The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series)

by Allen J Johnston

  The dragon spread its wings as if to fly. Kade grabbed it in an attempt to hold it on the ground, hoping it would get his meaning. He could feel the muscles bunching and relaxing as if the dragon was on the verge of taking flight. It flexed its wings but then winced in pain. It looked to the sky, flexed its wings again, and again, winced in pain. It gave a low, mournful cry as it slowly folded its wings back to its sides. It looked up at the sky again and then at Kade, as if pleading with him to help. Kade felt sad for the miracle of nature and wished he could heal its wing completely, but he could not. It just did not work that way. His Divine Power could heal back to generally what was meant to be, but the body always had to do the final touches.

  Kade moved to the wing and patted the dragon as if to say, “I understand,” but he knew the dragon was expecting him to use his healing again. It was watching him intently, waiting. All he knew to do was show it he had done all he could by healing and letting the dragon see on its own that it was not enough. After several times, he gently grabbed hold of the wing and slowly pushed it back to the dragon’s body as if to say, “No, you cannot fly.” It was enough. With a deep, mournful cry that touched Kade right down to his very soul, the dragon accepted its fate. It gave its injured wing one last look and then slumped to the ground.

  “I am sorry, my friend,” Kade said with compassion. “I wish I could heal you completely, but it does not work that way. That is as good as I can do,” he said regretfully, as he stroked its neck.

  Kade moved to the front of the dragon, taking its sagging head in his hands and looked it in the eye. He did not know how to convey that it would fly someday, but he knew he could at least try to comfort it.

  “Don’t worry my friend. You will fly again. Just not today,” Kade said.

  The dragon lifted its head one more time and looked at the sky with a yearning. Kade could see its wings shift only momentarily before they settled back to its side. Its head lowered as it gave a halfhearted roar, and then its head sank down, looking at him. Kade felt his heart breaking for this wondrous creature. The dragon searched the clearing with what appeared to be a lost look, as if to say, “Where do I go from here?” or “What do I do now?”

  Something in Kade's chest started to ache, and he developed a lump in his throat. He couldn’t take it. He had to do something, but what? He thought about it for just another moment before coming to the obvious conclusion. It was really the only solution he knew he would come to, anyway.

  “Hey dragon,” Kade said, looking it in the eye. It did not seem to hear. “Hey,” Kade said as he gave it a slight shake to get its attention. “How would you like to come home with me?”

  There was no response. Kade pointed to the dragon, then to himself, and then back the way he had come. It paused a moment, not understanding but not really caring. Kade pulled on the dragon’s head and said, “Come with me.” It just sat there not showing any signs of moving. Kade walked back the way he had come and beckoned for the dragon to follow. Although it was not getting up, he did have its attention now. It tilted its head from side to side as it watched.

  “Come with me,” Kade said again as he approached the dragon and tried to pull at it. “Come on. I know you are smart so figure it out. Come with me.”

  Kade went back and forth a few more times, tugging at the dragon. He would go a little further down the path each time, and then come back to tug at the dragon once again. Its head lifted a little further, realization dawning on it. The dragon climbed to its feet and lumbered toward him, showing none of the grace it had displayed in battle. Kade took one last look around the clearing and then turned for his home, hoping his master would show mercy. At least, he hoped he still had a master.

  Kade noticed the dragon was alert once again, watching the animals that Kade now realized were watching him. He looked around at all the wildlife and was grateful for this mountain sized watchdog. He thumbed his nose at some of the larger, more savage looking ones that would have eaten him without a moment’s hesitation. Some of the animals flinched at every step the dragon took. A few even scurried away, unable to control their fear.

  It took Kade longer than he hoped to find the protected path. Once on it, he began to think about what Zayle was going to say and how he was going to explain why he was gone so long. He looked back over his shoulder at the massive, docile animal lumbering closely behind and chuckled to himself.

  Well, I am sure he will forgive everything when he sees what I have brought back, he thought.

