Falconers and the Ashes of Igneous

They returned to their cabinet to find Raillay already up and appeared to be ready for the journey. When they entered she greeted them saying, “Welcome back. I see you got Igneous well outfitted.”

“The best for now,” she answered as she looked around the open room. “Did Dramier ever come by while I was gone?” she asked.

“No I don't think he has even woken up yet.”

She growled silently as she walked back out the door and from inside Igneous could hear her shout, “Dramier you lothe. Wake up!”

Igneous then heard the sound of a flame combustion followed by the screams of a startled wake-less stallion. He heard the sound of scuffling along the roof followed by a slip and a tumble by Dramier as he lost his balance and fell just in front of the doorway.

“What were my orders?!” She shouted as she stood over.

“Igneous you might wanna stand aside real quick.” Raillay said she gently pushed him near the wall.

Alastoria angrily kicked Dramier and said, “I ordered you to be ready by the time we leave.”

Quickly he picked himself up and darted away from her and replied, “I thought you said, ‘find a place to sleep that isn’t here, get your rest and don't bother anypony. Daudy daudy daudy da.’” He said badly impersonating her voice along with a little hoof puppeteering.

“I’ll have your tongue for that!” She shouted as she lounged for him. “The orders the same every morning without the need for my word!”

He swiftly dodged out of the way and replied, “Alastoria this is too soon.” He ran around the table using it as a barrier between him and her. “Typically it's the hoof you take in marriage and even so I don't think I'm ready to devote myself yet.”

“Ugh,” she screeched as she ran straight through the table flinging it across the room. “You yewl, you insipid Digget. Get Over Here!!!”

“Words of love, I'm flattered. Really I am,” he said wide grin on his face as he darted across the room and out the window followed quickly by Alastoria who had started to combust several flames at her side.

Both Igneous and Raillay ran towards the window only to see Alastoria throwing fire into the sky in rage hoping to hit Dramier who was keeping well out of range of her. He was still chanting and talking about love and making erratic gestures to match, which only sought to anger Alastoria even more. On lookers on there way to the mines, smelters or local shops stopped to witness the scene. “Come near me I Challenge You! -and I will flay you one Feather At A Time!!!”

“Does this happen every morning?” Igneous asked silently so Alastoria couldn’t hear as if his voice would draw her rage and attention to him.

“No,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Only once in a long while. Just happens to be today. They work great together, don't be fooled. Just sometimes he just likes to get under her hide. Breath a little life into her.” After a few more moments of Alastoria unleashing her wrath on the surrounding air space Raillay finally intervened by saying, “Alastoria? Isn’t time we depart? We need to be at the outer villages by night fall, yes? You of all ponies wouldn’t want to be late.”

Alastoria stopped just long enough to glance at Raillay. Stifling her rage she took a few more deep breaths, flicked her head readjusting her disheveled mane and said, “You're right, I shouldn’t get distra…”

Just as she said Dramier dove down making a very close fly by, flicked her mane all over the place all the while screaming about love. After that it was about another five minute before Alastoria came to her senses and then they finally departed albeit with Dramier flying higher than usual keeping a close eye on the surrounding landscape and Alastoria as if she might suddenly sprout a pair of wings and finish him.

Soon the village fell out of sight and there was nothing but the trail and tree filled forest all around. By now the leaves had turned their greenest and the flowers were blooming there brightest. So basically it was spring or the mid season of spring.

Alastoria lead the party with Igneous and Raillay following closely behind with Dramier who was doing his thing in the sky. As they walked through the peaceful woods Igneous could hear Raillay humming a tune of some sort. It was a melody he never heard before or recognized.

The armor that Igneous was given was weighing him down a bit but he could manage for the time being, and besides he was excited to be a falconer and giddy at that too. The adventures he would have and the monsters he would fight. The thoughts threatened to consume him with joy. There was just one thing and that was he didn’t know how to fight. He just had his sword and shield and that was it. Alastria hadn’t said when she would start teaching him weapon arts only that they would eventually.

He felt like he couldn’t wait. He wanted to get started now! So he half bound up to the unusually tall and muscular mare came around to the front of her and keeping pace with her stride asked, “Alastria I was wondering when we could start my training.”

“In the weapon arts? You need to be specific Igneous,” She said as she continued to walk.

“Yes in the weapon arts,” he confirmed. “I would like to be prepared by the time we get to our destination.”

