Draco took a quick bath to get rid of the sand, which was sticking to him. The cold water also helped him cool down and finally even out his tired and heavy breathing. The dragon picked up his sweat-soaked shirt and threw it into the laundry basket. He stretched and reached for a towel. He dried his hair once more, then tied the towel around his hips. Since his first steps were directed towards the bathroom, he did not take anything to change into with him. He instinctively walked out the door leading to the living room and reached for Gler'thys. Picking up his sword, he glanced at the clock and realised that he did not have much time left before dinner to change and go downstairs. Fortunately, the bath not only washed away the sweat and sand, but also gave him a pleasant feeling of refreshment and helped transform the unpleasant muscle pain into leaden fatigue. He knew that as soon as he filled his rumbling stomach, he would fall asleep at the first opportunity. As he reached for the bedroom door handle, there was a knock.
-Come in,- he replied automatically and looked over his shoulder.
The front door opened and Ari slipped through. The elf was wearing a full uniform and holding a vial in his hand.
-You're faster than Kei.- The long-eared one stated, eyeing the dragon.
-Maybe I was just more determined in this matter.
-Maybe... Knowing Kei, it's almost certain.- Ari closed the door behind him and picked up the vial.- As I promised.
-Thanks.- Draco stretched a little and grimaced, feeling what was strained and where. -It will definitely come in handy.- He added when the elf approached him.
-Bottoms up.- Said the soldier, handing the vial to the reptile.
Draco accepted the gift, smoothly uncorked it and drank it without hesitation. It was good that he did it so quickly. The taste of the potion was familiar to him, perhaps even too familiar. The bitter-salty potion, with a hint of raw fish and something he didn't even want to try to name, was indeed popular, appearing in all the alchemical workshops and shops Draco had ever visited. Well, at least the familiar taste sobered him up and promised predictable effects. As soon as the dragon took the bottle from his mouth, he felt a pleasant warmth spreading throughout his stomach and slowly spreading further and further.
-Uhhhhh...- Ari grimaced as he looked at the dragon. He certainly knew what the potion tasted like, and the mere sight of the reptile drinking it made his stomach cramp.
-It's not that bad...- Draco said through clenched teeth. -I've had worse.- He added more clearly.
-I wish Kei would take that approach.- The elf shuddered as his gaze fell on the empty vial.- Knowing him, he'll pray over it for an hour, and in the end, I'll have to force it down his throat anyway.
-Good luck. - A slightly malicious smile appeared on the dragon's face when he thought that he wouldn't be the only one forced to drink the nasty potion.
-Draco... - Ari paused as if gathering his thoughts. - Thank you, really. I know what you want to say, but hear me out first.- The dragon just nodded and exhaled the air he had taken in.- We are all grateful, you have no idea how much. You gave Kei hope that he would finally be able to control himself. And for us...- He swallowed hard.- And for us, that he won't accidentally hurt anyone during his transformation.- Ari looked around as if searching for something that would allow him to continue. - Earlier, in the basement, I didn't tell you everything. - The elf looked away. - You see, during the attack on the village, when Kei transformed for the first time... There were only two bandits in the hut. And Kei tore them both apart. Not without reason, of course, it all happened very quickly. - Long-eared walked away, his gaze still wandering slightly. - Kei is the youngest, yet he always acted as if he were the one who had to protect everyone. It was the same then. Heh... We sat huddled in the corner, and he shielded us. The bandits didn't even pay any attention to us, at least until Forth started sobbing. The bastards didn't like that. One of them came over and pushed Kei away, then hit Forth, and when he swung again something snapped in Kei. He transformed with a roar and attacked the thug. As I said, Kei tore them both apart. Only then... then he was still in a rage.- Ari slumped into one of the armchairs, and the dragon, listening intently, sat down opposite him, carefully placing his sword beside himself. - He leapt towards us... - The elf pulled back his collar, revealing a nasty, jagged scar. - I wanted to shield Vi and Forth... As I slid down the wall, a shot rang out... It was fired by the old woman who was looking after us, using a weapon that one of the bandits had. She shot Kei in the stomach, but it was enough to distract him. Fortunately, the door opened and a third bandit appeared in the doorway. I've already told you the rest. Afterwards, I told Kei that one of the thugs had done it to me...- He covered up an old wound.- During our training in Wales... Kei lost control of himself several times... As we said... He also badly injured a few older cadets... Fortunately, nothing really serious... And we're hiding that from Kei too... We were afraid that if he knew, he would try to run away or withdraw even more into himself.- Ari fell silent, staring at his hands.
