Flat land and an enemy who wants to char you to a crisp. Its not exactly my element. It works though, because its not exactly theirs either.

We reached the summit as the sun was beginning to set. The brilliant oranges were shaded by the clouds. Only the glory of the sun was shining, letting rays of light illuminate the sky with a few more moments of light. This is how the sun lets the the moon know that it needs to enter stage right. It was an absolutely stunning backdrop to the monastery. Large buildings with decorative ceilings were laid across the flat top of the mountain. They cast large shadows with the sun low in the sky. The civilization was so colorful; reds, greens and blues swept across the view as we tried to digest what we were seeing. There were pillars with decorative dragons etched into them and courtyards with statues made of metal depicting not only tubular dragons, but more familiar four-legged, winged dragons as well.As the five of us began to walk forward onto the cobblestone pavement towards the main temple, we noticed that the monastery was quite lively even into the evening. Many of the younger monks, both male and female, could be seen in sweatpants and sleeveless shirts casually conversing as they created traffic moving in between temples and buildings. There was a group of older monks that had tattoos and outlandish facial hair chortling as they had an animated conversation about getting food. As we, with our leathers and linens underneath our travelers robes, entered into the main courtyard, it would have been quickly apparent that we were outsiders. People who crossed our paths continued on their way, but extended greetings and welcomes to us. In front of the multistory building that was a straight shot from the entrance, a crowd was gathered underneath. We decided to go towards them and tell them the news of what had happened below. Over the commotion we noticed that there was a decorated old monk up on the stairs giving a speech.

Though fire burns, it is our life essence! Do not shy away from that which you use to respect the dragon. He said, projecting his worn voice.

Ohmmmmmmm the crowd hummed in unison.

Because it is not the strength of dominance, but the strength of harmony that fosters life. He continued.

Ohmmmmmmm. the monks all let the noise taper off and sat in silence for a while.

We were sitting upon bricks that created a garden, watching the lesson take place. The old monk looked up at the sky and, as he centered his view, got a glance at us. He waited for a long while and spoke to his class.

I want you to soak in the last moments of the sun and give that radiance to your dragons, you are dismissed!

There was a controlled clapping as all the monks dispersed. The old monk got up and began slowly walking over to us.

Welcome to the Philghan Summit, travelers! He projected, opening up his arms above his head. This is the roost where we train dragons of all colors and shapes. I am the chancellor of the monastery and an instructor to dragon tamers. What wind carries you up here?

Its a few things, actually. I said. It took some restraint, as I needed to be delicate to deliver the news.

You must have a heavy heart. Not many would keep their thoughts to themselves at the summit of a mountain. The monk said. He closed his eyes and showed us his wrinkled face with a smile on it.

Yes, we have news for you. Xavier chimed in. I believe it would be wise for you to allow us into your quarters.

The chancellor moved his lips from side to side and dipped his head to one side. He turned his back and motioned for us to follow him.

Come! he snapped. We followed.

We reached the chancellors chamber. Its a stone bottom room with a large brazier burning in the center. As we entered, there was a ghastly white man in the corner. His hair was snow white and his skin was blanch and pale. His veins could be seen through his wrinkled old skin and the pouches under his eyes drooped beyond what I imagined eye pouches could do.

There is a conflict! He shouted.

Taken back, I looked over at him.

Excuse me? I asked him. I spoke more sharply than I expected to, but I had been taken so off guard. He said nothing in return.

I suppose introductions are in order. the chancellor said. My name is Thillby, the dragon taming professor and chancellor to the Philghan monastery. This is Axon, my frequency holder.

Devious... Axon hummed.

What are you talking about with this... frequency holder? Dirk huffed, as he crossed his arms.

Thillby took a deep breath as he put his hands to his hips, I keep a frequency holder in this chamber so that I can help keep my head. I try to keep my emotions out of my decision-making as I conduct work in this chamber, so Axon dispels context and lessens both my and my guests biases.

I felt a tap on my leg as I looked down to the cross-legged old man as he gestured for a fist bump, I obliged.

Allow us to introduce ourselves, I said My name is Acot!

I go by Dirk!

Xavier is what they call me.

My name is Regan, nice to meet you.

And Im Charlotte. she smiled.

