Master Of None

"I didn't think you would come to watch me stumble through learning a new skill. To be fair, I was trying to learn the scale step or better. But here I ended up adding natural mana and combining the other movement skills I had. They all came together in pieces to show me the way to the dance of seasons." Feeling that Current was not here to throw around the values and strength of royal dragons, Walker also relaxed slightly. 

"I see what my elder means. You are not conventional in the least. You were able to charm one of my elders so much that she personally came to tell me of your visit. I was surprised to see the letter she sent then suddenly show up. Normally I would have been full of fury to see her leave the village without permission. But after she explained I wanted to meet you myself. But stiff meetings do not mix well. I am a pure ancient water dragon. I can flow in anyways. Remaining stiff and frozen is not my way." Current felt that sharing a slight bit of himself with Walker would help their relationship. Knowing that he was willing to bend slightly made Walker feel closer to him in a way. 

"I do not mean to be rude, this is Alice. Alice, this is Current. He is a royal dragon. He came here to get a feeling for the city and decide on his stance when it comes to joining us here one day." Knowing that Walker was casually speaking to an ancient dragons was too much for Alice's mind. She was completely shocked by his attitude. She had grown up knowing that ancient dragons were brutal and powerful. Having one so calm and cool was rare and against what she had thought. 

"You are much too young to have a wife. I do not understand humans any longer. The last time I came down from my mountain to see them was when there were only small villages around. How things have changed while I train myself." There was a shallow sigh from Current while he lamented his newly found lack of knowledge. Walker and Alice were in turn embarrassed by this but did their best not to show it. 

"Ehm, well. Things are different between cultures. I know I have broken many ideals of yours by existing in the way I do. But I hope that it can bond dragons and other races. I feel that together there can be stronger futures than apart." This was in no way a lie. Walker truly felt this to the very core of his being and Current was able to sense it. 

"Hmm, very different indeed. So much so that sending my dragonkin followers here may cause a shock. They had never broken the traditions and bending in such a way may cause strife. I would like to send a younger generation. The young dragonkin are not bound by oath to us royals until they come of age. If I send some young here you may be able to help them in a way I can not." This was an additional surprise. 

"I feel like you are willing to do so because you have benefit in doing this?" Walker couldn't shake the feeling that Current was doing this for a reason. 

"Of course. Royals act with reason in everything we do. I am interested in what potential someone like you who breaks our values can do. If you did so out of evil then I would have erased you. But you do so with a purity that matches every pure elemental ancient dragon. I also remember the nature dragon before they passed on. I wish to see that again one day." The lamenting tone brought Walker right in to a new understanding of Current. He was more than just trying to see something he missed. He was searching for a feeling he had long lost. 

"But that is not what I wished to speak with you about. I wanted some time away from the other rulers you invited here before we left to defeat that scourge. I know you have seen that my champion lacks a guardian. That was a grave mistake long ago. But I can ensure that another champion does not have such a future." The conversation became much more serious and Alice wanted to flinch away. But she felt Walker's hand envelope hers and she was able to relax. 

Current saw that Walker was prepared to hear what he said and began, "Your champion and guardian have yet to bind their blood properly. The guardian is able to share some power with their champion. They are there to defend them after all. Normally the dragonkin guardian would take a single drop of blood from their champion once a year to bring them from a simple dragonkin to a higher being. It is slow and wondrous to see them grow in such a way. It makes them closer and allows them to develop skills similar to their champion"

This ritual is watched over by the royal they serve and is more than just a simple binding. It is something that connects them all at a deeper level. If this is not done then the guardian will find they are unable to grow and protect their champion and even more their royal. Do not allow this ritual to be forgotten. If you do, you will find that your champion is without a guardian. 

The weight of this warning was heavier than Walker had expected. But this was very vital information that obviously came from experience. There was nothing but good intention from Current. He was there not just to warn Walker but to protect a champion from the pain he had witnessed. "Can you tell me more about this ritual?" Walker leaned in wanting to know everything possible. Alice felt a little out of place but stood tall next to Walker. 

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