Five Dragons: TLoP: Chapter 6: Hard Training

Story by Lorddaventry on SoFurry

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Five Dragons: DLvP Chapter 6: Hard TrainingRoland was again faced with a decision. Only this time Kyndle was also with him. But with the opportunities he was

not entirely agree. "What if I don`t want to decide?" Roland threw the stranger accusingly at the feet. The figure raised his

head and looked

at the companion empty. "As you already told earlier. My destiny, my decision." added Roland. The figure in the

robe stood there motionless. "This is open to you." echoed his deep voice through

the void. "Fate

is going his way anyway. With or without

your choice." the phenomenon raised his arm against the young man. "Only then is the

question of

whether you will be satisfied with the way that will come. Or not." The figure held both arms high, each pointing to one of the two cracks.

"One way will be chosen. Whether it will

be one of them

you can tell no one." "Does that mean, they could die as well, even if I do not decide?" Roland asked impatiently. "This is left to the river of destiny." replied the shadow in the robe sober as he

lowered his arms

again. "Well,

companion. Choose!" came again from him. Roland went back to Kyndle. He sat down beside her and looked at her questioningly. "What do I

merely want?" Unsure of what could be the right choice, he crossed his arms over his knees, his face downcast lowered. The female sat down in front of him and placed

her left paw on his right hand. Roland raised his face and looked at his companion with a smile. With a soft snort she nudged her

nose against his and licked him

once on the cheek, accompanied by a quiet purr. He held

out his left hand

to her cheek and looked at her with a warm look. A short turquoise shimmer crossed their eyes. Both loaded with eyes closed the forehead together.

With a pleasant feeling Roland exhaled slowly. "You know what?" he began

quietly. "Choose

you this time." The dragoness gave

a surprised "Chirp" by and saw her companion skeptically. This smiled confidently. "Is ok. I'm agree with

everything you choose." he said to her. With a quick glance Roland pointed to the still pending cracks. Slightly nervous Kyndle considered to the cracks with faces in it. She glanced back

to Roland. Why he let her

decide? He was finally the

companion, and she merely his fellow. Her eyes widened for a fleeting moment. Or is it possible that she might be more

for him? With renewed courage she walked up to the first crack. She

looked at the faces

in it exactly. Mardon had freed her from the clutches of the thieves a few years ago. But she do not had

to this event much confidence in him. The king was unfamiliar to her as well. They did not understand the motivations to

help them. The female

snorted at the image again and walked to the

other picture. When

she looked at

the two men more accurately she felt a strange feeling, almost as if she had seen this two once already. What was strange, because she had met them today for the first time in her life. But whence came

this feeling merely. Kyndle knew that there had to be a connection, and therefore these

two men were not

allowed to die.Slightly confused,

she looked back to her companion. Roland saw it in her eyes, something

was going with her. Thoughtfully, he walked up to her. "Have you decided?" he asked

her. Kyndle

sat on the floor and gave a demanding "Meep" of herself while she pointed with her nose on Aaros

and Torben. A loud cooing ended her gesture. "Is that the chosen path?" asked the apparition determinative. Roland glanced his female dragon in

the eyes. She

nodded with closed lids once. "Yes." he replied."Your destiny! Your decision!" consider the voice of the phenomenon through the darkness. The crack with the

faces of

Mardon and King Harkin was gone. The burning circle behind the orange-red robe expanded with a bright glow of the fire. The apparition walked through it without looking back. The glow of the cold flames dimmed until they were gone. The companion and his draconic fellow

stopped at the last crack. Slightly skeptical, he looked at the faces of the men. "Was that a good choice?" he asked himself in thought. Kyndle turned to him. But at this moment, a

strong suction

from of the image forced which pulled both. Roland closed his eyes. There was silence. ......  In the throne room of Drakensang an elderly man walked a few hours later, up and down nervously. "How could you let them go so easily?"

complained of this to the other two men. "Now calm down Janosh." Mardon told him. "It was the decision of the companion." he explained. The fighters sent

a hand on

him. "And in your

position as a priest of the Five, you have to respect his choosing." he added determinative. "But that was not so arranged."

came easily angry over the priest's lips. "And?" King Harkin went loud between. "If the companion wants it so." The ruler walked to his marble chair and sat down on the

soft pillow.

"I have no reason to doubt his choice. You

maybe?" With

a raised eyebrow, he saw the old man incredulously. Janosh short avoided the gaze of the king, before he once

breathed and just stood upright again. "No I have not." he said calmly. "Then we have

nothing more to discuss." Harkin spoke aloud and pointed with fine hand at the priest to walk. "I hear from you when the last companion has revealed." he added to his gesture. Janosh nodded silently and then withdrew

silently. Mardon looked after the man suspiciously. "Something is strange about that guy." he thought to himself, shaking his head. ......  More hours went by since the visit of the companion in Drakensang.

In Ironwing there was a turbulent rhythm. Many of the people living on the estate, ripped their mouths of the new guests. Catherin was sitting in the chair applied to her office, in her

hand she held an

unrolled paper with the seal of the King on it. "I do not know what I should think of that, Daniel." she spoke loudly in

the room. "Is he really be serious?!" she complained further. Daniel made with both hands a rising

and falling movement. He

took a breath to begin a sentence,

but got no chance. "Two escaped prisoners? Here?! And also even

former dragon hunters?!"Daniel grimaced slightly his face. "I know how it sounds." he tried

to explain. "But

read the letter to end please before you continue talking." Tense he looked

at his mistress

while she continued to read the letter. ...... Behind the main entrance of the property,

two men sat side by side on a bench. Left and right of

them a guard

was stationed respectively, which they did not let out of sight. One of the men looked calm and relaxed, while his colleague again nervously looked at the guards. "That was your big plan?" said Torben to his comrades. "Courtyard in the castle and appear to

have insane luck?" "My plan was to add the course

of destiny." he

replied. Aaros breathed once from left and looked at his colleague.

"I know you do not believe in fate and this companion

stuff." he began quietly. "But be you realize that you're

a part of this world

despite your lack of faith." He held

out an outstretched index finger. "We have now finally the chance to vouch for our mistakes."

Torben looked at him slightly confused. "I see no vouch

in that. Neither have

I wanted to go back to

the prison, so I try

to make the best of

it." he

smirked confident. "But must we really

play the teacher for

this Roland?"

He asked Aaros. His comrade lowered thoughtful his eyebrows. "The companion, or we

say Roland, has pronounced for us

both. For whatever reason." he raised his eyes and saw Torben

with his dull eyes. "We

owe him our lives, so

we thank him by showing him what a

dragon hunter can teach." A grin

grew on Torben`s

lips. "Then I suggest we start with ......" "But one thing must be clear to you, my friend." held him Aaros back. "What do you mean?" he prompted impatiently. "Now this is a new beginning. For both of us. No contract or oath

from the past still applies.""That means?"

Torben asked again. "The last assembly of Larzarus

you can now shoot in the

wind. We will

take a new

oath. Invited

or not." he replied.

