Page 107 of Destined Dawn

“Well, according to books written in the time of dragons, yes. Dragons are just like elephants – the mothers rule the school.”

“School?”

“It’s the name for a group of dragons – most often related and living together,” the little old lady tells us, smiling up at the dragon as if she were a cute kitten and not a killing machine.

“Is this her family then – or her school?” I ask, pointing towards the other dragons now lazing about in the meadow.

“Most probably.”

The principal clears her throat.

“Is it safe to leave your …” she frowns, “dragons here? I think it pertinent that we go somewhere private to talk.”

Rhi turns to the dragon.

“Thank you. For saving us. Again,” Piglet says to the dragon, sounding as mad as she does when she speaks to that pig. The dragon stares at her. That same look the pig so often seems to gives her. “You can go now. There’s no need to stay. You’re free. Only don’t go flying straight back to the West, okay? Go to the mountains or the oceans or–”

“I don’t think she wants to go,” Barone says. “I think that old prof is right. I think she likes you.”

Rhi sighs. I can kind of see her point. One pig, five men and now several dragons to add to her collection.

Oh yeah, and a best friend.

A best friend who comes charging through the treestowards her. Right on her heels is her boyfriend, Trent, and my cousin Ellie.

“Rhi!” Winnie says, pushing through the gathered students and flinging her arms right around Piglet’s neck. Ellie does the same, hugging her brother.

“Winnie! Ellie! What the … what are you doing here?”

Winnie whispers in her ear and I’m assuming I’ll find out later.

Rhi hugs her extra tight and then they step apart.

“So you’re all riding dragons now?” Winnie asks, still clinging on to Piglet’s hand.

“Good to see you again, Miss Wence,” Stone says, stepping forward to kiss her cheek.

“Yeah, good to see you, Winnie,” Spencer says.

“Miss Blackwaters …” York prompts.

Rhi turns back to the dragon.

“I’ll come back and find you, okay?” The dragon settles herself down on her side as if she understands and rests her great head on the ground.

“Okay,” I say, “let’s go talk.”

“Beryl and Hank,” the principal says to both teachers, “I think it wise if you come with us.”

Dr. Johnson steps forward from the crowd that’s formed. “Perhaps I could be of assistance too, Stella.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Principal York says stiffly, already turning on her heels and walking towards the trees. The crowd parts to let her through and we follow, whispers rippling around us like a breeze through trees as we pass by the students, their eyes brimming with curiosity.

When we arrive back at the campus, there are more students out on the pathways, all having left their classes to watch as we walk towards the mended mansion. One or two students linger in doorways or poke their heads out as wewalk up the repaired mansion’s staircase and along the corridor to the principal’s office, the bronze plaque bearing the principal’s name hanging on the new door. She lets us pass inside and closes the door behind us.

“I imagine you are all hungry and thirsty,” she says.

I glance at Azlan. We’ve just turned up unannounced at her school, bringing dragons with us, dispersing the men meant to guard the school and probably bringing a load of shit down on her head. Tea and cakes was not what I was expecting.