16

CHAPTER TWO

The island of Arcosi was abuzz. Humming with life like a giant anthill. Bells rang out, echoing up and down the steep twisting streets, summoning everyone to the marketplace near the harbour for the hatching ceremony.

Joe and the other Potentials gathered in a shady street just above the marketplace, waiting to be summoned. They were busy saying goodbye to their parents, under the watch­ful eyes of four dragonguards.

‘Good luck, Joe.’ His mother hugged him tightly, speak­ing into his ear. She pulled back and stroked his hair, where it always stuck up at the front.

He could see she wanted to say more, but he turned away, towards his father, who was searching for Isak and Tarya in the crowd. He noticed with a twinge of worry how old his father looked, leaning on his cane, his white hair bright in the sunlight. 17

‘Bye, Dad.’ Joe got in first with a quick hug. ‘You’d better go down: don’t lose your seats.’

Nestan nodded. ‘We’ll find you, afterwards.’

Afterwards. When, just maybe, he would be holding his dragon! Joe tried to picture that: a wriggling purple hatch­ling in his arms. His excitement built even further.

He watched his parents walk down to take their places in the hot, crowded marketplace below. There were no stalls today. Instead, the tiers were packed with people in steep rows, as if they were in a theatre, about to watch a play. Ceremonial flags fluttered, showing the symbols of Arcosi and Sartola. And there in the centre, like a stage, an empty sunlit circle waited for the dragons and the eggs to arrive. Joe’s stomach started tangling itself in knots of anticipation.

‘Joe!’

He turned to see his friends rushing towards him, also wearing white. They must have arrived earlier. He was glad they were all Potentials together.

‘Happy birthday!’ That was Amina, fizzing with energy, pushing her way towards him, wearing a new white head­scarf to match the robes.

‘Amina!’ The day seemed even brighter to Joe suddenly.

Conor followed more slowly, and gave him a light shove. ‘Just cos it’s your birthday, doesn’t mean you’ll get the first dragon, all right?’

‘Course not!’ Joe grinned at Conor. ‘But I might!’

‘Potentials!’ A dragonguard called them all to attention. ‘The eggs will be arriving soon. Not long now: be patient and get in position.’ 18

‘Ah, this bit takes longer than you think,’ Amina said impatiently, shuffling and bouncing on her toes. ‘I remember from the last ceremony. They daren’t rush the carriage in case they jolt the eggs. There’s time to give you your presents!’

‘Now?’ Joe said. ‘But they’re about to call us through.’ Nothing else mattered, next to that.

‘Nah, last time they took ages,’ Conor said. ‘Happy birthday, Joe.’ He took a bundle from his pocket and passed it over. ‘Careful. Don’t lose your thumb. I know how clumsy you are, mate.’

Joe unwrapped a soft leather pouch. He opened it and took out a small knife with a bone handle carved with a dragon’s head pouring flame.