'Today...' the word echoed through the teenager's mind, almost in disbelief, as he fingered his blond curls, 'Today... it seems so surreal, but it's really going to happen!'
Anticipation welling in his chest, he took off running through the sleepy village streets, feeling the cool autumn wind on his face as he headed for the trail that would lead him into the surrounding mountainside. His boots were light on the cobblestones as he headed towards said dirt path, the excitement of the realization of his lifelong dream overcoming the exhaustion of the meager sleep he'd gotten the night before, giving him energy and focus.
He replayed last night's conversation in his mind yet again, reliving the amazement he had felt as his father had told him that on this night, his sixteenth birthday, he was now officially a man, and was granted the privledges of adulthood.
"Which means, of course..." his father had told him, "That you are free to go off and see the world, as you have always wished."
Jacob's heart had raced at this announcement. His mother had shifted uncertainly where she stood, a worried expression distorting her face.
"I will not try to change your mind," she had told him, "I know I can't do that. But please, don't get involved in anything you can't handle. The world is a dangerous place."
The family had embraced, and Jacob had decided to leave the next morning. It had been too late to start off that night, even if only to journey the short distance to his friend's cave. It was not safe to travel anywhere in Ianmear at night. He had packed as much as he could fit into a knapsack and wished his family goodbye, promising to write as often as possible.
He continued down the pathway into the mountainside, bracing himself against the chill mountain air. Thankfully, the cave was not very high in the mountains, so altitude sickness would not be a problem. He followed the trail through the center of the mountians a short ways until he arrived at his destination. Entering the cave, he cupped his hands to his mouth and called out to his friend.
"Hey, Big Ben! Benevolence! Where are ya, buddy?" he called, walking deeper into the cave. Although rays of early morning sunlight shown though the cavern's roof, he squinted for a moment as his eyes adjusted to the surrounding darkness.
He entered the main area of the cavern, and smiled as he saw the sleeping form of a grown black dragon. The reptile lay on its side, it's chest moving in and out as it slumbered. Its wings were neatly folded across it's back. Its frilly ears twitched slightly as the dragon drifted through dreamland. A soft purr could be heard emenating from the dragon's lips, indicating contented happiness. As Jacob approached the massive, sleeping reptile, the creature shifted and broke wind, as sleeping dragons oft do. Jacob grimaced and held his nose as the flatulence echoed off the surrounding walls of the cavern. The dragon relaxed after several seconds and resumed purring.
Jacob leaned down and patted the dragon on the head, ruffling its ears to get its attention. The dragon opened an eye and stared at Jacob for a moment.
"Hmmmm... is it morning already?" the dragon asked drowsily in a deep voice.
"C'mon, get up, buddy, I have something important to tell you!" Jacob said excitedly.
Benevolence yawned and rose slowly, flapping his wings and rubbing his tired eyes. He broke wind again as he stretched.
"Now, what's so important it can't wait until a decent hour?" Benevolence asked, more curiously than grumpily.
"Don't you know what yesterday was?" Jacob asked, almost in disbelief.
"Of course I do," the dragon said with a chuckle, he disappeared into one of the smaller side tunnels for a minute, than emerged cupping something in his claws.
"Why do you think I got you this?" he said, opening his claws to reveal a short sword with a golden handle in a black leather sheath.
"Happy sixteenth birthday, Jacob," Benevolence said as his friend grabbed the sword and examined it with amazement. It seemed to be brand new.
"Thank you! Where on Ianmear did you find this, though?!" Jacob asked the dragon.
"In the old D'Cristo Castle ruins up north," Benevolence replied, "I was just flying overhead, and I saw this lying near some rubble. I hoped you'd like it."
"Thank you so much, buddy!" Jacob said, embracing his scaly friend.
"Your welcome," Benevolence replied, purring, "I expect you'll need it, that is... assuming you still plan on travelling around the world. Now that you're sixteen, all of Ianmear is open to you."
"That's what I came to tell you," Jacob said, "I plan on leaving today."
"Well, have a good time," Benevolence joked, "Please write me when you can."
"No, you're coming with me, buddy!" Jacob laughed, ruffling the dragon's ears.
"I know, I was just teasing," Benevolence purred, nuzzling his friend gently.
"You're going to need a few things," the dragon said, departing down the side tunnel yet again. He returned with a map of Ianmear's continents, a compass, and a telescope.
"Thanks," Jacob said, "I already have a compass, but I'll pack this one too." He put everything in his backpack.
"We also mustn't set out on empty stomachs," Benvolence said, "We can discuss where to go over breakfast."
* * *
"The way I see it," the dragon said, as the two dined on cheeses and fruit, "Is to go through the forest towards Alsona, and go towards Ji'dean from there." He pointed the route out on the map, tracing the path with a claw. "There's a big tournament of fools going on in Ji'dean this month, which I think would be a lot of fun."
"Hmmm, maybe," Jacob replied as he took a bite of cheese, "But we could also catch a ship over to the Noonday Isles and spend a few days there before taking the ferry to Pleast, and from there, Ji'dean is just a few day's travel away."
"That does sound nice," Benevolence said, "I've always wanted to see Noonday's jungles."
"So, what do you want to do, then?" Jacob asked.
"It's really your decision," the dragon replied, "After all, this is your journey, so you should choose where we go."
Both choices had their benefits. Alsona had legendary bakeries and as much as he wanted to see Noonday, Jacob realized he could go there anytime. Still, the forests were full of monsters, and travelling by ship would be the safest venture, even with the possibility of a storm.
Jacob finally made a decision.