Aaros saw his colleague seriously. "You know which oath I mean?" Torben stared aghast short on the

ground. "I

understand." he

spoke softly. Torben raised his fist and looked at his

companion. "Then,

to the new beginning." He said. Aaros looked at the fist of his colleague and slammed with his other hand against it. "Let's give our life meaning

again."......  Back in the study room."Where are they

now?" Catherine asked impatiently. "They wait in the entrance area, mistress." said Sasha. "And where is Roland?"

"In his

room." he replied again. "Good. I will talk to Roland, before we include the others."

she said encouragingly.

"Can you fetch him for me?" "Immediately."

was the butler with bent forward gesture of himself before he walked out of the room. ......    The

evening sun had just begun their

work and

ran off with her red shimmer on the horizon. In one

of the bedrooms of

the property Ironwing

was a still sleeping young man lying in bed. Beside him, an orange-red dragoness. Roland came back slowly from his sleep. He felt a pleasant warmth at his side and a gentle

vibration that

emanated from it.

Without opening his eyes, he knew that it could

involve only Kyndle. The female lay beside her still dreaming

companion on the mattress in the room. Snuggled

close to him she looked down at his face. Head tilted to the side gleefully, she watched him quietly purring

while sleeping. A quick nudge to the

nose, a slight tongue's touch on the cheek. With small gestures she tried to wake him up. Apparently with success. Roland shrugged few times at her

touch and

slowly began to open his eyes. A bright turquoise shimmer glared at him from two beautiful blue

dragon eyes.

Kyndle addressed happy cooing her moist eyes on him. "Who wakes me up here?" He asked in a whisper the dragon lady.

A slight "Chirp" in turn was the answer. Then

she snuggled close to him. Laid her head on his chest, purring she watched him with

half-closed eyelids.

Roland felt the pleasant vibrations from her body and smiled at her.

Always keeping eye contact with her he enjoyed her

tight society.

He felt it deep inside him as he

placed his hand

on her cheek. It was as if she touched his soul, and he would

reciprocate the gesture. But something else seemed to be there, something he previously felt, but not yet clearly

recognized. He could feel her warm breath on his face and heard her

soothing heartbeat. Slowly she rose from him and gazed

directly down at him. Roland was enchanted on

the mattress and

saw only two sapphires, which

sparkled against him. She approached his face and purred softly.

He lost himself in her intense gaze. Let

inhaling a weak, but which do not foreign odor rose to his nostrils. Roland looked at Kyndle

over himself. His heart was beating fast. Perhaps it was this fragrance that his pulse was increased slightly, or it

was the way she

looked at him. Maybe

even both.It appeared again as on that morning. A warm aura which had enveloped the

dragoness. He gently ran his hand over her head and thought no more about

it. Enjoying his

gentle touch alone Kyndle closed her eyes and approached further on his face. Roland exhaled relaxed and pulled the head

of his dragoness softly to himself. The face slightly tilted to the side, she was ready for this, their kiss. Three very loud knocker echoed from the room door. What both left startle literally. Kyndle more quickly by her companion back and looked disappointed

to the side, accompanied by a barely audible, but plaintive "Meep". Roland turned around on the bed and watched to the door. The shock quickly

overcome, he stood up and

walked closer to

the entrance. He paused

thoughtfully, looking

slightly confused around the room. In short, he looked down at himself. He was

only wearing his pants in space. He could not remember to have arrived at the property again, let alone have since gone to his room. Eyes closed, he reflected the recent events.

But it was

just gone. "Why

can I not remember?" He asked himself in thought. Puzzled by the gap in his

memory, he stood

silently in space.Three other knocker brought him from his thoughts. "Yes, what is it?" he asked through the door. "Lady Catherine wants to talk to you." came in from the outside through the wood. Roland breathed out once and then looked

back to the bed. Kyndle lay on the mattress, curled

into an orange-red

ball. Softly cooing she breathed to herself. He turned again to the

door. "I'll be right

there." He said to the voice. Roland

pulled a shirt on and

walked to the

entrance. With the door handle in his hand, he looked back to the

female. He watched

her briefly slow breathing movements and then opened

the door.

In the transition arrived he faced Sasha, who eyed him critically. "That should be enough." he said soberly, as he looked at the slightly disheveled

hairstyle of the young man. Sasha began to go ahead. Roland glanced at the ceiling as if he just rolled his eyes. Then he closed the door behind him and followed the butler. Slowly striding down the corridor he tried to close the gap in his

memoirs. But

he remembered nothing a fact.

The last pictures were shortly after the two refugees had emerged from the castle courtyard. And connect its

renewed engagement

with the

figure in the orange-red robe. Then there is darkness. This was not the first time that he got lost a part

of the memories.

After the first visit to Barnabas, it was exactly the same. The shaded memories cleared aside he stood at the door of Catherine's

office. Sasha opened the door and gestured with

one arm, that he should

enter. In the

room arrived he stood Catherine opposite. She sat in her

chair and

looked at him encouragingly. "Have you slept well?" she asked quietly. Roland

smiled at her,

nodding. Catherine's facial expression changed to a more serious face. Before her on the table lay an unrolled paper, with the seal of the King on it. "I was initially

very skeptical about the recent events are concerned. Or should I say, your last decision?" she started smirking slightly. "Especially after returning with the new guests." she said gravely, as she rose. "The letter of King Harkin brought luckily some light into the darkness." she went on. Roland looked at the woman ignorant. "I had asked myself, what brought you up to

this setting." With a straight face she went back and forth in the

room, the view always directed to Roland. "Harkins words were unmistakable." She stood before him and looked at him

gravely. "But

I want to hear it from your mouth. Is it really the truth that

these two fighters

should be your new teachers?"

Roland looked

slightly overwhelmed. The view just thrown on the table with the letter, he breathed out heavily. The attention turned

to her again

he looked at her confident. "Yes, it is." he said determining. Mentally, he wandered

back, because he left the choice finally to Kyndle. Catherine looked at him a moment in silence. "Then, good enough for me." she said, followed

by her warm smile.

Roland looked at her. A smile as it

only had his mother. For

a brief moment he saw

the face of

Clair to go before this reminder veil twisted again. "You can now go back."

she said, waving at the door, which was immediately opened by Sasha. She looked at the young man slightly skeptical. "Are you okay?" she asked softly. Roland winced slightly at her

question. The

hazy image of his mother's face vanished quickly. The mind quickly

rearranged he woke up from the short daydream. "Yes, all right." he replied

softly. He smiled at

Catherine and then went out of the room, back to his room.                                           In his room arrived he threw a smile on the

mattress. An orange-red female dragon still lay curled up on the sheets and strip cooed to herself. Roland closed the door behind him and approached the

bed. Heavy

breathing in, he sat

down on the edge and buried his face in

his hands thoughtfully. The foggy picture of his mother seeing before him he pressed single tears out of the closed lids. Again, the pictures of that night came out and pulled the heavy sorrow with it.Gentle vibrations of a

warm body

joined his downcast emotions. A slight puff of air flowed over his neck, followed by a wet tongue's touch on his cheek. Later, he felt a scaly face at his side. Kyndle had sat down beside him and snuggled

her head on Roland zoom. Purring softly she laid protective a wing around him. Places the left hand on her head, he pressed her with light pressure per se. Once difficult inhaling he opened

his watery eyes.

