he had come over to introduce himself and they were staring as if they knew each other.
Suddenly Sage crouches into a fighting stance with teeth bared all three of us take an involuntary step back as she bolts past us running like her life depended on it. She disappears from sight leaving the three of us staring at the spot we had last seen her.
"Um, was she supposed to do that?" Omi said scratching his chin.
"If you ask me the girl is nutso!" Kimi says turning to go back to the temple.
"Not really" I said pointing Sage was walking back into view dragging something. We all started towards her and when we got closer we realized not something, someone, Jack Spicer.
"Is this a friend of yours? He was sniffing around that big round building o'er there." She said pointing in the direction of the vault.
"No friend of ours. Jack is lower'n a snake's belly, trying to steal our Wu again."
Jack had apparently not heard a word we said. His eyes were on Sage, and he was drooling slightly.
"Jack, this is the new Dragon of air, Sage. Sage, this is Jack Spicer he is our enemy and is a stinking low down varmit." I said glaring at him.
"Oh." Sage promptly dropped Jack directly on his head, " So I did a good thing? I was kind of worried that I would offend someone but its better to try and fail than not try at all. So what do we do with him? Can I get rid of him?" She was eyeing him like he was slimy or something. I just nodded.
"Wind of the North Star!" She hit him with an attack that makes Rai's Typhoon Boom look like a breeze. Jack sails away looking confused. "So done with that where's me bunk?"
Kimi waved at her to follow and Omi and I just stood there looking a bit dazed.
" Things will never be calm here will they?" Omi asked looking up at me. I just shook my head and started for the temple.