She sighed tired from the early morning antics Dramier had caused and said, “There is a lot to learn and techniques to teach within the sword alone. Weapon arts of any kind can’t be mastered within the space of one day. Simply impossible.”

“Just the basics,” he pleaded.

She looked back to Raillay who just gave her an unsure smile as if to say ‘why not’ or ‘why you asking me?’ It wasn’t exactly a hard decision or one that required much thought so looking back to Igneous she answered, “Fine, since you are so eager I guess I could muster up a lesson.”

For a moment she focused and in that moment a dark mist appeared near her horn. As Igneous looked on the mist took the shape of a rod that lengthened out into what he recognized as a quarterstaff which she held in her magical grip at her side and he noticed that her quarterstaff had two dark binding stones about a third the distance away from each other. This he knew was for greater control and movement over the weapon she wielded.

“Stand facing me,” she commanded as she continued to walk. “I refuse to stop due to our schedule so you're going to have to keep pace.”

He nodded and stood in front of her keeping up with her constant advancement while walking backwards.

“First thing is poise,” she said using the staff to point to his hooves. “Possessing a sure stance while you fight is important. I'm sure you know how to stand so we will gloss over that since we're in motion.”

One lesson down already? Boy her lessons were easy. Any more of those and he’ll be ready to go by night fall.

“Second thing is offence and defense. There’s more to combat than just waving your sword around till the enemy stops moving. I’ll show you the fundamentals, draw your sword and shield.”

“Yes Alastria.” Using his magic he reached for the shield that was on his back. As he pulled he found that he couldn’t get it loose from its fasten. He looked back hoping to find the problem and was immediately hit by cold hard steel across the back of his head. He ducked down and crumbled to the ground in pain as it left its stinging mark holding the spot where he had been struck.

“Alastoriar!” Raillay shouted after witnessing her act.

“No, no,” she calmly lectured. “I'm teaching him.”

Raillay ran up to Igneous who Alastoria already passed over leaving him to lay in the middle of the pathway. “Igneous are you ok?” She examined the mark she had left and found that he was not bleeding but would surely leave a bruise. “You didn’t need to hit him so hard,” she scolded as she helped Igneous to his hooves.

“I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine,” he repeated dizzily as he did his best to recover from the attack. Gently pushing off Raillay he caught up to Alastoria and hesitantly walking at her side he wined, “Why did you do that? I was just trying to unhook my shield.”

“You’ll live Igneous,” she said with a grin. “Now that you know the feeling of a blunt weapon I can start to break you in.”

“That really hurt Alastoria,” he again complained.

“Don’t take your eyes off of me and it shouldn’t happen again,” she promised with a grin, obviously enjoying the hazing she was giving Igneous. “Oh and the mistake was you pulled up on your shield. You need to pull back first then up. Now, if you wish to continue then get back in position. Again I refuse to stop.”

Alastoria was an enigma to Igneous. He really didn’t know how to feel about her, she just kept throwing his opinions about her all across the place. First scary, then caring and now what. She was supposed to be his mentor for who knows how long and if he was just going to beat the lessons into him then he feared he might not last too long.

‘It should become easier,’ he told himself. ‘I just gotta break into her mojo and then it's all bliss.’ He looked back to Raillay for advice only for her to gave him a concerned, unsure look. Coming to his own decision he ran up to meet Alastoria again and take his place in front of her.

Stepping back position Alastoria gave him a satisfied grin and requested, “Your sword and shield. Have them out now.”

Obeying he took his shield remembering to pull back and then up to avoid the previous outcome. He slid the sword out of the shield and held them at the ready.

Alastoria then reached out and adjusted their positioning with her staff putting his shield more centered to his body and raising the sword just above his head. She then said, “The weapon I wield is capable of acting on defense and offence in one swift motion. The only way you will be able to repost an attack is if I using a swinging motion, which I won't.” She drew those last three words out to make it clear to Igneous. She nodded and then said, “Take a swing.”

The thing about her weapon was unlike most that only used one binding stone she had two equally distanced apart to allow lightning fast attacks, using circular spinning motions. If she swung her weapon she would only be influencing one binding gem allowing it to be easily reposted like a sword with only the slightest amount of skill being required.

Igneous hesitated for a moment but with one look of approval on Alastorias face he finally did. He performed a side swipe and she quickly intercepted the attack with one end of the quarterstaff deflecting it down and with the other flicked it down landing another cold hard stinging hit on the head of Igneous.

