《Beginning. The Apprentice》


 Chapter 1

    The Royal Tract was crowded as usual. Everyone was moving in small groups heading towards exclusive shops or the Central Bank. Some were just strolling along heading for the wealthy villas in the heart of the city or the vast parks scattered around it. Bleist also took a stroll to see the city. He had come here the day before to visit an old friend who had just taken up his post as Ambassador to Dagos. At first he had been fascinated by the centre of the capital, but now it seemed to him somehow artificial, lacking that unique originality he remembered from years ago. I might have expected this, he thought bitterly. Dragons love everything new and adapt another European fashion without the slightest thought. He shook his head as he passed a group of men in black justacorps and the same hats. Suddenly the Tract began to repulse him. It didn''t enthrall him the way it used to because it reminded him too much of the main arteries of Paris, London or Berlin. It ceased to appeal to him. Somewhere inside, he felt an overwhelming desire to see that Dagos he remembered again. The streets where dragons strolled freely, shimmering in an unimaginably huge array of colours, where every now and then someone took off and landed on the pavements. Crowds of visitors mingling with the citizens. Clusters of shrieking dwarves betting with dragons on who has the stronger head. Clusters of elves, roaming here and there in search of various goods available only here. Mages hurrying in their bulky robes with scrolls and books to libraries and countless laboratories scattered all over Dagos. Outbursts of thunderous laughter supported occasionally by plumes of fire shooting into the sky. The smells of local cuisine wafting from the wide-open doors of restaurants and beckoning you to enter. Groups of small children running through the streets or playing aerial tag. It had all disappeared somewhere, replaced by elegant men and women roaming the Royal Tract without much purpose. He missed that city.


    Bleist snorted disapprovingly and turned into one of the streets further away, wanting to see if the whole town had changed or if it was just the rich who had created some new trend and were trying to impress each other. He didn''t quite know where he was going, he just let his feet carry him by themselves. He walked quietly somewhere in an undefined direction, immersed in his own memories of youthful trips to the dragon capital and the excitement that accompanied them. He smiled involuntarily as he recalled how he felt when he first arrived here. Slowly he delved into the other districts of Dagos discovering that nothing had really changed. The further he moved away from the Tract the more he liked what he saw. The crowds may not have been there, but it still felt like the way it used to be. He passed small stalls and shops offering fresh products, cosy restaurants tickling his nose with pleasant smells. Several children ran past him, shouting and laughing, and when they passed him they jumped in front of him, turning into dragons and flying over the buildings to escape from one of the younger boys, who, with a smile, tried to chase them and catch someone. The sun shimmered on their multi-coloured skin as they dashed up the street.


    Bleist laughed and suddenly decided that he would stay there for a while. He took a quick look around and headed for one of the small restaurants that had attracted him with its colourful signboard. He was hungry, and it was from there that the pleasant smell of roast meat and spices came to him. He sat down comfortably at a table looking at the life going on in front of him. He felt like the old days again.


    -What would you, honourable gentleman, wish for?- asked the grim waiter, a powerfully built dragon, looking at his guest distrustfully. Bleist only now remembered that he had put on a pale blue robe and leather armour with gold decorations and an Atlantean star on his chest.


    -Dagyan roast and beer, please,- the mage threw in with a smile, -just make sure everything is served the way it has always been done here, and not some fancy version for the rich,- he poked him playfully with his finger.


    The waiter looked at him from under his furrowed brows for a moment, and then smiled radiantly which completely transformed his face. He became a cheerful, good-natured giant with laughing eyes and a wide smile. Bleist found that he probably looked like this normally, and grimaced at the sight of rich people wanting to change everything. He liked this attitude.


    -I''m getting it.- The dragon nodded and snorted as he looked across the street at a group consisting of dwarves and dragons preparing for the age-old competition of who can drink more.


    The wizard watched everyone walking down the street in awe and began to reminisce about his youth again. He laughed in spirit suddenly realising that he was behaving just as he had done on his first visit to the city. He sat in some random pub, ordered something local to eat and watched the overflowing multicoloured stream of dragons, mages and other creatures uninterrupted. The same sounds reached him as then: laughter and the roar of lively conversations. He was glad to have found that Dagos of years ago.


    Finally, the waiter returned and, with a gleam in his eye, placed an aromatic roast and a huge mug of beer in front of him. He glanced once more at Bleist and left to serve other customers. The wizard could have sworn that the dragon glanced at him with interest every now and then, but he didn''t care. He drew the scent deep into his lungs and enjoyed the unique aroma of the spices used here. Then he reached for his mug and took a massive sip. He choked and coughed. He was a little surprised. He had expected a rather ordinary beer, but he had been given a dwarven version of the drink. Now it was burning in his throat and tears were pushing their way to his eyes. He croaked, reminding himself that exactly the same thing had happened the first time. All these years, he had forgotten that dragons buy beer from dwarves because they consider it so much better than others. Finally, he wiped his mouth with his hand and set about his meal.


    The whole time he was eating he was looking at the street and the life going on there. He watched the haggling with the traders, the laughing groups strolling everywhere and the children who continued to play tag every now and then disappearing over the roofs of the tenements. It was these that most attracted his attention, bringing back another wave of memories. This time he recalled his childhood spent on Atlantis and the games he used to indulge in with his friends. He sighed as he finished his lunch and sipped the rest of his beer. He sat for some more time looking at it all and then got up leaving a few gold coins on the table. He knew he had left too much, but to him this meal was worth far more than those measly pennies.


    Bleist moved on ahead, down the street. He wondered where he would get to by continuing in this direction. He continued to look around the whole time and was content to absorb everything he saw. He gloated about his surroundings and the joyful life going on around him.


    He had long since moved away from the wealthy part of the city and was now wandering through streets lined with tall tenements that housed the shops and businesses of small craftsmen below. From time to time, smells came to him, undeniably coming from some alchemy laboratories. He smiled then, thinking of the dragons'' love of experimentation and the pursuit of knowledge in contrast to their love of comfort, laziness and wealth.


    The sun was already slowly beginning to set as Bleist arrived at one of the harbours located inside the city, by one of the three rivers flowing through it. He stopped watching the water painted red by the setting sun. Down below, he could see fishing boats leaving the harbour for a night''s fishing outside the city. There were already fewer people walking around, but the restaurants were slowly filling up with guests.


    The wizard breathed in the fresh night air enjoying another familiar sight with his eyes. Suddenly, a single silhouette in the sky caught his eye. It was approaching him rather quickly. After a moment, he noticed that the dragon flying towards him was black. He wrinkled his eyebrows slightly curious about the approaching figure. Among dragons, the colours black and white were very rare and rather infamous. There were stories circulating from the beginning of civilisation about two powerful brothers who were infamous for their cruelty. One of them was precisely black and the other white. Dragons also firmly believed that these colours brought bad luck.


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    Bleist watched the young dragon land near the wharf and was even more surprised to see golden eyes diligently sweeping the shore. He immediately transformed into a man. He was undersized, looked scared and a little neglected. All the time he was looking around nervously. After a few seconds, he let himself run towards the nearest side street and disappeared around the corner.


    The mage stood curious about the dragon''s appearance. Somewhere in his mind the thought was palpitating that this young boy was special in some ways. The black colour of the dragon''s scales was extremely rare, but the golden eyes perhaps had never yet occurred. Two unique qualities that made him draw attention, but something told Bleist that there was more to him than that.


    A few seconds after the boy''s disappearance, a large band of shimmering youngsters of various colours landed on the wharf. They looked as if they were looking for something.


    -He has escaped us again!- shouted one of them, casting ominous glances all around.-How could you have lost him?!- he shouted at those standing closest to him.


    Bleist did not hear the answer, but it was unlikely to satisfy the dragon, who seemed to act as the leader of the band. He merely waved a paw armed with powerful claws dismissively and bared all his teeth.


    -We''ll find you anyway, you freak! -he shouted at full volume.-You can''t hide from us! -he added and, flapping his wings furiously, took to the air. The others looked at each other and followed him.


    Bleist watched them fly away disapprovingly and thought with sympathy what the black dragon must have been going through as he fled from them. He already knew why he was frightened and why he had disappeared so quickly. He shook his head and looked at his pocket watch. It was already approaching eight o''clock so he turned back and, taking the shortest route, set off towards the Embassy. He had a little over an hour until dinner in the company of his friend, and he was not in too much of a hurry, knowing that he would certainly make it in time. His thoughts were once again roaming freely pulling up some old memories and soaking up the atmosphere of Dagos.


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    Bleist entered a large study in the Embassy building. The room was rather large, and the huge windows opening onto the garden and the fireplace with its cheerfully crackling fire further enlarged it visually. The room was rather sparsely furnished. In the centre stood a mahogany table with carved scenes from dragon mythology, which had been a gift from the Dragon Council to the first Atlantean Ambassador who had taken up residence in this very villa. The table was surrounded by comfortable chairs with embroidered upholstery. Against the walls between the windows stood tall bookcases piled from top to bottom with heavy volumes in dark bindings.


    Othis leaned against the ledge of the fireplace thoughtfully gazing into the flames. He had been a busy man lately and did not often find time for private meetings or relaxation. Even though he had only just taken office, he already felt tired of the political life of Dagos. Its intricacies and mysteries that had to be discovered on his own. He had always been told that he was a born politician, but the current situation showed, at least according to him, that he still lacked a lot. Very often he had to deal with specialists and his predecessors getting lost in a tangle of disputes and intrigues. However, he nevertheless did his job and ran the politics of Atlantis to the best of his ability, and he could tell from the reactions of his superiors that he was not doing as badly as he thought.


    -Hello Hugo.- Bleist smiled, seeing his friend in a state of deep thought.


    -Darius!- Othis turned to his guest and rushed to hug him in greeting.-You have been away for a long time. You must have been admiring some of the wonders of the Tract, or any of the city''s parks.


    -To be honest, I don''t like the central Dagos at all anymore.-The mage squirmed slightly with distaste.-I really liked the old one better, which I still remember from my term.


    -Well, tastes are not to be discussed.- Othis waved his hand towards the table.-Sit down, dinner will be served soon.


    -You always know what I need.- Bleist accepted the invitation and sat down on a chair opposite his host.-Tell me how your time in your new role is going.- He asked, looking around the room once more.


    -You know, everything was great at first, but after just a few days I got fed up with everything. Constant meetings with all kinds of representatives of the nobility, endless balls following one after another and being the number one topic on the list of gossip can really wear a person out.- The mage rolled his eyes and waved his hand warding off the memory.- It doesn''t matter. Let''s not spoil the evening with tales of some twisted business. Rather, tell me what''s going on with you.


    -You know.- Bleist nodded his head slowly.-Old misery. As an advisor they rather keep me on Atlantis, but just as often I have to tangle with all the diplomatic missions which is no fun for me.


    -I think it will be different here,- Othis stated with a glint in his eye.


    -Surely.- Bleist laughed cheerfully.-I''m on holiday here, so it must be better than on business trips.


    The conversation continued until and during the serving of the meal. The friends exchanged insights about the city, politics, but also told each other various anecdotes and adventures that had happened to them since they last met.


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    When they had finished eating Othis suggested a walk in the gardens of the villa grounds to which Bleist readily agreed. The two mages were silent for some time watching the night sky dotted with sparkling stars. It was warm outside and a pleasant breeze was blowing bringing with it the quiet sounds of the nightlife that was beginning to flourish in Dagos.


    After leaving the study, they set off through the gardens and park passing the many gazebos and places of reverie scattered throughout the compound. Finally, they sat by one of the lakes, in whose surface a large round moon was reflected.


    -It''s peaceful here.- Bleist sighed and thought of the garden located behind his estate on Atlantis.-Quiet and peaceful....


    -Yes, you''re right.- Othis breathed deeply while looking at the stars.-It''s a pity I don''t have enough time to sit here in the evenings.


    -Don''t exaggerate.- Bleist waved his hand slightly.-If I were you, I''d book at least one evening a week to relax in nature and let my shattered nerves cool down a bit.


    -And you''re right again.-The friend smiled at him.-Basically as always.


    -Maybe not always, after all you were the one who became Ambassador.


    -And you are the Grand Master''s military advisor. I don''t see a big difference.


    -I do see it.- Bleist leaned back slightly and squinted his face towards the sky.-You, however, have more freedom.


    Othis only nodded. He didn''t feel like pursuing the subject further, as he knew they could complain about the many drawbacks of their current lives, but they both knew perfectly well that they were happy with what they were doing.


    Bleist''s attention was suddenly drawn to an object that obscured the stars for a split second. He quickly realised that it was just some dragon. However, this awakened that memory from the harbour and the premonition reignited in him with even greater force.


    -You know, something... strange happened today.- He paused and only continued when Othis glanced at him almost demanding the rest of the story.-I was in the city and of course I went to the old part of Dagos....


    He stretched the story, which should have been short and concise into an uninterrupted monologue into which he poured all his feelings. At the end, he shared his premonition with his friend.


    -I''m not sure why, but I feel that he is somehow different, special.- He shook his head not knowing what to say next.-I don''t know why, but something persistently tells me to find him. Don''t ask me why, because I don''t know.-He shook his head.-I don''t know what to do, advise something.


    -From experience, we both know that such premonitions are rarely wrong, and accurately read can make all the difference. Just... Just are you sure it was about that dragon and not someone else?


    -I am sure.- Bleist nodded without a hint of hesitation.-I could not be mistaken.


    -If that''s the case, I can help you look for him if you want, but I wouldn''t count on too much.


    -I understand and I am grateful to you.


    -I wonder who he might be....

 Chapter 2

    -Draco?- A quiet whisper carried through the abandoned rooms of the old building once used as an orphanage.-Are you here?


    The old staves of the parquet floor creaked lightly under her foot, filling the dead silence with their prolonged wail. The elven woman fidgeted slightly and looked around her. She never liked coming to this place because it scared her a little, but when it came to her friend she was ready to overcome her fear.


    -Draco?- she repeated once more peeking through the open door into the next room.


    Not getting an answer, she slowly approached the next one and looked inside. The room was large and its windows overlooked an old park once lying within the boundaries of an abandoned orphanage, but now maintained by the city government. The bright glow of a full moon streamed through the windows, and in one of the patches of light a lone figure sat on the floor with his face covered by small hands resting on his knees.


    -Here you are.- She whispered and slowly approached him.-I''ve been looking everywhere for you.-She sat down next to him and looked at the sky full of stars.-That was Pirce and his gang again, wasn''t it?


    Jeviev noticed out of the corner of her eye how Draco slowly nodded. He didn''t speak or look at her. The elfess focused her attention back on the twinkling stars.


    -Look at me,- she asked in a whisper after a few minutes of silence.-Please Draco.


    She stared at him expectantly. She knew full well that he would eventually succumb. As she always did. She realised, however, that it might take him even a few minutes, but she was not in a hurry.


    After a moment, the dragon twitched and raised his head. He looked at her. Jeviev refrained from reacting seeing a black eye and a few scratches on his face. She ignored these injuries by looking into steel eyes. She saw the same pain in them as always. She sighed quietly and shook her head. She didn''t need to say anything. The mere fact that she was in this very place was enough for everything else.


    -They surprised me...- He began in a low, hoarse voice.-I was in a park in the northern part of the city. I didn''t see them.-He paused for a moment turning his face away.-They caught me in a trap. I barely escaped.


    -Did they chase you for long?


    -I only escaped them over the harbour at Verda.


    -They chased you for more than half a Dagos?


    -They''re getting better.-He sighed and put his arms around his knees.-One day they might get too good.


    -They''ll let go eventually.-She put all her confidence into that one sentence, but even so, they both knew it was rather just their wishful thinking.


    -I hope you''re right, but for now I have to manage somehow.- He smiled tartly at her and looked up at the stars.


    -But how Draco? How do you want to avoid them?


    -I don''t know yet.


    They both sat in silence and gazed at the stars in the night sky. They didn''t speak, but they understood each other perfectly. Their mere presence was enough to soothe their nerves and drive away their problems.


    They had known each other for a long time, basically since they both could remember. They grew up in the same neighbourhood in Dagos and were both outcasts. Jeviev, as the daughter of a poor seamstress with the same name as her daughter, was in no way recognised by the young dragons as one of their own, and spurned by the other children because of her background. Always rejected, left to her own devices. In theory, no one ever said a bad word to her or hurt her, but they didn''t want to play with her, talk to her or stay with her for too long. They preferred their own company.


    Draco, on the other hand, received much worse treatment. To the kids around him, he was a freak. Someone who is doomed by fate to do all the worst and bring misfortune to everyone next to him. He often became the object of ridicule and attacks from his peers. At first they just called him names or didn''t talk to him at all, but then Pirce decided he was his favourite punching bag and started to bully him regularly. He was a few years older so he had an advantage both in strength and in dragon skills, but he never appreciated Draco, who, forced by circumstances, gained his skills earlier and faster than anyone else.


    It was these two who became best friends. Jeviev had no one except her mother, who was constantly at work to earn their keep. Draco was all alone not counting the elderly dragoness who was his guardian. He didn''t know who his parents were or what had happened to them. All he knew was that they had both passed away leaving him in the care of the older woman.


    They met essentially by chance. She was once again roaming the nooks and crannies of Dagos, he was hiding from Pirce''s gang. From then on, they began to hang out, talk to each other, play together, and for the first time they both behaved like normal children.


    -Madame Nasua is worried about you,- whispered Jeviev.-You should go home.


    -You''re right.- He sighed and rubbed his black eye.-As always, but before I go back I''ll see you off.


    -So let''s go.- She smiled at the dragon and stood up lightly from the floor.


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    -Another beautiful day?- Bleist asked as he entered the study.


    -Not for everyone,- muttered Othis in a bored can enjoy your holiday, but I have to work.-He picked up the cup standing in front of him on the carved table and took a few sips of the strong black coffee.


    -When did you get up.- Bleist looked at his friend with a critical eye assessing his state to be sleep-deprived to say the least.


    -I honestly didn''t lie down at all.-The ambassador sighed and rested his head on his hands.-I still had to deal with this and that, and today is not shaping up to be a lighter day at all.


    -What is it this time? -The Counsellor plopped down in the chair next to his friend and picked up a few sheets of paper crumbling on the tabletop. He looked through them only vaguely and threw them back in their place.-They really do this kind of business in the middle of the night?


    -You mean cooperation proposals, some kind of commercial grievances and all those complaints?-The ambassador pointed to a bundle of evenly stacked sheets of paper.-They come with it at any time of the day or night. Fortunately for me, more often a day.-He added, smiling forcedly.-Today will be even worse, because there is to be a diplomatic ball at the home of one of the counts, I can''t remember which one, and that means that not only will I not get to bed in the evening again, but I will probably return in the morning again without time to sleep.


    -You weren''t lying when you said it was really bad, though.- Darius nodded and smiled at his friend.-In spite of everything, I believe that you will succeed. You will find a way, anyway, as you always do. You''ll just feel sorry for yourself and then you''ll come up with an ingenious solution to make everything work like clockwork.


    -I''m glad you said that.- Othis smiled, this time sincerely.-It is possible that a plan is already germinating in my head, but it will have to wait for now. There''s too much going on, it''s possible that things will calm down a bit over the winter and then I''ll see what I can do.


    - Then you''ll have to wait a few more months.- Bleist laughed quietly.-I hope you''ll have come up with something by then that won''t have to wait.


    -I wish.-The diplomat replied gloomily.-Enough about me. Tell me what your plans are for today?


    -I thought I''d take a little walk again.-Darius leaned back in his chair and looked out of the window at the gardens.-Maybe somewhere by the Verde River and around.


    -He still keeps bothering you?


    -You know me.-The officer shrugged his shoulders.-If something interests me I pursue it to the end.


    -Then I''ll help a bit and ask a few people in the evening, but, as I said yesterday, don''t expect too much. It''s possible that no one I know will have any idea who it''s about.


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    -I''ll be grateful to you anyway.- Bleist smiled again.


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    Draco walked slowly down one of the side streets towards home. The conversation with Jeviev had allowed him to calm down the previous evening and now he was just a little more mopey and distracted than usual. He didn''t look ahead but stared stubbornly at his own feet. Although in the morning he had seen in the mirror that the black eye Pirce had given him was only slightly reddened he did not want others to know. He had noticed for some time now that minor cuts and bruises disappeared faster in his case than in others. At first he thought it was just a coincidence, then he tried to hide it so someone wouldn''t find out and Pircea''s gang had another reason to bother him.


    He did not see his pursuers at the Academy that day, which filled him with a sort of unpleasant premonition that it would have been better if they had turned up for lessons as usual after all. He was aware that it would mean another round of humiliation and jokes, but he had got used to it, and was more afraid that they might have come up with some other way to harass him. It had happened before, and it usually took the form of ambushes, so he had quickly learned from his mistakes never to return by the same route.


    Today he didn''t pay attention to where he was going, he just let his legs carry him on their own. A nightmarish mistake.


    At one point he heard several dragons land somewhere behind him in the alley he had just passed. He reacted momentarily, almost reflexively. He turned into the nearest of the winding alleys and set off ahead, choosing the shortest and safest way home, in his opinion. Every few steps he looked back vigilantly and searched with his eyes for the familiar silhouette of someone from Pircea''s gang. He wasn''t about to fall into a trap again or let them just forge ahead and force him to make another arduous escape through half of Dagos.


    He passed a few more corners and stopped on impulse. He clung smoothly to the wall hidden on the side of the alley exit by an old, crumbling barrel. He waited.


    After only a few seconds, he heard the footsteps of two people. They were careful, deliberate. He knew someone was creeping up, he already suspected who.


    -Oh, come on already Collin!- growled one of the boys harshly.-I''m telling you he went the other way.


    -I''ll get him this time, Will.- replied a voice drenched with determination.-You''ll see. All of you will see.


    -Do you still think that if you bring the freak to Pirce you''ll become one of his- he snorted- friends?


    -Don''t pick on me! You could try to get close to them too.


    -Why would I want to? -Will asked in a weary voice betraying that this conversation had been had more than once.


    -You know why! They''re better. Everyone likes them, admires them...


    -Yes, yes I know... You don''t have to tell me that every time.


    -Then why do you go to them with me!


    -You know very well that if our mother hadn''t told me to watch over you I''d be somewhere else.- growled an upset Will.-I''m going from here and you''re coming with me. I promised our parents you wouldn''t be late today.


    -I have to...


    -Let''s go.


    Draco heard some more exchanges of quick broken sentences, and then the brothers flew off leaving the young dragon with a rapidly beating heart. After a few minutes, he got up and moved on.


    As soon as he was on one of the larger streets his luck left him. He immediately bumped into three of Pirce''s drab men. Without thinking too much, he changed and momentarily took to flight. He made a graceful loop in the air and headed towards the harbour where he had last lost his pursuers.


    This time, however, it was worse. Momentarily, Pirce''s men began to approach him from several directions. Basically, he was surrounded. With little thought he soared higher and higher, fear clouding his clear view of reality. Only by chance did he manage to evade the manhunt. He put all his strength into flying, but he was smaller than them and even the fact that he was unbelievably fast for his age did not help, they kept coming towards him. He could already see their snouts and multicoloured eyes fixed only on him.


