Akaysha flapped her wings, putting a little more strain into the flight so she was able to keep up with the enormous golden dragoness next to her. Mountains bigger than she had ever seen in her life rose up on either side of them, the tops touching the clouds above. Despite this, there was very little snow at the peaks, and instead it was just bare grey rock, a stark contrast to the lush green forests below.

She scanned those forests, taking in every part of the new sights with interest. The sounds of birds and insects even reach high enough for her to hear. Plump deer bounded across the mountainside. Wolves bigger than she had ever seen before prowled through the undergrowth after them. Curiously she sent out her mind toward them, only to find strong mental barriers surrounding their conscious, and one wolf even reacted rather negatively to her touch. Startled she retreated and shook her head with a rumble.

'They are known as Shrrg,' said Sashi, her mental voice rippling through Akaysha's head, 'Beasts of strong will and fortitude. A group of them moved in around two hundred years ago and have since spread.'

'Are they intelligent?' asked Akaysha, looking down at the wolves again, remembering a conversation Ragin had had with Freya.

'Yes,' the golden dragon replied.

This knowledge made Akaysha far more interested in the group below, though also more weary. They hadn't exactly liked her trying to touch their minds. She suspected that it would be quite hefty competition for food between both the dragons and the wolves. She wondered how they lived so healthily together. Shrugging the information off she continued to look around. There were other dragons around as well. They regarded the two females with interest, once again finding the new dragoness a rather interesting addition. Akaysha shivered softly and flew a little closer to Sashi, feeling a little safer under the larger dragon's shadow.

'Why so timid young one?' Sashi asked, amusement coming across her thoughts, 'Just yesterday you were threatening to tear everything apart.'

Akaysha rumbled softly, 'Why is everyone so interested in me?'

The golden dragoness laughed, 'I do not know another dragon who would find that unnerving. Most have heard rumours of your powers Akaysha, and the colour of your scales is relatively uncommon. Do not be put off by the attention. You are a dragon! Relish in it!'

The younger dragoness snorted, remembering Ragin saying a similar thing when they were in Hedarth. It didn't really make her any more welcoming of the attention though, dragon or not. From the moment she hatched she had strived to avoid being seen, to go against that was something she wasn't accustomed to.

The two dragons travelled further into the mountains, Sashi explaining some general things about the surrounding area, such as the best hunting spots and where the largest fields of fireweed were. She also explained how the wild dragons lived in the mountains, mostly occupying caves or large outcrops in the mountainside. The females usually built nests to shelter any eggs they had, that or they gave them to the dragon riders for safe keeping. The males didn't really bother with nests, though often collected some softer materials to lie down on, much like the bed that humans used.

The dragons lived primarily single lives to the others around them, but there were a number of communities within the species. There were three main groups. The first were situated near and around New Doru Araeba, as they didn't mind contact with two-legs and even helped the dragon riders in a number of tasks if they were needed. The second group was situated near the centre of the mountains and mostly kept to themselves, though were not against having others enter their territory. The final group lived around the outskirts of the mountain rangers, and often frightened away unwelcome visitors or travellers, suspicious of the outside world. Though they never attacked anyone unless they themselves were attacked.

'The dragon we are going to be seeing is named Sharrag,' Sashi said, 'While we dragons do not have a king or leader, he would probably be the closest to it. Should a decision need to be made that would effect our entire race, he is usually the first we look to.'

'Not Saphira?' Akaysha was slightly surprised.

'No. Despite the awe and respect most of our race have for the blue dragoness, she is bound to a rider, and therefore cannot truly represent all dragon kind. Though for you, I suggest you go to her for most things, considering you are bound as well.'

'You speak as though you are not bound to a rider,' Akaysha stated, studying the dragoness with interest.

'I am not.'

She faulted in the air, 'Are you not Ebrithil Logan's dragon?'

