Dragonsoul

Chapter 15

Leonie's mind was like a lost puppy trying to find a home. It was difficult for her to focus on just one thing. She kept paging through the different books as she tried to listen to what the Mage had to say.

All of it was as overwhelming as the snow that was soon to come and paralyze the little village that she called home.

She knew she had to learn everything she could, while it was still possible to visit Toras without any difficulties. Besides, people of the village often spin tales of Toras' 'winter slumber' and Leonie was unsure if those were just overly embellished tales or if they spoke the truth of the Mage's life.

"Remember, for you to be able to have a calm and soothed mind, you need to learn to be like a river. When you come across a stone, don't try to go through it, that would be a futile attempt, go around it.

Learn to go with the flow. Don't deny any of your emotions, but learn to let them go when you shouldn't hold on to them. The river never stops flowing, it always finds a way to go on, and that is what I need you to do." Toras said.

"I understand what I am supposed to do, but I am not sure how to do it. I know how to do things that require physical strength and precision, but these mental efforts are unfamiliar to me as the land is to fish." Leonie said.

"You speak the truth, my child. You've always been more focused on practical tasks. Don't get me wrong, that's great, especially for Hunter's daughter, but I am afraid that now you will have to acquire a new set of skills.

Luckily, in their essence, they are no different than the physical representations of our efforts." Toras said.

Both Leonie and the dragon stared at him with eyes as big as that of an ostrich. They were harmonizing more, and more, there seemed to be no delay in them receiving each other's emotions anymore. The instant the wave of confusion swept over Leonie, Rim could feel it, too.

Although Toras knew more than the two of them, he was nevertheless startled by the quick strengthening of their bond. He expected it would be fast, but still, he hadn't foreseen how quick it would be.

"I am not an expert in shooting arrows, always preferred to use my magic to procure my meals, but I believe that there are certain things you have to do, to center yourself, to sharpen your focus.

The same is true for achieving emotional balance, as well as control. You need to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then release. Let all the emotions go, the same way you would let go of an arrow.

Oh, I have a fabulous idea.

Imagine that the unwanted emotions are attached to the arrow. Then do what you were trained to do, release the arrow. Utilize your sentiments to achieve what you want but never allow your emotions to control you.

Feeling is important, but there are moments in our lives when we have to put emotions to the side and act. I want you to be ready for that moment. It will save the dragon." Toras said.

The truth was that it would save her as well, but Toras chose to keep that part to himself. There were times when knowing too much about one's destiny could make unavoidable changes to it. That could cause ripples in time and space that even a great Mage such a Toras wouldn't be able to stop.

Toras could feel the storm of questions that were about to rain down on him, but luckily for him, the Fates smiled upon him.

"I am so happy I helped the Fates at that time. They still favor me." Toras thought as the sound of someone knocking on his front door filled the room.

"Just a moment," Toras said to Leonie.

He went to the door and saw the old butcher standing there with a sheepish expression on his face. Being one of the rare people who could reach Toras' home in the woods, it often fell upon the poor fellow to fetch the Mage when the people became too restless waiting for his arrival.

Before the man had the chance to say anything, Toras started talking loudly.

"An emergency, you say!" Toras said.

"Ah... no, sir, Mage, I didn't say anything," Zaccheus the butcher said.

"I have to come right away, you say!" Toras yelled.

He tried to indicate to the man to follow his lead, but he was too confused to do anything. Toras decided that it was up to him to make it appear as if he was urgently needed. He needed more time to think about how to answer Leonie's questions without angering the Fates. He found a perfect way to get it.

"Someone is hurt, you say! Wait for me over there, and I shall come in a second!" Toras said.

Confused as he was, the man obeyed. With his white apron still on, covered in blood, he moved to where Toras pointed. He wondered what had possessed the Mage, he seemed to have gone insane. Poor Zaccheus had no idea what to do, but to wait for the odd Mage.

"I am sorry, my dear, but I have to go. There has been a terrible accident. Blood everywhere. You can see that the poor fellow is covered in blood. You wait until I am gone and leave shortly. Make sure you don't hesitate since ten minutes after my departure, the house will go on lockdown." Toras said quickly.

Noting the blood that was splattered all over the man who seemed disorientated, lost, Leonie accepted what he said as a fact. She knew that he was needed, but she could not help but feel vexed at the terrible timing.

"But you said, that we have to hurry, that Rim will soon start spitting out fire. What am I supposed to do?" Leonie asked.

"You already possess all the tools you need. Trust your instincts, and go through this book first," Toras said, pointing at the book sitting on her lap.

She did not even realize that the book that she had been leafing through was still there. It gave her some comfort that at least she knew where to start. Maybe Toras could not help her more than he already did, but she knew that with Rim, she could get through anything.

Although Toras felt guilty for lying to Leonie, he went around the house, gathering a few things for the trip to the village. After all, once she learned about his deceit, if she ever did, she would learn that he did it for her good.

Sometimes offering help and solving someone's problems went hand in hand and Toras new that trials were awaiting her. If he interfered too much, she might not succeed in overcoming them, and that would be bad for all of them. Still, he did not feel good lying to his friend's daughter.

"Leonie, don't forget that you can do this. You are a Hunter's daughter, special blood runs through your veins, and you can do everything that you want. Trust yourself and the dragon. Together you can do the impossible. I promise that as soon as I have the time, I will come and try to answer as many of your questions as I can." Toras said.

"Very well, I am grateful to you for everything. I am sorry if I sounded insensitive. Of course, a wounded person has a priority, I understand that." She said humbly.

With the final farewell, Toras left the girl and her magnificent dragon, hoping they would heed his advice, that they would find their way. Most of all, he hoped for the dragon's quick ascension, since that way he would be able to help the girl more than he could at that moment.

Back at the house, Leonie kept pacing, wondering when they should leave. She didn't want to wait too long, but she also knew that if she did not wait long enough, problems would ensue. She understood without, Toras having to say it that the people from the village should not learn about her bond with the dragon.

That would only cause pain and mistrust. The world was already full of weeds, and she wished to add no more.

"Come on, Rim." She said.

"I think it's time to go back home," Leonie said.