Chapter 6
Tess
I stepped out of my suite in The Dormitory, the events of the past two days swirling in my mind. Just yesterday, I had been oblivious to this extraordinary world. Now, I stood in the heart of the Dragonne Library. Taking a deep breath, I steeled my resolve.
Today marked the beginning of my new reality.
As I wandered, the Library's enchanting presence seemed to beckon me forward. Rounding a corner, I found myself in what appeared to be a gallery. Glass cases lined the walls, each containing an assortment of magical relics. An ornate dagger caught my eye, its blade etched with intricate runes that seemed to shimmer with an inner glow.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you."
The sharp rebuke startled me. I whirled around to face a statuesque woman with piercing emerald eyes and regal features. It was Aurelia, the elf I’d met yesterday.
"These artifacts are infused with potent magic," she continued, her tone clipped. "Careless handling could unleash catastrophic consequences."
Embarrassment heated my cheeks as I quickly withdrew my hand. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean any harm. I was just... admiring their beauty."
She scrutinized me with unveiled disdain. "And what business does a human have admiring such treasures?" Her words dripped with contempt.
My cheeks flushed. "I... I was just exploring. I'm the new archivist Moriyana hired."
Aurelia’s delicate brows arched in disbelief, and a derisive snort escaped her lips. "A human? Entrusted with our most sacred knowledge?" She shook her head. "Clearly, the Grand Luminary has lost her senses in her old age."
My hands clenched at my sides. Before I could formulate a retort, however, a voice piped up from behind me.
"Miss Whittaker!" A young man hurried towards us, his youthful features etched with concern. "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
Aurelia’s gaze shifted to the young mage, her eyes narrowing further. "Ah, yes. Wesley. The bumbling apprentice. I should have known you'd be a part of this nonsense."
Wesley flushed crimson, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Lady Aurelia," he began, his voice quavering slightly. "This is Tempest Whittaker, the new human archivist Moriyana hired. I was sent to give her a tour of the grounds."
Aurelia's lip curled in distaste. "A human, working amongst our most precious artifacts and tomes?" She shook her head slowly. "Mark my words, young Wesley, this will not end well. The Grand Luminary has made a grave mistake in allowing this... this interloper to sully our hallowed halls."
With a dismissive sniff, she turned on her heel. An oppressive silence hung in the air, broken only by the faint crackle of the sconces' flames.
"Don't mind Lady Aurelia," Wesley said at last, offering me a tentative smile. "She's... well, she's not exactly fond of humans. Or anyone who isn't a high elf, for that matter." He grimaced apologetically. "I'm afraid you'll encounter more than your fair share of prejudice here."
I exhaled slowly, willing the tension to seep from my shoulders as I returned his smile. "It's alright. I expected as much, to be honest." I paused, arching a brow at him. "Although, I must admit, being called an 'interloper' stung a bit."
He chuckled, some of the tension easing from his features. "Well, you've got to admit, it's a rather impressive insult. Very... poetic."
I couldn't help but laugh at his earnest assessment. In that moment, the weight of Aurelia's disdain seemed to lift. If I could weather my mother's constant belittling, I could certainly handle a few sneers from a prejudiced elf.
"So," I said, clapping my hands together. "How about that tour you promised me? I'd love to see more of this place—the good, the bad, and the downright weird."
Wesley's eyes sparkled, and he gestured grandly down the corridor. "Well, in that case, Miss Whittaker, allow me to be your guide through the wonders and oddities of the Dragonne Library. Just try to keep an open mind—and watch your step. You never know what you might encounter around the next corner."
With a wink, he set off down the hall, and I hurried to catch up.
"So," Wesley began, "I never got a chance to properly introduce myself back there. I'm Wesley Fairchild, a telekinetic mage and intern here at the Dragonne Library."
He glanced at me, his hazel eyes alight with curiosity. "I have to admit, when Moriyana announced she'd hired a human archivist, I was a little... well, skeptical."
I arched a brow at his admission, but he hurried on before I could respond.
"Not that I have anything against humans, of course!" His cheeks flushed, and he rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "It's just... you're the first one to work here, and well, some of the others aren't exactly thrilled about it."
A wry smile tugged at my lips as Lady Aurelia's sneer flashed through my mind. "You don't say," I murmured dryly.
