Scarlet and the Keepers of Light by Brandon Charles West

like it’s the worst thing in the world that others try. Kinda full of himself, now that he’s in charge of the castle grounds.” Delfi tried to sound stern, even angry, when he spoke of Raden, but his eyes held a mischievous twinkle. “He also happens to be my big brother.”
    Scarlet laughed again. Delfi was instantly likable, and she found herself drawn to him. It didn’t hurt that he was very cute. Suddenly she remembered something from earlier in the conversation. “You said I was going to begin training tomorrow—what did you mean?”
    “I overheard my brother and Xavier talking. Xavier told Raden to keep everyone away from the library so that you and he could have your first lesson without a bunch of curious Tounder milling about. You’re the most exciting thing to happen around here in a long time,” said Delfi, moving to the stone seats at the center of the terrace. He sat down and took a piece of what resembled chocolate from his pocket, broke it in two, and offered half to Scarlet.
    Scarlet sat down beside him, took the candy, and tentatively took a bite. Expecting some unusual flavor, she was quite surprised to find that although it was very good, it tasted . . . well, like chocolate.
    “Thanks,” she said.
    “You’re welcome.” Delfi paused, obviously weighing his next words. “Don’t tell Xavier that I told you. I wasn’t supposed to be where I was when I overheard them, strictly speaking.” Scarlet nodded vigorously, her mouth full of chocolate. “You’re lucky, you know?”
    “How’s that?” Scarlet asked, holding her hand delicately over her mouth while she chewed.
    “Xavier hasn’t taught anyone in a very long time. It’s quite an honor, even for the For Tol Don, I expect.” Rather than appear misty-eyed or reverent when he said the Tounder’s name for her, Delfi acted as if he had merely called her by any regular name.
    “I don’t really even know what that means, truly. I know to the Tounder it makes sense, but to me it sounds like a fanciful story.”
    “I can understand that,” Delfi admitted. “I’m sure there are a lot of things about where you’re from that would seem the same way to me. You’re going to learn our magic—how to keep and manipulate the light. The first non-Tounder to ever do it, as far as I know. And Xavier is going to teach you. He can do things that many of us have never dreamed of, and he’s been around for longer, as well.”
    “How long?”
    “I don’t know. There aren’t any Tounder around who were alive before he was born. Once heard him talk about meeting a dragon. Haven’t been dragons in Satorium in . . . well, I don’t know how long, to tell the truth. A long time.”
    Scarlet couldn’t believe her ears. Dragons? Every time she thought that she couldn’t be surprised anymore, there was something new. “Were there really dragons?”
    “Of course there were. Loads of ’em from what I understand. I think there is even supposed to be one left up in the Northern Mountains, but that’s probably just flickering light, if you know what I mean. Can’t imagine something that big staying out of sight for this long.” Delfi plopped his last piece of chocolate into his mouth.
    “How big are—were they?” Scarlet asked.
    “Don’t know. My brother used to tell me that they were as big as a house. Xavier would be the only one who’d actually know for sure, though.”
    Delfi looked out over the village. “It’s getting late. I better go. Raden’ll be all over me if I’m not in my room when he comes to check on me. Worse than our parents, that one is.” Delfi stood up and put his hand out, awkwardly imitating Scarlet’s gesture when they first met. Scarlet stood and took his hand. “I’d get some sleep, if I were you,” he added. “The first lesson can take a lot out of you.”
    ***
    Scarlet woke up feeling fresh and eager; she’d taken Delfi’s advice and gone to bed early, sleeping as deeply as she did every night