Draco stood staring at the door for a good while. Perhaps it really was too much for him in one day. Finally, he went to the window and opened it. A fresh, pleasant breeze blew in from the afternoon wind. The dragon took a deep breath, almost tasting the air, which was different from what he was used to. The Dagian air was permeated with the smell of rivers, alchemical fumes, forges and oriental goods. Sometimes a sea breeze would overlap all of this, although the weather had to be right for that. Atlantis, on the other hand, smelled of salt, though different from the dragon capital, a bit like a spring storm without rain, a mixture of the scent of flowers, trees and grapes. A strange, yet fresh and pleasant smell.
Here, however, it smelled like a forest. Only and just that. Draco took another deep breath. For a moment, all thoughts flew away and worries disappeared. There was only this moment.
The dragon unconsciously opened his half-closed eyelids. He looked around the garden. Right under the window was a flower bed with irregularly growing flowers. Quite a bit further away, behind the neatly trimmed lawn, stood tall, spreading trees.
Without thinking much, Draco jumped out of the window and landed among the bushes. He carefully avoided the plants, trying not to damage them, and slowly made his way across the yard. About halfway to the trees, he looked around. The dragon did not notice anyone nearby. It seemed that all local life was concentrated in front of the manor and in the vicinity of the outbuilding. On the other hand, it was hardly surprising. The specific rules prevailing here imposed certain restrictions.
The dragon turned his attention to the forest, or rather the park, considering the evenly cut grass between the gnarled trunks. Someone must have put a lot of effort into keeping this place in such impeccable condition. There was not a single withered leaf on the ground, no trace of weeds or wild shrubs anywhere. Draco looked up into the treetops, searching for the birds he had heard earlier. To his disappointment, he did not spot any, but he did locate some really sturdy boughs hidden among the higher branches.
The tranquillity of the place made the boy relax for the first time in a long while. The murmur of the wind, the warm rays of the sun, the distant birdsong, all had a soothing effect. The dragon yawned loudly. The fatigue he had ignored while preparing for his exams finally found an opportunity to strike. He yawned again. He looked longingly at the only open window, remembering the simple bed, but the feeling of stuffiness inside also came back to him. Draco looked at the sun through the leaves.
-It's not that late yet.- He muttered, perhaps trying to convince himself.
A stronger gust of wind swayed the branches, drawing the reptile's gaze to a sturdy bough.
-A moment won't hurt. - Draco assessed the aged tree trunk with his eyes, spat into his hands and took a running start to climb as high as possible. The last thing he lacked was strength, so he was almost at the top of the tree in the blink of an eye. He sat astride the branch and leaned his back against the trunk with joy.
The dragon sighed heavily. He relaxed and watched the leaves swaying lazily in the wind. After a long time, wanting to get more comfortable, he stretched his legs out in front of him and leaned completely against the tree. He slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep, a peaceful, relaxing sleep.
Darius slowly made his way towards his student's room. A little exercise had indeed done him good. As a rule, when faced with problems, he would lock himself in his office or room and try to solve them all by breaking them down into their constituent parts. It didn't matter what they were about, his feelings, financial problems or complex tasks arising from his service. He would always sit alone, thinking intensely, constructing scenarios, plans and arranging everything in order. Unfortunately, this usually only brought him more worries and frayed his nerves. However, this time it was different. He walked through the entire manor house, went to the outbuilding, visited the cellars and then the farm. In the meantime, he spoke briefly with the servants and soldiers, asking about the situation in the area and his mother's condition.
He learned a lot. The maids and cooks told him about the change in his mother's behaviour, who had begun to have throat problems more often. The medic elaborated on the modifications he had made to her medication. The housekeeper briefly recounted minor and major problems.
On the other hand, the huntsman praised the herd of does he had spotted the previous day, encouraging a small hunt. The guards mentioned something about charlatans, whom they were increasingly turning away from the gates. The gardener asked if he could get a few miznar flower seedlings, whose scent soothes the nerves and relaxes. The woodcutter, on the other hand, complained about the distance from which they had to cut down trees for firewood.
Life went on as usual. Surprisingly, this had a calming effect on the mage and dispelled his dark thoughts. He already knew very well what condition his mother was in, although he had not been told everything. Reverend Sommenfell only confirmed Darius's suspicions. Sudden worry would not change anything.
Bleist belatedly realised that he had left his student alone in a rather unpleasant way. He decided to talk to the dragon and show him around the entire estate. The boy had to keep himself busy, otherwise he would most likely return to his studies.
Darius knocked gently on the door. Silence answered him, so he knocked louder. He heard nothing from inside, so he decided to take a look. He opened the door and was immediately hit by a breath of fresh air, so different from the stuffiness of the rest of the house. The mage glanced around the room. One of the windows was wide open, and the dragon was nowhere to be seen. Bleist entered and looked around nervously. His student was indeed nowhere to be found. Slightly frightened, he approached the window. The garden seemed completely empty, as did the well-kept forest that surrounded it.
