A Dragon's Bond

by Johnson, S. B.

  Kimball was grasping his chin with his hand as he listened closely. "So why does my boy show these signs of the gift so much sooner than others?"

  "We are not sure." Lugos answered. "I am sure we will learn with time though. Now, let me continue."

  "Of course." Said Kimball. "Please continue."

  "Besides the children, there are many others who live and work at the Academy. The Academy is a self sustaining place. Much like a small city in itself. There are two main sections to the Academy. There is the town within the outer walls called Keep Town. The Keep is in the very center within the inner walls. The Keep is where the schooling is held. It consists of a variety of classroom settings, bonder housing, common and eating quarters, and different training grounds. There is also housing for certain individuals that work on the grounds that are required to be there on a regular basis. Other workers leave at the end of the day and reside in the town on the outer ring. The town is just like any other. It has a number of shops that sell different goods, supplies and food. There are also the homes of the workers that do not reside in the Keep. Some of the parents of students will actually move from where they live and will also live in the outer ring, in Keep Town. We will have to see what the master has in mind for you. I am not sure if he will have you stay within the Keep or the town."

  Lugos paused for a moment. "At the beginning of each year, there is the Festival of the Egg. Each student who has been gifted with a dragon's bond will go through the ceremony and will receive an egg. Each student is allowed into the egg chamber. There, they will be united with the egg that calls out to them. For the rest of the year they will be charged with tending their egg until it hatches and then raising the new hatchling. In the event the egg does not survive, the child's gift will die with it. Once a bond is lost it can never be returned.

  Kimball was carefully listening to Lugos' words. He looked down to his baby that was deeply sleeping in his arms. "Tell me more about the bond and what it means." He said, still looking down at his baby.

  Lugos turned his attention to the boy resting in Kimball's arms. "Your son, like all bonders will receive an egg. If he successfully hatches that egg, it will grow into one of several types of dragons. Much like the ones that are pulling our coach. They are being led by the coachmen, which are their bonders. Each type of dragon has a unique ability and it's ability will also become their bonder's ability. There is no way to tell which type of dragon a bonder will get until it hatches. All dragons, less the Blacks can fly and the Blues can sustain life under water. They are kings of the seas and can soar through water.

  "What types of dragons are there?" Asked Kimball.

  Lugos smiled. "More curious now Kimball?"

  "Yes, indeed. This is the life my son has been given. I may as well know."

  "Well there are a total of six dragon types. They are clearly distinguished by their color. The three common types are the Greens, Reds and Blues. Most commonly a bonder will end up with one of these three dragons. Both Greens and Reds breath fire. But the greens are much larger in size and much stronger. Thus granting their bonders with sheer brute strength. An elf bonded to a green dragon could easily overpower either of us, even though we double them in size. The Red dragons are well known for their hot tempers. Their bonders can manipulate and create fire. Then there are the Blues. They are a medium sized dragon. The same as the Reds. They are able to breath under water as I stated before. Instead of breathing fire, they can spray a very cold gas. This gas will freeze just about anything it comes in contact with. Their bonders are granted with the ability to control water. The bonder is able to change water to ice and ice to water. Now we get to the three more rare dragons. One is considered to be very lucky to be bonded with one of these. First there is the Golds. They are small dragons, but very fast. They shoot compressed balls of energy that explode on impact. The Gold's bonder can also construct this energy and throw it at will. Next are the Blacks. They are small like the Golds. Blacks are also fire breathers but are the one dragon that is considered completely flightless. They are sometimes referred to as shadow dragons because of their ability to camouflage themselves to the point of almost being undetectable and in the night you would not be able to see them at all if they were concealed in the shadows. This cloaking ability is what is passed to their bonders. Finally there are the Browns. A medium sized dragon like the Blues and Reds. The Browns also breath fire. They have the strange ability to control gravity. Although they have no wings they are still able to fly like the winged dragons. The bonder of a Brown can also control gravity. They are able to levitate themselves as well as other objects."

  Kimball looked in amazement. "This is all quite interesting but where do you keep them all?"

  Lugos grinned. "The Keep is actually quite large. It has several levels, both upper and lower. The lower levels are where the dragons are kept. Each of the bonder's quarters has a chamber that leads to their dragon's den or stable as they are referred to. Other than the den keeper the bonder is the only one with access to their dragon's den."

  From outside the coach, Lugos and Kimball heard a loud voice call out. "Sir, we are approaching the Keep. We will be landing momentarily."

