Chapter 7

Othis sat in his office thinking intensely about the passing day. He had done his best and had managed to get several members of the Dragon Council to co-operate with him on a matter of which they were as yet clueless. Unfortunately, not everything went according to his plans. One of the most important meetings went sour and he felt it was his fault.

In the late afternoon, he went to see Ludwik Przybyski, Chairman of the Dragon Council. The visit had long been arranged for another reason and the main topic of the meeting was to be the next trade treaty with Atlantis. Essentially, no big deal. However, it was a constant excuse used by the aged dragon to be able to talk quietly with any of the Ambassadors. Despite the fact that everyone knew perfectly well what was going on, officially no one could be accused of anything.

The beginning of the meeting went on as usual. They talked about the weather this summer, world politics, exchanged a few anecdotes about the balls at Dagos and only then moved on to the topic that Przybyski wanted to address.

He began innocently enough. Seemingly casually, he mentioned that lately Othis had started paying more and more visits to those associated with the Dragon Council, and that Bleist had appeared in the city, seemingly on holiday, who tends to disappear for days losing anyone who would follow him. He spoke calmly, without a trace of any emotion, but the Ambassador knew that he was annoyed, to say the least, by a situation in which official Atlantean representatives were clearly trying to arrange something in their favour. There would be nothing wrong with that, and everything would go on in the usual way if one could even suspect what it might be about. It was this very ignorance that troubled the Chairman.

Suddenly moving from casual conversation he attacked and asked Othis what was going on. This was the moment when the jokes really ended and Hugo stood in a field riddled with traps. He didn't know what he could say or do to avoid alienating Przybyski and preferably win him over to his cause. He knew, however, that he couldn't say what was really going on, as it might thwart all their plans and create more problems than it solved. Still, something had to be said, and he didn't have much time to think about it. He was not prepared for such a direct attack.

Wanting to gain time, he stated that Bleist was indeed on holiday and it was not for him to decide what his friend was doing all day. And this is where he ran out of ideas on what to tell the Chairman about the whole commotion. He had to take a chance. He made a quick decision and said that he was essentially looking to gain support for the renegotiation of several inter-state agreements.

And now he sat in his office cursing and laughing at himself for his own stupidity. At the meeting with Przybyski it had seemed like a good idea to him, but as soon as he said it he realised that he had let himself into the mire. If it had really been about renegotiating the treaties then handling the matter would have looked much different, and certainly more official. But the milk had already been spilled; it was too late to change his position.

Now, all the time before his eyes was the face of the Chairman and his eyes, in which anger burned for such a brazen lie. Departing from his usual habits, the dragon merely stated that he was going to find out everything anyway, and ended the meeting by saying that he had to hurry to the Council meeting, which of course there was none, but there was nothing more Othis could do. He said his farewells culturally and returned to the Embassy, reproaching himself for his stupidity.

He sat trying to concentrate on anything, but he couldn't manage. He kept asking himself one and the same question. How could I have messed everything up like this? Unfortunately, he couldn't answer it. Plunged in a tangle of his own thoughts, he didn't even notice when the study door opened and Gizel and Bleist walked in. He only took notice of them when his friend called out to him several times by name.

-Hugo!- Darius walked with a quick step towards his friend. He looked slightly frightened by his behaviour.-What happened?

-I messed up.- He whispered looking at the papers spread out in front of him.-The whole conversation went wrong.

-What conversation?- Gizel interjected, tilting her head with interest.

-With Przybyski.-The Ambassador shook his head sadly.-I hadn't thought through what I said.-And he told them about the meeting at the Chairman's.

-Oh, if that's what it's about then I think I can help.-The elven woman smiled broadly when Hugo had just finished.-Ludwik owes me a favour, so I think you have nothing to worry about.

Othis blinked a few times, as he had not been fully aware of the woman's presence until now.

-So you agreed to help us- he asked knowing the answer.

-Under certain conditions.- Bleist murmured without letting her get a word in edgewise. -She wants to meet Draco personally and follow his progress.

-So she wants to know almost everything about him.- The Ambassador joked.

-Not almost.- The elven lady smiled defiantly.-I want to know everything in terms of what the boy can do.

-Well, then, now that we have an agreement, we can move on to its implementation.-New strength entered Othis as he realised that nothing was yet lost and everything was clearly starting to move in the right direction.-This morning's orders came from the Grand Master and the Crown Marshal.-He pulled two officially sealed pages from under the helm of documents.- We have full support in all actions to complete our task.- He smiled serenely seeing the relief on his friend's face.- However, we are to keep everything a strict secret, no one can find out for now that the dragon wields magic or rather, as it is in the papers, Atlantean is a dragon. We have also been given the task of choosing a Master to take care of his education.

