head. ‘I know you’ve no idea,’ he had to admit, realising that, at that moment, he missed having someone to answer him. A week spent in unpleasant circumstances, in the company of nothing but Guards and soldiers, had left him longing for a casual conversation. He sighed heavily and urged Bellator on.
The stables were divided into two wings: the right one was reserved for the besses, and the left for the other mounts in Ed’heer. Interestingly, it was in the first section that he’d spotted the light. Darius headed towards the entrance.
‘…you’ll get dirty.’ He heard the words the moment he crossed the threshold. From a distance, he recognised his apprentice’s voice, which made him smile without realising it. ‘Now don’t wriggle about, so I can wipe you down.’ It wasn’t hard to guess where the dragon was, as light was coming from only one stall.
Bleist led his mount into the pen closest to the door and walked towards his pupil with curiosity. The tone of the boy’s voice suggested he was enjoying himself, but it was surprising that he was tending to a bess. Still, it was good to know he’d found himself a new pastime and could take his mind off his studies and the start of the academic year looming just around the corner.
Darius stood in the entrance to the paddock and was surprised to realise he’d never before seen the pitch-black beast that was now fixing its blood-red eyes on Draco as he tried to wipe the bess’s muzzle. At a glance, the creature appeared younger than the others residing in Ed’hee, and what’s more, its colouring was so unusual that it was certainly memorable.
‘Well, well, I’ve only been away a week,’ Bleist remarked, somewhat provocatively.
The dragon jumped and turned round quickly. The surprise on his face quickly gave way to a broad smile. Before the boy could even speak, however, the bess standing behind him threw two paws over his shoulders and pulled him towards himself, simultaneously jutting his head towards Darius and sniffing for something in the air.
