The Dragon Knight Order (8 page)

New Arrivals

When the day had finally come for the new Knights to arrive, I woke up and headed to the mess hall. My friends were already there. It had become a habit ever since we started hanging out again.  It was rare for the academy to accept transfer students and when they did, they were always either very powerful or already Dragon Knights. Gossip about the new students had already spread through the whole school and I was constantly bombarded with questions of when they would arrive, what they were like and if they would be joining the Dragon Knights.

“So Alex, do you think it's true that the new transfer students are going be Dragon Knights like you?” asked Daniel, a friend from the orphanage that had been selected into the commander’s branch.

“I can't really say Daniel. I mean it would be cool to have someone besides Master Shadow and I in the Sky Dome, but being a Knight can be hard sometimes. I am not sure everyone is cut out to be one.”

“It’s not so bad. You have the best dorm in the whole school. You get the best treatment and you’re also one of the strongest students. I would give up anything to be a Dragon Knight,” he replied.

“I guess you’re right. It is pretty cool when you put it that way, especially when I am strong enough to beat all of you,” I said pointing with my spoon at all my friends from the orphanage that were sitting at the table.

“Ha! You might be able to beat us, but not Adria. She's a natural and she has been training with you and that dragon. There is simply no way you could beat her, unless you have some sort of abilities that you haven't told us about,” said Daniel laughing.

“Who knows?” I said winking at Adria.

“He may or he may not. All I know is I am going to win in the examinations next week,” commented Max.

“Give it up Max. There is no way a healer can beat a Dragon Knight or a Natural battlemage. It's unheard of and in all of history only commanders and battlemages have been able to beat Knights in a one-on-one combat,” said Rod

“Like you would do any better, scribe? Besides I wasn’t counting on fighting them. Odds are they might end up fighting a Noble or each other. In the end they would be too tired to continue and it would be my victory,” said Max sounding entirely sure he was calculating everything correctly. He always had a habit of thinking he could do things, even when they were quite far from his reach.

“If only it was as easy as you say,” replied Rod.

A voice we all recognized called from the table across the dining hall. “If any of you think you’re going to win, you are all sadly mistaken. In the last twenty five years, a first year commoner like you has never beaten a first year Noble like us in the tournament,” said the ever hateful Eric.

“He's right and rumor has it that one of the transfer students is going to be a Noble
and
Dragon Knight. That means Alex won't be the strongest student within the first years, a title that should rightfully belong to a Noble. You’re going to lose at the examination next week Alex. That’s what you get for hanging out with commoners like them,” said Lester in a matter of fact tone that irritated me to no end.

I felt my anger boiling inside again. Unlike last time, I was in more control over my abilities and with Brunas, I was sure to win if I had to fight them again.  But before I could even start to gather my magic, Adria squeezed my knee and looked me in the eye warning me not to start. I let out a heavy sigh.

“We’ll see if you are right or wrong,” I calmly responded.

“What will we see?” asked Axcel standing behind Eric and Lester smiling.

“Nothing,” said Eric looking down.

“This has nothing to do with you Axcel,” said Lester standing up and leaving.

“Sigh… Those two never learn do they? Then again most Nobles never seem too,” responded Axcel.

“Thanks for making them leave Axcel,” I said, and then a thought came into my mind. “How come they are always so scared and respectful of you, Axcel?”

“Well, aside from me being a third year, the Noble families work in the same way the dragon race does. The weaker you are, the less power you hold over the rest. Elemental dragons being the weakest, followed by attribute dragons and legendry dragons being at the top. The fact I belong to the House of Dextra puts me well beyond either of their spheres of influence,” he said as he walked away.

For a Noble, Axcel had turned out to be a very cool guy. He was well mannered, always joking around and more importantly, always kept Eric and Lester in check.

The rest of the morning went by uneventfully. We didn't have any classes that day. So after breakfast I headed back up to the Sky Dome with Adria.

“Good morning Master,” we both said in unison to the giant obsidian dragon that lay lazily at the entrance of the Sky Dome.

“Good morning,” replied Master raising his giant head lazily. He had been sleeping. “You need to get ready Alex, the new students will be arriving shortly. “

“I am already ready, Master.”

“I believe you have not been to your room. You will find something new has been added and you should change into it as I find it to be more befitting of your power,” said Master smiling, if dragons could smile that is.

I ran off before he could say anything else. When I walk into my room, hanging there in my closet was the Dragon Knight black uniform. I closed the door behind me and change into it. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was so excited I could barely contain my emotions. For the first time since coming to academy, I was overflowing with happiness.

I headed back to where Master and Adria were standing. I couldn't help but smile to myself like an idiot. A small victory and a major achievement; I was now a fully fledged Dragon Knight.

“From that foolish expression, I take it you like it. I am glad Alex! You deserve it. Usually there is a ceremony to accompany your official entry into the Dragon Knights, but given the circumstances of your graduating from Dragon Dealer and the fact you're the only current Dragon Knight ascending in rank, I hope you will forgive me for not holding the ceremony.”

“Of course, Master,” I said happily.

I turned to face Adria and then I remember she didn't know what the new uniform meant. She was about to ask me, when a loud voice said, “Attention all residents of the Central Academy. We will be having a welcoming ceremony for the arrival of the Heads of the Dragon Council, Lord Vicis and Lord Lux. Also arriving with them will be the new transfer students, as well as the highest ranked member of the Dragon Knights, Lord Arthur. Please assemble at the Dragon Hold's main area in one hour.”