  Kimball looked back out the window. Over the horizon he could see an enormous structure beginning to take form in the distance. As they got closer the structure became more clear. It was magnificent. The first thing that caught his eye was the large clock tower that stood tall in the center of the Keep. It towered in comparison to the rest. The keep was setting on the side of a large hill above a wide stretched lake. The water was crystal clear and so calm it reflected the sky and a mirror image of the Keep. The sun was beginning to rise and the black of the night sky was now slowly being engulfed in an red orange hue. The outer wall was menacing and was clearly meant to keep out intruders. On the wall there were several red dragons pacing back and forth along side their bonders. They looked up to the coach as it approached the Keep. Past the outer wall was the Keep Town. It was filled with the hustle and bustle of people moving about and smoke bellowed from the chimneys of the buildings below. It was not a large city but was not a tiny town either. It seemed a decent size and was clearly well populated. Across the town the inner wall could be seen. It was equally as menacing as the outer wall, if not more. It was quite a bit taller yet not as thick as the outer wall. After crossing over the inner wall, the coach began to circle the Keep. The back side of the Keep sat at the edge of a cliff, dropping down to the ocean below. The keep itself was an outstanding sight. There were six tall bell towers at each corner of the hexagonal Keep. The clock tower stood in the very center of the keep and was four sided. It was clear that it could be seen from anywhere within. Each of the walls were lined with windows and there appeared to be four levels of the main structure above ground. After making a full circle around the Keep the coach began to descend back to the earth below. After touching down to the ground it slowed down quickly and came to a halt.

  The coach bounced a bit as the large minotaur got down from the back of it. He walked around and opened the door. He stepped to one side to make way for Lugos and Kimball. Lugos stood up from his seat and stepped through the door and down to the ground. Kimball with Davin still in his arms, stood as well and got out of the coach. Lugos motioned to Kimball and began to head towards the Keep. After Lugos and Kimball were clear of the coach, the minotaur waived his hands at the two drivers. The coach took off again and circled back around to the keep.

  Lugos and Kimball kept on walking towards the Keep. They came to two very large wooden doors that were lined with steal strapping. As they approached, the doors began to open. With a loud creak they slowly opened up to let them inside. Lugos led the way through and Kimball followed with his son held closely in his arms.

  Through the doorway opened up into a large entryway. The floors were covered with large, rough marble tiles. There were tall pillar columns running along the walls on either side. On each of the pillars hung a torch, all toge
ther lighting the large room. At the end of the room was another set of large doors, not quite as large as the ones they originally entered through. The doors opened and the tall silver haired man walked through. He walked towards Lugos and Kimball and stopped just in front of them.

  "My name is Myrdinn Mallikorr. I am the Master of The Keep and I am so glad you are here." Myrdinn looked at the small child being held by Kimball. "I see you both made it safely. Follow me. I will show you to your new quarters."

  CHAPTER THREE

  A FRIEND

  Eight years had passed since Kimball and Davin came to live at Dragon Keep Academy. Davin had started his schooling at the academy and Kimball was working in the dragon dens.

  Kimball was found to have a talent for working with the dragons. Although he was not bonded he earned a general respect from the creatures. His gentle nature was sensed by them and he was charged with cleaning their dens and performing basic maintenance work throughout the keep. It was not the most sought after job, but Kimball was content. Davin and he had much better lifestyles than they had before. Besides, the money he made went only to any extras he and Davin wanted. Myrdinn provided a place within the Keep for Kimball and Davin to live. They were on the third floor on the west side of the keep. This gave them a beautiful view of the lake and the sunset in the evening. The living quarters were simple but nice. It consisted of two bedrooms, a common living area, a bathroom and a cooking area. It was bigger, warmer and cleaner than the little shack of a house they had once lived in.

  Davin had turned out to be a strong looking boy. He would not be quite as tall as his father was and was a little on the shorter side like his mother had been. He did inherit his father's stocky build however. He had light brown hair like his mother which was wavy like his dad's. He had fair skin which was also a trait he got from his mother. Unless he was mixed in with bonders and dwarfs he was very easy to pick out of a crowd. His brown hair, light skin made his glowing green eyes stand out even more than normal.

  Life in the Keep was much like a normal outside life. Kimball went to work and Davin went to school. School for Davin was a little awkward at times. All of the kids his age did not have bonder's eyes like he did. He was often given a hard time and accused of thinking he was better than his fellow classmates because he did not have to wait for his gift. Even though Davin was a kind child and treated others with nothing but respect he was still picked on. Fortunately this would not go on forever. It would only be five more years until he was moved into the bonders quarters with other kids that had the same gift he did. Some of the kids that were now picking on him for being different, would soon be just like him and also go to the bonders quarters.

  Not all the kids at the academy would become bonders. They were there because they either had an older sibling or a parent that was a bonder. Some of them were just children of those who worked at the academy. The academy was home to different races and creatures alike. There were minotaurs, centaurs, fauns, elves, dwarfs, and of course humans.

  Out of all of the kids, there was one child that had become good friends with Davin. It was a young girl named Chloe Collins. She was the daughter of the Keep Town Mayor, Stewart Collins. Her older brother Aiden, was ten years older than she. He was the Keep Den Master. He was in charge of the den and pit areas. He held the master key to all the dragon dens and was also a bonder himself. Chloe was eight years old just as Davin was. They spent most of their time together after school playing games and running about. She was a very sweet girl, with a strong heart and a love for dragons. She was quite the opposite of her father and her older brother, who were both very self impressed and walked walked about as though they were better than other people. Her brother Aiden was the worst of the two. Not only was he full of himself, but he had a temper with a very short fuse. He was quick to anger and you did not want to be on the opposite end of that stick. He was bonded to a black dragon who he called Pain. You were wise to steer clear of Aiden unless you had specific business with him at the request of a superior figure.

