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  The next day he woke up and found Alex and John in the kitchen talking they saw Tom and Alex said “ Tom I have to go on a mission for the commander. John is going to look after the house while I am gone and you can go visit your family and friends while I am gone. But you have to train while you are there, pack your bags and go home.” Tom started packing and found his shield and axe.

  He cleaned the axe and went to Alex and asked “Can I take this shield with me so I can fix it?” Alex answered “Of course it is your shield”. Tom went back to packing. When he was done Alex, John and he walked over to the dock. They said farewell and Alex changed into a purple dragon and launched himself into the air. Tom just put his stuff into his canoe and paddled to the shore.

  He tied up his canoe and started jogging home. It took him about an hour to get back to Pine Grove. As he jogged over the hill he and looked at the small town he realized that he was standing on the hill Alex had flown over the day that Alex noticed him. He walked down the hill and into town. He walked by a house and he heard someone yell his name he turned and saw Jordann and Mykala two of his friends walking towards him and he smiled.

  When they reached him Jordan asked “What have you been doing?” Tom said “I got an apprenticeship remember?” Jordann said “That I knew but I don't know what you are studying.” Tom replied “Oh, but I don't think you'll believe me.” Mykala gestured for him to go on so Tom continued “ I am an apprentice Dragon Guardian.” Jordann and Mykala looked shocked and Mykala said “You were right I don't really believe you” Tom chuckled and asked “Do you have some water?” Jordan ran to get some and Mykala asked “Why do you want water?” Tom answered “You'll see.” Jordann came back with a bucket of water and Tom concentrated and the water rose from the bucket, it froze, unfreeze, it formed shapes and finally Tom put it back in the bucket.

  He saw the two girls' faces and laughed then said “Now do you believe I am an apprentice Guardian?” The girls nodded, Tom smiled and told them “I have to go and tell my family I am home.”. Tom walked towards his house and his mom was in the garden she looked up from her work and when she saw Tom she ran to him and squeezed him until his muttered “Choking.” and his mom released him.

  Tom smiled and said “Great I can kill a giant black bear and chase down criminals, but I am defenseless from my mom.” His mom looked at him with wide eyes and asked “Giant black bear?! I am going to have to speak with your master about sending you to fight a bear.” Tom laughed and said “He didn't send me to fight it I ran into it on a run, luckily he has me run in armor and with my axe and shield. And where is something to eat?Where are Dad, Kiya, Siera and Caleb?”. His mom laughed and said “Always hungry, and Dad and Caleb are in the shop, Kiya and Sierra are at the lake with some friends.” Tom walked into the house and saw his dad and Caleb working at the forge.

  As he watched they dipped the red hot metal into a bucket and steam billowed up. His dad and Caleb then walked over to him and wiped of their hands on their aprons. They slapped him on the back and Caleb asked “How is training to be a Guardian?” Tom replied “It's great. How is the forge? By the way my shield got dented really bad fighting a black bear so will you help me fix it?” His dad smiled and said “Of course we will help fix your shield.” Tom spent the next few hours with his friends and family.

  But then he went into his backyard and practiced with his axe, crossbow and magic. Some of his family and friends watched him as he made a warrior from the water in the stream that ran through the yard and fought it with his axe, shield and crossbow.

  He used a light wooden shield because his good shield was still badly dented. After that they had dinner then he went to bed.

  In the morning he ran to the lake just a mile away swam then ran back. When he got back his father and Caleb were eating breakfast so he ate with them.

  Then they went to the forge and started to fix his shield. It took hours but they finished the shield. Tom went to hang out with friends, Caleb had stayed at the forge and was working on something he wouldn’t say anything about.

  Tom came back to the house to train again then had dinner. After dinner he went to bed. The cycle repeated itself with slight variations, the fifth day Caleb came to Tom holding a shield. Caleb said “I have been working on this since you came back. It is a new design I created, it has a wooden core with a metal shell there are metal cylinders through the wood to strengthen the shell. The shell is made of plates overlapping to help absorb shock.” Tom looked at the shield in amazement the craftsmanship was as good as his first shield but this one sounded like it was even better than his first.

