by Katie Pottle
“You can go hunt if you want.” Gur tightened his grip even more. “Okay, you can stay. Just don’t fly or even open your wings in a cyclone, okay?”
Gur snorted a few flames.
Re-focusing, he decided to try a counter-clockwise cyclone. A cyclone was ready to form around Bart, but Cadin wanted to try one more time. He turned the clouds around him, and though the counter-clockwise motion was better, it was still disorienting. Bart’s cyclone formed, pulling Cadin’s portion of cloud into it. Cadin released his cloud-traps so he could move out of the way.
“Go, Bart!” Cadin yelled as he ran to Sun. Her face was scrunched and she was still anchored by her cloud-traps. He was shocked Sun wasn’t worried about moving away from Bart.
“Bart made a cyclone?” Sun asked when Cadin told her why he was there.
“You didn’t feel it in the cloud?” Cadin asked, perplexed.
“No, I was focusing on my own.”
“Let’s move; it’s getting quite big!”
Cadin and Sun flew out of the cloud that was now mostly consumed by the giant swirl surrounding Bart. They found Master Emilio and Lep sitting on the cloud-land, watching the show.
“I didn’t think that small of a cloud could make such a large cyclone,” Cadin said as they sat down next them.
“Oh, I think he unintentionally drew more clouds into it,” Master Emilio said. “Looks like you found your cyclone defender.”
Cadin nodded as he caught a glimpse of Bart in the center looking a bit scared, but excited. The cyclone began to waver and then dispersed in a large gust. Bart collapsed and they flew over to him.
“You alright, Bart?” Cadin asked.
“That was awesome!” Lep said at the same time.
Bart rolled over with a big smile on his face. “It felt amazing!”
“Remarkable first cyclone, boy,” Master Emilio said as he cloud-shifted the cloud-land underneath Bart to prop him up like a lounge chair.
“Thanks. It grew larger than I expected.”
“Us too.” Sun giggled. “Cadin had to pull me out of the cloud before I got sucked into it.”
Bart’s face dropped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to endanger any of you.”
“Don’t be sorry. That was fantastic! And like Master Emilio said—we found a cyclone defender for our team!”
Sun put her hand out. Cadin smiled. Sun had been trying to get them to do a team cheer for days. He put his hand on top of hers, followed quickly by Lep with Bart’s hand on top.
“Goooooo Dragon Fire!!!” They cried as they threw their hands in the air. For good measure Gur spit out his biggest blaze yet—sealing the cheer.
“You have earned the right to keep these with you at all times,” Master Emilio said to Cadin as he handed him Tsuyo and the dragon skin bag of hybrid gins. “They are a part of you now, and you should treat them as such. You can now keep your gins with-in Tsuyo at all times if you’d like.”
Cadin nodded as he attached the sheath across his body, settling perfectly between his wings, the bag securely tied to his belt. Master Emilio nodded once and walked them back to the entrance of the Cloud Park. A repair crew focused on the gate while the original attendant lowered his head as another Cloud Park official gestured next to him.
“Nice of you to join us,” Instructor Kade said as they approached the student airships. “Too bad you missed out on earning more cloud-shifting badges, but I am sure your training was interesting.” Instructor Kade gave Emilio a little nod.
A female instructor with short brown hair and a blindingly pink shirt approached them and addressed Bart.
“I thought we were going to work on your skills today, Bartholomew. You need one more cloud-shifting badge to proceed to your fourth year.”
“Oh, right. I completely forgot!” Bart said, eyes bugging out.
“There are no more planned Cloud Park days for the remainder of the term. I may have to hold you back,” the woman said with a frown. Bart’s eyes were wide as he gazed back at the park.
“That will not be necessary, young lady,” Master Emilio said, narrowing his gaze.
“And you are?” She asked. Instructor Kade tried to step in to say something to the female instructor but was waved off as Master Emilio stepped forward.
“I am Emilio of Glade, Gin Master First Class, former Core Master Admiral First Class, current Glade Government Transformation Official. And you are?” Master Emilio asked politely.
“Oh…I…I am Instructor Heather, Bartholomew’s cloud-shifting teacher.”
“I see. Well, you will be happy to know Bart did achieve a rather impressive cloud-shifting badge today.”
“Bartholomew? He has hardly earned his basic cloud-shifting badges, let alone…” Instructor Heather interrupted with a skeptical look on her face.
Master Emilio raised his eyebrows, and her face drained of color. She stopped talking.
“Yes, Bartholomew. While we were training today he accomplished a class three clockwise cyclone.”
“Impossible!” Instructor Heather said. Bart hung his head.
“No, just improbable under the tutelage of someone who doesn’t believe in him. I can assure you he did earn his advanced cloud-shifting cyclone badge today. And as I am also on the Board of Education that developed the current badge system, you can be assured I am familiar with the requirements.”
“I…well, I…just meant.”
“Master Emilio! Welcome.” Headmaster Tripharian approached the tense group. “Come to check in on the progress of our students?”
“Indeed. I was explaining to your young, head-strong instructor here,” Master Emilio gave Heather a little wave which was followed by a reprimanding glance by the Headmaster Tripharian, “young Bartholomew achieved a class three cyclone today.”
