Disclaimer: *looks around* Nope, no hordes of money that I'm currently
bathing in so I guess I don't own Harry Potter. I do own the characters I
created though.
A/N it shames me to note that I failed to address a question a reviewer presented to me. It was Bladen I believe that asked if half breeds are like Gargoyles in size and shape. At the time I hadn't even thought about that but in retrospect the answer to that would be both yes and no. Brevyt for one is huge, and looks much like a gargoyle, yet others are quite small. It all depends on the breed they descend from. Harry for one is the size of a normal human, oh and in case I didn't make it clear he is also wingless.
This chapter didn't come out exactly like I planned, but I hope ya'll enjoy it!
Anyway many thanks to all who reviewed, and now on with the show!
Crouching low to the ground, raven hair cascading down around his face, Harry sniffed the air. He was gaining ground quickly. He weaved swiftly through the jungle trees keeping as much in the shadows as possible. While he had enjoyed his time in Egypt nearly a year ago, Harry loved the clan's new jungle home even more. Ever since he began his specialized lessons in what his instructors called the 'Art of the Hunt' Harry had developed a deep appreciation for forests and the like. Stalking a quarry was much easier when we had trees and undershrubs to aid him in hunting. Not to mention how much easier it is to avoid the Hunting masters that were tracking him. It would have been even easier but as this was a test of sorts he was forbidden to use his magic at this time.
Extending his talons, Harry climbed up the trunk of a nearby teak tree and perched himself on a precarious branch high in the canopy. Harry had found out he was one of the half breeds that could switch back and forth between human hands and talons during one of his first practice hunting missions, when he had stumbled across a rather nasty warthog. He had received several nasty gashes from the warthogs tusk for his trouble; and the gouge the warthog had left on Harry's right side was now a permanent scar to add to his collection. If Harry hadn't been bleeding so badly when he had finally stumbled back into camp he would have rather enjoyed the shocked expressions his friends had worn at the sight of him and the huge hog he was dragging into camp.
He allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction as he neared his quarry. Brevyt was far too large and heavy to maneuver effectively in this environment. Harry could hear him running up ahead of him quite clearly even from his high perch.
Feeling the winds brush his face his bright green eyes snapped open. The winds had changed. 'So not good . . . . So very not of the good.' Harry thought to himself. He turned back toward the direction the winds were blowing. The wind was carrying his scent right to his pursuers. Only the lessons on the necessity of silence his teachers had drilled into his head stopped him from cursing. He needed to move, and he needed to move now.
Harry slid down the trunk of the tree, his talons scraping deeply into the tree's bark. He came to a stop halfway down the tree. Bracing his legs against the trunk, he launched himself toward a tree four meters away. Meeting the trunk a bit rougher than he would have liked, and far louder than preferable, Harry, disoriented, fell into a momentary free fall; regaining his senses Harry dug his claws deeply into the wood stopping himself a mere two meters from the ground, and waited a moment to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him.
After he had caught his breath Harry quickly dropped the remaining distance to the ground Harry glanced around, trying to see if he could spot either his quarry or his pursuers. Seeing neither, Harry sped toward where he had last heard Brevyt stomping around. The time for caution was gone; he could almost sense the other masters nearing by the moment. Harry darted around a patch of thick undergrowth. Making a mad dash was a serious gamble; Harry had been caught almost every time he had made one.
Breaking through an area of brushwood Harry found himself by what appeared to be a small lake, its water like blue crystal, lapping gently at the shoreline. He paused at the sight, for the lake was both a blessing and at the same time a horrible curse. If he took a quick swim he could easily eliminate his scent trail, but the same could be said for Brevyt, and he was far more adapt for water excursions than Harry was. Harry cursed inwardly, 'Odds are he's still down there, too. Just waiting and hiding. Stupid jerk.' Harry sighed deeply. He was about to move to the shoreline when he felt a blade pressed against his neck.
"You hesitate far too long, my young friend." A silky voice whispered from behind him. He felt the breath of the speaker tickle his ear as it whispered. "He who hesitates is lost."
Harry felt the blade lift from his neck. Turning, he came face to face with Nhriul, the Scirthgras huntress. Harry met her unblinking eyes for but a moment before moving back to stare at the lake. "When I saw the water I knew I had lost." He shook his head trying very hard not to get upset at his failure. "Brevyt is of the Vahweh after all, the water is his domain." He turned back to Nhriul.
She was sheathing her dagger, staring out at the lake, an introspective look about her. Harry saw her blink several times, as if trying to clear something out of her head, before turning to him. "Shall we head back then?"
Harry nodded and the pair started walking back through the jungle toward the camp. Harry's eyes darted around the jungle surrounding them, puzzled. "Wasn't Ekdas with you?"
Nhriul smiled at Harry, revealing very sharp, very deadly teeth. "You lost him a long time ago, 'Gath. I figure he's back at camp moping right now."
Harry frowned momentarily. Normally he would be pleased to have lost one of his trackers, but this was a test. Both tracking Hunters usually work together on tests. To lose one and not the other meant they were not working together. Then it clicked in Harry's mind, it was blindingly obvious, it was probably for the same reason most clan members avoided making Nhriul angry, or just avoided her altogether. The poison of her breed was legend. The bite of a full Scirthgras was said to be one of the five deadliest toxins in existence.
But normally she and Ekdas got along well enough... that could only mean... "You and Ek' arguing again?"
Nhriul smiled kindly at Harry while ruffling his shoulder length hair. "Not really. I just fake-snapped at him a few times last night and he got this scared look on his face and almost ran back to his tent." She paused for a moment before looking to Harry. "Come on 'Gath, vamanos."
Harry was content to let silence lapse as fell into pace with Nhriul walking just behind her. They traveled the rest of the way to the camp in that same silence, neither caring to break it.
