Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3: Warding Against the Future

The common conception of dragons among the Races of Men is that they are somewhat like territorial predators, suffering no competing dragon to approach. The truth... is much more complicated, as is often the case. A complex social order exists among dragons, even between chromatic and metallic dragons. Man's idea of the lone dragon is largely a product of too little observation and too short a viewpoint, for dragon relationships are centuries in the making and may last for thousands of years.

Garkhen remembered little later of the rest of that day, of the flight home, or of falling asleep exhausted just as dawn began outside his mentor's lair. Solkh'Tolkharkha let him sleep for a time, but still he awoke the young half-dragon before he was truly rested.

Come, my young Initiate, the gold dragon rumbled, It is time to begin down the path you have chosen.

So... you will train me in the ways of Bahamut, sir? Garkhen asked.

Solkh'Tolkharkha nodded. And in the ways of a Warder in particular. He shifted into his human form. Come, let us go to the library. We will begin there.

The great library chamber was Garkhen's favorite place in his mentor's lair, but the shapeshifted dragon led him to a corner that he had somehow never noticed before. Glancing back, Solkh'Tolkharkha must have caught the puzzled expression on his young charge's face.

It is hidden from the eyes of those who are not Warders, he explained.

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Yes, I know, I'm horribly late. Oh, well.