Chapter 34

by Amanda Cast

Secrets

When Pandora stopped by Instruct Hargoth’s class he had some strange bandage on his face over his nose. When he saw Pandora in her bruised and battered state he started to smile and lifted his arm to wave hat her but then winced and shrugged apologetically. She simply nodded her head to him and hoped the small line of her lips was noticed as polite enough.

“Well, he kept his end,” Star said with much disappointment.

“Pandora, wait!” one of the students cried out when she turned her back. “Instructor Hargoth wants to speak to you.”

Pandora turned around again and motioned for the hatchlings to stay back as she approached. “Yes, Instructor?” she said politely.

“I was just wondering if you’re all right. Your face looks terrible.”

“So does your nose.”

He chuckled at that. “I never thought you would actually give me such a beating. You’re something else. I was wondering if you would like some private tutoring. I could teach you how to better augment your body and perhaps a shield spell or two.”

Pandora mulled this over in her head and looked back. It would be useful knowledge for her to have, but she was afraid of using magic. What if it made her weak again? Her past attempts had not gone so well for her.

“We would take things at your pace. I could meet with you on weekends and on my free hour.”

“Why are you so eager to teach me?” Pandora asked. Though she was not a naturally suspicious person she was learning not to trust any adult in the Academy.

He leaned down and whispered into her ear. She could feel the magic in his voice, but it was a muffling magic. How she knew this, she did not know, but it was a not a charming spell. “I have heard something in one of the lounges. They all think that we are with them. I don’t want anything to happen to you or your family, Pandora.” He looked back at the dragons with such an anxious look that Pandora could not doubt him.

She nodded. “When is your free hour?”

“It is at three. Bring your hatchlings. They may learn as well.”

“Is it at three every day?”

He nodded. “I’ll get a few more healing potions. I can’t teach you effectively while we have fevers and are trying to heal.”

“Our deal was…”

“This is more important than a deal. I wanted to see if you would keep your word. You have. You are a worthy student. I am serious, Pandora. Lives are at stake here. The lives of the dragons are at stake… or at least their freedom is.”

“They say they need us,” Pandora said.

“They will not out right kill you, no. I know that you are worried about something. I just don’t know what. I’ll help you in any way that I can.”

“I will need to discuss this with Serene and you will have to be tested for truth,” Pandora said. “I cannot risk the lives of the children.”

“Of course not.” He shifted uneasily. “I am not supposed to tell you this, but your Uncle has fled from the city. His house has been looted. There is nothing for you to return to. The Emperor may be setting a trap for you.”

Pandora frowned. “I will have to discuss this with Serene,” she said. “Please, excuse me. I must go. I will see you at three.”

“Eat only a light lunch,” he said after the magic was broken and they parted ways.

Pandora could not remember a time where her heart had ached more. She feared terribly for her uncle and her parents—even her violent mother. What if they were going to hunt down her family and try and kill them? She had no family name and had never mentioned one. Would that be enough to draw them to her parents? Would he hunt them down and send their heads to her.

The hatchlings were worried. They pressed up to their mother and bombarded her with questions. She could not speak. Her throat was so tightly constricted that it made it hard for her to breathe.

She took the hatchlings to the garden outside of the kitchen and requested that Raoul watch them while she went in search of her cousin. She could not find her anywhere. She hunted at her classes, but she was not there. She was no where to be found.

Pandora was almost to tears when she finally stumbled onto Terabeth. Manners and politeness were thrown out of the window. “Terabeth,” she said breathlessly. “Where is Serene?”

“How should I know?” Terabeth asked rudely but Pandora sensed that she was lying.

“Where is she, Terabeth?” Pandora said with more authority. It was much darker than the voice she ever used with the hatchlings.

“She doesn’t want to talk to you. I know what you said about us.’

“I didn’t say anything about you,” Pandora said without changing her tone. “Tell me where she is. This is important.”

“And what are you going to do if I don’t tell you?” Terabeth said boldly. “Are you going to hit me?”

Pandora was losing her temper. She was not used to being emotionally stimulated and she was feeling overloaded. Terabeth’s rudeness and lack of help was almost too much for her to bear. She clenched her fists and her muscles strained downwards as if she were trying to stretch her arms all the way down to the floor.

“I might.”

“You are such a brute and a liar. I know what you said about us.”

“And what did I say?”

Terabeth’s mouth just moved noiselessly. “I can’t explain it.”

“Why not?” Pandora asked and Terabeth took a step back from her.

“I’ll scream,” Terabeth warned and her hands started to raise slowly as if she were about to cast a spell.

“Don’t you dare,” Pandora warned and closed the distance between them. “I need to speak to my cousin. I don’t care if you don’t like that I said you were apathetic about Greg. Serene would not defend you on that count. Do not push me Terabeth. I may not speak often, but I will rip your very soul to shreds if you push me.”

“Don’t threaten me!”

The blue robed mages were forming a circle around them. Terabeth was trembling from fear and bravado.

“I haven’t even begun,” Pandora said.

Terabeth raised her arms and started to utter the words for an offensive spell. Pandora was quicker and grabbed her, disrupting the spell. It sent an electric spark out of Terabeth’s finger tips.

“Don’t try and cast magic on my again, Terabth,” Pandora ordered. “Tell me where my cousin is.”

“I won’t!” she said angrily. “It is none of your business.”

“It is my business,” Pandora said. “You tell me or I swear by all the magic in this world that I will throw your lead brained head throw a god forsaken wall. Am I clear?”

Terabeth gave her a defiant look, but when Pandora started to draw her back to keep good on her promise Terabeth screamed, “I’ll tell, I’ll tell,” she said. “She was taken to the infirmary.”