Nhriul was fairly new to the Elrkoc clan having just met up with them in their year long excursion in Egypt. There was a reason half breeds did not change clans easily, though. It is rather hard to just walk into a clan that's been with the same people for in some cases several centuries and just make yourself a place within the clan. The only reason Nhriul was so readily accepted was because the clan was very short on hunters, and she was a damn good one.
They had reached the outskirts of the encampment when Nhriul stopped suddenly. Still facing away from Harry she spoke to him, he voice soft on the wind. "You are the only one who has watched me smile and not flinched away, Isgath." She looked over her shoulder at him. "Thank you." She walked toward her tent without saying another word.
Smiling sadly at retreating figure of the only adult besides his teachers that he could call a friend. "It's not that they don't trust you, Nhriul. But when fear is so deeply engrained into a body, it's almost impossible to resist." He said under his breath, twisting the air with his mind, he let his message be carried to the retreating figure on the wind.
The silhouette of Nhriul stumbled, before continuing on, her hand rose above her head waving in gratitude.
Harry trotted over in the direction of the warrior's arena, hoping that Drek and Kystel were still there. He waved to a few clan members as he jogged past them. He stopped just short of the training ring. Two adults Harry didn't know were dueling in the ring. Both were fairly good from what he could tell, though the larger, axe wielding Gestevia seemed to have the advantage. Granted he didn't really have any comparison, he made even Kiath look like a professional with a blade. Seeing said Rigaalt half- breed on the other side of the ring Harry made his way around and pulled up beside her. Kiath acknowledged his presence with a warm smile, but remained silent, waiting for the sparing match to end.
The arena was sort of a misleading name. It wasn't so much as an arena as it was a series of barrack-like tents housing the warrior caste of the clan, with a training ring as the center. The ring itself was just a circle of rocks on the ground.
A sharp clang brought his attention back to the match before him. He managed to turn back in time to see an axe go flying through the air. Harry snorted. "Shows how much I know."
Kiath glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a small smirk playing at her lips. Kiath turned facing Harry full on. "You're back pretty early. What happened?"
"Brevyt went straight for the water. I didn't realize it until it was too late. Nhriul caught me on the shoreline." He watched as two females walked into the center of the ring and bowed to each other. "When are they gonna practice?" He finally asked, after watching the two women circle each other for awhile.
"Drek and Kystel already had their go, oh, about an hour ago now. Drek won of course. Kystel is getting better, but I think she is realizing that weapons just aren't for her."
Harry looked up at the sky, the sun blazing directly overhead. "I wonder what she'll try next then . . . ." A frown flitted across Harry's face for a moment. "I suppose she could always apprentice with Nythyris . . . ." He shuddered, mumbling under his breath, "But ewwww."
Harry heard Kiath snickering beside him. Pulling his eyes from the sky above them, he turned and looked at his friend. "What?"
Kiath tried to school her face, but failed. Grinning at Harry she just shook her head as she walked away from the training ring and toward the center of camp, where the meeting grounds were. Harry stood still from a moment, puzzled, before jogging after her. Drawing up beside her he asked, "Well?"
"I just find it kinda funny that for someone who has killed animals and has come back to camp almost covered in their blood is so squeamish about digging in dirt."
Harry's eyes narrowed and Kiath took that as her signal to start running. She had trouble running as she was laughing so hard, after Harry had called after her in an attempt at sounding disgruntled. "Hey you come back here and take that back! I'm soooo not squeamish! It's just too boring!"
The pair darted in and out between the few adults that were walking around. Kiath had glanced back to try and judge how far back Harry was when she collided with something rather solid . . . . and wet. She turned back around, only to see, with no small amount of embarrassment, that she had run into a very damp Brevyt. She quickly took a few steps back. She craned her neck looking for Harry, wondering why he hadn't collided with her as well, only to see Harry floating upside-down about a half meter above the ground an unnatural wind whipping about his body, with Repthasth standing just a little ways behind him, an small smile upon his lips.
Brevyt patted Kiath gently on the head, before facing the now spinning Harry. "You were supposed to go straight to Repth when you were finished with the test, Isgath."
Harry tried not to blush, not realizing that he was already red as an apple from his time upside-down. He scratched the back of his head, "Heh, heh, whoops?"
A cold wind picked up suddenly and Harry was twirled around. He now hovered upside-down and eye to eye with the Druidic Master. "Whoops indeed. You do realize what this carelessness of yours means, correct?" Harry's eyes widened. "Indeed, we shall run fire drills until our lesson time is done."
Harry sighed. For some reason, in all of his drills over the years he trained with Repthasth, using fire in any way, shape or form was most times at least twice as exhausting as any of the other branches of druidic magics. And over time it almost seemed to become harder, and harder. It was frustrating to say the least.
Repth righted and set the boy down and the pair walked over to Repth's tent on the far north end of the encampment. They walked in relative silence, broken only by Repth's asking of how his field test had faired, and his response.
Upon entering the familiar tent Harry took his usual seat on the right hand side by the bookshelf. Repth paced the room twice before finally sitting down behind the table, and looking at Harry. He looked far more serious than Harry had ever seen him. "Isgath'Phyres of the Ysbaat breed," His heavy tone match the seriousness of his expression. "Before we begin, I believe it's time I shared with you a few things.
"I'm sure I don't have to repeat most of your history in the human world, but I suppose I should clarify a few things before I explain every thing that's going on. There have been many theories on why you survived what no other has, youngling. The other elders have come up with several ideas, but none so far have even approached the truth. The Ysbaat breed of Dragons is one of the most enigmatic breeds of dragons, even to we half- breeds. Second only to the Gysaal. Both of which have been hunted to extinction by humans. That is one of the reasons why you were so readily accepted into the clan. You are the very last of your kind."
Harry's eyes had almost tripled in size by this point. He began to tremble as the reality of what Repthasth had said sunk in. . . . 'I'm the last?' He shook his head roughly trying to clear his thoughts.
