Chapter 2

  The morning light beamed through the thin curtains of her room right into the face of a sleeping Jura. Irritated she rolled over and tried to hide under her blanket but the warmth the sun brought with it was suffocating.

“Jura! Are you awake yet,” her friend Saphira yelled through the bedroom door.

Quiet irrationally, Jura threw the blanket from her body, allowing it to drop to the floor, and stumbled to the door. Throwing it open she glared at smirking Saphira.

“I am now.”

“Great! Your mom is waiting for you,” she walked past, failing to even notice the anger on Jura’s face.

Closing her bedroom door Jura walked to the pile of clothes off to the side of her bed and began digging for todays outfit.

“My mom’s still here?”

“Yeah, I thought that was weird too. She said that she was preparing for a big healing thingy or something,” Saphira shrugged as she laid down on the messy bed apparently content on waiting there for Jura to dress, “She told me to tell you that Master Othorion stopped by and said there wont be any class today. He has some… I think she said reading or research… I don’t remember but I sure am glad you are off the hook today.”

“That’s strange. Don’t you think? He has never canceled a class before. At least not in the past eleven years that I have been there. Why today?”

“I don’t know and who cares? That just means we have time now to go look through the new eggs, before I have to go to my training.”

“Actually, I did that last night after dinner with Master Othorion,” she said trying to hold back her excitement as the painful expression that she was expecting crossed over Saphira’s face.

“You went with out me? How could you? You promised to let me be there when you found your dragon,” she crossed her arms over her chest in a pout.

Giving up on her search for clean clothes Jura threw on the nearest shirt and pants she could find. She knew that Saphira’s pout would only last a fleeting moment and knew exactly how to get her friend out of it.

“Well, I didn’t get to finish looking around because Othorion was so insistent that I touch and then wait such a long time by every egg. Why don't we just go and check on some now?”

Jura couldn't see the harm in her small lie, after all, Master Othorion wouldn’t be around the nursery house today. Saphira’s eyes instantly lit up and she was on her feet in moments.

“That is a fantastic idea. Hurry finish up. I will go tell your mom what we’re going to do so we can leave as soon as you are done with her. Jandar will be so happy too.”

“Where is he anyways?”

“He is with your mom. He likes to hear her when she hums and cooks,” she states as she closed the door behind her.

“I am sure it has nothing to do with all the scraps she drops on the floor for him,” Jura yells through the door.

With her friend gone she allowed her thoughts to trail off to the early developments of the day. The two important people in her life had just changed their normal every day routines. Her mother always went to the market to sell the daily bread and always before the sun rose. Master Othorion had never missed a class. He was passionate about teaching the draconian ways, well as passionate as his stiff old self could be. So for both of them to change their plans meant there was something big about to happen. It scared the crap out of Jura.

He mother was sitting at the table tossing pieces of stale bread in the direction of Jandar. The little moss colored dragon was standing on his hind legs leaning back on his tail. He reached out with his long neck to quickly catch and gobble up each crumb. As soon as he saw Jura walking in he fell to all fours and began to swing his scaly tail back in forth in excitement.

Since the day of their naming ceremony , the day Jura had finally met Saphira’s dragon companion, there was an instant bond between the two. Not as strong as that of dragon and keeper but still it was something that wasn't quiet usual. All hatchlings were leashed the first months after they emerged from their eggs because they typically tried to nip or scratch at anything that came close to their keeper. Very protective they were of their keeper and because of their age they were like wild dogs. However, Jandor took instantly to Jura and made life for the poor frantic Saphira so much more easier.

“He really seems to like your bread mother,” Jura said as she bent down to kiss her mother on the cheek. Sitting in a chair beside her Jura took over the tossing of the crumbs at the delight of Jandor.

“It’s just something different thats all. How did you sleep dear,” asked her mother.

“Horribly… mother, why are you home,” quickly changing the subject least her mother let out the secret that she had found her companion egg to Saphira.

“Well, Master Othorion came by this morning and asked me to stay home. He said that I would be needed sometime today and needed to stay available.”

“Available? Well, that doesn't make any sense. You don’t have anything to do with the council. Right?”

“No, dear not any more. I just guess he needs some help with healing or something. Don’t worry, he said I could go to the hatchery so that’s where I will be if you need me. I just wanted to let you know and wish you luck today.”

With the mention of luck Jura jumped up from the table and began to head out the door. That sounded like her mother was just going to let out the winds of fury from Saphira if allowed to keep speaking. Garbing Saphira by the arm, interrupting her enjoyment of a half eaten meal, she pulled her out into the pathway and Jandor ran along side in excitement at the spectacle before him.

“Ok mother, we have to go. Thank you and see you later this afternoon,” and with than Jura headed off to collect her companion egg.

* * * * *

Jura walked with a careful step slowly towards hatchery cradling her companion egg gently but firmly between her forearms. She was still amazed at how light the stone egg was. All she could focus on now was getting her companion to the hatchery safely. Despite it being stone it seemed so fragile.

“Jandor stop, wait up will ya? Jandor,” Saphira called after her bouncing dragon that seemed to be heading straight for Jura.

