Jaeson tossed and turned in his sleep. It had been a few days since he had seen the dragon, and yet the sight of it still pervaded his dreams. He saw the monolith once more, the edifice reaching up as if it wanted to claw a hole in the sky. And then the dragon was within it.

Majestic.

Powerful.

Ominous.

Deadly.

Waiting.

Patient.

It was that last that terrified Jaeson most of all. This was no simple black dragon, this was a progenitor dragon. One that had been alive at the dawn of the world… and would more than likely be around after it’s passing.

AND IT WAS AWARE OF HIM! The eyes that had been closed before were now watching him with a black, red malevolence that seared his very being, almost forcing him to his knees in supplication…

And he woke with a scream that resulted in pillows being thrown at him by the other dorm mates. It was a scream that apparently carried through the hallways as well as other apprentices, some dressed, others in night clothes, peered in to make sure someone wasn’t being sacrificed. The apprentice master eventually made his way to the room and cleared the apprentices out, including those who had been sleeping, and looked at Jaeson with a pitying look.

“Jaeson, that’s the third night in a row you;ve been having nightmares. Is there something you want to talk about?” Jaeson shook his head and sighed.

“Not something I can talk about right now… but if it helps, I’ll be moving out in a few days - Yasmine and I have found an apartment that works for us”

“I understand, and you know that I’m here to talk any time regardless of where you are.” Jaeson nodded in reply then stretched.

“Thank you master, but if you’ll excuse me, I might as well get dressed and face the day.” The Apprentice master nodded and headed out, giving Jaeson his privacy. Jaeson dressed calmly, checking everything and including his backpack, before heading out… he needed a drink. A strong one… and time to think.

“Jaeson… what’s happening? Where are you going?” Eloise’s voice was concerned and worried. “You haven't been expelled have you?”

“E, don’t be like that,” Kara replied. “If he’d have been expelled, the entire academy would know. Right?” she looked at Jaeson who was methodically packing his personal belongings into his backpack. He looked up and nodded.

“Kara’s right,” he replied. “I’m not expelled or anything like that, I’ve just found an apartment nearby where I can live and where my nightmares won’t bother anyone else. Well… almost anyone. Yasmine will need to put up with me for a while. At least until the nightmares stop.” he sighed and pulled his backpack onto his back carefully.

“Jaeson, you’ve got to be honest with us… you are coming back, right? For classes I mean…” Eloise looked very upset that he might not be returning. Jaeson walked over and hugged the celestial sorceress gently.

“I’ll be back Eloise, you can count on it. Besides, I have projects running and the outcome of my thesis review to hear so I can’t just leave it at nothing, can I?” He smiled warmly and Eloise hugged him back tightly. Kara rolled her eyes.

“Honestly you two… break it up before I have to cantrip cold water over you.” But she was smiling as she spoke. “You’re getting more powerful as well, scuttlebutt says Jaeson, soon you won;’t be merely an apprentice but a journeyman. And when you do, don’t forget us little folk, ok?”

“Don’t worry Kara, you’re one of the unforgettables,” Jaeson replied with a smile. “Take care of Jeff as well you two… he’s slowly coming out of his shell and needs that tender touch you two have developed for him.” Both women nodded and Jaeson made his way out of the dorm and out of the academy… and headed to his new home.