Chapter 9

Akiza woke up and found herself still leaning against Yusei and his arm still wrapped around her. She was about to shake him awake but saw a dart on the floor piercing a scrap of paper. She picked it up and read the note:

Good going, Yusei! You can bet everyone's going to hear about this. -J, C, & K.

"Oh, no!" Akiza yelped. "They saw us together!"

"Huh?" Yusei awoke suddenly. "What happened?"

"Your friends saw us sleeping here!" she said frantic. "They're going to tell everybody!"

"Oh boy." Yusei jumped to his feet and leaped back to his balcony. He then turned around and said "I'll see you later, Akiza."

"Yeah, yeah. Go stop them!"

"Right." Yusei dove back into his room.

Akiza breathed a sigh of relief. She sat back down on the balcony. The curtain opened and Carly poked her head out. "Akiza?" she said. "What are you doing? Have you been out here all night?"

Akiza went red. She had no idea what to say. "I...uh...just wanted to see the stars last night. That's all," she lied.

"Then who did I hear you yelling at?" Carly asked. "And what are you holding in your hand?"

Akiza quickly shoved the dart and the note behind her back. "In order, no one and nothing," she said.

"I don't believe you." As soon as Carly spoke, her glasses glowed. She gasped. "Yusei was here last night?"

"How did you do that?" Akiza asked.

"These glasses come in quite handy for reading things people keep hidden," Carly said with a mischievous smile.

Akiza sighed and pulled the note out from behind her back. "Carly, promise you won't say anything please?"

"What's the matter, Akiza?" she laughed. "We all know you like Yusei a lot. The only one who didn't notice when you first got here was him!" Akiza didn't know what to say. Carly went on. "I guess I'm trying to say I won't tell anyone because I don't have to."

"Really?" Akiza said. "Everyone knows anyway?"

Suddenly, Sherry poked her head out of the curtain. "What does everyone know?"

"That Akiza's in love with Yusei," Carly said.

"Oh, definitely," Sherry said before disappearing into the common room.

Akiza turned bright red. "What? I never said I was in love with him!" she yelled.

"Come on, Akiza. Let's go get breakfast," Carly said.

Stardust and Rose flew together down a rocky valley. He kept a solemn look on his face the entire time. Rose felt so guilty for laughing in his face when he told her she was pretty but all she could do for now was follow him wherever he was going.

Stardust, I... she began.

Not now, he interrupted. Suddenly, he took a sharp dive down into the valley. Rose quickly reacted and followed him. As they flew further down, Rose saw an object glisten in the sunlight. She then surmised that that was what Stardust was headed for. As he began to slow down, so did she and the object came into full view. It looked like a giant egg. But it couldn't be. Eggs were very small compared to this...rock. That had to have been what it was. Whatever it was, someone was kneeling before it. Stardust landed directly behind them and Rose behind him, not sure what to do.

"I thought you might show up today, little one," the person said. Rose heard a woman's voice come from the robed body.

Martha, must you call me 'little one' so much? Stardust responded.

"I'm sorry, Stardust," the woman said. "I just always see you as the little hatchling Yusei raised with little eggshell fragments on his tail."

I'm all grown up, Martha. So is Yusei.

"You're right. I assume you're here to pay your respects?"

Respects? Rose thought.

Yes, but today I've brought someone with me, Stardust said.

Martha looked behind him and saw Rose. "Oh how wonderful!" Martha exclaimed. "You've found a mate!"

Rose went stiff. Stardust went frantic. No, Martha! She's...she's not..

"She's not mute, Stardust," Martha scolded. "Let her speak for herself. Honestly, did I teach you any manners?" She turned her attention to Rose and walked up to her. "What's your name, dear?"

Rose, ma'am.

Martha burst out laughing, "Oh child, don't call me ma'am. That makes me sound like a crotchety old woman!" She reached out and stroked Rose's snout. "Call me Martha, please."

As you wish, Martha.

"Thank you, Rose," Martha said politely. "So Stardust, if she isn't your mate, then what is she to you?"

I...uh... Stardust stammered.

"I'll let it go this time, little one, but you had better have an answer next time," she scolded.

Yes, Martha. Stardust resigned. Rose thought it was funny to see Stardust completely humbled before this woman. She did have a point, however. Just what did Stardust feel toward her? She'd have to get him to open up again. That would prove difficult seeing as laughing in his face made him feel really hurt.

She decided to ask about the giant egg-shaped stone. What is this? It looks like an egg.

This is the monument that Yusei and I made to commemorate the loss of our families, Stardust said. We found a giant boulder in this mountain range. Yusei cut it into a basic shape and I used my dragon breath to smooth it out and give it the sparkle. We visit it every so often to remember the ones we lost and to remind us that life goes on.

Stardust walked forward and lowered his snout to almost touch the stone. Martha walked up beside him and gave his snout a gentle pat. "It's all right, little one," she said.

