A Dragon's Bond (6 page)

He looked to Chloe who had been examining the pages that had fallen to the floor. She stood completely mesmerized by whatever she was looking at. Davin reached over and pulled the pages from her hands. The page she had been looking at, had another image along with notes and scribbles. It was a rough image of a man. He was holding a knife in one hand and what appeared to be a hatchling dragon in the other. The man had the hatchling lifted above his head and blood was dripping from the dragon down to the man's mouth.

Chloe snatched the pages back from Davin. "We have to show these to someone. My brother or your dad. Somebody."

They both began to feel uneasy about the situation they had come to find themselves in. They rushed out of the room closing the door behind them. They ran as fast as the could back to the small passageway that lead back to the chamber.

Davin peered out of the opening and saw that the chamber was still empty, other than the eggs. He stepped out into the room with Chloe close behind. As they crossed the room, Chloe's eyes lit in amazement as the eggs lit up following Davin's position as he crossed the room. When they got back to the rope, Davin hurried up and held out a hand to assist Chloe up into the vent. Chloe pulled up the rope behind her and replaced the grate that covered the vent. They quietly passed by the guards once more, who had not even detected the hint of disturbance in the chamber behind them.

The two children climbed out from the vent and back into the closet. Chloe grabbed Davin's hand. "Don't say anything to anyone. I will take care of it. If you say something they might just accuse you of being the thief."

Davin once again agreed not to say anything to anyone. Really he wanted to forget all about it. When he got back to his room and got into his bed it was late, but he did not have school the next day. So he wasn't worried about being exhausted and would have the leisure of a late morning. As he lay there halfway into sleep, he felt his stomach begin to turn again at the thought of the image on the page Chloe had picked up. Why would anyone want to drink the blood of a hatchling dragon. The thought alone made Davin sick to his stomach. He squirmed a bit in his bed and fought the images in his head as he drifted to sleep.

Little did Davin know that Chloe had no intentions of revealing their secret. Even though she did not show it, she was as terrified of the situation as Davin. She too had been sickened by the thought of the image. She glanced over to a trunk at the foot of her bed. She had tucked the pages in a small diary and stuffed it in the trunk as soon as she had gotten home. There they would lay safe, hiding the secret only she and Davin shared.

CHAPTER SIX

THE FESTIVAL OF THE EGG

It was just becoming summertime and with the summer, came the festival. Everyone from the Keep gathered in the town square for the annual celebration. This was the time when children who were to become bonded received their egg. And this year, was the year Davin himself had been waiting for. He woke up early, even before the sun lifted into the sky. Davin had finally turned thirteen. Even though he clearly had the gift of being bonded, he had to wait just like all the other kids. He had a rather obvious bounce to his step and was not the least bit worried about making too much noise. Eventually his father stumbled from his room.

"Do y
ou have any idea what time it is boy?" Kimball said in a grouchy voice as he rubbed his eyes. "Shouldn't you be in bed still, like all of the other teen aged boys."

Davin looked at his dad. Determined not to let anything falter his day. "Really dad? You know how long I have been waiting for this day. The day I would finally be like the other kids."

As the years had passed Davin had grown out of his withdrawn childhood state. He was more outgoing and definitely more self confident. He had even started talking more with his dad. Their relationship had grown substantially. It was like the shadow that covered them both had finally been lifted. They no longer sat in silence when they ate and instead laughed and joked with one another.

Kimball finally smiled. "I know, I know. Big day and all. Now lets eat some breakfast already."

Just then there was a rapid knock at the door and in flew Chloe. She still knocked, she just didn't wait for anyone to open the door for her any longer.

"
Morning Mr. Willis." She shouted as she burst through the room. "Let's go Davin. You promised you would come to town with me today before the festival started. Sorry Mr. Willis, but he has to go." Chloe grabbed Davin by the hand and before either he or his dad could get a word in, she had pulled him back through the front door and they were gone.

Kimball gave a slight chuckle before turning and walking toward the kitchen and sitting at the small table.

Davin and Chloe were both receiving eggs this year, along with several others from their school. There were also many new pupils that were coming to the keep for the ceremony and to be accepted in. They both had to attend special classes that were only completed by the kids that would be receiving eggs. They were informed of all of the formalities and traditions that went along with the annual celebration. Myrdinn had specifically gone over what would take place in the chamber and what they were to do. Myrdinn's words hung clearly in Davin's mind. "You will each enter the chamber, one at a time. I will be the only one to accompany you inside. You will wander the chamber until your egg calls out to you. You will know it's call, by it's illuminating glow."

Davin thought on those words for many days. He had wondered what it had meant that when any of the eggs Davin came close to, had illuminated the way Myrdinn said only one egg would. Did that mean Davin would get to pick from any of the eggs? He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Chloe's voice.

"
So. Have you decided what you are going to wear tonight? I know, not really a question for one of the boys, is it?" She only giggled a little as they walked along towards the gate that lead into Keep Town.

Davin didn't pay much mind to what he considered a girl question. Even though he actually knew what he was wearing already. He had laid out his nicest pants and shirt. He figured Chloe would surely overdress. She still thought of herself as a princess and wouldn't pass up an opportunity to get all fancied up.

As they passed through the gates and onto the main street that ran through town, it was clearly evident a party was going to take place. There were all sorts of decorations scattered along the street. All of the shops had set up special outside booths, which gave the appearance of a fair. They had set up a large dance floor and stage where a small orchestra would be playing that evening. Chloe had actually put in a lot of time helping set up for the festival. Seeing as how her dad was Mayor, it pretty much went how she wanted.

