I stayed with my mom for about a year and a half, learning all that she knew about dragons. I then went to find my own island, and brought the Drail, who I named him Dramin, and he cared for me. We had quite a bond. Maybe because he saved my life, and I had shown him everything in my life, even the things that I had never told anybody. He allowed me to train him and ride him, and I was very grateful for that. I trusted him with my life, and he came with me when I left. I can now easily talk to dragons, earn their trust, and build relationships. I also know different species preferences to everything, and all of their strengths and weaknesses.

I made a point of avoiding people from Thor's Fist. I was buying some much needed supplies at a market, and who came behind me but Brim Fentin. I had changed a lot in my year and a half away from most people. I had a mask like Dramin's face, but if I put it on, that would just attract more attention. So I tried to ignore him and hope that he ignored me. It didn't work.

"Where are you from?" He asked.

"Around, you?" I avoided the question.

"Thor's Fist. How are the prices?" That one I could answer. "Ok, actually." By then I had got what I needed, so I excused myself. I was very glad to be away from him, and I wasn't looking where I was going, and I ran into Orchid. I ended up on the ground, picking up my stuff, and trying to apologize. She just glared at me and I ducked my head. I was still mumbling my apologies as I scurried away. I saw Chief Fentin coming, but he saw me before I could hide. "You there! Come help me with this." He was lugging a huge basket filled to the top with food.

I hurried over and helped him get it to the boats. He didn't even pay me. Not that I cared. Then I saw Orchid's dad coming. I hurried into a stall to hide. Nobody was there, so I waited until they had left to leave. I hurried away and found Dramin. I was relieved to get out of the market and found a clearing to camp in. I had an idea, but it was risky. I asked Dramin what to do. I think that you should do it so you know more. But you need a boat and a better outfit. I was relieved to find that I could make enough money to buy the things that I needed. I bought a small boat and an outfit fit for a young man like me. I was 14 when I was taken, so now I was 15 and a half, about. Not quite old enough to be traveling alone, but they wouldn't care.

Dramin flew me most of the way there, then I got into my new outfit and got on the boat and rowed to the docks on Thor's Fist. I was nervous that I would be recognized, but that was a slim possibility. I started wandering around, finally making it to the arena.

They were training, and it was the older kid's turn, so it was my group. They hadn't changed much, but I waited for them to be done so I could talk to them. When they left, the twins hardly glanced at me, but Orchid and Brim stopped.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" Orchid demanded. I used Dramin's name as my own. "My name is Dramin, and I am here because this young man said he lived here, and I was wondering if this was a nice place, because he was very polite to me. I didn't realize that you lived here too. I would love to get to know your training group. Maybe one of you could introduce me?" This time Brim spoke. "Sure. My name is Brim, and my dad is the chief. This is Orchid, and she is a warrior. The other two are twins, Falcon and Eagle. Maybe you could join us for a meal." "Sure! Was your group always this small?" I asked. Orchid answered. "No, there was another. Runt. He knelt in front of a drail and that mindless beast killed him. He looked a lot like you." "Huh, that is interesting. Where do we meet for lunch?" Brim just pointed in the direction of the Great Hall.

I headed that way, and I heard Orchid punch Brim. I didn't look back, just headed to the Great Hall. The twins were already there and pigging out on the food. I introduced myself to them and they looked at each other like they had an idea. "What ever plan you are thinking about, I won't do it because I don't want to get a peg leg or something." They just looked stunned that I knew what they were thinking. I got a bowl of stew and sat at a table. I waited for the others to come and sit with me. They didn't, so I left early.

I went to the forgery, but Joel wasn't there. I went to my old house, but Joel lived there now. I found my dad's gravestone and paid my respects to him. It was weird being home and not needing to sneak around. I didn't have to worry about the twins and Brim beating me up. I enjoyed being on friendly terms with them. It was difficult getting along with them before, but it was easy now that they didn't know who I was. I didn't know what to do now. I decided to talk to Orchid, because I didn't want to talk with the others.

I was walking in the forest, when I heard a twig snap. I instantly went into stealth mode, and hid. I saw Orchid coming, and she had seen where I had hid. She came over and grabbed my arm. She dragged me over to a log and sat me down. "Start talking." She demanded. I tried my best to look confused, but inwardly I was cursing myself for not noticing that she was following me. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." I managed. She glared at me. I'd forgotten how terrifying she can be.

"I run into you at a little market. Then you show up in a new outfit and a small boat, to small to get you that far that fast. Then you come prodding around town, and you know where to go. Even though we had just met you very recently, you know more about us than you should. You know when to avoid us, who we are, where we live, and you have a strange curiosity about the kid, Runt. I want to know where you are from and why are you spying on us." I was offended. She thought I was a spy!

"I'm not a spy, and I told you my name already. I don't really live anywhere, but that was my choice. I would rather not say where I originate from, but I will say that I never want to go back. The other kids my age would beat me up, mostly for no reason. How much more of my life do you want to know?!" I was mad, but not at the same time.

"All of it, but if you won't share more of it, I won't press. I just will watch you closely."

"Can you tell me more about Runt?" She rolled her eyes and sighed. "His mom died when he was very young, so he never knew her. His dad died, so he came to live in my house for a while. Brim and the twins would beat up on him all the time, but he never fought back. I only beat him up if I had a reason. His real name was Brunt, but everyone called him Runt because he was small and weak. He did very well in dragon training, but he never killed a dragon. How much more do you want to know?"

