Chapter one
The warmth of the late summer morning was a soothing balm to Callian as he stared out across the great expanse of forest far below that surrounded the great granite inselberg that his family's seat of power sat upon. For centuries these trees had stood as the symbol of his House, his ancestors had even taken their name from the forest when they had splintered away from the main family line nearly six hundred years ago.
Now as he stood atop the highest tower of Castle Blackwood, the young boy watched as the first rays of dawn began to light the distant horizon. Looking up he caught the glimmer of light as it reflected off of the crimson scales of his faithful familiar as the small pseudodragon soared over the treetops. As he stood there he tried to ignore the first tendrils of uncertainty beginning to creep into his heart, he would be leaving the next day to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He had been excited to receive his letter like every other eleven-year-old that had been lucky enough to go, but as the days wore on and the first of September neared he had begun to realise that he would be away from his beloved home for the better part of seven years. He had never truly left his families lands for long periods and yet now he was going away and loathe as he was to admit it, even to himself there was a small sliver of fear about going.
The gentle flap of leathery wings broke Callian from his thoughts and turning his gaze upwards the young boy's keen eyes easily caught sight of the lithe form as the young dragon-kin slowly circled him. Callian felt a smile tugging at his lips as he held his arm out to the side he called to his friend.
"Faenir!"
The small form quickly responded to his call and tucking its wings fell from the sky. Before Callian could worry over the fate of his faithful companion, he watched as Faenir spread his wings in time to catch the winds and gracefully glide down to alight upon his arm.
Callian could only shake his head as scratched under his familiar's chin, eliciting a rumbling purr. "Little show-off!" he muttered as Faenir leaned deeper into his fingers. A little over a foot in length in the body Callian watched as Faenir wrapped its tail about his arm, he had always marvelled at that tail that was easily twice as long as its body and tipped with a wickedly sharp barb.
It had been several years now since he had found the newly hatched pseudodragon, lost, freezing and near starved in the early winter amidst the forests that surrounded the Castle. He barely remembered gathering the small form and tucking it under his tunic to try and warm the creature, yet he could distinctly recall the sensation of having the freezing scales pressed up against his chest. He had never moved as quickly as he had on his way back to his home and begged his grandfather to save the small creature. It had taken several days but they had finally managed to get the small dragon stable enough that Callian was able to take care of it by himself. Since that moment they had been inseparable the bond between them had only grown stronger when Callian had begun to gain a conscious control of his magic, instinctively wielding its gifts much to the surprise of his family.
Shaking his head Callian turned to face the rising sun, it's glorious light beginning to sweep across the land.
The distinctive swoosh of one of the many portals of the Castle proceeded the heavy thud of boots upon the towers stones pulled him from his musings, turning Callian found himself smiling as he took in the broad features and wild black beard of his oldest friend and foster father as the swirling purple light of the portal faded from view.
Belor Stormanvil stood with a tight smile on his face as he stared down at Callian. "How yeh doin' Son?"
The Dwarf's thick accent was a soothing balm for the young boy as he smiled and waved him over, as he neared Callian could clearly see the shadow of sadness in Belor's steely blue eyes peering at him from under thick, bushy brows.
"I thought I was going to have to send some guards to find yeh." The strong rumble of Belors voice washed over him as the dwarf came to a halt beside the young wizard, offering a quick scratch to Faenir who let out a delighted chirp before taking wing once more.
"You know I like to see the sunrise, Dagün." Came the somewhat forced reply from Callian as he wrapped an arm about his foster father's broad shoulders. He felt himself smiling despite his worries when he saw Belor relax at the Dwarven word for honoured father, a title the Dwarf's trueborn sons had taught him years prior.
Callian found himself studying the Dwarf as he stood holding in his hand a small unadorned wooden box that he continued to roll between his thick, calloused fingers. For as long as he could remember Belor had been a part of his life, a lifelong friend of his Grandfathers that had taken the infant Callian in as his own while his mother had healed from injuries she had acquired during the last war. Between his Grandfather Denevan and Belor, he had never lacked for paternal guidance. As such the Dwarf was one the most constant thing in his life, as solid, resilient and unchanging as the stones of Blackwood Castle. He had helped to guide Callian through every aspect of his life, and while he loved his mother with all his heart and his grandfather had taken it upon himself to ensure Callian was educated to the best of his ability it was Belor he looked to for guidance and comfort in life.
The dwarf finally gave a great sigh as he held out the box for the boy to take. "I made yeh somethin' to remember us by and I was lookin' for the right time to give it to yeh but I guess now is as good a time as any…"
Callian stared at the wooden box in fascination as he took it from the Dwarf. Belor seemed to grow increasingly more uncomfortable as he watched Callian fingering the clasp, a flick of his thumb had the box open and Belor held his breath as Callian suddenly stilled.