He lifted his head and looked at his

comforter deep into her eyes. "Thank you." he whispered to her. A gentle "Churr" was her answer. With a wet look he

sought the turquoise

sparks in the blue gems, and

found it without loss of time. A twinkle

later, both pressed each other's forehead together. With closed eyes he took the comforting moment into himself. An emotional hug from his draconic companion.......  Back in

the office

now sat the lady of

the house and

two men in ragged

clothes over. Behind the men were two security

guards, who

observed the suspicious strangers. Catherine looked at them both gravely from her chair, holding Harkins letter in his hands. She looked at the older men. "You must be Aaros." she began determinative. Her eyes wandered slowly to the

second guest. "And

you are Torben." Both nodded to the woman still. Aaros sat calmly in

his seat, while

Torben slightly nervously glanced back and forth. "And you two now shall to be the

teachers for Roland." she continued

in a serious tone of voice. Again, the men nodded silently. "Since it was Roland's decision, I will not doubt this."The woman placed the document on the table and held on, strongly exhaling her hands over the plate together.

After a short pause, she opened her eyes and looked at the two men demanding towards her. "Gentlemen. I will not speak long around it." she began determinative. Aaros and Torben both

swallowed hard once about her strong views.

"There is a lot to me on Roland's

well-being, including his dragon." The woman placed both hands on the table and again threw

an intimidating look to their guests. "If I, therefore, any evidence or reasons

come to my attention, which could harm this concern and fall back on

you two. So

I will remove Wyverex the task and

lead you personally into

the realm of the

dead."Her eyes stung the men literally in the

soul. Aaros and Torben sat

stunned in their seats. One moment she crossed her trembling

glance with each other. Even the guards in the room had to swallow once empty. Catherine took up her hands from the table and held it together again. "I guess we understand each other?" she asked her guests to continue with a piercing look in the eyes. Again, the men nodded silently. Even the Guards. .......  Roland sat snuggled next to his female dragon. The

quiet moment alone enjoying he felt the slight oscillations of her gentle purring. The faces pressed together they clung to each other, silently listening to the heartbeat of the other. A loud knock on the door broke the silence of the moment undesirable. Disappointed exhaling he opened

his eyes and

stood hesitantly on the bed knew on.

"What is it now?" He asked rather plaintively as he

walked toward the

entrance. "You will once again expected in Catherine's

office." invaded the voice of Sasha

again through the door. Dejected, he let his head fall heavily exhaling forward. With some resistance, he opened the entrance. And

again stood him upright the Butler

with the tired look against. This waved his hand in the

corridor and began to precede still. Roland remained in the doorway and turned his head to

Kyndle. With a quick head movement he suggested her to follow him. Which she did immediately. The female jumped off of the

sheet and

had caught up with rapid steps to him. After a short walk through the estate were Roland and Kyndle in

the study, together

with Catherine, two guards and

two other men. Confused, he looked at his mother's sister. "What does this mean?" he asked skeptically. "Hello again, Roland." Began the woman and smiled at him here.

"These two gentlemen would like to tell you something." she continued. Her smile tightened into a serious expression as she

looked at Aaros

and Torben. Silently she nodded to both. The two hunters were on at the same time. They introduced each other themselves down next to Roland. With a serious look she looked at the young man. Roland looked slightly nervous to his

new trainers. Kyndle looked these fellows skeptically too. She positioned herself

behind Roland, watching suspiciously. Aaros looked at Roland seriously. The young man watched the hunter uncertain in the

dim eyes. This took a deep breath. "You saved our lives, so it is in our interest to give this a new meaning." Confident he looked

at his companion.

Torben stood beside his comrades. "It would be an honor for us to provide our savior an

insight into the techniques

of the hunters." he said. Aaros and Torben knelt down in front of the companion. The inclined face

forward and pulled the left fist to

the right shoulder. "The

rescuer owed. Defended to the death." they said at the same time. Roland looked amazed at the

two kneeling

men. With raised eyebrows he let his mouth slightly open. Kyndles view extended also surprised when she heard the words of

the hunter.

The downcast faces of the two men she had again eyeing this strange feeling. As she knew the two. Where do these impressions came only? With a slightly puzzled look Roland saw at Catherine. This smiled back warmly and nodded silently

then. The two fighters stood up and crossed her

eyes briefly.

A confident nod later they turned to the lady of the house. Catherine took a deep breath. "Thank you, Roland." She said to the young

man. "That was all for today." Another

smile finished her sentence. Roland looked a bit awkward between the people back and forth. The rather plaintive "Meep" of an orange-red dragoness drew attention to herself. Roland shrugged quickly with his head between his shoulders when

he heard his

companion. He turned

to look at her skeptically. The female looked at him directly. A gentle cooing came from her throat, followed by a gaping yawn. Chuckling, he closed his eyes. "Sounds like my cue."

he said quietly as he had

also yawn. "I lie down again. Good night." he added and went on his way

back to his room,

followed by his dragoness. Catherine nodded with a smile as he

walked out of the office. Her gaze turned to the gentlemen remained in the room. "As this is now clarified, we can now focus on what is to come." With a straight face she looked at the

hunters. "You

get a lodging in the barracks. And also get access to

the property and

the required areas. A training

area is located

behind the building." The woman held her finger in front of her face together. "It is to

you now

free to go." With a brief gesture she pointed to the door. The

two men looked at

each other silently,

and made themselves then on the

way out. "And do not

forget. I'll keep an eye on." said the lady seriously, as the

hunters stood in the

doorway. Both

stopped short and inhaled sharply. After they went out of the room. Catherine looked after them suspiciously. Sasha took care of the men. He saw

the two men

searchingly. His tired eyes stared at the silent hunter.

Torben looked a little perplexed to Aaros.

This quickly looked back and tilted his head

slightly to the side

with a smile. "If it makes the dominions no circumstances

I would like to show them their quarters." Pointing with outstretched arm to the

front door, he looked at both

of them. Aaros

smirked at the upright man.

"It would be a pleasure." he replied amused. Sasha leaned briefly with the upper body affirmatively forward. "Then here along." he said and led the new

residents of

Ironwing to the barracks of the guard. The sun twisted silently under the edge of the sky and

gave their

task at the

rising moon

night. Roland lay sleeping under the covers, holding his dragoness close in

the arm recovering

from the recent

efforts. ......   A misty image forming in Roland's thoughts. A round beam of light appeared from the ceiling on his

face. Holding the

hand in the

glare he

straightened up. As his eyes adjusted to the light changes he looked at a large

picture on the

ground before him. The artfully crafted mosaic dragon was in front of a stone

pedestal in

the middle of the room. Roland came down from the altar and looked skeptically

at. The room was familiar to him, because he had

already been here

once. Behind him, a shadow appeared. Roland raised the serious look

when he noticed the stranger. "Hello Roland. Is a

long time ago." echoed the deep voice of the unknown through the room. The young man turned hastily and looked at a big man in splendid

armor. An orange red cape hung

down the knight on the right shoulder and the associated

arm. "This is probably a dream?" Roland said aloud to himself and took a few steps on the

unknown. "I remember you." he continued seriously. "You were the one who had told me my approach to magic." he glanced

at him silently.

