“I believe, that should be sufficient for a mere Trial of Lore, do you not?” Tiamat asked, addressing the whole of the chamber. It caused many of the elders, to be embarrassed by their lack of attention. Things had started as a test, before they’d taken a foul turn into an angry mob. The intervention and attention of the Mother had only confused the elders more, as none could remember the last time she had appeared in the flesh. “If you would, Den Mother.” She asked.

“By your command, Mother.” Blood Claw replied, before whispering the sequence to end the rite. The circle faded, as the symbols recorded spiraled around it and into the crystals of the floor. This time, one of the crystals changed color and began to glow. A very sad looking Tome flew down from his ledge and collected the crystal, replacing it with a fresh one. “What bothers you so?” Blood Claw asked him. He looked up and sighed at her, earning an odd glance from the goddess.

“We could have asked so much more, things of importance and lost truths.” The wyvern replied, while cradling the recording crystal as if it were a precious treasure. The way he spoke, he sounded like a child who’s birthday had just been canceled. Even the Mother took note of this.

“Master archivist, I will not torture the poor whelp with questions until you learn all he knows. He has proven himself, more so than usual, so the rite must come to an end.” Tiamat told him, in gentle tones. Once he gave her a sad nod, she continued. “If you still have questions about the times long past, then come to me. Sing me a song by the waters edge, and ask me your questions there. Perhaps…I shall answer.”

“Thank you, great Mother.” He stated, bowing his head as far as his old spine allowed. A moment later, Tome tucked the recording into a padded pouch and flew back to his perch. Even if he was eager to archive the recording, he did not want to miss any time the Mother spent here.

“Is everything in order then?” Tiamat asked the Den Mother.

“Indeed Mother. Everything is in order and the Trial ended well.” She replied. After the goddess continued to stare at her for a moment, she decided to ask. “Is there anything wrong?”

“If everything is in order, why have you not proceeded to the next stage then?” The goddess asked, raising the ridge above her eye in a common gesture.

“Ahem. Right, forgive me.” Blood Claw stated, before walking up beside Darin. She whispered something, too low for him to hear and restored the amplification. She paused for a single deep breath and then addressed the entire chamber. “Honored elders, the Trial of Lore has been passed beyond all doubt. As the Mother has given her blessings, it would be unwise of anyone to protest this.” She paused to let that sink in, earning her a slight smile from her deity. “This whelp beside me has acquitted himself well in his Trials this day. True, he failed the test of strength. But he has shone brightly, in all other tests. In battle he scorched and mauled a large red whelp, twice his level, leading to a draw. At a mere level 2, he took down a Guardian Buck in the hunt. He has-”

“He did what?” Demanded a large green elder, interrupting her monologue. At once several conversation erupted in the room. To Darin’s surprise it was Firebrand who walked up and stood on the other side of him on the dais.

“My fellow elders.” She addressed them, then paused to let the room fall silent. You’d think she’s done this before. “I give my word as an elder and as a member of the Fire Clan. He went forth to hunt in the sheltered woods, alone and the first to hunt. Within half an hour he called out to Blue Shark to let her know he had slain a beast too large to carry back. When she and some of the other whelps arrived to see, there he sat, singing to the Mother over a freshly slain Buck. Were that not enough to convince you, he left at level 2 and returned at level 3. I believe that all other circumstances are irrelevant.”

“And elder Blue Shark,” they paused to snicker at the name, “will attest to this as well?” Another asked.

“Indeed, it is as she says. He proved himself well, in the hunt.” Blue Shark confirmed, from somewhere off to the right. This led to some murmuring in the room.

“I don’t even like him very much, and I too can confirm the tale.” Dark Flame announced, though no one had bothered to asked him.

“As I was saying.” Blood Claw reminded them, before they could get of track again. “He also flew better as a Hatchling than many dragons I have seen, when they reach their adult stage. He also can-”

“He flies with ease you say?” Asked a heavyset, copper scaled dragon. There was a hint of disbelief in his voice. “This we would need to see, to…fully appreciate.”

“If it will allow me to finish my speech and move this along, very well.” Blood Claw stated, not bothering to hide her agitation. She sighed, then glanced to Darin.

“As you wish.” He stated, his amplified voice easily filling the chamber. With a slight jump he began to back-wing, and hover a few feet off the ground. The chamber fell silent, so he turned and flew a large sweeping loop around the dais. With his second pass he gained both speed and a bit of height. There where a few gasps or murmurs, but no one let him know they were satisfied. Heck with it, time to put on a show. Turning outward, he few over the lower waters and then dipped down, before pulling up and doing a double loop. With whispers and murmurs passing amongst the elders, he decided to bring things to a close. As he came out of the second loop he shot upward and out, arcing across the room. Despite the speed he was traveling at, he spread his wings for a full air brake and came to a momentary stop before an elder. The very same elder that had requested a demonstration. “Do you still question my ability to fly, honored elder?” He asked in his loudest voice. It was all the more impressive as he back-winged, taking care to keep himself at eye level.

“I- I believe that is sufficient to prove your skill.” The copper elder acknowledged. His words were fair, but there seemed some agitation in his voice. I don’t want him to disturb things again.

