Orin

Little Orin crept around the edge of a large pillar and stared and the sentinels-in-training. Newly come of age, they were preparing to be part of the elite guard that protects the Icewarden and the precious Pillar Fragment. Sentinels were the most prestigious of the five orders, and Orin had dreamed of becoming one since he was a hatchling. He laid his shaggy head on the ground and looked dreamily on as the gaolers in front of him practiced marching and flying in line with the others.

“Orin!” a gruff voice shouted behind him.

Orin whirled around, his antlers striking the pillar with a resounding crack. He tumbled to the ground in a heap and stared guiltily at the older dragon in front of him. Scrambling up again, he lowered his eyes and bowed deeply.

“Sentinel Aralt”, he breathed.

“What are you doing here again, Orin? This is the third time this week! You know you aren’t allowed here.” The great silver and grey dragon in front of him sighed deeply and shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Sentinel. I just want to know what training is like!” His eyes brightened and he looked up hesitantly. “I really really really want to be a sentinel when I come of age!”

Sentinel Aralt sighed again. “Orin, I know how much you desire to be a sentinel, but I believe you are better suited to be a keeper, like your parents.”

“What!”’ Orin cried. “Why?”

Sentinel Aralt gestured towards the lines of training gaolers. “Tell me what you notice of the similarities between these soon to be sentinels.”

Orin scanned the dragons in front of him for a moment. He lowered his head and said quietly, “They all have either gnarlhorns or shardflanks”.

Aralt turned to face the new sentinels practicing their drills. “Not all. We’ve had some good sentinels in the past that have had no special traits. But the vast majority do, I’m afraid.” He turned back to look at Orin. “We only accept the truly exceptional, the greatest of the great”.

His eyes pierced into Orin, a challenge in his gaze. Orin lifted his head and met his eyes with defiance. Aralt nodded, as if pleased. “Now you must leave. I have duties to attend to.”

As Orin walked away, Aralt’s words kept repeating themselves in his head. We only accept the truly exceptional, the greatest of the great.

“I’ll show him,” he said with defiance. "I will become the greatest of the great.”