  Tom could only say “Thank you Caleb, thank you so much.” Tom trained with both shields. Three days after that Alex came to get Tom they left the same day. As they walked Alex asked “Is that a new shield?”. Tom nodded and said “Yes my brother made it for me.” Tom told him how Caleb had made it. Alex listened then asked Tom “Do you think your brother might want to be a Master Smith?” Tom's eyebrows shot up, the Master Smiths were the greatest smiths in the kingdom they crafted the armour and weapons for everyone from the royal family to Dragon Guardians, and he said “Seriously? I think he would except for the fact that he is supposed to run my dad shop after he retires.” Alex didn't say anything in reply so they walked in silence.

  They reached the cabin at nightfall. As they approached the cabin John came out and said “Hello Alex and Tom. How where your trips?” They talked while they ate dinner. Alex was vague on details but it was a mission to check on reports of a large group of bandits, the bandits were there and they tried to fight him. One of the stupidest things to do, as almost every Arstanian knew, was to fight a Dragon Guardian. Tom listened hard to learn of fighting techniques. Tom told them of his trip, then went to bed.

  The same schedule resumed for two months with brief interruptions for Alex to go on missions, most Tom joined him but not for really dangerous ones. Those missions he stayed with John and trained. One day Alex said to Tom “We are going to the Guardian Dragon semiannual meeting. Because the meeting grounds are so far away I will carry you as I fly. Get packed we leave tomorrow.” Then Alex walked away and Tom went to pack. The next day they left John on the island and Alex started flying east.

  The meeting ground was in the middle of the country and they were in a western fief. It took three days to get to the meeting grounds. When they got there Tom saw about a half-dozen Guardian Dragons training with bows. Ten others were sparring with various weapons, axes, swords and some without a weapon. He looked up and saw some flying around, some practicing aerial combat. There was a pavilion set up in the middle of the clearing. Alex told Tom to set up camp then wait for more instructions. Tom set up camp then sat on a log, he looked up as Alex and another Guardian approached.

  He stood up and Alex said “Tom this is Jake he will be testing you to see how your training is doing.” Jake nodded then said to Tom “Follow me, boy”. His first test was of his close combat skills. Jake got some wooden weapons and they sparred. By the end Tom had bruises and welts all over. Jake looked fine as he wrote on a paper. He finished writing and said “Now for your archery test.” Tom grabbed his crossbow and followed Jake to the archery range. Jake had him shoot from different stances and distances.

  Jake wrote on his paper, again. Then told him “Now we test your magic skills. What elements have you learned?” Tom replied “I have learned much of water and started on earth magic.” Jake then took him to a stream and had him do various things with the water. Then Jake looked at Tom after writing on his paper and said “That is it for today, tomorrow we test you on all the rest of the stuff like map reading, history and tracking.” Two days later the meeting ended and each Guardian went their separate ways.

  Chapter 5

  Tom and Alex went Alex's fief, Ironwood, and had to deal with a group of bandits so large they sometimes attacked small towns and villages. Alex flew with Tom on his back for two days to about where the bandits were. Alex landed and Tom jumped down as Alex said “I am going to scout out the bandits' camp. You set up the tents and get dinner ready. No fires, though.” Alex walked into the trees and Tom spent the next hour and a half setting up the tents, getting dinner ready and sitting around.

  Alex finally came back and ate. Alex then explained the battle plan. They would attack just after the bandits had lunch. Tom would stay in the trees shooting with his crossbow until he ran out of bolts then he would join Alex. Then Alex added “That is if they are dumb and don't surrender.” they laughed and Alex set some spells to protect their camp and they went to sleep. The next day they cleaned their gear, sharpened their weapons and made sure everything was ready.

  When the time came they walked over and Alex, leaving Tom at the tree line, went to the edge of the clearing and said loudly “Bandits I give you two choices! Either surrender and go to prison or try to fight me!”. All the bandits laughed then one of them shouted “You and what army?” Alex said “I don't need one I am a Guardian Dragon! Give me your answer!” the same voice said “I think we'll fight even if you are a Guardian Dragon” Alex shrugged and hefted his sword then ran at the bandits.