While he cleared his mind Repth merely plowed forward. "We believe that had something to do with your survival." At Harry's baffled look, he quickly clarified himself. "Not that you're the last of your breed, no, the fact that you are an Ysbaat. The Ysbaat were hunted for several reasons, one of which being their hide was rumored to actually reflect magic, not just absorb some of it. This has never been confirmed but the same rumor is in every different half-breed clan mythos, and because that particular piece of information is so wide spread, we believe it has to have some basis in fact. Even though your blood is a bit to removed for the theory to be proved or disproved, the other elders and I believe that some how your mother sacrificed herself for you and that the stronger dragon blood in her somehow bestowed a little bit of added protection."
Harry blinked rapidly. Repth reached around for something on the floor while trying to keep his eyes on Harry. Harry seemed to be accepting everything alright, well except the whole blinking thing, he really needed to stop that, it was freaky. Finding a group of loose leaf papers he set them on the table. "I was recently contacted in a most unusual manner by a human by the name of Albus Dumbledore. He apparently is a very important human in the wizarding world-"
"Wait. . . . Wizarding world? What are you talking about?"
"You don't know? I guess Aklari hasn't gotten to that yet. The wizarding world is a story for another time, so you'll just have to be patient." Repth was grinning at Harry; he knew very well just how impatient Harry could be at times. "Anyway this man, Dumbledore, runs a school for magic. And apparently that's where your mother and father learned their magic-
"Are you serious? An entire school devoted to teaching magic? And what do you mean their magic? Are you saying that there is more than one type of magic?"
Repth gave his apprentice a withering glare. "How many times, Isgath, have I told you that Druidism is not the only form that magic takes? One would think I would have beaten it into your head by now. Now please, no more interruptions I'll answer questions later." Harry managed not to flush too badly. "As I was saying, this Dumbledore taught your parents, and has been in correspondence with me about how your doing. He seems impressed with your progress in the druidic arts. He has requested, though, that at the time of the eleventh anniversary of your birth, you be permitted to attend his school residing somewhere in Europe. Seeing as you're almost ten, I'd thought I should get your feelings on the matter." Harry was about to reply when Repth waved his hand briefly. "Two things, the school is completely human, so you won't have any other non-humans with you. If you tell people of your heritage . . . . well let's just say wizarding folk aren't always the most open-minded of people. Second, you live at the school for the duration of the school year; they study there for seven years, with breaks between the school years."
Harry wasn't too pleased to hear that bit of news. He really didn't want to leave everyone at in clan, even if it was only for brief periods at a time. But still, the chance to learn another form of magic was far too good of an opportunity to dismiss so frivolously. It was only seven years, which, in the long run, was nothing to a species considered being one hundred being barely into adulthood. 'Granted,' Harry thought. 'I'll won't be able to see my friends and mother . . . . but I love the feeling magic gives me. I'll try it for a few years, and see what it's like.'
He looked up into Repth's face, wondering what the old man thought about it, before speaking. "I think I'd like to at least try it for a few years, and see what it's like."
Repth nodded, smiling gently. "You have made a mature decision, youngling. I think you will enjoy the school. It's called Hogwarts. I studied druidism there in my youth, along time ago. Though, I imagine it has changed greatly in nine hundred years." Repth slowly stood from his chair and moved to exit the tent, gesturing as he did so for Harry to follow him. Harry followed him outside, curious as to what he was planning. The pair moved away from the cluster of tents and into a flat area just on the outside of the encampment.
Repth studied the clearing a moment. Apparently he came to a decision about whatever he had been thinking, because he raised his hand and drew several arcane-looking symbols in the air in front of him.
The sky above them darkened, Harry could see that the sky over their home was still as blue as ever so whatever Repth had done probably caused this. Harry felt the hair on his neck raise. Looking once more to the dark sky, he just had enough time to cover his eyes as fire rained from the sky. Falling in blazing streaks the fire scorched the land before the pair. Trying to ignore the intense heat pouring off the land, Harry stared at Repth, trying to figure out just what he was doing and why. Harry could make out a pair of runes etched into the air in front of Repth, but he couldn't decipher them. He was forced to look away when another wave of fire poured from the sky.
Repth, for his part, was busy using his will to confine the area the fire pelted. His magic forming a shield in a circle around the area the fire fell, preventing it from spreading. After a third wave Harry noticed Repth making a few adjustments to the hovering marks, and the sky immediately returned to normal and the flames extinguished themselves. All that was left was a shimmering barrier surrounding blackened ground. The barrier dissipated and Repthasth walked to the middle of the scorched ring and faced Harry.
"Come on, with the ground burned this way it is safer for you to experiment with fire. In order to find out why your skills are diminishing I'll need to see you go all out, and if you lose control we don't want the camp endangered now, do we?" Harry shook his head in the negative. "Go ahead and summon as much free fire as you can."
Harry sat down on the charred ground and held his hands before him, touching his fingertips together, forming a loose circle with his hands. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes began to burn. Slowly, almost reluctantly, a bead of fire formed between his hands. His arms began trembling heavily, as if under some massive strain. The bead of fire grew sluggishly into a ball the size of Harry's fist. While invisible knives seemed to stab at Harry's eyes, the throbbing in his head was in tune with his accelerating heartbeat.
Abruptly, the ball of fire Harry had been struggling to maintain churned violently. 'Oh bugger.' Harry was practically screaming on the inside. 'I can't control it!' Cold and wetness flooded over Harry as he was knocked to the ground by a wave of icy water that Repth had conjured.
After what Harry swore was him coughing up a lung, he managed to sit up, and gazed up at Repth. He managed to mumble a soft 'thank you' while he struggled to his feat, before collapsing back down to his knees. Had Repth not done what he had Harry would not have hands any more.
Repth offered his hand, which Harry accepted. Pulling Harry up, Repth led him back to his tent. The pair made their way slowly, as Harry stumbled several times. Upon entering the tent Harry collapsed onto his chair. All he wanted to do was sleep.