    Suddenly he felt something strange. Fatigue subsided, new strength appeared, his mind brightened. He felt like he was in his first full transformation. He didn''t wonder what had happened. He just started flapping his wings harder and faster. It did not surprise him that he was tiring less than before despite the heavier strain, because he did not think about it. All the while, he tried to observe both the dragons behind him and everything in front of him to avoid another ambush.


    He worked harder and harder and flew faster and faster. He had never developed such speed before, and he liked it because every second the pursuers became smaller and smaller and flew lower and lower. When he was over the Verde he headed upstream and only above the harbour did he start to slow down. As he braked, he dropped nimbly into one of the narrower streets, changed and with his heart beating hard, ran to the nearest alley.


    He ran for a few minutes wandering through the cramped alleys of the harbour. Finally he found two piles of crates lined up against the wall and huddled between them, embracing his knees with his hands and resting his forehead on them. He tried to get his thoughts under control and his body through which continuous shivers ran.


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    Bleist walked quietly through the streets near Verde and its main harbour. He didn''t want to be conspicuous so he wore the local dress - trousers and a tunic to mid-thigh. He blended in well with his surroundings.


    He had been walking around the area since morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of a boy or a gang who obviously wanted something from him. He was troubled by some strange premonition. Usually when something caught his interest he brought it to a conclusion, this time was no different. He was driven forward by this unexplained feeling that it was something important, that he had to find that dragon.


    So he walked around and listened to the conversations, sometimes asking some random questions and looking for even the shadow of a reaction to the mention of the black dragon. Most of the time, the interlocutors just started saying something about old tales or didn''t know what it was about at all. He had no luck.


    He was just walking along the quay where the fishing boats were moored when the sounds of a fierce argument began to reach him. As he had found nothing so far, he shrugged his shoulders and moved towards the source of the sound.


    -...missed parents I''ll be watching over you! Now enough of this nonsense and let''s go home!


    -I''m not going anywhere Will! I have to...


    -You have to go home! Now!- growled the older of the two boys arguing fiercely on one of the piers. They resembled each other almost like two drops of water. The only difference Bleist noticed was their height.-I''ve really had enough of your attempts to curry favour with Pirce. That''s it! If you want to go out somewhere else, talk to our parents!


    -You can''t. Mum said...


    -Oh, come on now! You know very well that I have a life too, not just following you around! Parents won''t make me do it anymore!


    -But...


    -But what?! -The older brother was getting really annoyed.-If they let you go, you can go chase the freak yourself, or his little friend! I don''t care!


    The younger one already wanted to reply something, but his brother grabbed him by the arm and pushed him towards the coastal tenements constantly mumbling under his breath.


    Bleist was curious and already knew that at least he was looking in a place where he was able to find out something. He scratched his head and smiled to himself. He already had a point of interest.


    He lingered around the pier where the brothers were arguing for a few more minutes, and then walked towards the place where he had last seen the young black dragon. After a few minutes, his attention was drawn to the spontaneous use of magic. He looked around and shrugged his shoulders, assuming that somewhere in the area there was an atelier of some mage who had just taken someone on an apprenticeship. He passed by a few more stalls looking at the items on display in a casual manner.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw some sort of silhouette land in the alley he had just passed. He turned his head and saw a black dragon that was just transforming into a human.


    -Finally...- Bleist muttered under his breath as he watched the boy''s back disappear into one of the alleys.


    He moved in the same direction. Even though the boy was running the mage walked slowly, because he did not want to draw anyone''s attention to himself. He headed in the same direction taking the increasingly narrow and empty streets. After a short time, he stopped at the intersection of four alleys and cursed loudly without seeing anyone in sight.


    -As soon as I ran into him, I must have lost him right away,- he growled irritably.


    He turned on his heel and looked in the direction from which he had come. He shook his head and decided at random to pick a passage and try his luck. He closed his eyes, turned around and moved ahead.


    Suddenly he stopped in mid-step. He blinked confusedly and looked around. All the time, however, he felt the spontaneous effect of some spell nearby. He was already deep in the poor part of the harbour and he was sure that the last of the wizards'' ateliers had long since been left behind, and yet he felt that the source of this sensation was not far away. Under normal circumstances, mages could not sense the effect of spells, they could only sense power used haphazardly by quite young, inexperienced mages who were not in control of themselves.


    Intrigued, Bleist immediately turned in the direction where he hoped to find some untrained magician. He moved slowly ahead. He preferred to be cautious, as some part of his mind was giving him all sorts of explanations for what had just happened, rather few of which assumed that anything good would come of it. He quickly checked the spells around him and sped up slightly.


    He felt he was getting closer and closer to where someone was using magic spontaneously. He stood at the beginning of a narrow alley, halfway down which was a pile of old crates. He moved forward cautiously. With each step he came closer to the source. He saw a soft golden light oozing from a gap between two piles of old crates and his heart beat harder and thoughts began to run through his head at a frantic pace. I had come across an Atlantean. An untrained Atlantean. How is that even possible? And still in Dagos. Slower and slower he approached.


    Once he was at the gap between the heaps he bent down and saw a hunched figure sitting against the wall. Around him an irregular field emanating golden light wavered.


    Bleist stood on some sort of plank that had cracked. The boy, who until then had essentially not moved, sprang to his feet. Darius managed to see a thin, frightened face with grey eyes. The next second all the mage saw was a blinding flash of golden light, and when he could see again he saw the boy, who had just been sitting against the wall, run towards the end of the alley, leap into the air and turn into a black dragon. Bleist froze and stood surrounded by the scattered remains of crates staring at the receding figure, and then looked up at the empty sky for a long time more.

 Chapter 3

    Othis got out of the carriage, stretched and yawned widely. He was completely exhausted after the ball and several sleepless nights. All he dreamt of was a quiet day and an evening in which he would go to bed early and get up in the morning rested. That was all he needed for complete happiness.


    He wanted to head straight to his flat, but first he had to check if anything had happened during the night that he should know about. So he entered through the main door and walked down the hall to the study. He stood in front of the entrance and begged in his mind that he could leave it as soon as possible. He went inside.


    As soon as he crossed the door he knew that the day was unlikely to be one of peace and quiet, let alone one in which he could catch even a little sleep. In front of the fireplace Bleist was walking back and forth. He was wearing local clothing and his hair looked like it had been caught in the middle of a tornado. He looked nervous and terribly excited at the same time. This alone made Othis anxious and his friend''s blank stare made him fear what he was about to hear. All sorts of reasons for Darius'' behaviour like this came to his mind, from some sort of accident to an assassination attempt. He did not know what had happened, but he admitted to himself that he would rather not find out after all.


    -Darius? Has something happened?- he asked looking at the other master.


    -At last you are.- Bleist with quick step approached from him abandoning his steady route between the two figures by the fireplace.-I have been waiting for you since I returned.


    -That''s what I noticed. What has happened?-He repeated the question looking his friend in the eyes.- Just take it easy so I can understand something.


    -We must find him, at all costs. I will have to write to the Grand Master, they need to know.- Darius turned around and started walking back and forth again which was a symptom of great concern and strained thinking in him.- But first we have to make sure. If...


    -Wait, wait... Slowly, what is it? Just from the beginning, if you please.


    -I bumped into him.- Bleist stood still and looked at Othis.-That boy I told you about.


    -The black dragon one,- the Ambassador tossed in.


    -Yes, yes, yes, at him. Where he was before.-He took a breath and went on.-In the harbour on the Verde. I followed him, but somehow I lost him.-He waved his hand.-I was about to go back, but I sensed someone using magic spontaneously.


    -There is a young sorcerer in town who has only just discovered magical abilities?- Othis began to understand why Bleist was behaving like this. A young wizard who does not control his power can be very dangerous to himself and his surroundings.


    -Wait, let me finish.- Darius shook his head.-I went to the place where I sensed him. I think I scared him by accident because he jumped on his feet and hit me with a wave of energy... No, not me just everything around me.- He corrected himself quickly.Then he ran away.


    -Then we have to notify some authorities.- Othis nodded slightly reassured, as he had expected something worse.-I don''t know who is responsible in Dagos for something like this, but....


    -You don''t understand!- Bleist stepped quickly into his words.-He wields the Magic of Light! He is one of us!


    -If you''re sure that is indeed our problem, but I don''t understand where an untrained Atlantean came from in Dagos.


    -I don''t know how, but I know he''s here.


    -Eh... A new problem with the suffix urgent.- Othis sighed heavily.-I guess you''ll have to hang up your holidays and help me with this.


    -Yes, I have to.- Bleist absentmindedly combed his hair with his hand.


    -You won''t be able to find that dragon of yours either.


    -What?- Darius glared at the Ambassador and after a moment loudly let out the air he had been holding back earlier.-I didn''t tell you, I got caught up.-He suddenly grabbed Othis by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eye.-This black dragon is Atlantean.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    Jeviev gently closed the cracked door of the old orphanage behind her. In the daylight, the building seemed less scary to her, but even more gloomy and depressing. She didn''t understand why this was where Draco usually hid. Once she asked him about it, he just shrugged his shoulders and replied that it was probably the only place where nobody looked.


    The elven girl set off upstairs, being careful of the scarred steps and the swaying handrail. When she stood on the first floor she only glanced at the dilapidated corridor running the length of the wing and headed for the only open door halfway up it. This time she paid no attention to the creaking of the old planks under her feet. She walked quickly.


    She stopped at the door, took a deep breath and than stepped inside. She stood just outside the doorstep squinting slightly. As she had expected Draco was sitting on the floor against the wall. However, she thought she would find him as a human, meanwhile in the shadows she saw a dragon-like figure shielded by black wings. She was surprised, for as far as she knew her friend rather preferred to be human. However, she merely shrugged her shoulders and walked towards him.


    She stood exactly in front of him looking down at the dragon. He sat entwining his tail around his entire body and draping himself over with his wings. Jeviev shook her head and crouched in front of him.


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    -Draco,- she whispered quietly, -Draco, please,- she repeated, putting her hand to his wing, which was smooth and soft to the touch, and she could feel the pulsing of hot blood under her fingers.


    She stayed in this position until she felt him twitch. Then she removed her hand and sat across from him looking at her friend investigatively. Draco didn''t move for a moment, then spread his wings to their full length before folding them behind his back. He looked up at the elf with golden eyes and flicked his tail gently.


    Jeviev immediately noticed that something was different than usual. She seemed to notice something in the dragon''s eyes that had not been there before. Some deep, inner glow.


    -Madame Nasua is worried about you,- she said calmly, -so am I.- She paused looking at the dragon in earnest, looking for signs of a reaction in him that might tell her what had happened.-You did not come home for the night. Again.- She added with emphasis.- You did not go to the Academy today either.


    The dragon only nodded slightly, driving his gaze into the wall somewhere at the level of Jeviev''s head. It had not escaped her notice.


    -What happened Draco?


    She sat and waited for an answer as she had so many times before, but never before had she seen so much uncertainty, fear and something like hidden anger in his posture. The elfess knew full well that she would eventually find out everything. She would have to wait, but she would find out.


    It wasn''t until a few minutes had passed that Draco stirred and cast his gaze to the boards between him and his friend.


    -I don''t know,- he muttered in a hollow voice.-I don''t know what happened.


    -It''s about Pircea,- she asked without letting him out of her sight.-Have they attacked you again?


    -I ran away from them.-He shook his head as if shaking something off.-Then later... I don''t know what happened then... I ran away....


    -When later? Why did you run away?- Jeviev was slightly surprised. She had expected to hear something about another ambush prepared by Pirce''s gang. She didn''t know what to think about what Draco was trying to tell her.


    -I... I was hiding.- He shook his head slightly.-In the harbour near the Verde. In some alley. I wanted to... I wanted to calm down, and to wait.


    He fell silent again staring dully at the floor. Jeviev sat staring at him and waiting for him to pick up the thread. It had never happened before that Draco would talk about something so incoherently. The elfess knew immediately that what had happened had been bothering him all along.


    -When... When I was sitting there. Someone came in there and... And I don''t know what happened then. I got scared. I thought it was someone from Pirce. Then something flashed, and I ran away.-He looked into her eyes suddenly, in his eyes she could see a new golden glow perfectly now.-When I finally got here I was dazed and confused, but when I changed... I don''t know how to say it.-He shook his head with resignation.-It will be simpler to show you.


    He closed his eyes and changed. Now a petite, fair-skinned boy with a mane of blonde hair was sitting in front of Jeviev. A few seconds after that something strange began to happen. The air around Draco wavered, and after a moment it began to glow with a warm, golden light. The boy sat surrounded by a luminous, asymmetrical sphere.


    Jeviev sat staring at it all with her eyes wide open. She didn''t know what she was actually looking at and wasn''t entirely sure she could believe her own senses.


    After a moment, Draco turned back into a dragon and the sphere disappeared. He lowered his gaze and waited for his friend to say something. He couldn''t bring himself to look at her. He didn''t know if he had done the right thing by telling her everything, because he was afraid that she would freak out and leave him alone.


    -What happened?- Jeviev spat out after a while.


    -I don''t know, but every time I turn human the same thing happens.- Draco wrapped his tail around himself looking at the boards in front of him the whole time.-I can feel it, but I can''t affect it. I don''t know what''s happening to me. I don''t understand it.


    -Take it easy.- Jeviev only managed to put her thoughts back together after a while.-You mustn''t be so worried. Everything will be fine.-She spoke in a quiet, reassuring voice.-Maybe you just need to try to treat this as a new dragon skill and understand it as you did before?


    The dragon did not move. It continued to sit with its head lowered, stubbornly staring at a single point on the floor. The elven girl already knew what he was really worried about from the very beginning of their conversation. Maybe what was happening to him filled him with fear, but he was even more frightened by the vision of being alone. Now she knew and understood him. She had no idea how she would have behaved if she had been in his place, but she was sure that he would have tried with all his might to be there for her and help her with everything.


    Jeviev got up from her seat and walked over to Draco. She gently touched his cheek and turned his head so that she could look into his eyes.


    -It will be alright, Draco,- she whispered.-Remember that you are not alone with this.


    As soon as she said those words she herself felt as if she were lighter, and when she saw the dragon''s smile she knew they would make it.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    -Wait... What!- Othis looked at his friend with wide eyes.-It is impossible, though. Dragons don''t...


    -Well, that''s right.- Darius let go of him and began to circle around.-Dragons do not wield magic to any degree. They are creatures of magic, but they are not able to use it... It is unprecedented, unusual.


    -Stop!- Hugo stood in front of his friend looking at him in disbelief. He himself didn''t know what to think about it.-If this is really the case then we must find him immediately. If only to check it out.


    -That''s what I said!- Bleist bridled.- We must check him out and then inform the Grand Master and the Crown Marshal. They must know about it. It''ll be more difficult after that...


    -If the Dragon Council sniffs something out it won''t be more difficult only it will become an almost impossible task.


    -Unless we have a good bargaining chip.- Bleist smiled broadly.-You just have to work out what they would want.


    -As usual, I''m always the one who has to solve the worst problems.- Othis murmured a little sadly.-But what effect could such a combination have on his abilities?-He asked this question essentially to himself and not quite consciously repeated it aloud.


    -I''m not sure, but it seems to me that he can be really strong.- Bleist shook his head.With a single hit of unformed energy he shattered one of my shields.


    -But... how? -After this information, Othis had already completely lost any understanding of the situation. A huge whirlpool of questions appeared in his mind demanding immediate exploration.


    -Another thing we don''t know.- Darius smiled looking at his confused friend.-I think we both need to start looking for answers. Immediately.


    Othis only nodded and immediately moved towards his desk by the window overlooking the garden. Some sort of framework plan of action was beginning to form in his head and he was sure that Bleist was also aware of what he needed to do. Without any further exchange of words, they both knew what they had to do. Hugo began to look through his notes on the masters sitting in the Dragon Council, while Darius took a quick step towards the gates of the Embassy wanting to look for useful information on the dragon-mage.

 Chapter 4

    Bleist looked around the quay once more. He looked at the people who were hanging around there looking for the same two brothers he had met here the day before somewhere among the crowd. He hoped they lived somewhere nearby and he would eventually come across them.


    Once again he walked between the stalls just glancing at the products on display. He didn''t even pay attention anymore to the taunts of the traders trying to push their wares on him.


    Just as he was about to give up, someone nudged him, mumbling a vague apology. Bleist turned around, quickly casting his gaze to the back of a boy. After a few seconds he recognised the younger of the brothers he had met earlier.


    The mage moved behind the dragon trying not to lose sight of him. He wanted to talk to him, but not in front of so many witnesses. The questions that were pressing to his lips could arouse some suspicion in several people in the area, and he wanted discretion. He knew that if he frightened the boy a little, he wouldn''t say a word to anyone who asked him.


    The wizard noticed that the dragon was turning from the main street into some side street, still staring at the ground and mumbling something under his breath. He continued to follow him. After a few minutes had passed, the boy found himself in a small, empty alley. Bleist stopped at the exit and watched as the dragon looked at something on a piece of paper he had removed from between the boards of a crumbling box.


    Soundlessly, he approached him, grabbed him by the arm and in one fluid motion turned him to face him. A confusion of surprise and fear was painted on the boy''s face. Bleist pressed him hard against the wall and, without giving him a chance to react, covered his mouth with his hand. He hoped that if he played everything right the young dragon would not decide to transform.


    -You were looking for someone yesterday,- he hissed in his ear.-Who?


    The boy''s pupils dilated rapidly. The mage sensed his fear. He wasn''t sure why, but his little informant was more scared of the question than the situation itself.


    -I... I... nothing...- Collin began to stammer as soon as Bleist took his hand away from his mouth.


    -Speak.- The mage growled. He still remembered his days in Intelligence and knew he had to play as strong and scary as possible.


    -It''s Draco...I...I wanted to...- He broke off suddenly seeing the anger growing in the tall man''s eyes.


    -Who is he?


    -This... He''s a freak... He''s different....


    -That I know, but who is he? Where is he from?-Darius tugged at him gently.


    -He... He goes to the Academy, third year... He has no family... He lives... He lives... -He broke off again through growing fear.


    -Where?- Bleist was smiling triumphantly somewhere inside, but on the outside he remained firm and unconcerned.


    -At Mrs Nasua''s... In the southern shopping district.


    -Why are you pursuing him?


    -I... I... It''s Pirce!- the dragon burst out unexpectedly.-He''s the one who has something against him. He''s after him because Draco is... He''s different.


    -Okay, fine.- Bleist muttered, not wanting to lead the boy into a real fright.-Where can I find him? This Draco?


    -I don''t know... He wasn''t at the Academy. He went into hiding...


    Darius growled suppressing a curse. Damn, and it was so close! He looked at the slightly scowling dragon with superiority and said very calmly.


    -This conversation did not happen.- He looked the boy in the eyes.- You will not tell anyone about it. Do you understand?


    Collin only nodded and ran away immediately after Bleist let him go. The mage cursed bitterly thinking about what he had learned from the flogger.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    The southern shopping district has always been a place where middle-class merchants lived and worked, and this has had the greatest impact on it. Even entering this part of town, Bleist felt like he was in a completely different world. All around him, he could see colourful exhibitions full of products imported from almost all over the world, the stalls in front of them bending under the weight of the delicacies and valuables laid out on them. What was most striking, however, was the cultural diversity of the place.


    Unlike the rest of the city, here it was clear that the inhabitants were an overview of all races and professions of the known world. Above the doors were the ancestral signs of the dwarven clans or elven runes inscribed in bright colours. Somewhere in the doorway he saw traditional cloth created by orcs, and elsewhere multicoloured jugs of flowers made it clear that this place was inhabited by halflings. Everywhere he turned he saw traces of this multiculturalism.


    Bleist was a little puzzled, as he had not been to this part of Dagos before, having rather moved around the Royal Tract, the diplomatic district and the ports on the Verde. Those parts of the city presented themselves much differently. They had their own character shaped by the dragons. While the main artery of the city was mostly in the fashion of the major European capitals at the time, the ports and coastal areas retained a more traditional dragon look.


    The southern commercial district overwhelmed him with its multicolour and crowds, which seemed to thicken with every step the mage took. He had not expected such a mass of newcomers and residents here, for he had thought that the main centre of commerce was actually the Royal Tract itself, rather than the two commercial districts he had always imagined to harbour warehouses and storage areas.


    The wizard walked ahead every now and then looking over his shoulder at the stalls he passed. After several hours of walking around the area of the harbour at Verde, he managed to find someone who knew exactly where to look for Ms Nasua. He learned this from a half-conscious, burly dwarf who was eager to tell stories and gossip if someone put another mug of strong ale in front of him.


    Darius glanced at the bright blue lettering on one of the tenements and shifted his gaze around the building looking for a passage that would lead him to the back and on to the less frequented streets of the district. He spotted it immediately and quickly headed towards it.


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    He crossed the alley and found himself on a less busy road. Here, as on the district''s main thoroughfare, there were plenty of stalls and stands, but there was less traffic. Bleist turned right and walked confidently towards the nearest square.


    It didn''t take him long and after just a few minutes he found himself in a circular square paved with cobblestones. A fountain stood in the middle, and around it was a small green park offering shelter from the heat of summer afternoons. Around the square rose two-storey houses with colourful facades adjacent to each other. Each was painted in a different way and decorated with different bas-reliefs or frescoes. Bleist looked around and immediately focused his attention on a house of warm yellow interspersed with Greek patterns. He smiled under his breath and looked around once more. This time more carefully.


    He noticed a group of young dragons sitting on a bench by the fountain. They looked as if they were waiting for something. The mage immediately concluded that they must belong to Pirce''s gang. He deduced from their behaviour that Draco still hadn''t shown up, he had silently hoped beforehand that things would be different though. He sighed and moved towards the entrance of the building, wondering at the same time where the lone young dragon might have hidden himself. However, he did not know the city well enough to be able to find the answer.


    He approached the door of the house with a steady step, all the while watching the group by the fountain out of the corner of his eye. When he stood in front of the entrance he took another deep breath and gently pulled the bell-string, he heard a sing-songy tone from inside, and after a moment a rustling, the sound of the door opening and a woman''s voice tinged with warmth and caring. Darius corrected his impeccable frock coat and waited patiently.


    -I''m coming, I''m coming.- He heard, and after a few seconds the door opened to its full width and he saw in it a squat woman in a long blue dress. As he noticed, despite her somewhat advanced age, the dragoness was still very pretty, and the wide smile and laughing eyes looking at him with an almost childlike joy made him feel as if he knew her well, as if he could trust her right away. He looked at a warm and kind woman with a cheerful disposition.-Oh, hello, sir!


    -Good morning, dear lady.- Bleist bowed while smiling at the older woman.-I am Erik Einhart, I work at the Academy.-He lied smoothly.-Madame Nasua, I presume.


    -Yes, sir.- She glanced at him with an inquisitive gaze, then smiled in her own way and moved away, at the same time pointing into a small corridor.- Please come in, sir.- She began in a cheerful tone.- You''re lucky, I''ve just come back from shopping, I''ve practically entered the house.- She closed the door behind him and took him smoothly by the hand. Bleist was slightly surprised and allowed himself to be led involuntarily into the depths of the building. - I had just prepared a cup of tea. I hope you like chocolate biscuits? Of course you do.- The woman waved her free hand and laughed lightly.- But, I''m sure not as much as my Draco. He could eat a whole lot of them!