Even Raillay winced at the sight.

“Igneous? I thought you had a shield fully capable of stopping my attack,” She said as she gracefully stepped over him. “You shouldn’t squander it.”

“Igneous?” Raillay asked coming once again to his ad.

“I’m fine!” He said as he thrusted himself to his feet. “I shouldn’t have to suffer this,” he snarled. Gathering up his sword and shield he ran to face Alastoria and set himself again. “I am capable. Again!”

Alastoria had to stifle a laugh. This inexperienced little colt was really challenging her; a Falconer who had slain monsters and defeated countless enemies. Cute was all it was. Like a mouse challenging a lion, you don't know whether to pity it or just wish it dead of its own stupidity.

She was on the verge of tears. “O-kay,” she said as she readied her weapon. “Have at me.”

He did an upward swipe but she brought it to a hard stop against the quarterstaff. Still advancing she stepped down on the blade knocking it from Igneouses magical grip. She was enjoying herself a little too much as she consecutively delivered spinning attack after windmilling attack were as Igneous wisely hid behind his shield letting them harmlessly deflect away as she continued her advancement.

The blows were becoming harder and faster and Igneous’ grip on the shield was beginning to drop. Soon he would be defenceless and at the mercy of the spinning staff and Alastoria who was intent on mercilessly showing her skill in some effort to teach him. With nothing left to do he decided to charged her with the shield breaking held high.

His advancement broke through her light attacks, ramming into her chest, briefly bringing her to a standstill. Raising a hoof Alastoria knocked away the shield and trampled over him and used her weight to pin Igneous at to the ground defenseless and without a sword. She lowered her head and insidiously whispered, “That should hardly count as an attack. Maybe if you didn’t use it as a ram and more as a blunt you would have actually phased me.”

Her expression seemed a bit aggressive if not pissed.

Igneous only scoffed and retorted saying, “Phase you. Did I not? Did I not just stop you in your tracks or buffer your progress? That was my objective and I succeeded.”

“Be that as it may, what I told you to do was defend yourself from my attacks.”

“I was successful in that too,” he argued.

“Hardly if this was a real fight you would have died without your weapon,” She unsheathed her shortest sword and held it against Igneous’ face. “You felt the brunt of a staff, now how about the sting of a blade. Perhaps you would reconsider your opinion on your performance then?”

“Alastoria,” Raillay bidded. “He’s just a colt. You could give him the least bit of satisfactory in his efforts. Just once. just for now is all.”

She looked back at her in consideration then coming to a conclusion she lifted herself off of Igneous and said, “Fine.”

Igneous quickly got back on his hoof holding the part of his face were the blade was applied and sleeking away to Raillay.

“Igneous no last name, you’ve done well,” she said in an artificially approving voice.

“Don't patronize me,” he growled as he collected his sword and shield. “I'm going to earn your approval if anything elts.”

“And then what?” She asked as he dumbly stood their with his sword and shield in his magical grip. When he didn’t respawn she said, “Should you be a Falconer Igneous? What is it your seaking exactly? You don't seem to even know what you want in this moment right here right now. How do I know all this effort isn’t in vain or invested in some pointless pursuit?”

He had to pause for a moment. It wasn’t as if he haddn’t asked himself this before during the days he slept alone after having worked many hours just to eat. He would ponder it most time and often times he found an answer and often times that answer changed.

“I don't know,” he replied. “I thought it would be made clear to me when I found you guys but the solution is still as vague as it once was.”

“What's the solution?”

He hesitated for another moment then careful internal consideration finally answered, “To help others. Suffering in this land has gone viral and I just wanted to help in some way. Any way is all. I just don’t know how.”

Alastoria nodded and said, “You can't stop suffering Igneous. It's just apart of life. You can however help others. That is what we Falconers do till the last breath we draw. You made the right decisions albeit with ambitious goals in mind.” She placed a hoof on his shoulder and said, “You just need to start small. Stay with me, learn from me and I promise you can make a difference.” She stood him up and raised his chin and said, “In the meantime gather your sword, raise your shield and have at it again. Your technique is sloppy. Your swings are a mess.”

Reluctantly obeying he nodded and retrieved his sword and caught back up to Alastoria who had resumed her previous steady pace.“Ok I'm ready.” he declared after taking a defensive posture. He then asked, “What do I do now?”

