Avery shot up her heart pounding at the agonising cry that echoed through the campsite, the sound ricocheting off the trees. The initial scream was masculine and was full of pain but the ones that followed were of terror screaming for help. The yells died down, a minute passed. Was it a dream? Was it all in Avery’s head, was the stress creeping back?

  That what she thought until the door slammed open, Vennessa’s dress was in patches barely clinging onto her body revealing skin underneath, bloody with claw marks etched deep in her flesh. She came through the door with panic flushed red on her face. Tears rolled down her cheek as her back slid down on the door with her head in her hands. Sobbing uncontrollably all while Avery sat there and witnessed the girl that had thrown insults at her just a few hours before now a blubbering mess with her dress torn to shreds by God knows what. Avery was lost for words,

  “Uh-uhmm. Are you alright?”

  At first no reply was given, almost like she was ignoring her. ‘Till a sound slipped from Vennessa’s mouth, choking on her words

  “H-He’s… Lewis he’s- “. Vennessa fell back into a sobbing pile of torn, rag-tag clothing and flesh.

  Avery exclaimed,

  “He’s what? Spit it out!”

  “HE’S DEAD!” She cried; her eyes stained with tears, redness bleaching her cheeks. Avery’s facial expression faded into something much more solemn. Her half-awake brain still not computing the reply,

  “What do you mean.”

  “The fuck do you mean ‘What do you mean’?” The tears resurfacing her face,

  “He is dead. Gone.” Crickets chirped outside, along with Vennessa’s quiet sobbing.

  “Killed by what, exactly.” Avery asked.

  “What is wrong with you?!” She screamed, Avery stepped back at the attack, holding her hands up,

  “I’m sorry, it’s just. Well, he wasn’t killed by nothing.” You saw him die. Right?”

  Vennessa’s hands clenched at question,

  “Yes. I did. But I don’t want to talk about it. Not now, not to you, not to anyone.” Her eyes were glossy. She glanced down at her side, lacerated, a deep gash from a claw imprinted on her skin, bleeding bad. She tried to stand up her legs giving out from underneath her causing her to collapse on the planked floor, groaning in pain gripping her hip. Blood painting the floor along with her hands holding the gash. Consciousness escape Vennessa as thoughts rushed through Avery’s mind about what could have done that, she knew one thing for sure. It was not a bear.

  Anaesthetic flowed through Vennessa’s veins, numbing the pain. She looked at the wound; it was covered, wrapped in a thick layer of bandage, blood seeped through the cloth soaking it red. Her arms hooked up to a few different machines, labelled bags of blood were connected to her through in thin tube, a heartbeat monitor beeping at a consistent rate. Her blurred vision refocused to see Avery slumped in a chair beside her, asleep. From her bed she looked around seeing the room was full of medical devices, machines, and equipment. A hospital of some kind, crude but functional. She was still in the campsite. The soft clicking of a clock on the wall caught her attention, it read five o’clock. She assumed morning with how quiet it was. It was eerie, too silent for her liking. Silence made her mind wander and right now, think about things she didn’t want to, like Lewis. Her mind raced back and forth trying to recall what happened, what happened to him. Or who had happened to him. She closed her eyes, trying to open her mind, trying to think. She couldn’t remember any specifics, but it was big. Human in the sense that it was bipedal but everything else was alien. It was lean, standing well over Lewis’ height even while bent over on all fours. The night kept playing back in her head, the endless forest for what seemed to go for miles, then the shrill,

  Sweat coated her body as her mind woke up, and her eyes blinked open. Her body shivered, a dream. Tears began to bleed from her eyes as the thought of Lewis’ scream re-entered her mind, soaking her nightgown as she sobbed quietly to herself.

  Back in her quarters alone, sat Avery with her head in her hands, she couldn’t stop thinking about Vennessa. She was a bitch sure, but no one deserves to be traumatised like that. She thought for a moment, being a royalty, she couldn’t even attempt to relate what it’s like losing a friend. ‘A friend’ something Avery hasn’t had in a long time. Unsurprisingly, she didn’t sleep too well last night, or the night before, or before. She looked at the situation in a bigger picture, know that she was thinking about it she hadn’t really slept at all since she left the castle. She glanced outside watching the sun break the horizon, the dew from the grass glistening in the light making the fields seem to glow with a warm light. She took a deep breath, the stench of dried blood filling her nostrils, making her shudder. A knock at the cabin door caught her attention,

  “Ms Varacain? Are you awake? Classes begin today, you wouldn’t want a repeat of yesterday, would you?” the voice chuckled.

  The person sounded familiar, she opened the door to lay eyes on Nephryr. For some strange reason he seemed taller than he was yesterday, the top of the door frame obscuring his vision. Avery stood there stunned, not at the fact his height had seemingly changed but at something else.

