Page 11 of Ava’s Love of the Dragons (Of Dragons, Love, and Destiny #2)

Stone buildings, which most people probably wouldn't have voluntarily moved into due to the risk of collapse, had been set up in a rectangle.

Their sandy color blended in with the surroundings, distinguishable only from the scattered trees growing here and there on the grounds.

A nostalgic atmosphere clung to the area, as if this place had once played a significant role in history and was now mourning that time.

In the center lay a vast expanse of sand, used as a competition or training ground. Ava almost felt paralyzed by the memory of the mages' arena, but the two enormous dragons enthroned in the middle clearly showed that no mages were to be expected in this place.

The dragons were brown, and their scales absorbed the sunlight.

Although they were larger than all the buildings, the size difference compared to Kilian's fire dragon was apparent.

Moreover, they were broader and more ponderous than the fire and air dragons Ava had seen so far.

Nevertheless, they exuded an admirable majesty, which drew attention to them.

On each of their backs sat a fighter armed with daggers and swords.

There were spectator stands that surely encompassed over fifty rows, but no one sat there, and on the wide area outside the arena, there wasn't a soul to be seen either, although hundreds of wagons and tents could have found space there.

"What kind of place is this?"

Marcus stood beside her, a disapproving snort on his lips. "The former training ground of the dragon fighters. No place where you belong!"

Ava raised her eyebrows. "Former? Then why are those two fighting there?"

Grinning, Lilly observed the awe-inspiring dragons. "Because this is where those who still have to earn their place train."

Indeed, it wasn't a bad place to gain basic knowledge of self-defense. Ava let her gaze wander searchingly over the facility. "Who trains them?"

While Marcus shook his head contemptuously and crossed his arms over his chest, Lilly was already pointing to a figure standing in the shadows. The small person made an inconsequential impression, which was why they could easily be overlooked. Moreover, their back was turned to them.

"Master Boom!" Lilly's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Ava laughed. "That's not his real name, is it?"

The girl observed the inconspicuous trainer, a similar admiration in her eyes as when facing her great hero. "Of course not, but he's legendary because he's trained the best dragon fighters for decades."

"Let me guess, Kilian was also trained by him."

"Of course!"

"Why is Master Boom teaching here, then, and not at the official training facility?"

Marcus snorted in disgust. "Because he was caught using magic!"

Ava raised her eyebrows, while Lilly shrugged a shoulder.

"It was never proven, but the rumor was enough for the king.

I bet his co-trainer spread the claim, because he's been training the aspiring dragon fighters ever since.

And he's not even half as good as Master Boom.

Now come on, let's go! You want to learn how to fight, don't you, Ava? "

She hesitated, and Marcus held her back by the arm, his finger raised in warning. "I don't believe someone would spread such a devastating rumor without reason. If there's any truth to it, he could betray you to Elora. I doubt it's worth the risk. We can't trust him."

Thoughtfully, Ava looked from him to Lilly and then to the arena.

She knew what she had to do. She needed to learn how to fight if she didn't want to be a pawn any longer.

And since only a few students trained with the master, she would at least remain undetected for a while.

Determinedly, she squared her shoulders.

"There's only one way to find out."

Marcus's eyes widened in horror. "You want to go to him?"

"Yes, because false rumors are spread about me too. But I understand if you don't want to come along."

He clenched his jaw. Nevertheless, he immediately tensed his body and nodded. "Of course I'm coming with you and keeping an eye on the trainer and the facility. I promised to protect you and accompany you wherever your path may lead, and I will."

Lilly clapped her hands. "Well, that's settled then. Now let's go! If we're lucky, we'll be invited to lunch."

A trail led down the rocks. Less than ten minutes passed before they were standing in front of the gigantic gate, which even a dragon might have fit through—not Kilian's huge fire dragon, but the smaller ones.

Ava couldn't help but think of her newly hatched dragon. Surely it was doing well. It was safe and hopefully growing up far from any power struggles. It was sensible that their paths had separated. Still, her heart felt heavy.

She quickly pushed the feeling aside.

Lilly raised her fist and hammered against the gate wings, making them clatter.

The sound echoed through the area, accompanied by occasional groans and sword blades from the arena.

Time dragged on until finally, the gate opened.

In the narrow gap between the gate wings appeared a woman Ava's age with short black hair.

She smiled kindly and seemed far too delicate and gentle to be expected in a combat arena.

"Good day, what do you wish?"

Ava pointed to the arena. "We want to talk to the master."

The stranger eyed them closely before nodding and opening the gate wide to let them in. "He's training right now, but he'll have a break in half an hour. You can watch until then."

"Awesome!" Lilly immediately jumped into the arena.

The woman locked the gate behind them—which Ava observed with an uneasy feeling—and turned to them smiling. "By the way, I'm Lynn."

"Ava. And these are Marcus and Lilly."

They followed Lilly, who had already reached the stands and secured the spot with the best view of the arena.

"Is that your daughter?"

Marcus grinned and wanted to link arms with Ava, but she crossed her arms over her body. "We're traveling companions."

"Traveling companions, I see." Lynn smirked as she tucked her hair behind her ear. One strand was too short and immediately fell back onto her forehead. "Let me guess, you both want to become dragon fighters."

"Heavens, no!" Marcus shook his head in horror. "I abhor violence."

Lynn eyed him curiously. "And that in this day and age. Extremely interesting." She regarded him as if she had already figured him out, before turning her attention to Ava. "But you're different."