“Amazing! And a third year at that. Wonderful. Of course, under your guidance, I am not surprised. If I remember correctly, you were once a feared and respected battle cyclonist. We are honored you chose to share your knowledge with our students. And congratulations, Bartholomew!” Headmaster Tripharian said, thumping Bart on the back. “Very few students have ever achieved a Cloud-Shifting Level 3 badge. Well done indeed. I do apologize for our younger staff members.”
“I understand,” Master Emilio said. “Just be sure Bart here receives his badge.”
“It will be done.”
“I must go,” Master Emilio said as he turned away from the group. “I will see you all at the Final Qualifier. Good luck.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Healer
He wiped his sweaty palms on this jacket as he set down on the third landing up the flyway. It was not the most graceful landing, but at least he hadn’t fallen off like Xeno had on their tour of the winged section of the school. Instructor Kade had told them the only stairs were behind locked doors and there for special circumstances and emergencies. Otherwise you relied on your new wings to get you around.
The second years spent two hours launching from the bottom of the large cylindrical flyway up to the many landings that led to classrooms. They weren’t allowed in all the rooms on the tour, but Cadin’s imagination stirred when he entered a few of the advanced rooms. Some sported high tech equipment on top of smooth cloud-hardened lab tables, while others had doors and landings that opened above the lingering clouds over Yi field. Cadin’s favorite part of the tour had been the large, open training room with a mirrored wall along one side and weapons and training dummies along another. But it was the floor of the room intrigued him.
“This floor replicates semi-cloud-land surfaces,” Instructor Kade had explained when he saw Cadin reach down to feel the not quite fluffy cloud-floor. “It is firm like a group has been walking around on a natural cloud for a couple of hours. Great for quick training sessions. Everyone give it a try.” He had motioned them forward, and their class instantly started tumbling around on the soft, yet firm floor.
Now he stood on a landing to the large flyway alone. He shook ou
t his feathers and took a step towards the door. A gust of wind and a light thud sounded behind him and he turned to find someone holding three boxes stacked high, recovering from a graceful landing. The holder shifted the boxes and peaked in front of her.
“Need any help?” Cadin asked as he moved forward.
“Oh, hi, Cadin.” Susan said as she allowed him to grab the top two boxes. “Thanks. Are you here for the healing seminar?”
She shook her hair out of her brown eyes and gazed at him.
“Oh...ah, yes, I am.”
“You're a little bit early.” She walked towards the closed door and swiped a card over the handle. It glowed green and clicked.
“Yeah, I am not too familiar with this side of the school yet and I didn't want to be late.” He also didn't want to attempt the flyway in front of a bunch of third and fourth years. “My guess is that you are not in need of a beginner Healing Seminar.”
“True.” She shook out her long hair and set her box down at the front of the class. “I am assisting Healer Molly. I have been apprenticing with her all year.”
“That's great,” Cadin said as he set down the boxes next hers on a long table. “Do you need any help setting up, or would it be better if I waited outside until it is time to start?” He hoped Susan wanted his help. It would be thrilling to spend a little extra time with the beautiful fourth year.
“I don't need help right now, but you are welcome to stay in here with me until the seminar starts.” She flashed him a stunning smile.
He responded with a smile of his own which faltered slightly when he remembered she had a boyfriend. “Um, is Gregor going to be here?”
She laughed. “Oh, no. He never comes to healing stuff. He says it runs contrary to his Warrior instincts.”
“Kill or be killed,” Cadin said under his breath. Gregor was not subtle in anything he did.
“What's that?” Susan said.
“Oh, nothing. I don't see anything wrong with being on the Warrior Path and learning some practical healing skills. It seems to me battles and healing should go nicely together.” Cadin had a brief flash of Lep's bloody eyebrow—gin lodged in. What the healer had said to him after the incident had made an impression.
“I agree, but you will not see many other Warrior Path students in here today. Historically, they have a difficult time with the completely different type of energy you need to tap into to be a successful healer.” She paused from unloading the boxes and glanced at him. “Not that I think you will have a hard time or should leave.”
“No problem. I guess I see what you mean. I told everyone in Challenge Club about this seminar and offered any of them to come with me, but they all stared at me like I was a hungry dire dragon.”
She laughed as she stored the now empty boxes under the table. Several students had filtered in and found seats. Behind them a plump angel came bustling past and went straight to the front table.
“Good afternoon, Susan.”
“Hello, Healer. Is there anything else you need before we begin?” The woman looked over everything Susan had laid out.
“No, thank you. Everything looks to be in good order. Have a seat and I will call you up for the demo.” Susan nodded, and to Cadin's delight, came and took the seat next to him.
Susan gave Cadin a few beginner's healing tips while they waited for the start of the seminar. She also pet Gur who was on good behavior—closing his eyes as she gently stroked his scaled head.
“Time to begin, everyone.” Healer Molly raised her hands and waited for silence. “Welcome to the Level 1 Healing Seminar. I am pleased to see such a good turn out today.”
Cadin rotated and counted only a dozen students.
