The sun was making its trip down the horizon when Damien and Dorin returned to the burrow. Horatio had already left with Azra. Damien shared a supper of roasted venison with Dorin, and then left after a session of story telling.
“Still not waking up?” Dorin nudged Seb. “I bet you would have loved to see the things I saw today... and the stories Damien told me... but I guess, being a student here, you already know most of that stuff.” He looked at his companion and placed a fur blanket over him which the other kicked off. “Let’s talk lots when you wake up.” he said, placing the fur back. “So hurry up and wake up.”
The next morning, Horatio was waiting for Damien at the mouth of the small cave, his hoof pawing the ground as he came near.
“You took your time yesterday,” he said to the groundskeeper.
“We had a little lesson,” replied Damien. “It seems Dorin’s mother have taught him the song of aerials, but pronounced the words wrong,” Damien explained irritably. “Now it’s proving hard to correct his diction.”
“Well?” the centaur asked, “Is he worth it?”
“He is powerful. A genuine Golden Child. But he needs work. A lot of work.” Damien sighed, covering his face with his hands as he sat on a small mound beside the burrow. “His mother tried to teach him, but ended up muddling him instead,” he looked up at Horatio through the gaps between his fingers. “She had almost corrupted him.”
“Then, that means...”
“No worries.” Damien cut him short, “He takes after his father. His goodness is second nature. And I thank the gods for that.” Another sigh. “But there are so many things we need to teach him. And soon.”
When Dorin woke up, the first thing he noticed was the pale child lying on top of Sebastian. She was giving off a soft glow as she stared at Seb’s sleeping face
“Um...” Dorin said in a low voice, “Is it okay to lean on him like that?” he asked, “Didn’t he just break a couple of ribs?”
Azra stared at him, her red eyes contrasting against her white face. “I am light as a feather, Master Dorin,” she answered, “I would never hurt my Liege.”
“Well, if you say so...” Dorin hesitated, “How is Seb, by the way?”
“Recovering.” Answered the caladrius. “It may take another day before all the pain is taken away.”
“That’s good to know... by the way, I want to thank you for healing me too...”
“No need, Master Dorin. It is my duty and my pleasure to serve my master’s bond.”
“Please, don’t call me master,” Dorin said, “I’m not used to such honorifics... I’m merely bonded to Seb by friendship and brotherhood, but that does not make me your master...”
“You helped my liege in his distress, that makes you my master.” At this, the young girl started to bow at Dorin who raised her up frantically.
“Stop that!” he said, noting how light Azra really was. “I could hardly do anything for Seb,” he blushed, “it was you who have brought him back from certain death...” he bowed his head instead, facing the caladrius who looked at him with her head tilted. “I am the one who should thank you for saving Seb’s life,” he insisted. “Thank you, Azra.”
“Azra.” Horatio called from behind them. “You should release that pain before it affects you.”
The young girl nodded and turned once more into her bird form before it flew out of the cave entrance. Horatio then faced Dorin.
“Take your breakfast, Dorin. There is much for you to learn today.”
That day, Damien taught Dorin the dance that accompanied the song of the Aerials. It consists of meticulous steps that seem to glide in the air. As he sang and danced, the rustle of the leaves and the whispering wind seem to harmonize with his voice, and the air around them turned warmer.
“Learn the moves for the first four stanzas.” Damien stood still, the wind stops as he does. “I will teach you the next four after lunch, and the rest tomorrow.”
Dorin slumped down on the rock he was standing on. They were near the edge of a wide waterfall so clear that you could see the underground caves underneath the catch basin.
Dorin sang until his voice got hoarse. Damien continued teaching him the dance of Aerials until the sun descended behind the tall trees.
“That will be all for today.” Damien finally said.
Dorin collapsed on the boulder he was dancing on and tried to catch his breath. The dance movements became faster as the song went on, and he was having trouble keeping up with the groundskeeper.
“Damien,” he panted, “I have been meaning to ask, what is your element? I mean, it doesn’t look like wind is your specialty...?”
Damien threw a flask of water his way. “I have no element in particular.” he replied. “My forte is Mental magic, particularly with animals.”
“Oh, control magic.” Dorin said knowingly.
“I prefer the term ‘conduct’.” the other said. “I do not command them.” he continued, “I suggest to them what to do.”
“And they obey you?”
“If they wish to.” Damien extended a hand and helped Dorin up. “Come, it is time to return to the burrow. Tomorrow I will teach you the last four parts of the song and dance.”
That night, after a satisfying dinner of roasted rabbit, Dorin eagerly waited for the groundskeeper’s stories. About the truce in the Dark forest, the conditions under the truce, and the fairy folk who live there. Later, Damien left the hollow once again, leaving the 2 boys behind.
Dorin watched as Seb shoved off the fur blanket yet again.
“You’re going to catch a cold, you know?” he told his unconscious friend. “How long do you plan to sleep? Azra says you should wake up by tomorrow, so you better wake up then, or else I’ll really be leaving you behind.”
Still no respond.
Dorin sighed and settled beside the sleeping boy. “I mean it,” he continued talking, “the shortest time mother leaves home is usually a week. Since she left on Sunday, I need to get home by tomorrow – a Saturday, so I can have a day to spare.”
Still no reply. Dorin’s face filled with concern.
“Well, anyway, Damien still has to teach me the last 4 parts of the Aerial dance, so I guess I have no choice but to stay... Just take your time and heal...” He sighed and placed his head on his friend’s shoulder. “Hurry up and wake up so I can tell you goodbye.”