Temple Academy Legacy

Chapter 5 – The Great Feast (Part 2)

The daylight hours passed quickly. The sun departed, and the moon entered into the sky. As a result, the sky darkened. Stars twinkled and positioned themselves in the heavenly expanse. Now that the evening had come, it would be time for dinner at Temple Academy. The students, teachers, and staff members would gather to have their meal together.

Spyro was eager to have dinner. He always liked to eat his fill. Whether it was grilled meat, beef stew, or meat-and-vegetable kebob, he would eat it. The young purple dragon made his way into the Cafeteria with Sparx and Cynder.

The tables were set with plates, bowls, cups, and dinnerware. Several students took their places at the tables, talking and waiting. Their eyes shone with excitement and wonder. They glanced briefly at Spyro, Cynder, and Sparx before continuing their conversations. At one table, the Guardians, teachers, and school workers sat together, chatting amongst themselves.

"Let's sit somewhere," Cynder said, nudging Spyro.

"Yeah…I'm hungry too."

"Knowing you, you'll eat 10 plates of food," Sparx teased.

"I don't eat that much," Spyro said. "You exaggerate."

"It's more like 5 plates," Cynder replied with a smirk. "Don't know where you put it all, though."

Spyro blushed a little, knowing it was true. He could eat 5 plates. Shaking his head, he settled at a table with seven students. Cynder sat beside him and nuzzled his cheek. Warmth spread from his cheek to the rest of his face. He glanced at her and she giggled.

"What was that for?" Spyro asked. She usually waits until we're alone to do gestures like that.

"Just because I love you," Cynder whispered. "And I still do."

"I…I love you too."

"Oh, get a room, you two lovebirds," Sparx said with a groan. "We're at a school, not a romantic getaway."

"Jealous?" Cynder snorted.

"Me…No! I'm too smart to fall in love," Sparx replied.

"One day it will happen, brother," Spyro said.

"No. Not a chance."

Spyro didn't press the point as he enjoyed the atmosphere and company. It was lively and incredible. After defeating the Dark Master and restoring the world, he could enjoy life more.

XXXXXXX

Kettle tapped her tail on the ground as she sat a table with several students. She wondered when the food and drinks would come. As she waited, she thought about her classes. How are we graded? What homework will we have? What will the tests be like? She thought. I hope I can make it. I have to. I'm 17. I still have the rest of my life to live.

"Kettle? Are you okay?" a voice asked. It was squeaky and feminine. A pale blue dragon with webbed feet and sea green eyes sat across from her.

"Oh…I'm okay, Ceres. Just nervous about starting classes tomorrow."

"Ah…same here."

"Really?"

"Y-Yes…I'm not the best fighter or flier. I think two classes deal with fighting and flying."

Kettle nodded. I'm good at both but not math. "Oh. Well, I can help you with those since we're classmates. I'm terrible at math, though."

Ceres perked up. "You would help me at fighting and flying?"

"Sure. I aim to be a warrior or adventurer one day."

Ceres smiled. "Oh, thank you! And…I want to be a mathematician and a professor. I can help you with math."

Kettle grinned. "It's a deal. We'll help each other in our classes."

"Splendid!"

Ceres giggle-snorted. She rubbed her forepaws together. Kettle found the sight amusing. Her newfound friend was quirky and mentally-quick when it came to numbers and calculations. Ceres also loved organization and cleanliness as well. But Kettle didn't mind. Ceres had come from the Brisk Realm as well.

Kettle glanced down at her foreclaws as they rested on the table. She considered her dream with a thoughtful expression. Before she had left the Brisk Realm, she desired to become a strong warrior, one that stood for justice, peace, goodness, and integrity. Her father and mother served as warriors and guards from her native village in the Brisk Realm. Both loved her dearly and taught her much about combat, navigation, hunting, and survival.

Now that she had traveled to the Dragon Realm and became a student at Temple Academy, she worried about fitting in and achieving her goals.