Stardust turned back to Rose. Yusei, Martha, and I came from the great city of Satell. The magical explosion killed both our families. I hadn't even hatched yet, but the Crimson Dragon guided Yusei to find my egg. I thought showing you this would help you to understand...me, he said.

I think I do understand, she replied. I think I finally understand the pain you and Yusei have endured in your lives. And I'm sorry, Stardust. I really am. Thank you for showing me this monument and telling me your history.

"All right, you two. That's enough sad talk," Martha said cheerily. "You two should fly back to the tower. Your partners may want your help in some training."

You're right. Rose said. Thank you, Martha. Rose spread her wings and began to fly back to the tower. Stardust was about to follow suit when Martha called to him.

"Stardust, you need to quit messing with her feelings. Tell her how you really feel. If you don't, you really will regret it."

I understand. Thank you, Martha. Stardust took off after Rose. Martha turned back around to the giant stone.

"Yes, your little boy has grown up quite a bit, hasn't he?" she said glancing over her shoulder at two pairs of wings disappearing into the clouds.

Crow bit into an apple. Jack sipped at his coffee. Kalin held a piece of buttered toast in his hand. All three dragon riders had their eyes fixed on Yusei, who was busy across the table dressing his eggs with salsa all while keeping a close eye on his teammates.

"So, Yusei?" Crow finally broke the silence. "Just how far..."

"Nothing happened Crow," he snapped. "Get your mind out of the gutter."

"Geez! I didn't even get halfway through my question!" He turned to Kalin. "Your turn."

"Yusei," Kalin said calmly. "What exactly happened last night?"

"Nothing," Yusei reaffirmed.

"Look, Yusei," Jack spoke. "We found you two cuddling out on the balcony. Are you saying there were no events leading up to that action?"

"None that you guys need to know about," he said firmly.

"Morning guys!" came a voice from across the dining hall. The gang looked up and saw Bruno headed their way. He sat down next to Yusei and looked around at everyone. "You all look a little surly today."

"Yusei doesn't want to tell us about his night out with a certain young lady," Jack said.

"Yusei!" Bruno exclaimed, "We're your friends! Who is she?"

"Really?" Yusei said sarcastically. "Can you not guess?"

"Yusei, how often do I get out of the smithy?" Bruno asked. "Building Akiza's armor has been keeping me occupied for a good while."

"You're making Akiza armor?" Kalin asked.

"Yeah, and it's taking a lot out of me!" Bruno cried as he laid his head on the table. "Of all the designs I came up with, she had to pick the most complicated one."

"Do you want any help? Crow asked.

"I would love some help, Crow. Thanks."

"Oh, I wasn't talking about me. Yusei, you should help him finish it."

"What?" Yusei's eyes shot open. "Why?"

"It'd be a nice gesture for Akiza, don't you think?" Crow asked. "Plus, it looks like Bruno really needs a break," he said while nodding to Bruno's limp head fallen flat on the table.

"I agree with Crow," said Kalin. "That way, you look good for making her a gift and for helping out Bruno in his time of need."

"And I really do need help!" Bruno whined.

"All right, I'll help you, Bruno," Yusei said.

"You will?" Bruno shot up. "YAY! A break!"

"But this means I need to find somebody else to have sparring sessions with her while I'm in the smithy. Can I count on you guys?"

"Don't worry, Yusei!" Crow exclaimed. "We've got you covered!"

"I'll be sure to give her a few pointers," Jack said.

"I had fun last time," Kalin said. "Though, with these two on the scene, I don't know how much would actually get done."

Crow and Jack both turned their heads to Kalin. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Yusei had just exited the dining hall when he heard a voice behind him. "It's been a while, Yusei."

"It certainly has, Blister." Yusei turned around and saw Blister dressed in his standard thieves' armor with a knife strapped to his belt. "I'm guessing you've just finished a mission for Master Goodwin."

"Well I've come back to deliver a report but the mission itself isn't over yet." Blister looked in each direction until he was sure that no one else was around. "How much do you know about Arcadia?"

Yusei thought for a moment. "Not much. I know it's a province in Rosland. I know its leader has no love for dragons. And I do remember that Master Goodwin said that tensions between him and the royal family have been high."

"Well, I thought I'd tell you that's where I've been for the past few months. I've been spying on Sayer. I came back because I uncovered enough evidence to get us an investigation into what he's been up to."

"What's he been doing?" Yusei asked.

"Gathering magical artifacts. I gave my sketches to Goodwin and he assertained their purpose. I don't know what it is, but Goodwin is certainly not happy about it."

"No doubt he's making some kind of magic weapon to kill more dragons with."

"Whether that's the case or not, Goodwin's already chosen who he wants to go on this mission. You're going."

"Great," Yusei remarked. "I can get a chance to find something that would let us arrest him."

"You're not going to lead the team though."

"What?"

"Goodwin wants somebody else to lead."

"Okay, who is it?"

"You're not going to like it."

"Who!"

"The princess."

"What?"

"He wants Akiza to lead."