Sitting on the edge of the table, Repth watched his apprentice for a few moments. "Well Isgath, I think it is save to say that you will not be practicing with fire any more. Though why your skills diminished to such a point is truly a mystery." He shook his head briefly as he grabbed some paper and a quill. After jotting down a few quick notes he looked back at his exhausted pupil. Standing up, he picked up the tired boy and set him down on his bed, on the far side of the tent. "Now sleep, Isgath. You need it." Harry tried to protest, but Repth's voice picked up a distinct misty quality. "Sleep."
Harry's vision slowly faded to black, and he fell in to a dreamless sleep.
*********
Dusk was approaching when Harry finally woke up. Feeling refreshed he looked around to see if Repth was nearby. Seeing no one he left the tent to head for the fire pits.
Harry was walking through the meeting grounds when he saw Drek stoking a fire on the far side. Drek must have noticed him as well, because he was waving Harry over. Harry trotted over to where Drek was sitting, and plopped down beside him.
The pair sat in silence for a few minutes before Harry felt the need to speak. "I can't help with the fires anymore, Drek."
Drek glanced at his friend, worried. He knew Harry was having problems with fire manipulation; he had to seeing as Harry complained about it at least every other day, but his sudden lack of ability was startling. "What happened, 'Gath?"
Harry swallowed a bitter laugh. "We don't know. But after almost losing my hands when I lost control, Repth suggest we stop practicing fire all together. I can't say as I disagree. I can't help but feel like I've failed somehow though."
Harry felt Drek squeeze his shoulder briefly. "I doubt that you failed at anything. Your loss of ability was beyond your control."
He knew that Drek was trying to be comforting but that was what hurt the most. He didn't lose his power, it was stolen from him. "At least here the nights aren't so bad for Kiath. I hope she'll be alright. . . ."
"What do you mean by that?" Drek asked. His confusion was evident in his voice.
Harry just shook his head and said, "Later, I want to break it to everyone at the same time."
A tense silence fell over the duo as they waited for the remaining members of their group to show up. Harry could tell Drek wanted to throttle him until he told him whatever it was he had to say. That's just the way that Drek was, he didn't like being kept in the dark one bit.
Harry was suddenly tackled by a blur of blonde and green. As his eyes came back into focus he saw a pouting Kystel sitting on his chest. "You didn't come and see my match today, Isgath'Phyres." She said, her pout quickly turning into an attempt at a stern expression. "Now you must pay the price." Reaching to his sides, she began tickling him relentlessly.
Helpless against the attack all Harry could do was laugh uncontrollably. Gasping for breath as he tried to roll away from his assailant, he managed to wheeze out, "Drek . . . help . . . hahahaha . . . . Noooo! Please stop! hahahahaha Dreeeeek!"
The half breed in question was currently rolling on the ground in hysterics. "No way 'Gath. You refuse to tell, I refuse to help." That made Kystel pause long enough for Harry to squirm free. He was panting hard and his arms were barely supporting him from his position on the ground.
Kiath's appearance behind Harry stalled the inevitable questions from Kystel. Once Kiath had sat down beside Harry, Drek wasted no time. "Alright, 'Gath now what's up?"
Harry sat up straight, and began explaining what happened with Repth in the newly charred circle, only leaving out that Repth had summoned the fire with some sort of runes. His friends were, of course, sympathetic to his loss of control, but that did not lessen the hurt of his perceived failure. He took a deep breath. This part would be the most difficult; he did not know how his imminent departure would affect his friends. Explaining the situation as quickly as possible, he waited for their reactions. Harry wasn't sure what to expect, maybe several never before heard swear words from Kiath, reluctant acceptance from the others, but the soft hands on his shoulders, and the tears in Kiath and Kystel's eyes he never would have expected. Drek was staring at him agape. Kiath smiled through the tears and spoke softly, "It's only a few years right? Then you'll be back to us?"
Harry nodded. "And it's not even for the entire year. I'll be back for at least the summer months for sure." He gasped as Kystel kicked his shin.
"You better!" She cried. "And you had better write us, too. Repth said he was writing to that Dumbledore guy, so you have no excuse not too!"
Grabbing their hands he pulled the two girls into a hug, whispering into their ears. "Thank you both, you lot mean so much to me." He glanced over to where he could tell Drek was trying to remain dry eyed. He walked over to him and pulled him into another hug. "I'll miss you to 'big bro'."
Drek almost broke down at that point. "Damn it man, your not even leaving for a year, and already I'm about to bawl like a baby." He sniffed audibly. "We'll make this year count, neh?"
Harry smiled and nodded into Drek's shoulder. "Neh."
Drek gave a weak laugh. "Alright mushiness time is over. Get off me before I blow my nose on your shirt."
Laughing Harry did what he was asked. Returning to his seat before the fire, something crossed his mind that he had failed to realize before. "So. . . . Does anyone want to tell Aklari for me?"
The other three just collapsed into fits of laughter at the shear amount of pleading in his voice. Yes their friend was leaving, but not yet, and most definitely not forever.
____________
I'm actually a bit worried about this chapter. As I said it didn't come out as I had originally planned, and I don't know how you'll like it *coughreviewpleacough*. Anyway next chapter will be a few months before he goes to Hogwarts, and as of right now he's going to meet someone a bit ahead of schedule. Sorry if anyone was really looking forward to Harry being in Egypt, but I know nothing about it. I will be doing a flashback sequence to it . . . . maybe in the next chapter.
A quick question, all the dragons, that the humans know of (there are several that they don't) have their true Draconic names which I created, seeing as how I will refer to them by the draconic names mostly, would you all like me to post the names and who it refers too? Could it just be at the top of the next chapter, or would you prefer a separate chapter for easy reference?
Oh and how about a translation guide, for the few phrase I've tossed in and some of the names?
