Chapter 268 - Ignarok

I have no idea why this one took so long. No excuses! It's simply taken twice as long as most chapters take me.  I'll be working hard tomorrow to try and have the next chapter out on time, though it's an entire chapter so it may be late. Will do my best!

Hump’s heart was in his throat as he left Algwyn’s chambers. His blood was hot with essence, driving him to unnatural excitement that made it impossible to relax. He was glad to leave the room when he did. Nisha didn’t leave his side, equally awed and shocked by the presence of such an ancient being.

Ignarok.

The name the Algwyn had granted him was the cause. He could still feel the change in his body—in the core of his being—like some part of himself that had always been obscure was suddenly clear.

He took a few moments to catch his breath, Nishari watching him strangely from beside him.

What is it? he thought at her.

An image flooded his mind, more crisp and clear than any she had shown him before. Fire raged and stone melted into a stream of molten red. And there, amidst the heat, he stood, his staff in hand, cloak billowing at his back, a white flame shining from his staff and piercing through the haze of smoke.

Nisha pressed her head against his leg, nuzzling him.

So this is how they will see me? Hump thought.

“This way,” Yunillia instructed.

She didn’t wait for his response before she started to walk, leading through the halls. There were few keepers here right now, no doubt due to their requirement on the battlelines, though a dozen or so wolf dragons watched them as they passed. There was an aloofness to them that made Hump think they were unbonded. Amongst the chambers were various staff members—cleaners and caretakers that tended to the needs of the dragons. They stole glances at him as he passed, looking away quickly when he noticed them.

Yunillia gave no indication of wanting to talk, but Hump had questions. A part of him felt stung by her indifference toward him.

“Keeper Yunillia, does my name mean fire and stone?” Hump asked.

“In simple terms, yes.” She did not look at him as she answered but turned to Nisha as she scurried to the right, sniffing a long cabinet. “Nisha, this way sweety.”

Nisha rushed over immediately, back to her usual excited self and seemingly forgetting their encounter with Algwyn already.

She opened a door to a large training hall that was filled with various obstacles and pieces of equipment. The roof towered high overhead—high enough that a wolf dragon might be able to fly for a short distance.

Yunillia’s intent was clear.

“You want to train her?” Hump asked.

“Nisha is of the appropriate age. It’s important she becomes used to all sorts of things now to avoid anxiety later. We will work on her flight, fire breathing, urge control, and exposure to various unusual materials and stimuli.”

“This is the final thing you have for us?”

Yunillia gave him a look. “For her. Our obligation to you only goes so far as Nishari’s wellbeing.” Her face twisted at her own words. “I don’t mean to sound hostile. The people of Drakalyn have a great respect and appreciation for what you’ve done here, however you’ve left us in a difficult position.”

“Frankly, I feel the same way.” Hump couldn’t keep the frustration from his voice. “I don’t appreciate being shunned simply because I do not wish to be Chosen.”

“What did you expect?”

“What did I—” He stopped himself, forcing himself to take a breath and not let his anger take hold. “I didn’t expect anything. This decision was thrown at my feet without warning and I was forced to make a choice.”

A woman appeared hurriedly through the side door, out of breath and frantic. She appeared to be about fifty, which if the power Hump sensed from her was anything to go by, meant she was likely truly old.

“Keeper Yunillia, welcome. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“Janeen,” Yunillia greeted fondly. “Not at all. We only just arrived.”

The woman glanced at Hump, one eye blue, the other gold, then her eyes fell on Nisha. Her face split into a great smile.

“You must be Nishari!” Janeen dropped to her knees and Nisha raced forward to greet her, scurrying around the woman who didn’t seem to mind a sloppy greeting. “Now I’ve got a few treats for you if you come over here.” She walked away toward some crates along the wall, Nisha trailing along behind her.

“Who is she?” Hump asked.

“She is the brood mother. It is her job to monitor the nest and its eggs, and to educate our hatchlings.”

“She’s a keeper then?” Hump asked.

