CHAPTER 23
Elena
September 1429
T he funeral took place the next day. The family accepted Terek’s passing with a calmness that felt almost expected. From what I gathered, the death rate among dragon riders was so high that relatives didn’t keep their hopes up for long. Terek’s body was never found, and the family wanted to say their last goodbye sooner rather than later. We gathered around a great pyre with a priest murmuring hymns. We all threw dried flowers into the fire, saying our last farewells.
Right after the funeral, Killian announced to Tarra and me that he would be reinstating our training tomorrow. So, both of us were assigned the task of informing Laszlo, while he would talk to Kovak and Novak.
We searched for Laszlo around the Mihels’ house, but he was nowhere to be found.
“He must’ve gone home,” Tarra said. “Let’s go, we might catch him before he enters the gate.”
“Do you think it’s okay to just barge in?”
“That’s what everyone does in the village. It’s like a big family,” Tarra said and took a left turn into a narrow alley.
After a short walk through the neighborhood, we were greeted by the regulars at the tavern. We asked if they had seen Laszlo, and they said he went home not so long ago. Despite the polite answers, the villagers couldn’t help but stare. Though I wasn’t sure who they found more curious—the dragoness or the human rider.
Tarra quickly found Laszlo’s house. It was a shadow of its former glory.
“Are you sure this is the one?” I asked.
“Certain. I know it doesn’t look good, but every time we sent people to help them fix the house, Mrs. Taddeus refused, saying she didn’t need scraps from those who killed her husband.”
“That’s rough.”
Once we entered the gate, a puppy welcomed us first. Then a child appeared, and another, and another. Then a kid holding a baby.
“How many kids are there?” I asked before realizing how rude the question was.
“Air wielders are rare. In this family, they only have Laszlo now.”
“What about everyone else?”
“They carry the Solomonar blood but don’t have air-wielding powers. They either join the army or become farmers like everyone else. If they get lucky, they might birth a Solomonar. That can bring great fortune to the family.”
“Tarra.” Soraya rushed toward us. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Me too. Where’s your mother?”
“She went to the field. Some farmers promised to gift us some grain. I hurt my back and couldn’t work for a few weeks.”
“Does your mother make you work?” I asked.
“It’s not easy to find underground springs. A well can quench five to ten families. I make a lot of money. But I have to dig myself till I hit water. The past couple of times, I hit rock. Those hurt the most,” she said and stretched her back.
“I can warm up your back with my hands,” Tarra proposed. “It will relieve some of the pain.”
“You could?” Excitement sparked in her eyes.
“Oh, yes. If I want to, I can heat my hands to a boiling temperature,” Tarra said. “Where would you like me to help you?”
“The house is empty at the moment.”
“That’ll work. ”
“While you do that, I’ll go find Laszlo.”
“Sure, he’s behind the house,” Soraya said.
“Thanks, I’ll find him.” I walked around the corner, expecting to find Laszlo chopping wood or something. But no one was there. Only a worn-out shed. I heard noises coming from it. Figuring it might be a dog, I called Laszlo. The door slowly opened, but I didn’t expect to find Laszlo behind it.
“El, what are you doing here?” he asked.
“Laszlo? Why are you hiding in a shed?”
“Ah, this?” He reassessed his surroundings. “Mother banned me from the house.”
“You’re living here? In this cold weather? No wonder your health is getting worse.”
He rubbed the nape of his neck. “It’s a long story.”
“No, it’s not. Be honest. Did she ban you because you decided to join the Fire Legion?” I crossed my arms.
“It’s that obvious, huh?”
“Did you try talking to her?”
“She wouldn’t even look at me. Despite Lord Valkorian being willing to pay a lot, she refuses to take the money.”
“But you can’t stay here either. What are you going to do during winter?”
“Cover myself with woolen blankets?” He smiled awkwardly.
I didn’t find it funny at all.
“Many woolen blankets?”
“Oh, Laszlo. We’ll have to find a way to get you out of here.”
“I wish I knew how.” He sighed. “You never told me why you’re here.”
“Commander said we are to gather tomorrow at dawn.”
“Tomorrow? But today was the funeral. Are Kovak and Novak even ready?”
“He either has a plan or he doesn’t care. Whatever his intentions are, tomorrow at dawn we are expected at the Rotonda.”
“Right. Is Tarra with you?” He asked almost pleadingly.
“She is helping Soraya with her back.”
“Soraya, you say… That makes sense.” Laszlo became quiet.
“Do you by any chance like Tarra?” I asked.
“Is it that obvious?”
“A little.” I smiled.
“I did. I mean, I do. But I don’t think she can like me back,” he said.
“What do you mean? What’s keeping her from liking you?”
“Hey, Laszlo.” Tarra rushed over, holding Soraya’s hand. Both wore wide smiles and had rosy cheeks. I guess the massage was a success.
“Please don’t tell her I’m living in the shed. She’ll try to fix it and I’m not ready for that yet.” He gripped my arm.
“Okay, okay. I understand.”
“Laszlo, we were looking all over for you. Did El tell you about tomorrow’s Legion gathering?” Tarra asked .
“Yes, she did.”
“Good, good. But what are you doing back here?” she asked. “Is that the shed you planned to demolish a few months ago?”
Fear flashed on Laszlo’s face. Soraya lowered her head and said, “Mother has––”
“Don’t you hear something?” I interrupted, looking up. The others followed suit.
“What?” Tarra asked.
“I think I hear Killian’s roar somewhere in the sky.”
“You do?” Tarra asked. “Why didn’t I?”
“I heard it earlier too, while you were inside,” I said,
wrapping my arm around her and turning the other way.
“That could be serious,” she said, not looking back.
“I know. We should hurry.”
“Laszlo, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tarra said and gave him a short hug. “Bye, Soraya.” She hugged her too, though it seemed like she lingered in the embrace. Then Soraya gazed tenderly into her eyes. She must have been skilled with her hands to earn such appreciation. With a steady stride, Tarra moved ahead and shifted into her dragon form.
I looked at Laszlo, who mouthed a “thank you.”
“We’ll talk soon, Laszlo.”