A Dragon's Bond

Dragon's Leather

     We awoke midday and grabbed something to eat in the hut's living area, the sun had already risen to its midway point and was working hard at heating the Earth. It was great to be back at home having breakfast with Jack, something I didn't realize I missed, the familiar scents of breakfast and forest drifted through the open windows. Draioct snuck out last night to gather some food for himself so we didn't have to worry about him being seen hunting during the day. Another nice thing about the cave is we don't have to worry about him being seen at all, unless he leaves. When finished with breakfast we headed back down to the cave to begin the long process of creating the armors.

"Good morning Draioct."

     I said as we made our way into the dimly lit armory, there was a distinctive smell of the Earth surrounding us that put my mind at ease.

"Good morning Adam. I was going over what Jack was saying last night about the forging of Dragons Leather. He said it was done with plasma fire....and I was thinking....I don't know how to do that."

     I sat down around the table and paused, thinking about what he just said. I never considered that point. Jack was the only person that I have heard of doing it other than the Queen, and I had not personally seen either of them do it.

"That's fine."

     Jack said as he joined me at the table, finishing off a piece of meat he was eating on the way down here. He handed me another piece as he sat down, the smoked meats smell filling my lungs and forcing my stomach to growl in anticipation.

"Eat up my son. You are certainly going to need all the energy you can get for the training we are beginning today."

     He looked over at Draioct who was standing in the immediate area watching our exchange with his giant intelligent eyes.

"I know that I haven't shared it with Adam, but I am actually very adept at fire, keeping it hidden helped people to think I was just a regular Blacksmith. While at The College I learned enough that I believe I can teach you two how to form plasma fire. Typically only strong dragons did it until the Queen came along, but I think Adam can learn it as well."

     Draioct and I both felt a wave of relief wash over us in hearing that, a small conversation passed between us over the excitement of learning to create plasma.

     I chewed up and swallowed the last of my smoked meat as Jack rose form the table and walked over to Draioct, his eyes clearly scanning over and sizing him up.

"Let's begin with you my friend. I want you to focus on a dummy over in the training area. Look inward at your power source. The raw energy you see and feel within you is like a muscle. If you draw too much and over use it you can actually hurt yourself, but the more you use it and push it to the edge it will come back stronger and fuller."

     I took a second and looked inward at my own power source. We had always used small amounts and never really paid attention to it coming back. It was always full when the time came because we didn't use it often. Jack began speaking again as he walked left and right in front of us, as if he was briefing a large Army.

"The speed at which your inner power comes back is different for every person and Dragon. It is however also something that can vary depending on training, we will work on increasing its speed as well. Now return your focus to the dummy. I want you to draw a quarter of your power and push the fire element form onto it, then begin directing it at the dummy. Keep a continuous flame until you reach about half power then stop."

     I melded into Draioct's mind in an attempt to watch the proceedings and gather as much information as possible. He walked over and faced the target directly to begin the process.