Sashi laughed again, 'I am, and I am not. Our bond is different to most dragon-rider bonds. I will explain in more detail at a later date. We have arrived now.'

The two dragons began their decent. The valley they entered was shaped like a bowl, with mountains spiking up on each side. There was no clear way to enter, accept by flight. At the bottom of the bowl was a large lake full of glittering clear water. The land around the lake was mostly bare, with the occasional tree rising from the undergrowth. A pack of Shrrg were laying near the water, surrounding a large white dragoness, who raised her head when she saw the other two dragons.

As Akaysha descended she felt a strange tug in her stomach. The magical energy inside her swirled without her wanting it. She let out a grumble of surprise, and struggled to supress the sudden rise in power. Sashi glanced over at Akaysha, not surprised at the effect of the valley. It was a strange place, one that could affect most creatures, and especially dragons, in odd ways.

The white dragon rose from where she had been laying, and it was then Akaysha recognised her. She was Fruessa, the dragon that had greeted her when they first flew into the mountain range. They landed near her. She was slightly smaller than Sashi, but still double the size of Akaysha. Her scales gleamed in the light of the morning sun, and Akaysha even felt a slight stir of magical energy from within the dragoness. It caused her to be slightly confused.

The two older dragonesses greeted each other with a myriad of thoughts. No words were exchanged between the two. They spoke, if you could call it that, about how glad they were to see each other again and the fact that Sashi had brought Akaysha to this valley. Sashi mentioned how strange this place made her feel every time she came here. Fruessa laughed at this, before turning her attention the darker dragoness.

'Welcome daughter of the night, I am glad to see you again.'

Akaysha dipped her head in response, 'What is this place?'

'There are no words to describe it in this tongue,' replied Fruessa, looking up at the mountain peaks, before allowing thoughts, feelings and images to run into Akaysha's conscious.

There was a slight gasp at the unusual feeling of someone other than Ragin sending thoughts into her mind. What she learned was astounding however. This was a place of magic, situated at a low place in the ground where the energy of the world itself leaked into the open air. It affected how things grow there, as well as the accessibility for most things, only fully safe for those who had a close connection to this wild magic.

Akaysha looked around with wonder at the surrounding area, her awe of the place growing. No wonder the magic inside her was rolling throughout her body. The very air was full of the same magic. She shivered from head to tail as it surged through her like a torrent of energy, a swelling of warmth that spread throughout her clawed feet and all the way through her wings.

'As I thought, this place does really affect you,' Sashi said to the smaller dragoness.

'Why did you bring me here?' asked Akaysha, 'I thought we were going to see Sharrag.'

As wonderful as the feeling was... it frightened her. The usually dormant magic that she commanded seemed out of control, and it was taking a considerable amount of focus to simply keep it from escaping her. She was frightened of what would happen if she let even the smallest amount managed to slip from her grasp, thinking back to the uncontrollable amount of energy she had unleashed not three weeks ago.

Before Sashi was able to reply a large conscious pressed down on her mind, causing her to let out a slight gasp and shaking her head, preparing to mentally defend herself. Her gaze was drawn toward a large cave mouth she hadn't yet noticed, and as she watched a massive figure appeared. Green scales ran down this dragon's neck and across his hide. Large wings were folded neatly against his back, and golden eyes looked down on the three dragonesses that had approached his territory. At the very least he was as big as Saphira, maybe even slightly larger, but the most noticeable feature was a long and ragged scar that ran down the dragon's throat, one that had never been properly healed.

This dragon didn't use words to speak, and instead a rush of thoughts ran through Akaysha's mind. His overwhelming presence caused the far smaller dragoness to bow her head, backing up slightly. She shuffled her wings nervously, feeling the questioning prod from this massive dragon. Sashi stepped forward, sending a few comforting thoughts in the dark dragon's direction, before bowing her head to the green dragon. Fruessa watched the exchange looking faintly amused. Sashi introduced Akaysha to this other dragon. Sharrag.