"Is now another lesson

in magic upcoming?"

he asked the stranger. This gave repellent left hand. "No." he began

soberly. "You can safely leave that to your new teachers." The light from the ceiling flickered for a moment. Thoughtfully, he looked up at the ceiling. "Listen. I do

not have much time." he said and threw Roland a serious look at. He took a

deep breath. "I'm

here to deliver you a warning." Roland raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What? A warning?!" he hacked at impatient. "There is a traitor in Ironwing."

again the light cone re-flashed, this time even shook the ground. "I

do not know who it is, but this person has put events

in motion that are now unstoppable." Roland took a step toward him, held up his hand. "What events and from which traitors are you talking about?" he asked impatiently. Again rumbled the floor of the hall. The light in the

chamber gradually

began to dim.

Nervously looked the stranger up and down. "Prepare yourself as well

as you can." said

the man loudly as he was

suddenly surrounded by lurid flames. One hand he held

up open.

"Pay attention

to the signs. Shadows on the horizon. The ash in

the gargoyle. Blazing home. Pay attention to th..." His voice trailed off as the

ring of fire reached his head. The gleam of the fire was extinguished simultaneously with the light cone in space. Left in the void he heard only the sound of his own breath. ......  A bright morning dawned with a rapidly rising sun. Birdsong coming through an open window in the room. On the edge of the bed sat a young man, his head resting thoughtfully on his

hand. "Shadows

on the horizon. The ash in the gargoyle. Blazing home." he murmured with closed eyes before him. "What do that mean only? What should I look at?" he asked himself in thought. Behind him lay a peacefully sleeping female dragon. With cute twitching she dreamed to herself, while her companion zoom step with a slightly nervous expression to the window. With a critical eye his eyes wandered around

the grounds of the

estate. Arriving at

the barracks he noticed Aaros. He sat

in the grass next to the training ground and looked like he was meditating. Whose colleague was on the court and

made a mock exercise. With bare hands he smote

upon the

straw person. Apparently, with much force, because the manikin could not hold long together and fell apart into

its constituent parts after

only a few strokes."Today it starts." he muttered softly to himself. An affirmative "Churr" pierced his back. The head held to

the side, he turned

his gaze back.

Kyndle sat on the carpet in the

middle of the room and looked at her companion with an awakened look. A short turquoise shimmer joined her gentle cooing.Roland walked up to her. With a warm smile he put

a hand on

her head and stroked her slowly over the forehead. The eyes closed she purred softly at his touch. Their eyes met again and exchanged a nondescript

sparks from it. "Do you think I can

do that?" he

asked with a grin.

Kyndle nodded once to the head, accompanied by an affirmative "Churr". Then she nudged him gently

with the

nose and cooed excitedly

to herself. With half-closed eyes, he saw the female with

a smile. "May

you want to be by my side?"

he asked hopefully. Kyndle purred softly and gave him in

reply a long

tongue's touch on the cheek. Followed by a soft "Chirp". The bright sparkle in her blue eyes growing a wide smile on his face. ......  On the training ground next to the guard barracks sat Aaros upright

with eyes closed in the grass. Silent listening to the strained sound seemed to bring him a faint smile on his

lips. Beside him

walked past Torben bit sluggish and dragged the remains of a straw doll behind him. "That stuff does not really hold on much." he bleated

loudly out of himself when he threw the portions of the dummy on a-growing pile of debris. In addition to the meditating man he stopped short.

"By the Five!" he began loudly. "Did you see the look of this

Catherine yesterday?" he asked his comrade. "With that you bring even dragons to sweat." he added. This words called for Aaros face shows a weak smile, followed by a slow shake of the head. "She do not trust us, and who could blame her for that." he began

calmly. "Look at it from her perspective. Two strangers, in addition rather volatile prisoners emerge out of the blue to train her son. I would

also be suspicious."Torben bent forward and grabbed a

new dummy.

"But this Roland

is not Catherine's son."

he said as he heaved the straw doll

in the cradle. "I had last night a little talk with this Timmy." Thoughtfully, he looked at the head of the dumb doll. "Strangely type." he added amusement. "Anyway, he told

me that

Roland is the son of her sister." Aaros nodded calmly. "Hmm." was thoughtful of

him. He slowly

opened his eyes and raised his brows slightly. "Better late than never, what Roland?" he asked in the

air. Roland stood surprised still. Slightly grumpy he looked

at the man. How did

he know that

he comes? Finally, he sat

with his back to him in the grass. "Your dragon seems to have

a better skill on that."

he continued with a smile.

"But not good enough." he added, looking earnestly on the

thick hedge near Roland. Behind it was a surprised and loud "Meep" to be heard before an orange-red dragoness appeared. With a puzzled glance she looked at the

hunter and

snorted once condescending in his

direction. Torben came up and clapped with both hands. "Can we start?" he asked with a raised eyebrow the companion. Roland

looked at the man awkwardly and took a deep breath. Kyndle nudged him in the back and pushed her companion

slightly forward, followed by a loud "Churr". An affirmative nod she added.  The three went to the practice site. Torben stood in front of Roland and looked at him searchingly.

Aaros stood there, holding the hands behind his back, he watched his colleague and his student. Kyndle sat next to Aaros on the

ground. Both

looked at each other and nodded quietly before turning back to the training. "With this I can work."

Torben began while he went around calculating to the young man. "Do you have

experience with any fighting techniques?" he asked his students seriously. Roland looked at his teacher with raised eyebrows. "Well no." added Torben sober. "Exercise in dealing with a known type of weapon?" he hacked

at. Roland

thought for a moment.

"I often used to shoot with bow and arrow." he replied.

"In the past?"

asked the hunter. "Before I came to Parem. In the house of my mother in Ordenary, I had a target." Roland told. Torben raised his arm and waved him over to a

table. On the wooden

board were a training bow and a quiver of arrows. "Then show me what you can." invited him the teacher to. Roland walked up to the table and looked tense

on the training weapon. With slightly

trembling fingers he reached for it. Strapped the quiver he stood

on the marker before the target. He exhaled heavily and lowered with

closed eyes his forehead

forward. An old memory was consolidated in his

thoughts. The scent

of a blossoming

flower meadow rose to his nose. Aaros moved slightly surprised his brows. Kyndle looked at her

companion a little

skeptical. The Hunter

beside her looked exactly the female. The dragoness cooed

softly, lowering her head forward and slowly closed her eyes. Weak vibrations came from the body of the female. ......  There was then a warm summer day. He stood

in the garden of the

house and

looked seriously at a large round target. Standing on the drawn distance line the boy was looking smiling to the side. A woman in a bright blue dress standing at the railing and watched her son with her arms crossed. A warm look sprang out of her eyes. The wind rocked playfully through her beautiful long hair. "You can that." she said with her soft voice. Roland looked into her eyes and picked out his hand to the quiver.