“Once, but no longer. She lost her dragon many years ago.” Yunillia turned to Hump. Now Yunillia looked at him, her eyes a rare blue amongst the people of Drakalyn. They were cold and difficult to read. “Back to the matter at hand: Wizard Humphrey, it is not the choice that matters, but the reason behind it,” she said finally. “You are hiding something. I do not know what it is, but teenagers do not become wizards of your strength.”

“I may have my secrets,” Hump said. “I don’t deny that, but what of it?”

“You have come to our land and accepted our training, learned our customs, and received the blood of our dragons, yet when you are offered our greatest prize—an honour above all else—you reject it. What does that tell me? What does it tell my people?”

Hump frowned, considering her question. “That I do not want to be one of you?” he offered.

She gave him an irritated look. “Yes, but that is beside the point.”

“Then what?”

“It tells me that your true reason for being here has not been revealed,” she said. “And it makes me question just where your loyalties lie.”

“My loyalty is with my friend,” Hump said. “I didn’t have many growing up, and I want the strength to protect the ones I have now. To be more than just a pawn that’s crushed as one piece in some grand game. I may have some secrets, but I am an open book in regard to my values.”

“Then why did you not accept Owalyn’s blessing? It would have given you that power. You would be strong, even for a Chosen of Drakalyn.” Yunillia’s eyes widened as realisation sparked within them, making them gleam with the essence of the Stormcaller. “But strength is not enough for you, is it? You wish to become a god.”

Hump frowned, taken about. “What? No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

“You do though, don’t you? I can see it in your eyes.”

Hesitation took Hump as he considered her words. Did he want to become a god? Was that his goal? He certainly would enjoy the prospects that came with it and craved the power he’d witnessed.

“It’s not that I want to be a god,” Hump said, decided. “What I enjoy is learning more about magic. It’s a craft, just like any other, and I want to go as far as I can with it.”

“You are no humble carpenter,” Yunillia said. “Power without direction is dangerous. What is it you want?”

Hump frowned. What did he want? He’d fought many enemies and monsters now, yet still more hunted him in search of his book. He’d fought a prince, been tortured at the hands of a monster from another realm, and ruined the plans of a riftwalker. The Seal of Osidium was broken, and the Fallen Lands were growing more powerful by the day. The more he thought about it, the more he realised how clear it was.

“Celaine told you what happened in Sheercliff,” Hump said. “A wizard left us a warning that the next great war is coming. Our world is falling to pieces, Keeper Yunillia. Not just Drakalyn or Alveron. Everything. The Fallen Lands are only growing more powerful. I will not stand aside in fear as my world collapses, nor shall I cling to the easy path as a shortcut to power. I shall grow strong for the fight that is that is to come, and I will fight shoulder to shoulder with my allies against all who would destroy us. Is that what you want to hear?”

He held Yunillia’s gaze, waiting for some sort of ridicule or argument. Instead, she said, “None have ascended for a thousand years. I wish you luck.”

Hump looked at her. “Since the War of the Firmament?”

She seemed surprised. “You know of that?”

“I do. Not much, but I know of it. One of my… teachers retrieves and studies ancient relics from the war.”

“Then you know more than most. And you know how dangerous the path ahead is.”

“How dangerous is it?” Hump asked.

“Even my lady, Owalyn, is confined to this small place,” Yunillia said. “Imprisoned by your Pantheon. There is a reason none have ascended in so long.”

“Because the gods do not want it,” Hump guessed.

“Whatever the case, it is good to know where your motivations lie. You intend to leave, do you not?”

“I suppose I do, eventually.”

“Then we will impart some of the core techniques necessary for you to maintain control over Nisha and bring her up properly.”

“Why? Why do any of this?” Hump asked.

“The last thing we need is for you to cause her to rampage in a major city and get killed. Wolf dragons are intelligent and beautiful creatures, but they are predators. They require a firm hand and clear directive.”

“Much like magic,” Hump said.

“Magic is a tool,” Yunillia said. “Our dragons are not.”

***

Hump went straight to Celaine’s family home following the first session of Nisha’s training. He found Celaine and her sister watching their father as he placed clay pots into the unlit kiln. Each of them was intricately decorated with creatures, plants and fauna. He noticed a few of them showing Owalyn before the Great Tree with a figure standing before them, a small dragon at its side.