“The problem with your swing is there too predictable. They need to be spontaneous, fast and sudden, and at the very most deadly and precise.” She took one of her twin blades that hung at her side and held it above her head pointing forward. “When you do a left side swipe you pivot your hilt right ways throwing the center of mass of the blade left as you twist left. It adds to the momentum of your swing and reduces the need for a back swing to almost zero giving your opponent almost no time to act.” She swung her sword forward were as the blade spun completely around in a circle slicing the air just above Igneous. “The same applies to upward downward and diagonal attacks. Notice how I keep the blade spinning,” she said as she began to slice up the air around him with lighting fast strikes, much faster than his. “The attack is more of a thrust than a swing. You keep the hilt with in a small pocket of space. Do you understand?”

“Yes Alastoria,” he answered.

“Okay remember; center your shield, sword above the head, pivot the hilt in the opposite direction you intend to swing, and keep it well within your area of influence.” She sheathed her sword and centered her quarterstaff back to the front of her. “And please, don't clop your ears off.”

They then spent the whole afternoon in a bout practicing with Igneouses swing and technique. Alastoria then gave him a talk about body motions and how they can easily throw your opponent off. Quick thrust and attacks can only get you so far before you opponent begins to detect patterns. Patterns that can easily be exploited. She explained how actively moving can greatly increase your chances at your opponent finding you unpredictable. Finding that type of motion however does take time and she said he would have to wait until a later date.

“That type of technique although simplistic in theory is advanced in skill,” were her words.

They did make it into the outer villages just before sunset and to Igneouses dismay it was another mining village. Or so could be classified; even though this village didn’t actively mine during any given season they were smelters and forger, making ingots of any metal, tools and occasionally weapons if the right forgers were around.

They were called mining villages because in the days before the first war all there was was the three types of villages that did one thing and one thing only. Because no villages then wherever unified, each village could technically be considered its own nation.

But that was before the triple alliances that sprung up in defense against Kordan Verex, who ironically was from a mining village which only gave Igneous all the more reason to loathe them, and his army of primitive fixed bladed warriors. One good thing he did do however and which most pony reflects on was unify all of the villages into one great big nation at the cost of much bloodshed however. Then his son took up the thrown after him and split the nations into three in hopes of upholding his name as a Verex and bringing honor back to it.

They then named the whole Valley Carridian after him and things were good till much more stuff happened which involved monsters, the births of the first unicorns and pegasi and two more eras till it ended with two nations being wiped out. One of which became cursed and the other destroyed by a dragon called Aminus. Aminsu himself was destroyed by a Hexer whose name is only known as Noriphmy which is what the final nation was named after.

Now to educate one further, Falconers only came when the monsters sprang up along with the appearance of unicorns and pegasi. Unicorns helped build the earthenier outfits that Raillay is equipped with, and pegasi kept watch encase of any monster happened to look at a village with indignation. The reason the Falconers were never lined with the capital was because they were vigilantes to begin with. Were the warriors with their fixed bladed weapons couldn’t succeed with the monsters, Falconers with the unique teams of three could.

Then there was the magic era were stuff really broke down along with the discovery of greater magic by the unicorns that went beyond simple levitation. Monsters called Majins also appeared which could wield even greater magic, and then the great dragon Aminus happened but that's for another time. Main point, Igneous was at another mining village and he didn’t like mining villages.

He would have to tolerate it for now but as they entered Dramier landed on a nearby roof and asked, “Are you still keeping score oh great Alastoria?”

“Your marked,” she said. “Land again and you won't fly straight till the next rotation.”

“I’ll be making my rounds then.” He gave her a nod and then took off into the skies.

“What's he doing?” Igneous asked.

“He will be keeping guard making sure there are no unwanted visits from beasts of any kind, pony or other.”

“What about me? What am I to do?”

“You're coming with me Igneous,” she said as they rounded a corner. “We still need to discuss things about you and Falconering. Raillay?”

“Yes Alastoria?”

“Go acquaint yourself with the locals. See if there's anything for us to dedicate ourselves to.”

“I’ll be on it.” And with that she left.

As they walked about in the village Igneous took notice of its layout. It was rather simple with four main streets going that came in from all directions; north, east, south and west until they converged at the very center that was filled with shops and vendors of all kinds. The innermost part of the village on outwards was as follows; markets, where they could buy stuff. Service where they could eat or get something repaired and urban which was where they mainly lived.