  Even before he got there some of the bandits fell with bolts sticking out of them. Alex then hit the bandits and swung his sword, fire consuming everything it touched. Tom was still shooting in the trees when he saw some bandits swinging around to attack Alex from behind. Tom shot his remaining bolts at them to get their attention then grabbed his axe and shield and ran at them.

  Tom noticed as he ran a stream by the bandits and turned it on them the water washed over them and swirled around the bandits, slowing them and drowning three of them. Tom released his grip on the water as he got to the bandits. He swung his axe at the closest one and hit the bandit's shield. H
e shoved the man with his shield. Tom turned just in time to block a bandit's mace and swing his axe into the new man's neck.

  The man fell and Tom blocked a sword strike and slammed his axe into a man's helmet, the axe sheared threw the metal and got his head. The bandit fell on him as another bandit swung a sword, but the dead man blocked the sword. Tom took the axe and swung it hard into a man's side. The man blocked the strike with his shield but Tom jammed his shield into the man's neck. Of the ten or so that had been in the group only four survived and they shot at him now that they had a clear shot. Tom blocked three of the bolts with a pillar of earth and blocked the last one with his shield.

  He ran at the archers as they reloaded their crossbows. He ducked behind a tree as they shot and heard four thumping sounds as the bolts hit the tree he started running again and the archers realized they didn't have time to reload so they grabbed their knives and daggers and started running at him. When they hit Tom rammed one with his shield and chopped at another. The man he rammed went flying and the man he chopped at fell dead. Tom turned on the other two and hit one in head with his shield. The man staggered and Tom got him in the neck then the man that he had rammed with his shield got up and ran at him.

  Tom dropped his axe and grabbed the running man swinging him around him to block the other bandit's knife. As the last bandit pulled his knife free, Tom made balls of dirt and rock float in the air and launched them at him. They each hit him in the head and smashed his helmet. The bandit crumbled as Tom sank to his knees. Tom wept, he couldn't remember the last time he had cried, but it was not because of pain but because he had killed other men.

  Chapter 6

  Tom came around and he heard yelling, screaming and roaring. He realized that Alex must still be fighting the main group of bandits. He grabbed his axe and shield and ran to help. He saw Alex, as a huge purple dragon, fighting. The whole area was in flames from Alex's sword and fiery breath. Tom starting running towards Alex and the bandits. He swung his axe at the nearest bandits cutting them down quickly before they knew he was there. Suddenly he heard a voice in his mind saying “Put up an earth wall around just you, now!” then Alex stood on his two back feet and blew fire towards him as Tom put up the wall.

  Tom shattered the wall and sent the pieces at the bandits, all around him was on fire. Tom started fighting using earth magic and whenever anyone came near, with his axe. He molded the earth into swords, hammers and maces. The bandits fought against the combined forces of a dragon and earthen weapons that couldn't be killed.

  Then a single bandit dropped his spear and ran to the woods, slowly more and more bandits followed him into the trees. Finally the last bandit was cut down and Alex turned back into a human and Tom released his hold on the earth. They both were covered in blood, cuts and other wounds. They slowly limped back to their camp they dropped onto the ground and slept.

  They woke hours later and Tom went to the stream and washed himself. When he came back Alex was cleaning his sword and shield. Alex then went to the stream to wash and Tom cleaned his axe and shield. Alex came back and taught Tom the healing spell and they set about healing all of their wounds.

  Then Tom asked “Alex, what will happen to the bandits' bodies?” Alex looked at his apprentice and realized how young he was and yet he was able to kill grown, armed and trained men. Alex replied “Leave that to me, you sleep.” Tom did as he was told and slept. When Alex finally got back it was nearly dark and Tom was awake. Tom asked when he saw Alex “How did you speak into my mind during that battle?” Alex replied “It is an ability only people who are masters of magic have. Now let's have a nice hot dinner.” They ate their dinner then retired to their tents.

