Embers in the Dust

On the wooden platform, Leaf and the party followed Dalia toward a small fishing boat halfway down the dock. Next to it was a halfling woman, with large muscles and graying hair. Her skin was darker, but Leaf wasn’t sure if it was from the tanning of the sunlight or her natural complexion. Stopping in front of her, Dalia greeted the woman.

“Versira, it’s wonderful to see you again.”

“Dalia! The Dean calling me by me first name is always a kindness,” Versira responded, then turned to the party. “Assumin’ you’ll be the ones I’m taking on board?”

“Yes. Leaf, friends, this is Versira Mistmoon. She owns Storm Seeker, as well as the business under the same name.” Dalia explained.

“Well, it’s good meetin’ all y’all. Let’s get going.”

Leaf clambered on the small boat, which only really fit the group and maybe a few more. He had never been on a boat before, as there was no reason for one in Rutherglen, and his travels never needed him to be. He had heard of Storm Seeker before. The business was known for taking tourists and diving into the city’s underwater cave system. It cost a full day’s wages, but the experience was supposed to be fun. He remembered hearing about it from other students when he stayed at Berkton Academy before becoming the Archmage’s apprentice. He recalled someone mentioning that, by magic, a dome of air surrounded a person’s head, allowing them to breathe underwater for a few hours. Though he never partook in such things, he wondered what exciting things could be down there.

As everyone found a seat, Versira grabbed an item from a small compartment in the back of the boat and placed each oar in the side, strapping them in. Once happy with the result, she set it down on a platform and clamped it down. Taking time to mutter an incantation, the machine came to life, slowly moving the paddles, rowing the boat without the use of labor. She saw him staring, and smiled.

“I had a student build this for me. While it’s nice t’know that I could still row to just about anywhere,” She said, showing off her muscular arms. “It’s nice t’know that I don’t always have to. Since we’ll be travelin’ pretty far North, I reckoned to pull this out and give it a whirl.”

“It’s a decent build.” Mr. Muffins responded, taking a look at it.

“I don’t know much about the gobbledygook behind it, but the small gem inside has enough forceful energy to push for a couple o’ hours at a time, before it crushes it.”

“Is it expensive, having to buy gems?” Myla asked.

“It could be, but I only use it for big travelin’, like this.” Versira answered.

At a surprising speed, the boat lurched forward and took them away from the city. After a few hours, Berkton became almost impossible to see, causing a small pit in Leaf’s stomach as he realized how deep the water was, and how far out from land they had gone. While he was sure that Dalia could get them out in an emergency, he had heard of whales and other aquatic creatures attacking boats before. Gripping his seat tightly he looked over to the North, as a storm grew closer in the distance.

“Um… Are we going through that?” He asked.

“Yes, sir!” Versira said with a grin.

He became uncertain immediately at what he was doing. While the testing seemed like one thing, dealing with rough water and storms started to give him a sinking feeling in his gut which reflected his fears of being taken underneath the surface and being lost at sea. As if feeling his concern, Dalia reached into her bag and produced a large sapphire dragon scale.

“When we become a Dean, we have to make a blood oath with one of the Gem Dragons. It’s a taxing ordeal, but in the end we’re given a portion of their strength and ability, as well as one of these.” She explained, holding the scale up to everyone.

“What happens if you lose it?” Lyla asked.

“It will be returned to me within a few hours.”

“How?”

“Magic, of course. It is a year-long ritual, binding our blood and soul to a dragon, which eventually leads to the exchanges of power. It’s a life-long decision, so not many are comfortable with it, but we’ve never gone more than ten years without all five Deans.”

“What does it do about the storm?” Leaf questioned.

“Since the storm is a protective barrier around the islands, this will protect us, turning it into an illusion as we pass through it. The water will stay calm, the storm won’t affect us, and we’ll pass through quickly.”

She held the scale into the air and Leaf watched as it seemed to react to the storm. As they passed through, he saw that she was honest about it. The storm raged overhead, lightning, thunder, and rain crashing down. He could see the water rushing up around them, but as it would cascade over the boat, or threaten to capsize it, nothing would happen. In half an hour, they were inside, the eye of the storm calm and relaxed. Dalia placed the scale back in her pouch, sat again, and gestured ahead of them.

Leaf glanced out and saw six islands. From what he could gaze, it was one large island, with five surrounding it to the North. Each island seemed vastly different, which he assumed was to accommodate the five dragons that inhabited them. The middle island, which was roughly three times the size of any of the others, seemed to be separated between four main sections. The closest side to them was a beach, the furthest a jungle-like area, with tall trees and foliage. To the left was a barren landscape, and the right contained a field of various flowers, their colors unique to where Leaf couldn’t even assume their type.

Versira brought them to the beach, and for the first time since their travel, Leaf realized he was sweating. The inside of the storm, similar to Berkton Academy’s bubbled dome, seemed to radiate weather that the surrounding world did not. He assumed this was the dragons’ choice, where the Deans chose the Academy’s.

Dalia brought the sapphire scale out again and handed it to Versira. They all stepped off the boat, and she turned back to her.

“This will return to me in a few hours, so please be safe and make it out quickly.”

“Of course, Dean Dalia. See you in… three days?”

“Let’s make it four. On the morning of the seventh, I’ll meet you and we can travel back.”

“Sounds good! See y’all in a few days!” Versira said with a wave.

Slowly, she turned her boat around and started her trek South, through the storm and back to Berkton. Leaf looked around, nervous, but ready. Dalia walked forward, and they followed her towards the middle of the island. A stone platform sat at the center, between the four land changes. She waved for Leaf to step forward, along with the party, and he made his way up. It was only a few steps, then the platform, but he could feel the energy coming from it, ancient and enormous. As he turned, he felt his confidence return, only to be stunned again by the sight in front of him.

Behind Dalia, towering over her form, an ancient sapphire dragon gazed down at the party, stopping to stare into Leaf’s eyes. Leaf knew this to be Eduzan. To its sides were three more dragons, Rahmnivar, Sothasem, and Tagitar, with Deans Onisa and Rikgos in front of them.

He had seen a few dragons in his life, but none as ancient or massive as these. Towering over thirty-foot up, it reminded him as to how small his gnomish form was. They carried no titles, as they had no reason for such things.

“Let me introduce you all to the Deans of Berkton Academy, and the dragons bonded to them,” Dalia started. “This is Rahmnivar. As I’m sure you are aware, Darion Walker is bonded with them, but as he is attending matters in Moonbright, he was not able to attend your Mastery Testing, Leaf.”

The Emerald Dragon looked down to Leaf, giving a slight nod of acknowledgement towards the party as a whole.

“This is Eduzan, who commands my actions as Dean.” Dalia continued.

Behind her, the sapphire dragon brought its head down, as if giving a bow.

“Then, we have Tagitar with Rikgos Naer, and Sothasem with Onisa.” Dalia finished, waving her hands to the others.

Leaf took time to nod respectfully to each. Tagitar was an amethyst dragon, where Sothasem was crystal. Onisa, he knew well and had already spoken to on multiple occasions, but he had never met Dean Rikgos before. He studied the dark elf, with black skin, gray irises, and white hair. He was tall, like most elves, but large around the midriff. Each dean wore comfortable clothes, but wore cloaks that carried the color of the dragons they were commanded by and bonded to. Dean Rikgos stepped forward, his voice light and airy.

“Leaf, you are here for your Mastery Training. As is customary of all Archmage’s apprentices, we ask you once, and only once… Are you prepared?”

Leaf stepped forward, trying his best to show the confidence he felt he should have in this moment.

“Yes.”

“Then, we can begin.”