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I'm actually taking a break from Chronicles of Sol right now to persue some other projects that I've wanted to get started on for quite some time. Don't worry, there's going to be plenty of your favourite dragoness in upcoming stories, so you'll get more than enough closure on the events of Draylen's magnificent story. Go read it. Now. Biatch.

Today though, we have a new series for you. Just the start of a trilogy, nothing to severe. The Hydromancers Trilogy marks a first for me; I'm actually using my fursona in a story that I'm writing. For those that down know, my primary fursona has three different forms: medieval, modern and sci-fi. This is my more magic-imbued self, and my lovely mate, in a story that shows just how an otter can have blue-green fur (heh, love you, Dos), and how a bond can become so much more.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy Initiation, the first part of the Hydromancers Trilogy!

• Adept Meridian

Initiation into Hydromancy

The first light of dawn washed over the city of Syrina. Great spires of crystal and obsidian towered high into the sky, as if reaching higher and higher out of the surrounding forests to capture the sun raining down about them.

A small caravan arrived at the city outskirts just as rainbow light began to filter down from the crystal obelisks, carrying with it trade goods and weary travellers from the distant Renthani town of Keryn. The sight caught the breath of one of those travellers in particular, seeing the multicoloured sunrise of Syrina for the very first time.

Dosner Brooks gazed in wonder as he strode to the city edge, eyes flickering from one spire to the other, seemingly unable to break his gaze. The rippling of light seemed to give the sky itself an ethereal feel to it, made it look almost as if the gods had isolated Syrina from the rest of Renthani and set it as their own private domain.

The brown otter, along with everyone else in the caravan, walked towards the massive gates to the city. Within a few short moments, Dosner found himself taking his first few steps into the city that he'd heard so much about.

It was hard to grow up in any town of Renthani and not hear about Syrina. The City of Magic may not be as large as the capital Derinor, or as wealthy as the trade city Merosa, but the Renthani Magic School called this place home, and that academy was at the end of Dosner's weary journey. It took only a matter of minutes to find a local within the gate willing to help him to the magic school. The otter thanked the other and proceeded towards the center of the city.

The otter stood at just over a good six feet in height, dressed in a simple brown tunic that meshed well with his brown fur. A sturdy, if plain staff was firm in his hand, and a small, orange earring engraved with symbols of water pierced his left ear. Bright green eyes searched the area ahead of him; he appeared alert and strong despite the hardship of travel. He was about twenty seasons old, a latecomer to the magic school due to his being needed back home. A large bag was slung over his left shoulder, the same simple brown leather that made his clothing.

It took the better part of an hour for the otter to make his way towards the gates of the magic school; such was the confusing layout of the unfamiliar city. But the sight of the facility itself was more than enough to make the long trek worth his while.

It was, in simplest respects, a large dome with a diameter of about a kilometer. But the entire construction was built of massive, refined crystal; light from within and without cast colourful rays in every direction. The crystal itself seemed to glow with an inner, magical light, and Dosner knew the beauty of it. Only the night before had the caravan been close enough to see the amazing glow in the distance created from the school, its radiance spiralling high into the air even in the dead of night.

Dosner found himself snapped out of his awed gaze by the jeering of a nearby person. "Well now. I hate to break it to you commoner, but the school's full."

Turning around, the otter could see the speaker clearly. Dressed in the red and white robes of a pyromancy adept, the tiger stood just above his eye level and seemed to look down his nose at the leather-clad otter. He seemed younger than the otter by several seasons, and his expression was that of contempt. "Oh, you think you have the right to gaze upon one such as me? Diranith has not gifted you with the power of fire, I sense."

Dosner narrowed his eyes at the tiger, planting his staff firmly in the ground. "Easy friend, I'm here to apply for a position at the school."

But the tiger just snorted in derision. "I have told you, the school is full." He looked the otter up and down, taking in stock of his dusty clothes. "I would be surprised if you could even afford to study here, commoner."

The otter's anger broke to the surface as he glared acid at the tiger. "And I would be surprised if your sharp tongue could even form the words to incite the most basic spell," he shot back hotly.

Eyes blazing, the tiger brought his hands up. With a quick twist of his fingers, both of his paws erupted in a blaze of bright orange flame. "You would dare insult me," he snarled, bringing one arm back in preparation to throw, "You will regret this!"

Before he could even bring the arm down however, the tiger found himself hurtling through the air backwards, slamming into the wall of a nearby building. He slid to the ground as the flame faded from his paws, looking about himself angrily for the one that had attacked him.

