Love Dust Chapter 2
Part 2 of the Maurice the Dragon Rider Short Story Series
This is currently an unfinished short story that I’m working on. It will be available in its edited version during the Another Man’s Storm Kickstarter campaign. I’m going to release a chapter at a time. Paid subscribers will get to read a week before free subscribers, but I really do want you all to enjoy the story!
Continued from Part 1
Chapter II
“This is it, Kai. We’re leaving home.” Maurice threw his bags over the dragon’s back and fastened them securely to one of his large spikes. “Food for you, for me, water, a few coins Father gave me in case I need them.”
The dragon grunted and rose to full height, causing a frustrated sigh from Maurice. He preferred to pack Kai while the beast was sitting.
“Must you?” he asked, hiking onto his back to adjust the load.
“I’m as anxious as you are, Proud One. Though I can’t say I relish the thought of Norbury.”
“You too?” Maurice grumbled. “Why do you sound like my mother so often? We can always leave if we don’t like it.”
“Perhaps.”
Maurice leaned over and looked into the dragon’s eyes.
“What do you mean, perhaps. They aren’t going to make us prisoners or anything.”
“Hmm,” the dragon grumbled. “You don’t know much about magic do you?”
“I know Kairos. That’s all I need to know.” Maurice shifted to a comfortable spot, ready for takeoff.
“You are naïve. But then, I supposed that’s what this trip will be about. Introducing you to the world. And to magic if that’s the direction you insist upon going.”
“It’s just a school on the coast. We’ll be fine.”
“Yes. Norbury University. I have been there before, only briefly. The magic from that institution should never be underestimated.”
“You are a dragon, Kai. You can ward off magic. I’ve seen you do it.”
“I’m not worried for my sake, but yours.”
“And I’m not worried either. The University is a peaceful establishment, and my family is respected in this kingdom. After all, Kairos went there, and he didn’t turn out evil. You like Kairos, don’t you?”
“Yes. I like Kairos. However, Kairos did not fare well in his studies at Norbury University. His abilities come from his ingenuity and good humor, not from what he learned in magic school.”
“Regardless, I’m not planning on practicing magic and this discussion is not going to sway me from going there. I’m ready. Are you?”
“As you bid, Master Maurice!"
The flight took them over the sparkling turquoise waters of the Nisi Sea, the midday sun reflecting its brilliance on Kai’s scales and glinting off the waves far below. A tall ship, a dot of white sails surrounded by water, left a wake as it headed for the mainland, possibly the ship that had brought his uncle’s letter. Maurice reveled in the ability to soar over the sea in a few hours when it would take the sailors more than a day to reach Prasa Potama.
“Should we visit Uncle Barin before we head south?” Maurice wondered aloud.
“That’s your choice, Brave One. But note, your uncle may have some other tasks for you.”
“You’re right. Head south.” It was not a hard decision. Aside from embarking on an adventure, he was also escaping the influence family had on him. He and Kai were on their own to see the world with no responsibilities but to enjoy themselves, a freedom he had never experienced in this capacity before.
As they veered south, away from the castle of Prasa Potama, which was visible through the purple haze, they followed the shoreline. A ribbon of white breakers on sandy beaches, occasionally giving way to high cliffs and forests. To their right, Maurice eyed another ship bearing the king’s standard.
“I wonder if that’s Kairos?”
“It could be. Shall I swoop in closer?”
“Yes. I’d love to see the old wizard again!”
“I cannot land, you know.”
“I’m aware. But at least get close enough to give Kairos a wave.”
Kai spiraled lower and circled the ship until the sailors and the man Maurice hoped to contact, climb on the poop deck. Kairos, his white shirt glistening in the sunshine, waved to them as they drew near.
“A hoy! Maurice the Dragon Rider!” The wizard laughed. Maurice waved back just as Kai soared over the mast of the ship and continued on their journey south.
“It will be good to talk to him! I’m looking forward to meeting up.”