Sorry one last thing, is that enough space between paragraphs? I could put more if you want.
A/N it shames me to note that I failed to address a question a reviewer presented to me. It was Bladen I believe that asked if half breeds are like Gargoyles in size and shape. At the time I hadn't even thought about that but in retrospect the answer to that would be both yes and no. Brevyt for one is huge, and looks much like a gargoyle, yet others are quite small. It all depends on the breed they descend from. Harry for one is the size of a normal human, oh and in case I didn't make it clear he is also wingless.
This chapter didn't come out exactly like I planned, but I hope ya'll enjoy it!
Anyway many thanks to all who reviewed, and now on with the show!
Crouching low to the ground, raven hair cascading down around his face, Harry sniffed the air. He was gaining ground quickly. He weaved swiftly through the jungle trees keeping as much in the shadows as possible. While he had enjoyed his time in Egypt nearly a year ago, Harry loved the clan's new jungle home even more. Ever since he began his specialized lessons in what his instructors called the 'Art of the Hunt' Harry had developed a deep appreciation for forests and the like. Stalking a quarry was much easier when we had trees and undershrubs to aid him in hunting. Not to mention how much easier it is to avoid the Hunting masters that were tracking him. It would have been even easier but as this was a test of sorts he was forbidden to use his magic at this time.
Extending his talons, Harry climbed up the trunk of a nearby teak tree and perched himself on a precarious branch high in the canopy. Harry had found out he was one of the half breeds that could switch back and forth between human hands and talons during one of his first practice hunting missions, when he had stumbled across a rather nasty warthog. He had received several nasty gashes from the warthogs tusk for his trouble; and the gouge the warthog had left on Harry's right side was now a permanent scar to add to his collection. If Harry hadn't been bleeding so badly when he had finally stumbled back into camp he would have rather enjoyed the shocked expressions his friends had worn at the sight of him and the huge hog he was dragging into camp.
He allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction as he neared his quarry. Brevyt was far too large and heavy to maneuver effectively in this environment. Harry could hear him running up ahead of him quite clearly even from his high perch.
Feeling the winds brush his face his bright green eyes snapped open. The winds had changed. 'So not good . . . . So very not of the good.' Harry thought to himself. He turned back toward the direction the winds were blowing. The wind was carrying his scent right to his pursuers. Only the lessons on the necessity of silence his teachers had drilled into his head stopped him from cursing. He needed to move, and he needed to move now.
Harry slid down the trunk of the tree, his talons scraping deeply into the tree's bark. He came to a stop halfway down the tree. Bracing his legs against the trunk, he launched himself toward a tree four meters away. Meeting the trunk a bit rougher than he would have liked, and far louder than preferable, Harry, disoriented, fell into a momentary free fall; regaining his senses Harry dug his claws deeply into the wood stopping himself a mere two meters from the ground, and waited a moment to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him.
After he had caught his breath Harry quickly dropped the remaining distance to the ground Harry glanced around, trying to see if he could spot either his quarry or his pursuers. Seeing neither, Harry sped toward where he had last heard Brevyt stomping around. The time for caution was gone; he could almost sense the other masters nearing by the moment. Harry darted around a patch of thick undergrowth. Making a mad dash was a serious gamble; Harry had been caught almost every time he had made one.
Breaking through an area of brushwood Harry found himself by what appeared to be a small lake, its water like blue crystal, lapping gently at the shoreline. He paused at the sight, for the lake was both a blessing and at the same time a horrible curse. If he took a quick swim he could easily eliminate his scent trail, but the same could be said for Brevyt, and he was far more adapt for water excursions than Harry was. Harry cursed inwardly, 'Odds are he's still down there, too. Just waiting and hiding. Stupid jerk.' Harry sighed deeply. He was about to move to the shoreline when he felt a blade pressed against his neck.
"You hesitate far too long, my young friend." A silky voice whispered from behind him. He felt the breath of the speaker tickle his ear as it whispered. "He who hesitates is lost."
Harry felt the blade lift from his neck. Turning, he came face to face with Nhriul, the Scirthgras huntress. Harry met her unblinking eyes for but a moment before moving back to stare at the lake. "When I saw the water I knew I had lost." He shook his head trying very hard not to get upset at his failure. "Brevyt is of the Vahweh after all, the water is his domain." He turned back to Nhriul.
She was sheathing her dagger, staring out at the lake, an introspective look about her. Harry saw her blink several times, as if trying to clear something out of her head, before turning to him. "Shall we head back then?"
Harry nodded and the pair started walking back through the jungle toward the camp. Harry's eyes darted around the jungle surrounding them, puzzled. "Wasn't Ekdas with you?"
Nhriul smiled at Harry, revealing very sharp, very deadly teeth. "You lost him a long time ago, 'Gath. I figure he's back at camp moping right now."
Harry frowned momentarily. Normally he would be pleased to have lost one of his trackers, but this was a test. Both tracking Hunters usually work together on tests. To lose one and not the other meant they were not working together. Then it clicked in Harry's mind, it was blindingly obvious, it was probably for the same reason most clan members avoided making Nhriul angry, or just avoided her altogether. The poison of her breed was legend. The bite of a full Scirthgras was said to be one of the five deadliest toxins in existence.
But normally she and Ekdas got along well enough... that could only mean... "You and Ek' arguing again?"
Nhriul smiled kindly at Harry while ruffling his shoulder length hair. "Not really. I just fake-snapped at him a few times last night and he got this scared look on his face and almost ran back to his tent." She paused for a moment before looking to Harry. "Come on 'Gath, vamanos."
Harry was content to let silence lapse as fell into pace with Nhriul walking just behind her. They traveled the rest of the way to the camp in that same silence, neither caring to break it.