"Now I know yeh don't believe in my gods but I thought…"
Callian felt his eyes burn as he pulled out an intricate necklace. Holding it up to the early morning sunlight that streamed across the land, he marvelled as the silvery mithril amulet seemed to glow as the open eye within a mountain peak caught the light before he blinked and it was gone as it the symbol hung on a thick chain of iron links.
"Delvaryn. The Dwarven God of knowledge and Seeker of Secrets." Callian recited from memory as he stared at the talisman in awe.
Belor had long ago explained the Dwarven pantheon to him and he had always liked the idea of Delvaryn who according to Belor, had whispered in the Dwarf's ear and had guided him to his grandfather's side many, many years ago.
Callian turned his teary eyes to the Dwarf, before launching himself at Belor and wrapping his arms around him and burying his face in the Dwarf's shoulder with a muted. "Thank you Dagün, I love it."
Belor gave a great laugh as he lifted the boy off his feet in a bear hug that caused Callian to squawk in surprise before he was unceremoniously dropped to land on the balls of his feet, Callian carefully placed the talisman around his neck, surprised at the warmth of the amulet as Belor looked on with pride.
Callian felt himself fingering the talisman as Belor wrapped a thick arm about his shoulders, "Ironmane wanted me to forge an Axe for yeh, he said it was the only way he could be sure yeh would remember what he had taught yeh but Tyrna put a stop to that before we had even lit the forge."
The Older Dwarf said as Callian laughed at the thought of Belor's wife shouting at the two grown warriors for their antics.
Together they spent several minutes in companionable silence and Callian found himself subconsciously reaching up to touch the amulet as it hung about his neck.
Finally, Belor seemed to realise why he had been searching for him and took a step back as he held the young boy at arm's length.
"Yer Ma and Granda' were lookin' for yeh, they wanted to give yeh something as well before yeh left for yer School." Callian felt Belor's grip on him tighten slightly at the mention of his leaving.
Callian just put a hand over the Dwarfs own and offered him a reassuring smile before he let Belor guide him back towards the runic circle etched into the stones of the tower in search of his mother and grandfather.
Stepping out of the portal circle, Callian was immediately assaulted by the sound of cascading water and the powerful aroma of rich soil and dozens of wildflowers that always reminded Callian of his mother.
Amerytha Blackwood had found a passion and a measure of peace in working with plants, during her recovery a decade previous. In the years that followed she had turned her hand to the care and maintenance of the family's private courtyard atop the Castle, Callian always marvelled at the many new scents and colours that his mother seemed to weave into her work. Several cherry blossoms trees littered the stone pathways with a carpet of pink petals muting their steps as they made their way down in search of his family.
Stepping into another portal circle it didn't take them long to reach the Great Hall and Callian found a sad smile spreading across his face as he took in the familiar sight of his grandfather with his face buried in some ancient tome, his mother seemed to be having some trouble in getting the older wizard to put the leather-bound book down to break his fast.
Around the halls several of his grandfather's apprentices seemed equally engrossed in their own studies, it was just another thing that tugged at this heart as he knew that this would be one of the last time he would see such a sight for a long time.
It was only as Callian neared the head table that Denevan finally looked from his reading and closed the text with a tenderness one would expect to show a newborn. His mother was quick to pile Denevan's plate with food before his grandfather could once more turn his attention to his latest acquisition. Callian took his place between the two and Amerytha greeted him with a smile and a peck on the cheek.
Belor took his seat to the left of Denevan and wasted no time in piling his plate with a veritable mountain of warm bread, foul-smelling melted cheese, a handful of crispy bacon and the large blue mushrooms that Dwarves seemed to find irresistible. Callian could only shake his heads as the Dwarf dug into his food without a care, although his mother would often lament that he often took after the Dwarf when it came to his eating habits.
The morning meal passed with easy conversation and soon the table was cleared by those apprentices that had been assigned the kitchen detail.
His grandfather had earned a reputation that was almost legend in the Wizarding world, Denevan was one of the few Magic users that were willing to share his knowledge with all as long as they were willing to work for their craft. Closer to five centuries of life than four, Denevan had carved out a place for himself in the world. Few had not heard of the many feats of magic he had performed or his many adventures throughout a very long life. The man was an enigma to all save perhaps Belor and his fellow dwarfs, despite his advanced age Callian had always marvelled that his grandfather seemed a man in his late forties than someone nearly ten times that number. Callian found himself studying the older wizard as he sat at the head of the table, with only a few wrinkles marring the corners of the man's eyes and his long hair and neatly trimmed beard a healthy mix of salt and pepper strands he often found it funny that many of those apprenticing under his grandfather often looked older than the man himself.