At his confused look, Susan leaned over and whispered, “because this is not a required badge and you have to take several seminars rather than a class, it is not very popular among most students.”
This was his first seminar course, and the scheduling was slightly awkward to make it work. At least if he passed a seminar, it rolled over to the next year, which allowed him to start so late in the year.
The seminar was difficult, but Cadin was starting to do better with tapping into the energy resources needed to heal the bent dandelion that drooped in front of him. He focused on the cells that must have been damaged, closed his eyes as he tried to calm his ‘energy streams’ as Healer Molly called them. Unlike cloud-shifting in a warrior situation where you drew on frantic energy, he now searched for the calm energy channels to draw from. He felt a tingle behind his jaws and his hands warm around the base of the plant. Upon opening his eyes, he delighted in the sigh of the sturdy flower straightening under the bright light from his hands.
“Oh, very good!” Healer Molly whispered from behind him.
He was startled, but kept his concentration.
“Now remember, plants are easy to rupture cells with excess energy when healing, so try to move your hands up and down during the process. Aim for consistent energy flow.”
Cadin nodded. He hadn’t been too good at volume control with his healing energy thus far. One sad succulent had shriveled under his first attempt and he didn’t even want to think of the beautiful sun tree Susan was now attempting to save in the corner. Furrowing his brow, he gave a huff as he moved his hands up and down while focusing on slowing the energy trickling from his palms. He stopped the flow completely and sagged in relief when he finished. Healer Molly walked around his table to examine his dandelion closely.
Gur ran down his arm to help.
“Don’t touch it, Gur,” Cadin whispered as the dragon circled around—giving the healer plenty of space.
Healer Molly tore her gaze from the now straight plant and looked at Cadin. “Congratulations, you have performed a successful stage-one healing. You will receive your certificate at the end of the seminar.”
“Yes!” Cadin said. Gur ran up his shoulder and chatted in his ear. “I passed, Gur.” It didn’t matter to him he was the last one in the seminar to do so.
“Congratulations,” Susan said as she sat down next to him, examining his spritely plant.
“Thank you. How is our sun tree doing?” Cadin peered to the back of the room.
“Oh, it will be fine. I had to get creative with the phloem channel you managed to fry, but everything worked out well.” She looked up at him and winked. “I’m glad you did not to pop the head of this little one.” She gently caressed the yellow flower.
“Has that happened?”
“It is one of the most common fails for beginner healers. It also has become a bit of a game in the higher-level seminars where students attempt to shoot the flower tops at their friends.”
“Sounds gruesome,” Cadin said, a smile pulling up the corners of his mouth.
“Yes, but some Healers allow dandy-popping towards the end of the seminars because it actually helps fine-tune energy control.”
Students began putting their belongings back in their packs. Cadin took a breath and put his hand on top of Susan’s. Susan raised her eyes to his and Cadin realized that he was supposed to say something.
“I…ah… wanted to say thank you…you know, for helping me today.” He felt his face flush when she smiled.
“It was my pleasure. I hope we can do it again some time.”
Cadin was about to suggest to go to town together sometime when he felt the breeze from the open door. He looked over to see a fuming Gregor with a dark red complexion and a vein pumping along his temple.
He turned to see Susan look down at Cadin’s hand on top of hers and then back at the now advancing Gregor.
Before Cadin could stand, Gregor had grabbed him by the front of his shirt and lifted him so they were face to face.
“You!” Gregor shouted, spitting in Cadin’s face.
Gur immediately attacked the beefy hands. Gregor didn’t hesitate, and swatted Gur across the room.
“Greg! What are you doing?” Susan asked while tugging on his shoulder.
Gregor igno
red her and lifted Cadin higher. When he spoke, his voice was low and trembling. “I am so tired of you and your pathetic team—and now this!” He nodded to Susan. “She is mine!”
“Really, Greg? He did nothing.”
“Quiet, Susan!” Gregor hissed without taking his eyes off Cadin. “I don’t want to see you anywhere near her again! Got it?”
Cadin opened his mouth to respond until he felt a cold sensation creeping up his legs and across his chest.
An enormous ice-trap spanned mostly across Gregor, but trickled over to him.
“Now, gentlemen, is this really a way to act in front of a lady, or at school for that matter?”
Healer Molly flashed out of the corner of Cadin’s eye. She was near the faucet, holding one hand towards the running water and the other unflinchingly towards them. Susan stood close and held Gur who was struggling to return to the fray.
“Now before I release you,” Healer Molly continued, “I need assurances from you both, you will cease and desist this confrontation immediately. Do I have your word?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Cadin choked out.
“Whatever, I am done with him anyway,” Gregor said.
The ice trap melted around him and he shivered through his wet clothes. Gregor dropped him, and Cadin backed away from the thawing threat.
Gur ran over to him.
“Are you okay, Gur?” Cadin said as the dragon gurred in his ear. He quickly examined him before Gur squirmed out his grasp and retreated to his shoulder.
“I think you should leave, before Healer Molly releases him completely,” Susan said quietly. A steely expression spread across her face as she surveyed her ice cube boyfriend. “And I have some things I need to say Greg.”
