The Rite of Dragon Selection..

With that, he turned and walked away, his cloak billowing behind him. Isabel watched him go, feeling a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety. She knew she had made a powerful enemy in Thalassa.

Mirael touched her arm, bringing her back to the present. "Are you okay?"

Isabel nodded. "Yes, just... processing everything."

They continued to wander through the market, trying to shake off the encounter. The rest of the day passed in a blur of vibrant colors, fragrant smells, and lively chatter. Isabel found herself lost in thought, but Mirael's cheerful presence helped to keep her grounded. They picked up a few trinkets and enjoyed some street food, trying to make the most of the day.

As evening approached, the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over Drakendale. Isabel and Mirael decided it was time to head back to the barracks. The walk back was peaceful, the air cooling as the bustle of the market gave way to quieter streets.

When they arrived at the barracks, they were surprised to see a large crowd gathered in front of the notice board. Isabel and Mirael exchanged curious glances and made their way toward it, but the crowd was so dense that they couldn't see what was posted. They were jostled and pushed, struggling to make their way through.

Isabel's foot was crushed under someone's boot, and she winced in pain. Mirael, trying to maintain her balance, was shoved from behind, causing her to stumble into Isabel. They both gritted their teeth, determined to get a closer look at the notice.

Suddenly, Isabel felt a hard push, sending her off balance. She barely managed to stay upright by grabbing Mirael's arm. Mirael, clearly fed up, shouted in anger, "Who the hell doesn't know how to stand properly?"

Isabel quickly put a hand over Mirael's mouth, her eyes wide with alarm. "Shh, Mirael! Don't start fighting here."

Mirael's muffled voice came from behind Isabel's hand, but she stopped struggling and nodded in understanding. Isabel removed her hand, and they continued to push forward, more cautiously this time.

But, both Isabel and Mirael felt hands tugging at their arms, pulling them out of the crush of people. They found themselves outside the crowd, facing Kaelan and Alaric.

Kaelan's expression was a mix of concern and amusement. "Are you two alright?"

Mirael huffed, brushing herself off. "Barely. People can be so inconsiderate."

Alaric, his eyes twinkling with humor, remarked, "Seems like you two had quite the adventure in there."

Isabel sighed, rubbing her sore foot. "It was definitely an experience."

"What's going on? Why is everyone gathered here?"

Alaric pointed towards the notice board. "They just posted the list of candidates for the dragon choosing ceremony."

Isabel's heart skipped a beat. "The candidates? Already?"

Kaelan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes. We thought you might want to see it."

Mirael's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's go look!"

As they approached the notice board, the crowd had thinned enough for Isabel and Mirael to read the announcement clearly. The parchment was large, with bold, official lettering at the top that read:

"Dragon Choosing Ceremony - Notice"

Beneath the heading, the announcement continued:

"The dragon choosing ceremony will commence in two days at dawn, at the Dragon's Keep on the outskirts of Drakendale. All eligible candidates must present themselves at the gates of the Keep by the first light. The ceremony will test the bond between each candidate and the dragons, a bond that is both mystical and profound. Only those who are truly worthy will be chosen to become dragon riders, earning a place of honor and responsibility within the kingdom's defense. Below is the list of selected candidates who are eligible to participate in this prestigious event."

Isabel's eyes scanned the list of names beneath the announcement, her heart pounding with each passing second. She saw familiar names and faces of friends and acquaintances, but she was searching for her own name and those of her closest companions. Finally, she saw it: "Isabel." Right next to it were the names "Mirael," "Kaelan," "Eamon," and "Alaric."

Mirael let out a squeal of delight and hugged Isabel tightly. "We made it! We're on the list!"

Kaelan grinned, his eyes shining with pride. "I knew you would be. You've worked so hard for this."

Isabel smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thank you, Kaelan. And thank you, Alaric. We couldn't have done it without all of us supporting each other."

Alaric nodded, his expression serious but pleased. "This is just the beginning. We need to be ready for whatever comes next."

Eamon joined them, his face beaming. "Did you see? We're all on the list! This is incredible."

Isabel felt a surge of excitement and determination. "The ceremony is in two days. We have to be prepared. This is our chance to prove ourselves."

Mirael's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I can't believe it's finally happening. All those years of training, and now it's here."

Kaelan placed a reassuring hand on Isabel's shoulder. "We'll support each other, just like we always have. No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

Eamon nodded enthusiastically. "We've trained hard for this. We know what we're capable of."

Isabel looked at her friends, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "We need to make sure we're ready. Let's use the next two days to prepare ourselves, mentally and physically. This is our chance to become something greater."

Alaric agreed. "We should rest tonight and start our preparations first thing in the morning. We'll go over everything we've learned and make sure we're in top form."

As they walked back to their quarters, Isabel's thoughts were a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation. The dragon choosing ceremony was a chance to prove herself, to become something greater. She was ready to embrace whatever came next.

That night, as Isabel lay in her bed, she couldn't help but think about the dragons, the ceremony, and what it would mean to be chosen. She knew the days ahead would be challenging, but she also knew that together, they could overcome anything. With that thought, she drifted off to sleep, dreaming of dragons and the adventures that awaited them.