Catalyst(91)

Cynder shook his elongated head. “That's not it. You don't understand because—”

“I'm a human.”

“It's about time you learned that.” Cynder laughed. I didn’t even smile. He stopped and became serious again. “Dragons are the pinnacle of the gods' creations. We learn what we can in this life, and when we pass on, we ascend and become part of everything.”

“What about us humans?”

Cynder gave the dragon equivalent of a shrug. “I'm not a god or one of your priests. Maybe there is an afterlife for you, or maybe something else entirely happens to wizards.” He gave a dragon smile when he looked at my face. “Is that what you're worried about? Dying?”

“It's one of the things.”

“What are the others?”

I hesitated for a moment. Cynder might be a pain, he might make fun of me and get me into trouble, but he was also a friend. I stared into his red eyes, seeing the ancient wisdom and perspective a dragon had. I told him what I had recently told our master—my fears of not being ready, not being strong enough, of letting people down.

“That's good,” Cynder said after I was finished.

“Good?”

“Yes. Fear can push you. You, being young and a human, have a lot of fears. Just focus on one and let it guide you. Don't fail your friends. Fight for the princess.” Cynder stretched his long neck and winked. I had told him too much.

“That's it?”

“Yes.”

“But Master Stradus said—”

“Yes, yes, I know. I'm not saying to do it as a wizard. Be you. Humans can do amazing things with or without magic.”

I stood there, thinking about his words. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I couldn't worry about dying. I had to worry about my friends, and let my fears for their safety drive me to use my magic correctly.

Cynder blew smoke in my face. I coughed, trying to clear my lungs. I frowned at him. “What'd you do that for?”

“You were getting all serious on me, with that thoughtful, sad look on your face. Let's play before our master comes. It might be our last time.”

“Are you worried you might die too?”

Cynder snorted. “Hardly.” He put a talon to his chest and said, “I'm not one of you soft creatures. Don't worry, little Hellsfire, the master and I won't let you die. If anyone is going to kill you, it's going to be me.” Cynder grinned, showing off his rows of pointy teeth.

“Thanks for the advice, Cynder. I appreciate it.”

“I am a dragon. There's no wiser creature. Even wizards bow to our wisdom.” Cynder raised his tail and swung at me. The massive armored tail could have killed me, but he slowed it at the last second and gently tapped me on the head with the diamond-shaped tip. “Tag. You're it.” Cynder took off and flew over my head, heading into the other parts of the caves.

I smiled, pushing aside the thought that this might be the last time we got to play together, and chased after him.

I reached the entrance of the caves, letting the cold air wash over me. I bent over with my hands on my knees, gasping for air. That oversized dragon was faster than he appeared.

Cynder had his back to me, staring at the landscape below. He craned his long neck towards Alexandria. As soon as I recovered, I tip-toed across the snowy ground, sneaking closer to him. I had to be careful. I’d done this before and he always moved at the last second. If he did that this time, I could go falling right off the mountain. I was just about to touch his swaying tail when I was interrupted.

“Are you two ready?” Master Stradus asked. I froze. “Hellsfire, come here and take some of these potions.”

I nodded, taking the potions from him and putting them in my purse.

“Looks like today is going to be a nice day,” I said to myself, peering past the constant winter storm of the White Mountain.

“Whenever there’s warfare, it’s never a nice day,” Master Stradus said as he climbed on top of Cynder.

“Agreed,” Cynder said. “Prepare yourself, Hellsfire. Today, you will see how your race really is.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Cynder, enough,” Master Stradus said. “Let him be. I’m sure you remember what it was like the first time you went to war.”

Cynder said in a sad and quiet voice. “A dragon never forgets.”

My joy and lightheartedness from playing with Cynder disappeared. I couldn't help but imagine the fallen bodies of elves, dwarves, and humans, covered in bloody wounds. Limbs broken and twisted. Premier stood on top of the bodies, cradling the Book of Shazul in one hand. He laughed while the incredible power he held wrapped around him.