Pandora’s eyes widened with worry and she pushed Terabeth away. “You had better not be lying to me,” she said and ran into the appropriate mirror.

When she reached the infirmary the healers tried to stop her from simply barging in, but she pushed them out of the way with a combination of momentum and her magical strength. They protested, or at least it sounded like protests. She looked around feverishly, but there was no Serene to be seen.

She opened doors and slammed them shut again. She threw things including beds and bellowed like an angry beast at any healer that came too close to her. Their magic slid around her skin, unable to stick to her.

“Where is she,” she finally said to one of the healers that shrank away from her in abject terror. “Where is my cousin?”

“She… she…”

Pandora punched him in his jaw and he fell to the floor. The other healers were too afraid to approach. “Where is she you little bastard?” Pandora asked.

He pointed to a wall that had a candle stick.

“That is too cliché. Even for you losers,” she hissed and walked up to it. She could feel the magic of it burning her palm, but she twisted it and the wall slid apart. Her skin burned, but it still felt numb. She hurried down a corridor and followed her instincts. She knew that Serene had to be there. She could feel her cousin—vibrant and beautiful.

She opened all the doors along the way and gave them a look inside. Nothing. Finally she found one that would not open. There was magic blocking the way. She could feel the sound proofing on the other side. She closed her eyes and touched the door with her palms. At first it burned, but she could feel it entering her and the magic dispelling. There was still a lock on the door though, and Pandora had not ability to take of that cleanly. She knocked on the door, but when no one answered fast enough she kicked the door.

It started to splinter, but it did not break. The door flew open and a wild haired mage stood before her. He was featureless to Pandora. She shoved him to the side and could see Serene sitting there in a chair, glassy eyed. “What did you do to her?” she asked with the same predatory darkness.

“What are you doing here?”

“What did you do to my cousin?” Pandora asked again. The room was getting brighter, the colors sharper.

“You do not belong here,” he said and started to cast a spell. She gripped his hand so hard that she could feel his fingers snap in her grip. He cried out in pain and fell to his knees.

“I’ll break your other hand,” she warned. She could feel him trying to mend the bones. She put more pressure on the hand and he cried out. Started to pass out but she slapped him with her other hand. “Oh no you don’t.”

“Please,” he said. “I was only trying to help.”

“Only trying to help?” she asked. “Only trying to help? Why was she hidden from me? Why did no one tell me where she was? She is my cousin. You should have told me.” She twisted his hand to get her point across.

“I…I can’t think.”

“I don’t care if you can think,” she shrieked. She could recall no other time that she had shrieked.

“Pandora?” her cousin moaned. “Pandora?”

“I… I meant no harm,” he babbled. His free hand was around the wrist of his broken hand. “Please, let me go.”

Pandora let go and pushed him back. “You had better not try another spell or I’ll smash your face in.”

He did not take the threat idly. He cowered in the corner. Pandora felt a grim satisfaction for a moment and then all her anger and tension melted away when she turned to look at her cousin.

“Serene,” she whispered and reached out to touch her cousin’s hair. “Oh Serene, what have they done to you?” she asked and gingerly tried to pick her cousin up off of the chair. She was so limp and frail. It terrified Pandora and she held her cousin to her chest. She seemed like a tiny doll compared to Pandora.

“Pandora,” she whispered again, but Pandora was not certain if her cousin even knew she was there. “So sorry,” she whispered. “So sorry.”

When Pandora turned to the door to leave the Arch Mage was standing in the door way. The air around him crackled with power.

<First><Chapter 33><Chapter 35><Latest>

Chapter 19

by Amanda Cast

For Gold

Pandora and Serene collided in the mirror room, or rather, Pandora collided into Serene. “I’m so sorry, Serene,” Pandora said as she helped her cousin to her feet. I just got carried away with lunch and exploring and I forgot to check on the hatchlings.”

“Oh, they should have been fine for two or three hours,” Serene said and smoothed out her dress. “Oh, we should be getting robes tonight to wear to class.” She then turned to Terabeth who was standing to the side and trying her best not to look mortified. She was doing a horrible job. “I’ll see you at dinner. Pandora and I have to go take care of the hatchlings.”

“I could help,” Terabeth offered half heartedly.

“No, that will be all right,” Serene said with a wan smile. “Maybe when they’re older.”

Terabeth nodded and gave a small wave. “I’m going to go to the library for a little bit. See you two at dinner.” She turned and walked off.

Serene gave Pandora a smile and the two of them stepped into their hall’s mirror. “So what did you do while I was at class?”

“I met a tribal girl named Oola. She sings very well. I was thinking of having dinner with her tonight, if that’s all right with you. If I see her,” Pandora amended.

“Oh, that’s all right,” Serene said. “I think it will be good for us to have our own friends. I think you and a tribal girl would make a great pair. I hope her other friends are nice. I mean, not to say that mine aren’t, but they just aren’t your type of people. You need someone who is more like you. They’re just not—“

“I understand, Serene. Your friends don’t want me around. That’s why I offered rather than making another meal awkward.”

“Oh,” Serene said, but she was neither relieved nor upset—or perhaps she was both. It was hard to tell.

“Besides, we live with one another.”

“Yes, but I wish that you could get along with my friends. Not that it’s your fault. They are kind of snoody, but they’re like me too.” She looked helpless as they approached their door. “I’m just making this worse.”

“You deserve friends that accept your differences,” Pandora told her. “Don’t feel guilty.”

