Samantha Edwhan

Alita's Youth

Chapter 10

Winter 2837

It was cold. The snow felt freezing beneath Alita’s feet as she followed Liam through the forest. Now that she was eighteen, she was taking part in hunting for the Tribe. Liam had already been doing this for a few years, so he had been showing her the best spots to find deer and elk. She was yet to take down an elk on her own, but she’d managed to catch plenty of deer.

There was a hiss behind her. Alita glanced back to see Matthias shaking out his wings and shivering.

“It’s too cold for this!” He wrapped his wings around himself in a futile attempt to warm up.

Alita laughed. “I bet you’re wishing you were a Fire Dragon like your mother.”

“Every winter,” Matthias agreed.

Alita glanced at the other dragon with them, Korbin. His grey-brown fur stood out against the white snow, much like the browns of the rest of them. But it blended well with the trees. She still remembered the day he had joined Tribe-Ali as a fledgling with his mother. Alita had been so excited to meet another Rock Dragon close to her in age, and he was cute too. It was a shame that Tribe Law forbade her from pursuing a relationship with him. But she was doing her best to not dwell on that.

How come the only Rock Dragons in my age group are Matthias, Korbin, and Liam? she wondered instead.

Rock Dragons weren’t common in the Tribe. She could name every single one, and for a population of five hundred, the list wasn’t that long.

There’s my parents, Matt’s father, oh and his nephew, Jason. The old healer, Breeze. Korbin’s mother…

“Alita!” Liam called. “Are you paying attention?”

Alita blinked and realised Liam was staring at her. He must have said something while she was distracted.
“Sorry, what did you say?” Alita asked.

Liam rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I was saying that this area is filled with thickets and hiding places where entire herds of deer like to stay. Keep your ears alert for any sounds.”

Alita nodded. She scanned the forest around them. Some areas were thick with brush while other spots gave way to walking space. She swivelled her ears as she tried to detect any sounds of deer nearby.

“There’s nothing here today,” Liam said after a moment. “Let’s keep going.”

“Maybe we should split up?” Matthias suggested. “We can cover more ground that way.”

Liam raised an eyebrow at him. “And what should we do if we find a herd? The point of hunting together is to bring back more food.”

“We’re all Rock Dragons,” Matthias pointed out. “It wouldn’t take much effort to notify each other.”

Liam nodded. “Alright. We’ll split into pairs. If we find a herd, notify the other group by making an arrow out of stone near our feet.”

“I’ll team up with Alita,” Korbin said, stepping forward.

Liam glanced at him, then nodded. “Alright, Matthias, you’re with me.”

Matthias stepped forward and followed Liam as he continued through the brush. Korbin nudged Alita with his wing and tilted his head to a different direction. Alita followed him quietly, still keeping her senses alert for prey.

The forest was quiet. Not even the birds were out in the cold. Alita tried to focus her hearing for any hints of hoof steps or snuffling breaths, but all she could detect was the snow and brush crunching under her and Korbin’s feet.

“It’s peaceful in the forest, isn’t it?” Korbin swung his head back to glance at her.

“I think it’s a little too quiet for my taste,” Alita admitted.

Korbin slowed until he was walking by her side. He smiled. “Nothing a little conversation can’t fix.”

Alita raised an eyebrow at him. “We’re supposed to be hunting. Conversation would scare away all the food.”

Korbin shrugged. “There's nothing out here to scare anyway. Surely you'd rather talk than waste your time looking for food that isn't here.”

Alita sighed. He had a point. “What do you want to talk about?”

Korbin hummed for a long moment, then smiled at her. “We could talk about how pretty you are.”

Alita stumbled and turned to stare at him. “What?”

“We're both adults, aren't we?” Korbin said. “I, for one, think you're very attractive.”

His crooked smile returned. Alita hated how her face flushed and she had to look away. The last time someone said she was attractive was years ago, with Kailey, and that relationship crashed and burned.

That was different though, Alita reminded herself. I wasn't interested in Kailey like she was. I do find Korbin attractive. Ugh, but a relationship with him would be illegal.

“Did I come on too strong?” Korbin asked. His head snaked down to hers. He still had that adorably crooked smile.

“Y-you know a relationship between us is against Tribe Law,” Alita told him.

“I never cared much for that.” Korbin pulled his head back up and shrugged his wings. “In one sense, it just makes everyone miserable while only the drake in charge gets to reap the benefits, and in another, it perpetuates a deeply rooted problem that no one seems to talk about.”

Alita screwed her eyes shut with a small groan. She knew exactly what he meant. Because only the Chieftain could have eggs, most dragons were related through their father or son. Throughout history, different Chieftains had tried to resolve this issue in different ways. Clyde had tried to resolve it by welcoming in Wanderers and any other dragons who wished to join. He also never stopped someone from leaving if they wanted to. But even that didn't solve the core issue.

“Let's not talk about that,” Alita said after a long moment. “I'm just glad I'm not related to everyone else here.”

“You and me both,” Korbin agreed. “We should take a stand against the ways of the Tribe.”

“How so?” Alita asked.

Korbin’s smile returned again. “We should date.”

“When did you get so smooth?” Alita asked.

Korbin laughed. “Don't you worry, I won't do anything you don't like.”

“Then why are you still trying to flirt with me,” Alita retorted.

“Because that smile on your face suggests you like it,” Korbin said, stepping closer.

Alita stepped closer too. “Maybe I do.”

“Yeah?” Korbin grinned. “I bet the thought of breaking Tribe Law fills you with excitement.”

“Maybe it does,” Alita said.

“So what do you say? Shall we date?” Korbin asked.

Alita stared into his brown eyes. Part of her wanted to say no and stay true to Tribe Law. But another, louder part of her screamed to give in to his silly face and dorky smile.

She stepped closer again and their chests pressed together. “I suppose it's not wrong if we don't get caught.”

Korbin’s expression softened. “That's the spirit.”

He leaned forward and Alita leaned into him. Their noses touched and it was like a magic spark went off in Alita’s chest. Her nose tingled and her body filled with an overwhelming urge to squeal and bounce around like a fledgling. This was what the stories she'd heard spoke about. This absolute feeling of elation. As long as they could keep it a secret from those around them, they could have a happy life together.