Nhriul was fairly new to the Elrkoc clan having just met up with them in their year long excursion in Egypt. There was a reason half breeds did not change clans easily, though. It is rather hard to just walk into a clan that's been with the same people for in some cases several centuries and just make yourself a place within the clan. The only reason Nhriul was so readily accepted was because the clan was very short on hunters, and she was a damn good one.
They had reached the outskirts of the encampment when Nhriul stopped suddenly. Still facing away from Harry she spoke to him, he voice soft on the wind. "You are the only one who has watched me smile and not flinched away, Isgath." She looked over her shoulder at him. "Thank you." She walked toward her tent without saying another word.
Smiling sadly at retreating figure of the only adult besides his teachers that he could call a friend. "It's not that they don't trust you, Nhriul. But when fear is so deeply engrained into a body, it's almost impossible to resist." He said under his breath, twisting the air with his mind, he let his message be carried to the retreating figure on the wind.
The silhouette of Nhriul stumbled, before continuing on, her hand rose above her head waving in gratitude.
Harry trotted over in the direction of the warrior's arena, hoping that Drek and Kystel were still there. He waved to a few clan members as he jogged past them. He stopped just short of the training ring. Two adults Harry didn't know were dueling in the ring. Both were fairly good from what he could tell, though the larger, axe wielding Gestevia seemed to have the advantage. Granted he didn't really have any comparison, he made even Kiath look like a professional with a blade. Seeing said Rigaalt half- breed on the other side of the ring Harry made his way around and pulled up beside her. Kiath acknowledged his presence with a warm smile, but remained silent, waiting for the sparing match to end.
The arena was sort of a misleading name. It wasn't so much as an arena as it was a series of barrack-like tents housing the warrior caste of the clan, with a training ring as the center. The ring itself was just a circle of rocks on the ground.
A sharp clang brought his attention back to the match before him. He managed to turn back in time to see an axe go flying through the air. Harry snorted. "Shows how much I know."
Kiath glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a small smirk playing at her lips. Kiath turned facing Harry full on. "You're back pretty early. What happened?"
"Brevyt went straight for the water. I didn't realize it until it was too late. Nhriul caught me on the shoreline." He watched as two females walked into the center of the ring and bowed to each other. "When are they gonna practice?" He finally asked, after watching the two women circle each other for awhile.
"Drek and Kystel already had their go, oh, about an hour ago now. Drek won of course. Kystel is getting better, but I think she is realizing that weapons just aren't for her."
Harry looked up at the sky, the sun blazing directly overhead. "I wonder what she'll try next then . . . ." A frown flitted across Harry's face for a moment. "I suppose she could always apprentice with Nythyris . . . ." He shuddered, mumbling under his breath, "But ewwww."
Harry heard Kiath snickering beside him. Pulling his eyes from the sky above them, he turned and looked at his friend. "What?"
Kiath tried to school her face, but failed. Grinning at Harry she just shook her head as she walked away from the training ring and toward the center of camp, where the meeting grounds were. Harry stood still from a moment, puzzled, before jogging after her. Drawing up beside her he asked, "Well?"
"I just find it kinda funny that for someone who has killed animals and has come back to camp almost covered in their blood is so squeamish about digging in dirt."
Harry's eyes narrowed and Kiath took that as her signal to start running. She had trouble running as she was laughing so hard, after Harry had called after her in an attempt at sounding disgruntled. "Hey you come back here and take that back! I'm soooo not squeamish! It's just too boring!"
The pair darted in and out between the few adults that were walking around. Kiath had glanced back to try and judge how far back Harry was when she collided with something rather solid . . . . and wet. She turned back around, only to see, with no small amount of embarrassment, that she had run into a very damp Brevyt. She quickly took a few steps back. She craned her neck looking for Harry, wondering why he hadn't collided with her as well, only to see Harry floating upside-down about a half meter above the ground an unnatural wind whipping about his body, with Repthasth standing just a little ways behind him, an small smile upon his lips.
Brevyt patted Kiath gently on the head, before facing the now spinning Harry. "You were supposed to go straight to Repth when you were finished with the test, Isgath."
Harry tried not to blush, not realizing that he was already red as an apple from his time upside-down. He scratched the back of his head, "Heh, heh, whoops?"
A cold wind picked up suddenly and Harry was twirled around. He now hovered upside-down and eye to eye with the Druidic Master. "Whoops indeed. You do realize what this carelessness of yours means, correct?" Harry's eyes widened. "Indeed, we shall run fire drills until our lesson time is done."
Harry sighed. For some reason, in all of his drills over the years he trained with Repthasth, using fire in any way, shape or form was most times at least twice as exhausting as any of the other branches of druidic magics. And over time it almost seemed to become harder, and harder. It was frustrating to say the least.
Repth righted and set the boy down and the pair walked over to Repth's tent on the far north end of the encampment. They walked in relative silence, broken only by Repth's asking of how his field test had faired, and his response.
Upon entering the familiar tent Harry took his usual seat on the right hand side by the bookshelf. Repth paced the room twice before finally sitting down behind the table, and looking at Harry. He looked far more serious than Harry had ever seen him. "Isgath'Phyres of the Ysbaat breed," His heavy tone match the seriousness of his expression. "Before we begin, I believe it's time I shared with you a few things.
"I'm sure I don't have to repeat most of your history in the human world, but I suppose I should clarify a few things before I explain every thing that's going on. There have been many theories on why you survived what no other has, youngling. The other elders have come up with several ideas, but none so far have even approached the truth. The Ysbaat breed of Dragons is one of the most enigmatic breeds of dragons, even to we half- breeds. Second only to the Gysaal. Both of which have been hunted to extinction by humans. That is one of the reasons why you were so readily accepted into the clan. You are the very last of your kind."
Harry's eyes had almost tripled in size by this point. He began to tremble as the reality of what Repthasth had said sunk in. . . . 'I'm the last?' He shook his head roughly trying to clear his thoughts.