Serene beamed at her cousin and waved her hand over the door. It swung open and let out a waft of some horrible stench. It smelled like the privy after the dragons were done with it. “Didn’t they flush?” Serene asked and then she caught a look at the room.

Shreds of clothing were scattered everywhere and clothes were piled into mounds. Serene’s jewelry was scattered all over the room and the large towering magical box was knocked over on its side. There was a mound of dragon dung in the middle of it all and a puddle under the bed. Some of the cloths around it were wet.

The hatchlings were hiding. Rubio’s bright red tail was poking out from under the bed.

Serene shrieked. She appeared to be forming words and it sounded vaguely draconic, but her voice was so high pitched and fast that Pandora couldn’t make out what she was saying.

Pandora put a hand on Serene’s shoulder and she stopped immediately. “Topaz,” Pandora said with a deeper voice than usual. It was filled with all the authority she could manage. The dragon’s head peaked out from under the bed and Pandora noticed that the wood under the mattress was tilted upward. It wasn’t just the mess. She called out each of their names in the same tone and they showed themselves. “What is the meaning of this?”

“We woke up after you left, Mother. We were bored,” Rubio explained. He looked guilty but not apologetic.

“We smelled gold,” Star supplied.

Pandora glared at all four of them and Serene went into another high pitched tirade. Her face was red and Pandora slammed the door. She shut up again.

“Topaz, did you do your business on the floor?”

He looked at Pandora defiantly. “Yes.”

This cued Serene to go into another bout. This time some of it was understandable.

“All of you, come here,” she said firmly and they snaked over to her. She took their pendants from them. She fingered one of them thoughtfully. They were crafted from carved stone, jade, to be exact. It was best for holding enchantments that gave or restricted access.

“Serene, will you go get something for us to clean up this mess?”

Serene nodded and gave the hatchlings a furious look before leaving the room. The door slammed behind her.

Pandora gave each their own stern look. “You destroyed our things for gold?” she asked coldly.

Star nodded and eyed the gold chains in Pandora’s hands. “Yes, mother.”

“Well then,” she said slowly, “You will not have any gold because of this bad behavior.”

“But Mother!” they all cried with such stricken expressions it gave Pandora a feeling of satisfaction.

“What? Do you think you deserve these gifts from the Academy after you destroyed so many things that Uncle Lindal gave your Momma and me? Those things were precious to us given to us by someone we love and someone who loved us. You think you deserve gold?”

Emerald hid her face behind one of her wings.

“Look at me, Emerald.”

The hatchling peered back at her mother guiltily. “I’m sorry, Mother!”

“Are you? Are you really? These things are not just material to Serene and me. These things are memories to us. Because of what you did to us you will have no access to gold at all. However, I am not without a heart. I will reward you for good behavior. After five days of being on good behavior, and I mean exceptionally good behavior you may have the gold chains back. If one of you messes up once the days will restart. Do you understand?”

They nodded.

“Also, after you get the necklaces back for each day of good behavior you will get a gold coin to put under your mattress. For each day that you are bad you get one take away. Am I clear?”

They nodded again.

“Topaz, if you ever, and I mean ever, do this again, I will be more cruel than just taking your gold away. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Mother,” he agreed.

“Good. Now, the four of you have some major sucking up to do to Momma. Those are things her father gave to her. She remembers why and when she got each of those pieces of jewelry. You will return each and every one of them and if any of them are broken they will be fixed out of what comes out of your piles. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Mother,” they chanted.

“All right. Topaz, you are going to start shoveling your shit into the privy. Now.”

He scurried to do as he was told. Pandora sat on one of the beds and started to work on removing the jade from the gold. She pried open the gold loops that held them together and stuck them into her belt pouch.

The hatchlings watched with longing as she let the chains slide one by one into the belt pouch. “It breaks my heart that I cannot trust the four of you,” Pandora said quietly.

“I’m sorry, Mother,” Emerald crooned and touched Pandora’s knee with her head. She rubbed against it. “I am.”

“I know you’re sorry now, Emerald. You should be more sorry about the distress you caused Serene. I think you broke her heart today.”

The door swung open and Serene was in the doorway with rags and a bucket of soupy water. She had tears rolling down her cheeks and her nose was running. She gave a small hiccup of a sob. She shuddered when Pandora took one of her destroyed tunics and ripped it into four strips so that she could craft a make shift necklace out of it.

“What are you doing?”

“They did this for the gold you had in your box,” Pandora said tersely, but the tension was directed at the hatchlings and they cowered in shame. “I am revoking all of their gold and they will not get it back until they have behaved like perfect little angels for five days straight.”

“Oh, well, that seems fair,” she said with a scathing glare at them. “But why did Topaz shit and piss all over the floor?”

“Well, we know it was him so we can only guess,” Pandora said with a stern look in his direction. At the mention of the mess he made he looked completely defiant, all guilt was gone. “Remember, Topaz, all of you must obey and behave or no one gets the gold chain back. If you keep them from their gold they might do some nasty things to you.”

The other hatchling’s demeanors changed when they looked at him. They were tense and threatening and he hissed at them. “Mind your own business,” he snapped.

“It is our business,” Star told him and ice gathered at her feet.

“Star, stop,” Pandora said sharply. “All of you, go into the bathing room while Serene and I finish cleaning up this mess.”

They sulked but did as they were told. Pandora sat the jade and cloth necklaces to the side and went to help Serene.

“How could they do this to me?” she asked. “Haven’t I been a good Momma? Why would they destroy my things? My memories.”

“They didn’t mean to,” Pandora said softly. “Could you put a sound barrier on the door?”