Since this was a mining village every building was made out of stone with the thatched roofs being substituted for solid tiles instead. They had nice clean windows and well paved streets and although mining villages typically were well kept villages Igneous still couldn’t bring himself to liking them. It was just something he couldn’t quite put his hoof on but had mentioned before.

Alastoria led Igneous to a building he soon found out was where he was staying. It was the falconer’s place and unlike the last one that had been made of wood this one was entirely brick. However it still retained the exact same floor layout with three beds a kitchen and a closet room.

“So Igneous,” Alastoria began as they both entered. “I’ve given you the basic’s on weapon arts. The thing is, what I thought you were not techniques for hunting monsters.”

She said that last sentence in somewhat of an eerie, foreboding tone of voice. She allowed herself a moment as she found a place to sit where as she commanded him to do the same. Once Igneous found a place on the floor she took a few more moments to think over her next few sentences.

“Igneous I wasn’t exactly teaching you to fight beasts. Those techniques are very aggressive and require lots of exertion. I was teaching you techniques on how to match up to other ponies and unicorns, to fight bandits Igneous. Only if there ever happens to be one. The reason is... as, you're probably very well aware of is because… there everywhere. Bandits, thieves, ponies looking to better their lives by making others suffer. Ponies that will do whatever it takes to prologue there existence, murder, theft, betrayal. They dawn smiles, they hide in plain sight, they wait for the moment to strike Igneous and when they do many ponies die Igneous. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

“I-I do Alastoria,” he answered.

“No Igneous, you don't. You're going to see things. Horrible horrible things. You're going to do things. That sword is not a tool, it's murder. That moment when you you stop… when you look and you see the bloodied corpses of the fallen and dead. When you see the open wounds and the blood covered grounds. When you see the last survivor writhing in agony as he lives his final moments with his innards lay strewn across the ground you realize... You did that. You did that fighting for what you believe in is right. For the protection of others and yourself.

“And when all's said and done everything you have done and everything you’ve seen is going to be seared into your mind refusing to be forgotten refusing to let go. You made the choice to become a falconer just like every pony before you, and I want you to be aware of everything and prepared for anything. This is going to be your first outing and it is my personal self given duty to make sure it's not your last. As long as you're with me that is.”

There was a long silence as Igneous didn’t know how to answer. What Alastoria had said stunned him. Had he made the right decision to even become a Falconer? He never saw the sight of death or the last draw of breath. Never has he been in live combat or taken the life of another. He was in way over his head but for some reason he knew this is what was what needed to be done. He had a strong desire and even though he couldn’t tell exactly what it was, he just knew. “I don't care Alastoria,” where Igneouses words that broke the eerie silence between them. “Safety comes at a cost and if that price is the life of others I'm willing to pay it.”

“Heroic words,” Alastoria said. She then began to shake her head, “Your naive Igneous, naive. Life isn’t something that can be restored, it's a precious, fragile thing that cannot be restored ever. You have a lot to learn and I only hope I can teach you. In the meantime I order you to get your rest.” She sat back up and began to walk towards the front door but before she left she said, “With a mindset like that you’ll only end up like I did. With regret.”

With that she left leaving Igneous alone, or so she thought. Dramier had been keeping an eye on Igneous while doing his survey and he decided he wanted to check up on the little hunter incase Alastoria had given him a hard time. Turns out his hunch was true and as he stood silently on top of the roof of their building watching Alastoria walk away down the street most likely towards some tavern where they could pick up on what might be going on around the place and if there is any problem, Dramier swiftly moved into through the door surprising Igneous. When he entered he smirked and said, “Calm down Igneous it's only me.”

“Are you done with the survey?” he asked.

“No,” he answered. “And as far as Alastoria knows, your sleeping and I'm still making my rounds.” Igneous nodded in compliance with Dramier’s decree. He settled down a little allowing himself to sit and lean against the walls as his wings dropped lazily to the ground. “So lil’ hunter, how are you settling into our team.”

“Honestly I don't know how to feel about all of this,” he said. “It seems so sudden. I thought it would be more... complicated?”

Dramier chuckled, “Most do. Even I was surprised at how fast they threw me into the fray. For one thing it was nothing like the royal guard I should say that much.”

“You were with the royal guard?” Igneous asked astonished.

“Was,” he emphasized. “But I don't know if I…” he then looked at Igneous the little colt.

A small colt with big ambitions and if he was going to be with them for the next few years he might as well tell a tale.