About the news, I began, I heard nothing from Axon as I waited for Thillbys attention. At the base of the mountain, there was a monk.

Oh? Thillby said as he began to stroke his beard.

Reddened. Axon said with a stern tone.

He seemed very distraught. He was very sad before he threw himself off a dragon statue. I concluded, I looked over the brazier that was between us and looked up at the wooden ceiling above us.

The monk fell silent. His fists clenched as the fire inside the brazier began to radiate more light and heat.

Synchronized with the fireworks, Thillby! A calamity in the sky! Axon began waving his hands around.

The fire in the brazier was extinguished. Only the fading light of the sunset illuminated the now dim room.

What?! I asked Axon.

He is referring to the dragons, Acot. Thillby responded, Unwinged dragons will fly in circles in the sky during the festival. It is a comment on the transient nature of life. But anyway, there is only one monk that that could have been. Ned.Are you sure? I asked, just to confirm.

He has been gone for 3 days now. His new dragon has been all but vague as to where he might be. It must have been Ned.

Old! Hehehe. Axon spoke in a neutral tone, swaying from side to side in his corner.

Acot! Are you sure of what you saw at the base of the mountain?

Taken back, I looked Thillby straight in the eye, took a breath through my nose and said to him, Yes, I could not forget it.

Clenching his fists again, Thillby shouted Axon! I need 3 lumenaughts to go inspect the base of the mountain, now! The old frequency holder kept with his chuckling as he got to his feet and skipped out of the room. The chimes on the door rang as he exited the room.

We were welcomed as guests by the chancellor. We were offered two rooms among the living quarters, one for us and one for the girls. It was a quiet night. We hardly said a word to each other after our audience with the head monk. The other monks around us kept conversation to a low hum and we quickly went to sleep after nightfall. The next morning we woke up early to an ominous atmosphere. Charlotte and Regan were already out and were looking at who we presumed to be the lumenaughts.Three leather-clad warriors had decorative masks that were put above their faces as they marched through the center pathway of the monastery. Their patterned armor mimicked scales. Two of them had blue armor with white stripes, one of them had red armor with black stripes. They each carried scimitars at their sides. The red warrior was playing an odd, metal drum as they were walking. The other two carried a banner with a black strip of cloth tied across it. Underneath the banner, held by each of the warriors with one hand, was a bag that looked as though it could carry a body. It was made of white linen and wrapped multiple times. We, along with many monks, gazed at them until they made it up into the center building where we met with the chancellor. I felt an ill in my stomach as I recalled the man jumping off the dragon statue. We waited for the better half of an hour before the lumenaughts exited the building and we then took it upon ourselves to go inside to see Thillby again.The corpse was splayed out in front of him in his chamber. It laid in front of the brazier as the old man was meditating over it. Tears were streaming out of his eyes as his breath coincided with the flames of the brazier. He must have been savvy to mana.

This is Ned, you five. Thillby said after a silence that allowed us to spread out in front of him.

Axon shifted in the corner with a frown, not saying anything.

You see, I entrusted Ned with a big responsibility. Bigger than what I had imagined, apparently. I put him in charge of our rarest line of dragons. I charged Ned with taming a young, black dragon. Its a unwinged dragon. The goodwill in their heart often goes unmanifested. I suppose Neds gentle nature got the better of him as he was trying to tame it. He was unable to see himself in the future, and he succame to the black. Ned is gone. Ned is gone. I now have nobody who is fit and willing to tame this beast. Especially not one as unfathomably dangerous as he is.

The brazier was crackling. Nobody said a word, nobody even shifted. We sat there, waiting, listening, hoping that something, anything could break the silence. The dread persisted into the funeral. It was still the morning as the entire monastery dressed in traditional robes reflecting the color and wings of the dragon they were taming. Behind the buildings were a set of stairs that led to the entrance of the graveyard. Two adult red, winged dragons stood proud behind the podium where Thillby spoke to the monks.

