FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 3

The day had passed slowly, Dervacor was sitting on a rock outside Flicker's cave. He was instructed to meditate and to fast until evening. Flicker had not joined him for this, but told him to focus on clearing his mind and preparing his body so he would be free from distraction for the lesson.

As the sun dipped behind the mountains the two made their way to a clearing.

"You need to do this with a calm mind, shoulders back, start relaxed and breathe in deeply. Contract your shoulders and chest for a moment to trigger it." Flicker dramatically went through the motions she was describing for his benefit. "Focus on that feeling in your upper chest, let the pressure expand outward, you'll feel the flame begin to form at the back of your throat. Shape the flow with your tongue as it releases, then relax to stop the fire." A brilliant blue flame blossomed in front of them lighting up the clearing.

Dervacor's first attempt released smoke, he was thrilled. "Good," Flicker smiled from her spot beside him, "try again, this time allow me to guide you directly." The female dragon rose gracefully and positioned herself behind him. She wrapped one of her arms around his torso so that her hand was flat on his chest. Dervacor felt Flicker's slender snout next to his and could feel her breath calm and gentle puffing against his cheek. Her other hand pressed against his lower back, firmly ran up his spine to rest between his shoulder blades. Her tail unexpectedly flicked against his chin before pressing it upward to open his airway.

"Do not focus on me, you goof, focus on yourself," she said quietly.

The momentary surprise at her sudden intimacy faded as he focused on the task at hand. He breathed feeling renewed depth as air rushed into his lungs. His chest expanded and Flicker's hands relaxed to allow the air in. He smelled the forest air outside, crisp and cool it chilled its way through his body before warming in his lungs.

Flicker's tail tipped his nose down a little, the air trapped in his chest he waited a moment, no words were said, her instructions still fresh in his mind he simply allowed himself to be led by her actions. She gently pressed her hands together contracting his chest. He pulled himself inward in response and felt tightness across his shoulders and back trigger a muscle he was previously unaware of.

With a sudden rush he felt more alive than ever. Energy coursed through his mind, his body felt like it was dancing even though he remained completely still. Even as he reveled in the feeling he focused on remaining calm. Flicker had told him it would feel like nothing he had experienced before, and that he could enjoy it, but must maintain control. This is why he had spent the day meditating, it wasn't clear until now, but he smiled and harnessed his inner flame with confidence.

He felt the air churning in his lungs burning for escape, his head tilted up naturally again opening his airway, he felt free as he let the air rush back out his nose and mouth. He could feel the heat pass through his body but it was not uncomfortable, the sensation tickled like pins and needles within him. Dervacor opened his eyes again even though he didn't remember closing them. Brilliant violet flames rippled outward from his muzzle coloring the night and jetting six feet outward in front of him in a wide arc.

Flicker gasped audibly behind him, she had released him as he released his fire and was perched on a log a small distance away. The heat could be felt across the whole clearing, the grass scorched along the flame's path.

As the light faded and small bits of wet flaming grass went out of their own accord the two dragons sat in silence. Dervacor was spent, Flicker had never seen flames like this before. Both the size and color were incredible. Most dragons blew typical orange fire, some green. Her own blue flame was very rare. She had never seen the vibrant purple/blue coloration, so hot it burned black at its center. The intensity was also surprising, very few dragons could ever blow fire the distance Dervacor just had even after years of practice, this was his first time.

What potential! Flicker's thoughts were interrupted by the clumsy blue dragon lifting her up and laughing as he span around, her tail twirling around them with the motion. She relaxed a moment later and hugged him back. "Thank you" he said, tears in his eyes. He looked relieved, exhausted, and emotionally drained.

Blowing fire for the first time was always a struggle, both physically and mentally. With a life long stigma attached she could only imagine how he felt. She was set down gently, and, uncharacteristically gracefully as the taller male looked into her silver eyes. Flicker flushed and looked down, embarrassed by his mixed emotions. Her eyes looked up again, his deep green eyes sparkling in the moonlight she smiled happily and nuzzled him affectionately, "good work, I knew you could do it."

She leaned back, away from him and grabbed his hand, "let's get back, the night is dark and you must be starving."