Serene nodded and signed fervently at the door. The brief upshot of light covered the door and then it was clear. “What do you mean they didn’t mean to? They obviously did it.” She picked up a shredded rag. “And look at what they did to your nice clothes. How can you stand it?”

Pandora shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know that one of us has to be calm. Obviously right now that person is me.”

Serene gave her a cold look.

Pandora sighed. “You had to calm me down earlier, remember?” she asked and started checking the clothes that were soaked in dragon urine to see if any of them could be saved. “Anyway, as precious as they were because they were from Uncle Lindal they are only clothes. They were mine and no one else’s.”

Serene choked out another sob. “My mother’s jewelry.”

Pandora nodded. “I suspect that we’ll have to look under their beds and such for anything that had gold in it or on it.”

“How could they steal my mother’s jewelry?”

“I don’t know. They’re only what? Three or four days old? They can’t know everything right to do.” Pandora made a face. “Do you want to keep any of these outfits?”

Serene shook her head. “The clothes can go. Just find the jewelry.”

Pandora chunked the wet clothes into the trash and said the activation word. The clothes vanished. She did the same with the tattered rags. She then helped Serene clean up the excrement and sent the rags down to the laundry room as well as the bucket of water.

Pandora found most of the jewelry under the mattresses and some of it in the pillow cases. She helped Serene reorganize it and handed Serene the chains. “You should probably keep that in your bag just in case. We can’t let them get their hands on it after all they did.”

Serene nodded and gave a wistful sigh. “I remember when I got all of that. I remember making up stories in my head of how Momma got all those things. I memorized every one of them and counted every tear of joy and peal of laughter.” She stared at the box. “I think some of your rings are missing.”

Pandora frowned and checked her small mundane box. “You’re right,” she said and went into the bathing room to find Topaz licking a wound and blood on the floor. “What are you doing?”

The three none injured dragons backed away from Topaz who swung his head around as he glared at each of his siblings.

“I’m really getting tired of the four of you acting like this. All of you need to start behaving or I’ll have to get physical with you. I don’t want to do that.”

They all gave Pandora a skeptical look but nodded in any case.

“Before dinner each of you are getting a bath,” Pandora told them. “I can’t have you going outside smelling like you do. Then you’ll have to have another before bed.”

“But Mother,” Rubio whined.

“Do not argue with me, Rube,” she said sternly, “You have all caused enough trouble today and you should all take what you get and be glad you’re in good shape.”

“But Mother—“ Emerald started.

“Not another word from any of you,” Pandora said sternly and started the bathing with Rubio.

<First><Chapter 18><Chapter 20><Latest>

Chapter 17

by Amanda Cast

A Time for Fighting

When the hatchlings were oiled and put back to bed Serene pulled Pandora into the bathing room and cast a spell over the door. “How long are you going to act like a spoiled brat?” she asked.

Pandora stared at her.

“Don’t give me that blank look. You always give me that blank look!” She stamped her foot angrily onto the tile floor. Her golden hair flounced ridiculously.

“I’m not acting like a spoiled brat,” Pandora told her. “Just because I’m not acting like you’re used to doesn’t mean I’m spoiled. I never wanted to be here. I’m not a mage. I don’t belong. I’m here because of you.”

“That’s a hurtful thing to say!”

“Is it? Is it hurtful to say that I’m here because I didn’t want you to die? Is that hurtful?”

Serene hesitated. “No, I suppose not.”

Pandora sighed. “Serene, I’m trying to make the best of this. I don’t have the money to buy books. I can’t learn if I don’t have the books. I’m not like you. I can’t sit there and listen and soak it all up. I don’t even know if I can do this books or no.”

“You don’t have to try and be a mage, Pandora. You don’t have to learn about magic either if you don’t want to. You can just take combat classes and learn some things about buff magic.”

“Buff magic?”

“Yes, you know… something to augment that insane strength of yours more… something to toughen your skin and blood vessels and ways to make you faster. You know… the things that mages use to stand a change against people like you. You’d be unstoppable if you could use it. I have faith in you. Why don’t you go talk to the councilor about that.”

Pandora nodded. “You’re right, Serene.”

“Of course I am,” Serene said. “Do you feel better?”

Pandora nodded again.

Serene hugged her cousin. “I’m sorry, Pandora. I really am. I know you don’t have anything against mages, but I know you feel all alone. I do too.”

“At least you’ve made friends.”

Serene nodded. “I’ve also made an enemy, I think.”

“Chloe,” Pandora agreed. “She either wants to kill you or date you.”

“Or both,” Serene said and was awarded with a smirk from Pandora. It was as good as a giggle.

“That’s disgusting,” Pandora told her, but she continued to smirk. “I’ll keep an eye on her. If she tries to touch you I’ll have her on the ground faster than she can sneeze.”

Serene giggled and nodded. “Thanks. It’s good to know that you have my back. I have yours too. Never forget that.”

“I won’t,” Pandora promised.

“I think we’re done here,” Serene said. “I have a class at one, but you can show me where you have been today. I didn’t get to do any exploring. I just chatted with Terabeth about some things. You know.”

“Not really,” Pandora admitted. “I don’t know what girls our age talk about. I think I’m too interested in knocking out people’s teeth.”

“Oh! There is a spell for that too.”

“Oh, I forgot. I have a class at eleven. I managed to get into another combat class with my tirade. Do you want to come and watch?”

“Sure,” Serene agreed and lifted the enchantment on the door so that it would open. They checked on the hatchlings and then left the room. Chloe was standing outside of her door about to enter. She glanced back and when she realized who she was seeing she glared. She waved her hand over the door and it opened. She disappeared inside.