Sharrag noticed Akaysha's unease and rumbled a soft laugh, bending down his head to be level with her. Emotions and feelings of comfort and safety washed over her, and she felt her wings and body relax slightly, and even the magical energy in her reducing slightly, as if out of the respect of this gigantic dragon.

'Do you prefer the ancient tongue, daughter of the night?' Sharrag's mental voice was nearly overwhelming, full of authority, power, kindness and respect, speaking in the ancient language.

'I do not mind,' Akaysha replied, suddenly finding herself a lot more at ease around this other dragon, though she knew that it was likely because of the thoughts and feelings he had shared with her.

'There is no need to be so withdrawn, young dragon,' Sharrag rose his head higher, rumbling in laughter again, 'From what I have heard, you are likely the most powerful dragon here.'

Akaysha bobbed her head softly, forcing her wings to relax by her side, and raising herself a little taller. Her eyes were once again drawn to the large scar that was upon Sharrag's neck. He noticed her curiosity and chuckled softly once more.

'That is a war wound, from back in my younger days. Not too much older than you are now. It was wrought by a great foe, and has been unable to be healed ever since.'

'I think I could heal it for you,' Akaysha said, looking up at him.

'You honour me with your offer, but this wound has become as much apart of me as my wings and talons and teeth. Even if you could, I would have to decline, for my life would not be the same without it.'

The answer confused her. The scar looked incredibly painful, and it ruined the admittedly rather handsome glint of the dragon's green scales. If she had had the same wound, she would have done everything in her power to rid herself from it. The dragon rumbled in laughter again as he caught onto her thoughts, and lightly nudged her with his snout, reassuring her of his decision. She was still confused, but she decided that if he wanted it that way there was no reason for her to intrude.

She turned to look at Sashi and Fruessa, 'Why am I here then?'

'Sashi brought you here out of my request. I have heard of and felt your magic, and you are here to gain knowledge of this power so you are better able to understand it,' said Sharrag.

'Oh, but isn't this the first time it has happened?' she asked, wondering how much they could really know.

'You forget Akaysha, all dragons have access to this magic, though not at will like you do,' said Fruessa, speaking the ancient language perfectly.

'And, while you are the first among our kind that has been able to access this magic whenever you wish to, you are not the first creature to be able to do so,' continued Sashi.

'I'm not?' Akaysha was confused.

'No, in fact, you are the fourth creature I have met to be able to do so,' Sashi said.

'Really? Who else has been able to do so?'

'The first was a shade by the name of Kazra. Then, there was a dwarf named Torik. Finally, my rider, Logan has access to this magic, though I doubt to the extent you do.'

'Ebrithil Logan has access to this magic?' Akaysha found it hard to believe, though Sashi had been speaking in the ancient language, so she had to be telling the truth, 'How?'

'I told you Akaysha, we have a unique bond, one that differs from most others.'

'I don't understand.'

'There is time enough for this discussion later,' Sharrag said, 'For now, I have a question for you Akaysha. How much do you know about magic?'

The dark dragoness hesitated, wanting to know more about Sashi and Logan, but instead turned toward the green dragon, knowing she wouldn't get those answers now, 'Isn't it basically, converting energy into... other things, or focusing it, with your own will?'

She knew a bit about magic, having seen much from Ragin's mind and what happened when he used his own spells.

'Yes, that is in essence what magic is. Do you know what different types of magic there are?'

'Well... there is the magic of the ancient language. My magic. The enchanted words,' she thought for another couple of moments, 'Sorcery? Oh, and the magic used without words.'

Sharrag rumbled in laughter, nodding his head as he lay on the ground with a thump, 'You are mostly correct, yes, but much of what you said is the same. Let me explain. There are actually only three types of magic. Inner magic is the most common. This is what is used when others use the ancient language, or the enchanted words, of even magic without words. It uses the stores of energy provided by the user, or is drawn from energy of other finite sources around them. The second is sorcery. This is using the energy of spirits to be able to create magic and spells. The last, which is what we dragons and few other creatures are able to access, is called wild magic. Essentially, wild magic is using the energy of the world itself to cast spells.'

