Tail of the Dragon Read online

  Chapter 2

  The early morning shadows dissipated as the light from the distant mountain leaked in through the transparent balcony door. Ariel had been reclining on his pallet in a state of meditation for several hours, but the light of a new day beckoned to him. He walked out onto his small porch, enjoying the glorious view. The morning was cool and the trees and plants of the neighboring woods were covered in a fine mist that sparkled like thousands of jewels.

  ‘Good morning, Ariel,’ Gadreel's voice called from a few cubits away, standing on his own porch, also taking in the scenery.

  ‘Morning,’ Ariel responded. He paused, unsure how to continue.

  ‘I am looking forward to our expedition,’ he began and jumped as a strange scratching and a frenetic humming invaded his ear. He swatted repeatedly at the side of his head while flinging his hair about wildly. It ceased as quickly as it had started and Ariel stood with a baffled expression as a little winged creature flew irritably away.

  Ariel turned toward the sound of laughter. He caught sight of Gadreel doubled over and gasping for air. Looking at his neighbor, Ariel felt a strange agitated sensation rise in his belly. He started to reprimand Gadreel, but when he saw his disheveled hair and harrowed look in the reflection of the glass door behind Gadreel, he too began laughing.

  ‘I know that I haven’t been around for very long, but I have never seen anything move as quickly as you did just now,’ Gadreel offered between barely suppressed giggles.

  They stood watching each other, occasionally choking back fits of laughter.

  ‘What was that?’ exclaimed Ariel as a sudden, loud crash interrupted their exchange.

  The two arella descended toward the growing commotion. Bursting through the kitchen archway, Ariel's feet suddenly shot out from beneath him. For a dizzying second, he felt an unsettling disorientation. Just as suddenly, his fall was arrested by a pair of strong hands. He leaned back his head and looked up into the grinning face of Gadreel.

  ‘You’re having quite a morning, aren’t you?’ his companion opined bemusedly.

  With Gadreel’s help, Ariel righted himself and surveyed the scene around them. Beneath his feet was a slippery purple smear that smelled very sweet. There was a layer of some flaky, white substance covering the counters, with small pools of a yellowish, viscous pulp spread sporadically through the room. There was an odd device on the floor spinning in a wild circle, emitting a high-pitched whining noise. Its spasmodic movements created a bizarre pattern in the glaze. But the oddest sight of all was their housemate, Raphael. His face was barely discernible through a brown ooze that seemed to have been poured over his head. His hair hung in ragged clumps over powder-covered shoulders. His mouth curled in an expression of utter confusion.

  For the second time on his inaugural morning, the sound of Gadreel’s raucous laughter met Ariel’s ears.

  Together, the three housemates began cleaning up the mess as Raphael related the details of his first attempt at cooking.

  ‘It was going pretty smoothly, until I pressed the red button on that device,’ he explained.

  This was greeted by another round of laughter from the audience, which Raphael bore patiently. As they were finishing up, a booming voice interrupted.

  ‘Good morning, all. I hope you have had a chance to settle in and get your bearings,’ the stranger said.

  ‘Ariel, how are your bearings?’ Gadreel asked with a chuckle.

  'I am Elijah and I'm here to deliver you to the academy for your orientation. If you will all follow me.'

   

  After summoning the rest of their housemates, they followed their escort and climbed onto a wide metallic platform that hovered just above the road, outside of their new residence. It began to hum and move smoothly down the  path down towards the stream, then up the steep hill on the other side. This small thoroughfare was joined by various other tributaries and like a river flowing down a valley it gradually widened, until, as they approached the main gate to the academy, they were riding on a great avenue. The school was fronted by a large ivory fence with intricate carvings of a variety of animals. They passed a row of buildings supported by white pillars and entered an expansive central square set around an enormous marble fountain.

  The seven housemates disembarked from the shuttle and followed the growing group of first years streaming through the main door of the academy’s auditorium.

  ‘What do we do now?’ asked Ariel, looking around at the vast interior of the reception hall.

  Gabriel spotted a wooden counter with rows of parchment spaced evenly across its length. He walked part way down the table and picked up a pile of the golden pages and returned to the group. He began handing out a copy to each member of their party while adding, ‘It seems we are to meet our orientation guide, a fourth year by the name of Akon, in the Emerald Observatory. He studied a separate sheet that appeared to be a map of the campus, before pointing down a long hallway off of the reception hall.

  Gadreel fell into step beside Ariel as they walked toward the opposite side of the enormous space. It was not hard to find the observatory. From far down the hall the large archway, crafted from a single, perfect emerald reflected the light and caused a patchwork of various shades of green to dance on the marble floor before them.

  Ariel laughed as Gadreel performed a little jig, jumping from one jade-colored polygon to the next. As they entered the circular chamber a deep, booming voice greeted them.

  ‘Welcome to the Angelic Training Academy, first years. I am your orientation guide, Akon.’

