Chapter 54 #2
I wondered if dragon-to-human telepathic communication etiquette would be covered as well. Onyx had abruptly left my mind without saying goodbye, and I didn't know whether that was normal dragon behavior or if I had said something wrong.
I thought I'd been polite, but perhaps dragons didn't appreciate being told what to do by a lowly cadet.
"Second principle." The commander lifted another finger.
"Use polite and respectful language when you are talking about dragons, even when you are not around them.
Their hearing is exceptional, and contrary to what some believe, they understand human speech perfectly.
They also have very long memories, especially for slights. They are famous for keeping grudges."
I hoped no dragon had ever heard me saying that they were ugly, and now that dragons could tap into my thoughts, I needed to be much more guarded about the way I thought of them.
They were majestic creatures. That was how I needed to think about them. Their scales were beautiful, and so were their eyes.
"Third." Ravel lifted three fingers. "Dragons love admiration and flattery, but it needs to be genuine. Be truthful in your praise."
I could do that. I admired dragons for many reasons, but chiefly for their protection of Elucia. Without them, there would have been no Elucians left.
"Fourth," Ravel continued. "Never touch a dragon's wings without explicit permission. The membranes are highly sensitive. Think of it as you would an inappropriate physical contact with another human."
Shovia nudged me and whispered, "I bet Tall, Dark, and Handsome would let you touch his wings."
I shot her a warning glare, acutely aware that Alar might have overheard. To my relief, Commander Ravel continued without pause, either not hearing or choosing to ignore Shovia's comment.
"Fifth: respect a dragon's territory and personal space. Each dragon establishes a zone they consider their own, whether it's their sleeping area, a favored perch, or their rider. Entering this space uninvited is considered a challenge or a threat."
The words echoed in my mind. Did dragons consider their riders as territory? As possessions? Or was it more complex, a partnership where each protected what was theirs?
Commander Ravel detailed more rules—proper greetings, and how to ask permission each time before attaching a harness. One-time approval didn't mean ongoing approval.
Then there was the whole hierarchy of dragons and how to address that.
Dragon society was more nuanced than I'd imagined, with codes and protocols as intricate as any human culture.
The class continued for nearly two hours, with Commander Ravel distributing the books that contained all that information and much more for us to memorize. It wasn't too complicated, but I was going to study it very carefully, especially since dragons could communicate with me telepathically.
"Finally," Ravel said, "remember that while these guidelines will serve you well with most dragons, individual personalities vary significantly.
What pleases one dragon may irritate another.
Like your interactions with humans, observation and respect will be your best tools in building strong relationships. "
He glanced at the timepiece on the wall. "That concludes today's lesson. Are there any questions before you're dismissed?"
Several hands shot up, and the commander patiently addressed queries about specific scenarios and exceptions to the rules he'd outlined. I used the time to gather my thoughts, knowing what I needed to do next but dreading it all the same.
As Ravel dismissed the class and cadets began filing out, I steeled myself and approached the front of the room.
"Commander Ravel," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach, "may I have a moment of your time?"
In my peripheral vision, I saw Alar hesitate at the door, looking reluctant to leave me alone with the commander. Codric, bless him, grabbed Alar's arm and practically pushed him through the doorway.
Once the room had emptied, Ravel turned to me, his expression shifting from the formal mask of an instructor to something more personal. "What is it, Kailin?"
"Onyx spoke to me during class," I said without preamble. "He sensed that I was stressed and reached out to ask me why I was troubled. Did you hear our conversation?"
Ravel's left eyebrow rose. "What stressed you, Little Warrior?"
I wished he wouldn't use that nickname, which I had first found so endearing. We needed to keep a professional distance, and it would be best if he called me Cadet Strom.
"The communication with dragons that I'm still trying to understand is stressful enough, and then the possibility of me being a shaman is frankly terrifying. I'm really not even a devout follower of Elu. I try to follow the Precepts of Truth to the best of my ability, but I'm not very spiritual."
It was the truth, just not in its entirety.
His eyes softened. "I get how it can be stressful.
But to answer your question, I wasn't aware of your communication with Onyx.
Our bond allows us to share thoughts when we choose to, but it doesn't mean I'm privy to every conversation Onyx has.
" A small smile touched his lips. "Which is probably for the best, considering how gossipy dragons are. "
I blinked, trying to reconcile the image of a majestic, fearsome predator with the concept of gossip. "Dragons do that?"
"Incessantly," Ravel confirmed, his smile widening briefly before his expression turned serious again.
"But this is a significant development. Onyx can sense my emotions when they are very strong, but to sense yours from a distance, without any deliberate attempt at communication on your part, is frankly shocking. "
He could have chosen a less punchy word. Shocking didn't help with my stress and anxiety.
"What does it mean?" I asked.
"Your gift is still developing, and at this rate, you will soon compete with Nyxath." He chuckled. "I don't think there ever was a human queen of the dragons."
I nearly choked on my own tongue. "Please don't say things like that. I'm not a queen of anything."
His expression indicated that he hadn't been joking. "The first thing you need to learn is to shield your mind. Tonight, after dinner. Meet me at the eastern terrace—the one with the copper statue of Elu. We'll begin with the basics of mental shielding."
I was going to die. "I have so much that I need to study tonight. Can't you just give me some pointers now?"
"Very well." He let out a breath. "Try to visualize a trap door in your mind. We can practice today during flight instruction. I wasn't supposed to be there, but I'll switch with one of the other instructors."
"Thank you." Alar would still be jealous about me flying with Commander Ravel again, but not as badly as if I met him at night for a clandestine engagement.
He examined me with his dark, penetrating eyes. "I know that keeping this a secret stresses you, but it's necessary for now."
"When will it no longer be necessary?"
"When we understand the extent of your gift and you learn how to protect yourself, which might be only after you bond with your dragon."
I swallowed. "That's months away."
"I know it's tough." He put his hand on my shoulder. "But it's necessary."