  In the morning Alex made breakfast, then after eating they packed up and left for their cabin. They got back around noon and Alex said “You go do whatever you want I am going to sleep.” So Tom decided to go over to town. He got in his canoe and went over there, on the town's dock sat a boy around Tom's age. Tom thought he looked familiar and searched his brain. Zack, that was his name. So Tom went over to him and said “Hi. Would you mind showing me around your town? The last time I tried going around here alone I got in a fight.” Tom and Zack chuckled and Zack said “Sure I can, but don't get into any fights with me around.” Zack stood up and took Tom on a tour of the town.

  That didn't take long because it is a small town, once they finished Zack asked “Are you hungry? Because I think you could come and have dinner at my house.” Tom replied “Do you think that your family would mind?” Zack laughed and said “No, they wouldn't mind. Come on.” Tom followed Zack back to his house. The house wasn't a very big one but much bigger than Alex's cabin.

  Zack walked in his door and yelled “Is anyone home? I brought a guest over!”. A women walked out of the kitchen Tom assumed was Zack's mother. She said “Hello, what's your name? Please call me Sue.” Tom then replied “I'm Tom”. Zack's mother said “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. I am sure you can find something to do until then.” Zack looked at Tom and said “What do you want to do?” Tom thought for a moment and asked Zack “Do you want to see some magic?” Zack looked like he thought Tom was joking but nodded. Tom said “Were is a stream or some other water?” Zack took Tom to the side of the house, there was a small stream trickling through.

  Tom muttered something Zack couldn't hear then started creating a warrior from the water. He then made some weapons from the dirt. He turned to Zack and said “Choose your weapon. Try fighting the warrior don't worry it can't hurt you, it's water.” Zack walked over to the weapons and got a sword. He charged at the water warrior and went right through him. Tom laughed and said “As I said it's water, so you can't hurt it either. Do you want me to freeze it?” Zack nodded and looked embarrassed.

  Tom froze the warrior and asked Zack “Do you want a shield?” Zack nodded and said “Can you make a kite shield?” Tom made the shield and handed it to Zack. Zack looked surprised at how heavy the shield was but he decided to use it. Zack walked over to the ice warrior and Tom said “Start.” Zack swung his sword and the warrior caught it on it's shield, the ice cracked slightly.

  The warrior swung at Zack and he barely but up his shield to block the strike, the blow was powerful enough that the ice sword broke. Zack started whacking wildly at the warrior that was now without a weapon. Soon because of the number of hits the ice shield broke and in quick succession the ice warrior was shattered. Zack was breathing heavily and Tom clapped a bit and said “Nice I didn't expect you to break it that quickly. Now it is my turn.” Tom molded an axe and round shield from the ground and another ice warrior.

  He walked over to it and swung his axe the warrior put up it's shield to block the blow and the axe hit it, shattering the shield. Tom rammed the warrior with his shield cracking the warrior badly. He smashed the ice warrior's chest with one crushing blow. Tom released the water and it started to melt. They heard Zack's mother calling them for dinner. Tom let the earth weapons and shields melt back into the ground.

  They washed then went into the dining room. They started eating with Zack's parents and brother. Zack's father asked Tom “So who are your parents?” Tom swallowed and answered “I don't think you know them, they live in Pine Grove.” Zack's father asked Tom “Then what are you doing here in Hilltop Lake?” Tom replied saying “I got an apprenticeship.” Zack's father looked curious and said “What trade are you learning?”. Tom looked him in the eye and said “I am learning to be a Guardian Dragon, my master is Alex.” Zack's whole family looked astonished and Zack's brother said “I don't believe you, that is insane.” Tom looked in his cup and muttered.

  The water floated out of the cup and froze in midair. Tom looked at all their faces and laughed, he put the water back in the cup and said “Believe me now?” they finished eating and Tom said “I think I need to go. Thanks for dinner.” he turned and walked away. He got to his canoe and paddled over to the island. He went to his room and slept. He woke up at dawn and went to the kitchen to get breakfast. “Good morning” said Alex “Morning.” Tom replied sleepily and sat down with his breakfast. “Today you resume training again.” Alex told Tom.