A small dragon emerged from the gate to the school, leaning on the crystalline wall as he stopped. He was at least four inches shorter than Dosner, his blue scales shimmering brightly in the rainbow light around him. A small blue wand was held tightly in his right hand, its colour the same as his dark blue robes.

The dragon shook his head, looking down with a smirk at the fallen tiger. "Now now, Jeren, is that any way to treat a newcomer to Syria?" Shaking his head, he turned to Dosner. "I apologise. Jeren here is still in his first year of training, and growing up in Derinor has only given him an attitude problem."

The tiger, Jeren, stood up and growled at the dragon. "Fine words coming from a mere second-year adept, Faora," he spat, the flame returning to his paws, "You hydromancers are all talk, and no strength."

Sighing, the dragon shook his head. "Excuse me," he said quietly to Dosner, before walking towards Jeren. His gait was slow, deliberate, and as he moved his body seemed to glow with a repressed, charged energy. Faora raised his wand as he approached the tiger, the rod glowing with azure light.

Before he could even yelp, Jeren found himself thrown straight up into the air, hurtling up towards the sky. He reached the height of his travel about three meters up, sailing back down towards the ground. He landed in a crouch with a snarl, throwing one arm forward and releasing a ball of flame.

Faora reached out with his free arm and mouthed a single word, the palm of his clawed hand erupting in blue light. The fireball struck his hand and sputtered to nothing with a burst of steam and smoke.

The dragon weaved his hands through the air, and a wall of blue energy swirled into being between him and Jeren. Fireball after fireball exploded against the growing wall, each of the attacks doused by his water magic.

His feet rose from the ground as he began a slow incantation. He hovered in the air for a moment, Jeren still uselessly hurling fireballs at him, before the dragon extended one hand. He finished the incantation, and the hand pulsed with power.

For a second, nothing seemed to happen. Then, seemingly all at once, the humid air around Jeren seemed to just sink around him, clinging to his legs and arms. A fine frost covered his body for a moment, before the tiger found himself suddenly encased in ice up to his neck.

Faora softly lowered himself back to the ground and walked the rest of the way over towards Jeren, leaning easily on his frozen form. "I think we can just leave you here to cool off for now. Or, I could let you go and you could leave us be. Your choice."

"Faora Meridian. I should have known. This does look like your work," called a strong voice before Jeren could answer.

Both Dosner and Faora turned to see an old-looking white wolf standing there, glaring hard at Jeren. "I feel that he has learned his lesson, but punishment is not yours to hand out, Adept Meridian. Your power is not to be flaunted."

Faora bowed smoothly to the wolf. "My apologies, Master Ryshan. Jeren was about to attack this otter. I felt the need to prevent it."

For a second, the wolf eyed Dosner up and down. The otter shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. "Well, don't just stand there, otter. Give me your name."

Dosner drew himself upright. "I am Dosner Brooks of Keryn, Master Ryshan. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Ryshan cocked his head to the side, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Brooks... and you said you were from Keryn? Interesting, very much so... you do look familiar to me. Was your father an adept here at any point?"

The otter nodded. "Yes, Master. He studied under you directly, though it was some time ago." Dosner gave a wide smile. "He told me that if I were to study under you in the same manner, then I couldn't possibly have a better teacher."

Smiling wider now, Ryshan gave a nod. "I'm this school's foremost hydromancy expert. I look forward to seeing you with us soon, Dosner Brooks. However, that time may be further than you would like."

Dosner frowned slightly, cocking his head to the side with confusion. "If I may ask, Master... why?"

Ryshan gave a hearty laugh. "You may always ask why, Dosner. Inquisitive nature is something I encourage in my students. In this case, the answer is simple. The school is all ready packed to overflowing. A recent influx of students brought on by the escalation of the Demon Wars at the border of Renthani has given us more students than we have room to hold them. Many students are being paired up, much to their dismay, and made to share their rooms."

The wolf gave a glance over at the tiger, still trapped in ice, now struggling against his bonds. "The ice will melt in time, Jeren," he said, voice tinged with authority, "This will teach you the lesson of patience. And Faora has all ready taught you one lesson in humility."

Jeren glared so hard at the dragon that, if he had the power, Faora would have burst into flames right there and then. "I understand, Master Ryshan," he ground out.

"Excellent. Come Faora, there is much to do. You're required at the initiation of the two newest students." Ryshan offered Dosner a quick smile and inclination of the head, before turning on his heel and walking back inside the gates.