A gentle hand upon his arm pulled him from his thoughts and Callian found himself staring into the warm blue eyes of his mother as she offered him a wide smile. A tall woman of undeniable grace and beauty, with her long dark blonde hair so very similar to his own, pulled back into a simple knot at the back of her head Amerytha was the embodiment of a pureblood witch. Yet as Callian looked up at her he could see the thin silvery spider webbing of scars that marred the skin of her neck, he knew first hand that those very same scars continued across her upper right arm and the top of her back. It had only been due to the skilful spell-work of his grandfather and her own not inconsiderable talents that she had survived the horrific curse that had nearly claimed her life at the close of the War.
"Your Grandfather has something for you, he finished it last night..."
Belor's loud snort interrupted his mothers as the Dwarf leaned around Denevan and in a not so quiet whisper said, "More like he finished this mornin', and only after Tyrna pulled him out of his workshop by his beard."
Callian watched as a small smile flitted across his grandfather's face at the mention of the formidable dwarf, Amerytha let out a little chuckle at Belor's interruption.
Denevan slowly reached into his robes where he pulled out what looked like a large bundle of black hide and green fabric, before sliding across the table towards Callian.
Denevan's strong voice spoke softly as Callian carefully unfolded the material to reveal a cloak and travel pack made of what looked like scales that were easily the size of his palm.
"Now that you will finally begin your true education into the Magical Art, I thought it only fitting that we send you off with equipment suitable for the Heir of House Blackwood. Both the cloak and the pack are made from Basilisk hide. I had the skins imported from Greece, the Centaur nomads found an ancient temple of Leto that had become home to the beast and it didn't take too kindly to interlopers."
Callian finally dragged his eyes away from his gifts at the mention of an ancient temple ruin. He often travelled with his grandfather when the older wizard went off in search of secrets of past arcane lore, however before he could ask more his Grandfather merely chuckled and said. "Fear not, I've already arranged for an expedition during your summer holidays. I won't have your education failing because lesser Wizards need time off." The sneer that graced the older wizards face brought a laugh from all gathered as they were intimately familiar with his views on those who were content to waste time not delving into the secrets of Magic.
Shaking his head at the idiocy of others he continued his explanation of the gifts.
"If you hold the cloak up you will note the runic enchantments stitched into the lining, the protections are simple but effective. I will leave it to you to discover just what they are, but do you will also see the black thread amongst the green? Demiguise hair. It is weaved throughout the lining, so if you turn the cloak inside out you will have a limited form of invisibility as long as you are standing still. As for the pack I've enchanted it to be a constant weight regardless of what you place within and bottomless, you could fit a dozen giants in there with room to spare."
Callian peered into the opening of his new pack and could see the truth of his grandfather's words. It was like peering through a porthole and seeing the hold of a great ship, yet his mind was clearly telling that the bag was sat upon the table and didn't extend any further than that.
He felt a strange sense of disorientation as his mind tried to perceive the two overlapping realities together, closing the pack with a small sigh of relief he was quick to offer his grandfather his heartfelt thanks as he stood to don his new cloak. At the insistence of his mother and Belor, he was quick to show off his cloak as he reversed it and disappeared from view, Callian couldn't help but run his fingers over glossy scales of his cloak as it enclosed about him sending ripples of distorted light across the surface much to his family's surprised gasps.
As he began to move about the table the cloak reverted to its original state, once more showing the heavy forest green cotton that made up the lining. He couldn't help the small grin from forming when he once again turned invisible as soon as he stood still once more. Eventually, they returned to the family residence to spend their last day together for a while, even Denevan decided to put his books down for one last day with his beloved grandson.
All too soon their time together came to an end, and after a restless night's sleep, Callian found himself standing within the courtyard of Castle Blackwood as the sun began to light the early morning sky. He found his eyes stinging as looked upon the magnificent edifice. The looming towers reaching high into the morning sky as the banners of his House fluttered in the gentle breeze, the black oak tree on a field of crimson stood out like bloody scars upon the pale surface of the castle. His nose filled with the myriad scents of his mothers garden, there were innumerable little things that made up his home and now as he was about to leave he found each and everyone pulling at his heart. It would be several long months before he would be able to return home for the Winter Solstice festival and his heart was already heavy at the thought of leaving.
About his shoulders, Faenir gave a mewling cry as he too stared up at their home and Callian felt his heart grow a little lighter that he would always have his faithful companion beside him on the journey ahead of him.
As the dawns light crested the walls of the Castle he found him smiling as Faenir stretched and spread his wings to catch the light, he soon found Faenir tugging on his hair as the small dragon chirped at the rising sun and Callian found himself lifting his arms to mirror his familiar as Faenir gave a delighted trill in response.