"That all, thanks." I reached out my hand. She grabbed it and before I knew what I was doing, I gave her the classic Thor's Fist handshake. It was a complex pattern, and no one had done it yet, so I just gave myself away. I realized what I had done, and grabbed her arm before she could leave.

"Wait. If I tell you something, can you promise not to tell anyone. I realize that if it could endanger anyone here, you would tell them, and I won't mind if you do. But if it doesn't, please don't tell anyone." I was begging her. "Fine." She agreed. I took a deep breath. "Ok. I lied when I told you my name was Dramin. It's Brunt. I didn't die. The real Dramin, the dragon, carried me somewhere, and I met another person there. My mom. I spent a year and a half there, then I wandered on my own. I learned a lot about dragons, and Dramin allowed me to train him. He lets me ride on him, and he is near, but he won't come unless I call him, so don't worry. Please don't tell anyone any of this. I'm begging you. Especially not Brim and the twins, or Chief Fentin. That's it."

She just nodded slowly. "I promise that I won't tell them." I smiled gratefully. Then we left. I asked them if I could train with them while I was here. They agreed. We started with the Cometiree. I knew all its weaknesses, so I used them to my advantage. I could also talk to him, so I told him where the others were. I also told him that I was going to exploit his weaknesses, mainly the one with it's tail. If you press the right spot on his tail, he becomes as easy to handle as a tame pet. I did it, and walked it back to the cage. I apologized for doing that, and he said that he understood.

When I turned around, they were all staring at me. Brim spoke first. "I could have done that, I just chose to fight it like a man. Be careful, or I might start treating you like Runt." That terrified me, but I spoke with confidence that I didn't feel. "You would beat a guest?" "Once you start training with us, you are one of us. And why did you say beat? I never said I beat up Runt." I smirked.

"I assumed that was what you meant, because you are mad at me for being better that you, and the twins looked like they wanted to fight me when you said that. Why don't we settle this here, you and me, once and for all." He grinned. "Sure. Everybody to the sides of the ring. You win when the other person yields or losses consciousness."

"Agreed. Orchid, say go."

"Ready, fight!" Brim charged at me. I sidestepped him at the last moment and used his momentum to swing him around and my fist connected with his jaw. He staggered back a few steps and fell. I waited for him to get back up. He didn't charge at me this time. Instead, he walked up to me and punched my in the gut. Then he punched my face. And again. And again. I was on the ground under him and he was still punching my face. I decided to stop playing nice and kneed him as hard as I could in the groin. He doubled over in pain, moaning.

I hissed in his ear "I can play dirty too." Then I punched him in the gut and then his face. My fist connected as hard as I could with his nose. I felt it break. I then kicked him as hard as I could behind his left ear. He was out like a light. I turned to the twins, all bloodied from my fight and asked them a question. "Recognize me now?" Because they were more used to seeing me bloody and disheveled, they recognized me now. I yelled a challenge at them. "I can take on both of you! Want to fight?" They glanced at each other and ran at me from opposite sides. At the last second, I jumped out of the way. They sprinted into each other and both lost consciousness. I had bested my three worst enemies, and they were unconscious at my feet. I glanced at Orchid. She grinned. "Looks like they finally met their match. I have to admit, it is nice to see Brim unconscious in a fight of his own making." I grinned and agreed.

I heard heavy footsteps coming in this direction. I knew who was coming, but I wasn't afraid of him anymore. The chief stopped when he saw the mess that had been made. He asked Orchid what had happened. "Brim threatened Dramin and Dramin challenged him. Brim came up with the rules. You win if the other person yields or losses consciousness. Dramin beat Brim in a fair fight, then he challenged the twins. They accepted also and lost. That is what happened here, sir." Chief Fentin looked impressed. I ventured to speak.

"Sir, they might insist that I am someone else, but I am not. I am only saying this because they think that I look like someone else and they did get a serious knock on the head. I apologize for disfiguring your son's face. I broke his nose, and those never heal straight." Then I hurried away.

They came to the Great Hall afterwards, and they didn't seem to hold anything against me. I stayed with Orchid, and I snuck out in the middle of the night. I went to the arena and opened all the gates. All of the dragons came rushing out, only to find me. I talked to them and told them all to leave. They were very surprised to hear me talk to them in the dragon tongue, but they all obeyed. I asked only that I get the help of the best diggers that were there to dig a hole out of each cell into the woods. They soon accomplished this and I went back to bed. I woke up to a lot of shouting about the dragons being gone. I went out and saw all the commotion that I had caused. I smiled to myself. I disliked seeing them caged, and they needed to stretch their wings.

The chief asked for a meeting in the Great Hall. Everyone went. Once everyone was seated Chief Fentin stood up and spoke to everyone. "We need to fix those cages and get more dragons. The youngsters need training. I am going to go to the dragon market and buy more. I need those cages sealed back up by the time I get back. Any questions?" I raised my hand. "Yes, Dramin?" "Can I come with you?" Everyone laughed. "You think you can handle those beasts?" "Yes sir, I do." "Ok then. Anyone else want to come?" Orchid raised her hand. Then Brim and the twins. Then some older Vikings. "Good. The rest of you, fix those cages. We leave tomorrow. Dismissed." I hurried out.