literature

Dragon Makers IX

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“Meet me outside of the studio,” He said, shaking his head even thought he couldn’t help but smiling, “I’ll close the window.” he offered, moving forward to the sill.
“Thank you, Master.” Kandra smiled, pushing away from the sill of the window and righting herself on Ergo’s back, “Come on, Ergo.” she whispered excitedly, guiding him with only those words into a steady walk over to the studio doors.
Goiya emerged from the building a few moments later, with Qual following behind him and muttered something about young people these days. Kandra merely smiled as he continued his little act and nodded in thanks when he handed her a bundle of their left over breakfast.
Smelling the sausage, Ergo arched his neck and turned his head around to look at Kandra expectantly.
“Not now, sorry.” Kandra apologized as she tied the bundle with her other things, “A little later, we’ve both only just eaten.” She reminded her dragon, who rolled his eyes in response. “Well if you must be practical then.” he said through his actions.
“You two aren’t going to be bickering this whole time are you?” Goiya asked, peering over at Kandra and Ergo over his shoulder as he moved to mount Qual. Kandra smiled sheepishly and shook her head while Ergo disagreed by nodding his head, earning a good-natured nudge from his master for the joke. Goiya rolled his eyes, tapping Qual gently with the side of his boot. That was all it took to signal the dragon’s advance. Goiya led and Kandra followed, not even needing to signal Ergo to move, he knew the to follow Goiya and his dragon.
Just as the mist cleared over the pond and the forest awoke with the fully risen sun, the Estate lay quiet and empty of all but dragons.

“Here’s a good spot to stop for the night.”
“Finally!” before Goiya could even think of dismounting, Kandra had already leapt off of Ergo’s back and was walking around aimlessly to stretch her legs. “We’ve been riding forever.” she moaned, reaching up to the sky to stretch her arms.
“Yes, all day in fact.” Goiya mocked her a little as he also dismounted Qual. He stretched too, but did not complain as Kandra did. His young apprentice had always been this way, she could not stand sitting still for very long, much less on such a journey. She had no patience to ride all day, at least not without much complaint.
“Thank you for carrying me, Ergo.” Kandra smiled at her dragon, twirling to face him. He gazed steadily back at her as she danced and wandered around, anything to move. He on the other hand was tired of moving, and was content to sit and watch his master act like a child. It was rather entertaining.
“Kandra, come over here and help with the fire, see if you can get Ergo to breath flame.” Goiya beckoned the two over to the small pile of kindling he had already. “Light a blaze to start with, then go and gather more fire wood. I’ll start preparing the food.” he offered, turning to his pack and rummaging through it.
“Alright.” Kandra nodded, turning towards the fire pit and beckoning Ergo over. With the fire pit between them, Kandra reached out and placed her hands over Ergo’s eyes, closing her own as she did so. She breathed deeply and called forth the feeling of fire on her skin. She began warming up as she meditated, pulling the burning sensation into the core of her body and sending it to Ergo. She began cooling down as she felt her dragons eyes heat up beneath her palms. Together they took a deep breath and then exhaled.
Kandra exhaled smoke that left a sooty taste in her mouth, while Ergo exhaled fire, bright blue and searing. With his head bowed, he breathed right into the fire pit and ignited the wood almost immediately. Both stepped back from the blaze, bowing to each other a little as if they had just completed a sacred task.
“Very nicely done.” Goiya nodded with a smile of approval, kneeling next to the flame and setting out a small tarp on which he placed the bundled of food that needed to be cooked.
“Thank you, Master.” Kandra nodded back before taking a swig of water to clear the taste in her mouth. After that she set her canteen down and went off to collect firewood.

The weather was gentle throughout the trip, a light breeze to cool them while the sun rose high overhead. Kandra was as finicky and fidgety as ever, and she complained enough for every one to know that fact well. They slept well beneath the stars, with their blankets and dragons for warmth and company. They had finished off their rations by the third day, but by then they were only a few hours away from Bann’s castle. Goiya was very good at taking only what was needed and wasting very little.