While he cleared his mind Repth merely plowed forward. "We believe that had something to do with your survival." At Harry's baffled look, he quickly clarified himself. "Not that you're the last of your breed, no, the fact that you are an Ysbaat. The Ysbaat were hunted for several reasons, one of which being their hide was rumored to actually reflect magic, not just absorb some of it. This has never been confirmed but the same rumor is in every different half-breed clan mythos, and because that particular piece of information is so wide spread, we believe it has to have some basis in fact. Even though your blood is a bit to removed for the theory to be proved or disproved, the other elders and I believe that some how your mother sacrificed herself for you and that the stronger dragon blood in her somehow bestowed a little bit of added protection."
Harry blinked rapidly. Repth reached around for something on the floor while trying to keep his eyes on Harry. Harry seemed to be accepting everything alright, well except the whole blinking thing, he really needed to stop that, it was freaky. Finding a group of loose leaf papers he set them on the table. "I was recently contacted in a most unusual manner by a human by the name of Albus Dumbledore. He apparently is a very important human in the wizarding world-"
"Wait. . . . Wizarding world? What are you talking about?"
"You don't know? I guess Aklari hasn't gotten to that yet. The wizarding world is a story for another time, so you'll just have to be patient." Repth was grinning at Harry; he knew very well just how impatient Harry could be at times. "Anyway this man, Dumbledore, runs a school for magic. And apparently that's where your mother and father learned their magic-
"Are you serious? An entire school devoted to teaching magic? And what do you mean their magic? Are you saying that there is more than one type of magic?"
Repth gave his apprentice a withering glare. "How many times, Isgath, have I told you that Druidism is not the only form that magic takes? One would think I would have beaten it into your head by now. Now please, no more interruptions I'll answer questions later." Harry managed not to flush too badly. "As I was saying, this Dumbledore taught your parents, and has been in correspondence with me about how your doing. He seems impressed with your progress in the druidic arts. He has requested, though, that at the time of the eleventh anniversary of your birth, you be permitted to attend his school residing somewhere in Europe. Seeing as you're almost ten, I'd thought I should get your feelings on the matter." Harry was about to reply when Repth waved his hand briefly. "Two things, the school is completely human, so you won't have any other non-humans with you. If you tell people of your heritage . . . . well let's just say wizarding folk aren't always the most open-minded of people. Second, you live at the school for the duration of the school year; they study there for seven years, with breaks between the school years."
Harry wasn't too pleased to hear that bit of news. He really didn't want to leave everyone at in clan, even if it was only for brief periods at a time. But still, the chance to learn another form of magic was far too good of an opportunity to dismiss so frivolously. It was only seven years, which, in the long run, was nothing to a species considered being one hundred being barely into adulthood. 'Granted,' Harry thought. 'I'll won't be able to see my friends and mother . . . . but I love the feeling magic gives me. I'll try it for a few years, and see what it's like.'
He looked up into Repth's face, wondering what the old man thought about it, before speaking. "I think I'd like to at least try it for a few years, and see what it's like."
Repth nodded, smiling gently. "You have made a mature decision, youngling. I think you will enjoy the school. It's called Hogwarts. I studied druidism there in my youth, along time ago. Though, I imagine it has changed greatly in nine hundred years." Repth slowly stood from his chair and moved to exit the tent, gesturing as he did so for Harry to follow him. Harry followed him outside, curious as to what he was planning. The pair moved away from the cluster of tents and into a flat area just on the outside of the encampment.
Repth studied the clearing a moment. Apparently he came to a decision about whatever he had been thinking, because he raised his hand and drew several arcane-looking symbols in the air in front of him.
The sky above them darkened, Harry could see that the sky over their home was still as blue as ever so whatever Repth had done probably caused this. Harry felt the hair on his neck raise. Looking once more to the dark sky, he just had enough time to cover his eyes as fire rained from the sky. Falling in blazing streaks the fire scorched the land before the pair. Trying to ignore the intense heat pouring off the land, Harry stared at Repth, trying to figure out just what he was doing and why. Harry could make out a pair of runes etched into the air in front of Repth, but he couldn't decipher them. He was forced to look away when another wave of fire poured from the sky.
Repth, for his part, was busy using his will to confine the area the fire pelted. His magic forming a shield in a circle around the area the fire fell, preventing it from spreading. After a third wave Harry noticed Repth making a few adjustments to the hovering marks, and the sky immediately returned to normal and the flames extinguished themselves. All that was left was a shimmering barrier surrounding blackened ground. The barrier dissipated and Repthasth walked to the middle of the scorched ring and faced Harry.
"Come on, with the ground burned this way it is safer for you to experiment with fire. In order to find out why your skills are diminishing I'll need to see you go all out, and if you lose control we don't want the camp endangered now, do we?" Harry shook his head in the negative. "Go ahead and summon as much free fire as you can."
Harry sat down on the charred ground and held his hands before him, touching his fingertips together, forming a loose circle with his hands. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes began to burn. Slowly, almost reluctantly, a bead of fire formed between his hands. His arms began trembling heavily, as if under some massive strain. The bead of fire grew sluggishly into a ball the size of Harry's fist. While invisible knives seemed to stab at Harry's eyes, the throbbing in his head was in tune with his accelerating heartbeat.
Abruptly, the ball of fire Harry had been struggling to maintain churned violently. 'Oh bugger.' Harry was practically screaming on the inside. 'I can't control it!' Cold and wetness flooded over Harry as he was knocked to the ground by a wave of icy water that Repth had conjured.
After what Harry swore was him coughing up a lung, he managed to sit up, and gazed up at Repth. He managed to mumble a soft 'thank you' while he struggled to his feat, before collapsing back down to his knees. Had Repth not done what he had Harry would not have hands any more.
Repth offered his hand, which Harry accepted. Pulling Harry up, Repth led him back to his tent. The pair made their way slowly, as Harry stumbled several times. Upon entering the tent Harry collapsed onto his chair. All he wanted to do was sleep.