  Before anyone in their group had a chance to introduce himself, Akon began making his way down their ranks, naming each one, and firmly grasping each forearm. Halfway through the group, Pharzel interrupted the introductions.

  ‘Sir. How do you know all of our names?’

  ‘Pharzel. Please don’t call me sir,’ he began with a smile. ‘You can see that I am wingless. I am a student just like you. Many of the skills that you will eventually gain take some time to develop. One of those talents is a sense of those around you. There will be beings that you do not know, but you will have knowledge of them. When I look at you, the name Pharzel comes into my head, along with a certain feeling about you, almost like a color. We are all unique creatures and that uniqueness is reflected in our names and the aura that surrounds us. But we are also connected, so we are able, eventually, to truly see each other.’

  ‘When will we develop this skill?’ asked Helel eagerly.

  ‘It depends upon your ability,’ their guide answered. ‘Some acquire it very quickly, occasionally as early as the second year. For most it happens sometime during their third year. It can take into the fourth and even fifth year. Some will have a more developed sense than others. It actually took me well into my third year to truly see those around me, and I am not very good at it,’ he continued unashamedly.

  ‘Each of you received your schedule, broken down by year. This is the basic outline of how your training will progress. Your first year begins with a six-week course covering the history of the kingdom, taught by Trainer Pravuli. As with all of our trainers, Pravuli is an exceptional instructor, though I must warn you he hits the ground running, so it would serve each of you to watch the introduction this evening in preparation for class tomorrow.’

  ‘And how is our progress measured, sir? Sorry. I mean Akon,’ Ariel interrupted sheepishly.

  ‘At the end of the first six-week module, you will have an examination that will test your recall on the important points in history covered in this course. You will then cover basic geography and science. Last, but certainly not least, will come the choir match.’

  ‘What choir is the best one to join?’ asked Helel.

  ‘That depends on you,’ Akon answered. ‘One is not better than another. You are matched based on the attributes that you most exemplify. If you will all take a seat, this presentation will explain it all more clearly.’

  Akon pointed to a group
of burgundy chairs, which when they were seated, slid forward and reclined until the group were lying and looking up at the greenish, tinted, crystalline ceiling, which began to glow as a deep baritone voice filled the chamber.

  ‘There are seven choirs in total, each representing one of the virtues of our Kings.’

  ‘The first is Malakim.’ A large Phoenix appeared above the group and swooped across the room, with outstretched wings and its head bowed low. Its eyes sparkled bright yellow from two large gemstones. ‘The Malakim Choir exemplifies temperance and are exceptional at the arts of science, service and healing. Thus they are frequently sent as diplomats to other worlds. They are represented by the majestic Phoenix, with its healing tears, and proudly bear the yellow topaz on their breastplate and upon their crown.’ The phoenix disappeared from view.

  ‘Next is the choir of Seraphim’. A large white bear with ruby eyes ambled above them, stopped, and raised itself on two legs while unleashing a thunderous roar. ‘The Seraphim exemplify strength and are often used as guards, both here in the kingdom and throughout the vastness of the universe. They are represented by the bear, which is a powerful creature, and yet is gentle in caring for its cubs. They proudly bear the red ruby as a symbol on their breastplates and upon their crowns.’

  ‘The Ophanim Choir exemplify diligence.’ A striped bee with indigo eyes appeared and settled on a large purple flower. ‘Representatives from this choir are compelled to understand the deep mysteries of eternity and record their understanding to serve as lessons for future generations. They are represented by the bee, which diligently works to store honey for use by future generations, and proudly bear the indigo sapphire on their breastplates and upon their crowns.’

  ‘The Aralim Choir exemplify kindness.’ The air above them showed a large lion, with a long flowing mane of blonde hair and green emeralds for eyes. ‘The Aralim, in addition to their overt kindness, have a tendency towards bravery, and thus are represented by the kingly lion. They often serve as guides to the inhabitants of other worlds. They proudly bear the green emerald on their breastplates and upon their crowns.’

  ‘The Elohim Choir exemplifies charity.’ The image above now became an eagle in flight, with eyes of bright orange. ‘The qualities most commonly found in members of this choir are wisdom and grace, and thus they frequently serve in the role of representatives for the Kings to other worlds. They are symbolized by the eagle and bear the orange citrine on their breastplates and upon their crowns.

  ‘The Cherubim Choir exemplify humility.’ Once again the image changed, this time to a beautiful serpent with piercing blue eyes, outstretched wings, flying through the branches of a stately tree. ‘This choir seeks strength of body and character and is represented by the serpent, which is able to fly, yet is often content with crawling on its belly as a mode of transportation. It is the special honor of this choir to serve as the attendants to the throne of the Kings. They proudly bear the blue aquamarine on their breastplates and upon their crowns.’

  ‘Lastly, the Hashmalim Choir exemplifies love.’ The last image projected was of a lamb, with long white curls of wool stretching down its back. ‘This choir is known for acts of mercy and its compassion for others. They are represented by the lamb and proudly bear the violet amethyst on their breastplates and upon their crowns.’

