“Why is it so critical that I master this skill today?” Enzo pondered aloud as he chewed through some of the berries. They’d been scattered across the floor when Talwen discovered him the previous night but fortunately most weren’t crushed. Talwen moved over to the fire and lifted the gemstone.

“This stone must be kept warm at all times,” she explained. “During the middle of the day, sunlight is enough but it attracts unwanted attention when left in the open. I have been able to hide it here on this cliffside and get some rest. During the night, I must maintain the fire myself.”

“Sounds exhausting,” replied Enzo, tucking away the remaining berries back on the shelf in the rock near the main entrance of the cave. “Why go to all the trouble?”

Talwen stared at Enzo for a long moment before responding.

“This stone is an egg,” she said. “Dragons do not reproduce frequently, and the shell alone is valuable to some for its color and magical properties. I must keep it warm and keep it safe. You will help me with this, so I may hunt tonight. If I can’t hunt tonight, you will be my hunt.”

Talwen’s orange eyes burned into Enzo again, and he was immediately reminded of the vast physical difference between the two of them. At least she’s honest. Nothing sharpens the mind like the threat of impending death, I guess.

As Enzo returned to the fire, Talwen replaced the egg amongst the flames. He settled in and began to focus on the flames again, this time with renewed focus and determination.

Deep breaths. I control the flickering of the flames with my breaths. I control the intensity of the heat with my breath. Too hard, and I extinguish the flame. Too soft and it fades away.

Talwen stayed and observed Enzo as he practiced controlling the flame again. The fire shrank again as last time, but much slower and eventually began to stabilize.

“You are beginning to understand regulating the flow of the wind,” she said as Enzo worked. “Now focus on the temperature. The key to growth and expansion is energy. Let it circulate through you, and add its influence to your breath.”

Enzo felt the warmth return to its full strength as Talwen reset the fire again. This time, he tried to remember how it felt holding the flame in his hand. He began to feel the heat build in his chest and he let the feeling swell. Slowly, his whole body felt as though he’d been laying in the afternoon sun all day. Heat radiated from his body and began mixing with the energy he felt from the fire.

This sensation is amazing! I feel at one with this fire, my whole body is full of joyous energy! I feel like I could jump off that cliff and fly to the horizon and back!

CONTROL

The command from the dragon shook Enzo to his core and the feeling of the flame dissipated immediately. The fire in front of him died as well, and he looked at the dragon incredulously.

“I was making progress! I felt like I was connecting to the fire! I was almost there!” He shouted.

“No, you nearly lost control,” Talwen tersely responded. “This is why I am teaching you anything at all. The power of a Fire Affinity is intoxicating. You felt powerful, yes? Like you could do anything? That is the fire, it wants freedom and endless growth. It is pure energy. It wants to burn until there is nothing left, that is its nature. This is why you must have a strong mind. You must stay in control, or you will burn down everything around you.”

Enzo stared into the fire. The power is like a drug. It is enticing and overwhelming. Even now, I just want to dive right back in.

“I lost my mate to this intoxication,” Talwen said quietly. “We were attacked by another group of dragons. We took to the sky to defend ourselves and the eggs. Petty politics and disagreements are the downfall of our kind.” She stared deeply into the flames.

“Some humans saw the battle and knew the signs. They knew a nest must be nearby. They snuck into our cave and smashed two of our eggs before my mate broke away. The sight of the broken eggs and the humans scraping up the shells sent him over the edge. I grabbed the last egg and flew away as fast as I could as he willed an eruption of fire and burned down our mountain. No human or dragon survived his uncontrolled wrath, not even himself.”

Enzo was silent for a moment. Not much I can really say to comfort her. All I can do is master this task, and give her something else to focus on. He began building the warmth in his body again, but this time continued to focus on his breathing cycles.

I am in control. The flames dance on my breath because I allow them to. The heat of the fire builds because I give it strength. I give this fire energy and I can take it away. I give this fire freedom, but I keep the leash short. The fire is a part of me but I am its master. Together, we will protect this egg.

The fire flickered when Talwen released control to Enzo but never faltered. Ten minutes, then twenty, then an hour passed, and Enzo’s concentration did not waver. Talwen was impressed.

“Well done, you have passed this test,” she said, with a slight hint of pride. “There are still a few hours before darkness, I suggest you rest now to prepare for the night. I will bring food and water while you sleep.”

Enzo nodded and fell backwards from the fire. He was unconscious the moment his head hit the ground.