Candles

Up above in the solitude of white, smoke from a chimney swirled up into the air. It was a busy day for the Cobbled Diner but today was rather special. The curtains were shut and the sign on the front door was flipped to closed. The smell that seeped right through the diner's window was pleasant. Unlike the chimney It was not ashen but rather the scent was sweet and delightful.

Within this cozy establishment, the fireplace filled the place with a gentle heat that gave warmth to everyone. Dozens of men and women dressed in best clothes rushed back and forth helping one another decorate the whole Dining lobby. They were a mismatched crew that managed to finish the task given to them.

Dark and white like paper decorations hung from the lights above, small yet bright baubles were attached on each four corners of the diner that glittered like stars in the night.

The one celebrating this special day waited patiently on the far right. It tapped its long nails on a mahogany table that was beautifully laid with dark blue cloth. It smiled and revealed its perfect set of sharp teeth.

Ten people went out of the kitchen and this queued up the rest to drag and fix the wooden seats, placing them all in a rather unique setup. Their seats were placed on the far left and the variety of pastries and hearty meals carried by these ten individuals were placed on the middle part of the lobby.

In unison five of their best men went in front of the crowd with their shield in hand, then the ones at the back waited eagerly and waved and smiled back at the birthday participant.

"Gaedwynn, is everythin ready?!" Asked Dvalin, a muscular dwarf who had his bushy auburn beard kept hidden behind his apron. He rushed around the kitchen with his stubby legs, avoiding dozens of pots and pans littered about, and checked if each of the dishes were ready to be served outside the hall. After that he saw a pot that was left unattended and grabbed it and stirred the leftover dough in a very rough manner.

"Aye!" A man dressed in a proper all white outfit entered the kitchen and grabbed the remaining food. The young recruit turned around and saluted both his captains with his free hand. "Good luck captains." He left and the clamour outside slowly died down.

"Bah, it will be a disaster just like before."

"It will be fine Dvalin, we just have to believe." Gaedwynn replied with a smile and picked one of the cherries in a small container, placing it on the edge of their magnum opus "Plus i think today is gonna be the day."

Dvalin furrowed his brow, placed the pot on top of a nearby table causing a few utensils to ring and rattle.

"No, you kept saying that for the past 10 years and not any of them ended fine!" Dvalin raised his voice against his companion. He removed his apron and approached Gaedwynn with fumes coming out of his nose.

"Listen here long ears," he poked Gaedwynn's chest with his stubby finger, "I'm not riskin this place again, do you know how much repairs cost?! Last time almost everythin burned down and i had to come up with an elaborate excuse to tell the nearby village why this place was in flames!"

"And who helped you create those excuses? Don't you fret we can just use the same exact reason as before."

"Ah, okay i think they wont grow suspicious of it considering that we are living near Icespine Peak!" He clicked his tongue and emphasized on where they are, a snowy region devoid of fire and brimstone. Frustrated, he raised both his arms and stomped his fur boots on the wooden floor.

The elf, with a straight face watched his friend take a few steps away from him. At any moment the dwarf could blow and he would rather wait for the right opportunity to respond with a logical answer.

"Well, a part of this diner is a bakery, and fire tends to happen when things mess up, I'm sure they could understand that." Said Gaedwynn right after he finished placing all the cherries on each edge of the cake.

Dvalin rolled his eyes, "The first few years were okay, everyone down by the village were willing to help us because he was only able to spew out a small amount of flames, sure it was funny when he couldn't blow the damn candle out but,"

The dwarf raised the spatula with an annoyed face, "after a few years he still couldn't blow the candle and instead it almost burned the whole place down. Its flames grew and thank Faldur that none of our company burned to a crisp. Everyone grew weary and I fear that if this happens again today. It will grab unwanted attention from afar."

The anger that dwell inside Dvalin faded as his eyes trailed towards Gaedwynn. All it took to calm him down was the glimpse of his partner's raven hair that was tied into a bun.

Back then both men were free from all these responsibilities. He looked down at his callous, rigid hands then wondered how Gaedwynn was okay with all of this.

"We shouldn't even be here, we are adventurers and we were meant to travel the world, not stay in place just to look after a kid."

"It is more than a kid." Gaedwynn interrupted.

Gaedwywnn was taken aback when Dvalin took a battle stance, the dwarf swung the spatula high and low as if it was hix axe. Dwynn brushed the hair with his palm as flour started to mix with the air.

"What in Faldurs name are you doing?" Dwynn coughed and brushed the blurry air once more.

"We should still be out there, don't you miss it? the adventure, the slaying, and the treasure." he twirled the spatula in hand and pointed it towards Dwynn

Gaedwynn dodged and rubbed his chin. He chuckled for a bit because he too remembered how fun it was. The thrill for battle. The thirst for excitement. Baking was never their thing, the only thing they were good at was the art of combat.

