The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series) (6 page)

Was it fear?
he thought to himself as he contemplated his master’s expression.

             
“Do not analyze me!” Zayle roared. 

It was something Kade would do at times when he and his master were in one of their debates.  It infuriated Zayle, but it was also part of what the Master Chosen liked about Kade.  It showed a sign of thoughtfulness and intelligence, and that is what kept those that used the Divine Power alive.  The number of Chosen with the talent to use the Divine was almost nonexistent as it was.

              “Well, actually it was far from the shield.  I lost track of the distance,” Kade said, believing he was losing the fight to convince his master.  Desperation made it hard to think logically.  He suppressed the urge to yell as he fought to organize his thoughts.

             
“And, of course, you are going to tell me that the dragon and grimalkin were able to get through my Barrier Calling?” Zayle asked skeptically.  “And I bet you stopped them from smashing this cabin, and I bet you’re even going to tell me you saved me.  That must mean I owe my life to you,” he added, gaining just a little control but tossing in a fair share of sarcasm.  “Come on, Kade.  You don’t really expect me to believe anything you just told me, do you?” Kade hesitated, believing that his master actually meant the question…almost.  “Why don’t you try telling me the truth instead of making up this wild story?” Zayle continued, exasperated.  Kade sensed there was more to this conversation than he was aware of, but he was unable to grasp why.

             
“But, it is the truth!” Kade pleaded desperately.  “Look,” he said, pointing to his forehead where the dried blood had smeared.  Zayle glanced up and for a second, Kade thought his master was convinced.

             
“Okay, Kade.  If you can’t tell me the truth, then you can expect no lessons in the use of the Divine Power for at least one month, and you will be splitting all the wood and plowing the field for the garden without my help.  When you feel like telling me the truth, come find me.  I am very disappointed with you,” Zayle said as he turned to go into the den.  But, Kade could swear that Zayle was acting…odd.  Kade shook his head roughly, desperate to convince his master.  But, the more Kade thought about it, the more he got the feeling that Zayle was hoping to hear Kade say that this was all made up.

             
“Master, no!” Kade said as he grabbed Zayle by the arm.  He felt his teacher go as rigid as iron.  When Zayle turned back to face his pupil, his face was ash-white.  Kade pulled his hand back quickly, as though he had reached into a fire and grabbed the hottest coal.  Zayle’s eyes slowly slid down from his student’s eyes to linger over where Kade had just grabbed him.  The apprentice could feel the whirl of emotions coursing through his body, causing his head to spin.  He froze, waiting for the verbal barrage he knew was coming.

             
“This had better be good.  What would ever make you think it was okay for an apprentice to touch his master?” Zayle asked in a hiss that was barely audible.

             
“The dragon!  It’s waiting for me back by the path,” Kade said with excitement as he felt like the biggest fool for not bringing it up sooner.

             
“Of course.  This is the dragon that was able to break through my calling, right?” Zayle asked, the anger causing him to shake, but again, Kade was sure there was more going on than he could see. 

There was a look in his master’s eyes that Kade could not understand.  He ignored it as he knew he had better do this quickly or he was going to lose his chance to convince his master, and he would find himself a beggar in the streets of Espren.  He took a precious moment to calm himself as he breathed deeply, forcing himself to think.

              “I stake my training that what I say is true,” Kade said in more of a rush than he wanted.  “Please come see the dragon.  If everything I have said is not true, then I will leave immediately,” he said, almost instantly regretting risking his way of life. 

What if the dragon is gone when I return to the path?
Kade asked himself, as he dried his palms on his pants.  Even though there was a strict understanding of apprentice to master, Kade had come to care about Zayle as he would his own father.  He fought down a sense of panic at taking this risk, but he knew this would get Zayle‘s attention. 

             
The Master Chosen seemed to lose all his anger as he studied his student, taking in the disheveled hair and the torn clothes.  Kade saw Zayle’s eyes flit to his forehead and then they were distant, as though he were considering something, or possibly…replaying a memory in his head.  Kade misunderstood, believing his master was losing interest and panicked. “I promise, Master!  Please, just this once, trusts me!  I give you my word!” Kade begged as he tried to make his voice more firm, but it ended up sounding closer to pleading which, of course, he was.

             
Color returned to his face as he looked at Kade, considering his offer.  Sadness flashed in his eyes for just a moment and then disappeared.  He knew that Kade lived for the day when he could command the Divine Power, and for him to make this offer could not have been easy.

             
“I know how important your training is to you, so I am going to give you this chance.  If you can’t produce the dragon, then you leave today,” Zayle said, hoping the threat of accepting Kade’s terms would cause him to change his story.  Seeing that his apprentice wasn’t going to give a different accounting, he continued.  “Now, show me this dragon,” he said, fearing he would find no such creature.  Kade ran out the door quickly, urging his master to follow.  Even though he had his failings, Kade was the cherished son that Zayle never had.

             
“Well, he could not get past the calling, as you said, so I have to take you to him,” Kade explained.  He could see his master’s resolve firm as his face tightened into anger combined with what Kade thought might be uncertainty.

             
“This had better be real or you will regret wasting my time,” Zayle vowed.

             
“The dragon is right outside the barrier.  Right along the path,” Kade said as he pointed animatedly.  He found himself trying to, once again, analyze his master’s reaction.

             
“I did feel a slight pushing in that vicinity,” Zayle said more to himself.  “Could be anything from fluctuation in the Divine Power to a large animal, but we shall see.  Okay,” Zayle said resolutely, “show me your dragon.  I will come to see if it exists.  We leave after I get my walking cloak.  Be ready.”