“We will be there before dark. They, on the other hand, will be mooring in the moonlight. Come, lets find a shady spot by the water in Norbury and wait for them.”
The sun had just settled below the horizon, casting a twilight glow over Norbury when Maurice and Kai arrived. The town was not as large as Prasa Potama, which surprised Maurice. There were no farms, no shops, nor was there a marketplace aside from a few homes with merchant signs in front of them. Everything seemed to center around the school, a large stone dormitory fashioned in Potamian gothic style with pointed arched windows indicating at least four stories. Instead of a moat, like the one surrounding the castle on Cho Nisi, a park encircled the school and stone walkways led to it from all directions. Groves of oak and walnut camouflaged what few homes there were. The park boasted fountains and benches and trails. A wooden bridge spanned a brook that meandered through the park and the scent of mint and watercress that grew on its banks freshened the air. Everything, from the imposing windows and doors of the university, the wrought iron benches, even the fountains, faced the waterfront of the Nisi Sea. In the distance, a solitary pier extended into the water, where a lonely fishing boat bobbed against the pilings.
“That is no doubt the pier where Kairos will dock,” Maurice noted as the dragon landed in the park. “I didn’t see any other.” Maurice slid off Kai’s back, grabbing a knapsack on the way down. It had been a long flight, and he needed to stretch his legs and orient himself. It wasn’t until he slung his pack over his shoulder, stretched, and glanced at Kai that he noticed the dragon sniffing the air, a fire sizzling in his eyes. It was that creepy look: narrow eyes, flaring nostrils that Kai got when he sensed danger.
“What?”
“Take care, Maurice. This place is trembling with an ancient magic.” Kai spoke barely above a whisper. The dragon regarded the landscape suspiciously, gazing about from one end of the park to the other. Struggling to understand Kai, Maurice looked around, noticing only the weeping willow branches swaying gently, the dewy grass beneath his feet, and the ornate scrollwork of the wrought-iron bench beckoning him to sit.
“Is it? I wouldn’t know.”
Even though Maurice casually lowered himself onto the bench and pulled his lunch of bread and cheese from his pack, Kai kept on with his suspicious scrutiny.
“Settle down, Kai. We have to wait for Kairos to get here and then we’ll proceed with our plan.”
“What plan is that?”
“I don’t know. Explore the area. Take a look inside.” He nodded toward the university. The vast archway entry had filled with people exiting the building. Kai breathed a puff of smoke.
“I’m going to the water,” the dragon said. Before Maurice could convince him to stay, Kai stretched his wings and sailed into the sea, disappearing into the deep.
It was not unusual for Kai to fly away like that when strangers were near. The dragon had a shy nature, preferring solitude to socializing. Maurice understood. Yet this time, he sensed Kai’s fear. Why? Kai certainly wasn’t afraid when he and Maurice rescued the Cho Nisi magic. He stood up to wizards and sorcery bravely, never once faltering. What was here in this serene park that Kai could endanger a dragon? Surely not the students. They looked perfectly normal, like any human being. Young people his age, mostly. Although there were a few older men and women. The longer he stared at the crowd who dispersed into the forest, or meandered down different pathways, the more entranced he became to a particular group of young ladies. One had hair the same color as his mother, bright red, long and gleaming in the sunshine. The other girls were also attractive, but that one caught his favor immediately. If Kai were sitting next to him, he would have felt a bump on his arm to wake him up. Instead, he gawked, his mouth hanging open, until she looked his way. Immediately, his cheeks heated, and he turned away.
Heavens, a ship was coming into port already, one bearing the rearing horse signa of his uncle’s. Maurice shoved the rest of his bread into the linen wrap it had come in and stuffed it in his pack, brushing the crumbs off his trousers onto the ground, and stood. Before making his way to the pier, though, he glanced over his shoulder at the pretty red-haired girl and much to his surprise; she smiled at him.