-Draco always tells someone when he goes out.- The earl muttered under his breath. He sighed heavily and leaned against the window shutter. On his way here, he hadn't encountered anyone, and as far as he could remember, the servants weren't in the habit of hanging around the manor. Darius took a few deep breaths, leaning forward. Something caught his attention: there were footprints of hobnailed boots in the freshly mowed flower beds. Someone, most likely a dragon, had jumped out of the window and walked through the bushes.
Bleist pondered. His apprentice was not the type to take risks or seek thrills. Moreover, the surrounding area was very peaceful, well guarded and safe. The manor house was a long way from the deep forests inhabited by magical beasts. The dragon was in no danger. The magician took a deep breath. He scanned the edge of the forest and the lawn once more, but saw nothing of significance.
Acting somewhat under the influence of emotions previously unknown to him, Darius followed his student and jumped out of the window. He quickly regretted it when he felt the leg of his trousers catch on the sharp thorns of one of the plants. He muttered a curse and stepped more carefully onto the lawn. He glanced once more at his student's footprints and headed in the direction they led.
The magician quickly approached the edge of the well-kept forest. Despite his best efforts, he saw no signs of anyone else's presence. Darius looked over his shoulder. He was already a good distance from the manor house.
-Draco.- He tried to speak a little louder than normal, but only silence answered him.- Draco!- He tried to raise his voice cautiously. Again, nothing. Bleist moved forward, entering the trees. He stopped after a dozen or so steps.- Draco!- He shouted into the forest.
Darius jumped when he heard something a few steps away from him hit the ground with a terrible crash, accompanied by the sound of breaking branches. He turned around, ready to cast a spell, but froze mid-motion as he watched a black dragon trying to get up and pull himself together under a nearby tree. Draco lay on his stomach, stretched out to the full length of his reptilian body, his wings standing upright. The boy shook his head fiercely, blinking his golden eyes.
-Master?- Draco yawned loudly and slowly sat up. The dragon rubbed his eyes and flapped his wings, folding them behind him. -What happened?- he muttered uncertainly.
-I think I woke you up.- Darius spotted a branch in the treetop from which his student must have fallen. It was high, very high. A human would not have made it out unscathed, but the dragon showed no signs of injury. -Are you all right?
-Hmm?- Draco looked at his master for a moment, and only then seemed to understand what was going on. The reptile quickly glanced at his wings, moved them in different directions, and breathed a sigh of relief. Then he glanced at himself, brushing off the leaves and twigs caught on his scales and spikes.-It's all right.- He finally said, getting up. He stretched and turned into a human.
-That was quite high.- Bleist restrained his urge to examine the student himself. -Are you sure you haven't hurt yourself?
-No, definitely not.- The boy shrugged. -I've fallen from greater heights and come out unscathed.- Draco yawned loudly again.
Darius bit his tongue before asking why he had fallen from somewhere. He suspected that the answer to that question would be another grim story from the dragon's life. The mage decided to change the subject before emotions got the better of him.
-It seems you like this forest.- Bleist said, glancing at the place from where the dragon had fallen.
-Um... Yes.- Draco kept yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes.- Actually, it's the first one I've been to. It's so quiet and peaceful here... Unlike in the city.
-You sound like you've never left Dagos.- Darius was a little surprised. He looked at his student, who seemed oblivious to everything around him.
-Actually, moving to Atlantis is my first trip. Before that, somehow... Well, there was no opportunity.- He shrugged.
-You never... felt the urge to see anything outside the capital?
-When I was little.- The dragon looked around the forest.- Later... I just...- Draco became embarrassed.
-If it's something personal... -Darius was surprised by his student's behaviour. Earlier, he had talked freely about what his tormentors had done to him, but now he blushed slightly and looked away.
-No, no... It's just...- The boy made a pitiful face, as if he were about to confess to some crime. -I overheard a conversation between my aunt and one of her friends once. -He mumbled a little indistinctly.
Bleist blinked in surprise, not knowing whether to say something or wait. It was strange that the young reptile was ashamed of this particular thing.
-They met at our house,- Draco continued, not waiting for a response.- You could say they met quite regularly. Of course, all my aunt's friends were always nice to me.- He blurted out suddenly, as if that was the most important thing of all. Although maybe for the dragon it was. -On that particular day, I came home a little later, quietly.- The reptile instinctively turned his head to hide his right cheek. Darius nervously clenched his fist tighter. He didn't need to ask why his student had returned later.- I didn't know we had guests, but when I heard voices coming from the living room, I pricked up my ears. My aunt and Mrs Helga were talking quite loudly.- The boy looked away again. - Madame Richter then asked my aunt if it wouldn't be better for us to leave. Preferably as far away from Dagos as possible. She even offered to take us into her home in... - The dragon thought hard, searching his memory for the name. - I forgot... I'm sure it's one of the Azgard enclaves.
A good suggestion. Darius hadn't given it much thought before, but considering the young dragon's situation, it did seem a little strange that Madame Nasua hadn't decided to move away from Dagos. Even if she had in mind Draco's education at the Academy and his dreams of a military career, something didn't add up. After all, there were many reputable military schools in the world. From a dragon's point of view, they were not as good as the one in the capital, but there were a few that could compete with it.
