face was so palpable it was almost strange. To say he was shocked would be an understatement. The reaction struck the dragon as unusual.
‘I had the chance a while back.’ He shrugged. ‘Why?’
‘Cedric doesn’t talk about him much, but Scion is one of the few students on a scholarship for the advanced military programme. Rumour has it he’s a prospect and will be representing Solvein at this year’s Arcana Convocation.’ There was a sudden spark of genuine passion in the troll’s voice. It was clear that he was fascinated by the magical tournament. Although for the dragon, it was more a source of hazy memories than a cause for delight. The only thing he associated with the competition, held every four years, was a moment of tranquillity brought about by the almost festive atmosphere that swept through the whole of Dagos. Even Pirce didn’t waste time chasing after Draco and devoted himself entirely to soaking up the latest news about the tournament. ‘All I know is that Scion sometimes helps his younger siblings practise magic. I once asked Cedric if he could ask his older brother to give us a bit of training too, but… Well, our commander can be very emotional at times,’ he concluded, spreading his hands.
‘I’ve noticed that last bit,’ the dragon muttered, barely audibly.
‘Don’t worry about it.’ Sheth, enlivened by the conversation, gave the dragon a friendly nudge with his elbow. ‘He can be a bit of a handful, but give him a bit of time. Let him get used to you.’ The troll moved closer and leaned towards the dragon. ‘You did well today. Not just before entering the Crater, but volunteering for that sprint, and then catching Cedric at the edge of the precipice; those went down well. I can’t promise he’ll like you, but you’ll certainly earn his respect. Keep it up, and you’ll be fine.’ With that, he stood up and, grumbling about the delay, made his way between the teams.
Left to his own devices, Draco sat and gazed at the rock faces. He was not only
