The Dragon Knight Order (6 page)

I was starting to wobble; I was suddenly aware of how tired I really was. The darkness Vorm had consumed a lot of my energy and even more with its attacks. I could barely stand, my legs started to shake and I was forced to sit down on the floor. I was panting heavily and I could feel my consciousness slipping. Was I going to faint again? Not good, I was in real trouble. I closed my eyes trying to clear my mind and avoid fainting. I felt a cold touch all around my body. I opened my eyes to see my Vorm huddled around me, allowing me to rest my back and head on its body. It then placed its tail on my legs and stared at Eric and Lester with a low growl coming from its mouth. It was protecting me. Normally a Vorm would try to attack its owner if the owner was as weak as I was right now, yet this one was protecting me. I placed my hand on its tail and sensed how his mind flickered a momentary flare of joy before going back to its aggressive mentality.

I looked up to find a crowd had gathered and had been watching the match silently, yet not a single person had tried to intervene. They watched attentively as if to not miss anything we might do and most wondered why the Vorm had chosen to huddle and protect me with its body rather than run amok.

I could tell Eric and Lester were thinking the same thing because they didn’t attack or do anything for that matter, they just stood there watching. Suddenly 3 different Vorms appeared and surrounded Eric and Lester, growling and snapping their jaws ready to pounce on them at the smallest indication of danger. Breaking through the crowd was Adria and Max.

“There he is,” said Adria to Max while pointing at me.

Regaining his lost voice from a moment ago, Eric said, "Well, well, if isn’t our very own Natural. What do you think you’re doing here?” backing away from the water and wind Vorm growling at him. He was tired just like I was as he had used up most, if not all, of his magical power. Judging from Lester's panting, so had he.

It was sad to admit it but this match had ended in a draw.

Making Peace with a Friend

Applause. "A wonderful display of talent and skill. But I must say I am a bit disappointed in you boys, not only did Alex force you into a draw, but he held back,” said a third year student with the same uniform as Lester and Eric.

“Axcel,” replied Eric sounding nervous between pants. “It’s not like that. We just didn't attack him with all we had if we had been serious we would have won easy. Just because he had that bl…“

Sighing heavily as if to interrupt him, Axcel continued, “Eric, you really should learn from Lester. At least he knows when to shut up and recognize his mistakes. That black Vorm is by far the most powerful Vorm currently found in the academy, stronger than even mine. Had our Dragon Knight here chosen to attack you with everything he had, that black Vorm would have destroyed your Vorms, sucked you dry of magic and chewed on you like a dog playing with a toy and sent you to the infirmary for a very long time. Now head back to your dorms and rest. You will have to train for a far longer time if you want to beat Alex.”

Whatever Eric was going to say, he swallowed it and walked away. This was the first time I had seen him react in that way.  After he had left, Lester and Axcel traded glances and he too left.

“Are you alright?” asked Axcel walking over.

“What do you think? Your stupid noble friends attack him two on one just after he had left the infirmary wing for overexerting himself and you have the guts to ask if he is alright.” barked Adria at him. I was really surprised to see her, and more surprised by her reaction.

“First of all, we might be nobles but they are no friends of mine. Not all nobles are as arrogant or stupid as those two are. And secondly you didn't answer my question, Alex are you alright?” he asked, stopping just outside of the Vorm’s range.

“I think so, just a bit tired that’s all," I said between pants.

“Good, you should be tired after using a darkness Vorm like that. You should release the spell. If not, he will continue to drain energy from you until you pass out. That way a healer can also approach you and patch up your cuts and bruises,” he said with a smile. He seemed like a nice person.

“How do I release it?” I asked. “Because I tried and it didn’t work.”

“It simple. All you have to do is feel the connection to the magic fueling and withdraw from it. That should cause the Vorm to fall apart. If by any chance that doesn't work because it consumed a Vorm and its magical energies are still fueling it, someone is going to have to channel that energy from the Vorm to you.”

“I think you will have to channel the magic into me. It was using the fire Vorm’s magic but it went back to using mine and I am afraid I don’t have much left.”

“Alright, just don't let it attack me,” said Axcel while approaching the Vorm slowly.

The moment the Vorm became aware of Axcel, it lifted its head and glared at him. Into the Vorm’s mind, I said, "Don't attack him; he is here to help me.” Axcel was just a meter away from me, when the Vorm growled and whipped Axcel with its tail, sending him flying.