    -No doubt.- Darius interjected calmly, looking carefully around the corridor and, as if inadvertently, peering into the passing rooms. He noticed that warm colours dominated everywhere, colourful paintings hung on the walls, fresh flowers stood in vases filling all the interiors with a delicate, barely perceptible scent. At one point, the smell of chocolate biscuits reached him.


    The old woman led him into a small lounge with an exit to a modest garden where a spreading apple tree grew under which stood a wooden bench and a small table. By the fence stretched a well-maintained flower bed with the same flowers he had already noticed in other rooms. The woman gently released his hand and moved slowly to an armchair standing behind the bench, on which indeed stood a pot of steaming tea and a plate of biscuits.


    -Sit down, Mr Erik.- The dragoness pointed him to the other armchair, on the opposite side of the table.


    -Thank you.- Bleist seated himself comfortably and waited until the woman had finished tussling and was seated before starting the conversation.


    -You must try the tea.- She said placing a cup of hot brew in front of him.-I got it from my friend Helga. I have to admit that it''s been a long time since I drank one like this.


    -Undoubtedly.- Darius accepted the cup and took a sip of the aromatic tea.


    -Oh, good...- The old woman took a breath as she sat down opposite him in the armchair and sipped.-We can talk now, because I guess you didn''t come just for a courtesy visit.


    -Unfortunately not.- Bleist looked at her more seriously.-I would like to talk to you about Draco.


    -Of course.- She smiled at him while taking a sip from her teacup.-You''re probably new, I''ve never met you before somehow.


    -Yes, I arrived about a week ago from Klingenspietze.- He replied with an elaborate smile.-I have only been working at the Academy for a few days.


    -Oh, that''s noticeable right away.-The woman laughed.-You haven''t had time to soak up the local atmosphere and superstitions.


    -You''re probably right.-The mage took another sip of tea while looking at some painting hanging behind his interlocutor.-We''re getting off topic.-He shook his head as if reminding himself why he had come.-I''ve noticed recently that Draco hasn''t shown up at the Academy for a few days. Is he perhaps ill?


    -How kind of you!- Nasua seemed pleased by such a question posed, or even grateful for it. - Perhaps I shouldn''t mention it, but the other professors have never taken an interest in him.- The woman blinked quickly while holding her cup up to her chest.- I''m getting off topic again, aren''t I? You must forgive me though, it is such a habit of the old dragoness.- She said blushing slightly and putting the cup down.- To answer your question, Draco is not ill and as far as I know he is well.- She shook her head slightly and her face now expressed sadness mixed with something that could resemble resignation or helplessness.- He ran away again.- She whispered in a dim voice.


    -Could you tell me what you mean by again.- Bleist knew he was beginning to tread on thin ice and it was important not to lean either way, not to push too hard, just to listen.


    -He''s just like that.- The woman stabbed her gaze into the tabletop in front of her. The light in her eyes dimmed.-When Pirce and his gang start harassing him more, or come up with something new to torment him he just disappears. He''s gone for a day or two, sometimes a week, until things quiet down, or they get bored, or he finds some way to thwart their plans.- She shook her head snottily again without taking her eyes off the tabletop.- I used to try to act. I sought him out, I told him it wasn''t a way out, that he could come to me with it. I used to go to the parents of these young thugs.- Suddenly she looked directly at Bleist, anger burning in her eyes that could have incinerated the people to whom it was destined.- They laughed at me. Do you understand? They laughed at me!- She snorted hitting the back of her chair with a clenched fist.- And for what? For wanting to protect a child. A boy who is like a son to me! They lashed out at me. They scolded me! They even threatened me!- Nasua rested her face on her hands and sat in this position for a moment. Then she straightened up, and her countenance expressed nothing but sadness.- The professors did not care either. They shunned me, would not listen.- She spoke almost in a whisper.- They wriggled with empty promises. Nobody wanted to do anything. And all this just because he... He is just a little different from the rest, special.


    -Sorry to hear that.- Darius was really only now beginning to fully understand what the boy must have been going through all these years. He sighed heavily and looked at the dragoness, who was gazing longingly out of the window.-I''d like to change something, but I''m afraid I don''t have much influence to force something on others....


    -No one has.- The woman merely stated in a hollow voice.-This has gone on for too long, it cannot be stopped.


    -Unfortunately, I will have to agree with you.- He nodded gently while looking at her carefully.-But you said earlier that at least you know Draco is well. If you don''t mind me asking, how do you know?


    -It''s that one bright flame in the darkness.- Nasua smiled faintly and a shadow of her former joy lit up in her eyes.They met when they were still young children. They both had no one until they came across each other. They have been friends since that day, always together. Jeviev somehow persuaded Draco to tell her where he was disappearing to, but he put a condition that she must never tell anyone about it without his permission.-She sighed shaking her head.-A chance meeting that changed them both.


    -So you know from her that he is fine.- Bleist became curious about this aspect.


    -Yes, she drops by every now and then when he disappears. A comforting soul, really. She''ll help me a bit, talk to me, tell me some interesting stories.


    Bleist nodded a few times. For a while longer they both sat like that, immersed in their own thoughts, and then Darius said goodbye very politely to the older woman and left.


    When he found himself outside he walked up to the fountain and took another look at the house he had just left. He noticed a petite female elf standing in front of the door and pulling the bell string. He knew who it was.


    Darius now had another point of interest. He could go on.

 Chapter 5

    He sat on the floor focused only on what he could sense around him. He calmed his breathing and listened to himself. He knew exactly what the sphere around him looked like despite his closed eyes. He tried to slowly locate the source of this energy, just as he had done several times before. He paid close attention to the energy around him and slowly followed its footsteps, which, unfortunately, were quickly lost.


    Once again, he began to perform the same actions with great care. He carefully examined what he felt around him. Again, he found that this energy felt as if it was familiar, as if he had encountered it before, but he was not able to accurately pinpoint it.


    He concentrated more and began to look for some source of this power. He noticed a few of the stronger clusters of energy and looked at them. He felt that it was in these places that the energy was taking its shape. He quickly found a strand of power and followed it. Carefully, so as not to lose it, but with great excitement, as he hoped that this time he would succeed and find what he had been looking for for so long.


    He slowly followed the thread with his senses and came to the same conclusion again. The source was somewhere close to him. He cursed as the thread split in front of him. He shook his head and opened his eyes. He was upset by another failure. He swung his hand vigorously, wanting to hit the sphere, and suddenly noticed that it flared up more strongly than usual. The emotion that had just gripped him weakened and quickly dissipated like blowing in the wind.


    He sat for a moment staring with slightly opened lips at the rippling field. What if... No, it''s not possible after all. He thought, stretching his hand out in front of him and watching the sphere expand. If I''ve approached this wrong? If there is, however, another, simpler explanation for what is happening? He waved his hand looking at the displacement of the shield. If I am the source? He rested both hands on his thighs looking somewhere in front of him. There''s only one way to find out. He thought and closed his eyes again concentrating on the energy around him.


    Once again he sensed the sphere around him. He quickly found one of the threads and followed it to where it was disintegrating, then took a deep breath and suddenly began to focus not on what was around him, but on himself.


    He was surprised to sense his own body. Suddenly he could just feel the blood pulsing in his veins, his organs working and something else. Somewhere inside, as if beyond all this, he sensed threads of energy pulling in every direction without any order or purpose. They filled every nook and cranny of his body, which surprised him the most. Only now did he feel how much energy was there, power that was beyond any control, that wanted to get out somehow, to be used. Fascinated, he began to follow its course and after a few moments he noticed that none of it was coming out of one particular point, but they all had something in common.


    He looked even deeper into himself examining everything more closely than before. Unexpectedly, he bumped into something that was outside his body, but was his essence. He did not know what to call it. He found himself in a space of his own consciousness filled with streams of undirected energy stretching in all directions.


    He wanted to grab the closest of the threads, but could not reach out. For a moment he stared at it somewhat stupefied and then criticised himself. How am I supposed to grab something inside myself? After all, not with my hand!


    He concentrated hard on the flowing energy and tried to push it with his thoughts. The stream wobbled and changed its course slightly. He was pleased and pushed again, but this time harder. The thread bulged and changed its course again.


    He wanted to try something different and focused on one point on this line. Instead of pushing the energy he stopped it at that point and watched it slowly gather into a luminous ball. After a moment of observation, he released his thoughts and the energy splashed out and formed three branching threads.


    Out of curiosity, he began to follow the direction from which the energy seemed to be flowing. He wandered following the winding stream. After a few moments, or hours, he felt something different. He sensed a concentration of this power, its source.


    He quickly focused on this sensation and moved towards it. Somewhere within himself he saw a gradually enlarging bright spot, which took on some shape the closer he got to it. Eventually he saw a luminous figure from which all the strands of energy were spreading. It seemed to him that he was looking at a source of pure power. He looked at it and became still.


    He looked at himself. He was both fascinated and slightly terrified. He didn''t know what it meant or what could happen. Without thinking much, he reached towards the luminous figure and then something happened that he could not explain. He felt that he was reaching towards himself, that this was not some source of power that had appeared out of nowhere, but that this was a part of him that had been dormant somewhere deep inside him for so long and it was not until the real threat stimulated it to release its power and create a shield to protect him.


    Suddenly he felt that part awaken, but he no longer saw it as a luminous being. It was he who stood surrounded by the oozing energy around him. He was fully aware of it, could feel it and could influence it. For a moment he relished the feeling of control over it, and then with a single thought he forced it to flow towards him. Then he felt the energy no longer undirected, but taking shape, or rather the form of a luminous sphere glowing with a warm golden radiance. As it all flowed back to him, he noticed that the energy did not begin to form chaotic threads again but remained in this one place by itself concentrating around him.


    He slowly withdrew from this realm of consciousness and returned to his body. Here he no longer noticed the streams as before and everything else was working normally. He gently focused on his surroundings, but here too he did not sense the power or the asymmetrical sphere.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Draco opened his eyes smiling triumphantly. He didn''t see any rippling sphere this time and he could feel the energy inside him the whole time. He blinked a few times. How about this... He stretched his hand out in front of him and tried to release a bit of power. A perfect golden sphere appeared above his palm. He laughed lightly and locked the energy away.


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    </figure>


    Jeviev looked over her shoulder once more, looking out for someone who might be following her, but saw no one suspicious. She turned suddenly into a random street and stopped after taking a few steps. She turned around again, but this time she additionally swept her eyes over the sky.


    She let out a sigh of relief. She did not notice anything suspicious. She was already close to the old orphanage, but just to be sure, she decided to poke around a bit more, just in case. She set off in front of her and let her legs carry her in a direction on their own.


    She crossed a few more streets, squares and parks before she found herself at the back of the decaying orphanage. She stood a few metres from the entrance and took another look at the dilapidated facade. She shook her head slightly and walked quickly inside. As soon as she was beyond the door she relaxed completely. She climbed the creaking staircase and crossed the corridor.


    When she placed her hand on the doorknob she stopped for a moment, calming her breathing and her thoughts. She summoned an encouraging smile to her face and stepped inside. As soon as she took in the interior with her eyes she stood frozen seeing her friend sprawled in one of the dilapidated armchairs. She was looking at a human, not a dragon, and could not see the asymmetrical sphere around him.


    -You have succeeded,- she said when the first shock of such unexpected success had passed. Jeviev had thought all along that Draco would need some time to get to grips with his new challenge, but he only needed a few days to do so.


    -Yes.- He replied standing up.


    The elfess ran up to him and hugged him. She didn''t know why, but she felt she had to do it. To her pleasant surprise, the dragon reciprocated the hug. After a moment, she pulled away from the man and looked at him. At first she didn''t know what she was uncomfortable with in her friend, what had changed about him. However, after just a moment, she was sure what it was about. Draco was more confident than ever. She could see it in his posture, hear it in his tone of voice and see it in his steely eyes, which had suddenly gained an almost extraordinary depth.


    -It''s enough to leave you for a day and you already change almost beyond recognition.-She pretended to be irritated, but she knew that the wide smile must betray her.-As usual, anyway.- She added a bit dryly.


    -Don''t exaggerate, okay?- Draco smiled, clasping his hands on his chest.-You can''t complain that much. If it wasn''t me then who would be providing your entertainment?-He asked with a sassy glint in his eye.


    -You really have changed.- She muttered looking at him even more closely.


    -I guess it was inevitable.-The dragon laughed briefly and glanced at the bag Jeviev had on her shoulder.-I hope you have something to eat in there?


    -As usual, only about one thing.- She shook her head with feigned disapproval.-This will probably never change.


    -You know me.- Draco winked at her.-So...?- He chuckled expectantly.


    -Oh, all right, but let''s sit down and you have to tell me what you''ve come to.


    -Of course.- He replied while helping her take their dinner out of the bag.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    Bleist carefully shifted his footing making sure not to accidentally step on a board that might squeak. He checked once more that he was sure his soundproofing spell was working and immediately positioned himself more comfortably and began to listen as the boy recounted what he had sensed and how he had come to believe that he was directly the source of the energy. Darius was most surprised by the statement that it was as if he had awakened a part of himself. Intriguing. A dragon with an innate talent and ability to see magic from the right angle. It only took him a few days and he had already come to see that magic was part of his being. Really interesting.


    -That is...- The mage heard the hesitation in the elf''s voice.-That is, it has always been in you, only in a state of...in a state of....


    -Hibernation? Suspension?-The dragon spoke lightly, without a shadow of fear or uncertainty.-Maybe the best term would be a state of sleep?


    -I think so. You''re right.- Bleist imagined that she must have nodded at this, and he smiled.


    A silence fell in the room behind the wall. He knew that neither of them had moved from their seat. He waited to see what would happen next and pleaded in his mind for her to ask what he was going to do now, because the next steps he had to take depended on it. The last thing he wanted to resort to was detaining the boy and trying to force him to do something. After a few minutes the girl spoke up again.


    -Can you control it, right?- She asked, and notes of confusion and hesitation echoed in her voice.-Could you...- She paused hanging that question between them.


    -Show you? If you want.- Bleist could have sworn that at this point the boy shrugged his shoulders. The dragon was very confident.


    Darius cursed himself for his own curiosity and cautiously looked inside through the unclosed door. The boy was sitting in a dilapidated armchair sideways to the entrance and looking in the opposite direction. Bleist saw a golden orb appear above his hand, which after a moment waved slightly and turned into some sort of animal. However, for the mage lurking on the other side of the door, it didn''t matter what species it was. He does it all instinctively. How is this possible when it takes our students at least a few weeks or months to master their powers like this? He shook his head and stepped back, staring at the wall as if he wanted to pierce it with his eyes.


    -So what now? -The sudden change of subject greatly pleased Bleist.


    -You know... I still have to get used to it.-The dragon stood up and walked to the window.-In a few days I will be back home and at the Academy and everything will be back to normal.


    -What about Pirce?


    -The usual, after all, you know he''ll get bored quickly and look for something else.


    Darius nodded his head. He had found out everything he wanted to know. He slowly retreated and went down to the ground floor, then slipped out and slipped back to the Embassy.

 Chapter 6

    Bleist immediately entered the study, without any announcement. Othis did not even look towards the entrance but immediately summoned his friend with a gesture. The Ambassador was sitting at one of the smaller tables, which was completely covered with various documents.


    -You''ve found out something.- Hugo stated before Darius could even open his mouth.-I hope it''s something important.


    -I found him.


    -Where?- Othis straightened up and focused his gaze on his friend''s face. He was slightly surprised at such a quick development.- Where did you hide him?- He asked looking around the room.


    -Nowhere.- Bleist shrugged his shoulders and smiled as he saw the look on the face of the mage sitting in front of him. -He himself has learned to shape energy. He controls it as if he attended the Academy on Atlantis for about six months.


    -What? -This time Othis was quite surprised.-But... but how?


    -I don''t know how, but he accomplished it on his own. He found it somewhere within himself.- Darius smiled broadly.- In my opinion, he has innate intuition and the ability to control his power.


    Othis looked at his friend in silence for a while. He didn''t quite know what he should do now, as it had happened so quickly that he didn''t yet have a plan in place. He sat slightly stupefied, and a great race of thoughts and ideas went on in his head. Successive scenes were whirling in his mind. Plans appeared and disappeared, possibilities for the realisation of this operation, the next steps. Somewhere scenarios of conversations with nobles and high-ranking figures in the dragon world were churning. One thought chased away another.


    He breathed deeply calming his breath and forcing his mind to quiet down. He focused on reality and the key points that needed his attention.


    -So where is he?- He asked unconsciously fumbling with some document he had been holding in his hand the whole time.


    -He''s holed up in an abandoned orphanage. He seems to feel safe there and no one but this elven girl knows where he disappears to. It seems...


    -Wait, wait... You''re getting caught up again and not explaining everything. Which elven girl?


    Bleist told Othis about his encounter with Madame Nasua. He then proceeded to tell how, out of the corner of his eye, he had spotted the elven girl entering the house where Draco lived and how he had followed her when she came out. He then recounted in detail what he had seen and heard in the abandoned building. He said everything very quickly, but did not leave out any important details.


    -That is, from what you heard he wants to hide a bit more,- the Ambassador murmured, putting down the crumpled piece of paper and staring at a short list of names of those who owed him a favour and at a slightly longer one where he wrote down all those who influenced the decisions of the Dragon Council and whom he could obtain by promises, bribery or blackmail.-This gives us some time....


    -But we need to act as soon as possible anyway, I don''t want something to happen that wouldn''t look too good. I''ve seen that he''s in control of the power, but I don''t want to test what happens when he loses self-control.


    -You''re right. Just where to start?- Othis shook his head and looked his friend in the eye. -If you are sure then we need to inform the Grand Master and the Crown Marshal about all this immediately. I think later today, so that they get the reports as soon as possible and give us full authority on the matter. And then...-He suspended his voice and tilted his head smiling mischievously.-You still have contact with Gizel, right?


    -I...- Bleist got confused at the mention of one of his former co-workers, although it was more appropriate to say that she was simply a colleague. He blushed involuntarily recalling their tumultuous affair and spectacular break-up shrouded in clouds of gunpowder smoke. He shook his head.-We hadn''t spoken to each other in a long time, he muttered uncertainly.


    -But you still know how to contact her, don''t you?- Hugo pressed on knowing what his friend was feeling.


    -Yes, I know.- Darius muttered, looking at the Ambassador warily. He knew that Othis was now having fun watching his reactions.-You''d better say what you''re getting at right away.


    -I''d like your elven friend to do us a favour.-He couldn''t stop himself from having a roguish glint in his eye or a wide grin, so he didn''t even try.


    -Okay, go ahead.- Burked Bleist already knowing that this was not a good idea.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    Jeviev sat in her room at a small desk under the window. The room was not large, but she had furnished it herself and so it was warmer and more comfortable for her than any other in the world. She had painted the walls with bright yellow paint and decorated them with small landscapes with powerful cities in the background. She imagined that this is what the great elven fortresses hidden deep in the wilderness must look like.


    To the right of the entrance stood her bed, which was covered with an incredible amount of soft pillows that she loved to sink into. Opposite it stood a wardrobe and a tall bookcase piled with volumes of stories, fairy tales and all sorts of novels that she devoured in her spare time.


    On the desk was a small, dusty box that she had pulled out from under the bed. In it were her greatest treasures, things that to others would have no meaning, but to her had no value that could be measured. She placed her hand on the lid and looked at the stars merrily twinkling in the ink-black sky. She smiled involuntarily and opened the box.


    Inside were only a few items. At the very top lay a small locket covered in a delicate grid of glittering runes. It was her only memento of her father, who had died when she was only a few months old. She had always regretted not remembering him, but her mother had told her many stories about him.


    She tightened her hand on the chain and opened the locket with her other hand. She saw a faded black and white engraving depicting a handsome elf in an officer''s gala uniform. Once again, she realised that his smile was so very familiar, as if she were looking in a mirror. She stroked the picture with the tips of her fingers and closed the locket, then placed it on the desk top.


    She then picked up several sheets of paper and looked at the drawings painted by her hand. The first one showed a green forest lit from above by the hot summer sun. Although she had made it when she was only a few years old, it brought back memories of that July afternoon when her mother had taken her to an elven town deep in the French wilderness. They were then visiting her grandmother Jeviev, who, like every woman in their family, bore the same name. The girl was delighted with the place and was eager to revisit this memory. She smiled even wider and put the drawing aside.


    The second picture showed her and her mother walking in a crowd on the Royal Tract. They both looked magnificent and the figures around them seemed to be just dark outlines. It had been one of her childhood dreams - that her mother would be able to devote more time to her daughter, but she understood now that she could not count on it coming true because her mother worked to support them both.


    She looked at the third drawing and sighed. There was only a barely outlined bench and two figures in the picture. Her and Draco. She remembered drawing it on the very day they first met. She closed her eyes and remembered how they had accidentally bumped into each other, not knowing at the time that this very moment would change their lives.


    She put the drawing down on the other two and pulled a gold ribbon from the very bottom. Before her eyes stood that very December evening, it was her birthday. It was already dark and fresh snow was slowly falling from the sky. They were standing under a dragon bush in one of the parks while holding hands. Suddenly Draco reddened more than before and handed her a small box mumbling something strangely in an uncertain voice. When she opened it she saw a gold ribbon embroidered in beautiful patterns. She had once seen it on display at one of the fashion stores on the Royal Track. She didn''t know what to say, so she just kissed him on the cheek and he turned quite red, but was smiling like never before. Then for the first time she saw happiness and warmth in his eyes.


    She gently placed the ribbon next to her, and looked affectionately at her small collection of treasures and pulled a small figurine of a horse at a gallop out of her pocket. She took another look at it. It looked as if it had once really been a living animal, and yet she knew that Draco had shaped it by melting some metal parts and encasing them in a form created from that golden energy. As he gave it to her she saw once again in his eyes the same thing she had seen under the dragon bush a few years before.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    She carefully put all her treasures into the casket and closed it. Later, she carefully slipped it under her bed and went to sleep with a smile on her face.


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    </figure>


    Bleist cursed his own stupidity and the fact that he had agreed to Othis'' plan. He shook his head as he looked at the small inn in the middle of literally nothing. He stood in the middle of the road, and was surrounded by golden fields of grain, the monotony of which was only interrupted by a river flowing a few dozen metres away.


    He shook his head and moved, with mixed feelings, towards the entrance over which hung a sign from which all the paint had long since come off, leaving only a few dark spots. With a sour face, he stepped inside and looked around the rather large room. Behind the hammock stood a middle-aged man dressed in a white linen shirt, not very clean for Bleist, and wiping old tankards with an equally dirty cloth. In the chair in front of him sat another man, but he looked worse than his host. His clothes were torn and he was barefoot.


    Bleist shifted his gaze to the group sitting at the table opposite the fireplace, on which a fire was buzzing merrily despite the high temperature, and a roast was turning on a spit. The men who sat there looked as if they had ended up here by pure chance. They wore travelling clothes and had sabres at their belts. Darius could bet that each had at least one loaded pistol. They looked alike, like brothers or cousins, although the mage concluded after a moment that this impression might be given by their sumptuous moustaches.


    The magician approached the bar and fixed his gaze on the man standing in front of him.


    -What would you wish, noble sir,- the host smiled, but that smile did not extend to his eyes. He seemed to be trying to guess what the stranger was doing here, whether he would cause trouble and how much money he would leave.


    -A beautiful young woman came here recently.- Bleist looked into the innkeeper''s eyes.-Knowing her, she was armed to the teeth and did not look like a regular in such places. She had rented a room.