The first arrow packed he turned confidently to the

plate. Lifted the bow he drew

the string back. Held a fingertip

to the projectile, he focused on his target. The noise silent

slow. The eyes briefly closed, he only heard his own breath. A

slow air puff

from the lungs and as a

reflex his fingers triggered. The aim in view. A quick hiss accompanied the arrow from its rest position. The faint whirring echoed through the air. With a thud it hit

the goal. Testing

looking forward he looked at the disc. A lone arrow stuck in the plate and stood out from the center of the circle. A HIT! He had hit the target. Feelings of pride came up in him,

eyes wide gratifying his gaze on the

viewer. Her warm smile hit him like a gentle ray of sunshine. "You see. I knew

that you can do that." Her words of praise filled

his ear

with her soft tone. Almost like an angelic vocals. Reply to her loving gaze, saw

the boy proudly to his mother. A gust of wind passed over them going and ripped the vague image of his

memories. ......  Aaros was still watching

the female beside him. Kyndle opened her eyes and gave a soft cooing of herself

as she looked at her companion. Slightly dazed Roland came back to himself. The hunter next to the dragoness let

his gaze wander thoughtful of her

to his disciple. The target in

sight, the young man breathed

heavy. Pulled an arrow from his quiver he lifted his bow. The tendon tensioned he held

a finger leaning to

the projectile.

Once taken a breath, he closed his eyes. Kyndle wanted to go a

step toward him. But

jumpy remained standing as the

man next to her

noticed her movement. Only a faint cooing came from her. "You can that."

Roland whispered softly to himself. Inhaling, he slowly opened his eyes. The noise ceased

gradually until all he could hear his own heartbeat. A

burst of air from his lungs and again loosened

his fingers like a reflex.

The feathered projectile rocketed forward. A soft whirring pulled through the air and bounced on

the target. A loud and pleased "Meep" of his companion confirmed the result. Slowly he let drop the training weapon and

scrutinized his hit. The arrow sticking out of the middle of the circle. "Not bad." Torben threw a laudatory.

"This allows us to work with."......  "You can also

keep up staring at me! I will the

order not retreat,

Patricia!" With the serious look looked a wrapped in a

blood-red dress

woman at her friend. She turned away from her and motioned her

away with one hand

by herself. "Now stop wasting my time and folders again at

his heel." Two clenched fists drove quickly down on the table. The wood cracked under the enormous force loud. "You can`t expect me that!" protested the redhead woman and sent a mischievous look to her

principal. This

turned and put her hand on her hip. Inclined her head sullenly aside she pulled her eyelids slightly. "You know very well that I can so." Raised an eyebrow

stared Patricia seriously and held a finger towards the entrance. "So. There's the door." The woman turned after a short pause again from her and twisted her back to her. Heavy breathing in the strong woman pulled her fists down from the wrecked plate.

Mute stood up and she walked

slowly to the door.

As part she remained short standing with a sloping forehead. "You should have told me from the beginning who he is." she said aloud. "Don`t come to me with something like that now, honey." Annoyed she looked again at the woman. "Go out there and do, which is why you

were hired."

Again she pointed at the entrance. Patricia stood at the door and turned her head

to the side, facing

her moist eyes to Lizbeth.

"This will have a sequel for you, Liz." She turned back to the front. "I'll come back." she said as she

went outside. Lizbeth stood thoughtfully behind the table, paying attention to the stubborn door. "Hmph." She uttered muffled from her neck. ......   "Urgh!" With a thud Roland landed on his back. Heavy exhaling he writhed

himself next to

Torben on the hard

training ground.

Kyndle threw out a protesting "Meep"

and began to reach

out to

the teacher. "No panic." said Aaros left and held up a hand before

the dragoness. "No harm will happen to him." Kyndle looked at the man somewhat puzzled. She snorted once in his

direction and sat down again and watched hesitantly the tense training. "Come again!" roared Torben at his

apprentice. Roland

stood up clumsily and looked rather

exhausted at his

teacher. Indeed,

but then as he was told and ran again to the

hunter. Again a swift blow to the chest, a handle

on the shoulder and "Peng".

Once again, the apprentice

was on the ground. Easy coughing he was

lie breathing heavily.

Kyndle shrugged again. How much she

would now went to Roland.

But she remained in

place. Aaros

glanced briefly to the

dragoness and smiled slightly to himself. "I suggest we take a short break." said Aaros. "What? Now?" Torben bleated easily. "But if you say so." He lowered his hands and turned away from Roland. Kyndle

looked a bit skeptical at Aaros. This nodded to her once, after which she immediately stormed

to her companion. Roland sat up exhausted, but was thrown right back of an

orange-red female dragon

to the ground. She licked him gently on

the cheek

and nudged her nose against his, followed by a soft "Chirp". Then she sniffed everywhere

where Roland

was hit. The young man put a hand to her cheek and looked into the bright

turquoise glow of her

moist eyes. What drew her a gentle purr.

The eyes shortly closed, she nestled her head closely approached Roland's chest. "It's okay little one." Roland began softly and clasped her in his arms. "Is not so bad as it looks like." He stroked her lightly on the

head. "She has against him a strong protective instinct." said Aaros, who observed the two. "This could still turn out to be little problem." interjected Torben. "We'll see." said his colleague and turned to the training weapons. He took

one of the wooden

swords in hand and looked seriously at Torben.

"Please be polite." With a smile on his face he gave him the wooden weapon.

Cleverly caught his friend on the

training sword. "I do always." he added in amusement. Aaros nodded with a smile once and took the second sword from the table. He walked

over to Roland

and Kyndle. In addition to the two he stopped and nudged Roland with the pommel of the wooden weapon. "The break is over." began Aaros. "So. Get up." Kyndle went down a bit hesitant of Roland

and let him get up. Tired of, the young man stood up and grabbed the training sword. Torben swung his weapon sent around in front of him. Then he turned to Roland. Ready for battle, he looked at his disciples and raised his hand. He gestured to

him to attack

him. Roland looked thoughtfully on the wooden weapon in his hand and turned his eyes briefly

after Kyndle.

This had sat down again to her place next to the training area and looked at him a bit skeptical. He turned to his teacher and exhaled heavily. Roland hesitated for a brief moment before he walked

up to Torben.

With a loud roar, he swung over to the beat. Torben looked at the young man dumbfounded and lowered his weapon.

"What should that?!"

he asked him dumbfounded. Roland stopped his attack abruptly when he saw the reaction of

the teacher. "But,

but ... I should."

"No! You should not." Torben interrupted

him. "Spare your breath for the attack. You can cut down nobody with a roar." said the teacher. "But .." "But nothing." he said again in between. "There is a saying. Dogs that bark do not bite." He went back to fighting stance against the apprentice and

raised his wooden weapon. "So I suggest you stop barking and start biting." Roland swallowed once empty and looked thoughtfully

at the ground.

Once inhaled sharply he turned

back upright and made ready for battle. Again he charged toward the teacher, this

time without the roar.

He swung the weapon down from above, what Torben could counter with ease. The wooden swords met, just before the weapon of the teacher hit Roland`s right hand. The student let

fall his training sword on the ground. Torben stood beside Roland and held the dummy

to his throat. "And

dead." he said with a sarcastic tone. Kyndle shrugged literally in Roland's

direction at the sight, but she could hardly suppress.