  “What’s the matter dear? You look frazzled.” He inquired.

  She replied in a defeated tone, “Yes, just about last night. I-I can’t shake the feeling.”

  Her voice turned much more confused, “How are you so calm?”

  “Well, it is horrible I know. Losing a student on the first night with another half dozen injured is never a thing to dismiss nor forget easily.” Avery nodded, “But Ms Varacain, do you really believe this is the first time this has happened? There is no point grieving on deeds that are already done, especially those deeds in which you had no power to change.”

  Avery was stunned, “What the hell? Who thinks like that? Sir, all due respect but that’s a bit selfish, no?”

  “Avery this mindset has been adopted after the many incidents prior to this one. When I did care. This is why I only engage with students on a professional level. Or something may happen that will make me wish I never knew them. I’ve lost many friends over the years as head Avery, many more than any person should ” Nephryr’s expression turned grey.

  “I’m sorry, I never thought of it like that.” Guilt hit Avery like a knife to the stomach.

  “It’s ok Ms Varacain. Vennessa will be fine. She’s hurt but her condition is very stable. All she needs now is time.” He said reassuringly. He cleared his throat his expression shifting much brighter, “Anyway, I think it’s time for you to head off to your first class! Here is your very own schedule, read it. Learn it. Live it. It will be the main cog in your watch while you are enrolled at this academy campground.” He left her with one statement, “Roll call is at 9:30! Be there on time and not a minute after!”

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  She looked at the booklet she had received from the headmaster.

  ‘Tuesday, Day 2. 9:30 – Roll Call. ‘

  9:35 – Wyvern Whispering – Day 1: Wyvern Selection. Mr Weaver

  Avery looked at the time,

  ‘9:06’

  “Oh shit! What the fuck!” Avery panicked throwing clothing out from her bag. “I’m going to be so late oh my God.”

  She yanked out the first not stained, ironed, half decent smelling top she could find along with jeans and sneakers, not bothering to make the effort to put any socks on. She looked at the time again,

  ‘9:23’

  Her hands were shaking that much she didn’t take a second attempt at her mascara, let alone her lipstick. She grabbed a brush from her bag and started aggressively pulling at her hair with the brush trying to make it not look like she had been to a warfront and back.

  ‘9:28’

  “SHIT! GOGOGO!” She barged her way through the door, almost tripping over her undone shoelaces, taking off in a full sprint.

  “Avery Varacain? Does anyone know where Miss Varacain is?” No one replied, “I guess she’s abse-“

  “I’m here! I’m here.” She was doubled over hands on her knees, sweat dampening her sleeves. Her feet already blistering. The instructor just stood there, shaking his head.

  Mr Weaver looked at her frowning, “Miss Varacain, you’re late to roll call. You better have an excuse for me, and a good one at that.”

  “I’m sorry sir, I don’t have an excuse for being late. It won’t happen again.”

  “Hmmph. You better hope not, as it’s your first day I will allow for some leniency. But this is not, to happen again. Understood?”

  Avery didn’t speak, only nodded her head.

  “I will continue, Lewis Ve-" He stopped himself, clearing his throat before continuing.

  “Felix Wyle? Is Felix Wyle here?” he said looking around the group.

  “Here sir!” The voice came from an outstretched arm within the small crowd. The people cleared to show a boy, shorter than most for his age about Avery’s height, standing around 5’10. His hair dyed a blonde, his natural brown roots starting to show. His eyes two different colours, one hazel and one a light sky blue. His build not being overly muscular but still having definition around the parts she could see. He caught her gaze; Avery couldn’t look away. She was lost in the contrast of his eyes. Felix looked her with an inviting smile on his face and returned the stare. Avery startled from the opposing set of eyes; she quickly looked away as she could feel her cheeks flush red.

  Mr Weaver led them toward a large wooden building on an open field, a barnlike structure too big for farm animals. Avery was left walking alone, everyone else in the group talking to their old friends or making new ones. She always wondered how people met new people so easily,

  “Or maybe” Avery thought to herself, “Socialising just isn’t for me.”

  The thought was interrupted by a soft tap on her shoulder, she spun around and froze at the sight of who it was.

  Felix greeted her sticking his hand out, “Hey, I’m Felix. I saw before that you couldn’t help but look at me so I thought I’d introduce myself.” He said chuckling.

  Avery stood there wide-eyed. Hands stuck to her side not wanting to move, she was terrified but also weirdly more attracted to him. Nevertheless, alarms were going off in here head, she had never spoken to anyone she didn’t know before, let alone a boy.

  She mumbled under her breath, “MmrI’m Avrmmyyy.” She wished she could punch herself.

  “Well nice to meet you Averemy.” He said in a joking tone.

  “It’s Avery!” she squeaked.