“While I am here, honored elder, would you also like a demonstration of my ability to breath fire?” Darin asked, in a loud and mirth filled voice. The implications caused many nearby elders to laugh.

“Ahem. No, to do so from the dais would suffice quite well.” He replied, less than eager to get a face full of flames. To do so in front of his peers, would have wounded his body and his pride. He followed it up with a shooing motion, to send the whelp off. Gotcha!

“As you wish, honored elder.” Darin stated, before pulling his wings in and causing himself to drop like a rock. It caused the desired gasp from many of the elders. In mid air, Darin turned about and opened his wings once more. The acceleration from his fall was easily turned into forward motion. It allowed him a smooth glide back to the dais, without needing to flap even once. He landed with grace, causing the chatter in the room to pickup further.

“Well done, young one.” Firebrand whispered, only to be amplified by the magic. Blood Claw nodded her agreement then opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off.

“As the honorable elder has requested. I will be happy to demonstrate my flames.” Darin stated, addressing the room and cutting off the next set of interruptions. “Would anyone like to be my target, for the sake of demonstration?” He asked aloud, causing the gathered elders to grow quiet. Funny, everyone loves a good joke. But no one wants to be part of the punchline, he mused.

“I am glad to see that Wisdom is a trait of the Elders. My first children were weaker in body, but very strong in magic and potential.” Declared the Mother, causing several murmurs in the room. Darin glanced up to her and she nodded, then gestured to the open air. He drew in a gentle breath for his lungs, rather than his fire, and then began. Though he couldn’t see it, his flames didn’t even reach two and a half feet from his beak.

“Look at that tiny little flame.” Called out a dragoness, thinking it was adorable. Many others laughed. All the while, Darin kept his fire going.

“At least its the right size for his body. I’d be embarrassed, if mine looked like that.” A male stated, causing several others to laugh at his innuendo.

“Yes, that’s true. But you could stand to learn about stamina from him.” A female elder teased in response. There was a short burst of laughter followed by silence. Despite their momentary distraction, his flame was still burning strong. 12…13…14, he counted in his head. After 14, the flames died out. He spared a glance at his combat log, and confirmed his suspicions.

Insufficient Mana to continue.

“Does anyone question that this child was blessed with strong flames?” Firebrand asked, her amplified voice echoing in the chamber. For several seconds, no one spoke until the Mother broke the silence.

“Did I not tell you that my first children were blessed with strong magic?” She asked the room, causing many to avert their gaze. “You really are Ember’s child, little one.”

“Then -” He turned and started to ask, ignoring his own trials for the moment. To his disappointment, she hushed him instead.

“Another time, little one. Another time. For now, you still need to get your name.” She reminded him. In response his wings drooped a little, before he turned back to the front of the chamber. Much to his surprise, Blood Claw let out a frustrated sigh and glared at him.

“You. Quiet. Wait.” She stated, before turning to the chamber as a whole. “I grow tired of all these interruptions. Does anyone here doubt he has earned a name?” She asked. Darin’s eyes flicked to Dark Flame, if anyone was going to be a pest, it would be him. To his surprise, the black dragon shrugged and tossed him a wink. I guess he’s saving up his mischief for something else then, Darin mused.

“It would seem that all are in agreement, the whelp has passed his Trials with honors.” Firebrand stated, giving a moment for anyone to protest. When no one did, she nodded to the Den Mother.

“Then hear by I declare-” Blood Claw stated, only to be interrupted again.

“Forgive me Den Mother, but if I might have the honor.” Tiamat requested, or rather declared the right. When she received a nod, the goddess herself spoke to the elders. “Honored elders amongst my children. It is my great pleasure to announce that this whelp has grown into a young dragon. He has passed his trails and earned a great deal of respect. I would have you remember, that he is the first of the long sleepers to awaken. But I doubt that he will be the last. It falls now on you, the elders, to grant him a name worthy of respect and worthy of his deeds.” She declared, with a hint of motherly pride. At once the noise of murmurs and whispered conversations filled the room.

“Elders, I ask you now. What names do you suggest that that our youngest of dragons should be known by?” Blood Claw asked, in a formal and ritualistic tone. It was in that moment, that a huge grin spread across Dark Flame’s face. Oh, no. Whatever it is, don’t you dare…

- - - - -

Author’s note: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I expected it to move a little faster, but I tend to believe in telling whatever needs to be told. I got a lot of wonderful feedback from people, which is great. And no, don’t worry. I don’t see this story taking a Harem turn folks, that’s why that remained a joke. As to all the prior requests for images or screen shots, I apologize but I’m not an artist. I’m also planning to make e-books out of my stories if all goes well. Thus it would be bad of me to ‘borrow’ peoples artwork without asking. I’m trying to respect the copyright of others, and expecting them to return the favor. (By law: If you write/draw/compose it, you own it.) As ever, thank you for all the positive feedback. It really does brighten my day sometimes. Feel free to let me know if I typo’ed something. I do my own edits and PRing at this stage, so stuff does slip past me. Night all!