There is fire in the Philghan Summit. With that fire comes life. This fire burns our world into the nothingness from which it springs. We are not to shy away from it anymore than we are to burn our skin red with it. For the control of fire allots us true strength. Not the strength to dominate, but to have the strength of harmony. I do not come here to teach you fire, intending for you never to burn yourself. I pray that your necessary growth as a flame does not mean that you burn your peers.Today, we lay to rest a flame that extinguished itself. A flame, overtaken with despair, went home, away from us. As he released himself from his mortal bond, he now knows what we cannot now, nor never, learn. We mourn for him on this day. We mourn for Ned. Let us remember this respect and carry it forward as we blaze a trail into now, tomorrow and ever yonder. Rest in peace, Ned, the self-extinguished flame.

There was mourning. Tears could be heard coming from the distraught. A few monks kept a somber chant going. A blue and a green dragon were circling in the sky. I saw a tearful young woman, about our age, in a blue robe with a wing decorum on her shoulder. She, like a few others, welcomed us to the Philghan Summit. She, however, introduced herself to me. She was wearing a formal blue robe with a winged pattern on one shoulder.

Welcome to the Philghan Summit, what is your name, traveler?

Acot, thank you for your hospitality.

It is our pleasure. My name is Juji, Im a dragon tamer. Thats Norza, shes circling in the sky.

I nodded as I remembered her name from the base of the mountain.

You were close to Ned, I presume? I said to her, hoping to press the issue.

Please, Acot, enjoy the summit. she said as she began to turn around.

W-wait. I reached out, trying not to raise my voice. He mentioned you.

Her eyes lit up as she quickly suppressed it.

I saw Ned. I saw him in his last moments. I said, now feeling a churning in my stomach. A dead man tells no tales.

She began to contort her face as she held back more tears. I looked at her face. She was beautifully tanned with brown eyes. Her hair was braided into corn rows that flowed down to her shoulders.

He spoke of you as a kind person. As a person who the summit could be proud of. It hurt to speak lies in a holy ground, but I respect the man who died more than the tradition.

She audibly groaned as she croaked to gain her composure back.

Acot, Ned was so gentle.

She put her hand on my shoulder as I brought her in for a hug.

When he hit the ground, he died instantly. It was painless. I whispered to her. My head felt pressure as my ears started to ring. She began bawling in my shoulder.

A very tall monk in a red, unwinged robe came over and put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up, tears rolling down her red eyes and followed him away. He gave her a hug and he kissed the top of her head. As she continued crying, he looked over and I nodded at him. This made my stomach lurch.I had one more order of business. I went over to Thillby who was conversing with grieving monks. He bowed to a group as they walked away. He noticed me and I walked over to him.

Acot- he began.

Thillby, listen. I interrupted.

I know that this is tragic, and I know that this is a troubling, heartbreaking time, but you need to understand that I came to this summit for more than delivering news to you.

Thillby had a look of bewilderment on his face. He took my hand and began walking me away from the graveyard, not up the stairs but further into the backdrop.

You have some nerve, Acot. But I have, since your arrival, imagined that you wanted more than tea and conversation.

I am from Collauraunt. They call me the dragon slayer.

Ahh, a symbol of hope, bravery? It only figures that the wind would bring you to a place like this. Oh my, he commented peering on my forearms, I do believe you have the markings of an earthen manic. I would be interested to hear of the muddy details of your arrival.

Im in the market for a tamed dragon. I know you wouldnt me sell one, but you seem to be short a dragon tamer. I threw my pouch at him.

He caught it with a single hand, unflinching. Looking inside, I spoke to him.

Celestial jewels. Any cost of upkeep, housing or tuition should be paid for at least three times over by it.

Thillby paused. He sneered as he continued to look down

For one dragon tamer. he said, looking back up at me.

I would also like that my friends could seek accommodation with the same grace that a dragon monk can as they conduct their business.

You are a sharp lad, I like that. Very well, in the stead of putting him down, I will allow an outsider to tame Thraga, the black dragon. I can also arrange for your friends. Just tell me this, Acot. He said, furrowing his brow.

Oh? I inquired.

These Celestial jewels, did politics follow you from Collasuraunt to Thills?

With a smirk on my face, I replied in full confidence, No.

The old monk smiled at me, staring for a while.

Then it appears that I have made a good choice.

I held him over the shoulder and he led me back towards the funeral where the monks were still grieving. The metallic taste in my mouth made me want to puke blood.