“She has serious problems,” Serene said. “And what is with her eyes? Terabeth says that she uses enchantments to look like that. I think she looks like a UD reject.”

Pandora shrugged. “It’s none of our business.”

Serene agreed grudgingly and the pair headed down the hallway to the mirror. “Anyway, can you believe this place?” she asked. “There are mirrors to everything. Did you know that they’re permanent enchantments? The knowledge on how to make them is long gone, and if you go to newer parts of the Academy you have to take the stairs. Nuts huh? We live in an old boy’s dorm for the security.”

Pandora gave an acknowledging grunt.

“Do you even care?”

“I just don’t have anything to say,” Pandora told her.

“Oh, well, anyway… isn’t this place fascinating? I wish I was able to visit it on different pretenses, but all considering.”

“It isn’t exactly written that we can’t enjoy our time here, Serene,” Pandora pointed out and walked into the mirror. “We just have to behave.”

“I don’t know if your outburst counts as behaving.”

“Well, maybe my actions will be separate. I know you want to see Uncle Lindal.” Pandora sighed. “I’m sorry if my outburst ruined your chances to see him at the holiday.”

They took a series of mirrors and got lost once, but they managed to find the practice field. No one was there so Serene and Pandora played a game of tag while they waited. Eventually three mages in blue robes showed up. They were all boys and they eyed Serene with appreciation and smirked at Pandora condescendingly.

Serene gave them a contemptuous glare, but they only smirked at her.

“Hello, ladies,” one of the boys said with a swagger and a grin to back up the tone.

“Hello,” the cousins said together.

“I think you two should head out. There is a class going to be held here. It’s not for little girls.”

“Well, it’s a good thing we’re not little girls,” Serene said with her hands on her hips. Her legs were braced apart and she leaned forward with the words.

One of the boys with sandy blond hair rolled his eyes. He was scrawny, but the pathetic hairs on his chin gave him away as a pubescent boy. “I don’t think you girls can handle it. Especially you, Shortstack,” he said to Serene.

“It’s a good thing she’s not in the class then,” Pandora said, putting a calming hand on her cousin’s shoulder. “I am.”

“Oooo,” the blocky sidekick of the group said and the others jeered and laughed with him.

“Go back home little girls.”

Pandora snorted. “How about you put your money where your mouths are,” she said with an uncharacteristic grin. “I’ll take on all three of you. What do you say?”

“Please, we’d eat your lunch, little girl,” the leader said.

“I think you’re afraid of me,” she taunted. “Not afraid of a little girl, are you?” she asked.

“I say we give her a try,” the blocky boy said. “Teach her that she doesn’t belong here.”

Pandora side stepped around them once and then walked into one of the circles. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Who is going to make the barrier?”

“Serene can,” Pandora said and motioned for them to come into the circle.

“What are you? Twelve?” the blocky boy smirked.

“Actually, I am. And you’re going to get your ass kicked by me,” she told him and saw Serene’s face go into a big o before she hurried and cast the barrier.

“No turning back now, little girl,” the leader smirked.

“I wasn’t the one trying to turn back,” she told him and then lunged at him; her hand went for his throat. It connected and she lifted him off of the ground and threw him against the barrier. Before the boys could respond to her attack she spun around and connected with the sandy haired boys face with her elbow. He fell like a heap. She balanced and shifted for a kick to the blocky boy’s chest. He reached up to intercept but she was too quick. He staggered back. Before he could recover she was on him.

Pandora punched in him in the nose and he fell back, clutching his nose. A punch barely missed the back of her head and snagged her ear. Unlike the sword there was no sting, just the rubbing of flesh. She caught his fist and threw him over her shoulder on top of the blocky boy.

“Done?” she asked moving back so that her eyes were on all three of them.

It took a moment, but Pandora noticed that she was not the center of their attention. There was a black robed mage standing not too far away and Serene was hastily undoing her barrier.

“What is the meaning of this?” the master mage asked.

“Master Kline,” one of them stuttered.

Pandora turned and bowed respectfully to the mage. “They did not believe that I belonged in a combat class.”

“And maybe you don’t,” he said. “Humility is part of being a warrior.”

“With all due respect, Master Mage, you are a mage.”

“And apparently so are you. You are in this Academy aren’t you?”

Pandora frowned and said to Serene in Draconic, “Why does everyone want me to be a mage?”

“They might be crazy,” Serene said with a smirk. They spoke too quickly for the mage to understand.

“Just because you are a Speaker does not mean you may be disrespectful,” Master Kline said dryly.

Pandora took a deep breath. “You might be right. I do not belong here. I am not a mage.”

Master Kline walked around her and she could feel the sticky fingers of magic prickling at her skin and at her insides. It touched intangible places. “If you are not a mage, why do I feel magic in you?”

“I do not know,” Pandora said. “But having the power to be a mage does not make me one.”

Master Kline nodded. “No more fighting before the instructor arrives. Do you understand?”

Pandora nodded.

“Good. You three, go to the healers,” he ordered and the boys staggered away.

“Off with the swagger, on with the stagger,” Serene gloated. “You kicked so much ass.”

Pandora gave a smug smirk. “Yeah, I know.”

Serene shifted and fidgeted. She then pushed Pandora and cried “Tag! You’re it!” She darted off.

The game lasted even after others arrived. Some of them even joined in with them. It turned into a large group before the instructor arrived. “Well! Looks like everyone is warmed up.” He saw Serene doubled over and winded from all of her running. “Some of us are a little too tired.”

“Not…in…class,” she managed and dramatically fell over. Everyone laughed and then gathered up.

