Chapter 6
The next day was saved for the written tests and, to ensure
that he would be unhindered by possible wounds sustained during his fight, Jarid’s
bought with the dragon was scheduled for the evening.
The written tests were stressful and boring, but Jarid
was confident that he had at least earned a passing grade in his classes.
Every time he thought about the upcoming fight, he
simply remembered his decision and tried not to worry about it until the time
came. Which it did, all too soon.
As Jarid entered the floor of the dragon dome he
noticed that the stands were filled with a lot fewer people than he had
expected. There were no first years present even from Black Squad. Jarid was
half expecting that to be the case since many of them were getting ready to
leave the next day, but it was still strange.
However, many of the instructors and even the academy
commander were present, along with a few second years.
Airel, Ethan, and Ben waved from the stands next to
Gunther.
“Sorry the others couldn’t be here! They told us only
second years were allowed to watch since they don’t want to spoil the fight for
the other first years,” Ethan called out. Jarid nodded as he waved back.
When he reached the center of the arena, Lt. Keldor
called for silence. Then he raised his arms and looked at the spectators.
“We have gathered here today to give the student who
preformed best on the dragon training exam a great honor. He will fight a young
dragon in single combat before our very own academy commander and everyone
here. Should he succeed in besting the dragon, he shall receive its scales as a
reward. He is allowed to use any method he chooses, including any and all magic
spells at his disposal, and he will be given the same armor used during the exam
to ensure his safety.
The dragon’s wings have been bound for the safety of
the audience and any shots directed at the crowed will be dealt with by
seasoned riders who have graciously given their aid.”
Lt. Keldor gestured around the arena as riders stepped
forward to stand at the edge of the arena. Then he continued. “Now, Jarid
Drakoulis. Don your armor and prepare yourself.”
A rack of armor was brought out and Jarid selected the
one made from Flame Wing scales. He donned the armor and started stretching
while circulating his magic by casting a few puffs of flame.
Many people started muttering in the crowd, but Lt.
Keldor raised his hand and they quieted. Then he looked down at Jarid. “Stand
you ready warrior?”
Jarid reached into his pocket and took out his music
box. There was more muttering from the crowed as he settled the music box into
a pouch, he and Ben had made specifically for it so he could fight while not
worrying about his earpieces falling out. He could fight without it, but he was
always felt at his best when he was listening to music. Once he was ready, he
saluted Lt. Keldor.
“I stand ready sir.”
In spite of his strange choices the Lt. had remained
unfazed. “Very well. Let the fight…Begin!”
Everything was removed from the arena floor and all
the exits were shut. Then one of the gates lining the walls of the arena floor began
to open. Jarid turned up his music. He thought the song was very appropriate. It
was called Dragon Fight by F-777.
He could see the dragon through the bars. It was a Flame
Wing with bright red scales and dark horns. It had streaks of black running
down the wings folded at its side and its eyes burned with anger. Before the
gate was halfway up the dragon was clawing underneath it and trying to squeeze
through.
Finally, it got out and roared so loud it drowned out
Jarid’s music. Then it breathed fire at the people in the stands, but it was
blocked by the dragon riders as they erected a barrier of water around the
arena. Then they froze the water into a clear block of ice so the spectators
could view the action.
The dragon growled something about stupid cold water
and focused his attention on Jarid. The dragon charged at him blasting fire in
all directions. Jarid could feel the music and magic flowing through him as he
began to move. His whole body felt almost fluid as he flowed around most of the
dragon’s fire with minimal effort while deflecting the rest with water magic.
As the dragon closed in, it dove at him with it’s claws out.
Jarid used a bit of wind magic to help him as he
jumped over the dragon while giving it a light tap on the top of its head.
Jarid knew that he probably could use his magic to trap the dragon in the
ground or freeze it long enough to deal a winning blow, but he didn’t want to
end this fight quickly. This was his chance to show off his skills to the
academy commander as well as his friends. He hoped that if he did well enough, the
commander might listen to his request to spare this dragon.
Jarid turned to face the dragon once more. This time
it approached him much more cautiously. Circling at a distance and growling
curses at him. When Jarid charged it, it leaped back out of reach while
breathing a stream of flame before continuing to circle him. To truly show off
everything he could do, Jarid had to force the dragon to fight him up close.
Closing his eyes, he focused on the arena floor,
feeling where the dragon was and the earth beneath it. Then he raised his fist
and slammed it into the ground. A stone pillar rose out of the ground, slamming
into the dragon’s stomach. The dragon’s eyes widened, and it clutched at its
stomach gasping for breath.
Keeping his eyes closed Jarid let himself go in the
flow of the music and everything else faded away. It was just him, the dragon,
and his music. He took in a slow deep breath as he sank into his fighting stance.
The dragon recovered quickly and charged Jarid again,
but this time it didn’t leap at him. Instead, it swiped at him with its claws, lashed
with its tail and even tried to bite him.
But Jarid opened his eyes with a wide grin and started
dancing around it’s attacks, deflecting them with wind magic and using earth
magic to mess with the dragon’s footing.
The longer this went on the more it reminded him of
his play fights with Shadow. He was having so much fun! Jarid couldn’t help but
laugh in exhilaration as the fight raged on.
Infuriated, the dragon kept pressing its attack and
hurling insults at him. Its attacks became wilder and less accurate as it grew
more and more tired until finally, it tripped and was too exhausted to get back
up immediately.
