Dragon Riders

Chapter 13: Shocking

Serafina POV:

I could feel my muscles tense. Orion noticed the change in my stance. He leaned closer to me and whispered,

"You okay?" I nodded and swallowed hard.

"Aspen seems scared," I confessed. "I hope she'll be alright!" He grinned.

"Is that it?" He chuckled, I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. "You are worried about that! Aspen is going to be top of the class!" My eyes widened and I smiled weakly.

"Thanks," I stated. Before he could respond, Shade coughed loudly. The meadow went silent

"Ahem!" He proclaimed. "If you all are done chatting, it is time we got training! Everyone, please take the fighting stance!" We all spread our legs shoulder with the part, bent our legs slightly, lowered our head, bared our teeth, spread our wings, and straightened and lifted our tail. I was first in line. He started in front of me and admired what I assumed was my perfect pose. He leapt over me, got behind me, and straightened my wings. He then lifted them slightly. "Perfection" he stammered, only loud enough for Orion and I to hear. I might've been dreaming, but I swore I heard Orion growl under his breath. He must have really growled at the general, because Shade ducked under my left wing and stood right in front of Orion looking him directly the eye. "Do you have problem, soldier?"

"No," Orion stated. "Sir." Shade glared at him as he moved Orion's right leg inwards, further from me, to correct the stance. Shade looked over him once more. They were about the same height and had about the same wingspan. With one last glare, Shade moved on to the next person in line. After he was a few Dragons down, I turned to Orion.

"What was that?" I accused.

"What was what?" He played dumb.

"You know exactly what I am talking about!" I pushed for an answer. "Growling at Shade? Messing with the general?"

"Oh," he shrugged. "That... It's not a big deal. Don't worry about it, Ser."

"Ser?" I pondered aloud.

"Ser," he restated. "Serafina. Ser. It's my nickname for you." I could feel heat radiating from my core. A pet name. He gave me a pet name! I giggled and squealed with delight internally, but kept myself composed on the outside.

"Okay," I confirmed, "Ori." He chuckled at my makeshift nickname for him. Was that a chuckle at my silliness? At my wit? At my attempt? Ugh! Guy Dragons are so hard to read! I wish they were as easy as male humans. Shade finally reached the end of the line.

"Good," he declared. "I've got a pretty good bunch of Teffs to work with! Now, we are going to spar!" I was at the beginning of the line. He was at the end. He pointed at the last two and went down the line paring Dragons with each other. He paired Orion with a Space Dragon next to him. That left me with no partner. "And Serafina, you're with me." He took my paw and led me away from the line; everyone followed his lead and dispersed throughout the grassy area. Orion was on the opposite end of the meadow. "Serafina," Shade called me to his attention. "Are you ready?"

I quickly turned my focus from Orion and readied myself to fight. I nodded and he lunged at me. I rolled to the left and he zoomed past me. He quickly readjusted and sprung at me again. This time, he knocked me over. We hit the ground, tumbling over one another. He had a strong grip around my torso. I rammed my horns into his side and his grip loosened enough for me to squirm out of his arms. I then retreated back a couple steps. He stood and moved into a stance of defense.

He's good, I noted. I lurched right and he moved to defend, but I zipped to the left and tackled him to the ground. Using my vines, I pinned him down. Suddenly, fog poured in out of nowhere. It was so misty, I couldn't see a thing. Rip! I backed up further into the fog, away from the now broken vine restraints. I guess if I could use my powers, he could use his. I tuned into the grass and felt his footsteps a few feet away, crushing the blades. I felt the pressure leave the ground, so I ducked and he soared over me. He hit the ground and the fog cleared. I saw him about a yard away and took my chance. I jumped atop him and put my teeth to his neck. That would have been the end if he hadn't started a tornado.