The camping trips to Lake Ossar were definitely their favorite thing to do however, despite the ghost stories Kaihmen still tried to spook them with. The Resai man was sorely disappointed to discover that the children weren’t as frightened of his stories as they used to be, often grumbling to his wife as the three friends giggled under their blankets.
“Kaihmen, they’re getting older, they know your stories aren’t true!” Nuhra would tell him.
“Oh, but they are true!” he’d insist as the children let loose a fresh round of laughter.
The trips into Aldehren or Toria Town were a welcome change from riding and camping. That is, they were until they spotted Eydeth and Ellysian stepping gingerly out of one of their ridiculous carriages, their puffed up mother just behind them. Jahrra stared in wrath as the crowd of commoners parted out of their way like abused dogs avoiding an angry master. It took Jahrra and her friends less than three minutes to collect their horses and head straight home.
“We see enough of them at school,” Gieaun commented dourly.
“Besides, there are much more interesting things to do than wander around town,” Scede said severely.
Gieaun simply huffed and slouched her shoulders, loosening her grip on Aimhe’s reins. She wanted to go looking in all the trinket and clothing shops, but Scede thought this was the most boring thing he’d ever heard of. Jahrra thought that some of the stores were appealing, but she really would rather camp and ride Phrym all over the less populated parts of Oescienne than wander around through cramped, overly-perfumed shops. She didn’t mention this to Gieaun, however, and tried not to look too elated that the evil twins had ruined this particular expedition.
While Jahrra spent most of her summer days seeking out adventure, her nights were spent by the fireside with Hroombra, learning the delicate intricacies of the language of the dragons. It proved much harder than she’d anticipated, and although Hroombra was supportive and patient, Jahrra was disappointed with her slow progress. The pronunciation was the hardest part for her, and by the end of the summer, she’d only learned a few dozen words.
“At least I know the alphabet by heart,” she told Hroombra in a disappointed voice.
“Don’t worry, Jahrra, you’ll learn it. Languages take time,” he encouraged.
Summer came to an end with little fanfare, and the first half of the school year seemed to pass with ease, but Jahrra assumed it was only because of all the extra work she was now doing. Although her school work took precedence over her Draggish lessons, Jahrra found herself spending a good deal of time on the ancient and intriguing language. Instead of going to Gieaun’s and Scede’s for the Fall Festival this year, Jahrra stayed home and listened to a Sobledthe story from Hroombra. Jahrra was thrilled to be hearing a new tale from her mentor, that is, until Hroombra informed her it would be recited entirely in Kruelt.
Jahrra slumped and pouted the entire time, only to realize that by the end of it she had followed the story line pretty well.
“Wow!” she told Hroombra afterwards. “I didn’t think I’d be able to understand!”
The great dragon smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Now you see, I told you that you’d get it after a while.”
Hroombra didn’t have the heart to tell her that he’d used only the easiest of words and the simplest of pronunciations for this particular story.
The fall gradually drifted into winter and Jahrra began counting down the days to Solsticetide. She was especially excited because Gieaun, Scede, Kaihmen and Nuhra would be joining them for Solstice dinner.
“I can’t wait!” Jahrra told her two friends on their way to school the final day before the winter break. “It’ll be so much fun with you all over for the holiday.”
She smiled wistfully, not at all worried about what Eydeth and Ellysian might say to her this day. It was going to be the best Solsticetide ever and nothing, not even the twins, could ruin it. At least, that is what she told herself.
-Chapter Thirteen-
An Unwanted Invitation
“I’m not going!” Jahrra growled irritably, crossing her arms in distaste as Hroombra frowned down upon her.
Curse Ellysian! she thought angrily, trying to ignore her mentor’s disapproving glare. He can’t seriously want me to go, to their house! On Solsticetide Eve!
Jahrra felt herself turning red with fury as she recalled the day before. During the lunch break Ellysian, with all of her usual drama, had announced that her parents were hosting a Solsticetide party which the entire class was invited to attend.
“Classmates, I must make an important announcement on behalf of my mother and father,” she’d crooned over the heads of the on-looking children.
Jahrra, Scede and Gieaun stopped what they were doing in their far corner of the yard to look up at the scene.
“My parents are having a grand party for the holiday, and you’re all invited to join us.”
Ellysian put on her most horribly sweet smile, and Jahrra made a gagging face at Gieaun and Scede who promptly giggled into their hands.
Ellysian looked over to their corner of the yard, narrowed her eyes, and said, “I’d like to remind you, that to mine and my brother’s horror, my parents have insisted we invite the whole class, including you three.”
The Resai girl spit out the last part of her sentence like it was a foul tasting medicine or some hot liquid that had burnt her mouth. Jahrra immediately stopped giggling and looked up at the vile girl. She glowered at them, purposely not making eye contact, and drew in her lips as if she had just sucked on a lemon. Gieaun and Scede simply stared up at her in surprise. Jahrra actually gaped in shock.
Ellysian pulled her glare away and continued haughtily, “The celebration will take place the day before the Solstice at our home in Kiniahn Kroi. Dress,” Ellysian paused and smiled malevolently down at Jahrra, “is formal.”
As Ellysian passed around the envelopes containing the information on where to meet and how long the party would last, Jahrra whispered harshly to Gieaun and Scede, “Let’s just throw these out when we get them, no point in holding onto them!”
As if waiting for Jahrra to say this, Ellysian piped up once again, “Don’t worry if you happen to lose your invitation, my mother has also sent copies by mail.”
“Oh great,” Jahrra seethed, “now Master Hroombra will know about this!”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Scede said. “I’m sure he won’t make you go. I know mother and father won’t make us go either.”
“You know, you’re probably right,” Jahrra conceded. “Master Hroombra knows how much I hate them.”
That had been yesterday, and now Jahrra stood in the great room of the Castle Guard Ruin, face to face with her mentor. He’d received the invitation from Dharedth the mailman that afternoon and thought going to such a party would be a good lesson for Jahrra.
“Of course you’ll be going,” he said casually. “It’s a chance for you to witness a different side of Oescienne, not to mention a chance to see Kiniahn Kroi. Besides, Eydeth’s and Ellysian’s parents invited you, and it’s rude to turn down an invitation of this merit.”
A burning log crackled and popped in the giant fireplace, mimicking Jahrra’s mood just then.
“Master Hroombra! You can’t expect me to go!” she exclaimed, arms dropping to her sides in frustration. “They hate me! And I’m sure their parents hate me too! They won’t even call me by my first name! Why can’t I just stay here with you and Phrym and invite Gieaun and Scede to come over a day early?”