A Dragon's Bond

A Reunion With Jack

     "Adam!"

     Jack yelled and promptly wrapped me in an enormous Jack sized hug, picking me up and squeezing the breath out of me. I felt the immediate comfort and normality of being back home with Jack. I could see tiny tears forming in the corners of his eyes as he embraced me, his joy unhidden and sincere. He set me down on a stump near the doorway as he peered at me, the worry clear in his face.

"I feared the worst when I had not seen or heard from you in a month. I heard rumors that something strange had happen at The College's event."

     He peered around his blacksmith hut as if cautiously checking the surroundings for any uninvited listeners.

"Come inside and tell me what has gone on this past month. I knew it had to be you...I always knew you were special."

     I followed Jack into our hut, then over into the common area. The room was cold and little clouds of breath trailed behind us as we made our way through the tiny hut. We stopped at sat around the fireplace that had witnessed a thousand joyful meals and laughs.

     Jack sat down across from me as usual and lit the fire in the center of the room, but something was off. The new alertness I had gained from being on the run provided me with greater perception than before. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I realized what was bothering me.

     I didn't sense any flames within the room just moments before. Jack could control flames but not create them. I paused for a second and stared at him, my mind searching for an answer but found none. We locked eyes for a moment before I spoke.

"I thought you could only control flames already present Jack? The fire was completely out. I sensed no flame until only a moment ago."

     His eyes got wider for the briefest of moments before shifting back to normal.

"There were some coals remaining still Adam .You must have missed them."

     My anxiety subsided slowly. He may have been right. I was over-careful now. There was no reason not to trust Jack. He casually shifted his weight to his other foot before continuing on.

"So you were going to tell me what happened at The College?"

     I took a moment and simply let the fire warm me, being surrounded by my home bolstering my spirits and calming me down.

     I spent the next hour telling him the story of what happened at The College, and how I escaped through the tunnels, leaving out the part about Draioct. I wanted to see his reaction before saying anything further.

     He sat there for a moment taking everything in, his mind clearly turning behind his eyes.

     Suddenly, his eyes went wide as he looked me with what seemed to be panic.

"What about the Dragon Adam? YOUR dragon to be exact. We need to get you to your shrine immediately. If you wait too long it may hatch alone and undefended. What if something happens to it? Only he can help you reach your full potential and grow your energy! You're an Alpha Rider, a dragon's bond is sacred. The other riders will need the two of you."

     I stood up and backed away from Jack, feeling uneasy around him for the first time in my life. His face showed genuine concern but something wasn't right. I once again felt uneasy about how he started the fire.

"How do you know so much about Alpha Riders Jack? I thought you were just a simple mage. And what of the flames you just summoned? Why would you lie to me when we both know that there were none present before? What is it that you are hiding from me?"