A gruff chuckle from the covered walkway had Callian quickly dropping his arms in embarrassment, as he spun to see the familiar wild hair and broad, craggy features of Ironmane leaning against one of the ornate marble columns that lined the walkway.
"Yer little beasty has yeh wrapped around its paw, laddie!"
The dwarf let out a loud guffaw as he made his way over to Callian and the boy had to fight the urge to back away once Ironmane was close enough to smell.
The wild dwarf carried a stench about him that would curl even a trolls toes, Ironmane was under the impression that a curse had been placed upon him and that should he ever enter into water then he would be set upon by Goblins.
What was worse was the fact the Belor and his grandfather believed him, claiming they had learned the hard way to keep the stinking dwarf out of water.
The dwarf stared up at Callian with a strange look in his eye, before he reached out and gently grabbed his chin. "I see yer granddaddy in yeh more and more every day."
Slowly he reached down and pulled on the chain revealing the mithril pendant. "And I see yer Dagün in yeh as well lad."
Callian couldn't help the smile that bloomed at the dwarf's words before he reached up and clasped Ironmane's arm.
"I'm going to miss you, my friend." Came Callian's heartfelt response, Ironmane gave a toothy grin beneath his dirty and tangled beard. "I'll miss yeh too lad."
The dwarf pulled Callian into a rough embrace that lifted his feet clear off the floor and forced the air from his lungs in an explosive breath before he was unceremoniously dumped back on his feet and the grizzled dwarf was rubbing at his eyes.
"Yeh will be back for the Solstice Festival so it'll only be a few months before I'll be seein' yeh, but I'm expecting yeh to keep yer wits and remember me lessons!"
Callian just nodded his head, his own emotions threatening to get the better of him before as he wrapped an arm about Ironmane and guided the dwarf towards the entrance into the Castle and set off for the Great Hall in search of breakfast.
All too soon Callian found himself once more within his chambers as he closed the heavy oak trunk with a resounding snap as the locks clicked home. Atop his bed, Faenir stretched languidly before the small dragon launched itself onto his trunk where he promptly curled up and settled down to nap. Callian could only shake his head at his familiar's apparent laziness; he ran his hand over the small dragon's snout smiling down at his faithful friend. Standing he cast one last look about his bed-chamber before he held his hand above his luggage, as he shaped his magic into a simple spell of levitation.
His grandfather's instruction in what he called the basics of magic and his own instinctive control of his power already had him far ahead of most first years he knew, something that both Denevan and Belor were quite proud of. However according to his mother he could easily best a second or third year when it came to his education, something he found incredulous as apart from his own limited studies and his instinctive control of his magic he hadn't believed he was that far advanced.
Carefully he directed his trunk to precede him as he began the long journey down, normally he would have used one of the portal circles but he found himself needing to walk the halls and corridors of his home one last time.
Eventually, he arrived at the entrance hall where he found his family waiting patiently, gently setting the chest down by his feet he ignored Faenir's small chirp of irritation as he looked up into the faces of those he cared for most only to see their own emotions written upon their faces.
No one spoke for several minutes, as they tried to find the words for the parting of ways.
Finally, Denevan stepped forward and placed a hand upon Callian's shoulder, "I wished I had the time to teach you myself, it seems a feeble excuse but..."
Callian smiled up at his grandfather, they had long ago discussed the possibility of his education beginning under the supervision of another and Denevan had only grudgingly agreed to his leaving after he had summoned the Headmaster of Hogwarts who had at one point served as an apprentice to Denevan many years ago.
As such Albus Dumbledore was one of the very few Wizards of the current era that his grandfather did not label a complete waste of Magic, when Callian had first met the Headmaster he had been amazed at the palpable aura of Magic he could feel about the man.
When he had looked upon the man, it had reminded Callian of his grandfather when he let his control slip on the very few occasions he had witnessed such an event.
"I know Grandfather, besides I'll finally get to make a few friends my own age. I think the apprentices will finally get some peace and quiet now that I'll be gone for most of the year."
Denevan smiled proudly and nodded his head before Callian leaned in close and whispered conspiratorially. "And don't worry, I haven't forgotten about keeping my eyes open to anyone who shows some talent."
Denevan let out a loud snort of laughter as pulled the boy into a quick embrace before he stepped back and allowed the others to say their goodbyes.
Finally, he pried himself away from a teary-eyed Tyrna and moved over to his mother who smiled tightly before she wrapped him in a tight hug before letting him go only for Faenir to jump up and resume his normal spot upon Callian's shoulders, Denevan came forward once more and taking hold of both of them by the arm the four of them disappeared with a swirl of purple light.