    The innkeeper turned pale and began wiping his dirty tankard more vigorously. Loud conversation and laughter came from the side of the fireplace. The man nodded and opened his mouth, took a deep breath and hesitated. He looked at the group of nobles.


    -On the upper floor.-He choked out.-The second chamber on the right honourable sir....


    Bleist threw a coin on the tabletop, turned and walked quickly upstairs. When he found himself in front of the door the innkeeper had spoken of he stopped and breathed deeply several times.


    -You only die once,- he muttered under his breath as he grasped the handle.-As they say here.


    He opened the door with a sweeping motion and stepped inside without thinking. The room was small. A bed stood in the corner with a tattered trunk at its feet. On the other side of the room was a table and a metal water bowl. A truly spartan d¨¦cor.


    The door behind him closed of its own accord. He turned on his heel, automatically reaching for his sword. He froze when he saw her at the door with a pistol in her hand and a sabre at her side.


    Gizel looked beautiful, as always anyway, and he could see amusement in her emerald eyes. She was wearing a simple dress that accentuated her shapely body. With weapon in hand and a slightly cold smile, she looked the same as when they first met.


    -Hello Darius -she said in her singing voice.-We haven''t seen each other for a long time, have we?


    The mage suddenly clouded over remembering their last meeting. He was running through the park and she was yelling something through the window watching her husband and some of his men trying to shoot her fleeing lover.


    -Hello Gizel.- He brought a forced smile to his face.-When we saw each other for the last time, your husband tried to shoot me.- He said bitterly.-But I am not here to reminisce about old times. -The mage wanted to settle this as soon as possible and return to Dagos.


    -I suspected you would want something.-She shook her head and lowered the pistol''s cock slowly.-And yet I was hoping for some reminiscences.-She smiled flirtatiously at him and looked defiantly at the bed behind him.


    -Stop, I don''t have time.- He growled a little more insistently than he would have liked.- Eh... Never mind.- He waved his hand and sat down on the trunk.- We need your help.


    -We? I mean you and who?- Gizel''s face was now poker-faced, and her cold eyes surveyed Bleist.


    -Me and Othis.- The mage looked all the while at the pistol she held in her hand. He didn''t really want her to surprise him with something.


    -The Atlantean Ambassador to Dagos wants help from me.- Gizel seemed surprised, but she might as well play along.


    -Yes, from you,- he muttered, not very pleased.-We want you to do us a favour.


    -This is interesting.- She walked over to the table and leaned against it with her back staring at the mage the whole time.-It must be something really important that you come to me with this. It probably also has something to do with the Dragon Council, because with any other problem you would have dealt with by yourselves much faster. It also follows that you don''t have much time and you have to act almost immediately,- she pondered, still examining him with her eyes.- The question is, however, what will I get out of it, or would it not be more profitable for me to foil your plans and gain something from it myself?


    -You''re right, we''re in a hurry and it has to do with the Dragon Council and I''ll put out your enthusiasm right away. What we have in mind for you will not mean so much as to risk conflict with our army.-He said this in a rather indifferent tone, but he knew that if Gizel persisted she could nullify Othis''s plan without considering the consequences.


    -Let me judge for myself how much this will mean to me.- She stated with a wince.-If one thing can put someone in conflict with Atlantis it seems to me that something very valuable is at stake.


    -Will you help us?- He asked not wanting to continue the verbal tussle.


    -It depends on what is at stake and what I get in return.-She smiled sweetly, as she did years ago.-Say what are the stakes?


    -High enough to risk.- He replied reluctantly. He himself was willing to tell her everything, but on condition that she promised to help them.-And as for your profit, we will be in your debt. And quite a large one I think.-He added bitterly.


    -We both know perfectly well that I won''t agree to anything blindly.- She looked at him more and more investigatively and suspiciously, but on the other hand her attitude betrayed a growing interest all the time.


    -We both also know that I won''t reveal the cards until I''m sure it''s safe.-He was teasing her while watching her reaction.


    -It''s a stalemate.- She stated, clamping her lips tightly together so that they became just a thin line.- Neither of us is stepping down either. As always, anyway.


    -So we''ll have to break through somehow and make a preliminary compromise.-He croaked as he pronounced the last word, but the next sentence barely made it through his throat.-Promise that what you hear won''t go outside this room, and I''ll tell you everything about the case. We''ll decide later what to do next.


    -That I think I can agree to.- She replied trying to hide her displeasure.-What you say will not leave this room.


    -Ech, well...- He sighed and shook his head once more thinking how he let himself be talked into all of this.-As you correctly guessed we have a problem that requires the involvement of the Dragon Council, it''s just that the stakes are too high to risk a decision that will be other than the full approval of our actions and the relinquishment of all claims.- He nodded a few times as a sign that she had heard correctly.-We need to have a hundred per cent guarantee that everything will go our way and that we will have a big back in the Council even after the decision is made.-He looked at his feet waiting for her reaction.


    -What you want is very difficult to achieve, even for me.- Gizel started fiddling with the pistol cock pulling it back and letting it drop.-But not impossible, especially if we work together. I understand why you came to me, but you still haven''t said what the game is about.


    -Not what, but who.- He said shifting his gaze from his boots to the elven lady.-You see, I was in Dagos on holiday.- He squirmed thinking what would be happening now if he hadn''t been the one to come across this boy.-On the second day of my visit I bumped into someone, just by chance.- He shrugged his shoulders.-I had a strange feeling that it was someone important and I figured I could snoop around a bit.


    I was a bit lucky as I found him quite quickly and followed him. However, after a few minutes of wandering around the busy streets of the harbour above Verde, I felt someone using magic spontaneously. I found him and was shocked to find that it was the same boy I had followed there, and even more so that it wasn''t your average mage but an Atlantean.


    -In that case, I don''t see any problem, after all, by the Treaty of Mages, he is legally a citizen of your kingdom.- She scratched her chin.- Unless he has messed up and you want to get him out of trouble.


    -No, he hasn''t done anything.-He looked deeply into her eyes and said putting all his confidence into it.-The problem is that he is a dragon.


    Gizel first looked at him with wide eyes and then burst into a pearly laughter.


    -Very good, my dear, a really great joke.- She wiped a tear from under her eye trying not to smear her make-up, shaking from stifled laughter. She looked at Bleist.-You''re joking, aren''t you?''-She slowly stopped laughing.-Right?-This time she asked in disbelief, and when the mage denied it with a shake of his head she let the pistol out of her hand, which hit the floor with a deafening clatter, and Gizel leaned heavily on the table top. She was silent for a long time. - But this is impossible. It''s against the basic rules of magic.- She whispered to herself again and again.


    Darius stood up and walked over to her. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder wanting to draw her attention to himself.


    -If I hadn''t seen it myself I wouldn''t have believed it either. But I saw him use magic spontaneously, and later when I found him again it turned out that he was also hellishly capable because he had mastered the power himself and could control it.


    The elven woman would have toppled over if he hadn''t caught her in time. He carefully helped her to approach the bed and sit down. He watched her closely for a moment and then picked up the pistol from the floor and put it down on the table.


    -Will you help us?- He asked quietly without looking at her.


    -Tell me if I have another option?- Gizel looked at him with somewhat absent eyes. It was apparent that the news she had heard had really made quite an impression on her.-How powerful can he be, anyway?


    -When it comes to the first question there is always another option, you just have to ask if it''s the right one. As for the second, I have no idea, but if I had to shoot I would class him as a fairly powerful mage with a huge natural talent.


    Gizel shook her head and looked at Bleist leaning against the table. She took a deep breath and smiled at him.


    -I will help you.

 Chapter 7

    Othis sat in his office thinking intensely about the passing day. He had done his best and had managed to get several members of the Dragon Council to co-operate with him on a matter of which they were as yet clueless. Unfortunately, not everything went according to his plans. One of the most important meetings went sour and he felt it was his fault.


    In the late afternoon, he went to see Ludwik Przybyski, Chairman of the Dragon Council. The visit had long been arranged for another reason and the main topic of the meeting was to be the next trade treaty with Atlantis. Essentially, no big deal. However, it was a constant excuse used by the aged dragon to be able to talk quietly with any of the Ambassadors. Despite the fact that everyone knew perfectly well what was going on, officially no one could be accused of anything.


    The beginning of the meeting went on as usual. They talked about the weather this summer, world politics, exchanged a few anecdotes about the balls at Dagos and only then moved on to the topic that Przybyski wanted to address.


    He began innocently enough. Seemingly casually, he mentioned that lately Othis had started paying more and more visits to those associated with the Dragon Council, and that Bleist had appeared in the city, seemingly on holiday, who tends to disappear for days losing anyone who would follow him. He spoke calmly, without a trace of any emotion, but the Ambassador knew that he was annoyed, to say the least, by a situation in which official Atlantean representatives were clearly trying to arrange something in their favour. There would be nothing wrong with that, and everything would go on in the usual way if one could even suspect what it might be about. It was this very ignorance that troubled the Chairman.


    Suddenly moving from casual conversation he attacked and asked Othis what was going on. This was the moment when the jokes really ended and Hugo stood in a field riddled with traps. He didn''t know what he could say or do to avoid alienating Przybyski and preferably win him over to his cause. He knew, however, that he couldn''t say what was really going on, as it might thwart all their plans and create more problems than it solved. Still, something had to be said, and he didn''t have much time to think about it. He was not prepared for such a direct attack.


    Wanting to gain time, he stated that Bleist was indeed on holiday and it was not for him to decide what his friend was doing all day. And this is where he ran out of ideas on what to tell the Chairman about the whole commotion. He had to take a chance. He made a quick decision and said that he was essentially looking to gain support for the renegotiation of several inter-state agreements.


    And now he sat in his office cursing and laughing at himself for his own stupidity. At the meeting with Przybyski it had seemed like a good idea to him, but as soon as he said it he realised that he had let himself into the mire. If it had really been about renegotiating the treaties then handling the matter would have looked much different, and certainly more official. But the milk had already been spilled; it was too late to change his position.


    Now, all the time before his eyes was the face of the Chairman and his eyes, in which anger burned for such a brazen lie. Departing from his usual habits, the dragon merely stated that he was going to find out everything anyway, and ended the meeting by saying that he had to hurry to the Council meeting, which of course there was none, but there was nothing more Othis could do. He said his farewells culturally and returned to the Embassy, reproaching himself for his stupidity.


    He sat trying to concentrate on anything, but he couldn''t manage. He kept asking himself one and the same question. How could I have messed everything up like this? Unfortunately, he couldn''t answer it. Plunged in a tangle of his own thoughts, he didn''t even notice when the study door opened and Gizel and Bleist walked in. He only took notice of them when his friend called out to him several times by name.


    -Hugo!- Darius walked with a quick step towards his friend. He looked slightly frightened by his behaviour.-What happened?


    -I messed up.- He whispered looking at the papers spread out in front of him.-The whole conversation went wrong.


    -What conversation?- Gizel interjected, tilting her head with interest.


    -With Przybyski.-The Ambassador shook his head sadly.-I hadn''t thought through what I said.-And he told them about the meeting at the Chairman''s.


    -Oh, if that''s what it''s about then I think I can help.-The elven woman smiled broadly when Hugo had just finished.-Ludwik owes me a favour, so I think you have nothing to worry about.


    Othis blinked a few times, as he had not been fully aware of the woman''s presence until now.


    -So you agreed to help us- he asked knowing the answer.


    -Under certain conditions.- Bleist murmured without letting her get a word in edgewise. -She wants to meet Draco personally and follow his progress.


    -So she wants to know almost everything about him.- The Ambassador joked.


    -Not almost.- The elven lady smiled defiantly.-I want to know everything in terms of what the boy can do.


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    -Well, then, now that we have an agreement, we can move on to its implementation.-New strength entered Othis as he realised that nothing was yet lost and everything was clearly starting to move in the right direction.-This morning''s orders came from the Grand Master and the Crown Marshal.-He pulled two officially sealed pages from under the helm of documents.- We have full support in all actions to complete our task.- He smiled serenely seeing the relief on his friend''s face.- However, we are to keep everything a strict secret, no one can find out for now that the dragon wields magic or rather, as it is in the papers, Atlantean is a dragon. We have also been given the task of choosing a Master to take care of his education.


    -But we can''t involve anyone?- Darius has already gone over the rest of the plan.-So it is to fall on me, but seemingly without any pressure or coercion?


    -Yes.- Othis nodded briefly.


    -Well, at least I won''t have to try to arrange it in some crooked way.-The colonel looked his friend in the eye.-You know I was planning it anyway, right?


    -We''ve known each other for a long time, so yes.


    -Very well done.- Gizel looked pleased with the turn of events.-I will have an excuse to visit you.-She said looking flirtatiously at Bleist.


    Othis started laughing at full throat seeing his friend''s consternation and the amused flames flashing in the elf''s eyes.


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    Draco aligned his flight. He gently corrected his course and calmly watched the city streets light up. This time he wasn''t afraid of being spotted, as it was the new moon and there wasn''t a single star in the sky. Gradually he covered the distance leading up to his house. In the distance he could already see the lights of the southern shopping district.


    He did not develop full speed because he wanted to enjoy the flight. He also let his thoughts roam in their own paths. In truth, he was a little stunned by what had happened over the past few days, which for him was an incredible and puzzling challenge. However, he honestly admitted to himself that he had done his best to end it in a way that would suit him. He hoped that Pirce was already bored and had found a new interest, such as tormenting freshmen or taking it out on others during arena exercises. Unfortunately, he knew it wouldn''t take long for his pursuer to turn his full attention specifically to him. It had happened before and Draco was in no delusion, he knew it was simply a matter of time.


    He sighed protractedly and made a barrel roll and a few tight turns. He smiled. However, something had changed and it would never be the same again, he knew that too. The rules of the game hadn''t changed, but the player had. He felt much more confident now, he knew what he could do, he was aware of his own strength not only in power control but also in brute physical strength. This aspect puzzled him at first, but after time spent re-examining himself he came to the conclusion that it was very natural. He noticed that since he had fully awakened his power had started to change him and it was not at all about mental changes, but also physical ones. It was only then that he realised that he had not been fully himself until then. The dormant aspect was holding him back, and when he awakened it, it began to harmonise with his dragon nature. Now he was no longer a small and undersized boy. He had managed to grow a little in that short time, and his muscles were clearly sculpted, which he quite liked. Now he was a young, confident dragon.


    Ahead of him, he spotted the square by which his house stood. He slowed down and circled it, looking out for danger from above. He didn''t see anything suspicious, so he began to spiral down over the small garden behind the house. He had landed this way more than once before, but each time he felt the same excitement and adrenaline rush. Would I make it? Will I change at the right height? Will I catch that one right branch? Will I make a good jump? Will I land on the lawn in the right way? He was never sure and that was exactly what suited him. He smiled showing a suit of sharp teeth and changed momentarily, faster than before. On the fly he caught hold of a branch and immediately felt it was the one. He braked on it making a twist around it like a rod and let go throwing himself far forward. He knew perfectly well that he couldn''t land on his feet or he would probably bruise himself badly, so he did a roll over his shoulder and stood up straight with a smile.


    He took a breath and looked contentedly into the perfectly black sky. He turned and moved towards the open door leading into the small living room. He could see that the light was on inside, and so Madame Nasua was waiting for him. He already knew that Jeviev had told the old dragoness that he would be back today, but he was not sure if she would be waiting for him at such a late hour.


    He walked inside where, as usual, there was the delicate scent of flowers and the smell of fresh chocolate biscuits-his favourite. He looked around the room. It was as it had always been, since he could remember it looked the same, unchanging way. Madame Nasua was sitting in her favourite armchair with a cup of tea and a book. The dwarven lamps on the walls lit up the interior, so he immediately noticed that this time it was her favourite novel.


    -Hello auntie.- He smiled sadly.- I''m sorry I ran away again.


    -Oh, Draco.- Nasua raised herself heavily from her seat and hugged him tightly.-My dear, I''m glad you''re all right.-She gently moved him away, holding him by the shoulders and surveying him with an investigative eye.-You''ve grown over these few days.-She said, and the sparks of joy he knew so well lit up in her eyes.-And you''ve grown stronger.-She again locked him in a hug surprisingly strong for someone her age.


    -It''s nothing.- He whispered slightly abashed.-A few things happened and... And I have to tell you about them.


    The dragoness let him out of her embrace, but tousled his hair in return.


    -In that case, let''s sit down and have a cup of tea. Very tasty.- She pointed him to the other armchair, and returned to her favourite one herself.


    -So I''ll start at the beginning....


    Draco sat and recounted everything that had happened without leaving out any details. He spoke at length, but his aunt listened without interrupting him even once. She was always a grateful listener, but also this time she didn''t know what to say when she found out everything.

 Chapter 8 (1/3)

    Draco walked carefully down the street leading directly to the Academy. He was wary of everyone around him, as he didn''t want to fall into any trap that Pirce might set. Of course, he knew that his pursuer most likely didn''t know that he intended to return to the Academy just today, but still, it was always better to keep your wits about you.


    As soon as he stepped out of the corner he saw the school for dragons. The tall, four-storey building of rather simple construction resembled a large cube cut by rows of windows. A large double door of some dark wood led inside. Basically, it looked as if it was in need of a solid renovation and had been for a long time. From the front, the whole thing was directly adjacent to the street, with tall tenements attached to the sides. However, the most important thing was what was on the other side of the building. This was where there were training arenas, fitness tracks and a small grove used by groups of students for what was popularly known as war games.


    He took a deep breath and moved confidently towards the Academy. He saw a lot of others heading in the same direction, students who were in a hurry for classes that would start in just a few minutes. Surprisingly this time no one threw him suspicious or contemptuous glances, they passed him just like the others, not even trying to avoid him. He realised that they wouldn''t recognise him at first glance because he had changed recently and now looked like the other dragons. He simply didn''t stand out at all if someone didn''t look at him more closely.


    He smiled under his breath and directed his steps towards the main entrance of the Academy. Once inside, he quickly walked through the crowded corridors and made his way to the classroom where the first lecture of the day was to take place. He arrived just as the professor was opening the door. He walked in with the others and took his usual seat at the end of the room by the window. No one paid much attention to him until the teacher was reading the attendance list. When he got to it and Draco calmly spoke a couple of students turned around looking at him in surprise. He smiled slightly ignoring them. The lesson began.


    The lecturer wasn''t paying attention to anything as usual. He just stood in the middle of the room and started to say something. As always, no one listened to him or interrupted him. The arrangement suited both parties, because for him it meant peace and quiet, and the class could take care of itself. Professor Bescet had been teaching astronomy at the Academy for more than forty years and he had no illusions that anyone would listen to him after he had taught the class how to recognise the constellations and determine their position by day and night. Everything he said after that was a mere formality, but he continued to repeat the same things year after year because he had to and hoped that maybe one day there would be someone interested in the subject after all.


    He suddenly broke off mid-sentence when a knock on the door sounded and the rector in charge of the so-called physical arts entered the classroom.


    -What can I help you with, sir?- Bescet asked intrigued. It was very rare for anyone to come to him with a matter, and this one must have been really important, because Master Heilem looked deadly serious.


    -I need to take one of your students.- The rector sighed and all the young dragons became lively, their innate curiosity taking over and they snapped out of their previous state of limbo with curiosity watching what was unfolding before them.- Student Ignis, please come with me.


    All eyes turned towards Draco. He didn''t know what was happening, he just blinked a few times and stood up involuntarily. He walked up to the rector, and the man wordlessly pointed to the door and left immediately after him without looking at Bescet or the class. When they were both in the corridor Heilem gestured for him to follow and moved straight ahead.


    Draco followed him, not really knowing what had happened. He was worried about what was just happening because it didn''t look too good. He was afraid of whether he had sometimes strained the professors'' patience and they would want to remove him from the Academy for his absences. He couldn''t imagine what he could do in such a situation. He had always thought that once he finished school he would be able to leave and find a job somewhere away from the prejudices prevalent in Dagos and live as a merchant or enlist in some army or maybe become a mercenary. For all this, however, he had to finish the Academy. Walking through the empty corridors, he didn''t know what awaited him and plunged into increasingly gloomy thoughts. He didn''t even notice that they had reached the headmaster''s office.


    He stopped abruptly seeing two guards in the colours of the Dragon Council in front of the entrance watching him curiously. They didn''t seem unfriendly, but they kept their hands on their sword heads the whole time. Draco wasn''t even scared anymore, now he went pale with fright because it was certain that if it was about expulsion from the Academy he wouldn''t meet armed soldiers in here. Suddenly, he remembered what had happened that day in the narrow, deserted alleyway of the harbour at Verde and he felt feeble. If something had happened to the man there that might have been the reason for this turn of events.


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    Heilem opened the door and stepped inside, then looked expectantly at Draco, who had not moved from his spot. Urged on by the rector, he no longer had a choice and walked in behind him with a frozen heart.


    The room was large and the windows overlooked the training arenas. The only furniture in the office was a large desk, a leather armchair and two high chairs. Apart from that, there was no furniture, only portraits of the school''s most distinguished headmasters hung on the walls.


    Draco shuddered involuntarily as another two guards stood inside, and a clerk sat in one of the chairs with a bored look on his face. Headmaster Luister sat in his armchair reading some official-looking document over which he glanced periodically at the dragon sitting in front of him. When the door closed he looked at the rector of the physical arts and then at Draco standing uncertainly beside him.


    -Are you sure this is about this boy?- The headmaster shifted his gaze to the clerk and looked at him investigatively.


    -The document is clear enough Principal Luister.-The clerk replied dispassionately and without even bestowing a single glance on the Principal he continued to look at something outside the window.-I am not going to discuss this with you again.-He suddenly stood up from his seat and fixed his gaze on the young dragon.-You are probably Draco.-He neither asked nor stated.-You will have to come with me.-He added without waiting for an answer.


    He turned back to the headmaster and nodded dismissively to him in farewell, then left without looking back. Draco was still standing in the same place with a pale face and only twitched when one of the soldiers pulled him gently by the arm. He moved behind them.


    Draco was scared enough to only see the back of the official walking in front of him, so he didn''t quite realise where they were going. He only woke up when they passed through the huge gate of the Royal Castle. A shiver ran down the back of his neck. He was afraid of what awaited him on the other side of the gate, but there was no turning back now. He had four armed guards behind him, and there were more on the walls. He would not have escaped even if he had been able to think logically or even dream of such a thing.


    He followed the official all the way without even realising it. They only stopped in front of a large door.


    -You are to answer questions and that''s all,- said the dragon looking down at him slightly.


    -Yes...- Draco replied uncertainly trying to calm his nerves.


    The clerk pushed the door open and the two of them went inside. Thirteen dragons were seated at a black table and each stared at the pale Draco walking past the clerk. No one even flinched until they stopped. Then the dark green dragon sitting at the head of the table leaned forward slightly and spoke up.


    -You stand before the Dragon Council, so you are to answer every question truthfully.- He paused and waited.


    Draco swallowed his saliva heavily and nervously just nodded confirming that he understood. He didn''t know what to expect, but he didn''t have the strength to think anymore. Only the present moment and only this one place existed.


    -Your name is Draco Ignis.- He nodded staring at the Chairman''s figure.-You live at your aunt''s place.- Another nod.-You attend the Dragon Academy in Dagos?


