Jahrra took the offered hand, wincing at the strength and fierceness of his handshake.
“Yes, pleased to meet you. And this is Jaax.”
She pointed over her shoulder, not wanting to look at her guardian.
“Jaax?” Senton dropped her hand as if it were an adder he had accidentally picked up. “As in, Raejaaxorix?”
The boy seemed to pale and loose a bit of the enthusiasm he’d had before. Jahrra didn’t know whether to smirk or cringe again. Was Jaax known throughout the whole of Ethoes? She tossed that thought around and came to the conclusion that she wouldn’t be surprised if he were.
“The very same,” Jaax said.
Senton took a step back and bent in a small bow. “An honor to meet you, sir. My father, he’s, well, he’s a member of the Coalition. Only a minor member, of course, but he speaks well of you.”
Jahrra could only stand back and watch this conversation unfold. What would her new ‘friend’ do when he found out who she was? Jahrra braced herself. She only hoped it wasn’t a repeat of what had happened in Crie.
“What is your father’s name?” Jaax asked, his head cocked at an angle as he scrutinized Senton.
“Loress, originally of Noehtsedth in Cunnan Crei. We moved to Lidien after my mother died.”
Senton paused for a moment, his rigid stance tightening a bit, his eyes glancing to the side.
Jahrra frowned. She imagined the loss was fairly recent, perhaps within the year. A small part of her defenses dropped. Perhaps this young man wasn’t as different from her as she thought.
Senton seemed to find his voice again. “We moved here half a year ago and, luckily, my father has found work managing a trade shop.”
Jaax dropped his chin. “I am sorry for your loss.”
There was a moment where none of them said anything, as if to think over what they had all just learned.
After some time Jaax spoke again, “Your father, Senton, do you have the look of him?”
Senton nodded, his smile and charm seeming to return. “Yes, all us boys do. My sister though, she looks like my mother.”
The sadness wasn’t so apparent that time and Jahrra was glad. It hadn’t looked good on him.
“I believe I’ve seen your father before. I’ll be sure to speak with him at our next meeting.”
Senton looked as if someone had just handed him a year’s worth of gold. Jahrra had to stifle a grin and the feeling of absurdity that overcame her. She found it strange how people reacted to Jaax, and now herself. Perhaps she would someday become accustomed to it but she imagined that day was far off.
“I had best leave you two to your classes then,” Jaax said, looking about his surroundings as if seeing them for the first time. “I have a busy schedule today so if I’m not back before dark Jahrra, don’t wait up for me.”
Jahrra nodded as her guardian turned to walk away. She pulled out her map to locate her next class, the one that was now to start in ten minutes. Luckily, it was only a few buildings away in Fehryan Hall. As she walked, Senton joined her.
“You live with him?!”
Jahrra bit her lip. Yes, how to explain that without telling him who she was. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, or was afraid to, it just seemed so ridiculous to her. Hello, I’m Jahrra, and I’m the human girl the Oracles prophesied would come and save the world. No, that didn’t sound stupid at all.
Shrugging, Jahrra said, “Yes.”
And that was all she was going to say, for the moment at least. Luckily, Senton seemed distracted enough by the simple fact that she lived with the famous Tanaan dragon Raejaaxorix that he didn’t put the rest together. Jahrra secretly thanked Ethoes for the small grace period she had granted her. There was no way she was going to be able to keep her identity secret forever. Best enjoy the anonymity while it lasted.
Senton walked with her to her next class since he didn’t have class again until the afternoon, the wildlife course that she just so happened to be enrolled in as well. The young man was ecstatic to learn this and had no qualms in letting her know.
As he waved goodbye, Jahrra contemplated him for a moment before stepping into her mathematics building. Maybe he was just one of those people who enjoyed the company of others. Why he sought out her company in particular, Jahrra wasn’t sure. She shrugged. It would be nice having friends here in Lidien but she knew it would be a bittersweet experience. She and Jaax would eventually be leaving and it would only hurt when they had to leave their friends behind. Again.
Jahrra shook this feeling off and tried to focus on her math lesson. It was as brutal as she had feared and she hoped that Senton knew more about math than she did or else she was going to be in a lot of trouble without someone to help her along.
At midday she ate her packed lunch in one of the small parks that dotted the University campus. She watched students and professors alike, scurrying to class or strolling along leisurely. One older man in particular, an instructor for sure, walked briskly by, muttering under his breath and keeping a hand on his odd hat as his deep blue robes fluttered with his steps. A group of people her age were playing some game several feet away, their laughter drifting on the gentle breeze as it rustled through the fresh leaves and older blossoms of the trees. The University campus had a cheerful, eager feel to it, like a young child leaning forward to hear the ending of an exciting story.
Jahrra finished her sandwich and rose from her perch upon a stone bench. She stretched and took out her map once again. Her next class, the one on the wildlife of Felldreim, was close by in a smaller building named Carlhoren House. If she remembered correctly, Carlhoren was one of the stars in the constellation that represented the Baherhb in the night sky. The memory of the dragons’ symbol pricked her heart for a small moment, for it also reminded her of Hroombra.
Jahrra dusted herself off and left her bench behind. She decided to get to her next class early, taking her time moving through the grove of trees indicated on the map. As she walked, she breathed in the fresh air of late spring. A paved trail wound its way around the trunks of the mixed deciduous and evergreen trees and the babble of a small stream gradually overtook the sound of a thousand voices and shuffling feet. At one point, the stream passed below the path and Jahrra had to pause on a small foot bridge to watch the stream pass over a cluster of large rocks.
Eventually, the trail curved off to the left and Jahrra found herself gazing at what appeared to be a sizeable stone cottage. According to her map, this was Carlhoren House. She was half an hour early, so she wasn’t surprised to find no one else about. The building was rather secluded, separated from the main campus by the small wood that encroached upon its southernmost corner. While she waited, Jahrra examined her surroundings to pass the time. The house sported a chimney and two windows and a rather large door. A porch ran around half of it and Jahrra could see an open glade on the other side.
Twenty minutes passed before she saw another person. A girl her age came strolling up the path, her hands thrust in her pockets and a look of bored resolve on her face. Before Jahrra could even smile in her direction, more students began filtering down the path, joining in conversations with people they knew or standing around idly trying to ignore everyone else. Jahrra decided to be one of the latter; she had made her friend for the day.
The sound of a doorknob turning brought everyone’s attention forward. A young man, maybe five or so years older than Jahrra, if she was judging correctly, stepped out from the large door and eyed everyone present. Was this their professor? He seemed a bit young.
“Hello everyone,” he said, sounding slightly nervous. “Professor Anthar is running a bit late and would like me to let you in.”