  ‘Each of you will be matched into one of these choirs at the end of your first year, based on which qualities you demonstrate during this year of training.’

  After the presentation, Akon led the group on a tour of campus. They were shown the building where all of their classes during the first year would be held, including the class where they would be learning about the history of the kingdom. Akon showed them the dining hall, which was mostly empty, with its long rows of marble tables. They visited the chapel, where they would gather for worship.

  The group talked excitedly about all they had seen as Akon led them out to the large assortment of facilities that comprised the recreational complex.

  ‘It is important that we balance our academic endeavors with physical exertion. You are able to choose to participate in any of the many activities that are available. Those who are most skilled will have the opportunity to represent their choir in their favorite game after completing their first year.’

  The group entered a large gymnasium that was checkered with an alternating pattern of black and white squares, each containing a vivid red circle. Inside some of these circles, telmid dressed in form-fitting suits and wearing nearly translucent helmets circled each other with short shafts of what looked like glass glowing with refracted light.

  ‘What are they holding, Akon?’ Helel asked.

  ‘Those are rapines. They are swords that are composed of pure iridium, which is both strong and light,’ came the reply.

  One member of the duo nearest the group charged his opponent, blocked a slash, and countered with a sharp hit to the midriff. Instantly, the recipient’s suit glowed a bright yellow.

  ‘Does that hurt?’

  ‘No, Gabriel. The suits and helmets completely protect participants. This is a game of patience and skill, not violence. The point is to score a blow. A one-point blow results in the suit turning yellow, while a two-point blow makes it turn red. The first to score eighteen points wins the match.’

  Akon turned to leave and the group followed, except for Helel and Gabriel who stood mesmerized by the action. Their guide led them to an impossibly large stadium where some sort of race was taking place between arella piloting long, winged ships.

  Helel and Gabriel ran up and joined the group just as Akon was explaining, ‘Team gliding is a game that requires great strength and teamwork. Each ship is driven by a team of seven arella. Six of the telmid are responsible for the three wings on each side of the ship. The seventh must oversee their efforts and guide the group through a course. The first team to successfully fly their ship through the course wins.’

  They watched as one team expertly spun their vessel around a beacon high up in the corner of the stadium and then dove to pass through a hoop located some fifty cubits below them. After dropping at an astonishing speed, they leveled out passing into the ring with the crew furiously working the wings. Several members of the group instinctively cheered as the ship swept through the hoop and shot back toward the near end of the stadium.

  Akon smiled, ‘Gliding is one of the more exciting games we play here. I myself am a representative of Hashmalim Choir’s gliding team.’

  The tour continued to another arena where orbs of light were being hurtled around a stadium by arella with golden scoops attached to their arms. Although none of the participants had wings, they soared through the air to incredible heights to catch and pass the incredibly fast orb.

  ‘Gravity is lowered in this particular stadium and the floor and walls act as trampolines. The goal is to hurl the orb through the opponents goal.’

  As Akon said this, one participant bounded high into the air while executing a back flip and hurled the orb into the center of the hole on the far wall. The entire wall instantly lit up in a dazzling kaleidoscope of color.’

  ‘Score,’ Akon said and led them on.

  They toured several other gymnasiums and were shown a variety of games before heading out to the edge of the recreation complex.

  Akon signaled for them to be quiet and gestured to a slender arella standing on a grass-covered platform holding what appeared to be a fist-sized ball. He stood looking out over a small lake bordered by thick hemlocks. He bent and placed the round item on his foot. He paused, flicked it into the air, and deftly kicked it. They watched as the object sailed out over the water and took a sudden turn, barely clearing the edge of the pond and coming to rest on a grassy area beyond the far trees, settling near what looked like a short shaft of light, aimed at the sky.

  ‘That is bocket,’ Akon explained. ‘It is an incredibly difficult game, one that I have never been able to master,’ he said laughing. ‘The idea is to kick one of
those balls, called a bocket, through an elaborate course, utilizing as few kicks as possible.’

  Gadreel immediately knew what game he was most interested in. He looked over at Ariel who was smiling broadly.

  ‘Are you thinking what I am?’ Gadreel asked.

  ‘I'm ready whenever you are,’ he answered.

  As they watched, the slender telmid emerged from the woods and picked up his bocket. He reached into a bag slung over his shoulder and chose a different colored one. He kicked the ball through the shaft of light set in the center of the clearing. It hung in air, suspended, as the luminous column pulsed brightly.

  Gadreel reluctantly turned away from the course to follow Akon back to the auditorium.

  Akon led the group to the academy depot where they were able to pick up their class supplies before releasing them from their orientation.

  ‘If you all need anything, you should never hesitate to ask me, or any upper level students for help. We all work and play hard, we compete with each other, but ultimately we are all here for the good of the Kingdom. When one of us excels, we all excel. We all strive to succeed, but we want you to succeed as well. I hope you enjoyed your orientation and I look forward to seeing how each of you progress,’ Akon said in farewell.