A Dragon's Bond

First Contact

     The man teaching me to fight is Jack's hand to hand combat master, Mr. Holbrook. He was a member of the original group of Retribution members. Jack made a trip to the town and searched him out. His amazement and wonder was great to see when he was first introduced to Draioct and I, he was a reserved man but his enthusiasm in meeting us was clear.

     When Jack came back from the surface with Holbrook they came back with grave news. The Queens Fire Dragons had been seen in a few towns over, meaning they would be here too and probably soon. The mage from The College had been correct, word got to the Queen and she was now looking for me. Her riders had been dispatched all across the Kingdom searching for me and Draioct.

     Jack did come with at least some good news. Dragons had begun spawning in all the shrine locations again. Man and Dragon were beginning to come together, forming bonds and living symbiotically.

     Here and there new Dragons showed up at the Armory, with and without riders. Mostly when Draioct would leave the cave to hunt, normal Dragons were able to sense him, but only if they were not in a pack. It turns out Dragons have a biological pull to pack up, making them stronger, whether that's with a human or a heard of Dragons. Once they join a pack they are unable to sense Alphas or True Alphas.

     After a small meeting we decided it was best that Draioct stayed in the cave, hidden from their senses until we were ready to defend ourselves properly. I myself had not left the cave in a long time and was getting stir crazy. The Earth Dragons added sleeping areas in anticipation of more members joining Retribution, so I slept and lived inside the cave, just training and sleeping. I decided tonight that I would leave the cave and get some fresh air. I had spent almost two months away from civilization while training and honestly just wanted to be alone for a little. I needed to get out into clean air and try to pretend my life was normal.

     It was morning of the next day and I began to suit up to head into the Kingdom, all along Draioct protesting me having him stay in the cave while I was gone. I put on my Dragons Leather, its bright white color a stark contrast to the dimly lit area I was standing in. I wore my regular boots and covered the Dragons Leather in a regular brown cloth poncho, the color of the white armor showing just below my neck. The poncho would at least cover most of the white armor making me less noticeable. I clicked my spear into the bracket on my back, making it hang diagonally across me. I finished by pulling the hood over my head completing my "normal" attire. I made my way up and out of the Armory then onto the trail towards town, Draioct making sure to squeeze in one last audible complaint before I left.

     It was great to smell the fresh air once again and be in my home town. I walked and listened to the wildlife, the birds singing and the wind blowing through the trees, the warm air of spring making the temperature perfect. I peacefully walked to town and enjoyed the entire trip, almost carefree like the old days.

     My time in town was equally as pleasant. I visited shops and ate some of the local food, buying some rabbit leg from the same man as before. Normally I would have seen maybe one dragon in the entire city, where now there were handfuls scattered everywhere.

     Thankfully none for them were members of the Queens army. I physically shuddered at the thought of her. Rumors had gotten to us that she had begun training to battle me by killing off her own army. What a cruel woman.

     I watched the performers in the streets and quickly realized why they were not at The College. Some of them had very small abilities in the elements and simply found ways to make them look much greater in power, or confuse the audience. Either way it was enjoyable to be in the city, taking in the smells and sounds of humans just living. The sweet smell of the deserts scattered among different carts and buildings, people idly talking amongst themselves. Normal people living a normal life.