The teacher gave her a serious look at, but what she

countered with

an equally serious facial expressions. "Well, again from beginning." said Torben while he placed himself again in front of his student. Thoughtful glanced Roland the training weapon on

the ground. One moment later he picked

it up again

and turned back to Torben.******  "Sounds like a hard training."

drove a listener into the story. "You could say that." replied Roland, rubbing his right hand back. "The first few days were literally a hell for me." he continued. He was

nudged from an orange red female dragon. Smiling,

he paused for a

moment. "Yes,

for Kyndle it was

not easy either." he

added as

he slowly turned his gaze back to his

dragoness. He stroked her gently on the

head while he looked at her, what her drew a soft purr. "Anyway, took me Torben quite through the wringer. The first few weeks were

marked by sword

fight training, archery and almost endless running trails around the grounds of the estate." Absorbed in memories he raised his forehead high with closed eyes. "Aaros has only watched

during this time, just occasionally leave a comment

or two." "But you said that both were your teachers?" asked the audience curious. "It was that way." said Roland. "Torben was the fighter of the two. And Aaros was

more the magician.""And how was it with

him?" hacked

the listener again. "Well." Roland began thoughtfully. "As I said. Initially he did

nothing." "Nothing?" asked another confused. "He was during the training always there, but just watched

silently. It was strange. Whatever. Torben was... "******  Torben was pleased to make a varied training every effort. Not only the exercise bouts, but also the running training, as well as hunting in the forest were important ingredients in it. The first hunt was a sort of revelation for Roland. Torben

sent him to the widow forest in the north of Ironwing.

Kyndle was of course one of the party. Armed only with a bow and his dragoness

in tow, he walked uncertainly under the thick canopy of leaves above. His teacher gave him the task to hunt a deer and bring it home. He

told him also,

if he should

not bring one, he had to just watch over the dinner. As a little incentive. After an hour of fruitless strip wandering, Roland sat slightly annoyed at one

of the many trees, the bow he leaned

closer to the trunk. Reduced downcast head he breathed

out heavily.

"How can I find a deer in this big wood easily?" He complained softly. Kyndle sat down in front of him and looked at him a

bit puzzled, a questioning

"Chirp" she added. Roland raised his brow and found his views in two

shiny blue eyes. The small turquoise

edges stood out from them and drew him a brief smile."Have you an idea, how we can speed up this

thing?" he asked

softly. The female closed cooing her eyes and came closer to him. Gently she rested her forehead against his. A low murmur came from her. Roland felt something in himself.

It was strange, as would awaken something in his body to life. Startled, he breathed in and out frantically. The image before his eyes began to flicker and the ambient

noise participated in

an uncomfortable volume. Then followed a brief moment of silence and the image

seen disappearing

into a black veil.

As the light gradually came back he could

not believe his eyes."That's me!"

he said, surprised when he saw himself in the

eyes. The own voice sounded strange somehow from that perspective. But that was not the only weird. The

look confused

distributed around he saw

between the sheets ceiling through a small shadow ascend. The sharpness of the first faint outline rose and seemed to

come closer. But

he did not come to him, Roland's view simply approached to the dark shadow. He could see the bird razor sharp in the sky. Even the wing beats were

clearly heard in his ears. Inhaled through the nose, drove in dozens

of odors

through the head. Plants, animals, a human and a dragon. Nothing was hidden from the precise sense

of smell. The look thrown back on his image he heard faint breath sounds, which were accompanied by a faint cooing. This seemed to come from within. At that moment, something clicked. He considered himself

just by Kyndles

eyes. It was her sense that he could

obtain. He

was a part of her feeling, their flair. But she was still herself, with her actions and her will. He acted

only as a

spectator. The image became increasingly blurred, and one more black moment he saw

the orange red female dragon in front of him. Her eyes half closed shone a short turquoise shimmer of the

deep blue pupils.

Roland held the dragon lady

a hand to her cheek. "Unbelievable everything you get with." he said

softly to her,

accompanied by a warm

smile. The female closed her lids quite softly and began to

purr while

she slightly leaned against his hand. Roland felt her close deep in his soul. But it seemed noticeably

stronger to him, just as he

would have a better access to her. He opened his eyes dreamy and made with his companion eye contact. A turquoise glitter later, he cast a quick glance at the bow, which was inspired by the

tree. With renewed courage he grabbed

the weapon and slowly stood up. Kyndle cooed softly to her

companion during

these straightened up.

He saw the female with

a smile. "On

a new one?" he asked with a grin. A loud and affirmative "Churr"

was the answer to the question, followed by a deep cooing from her throat. Roland was preceded further into the forest. Kyndle closely followed him at his

heels. Suddenly

he stopped. From the bushes ahead came a rustling noise. Kyndle lifted her head against the bushes and sniffed curiously

into the

air. Roland held up an open hand to side. "Wait, I ....." But the female made a sudden spurt in the

lower leaves wall. It rustled

and crackled loudly in the

trembling bushes.

Roland sat up and watched with a smile the undergrowth. Between the snorting of the dragoness also broke out loud beeper.Roland took a big step onward the bush and cleared his throat loudly. Then the brush was suddenly silent. After a short jumpy break, a small squirrel jumped out between the leaves. Shortly thereafter soared an orange-red dragon head out of the bushes. Two blue eyes sparkled out of it, accompanied by a playful "Meep". The female stretched teasing her tongue out

of the mouth. Roland

looked up at the bright gleam of her blue pupils and held a finger

to her nose.

Kyndle snorted against his hand and purred softly."When it comes to hunting, you have to be quiet little one." he said in a whisper and looked her straight in her

beautiful dragon

eyes. The dragoness slowly closed her lids and cooed softly.

Then she jumped out

of the bushes

beside her companion. With a nod and a soft "Churr" she answered him. Roland knelt before her, always gazing into her pupils. "Let's try it again." He held a finger

to her mouth. "So, Shhht." he hissed

softly. The female cooed softly and nudged her companion slightly with the nose. The young hunter stood up again. Inhaled a deep breath, he closed his eyes and concentrated on the new access to his companion. He felt the keener sense of his dragoness and heard a lot

of noise in

the shadow of the tribes. The smell of a deer was in the air, not far from them in distant. Roland

turned to Kyndle. "Do you smell that?" he asked her, smiling. The female rolled her eyes slightly and nodded then

cooing about. After a shortly hunt, the two found fresh tracks in the mud. The smell of the deer had become stronger and resistant to a

clearing stood

the loot eventually. A faint light invaded through the canopy and fell like a light curtain on the

deer down.

None of the lurking hunters realizing the cloven held

his head above the

green place

lowered. Roland held an arrow ready on the string and threw a

quick glance over

his guard. The deer raised his head and looked slightly startled around nervously. The young hunter pulled his face back frantically and looked seriously

at his companion. The dragoness look

at Roland with obliquely down held the head, but did not make a sound. He

thought to himself how he could

best get the prey

and went in thinking

some scenarios. Kyndle lowered her head and disappeared with

fast and silent steps in the thicket. Roland saw the females

after slightly

skeptical, but then turned back to the

deer. The bowstring slightly tense he breathed

out. Eyes closed,

he got ready for his shot. "You can that." he muttered

softly to himself. The ambient noise fell into the background as Roland

opened his eyes slowly. Gazing determinative forward, he stretched forth the bow and sat up there.

