Prof. Dupont led them towards the woods. There was a small clearing past an orchard near the tumbled down wall that separated the main University grounds from the Dark forest. By the wall was a flanking tower, leaning a bit to one side, but still standing and could be entered through a partly hidden archway. The stairway was long gone and the roof was non-existent but the inside of the tower itself still looked sturdy and well kept.
"We can talk here." Dupont faced the rest of his companions.
"This sure brings back memories..." said Althea. "I used to hang out here with some friends when we were still students..."
"The wind is strong here..." Dorin closed his eyes, faced towards the Dark woods and took a deep breath.
"So, about that dragon..." Maj. Gen. Muller started, but Johan interrupted him.
"First, can someone tell me who that guy over there is?" he said, pointing at a person beneath the shadows of the tilted tower.
Only his eyes were visible, eyes that were staring straight at him. Everybody looked at the direction he pointed at.
There, standing under the shadows, was a slim figure in military garb with his folded cloak draped on one arm. He wore the white uniform of an army medic. He had very fair complexion, deep set pale lilac eyes, and platinum blond hair tucked neatly under his cap.
"Oh, that's just Benette," said Gen. Muller with a wave of his hand. "What are you doing there? I thought we left you behind in the chapel."
"Huh?" Benette looked at them, wide eyed, "S-shouldn't I have followed you?" he asked, confused.
"It's okay," said Althea. "I'm currently training him as a medical mage," she told the others. "Come here and introduce yourself."
Benette stepped out of the shadows and saluted at the people in front of him. "Combat Medic 2nd Lt. Patrice Francoise Benette, I'll be under your care."
Johan stared at the new face.
"At ease," Gen. Marcus said. "So, about that dragon..."
"Yes... Dragon..." Johan said absentmindedly, "I've had him since he was an egg, he just hatched the other day..."
"But where did you get him?" the general asked again.
"From the mines..."
"And that dragon armor you're wearing..."
"It's just a tunic..."
"It's made of dragon scales!"
"I gave it to him, Gen. Muller." Prof. Dupont pipped in with a grin. "It was something I found in one of my travels," he continued, "I tought it would suit him since he was a fire mage."
"Can I see it?" asked the elderly general, his eyes still on Johan who was starting to feel uncomfortable.
"What?" he blurted out, "You want me to strip?!"
"Just show him the scales, Johan," Dorin said from beside him. "Marcus won't stop bugging you `till he gets what he wants. You don't need to take them off."
"That's 'General' Marcus to you, boy!" said the military man.
Johan finally allowed Gen. Muller to examine his clothes. He took off the burnt uniform he wore and let the general look over the tunic and tights for as long as he pleased. Marcus then went to Dupont to ask him where he obtained the pieces of clothing.
"It seems to be from a black dragon, though I'm not sure which breed, the markings on the scales can tell about the dragon's age and species, but this one is something I haven't come across yet..." he went on. "Plus, there doesn't seem to be any seems!"
"Sorry, I can't help you much in that area." Dupont answered him with a weak grin, "I'm not that knowledgeable about dragons... Like I said, I just bought it somewhere."
"So, it's really fire resistant, huh?" Margarette asked Johan, looking at the tunic and tights as well.
"Yeah, very usefull for situations like that one." replied Johan, pointing at the burned pile of clothes he just took off.
"And the fire doesn't harm you?" Althea asked, suddenly beside him.
"Nope," Johan frowned. "Kinda like lightning don't work on Dorin..." he said, "it's just part of me."
Just then, a shadow passed from above. They looked up and saw Azra and Dagon entering the tower through the non-existent roof. Sebastian raised his right arm where Azra gently perched. Dagon landed on Johan's head.
"Welcome back," said Dorin. Azra blinked at him with her pale pink eyes.
"So, this is the dragon..." Margarette marvelled. To her surprise, Dagon hopped down from Johan's head and landed on her shoulder. He stretched his wings and shook himself, knocking off her cap. Long, fiery red hair fell down her shoulders.
"Ah, I didn't get to pin my hair properly this morning..." Margarette tried to fix her hair, but Dagon kept clawing at it.
"Hey, stop bothering Margarette." Johan warned the dragon whelp. He took the wiggling dragon off Margarette's shoulder, but Dagon just leapt back.
"It's okay," said Margarette with a laugh. "He's so cute!"
"So, I guess, you're going to have to get it registered as a familiar?" Prof. Dupont said.
"I guess, but the registrar..." Johan trailed off.
"Don't worry," said Althea, "you can register him on Monday, Samantha Revious will be the standing Head Registrar by then..." Althea looked at Johan. "What makes you so sure it's a male, anyway?" she asked.
"Dagon is boy" said the dragon.
"Oh, so you can speak." Althea looked surprised. "That's very good of you..."
"Dagon do this too!" and with that, the little dragon did a somersault and turned into a human child. "Ta-da!" he cried proudly.
"Stop showing off!" said Johan, picking Dagon up.
"Oh, that's so good!" Althea cooed, clapping her hands, the others did the same.
"Dagon gyeat!" said the little boy in Johan's arms, "Dagon want yewaad!"
"Just where did you learn these things?" Johan frowned. He looked at Gen. Muller who now stood in front of them, arms raised and slightly shaking.
"May I carry him?" he asked.
"Dagon no touch, only Daa!" said the little dragon whelp. With that he leapt through the air and landed in Margarette's bosom.
"Oh!" Margarette caught the little child who cuddled at her chest.
"Dragon! Come back here!" Johan called, his face turning red.
The rest laughed as the fire mage tried to pull Dagon off Margarette.
Dorin looked at Sebastian.
The other had replaced his hood and stood at a corner. He went to his friend's side and held his hand.
"Would you like to go somewhere else for a while?" he asked. Sebastian gave a slight nod.
Margarette saw them and was about to follow, but Prof. Althea touched her arm and shook her head. The two left the tower leaving the rest behind.