Wesley grimaced. "Yeah, I guess that was a bit of an understatement." He paused, his gaze searching mine. "But I want you to know, not all of us feel that way. Now that I’ve met you, I’m excited to have you here."
There was a sincerity in his words that caught me off guard, and I found myself studying him more closely. There was an earnestness about him that I found endearing.
"So, Wesley," I began, "how did you end up here?"
"Well, you see, I come from a long line of mages," he explained, his hands gesturing emphatically as we walked. "My parents were both powerful sorcerers, and they started training me in the mystic arts from a young age. But... well, let's just say I wasn't exactly a prodigy."
A rueful chuckle escaped his lips. "I was always the one struggling to keep up, the one who couldn't quite seem to master even the simplest of spells. My parents were... disappointed, to say the least."
"I'm sorry," I murmured. "I know what it's like to feel like a disappointment."
Wesley's gaze met mine, and in that moment, I saw a kindred spirit—someone who understood the sting of never being good enough.
"Anyway," he continued, clearing his throat, "when I came of age, I decided to strike out on my own. I'd heard about the Dragonne Library and its vast collection of knowledge, and I knew it was where I belonged. So, I applied for an internship, and... well, here I am."
"Well, Wesley," I said, offering him a warm smile, "I think you and I are going to get along just fine."
His answering grin dispelled the lingering shadows of Aurelia's disdain. “What would you like to see first?” he asked.
I hesitated, suddenly realizing how little I actually knew about my new workplace. "You know, I'm not even sure what all is here. I mean, I know it's a library, but..."
Wesley's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh! Of course, I forgot you're new to all this. Well, the Dragonne Library is actually much more than just a library. It's an entire complex, and most of what goes on here isn't common knowledge outside these grounds."
My curiosity piqued, I leaned in closer. "What do you mean?"
Wesley glanced around, then lowered his voice. "The library itself is just one part of the grounds. We're actually in a secluded sanctuary, protected by a major magical ward. There's a whole world hidden here."
"Like what?" I asked, fascinated.
"Well, for starters, there's dragon housing—actual dens built into a nearby mountain!," Wesley explained, his eyes shining with excitement.
I blinked, trying to process this information. "Wait, there are dragons living here? Right now?"
Wesley nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes! Plus, we have dormitories for staff and aspiring riders, guild staff housing, and even a grand dining hall where everyone comes together. It's like a small, magical city within these grounds."
"That's... incredible," I breathed, my mind reeling with the possibilities.
He smiled warmly. "So, with all that in mind, where would you like to start our tour?"
"Well, I'd love to see the dragons," I admitted. "I've always been fascinated by them."
"Brilliant! Let’s head to the Training Grouds, then!"
Wesley led me out of the grand Library building, stepping onto a well-manicured path that wound its way through the grounds. As we walked, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale of the complex. The Library, impressive as it was, was just one part of this hidden world.
We passed by the Dormitory, a large, multi-winged building that Wesley explained housed not only library staff but also aspiring dragon riders. The architecture seamlessly blended with the Library's ancient aesthetic, yet had a cozier, more lived-in feel.
Our path took us through a section of dense forest, the trees providing a natural barrier between different areas of the grounds. The air felt different here, charged with an energy I couldn't quite explain. Wesley mentioned that the forests were enchanted, adding another layer of protection to the already well-guarded sanctuary.
As we emerged from the treeline, I gasped. Ahead of us stretched a sprawling expanse of varied terrain—from flat, grassy fields to rocky outcroppings and even a clear lake in the distance.
"The Training Grounds are magically enhanced," Wesley explained as we approached. "They can be altered to create different training scenarios. See those observation posts? That's where instructors monitor the applicants' progress."
To our left, I could see the imposing structure of the Dragon Rider Guild in the distance, its luminescent stone gleaming in the sunlight. And beyond that, my breath caught as I spotted the mountain that housed the dragon dens.
"Are we likely to see any dragons?" I asked, trying and failing to keep the excitement out of my voice.
Wesley grinned. "Oh, I'd say that's a pretty safe bet. Look up there."
As I followed his gaze skyward, my heart leapt. In the distance, I could see several dark shapes wheeling through the air—unmistakably dragons engaged in some sort of aerial maneuver.
"Welcome," Wesley said, gesturing to the incredible scene before us, "to where the magic really happens."