Jarid quickly used earth magic to pin the dragon’s
forearms to the ground, then he threw out some seeds from his pocket and caused
vines to grow and wrap around the dragon’s hind legs and tail. Then he walked
forward calmly as the dragon struggled against its bonds. Then, noticing Jarid
was within range of his jaws, the dragon lunged forward to snap at Jarid.
Jarid quickly stepped to the side and clamped the
dragon’s snout shut with more vines. The dragon struggled briefly before giving
up and laying down. Jarid stepped back and bowed to the dragon respectfully before
turning off his music.
He looked up at the academy commander and saluted.
Then he turned to Lt. Keldor and saluted again.
“Sir, I have bested this dragon.”
The stands were quiet for a moment and Jarid wondered
if he had done something wrong. Then the academy commander stood.
“Indeed, you have. That was most certainly a battle
that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations, Jarid Drakoulis!”
Now the entire arena erupted in cheers. Jarid was
stunned. He was suddenly surrounded by grinning faces and genuine praise. He
hadn’t believed it was possible, but these nobles were cheering for him. Not
just what he’d done. In this moment they didn’t see him as a commoner. No. In
this moment, he was a dragon rider!
Still, even amid all that praise, he doubted he would
ever truly fit in with them. They praised him for defeating a monster, but even
now he wished he could set this dragon free. As the roar of the crowed died
away, but before anyone could speak, Jarid called out to the academy commander.
“Sir, permission to speak sir?”
“Permission granted. You may speak freely.”
Jarid saluted. “Sir. I would like to spare this dragon
if at all possible. I am willing to forfeit its scales if…” Jarid trailed off
as the commander started laughing.
“Do not worry about the dragon or your reward. Dragons
may be monsters, but they are far to valuable to kill for a small event such as
this. The scales you will receive are ones it has already shed. I believe Lt.
Tekar has made it clear that we do not kill dragons here at the academy. This
fight is also a test to determine how well you understood and remembered the
orders of your superiors.
“In previous years the fight was stopped if it looked
like the dragon or student were in danger of being killed. But from the way you
were toying with it, I doubt you were in any danger from the start. Though in
all my years I have never seen a student beg for a dragon’s life. How amusing,”
he chuckled. The crowd also laughed, though it was a bit awkward.
Jarid felt his face start burning with embarrassment.
You didn’t have to call me out like that! Then
Jarid smiled to himself as he breathed a sigh of relief.
At least the dragon was spared and nothing
bad happened. I guess I just assumed they wanted me to kill it since they see
dragons as monsters. I need to be more careful to pay attention and ascertain
what my instructors want from me in the future.
Then the commander continued. “Regardless, you have
won. We will have your reward prepared by tomorrow morning. For now, rest. You
deserve it.”
The sun had just gone down by the time Jarid got back
to the dorm and he was exhausted. Even so, it was time to clean the dragon
stalls. The others congratulated him on his victory and offered to clean all
the stalls for him, but he wanted to see Smolder and Vapor one last time before
he left anyway so he politely declined.
After saying goodnight to the other members of Black Squad
he left his music box in his room and made his way to the dragon stables. After
refreshing all the stalls in the tunnel, he refreshed the stalls in the cave at
the tunnel’s end. Vapor was sleeping so he left her alone, but Smolder was awake,
and he was the one Jarid really needed to say goodbye to anyways.
It felt like forever since he had last spoken with him.
After the incident with the bullies Smolder had really opened up to him. He
didn’t resist talking and rarely snapped at him anymore. Jarid loved just
talking about his day and hearing Smolder’s off hand comments about how life
would be so much simpler if you could just burn everything that annoys you.
Jarid entered Smolder’s stall and started cleaning the
little stone cell. “Hi, Smolder. I just came down to say goodbye while I clean
your stall. We will be leaving tomorrow morning and I wanted to make sure I didn’t
miss this chance.”
As he finished cleaning the stall, he noticed Smolder
shifting around. He seemed uncomfortable about something. Jarid frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
There was a long pause before Smolder turned to face
Jarid.
“Would you … stay here with me tonight? I mean…um, you
seem tired so I thought I would allow you to…” He stammered awkwardly. Jarid
could have sworn he heard a hint of nervousness in Smolder’s voice.
“Of course,” he replied gently. Smolder, who was
laying curled up, now uncurled slightly to give Jarid room to lay against his
side.
“It… it’s just that… the choosing is tomorrow and that
means they’re going to…” He trailed off.
This was so different than the anger and arrogance he normally
had. Whatever happened during the choosing ceremony must have been far more terrible
than even the torture he’d seen Vapor go through, if it was enough to make
someone like Smolder seek comfort. Especially considering the one he was
seeking it from was human. Jarid hoped
that meant Smolder was finally beginning to trust him.
Jarid laid down against his side. He could feel Smolder’s
anxiety in his breathing and rapid heart rate. Jarid rubbed the dragon’s scales
until Smolder’s heart steadied to a slow rhythm. Jarid could barely keep his
eyes open as he felt Smolder throw a wing over him. Then Jarid felt Smolder relax
as he fell asleep.
The dragon’s body heat and wing kept him warm, while
his slow breathing was relaxing. Jarid’s day had been exhausting and he was so
glad to end it here. Comforting his friend.
Points: 41512
Reviews: 237
Donate