7

 
Much happen. But main points: Writing hard, books bad, school VERY bad.
 
We went to Magic school. Did not want to. Books at school. Seen too many books. But Manon now a big wizard. We need her to keep getting stronger, so we go. MISTAKE. They make dragon. Actual Dragon. I tried to fight it but did terribly. Like my legs turned to jello. My axe hit nothing. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. At first, felt like we were being tested. But then the dragon was ruthless. It did not stop. It did not show mercy. It killed Kaylan like she was an ant under its claws.
 
Died. Dead. Like Thersha. Like Pa. After all we had gone through, I didn't think losing another friend would hurt more, but it did. These people are like family now to me and Zy and to see her fall changed something. It hit me (but not actually 'cause I block good). I wasn't fast enough. I wasn't strong enough. And now she was gone. Madlyn delivered a final blow-again-and killed the beast. If it wasn't for her, maybe the Dragon would have killed more.
 
Then things got weird. Kaylan was somehow alive and all the students were clapping. They were happy with what they saw. Happy? We nearly died. Kaylan did die...but she didn't? (Magic hard). They said it was fake, just magic, but Kaylan's wounds looked real. I was so angry I nearly sliced them all in half. How dare they smile at friend death! Then the Teacher said I didn't do great... Made me mad but she was right. Kaylan 'died' in that fight. I could do better.
 
So I train with Madlyn. She is strong and always does well in fights. She do strange workout but they do work my muscles. It felt good to practice. I only learn to fight by hitting things hard. I sliced at barrels of hay growing up. They big targets. Just whack and done. But Madlyn has per-sis-shone...per-sciss-sion (??). When she hit, she hit a certain spot. Their weak spot. I tried that on the practice dummies and it was helpful. The magic school made small dragons to fight, like what attacked out village. It made me feel better. It was a new skill, one that can help me keep the others safe. Also- I killed 17 fake dragons and she only 11. She say hers were harder but I do not listen. Size does matter.
 
After magic school, we go on long travel. All the way south. Farther than Zy and I have ever been. It so happens that Heckle was on way. I have thought many time that maybe I lift Zy, take her away from this, and return to Heckle. She'd be safer there. We wouldn't be fighting more dragons. But the town is all ash. A ghostown of what I used to know. No laughter. No birds chirping nor wind blowing. Everything grey and dead. It isn't the same. The pile of bodies I made was still there. The fire, melting flesh, it was all there. I was relieved to see their resting place hadn't been destroyed. but a part of me wished I didn't have to see it again. I can't look at the eyes of my old teacher or the farmer across the road. I hate to see the flowers aren't growing any more. Pa's grave...it didn't seem real. I waited for him to call me out to work on the field but it is just silent. So silent the. I couldn't take it.
 
Zy couldn't take it either. She ran off. I know where she was going- to see Tristan. I don't have words to say to her. So I sat nearby. I hate that I don't know what to do. I don't cry like her. Do I just tell her it will be okay? But will it? Do I know that? Kaylan help. Everyone on this team complete each other, like the different parts of a blade. Madlyn and I are sharp, Lania too. But Manon and Kaylan are the grip, what holds and wields. I cannot soften Zy's wounds, but Kaylan can.
 
I hate to say, but I trust her with my life. All of them. Madlyn, Lania (and her animals) and Manon too. They are good for Zy and I. They all help us get through Heckle. Then onto our long journey to the south.
 
On the way I think a lot about what I found. In Ma's dresser, there was old clothing. Did not make sense. Too fancy for Heckle. Too fancy for her. But, I didn't imagine she would wield an axe like she did. It almost like she was someone else beforehand. Make me nervous. What if who she was is involved with the bad hat lady? What if that is why she want her? Manon talk about dragons and her Grandpa. Was my Ma like that?
 
I didn't have much time to think about it because our new companion talked the entire time. A nome, Myza, hell bent on making flying ships talked the entire time. Poor Lania got the brunt of it but we were all subjected to her ramblings. She speak of things I do not understand. I just say nothing. Lania did teach me a new game where you hold hands and try to push the other persons arm down. Arm wrestle? Me like arm wrestle lots. That was fun
 
Myza say the sword pieces we have are made from dragon metal. It is used to fight dragons. I never knew such metal existed. If we can mend the sword, we can use it to kill Pointy hat lady. Madlyn gave me a new axe- a vicious one. Maybe we can find mroe dragon metal and make a vicious-dragon-slaying axe.
 
All our thoughts and travels. Through ports, Solus, Northgate, Thorban. Mountains and deserts. All new land Zy and I have not seen before. It give us hope. Eventually, we land in Tarkis.
 
Tarkis has a secret library. Did not want to see it (remember- books bad), but it would give clues on Dragon lady. Maybe on Ma and her new clothes? But we find salvage company. They work with ores and metals, but are no help. They have some information about the library, but not much. Myza on the other hand....well...she has a plan.
 
I hope it is a plan we live through....and have no books on the other side.