Dosner watched Faora follow him back inside, before turning with a grin to Jeren. "So. As a hydromancer, should I expect to experience many lessons in humility dispensed by my peers myself? Or are those lessons reserved for pyromancers?"

The tiger bared his teeth and snarled. "Leave now, commoner. If you wait until this ice melts, you'll see what humility a pyromancer can dispense."

Giving a quick smile, Dosner bowed his head. "Of course, Adept. I hope to see you again, once I have begun my own studies." And with that, the otter turned to the gates of the magic academy and strode inside.

* * *

It became quickly apparent to Dosner that they'd not been exaggerating about the student situation. The otter had a hard time moving through the halls of the crystalline school, bumping again and again into other students. It took him a good few minutes to work his way towards the quarters he'd been directed to.

He gave the door a firm knock, receiving a distracted, "Come in," from inside the room. The otter pushed the door open, and his jaw abruptly fell almost all the way to the ground.

Within the room was a single, large bed, set in the center of the round room. One entire half of the room was full of waist-deep water, constantly fed through a small fountain set in the wall. A small hall led to another room, though he could not see through the curtain blocking it. Though there was nothing else in the room, it was beautiful in its simple, crystal elegance.

There was a figure standing in the water, though at the moment, Dosner could not see who it was. The very water around the figure seemed to shimmer, weaving itself in complex trails through the air. A fine mist coated the figure, making it impossible to discern even gender.

Slowly, Dosner stepped forward. "Hello..." he said tentatively, "I'm a new student here... I was asked to come to these quarters..."

Abruptly the mist faded away, and the water dropped back down again. The figure's head spun and Dosner could finally see the shocked face staring back at him. "I'm sorry... am I interrupting?"

He could barely restrain a laugh as he watched the familiar blue dragon scrambling for a towel, something, anything to cover his naked form. Looking down, the otter reached over to the bed and tossed Faora his bright blue towel. "Here you go."

Quickly, the dragon wrapped the towel around his midsection and stood up straight. His cheeks were flushed, the scales burning a bright purple. "I apologise. Anyone that comes in here knows that I attune myself to the water... well, in a state of undress. Those less experienced do not look on me as I do so, and those more so do not care."

The otter waved a hand, bowing his head to cover a faint blush of his own. "No harm was done, Adept. I apologise for intruding on you during such a time. I hope I am not a problem."

Faora smiled and walked over to the bed, quickly slipping a simple robe over his form, and dropping the towel beneath him. "You are no problem... Dosner, was it? If you are to stay in this room, you must understand how I do things. And I must adapt to not being alone anymore."

Dosner bowed swiftly, smiling despite himself. "Dosner Brooks, yes Adept. I hope to learn fast so as not to offend you."

For a long second, both were silent. Then, Faora burst into laughter. "Oh, listen to you. Get your head up, look me in the eye. I have one rule in this room. All within are equals. You don't call me 'Adept' or anything that indicates I have rank over you. Got it?"

The otter nodded again, rising his eyes up to the dragon's own orbs. "I understand. And don't worry; I don't mind your method of attunement. I've met others that find feeling the water on their body most helpful, both for study, practice, or relaxation."

"This is a good thing, because walking in here will often find your eyes greeted with my naked back." The dragon sat down on the bed and crossed his arms. "So. You're here to study hydromancy."

Dosner nodded slowly. "I am, yes. My father thought it a good idea to send me here for training. The Demon Wars are escalating; Keryn is threatened. I will do what I can to defend my homelands, and Renthani."

Faora scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Then I pray to Llyia that Keryn can be held at least until you finish your studies." He looked right in the eyes of the otter. "Training in the arts of magic is long and arduous. Look at me. I've only just passed my eighteenth season, and I've only been studying here two seasons. I have another four yet to complete before I attain the rank of Hydromancer."

The otter shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. "Six years... in that time, Keryn could be lost. The war could overwhelm us all. All of Renthani could be razed by the demons. Why could I not just take up sword against them?"

Sighing, Faora waved him up towards the bed. "Because, conventional weapons cannot harm them. You understand how few magic users there are in the land. We are the only ones that are capable to stopping the demonic onslaught. Those that lack the power to use the elements are doomed to never fight the demons. They would fail."

Dosner moved forward and sat gingerly at the edge of the bed. "You speak as if you know this pain first-hand," he said carefully.

The dragon nodded slowly. "I inherited my water powers from my mother. My father... he lacked the power. When the demons attacked Syria the first time, he was amongst the first to fall."

