Dragon Masters
A/N: Please read my stories! If you like TSS you will like my stories!
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Chapter 2: Flirting and Lessons
Fear swept over Tamara. Why did the King want to see her? What was wrong? Seeing her eyes wide and shortness of breath, Zacharia went to comfort her. "Don't worry, he just wants to see you before your lesson." He said soothingly. Tamara was overcome with relief and slightly embarrassed at her foolish fear. Why would the King be mad at her? "I better go tell my mother." she said and rushed off.
No more than five minutes later, Tamara was on her way to the castle with Zacharia. It was a relatively short trip from her small home in the valley to the beautiful white castle at the base of the mountain; especially on horseback. As they rode through a small glen just outside of the village, Tamara caught herself thinking of Zacharia. She blushed lightly. Not only was he handsome, but so young. How could he be a Captain and be so young? she thought. "Captain, sir, may I ask you a question?" Tamara asked hesitantly. "Yes, certainly." "How could you already be a Captain, for you can't be over 20?" "You're right. I'm only 17. I joined the military at 15 and just got promoted. My father and brother are also in the military."
Tamara looked at him. He looked back and smiled. She lost herself in his eyes for a moment, and then looked away blushing profoundly. Zacharia looked ahead. Why am I thinking about her? But wow, so beautiful, and smart so I'm told. It's strange, though, she doesn't seem intimidated by me. Zacharia thought while patting his horse and looking off into the distance.
"We're nearly there." Zacharia said as they entered the city. "Are you ready to meet the King?" "As ready as I'll ever be I guess." Tamara replied in a confident tone. People moved quickly out of their way as they wound through the city streets, steadily approaching the castle. Tamara studied the people. At the market, she saw many villagers. They stood out from the city people mostly because they were poor and their clothes were worn and faded. Looking at the villagers contrasted the richer city families, she realized how she must look riding to the castle with the Captain, and shifted uneasily. Zacharia looked back to make sure she was alright, and she smiled, reassured by his presence.
As they approached the castle gate, the guards bowed to Zacharia and opened the gate without being asked. The heavy iron gates were rusty with age and opened slowly, but were formidable nonetheless. They rode up the path through the courtyard toward the steps leading to the castle door. Tamara was amazed. The castle was more beautiful than she had imagined it to be.
The horse's hooves against the white flagstone made a hollow echo on the walls; their quick beat almost matching that of Tamara's frantically pumping head. At the steps Zacharia dismounted, came over to Tamara and held out his free hand for her. Tamara took it and felt a tingling sensation go through her body causing her heart to skip a beat. She dismounted gracefully, and they looked into each other's eyes for a moment before parting hands. Zacharia smiled warmly and Tamara smiled back, blushing profusely. "Wait a moment." Zacharia said softly. He hailed a passing servant and asked him to take the horse to the stables. He turned back to Tamara and said, "We must hurry if we are to get to the meeting on time. Follow me."
Tamara followed Zacharia up the steps and into the castle. He led her down a passage to the right and into a hall filled with marvelous portraits of the royal family. The hall opened up into a lavishly decorated throne room with high arching stain-glass windows. Silhouetted in one of these windows were the forms of two men talking in hushed tones. Tamara managed to hear one phrase: "So it's true? The legends? The myths? All true?" Tamara wondered about the legends, for something was clicking inside Tamara's brain.
Your Highness, I have brought the Lady Tamara as you requested." Zacharia said formaly interrupting Tamara's thoughts. She was glad he didn't speak to her like that. One of the men turned and smiled. "Ah yes, just the people I needed to see! Captain Zacharia and Lady Tamara." "Your Highness,"Zacharia siad, bowing, Tamara curtsied. "and Alexander. Good to see you." "Yes Brother. Good to see you to. Have fun rescuing damsels?" Alexander asked mockingly as Zacharia gave him a sharp look. "Your Majesty?" Tamara asked politely. The King turned to her. "Yes Tamara. I needed to speak with you. I am King Arthur III. Do you know why you are here?" he asked gently. "I believe I am here for my lessons." Tamara replied, regianing her confidence. "Yes. Lessons of a sort." King Artur said.
At that moment an old man stepped out of the shadows in the corner and walked up to the little group. The four stopped speaking and turned to face him. He was tall and slender with a long white beard, had sharp blue eyes and carried a wooden staff that was almost his height with a gleaming white stone set in the top. "I shall be teaching you, child," he said, his voice like the soft rustling of fallen leaves, "for you destined to be a Dragon Master."
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