Trying to view the cradled bundle in Jura’s arm Jandor jumped up and placed his two front feet on her right side causing Jura to lean back on her right leg and losing her balance.

With a loud thud on the ground the two girls were left staring down at the egg that had fallen from Jura’s arm.

“Oh no! Oh no! I have to be the stupidest girl in the village. I cannot be the one that dropped my companion’s egg. Saphira!”

Quickly scooping up her companion’s egg Jura ran through the streets with it clenched to her chest, Saphira not far behind her and Jandor running after them with great joy as if this was all a game meant for his amusement. Running past the village elders and several other Bitranian pupils Jura tried to hide the panic and fear in her eyes.

Shutting the door of her house quickly behind her Jura stood with her back against it panting. Suddenly she heard Saphira’s body’s loud thud against the door and a low growl from her dragon. Wincing as she opened the door back up..

“I think my nose is bleeding Jura!” said Saphira, a little nasally as she held her hand to her nose.

“Let me see, no take your hand away so I can look. Nope, it’s just really red that all.”

Turing from her friend Jura rushed over to the egg she has set on the table, examining every inch of it.

“Geese, thanks Jura. You know I could have broken my nose. That would be a lot worse than a crack in the shell of your companion egg.”

The look Jura gave Saphira caused her to throw her hands in the air surrendering before Jura could go off on her.

“I know, I know. We are both going to be banished for life if anything happened to your companion egg. Do you think it is ok? I mean it is stone right now. You still have another two years to go Jura. Do you think its ok?”

“I don’t know Saphira. I need to consult with mother before dinner. Man oh man she is going to beat me black and blue when I tell her.” Jura couldn’t help the tremble in her voice. It wasn’t so much because of the beating she was going to get from her mother as much as her concern she had for her poor companion.

“I promise little egg. I didn’t mean it. Please be ok. Please be ok.” Jura laid her cheek on the egg crying. Not even Jandor lovingly rubbing up against her could hold back the tears. “Please my little one. Please be ok.”

“It’ll be ok Jura, I promise. You’ll see. Oh please stop crying Jura you are getting it all wet with your dirty tears. Then you mom will know something is wrong”

“I can’t help it Saphira, I can’t! I have had my companion egg less than an hour and have already…”
“Already what?” Her mother’s words lashed out against Jura like a whip causing her to jolt straight up and turn to face her mother all in one fluid movement.

“Mother, your home. How was…”

“What happened to your companion egg Jura?” She really hated when her mother emphasized each word slowly like she was a baby.

Jura lowered her head and eyes and began to tell her mother what happened, “I dropped it mother. On the walkway.”

“Oh. Is that all?” Jura’s mother turned away and began to pull out her cooking pan. Was she going to make dinner? Just like that?

“Mother? So I am not in trouble?” Jura asked in disbelief.

“Oh you are in trouble for dropping your egg but it didn’t do any harm. That’s something we leave out of the companion training to get you to tell us the truth. You see most newbies drop their eggs within the first year. Only the exceptional never drop them. I mean there is a reason the eggs are stone the first years.” Despite her mothers words Jura still felt uneasy and even a little angry at the missing information.

“That’s a horrible thing to do! I can’t believe you guys.”

The egg began to make a gentle crackling noise. Everyone turned to the egg just in time to see it change color from its dull gray to a deep, rich purple.

“Mother.”

“Hush girl, I can see with my own eyes. Get up close and help pull the shell back as it emerges. You need to be the first one it see’s to complete the bond.” Jura’s mother’s tone was that no nonsense tone she usually used when working in the laundry yard. She pulled back her brown hair and pinned it up and began gathering things from the around the house.

“Here grab this and be ready to catch.” she instructed as she threw Jura a towel.

“Catch. Catch what?”

“Damn Jura, this is too early. You are not ready. You haven’t even been through your training. Oh dear gods help her.” The fear in her mother’s voice left Jura with unease.

“Don’t worry mother, Master Othorion always says that things happen when they happen and we will always be ready whether we believe it or not. I will be fine mother. You’ll see.” Even Jura didn’t believe her words as she hurriedly braced herself for the hatching of her companion.

She was amazed at how deep and luminescent the purple coloring of the shell had become. She had seen several eggs before hatchings, as they normally were paraded through the streets on their way to the hatching hall, but she had never seen a shell this color. Reds, greens, yellows, blues were the typical colors of the past companion eggs but never a purple.

“Mother, have you ever seen a shell this color?”

“No I can’t say I have Jura. I fear it may be because of the drop. I believe this all has to do with you dropping the egg, “ turning to Saphira, “Dear please go and fetch Master Othorion before it is too late. Tell him Jura’s companion is hatching today.”

The look in Saphira’s green eyes radiated the fear she held at the coming fury of the village elders. Risking a last glance at Jura she turned and sprinted out of the house.

“Ok once the egg begins to break you need to be ready to catch the hatchling before it spreads its wings. If it begins flight right out of the egg then you will never be able to tame it Jura. That will mean death for it. Do you hear me? That will mean death for you!”