"Is it that obvious?"

Lynn nodded. "You have that fire in your eyes. I see it in most people who come here."

Hopefully that was a good thing...

Lynn strolled leisurely with them to the arena, which inevitably calmed Ava a bit as well.

She didn't seem to pose any threat—at least that was Ava's first impression.

Her figure was thin, not sinewy, and her gaze friendly rather than appraising.

Her pointed nose spoke more of curiosity than readiness for combat, and her blue eyes held a romantic expression.

Moreover, her high cheekbones gave her an elfin appearance, emphasizing her innocent look.

They reached the stands and sat down next to Lilly, who was watching the fight with her upper body leaning forward. Lynn promptly took a seat next to Ava, giving Ava the opportunity to continue the conversation.

"Are you also trained by the master?"

Lynn laughed freely. "Can't you tell?"

Hesitantly, Ava shook her head. "To be honest, you look more like an elementary school teacher." It had slipped out before she had thought about it, but Lynn's face brightened even more and she smiled broadly.

"How perceptive of you!"

"Seriously?" Frowning, Ava let her gaze wander over the facility, while Marcus also leaned forward, his eyes darting between the arena and Lynn.

"But there aren't any children here."

Lynn let out a deep, wistful sigh. "Not anymore.

In the past, however, this was the main training facility and many sent their children here as young as eight.

It was a beautiful time, especially the project weeks.

My students were always happiest when they got to make dragons. " She smiled nostalgically.

As casually as possible, Ava nodded towards the master, who was still standing in the shadows, so she could only see his floor-length cloak. "Is there any truth to the accusations?"

Lynn jutted her chin out indignantly. "Master Clark is the most honorable and best trainer the realm has ever seen. If you've come here to cause him trouble, you can leave right now!"

Marcus snorted, but Ava raised her hands placatingly. "That's not why we're here, I promise. I just wanted to hear your opinion."

Lilly leaned forward. "I told you, he's the best trainer. Just look at him, Ava! If anyone can teach you how to fight, it's him."

More activity stirred in the arena. As if on cue, the fighters jumped off the dragons and circled each other with drawn weapons.

Both wore black combat leather, the smaller one additionally sporting a black cap.

He was slimmer than the other but moved no less powerfully and gracefully, and both fighters were armed with daggers and swords, determined to win the duel.

They stalked each other, and suddenly the larger one struck at the smaller one.

But he skillfully dodged, delivered a blow to the larger one's side, and immediately jumped back before the other could hit him with his sword blade.

Fascinated, Ava leaned forward, her forearms resting on her thighs.

It was impressive how the smaller combat student provoked and thus tired out the larger one, while himself remaining lively, bouncing around the place.

But the larger one had far more strength.

He swung and almost caught the smaller one in the back, who ducked at the last second and knocked the larger one to the ground with a targeted blow to the chest. The smaller one immediately jumped on him and put him in check with systematic punches and his forearm at the throat.

Master Clark remained in the shadows, not clapping, not commenting, but observing attentively. He waved the fighters over to him and spoke to them quietly. Afterwards, he talked to each of them individually, and the cadets returned to their dragons to start the next round.

This time, the large warrior only reacted to the blows that could be dangerous to him, and more than once put the smaller one in a tight spot. But the smaller one was as quick and energetic as a wildcat, which was why he won this round as well.

Following the duel, they leapt onto their dragons and charged into the air.

They turned sideways and performed such rapid flight maneuvers that it seemed like a miracle to Ava that the riders stayed on their backs.

They flew on the mountain dragons as if they were fused together and continued the fight in the air.

This time, the larger cadet dominated. Several times his dragon caught the other by the tail and slammed its mace-like tail into its side, until a piercing whistle sounded and the dragons glided back into the arena.

The wind they generated rushed over Ava's cheeks and tugged at her hair. Only when the dragons landed did she realize that she had been watching the fight with her mouth open.

Lynn looked at her with flushed cheeks. "Impressive, isn't it?"

Ava nodded, while Lilly jumped up and raised her fists. "I'm going to be a dragon fighter too! And I'll only learn from Master Boom!"

Laughing, Lynn stood up. "I haven't heard that nickname in a long time.

Come, he has time for you now." She led them down from the stands onto the sand area, where the riders jumped off the dragons and shook hands.

Admiringly, Ava looked at the two. They looked steeled, battle-experienced, determined.

They surely knew plenty of tricks and would know how to defend themselves if Rob or any border guards tried to capture them.

The smaller fighter walked past them. He gave such a strong and agile impression, as if he had been doing nothing but training for decades.

How could someone like that not have been accepted into the dragon fighters long ago?

He pulled the black cap off his head and revealed a hip-length cascade of blonde hair.

Ava stared at her in disbelief. "That's a woman?"

The fighter narrowed her eyes to slits and gave her a cold look as she strutted out of the arena. Sheer anger was in every single one of her steps.

Lynn nodded. "That's Magg. She's the best."

With her mouth open, Ava watched her leave. "Why isn't she already fighting alongside the dragon fighters?"

"Because her training is not yet complete," replied a quiet, deep voice.

Master Clark had approached them unnoticed and was examining them closely.

He barely reached Ava's chest and leaned on a gnarled staff.

If she interpreted his wrinkled skin and the few white hairs correctly, he was over ninety years old.

His head was large and seemed too heavy for his narrow neck, and his body appeared frail and exhausted.

She looked at him in disbelief. This trainer was supposed to help her stand up to Rob and the mages?