"Well… That didn't go well," he said with a loud moan. “And I think it broke two… Ouch... I think three of my ribs. Someone needs to get a teacher…. Ouch...”

“Don't move, let me take a look,” said Max lifting Axcel's shirt. One, two, three, four-

Another loud moan erupted from Axcel’s mouth.

“His fifth to eighth ribs are broken. Simple fractures but you still need to go to the infirmary. But first we need to get Alex. He's very tired and if he falls unconscious his Vorm might attack anyone. And by the looks of it that Vorm has enough energy to keep going for a few more minutes.”

Before I said anything Adria started walking towards me. The world seemed to slow down; I noticed how in the last two months Adria had grown taller. She seemed pretty... I must have hit my head hard, but her long brown hair with her deep hazel eyes and her tan skin. She was really pretty, maybe even beautiful. I must have hit my head really hard to notice that. As she got closer and things sped up again, I heard Max shouting for where Axcel laid.

 “Are you crazy Adria? Alex is not in control of that Vorm! You might get hurt… Adria….Don't get closer to it!” said Max, the despair clear in the voice.

Is that what he thought of me? A Dragon Knight who cannot control his very own Vorm? I thought quietly to myself.

Then, as if the world's most natural thing she turned to Max smiling and said, “Don’t worry, Alex would never let it hurt me.” She said smiling as she extended her hand towards the Vorm and me.

Keeping her eyes on the Vorm’s tail in case it decided to attack her, she walked slowly towards me. The Vorm watched her intently, but otherwise laid still. She placed one of her hands on it and the other on me. A tingly sensation ran through me as the Vorm’s shape started to break up and melt into my shadow. As the Vorm began melting, he thought to himself that he liked Adria. I could tell Adria knew it because her facial expression was that of astonishment and amusement. I tried to get up and Adria extended her hand and helped me onto my feet. I felt a bit wobbly and almost fell again but Adria held my weight for me.

It was the first time in two months that she and I were this close and I couldn't help but feel blood rushing to my face. Was I sick? Maybe, I felt weak enough to be sick. Then the air becomes cold and the shadows started to give off more energy like they had when my duel stared. This meant I was in serious trouble, and then a tall man stepped out of my shadow.

“Master? Why are you here?” I asked knowing full well why he was here.

“News in the academy travels fast Alex, I heard you had gotten into a fight with the two Noble students from your battlemage class. Of course that alone would not bring me here. But then I sensed a darkness Vorm and that no matter, how far I am, merits my presence.”

“Look whoever you are, it can wait, he and Axcel need to go to the infirmary wing,” said Adria interrupting Master Shadow.

“Sadly little girl I have complete control in all matters regarding our young Dragon Knight and I will not let you dictate them as you please. Now be silent as this does not pertain to you,” said Master. I could tell he was very upset.

Sensing Adria’s reaction I spoke up. “Adria... He is Master Shadow, the Noble darkness dragon who has been teaching me how to become a Dragon Knight. He might look like a man now but that's only because of his magical powers. He says it’s more practical than walking around in his dragon body.”

“It
is
more practical when I want to walk around without a big crowd around me. You seem to be fine if you can come up with wise remarks. All four of you will come with me,” he said taking notice that Adria was about to protest. “There is a team of healers waiting for us in Sky Dome and they will take care of Alex and Axcel.”

Apology

When we got to the Sky Dome a few healers patched Axcel and I up, although Axcel would have to go to the infirmary later to check his ribs. Master appeared in his dragon form and ordered us to go to the fountain in the center of the dome.

I had never been to this part of the dome. It was made out of glass and white stones and you could see the entire Dragon Hold from up here. In the center was the fountain. It was made out of white marble and seemed to get its water from magic because I couldn't see any pipes or running water anywhere close to it. A very complex spell must power it. If that’s true, it must be very old.

“The reason I brought you four here is simple and completely unrelated to what happened today.” He took a pause and looked up as if praying to something, an outlandish idea considering dragons don’t believe in any deity. This worried me as it was unusual for Master to pause. “Two more Dragon Knights have been discovered in the academies of Halla and Dextra. One is a noble and the other is a commoner. Axcel, I brought you here because you are a Noble and unlike most, you are not arrogant, self-centered or incredibly stupid. You also happen to be an exceptional mage. I need you to keep the other Nobles in the Academy away from her. Given the history between your families, I won’t ask you to interact with her, but you have to make sure to keep other Nobles away.”