“Where are Gregor, Blane, and Jacin?”

“There was a mild accident,” Pandora explained.

“Mild?”

She grinned at him. “I’m Pandora. I’m a new student of yours.”

“You’re one of the Speakers. Well, welcome.” He thankfully was not wearing a black robe. It was comforting. “You’re the first person to show up for the first time wearing appropriate clothing. Is the blond girl your cousin?”

She nodded.

“Well, if she’s going to hang around let’s put her to some use. Does she make decent barriers?”

Pandora nodded.

“Excellent. Call her over and the lesson will begin.”

~*~

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Serene said. She was holding Pandora’s hand and swinging it like a little girl would swing her mother’s hand. “You really did kick ass.”

“Well… all those times your father was beating me up I did learn something,” she said. “Anyway, if I stood half a change against him they stood no chance against me.”

“You should swagger,” she said. “You deserver a good swagger.”

Pandora managed a jerky swagger but quickly fell out of it. “Thanks for helping in class.”

“Well, he seemed impressed with you and not so happy with his students. You did go easy on them, didn’t you?”

Pandora shrugged. “I didn’t want to hurt them like I did the other three. At least there is no permanent damage.”

Serene shrugged. “We probably shouldn’t mention this in front of the hatchlings.”

“Agreed.” Pandora sighed. “I do feel better though. It was nice to get some of this aggression out. It was building all through that ride.”

Serene nodded. “The sunshine feels wonderful though.”

“It does,” Pandora agreed. “We should take the hatchlings out for a small walk before they eat.”

Serene nodded.

“Hey, Serene!” a voice shouted from behind them. Serene and Pandora dropped hands and turned to see who was calling. It was Terabeth. She was panting by the time she reached the cousins. “Hello, Pandora.”

“Hi, Terabeth,” Pandora said politely.

“Would you like to join us for lunch today?” she asked.

“I’ve got to take care of the hatchlings.”

“Lunch ends at two. I have a class at one,” she said. “Come one Serene, you have a class at one too.”

Pandora frowned thoughtfully. “Hey, Serene, you just go. I’ll take care of the hatchlings since you did it before the class.”

“That sounds fair. Thanks, Pandora.”

“Well, you have a class, I don’t. I have to check on the status of those tutors of mine. I’ll see you later, Serene, Terabeth.”

Serene hugged Pandora and walked off. She heard something about sweaty and gross. Pandora never felt more alive.

<First><Chapter 16><Chapter 18><Latest>

Chapter 15

by Amanda Cast

Power and Looks

The morning left a bitter taste in Pandora’s mouth. She woke up to Topaz butting her in the side with his head and begging to be taken down to breakfast. The other three waited sheepishly behind them.

Pandora rolled out of bed and pulled on whatever she pulled out first. She and Serene had not bothered to unpack the night before. They did no have time to unpack now either. Perhaps on the weekend when classes were out for rest and catch up they could catch up on their housekeeping.

“Serene, get up,” Pandora said and nudged her. “It’s time to feed the hatchlings.

Serene blinked at her cousin slowly when she managed to pull her mind from its slumber. Not a moment later she sprung straight up looking around in a panic. “Oh shells and scales,” she cried. “I forgot where we were.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

“I’d rather go home,” she said stubbornly, but got dressed anyway. Her face was drawn tightly. “What time is it?”

“Probably five,” Pandora said after a quick glance out of the window.

“That’s early.”

“Well, they weren’t fed enough yesterday. They probably want to get a head start today.”

Serene sighed and pulled on her shoes.

“Momma, aren’t you hungry?”

“Well, I guess I am a little, but I have to eat breakfast with everyone else.”

“Why can’t we eat breakfast with everyone else?”

“Well, you demand a different diet,” Serene said and patted Topaz on the head. “When you get your humanoid form I guess you can join us, but until then you worry people a bit too much.”

“Why?” Emerald asked quietly.

“Well, people don’t really know much about dragons,” Serene explained. “Anyway, look at you. You all must have grown three feet last night.” She sighed. “Well, lets get you fed and oiled. Then Pandora and I have to take showers, go to breakfast, and see our councilors.” She rolled her eyes.

Pandora shrugged. “Then we have to feed and oil you again.”

“I wonder if we can work our schedules around your needs,” Serene mused idly as they left the room.

“I need to use the privy,” Star said.

“Me too,” Emerald agreed.

“And so do I,” Pandora said thoughtfully. “All right, everyone back in.”

They all took turns using the privy and then were outside again.

Down in the kitchen it was much the same story as the day before. Pandora entered first, leading the dragons in tow. They still had plenty of room between them and the door, but they were too large for Pandora and Serene to carry two at a time. Everyone had to walk now. It made Pandora a little sad. She had enjoyed holding them. The time was too short.

“Hello, Pandora,” a boy said at her elbow. He was four years younger than Serene and Pandora and a half-breed. He was half elf, but he was an Underdark elf. Pandora was not entirely certain of his parental history, but she knew that he had bad light sight and tended to stay in the darker lit places in the kitchen.

“Hello, Raoul,” Pandora said kindly and patted his silvery white hair.

“I’ve been put in charge of making sure the dragons have enough food,” he said brightly. For such a dark creature he sounded strangely of sunshine and fresh air.

“So is it ready?” Rubio asked and rubbed against the boy’s leg like a cat.

“Oh, yes,” he said and rubbed along Rubio’s long, slender neck.

“Delightful!” Star said and leapt forward.

Rubio, not to be outdone, ran after her. Topaz stayed back and close to Serene who was getting uncertain looks from the cooks. His milky green eyes swirled and changed into brown.

