A Dragon's Bond

Retributions Beginning

     Jack threw back the door and a cloud of dust flew into the air, the smell of earth filling my lungs as it drifted silently around the room. The dirt and dust covering the hatch was now airborne and swirling, catching the light of the candles and casting shadows across the room. The hole stared back at us in a dark and foreboding manner.

     Jack stepped in as if it was second nature and began to make his way down the stairs. I felt Draioct push into my mind so he could watch through my eyes. His powerful mind taking control and turning my head at times, trying to see anything other than darkness.

     I walked down what seemed to be a thousand steps, all along just following Jack's back, my guide through the intense darkness blinding my vision. Fortunately for me, I don't mind the darkness, I have always found strength in it. I may not be able to see, but neither can the bad guys.

     I got the feeling that the area was rather large, because of the slight echo our footsteps made on the stairs all the way down, the steps echoing in different parts of the blank space. I began to wonder how long these steps were when we finally reached flat ground and Jack continued forward, walking through the darkness without hesitation, showing how familiar he was with the space we were in. I grabbed onto his shirt so I wouldn't get lost.

     Finally he stopped in what I was assuming was the center of the room. My senses heightened, attempting to gain any new information about the location I was in. I could hear the sound of water drips ever so slightly and felt a small breeze gently touching my skin. This place must be absolutely massive.

"Adam. Welcome to the hideout of Retribution."

     And with the closing of his sentence he shot flames in every direction simultaneously. Huge pillars, sconces, and forges lit up illuminating the vast space we were standing in. Light flashed in every corner of the room making my eyes squint while they adjusted.

This place WAS massive.

     It was a giant cave under Jacks Blacksmithing hut. Large enough you could fit five or six dragons the size of Draioct, who was apparently bigger than normal. There were forges lining the walls with armor racks in the middle housing hundreds of weapons, huge chains hung in the center of the room coming down off the ceiling.

     Jack noticed me eyeing the chains and thankfully took the time to explain them to me.

"With the chains you could lower armor onto the dragons backs making it easier to lift the heavy armor."

     The forges smoke was routed to go through what looked to be the bottom of the forges above ground keeping the underground forges presence hidden from the rest of the world, it was brilliant. There were shelves of raw materials like metal, leather, and dried food lining the other side of the cave making trips outside unnecessary, this place was completely self-contained. Finally at the end of the cave there was a path that must have been the entrance used by the dragons to come in and out. It was a secret armory for Retribution where they could meet and carry out their business in secret. There was even space to practice magic and fighting.

     I stood there taking everything in, and let out a long breath in awe. Jack stood beside me beaming with pride at my clear amazement in his fortress.

"We hid it so well you didn't even now this was down here. All eighteen years." He said still smiling. "This is why my hut is so far outside of the kingdom. I found this cave and knew it was the perfect place to hide, so I built my hut on top."

"I actually stumbled upon this place while searching for some firewood. I fell right through the hole that my hatch is located on. The stairs obviously weren't present so it was quick the fall. It took a little time to heal. Luckily there is the back exit over there, I had a way out I could crawl through. Took some time to heal that ankle. Well, shall we show your friend our new hideout?"