  Kade continued walking, lost in thought as his mind flitted from one thing to the next. Another half hour passed as he continued to imagine his teacher’s reaction. He even laughed one time, as he pictured how he was going to make a grand showing of his dragon and watch as Zayle’s eyes popped out of his head. Eager to see his master’s reaction, his pace quickened. As soon as he finished that thought, he instantly felt something was missing. It was quiet. Too quiet. Then, when he heard a distant roaring, it hit him; his dragon was on the other side of the protective calling that he had so casually walked through. He was lucky to have heard the call at all as the barrier had a way of reducing sound. He raced back to find the dragon clawing at an unseen force. It even appeared that it slid backwards with its claws digging into the ground. Kade ran up to the dragon and stroked it on the shoulder, calming it.

  “It’s okay. I did not mean to leave you,” he said as he patted the side of its head affectionately. The dragon visibly relaxed.

  “I need to leave you for just a short time, but I will be back,” Kade reassured the dragon. “Just stay here,” he said, pointing to the ground. It tilted its head in that fashion it did when it was trying to understand. “I forgot about the Barrier Calling.”

  The dragon gave a pathetic whimper. It was very much unlike what Kade would have expected, but then he really did not know what he should have expected. He racked his brains, trying to figure out a way to communicate with the dragon.

  “You can’t come any further,” Kade tried to explain, knowing it was futile. “Well, I am just going to have to try to get you to understand I am going to come back.” And with that, Kade came up with an idea.

  He walked several steps in the direction of the cabin, while watching the dragon. When it started to become agitated, he would return and sooth it until it was calm. After several times of doing this, the dragon seemed to stay calm longer between each trip, allowing him to go further each time. On the seventh time, Kade was able to get just out of sight before the dragon would sound its mournful cry. After several more times of this, Kade decided it was time to make a break for the cabin.

  “I will be back. Wait,” Kade said as he pointed to the ground. He was shocked to see the dragon actually sit. It reminded him very much of a dog.

  Kade walked calmly until he was out of sight of the magnificent creature. He stopped for a moment and listened, hoping he would not hear that mournful cry. After several long, tense moments, there was nothing. He turned and ran for all he was worth. He burst through the front door to the cabin, yelling excitedly for his master.

  “Zayle. You must come!” he shouted over and over, but there was no response. Anxiety filled his heart as his thoughts returned to the dragon. He pictured it pacing and trying to call to him. His heart raced as he ran from room to room.

  “Since when have we become such good friends that we are on a first name basis, Apprentice?” Zayle asked in a scalding tone, as he laid heavy emphasis on the last word. There was danger in his tone. Anger rippled off him in waves. He walked out of his study, which Kade was sure had been empty just moments before.

  Zayle was well into his seventies but he appeared to be in his mid-forties. Kade was certain that his master had found a calling that slowed aging and hoped he would share that knowledge with him someday. The Master Chosen was strong of body and sharp of mind. He was the most gifted Master Chosen living. To be around him made you feel as if you were in the presence of power. When he spoke, it was with authority.


  “I am sorry, Master. Please forgive me. I forget myself,” Kade said with his head down, feeling embarrassed for addressing his master in such an informal way. He could feel his face burning from embarrassment. His pulse raced as he yearned to explain that he had a dragon for him to see. He opened his mouth several times but closed it when his master would raise a threatening eyebrow. Zayle could pontificate to great lengths, and Kade was afraid this was going to be one of those times as he scolded Kade hotly.

  “I want to know where you have been for the last four hours. You know I do not allow you to leave in the middle of a lesson!” Zayle said heatedly, his face tight from controlled anger. For a moment, Kade wished he were back facing the cat-like creature instead of this verbal attack. The grimalkin could only kill him, where Zayle intimidated him to the very core of his being, making him squirm uncomfortably.