He would love to go back but he was a man of their company's code.

With a sleight of hand He picked one of the cherries and aimed at his friend's forehead.

He narrowed his eyes and waited for his vision to clear up. Dvalin still swung the spatula but he was unaware that the sharp elf joined the fray.

Gaedwynn flicked the cherry with his finger and for a split second he imagined his sharp fingers as his bow and the cherry as his arrow. Plop, before Dvalin could react he was already hit. "Getting pretty slow ey friend?"

The edges of his mouth stretched, "I guess so, Dwynn." The smile he now wore was hidden behind his beard, he tapped his stomach then took a seat next to Dwynn, now that his mind was clear he noticed the masterpiece that the both of them made.

"Do we still need the leftover dough?" He asked while stammering on his words.

"Nope," Dwynn smirked.

"Then why did you let me stir the damn pot?!"

"Because it was funny." He shifted his gaze from the cake to Dvalin and it was nice to see that his friend was having a good time.

Gaedwynn bit his lip in excitement and took a few steps back to gander at their creation. His bright eyes glowed green and his smile grew wider. The cake stood tall like a tower, coated in snow white frosting similar to the icy weather outside. The toppings varied in shape and sizes and the most important thing of all was at the top. At its peak, it revealed who was having this special day. 6 letters drawn perfectly in dark blue gel. Astrix.

Years of training themselves to become better have finally paid off, Cobblers Diner started as this measly plan to lay low but eventually this place became a part of their own heart. It was an unexpected path to take but this was the best option for Astrix to grow like his mother intended to.

"Dvalin, do you still remember the Iron Company's code?" He asked with a stern expression

"The Iron Company shall not give up on their quest no matter how hard it will be."

"The Iron Company shall spark against the anvil and will withstand every blow no matter how hard they will be. We are forged not to be broken, but to be shaped by the journey ahead." Dvalin said without falter.

"The boy's future shall be shaped by our own hands," Gaedwynn spun around with open arms, "All of this is thanks to its mothers hoard of gold that she permitted us to use. Her last request was for us to raise Astrix to show no hate for our kind, that there is more to this world than just killing. Believe me i want to go back but i think this is the right path for all of us."

Dwynn knelt and held both of Dvalin's shoulders, "Everything that we have learned or experience, we can teach it to him, Astrix is a part of the company's family"

Dvalin quickly understood Dwynns words and nodded. They will be the boy's sword and shield.

"Let's get to it then." Dwynn tapped Dvalins shoulder and strolled towards the cooled down brick oven and his companion followed from behind. The aroma of bread and pastries still lingered among the dying flames.

Beside it was a locked steel door, he grabbed the handle with his smooth hands and twisted it in a counterclockwise manner. Once its handle went on a halt a loud click can be heard from within the door.

With the combined strength of a hearty dwarf and a meticulous elf they managed to open it and the contents inside finally met daylight once more. The sun crawled out of the white sky and peeked through the windows. It gleamed inside the dark store room and slowly the shadows retreated from the cracks to unveil pieces of their past.

None of them were left to rot and rust for they would often clean them as if they were a part of their own body. Three walls. In front of them were their weapons. Sparrow Shot and Twin Tails for Dwynn, and Skull Splitter for Dvalin. To their left were their boots and gauntlets, and to their right are their armors. Iron and Leather.

Both men took their armor, rushed for the cart where the cake was placed, and heaved a heavy sigh before going out of the kitchen.

As soon as the kitchen doors swung open everyone looked at the cake in awe, it was magnificent, delicious, and the scent was succulent and sweet.

Too bad it will be burnt to ashes soon some thought. Some men from behind crossed their fingers and hoped that today things might change.

Astrix turned his head from side to side, it flapped its wings in excitement after seeing two more familiar faces that it grew accustomed to. Then its sharp cold blue eyes laid upon what Astrix will feast upon. It towered over its small icy scaled body. Its forked tongue flickered back and forth, hoping to take a swift bite out of the cake.

When smoke dribbled from its nostrils the defenders on the far left raised their shields in a panic.

"Cake!" Astrix spoke, and for a dragonling his voice was already quite deep.

"Easy now now little fella, you know the tradition right?" Dwynn said right after giving everyone a wide-eyed look.

They gulped and understood what he meant. Be patient and so they gave a silent salute.

Astrix swished his tail, "I quite in fact do, but i just can't wait to dig in." The soft spines on its back gently quivered.

"Have you practiced what we taught you?" Asked Dvalin.

"Yes, i believe this time I can do it." Astrix puffed out its scaly chest, flapped its wings in preparation to hover above the cake.