“Well Kandra, since this is your first trip with Ergo,” Goiya said once the castle came into view atop a ridge, “Would you like this to be your first time flying with him as well?” Kandra merely stared at her master blankly. She saw him smile gently, and she felt Ergo’s wings shift eagerly behind her at the offer.
“Master...” she mumbled awkwardly, not sure if she should say no or not, Ergo did seem to like the idea much more than his master.
“I understand.” Goiya nodded gently, turning back to face forward and signaling for Qual to continue walking the trail that led up the ridge to the castle. He knew that Kandra was very afraid of heights and therefore wouldn’t push her to do something she was terrified to do. She had flown before of course, and did rather well once she was up in the air, but it was getting there that she was terrified about.
“Sorry, Ergo.” Kandra whispered to the dragon as he settled his wings again, “Don’t worry, you’ll get your time to fly.” she assured him with a hug, “Right now it just doesn’t feel right.” Ergo nodded slightly. He understood, and agreed. Kandra smiled and leaned her cheek against the back of Ergo’s neck, closing her eyes and just feeling every step that the dragon took up the trail. As Kandra meditated, Goiya took in the scene. The castle was well grounded on the ridge, with basements and tunnels leading deep underground, and into the mountain behind the ridge.
Though he couldn’t see from where he sat now, Goiya knew that at the top of the mountain behind the great castle there was a small cabin. He had been up there before, the space was a miniature workshop, with all walls and the ceiling even covered in beads and a great wind barrier wall around an outdoor work site off to the side of the cabin. It was where Bann created his first dragon, and gained his Master’s title. It was a tradition within his Masters’ line that the apprentice made their Master’s piece at the site. Goiya had helped him build a dragon up there once, when they were both new masters.
His memories of the place were always happy; well, all but one anyway. Goiya sighed and let his eye rove over the land, tearing his gaze away from the dizzying peak. The ridge looked over a canyon that led down to a rough river that cut jaggedly through the land like a harsh blade. The river fed into a lake, hidden now from their view as they wound up the rocky trail. Besides the blue of the river and the lake and the white of the mountain tops, the terrain around the castle and on either side of the gorge was rough and rocky, having very little greenery or wildlife. The very air seemed gray in this place, all was still, and the only noise Goiya could hear was the movement of the dragons, the whistling wind on the peak, and the raging river below in the canyon.
Bann’s castle was a fortress, shielded from any fleet that did not employ winged dragons. It would take half the day for a man to walk the path up, and no other animal was as sure footed as a dragon was, either way the people in the castle would see an attack coming across the barren landscape for miles. Despite the dreary feel of the place, Goiya had always felt warmth and welcoming within the castle. He had always been comfortable in this place, and only hoped that Kandra would feel that as well.
“Who goes there?” Came a shout out to Goiya’s left. Both he and Kandra turned towards the speaker. Kandra didn’t know this man, but Goiya seemed to, for he laughed and shook his head.
“Who do you think, you scaled lizard toe?” he shouted back at the man. The new comer rode a winged dragon, flying slowly to match the pace of their dragons on the trail.
“What brings you here, my slimy biled friend?” the man shouted, not waving an eyelash at Goiya’s insult and throwing one right back at him.
“I want you to meet someone.” Goiya motioned back to Kandra and it was then that the girl realized that the man on the dragon had to be Bann.
“Is this your apprentice?” Bann asked, giving Kandra a short nod.
“Yes, and as a matter of fact, she’s just earned her Master’s title.” Goiya called back jovially.
“Excellent!” Bann laughed, “I’ll meet you at the summit then, you’re almost there now.” he said as he signaled his dragon to pull back a bit, getting some space between himself and the canyon wall before ascending to the top of the cliffs.
“Alright then!” Goiya waved his arm as Bann flew up and away from them. He couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he glanced back at Kandra. She smiled back at him nervously, laughing a little as well, while Ergo rolled his eyes. That made Goiya laughed as he turned back to face forward. They had gotten close to the summit while the two had been day dreaming. It was a wonder that Goiya didn’t notice their ascent. They reached the ridge summit a few moments later, with Bann waiting for them there. He was a tall man with fair skin, thin in body and limb, wrapped in loose brown robes that billowed in the wind. His face wasn’t as weathered as Goiya’s, but still it showed its age easily, deep lines around the eyes and mouth hinting that Bann might be older than Goiya. Bann’s hair was long and windblown, with hidden streaks of brown still visible among the many white and grey hairs. His eyes were a deep copper and shone happily as he watched his visitors approach.