My heart raced, a lifetime of fascination culminating in this moment. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I watched these majestic creatures, feeling a pull towards them that I couldn't explain.
Below them, dozens of figures darted and weaved across the grounds, their movements a blur as they navigated an elaborate obstacle course.
"Incredible, aren't they?" Wesley's voice was hushed.
I could only nod, words failing me as I watched a massive red dragon unleash a torrent of flames that engulfed one of the obstacles, reducing it to smoldering embers in the blink of an eye.
"Those are the Dragon Rider applicants," he continued.
I peered at the distant figures navigating an obstacle course that seemed to shift and morph with every heartbeat. Bursts of elemental magic—fire, water, earth—erupted all around them.
"It looks intense," I murmured, my respect for their dedication mounting.
Wesley nodded sagely. "The training weeds out the weak, ensuring only the most worthy form a symbiotic bond with a dragon. It's a sacred pact, one that grants the rider incredible abilities but demands the utmost integrity and selflessness in return."
As we watched, one figure caught my eye. His shock of white hair stood out against the training grounds, and his tall, lithe frame moved with a grace that set him apart from the others. He effortlessly weaved through obstacles that sent others stumbling, his pale skin gleaming in the sunlight.
"Who's that?" I asked, pointing to the standout applicant.
Wesley squinted, then his eyebrows rose in recognition. "Ah, that would be Kane Ellesar," he said, a note of respect in his voice. "Son of the Lord Protector and one of our top applicants. He's quite remarkable."
I watched as Kane deftly dodged a burst of flame, his movements fluid and purposeful. "He certainly seems to know what he's doing."
"Indeed," Wesley agreed. "Kane often helps out with other duties around the library on behalf of his father. His dedication goes beyond just the Dragon Rider training. It's that kind of commitment that sets the truly exceptional candidates apart."
I nodded, my eyes still fixed on Kane as he completed the course with apparent ease.
"How..." I swallowed hard, my throat dry with awe and longing. "How does one become a Dragon Rider?"
Wesley's expression turned serious. "It's not an easy path, Tess. Only about 25% of dragons even choose to bond with riders. The selection process is rigorous, designed to test bravery, wisdom, and strength. And even then, it's the dragons who make the final choice."
As if to emphasize his point, a young applicant below us stumbled, narrowly avoiding a gout of flame. The nearby dragon snorted, clearly unimpressed.
"The bond itself is formed through a powerful Binding Spell," Wesley continued. "It requires mutual consent and involves combining the dragon's fire with the rider's blood. It's not just a partnership—it's a lifelong connection, deeply emotional and psychically profound."
I watched as a dragon and rider executed a perfect aerial maneuver, moving in perfect synchronicity. "They seem so in tune with each other," I marveled.
Wesley nodded. "The bond enhances abilities on both sides. Riders gain strength, magical powers, and heightened senses. Dragons become more attuned to human emotions and gain a new understanding of our cultures. They even share thoughts and feelings."
"It sounds amazing," I breathed, unable to tear my eyes away from the spectacle.
"It is," Wesley agreed. "But it's not without its dangers. The bond is unbreakable, and if one dies, the other often follows. It's a huge responsibility."
Just then, a commotion erupted on the field. A dragon, massive even by draconic standards, had broken formation and was flying towards us. Its scales shimmered in the sunlight, transitioning from deep obsidian to radiant gold in a mesmerizing display. Shouts of alarm rose from the trainers below.
"We should move," Wesley said urgently, tugging at my arm. But I stood transfixed, unable to look away from the approaching dragon.
As it drew nearer, I felt a strange vibration in my chest, a resonance that seemed to echo through my very soul. The dragon's eyes, shifting between molten lava and soothing amber, locked onto mine.
For a moment, the world fell away, and I felt a connection so profound it took my breath away. The play of light across its scales, from the deepest black to the brightest gold, seemed to mirror the conflicting emotions surging through me—fear, awe, and an inexplicable sense of recognition.
Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the dragon veered away, rejoining its group with a mournful cry that seemed to pierce my heart.
"Tess?" Wesley's concerned voice broke through my daze. "Are you alright?"
I blinked, coming back to myself. "Y-yes," I stammered, my heart still racing. "I'm fine. That was just... intense."
Wesley studied me closely, a strange expression on his face. "Indeed," he murmured. "Perhaps we should continue our tour elsewhere."