“Well, shall we get going then?” said Master.

“I will meet both of you when you arrive,” said Adria keeping the rules in mind. “It wouldn’t be proper for me to arrive with both of you to such an event.”

“Nonsense, Adria you are a student of mine. You might not have a deal with a dragon but you have just as much right as Alex to sit in the Dragon Knight table. You practically have been living in the Dragon Hold and Sky Dome these last two weeks that you have been training under me. I have come to see you as a pupil of mine, even more so than Alex, since you are here by your own hard work. I will have you walk and sit with us at the ceremony and I will not take no for an answer,” he said staring at her with one giant eye focused on her.

“Thank you, Master for your kind words,” said Adria beaming with pride and happiness. I couldn't help but think that if Adria had ever become a Dragon Knight she would have been by far the best one ever and I was almost jealous at how fast she had managed to bond with Master Shadow.

Adria and I walked down to the Dragon Hold’s main area while Master flew. When we got there, he introduced us to the two dragons that were there; one the same size as Master and the other much bigger.

“These are Vicis, Lord of Time,” he said expanding his left wing. “And Lux, Lord of Light,” motioning to his right.

Both Adria and I bowed down to them. It was the first time Master had used the word Lord to describe someone and I recognized the name Vicis from one of the history books in the orphanage.

“Please, no need to be so formal,” said Lord Vicis. “You may stand before us without having to bow.”

It was harder said than done, to stand straight and look at the massive bronze dragon in the eyes. It demanded courage. Its presence commanded the respect of everyone including Master Shadow and Lord Lux. There have been legends about him for a long time. The dragon that was born with the world, the first sentient creature, the Head of the Dragon Council, the Noble family whose ancestors were trained by him controls the other eleven Noble Families and now he is also the Head of the Dragon Knights. He is the embodiment of power. It is also said that he blesses all of the emperors even if they are born into the title and those he doesn’t have had short and miserable reigns. He suddenly cleared his voice to get our attention.

“And just so there are no mistakes. I am not a male dragon. I am a female. You silly humans always assume I am male because of my voice, but trust me, if you manage to live as long as I have, you will begin to sound like me,” she said. “And please do not call me Lord, Vicis shall suffice.”

I could see Master Shadow trying to contain a chuckle and fail, Lord Lux simply sighed.

 “As for me, I am Lord Lux and you shall refer to me as such. Unless you have something to say to me, I rather not be bothered by idle talk,” said the white dragon.

He then jumped and took flight pushing a massive gust of wind at us.

“Humph, looks like some dragons never change. He is still just as hateful as always, Vicis,” said Master Shadow.

“After the death of his last pupil, he had refused to meet with the Council, much less come to the academy. At least this time he decided to join us regardless of his personal feelings,” said Lord Vicis nodding her head. “At least it’s an improvement.”

“That might be so, but he still shouldn't take out his pain on others, we have all lost things dear to us,” said a very determined Master Shadow, trying to get his point across.

“I guess you are right.” She paused for a moment as if think about the subject before continuing. “Well, enough of unpleasant conversations. I believe some congratulations are in order. Alex, I see Shadow saw it fit to grant you the rank of Dragon Knight. You are the youngest Dragon Knight to actually achieve that rank, but you are not exactly done with basic training, are you? It doesn’t matter, as I am sure you will make a fine Knight, in fact I can foresee it.  Don't let the House of Time down.”

“Thank you Lord Vicis. I will try my best not to let you down.” Finding the dragon’s interest in me strange, I couldn’t have been the only Knight she had seen rise to a rank so quickly.

“Before we go to the ceremony, I think you two should be aware that Shadow asked me if we could introduce Adria into the Order though a special rank. And after giving it much thought and arguing with Lux, we came to an agreement, which will be announced during the welcoming ceremony, but I felt she should know beforehand. We will be introducing a new rank to the Dragon Riders, the Guardians. They will be a group of powerful commanders and battlemages who will train side by side to our Dragon Dealers level Knights. Once they have mastered an appropriate level of their respective branches, they will be introduced as full Guardians. Not exactly on par with a Dragon Knight but they will be stronger than the average commander and battlemage, thanks to the training they will receive from a dragon teacher. They will also be reassigned to the Sky Dome Dorm and training area. Furthermore, they will be given equal rights to that of a Dragon Knight. They will also have to submit to the Order's regulations and code of conduct. In essence, they will be a Dragon Knight without the deal.”

For once in her life, Adria was speechless. She just nodded. I found that amusing. However I couldn’t get over the feeling that the Dragon Council, including Master Shadow, was trying to get something out of letting normal humans join into the Dragon Knight Order. I pushed these suspicions aside as I went to sit down at the Dragon Knight table. As I got closer, I could see three people sitting there. One was a guy maybe in his late forties. The other two were girls, my age. The new Knights and the most senior Dragon Knight alive, Arthur Mulik, I assumed. As I approached he stood to greet me.

“Welcome, I suppose you are Alex Kerm? Well, a pointless question… only you would have that uniform on. It's a pleasure to meet you,” he said extending his hand. The moment I took it, I knew there was something wrong about him, but I couldn’t quite figure it out. I took my seat next to him as the next highest ranked Dragon Knight currently in the school and the two new students next to me.