The dragon he sat mounted on was a sandy colored flight dragon made for speed on the wind with large wings and a smooth streamline body. Behind him was a wide, smooth path that led up to the castle gates. They were already open.
“Well this is a most pleasant surprise.” Bann smiled, dismounting from his dragon and coming up to Goiya, who jumped from Qual’s back to meet Bann in a brotherly embrace. Kandra followed suit and dismounted from Ergo, but she stayed very near him while the two had their reunion. She looked up at Ergo, feeling awkward and at odds among the two old friends, it was nice to be near someone that she knew so well.
“Kandra, come over her.” Goiya summoned the girl with a jovial voice, “Come meet this crazy man.” he joked as Kandra shyly pushed away from Ergo and walked over to the two men.
“So, you are Goiya’s newly Mastered apprentice.” Bann nodded as he looked her up and down, then he offered her his hand and she shook it as firmly as any man would. The gesture made Bann smile, “It is good to meet you, Kandra.” he nodded to her more warmly, and Kandra bowed in return.
“A pleasure to meet you, Master Bann.” she said very politely, her words making Bann laugh.
“Yes, you are indeed Goiya’s apprentice, such a polite girl.” she could tell he was mocking her, but his smile told her that it was all in good humor. She managed to return the expression and smile as well.
“Well, come in then, come in!” Bann exclaimed, opening his arms in welcome and turning to walk up the path. His dragon followed him, making no sound as it moved. Kandra glanced at Goiya, who nodded before moving forward as well. She then looked back at Ergo, who echoed Goiya’s gesture and nodded. She sighed and walked forward, following behind the two men as they continued talking, Qual followed the girl, and Ergo brought up the rear, following the female dragon.
They passed through the gates, and Kandra stopped dead in her tracks. The land around the outer wall and onward was so barren and gray, but within the castle walls, all was bright and green and in bloom.
“You have an amazing garden, Master Bann!” Kandra breathed, moving through the gate and onto a pebbled path when Qual nudged her forward.
“Thank you, Kandra.” Bann smiled, looking back at the girl, “You are free to wonder around if you wish, it is nice to have the gardens appreciated, they are devilish things to take care of.”
“Like hell they are, you love your precious flowers!” Goiya shot back at his friends complaint.
“I do enjoy the task, yes, but it is rather time consuming.” Bann replied with a sigh, looking around him at the variety of plants. “But I suppose the work is well worth while.” he smiled with a nod, glad that the gardens looked as they did.
They moved through the gardens slowly to enjoy the smell and look of the flowers. The gardens spread out and seemed to swallow that castle. The plants went right up to the walls of the castle, and ivy climbed up the side of the outer wall. They were a sight to behold, with paths gently weaving through the green and purple, red and blue. The castle itself was humble as far as castles go. It was hardly a palace, but looked much like the coliseum where Goiya and Kandra lived.
It was three stories tall, but only about one third of the greater part of the building had three rows of windows to show the stories. The other part had large floor to ceiling, stain glass windows, tall and thin along two thirds of the main building. Kandra guessed that that was the workshop, the rest had to be storage and bed rooms, or studies and she supposed there was a library in there as well. There were also two towers flanking the main building, and they rose five stories higher than the roof of the main building.
Kandra tilted her head back to gaze at the top most window of the left hand tower, the one beside the workshop. She wondered what was kept in those towers. As she was gazing so distractedly at the tower, Kandra couldn’t see where she was going, and she didn’t notice the small child walk right into her path. The child hadn’t seen Kandra either, for she had her head bowed over a flower in her hands. The two men turned to look back at the sound of the collision.
GOD PLEASE WORK THIS TIME!!!!
Introduction of Bann. Thanks Lena, for giving me Bann, she originally thought of him. This is him as a young and new Master, and he's holding his second dragon. That dragon is made out of precious metals and is much heavier than it looks!
As unedited a story as there ever was, but at least I finally got Bann's description in there!!!
~Enjoy
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