Held a finger to the arrow, met

his eyes on the target. The young hunter took a step to the side in order to have

a clear shot. But a cracking

road under his feet startled the prey. The deer looked at Roland, who taught still his bent bow to

him in a

panic. For a brief

moment the silent glances of hunter

and prey met.The cloven made an attempt to escape and jumped to the side. Roland followed the animal and before it

had disappeared in the bushes he left the bowstring going. The feathered projectile

jumped the deer behind the thicket. The loud whine, which invaded out of the bush confirmed the hit. Roland ran after the prey. After

he had crossed

the bushes he saw the limping deer, which continued his panic escape. The arrow of the hunter put the deer

in the rear left thigh. This has slowed the beast indeed, but passed it could

not keep up with it from Roland. The young hunter attacked the quiver. A new arrow packed, he sought his target again, but only looked at

numerous logs and bushes. No noise

remained. "Damn!" Roland mused to himself. The loot was gone. Dejected, he lowered his eyes to the front. "If not, you got to watch while the others eat." With a sarcastic undertone the words of his teacher echoed in his head again. Rustling noise attracted his attention forward. Stretched the arrow in

the tendon he walked

toward the origin of

the noise.

Observing the dense undergrowth, he pointed his weapon out. Surprised, he took a big step back as he

leapt the wounded animal. The deer threw the hunter order while trying to escape and ran away from

him. Roland

lay on his back, turned around and looked lying behind the refugee. Suddently, an orange

red dragon sprang from the thicket towards the deer. Kyndle buried her black claws into the flank of the animal and grabbed her

prey with the jaw

in the neck. The taste of fresh blood on the tongue let her instinct

rise. The pupils

contracted to narrow slits, came a deep and loud growl from

her body. The

clearly audible crackling between her powerful jaws let the panic twitching of the deer limp. Beaten the fangs in

the prey remained the female strongly

snorting a brief moment in this position. Roland was still lying on the ground. Slightly shocked, he looked at his companion. He clearly

felt her heartbeat.

It was an incredible impression. This noise, the ecstasy, it was like he tasted the

blood on his own

tongue. Kyndle left slowly from the hunted deer and sat down next

to it. She licked her

bloody lips clean and then threw a satisfied "Meep" to her companion. This had now got up

and stood next to the prey. Still

slightly shocked his gaze to Kyndle.

This looked at him as usual with her innocent blue eyes, accompanied by a bright turquoise shimmer. "Was that now really the same Kyndle?" thought Roland. The female took a step towards him and nudged cooing with her nose against his. An affirmative "Churr" she added. Roland

closed his eyes with a smile, then he looked

at the lying deer.

"Now we don`t

have to watch." he said, amused at his

dragoness. The female sent another turquoise spark in his

eyes and stroked

purring with her head past his face. He held

her head with both

hands and

gently pulled him in front of his. Again their eyes crossed. The female dragon snorted

at her companion slightly, followed by a quiet purr. Roland stroked her with one hand gently on the cheek. With closed lids they pressed the

forehead against each

other and

enjoyed the quiet moment after their first hunting. "Will you carry it or should

I?" he asked,

amused, always holding up the contact. Hilariously he smiled.

A condescending snort was her answer. ......  Over the

time, significant

changes were noticeable. The hard weeks of combat training began to bear fruit. Roland was stronger, smarter

and more persistent.

Longer running routes now he brings effortlessly behind. His skill with the sword could also be seen. And dealing with a bow and arrow are decorated with many successful hunts, where Kyndle was not entirely disinterested. The former dragon hunters had settled well in Ironwing.

Torben became friends with the guards and had also found

a good rapport with Koris. Mainly because they had both survived the battle of Sorlacom,

from the time of the Hunters War. Aaros still limited to short instructions and tips during the training. He made it also, that the wordless Conrad

elicit some

sentences. Conrad's collection of books included many textbooks from the school of magic. Aaros showed great interest in these works. He spoke

at length with

him about it. Conrad had a strong sense of the magic. Unfortunately for him, he possessed

not to have an access to it. What had not prevented him

from studying

it. As then

came also a magic caster as a teacher on the

property it

sparked his curiosity again. Cathrine was also a little looser with the trainers. What it changed

nothing to get her suspicious glances upright. But she was always aware of the progress of Roland.

She talked occasionally with Aaros about it. ......  Some day

later in the

afternoon, Roland

stood on the training ground in front of a straw doll, which he already

worked with several blows. His draconic companion

watched him as always cheerful about it. Torben came with Aaros from the barracks. Slightly annoyed, he went ahead. "If Tim wants to give me

something to calm again." He lifted a clenched fist. "Then I wipe him his grin from

the face."

Aaros raised an eyebrow and looked at his

colleague skeptical.

"Maybe he's right?" he said soberly, accompanied by a faint smile. Torben paused, brow lowered exhaling forward. A wide grin was reflected in his

face. Shaking his

head, he

went on. Once on the training pitch he threw a searching glance to his pupil. Roland's powerful blows shook the dummy by

literally while he had an idea. He nodded Aaros smile. This quietly replied his gesture and walked beside Kyndle.

Kept his hands on his back, he stood there and looked at the lesson.

He cast a quick glance at the female beside him. This also looked at him. A silent nod later, she went

back to

the training ground. "How about if we make

the whole thing a little more interesting?"

said Torben to his student. A faint smile graced his face as he looked at him demanding. Roland turned away from the manikin and

looked at his teacher questioning. "Interesting?" he

asked skeptically. "What do you think of a fist fight?" he spoke. Roland drew his brows questioningly. "A melee exercise?" he asked.

Torben waved his head. "No training. A regardless

fight this time." he gave his students a dodgy

look. "How about?" he asked him encouragingly. Thoughtful Roland threw a skeptical eye to Kyndle,

she looked at him a little confused and cooed softly. His teacher seriously viewing he began

to smile. "Why

not." he replied determinative. Torben turned sideways to him and raised his fists ready to fight. With one hand he waved him toward you. "Well

then." he added.

Roland shook his arms and danced loosening

up on the spot.

"So here we go." he said, his head tilted to the side briefly. Torben lifted a finger.

"One more

thing." he began determinative. He waved

his hand

to the orange red

dragon. "She

must disappear here

during this." he continued seriously.

Kyndle threw out an unsafe "Chirp"

in the round. Roland looked at his teacher skeptically. "Why?" he asked.

