Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to update. I have notebooks filled with stuff, but I despise typing. So, I finally sat down and got this one done for you. I hope you like it. Please review. Tell me what you think, any ideas, and where you think this story is going, or how you think it should go. I want to see how my thinking differs and is the same as my readers. Now, my latest chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 5 - Followed
I was surprised at how long the Dragon was staying. When he said he wanted to train me, I thought he would be here two weeks. Now, it has been two months. I can not bring myself to ask him about it, incase he thinks I am growing tired of the lessons and the reminder makes him eager to pack up and move on. I want to hang on to this as long as I can.
It was a night workout, and I was practicing patterns with the few moves I have. Each feels just as effortless as breathing. I still have to think a bit, but the Dragon says it will go away with practice. Revealing that, the Dragon had another excuse for me to practice with only the moves I have. So, I tried not to doubt him, and diligently went through the motions rapidly then slowly.
I sat in the chilly night air for a few minutes before heading back to my room. The curse put upon all red-heads makes my face all red after working out, and Gwendolyn would get suspicious of what I was up to if I returned soaked with sweaty.
I returned once I was cooled off. Gwen and Jessamine were there talking. They stopped when I came in. There was no greeting for me. Gwendolyn looked too shocked, as though she had been caught with her hands in the sweat meat jar. Jessamine was as normal as ever, but she was talented at not revealing anything she did not want to.
I gave them a side glance as I changed into a night gown. I slid into bed and turned my back to them. They remained silent and I knew Jessamine had gone when Gwen blew out the candle. Jessa just had a natural ability for being unnoticeable is she cared to be.
It took but a few minutes to slip out of the door in the morning. I was able to shove the sleepiness aside just enough to stumble along the corridors. I was too grouchy to attempt anything more. I check around a corner before I turn down the next hall, because it would not do to be caught out of bed this early. Maybe if I had been more of a morning person, and been more aware, I would have noticed the sound of rustling skirts behind me.
The Dragon was already warming up. I tried to beat him here once, but it did not work. He was still here before me, and noticing how tired I was, I immediately gave up on the idea of getting to the courtyard first.
I walked to the center of the open space and worked on my arm exercises. The Dragon was determined to have me increase my upper-body strength. He said that girls were different than boys. Duh. But he said that it was harder for girls to build up muscle in their arms than it was for boys. Not wanting to be weaker than a future opponent, I doggedly practiced.
When he stopped, I looked up expecting instructions. Instead, he lifted me to my feet with one arm and ran over to the entrance of the courtyard. He must have heard someone at the door. I froze with terror. He crept up so the sneak would not know he was near. Without warning, he jumped into the entry and pulled two people into the courtyard. Caught off guard, they fell to the ground. The Dragon held them both down to analyze who it was.
I walked over. I couldn't see the faces of the people who were spying on us because of the hedges. Once I reached them, I nudged the Dragon aside and helped them to their feet. They brushed the dust of their clothes. The sound of my tapping foot made them look up at me. It was Gwendolyn and Jessamine. They didn't speak, so I asked, "Well? What are you doing here?"
Jessamine, always fearless, looked straight into my violet eyes and offered, "Gwen came to me, Alanna. She said you were mysteriously missing at night. I noticed that too, but I didn't think much of it 'til Gwenny said you were gone in the morning as well. We were worried and concerned."
It returned to silence when she was done. I stepped forward. Tears were streaming down Gwendolyn's lovely face. I wrapped my arms around her and wiped her face with the torn piece of cloth illustrating myself as a knight. Quietly, I whispered, "Thank you for being a good friend. You are the first I've ever had, but you have to trust me."
She nodded and sniveled in her sleeve. As if the same thought hit us all at once, we all turned to face the Dragon. He stood with his arms folded across his chest. HE was the picture of someone extremely uncomfortable. I walked over to him and patted him on the back. "Girls, this is the Shang Dragon. Dragon this is Gwendolyn and Jessamine," I announced.
They curtsied and he made a slight bow of the head. Now, what was I supposed to do that they know my secret.
I begged them not to tell anyone what I was doing. They realized how important it was to and readily agreed. I thought that was it, but they surprised me with something I had not expected at all.
I stared wide eyed at them. They really wanted this. I looked up at the Dragon. HE seemed to be thinking about what Gwen and Jessa just said.
He looked at me once his mind was made up. With one look, he put the deciding pressure on me. I nodded, "Who am I to stop you? If the Dragon permits it, and you truly want to do this, then you have my blessing."
The Dragon sighed, "It was easy enough sneaking you out for practices, adding two more should not be difficult. Besides, although you have a real aptitude for this kind of work Alanna, you do have your weak spots. Maybe having a sparing partner who knows your weakness can make you become an even better fighter, and you all could work as a group to balance each other out."
So, it was decided. Gwendolyn and Jessamine would join the practices. Together we would learn the art of fighting, and together we would form a sisterhood.
What did you think? Again, please review. Thank you all for reading my story. It really means a lot to me.
Starlit Emerald-Eyed Empress