"I'm... I'm sorry," was all Dosner could bring himself to say.

"Don't be. You've done nothing wrong, and I feel no pain." Slowly, the dragon leaned back, lying down across his bed. "I suspect that Master Ryshan will call upon you tomorrow for initiation. I have seen others go through the initiation many times... I think you will find that it has an interesting effect on you."

Before Dosner could even respond, Faora sat back up abruptly and smiled to him. "This room has but one bed, though it's large enough for the both of us. Not that I would mind sharing it with you, but I think I'd prefer to spare you some discomfort and travel to the lake for the night. With my draconic heritage and water magic, I can comfortably sleep beneath the water. As for now though, I am late for my lessons. If you'll excuse me, Dosner, I will see you later." Faora gave the otter another smile and a slight bow, before sweeping out of the room.

Dosner just sat there, a belated blush spreading across his cheeks at what the dragon had said. This room has but one bed, though it's large enough for the both of us. Not that I would mind sharing it with you... He found himself laughing aloud now, a part of him faintly wishing he'd said that it would cause him, of all people, no discomfort to share a bed with the dragon.

Still, he thought, I am a guest in Faora's quarters. It would not do for me to sleep in his bed, especially if he was not present himself. He reached down to his bag and withdrew his rolled up sleeping mat, quickly splaying it out across a dry section of the floor, near the end of the bed.

The otter sat himself down on the mat quietly and closed his eyes, trying to wipe the image of the dragon from his mind and slip into a deep meditation. There would be time to explore the academy later, right now, he'd been told to rest in preparation for his initiation.

* * *

The initiation rites didn't begin until late that night. A blue-robed fox led Dosner through the mostly deserted halls of the academy, out towards one edge of the crystalline dome.

With a wave of the fox's paw a door slid aside, revealing a perfectly round room. It sank deep into the ground, full right to his feet with water. A single path led over the water, a glowing, glass bridge, leading to a circular, floating platform in the middle of the room.

The otter slowly walked across the bridge, marvelling at the depth of the water beneath him as he made his way to the platform. The two figures waiting for him he both recognised, Ryshan in the middle of the circle, Faora behind him and to the right.

Slowly, he walked to stand before Ryshan, lowering himself to one knee and bowing his head. He could see the platform floor more clearly now, symbols and runes carved exquisitely into the crystal. He saw some he recognised, mostly dealing with water and infusion, others he did not understand.

"You've come here to Syrina in the hopes of studying the magic of water," said Ryshan slowly above him, "This is not an easy task to undertake. Your study here will take up to six seasons to complete, possibly more if you wish to continue your study long past what is required to leave here.

"The path of an Elementalist of Renthani is a lonely one during study. You will know few of your peers, and only those who can teach you will fill your time. You must be completely dedicated to learning hydromancy to it's fullest before you can join the ranks of the Elementalists." The wolf paused momentarily. "I give you this last chance to leave here, before I begin the initiation."

After a second to consider, Dosner nodded. "I am ready to begin my training, Master Ryshan," he replied softly, "You may proceed without fear."

Nodding with a smile, Ryshan closed his eyes. The wolf began a slow chant as his feet rose off the ground, his body levitating as it became charged with water energy. The wolf raised his arms above himself, weaving great symbols of power through the air.

Behind him, Faora too closed his eyes. The dragon extended his arms out to the side and began a different incantation, his body beginning to glow a faint blue. His head lolled back as his eyes rolled into his head, though his body remained upright.

Dosner gave a gasp as he looked around. The water of the room was no longer the serene, quiet thing it had once been. It twisted and writhed beneath the surface like a thing alive, pushing and fighting for freedom. It swirled and sped around the platform like a great whirlpool, and a tremendous roar began to fill the initiation room.

Ryshan's voice rose to combat the growing noise around him, practically shouting out the words to his chant. Both hydromancer's bodies now flared with blue energy, and one by one, glyphs and symbols in the platform began to glow with that same cerulean light.

The water around the platform rose up, seemingly of its own will. Tendrils of water weaved complex meshes in the air above and around Dosner, sending spray everywhere, dousing everything around. The water took on a brighter hue as the chanting continued, seeming to flare up into incandescence.

Abruptly, each of the tendrils ceased their flight and turned, every single one zeroing in on the otter in the center of the platform. There was no time to gasp, no time to scream, no time to scramble away.

The tremendous barrage of water slammed like catapult fire into the chest of the otter. Dosner cried out finally around the water as he was driven back, his body erupting in a blaze of blinding light, light that filled the chamber completely.