"Ehem," Coughed the dwarf and everyone looked at one another in confusion. Something important was missing. A company member who had his fangs protrude out of the edges of his mouth nudged the soldier of the newly recruited member of the diner.

"Kid, pass em the candles." The orc whispered, the young boy panicked and patted his shirt and pants then realized that someone had placed them on his clothes.

"Yes sir!" He ran out of the huddled crowd and handed them to their captains then ran scurried back to the far left of the lobby.

"What was that for Velk?"

"Its something we always do. To have a laugh before disaster strikes." Everyone around him chuckled and gave Colm a thumbs up and it lessened the tension that spiraled inside the diner."

Dywnn picked up one of the candles and waved it right in front of Astrix, "If you did learn what we taught then I must give you a test."

The dragonling tried to furrow its eyes that somehow resembled Dvalin when frustrated or confused. "What kind of test?"

"I want you, " he plopped three candles on top of the cake, "to light up the candles first."

The huddled crowd muttered and looked at one another in shock. They did not expect this to happen.

"Oi, don't you think that's a bit rough? We only taught him how to control his breathing,"

"It may be but this is how we see if he had progress, try lighting up, control your flames to spurt out like a drop." Dywnn said with a grin.

The scales on Astrix's face eased up and the way it flapped its wings lost its rhythm.

Breathe, Astrix told himself. It closed its eyes and blocked out its senses. Astrix curled its tail and once again it regained its composure.

Astrix remembered the countless times where he got scolded for burning almost everything down, he remembered how each and everyone in this room were patient and still accepted him no matter how dangerous he really is.

The dragonling opened its eyes, heaved a deep breath. Its chest glowed in crimson and the room's temperature soon began to rise. Shields were raised high but Dvalin and Dwynn stood there with Astrix.

Astrix focused, his hands were tense, and his eyes stared deeply on to the candle, "Just a little, just a little." He said in his mind.

When Astrix opened his mouth everyone held their breath. Dvalin closed his eyes in fear while Dwynn smirked. For the elf, the hint of fear was non-existence for he chose to believe

Astrix felt heat come out of its mouth, it spurted a small flame, a smooth orange fire that lit the wick of the candle. The silence that filled up the lobby felt quick yet long. Astrix could not believe it and quickly Astrix puffed their cheeks and looked at Dwynn with shimmering eyes, Astrix nodded as Dwynn gave them a thumbs up. On the other hand, Dvalin failed to witness such an event because he still had his eyes covered with his rough hands.

The others wanted to celebrate and approach Astrix but knowing that there was another test they did not and instead the ones in front lowered their shields hoping that this can boost Astrix's confidence.

The dragon flapped their wings slower and slower until its tiny claws touch the seat underneath, "I.. I did it!"

Dvalin dropped his hands, blinked and rubbed his eyes. For the first time during this time of year the cake did not burn down, "Astrix! You did it!"

"There is still one more," Dwynn interrupted.

"But, this is okay isn't it?" Dvalin said, his voice was a bit high for he was again worried.

"Astrix still needs to wish for something, and in order for it to come true he needs to blow the cake," Dwynn leaned in further next to Astrix, "Go on, and make this wish very special." He patted Astrix on the head.

Smoke escaped from Astrix's Nostril as it was given the chance to think. It flapped its wings and stared at the candle. It paused, a wish, what kind of wish does it want.

The scales above its eyes stretched as Astrix already thought of something.

"My wish is to live alongside my family and become strong enough to protect them once I become big." Astrix said to itself then it opened its mouth once more.

Heat dissipated and the crimson glow from its chest disappeared, Astrix puffed its cheeks and finally what came out was not orange nor does it carry heat. It was its breath. A gentle breath that blew the fire resting on top of the candle.

"Yes!!!" Dwynn and Dvalin said in unison as they approached Astrix, hugging the kid tight with warmth.

"Now! Who wants a slice!! Dvalin roared in excitement.

"Aye!" Everyone dropped their guard and with a snap of a finger fixed the seats back in their normal position. One of them tossed a knife to Dvalin and went back to serving the pastries.

Dvalin hands the knife to Astrix, "You do the first slice."

Astrix's eyes widened "Are you sure?!"

The dwarf raised it up high, "You deserve it Trix and-"

Astrix grabbed the knife with its claws, zoomed up high to the ceiling, "Geronimo!!" Astrix swooped down and sliced the cake like a hawk diving for its prey. It made a mess, the cake spreaded all over the curtains, floors, and most of all on Dwynn and Dvalins face.

"Astrix!!!" The dwarf ran around chasing Astrix while the others including Dwynn stood by, eating and laughing.