Emerald nudged Raoul’s hand. “Why does one like you work in the kitchens?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Raoul asked with a wide, kind smile.

“I feel… something deep inside of you…it is hidden, but it is power.” Her sides swelled as she breathed his scent in deeply. “You belong in class. Not in kitchens.”

“Do you think so?” he asked.

She nodded her head much as Pandora and Serene would. “Momma can help you learn some magic so that you can be noticed. You do not belong in kitchens.”

“My mother says that my father’s people are warriors, and she’s no mage.”

“Even those of the UD use magic,” Serene said, “And if Emerald thinks you have what it takes, I’ll help you learn some in exchange for your help. The others look terrified of them.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I guess I can see why. Dragons are so powerful and…and…just…wow. I mean… Dragons are awesome. It’s too much for some people.” He grinned at them. His teeth were bleached white behind his charcoal gray lips.

Emerald preened. “Well, that is true. We are powerful and they should fear us and our Mother and Momma. They’re powerful too. I can feel it all the time. I can feel them.”

“Really?” Serene asked, shocked.

“I could feel you from the moment I existed. It bound us together and we could feel your feelings and understand your words. We’ve always been aware of you.”

“It is true,” Topaz agreed.

“EEEEEE Someone control these beasts.”

Pandora broke from the other four to go see what Star and Rubio were up to. When she saw them they had knocked over many bowls and were cowering as one of the cooks struck at them with a broom handle. “That’s enough,” Pandora said and walked over to the cook. She deftly grabbed hold of the broom and wrenched it out of the woman’s hands and whapped her against the head. “You will not strike them again. Next time they may attack you.”

The two hatchlings crawled on their bellies behind Pandora. The cook’s mouth was gaped open as she stared at the twelve year old girl brandishing her broom like a weapon. The woman worked her mouth silently and then shrieked, “Get them out of my kitchen!”

Pandora frowned. “You had better be glad I am a temperate creature, Madam, or I would have hit you again. They are welcomed here by your masters. You will be gracious to them and to us.”

The woman sputtered. “This is inexcusable!”

“But it will be excused.”

“Well, be quick about feeding them. There will be different arrangements from now on. Mark my words.”

“Certainly, Madam,” Pandora said without her usual mildness.

The cook turned on her heal and stalked off. “You’ll be cleaning this up, Raoul.”

“You just have to ruin everything,” Emerald told Star and Rubio bitingly. “Now the poor boy has to clean up after you. You should be ashamed.”

Both of them had the good grace to look abashed. They shuffled from side to side with their bellies dragging the ground and their necks snaking over it in submission. “We didn’t mean to, honest.”

“I’m very ashamed of the two of you. You might look like a beast, but you’re not. Just because you don’t look like any of us means you get to act like a puppies.”

“We’re only three days old,” Rubio pointed out quietly.

“I don’t care. Toddlers act like fools because they don’t know any better or their parents let them get away with it. We will not let you get away with it, “Serene told him. “Now, the two of you will behave or else. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Momma.”

“Good,” she said. “Raoul, would you be so kind as to get their food? Pandora and I will start cleaning up the dishes.”

Raoul nodded and hurried to do as he was bid.

Topaz and Emerald gave Rubio and Star the cold shoulder while they ate. Rubio and Star could hardly eat they were so upset about how everyone responded to their antics. They glanced at Pandora frequently to see if their protector would give them any comfort, but she was just as annoyed with them as Serene was.

When they were finished with their meals everyone was told to be polite and thank Raoul for his kindness and Star and Rubio apologized rather grudgingly to the cook for their actions and the cook, after a stern eye and a meaningful sway of a broom apologized to them for over reacting.

With everything finished the girls led the hatchlings back to the rooms and oiled them thoroughly. They then took turns showering and putting the hatchlings back to bed. With a promise that they would be back as soon as they could they left the room. Others were leaving their rooms as well. Chloe was among them and gave Serene an ugly look before vanishing into the mirror.

“Hi,” one of the girls said with a shy smile. She was tiny and lithe; much like Serene, but her hair was a burnished brown. She had golden eyes and her skin was covered in freckles. “I’m Terabeth,” she said. “I live across the hall from you.”

“I’m Serene,” Serene said warmly, thankful for the positive attention. “This is my cousin Pandora.”

“You’re the Speakers,” she said, nodding.

“Yes, we are,” Pandora said because she felt she should say something.

‘That is so amazing. I wish I could talk to dragons,” she said.

“Oh, anyone can talk to dragons,” Serene said. “And dragons can talk to any body. They normally just don’t waste their time on people that don’t speak their language.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, they can be a bit elitist,” Serene explained, “But they can be fun too.”

“And childish,” Pandora added. “They send children to pass along insults.”

“Well, that too,” Serene said with a blush.

Terabeth giggled. “Would you two like to eat breakfast with us today? I saw you eating alone last night, and I would hate for you to think that we girls are inhospitable.”

“Oh, well, that would be nice,” Serene said. “Pandora isn’t much of a talker. She prefers to listen more than anything else.”

“Oh?” Terabeth said, glancing at Pandora. She gave her an awkward smile before turning back to Serene. “Why is that?”

“I don’t know. You’d have to ask her, but she can be damn… I mean… she can be quite scary when she needs to be, and I don’t even think she’s trying.” Serene said it with a hint of pride, but Terabeth seemed a bit unnerved.

“So what are a couple of Speakers like you doing in a place like this?” she asked.