    -Y...yes.- He choked out gathering an almost unbelievable degree of effort. A single thought broke through the barrier of fear. It''s getting worse. But that was enough and the wall began to simply crumble. The impenetrable barrier collapsed releasing further thoughts and forcing him to consider his position. He was standing in the Dragon Council''s headquarters in the Royal Castle in front of a full house and the Chairman was beginning to question him as if before an interrogation. If this was going to be a court of law then they wouldn''t bother and pass sentence in absentia. He thought, analysing the facts and all his knowledge. This is about something else.


    -Tell me, Draco, have you discovered any special abilities lately?- Przybyski leaned even further and tilted his head slightly looking at him carefully with his brown eyes.


    -Yes,- the boy replied more confidently now. I''m not going to change what''s going to happen anymore, because they''ve already decided. I just don''t know about what. He added in his mind.-You are right my Lord.- He bowed his head slightly which gave him the opportunity to have a look at the room they were in. Nothing unusual caught his eye.


    -Could you demonstrate?- The Chairman''s pupils narrowed almost to vertical lines.


    Draco breathed deeply and held out his hand in front of him. He released some energy and watched as a golden orb formed above his palm. This time, he didn''t even give it a moment to reach its form and began to change its shape to essentially random in the blink of an eye. He knew that everyone was looking at his hand, and he wanted to see their faces. Despite some panicky feeling, he saw no sign of resentment or even open hostility in anyone.


    -Enough,- said Przybyski firmly.- Everything is clear.-He turned to the other members of the Council.-The decision has been made and we cannot back out of it.-He looked at the slightly confused young dragon.-Draco, due to the fact that we have unequivocally determined that you are a mage from now on you are no longer accountable to in front of the Dragon Council but to the Masters of Atlantis.


    Draco blinked and then rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand not knowing if this was a joke or a very realistic dream. What is this all about? Had he really said that? He didn''t know what to do or think. He just stood staring at the Chairman with his eyes wide open.


    Przybyski looked at the official who had managed to retreat to the wall and nodded at him.


    -Take him to the Embassy.- He shifted his gaze back to the dragon wizard.-They are waiting for you there boy.- He added looking at him even more closely.


    Draco only flinched when the official put a hand on his shoulder and followed him out of the Dragon Council meeting room. As soon as the door closed behind them they heard the muffled sounds of a very loud and fierce argument.

 Chapter 8 (2/3)

    Bleist once again started pacing around the office looking towards the door every now and then. Everyone knew he was terribly nervous, for neither Othis nor Gizel were sure whether all their efforts would bear the fruit they hoped for, or whether everything would backfire and it would turn out that the Council had changed its decision at the last minute and would be unwilling to agree to declare Draco no longer subject to their authority and legally an Atlantean. All it would take would be some fierce objection from someone significant, or someone who thought of any benefit to keeping the boy in Dagos. Anything could have happened, and they were no longer in control of anything. Of course, each of them was quietly putting together a plan on how to possibly proceed if something went wrong as they wished, but no one wanted to say it out loud. One solution came to everyone''s mind - bring in a regiment of the Royal Guard and once again make a proposal to the Dragon Council.


    -Stop walking around like that, you''re making me nervous.- Said Gizel calmly.- You know them, it will be quite a long time before they decide and settle anything.


    -What do we do if they don''t agree?- Bleist combed his hair with his hand and plopped down in the chair between the elven lady and his friend. There were still a few insiders in the study, listening to their discussion.-Or if he doesn''t want anything to do with us, if he decides he wants to graduate from the local Academy and then join their army, for example?


    -Don''t worry about the future,- muttered a somewhat gloomy Othis.-You can''t predict the future so be patient.


    -Easy for you to say.- Darius shook his head and poked his gaze into the front door.-You''re not the one who got the instructions with the note I believe you will do whatever is necessary...-He sighed heavily and rubbed his temples.-I don''t want everything to go downhill now.


    -Really stop winding yourself up.- Gizel put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed tightly.-Breathe deeply and calm down. You will see that it will help.


    He did as she advised and stopped agonising over the various possibilities looming in his mind. He came to terms with his current situation and, poised, looked around the room. Essentially nothing had changed except that for the first time he saw someone more than Othis here. On the other side of the room, the infantry colonel in charge of the diplomatic outpost was standing and talking to the Deputy Ambassador and the Chief Secretary. By the fireplace, some senior officials connected in some way to the Atlantean authorities were quietly engaged in discussion. Most of them Darius did not even know by sight, let alone personally. He didn''t see them in the corridors of the Embassy because most of them worked outside its walls, so they didn''t get a chance to meet.


    Someone knocked and a sergeant slipped inside cautiously and approached his superior quickly. They exchanged a few hasty remarks and the non-commissioned officer left. Colonel Galvar approached them.


    -A boy and some official from the Council have arrived.- He nodded slightly and walked away to his companions.


    -You see? There was no need to get upset.-Gizel smiled softly.-You always create most of the problems yourself.-She added in a slightly playful whisper.


    -Come on.- Darius was getting annoyed.- Nothing is sealed yet. We all know it well.- Not knowing what to think anymore he just absentmindedly combed his hair. Now is the worst moment. He thought intensely. The Council has recognised that the boy is officially out of their jurisdiction and has acknowledged his citizenship, but the problem remains what the boy himself will say. He stood up again and began circling, flipping gloomy thoughts from one corner of his mind to another.


    Othis grabbed his friend and forcibly stopped him in his tracks. He could see that Bleist was nervous and still expecting the worst case scenario. He gently let him go when he thought he had calmed down enough not to tread a path in the floor.


    -I think it''s best if I''m the one to talk to him.- Said Othis calmly looking Darius in the eye.-You''re not up to it at the moment.- He murmured quietly.-Gizel, could I ask you to keep an eye on him?- He indicated his friend with a movement of his head.- Otherwise he''ll start trampling his path again.


    -But of course.- The elven lady smiled playfully and put her hand on the shoulder of a slightly confused Darius.- I won''t let him move even an inch. You can rest assured.- She winked at him and gently nodded towards the door.- Can we hurry up a bit?


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    -Oh, yes of course.- Othis turned towards the entrance still noticing out of the corner of his eye how the elven woman wordlessly stifled some words of objection that did not manage to come out of Darius'' mouth.-Please invite them in.- He said raising his voice slightly so that the sergeant on the other side of the door could hear him.


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    </figure>


    Draco was uneasy, though perhaps it would be better to say that he didn''t know what to call what he was feeling himself. Shock, astonishment, disbelief, fear, some kind of unhinged apprehension at something unknown. He found it difficult to concentrate on even a single thought let alone try to solve such a serious problem. Me, a mage? And yet an Atlantean! After all, dragons can''t wield magic in the first place, it''s one of the basic rules they instil in the first year at the Dagos Academy. What''s this all about? He asked himself these and many other questions all the way from the Royal Castle to the Embassy gate. There, at least, he confirmed that this was not some kind of one big joke, as the sentries in long grey coats only nodded their heads when he passed them along with the official.


    Then he saw a long driveway strewn with some small stones leading up to the very doors of the large mansion that served as the Atlantean Embassy. Around the palace, he noticed two soldiers in infantry uniforms patrolling the grounds of the diplomatic post.


    Between the columns in front of the entrance stood more soldiers, this time accompanied by a non-commissioned officer. A sergeant if memory serves me correctly. Draco thought. The man must have been warned in some way beforehand, because he did not show even the slightest surprise when they appeared in front of him.


    -Follow me.- He said bowing his head slightly. He then turned on his heel and marched through the main entrance without looking back. Draco glanced uncertainly at the silent clerk, but the official merely shrugged his shoulders and moved to follow the soldier. The young dragon had no choice but to join him.


    The interior of the main hall was not what he had expected. He had thought it would be a place designed to instil awe or fear of the Ambassador''s power in those arriving to meet him, but it rather brought to mind a hallway prepared for the arrival of guests and furnished by some skilled hand. It resembled the ordinary residence of some wealthy merchant or nobleman, nothing out of the ordinary for the area, and if it weren''t for the soldiers in grey cloaks one might forget that someone as important as the Ambassador of Atlantis lived here and officiated.


    The non-commissioned officer walked with a steady step leading them deeper and deeper into the mansion, after a while they stood in front of the double doors and the sergeant put his hand on the handle.


    -Please wait a moment.- He said in a polite tone and slipped inside.


    The clerk did not even flinch as he looked at the two guards standing at the entrance. They had calm faces, exuding some sort of strange confidence. Draco didn''t quite know what to make of them. Nor did he know what would happen now. He had supposedly heard enough from the Council President, but it hadn''t quite occurred to him what the change of citizenship actually meant. He had no head for worrying about such details. What interested him now was why he suddenly landed in front of the door of the Atlantean Ambassador''s office in Dagos, as if it was nothing whatsoever.


    The door opened and a sergeant stepped out. He smiled slightly upon meeting Draco''s gaze, but when he glanced fleetingly at the official the young dragon could have sworn he furrowed his brow with disapproval. He didn''t know what he could have been concerned about, but he sensed something like that in the soldier''s gaze.


    The sergeant stood for a moment listening for something from the room. Finally, he smiled wider and opened the door with a smooth gesture.


    -The Ambassador invites you in.- He said quietly and stepped back from the passage.


    Draco swallowed his saliva and moved ahead, knowing there was no other option. He was only now beginning to regain his sober mind, which had been lost somewhere when he was called out of Professor Bescet''s lecture. There were only a few people in the large room. Six men stood on the left by the fireplace, one of them an infantry officer. Probably a colonel. The other three were wearing the navy blue robes of mages. Some senior officials. It flashed through his mind.


    On the other side of the room stood another group. Three people. The closest stood a tall man of about forty in a white robe with gold accessories. The Ambassador. It came from somewhere in the depths of the dragon''s mind. The other two did not seem to be permanent residents or employees of the Embassy. The man wore a pale blue robe with the distinctions of a colonel, and immediately behind him stood a beautiful woman in a black dress. An officer of the Royal Guard of Atlantis and an elven woman. Summarised the dragon briefly. She was smiling warmly, and one could see curiosity in her eyes. The Guardsman, on the other hand, looked tense, as if he didn''t know where he stood and was considering something very quickly while trying to solve some big problem.


    Draco stood in front of the Ambassador and bowed as his aunt had taught him. He did it reflexively, but immediately knew it was the right response.

 Chapter 8 (3/3)

    Othis adjusted his robe as the door opened. He was curious to see what impression the young dragon-mage would make on him. He had only heard about him from a friend, so he was interested. Additionally, he could almost feel the lust for knowledge emanating from Gizel. He began to regret that it was her he had ordered to watch over Darius and not the other way around.


    As the boy walked inside Hugo began to observe him. Surprisingly he looked different to the way Bleist had described him. The dragon was tall for his age and well built. Steel eyes quickly surveyed his surroundings. He was analysing the situation. It showed poorly from him, but he was nervous. He admitted to himself that he was not surprised. Anyone would be nervous if something like this happened to them. Yet he seemed focused. When the boy discreetly looked at everyone he stood upright as a string in front of the slightly surprised diplomat and gave a full bow with the way dragons showed respect to higher-ranking people. It is evident that someone had not neglected his upbringing.


    -Dear Lord Ambassador.-To the surprise of those gathered, Draco spoke in pure Atlantean without the slightest trace of a dragon accent.-It is an honour to meet you.


    -I am also happy to have met you today.- Othis replied with a smile. He had not expected to have to deal with an etiquette he was not fond of in such a situation.-I hope this sudden invitation did not spoil your plans.- The standard formula he used every day at least a few times.


    -Not at all, Lord Ambassador.-The boy tried to look composed, but Othis knew he was becoming increasingly anxious. He probably doesn''t even know why we brought him here. He admonished himself in spirit.


    -Let''s get to the point, then, because I think we both want to.- He smiled and noticed that the dragon drew in the air more deeply. At the same time, he heard a soft, deafening thump behind him and the sound of air being let out. So Gizel got into character, and Darius continued unabashedly. As usual.- As you yourself have probably already noticed and been informed by the Dragon Council. - He glanced fleetingly at the official standing by the door, who had a sour look on his face. He did not like very much that he was stopped there by the sergeant and whisperingly instructed to be quiet.- You have developed magical abilities peculiar to mages of light, which, according to the Treaty of the Magus, makes you, from the moment of their manifestation and confirmation, a citizen of the Kingdom of Atlantis and subject only to its authority. Do you understand what this means?- He asked carefully observing his reaction. The dragon nodded uncertainly and after a moment looked him straight in the eye.


    -Yes, Lord Ambassador.- He replied calmly.- It means that since these abilities appeared I have lost my Dagos citizenship.


    -Yes, that''s right.- Othis was pleased that Draco understood the situation. He didn''t quite know how he was supposed to explain it to him if it were otherwise. Things are going well so far. He thought. Now we need to get to the more difficult part.- With that in mind, I wanted to talk to you.- The boy nodded slightly.- I think you understand that this manifestation of power in you is unprecedented, so I''d like to confirm it according to our laws.- Draco nodded, but Othis noticed that he was getting more tense.- I''ll touch your arm, that''s enough.- One more nod.


    Hugo took a step forward and held out his hand. He noticed that the dragon twitched when he placed it on his shoulder. He closed his eyes and released his senses, sending a gentle trickle of energy to the boy. Almost instantaneously, the released energy began to spread through his body and disappear. Othis focused on this sensation and followed it, suddenly falling into a space of energy as if he had fallen into a well. He landed in a completely dark space, and in front of him he could see a glowing sphere surrounding Draco''s figure.


    He''s powerful, to possess so much energy at such a young age... It''s downright amazing, the boy has great potential and if his talent is as Darius claims then I foresee a great career for him. He moved and approached the source, as he moved closer he sensed that the power was pure, moving without any hindrance and most importantly harmonised with its possessor. Extraordinary, truly extraordinary. Even under normal circumstances, it takes some mages years to achieve such a state, and here we are after only a few days. Darius is not wrong. Othis tried to influence the energy, but it stiffly resisted his will, remaining unmoved by his attempts. So he had indeed gained full control of his power. It ran through the mage''s consciousness. A deafening, throaty growl swept through the darkness, which he immediately recognised as a sign of the dragon''s annoyance. Not wanting to strain the patience of the boy''s subconscious, he quickly moved away to retreat, but something had changed. He sensed it at the edge of his own perception. He turned around and froze. He didn''t know what had happened and in the next split second he was pushed out of the dragon''s consciousness.


    He abruptly opened his eyes, but immediately calmed down. The boy didn''t seem to notice. He seemed a little nervous, but rather not about what had transpired. Othis was sure that what had occurred had not happened consciously on his part. The Ambassador smiled warmly, pushing those thoughts somewhere deeper into his consciousness for the time being.


    -Now all the formalities have been taken care of.- He said letting out a breath.- We can already thank you for your help.- He stated glancing at the Council official.- Now we would like to take care of our internal affairs, so you would be excused.


    The man scowled but bowed silently muttering something in farewell, turned and walked away escorted by the sergeant. Draco blinked lightly evidently not knowing what to do now. Othis smiled slightly.


    -We can finish with such a formal setting now.- Othis nodded letting the others know he wanted to be left alone with the boy. The colonel and the diplomats quietly said their goodbyes and left.


    -You poke me one more time and you will remember me!- Darius exploded as the door closed behind the last diplomat.- After all, I haven''t said anything since the beginning and you keep poking me!- He turned red in the face and by no means out of anger. As soon as he turned towards the elven lady she smiled coquettishly at him and bit her lip.


    -Cute you are.- She said sweetly as Bleist stood slightly stunned.


    -Don''t exaggerate Gizel.- Othis muttered as he approached the nearest table with four chairs. It was only when he let go of the dragon''s arm that he realised he couldn''t feel his hand. He hoped he hadn''t let it show.- Sit down, please.- He turned to a surprised Draco patting the back of the chair. He happily welcomed the uncomfortable tingling in his fingertips.- We''ll talk informally, at ease.- He sat down and smiled seeing the confusion on the boy''s face. When the dragon looked at him he nodded encouragingly.- And why don''t you two calm down a bit?- He threw an exasperated look at his friend and the elf.- And start acting like adults?


    Bleist and Gizel exchanged one last look and took their seats opposite each other. Draco, with a slight hesitation, sat down uncertainly in the last chair. It was obvious he didn''t know what to do with himself or how to act.


    -So, let''s consider this a social gathering.- The dragon nodded, and probably tried to relax, but Hugo could see that he wasn''t really succeeding. It was obvious that he felt uncomfortable, as if out of place.- Let me introduce.- He nodded towards the mage and the elf.- This is Darius Bleist Military Advisor to the Grand Master, my friend and colleague and Gizel laVerture also my friend.- They both nodded slightly. Draco watched them very closely not wanting anything to escape his attention.- My name is Hugo Othis and as you rightly noted earlier, I currently hold the position of Atlantean Ambassador to Dagos.- He smiled warmly and nodded. The dragon seemed a little calmer and more relaxed. Othis gestured for him to introduce himself. Although it was only a formality he hoped it would make the boy feel more confident.


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    -I am Draco... Draco Ignis.- Said the dragon more quietly than the Ambassador expected.- I am very pleased to meet you.- He added blushing slightly.


    -I think we are just as happy.- Gizel smiled staring into the dragon''s steel eyes.- You can relax, we really don''t bite.- She added reaching for one of the cookies lying on the table.- One won''t hurt.- She muttered looking at them with gentle desire burning in her eyes.


    Draco suddenly changed his attitude. Othis sensed it immediately. The dragon smiled and looked at them more boldly. One remark thrown in passing, however, can work wonders. Gizel knows what she is doing. Well no wonder, as befits one of Asati''s top agents. He thought, writing down in his mind to always pay attention to what and how the elfess says. Otherwise I could get into serious trouble. He smiled to himself.


    -Tell me boy, what do you want to do now?- Took up Othis wanting to move on to what was essentially the most important thing to discuss.- As a citizen of Atlantis, you have the right to study at the Solvein Royal Academy of Magic and Alchemy in the capital, but this would involve changing practically everything in your life.


    -What about... the Dragon Academy?- Draco asked a little uncertainly.- Besides, I don''t know how I would study there.- He said even more quietly than before.


    -As far as the Dragon Academy is concerned, they didn''t tell you anything at the Council?- asked a surprised Gizel. When the dragon shook his head she sighed heavily cursing in her mind all the buffoons sitting in the authorities of Dagos.- They really are unreformable.- She muttered. She raised her hand seeing that Bleist wants to start explaining what were the conditions of the Council, or rather what was settled during the negotiations.- Forgive me Darius, but I think, it would be better if I explain it. Listen- she said turning to Draco.- the matter is a little complicated. You know that no one from outside the dragon community is allowed to attend the Academy regardless of the circumstances, and no matter how you look at it, by obtaining Atlantean citizenship you have been, in a way, removed from the community.- She paused for a moment, watching as her words slowly reached the boy. She saw how at first he didn''t quite know what it meant, and then through disbelief he moved rather quickly to grim acceptance of reality. He didn''t ask any question, which surprised Gizel.- However, we managed to bend it a bit and agreed with the Council that you will receive the appropriate education from one of its masters. However, as if to say, it will basically come down to checking your progress and on the final exam for the title of master, but without the possibility of holding public office. It''s probably nothing unusual today, as many masters waive these rights.- She finished and waited for a reaction as did Bleist and Othis. The boy looked resigned to the situation, and she could see some kind of relief in his eyes. She didn''t know what it could be related to. Maybe it''s about this group that is bullying him so much? She asked herself the question and almost immediately answered it in the affirmative.


    -So they finally got rid of me...- said the dragon without looking anyone in the eye. He looked as if he had been expecting this for a long time.


    -What does it mean finally?- Darius asked quietly. Othis noticed that his friend went slightly pale, and anger ignited in his eyes. The Ambassador guessed that, on the one hand, the reason for this could be concern for the boy, who, if he agreed, would become his apprentice, and on the other hand, awareness of what the young dragon had to go through.


    -About a year ago...- Draco began quietly, looking at the floor.-After Pirce and his gang caught me and beat me up...Principal Luister called me and my aunt to see him...- He paused for a moment, it was clear that he was not used to talking about such things.- He said...He said that it would be better for me to resign on my own, because I have no hope of graduating from the Academy anyway.- Each of his words was quieter than the previous one.


    Hugo felt the blood drain from his face. How can one say something like that to his own student? How can one not react to the abuse of the weak? He heard the creak of wood and saw Gizel''s knuckles turn white from clenching on the back of the chair.


    -Easy.- whispered Darius. It was obvious that he was trying to control his emotions and calm down.- This is something you don''t have to worry about anymore.- He said in a confident voice looking without even the slightest trace of hesitation.- We could talk about it later.- He muttered grinding his teeth.- As for your studies...- He took up with full conviction.- We wanted to make you a certain proposal.- Draco raised his head and looked him in the eyes. Othis could see that the boy was nailed down and not sure what would happen to him now.- In our system there is a rule that if one of the masters discovers a promising talent in someone then he has the right to offer him admission to a term. In other words, he will become his apprentice.- He said this calmly, without a trace of the emotions that were still gripping him a moment ago. Hugo was impressed that he was able to control himself so quickly.- Basically, I can say that I was the first to recognize your talent and... Any way you look at it, I experienced your strength firsthand.- A look of surprise appeared on the dragon''s face. Bleist summoned a warm smile on his face.- We bumped into each other in the harbor on the Verde.- At that moment Draco turned pale as if he had seen a ghost, all tense up ready to run away, at least that was the impression of the Ambassador.- Calm down, calm down...- Darius laughed lightly.- Then I needlessly surprised and scared you, it was my fault, don''t worry about it.- He waved his hand dismissively.- Nothing happened anyway.


    -Really?- Draco asked uncertainly. When the mage nodded his head the dragon slowly relaxed and the colors slowly began to return to his face.


    -In any case... Going back to the previous topic...- Darius corrected himself in his chair.- If you wouldn''t mind I would like to offer you to become my apprentice.


    -This...That is to say?- The boy now looked a little panicked by the sudden change in the course of the conversation and the rather unexpected proposal.


    -Well, to sum it all up, I would like to become your master and take responsibility for your education and help you acclimate to your new environment and get used to your new role.- The colonel smiled while waiting for an answer.


    -I...- Draco looked into Bleist''s eyes thinking about something seriously.- I don''t know if I can...- He muttered after a while.-Aunt...I don''t...I couldn''t...- He shook his head trying to avoid Darius'' gaze.- Besides...I don''t have money...- The last word was barely audible.


    -I had the opportunity to meet Madame Nasua.- Said the mage after a while.- It is unlikely she will mind. It seemed to me that the most important thing for her is that you are happy. And if you are worried about money, I must admit that I was in a slight shock when I first heard how it looks like among dragons, that it is the student who pays his master for the opportunity to take a term.- He shook his head with disapproval at the same time not taking his eyes off the dragon.- In our system it looks much different. The master chooses his own apprentice and takes care of him. It is his responsibility to provide his prot¨¦g¨¦ with everything he may need.- He nodded confirming his words.- As for your background...- He started seeing Draco open his mouth to say something more.- The matter of fact, it is unprecedented, but I can assure you that it will not be any problem. Although for the time being, for political reasons, we would prefer not to publicize it to everyone, but we also have no intention of making it some big secret that is not supposed to see the light of day. Eventually everyone will find out, and in my opinion they may be surprised and intrigued, but I think rather nothing more.- He smiled leaning forward and intertwining his hands.- So what will it be like?- He asked with a gleam of eagerness in his eyes.


