Birth of a Dragoon

The Lunar Eclipse

I slowly followed behind Cearúil as we headed to class, he seemed…different today. More on edge and quite a bit tense. Every time someone would near him, he would jerk away before they could touch him in greeting. Which was extremely odd, Cearúil never minded the hugs and pats from his fellow peers. He actually seemed to enjoy it in the past. I cursed when Cearúil dodged the hands of a pretty little blonde thing and leapt right into me, scattering my books in every direction.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Cearúil? Quit being so damn jumpy."

By the time I knelt and grabbed the book resting on my foot, Cearúil had already recovered my other grimoires. He held them out to me sheepishly as I stood.

"I apologize, Gwen. I'm just a little…off today."

"A little off, my ass!"

I snapped as I ripped my books from his arms. "You have been twitchy and jumpy all day. Not to mention the several times you bit off our fellow peers' heads for attempting to greet you in their normal, every day fashion. Just what the hell is up with you?"

Cearúil stared at me silently for several moments, before swiftly turning away and heading back towards class without a word. He snarled at another classmate who drew near, then shoved through the exit doors set beside our classroom. For several stunned moments, I watched his retreating form, before sighing deeply and rushing after him. Something had to be terribly wrong; I hadn't seen him act this way in years, since his father's untimely death.

Cearúil cursed as he threw his spell books into the wide trunk of an old elm tree. He had always hated eclipses, hated the way they made him unstable…vulnerable. The lunar eclipse started tonight and would last for, at least, the rest of the week. All day he had been feeling the affects wracking havoc with his system. In just a few short hours his control would completely snap and his magic would be released, if not sooner. Which would not be a good thing, especially surrounded by all the student Mages and Instructors.

A fierce rage tore through Cearúil when he heard a twig snap behind him. He snarled savagely as he whipped around to face the culprit. His eyes glowed ominously as he watched Gwen enter into his line of sight, gripping her books snuggly against her chest. He should have known she would follow him; she worried over just about every thing and one.

"You shouldn't be here, Gwen. It's not safe."

Her brow creased, but she didn't stop approaching him. He didn't want her around him in his unstable state; every moment the eclipse neared, he lost more and more of himself. His skin was itchy from head to toe with the need to release control and change to a more suitable form.

"What do you mean 'it's not safe'? I haven't seen or heard anything else in or near these woods since you started bringing me out here for practice three weeks ago."

Cearúil instinctively backed away when she continued approaching him. "Let me put it a different way then," he started as he retreated even further through the forest. Dusk was starting to set in, making the tension riding him nearly unbearable. "I am not safe. Not with the eclipse so near."

"The eclipse?"

My brow creased even further as I followed him into our clearing. "What does the eclipse have to do with why you're so edgy today?"

Cearúil stopped in the middle of the clearing and stared up at the darkening sky. His fists were clenched at his sides, with perspiration dotting his forehead. The chords in his neck were taut and stood our predominately, as if he was fighting some inner turmoil.

"Cearúil? Please tell me what's wrong; I've never seen you this way before. Is there something I can do to help you?"

His gaze instantly snapped to me, for a split second there was nothing human in that stare. Uncertainly, I took a step away. Perhaps he was correct when he stated he wasn't safe. A moment later, I called myself an i***t and approached him once more. I stopped a foot from him and placed my hand on his forearm. My hand was instantly engulfed by an extreme heat, causing me to quickly release him.

"You're burning up, Cearúil! We need to get you some help."

Cearúil quickly reached out to still Gwen when she turned to rush back to the College. That would be just what he needed; to have every ArchMage surrounding him in a so-called attempt to help. He didn't need any help, he just needed to be alone until the eclipse was done and over with. But first, he needed to reassure Gwen he was fine and she need not worry about him…and quickly.

"Gwen, I'm fine. Nothing is wrong with me. Just go back to the College and don't worry. I'll return shortly."

She didn't believe him, it was written clearly all over her face. His entire body clenched in agony as the start of the eclipse began. He had run out of time and the damn girl was still here. He didn't want her to become frightened of him, to run away screaming, and end their friendship. Funny, he never wanted to get close to someone before; but now that he was on the verge of losing Gwen's companionship, he realized how much he needed it.

"Gwen, please. I will be fine, just go back to the College. I will explain everything at a later time, just hurry and leave."

Further disbelief and concern filled her eyes, but he was able to tell she was conceding to his wishes. "Are you sure you'll be all right?"

Cearúil quickly shoved his hands behind his back as the first stirrings of the change struck him. He was out of time to get her away safely. "Gwen, please. Please leave now; there is nothing you can do for me. There is nothing wrong with me. Just go now, I'll be fine. Please…"

Claws erupted out from the tips of his fingers in a snap of bones and gush of blood. Cearúil desperately hoped Gwen wouldn't notice, if she did he probably couldn't get rid of her until it was too late.

"All right, Cearúil."

Gwen placed her hand against his cheek for a moment, causing his eyes to close for a split second. Her touch was quite cool against the fire coursing throughout his entire being. All too soon, she dropped her hand and took a step away. "I'll see you soon, then?" She smiled sheepishly at his jerky nod, before turning and walking away.

The instant her noisy footsteps disappeared in the forest, Cearúil dropped to his hands and knees. The strength of the change sapping his will and power to hold off any longer. His eyes closed and his claws dug deeply into the hard earth as the rending of cloth rent the air. Muscles contorted and reformed into a much larger frame. Power coursed through him; supple and so very…good.

A fierce cry of pure exhilaration tore out Cearúil's throat, as the last of the change overtook him and he launched himself into the eerie twilit sky. Shadows flecked the ground, shielding him from prying eyes while he chased the wind. It felt so good to be able to stretch his wings once more. So good not to worry about human problems and the in-accurate spells the Mages were teaching their students. Now that he was finally free again, Cearúil knew he would enjoy this week. Enjoy not having any worries or problems to deal with. Just the wind and the darkness of the eclipse. The scents of the night, forestry, and the animals. Even the poignant scent of the humans he flew above.

Cearúil slowed his flight at the end of the forest and watched a small figure emerge from the tree line, to race across the fields and into the Mage's College. He glided silently, effortlessly, above her, making certain no one and nothing troubled her along her way. Cearúil banked away to hunt out some supper when the doors closed shut behind Gwen. Knowing she was safe and sound, he could leave to find food and shelter for the coming week.