Burning Flame

Chapter Nineteen

Years went by as the war raged on between the two species. Blaze and Serenity continued to meet in secret, and they both taught each other everything they knew. Blaze even taught her how to fly by breaking his promise to his mother. He thought it was worth it. They both grew until they were halfway to adulthood, because both dragon and pegasus kind grew at an accelerated rate when they were young and continued growing as adults for hundreds of years if they were lucky.

Blaze sat back on his haunches and hummed quietly to himself. He always loved the deep humming noise that dragons made in their chest when they were happy. He was also extremely bored, because Serenity wasn't there. It was a good thing, too, because his parents had told him they would be at the cave for once. That news shocked him quite a bit. They were never around during the day.
He stopped humming to himself as he heard the whoosh of wings at the entrance, and he stood alert as he always did when his mother returned. This time Inferno strutted in behind her with a small grin on his face.
Now Blaze was concerned. His father hardly ever grinned at him.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Blaze asked quizzically, cocking his head to the side.
Magma laughed quietly at his curiosity as Inferno stepped forward. Blaze bowed his head as his father got closer. One thing he had learned over the years was to always show respect, and his father would never let him forget that. He felt so small compared to Inferno, since he was still barely half his size.
Inferno raised his head high and looked down at the young dragon.
"We have made the decision to train you with other dragons of your own age. You must learn about our species, our social interactions, and, most importantly, how to fight and be a ruler."
Blaze blinked at him, not understanding.
"So you'll be sent off to one of the training camps in two days. We'll visit you as often as we can, and we'll have our Protectors check on you every so often..."
Blaze's thoughts drifted out of the conversation, even as his father's voice continued on.
Other dragons? What will they be like? What about Serenity? I have to let her know. She has to be able to find me.
"...and we'll escort you personally to the camp. We have some very loyal friends who have their own dragonlings in training," Inferno stated proudly.
Blaze nodded and looked at his talons.
"What do you think of that?" his mother asked.
He looked at her and offered a small smile.
"I think it will be fun, getting to see other dragons all the time."
Inferno sighed and shook his head.
"You'll get used to it very quickly," he muttered.
Blaze wondered at that, but instead asked,
"Will they be a lot like me?"
Magma cocked her head at him and her tongue darted out of her mouth.
"Well, yes. They're all dragons, so they should be a lot like you. I mean obviously personalities will differ. Every dragon is unique, but I'm not sure I understand your question."
"It's fine. Just forget I asked."
Magma nodded and a small, gentle smile appeared on her face. Inferno just scratched behind his frill with a talon, letting out a low, contented growl.
"Then it's settled. I know you're going to like this training, Blaze. Every true dragon does."
Blaze lowered his head in a curt nod. Then he glanced back over at his parents.
"Are you still going to teach me other things? Like hunting techniques and how to use magic?" he asked.
Magma and Inferno exchanged a confused look. Then Magma turned her attention back to her son.
"How do you know about magic?" she asked cautiously.
Blaze's mind raced suddenly as he realized that they had never taught him any magic. It had always been Serenity.
"I... I think you mentioned it to me at some point. It was a long time ago... but I've been curious ever since."
Guilt and worry gnawed at his stomach as Magma took on a thoughtful look.
"I suppose I could've mentioned it at some point. I don't remember it, but I probably did," she said.
Blaze let out a silent breath of relief.
"Well, to answer your question, son... yes, we will still teach you. Our protectors will become more involved, though, so that you can be more independent," Inferno said.
Am I not independent now? I'm left in a cave all day to fend for myself for crying out loud!
He clawed at the stone beneath him. Magma looked at him sympathetically and walked over to place her taloned hand on his shoulder.
"It's all going to be okay. Trust me, you'll be fine."
"Did you have to go train when you were my age?" he asked.
Magma exchanged another look with Inferno.
"Well, yes..."
"So there was a war back then?"
"No, but..."
"Then why did you have to train?"
Magma shifted her wings, and Blaze could tell she was getting irritated.
"Because we had to learn how to be independent as dragons, and your father and I had to learn how to become King and Queen once he chose me as his mate," she explained, "Therefore each dragon has their own unique training based on their rank, but every dragon is taught the basic skills that they must know in order to survive and thrive."
"But why can't you teach me that?"
"We don't have the time," Inferno snapped.
Blaze lowered his head and Magma gave her mate an icy glare.
"What your father means to say, Blaze, is that we love you and we wish we could teach you everything that you need to know, but we simply don't have enough time with the decisions we have to make as King and Queen," she said.
Blaze gave a quick nod and Magma pulled him close with her wing.
"Don't worry, son. We'll still be there for you, no matter what."
Blaze thought of Serenity again.
No matter what? Does she even realize what she's saying? I hope she sticks to that promise...
She hugged him one more time and turned to glance back at the cave entrance. She looked back at him and grinned.
"Why don't we all go on a family flight? It'll strengthen your wings a little more."
He smiled and nudged her neck with his head. She let out a soft hum that reverberated in her chest.
"Daylight's wasting," Inferno said, "Let's go."