The Dragon Tamers
Copyright© 2024 by Cly Anders
Setting Precedent
[Setting Precedent]
S’re had learned many things in her life, but sitting still and listening to monologues had never been one of them. Two days of long lessons and dense language quickly blurred together, much like the scenery her gaze kept drifting to.
Roscrow spoke like it was all familiar territory– well-worn knowledge absorbed during the unending lectures he had endured growing up. Every time her attention wandered, his stern reminders would snap her back, but only for a moment. When he changed tactics and stopped correcting her drift, instead pausing mid-sentence until she noticed the silence, her profuse apologies only aggravated him further.
“I suppose I can’t measure you by the standards I was held to,” he said with a sharp sigh when S’re’s attention wandered once more. “I can already tell you will find Dane’s methods of teaching even more challenging.”
Wringing her hands, S’re flushed with shame. Before she could mumble another apology, Jasper placed a plate of snacks in front of her. “You’ve been monologuing at her for hours. I think a break and some food might help everyone.”
Roscrow crossed his arms with a narrow glare. “I should hope that you are also paying attention. As her Chosen, you’ll be expected to join her during dinners and galas.”
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Jasper replied in a bored manner. “My father was a master baker and served the local nobility before the military threw us off our land and not one of those nobles offered any help. I’ve heard a lot of this before.”
“Do I have to know all of it now?” S’re asked softly, staring at the plate.
“Better to know it before you need it than to be ignorant in the moment,” Roscrow pressed.
“Maybe you could try talking with her rather than at her,” Jasper replied tersely for her. “That might help hold her attention.”
“Lessons are not discussions. If she can’t sit through a few lectures now, then she isn’t prepared for what awaits.”
“Yeah, you’re right. She’s not used to this type of schooling. You’re throwing a lot at her.”
Roscrow’s eyes narrowed slightly, the ghost of a cruel twirl to his lips. “So you don’t think she’s capable?”
The way Jasper bristled amused the Q’Hu. “She’s perfectly capable! She’d just be less miserable without it all being hurled at her!”
A patting on the table gained both men’s attention. Looking down, they followed Slina’s outstretched finger to the door that had already slid shut. Together, both men glanced at where S’re had been.
As Jasper chuckled under his breath, Roscrow looked like he’d been bamboozled and couldn’t understand how it was possible.
“How did she get past me?”
Now Jasper laughed. “Ha! Yeah, she’s really good at that.” Then he smirked up at the Q’Hu. “And here I thought nothing got past those big, pointed ears.” Roscrow glared down at him sourly, but Jasper taunted further. “You’ll be guarding a whole lot of air if you don’t pay attention.”
Letting out a sigh, Jasper straightened up and started for the door. “I’ll go get her.”
He made it all of three steps before Roscrow stopped him. “Wait. I will go.”
Jasper glared over his shoulder. “To do what? Yell at her and drag her back?”
Roscrow’s whole face wrinkled up into a scowl. “Not only would that accomplish nothing, but I’m not that uncouth. If she prefers a change of scenery, then I will teach her where best I can hold her focus. She can’t flee every lesson, and you going to collect her each time will turn us both into villains.”
Though Jasper pressed his lips with displeasure, he glanced at Slina and relented at her slight nod.
Roscrow found S’re sitting on Randel’s back among some of the bushes.
She knew by Hero’s growl that it was her Guardian behind her, and she shrank. “I was really hoping it would be Jasper.”
“He tried. I thought it best if we didn’t set a precedent this early.”