The Lost Dragon (Cycle of Dragons Book 3) by Dan Michaelson (good summer reads .txt) 📗

I debated whether I would say something to Thomas about my feelings regarding the Vard. I had tried to do so before, but each time I contemplated saying something to him, I held back. I didn’t know whether it was out of fear for how Thomas might react, or whether I truly didn’t know whether I should be concerned about the Vard. And then there was another concern I had, one that left me more uncertain than anything else.

I could simply be ignorant.

There was no doubt in my mind that I had not had the same experience as so many others in the city when it came to the Vard. My time in Berestal had not demonstrated the Vard were any real threat to the kingdom. At least, not the threat that so many within the capital wanted to believe.

I decided not to say anything.

“And?”

“And they’ve been moving,” he said.

“How far have they moved?”

He frowned. “Why, do you intend to join in the fight?”

I shrugged. “I wouldn’t be opposed to being a part of what’s happening. I think I could help.” They might think it’s all about the Vard, but there was another element at play. I knew there was.

He nodded to me. “I don’t doubt you could be, but I’m not so sure it’s necessary for you to involve yourself in it. Not yet, at least. I think we should remain focused on you continuing to gain knowledge and skill. You’ll be a full dragon mage soon enough.”

That wasn’t the first time I’d heard a comment like that. “I have been focused. You don’t think I can be a part of what’s taking place?”

Thomas chuckled. “We have both seen you can. And I think you have proven yourself more than most within the Academy, it’s just . . .”

“It’s just what?”

The door to the Academy opened, and Master Eleanor stood framed within it, looking out at Thomas.

She was dressed in a dark brown robe, graying hair pulled back, stern expression crossing her face. “Thomas Elaron. It is about time that you return.”

He chuckled at her. “I didn’t realize I needed to appease you.”

She glanced over to me. “Did you bring a student with you again?”

“On the contrary. I found him waiting for me.”

“I wasn’t waiting for you,” I said.

He glanced over, shaking his head. “He wants me to think he wasn’t waiting for me. Unfortunately, it was quite obvious he was.”

“I wasn’t waiting for you,” I repeated.

“Then what would you say you were doing?” Eleanor asked Thomas, ignoring me. I was thankful of that. I didn’t want her dark gaze on me.

“I was traveling on behalf of our king. You remember what that was like, I’m sure.”

Her expression soured. “I most certainly do, Thomas. Just because I have chosen to remain at the Academy doesn’t mean I don’t still serve the way you do.”

He stiffened a moment. “Eleanor, please don’t make this difficult.”

“What am I making difficult now? Perhaps it’s your own frustrations you find difficult.”

“This has nothing to do with my own frustrations. This has everything to do with your reaction to me.”

“My reaction to you? I think not. There has been no reaction whatsoever.”

Thomas forced a smile. I didn’t know Thomas all that well, but I knew him enough to know he was irritated. I recognized the way his brow furrowed, frustration creasing it. I saw the hint of tension, and suspected he was more agitated than he let on. Thomas waited, watching her for a moment. “You do realize the king has placed me in charge of the Academy. As the chief dragon mage, I am tasked with—”

“I am well aware of what you have been tasked with.”

Thomas tipped his head to the side, as if listening to something only he could hear. “Are you going to make me force my way past you?” he asked softly.

“I suppose not,” Eleanor said. She stepped off to the side, and he slipped past her. When I tried to go after, she moved to block me once again.

“I’m with Thomas,” I said.

“We have already established that,” she said.

I frowned. “We have?”

“I would say most of the instructors here are fully aware of your relationship with Thomas. And we are fully aware of how you are looking to ingratiate yourself with the king.”

I frowned at her. “I’m not trying to ingratiate myself with anyone. I thought I was here to serve the king the same as anyone else.”

“The same? I doubt that. You had better be careful. If you are not, you might find your testing for full dragon mage to be more complicated than you anticipate.”

I didn’t really know enough about what my testing would entail. I hadn’t been at the Academy for long—and for much of that time, I hadn’t been able to reach for the power of the dragons. Now that I had, and now that I knew I had a connection to them, I felt as if maybe I might actually one day be able to serve as a dragon mage.

She glared at me before heading away.

Thomas continued striding through the halls, saying nothing to the people he passed.

I hurried past Eleanor, ignoring the look she gave me as I did. When I reached Thomas, I leaned close to him. “What was that about?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“It seems it was about something. What is it?”

Thomas looked over his shoulder. “They’re afraid of what happened.”

“As in what happened with the last attack?”

Thomas shot me a hard look. “Most aren’t aware of what happened in the last attack. You need to be careful mentioning it.”

“I haven’t mentioned it to anyone.”

“Good. If you were to do so, you would find . . .” He shook his head. “I suppose it doesn’t matter.” Thomas looked around before settling his gaze back on me. “Things have become a little bit unstable,” he said, shaking his head again. “Perhaps you do need to be alerted to that, especially given your role in the previous attack.”

“My role?”

“You were there, and had a part