Chapter Seven: The Powers that Be
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Note:
Even if you happen to live in a fantasy world….physics is still
your friend. There is no need to re-invent nature if you don't have
too…proving once again that no knowledge is inconsequential.
;-)
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Gunther
walked the battlements which strung together the stout towers making
up the outer defenses of Kippernia castle. He leaned on his pike
briefly staring out into the night before turning to continue his
trek. No matter how much he complained at the necessity of keeping
such a vigilant watch in peace time, Sir Ivon's apprentice had
always liked walking the walls at night, and tonight he felt doubly
privileged.
The young man smiled to himself as he watched a shadow, darker than the night detach itself from the tree line and gallop across the field. The young squire had always had exceptional dark-vision, though it suited him to pretend otherwise at times. Even so, Drake was nothing but a sinuous flash of movement in the dark.
Earlier in the evening Gunther had used the Smithy's salve to anoint the dragon's wounded wings and forearms. As he had done so they talked about duty and many other things. Having been raised a war-beast, often among young soldiers, Drake was surprisingly eager to hear about the young squire's training and responsibilities. When Gunther told him he would be taking the night watch on the walls later that night the Big Black Dragon mentioned that, save for night raids on enemy encampments, he had usually been tied down and penned after dark. His keepers had been concerned he would try to slip his bonds and escape into the night. In the end it had come as much a surprise to Drake as it had to his keepers when he had actually done so.
Now, for the first time, the big black dragon was free just to run or do whatever he pleased hidden by the velvet cloak of night. At the moment he was frisky as a young colt in the paddock; the watchman could just about make out his new friend running pell-mell about the field on all fours, wriggling like a puppy in the grass, pouncing on things unseen from the heights. Then with a short jump Drake took to the air, flying low, almost touching the grass then swooping upward in a series of complex spirals, dives and rolls.
Gunther's heart still beat fast in his chest at the memory of crouching between those massive wings as they looped Jane and dragon in the air. He had had the chain to hold on to of course, but it had felt as if there was something else that kept him secure in place. When the apprentice knight shared this observation with Drake earlier in the evening the dragon explained that, under certain circumstances, moving objects generate magic. One of the flight instructors at Drēorsele Keep casually demonstrated the fact to his human students. The man filled a pail with water and grasped the handle after swinging the pail back and forth, to generate adequate magic, he actually brought the pail clear over his head and back several times.
The cadets were always amazed how the water clung tight to the bottom of the pail and not a single drop spilled out. Later they would learn to perform the same feat with buckets of rocks. Contests were held to see how long they could sustain the necessary magic with each arm. Not only did this go a-long-way toward developing the muscles they would need to direct their beasts and wield weapons during aerial combat, it also helped make the youngsters fearless flyers familiar with the forces that would help protect them during high-speed maneuvers. Gunther wanted to try spinning water himself at the earliest opportunity. But, Drake confided that nature-magic was not the only thing that had held him in place on that first flight, nor would it be. Dragons have magic of their own, and Gunther was confident Drake would never let him fall.
Gunther was so glad Smithy's salve had taken the sting from the burns in Drake's wings. As it was, they had used nearly all of it coat the wounds But, the blond had assured Gunther he could get more in a few days. Some thing in the way the blond had said it seemed particular. As Magnus' son he had long been schooled to notice, and exploit, such tell-tale signs in others--while concealing them himself. He noticed there had also been an uncharacteristic sparkle in Smithy's blue eyes which lead Gunther to suspect there was some mystery about the salves origin that might well deserve further looking into. But that was a matter for another day.
A familiar hand settled on the young squire's shoulder, startling him out of his revere.
"I expect you should be out there enjoying the night with yon beastie." Sir Ivon told him gently.
"I honor my duty sir. You have taught me that much." Gunther smiled at the man who, in many ways, was more 'father' to him then the one that had given him life.
"Ach laddie you have passed the test. I did not expect you to try to shirk your responsibility. Sir Theodore and I both agree you ought to have the next few days off, 'till Drake gets settled in at least. Janie can use some time to study on her own, as can you," The weapons master said patting Gunther's shoulder companionably.
The young Squire could not remember ever having heard Sir Ivon call the other knight's apprentice 'Janie' to her face… But then, there were a lot of things the man said and did when it was just the two of them that he did not normally do when others were around. The squire had never been able to figure out if that was because the warrior was afraid word would get back to Magnus that he was not as harsh with the boy as he was being paid to be, or if the discrepancy came about purely because man was in-fact less brusque and more private than he pretended to be. In any case, though Gunther had been tempted to many times, He had not shared his private hurts with the Scotsman the way he had with Drake. No matter how close they got, they were in essence still master and apprentice and that distance separated them. Even so, Gunther respected the old soldier like no other.
"Do you want to walk down with me?" Gunther offered. "I had hoped to introduce you to Drake."
"I am in no hurry lad; there will be plenty of time for that. But there was one thing I did want you to think on--," Ivon said fidgeting with the mace hanging at his belt.
"What is that sir?" Gunther asked cautiously.
"--Nothing bad young-un; just consider whether Drake might be here…because of you. I have seen the way you watched Janie and her beastie day after day…If you desired what they have, strong enough…and long enough… Well, whishes are powerful things. Some would call them magic. If that is true, than your destinies are bound together--just as Jane and dragon's are, that is…something you can not just walk away from."
"I think understand sir," Gunther said cautiously, "I could not ignore what I feel for Drake if I wanted too. Friendship is not something I have a lot of practice with…But then neither does Drake. If I DID wish him here, I suspect he may have wished me too. What ever it is, I am certain it was meant to be."
"The words of a knight…and a dragon rider," Sir Ivon said smiling as he ruffled his apprentice's dark hair. "So be it."
Gunther took that as a dismissal. He bowed politely, wished his mentor 'good night' and went to be with his dragon.