  When Zayle paused to formulate his next assault, Kade seized on his chance and inhaled so quickly to tell of his dragon that the Master Chosen actually flinched. Before he could start to speak, doubt crept into his heart as he thought back on a time when he used to tell stories about monsters coming for him. It was more that he was telling of dreams he had that seemed so incredibly real, but Zayle always claimed he was making things up. He let out his breath and drew another just as quickly.

  “I don’t know if you will believe me, but I swear what I am going to tell you is the truth,” Kade said, cringing inside because he knew he had used the exact same words in the past.

  Zayle turned his full attention on Kade, his eyes boring holes in him with obvious doubt, as if to say, “You dare treat me like I am stupid!” Kade felt a rush of panic and exasperation flood over him, but he forced himself to continue.

  “No, no! Please give me a chance!” Kade pleaded desperately.

  “Well?” Zayle asked with patience that was quickly slipping. “Go on already with this…story. It better be good or I just might not have an apprentice any longer,” Zayle said, not really meaning it. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was deeply fond of Kade, but his impatience and temper made him say things at times that he did not mean.

  “Well, first, I ran into this dragon that tried to kill me while I was walking,” Kade said, noticing the blank look on his master’s face. He was confused at the lack of any response or reaction. Master Zayle should have given some sign of believing or not believing but silence definitely was not normal. Kade rushed on. “After we started fighting, I noticed it was injured and tried to help it by using the Healing Calling you taught me, and it became my dragon,” Kade said all in one breath, afraid when he was done talking his master was going to chastise him harshly. He could see his chance to convince his teacher evaporating as the story even sounded unbelievable in his own ears.

  “Go on,” Zayle said a bit ominously. Kade was shocked at the encouragement to continue.

  “Well, right after I healed the dragon, it saved my life from a grimalkin,” Kade said unsteadily, getting a bad feeling in his gut that things were not going well. He could not see what he was missing, but he was sure it was not good. Before he could continue, his hopes were crushed as Zayle interrupted.

  “A grimalkin?” Zayle yelled incredulously.

  “Yes! A grimalkin almost as big as this cabin and it had wings and a beak,” Kade said as he waived his arms around in the air. “And it was trying to attack me when the dragon intercepted it and almost got killed,” Kade said. He paused a moment as he saw a look pass through Zayle’s eyes so quickly he was not sure he saw it at all.

  “So you say it almost got killed? What happened? Did you use your grand powers to fend it off and save the dragon?” Zayle asked sarcastically as he waved his hands over his head, clearly deciding that this all was an elaborate story to cover up for leaving in the middle of a lesson.

  “Well, sort of. I used the Fire Calling to try to kill the creature and help the dragon, since it saved my life,” Kade said hesitantly.

  “And I suppose this all happened just outside the protective barrier? Hmmm?” Zayle asked, sounding as though he did not believe what he was being told, but Kade sensed something was out of place.

  Was it fear? he thought to himself as he contemplated his master’s expression.

  “Do not analyze me!” Zayle roared.

  It was something Kade would do at times when he and his master were in one of their debates. It infuriated Zayle, but it was also part of what the Master Chosen liked about Kade. It showed a sign of thoughtfulness and intelligence, and that is what kept those that used the Divine Power alive. The number of Chosen with the talent to use the Divine was almost nonexistent as it was.

  “Well, actually it was far from the shield. I lost track of the distance,” Kade said, believing he was losing the fight to convince his master. Desperation made it hard to think logically. He suppressed the urge to yell as he fought to organize his thoughts.

  “And, of course, you are going to tell me that the dragon and grimalkin were able to get through my Barrier Calling?” Zayle asked skeptically. “And I bet you stopped them from smashing this cabin, and I bet you’re even going to tell me you saved me. That must mean I owe my life to you,” he added, gaining just a little control but tossing in a fair share of sarcasm. “Come on, Kade. You don’t really expect me to believe anything you just told me, do you?” Kade hesitated, believing that his master actually meant the question…almost. “Why don’t you try telling me the truth instead of making up this wild story?” Zayle continued, exasperated. Kade sensed there was more to this conversation than he was aware of, but he was unable to grasp why.

