Rise of the Darkness

Yearning to Learn

Jacob

What Bakal calls the Elders' hut looks indeed like a hut, except a little more permanent. Thin tree trunks buried in the ground made the corners and the front wall around the door, providing a framework and stability. Large palm fronds acting as thatching covered the structure made primarily of thin branches and leaves. The very bottom of the structure, most susceptible to water, looked to be made of cinder block, of all things. Two rows of block, holes facing up. Painted in mud but still blocks. Not like any Native American tribe that I know of, though I admit I do not know much about them. The only ones I know of really are teepees that everyone associates with Native Americans and chickees, stilt dwellings actually used here in Florida.

An alligator skin covered the door. Bakal transformed me back into human form, with Oculeera and himself following suit. He held the skin to the side, waving for me to walk in.

Inside in the center a modest fire burned, it's orangish glow lighting up the dark space. No smoke or heat emanated from the fire though. Not even the crackle you normally hear from burning logs. Inside the pit I see no wood or other visible fuel. Maybe magic is involved. Maybe something I must learn in becoming dragon enough to see my mother again.

Behind the flames stood four older men, similar in age to Bakal except for one. Three bore grey hair mixed with their natural hair color while the fourth had completely white hair. All looked white skinned, tanned in the sun but not of any ethnicity. If this holds true with the rest of the clan then it is unlikely I will ever find out who my father is, though that does not matter as much to me. Even Da Cru-pilo Dogantig mentions that not all dragons ever learn who their fathers are.

Bakal walked over to the group while Oculeera remained by my side. Bakal spoke first. "Normally those who wish to speak with us in this setting must formally request an audience with us. However, circumstances are far from normal and we shall skip this. For Novayar's sake I will introduce us all. As you know, I am Elder Bakal son of Sareenga, Dogantig Nalow. This is Elder Gumaro son of Blakas, Dogantig le Xhonam. This is Elder Nukaso son of Sareenga, Dogantig Sperisar. This is Galehok son of Magpal, Dogantig le P-gont. And this is Master Wukro son of Minerea, Dogantig Sperisar." He pointed to each as he introduced them. When he got to Wukro, he pointed to the eldest of the dragons present.

The one identified as Galehok continued. "I do not think we need to go over the prophecy now, everyone present knows all that is known. The fact is, the two mentioned have been found, but one is woefully untrained. Novayar, normally human raised dragons take as much as five years to learn what they lack. We may have to speed up your training. Time is the unknown here. You will not be a master of any topic we present you in a year or two, but we must teach you as much as possible. We will also speed up Oculeera's training so that she can learn more advanced topics regarding magic. Even though your inherit skill surpasses hers, she has a head start and it is best to maintain that."

The faster they train me, the quicker I can find Jheecu and show her I have become a dragon in mind as well as body. I nod. I can handle it I am sure. Academics has always been one of my strong suits.

"Wukro will train you both," Bakal said. "He is already Oculeera's master and he shall be yours. Without a conjuring dragon present you will never learn the full ability of your magic, but you will go far in at least learning how to use your magic. Once you progress further you both will be transported to clan better suited to teaching advanced topics."

"What is the bulk of what you will teach me?" I ask.

"In the beginning, Draconian and culture of dragon kind. History of the Laku and lessons on finding your magic will be included. Later, I will focus more on history and magic spells, for magic is what the Elders want you to be most fluent in and much can be learned from history," Wukro said in a rough voice.