    Draco looked around at everyone making sure that what he had heard was true, and then gazed again with his deep steel eyes into Darius'' eyes. He sat like that for a few moments, it was clear that he was thinking hard about something.


    -I... If Auntie agrees, I...- He nodded his head a few times, his eyes glazed over for a few seconds from some stray tear.- I am very honored... Master,- he finished with a wide smile on his face.

 Chapter 9 (1/2)

    Draco didn''t really know what he should be feeling. On the one hand, he should be devastated at being pushed away from the dragon community, but he was used to it, as everyone treated him as someone else, inferior, and yet now he had heard from three essentially strangers that the mage society would welcome him with open arms and full acceptance. A feeling began to accompany him that perhaps he had finally found his place in this vast world. He also felt some kind of incomprehensible relief at the realization that he was sitting at the same table with someone he was to call master from now on. He was happy. He was really enjoying himself as never before, not counting those few moments with Jeviev. Until now, he hadn''t realised how much it weighed on him how others perceived him and how they treated him. It was only when he found himself in a completely different situation that he realised that he had never really felt part of the dragon community, yet he had always harboured a need to belong, and it was only the awakening of his magical abilities that gave him the chance to feel that there was a group that accepted him and to which he belonged.


    -I hope we will work well together- said Bleist. Draco judged the mage to be a straightforward person, but he was also able to hide that true self under a mask of calm and composure.


    -As long as you behave normally it will be fine.- Said the elfess with a fleeting smile. I don''t know what she''s basically doing here. He thought intrigued. He didn''t know how he could have realised so late that the woman he had initially assessed as someone similar to the assistant of one of the diplomats was actually someone very important in political circles. I''m curious as to why she''s here, especially as she''s definitely not an Atlantean.- Otherwise I''ll have to keep an eye on you again,- she stated, biting her lip. Darius reddened slightly.


    -Don''t be so forward.- Othis muttered slowly massaging his temples. He was suddenly more waspish, tired and sleep-deprived. He must have been hiding it all along. I wonder why he''s so drained? Draco suspected it had to do with the difficult task of convincing the Council members to do anything.- You''re no better than he is,- added the Ambassador with a sigh.- You two never agree.


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    Darius looked out of the window and only now realised how late it was. The sun was already sinking towards the horizon. He rubbed his hands together and looked at his new apprentice. The boy seemed livelier than just a moment ago. I think he''s really happy with the way things turned out, though. He admitted to himself. He wasn''t the only one, anyway. He glanced surreptitiously at his friend and noticed that the latter, despite the fatigue painted on his face, was smiling slightly, something he did not do very often. He knew that this meant he was truly satisfied and did not regret anything. As always. And her? He cast a glance at Gizel. She doesn''t take her eyes off Draco, she looks as if she already wants to lash out at him with an incredible amount of questions she wants to know the answers to. She can''t stop herself from doing so. He sighed heavily, thinking of yet another matter that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible.


    - Draco- he spoke up wanting to focus his prot¨¦g¨¦''s attention on himself.--I think you know what I want to propose now, don''t you?- He suspected that the dragon was well aware of this, but didn''t want to interrupt the meeting he was so curious about.


    -Yes, I think I do.- Said the boy looking Darius straight in the eyes. He liked the fact that his student was not afraid of eye contact and the fact that his whole posture seemed relaxed, but not even for a second did he lose his alertness. He also noticed that the dragon was comfortable in the company of other mages and stopped paying attention to the fact that he was sitting in the same room with the Atlantean Ambassador and started treating it like a social gathering with his new mentor''s friends.- Master would probably like to go and meet my aunt.- He stated calmly, but nevertheless Bleist noticed that when he pronounced the word master the dragon''s lips curved into a gentle smile. That really appealed to him. Darius felt that it suited him more and more when the boy addressed him in this way. Why did I always refuse before when someone wanted to be my apprentice? Rising from his seat he crossed his gaze with Draco''s. The answer is simple, I was actually just waiting for someone like him, or rather for him specifically. He smiled.-Pardon me for a moment, but I need to get changed. It seems to me that a Colonel of the Azure Guard visiting an elderly dragoness could cause too many rumours.- He winked at his student, and the latter smiled in response. We''ll quickly find a common language. He stated in spirit.- Wait for me here, I will be right back.


    -Of course, Master.- Draco seemed to be getting more and more used to using that title.


    -Oh, you don''t have to worry though.- Gizel reached for another cookie.- We''ll keep your apprentice company, won''t we, Hugo? -She turned towards the Ambassador, who only after a moment realised that someone had said something to him at all.


    -Forgive me, I''m probably too tired already,- Othis said without conviction and rose from his seat without further ado.-Excuse me, but I think I must leave you now. Four days without sleep is my ultimate limit though.- He muttered grimly.- It was very nice to meet you Draco. I think we''ll be seeing each other from time to time, as I intend to drop by Atlantis more often to take a breather from life in Dagos. Pardon me, but for me it is too tiring in excess though.-He smiled crookedly.


    -It was an honour, Mr Ambassador.- Draco seemed to suddenly remember who he was talking to and straightened up almost to attention.


    -No, no, stop.- Othis waved his hand.-You''re Darius''s apprentice now, so I''d rather you forget what position I currently hold and treat me as a friend of your master''s, or just as a tired grumbler.


    -Yes, of course.-The dragon didn''t know how to take it, but after a few nods he must have decided it was for the best after all, because he relaxed and slumped back in his seat.


    -Phi, what a bore.- Gizel snorted, shaking her head and picking at another biscuit.-They''re always like that.- She said, turning to Draco.-You don''t have to worry. When it comes down to it, they''re the ones you can rely on, but unfortunately they can spoil any social gathering.- She reached for another biscuit, but her hand came up empty.- What''s up?- She furrowed her eyebrows and started looking around for the tray that had just been placed in front of her.- Where...?- She paused as she saw Bleist handing the sweets to his disciple.


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    -As long as you hold this you will manage to wriggle out of the storm of questions that is about to be unleashed.- Othis giggled as he saw the sudden indignation blossoming on the elfin woman''s face.-Forgive me for leaving you with this sweet monster, but I really will try to return as soon as possible.- Darius disappeared behind the door the moment the thrown cupcake hit the doorframe at the height of his head.


    -Behave as befits a person of your reputation.- Exhaled Hugo choking with laughter.-And now, if you''ll excuse me, my bed is calling. It''s been too long since we''ve seen each other.-He nodded goodbye and left with a giggle.


    -So we are left alone.- Said Gizel focusing all her attention on the boy.-Maybe you can tell me more about yourself.- She suggested, and sparks of lust for knowledge flashed in her eyes. She reached for another biscuit on the tray that Draco had put down on the tabletop in the meantime. Just as she was about to take it, however, the tray moved away from her and into the dragon''s hands.


    -I think I''ll keep it though, after all, that''s what my master said- stated Draco with a mischievous glint in his eye and a roguish grin.


    -You''re all the same- huffed the elven lady shaking her head. I like it more and more. She admitted to herself. I really did a good job of helping them orchestrate this. She boasted in her mind. And even better by not filing any reports with the palace. She added with amusement.


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    Bleist was just pulling off his blue coat when a knock sounded at the door. Before he could say anything, however, Othis was already standing in the doorway searching for him with his eyes.


    -Don''t disturb yourself.- He said then walked over to the bed and sat down heavily on it.-Before I go to sleep I have something to tell you.- He sighed watching his friend slowly put on his dragon tunic.


    -It must be something important or else you''d probably be lying on the hall floor snoring sweetly and dreaming of a soft mattress.- He smiled seeing the wry look on the Ambassador''s face.-Well cough it up before you fall asleep.


    -It''s about Draco,- said Hugo rubbing his eyes once more.-When I tested his power... Hmmmm... How should I say it.-He closed his eyes searching for the right words.-Well, I was pushed out of his consciousness and not by his own will.- He sighed and looked at Darius.-It''s not at all about him being a dragon either, although I wouldn''t advise venturing too deep into your apprentice''s source. Admittedly I have not seen his dragon aspect, but it is enough that I have heard it once.-He shook his head.-But before he threw me out I sensed something, unfortunately I am unable to determine what it was, but I surmise that your apprentice may possess a dual nature.


    -Dual nature?- Bleist stopped motionless staring with wide-open eyes at his friend.-Are you sure?


    -Yes, rather yes.- Othis nodded trying to resist the temptation to go to sleep.-You have hit upon a very special student. A dragon with a dual nature of magic.- He smiled as sincerely as he could at that moment.- Unfortunately, I cannot say unequivocally what the second nature is. It is rare for light magic to be accompanied by another, and a rather powerful one at that. Before I was pushed out I noticed something, like a shadow, but I don''t know what it was exactly.


    -It''s... unusual for a mage of light to have a dual nature.- Darius shook his head in fascination.-Last time... This, wait who was it last time?- He turned abruptly towards his friend.


    -If my memory serves me right it was probably Vel''heris the Bloody about two hundred years ago.


    -Wait, wait... His dual nature was the magic of light and... fire, no?- Darius scratched his chin wonderingly.


    -Sometimes you listened to lectures, though.- Othis muttered sluggishly, trying to stop himself from sleeping.-You can tell no one about this, it''s better that way. First, help him control all his power, although I think with his talent it won''t be a problem, and such a trump card is better kept up your sleeve, right?


    -Yes, you''re right.- Bleist smiled to himself as he heard his friend''s breathing suddenly become even and deep, and a moment later, as he closed the door, the muffled sound of snoring reached him. -He barely said what he had to say and he''s already asleep.- He whispered while shaking his head.


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    Draco was sitting holding a tray of sweets and measuring the elven beauty with his gaze. He knew she was enjoying herself and the anger on her face was simply the result of acting, as he had to admit, very good acting.


    -Tell me,- she began by tilting her head slightly.-how do you feel now as one of the Atlantean mages?


    -If I''m honest it''s better than I could have ever imagined.-He took one of the chocolate cakes and set the tray on the edge of the tabletop.-I guess I''ll have to get used to it. I have a feeling that, as far as this case is concerned, it''s going to be all right.


    -Intuition, eh?- Gizel reached for the tray, watching the dragon''s hands closely.-I think that sooner or later, you will find out for yourself, but it is intuition that is one of the most important qualities of a wizard.- She smiled, levelling the effects of her acting.


    She moved the tray closer to herself still watching Draco closely. They sat like that for a few moments watching each other. I can''t figure her out. She''s different, doesn''t resemble anyone familiar. A complete unknown.


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    After a while the door opened and Darius looked in.


    -Nothing flying in my direction?- He asked prudently.


    -Rather nothing master.- Draco stood up and looked at the mage.-In your absence, Madam Gizel took care of all the sweets.


    The dragon turned around hearing the sound of gurgling and saw the choking elfess with watery eyes.


    -Madam? Do I really look that old?- She spoke up when she was over it.-Call me by my name boy. Otherwise I''ll get angry.-She wagged her finger at him.


    -You''d better listen to her.- Bleist muttered, placing a hand on his apprentice''s shoulder. Draco nodded, and a smile wandered across his face.-We can go now, I hope Madame Nasua won''t be angry.


    -I don''t think so, Master.-The dragon scratched his head and fidgeted a little.-However, I would suggest that we hurry after all, as some rumours may have reached her. Across Dagos it spreads faster than a fire.- He muttered disapprovingly.


    -You are right.- Darius nodded to Gizel and turned away.- Let us go, my apprentice.- He smiled.

 Chapter 9 (2/2)

    They quickly reached the southern shopping district thanks to the shortcuts Draco knew by heart. They didn''t talk to each other much because of the crowded and cramped aisles. It wasn''t until a few streets away from his house when it got a little less busy.


    -Master?- Darius looked at his apprentice.-Master was talking to my aunt, wasn''t he? -The mage nodded, wondering what his prot¨¦g¨¦ was getting at.-If I may know, who did you introduce yourself as?


    -I said I was the new teacher at the Academy. I think I''m going to have to apologise to her for that.-He said bringing back memories of meeting the nice old lady.


    -She didn''t say anything?- the dragon asked.-She didn''t notice anything?


    -No, rather not.- Bleist scratched his head trying to recall the details of his visit.-When I introduced myself she looked a little surprised, but accepted my explanation rather quickly.-He rubbed his chin thinking if there was more to it.-She visibly livened up when I admitted that I had come to talk about you.-He glanced at the apprentice, who suddenly let out a breath and moved on with a more springy step.


    -I think master can give up apologising.-The dragon smiled as if wondering whether to say more or keep Darius in suspense.-Auntie can smell a lie a mile away and draw the truth out of someone without asking even a single question. If she spoke to master then she must have found master trustworthy. It is possible that she already suspected what it might be about, and I provided her with the final pieces of the puzzle by telling her why I was away from home for so long.-He shook his head sighing slightly.-I think there will be tea and still hot chocolate cookies waiting for us.-A blissful expression appeared on his face at the very thought of homemade treats.


    -Madame Nasua really is that perceptive?- Darius was intrigued. He had met all sorts of people in his life as an agent, but no one had yet seen through his bluffs. He couldn''t believe that someone like this old dragoness who seemed to embody simplicity and kindness would be able to see through the lies of a professional. Well, maybe my skills are just a bit rusty already. I haven''t worked as a spy since my officer promotion in the Guard. He admonished himself in his mind.


    -Even more so.- The boy shook his head.-I haven''t seen anyone yet who''s capable of deceiving her. It doesn''t matter what it''s about, she always knows someone is lying.-He smiled amused by some memory that might have illustrated his aunt''s resoluteness.-Anyhow, master will see for himself. Of that I am sure.


    Darius looked at his pupil and found that he really wasn''t lying and was completely honest. Very interesting. I wonder if this could be related to the dragoness''s history, or is it some kind of innate sense she has? He thought he would ask her about it if he had the chance.


    They walked out into the square where Draco lived. There was no one to be seen at the fountain in the middle, and the windows of the nearby tenements were dark despite the early hour.


    -Is it always this quiet here?- Bleist was interested.


    -Depends ,- murmured Draco.-It''s usually not so quiet, but that may have something to do with the opening of several shops and branches in our district. More often than not, it just means an extra opportunity to have fun, but it''s rare that there''s no one here.- He added looking towards the fountain. Darius knew perfectly well what his prot¨¦g¨¦ meant. He too didn''t like that Pircea''s people had disappeared so suddenly.


    They approached the door, Draco breathed deeply, looked into his master''s eyes and opened the door with a flourish.


    -I''m back, auntie!- He darted towards where the living room was.-We have a visitor.- He added when Bleist closed the door gently.-Are you here, auntie?- The dragon moved ahead, not paying attention to anything in the hallway. Darius did notice, however, that some things were lying out of place. However, as they approached the living room, just as Draco had said, the smell of freshly baked chocolate cookies reached him.


    The light was on in the lounge and several small naphtha lanterns were lit in the garden. Madame Nasua sat on a wooden bench under an apple tree and sipped her tea with a blissful expression on her face.


    -So you found him after all, didn''t you, Mr Erik,- she said smiling warmly. She looked him in the eye and patted the seat next to her.-Draco, dear, fetch yourself a chair from the kitchen.


    The boy nodded and disappeared into the building. Darius looked at the dragoness, and urged with a nod, sat down next to her on the bench.


    -I was wondering how long it would take you to reach him.- She took a sip of tea.- Please help yourself.- She pointed to a cup standing on the table and a plate with still-warm cookies.


    -Thank you.- Darius sipped while tasting the excellent brew.-I must apologise to you.


    -Ah, you have nothing to be sorry for.- Nasua waved her hand dismissing his attempt to take up the topic.-You don''t have to say anything colonel.


    Bleist chuckled with another sip. How does she know? It ran through his thoughts. He turned back to her. She was smiling staring at a surprised Darius.


    -Please don''t be so surprised. It wasn''t hard to guess given what had happened to Draco and the fact that the Atlantean Embassy was scrambling around trying to sort things out quietly. Add to that the fact that my nephew was escorted out of the Academy accompanied by armed guards.- She shrugged her shoulders as if explaining the fact that two plus two makes four.- I also suspect to what I owe your visit.- She put both hands around her teacup and gazed into the amber liquid.- He smiled.- She whispered after a moment, when some rustling and the sound of furniture being rearranged came from the house.- It had been a long time since he had looked so pleased and moved.- Darius wanted to speak, but fell silent when she put her hand on his arm.- Please tell me why you have come to ask me to put him in your care? What do you want from him? What do you feel?- She looked deeply into his eyes and he felt that there was no way to get past the truth or even to understate something.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    -At first...- He started without fully realising why he was talking. How does she do it? It flashed through his thoughts.-It was a coincidence. I was intrigued by his appearance. A black dragon, a rarity. I had never met one before. Plus the golden eyes. Something I had never heard of.- The words flowed and Darius lost control of what he was saying, what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it.- I felt I had to meet him, that he was important. I was looking for him, but when I found him he had already unleashed his power. I was fascinated, but I also knew I couldn''t leave him alone. Later, orders came in relation to a report on him.- He dried his mouth, but he couldn''t stop, couldn''t take his gaze off the dragoness''s emerald eyes.- I followed the orders, but when I learned more about him, about how the other dragons were treating him, I thought it would be better for him if he moved somewhere else, somewhere where he could grow.- Bleist was horrified. He, a person who was a strong mage, a trained spy, a colonel of the Azure Guard, a military advisor to the Grand Master, could not resist the influence of the old woman sitting next to him. Draco had said that no one had managed to lie to her yet, and she could make anyone tell the truth. He didn''t know what was happening, he wasn''t in control of his own body. He could only speak.- When I saw what a talent he had, I felt that I would like him to be my apprentice. For a long time I didn''t realise I was feeling it. It wasn''t until today when he first addressed me master that I knew I had been waiting for this moment from the time I saw him in the harbour on the Verde.- He was telling the truth, although he didn''t fully realise it himself. He had managed to forget some of the feelings, but still, when Nasua told him to tell the truth he spoke it all.- He is my first apprentice and I want you to agree to that. I know Draco is going to become a great mage and I want to help him do that. I can''t imagine him being stifled here by superstitious professors and humiliated by spoilt brats. He has potential beyond many, he just needs to be pushed in the right direction, shown the right path, guided and helped to grow. I can do this, even though I have never taken anyone under my wing before, although I have been asked to do so many times. I feel I am the right person to do this. Something tells me that I can understand him, find a common language with him, become a true master for him.- He fell silent, and madame Nasua stared into his eyes for a moment more. Why did I say all that? How does she do it? He still could not move, only to stare into the emerald eyes that seemed to see inside him, to look at what the magicians called the source, to see his true face. Finally she let go of his arm and looked away.


    -Pardon me, but I had to know.- The dragoness said quietly.- I didn''t want anything bad to happen to him, something that would hit him again, but you, however, really feel that this is the way it should be and you want the best for him.- Darius was confused, he didn''t know what had just happened. He had never heard of such a are a good man and I think you will be a good master for him.- She took his hand gently.- You have my blessing, I entrust you with taking care of Draco.- She smiled.


    -Thank you...- He murmured after a moment, when he had recovered a little from what had just happened.-What...how...did you do that?


    -Oh, please don''t worry about it. It''s such an old dragon trick that has long been forgotten.-She shrugged her shoulders and took a sip from her cup.-It''s kind of a secret in our family, passed down from mother to daughter. Really don''t worry about it and...- She glanced at him.- Could you keep it a secret? I wouldn''t want anyone to know about it.


    -I...- Bleist swallowed his saliva thinking about it.-Well, I won''t tell anyone.


    -Thank you, colonel.- She looked up when Draco entered the living room, trying to manoeuvre the heavy chair so as not to snag on anything in the room. Darius wondered how long it had been since the dragon had gone to fetch it.-Oh, you were in no hurry.- Nasua frowned as she watched the boy place the piece of furniture, sit down in the chair and pour himself some tea.


    -You shouldn''t have left so many biscuits in the kitchen.- The dragon muttered looking somewhere over his aunt''s shoulder.- Anyway...- He glanced at Darius and at Nasua, blinked a few times and sighed with resignation.- It''s all settled now, isn''t it?- He raised an eyebrow staring at his aunt.


    -I don''t know if there was anything to sort out.-The dragoness shrugged her shoulders, but the same carefree fires lit up in her eyes that Bleist had seen during their first meeting.-We just had a nice chat with your master, didn''t we?- She glanced obliquely at Darius.


    -Yes, of course.- The mage was quick to respond.-A very nice one.


    -Auntie, you didn''t do anything to my master, did you?- Draco asked suspiciously.


    -Where did you get that from? -The woman waved her hand absentmindedly.-We have two more things to talk about, anyway.-She said before the boy had a chance to speak again.-Have you already planned when you are leaving? -She turned to Bleist with a carefree smile, ignoring her nephew rolling his eyes.


    -Please call me by my first name.- Darius decided not to pry into what had happened a few moments before.- Unfortunately, I must admit that my duties do not allow me to stay too long in Dagos. And so my leave has already dragged on for a few days, so I would like to leave as early as possible tomorrow.- He turned towards his apprentice and noticed that the latter was sitting holding two cookies and blinking looking at his master.- I hope... that won''t be a problem.- He mouthed trying not to laugh.


    -Try the cookies while they''re still there.- Nasua muttered poking Darius with her elbow.-I guarantee that in a few minutes there won''t be any left and there are not even crumbs left in the kitchen.


    -This...- Draco swallowed the cookie with difficulty and sipped it with his tea coughing slightly.-It won''t be a problem, I''ll pack later today, so I''ll be ready first thing in the morning.- He shifted his gaze from his master to his aunt and then lowered it to the ground.-I''d like to ask for something though...- He took up quietly.


    -You want to meet Jeviev and explain everything to her.- Bleist stated as if out of the blue.-I don''t see any problem, by the way, I could also use a little more time to pack... It would also be useful to wake up Othis and say goodbye to him, otherwise for the next ten years he''ll be reproaching me for not doing so.- He shook his head imagining what he would have to go through trying to placate his friend.- Gizel is probably gone by now, so that will be one less problem.- He sighed smiling at the sight of his student''s relieved face. That was a good decision. He thought while feeling some indefinable warmth.


    -Well, at least we got all the things I wanted to talk about sorted out.- Nasua announced clapping her hands.-Your friend was looking for you about two hours ago, she said she needed to talk to you.- She said as Darius and Draco focused their gazes on her. -She said she would be waiting for you where you always hide.


    The young dragon''s eyes suddenly widened, and he tensed as if he wanted to momentarily break into flight, but instead looked at his master mutely asking for permission.


    -Go- said Bleist, and his apprentice jumped into the middle of the lawn within fractions of a second, changed into his dragon form and with a powerful swing of his wings soared momentarily over the rooftops of the tenements and disappeared into the darkening sky, leaving only dust floating after the take-off.-I have to admit, this is impressive.- said the mage wondering if any other dragon would be able to do it as quickly and smoothly as his apprentice.


    -Practice makes perfect.- Said Nasua unmoved, but in her eyes Bleist saw admiration and pride.-But you can''t deny him talent and ability either.-She added taking a sip from her cup.-On another subject...-She took up unexpectedly forcing the mage to return from the world of his reflections to reality.- I would like to discuss a few details about your departure, Darius.- She smiled warmly, and Bleist involuntarily felt that the dragoness could adapt to anything and act momentarily depending on the situation.

