A Place to Belong, Part III
The library of Skwyr spanned three stories. Roshil walked in on the ground floor and looked up, wondering where the books on dragons were. She could see up to the top floor, but had no idea how long she’d have to look. With curfew approaching, she had to be back in her room soon.
She looked around the first floor, trying to remember where the librarian was. She started walking further into the library, hoping to stumble upon someone that could help her.
No. I don’t need help. I don’t need anyone.
She spotted a sign up ahead and walked over to it. She scanned the list of sections and saw one with animals. Following the sign, she made her way up one floor. Walking through shelves of books, she kept her head up.
Roshil turned a corner into an aisle just as someone else turned out of it.
“Sorry,” the other girl whispered as they nearly ran into one another.
Roshil opened her mouth to say something, but she stopped when she saw the other girl.
Her bright brown eyes stood out against her black skin. Her hair was done up in a pair of braids going past her shoulders. She clutched a book in her hands.
“Sorry,” Roshil said.
“Sh,” the other girl said.
She kept her head down and walked around Roshil.
“Can you help me?” Roshil asked, trying to keep her voice down. “I’m looking for books on dragons.”
The other girl froze and glanced back at her. She stared for a moment, and Roshil caught those eyes moving to Roshil’s hair.
“My name’s Roshil,” she said. “What’s yours?”
The girl averted her eyes and spotted something interesting on her shoes.
“Aonva.” She met Roshil’s gaze. “I can help you find what you need, but we don’t have long.”
Roshil smiled at her. She felt excited for the first time all day.
“Anything particular on dragons?”
Roshil hesitated and wondered if it was okay to tell her. Without knowing what she’d find, Roshil couldn’t know if it was bad. What if she was a monster waiting to emerge and slaughter the castle? Udra might deserve it, but Aonva was nice.
She is nice. And she’s different too.
“My master told me to look up ‘dragon-touched’. I think it’s a spell specific to dragons.”
The face of a black dragon loomed over her. He hissed words Roshil didn’t understand, then moved his claw to her. She backed into a corner and squeezed her eyes shut. She wanted to scream for help, but no one was coming. Everyone she’d ever known was dead, he’d said.
I’m the only one who cares about you, Roshil. I promise, I’ll take good care of you.
“Excuse me?”
Roshil opened her eyes. She was in the library, in Skwyr. Safe. Aonva was watching her. Was that concern? Was she worried? Did she care? Why did it matter?
Roshil’s heart had started beating faster than she thought it was supposed to be. She calmed herself down, pushing memories of that thing back where they belonged.
“Are you alright?”
Roshil grinned and nodded.
“I’m fine.”
“If you’re sure. The hospital’s—”
“I’m fine,” Roshil repeated, not wanting to go near that place again. All it held was bad news.
Aonva turned and walked back into the aisle she’d been in. Roshil followed her a little ways until she stopped. Aonva pulled a book out, tucking her own book under her arm. She handed it to Roshil without taking her eyes off the shelves. She grabbed another book, then another one, and handed them both to her. Aonva took two more books and gave them to Roshil. After thinking for a moment, she pulled one out from the middle of the stack in Roshil’s arms and put it back.
“I think I remember reading something about it in one of these.”
“Come on,” Roshil said. “It’ll be faster to look if we both do it.”
She didn’t think she wanted help, but she didn’t want Aonva to leave.
“It’s almost curfew. Just check them out and find it later.”
“I’ve got to find it tonight!”
“Keep your voice down.” Aonva glanced at the clock. “I’ll help, but only for a few minutes.”
“Great!” Tucking the books under her arm, Roshil grabbed Aonva’s free hand and led her over to a table. “Are you an apprentice?”
“Um… yes. I’m an apprentice mage under Master Kaernin. Um… what about you?”
“Artisan, under Master Grund.”
“Our Lord High Artisan? I didn’t think the officers took apprentices.”
“He took over my apprenticeship a few hours ago when he realized my old master wasn’t good at it.”
Roshil sat down at the table and put the books down. She slid one over to Aonva and started flipping through another one.
“There’s an index at the back,” Aonva said, flipping to the back of the book in front of her. “Got it.” She flipped through the book, then began to read.
“Through prolonged exposure to magic, creatures are known to mutate. While this often happens as a result of exposure to Nature’s Essence, resulting in griffins, phoenixes, etc., it is also known to occur as a result of magic.”
Roshil frowned, then looked at the page upside down. Where was this going?
“Dragons, being the source of magic, have an enchantment to expedite this process,” Aonva continued. “Those enchanted this way are known as dragon-touched. The particular symptoms differ from dragon to dragon, but physical effects are common, eyes and hair in particular.”
“That’s… me.”
Thoughts rushed into Roshil’s head. The world started to spin. She shook her head, trying to stay grounded. Why had it done that to her?
“Why?”
Aonva skimmed the page, then began again. “There’s no consensus as to what benefits this provides to the dragon. Some researchers believe it strengthens the bond between dragon and victim, while others believe it to be a way of branding those they believe they own.”
“No one owns me!” Roshil hissed.
She clenched her fists, and a low growl escaped her throat.
“Did you just growl?” Aonva asked.
Roshil grabbed the book and skimmed the page. None of this answered why people hated her so much. Did they all know what she was? Did they think she was a dragon’s servant?
“It’s worth noting that those exposed to Nature’s Essence are known to react negatively towards the dragon-touched. While unicorns in particular believe dragon-touched creatures to be a disruption of the natural order, most humans have some natural instinct that compels them to distrust, or even hate dragon-touched humans. This is exacerbated by prolonged exposure to Nature’s Essence, making druids the most outspoken against those who have been dragon-touched.”
She stared at the book, at the word “hate”. This was what that thing had done to her. People near her had an instinctive hatred of her. They always would. What was the point of trying to make friends if they’d hate her eventually?
“I’m really sorry.”
Roshil tore her eyes away from the book. Aonva stared at her with sad eyes. She didn’t look like she hated her yet. Was it only a matter of time? What about Master Ekla, or her brother, or her father, or Master Grund? Would they all hate her in the end?
“You don’t hate me, do you?”
Aonva took the book from her and closed it. She looked down, but shook her head.
“It feels a little weird being around you, but it’s not bad. I… I don’t really have friends.”
“You do now!” Roshil exclaimed.
“Would you keep your voice down?” Aonva hissed. “We’re in a library!”
“I know that,” Roshil whispered back.
Aonva got up and took the books back to the shelf. Roshil followed her, wanting to spend as much time as she could with her new friend.
Aonva put the books back, then glanced at the clock on the wall.
“Oh no.” She pushed past Roshil, nearly running through the library. Roshil raced after her.
“It’s almost past curfew,” Aonva said. “We’ll be in so much trouble.”
“Only if we’re caught,” Roshil said with a grin.
The two friends raced out of the library as the lights began to dim to remind them that it was time for bed.