Sitting on the edge of the table, Repth watched his apprentice for a few moments. "Well Isgath, I think it is save to say that you will not be practicing with fire any more. Though why your skills diminished to such a point is truly a mystery." He shook his head briefly as he grabbed some paper and a quill. After jotting down a few quick notes he looked back at his exhausted pupil. Standing up, he picked up the tired boy and set him down on his bed, on the far side of the tent. "Now sleep, Isgath. You need it." Harry tried to protest, but Repth's voice picked up a distinct misty quality. "Sleep."
Harry's vision slowly faded to black, and he fell in to a dreamless sleep.
*********
Dusk was approaching when Harry finally woke up. Feeling refreshed he looked around to see if Repth was nearby. Seeing no one he left the tent to head for the fire pits.
Harry was walking through the meeting grounds when he saw Drek stoking a fire on the far side. Drek must have noticed him as well, because he was waving Harry over. Harry trotted over to where Drek was sitting, and plopped down beside him.
The pair sat in silence for a few minutes before Harry felt the need to speak. "I can't help with the fires anymore, Drek."
Drek glanced at his friend, worried. He knew Harry was having problems with fire manipulation; he had to seeing as Harry complained about it at least every other day, but his sudden lack of ability was startling. "What happened, 'Gath?"
Harry swallowed a bitter laugh. "We don't know. But after almost losing my hands when I lost control, Repth suggest we stop practicing fire all together. I can't say as I disagree. I can't help but feel like I've failed somehow though."
Harry felt Drek squeeze his shoulder briefly. "I doubt that you failed at anything. Your loss of ability was beyond your control."
He knew that Drek was trying to be comforting but that was what hurt the most. He didn't lose his power, it was stolen from him. "At least here the nights aren't so bad for Kiath. I hope she'll be alright. . . ."
"What do you mean by that?" Drek asked. His confusion was evident in his voice.
Harry just shook his head and said, "Later, I want to break it to everyone at the same time."
A tense silence fell over the duo as they waited for the remaining members of their group to show up. Harry could tell Drek wanted to throttle him until he told him whatever it was he had to say. That's just the way that Drek was, he didn't like being kept in the dark one bit.
Harry was suddenly tackled by a blur of blonde and green. As his eyes came back into focus he saw a pouting Kystel sitting on his chest. "You didn't come and see my match today, Isgath'Phyres." She said, her pout quickly turning into an attempt at a stern expression. "Now you must pay the price." Reaching to his sides, she began tickling him relentlessly.
Helpless against the attack all Harry could do was laugh uncontrollably. Gasping for breath as he tried to roll away from his assailant, he managed to wheeze out, "Drek . . . help . . . hahahaha . . . . Noooo! Please stop! hahahahaha Dreeeeek!"
The half breed in question was currently rolling on the ground in hysterics. "No way 'Gath. You refuse to tell, I refuse to help." That made Kystel pause long enough for Harry to squirm free. He was panting hard and his arms were barely supporting him from his position on the ground.
Kiath's appearance behind Harry stalled the inevitable questions from Kystel. Once Kiath had sat down beside Harry, Drek wasted no time. "Alright, 'Gath now what's up?"
Harry sat up straight, and began explaining what happened with Repth in the newly charred circle, only leaving out that Repth had summoned the fire with some sort of runes. His friends were, of course, sympathetic to his loss of control, but that did not lessen the hurt of his perceived failure. He took a deep breath. This part would be the most difficult; he did not know how his imminent departure would affect his friends. Explaining the situation as quickly as possible, he waited for their reactions. Harry wasn't sure what to expect, maybe several never before heard swear words from Kiath, reluctant acceptance from the others, but the soft hands on his shoulders, and the tears in Kiath and Kystel's eyes he never would have expected. Drek was staring at him agape. Kiath smiled through the tears and spoke softly, "It's only a few years right? Then you'll be back to us?"
Harry nodded. "And it's not even for the entire year. I'll be back for at least the summer months for sure." He gasped as Kystel kicked his shin.
"You better!" She cried. "And you had better write us, too. Repth said he was writing to that Dumbledore guy, so you have no excuse not too!"
Grabbing their hands he pulled the two girls into a hug, whispering into their ears. "Thank you both, you lot mean so much to me." He glanced over to where he could tell Drek was trying to remain dry eyed. He walked over to him and pulled him into another hug. "I'll miss you to 'big bro'."
Drek almost broke down at that point. "Damn it man, your not even leaving for a year, and already I'm about to bawl like a baby." He sniffed audibly. "We'll make this year count, neh?"
Harry smiled and nodded into Drek's shoulder. "Neh."
Drek gave a weak laugh. "Alright mushiness time is over. Get off me before I blow my nose on your shirt."
Laughing Harry did what he was asked. Returning to his seat before the fire, something crossed his mind that he had failed to realize before. "So. . . . Does anyone want to tell Aklari for me?"
The other three just collapsed into fits of laughter at the shear amount of pleading in his voice. Yes their friend was leaving, but not yet, and most definitely not forever.
____________
I'm actually a bit worried about this chapter. As I said it didn't come out as I had originally planned, and I don't know how you'll like it *coughreviewpleacough*. Anyway next chapter will be a few months before he goes to Hogwarts, and as of right now he's going to meet someone a bit ahead of schedule. Sorry if anyone was really looking forward to Harry being in Egypt, but I know nothing about it. I will be doing a flashback sequence to it . . . . maybe in the next chapter.
A quick question, all the dragons, that the humans know of (there are several that they don't) have their true Draconic names which I created, seeing as how I will refer to them by the draconic names mostly, would you all like me to post the names and who it refers too? Could it just be at the top of the next chapter, or would you prefer a separate chapter for easy reference?
Oh and how about a translation guide, for the few phrase I've tossed in and some of the names?
Sorry one last thing, is that enough space between paragraphs? I could put more if you want.