Serene and Pandora shrunk, or at least it felt like that to Pandora. The cousins glanced at each other and then looked away from Terabeth. “We, um…”

“It was highly advised,” Pandora said simply.

“Yes, highly,” Serene agreed, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

“Oh,” Terabeth said, ducking her head in embarrassment. Her teasing question had made the girls entirely too uncomfortable. “I didn’t mean…”

“No,” Serene said cutting her off. “It’s all right. It’s bound to be a question everyone is going to ask in the middle of a semester. What are two untrained girls doing here? Especially one with no apparent magical ability what so ever,” she said with an anxious glance to her cousin.

“You mean… she can’t… cast magic?”

“Um…she’s never tried. She’s unusually strong though… especially for a girl our age.”

“Oh wow,” Terabeth said with forced amazement.

Pandora was sorely tempted to just go and see if she could eat with Raoul. He was more appreciative of her company that Terabeth obviously was, and Pandora didn’t want Serene to go without new friends. Pandora knew that she was not the most entertaining of dinner companions.

“So, what kind of classes are you going to be taking?” Terabeth asked Serene when they approached the mirror.

Serene took the step through the mirror to think about this. “Well, I was thinking about taking… um… maybe some subtle casting classes, basic shields and barriers. That short of thing. What type of classes are you taking?”

“Oh, I’m taking enchanting. It is so fascinating, but no one can figure out how to make permanent enchantments that don’t need to be recharged all the time anymore. Isn’t it sad? I hope one day to crack that mystery.”

“That’s quite ambitious,” Serene said approvingly.

“Don’t you think so?” she said, her face flushed with the excitement. “I’m also taking Magic in History, Meditation, Basic Flames, and Spell Formulas.”

“What do you think you’ll take, Pandora?” she asked politely.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Pandora said. “I haven’t had much time to think about it.”

“I think you should take meditation. You seem like it would be an easy enough beginning for you, since you don’t have much experience and it isn’t hard to catch up in. Are you more of a fighting sort?”

“Yes.”

“There are fighting classes as well. They’re supposed to help build focus and to save your butt when your magic cannot help you. Don’t see the point really.”

“I’m sure there is more to it than that. Have you taken any of those classes?”

“Well, not yet, but we’re all required to take at least one before we can become journeymen.”

Pandora nodded. “I will take those as well.”

“I think you’ll do well,” Terabeth said and then returned her attention to Serene. “So you want to do shielding?”

“Well, it’s not something I’ve really tried, but my father does this really neat trick with a barrier. It is really amazing.”

“What does it do?”

“Well, when you hit it hard…” they stepped through the dining hall mirror, “It could possibly break your bones, but if you just casually saunter through it...well, you get the point.”

“That sounds complicated. I don’t know if many of our master mages can do that.”

“Well, he’s an elf and has lived a long time.”

“Really? Elves are so beautiful,” Terabeth said. “And so are you.”

Serene blushed. “Thank you,” she said. “You’re lovely yourself.”

Pandora rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Something wrong, Pandora?” Terabeth asked.

“No, nothing at all. I’m just hungry. I didn’t eat much last night.”

“Oh,” she said with a quiet giggle. “We sit over there,” she said pointing to a long table lined with benches. Before they sat down Terabeth introduced them. “Everybody, this is Serene and Pandora. Serene, Pandora, this is Jankyla, Retarji, and Britlyn,” she said.

Pandora noticed that all the girls were pretty, and all of them had different coloring. Where Terabeth had brown hair that looked as though the sun had highlighted it with red Jankyla had coppery red hair that was worn in loose, perfect curls. Pandora knew that she used magic to do her hair in the morning. Her rich brown eyes raked across Pandora in an almost insulted fashion and her lips twitched into a sneer that just couldn’t be repressed.

Retarji was the warmer of the three already seated. She gave Serene and Pandora both a warm greeting. She was more stately than the other girls. Her limbs were long and lanky, just waiting to be elegant and her face had the look of innocence itself. She kept her black hair pulled back in a high ponytail and her hazel eyes twinkled.

Britlyn looked tired and disinterred in her friends and breakfast, but she was still pretty with her green eyes and white blond hair. She struck Pandora as only part human.

“Were you up too late last night studying, Brit?” Terabeth asked reprovingly.

Brit, as she had been called, shrugged half heartedly. “I just didn’t sleep well. I kept tossing and turning. The mattress must be too lumpy or something.”

“Well, you sleep fine on it most nights,” Jankyla said as the new arrivals sat down. “It can’t be that bad.”

Brit shrugged again and yawned. “I just couldn’t sleep.”

Pandora decided that she would eat as quickly as possible or at least get away from the table as quickly as possible. She stopped listening to the girls and then girls did not pay any attention to her. Serene seemed to be having a good time and was the center of attention the entire time. Her name was mentioned once or twice, but it became clear to Pandora if no one else that she was not that important.

When she was finished she excused herself and left the table. She saw Chloe, glaring at her cousin when she left.

Pandora saw a journeyman and stopped him. “Excuse me. Could you tell me where the councilor is?”

“Oh, yes,” he said with a warm smile. “I could take you if you like.”

“That would be preferable,” Pandora said and the journeyman led her through a series of mirrors. “A person could get lost here.”

“That is true,” he agreed, “But the Academy was haphazardly built at best.”

“Oh,” Pandora sounded.

“So, you’re one of the Speakers, yes?”

“I suppose so.”

The journeyman chuckled. “Well, I never though I’d meet one. Anyway, I think that Master Gerald should be able to take care of you. Good day.”

Pandora waved him goodbye.

<First><Chapter 14><Chapter 16><Latest>