-Auntie, in any case, thanked her for the offer and said she couldn't. - The boy, emboldened by his mentor's lack of reaction to the mention of eavesdropping, began to speak more boldly. - Mrs Helga got upset, but she calmed down immediately when my aunt said she couldn't leave Dagos, that someone had forbidden her to do so. It seemed that they understood each other then. Later, they talked quietly, so I couldn't hear any more.-He shrugged.- Since then, I've stopped mentioning trips out of town.
Another mystery concerning Draco's aunt has just fallen into the drawer of difficult questions. Darius had already suspected that the dragoness was not as normal as she wanted to appear. Siblings in high positions, a family dragon code, a secret military past, and now a ban on leaving Dagos. It seemed that Madam Nasua's military career was much more complicated than he could have imagined. It would also be better if that was the case, because otherwise Draco would most likely have to face his family demons in the future. He probably would have to anyway. Bleist thought about the boy's family on his father's side and almost got a migraine. Maybe it was better not to try to solve problems that hadn't arisen yet. He concluded, knowing full well that he would think about possible solutions anyway.
-Your aunt must have had a really serious reason to do that. - Darius tried to smile reassuringly. - Although now we have an extra excuse to leave town at the earliest opportunity. If you like it here, you'll fall in love with the Japanese estate.- Fortunately, the last statement brought a broad smile to the dragon's face.
They spent the rest of the day exploring the estate, and after dinner, Darius decided he needed to rest. He said goodbye to his student and went to bed. Draco simply said that he would go to the forest before going to sleep. Bleist was calm about the boy, although it was puzzling how much the young dragon was drawn to the tranquillity of nature. It was not a problem, of course, but it was extremely interesting.
A quiet knock snapped the mage out of his reverie.
-Please come in - he said loudly enough to be heard on the other side of the door.
One of the maids entered the room and closed the door behind her.
-Her Ladyship requests your presence.- The woman bowed deeply and left as efficiently as she had entered.
Darius glanced at the clock and went to see his mother. He found her room from memory. Since he had been invited, he did not knock but entered immediately. Unexpectedly, a candle was burning inside, so he could see his mother a little better as she sat in a deep armchair opposite the entrance. Her ample dress covered a lot, but Bleist had the impression that the woman had lost weight. Her movements were also more sluggish, performed with even greater effort than before.
-How are you feeling, Mum?- asked the magician, approaching slowly.
-As you can see, Darius.- A slight laugh, or at least a semblance of one, brought back memories of a once smiling face with a flawless smile.- Don't make that face. I'm not laughing because I don't care about my condition, but because I've come to terms with it.
Earl bit his tongue before saying aloud that he hadn't come to terms with it. Although it would have been more accurate to say that he couldn't do it.
-I spoke to the medic...- he began uncertainly.
-I suspect he told you a lot.- His mother interrupted him quietly but firmly.- In my humble opinion, probably too much. However, it's not my health I wanted to talk about.- She pointed to the sofa opposite her.
Darius, having no choice, sat down like a scolded boy.
-Your last letter was very interesting.- Her quiet, hoarse voice had a calming, almost hypnotic effect on Bleist.- I didn't expect to live to see the day when you would take an apprentice under your wing. What's more, that you would become so attached to him and worry about him, that you would be more than willing to help. - Once again, his mother tried to laugh. - It's interesting that it's matters of the heart that cause you trouble.
- They always have, - Darius muttered. He didn't want to think about the past, but it obligingly brought back vivid memories of youthful infatuations and painful breakups. He knew very well that building a long-term relationship of this kind was, contrary to appearances, difficult, and he had no talent for it. Even the one he cared about most remained only a pleasant memory for years, only to rekindle the old passion when they met again.- You should know that best. I always came to you with this.
-Oh, Darius, Darius.- A long sigh camouflaged her attempt to catch her breath quite well.- Your heart is in the right place, you just don't know how to use it. Based on all the letters, I can say that your student trusts you deeply. I don't know the reason for this, but you don't have to worry about it. - Bleist had the impression that he could feel his mother's piercing gaze from behind her veil. - I know it bothers you that Draco is bottling up his bitterness and resentment, but you should wait. Continue to be a supportive mentor, and the boy will come to you for advice on his own. Do not try to force anything, do not pressure him. Just show him that you are there to help him at any time, and he will ask for help when he really needs it.
-Waiting...- Earl clenched his fist, almost digging his nails into his palm. -That's the hardest part. I want to say something, do something...
-And you will. Not every action has to be obvious, visible and strong. You, of all people, should know that well.
-Work and private life are two different things,- Darius retorted.
-You'd think that working in intelligence would have taught you patience.
-Maybe so, but still...
-No buts, son.- His mother shook her head slowly.- Think about what I've told you. Take it to heart. Rest, think.- Viviane Bleist slowly reached behind the arm of her chair and a soft bell rang.- Forgive me, Darius, but I'm really tired now. You need to rest too.