A Dragon's Bond

The Book

     I awoke in the morning to the faint smell of the fire as it slowly smoked from the night before. I sat up in bed and stretched, the rays of sun shining through my window covered in frost, the crystals slowly starting to melt under the heat of the light. I sat still and let my eyes adjust and slowly noticed a large torn book, laying on the end table in the corner of my room. I immediately shot up and jogged over to the book. I could feel its presence getting stronger as I got closer. It was the strangest feeling I had ever felt. There was a familiarity, almost as if the book was a part of me. A resonance of power was coming from it, a pulling as I touched it. As I looked it over I could see that it had been stored away for some time and had seen better days. The front of it was thick brown leather with gashes here and there and a layer of dust that had become a permanent part of the book. One large symbol that looked as if it were tangled twine was on the front, a line without an end or beginning twisted into itself over and over similar to a ball of yarn. I opened the book and was greeted with an old and fading map. I turned a few pages and the rest of the book was full of symbols I had no knowledge of, my mind trailed as I flipped back to the first page with the map.

     I sat down on the bed and looked harder at the map. I knew I had seen it before. I tried searching through the early morning fog of my mind until it suddenly came to me. I had seen it at the old town center, etched into the walls. It was the location of the Dragon Shrines, only this map had one more location with an X on it I don't remember seeing in town.

      The Dragon Shrines were the known locations of where an Alpha Dragon hatched. There were some dragons that lived within the world but the shrine is where riders met their Alphas. It was said that a sign or calling of some sort would be made know to the rider, and they would feel their way to the shrine on instinct. Once at the shrine the rider and Dragon would come together. Unfortunately, that is about all I know of the process.

     This happened often once upon a time, but as it became more well-known it became an issue. People would flock to these locations and wait around hoping to become a dragon rider ruining the sacredness of the process as it didn't give the rider and dragon the time they needed to bond and grow. It slowly happened less and less often until now it is seldom heard of. The last person to receive a dragon was the Fire Queen. Queen Vadoris. She rose to power and killed off or drove the other riders into hiding. The Queen and her dragon both wielded powerful fire, people still talk in awe and fear at the destruction her flames had caused.

     Most Alpha Riders and Dragons can both wield multiple elements, The Fire Queen happen to be one of the only Mages that rose to power using a single element, the reason she used one element is never spoken of. I do know that she loved to use fire for its destructive abilities to burn towns, and force masses into servitude, the flames a metaphor of her cruelty. After taking the Kingdom by storm she now lives off in her Castle destroying things and recruiting people to her Army.

      I set the book down on the bed beside then headed out to the living area. I was greeted with Jack cooking a chicken leg over the fire for breakfast, the smell wafting through the common area as the fire put out a warm and cozy heat. I walked over and Jack handed me a thigh as I sat down on the chair and silently began to eat. I assumed Jack placed the book within my room but wondered its origin and why now. He made his way over beside me and sat down as he cast a look in my direction, his voice uncharacteristically soft and quiet.

"Adam I am assuming you noticed the book I placed on you end table? That book was the only thing I found with you near my forge. Someone left you near the flames to keep you warm from the snow, knocked on my door, and left. I hadn't given it much thought until these last few days when you began speaking about the elements. Today is The College's ability test in town and I think you should go take it. I don't want you to miss out on an opportunity that may change your life for the better. While you're at it make sure to bring that book with you as well. Be sure to keep it out of sight since we don't know its implications, but it may just prove handy to have."

     I nodded and thought it over. I was slightly nervous about the whole situation, but knew that Jack always had my best interests at heart and it was always better to listen to him.

     I finished my Chicken and headed back into my room to pack a light travel bag, my heart somewhat heavy at the thought of leaving my home without Jack. I made sure to bury the book at the bottom beneath a change of clothes. As I began out the house I stopped and firmly shook Jacks hand.

     We both knew the possible implications if I had any mage abilities. The College would likely take me in immediately and send me to their training grounds to begin formal training. I let go and began to walk out the door. Jack called my name as I stepped across the threshold. I turned as he walked over to me, quickly closing the gap and embracing me tightly in a hug.

"Please be careful with who you trust, and always follow your gut instincts...Son".

      He let go and we looked each other in the eye in silent affirmation of our bond. I could feel the tears behind my eyes knocking at their lids, my body trying everything it could to keep them in. Normally a trip to town was a simple task but both of us had a feeling that this time was different.