The panic in her mother’s voice shocked Jura into action as she wrapped her hands around the increasingly moving egg. She was going to catch her companion. She wasn’t going to let them both die. She was going protect them both for the first time in their lives and knew it wouldn’t be the last.

“Ok my little one, let’s get this over with,” Jura pleaded in her mind.

Both mother and daughter were so determined in saving them both that just as the hatchling broke through the shell and just as Jura reached down to grab it they didn’t anticipate the disaster that awaited them. With a loud crash of the door giving way to the ever so clumsy Saphira they found themselves knocked to the floor as she tripped and fell on the kneeling pair.

Othorion quickly shut the door behind him as he looked bemused at the mass of limbs before him.

“Saphira, I truly cannot understand how you were ever chosen to be a dragon keeper. I fear to see the poor beast that hatches from you egg…” Othorion’s mouth gaped open as he stared down at Jura’s feet.

“Jura, what has happened here?”

“My companion is hatching today Master Othorion,” Jura stated trying her best to make herself as small as possible.

“Hatching? I do believe it has already hatched,” Othorion clarified for the terrified Jura.

The entire group turned their gazed to the empty shell in unison and stared in terror. Jura’s mother and Saphira were to their feet in one motion and searching to rafters for the hatchling. Jura sat on the floor frozen in fear.

Don’t worry Jura. I didn’t fly like you asked.

The sudden voice in her skull caused Jura to jerk her head up to find Master Othorion staring down at her in a studious manner. All Jura could do was stare back dumbfounded.

“Ask it to come to you Jura,” instructed Master Othorion after a long pause.

“Little one come to me…. please,” Jura asked out loud and furrowed her brows in frustration as she still couldn’t see the hatchling.

“No Jura you must ask it in your mind. I know you haven’t been through your official training on Britronian communication but even the simpleton Saphira knows this.”

“Hey I am right here Master Othorion,” Saphira protested as she crossed her arms and stuck her lips out in a pout. Jandor sitting lazily in one corner seemed to no longer be interested in the chaos around him.

“Hush Saphira,” commanded Master Othorion without even affording a look in her general direction. His eyes were still locked on Jura. “Ask it to come to you, now. You may still have time,” he assured her.

Closing her eyes in concentration Jura searched the room for her little hatchling feeling with her senses like tendrils of her mind. She was startled when she felt something warm just a few feet away. It was like her hatchling was reaching for her with its own tendrils.

Little one, are you ok, questioned the worried Jura.

Yes, Jura I am fine. I didn’t fly like you asked Jura. I am here watching your funny friends, the soft voice said to her.

Ok can you come to me now? Don’t fly because we will both be in trouble. Keep your wings tucked tight to your back so they can see you haven’t opened them, Jura coached her little companion.

From behind the leg of the table a small purple dragon trotted across the room to plant himself behind Jura’s leg. His head held high. Jura couldn’t be proud enough of her little hatchling.

“Well look at that. May the gods be praised! Jura, I do believe you have yourself a little prince,” exclaimed Jura’s mother.

“Yay! Jura that is so wonderful,” shrieked the exuberant Saphira jumping up and down sharing her excitement with the group. Jandor gave a puzzling look at his keeper and then as if he decided it was normal jumped to his feet and began trotting around her in a circle.

Unsure of herself or if they were out of danger Jura looked up to Master Othorion seeking approval or at least confirmation that their lives were safe.

Stay quite my little hatchling. We need this man’s approval, thought Jura to her companion.

Walking around the pair Master Othorion held his right hand up to his chin as if he was contemplating their fate right then and there. He walked a full circle and placed his hands on his hips as he stopped in front of the pair. Deep blue eyes examined the two from top to bottom and as if unsatisfied with the view he got down on all four and put his face up closer to the young dragon.

Careful now, please don’t bite his nose off hatchling, Jura begged of her small companion.

Bite his nose off? What do you think I am a monster? Child you really don’t know a thing about us dragons do you? Bite his nose off. I won’t bite your nose will I Othorion,”questioned the dragon of the man now staring him in the face.

The sudden tightness of Master Othorion’s body told Jura that he had heard her companion and speaking quickly Jura tried to ease the insult, “Please forgive him master Othorion. He doesn’t know that he isn’t supposed to talk to others. “

“Jura, neither of you owe me an apology. It is an honor to hear your companion speaking to me. Child, it’s not that dragons don’t speak to others because it is not allowed, they don’t speak to others because they cannot. The bond is the only way they can communicate. This little prince here is unique, not only in color but in his communication. “

“So does that mean us dropping the egg didn’t cause it to hatch early, Master Othorion,” Saphira asked in hope.

Chuckling out loud, something Jura felt was totally wrong coming from Master Othorion by the way, he began, “No child that had nothing to do with the egg hatching. It seems to me that this little one was just too eager to get out.”

Jura looked around the room with a shocked look on her face. She couldn’t believe it. Not only did this little hatchling belong to her but he was unique and as eager as her. Looking down at her companion Jura couldn’t help but wonder the adventure that lay in store for them.