Cloud

A row of dragons stood at attention, holding as still as statues. A purple Ridgeback near the end of the line seemed poised to bolt. Instead of blankness or eagerness he looked uncomfortable, and almost miserable. A Tundra paced up and down the line, barking commands at the trainees. "A good battle cry will frighten any enemy. Now, roar!"
The trainees hollered up to the heavens. The Tundra nodded curtly, and paused beside the Ridgeback. "Cloud, I said ROAR, not admire the dirt," she snapped. "By yourself."
Cloud stared at her, terrified. She stared back at him, her face like stone. He gulped, and opened his jaws:
"Raaaaarrr!"
"Louder."
"RAARRaaaww!"
"Louder!"
"RAAAAWWWWWAR!!!!!"
"Very good."
Cloud puffed out his chest proudly, unable to keep a look of happiness from his face. Praise from Bolpal was rare. The others glared at him. As dragons went, Cloud was nice enough, but he was no warrior. Everyone knew that as soon as he saw an opportunity he'd drop out.
Cloud stumbled home hours later, hot and dusty. He'd been thrashed multiple times in the training area, accumulating more bumps and bruises every time. "I'm not cut out for this sort of life," he said miserably to the dragon by the doorway. Anders snorted. "Not everyone's a warrior, my son." He looked at Cloud, slouched in a dismal huddle, faint disapproval in his eyes. "Especially not you."
"I try so hard," Cloud complained. "But nothing I do helps me improve."
"Hmmf."
The Ridgeback excused himself and fled, feeling swamped with overwhelming sadness. He found the alcove, his alcove, and disappeared inside. This spot was special to him for multiple reasons. He went there whenever he felt upset. But also.... Shimmer swept by, a potion in her talons and her pearl wrapped in her tail. The Pearlcatcher's face, as always, was shrouded by the mysterious hood she wore. She was the clan sorcerer, and more then anything else Cloud wished to be like her.
He got up and silently followed the sorcerer into her workshop. Well, not exactly into it. The Ridgeback sat just outside, in the shadows enough that she wouldn't notice him, as absorbed as she was.
"One ounce powdered scales....three jackalope fangs...molten silver from the Ashfall Wastes..." Shimmer mumbled under her breath, tossing the ingredients into her cauldron as she said them. A burst of blue-gold fumes rose up from the cauldron, and Cloud leaned forward excitedly. His favorite part came next.
The sorcerer held her talons over the brew and chanted something in a language Cloud understood but a little.
"Ki jh je Earthshaker in Stormcatcher! Z ogujem in dežjem. Dvigiz pepela, spustite tvojo bolečino!"
The fumes danced above the cauldron then coiled together in the air. For an instant nought could be seen but a great swirling ball of blue and gold. Then from the brilliant mass of...magic, something small fell out and was deftly caught by Shimmer. She smiled at the little creature in her arms, pleased with her success. "A zalis! It had been long since I last called one forth with summoning. You are in need a sorcerer's familiar, no? Zalis' are well suited to the job."
Cloud looked around, confused. Who was she talking to? There was no one around...except for him.
"B-begging your pardon?" he stammered shyly.
Shimmer turned her head to him, and he was caught full force in the power of her weirdly glowing eyes. "A sorcerer's familiar."
He looked at her blankly.
She rolled her eyes at him."Come, come!" the sorcerer said impatiently. "Surely you know by now you have essence in you?"
Cloud's mouth fell open.
Shimmer sighed. "I've been assessing you for years. As soon as I realized you had essence I asked your father if I could have you tested." Her mouth twisted into a wry smile. "He refused. And so, I've been doing it myself secretly since then." She peered at him intently. "You have a strong compacitiy for spell bolstering. You've been doing it to me unconsciously for as long as our essences have been in contact together. This is your calling, Cloud. I'd like to take you on as my apprentice. What do you say?" She held out the familiar to him.
Cloud was silent for several long minutes. "Yes!" he burst out finally. The sorcerer smiled at him. "Pleased to have you. Now, let's get to work!"