The Blood of Dragons-Chapter 2

“D-dad?” Malachi gasped. Kade Hutchins looked different from the last time they were together. He had more gray hairs and he had put on muscle. The wrinkles of worry covered his forehead The crow’s feet and bags under his eyes suggested he wasn’t sleeping much. He had a scar that ran from the top of his right brow to above his lip. His wardrobe had changed too. He war a long cloak with a hood. On his feet he war combat boots. Malachi could have sworn he saw a dagger sheathed into his belt loop. Malachi had so many questions. Where his father been all this time? When did he get magic? How long had he been looking for him?

“My boy,” he whispered, a single tear streamed down his face. He wiped it away and changed his tone. It sounded serious. “We must leave this place. That dragon will kill us in a second.” He stared behind his son at Sapphire then grabbed his hand. He snapped his fingers and whispered “home”.

As if a windstorm had appeared behind them they were blown forward. The world around them whisked by in a blur. They were traveling so fast Malachi was surprised they hadn’t crashed into a mountain. In seconds they stopped in front of a cave. Dragon head sculptures lined each side of the entrance.

“Follow me son,” His father said.

“Wait a minute Dad,” Malachi answered. “I have questions.”

“I will explain everything once we are safe inside” He looked up and around the area near the cave. “Now come on, the Draguol like to scavenge this area.”

Malachi reluctantly followed his father through the dark entrance. With a wave of his hand, torches lit up the space before him, revealing a large door. A dragon engraving covered the door. As each moment passed, it raised an important question. Where the hell are they?

Kade stepped to the door and traced his finger along the tail of the engraving. The room shook as the outline of the dragon lit up and split in two The doors opened slowly revealing a small medal door. There was a small window at the top of the door. Kade knocked three times.

Minutes passed. Then the small window opened, seemingly from the inside. “Mihi fatum est ad me,” a burly voice stated. Kade stepped up to the window and whispered “Fatum enim ego Meum.” Latin wasn’t Malachi’s best subject. He believed they had said something about “fate” and “destiny.” He heard the sound of unlatching locks and the door opened. In the doorway stood a giant of a man. At least six five if Malachi had to guess. He was not only tall, but jacked. He could see the veins in his arms. This was not a man you wanted to piss off. He wore an up patch over his left eye and a long blonde beard that ran down to just above his stomach. His face looked dirty. His skin was covered in soot.

“Who this?” He said, pointing toward Malachi. “We do not have room for anymore of your strays Kade.”

“Sven, this is my son Malachi,” Kade answered. “We just found each other. I promise he is the last one.”

“You told me your son was dead,” Sven looked puzzled. “You told me you were estranged for seven years and then he died.”

“Well clearly I am standing right here, Malachi said with a chuckle. “Before a few minutes ago, I thought my dad was dead too.”

Kade stepped through the door and close it behind him. Malachi could hear the men arguing from the other side. After what seemed like an eternity the door opened, and Sven gestured for him to enter. He stepped past Sven and through the door. He stood next to his father in front of a stone wall. Malachi was confused because the corridor was small and there looked to be no other doors leading anywhere.

“Um, is this it?” Malachi asked. “How do we get in? Wherever we are.”

Kade waved his hand across the wall. “Reveal” He said.

The wall disintegrated as the word left his lips. Before them was a bustling community. It was strange because from the other side of the wall he heard nothing. Men and women and even children walked around. Some of the children shot harmless spells at each other giggling as they did so. Sven resumed his post. He appeared to be the communities blacksmith, which would explain the soot. He grabbed his hammer and the sword he was working on from the kiln. He began beating the sword into shape.

On their left was a market with all different kinds of goods to sell. His father was talking to one of the shop keeps and pointing toward Malachi. Their face lit up and he figured his father was informing them he had found his son. They hugged and his father rejoined Malachi.

“Dad,” Malachi looked around and smiled, “What is this place?

Kade gestured toward table near some of the shops and they sat down, “Are you able to keep a secret? No matter what happens. No matter who is in danger. No one must know the location of this place.”

“Of course dad,” Malachi answered.

“Good,” he said. “Welcome son, to The Order of The Hidden Keep.”