  Within the Keep, Aiden was fourth in command. He fell below The minotaur Commander, Goban. Goban was in charge of Keep Security and Arms. He was bonded to a male green dragon he called Em, short for Emerald. Then there was Lugos who was second in command only to Myrdinn. Lugos was not bonded any longer. He was at one time, but his dragon was brutally murdered when he was younger . Myrdinn was Master of the keep and answered to no other. Myrdinn was bonded to a brown dragon and rightfully his name was Levitás.

  Chloe was a petite girl with shoulder length, straight brown hair. She had a scar that ran across her left eye. It went from just above her eyebrow down to the top of her cheek. She was very quiet and did not talk much except to Davin. She found some security in him seeing as he was different as well. Nobody knew where she got the scar from and nobody seemed to ever ask.

  Davin and Chloe always seemed to find themselves butting heads with a couple of the other kids in particular. There was a boy named Blake who was a typical bully. Unfortunately he was a minotaur, so he was extra tough. There was really no sense in trying to fight back. He would just end up hitting you harder. There were two others with him all of the time. Wherever Blake was, Toby and James were never far behind.

  Toby was a faun child. He was always instigating and riling up Blake. He never got much more involved other than making things worse for the person standing across from Blake.

  James was a fat little dwarf boy and was not very bright. He would just chuckle and laugh at whatever the other two did. Blake would often times slug him in the shoulder for laughing too much.

  It was actually these three that ended up starting Chloe and Davin's friendship. It was after school one day. Davin had heard Blake and Toby picking on someone. The distinct chuckle of James meant they were definitely up to no good as usual. Davin rounded a corner to find poor little Chloe, cornered in one of the passageways leading from class. They were poking at her scar and calling her some of the most horrid names. Chloe was probably more angry than she was hurt. You could see her fighting back a tear that was beginning to form in her eye.

  It was that day Davin first learned how tough even a boy minotaur was. Davin had rushed over to aid Chloe. He through his shoulder into the back of the unsuspecting minotaur, only to find himself on the ground. He probably would have been better off just running into a wall. Blake hadn't even budged. Then the punishment came. Blake turned around and after giving a snort, he began to kick at Davin who was already on the ground holding his shoulder in pain. The beating only lasted for about thirty seconds or so, but to Davin it felt like a lifetime.

  It wasn't until that point when Chloe finally spoke up and let out a yell and started calling for help. Blake turned towards her, let out another snort and proceeded to run off down the corridor with Toby and James following quickly behind.

  When one of the teachers finally came to their aid the bullies were long gone and all that was left was the signs of the attack. Davin ended up with three broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. As much as the they wanted the three kids to be punished for what they had done, neither of them said a word. Fearing that it would simply make matters worse for them both.

  For the next few weeks, Davin would come home almost every day with a black eye, bloody lip or bloody nose. Still, neither he, nor Chloe said anything. Unfortunately for Davin he seemed to get the raw end of the deal. Chloe got teased and he got beat up.

  From that point on he and Chloe were the best of friends. Always looking out for one another. They just did their best to steer clear of Blake and his lackey friends.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  THE EGG CHAMBER

  Classes had ended for the day. Davin packed away his books in his bag and threw it over his shoulder. He stood up from his desk and headed for the classroom door. Just then Chloe ran up behind him and excitedly began tapping him on the shoulder.

  "Davin! You have to see what I found." She said in giddy but hushed voice. "Come on, foll
ow me."

  Without hesitation she grabbed Davin by the hand and pulled him along as she ran through the corridors leading out of the classroom area. After running for a while she stopped at one of the corners and peeked around. She turned to him abruptly.

  "Now Davin. You mustn't tell anybody about this. It's our secret. Promise you won't say anything?"

  "Yeah, okay. I guess so" he replied, with a suspicious tone of voice.

  "No. Seriously Davin. You have to Promise."

  "Okay, okay. I promise. I won't tell anyone."

  Chloe looked back around the corner one more time. She pulled Davin by the hand again, leading him around the corner to a door at the end of the hall.

  "Well...." He started.

  She put her finger to her mouth and shushed him as she grabbed the lamp that was sitting on the shelf next to the door. She turned the handle and pulled the door. She winced as it made a slight creaking sound as it opened. With the door now open she quickly pushed Davin in and closed it behind them.

  "Really Chloe? This is a stinking broom closet. What is so special about a broom closet? Besides the fact that it really does stink."

  "No silly. I know this is a broom closet. It's what's in here that is so spectacular." She said as she let out a slight giggle.

  Chloe held the lamp down to the floor. The light from the lamp splashed onto the floor and revealed a large metal grate in front of their feet.

  "Really! A ventilation grate Chloe."

  "Davin. You really do need to trust me on this one. Do you know where this goes? It leads straight to the egg chamber."

  "Whoa! No way!" He said with much more enthusiasm in his voice.

  The hole beneath the grate was just big enough for the two small children to climb into. The grate was clearly loose, as the bolts that once held it in place had rusted away.