-Why did you decide to tell me this?- Draco asked very quietly.
-I honestly don't know...- The elf raised his slightly absent gaze. -Maybe I needed someone to listen to me, and you're the perfect person for that. Or maybe I decided you had a right to know the whole truth...- He sighed deeply. -I don't know why I said it, but I know I feel better now. Thank you, Draco, for everything.
-You're welcome.- That was all the reptile could muster, not knowing what to think.
-I have to go now, because I'm about to start my shift at the courier office.- The elf stood up and quickly made his way to the door.- See you tomorrow.- And he was gone.
Draco sat for a moment, staring at the door and pondering everything he had heard about Kei now and before. Finally, he just shook his head, deciding that there was no point in dwelling on the past and that he needed to focus on what was happening now.
-Next time, he could at least let me get dressed before sharing such heavy memories...- he muttered under his breath as he got up and picked up his sword. Since he was supposed to focus on the present, the clock had just announced that dinner was starting.
Draco woke up quite late, at least for him. The light of the crystal suspended above the city was already dispelling the shadows of the night. He stretched and sat up on the edge of the bed, yawning widely. As he had expected, there was no trace of muscle pain or the feeling of tension in literally everything. Satisfied, he got up and went to put on his exercise clothes.
Dressed and with his sword at his side, he went out into the living room. The clock showed a quarter past six, so a group of soldiers must have been getting ready to start their exercises. It had been over a month since the dragon had been participating in morning training sessions, which took various forms, almost every day. There were frequent fights with and without weapons, but there were also strength and endurance training sessions, as well as sessions focused on honing the basics of weapon use. Draco happily participated in all of them. At first, the soldiers did not know how to behave in his presence, but after a few days they began to treat him like another guard, although during this time it was very rare for him to train with the same people. Not counting Ari, Vi, Forth, and Kei, who most often accompanied the dragon on trips to the city, so their duty schedule largely coincided with his activities. Considering that six hundred soldiers were permanently stationed at the estate, he really had no chance of meeting everyone in just one month. The exception was the officers and non-commissioned officers who conducted the training. Apart from Lieutenant Trace, only four other senior officers supervised the exercises.
Draco quickened his pace, not wanting to be late. On the way, he asked a butler he passed in the main hall to send someone for him before breakfast. When the dragon arrived at the training ground, the soldiers were already gathering, and Lieutenant Eghart was walking among them. Draco quickly made his way over to him.
-Good morning, young master.- The officer greeted him with a smile, as usual.
-Good morning.- Draco stood next to the lieutenant.- Could I also take part in the exercises?- He asked this question every day and still believed that he should wait for permission each time.
-Of course, please do.- Trace looked the dragon over.
-Is something wrong?
-No, of course not.- The lieutenant, however, did not stop looking at the boy.- It's just that yesterday morning I saw Ari and Cassius, and today Kei, and I didn't expect to see the young master in such good shape.- It was difficult to tell whether the man's voice was tinged with admiration or slight disbelief.
-If they trained a little with the dragons, they would be in better shape.- Draco muttered, not very quietly. The comment elicited a few sincere smiles and amused snorts.- I think I'm just used to more physical exertion.- He said louder, shrugging his shoulders.
-In that case, we'll have an opportunity to test that claim.- Trace smiled more broadly.- Today we'll focus on endurance.- The muffled groans of the soldiers did not bode well.- So, let's get started.
Draco nodded and, following the example of the guards, unfastened his sword from his belt, stepped aside and placed Gler'thys next to the soldiers' weapons. The dragon stretched and began to warm up. As this was an opportunity to test his endurance, he was quite pleased. His exercises with Kei had shown him that he had work to do.
-Let's begin...- His thoughts were interrupted by the lieutenant's voice.