  “But, it is the truth!” Kade pleaded desperately. “Look,” he said, pointing to his forehead where the dried blood had smeared. Zayle glanced up and for a second, Kade thought his master was convinced.

  “Okay, Kade. If you can’t tell me the truth, then you can expect no lessons in the use of the Divine Power for at least one month, and you will be splitting all the wood and plowing the field for the garden without my help. When you feel like telling me the truth, come find me. I am very disappointed with you,” Zayle said as he turned to go into the den. But, Kade could swear that Zayle was acting…odd. Kade shook his head roughly, desperate to convince his master. But, the more Kade thought about it, the more he got the feeling that Zayle was hoping to hear Kade say that this was all made up.

  “Master, no!” Kade said as he grabbed Zayle by the arm. He felt his teacher go as rigid as iron. When Zayle turned back to face his pupil, his face was ash-white. Kade pulled his hand back quickly, as though he had reached into a fire and grabbed the hottest coal. Zayle’s eyes slowly slid down from his student’s eyes to linger over where Kade had just grabbed him. The apprentice could feel the whirl of emotions coursing through his body, causing his head to spin. He froze, waiting for the verbal barrage he knew was coming.

  “This had better be good. What would ever make you think it was okay for an apprentice to touch his master?” Zayle asked in a hiss that was barely audible.

  “The dragon! It’s waiting for me back by the path,” Kade said with excitement as he felt like the biggest fool for not bringing it up sooner.

  “Of course. This is the dragon that was able to break through my calling, right?” Zayle asked, the anger causing him to shake, but again, Kade was sure there was more going on than he could see.

  There was a look in his master’s eyes that Kade could not understand. He ignored it as he knew he had better do this quickly or he was going to lose his chance to convince his master, and he would find himself a beggar in the streets of Espren. He took a precious moment to calm himself as he breathed deeply, forcing himself to think.

  “I stake my training that what I say is true,” Kade said in more of a rush than he wanted. “Please come see the dragon. If everything I have said is not true, then I will leave immediately,” he said, almost instantly regretting risking his way of life.

  What if the dragon is gone when I return to the path? Kade as
ked himself, as he dried his palms on his pants. Even though there was a strict understanding of apprentice to master, Kade had come to care about Zayle as he would his own father. He fought down a sense of panic at taking this risk, but he knew this would get Zayle‘s attention.

  The Master Chosen seemed to lose all his anger as he studied his student, taking in the disheveled hair and the torn clothes. Kade saw Zayle’s eyes flit to his forehead and then they were distant, as though he were considering something, or possibly…replaying a memory in his head. Kade misunderstood, believing his master was losing interest and panicked. “I promise, Master! Please, just this once, trusts me! I give you my word!” Kade begged as he tried to make his voice more firm, but it ended up sounding closer to pleading which, of course, he was.

  Color returned to his face as he looked at Kade, considering his offer. Sadness flashed in his eyes for just a moment and then disappeared. He knew that Kade lived for the day when he could command the Divine Power, and for him to make this offer could not have been easy.

  “I know how important your training is to you, so I am going to give you this chance. If you can’t produce the dragon, then you leave today,” Zayle said, hoping the threat of accepting Kade’s terms would cause him to change his story. Seeing that his apprentice wasn’t going to give a different accounting, he continued. “Now, show me this dragon,” he said, fearing he would find no such creature. Kade ran out the door quickly, urging his master to follow. Even though he had his failings, Kade was the cherished son that Zayle never had.

  “Well, he could not get past the calling, as you said, so I have to take you to him,” Kade explained. He could see his master’s resolve firm as his face tightened into anger combined with what Kade thought might be uncertainty.

  “This had better be real or you will regret wasting my time,” Zayle vowed.