  “Avery...” He thought for a moment, “That’s a nice name.”

  She looked down as she felt her cheeks flushing up again. Stumbling over her words,

  “T-Thank you.”

  “We should probably get moving, they’re a bit further ahead than us…” Felix suggested whilst pointing behind Avery. Spinning around, her cheeks quickly blended from flirtatious embarrassment to downright humiliation.

  “OHHH! Shit shit shit!” Flustered, Avery awkwardly tapped her feet as she looked at the instructor leading the group further toward the barn house and further away from her. First late to roll call, now late to her first class,

  “I’m on fire today.” Sarcasm thick in the thought.

  Pacing, Avery ran in attempt to catch up with the group, who by now had traversed well over 150 metres away from her and Felix. The wind blew her hair in face as she fruitlessly tried to blow it off. For the first time in 15 minutes Felix wasn’t the first thing on her mind. It was becoming even more humiliated than she already was.

  Both gasping for air, Avery and Felix reunited with the group and Mr Weaver standing outside the warehouse, one minute too late. Weaver sounded like he was rounding of his instructions he was giving to the group,

  “…and remember, if you remember rule number one. You should be perfectly safe.”

  Avery and Felix looked at each other with mirrored expressions, their faces saying one thing,

  “Fuck.”

  Avery cupped her hands over her face and drooped down on the rough patchy grass, any ounce of optimism left suffocated by the heavy weight of her stupidity. Until, Mr Weaver said something that reignited the spark of hope inside Avery,

  “Now, if somehow you have forgotten the rules, you weren’t listening or you’re simply plain dumb. There is a pamphlet. But! I only have enough for six idiots, no more. So, if you need one, tell me. Because you’ll make a bigger fool of yourself if you lose an arm to a wyvern, than taking a reminder and a slap on the wrist.”

  Avery hand shot up, jumping up and down, making herself known from behind the sea of bodies. Weaver let out a deep sigh mumbling under his breath,

  “Of course.” Then changing his tone, exclaiming, “Well then, come and grab it.”

  Avery darted through the crowd, slithering her way to the front and softly pinching the pamphlet from his hands. Letting out a small and quiet “Thank you” before hurrying back to Felix. The instructor continued speaking,

  “No more morons in the pack? No? Okay.” Weaver cleared his throat, “As you were informed at the start of the introduction to the class, Wyvern selection begins today. Each of you will have a chance to bond with a flyer of your choice, but you do not have the only say in the agreement. Both parties: the flyer and the pilot, must choose each other. This assures a strong relationship and trust within the bond.”

  He pulled out a sheet of names and began reading them aloud.

  The list seemed to go on for hours as the crowd melted away slowly, as more people were called for selection, Mr Weaver continued to lead each student into the barn, then return five minutes later, and doing the same for the next. Avery felt like she was never going to be called. That is, until she was,

  “Avery Varacain.” Excitement overloaded her systems; a floodgate of endorphins being released. Skipping her way to the front, with a broad smile spanning from cheek to cheek. Weaver looked at her then flicked his head, gesturing her to follow. Avery practically danced her way through the barn doors. As she entered the building she couldn’t believe her eyes, wyverns being stored like common horses. It felt surreal, she had seen dragons and creatures such as these before, but never so close. Her eyes scanned the barn house, her eyes allured toward a dull ethereal blue glow from behind another set of doors, the slats in the wood attracting hungry eyes. She pointed,

  “What’s in there?” she asked, stepping closer to the light. Weaver responded cautiously,

  “Forbidden… Material.”

  The reply to piqued Avery’s curiosity as she raised an eyebrow to the reply,

  “Like?” Avery inquired.

  “Something you shouldn’t be worried about, nor nagging me about. Now make your choice we don’t have all day.”

  “I thought you said it wasn’t our choice?”

  Weaver grabbed her wrist and pulled her close,

  “Listen here you little brat. Just because you fell over and hit your head, does not mean you get special treatment.”

  Even thought she was terrified Avery couldn’t help but giggle, not helping her situation.

  “If I show you, and that’s a big if, not a word to the others. Understood?”

  “Yes sir!” She shouted as she performed a sarcastic army salute. He grunted in defeat.

  “Come on then. You won’t piss off if I don’t” Avery squealed, giggling in sweet victory. She had no idea what was in the room, but she didn’t care. She’s seeing something that supposedly no other student is ever going to see. She hopped over to the doors, a chain and lock keeping them closed. The blue light had dimmed but was still visible.

  “Only look. No going in, and no reaching through the door. Understood Ms Varacain?” There was not a single drop of sarcasm or humour in those words.

  Avery planted her eye on the door, trying to find the light in the room. A reptilian-like eye opened in front of her on the other side of the door, Avery jumped back tripping over herself landing on her back.

  “WHAT THE FUCK?!”