-But we can't involve anyone?- Darius has already gone over the rest of the plan.-So it is to fall on me, but seemingly without any pressure or coercion?

-Yes.- Othis nodded briefly.

-Well, at least I won't have to try to arrange it in some crooked way.-The colonel looked his friend in the eye.-You know I was planning it anyway, right?

-We've known each other for a long time, so yes.

-Very well done.- Gizel looked pleased with the turn of events.-I will have an excuse to visit you.-She said looking flirtatiously at Bleist.

Othis started laughing at full throat seeing his friend's consternation and the amused flames flashing in the elf's eyes.

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Draco aligned his flight. He gently corrected his course and calmly watched the city streets light up. This time he wasn't afraid of being spotted, as it was the new moon and there wasn't a single star in the sky. Gradually he covered the distance leading up to his house. In the distance he could already see the lights of the southern shopping district.

He did not develop full speed because he wanted to enjoy the flight. He also let his thoughts roam in their own paths. In truth, he was a little stunned by what had happened over the past few days, which for him was an incredible and puzzling challenge. However, he honestly admitted to himself that he had done his best to end it in a way that would suit him. He hoped that Pirce was already bored and had found a new interest, such as tormenting freshmen or taking it out on others during arena exercises. Unfortunately, he knew it wouldn't take long for his pursuer to turn his full attention specifically to him. It had happened before and Draco was in no delusion, he knew it was simply a matter of time.

He sighed protractedly and made a barrel roll and a few tight turns. He smiled. However, something had changed and it would never be the same again, he knew that too. The rules of the game hadn't changed, but the player had. He felt much more confident now, he knew what he could do, he was aware of his own strength not only in power control but also in brute physical strength. This aspect puzzled him at first, but after time spent re-examining himself he came to the conclusion that it was very natural. He noticed that since he had fully awakened his power had started to change him and it was not at all about mental changes, but also physical ones. It was only then that he realised that he had not been fully himself until then. The dormant aspect was holding him back, and when he awakened it, it began to harmonise with his dragon nature. Now he was no longer a small and undersized boy. He had managed to grow a little in that short time, and his muscles were clearly sculpted, which he quite liked. Now he was a young, confident dragon.

Ahead of him, he spotted the square by which his house stood. He slowed down and circled it, looking out for danger from above. He didn't see anything suspicious, so he began to spiral down over the small garden behind the house. He had landed this way more than once before, but each time he felt the same excitement and adrenaline rush. Would I make it? Will I change at the right height? Will I catch that one right branch? Will I make a good jump? Will I land on the lawn in the right way? He was never sure and that was exactly what suited him. He smiled showing a suit of sharp teeth and changed momentarily, faster than before. On the fly he caught hold of a branch and immediately felt it was the one. He braked on it making a twist around it like a rod and let go throwing himself far forward. He knew perfectly well that he couldn't land on his feet or he would probably bruise himself badly, so he did a roll over his shoulder and stood up straight with a smile.

He took a breath and looked contentedly into the perfectly black sky. He turned and moved towards the open door leading into the small living room. He could see that the light was on inside, and so Madame Nasua was waiting for him. He already knew that Jeviev had told the old dragoness that he would be back today, but he was not sure if she would be waiting for him at such a late hour.

He walked inside where, as usual, there was the delicate scent of flowers and the smell of fresh chocolate biscuits-his favourite. He looked around the room. It was as it had always been, since he could remember it looked the same, unchanging way. Madame Nasua was sitting in her favourite armchair with a cup of tea and a book. The dwarven lamps on the walls lit up the interior, so he immediately noticed that this time it was her favourite novel.

-Hello auntie.- He smiled sadly.- I'm sorry I ran away again.

-Oh, Draco.- Nasua raised herself heavily from her seat and hugged him tightly.-My dear, I'm glad you're all right.-She gently moved him away, holding him by the shoulders and surveying him with an investigative eye.-You've grown over these few days.-She said, and the sparks of joy he knew so well lit up in her eyes.-And you've grown stronger.-She again locked him in a hug surprisingly strong for someone her age.

-It's nothing.- He whispered slightly abashed.-A few things happened and... And I have to tell you about them.

The dragoness let him out of her embrace, but tousled his hair in return.

-In that case, let's sit down and have a cup of tea. Very tasty.- She pointed him to the other armchair, and returned to her favourite one herself.

-So I'll start at the beginning....

Draco sat and recounted everything that had happened without leaving out any details. He spoke at length, but his aunt listened without interrupting him even once. She was always a grateful listener, but also this time she didn't know what to say when she found out everything.