Myra grinned excitedly at Nisha’s appearance, calling to her enthusiastically.

“Wizard Humphrey.” Gareth tipped his head in greeting. “It is good to see you well.”

“And you, sir. Your craftsmanship is breathtaking. Such vibrant stoneware would be worth a fortune in Alveron.”

Gareth chuckled. “It is too soon to say that. If the pots survive the firing, then perhaps we could say as much.”

Celaine’s father gave Hump the gruff, country vibe he’d experienced from many expert crafters.

“You notice the ones with you on them?” Celaine asked, grinning.

“It is me then, is it?”

“Who else would be before Owalyn with their gorgeous little dragon.” She grinned at Nisha. “Your moment shall be recorded for all the future generations to remember—the wizard that rejected Owalyn.” As she said the last bit, she theatrically swept her hand through the air, as if etching the words before her.

Hump grimaced, his heart sinking. “They’re going to hate me.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Gareth said. “There were certainly some grumbles, but you remained steadfast to your values. My people can appreciate that, just give them time.”

Hump nodded. “I’ll do that.”

“So how did it go?” Celaine asked. “Vamir said you were called to the temple.”

“Well enough,” Hump said. “I met Algwyn.”

“She didn’t eat you, so I take it everything went well?”

Hump nodded. “I guess it did. Seeing an ancient dragon up close like that is remarkable.”

“So I’ve been told,” Celaine said.

“You’ve not met her?” Hump tilted his head, surprised.

Celaine shook her head. “Other than the keepers and her tenders, few have met her in Drakalyn. Did you receive a name?”

“I did.” Hump nodded.

She stared at him, then her eyes turned frantically annoyed. “Well, go on then! What is it?”

Hump grinned at her reaction. “Ignarok.” This time, it lacked the power he’d sensed in the word before. “Keeper Yunillia said that it means fire and stone.”

“Huh.”

“Strange?”

She nodded. “I don’t know of anyone other than dragons with fire in their name. I wouldn’t call it strange, just a bit odd.  How about you, Myra?”

“What did he say it was?” Myra asked, aloof, her attention on Nisha.

“Ignarok,” Celaine said.

“Hmm. That is curious. No, I don’t know. Algwyn must have seen much in you to give you such a compliment.”

“Is that right?” Hump asked.

Myra nodded, looking up from Nisha. For the first time, Hump saw a piercing power in her eyes. A glimpse of what she must have been like as a dragon keeper. She stared into Hump’s eyes, then shrugged.

“A name reflects a person’s heart. A person’s soul. I wish I could have seen what she did. It must have been quite spectacular.”

“I guess that explains why Elder Ashera and Keeper Yunillia gave me a funny look,” Hump said, suddenly wishing he’d pressed harder for information. “They seemed surprised.”

“Not like you not to ask why,” Celaine said.

“I did. She wasn’t particularly forthcoming.”

“See if Ado knows anything. If anyone does, he’s a good bet.”

“You must have met Janeen too,” Myra said. “How was Janeen?”

“She seemed well. Overly cheery with Nisha.”

Myra chuckled. “She was always like that. She loves the new hatchlings. We all do.”

“Well Nisha’s to join her for training.”

“Training?” Myra said, smiling as Nisha rolled around in her lap. “Now isn’t that exciting! What have you been up to so far, hmm?”

“There wasn’t much to it really,” Hump said. “Janeen had me instruct Nisha around the hall, performing some simple acts of agility, flight, and fire breathing. It was a lot like what Celaine and I usually do.”

“Things won’t stay that way,” Myra said. “She’ll take it easy while Nisha gets accustomed to things and then start to increase the challenge.”

“I see. Is there any chance Celaine can get in there?” Hump asked. “She’s always been a part of Nisha’s training.”

Myra’s face fell, as did their father’s.

The cheer left Hump. “What is it?”

“I’m to be deployed back to the battle lines tomorrow,” Celaine said. “We’re to begin advancing toward Esotra.”

Hump clenched his jaw, feeling helpless that he couldn’t go with her. No, not helpless. Angry. Celaine was fighting a war and all he could do was watch.