The walk back was lit by fireflies and the stars shone brightly. The forest was alive, and though it was night, the path seemed illuminated. Blades of grass, rocks, and sticks all radiated a dusty blue grey in the moonlight.

Arriving back at camp Dervacor smiled and Flicker nodded, the fire was out. She sat down, and watched Dervacor by the light of the dying coals as he placed a few thin logs into the pit. He puffed himself up and blew a gentle stream of brilliant fire, much less intense than in the meadow though the temperature still rolled across the room in waves.

By the light of the fire Flicker set up the grill with the day's catch. "How do you feel?"

Dervacor sat back and paused for a moment, "alive, happy, surprised." The dragon's tail swished about lazily in idle thought. "I felt in control, it was nothing like the first time, I didn't know what to expect, but I felt like myself this time! I was afraid I would lose myself, or that nothing would happen. I was beginning to think that maybe I had imagined this whole thing in the first place. It's hard to describe." His ear fins lowered a little in concentration.

Flicker laughed lightly and trilled, "of course you weren't imagining it, breathing fire is a natural thing for a dragon to do!" She laughed and threw a bowl lazily across the fire to him.

"Not everyone thinks so!" He said, a little defensively, turning the meat over. Lowering his voice a little he added, "Flicker, I don't know much about the world, our village has always been closed off with forest all around and only small paths in and out. Your home seems so much different from my own, is it common for fire breathing to be accepted?"

She sighed, "no, unfortunately it is not common. My home is unique as far as anyone in Shale is aware, we have never had a need to impose on other settlements, but Shale is also very small." Dervacor leaned in as Flicker continued, "If not for our custom to venture out into the world purposefully in search of worldly information I'm sure I'd be as bewildered about the stigma as you are about Shale's acceptance of firebreathing."

"But surely your village could be educating others, spreading knowledge of how to control this ability!" Dervacor sighed, "this whole time, so much unnecessary fear and disgust."

Flicker's unbound wings slumped and her head was lowered, she spoke bitterly, "it's not a choice we could afford to make. We tried." She glanced at the sizzling fish and seemed lost in her thoughts for a while. Her voice was soft when she continued, "we tried. My great grandparents generation was the first to be sent out into the world after years of living off the land and establishing Shale as a nomadic mountain tribe they wanted to build it up into a proper village."

"They weren't greeted kindly, were they?" Dervacor asked.

"No, they were not. There was violence in the early days before we learned to hide our fire breathing. Back then we needed building materials and tools to set up a permanent settlement." Flicker dished out the meat as Dervacor held out his bowl, "now it's become more of a tradition than a necessity, but occasionally we do gather useful new techniques for all sorts of trades."

The two salted their meat and ate for a while enjoying the fire crackling and flickering lazily. The food was moist and flavorful, fresh fish was always a treat. Dervacor smiled knowing he could fish well for himself now.

Thinking back on his training brought his mind around to his gracious host. Flicker had been roaming for some time now, Dervacor had no idea what her plans were. The past few days felt surreal, completely apart from the world he had come to know before. This place in the forest felt safe, comfortable, like a dream he did not want to end.

In the city he had many responsibilities, clients, and a strict separation from nature. Out here his only concern was gathering food and learning how to be self-sufficient in the wild with Flicker's advice. Learning to control his ability was the most important thing.

With enough knowledge now to hunt and forage on his own, and with the lesson in firebreathing complete he was not sure what was going to happen next. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to do next. He hadn't thought of it until now, but he felt restless. He wanted to stay here forever hunting and learning with Flicker, but he also wanted to move on and pick up his hammer again. Reforge his life in a place nobody knew about him.

Flicker sensed his unease, "I wasn't sure what I was searching for, honestly." The smaller grey dragoness looked uncertain and shy, "maybe it was you?"

Dervacor looked surprised, "me?"

"Yes, you've explained smithing to me in detail, but we've never had a blacksmith in the village!" Leaning forward, anxiously but also excitedly she trilled, "you've been forced out of your home, you could start over in a place that appreciates you!"

Laughing the blue dragon leaned in and bumped noses affectionately, "I'll come with you, it sounds like fun."

Flicker leaned back grinning widely, her eyes lit up. Her whole body was smiling. She finally had something, someone, to return home with.

Her pilgrimage was at an end, she felt relieved, energetic, and happy.