When Kettle lifted her eyes, she noticed Leone staring at her. His expression was concerned. His black eyes bore deep into hers. Don't worry about me, she thought. I'm fine. However, Leone reached out and tapped one of her forepaws with one of his. His pads were warm and firm.

"You okay, Kettle?" he asked.

She nodded and her forked tongue darted out and back into her mouth. "Yes, I'm good."

"Sure? Anytime your tongue does that in-and-out gesture, it means your nervous or anxious."

"Ah…well, it's just …" Kettle stammered. She searched for an excuse or a distraction, but Leone's gaze and touch made it difficult. "All this excitement and concerns about school…normal stuff."

Leone tilted his head. "Normal stuff huh? …Like classes and tests? And maybe your goals and dreams?"

Kettle flicked her tongue in and out of her mouth. "Uhhh…yeah…"

"You're anxious, Kettle. Don't lie."

"Okay I am! You sure like to dig into me, huh?"

Leone laughed. "Because I worry about you. You're my best friend, and I've known you since we were whelps."

"I know." Kettle looked down at her paws again, playing with her digits and claws. "I…I just worry about screwing up and failing everything."

Leone lifted her chin with one paw and made her look at him. "Kettle. You might screw up somethings, but not everything. Just enjoy this new life and new world. I'll be with you every step of the way, okay?"

"But…."

"Ah, ah, ah! Every step of the way. I mean that. Okay?"

"Okay." Kettle sighed and pulled her chin away. "I'll do my best to enjoy things."

"Good. Don't let anxiety or fear stop you from living." Leone nodded. He put a paw over his chest and dipped his head. "I won't either."

XXXXXX

Digit couldn't wait to eat dinner in the Feast Hall. He sat at a table with Jinx and several other young dragons. As he sat at the table, he thought about his past life in the Brisk Realm. Back in his home world, he lived in a village with dragons and elves. It was a place of windmills, farms, and trees. It was a culture of storytellers, dreamers, woodcutters, hunters, builders, and fighters. He was born into a family of hunters, builders, and woodworkers.

He remembered cool breezes in the summer, thick white snow in the winter, and heavy downpours during the spring. He liked how vivid and lively his village was.

Greenleaf Village. Digit smiled at the name. My birthplace. I miss it. More now, than ever.

Suddenly, a tap on his left forepaw drew his attention. Jinx looked at him. Her neon green eyes were concerned.

"Digit…"

Jinx was one of the survivors from the monster attack on the Brisk Realm and came from the same village as him. Knowing that she was here now with him was comforting.

"I'm okay," Digit replied. "Reminiscing about Greenleaf Village."

"I miss it too."

"We'll keep going on…right?"

Jinx nodded. "Yes…and achieve our dreams."

Digit agreed with a nod. Suddenly a loud tapping sounded. One of the adult dragons at the head table stood up. Digit recognized the dragon; it was the School Headmaster Terrador. The large earth dragon scanned the enormous Feast Hall and waited for everyone to get quiet. Chatter diminished. Silence came.

"Welcome, everyone," Terrador greeted. "Tonight, we will have our first feast. We celebrate the start of the school year, and the arrival of our students. So, eat, drink, and be merry. In the morning, classes will begin."

Terrador paused for a moment before gesturing to a door in the far corner of the Feast Hall. Beside the door stood a row of thirty wooden carts. Each cart adorned with a white cloth. Silver platters sat upon the carts and white cloths. Each platter was loaded with delicious food. Grilled meat, diced potatoes, sliced tomatoes, grilled fish filets, bread rolls, stuffed bell peppers, and mixed vegetables rested on the platters. Steam rose from each dish.

Beside the carts stood three dragons, two females and one male. They waved at everyone and dipped their heads.

"Sanzal, the school cook, Ophelia and Immerit the school assistants, will help serve the food," Terrador said. "Let the feast begin!"

Digit watched as the three dragons began to push the carts, one by one, to each table. Sanzal delivered food to table where the school teachers and staff were. Ophelia and Immerit delivered food to the other tables. As the three dragons worked, they greeted everyone and smiled. Digit felt his belly rumble and his mouth watered as he watched, ready to eat.