“So it’s a
her
? This is going to be a troublesome job Lord Shadow, but I shall try my best,” said Axcel.

“Good, now Max I need you to be the commoner’s friend since she will be assisting your classes. You are to help, and if need be, protect her. I know I am asking a lot from you and I don’t even know you, therefore I will also have Alex start attending healing classes. She had already begun training in the healer branch; even among Dragon Knights healers are very rare.” 

When Max failed to answer because of shock, Axcel did for him. “Thank you Grand Master Shadow for trusting us with these missions. I promise we will not fail you,” said Axcel, as he bowed and pushed Max's head so that he would bow as well.

“Um.... We won't fail,” said Max trying to shake off the shock of being considered worthy of a mission given by a dragon.

“And I am sure you won't. Now go rest while I talk to Adria and Alex,” said Master, as the healer team escorted them out.

“Now, will you tell me what happened word for word? And don't worry you won’t be punished for what happened. I dislike most Nobles as much as you,” said Master with a playful tone I hadn't heard before.

After I told him what happened, he questioned me on how I felt and how tired I was. Adria filled in the blanks except for the Vorm’s thought of liking her and also gave the whole story from her perspective. I must say I sounded pretty cool.

“Well, it seems you are very fond of Adria. If not the Vorm would have attacked her the same way it attacked Axcel. It's amazing that you can form a complete darkness Vorm, something even the most experienced Dragon Knights struggle with, and only with two months of training. Had you not become a Dragon Knight you would have probably become the most powerful mage this academy has…” His thoughts seemed to wander for a moment before continuing. “Moving on to more pressing issues… Alex as the first of this new generation of Dragon Knights and the only current Knight to have a legendary attribute deal makes you the new Knights, Senior Knight. You will have to help them and protect them against others. You had little contact with your friends during these last two months and that’s going to change now, but your duties as a Knight come first. Ilena being noble born will be very powerful; she might even come to be on par with you sooner than what you would expect. That means you are going to have to train faster and harder to maintain your edge over her. You must master the darkness Vorm and start training on the next set of spells before she arrives here with her dragon master. Evey is also speculated to be a natural, so you will be pressed to keep your superiority over both girls. This is where you come in Adria. Since Alex's darkness Vorm runs the risk of attacking, and if the situation is right, killing its opponent even if it’s under control, you who are viewed by it and Alex as friends won't be harmed. That's why I want you to help him train and at the same time you will pick up new abilities that will give you a better chance at achieving second place in the upcoming exams. It will also improve your team skills. Given the risk there is in using darkness magic I will personally oversee your training.  Also I believe we will have a visit from the Dragon Council in a few weeks I expect you to-“

“Who said I wasn’t going to win?” interrupted Adria clearly annoyed. “And a Dragon Council? We have been taught all dragons are free to do as they please and answer to no central figure.”

“I was going to ask about that Master. It’s what we are taught in class but that doesn’t concur with the Dragon Knights Order. From what you have told me, the Order has an elder council that is composed of the four Cardinal dragons and four human representatives who have achieved the rank of Dragon Rider and they dictate orders to the Knights and their respective dragon teachers. Since there is only one Dragon Rider, the council was absolved. But that still leaves the question of who our leader is and you have mentioned the Dragon Council before but never fully explained what it is.”

“You are a rude little human aren't you, Adria. If you must know, all 5 Academies belong to us dragons, even if the Noble houses and the Empire run them. The academies were originally built to better our relations with your ancestors and to teach them the inner workings of magic and the world, as we knew it. But as time passed and the Knights were established this particular academy became our home, thus we meet and live here if so we choose to. The academies soon became something all dragons hold on to dearly as it represents something we had never had in the whole of our history; a safe place to live and nurture our young.  Secondly, all dragons are free to do as the please; roam the land as they please and eat anything they please so long as it is not a sentient being.  The Dragon Council was established to correct wrong doings from rogue dragons and to make decisions that involve our whole species. We also count as the current heads of the Dragon Knights. As Alex said, there are usually four dragons, although not always the four Cardinal Lords, and four humans on the elder council of the Order. But since the number of Knights is so low, we voted to remove the human leaders of the Order. Now I think that is enough of a history lesson. Remember you barely have one month until you start the exams and the new riders will arrive in two weeks’ time. Both of you must rest and we will start with your real training tomorrow. I will have Alex walk you to your dorm. I think both of you have a lot to talk about.”