             
Kade breathed a sigh of relief but even five minutes was torture.  Every second that ticked by brought thoughts of disaster. 
What if the dragon is gone?
he thought as he felt panic well up again. 
Why would a dragon wait for me when it barely knows me?  How would it know how long it was supposed to stay?
 

Fear of losing his apprenticeship worked its way back into his heart.  He was deep in thought with all the possible things that could go wrong when he jumped at the sound of Zayle’s voice.  Kade went in and saw his master standing just inside the door to the den.  He had his red walking cloak on, but was not moving.  Kade froze as he watched Zayle standing very still, staring into the Blue Flame of the Divine while it danced in his hands.  His eyes were the blackest of black, with no whites showing.  He was studying the flames as if watching a scene unfolding before him.  His eyes looked this way and that way, taking in what he was seeing.  Zayle frowned deeply, and then he looked up to see Kade watching him.  The flame faded out and the frown disappeared as though it had never been.  The black faded and the Master Chosen’s eyes returned to normal.  Kade had only seen his master do this one other time, and it unsettled him just as deeply now, as it had then.

              “Alright Kade, I shall go see this dragon,” Zayle said as he brushed past his apprentice.

             
Kade found it hard not to push as he fought to stay behind his master, as was appropriate.  He found he was breathing in huffs of frustration as he struggled to control the urge to race ahead, or prompt his master to pick up the pace.  Every time he opened his mouth to compel Zayle to a greater speed, he would close it again, knowing that his teacher would only stop and lecture him on proper behavior.  An apprentice is not to tell a master what to do. 

Besides,
he kept telling himself,
at least he is going to see the dragon and know that I have spoken the truth.

             
Kade looked at his beloved teacher several times and could have sworn that it was a look of worry he was seeing.  It was clear he was contemplating something, but what?  They continued on like this the entire walk.  He was considering asking what would worry his master when he realized they were approaching the spot where his dragon should have been.  He tried to swallow and could not.  His throat seized up as his fears about the dragon leaving became a reality.  That feeling of just about falling off a cliff and barely catching himself at the last moment was back, but this time it was different; this time he was going over the edge.  Everything was falling apart.  He found it difficult to think as he raced past his master and stared at the empty spot where his dragon had been.

             
“He was right here!  I swear he was!” Kade said in rushed words, as desperation started to crush any hope he had of proving that he had spoken the truth. 

             
Kade was afraid to look his master in the eyes.  His mind was still racing when he started yelling for the dragon at the top of his lungs.  He yelled over and over, but there was nothing.  The only thing that answered him was the sound of the wind.  Kade did not see that Zayle was watching him intently, studying him.

             
“Dragon, where are you?” Kade screamed, frustration and anger gripping his heart.  Still, the area was quiet.  Zayle seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and glared at Kade with a look that said, “I knew this was going to happen.”

             
“I swear on my life, Master!  He was right here!” Kade said as he stabbed his figure toward the ground.  “Look,” he said as he noticed the scrape marks where the dragon had clawed at the dirt.

             
Without even a glance, Zayle started to turn and walk away, saying, “I’ll expect you to pack your things tonight.  I will give you a day to figure out what you are going to do,” he said, knowing that he was only doing this to force the truth out of Kade.  At least, he thought he would not force his beloved apprentice to leave.  Maybe it would be for the best, but that was to be decided later when things settled down.  For now, Zayle would let his apprentice believe he was to leave.

             
Kade, now angrier than his master had ever seen him, screamed until he was hoarse.  Over and over, he called out to the silent forest.  He listened hard for any sound, but the area was quiet.  Kade took a deep breath and put everything into his next call, turning red in the face.

“Dragon, where are you?” Kade screamed.

              Surprised by this last attempt, Zayle slowly regarded his apprentice with narrowed eyes.  Kade yelled several more times, every yell becoming weaker and weaker until he stopped and hung his head.  Grief overwhelmed him at the thought of leaving the one place he truly felt like he belonged.  His place was here with Zayle, studying to be the greatest Master Chosen there ever was.  Now, his dreams were fading right before his eyes.  He told himself he would not break down, but instead, he would be a man about it.  He could feel the start of a tear form in his eye.

             
“I am sorry,” Kade said with as much control as he could muster. “I guess he left,” he added but already regretting saying it, knowing his master did not believe the truth.  Persisting when Zayle had made up his mind never worked out in his favor.

             
Kade walked past his mentor on his way toward the cabin.  He could not even bring himself to look at the Chosen for fear of seeing disappointment in his eyes.  But, he still glanced back, and before he could look away, noticed a strange look on the Master Chosen’s face.  Zayle was turning his head as if listening.  He slowly raised his hand over the ground, as though feeling heat rise from a fire.  After several movements with his hand, and a few unrecognizable words, a shimmer shot forth to hit the ground.

             
Kade started to get a bad feeling in his gut.  Zayle seemed tense and it worried him.  It worried him deeply.  He took a couple of steps toward his master and asked, “What?”

             
“Hush,” Zayle commanded.  “Something,” he said slowly.  “Something comes.  And, it’s large.”

             
Zayle slowly looked up and regarded the woods, but it was worry that Kade saw in the man’s eyes. 
Why
? he thought to himself. 
Why would Master appear to be so worried and even…afraid?
   Kade pondered as he saw a look in his master’s eyes that he could not ever recall seeing.  It was then that he felt the vibrations of something hitting the ground hard and coming fast.  The vibrations were getting stronger by the second.  His heart leapt as his hopes started to soar.