“Alright, I wouldn’t want to be a stranger so I will give you my story. First lay down, I don't want Alastoria walking in on us.” To emphasize he used his wing to open a window sitting just above him so if she did come back he could swiftly fly his way out without her ever knowing. “Now my father Plisken was part of the royal guard doing his duties. He was one of the higher ups so when I came of age he set me up to become one of them thinking that I fancied being a glorified body guard who’s only job is to stand still, living the same life day in and day out doing the same job a statue could as the sun beat down from above. The thing was I didn’t fancy it very much.” He smiled as he reminisced over the memories he had. “I was a bit of a… oh what's the word.”

“A rebel?”

“Hehe no,” he answered. “Just disobedient. Hardly standing in line not always following orders, Sneaking in some food, wearing my helmet crooked of all other things. That kind of stuff. My father got fed up with me and the numerous bad reports. So much so that he dishonorably discharged me. Thing was, I laughed and smiled through the whole thing making my father look like a fool in front of those under him. Because of it he said I would have to go live with my mother because he couldn’t stand the sight of me, and so I paraded myself out of the capital wearing the shame of my father as a shining glimmering badge. That and also the money I earned too. It's not a poor pony job Igneous. Anyway...

“My mother was living in the same farming village when I last saw her as a young colt. Thing was, she already had another family and wanted nothing to do with me. I tried talking, tried to reason with her but it wasn’t me she was looking at. Just the afterimage of my father and what he had done and after all was said and done I was ran out of that farm place an other, Igneous. The stallion she called her husband.

“Now I had nothing at all. No place to go no loved ones to see, just me and only me. Luckily I knew of the falconers. Vigilantes with the full support of the capital living freely ready to serve and protect. Sounded like my type of thing. Found a group, told them I had the training and experience of the royal guard and you wanna know what I was told?”

“What?” Igneous asked eagerly.

“To. For-get. It. All. Every last thing I ever learned. They said the royal guard knows nothing of combat, only crowed control. They offered to teach me and I learned quickly and I should say it was a much, much better decision. Now this is me. Dramier Hervana, protector, monster slayer, best peganier, and not bad with the mares too I should say.”

That last part really surprised him and it made him wonder if that scene earlier from today was for real. Obviously it couldn’t be but his last statement contradicted that so he could help but ask, “Do you, uh, really like Alastoria.”

“Al- what?” It caught him so off guard that he fell over heavily landing on the floor. Quickly he picked himself up and said, “Alastoria? Of course not, what would make you think that.” Igneous just shrugged his shoulders and then Dramier remembered. “Oh you mean that whole act from today. That's really all it was, an act, your thoughts are wrong Igneous. I respect Alastoria as a leader and nothing else. The same goes for Raillay so don't get any ideas.” He gently sat himself back down against the wall. “If I did then it probably would come in handy to know that Alastoria takes a particular violent attitude to any stallion who may find himself falling for her. She is a bit of a shrew if you will. Untamable at that too. But since I am the wiser you shouldn’t have to worry about that Igneous,” he said with a grin. Dramier then shook his head, “Oh I probably shouldn’t be talking to you like this. Soon enough you’ll have worse to talk about anyways it's just a matter of time.” he turned his gaze to the floor resuming to fucose on that or nothing in particular.

“Alastoria did say I was going to see horrible things. Its got me a little worried. I’m I really ready for this?”

“Time will tell Igneous. I shouldn't get you worried over it but honestly I would be lying if I said there was nothing to worry about. However Alastoria only uses lethal force as a last resort now. She always had for… at least a while.”

“Then why did she talk to me like that earlier?”

“She was speaking from experience Igneous,” he answered with a voice more serious than its predecessor. “All you need to know was she was misled to believe a lie but I shouldn’t speak to you about it much more. Another time maybe, when your not so young that is. Until then you should get your sleep. If you're lucky she will begin teaching you dark magic.” Swiftly and almost silently he picked himself up and flew himself out the window but before he left completely he stuck his head back in and said, “Igneous, I saw you practicing weapon arts earlier and I have to say you did pretty good. I think Alastorias going to make a fine hunter out of you.”

“Thanks Dramier.”

“Don't mention it lil’ hunter,” he answered. “But no seriously, don't. I would rather not have to be hounded by Alastoria over this little meet we had. I’ll be getting back to watch like planned and you just take care.” Finally Dramier left leaving Igneous alone to sleep like Alastoria had ordered and you can bet he obeyed.