 Chapter 10 (1/3)

    Draco slowed down by spreading his wings stiffly and landed silently in front of the back entrance of the old orphanage. He swept the entire courtyard with his eyes, paying particular attention to how everything looked around him, doing so each time he searched for any anomalies indicating that someone unwanted was hanging around. Spotting nothing suspicious, he changed into his human form and moved towards the door with a smile. He cautiously opened it and, being careful of the scarred boards, entered the first floor. He looked down the dilapidated corridor again analysing if everything was as it should be.


    Only one door was open, so he concluded that this must be where Jeviev was waiting for him. He moved in that direction out of habit taking his steps carefully. He gently opened it and stepped inside. He saw her at once. She was sitting in one of the old armchairs wrapping her arms around her knees. She looked as if she had been waiting for a long time and had fallen asleep in that position.


    He slowly walked over to the other armchair and sat down without making any noise. He leaned on his hand thinking whether to wake her up or rather wait for her to do it herself. After a moment he shrugged his shoulders and reached out to her. He rested his hand against her arm, as she had done so many times before. He smiled. After a few seconds Jeviev twitched and slowly raised her head. Only now did he notice that something was wrong. Her eyes were red and there were traces of tears on her cheeks. When she saw him she rose from her seat and hung onto his neck pulling her nose.


    -What happened?- He asked calmly, but there was a race of thoughts going on in his head.-Now, now, now, calm down.-He gently pulled her away from him and looked into her eyes. He could see that something was wrong.- Tell me.- He whispered wiping a tear from her cheek.


    -I''m sorry, I''m so sorry Draco.- She sobbed trying not to look into his eyes. He didn''t let her. He carefully placed his hand on her cheek and turned her head so that their eyes met. She was crying again.-I... I couldn''t do anything... She just... She just told me... She didn''t listen when I said I didn''t want to... She said I had no choice... That I had to... That it was the right thing to do... -She rested her head on his shoulder sobbing quietly.


    -Easy.- He whispered. It seemed to him that he already knew what it could be about.-Don''t cry and tell me exactly what happened.-He wiped away her tear again and looked into her eyes. They stayed like that for a while, and when she had calmed down a little he helped her to get up and sit in the chair. She sat in silence for a while and then expelled herself almost in one breath.


    -Mom said that tomorrow we are leaving Dagos for Le Moulin in France.- She rubbed her eyes.-My grandmother lives there and I am to learn tailoring from her. That''s the tradition in my family.- She pulled her nose and stuck her gaze into the ground.- I couldn''t do anything. She said we had to go, that she couldn''t support us in this town any longer because some new manufactories had opened and we had fewer customers.- She fell silent again and tears trickled down her cheeks.- If I leave you will be left alone.- She stammered unable to look at him.- I don''t want to do that. I don''t want to leave you alone with Pirce and his gang, with all the problems, with this... With what''s happening.- She covered her face with her hands trying to stifle her sobs. Tears trickled down between her fingers.


    -You don''t have to worry about it.- He took her hand and smiled tilting his head.-You really don''t have to.


    -I don''t have to?! I don''t have to?!- She jumped up from her seat and started pacing back and forth in front of him with her face contorted with something between pain and rage.-How can you say something like that to me! You think what! I will forget! I won''t think every day if you got beaten up again or if you managed to escape this time! Is that how you imagine it?!- She shouted not paying attention to Draco''s attempt to say something. All the while her tears were falling on the dusty floor leaving circular marks on it.- After all this time you thought so?- She whispered horrified at the very thought.


    The dragon stood up and gently embraced the sobbing elven girl. He hugged her slowly stroking her hair.


    -Maybe instead of shouting you would listen to what I have to say about it?-He asked quietly feeling her body shake with chills.-You don''t have to worry about such things because I am leaving the town too.


    As soon as he finished his sentence Jeviev stiffened and moved away from him. She stared at his face, her pupils dilating with each passing second.


    -You can''t...- she said covering her mouth with her hand.-You can''t do this. You''ve worked so long to get into a military class, you''ve endured so much just to study there, and now you just want to give up? Do you want to destroy your dreams?-She grabbed his tunic and stared into his eyes.-Don''t do it...Please....


    -Oh, stop being overly dramatic.- He pulled her close to him.-I''m not giving up on anything. It''s just that I have other opportunities now that are far more appealing than working as a mercenary somewhere at the forgotten end of the world.-He said in a reassuring tone.-Well, it''s okay.-He held her like that until she stopped crying, and then he sat her down on the chair and sat next to her.-Do you remember that strange ability?-He asked, watching her reaction. She nodded rubbing her damp cheeks.- It turned out to be a magical power.- The elfess raised her head, she looked not only surprised but also unsure if what she was hearing was really true or if the dragon was just trying to reassure her.- In addition, according to the Treaty of the Mages, from the moment the power was revealed I ceased to be a citizen of Dagos, which entails not being able to continue my studies at the Dragon Academy.- She was also unsure if the dragon was trying to reassure her. Jeviev wanted to speak up, but he quickly put his finger to her lips.- I''ll finish and then we''ll talk, okay?- She nodded, and he smiled in his characteristic way by lifting one corner of his mouth.- At the same time, under the same stipulation, I was granted Atlantean citizenship and the opportunity to study at Solvein Royal Academy of Magic and Alchemy. In addition...- He crooked his head pretending to wonder whether to speak further.- One of the mages offered me to become his apprentice.- He watched the surprise reflected on Jeviev''s face slowly replaced by joy as it slowly dawned on her what it all meant.- I agreed and he became my master, my aunt didn''t mind either, after all it was the colonel of the Azure Guard, the military advisor of the Grand Master, Master Darius Bleist.- He smiled warmly thinking of this mage. He felt that he couldn''t have come at a better time when it came to choosing a mentor. Despite the fact that they had almost just met, Draco could tell from the older mage''s attitude alone what he expected from his apprentice and what he was thinking.-I''m leaving tomorrow, so I wanted to say goodbye, but my aunt said you were the one looking for me first so I flew here instead of to your house.-He winked at her while assuming an amused expression.-Well, we almost passed each other.-He wanted to turn it into a joke to get rid of her gloomy mood completely.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    -This... That''s great.- A smile lit up Jeviev''s face and the former heat and kindness lit up in her eyes.-I''m so glad.- She laughed and threw her arms around his neck again.-I''m really glad that you finally got what you deserved.- She hugged him tightly without being able to get herself to let him go.


    -I''ll miss you.- He whispered once again stroking her hair. He knew she liked it even though she always pretended it annoyed her.


    -I do too.- She said quietly.


    They had spent so much time trying to find the words to convey what they were feeling. When the darkness of the night outside the windows had already started to thin out they finally said goodbye and each went back to their own place.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    Darius returned to the Embassy late at night. He couldn''t marvel at how much one could talk to an old dragoness without even realising it. That said, it was the gossipy nature of her species that made itself known, not some special ability. She really does care about Draco. He shook his head. How could she not when she is his only family? He asked himself this question even though he knew full well that the answer was not as simple as he wanted it to be. She could, however, be a little bit more restrained. The boy is already thirteen and more mature than a couple of people who have already reached an advanced age. He snorted in thought. For half the night Nasua had probably told him the boy''s entire life story weaving in educational advices. It''s a good thing we''re leaving tomorrow, or she wouldn''t have let me live. He sighed heavily and scratched his chin. I need to lie down. I''m not a dragon and I need to sleep normally anyway. Then he remembered, too, that on his way out he had left Othis sleeping in his bed.


    -I hope someone has taken him to his room.- He muttered under his breath, begging in his mind that this had actually happened. He didn''t have the strength to deal with his sleepy friend anymore.


    There was hardly anyone in the corridors, the only people he met were the guards on the night shift. When he stood in front of the door he breathed deeply and, with a strong faith in the resourcefulness of the Embassy staff, opened it and stepped inside. He immediately understood that the staff knew their job well. He walked over to the wardrobe, took off his tunic and threw it over the packed trunks. So they had already taken care of that too. He shook his head, and as he did so he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. There was something lying on the desk. He walked over looking at the mostly tidied up tabletop and picked up a letter hastily scribbled in such familiar handwriting.


    <blockquote>


    Dear Darius,


    unfortunately I couldn''t stay any longer and talk to you in person, but I did have a chat with Othis before I left. By the way, you must tell him that he talks far too much when he is semi-conscious. He talked me through everything and I have to admit that this is making Draco more and more interesting.


    I hope I won''t surprise you by saying that I''ll be dropping in to visit later this week. However, just in case, I prefer to remind you to have the rooms ready for guests. I really want to talk to you about a few things.


    Your lovely friend,


    Gizel laVerture


    </blockquote>


    There was a blood-red lip print under the signature.


    <blockquote>


    PS I think you remembered that, but I''d rather make sure. You sent a message that your servants were to prepare a room for your new apprentice, didn''t you?


    </blockquote>


    Darius re-read it several times and cursed, reliving his own stupidity. He''d been thinking all along of arranging everything that involved transferring Draco into Atlantean custody and providing him with everything a young boy torn suddenly from his environment might need, but of course he''d forgotten that he had to prepare a room for him in his mansion. After all, as his apprentice, he was to live with him at least until he became a master of magic.


    He slammed his clenched fist on the table. How could I have forgotten this? He cast a glance at the clock. I still have time. He thought, counting in his mind how many hours remained until dawn and how long it would take them to get to the mansion in the city centre. He picked up a blank sheet of paper and glanced at the envelope lying next to it, which was already addressed. She really knows more about me than I do myself. He shook his head and began to write. He summarised the whole message in a few sentences and sealed it in the envelope.


    He dressed back up and set off in the direction of the couriers'' office. It was not far away, thanks to which he was already knocking on the door after a while.


    -Please.- He heard a muffled voice. He stepped inside.-Good evening, Colonel.-The sergeant sitting behind the desk stood upright as a string. Bleist recognised the man who had been in Othis''s office earlier.-What can I help you with, sir?


    -I would like to send a letter by express.- Darius placed the parcel in front of the non-commissioned officer.


    -I don''t want to be rude, but the express mode only applies to military messages, sir.-The mage stated, glancing at the address. He glanced at Darius and tilted his head slightly.-But I have some messages to deliver from Ambassador Othis and I will have to take orders... so I can deliver this for you in passing, sir.-A smile strayed on his face for a moment, but it was quite quickly extinguished masked by a servile seriousness.


    -Thank you.- Bleist nodded slightly. The lad knows what he''s doing. He thought as he watched the soldier begin to collect the documents with the URGENT stamps on top and put the envelope from Darius between them. He nodded once more and headed for the exit. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob and turned once more.-What is your name sergeant?


    -August Vah''rei, colonel.


    -Thank you Augustus.- Darius nodded his head once more in farewell and left already thinking only of his bed and a peaceful sleep.

 Chapter 10 (2/3)

    The morning came quicker than Darius would have liked. When he finally dragged himself into the dining hall it was past breakfast time, but he found it waiting for him on the table. After a short while, Othis entered the room with blackened eyes.


    -Good morning - the Ambassador murmured, searching with his eyes for a pot of strong coffee -I''m sorry about yesterday, I fell asleep before I knew it - he smiled weakly while pouring himself the black liquid -How did the meeting with his aunt go?


    -I must admit that it was better than I could have expected, but at the same time I found out that she is a bit overprotective.- Bleist nodded his thanks to his friend as he placed a cup of coffee in front of him.-I managed to get everything done, although I came back quite late.-He tilted his head watching Hugo drink his coffee gulping.-I also learned something interesting.-He added while watching Othis pour himself another cup.


    -Even more interesting?- Asked Othis suddenly more animated and less sleepy than a second earlier.-The boy is very surprising, isn''t he?


    -Draco is truly remarkable in this respect.- Darius smiled as he watched strong curiosity appear on his friend''s face.-However, this time I found out something about you.-He saw Othis''s face suddenly grow tenser and slightly paler.


    -What happened?- asked his friend a little frightened.


    -You''ve talked.- stated Bleist indifferently as he watched the blood drain from the Ambassador''s face.


    -I blabbed?- Hugo''s voice trembled a little.-What and to whom? What happened yesterday?-He looked genuinely horrified.


    -Gizel questioned you about everything concerning Draco.- Darius spoke as indifferently as possible, and he enjoyed such banter.-You spilled literally everything to her.


    -But...- Othis didn''t know what to say.-This...I...I''m sorry.- He muttered abashed.-This shouldn''t have happened.


    -Oh, don''t worry.- Bleist waved his hand slightly.-She would have found out sooner or later anyway, although knowing her it would have been sooner rather than later. There''s nothing to talk about.- He bared his teeth as he watched the relief painted on his friend''s face.- However, there is something worse.- He added seriously. I think it''s a bad habit of mine. He thought amused.I really don''t know how to tell you this...- He played along as best he could.


    -What... What else happened?- Othis went pale to the point where the colour of his skin began to blend with the snow-white robe he was wearing.


    -Well...- Darius shifted his gaze from his friend to a random spot on the wall somewhere over his shoulder so that it looked like he didn''t want to say it to his face, but at the same time so that he could watch his reaction.- It''s going to be difficult...I don''t know how some people will react to it...- He suspended his voice in a way that was supposed to indicate that he wanted to talk about some superior, but changed his mind at the last moment.- Somehow I''ll have to deal with it, but I already know that it won''t be an easy task and I don''t know what will happen during it. I am not able to predict the consequences.- Othis, if possible, turned even paler and his hands started to shake, his gaze was completely focused on Darius.- It will be difficult, even very difficult, but... somehow we will have to get through it... - He paused and lowered his head glancing unseeingly at his friend.


    -What have I done?-The Ambassador began unconsciously rubbing his left eye which meant that he had really been knocked out of his usual state of stoic calm and was quite upset.-What else have I managed to do?-He looked at Darius in horror.


    -Well...I don''t think I can delay any longer. I have to inform you of this, I have no other choice.- He shook his head as if he was struggling with himself and didn''t know whether to do it after all, or to wait for developments.- This...- He broke off in a way that indicated that, despite the decision he had made, suddenly even more doubts came over him. When he had waited a few heartbeats he spoke in the most sullen voice he could muster in the situation.- Gizel had written that she was coming to see me this week, and had gained the hint that she would stay for a few days at least.- He watched Othis. His friend first sat with his mouth wide open and his pupils dilated for a few moments, and then the colours began to return to his face, his cheeks lighting up with angry red. The pupils narrowed, he closed his mouth and his face twisted in a grimace of understanding, anger and contempt for his own naivety.


    -You''ve done it to me again!- Hugo shouted letting the air out.-Did you really have to raise my blood pressure to the point where I thought my heart would jump out of my chest?-He shook his head disapprovingly.-Why did I fall for it again?- He whispered with resignation in his voice and picked up the steaming cup.


    -Try to look at it positively.- Bleist smiled pulling a sip of coffee.-You''re no longer sleepy and haven''t been more focused since you took this position. A little stress once in a while does you good.


    Othis was already about to say something, but was interrupted by a quiet knock on the door.


    -Please come in,- he said trying to calm down and look as befitting an official in his position.


    August Vah''rei slipped inside cautiously, holding several sizable envelopes. He looked tired but happy. Darius didn''t think the non-commissioned officer would be back from Atlantis so soon. He must have been up all night, but he probably wasn''t the only one since he brought back the answers despite setting off well after midnight, and it''s only a few minutes past nine. He admitted to himself that he liked the soldier''s approach to his own duties and his resourcefulness.


    -Mr Ambassador, Mr Colonel.- He bowed to them and with a relaxed step approached Othis, stood at attention and handed him a full packet of sealed documents. Darius noticed that there was the Grand Master''s seal on one of them and the Crown Marshal''s stamp hurriedly imprinted on another. So they were genuinely interested in a report on how we fared. Augustus saluted the Ambassador and started to make his way to the exit. As he passed the Colonel he stopped and took a small envelope from the inside pocket of his uniform.- By the way, I managed to fulfil your request sir.- He handed him a sealed message.Your majordomo also threw me some heavy box sir.- He smiled and winked with slight amusement and then quickly left.


    Hugo took little notice of this unusual behaviour absorbed in reading letters from his superiors. Darius glanced at the address and knew immediately that the message was from Oscar vetSalus, the steward of his estate on Atlantis.


    <blockquote>


    Dear Master Darius,


    I am delighted to hear that you have found someone suitable to become your apprentice and I look forward to meeting this young wizard.


    Of course, we have taken care of all the preparations, so you can rest assured that everything will be taken care of. I have also taken care of a few things that were not mentioned in your last letter.


    I hope you will have a safe journey.


    Best regards,


    Oscar vetSalus


    PS I think you will find THIS useful.


    </blockquote>


    Darius noticed that the letter had been hastily crossed out despite looking as if it had been written by a master calligrapher. Oscar will never admit it, but he''s not happy that I informed him of something so important so late again. He shook his head with resignation. He raised his eyes and looked at his friend. Othis had just finished reading the second of the letters from the Masters. Bleist quietly busied himself with his breakfast while waiting for Hugo to share the news with him.


    Stolen story; please report.


    -I have to admit they are quick.- The Ambassador murmured after a moment.-We have received praise for acting so quickly and efficiently.- He continued, putting the sheet of paper down on the tabletop.-To sum up what they have written here, it is fair to say that we have grown in their eyes.- He stabbed his finger at the two open letters.- Both end by saying that they expect us to continue to succeed in our functions.


    -Well, that''s not bad.- Darius sipped his coffee and glanced at the clock behind his friend.-We got out of this situation defensively.-He combed his hair with his hand in preparation to leave.-Sadly, we didn''t have time to hang out together and I don''t know when I''ll have a moment off again.-He stood up and walked over to his friend to give him a hug.-I hope to see you soon.


    -See you.- Othis smiled nostalgically.-I''ll drop by as soon as I''m on Atlantis.


    After saying goodbye, Darius left and set off towards the southern shopping district carrying two heavy packs, one that Oscar had sent him and one that he had prepared himself, and smiling.


    <figure>


    </figure>


    Draco sat in the living room wondering if he had definitely packed all his things. He hadn''t been able to settle down and sit in one place since he got home, he kept going around all the rooms checking that he had taken what he needed.


    His aunt would wring her hands over him, unable to convince him that he had really thought of everything and didn''t need to worry so much. I could have listened to her more when she explained what the master had told her yesterday, though. He admonished himself once again in his mind. He remembered that Bleist was supposed to pick him up around eleven o''clock, which was getting closer and closer, and then they were supposed to go to Atlantis together. Draco was to live at Darius''s estate in the City of Mages and attend the Solvein Royal Academy. He couldn''t get used to the thought, but found that once it became a reality he would get over it. He also didn''t need to worry about how to transport his belongings, as that would be taken care of by someone from the estate.


    Draco jumped up when the clock standing in the living room struck eleven. Why am I so nervous? He had asked himself this question so many times that he didn''t even know when he had lost count.


    -Can''t you really calm down?- Nasua asked while taking a sip of her favourite tea.-He said he would come around eleven o''clock, then he should be here in a while.


    -You''re right Aunty, but somehow I can''t calm down.- He admitted with a hanged head. He got up and went out into the garden to stretch.


    A moment later, a soft ringing sound came from somewhere in the hallway. Draco momentarily found himself in the living room and as soon as Nasua nodded he rushed towards the door. He found himself at it almost immediately and, drawing in a deep breath, placed his hand on the doorknob. He pressed it and opened the door widely.


    In the threshold stood Bleist wearing a blue cloak and with a sword at his belt. He held two bundles wrapped in grey cloth. He was smiling.


    -Good morning, master.- Draco bowed his head slightly and stepped aside letting the mage pass.


    -Hello.- With his free hand, Darius ruffled his apprentice''s hair causing his hairstyle to turn into a pure mess.-That''s better.- He said watching the dragon glance at him from under his head with a flash of amusement in his eyes.-I hope I''m not late.


    -No, you''re just in time.- Nasua appeared in the aisle looking curiously at the parcels Bleist was holding.-At least before Draco had time to trample a ditch in the garden.-She said without hiding a smile.-Please come inside.-She pointed towards the living room and without waiting for any reaction moved towards it.


    -I guess that leaves me no choice.- Darius muttered glancing at his apprentice who only shrugged his shoulders.-I thought so.- He sighed thinking that a dragoness is never refused by anyone.


    -Master first.- Draco said glancing suspiciously at the packages he was holding.-Otherwise Auntie will complain later.- He added very quietly as if afraid Nasua would hear him.


    -I won''t complain, don''t exaggerate.- It came from deep inside the house.-Come on, or the tea will get cold.


    -I don''t think we have a choice.- Darius said, watching Draco make an ''I told you so'' face.


    They walked into the living room together and Bleist gently placed the packages on the table so as not to disturb anyone. Draco wondered what might be hidden beneath the grey wrapping and noticed that both Master and Auntie were glancing at them as he did.


    -Would you like some tea Darius?- The elderly dragoness neither asked nor stated while pouring a cup of brew for the mage.


    -Thank you very much.- Said Darius picking up the tea cup with an expression on his face that betrayed that he had expected this from the very beginning.- Very delicious as usual.- He stated with a smile.


    -So are you leaving right away?- Nasua asked without even looking at him.


    -Basically yes, but before we start to get on our way I wanted to do something else.- Bleist winked slightly amused at Draco staring at him.


    -What do you mean...?-The dragon became even more curious. I wonder what it is this time. Maybe it''s something in those packages? He wondered, glancing at the grey cloth.


    -Since all the formalities are over it is finally time to move on to matters of a more practical nature.- Darius reached for the smaller and less shapely of the packages. With a quick tug, he tore off the cord with which it was tied and gently unrolled the material. He stood up and lifted up a long coat of the same colour as his own from inside.- I hope you like the colour as well as the cut. Madame Nasua gave me all the measurements I needed, so it should fit perfectly.- He smiled as he saw the childlike joy gradually igniting in his apprentice''s eyes. He handed him the cloak.-Now you will look like a magician''s apprentice.-He winked smiling.-Go on.-He added seeing the dragon''s indecision.


    -Thank you, master.- Draco said bowing to Darius. Then, urged on by his aunt''s gaze, he glanced at the remaining contents of the pack, took it and went to change.


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    Bleist looked to where Draco was sitting just a moment ago and smiled involuntarily. Being a master pleases me more and more every moment. He thought still seeing the joy on his student''s face.


    -I think you really made him happy.- Nasua surreptitiously wiped some lone tear from her cheek.-I haven''t seen him smile like that in a long time.


    -I think it gave me as much pleasure as it did him.-The mage frankly admitted.-I don''t think I even need to ask him if he liked it, do I?


    Nasua merely nodded and took a long sip of her beloved tea. Darius followed her example and sipped the aromatic brew. Each time she brews a different type, and each successive one better than the last. He thought with amusement that the dragoness really had sophisticated taste and enjoyed serving tea to her guests.


    -Could you please satisfy my curiosity and tell me what is in this box?- Nasua glanced at the other package lying on the table.


