“Get in line!” shouted teacher Danila.

Whispering and shoving one another, the children took their places on the shore of the foaming river that, just a bit further, dropped into a hundred-and fifty-meter chasm. The chatter slowly died out and all heads turned.

Through the open space, three figures were closing by. Walking at the front was a short old woman. The wind played with the folds of her white gown and tangled the ends of the pale-blue scarf that hung over her shoulders, and her snow-white short hair sparkled in the sun. Despite supporting herself with an elegant cane, the lady’s step was brisk and energetic. Two men heaved behind her, both wearing the crimson togas of the Council. They both were at least a head taller than the woman but while one was stout and broad-shouldered, the other was full and phlegmatic with a disdainful expression and face adorned with a thin mustache. The fat chancellor’s name was Ludwig – Ludlo’s father.

Teacher Danila went to greet the esteemed guests. He gave a deep bow and, blushing shily, kissed the hand of the white-clad lady who awarded him with a friendly smile.

Watching them from his place in the lineup, Karil was mesmerized by the woman and even forgot about his meeting with the Shadow. Was this really lady Hariya – the Great Keeper of Five Pillars? Was this frail woman the same lady Hariya who had protected the city during the Great War?! If Karil was more experienced, he might have noticed from some of her gestures that behind the seemingly frail appearance hid iron will and nerves of steel. But he was just a boy and all this escaped his eyes.

“Mister Danila” thundered the voice of the well-built chancellor, scaring the students, “what were you thinking by choosing such a remote spot for the examination? You were informed in advance that her highness will be present. It is unthinkable to make the Great Keeper trek through the outback. What you did is irresponsible!”

“I… I…” The frightened Danila stuttered. “The teacher’s council discussed the issue… the exam has to be in a natural environment and… we sent her highness a letter, and…”

“And she agreed” interrupted him the old woman with a smile. “My dear young man, I have to say it has been a long time since I had a more pleasant outing. Therefore, chancellor Messel, do not condemn mister Danila in my name. I can only thank him for gifting me an afternoon free from paperwork.”

“As you say, my lady,” mumbled the chastised chancellor.

“And now” the Great Keeper turned to the students, “It is time to start the exam. Don’t worry and show us what you can do.”

The students took their places three meters from each other and put their hands above the water. Thirty-four shining orbs descended in the air. It was a good start. The Great Keeper and the chancellors, followed by Danila, stated their rounds between the students.

Sweat appeared on Karil’s forehead. Just as expected, things weren’t’ going any smoother than during the training. If it wasn’t for that accursed stranger, he could have finished his practice. The examiners were coming closer. He had to do something and fast! If his methods were like a carpenter’s… There was nothing to lose. The boy closed his eyes and immediately the image of the hateful stranger popped up in his mind. What gives? It was his idea after all. Concentrating, Karil imagined a thin stream of water flowing along the contours.

“Karil, what…?”

The boy opened his eyes. Right before him stood the teacher, lady Hariya and the chancellors, and between them, as if made from thin glass, floated the stranger’s head.

“Karil” whispered Danila, “this… this is amazing!”

“The best of them all! I never thought that I would see something like this” said Ludlo’s father who had given up his disdainful expression for pure amazement.

Very slowly, the Great Keeper turned to Karil, and her face was serious.

“How do you know this man?” she asked in a soft but stern tone.

But the boy wasn’t meant to answer. A heart-wrenching scream echoed over the river. From the row of students, someone shouted in response

“Tari!” cried the Great Keeper and ran towards the commotion.

It was now that the confused Karil saw what was going on. Five meters above the ground, caught in something like a whirlwind, the small girl with the hazel eyes drifted screaming.

“Tari!” Teacher Danila bellowed. “Don’t make any sudden movements! We are coming!”

In the meantime, the old woman had arrived at the screaming girl and had her hands stretched out in a commanding gesture. Her white clothes fluttered from the gale. For a moment it seemed that she had managed to catch the child chaotically flying around, but was suddenly pushed back by a torrential wind. Hadn’t the teacher been right behind to catch her, the old woman would have flown at least ten meters.

At that very moment, the girl in the air spun rapidly in place, gave out a final terrified shriek, and fell. Fell like a rock from the edge of the waterfall.

“Tariiiiiiiiii!”

The Great Keepers scream echoed over the water and died out. Everyone stood stunned and couldn’t move. For a heartbeat, deathly silence loomed. Even the thunder of the waterfall was no more. And then… Something huge and blue soared in the sky, flickering in the sunlight. It looked like… a dragon! An enormous, elongated head covered in shining turquoise scales and spikes that ran along the snake-like neck turned around and faced the stunned crowd. On the strange creature’s snout, two figures were visible.

The dragon graciously bent its neck and started descending to the ground. It laid its head on the green grass and blinked with a huge sapphire eye.

“Grandma!” the girl shouted, tore free from the hands of the man beside her, and sprang from the dragon’s nose.

“Tari!” Lady Hariya stretched her arms out in disbelief and hugged the sobbing child. “Tari! Tari! Tari! Oh, God, you are alive! My darling, you are alive! Thank you, thank you!”

The Great Keeper lifted her pale face, tears still flowing down, and finally saw the man getting down from the dragon. She blinked several times and shook her head in confusion.

“Lady Hariya,” sounded the unpleasantly thinned voice of chancellor Messel, “what is this monster?”

“This is no monster,” answered the man instead.

Karil couldn’t believe his eyes. Before them stood HIS stranger and was giving the blue dragon a pat.

“What is it then?” Ludlo’s father interjected.

“Water manipulation,” lady Hariya raised her voice.

“Water…” The fat chancellor choked.

“Don’t joke, your highness. This is impossible!” Messel was appalled. “Even I couldn’t do…”

“Maybe you couldn’t but a Supreme Master definitely can,” interrupted him the old woman.

“Suprem…” Now was Messel’s turn to choke.

The students started whispering. Lady Hariya stood up, leaving the calmed down Tari in Danila’s care, and approached the stranger. He motioned to bow but the Keeper stopped him.

“Thank you for saving my granddaughter, Salep.”

“I was just lucky,” replied the man curtly.

“Yes, we all got lucky.”

The two stood there and stared at each other.

“Was it necessary to transform the whole waterfall?” Lady Hariya broke the silence. “Or did you just want to show off?”

“No, it was just the first thing that came to mind.”

“Aha.”

The Keeper looked at the sparkling dragon. Then she suddenly spun, made a small jump, and gave the stranger named Salep a resounding slap.

“This,” she said to the bewildered man, “is for not sending even a word in thirteen years, not even a line that you are alive!”

She then stepped forward and gave him a motherly hug.

“And this is a welcome home!”