Slowly, the light began to fade. The water fell back down again, once more filling the area beneath the platform. Faora regained his sense of self, opening his eyes and standing upright once more. Ryshan dropped lightly to the ground, opening his own eyes and gazing down at the otter.

Slowly Dosner stood, but he was not the same otter now as he had been going in. His fur now bore the mark of a hydromancer; bright streaks of blue and green and teal adorned his body where once there had been a uniform brown. He gasped as he saw his reflection in the water, looking up at the wolf.

Ryshan smiled softly down at Dosner, bowing his head in a solemn nod. "You now bear the physical signs of the hydromancer," he said, "Your latent talents have now been awakened, and your training to your full potential will begin tomorrow, despite how wearying the initiation is."

Dosner had to admit, he certainly felt tired, far more so than he had ever felt in his life. But even as he became aware of that he became aware of another thing. Within the room, he could sense something, something a part of him just screamed power.

The otter looked around, trying to refine the faint sense, until the source caught his eye. He gazed hard at Faora, who bowed his head to carefully hide a smile. The otter looked questioningly up at Ryshan. "Master, forgive me but..."

"Ah, yes. There is a reason I had Faora come here today." Ryshan took a step back and placed a paw on the dragon's shoulder. "As you learn, you will find that it is good to have someone who can help you. The path of an elementalist is not always a lonely one, and Faora here has done what few ever do; he has made the offer to bind himself to another student."

Dosner looked over the dragon with a confused cock to his head. "Bind, Master?"

"Perhaps I can explain better," Faora replied, stepping forward, "In learning magic, few truly understand the difficulty of progressing all by yourself. Yet still, many see it as a point of pride to go through their six seasons alone, as a test of strength. I do not see this as such.

"During the initiation, I opened myself to you. I will be here for the entire time you study hydromancy, linked through a mental bond forged by the initiation. As a student of hydromancy for two years, my knowledge will always be... somewhat greater than your own. This allows me to teach you as I learn, to better both of our studies." The dragon smiled. "Though I did not know who I was to be bound to, I am pleased to find it is you."

The otter flushed beneath his fur and bowed his head. "This is a great gift, and a greater honour, Adept Meridian. I thank you."

Faora raised an eyeridge. "You can call me by my name. I don't bite, not unless requested. We are to live together for many years, learn together as well. We may as well be comfortable about each other."

Dosner smiled. "You have a point, Faora. My apologies."

Ryshan looked on with a smile of his own. "I see you two developing quite the friendship in your time here; this is a very good thing." He looked Dosner right in the eye. "But you need to be getting back to your quarters now. I sense you are drained, tired from the stresses of the initiation. Sleep now, and Faora will wake you for your first lessons tomorrow."

The dragon nodded. "You may take the bed tonight, Dosner. I will travel to the great libraries to study for a time, and when I return I will sleep on the floor. I believe you will need more of a rest tonight than I would." He smiled and waved towards the door. "Come. I will take you back. These hallways can be confusing so early in your arrival."

The two did not speak about much of anything on the way back, Dosner mainly protesting the possession of the bed, and Faora fighting back against that. They were unable to agree, each sensing that the other would back down.

This argument continued right into their quarters. "I simply cannot do it," said Dosner for the umpteenth time, "These were your quarters long before I came here. I have a sleeping mat, I will be comfortable."

"But you will have a more comfortable sleep in the bed," argued the dragon, "And you will need it after the initiation."

Dosner sighed. "I appreciate it Faora, but I can't-"

He never was able to finish the sentence as the dragon picked him up bodily, carried him over to the bed and dropped him down on it. Faora yanked the sheets out from beneath the otter, pulling them back over him before he knew what was happening.

Finding himself laying on one of the softest beds he'd ever laid upon, Dosner found it very hard to get back up again. He gave an exasperated sigh as his weariness returned; the comfort of the bed made him more and more sleepy. "Very well, tonight I will sleep here." He shook his head and closed his eyes. "Feel free to sleep in the bed with me instead of on the mat; I would hate to deprive you of a good night's rest yourself."

The dragon smirked and walked over to the door. "We'll see," he replied, giving a smile. "Good night, Adept Brooks. I will see you in the morning."

So, thoughts? Please, click a little rating button down at the bottom to score the story, and send all of your questions, queries and general insanity (but not spam mail) to [email protected] You have my word that I'll get back to you. I'm good for that! Oh, and the next story will be up soon... not saying when though. Ha!