There were more people in town than usual. Family members came to watch their loved ones who would be in the ceremony, as well as random travelers that came to watch and partake in the festival. Davin and Chloe made their way through the busy streets.

"
What did you need me for again?" Davin asked, not realizing what he was in for.

Chloe only grinned as she continued to walk along. She lead him through the town, weaving in and out of people walking up and down the streets. It wasn't until they came to one of the small shops that Chloe finally stopped.

"
I don't know which one to get." She had a very indecisive tone in her voice. "There are two that I really like and I just can't decide which one to get."

Davin looked at Chloe. Then he looked at the shop she was about to enter. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Really. You couldn't come up with anyone better to help you with this?"

"
You promised Davin." She darted off and into the dress shop before he could say anything else. Davin just shook his head and followed her in. He walked through the door and a small bell gave a ring as the door opened and closed. Chloe had disappeared somewhere into the shop. Davin was walking through, past racks of dresses heading towards the back when Chloe popped out from behind a corner.

"
OK Davin, here is the first one." Chloe had put on a very elegant looking dress. It was a soft purple with some frill and lace around the top.

Davin wasn't really sure what he was supposed to say. "Sure that one looks good." He blurted out.

Chloe looked slightly irritated at Davin's seemingly lack of interest. "Come on now. Seriously Davin. What do you think.?"

Davin hesitated for a few seconds. "It's very purple...I mean pretty. It's very pretty."

Chloe smiled, seeing that Davin was at least now trying. "Ready for the next one."

"
Absolutely!"

As Chloe turned to head back again, Davin began to roll his eyes in a playful manner. It only took a few minutes for Chloe to slip into the next dress. She came around the corner again and this time had Davin's full attention. The second dress she had picked out was a brilliant red dress. It was a simple pattern like many summer dresses. No frills, just a brilliantly red dress. It really did suit her personality and it made her eyes stand out even more than they had before. Her newly glowing green eyes stood out brightly in contrast with the dress.

"
I like that one." Davin spit out before he had even realized he said it.

Chloe giggled. Davin felt his face grow warm as the blood rushed to his face. Chloe only giggled harder as Davin's face became bright red. "I like this one too." Chloe said with a final smile as she turned and headed off again.

Davin waited patiently at the front of the store while Chloe finished up. A few moments later she popped back out from around the corner carrying a couple of small boxes and a bag. She promptly handed them to Davin and headed out the door. He again followed her, this time until they reached the front of her house at the end of town. The Mayor's house was very large and had a display of windows along it's front side. There was a cobblestone courtyard in front surrounded by a small picket fence. As they walked up to the gate they were immediately greeted by Edna. Edna was in charge of all matters concerning the running order of the Mayor's house. She was a very sweet and cheerful woman, but had a mean streak when needed or provoked. She was a short and rather plump woman, with a beautiful smile, deep brown eyes and short curly brown hair.

She greeted Chloe with a kiss on the cheek and turned and patted Davin on the head. "Well, look at you two." She said with a smile. "Chloe. You need to get inside and get ready." She turned to look at Davin. "Just set those down inside the door dear." She turned and followed Chloe in and up the flight of stairs in the entryway. Davin placed the packages on a small table just to the right of the door. He turned to head out the door knowing he wouldn't see Chloe again until later. He shouted over his shoulder as he passed through the front door. "I'm taking off now. I guess I will see you later Chloe."

"
OK. Thanks again for your help." Chloe's voice came from one of the many rooms upstairs.

Davin closed the front door and headed back through the courtyard to the road.

After returning home Davin sat quietly in his room for the next few hours. He realized after tonight, he would no longer be living in the apartment with his father. Tonight would be the first night he spent alone in his own place. He would have his own apartment in the lower sections of the keep.

He had been so excited about the egg and getting a dragon that he had forgotten about the realities of the move. He would be in charge of attending to his own affairs regarding his new home. All of the bonders within the keep had similar housing accommodations, all located on the same floor.

Davin heard a soft knock on his door. "Yeah."

The door opened and his father peaked his head in at him. "Time to get going Davin."

"
Sure thing Dad." He said as he stood up from his bed.

"
You got all of your things packed?" Kimball glanced around the now empty space. Davin had already packed his things up and placed them out by the front door with his name on them.

"
Yeah. I got everything. It's all out front just like I was instructed to do." Davin walked out his door passed Kimball and headed towards the front.

It was night time now and the lights from the festival in town were twinkling through all of the windows of the keep. Davin stared out into the night as they passed by them. Kimball and Davin walked with the flow of the crowds heading towards the town square. As they got closer to the gates separating the town and the Keep, they could hear the music and laughter coming from the square. The smell of the food was becoming enticingly nice and there were even fireworks going off overhead.

The two stopped by one of the first of many food carts and purchased a large bag of popped corn. It had been coated in a honey glaze giving a taste of sweet along with the added sea salt.

There were so many unfamiliar faces. Kimball had mentioned to Davin before they had left, to be wary of the many strangers. He insisted that not all of them had good intentions. Davin was a bit puzzled by the outwardly cautious tone he had carried. He was not sure of why his dad would be so concerned. They had been to many festivals and nothing ever happened at any of them.

When Davin and Kimball finally made it to the center of town where a good majority of the people had gathered, Davin scanned the crowds for Chloe. He had spotted her. She was standing directly across from them with her back turned as she spoke with her father.