Torben took a breath while looking at the dragoness. "It

can get a little rough carry and I know that she

has a strong urge to protect you." He turned back to his student, his gaze earnestly into his eyes. "I'm not an idiot. I know what such a protective instinct can do, and I am not in the mode for that.""So?" he said, pointing with his head to the

female. Kyndle took a few steps toward her companion and gave him a

protesting "Meep"

in front of the feet. According snorting she looked at him directly. Roland looked back a little perplexed. He did not even pronounce the words. The dragon lady

knew only through his eyes. Slightly out of tune she drew together

her eyelids and showed him for a brief moment her

teeth, accompanied by

a patronizing

snort. Roland took a step toward her, but Kyndle turned

with head tilted away from him. The otherwise bright turquoise spark he was looking for in her

last look in vain. She made a few quick steps away from him and then jumped

with a powerful set in the

air. Elegant spread the wings she flew with a few strokes over the garden across to the

narrow terrace of his room. Thoughtfully, he watched as she disappeared into the door. It felt strangely empty in his heart at this moment. He set out to have

just made a mistake the weak charge. Aaros looked at him soberly. "No panic. She will understand it." he began quietly. He looked

up at the terrace.

"Give her just a little time." he added encouragingly. "Good! Where were we?"

threw Torben a fight.

Roland was a bit scattered back from his thoughts and looked a

little perplexed at

his teacher. "Um,

yes. Right." he replied hesitantly, before he went into his attack position. ......  Kyndle landed on the narrow terrace and cast a sad

look back

on the training ground. Why he did not

want to have

her there? With this question in mind she watched her companion for a short while and then walked

through the open door

into the room. The female marched across the great carpet and jumped on

the wide bed. Slightly confused she lay down on the mattress, her head thoughtfully on her

paws. Torben's words swirled around in her

thoughts. What was wrong with it,

to protect him?

The eyes closed she cooed softly. He was

her imprint partner.

Nothing should happen to him. Her companion. Her Roland. Her soft cooing transformed gradually into a weak purr as she

thought of him. This

gave her a pleasant feeling in the body. A faint scent filled the room. Kyndle breathed in through the nose and registered her

own smell. The head stroking over to the mattress she sniffed the

linen cloth. Roland`s smell was still clearly present. Lazy she rolled over in the

bed linen. Curled into a red-orange ball she thought no more about it. Why she found it so

difficult to show him

her true feelings. She had numerous occasions, but always it

was something or someone in between. Was that a sort of a sing? Shouldn`t she have such feelings? But still she felt that way. This emotion was so undeniably present, such as the connection to her companion. The nose buried in Roland's pillow, Kyndle made a decision. She wanted to show him her feelings when he should

come through the door. Nothing would stop her this time. ......  The sun announced with the reddish glow, which it threw the evening at the horizon. Two men fought on the site of the barracks a

bitter fist fight."Urgh!" With a lot of momentum Roland landed on his back. Coughing, he straightened

up and held

a hand to his chest. Torben turned back upright and wiped the blood from his lower lip. "Hmm! Not bad kid." he said, praising his student. A

wide grin

graced his face. Roland stood facing him bent and breathed in and out exhausted. "I'm still not finished!" Threw

this one decisive and

began once more rush to his teacher. Struck out with his right arm to beat, he took a step toward him. Torben countered the attack and attempted a counter-attack,

which was defeated by Roland. The arm of his

teacher clinging

he looked at him seriously. Chuckling, Torben saw at his student and

simultaneously pulled his head back. With a muffled bang his forehead hit hard on Roland`s.

The apprentice let the moment go his

grip and stood

for a moment dazed. Long enough for Torben to

place a hit in

the stomach of his opponent. Roland collapsed heavily exhaling and coughing remained

kneeling on the ground.

Squinting he groaned painfully. Torben stood up in front of him and looked at him satisfied.

"Now you're finished." he said, breathing heavily. Aaros step closer to the two. "That`s enough for today." he spoke,

nodding to his

colleague once. Roland had his head facilitates backwards traps. He breathed

in and out as he let the painful cramping in his

abdominal region subsided. "A break would be perfect!" he thought aloud. Exhausted, he sat up and looked at his

teacher tired. "Go wash yourself and rest." began Aaros and patted him once

on the shoulder. "We have a lot to do tomorrow." he added and went back to the barracks with Torben. Roland dragged himself to the front door of the property, where the door was opened by Sasha. The tired look of the older butler looked searchingly the exhausted man. "A cooling jacket would be perfect for this rounding on the forehead." He pointed primarily to the bump on Roland's face, which he had

received from Torben.

Roland closed his eyes exhaling once and went over Sasha to the staircase. Before

the first stage he stopped and held up a

hand to the

side, as a sharp pain shot through his body. Torben's last strokes were still their effect. With a slightly twisted face he looked at the steps. Sasha walked up behind him and leaned his

upper body

slightly forward. "Shall I help the Lord to climb the staircase?" The butler asked politely. Roland smiled slightly as he

exhaled. The

serene attitude of Sasha

made his remarks amusing a lot more.Roland clung with one hand on the railing and raised the first

stages. "Will

you be present at the evening meal?" asked the butler further. The young man paused. "No. Not today." he answered wearily and limped up the

stairs. ......  Aaros and Torben joined the others in the dining room. By now everyone was accustomed to their stay. "That was perhaps a little too much of a good thing?" Catherine asked the hunters. "Too

much? Or probably just right?" he replied easily amused. However, his grin twisted abruptly when Catherine met his look. Torben choked on his first bite and coughed a

few times to himself.

"I wanted to

say. He is making a good progress." he began after he had recovered. "And then I thought, why not even a dance

regardless." He looked hesitant to Catherine,

who had her piercing gaze still directed at him. "But I assure you. He was

never really in serious danger." The lady blinked once and then turned back to her plate. "We'll see." she added shrug. "How exactly does the further training look like? As far as I've noticed it, Roland had

only combat training." Aaros raised his eyes upward and turned to the mistress. "The teaching in magic, we will take in attack

tomorrow." he

said soberly.

"The magic requires a certain physical and mental resilience. And after what

I saw today, I have

come to the conclusion

that he is

ready for the first lesson." he explained. "Would it be okay if I could

be aside the lesson?" Conrad asked suddenly in the

round. Catherine

widened surprised her eyes. "Why that?" she asked skeptically. Aaros smiled with closed eyes. "I have no problem with that, provided it is right for your mother." replied the magician, and sent a serene look to Catherine. The lady turned to her son. "We'll talk about that privately." She said to him determinative. Grimacing grumpy he lowered

his head again

over his plate. "I want to be there too!" Rebecca called across the table. "We absolutely need small flags for the fan club." Timmy

said to himself, grinning at Daniel.

This kept shaking his head a hand to his forehead. ......  The dinner was left somewhat up to

the many questions to

be allowed to attend

the magic

training. Torben and Aaros went

back to the barracks, where they were making preparations for the next day. Conrad led still a long conversation with his mother in her study. He wanted to explain why he wants to

be there. But she did not seemed to think that`s a good idea. And Rebecca sat

angrily in her room on the bed and stared angrily

at the wall, because she got to hear a

resounding no. ...... The next morning, Tim strolled leisurely through the long corridor with the paintings. He held a piece of paper in his hand, which was given to him by Aaros.

He should give it to Roland after breakfast. But as

Roland not let look in the

dining room, and it's

been a while that the sun rose, Tim made his way to

awaken the late

risers. Stowed the little letter back in his

pocket, he raised his

arm to knock on

Roland's room door.