'The energy of the world?' Akaysha tilted her head.

Sharrag nodded, and thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to explain this energy in words. Eventually he gave up and simply flooded the dragoness's mind with the knowledge he wanted to pass on. She let out a small hiss, gripping the floor and shaking her head at the sudden images. It took a moment for it all to sink in, but once it did Akaysha suddenly found herself with new understanding on what Sharrag was trying to say.

Imbedded deep within the crust of the earth, was a well of immeasurable energy. It fed into the world above, though the purpose it served and why it was there was unknown. What was evident however was that some creatures, like dragons, were able to act almost as gates for this energy, and could occasionally call upon and direct it. Others that could use the magic included the grey folk and dwarves. Not much was known about how the grey folk used it, but the access the dwarves had was even more limited than dragons. The reason this magic was so powerful was because, if a dragon used it, the energy was nearly unlimited.

There were a few restrictions however. If someone that didn't normally have access to it, gained access to it, they were only able to do so with a language created long ago, presumably by the grey folk. When the magic was used, it had to be controlled, because if too much was poured into a spell the user would be overwhelmed, and unless stopped by an outside source, would eventually destroy themselves, much like what had happened to Akaysha. But dragons generally had a greater buffer than other creatures because of their greater size and power.

Akaysha was silent for a long time after being given the information, sifting through it all in her head and trying to make sense of it, 'I didn't know dwarves were able to access this same magic.'

'It is incredibly rare for one to do so,' explained Sharrag, 'But it seems all intelligent beings that were native to Alageasia are able to use this magic. We believe dwarves haven't remained as... connected to this energy as we dragons have.'

'And why does this place seem to almost leak this magic?'

'It is an incredibly low point in the ground. The only other two known places like this is are hidden on Vroengard, the original home of the riders, and there is another somewhere in the Beor Mountains, though I am not sure where. We don't know why it leaks out in these places. But it does.'

'This magic is shrouded in mystery Akaysha,' Fruessa said, 'We have only begun scratching the surface of what it is. But worry not about this. You are young, and there are still many more important things that you need to learn.'

'Yes,' agreed Sashi.

Akaysha nodded her head, it was too troublesome to try and make sense of all this now, as curious as she was. Her life would likely span for hundreds more years. She had plenty of time to figure out what all this meant.

'Now, I did not bring you all the way out here so we can only talk about this strange magic. I would also like to see the limits of what you can do, your combat knowledge and how well you are able to fly,' said Sashi.

The dark dragoness rumbled, having expected this when they had first left. She looked as the Shrrg began to move away from the dragons, heading over to a rather steep natural pathway leading up into the mountains. She wondered how they were able to handle the magic energy of this place, and part of her thought they might be able to access this magic as well. The wolves were native to Alageasia after all, but they hadn't really gained access to that intelligence until rather recently.

Akaysha and Sashi thanked Sharrag, before flying out of the valley once again. For the rest of the morning Sashi had the dark dragoness perform many aerial manoeuvres, tested her hunting skills, her fighting skills, and even had her cast a number of small spells to get an idea of the power she commanded. As mid-day came around, Akaysha found herself utterly exhausted, finding herself flattened against the ground the far larger golden dragon holding her down.

'That is enough for today. We better head back,' said Sashi, removing herself from the other dragoness, 'Logan and your rider will be waiting for us.'

Akaysha huffed in agreement and together they made their way back to New Doru Araeba.

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Hey guys! New chapter. If you enjoyed please vote and comment what you thought of this chapter. Despite its length, it felt really short when I read it back through. Anyway, next chapter will be out as soon as I can get it. I've finished exams now so it shouldn't take too long. See Ya!

Pennator^^