    -Oh, but of course.- Darius felt like he was just waiting for the dragoness to ask the question. He had long wanted to show off to someone what was now lying in front of him. He stood up from his seat and gently moved his hand over the grey material. With a sigh, he tore off the cord and, with a slow movement, removed the fabric, revealing a box more than one and a half metres long and thirty centimetres high. It was made of dark, polished wood, which had darkened in time with the accumulation of dust, and the hinges and latches had tarnished after years of disuse. Bleist looked at the case with nostalgia.-My and my father''s friend, the unsurpassed master blacksmith Matheo Vittoro dropped by our house on the evening of the day I obtained the title of master holding this case in his hands. I will never forget his face. He was smiling from ear to ear, his cheeks were flushed and his eyebrows were burned. He hugged my father and came towards me pointing this- He showed his finger at the case.- towards me. I will never forget what he said then.- Darius coughed and tried to mimic Matheo with his thick voice.- This is my masterpiece. The weapon that was the last to come out of my hand completing my life as a blacksmith. I felt I had to make it, to give it everything I had, to spell into it every bit of my knowledge and skill, however small. I succeeded. It came into being as the culmination of my path of hammer and anvil. He then looked deeply into my eyes with a certainty that could move millions and said something that made me search for so long for the right person to become my prot¨¦g¨¦.- He began to imitate Master Vittoro again.- I know one thing about it. It already belongs to whoever becomes your first apprentice Darius, that is its destiny.- Bleist gently ran his fingers across the surface of the lid.- I never opened it.- He said quietly. The mage gently turned the case with its front towards the dragoness to show her the symbol burned between the latches-a black dragon.

 Chapter 10 (3/3)

    Draco put on blue trousers, a shirt with a stand-up collar and black heavy leather boots. Everything lay perfectly, as if it had been tailor-made. He looked at himself in the mirror and found that he looked surprisingly good in it. I''ve changed. He admitted to himself. I look different, I feel more confident and safer. I think in a different way. One seemingly small discovery has changed me to the point where I have trouble seeing my old self myself. He sighed looking at himself. I feel better in the skin of a mage than a dragon. He stated with resignation. But are they two completely different entities? He asked himself this question for the first time. He didn''t know what made him think this way, but he had to admit that it was heading in the right direction. Maybe I just feel complete now? Not just a dragon or just a mage, but both sides of my nature forming a whole, being me? He looked over at the bed and took another look at the cloak lying on it. He picked it up in his hand and put it on.


    It was long, reaching his knees. It seemed warm, but despite the high temperature, it didn''t seem to make him any warmer than before. The coat was the same shade of blue as the one Darius wore, it had silver buttons and a coat of arms embroidered on the left shoulder. Coat of arms. He thought while looking at it in the mirror. The simple shield was divided into four parts. On the upper left and lower right were silver griffins, and on two others were dark blue dragons. He liked it and knew it must belong to Darius'' family. He touched it with his hand and smiled. He set about fastening it and felt something under his finger on the button. He had not looked at them before and only now did he notice that there was the same dragon on each one as on the coat of arms. He smiled again and ran his finger over the button.


    When he had finished he took another look at himself. He nodded and reached for the thick leather belt lying at the very bottom of the pack, with fittings for a sword on one side, and on the other there was room for a dagger or pistol. He looked in the mirror. I look like I was born in this. He thought while looking at himself again.


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    Draco walked down the stairs slightly adjusting his belt and wondering how his aunt would react to seeing him. I almost look like someone completely different. He thought glancing down at himself.


    -...what happened to him later on?- Nasua''s voice reached him.


    -Oh, nothing much.- Darius sounded as if he was slightly amused. -A few months later, one of the most lavish weddings in the city took place. Matheo married the dwarves Fiora Waffenkreuz, the only daughter of Herman Waffenkreuz. I had the opportunity to attend the wedding and I must say that the party was great.- Draco entered and noticed the master leaning on a box lying on the table. He was smiling while telling some old story.- Nine months later they had twins Angus and Florence, the eyes in their father''s head. Now they both run branches of their shop in Dagos and in Abbis, and they are only eighteen.


    -Oh, there you are. Let me see you.- Nasua put down her teacup and looked at the young dragon.-You look like you were born in this.-She said seriously nodding her head.-You really fit in.


    -You''re right.- Darius smiled as he watched his apprentice.-All right, now let''s get to the main point of the programme.-He said rubbing his hands together before Draco could speak.-It is customary in our country that the master accepting an apprentice into the term presents him with his first weapon.-He stroked an old case with a sort of expression of nostalgia on his face.-This is my gift to you.-He gently moved the case so that the latches faced Draco. It''s old. The dragon thought while looking at it. It looks precious. He assessed as far as his limited knowledge allowed. On the latches he noticed the decorative letters V, and between them the burnished silhouette of a dragon.-Come on, open it.-Bleist urged him.


    -I really don''t know if I should...- Draco began awkwardly, glancing at the master, aunt and chest in turn.


    -Don''t even say that.- Darius rebuked him with a smile on his lips.-I''ve been waiting for this moment myself ever since I received my Master''s title, so do me the favor, please.


    Draco nodded a few times and walked over to the case. Suddenly his icy hands gripped the latches and he drew in deeply. He was nervous although he didn''t know why. In one smooth movement he opened the closures and gently lifted the lid. The inside was lined with a fine, soft, blood-red material. On it lay a sword. Simple, one-and-a-half-handed and with a large perfectly transparent stone embedded in the head. On the hilt he could see a barely outlined ornament, and the blue scabbard was sheathed in shiny metal moulded in a fancy pattern.


    -It is beautiful - whispered the dragon looking at the weapon.


    -Not only that.- He glanced at Darius. The mage looked surprised and excited at the same time, his eyes sparkling.-Truly unusual. As a rule, such weapons are given for higher officer ranks in the army or for scientific merit. It is a weapon of the highest class, an Atlantean sword, the Eil as Mageus, the face of the sorcerer.-He unconsciously placed his hand on his own weapon.-When it finds its master it binds to him for the rest of the sorcerer''s life, and then disintegrates into dust.- His eyes flashed even more. He shifted his gaze from the weapon to Draco.-When you grab it, you can''t let go until it binds to you.-He said with his face lit up with a smile.-Only then will it take its true shape that suits its new owner best.


    -I...I think...-The dragon stammered not knowing what to do. It''s too precious. I can''t. He thought a little horrified.-I can''t, it''s too much....


    -Oh, what are you talking about?- Darius looked slightly amused by Draco''s reaction.-My friend gave it to me saying it belonged to my first apprentice. It is yours, just as Master Vittoro wanted it to be.


    At the sound of the hammer and anvil grandmaster''s name Draco went pale. Everyone had heard of the famous Atlantean armsmith and his sons, who, along with Herman Waffenkreuz, were the most respected armourers in the entire known world. He looked with wide-open eyes first at the weapon and then at the smiling master.


    -That''s all the more reason why I can''t...-He choked out looking away.


    -Well, don''t argue with your master.- Darius threatened him with his finger laughing under his breath.-This is my gift to you and a proof that you are my disciple. You can''t refuse.- He added with a sassy smile.


    Draco stood for a moment unsure of what to do next, but when impatience appeared on his master''s face and he saw stubbornness in his eyes he realised that he really had no other choice.


    -Thank you master.- He bowed low and then extended his hand towards the hilt. He stopped it a few millimetres away, took a deep breath and grasped it firmly.


    It was a strange feeling, as if he had suddenly come into contact with something that wanted to influence him, and at the same time wanted him to influence it. It felt like when his power was first made known to him. Reflexively, he closed his eyes and immediately found himself in the same dark space standing in the middle of a ball of light. However, he sensed something else here. A new presence, somewhere ahead of him, just beyond the edge of the light. He moved towards it and the luminous sphere followed him, it seemed to him that it was bigger than before, but he couldn''t tell if it was just his impression or reality.


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    He felt himself approaching this new presence. A shape blurred in the darkness. The sword looked like it was suspended in space, held up by shadows. He was getting closer and closer, he could already see the weapon closely. The sword was one-and-a-half-handed, and a large black stone was embedded in its head, inside of which darkness seemed to mix with muffled light in a fascinating way. The shaft was straight, tightly wrapped in black leather. The hilt was covered on both sides with runes, Atlantean on one side and dragon runes on the other, both inscriptions signifying the same word although translated differently depending on the language. Gler''thys from Atlantean dragon blade, and from the language of dragons a deadly shadow. The hilt ended on either side with carefully shaped dragon heads. The blade was straight and tapered towards the end, it had double fuller and there were runes running the entire length that he had never seen before. In the middle were larger, more distinguished marks that made up his name. As with the sword''s name, the inscription was in two languages. Draco''s name was written in Atlantean runes and Ignis'' surname in dragon runes.


    He slowly reached out his hand and the shadows diverged giving way to a luminous sphere. He clenched his hand firmly on the hilt and felt his energy pour into the sword, and he somehow became bound to it, as if becoming part of it. And again he felt as if he was reclaiming a part of himself that he had forgotten existed and that had come to him on its own. He felt that he knew what the sword he held in his hand was capable of, that he knew how to use it, how to pour into it the knowledge and practice he had acquired at the Dragon Academy. Picking it up he sensed its unusual balance, it was heavier than the swords he had held in his hands so far. The weight was also distributed differently than normal, the handle and crossguard perfectly balanced the weight of the blade, the weight of which gradually increased towards the lunge, which, due to his strength, did not cause him any problem, in fact it fit his hand perfectly. He tried to swing. He knew that with this balance, the force of the blow was greater at the end. The sword smoothly cut through the air leaving only a silver streak in its wake.


    Draco felt that the weapon would serve him well, but he was also aware that despite the impression that he could handle the sword, he needed to get used to it, to familiarise himself with it, to master a technique that suited its balance and his own strength. He had no idea from where, but fencing techniques he had never encountered appeared in his mind. He began to suspect that Gler''thys itself was responsible for this. After all, it''s not a normal sword, so something like this shouldn''t surprise me. He smiled to himself and squeezed the handle even tighter. Time to go back. He thought and slowly opened his eyes.


    He held the handle of the sword in a strong grip, and the weapon was identical to the one he had seen in the magic zone. The scabbard had also changed. It had now taken on a black colour and there were the same runes on it as on the sword. The ferrule had changed taking the shape of flames running down the blade. The weapon looked magnificent and Draco couldn''t get enough of it. It belongs to me now. He thought, wondering if every mage bonding with Eil as Mageus felt as if he was reclaiming a part of himself that had always been waiting for him.


    -Beautiful,- Bleist muttered staring at the weapon like a child at candy. He suddenly furrowed his eyebrows and leaned over slightly to look at something more closely.- Hmmm... Gler''thys. Interesting. There are three types of runes on the sword. Atlantean, dragon and...- He muttered intrigued. He looked as if he was trying to unravel some mysterious riddle.-I don''t know these runes.-He rubbed his chin in dismay.-Do you know these signs?-He asked his apprentice tilting his head.


    -Unfortunately master, I have never seen such.- Draco replied looking intrigued by the unfamiliar signs. He noticed that his aunt had put on her glasses and walked over to see the sword up close. As soon as she looked at it she turned slightly pale and shifted her gaze to Draco.


    -I didn''t expect...- She put her hand on his head and gently combed through his hair.-It''s your destiny, apparently.- She said in a slightly cracking voice and with a smile on her face.


    -Do you recognise these runes? -Darius looked surprised.


    -Yes, however, I can''t read them,- stated the dragoness looking at the mage.-I can''t say anything about them though,-she smiled a little sadly.-I rather doubt you will find them somewhere, but one day Draco will know where to look for them.


    -What does that mean Auntie?- Draco asked looking at the dragoness.


    -You''ll find out in your own time, - she said sitting down in her chair. Draco looked at Darius and read the same thing from his face as he thought from her they would learn nothing. Bleist shrugged his shoulders gently making a face emphatically telling him to leave it for later.


    -Put it on your belt.- said the master overlooking the problem at hand. Draco immediately understood that they would deal with it later and for now he didn''t need to worry about it.


    The dragon picked up the sword and looked at the unusual attachment. Quite quickly he worked out how the five silver chains, whose links were covered in a pattern of flames, should be clipped to his belt. When he did so he was surprised to find that the weight of the sword was perfectly distributed and did not interfere with any of his movements.


    -Try it.- Darius smiled nodding appreciatively.


    Draco agreed and walked out into the garden. He faced his aunt and master and drew his sword from its scabbard for the first time. It laid perfectly in his hand and he swung and cut at neck level with no problem.


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    Bleist watched Draco handle his sword in the shadow battle. He was pleased to watch the boy move seamlessly from a one-handed grip to a two-handed one, making turns at which the sheath halves could barely keep up with his figure. I have to say, they really do put an emphasis on swordsmanship at the Dragon Academy. He watched as the sword in his student''s hands turned into a shimmering ribbon. Suddenly Draco stopped and assumed an unusual position holding the sword in his outstretched hand at a forty-five degree angle. He saw the dragon let out a gasp of air and prepare to make an attack. In an instant he picked up his sword making a diagonal cut from below and immediately went into a spin, in the middle of it he changed into his dragon form and finished with a cut at the height of his own throat. Darius leapt up from his seat. He could not believe his eyes. Gler''thys had changed along with its owner. It was now longer, wider and noticeably heavier. The crossguard on either side ended in long claws pointing along the length of the blade, and the crystal in the head was enclosed in a fine mesh of black metal that took the shape of a spike at the end.


    Draco blinked his golden eyes a few times, looking at the weapon held in his hand with surprise. He raised his gaze and looked at his master, who had frozen motionless staring at Gler''thys.


    -But... how?- Bleist asked himself and approached his apprentice feeling a growing curiosity within him.-Astonishing.- He looked at the blade and noticed that the runes had changed and the name had swapped the type of writing.


    -Is that...?- Draco began uncertainly, glancing at the master.


    -Is this normal? To be honest, it''s the first time I''ve encountered something like this, but it means that this sword really suits you.-He put his hand on the dragon''s shoulder.-You should be happy, because it will serve you well no matter what the situation is.-He smiled adding to the boy''s confidence. The clock on the wall struck noon surprising Darius. Time really does pass quickly in good company.- Unfortunately we will have to go now.- He said turning back to Nasua. Draco changed back to his human form and carefully placed his sword in its scabbard.- I hope we can meet again in such a pleasant atmosphere.-He nodded towards her and when he raised his gaze again he was surprised to see the old woman standing a step away from him smiling.


    -Please take good care of him.- She whispered squeezing Darius with unexpected strength.


    -Of course madame.


    Nasua walked up to her nephew and embraced him tenderly.


    -Draco, dear, take care and listen to your master.- She said affectionately and kissed him on the forehead.


    -Of course, Aunty.-The dragon smiled broadly.-See you later.


    Both he and Bleist left the house and slowly moved ahead.

 Chapter 11 (1/3)

    The southern shopping district was very busy, with customers crowding everywhere, drawn to selected shops, for specific products. The crowd was a cross-section of the entire local society, there were dragons, elves, dwarves, halflings, orcs all around, and occasionally a vampire could be seen passing somewhere to the side.


    -Did you find him?- Burked Pirce looking at Felic, who pushed his way through the squeeze in front of the new shop located at the gate leading to the district.


    -You know, it''s rather hard to look for him in such a crowd,- muttered the other dragon and rubbed his sleepy eyes.-Remember how he once disappeared for us on the Royal Tract? Or in the northern shopping district. Again...


    -Now, now, that''s enough.- Said Pirce discouraged by the vision of a long lecture recalling all the failed attempts to catch Draco.-I know what you want to say, but he has to show up today.-He repeated once again with all the confidence he could muster.-That dirty elf is leaving today and that lover won''t be able to let her go without saying goodbye.-He growled nervously.


    -Wrong.- Felice leaned against the wall next to him and lazily combed his hair.-She already left, about an hour ago. As I was walking towards you I bumped into Collin, he saw her leaving with her mother.-He yawned mightily and rubbed his eyes.-You''re late.-He muttered looking around.


    -Not possible.- Pirce was furious. This was going to be the perfect opportunity to repay him for this humiliation. Impossible for him to outwit me again. He slammed his clenched hand against the wall and mumbled the curse words crammed on his lips.- He must be here somewhere.- He growled looking around with rage written on his face.


    -Can''t you just get over the fact that he didn''t do what you predicted?- The dragon sighed heavily and looked at his friend from under his squinted eyelids.-What a nuisance...- He said crossly.-Don''t act like a little child. Besides, I don''t know why you''re so obsessed with it.


    -You won''t understand.-Barched Pirce turning his back to him. He can''t understand, even if I explained it to him. He won''t know... He growled at himself to stop thinking about it.


    -Cursed mages...- Max complained, paving the way in front of his sister.-How did they even know about that passage over there?


    -I don''t know, but the big one was scary.- Said Louren in a hushed voice trying not to take more than a step away from her brother.


    -O! Pirce!- Max stopped noticing the dragon standing in one of the smaller passageways between the buildings.-I see you''re angry so I guess you''ve already heard.-He chuckled with a roguish grin.


    -You look terrible, Mr Neidheim.- Said the little dragoness hiding behind her brother''s back and clutching the hem of his tunic in her hands.


    Pirce glanced at the little girl and tried to smile with rather miserable results. Louren hid more behind Max, who only shook his head with resignation.


    -Yes I know, Jeviev has left.- growled Pirce giving up his attempt at calming down.-And no one has seen that bastard.-he gritted his teeth.


    -Somehow that doesn''t surprise me.- Max grinned, and in his eyes you could see a kind of malicious satisfaction.-You should listen to what''s being said around town sometimes.-The dragon looked like he was really enjoying himself.


    -Stop teasing and cough it up.- Said Felice in a weary voice.


    -You''re spoiling my fun.- Max muttered.- Draco has found himself a master and if my memory serves me right he''s already left.- He smiled tilting his head.- Gentlemen will excuse us but we''ll be getting going.- He said stroking his sister''s head.- Let''s go Louren, I''ll buy you something sweet.


    -Goodbye.- The dragoness panted slightly and rushed after her brother.


    Pirce stood clenching his fists furiously, he could feel his blood pulsing. Impossible. He repeated to himself trying to control himself and not explode in front of so many strangers.


    -Well, in that case I guess we don''t have to wait here anymore.- Felice shrugged his shoulders and pushed himself slightly away from the wall.-Today''s free, so why don''t we go to the same pub as always?- He turned away trying not to look at his friend''s pale face and his eyes burning with rage.


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    Thanks to his knowledge of shortcuts and various unpopulated passages, they quickly got out of the extremely crowded southern shopping district. When they found themselves on the Royal Tract Draco was finally relieved, for it was only here that they emerged from the huge crowd.


    -Huge amount of people today.- Said Darius catching up with his apprentice, who had more experience and skill in wading through such a crowd of people.-Is there any bargain?- Asked the mage looking around and trying to catch any differences from a normal day in Dagos.


    -It''s rather nothing out of the ordinary master.- Draco found himself at his side as if out of nowhere, moving around as if there was no one around and he was just to avoid certain points in the road. He really can move through a crowd almost imperceptibly. Darius once again couldn''t marvel at how the boy could surprise him by reflexively doing something he had been learning for several years. Well, I shouldn''t be surprised. He had to learn that if he wanted to escape Pirc''s gang. He sighed lightly, thinking of the situation the young dragon had been in all along.- It is just that several events had come together today,- Draco continued undaunted, maneuvering so as not to bump into anyone and practically remain unnoticed. Most of the people passing by were only paying attention to Darius, the dragon was just passing between them and it didn''t matter that he was only a head shorter than Bleist, massively built and wearing the same outfit as the other mage, plus there was a massive sword hanging at his belt, which should attract the eyes of at least a few people.- It''s a day off at the Academy and other schools, so most students have time to do some shopping and spend a few moments with friends. Plus they''re opening a couple of larger shops in the shopping districts today.- He disappeared for a moment as Darius squeezed through a more clustered group of exasperated dragons. As soon as he had passed them it was Draco who appeared at his side and continued as if nothing had happened.-In addition, preparations for the summer solstice festival are slowly beginning, so more and more people are drawn to the city for that reason.-He shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing unusual.


    -Well, you can''t say it''s quiet in Dagos,- sighed Darius, a little irritated by the crowd.-There''s always something going on here.


    Draco disappeared into the crowd again and reappeared beside Darius when there was some space. They were slowly approaching the main gate of the city, and gradually there were fewer and fewer people around them. Bleist regretted that he had to return to Atlantis so soon and take up his daily life full of paperwork and boring meetings. On the other hand, I think Draco will provide me with some variety and an opportunity to wriggle out of some parties. He thought contentedly with such a thought, but nevertheless a vision of reality quickly caught up with him. Or rather, I''ll have someone to accompany me to even more gatherings. Even now, before his eyes stood Gizel in a beautiful ball gown telling him that he had no choice but to go with her to one of her colleagues who, coincidentally, was throwing a small dinner party for a couple of friends. Well, either way I think it will be better than before. More lively. He added as he watched the dragon once again appear at his side.


    -We''ll be out of town in no time.- Said the mage looking over his shoulder at the Royal Tract stretching behind them.-Don''t you have any regrets?- He asked watching his apprentice.


    -I don''t really have anything to regret,- replied the dragon shrugging his shoulders. -Jeviev has left, my aunt will manage without me, although she will miss me.-He said it as if he had already thought about it. - As for the rest, master himself knows.


    -Well, you''re right.- Bleist noticed that Draco smiled slightly when he nodded.- It will only get better now.-He put his hand on the boy''s shoulder and squeezed firmly.-A new chapter of your life is opening up for you.- He winked at him, and when the dragon wanted to say something he just squeezed his shoulder tighter and looked him in the eye.-Believe me, I know what I''m saying.


    -I dare not doubt it.- Draco bowed elegantly, and merry fires lit in his eyes.-Master is always right.


    -Hurry up.- Said the delighted mage, overtaking his apprentice.-If we are late a few people will give me a terrible headache.- He grinned when the dragon appeared by his side.


    After leaving the city, Darius led them along a straight path until they were outside the boundaries of the anti-portal field stretched centuries ago over Dagos. Draco didn''t have the slightest problem with the little walk and was glad of it, as he had some time to think about the immediate future. He didn''t know exactly what his life was supposed to look like from now on, but he was sure his master really knew what he was saying about things only getting better now.


    -Have you ever travelled using portals before?- Bleist asked, stopping and looking around.


    -I haven''t had the opportunity master.- Draco glanced around at his surroundings and noticed nothing unusual to distinguish it from the hundreds of others in the area.


    -Then you will have that opportunity.- Darius spread the fingers of his hand as if to prepare for something.-There is no way to get to Atlantis other than just through a portal. Of course, there are a few places where they are permanently maintained by our mages, but frankly there are sometimes quite long queues and it is usually crowded, so the mages are in the habit of opening their own portals to get into the city.- He stretched his hand out in front of him.- Or at least as close as possible.


    Draco watched as something began to happen in front of his master. First the air rippled, as if suddenly warmed, and then runic signs began to appear in the air, forming a circle taller than Bleist. When they all glowed a golden colour a small golden surface appeared in the very centre, which quickly began to grow. When it reached all the runes it stopped rippling gently and became still.


    -The portal is ready.- Darius smiled lowering his hand slowly.-You must pass through it without hesitation, I will be right behind you.


    The dragon merely nodded, faced the golden array and took a deep breath. On the other side my new home awaits me. He thought reassuringly. There is no turning back now, I can only walk ahead. He took a step and found himself on the other side.