The burmecian that Eon had seen outside on the way into the barn jumped down from the hayloft. He wound back with his right arm, the weapon in his hands moving too quickly to get a good look at, especially in the dark of the barn. The mysterious youth sharply threw the weapon out to his right. The moment it left his hand, the end over end spinning became a disk of glowing light, its path curving into a circle.
The three dragon hunters had no time to get out of the attack's path before they were stunned by the first strike passing through them. The luminous disc continued on its path, travelling just above the burmecian's tail as it came around for another strike.
Something that the dragon definitely wasn't expecting happened as the disk struck through his assailants a second time, however: Each burst into a multitude of small, glistening orbs of different colors and patterns, spilling out over the entire floor of the barn. While Eon was glad to not have to see cauterized wounds from energy magic, he had no idea what had happened.
The burmecian reached his right hand out and behind him. When he grasped down on the glowing disk, it instantly became his weapon once more. He held out his other hand, and all of the orbs on the floor were drawn to his body, swirling up around his legs and waist. Then the magnetic spell ended and each of the iron weapons clattered to the floor.
Now that his rescuer was standing still and the various glowing spells were no longer around, Eon was able to really take in just how strangely the burmecian was dressed. The question of where all those orbs had gone was answered simply. His trousers and waistcoat were of an odd design, both seeming to be made of a patchwork of pouches, the sort that would be sewn onto the outside of a larger pack, with a flap that covers up the opening. They were of different sizes and shapes, somehow fitting together into coherent garments.
The young rodent's shirt beneath his waistcoat had long sleeves that were loose at the wrists. Each had a tailored opening to reveal his elbow, though the functionality of this was unknown. Also, odd for a burmecian, he wore large shoes, appearing to be made from a dyed canvas and some unknown form of leather. A star symbol was painted on the inner ankle of each shoe, and the laces were pristine white, whatever knot or loop that affixed them tucked out of sight.
Finally, there was the weapon itself that his rescuer had wielded with such efficiency. The hand-guard was strange around the grip, integral to both the hilt and pommel it seemed, a single piece. The material, however, was unfamiliar, a flat metal that was colored blue. Above the guard was a small ornamental narrowing in the shaft plated with gold. The rest of the weapon was silver, travelling straight from the grip to the sphere at its tip. It was not sharpened, anywhere, not even the metallic star affixed to one side of the shaft. The star itself was hollow, a smaller star shape cut out of it, and the crossbar that affixed it to the shaft ended in a small rounded arrowhead. Lastly, at the pommel, a chain dangled about foot long, ending in a golden star, also with an inset star shape cut out.
Then, as soon as Eon had gotten a good look at the odd object, it vanished into silver sparkles, leaving the burmecian empty-handed. The young rodent turned, looking down to where the tiny dragon was still staring in awe. "Hey, are you okay?"
The diminished guardian nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay... but I won't be able to return to my forest for a while..."
The burmecian crouched down, hugging his knees. The posture highlighted just how young the dragon's hero appeared to be. "Why can't you?"
"Those hunters... they were very organized." Eon explained. "It's unlikely that was their entire band, and even if it was, they'll be missed. Others will come." The tiny dragon flitted his wings a bit, sending moonflower pollen out behind him. "Would... Would you protect me?" He blushed softly. It was an embarrassing option, beheld to a ratling... but this youth could definitely take care of him. He had proven as much already.
"So... you'd like to come with me?" The burmecian looked uncertain.
The small dragon nodded firmly, before holding out his fore claws. In a swirl of blue light, his heartstone appeared, held up in offering.
"Oh! You're a summon!" The oddly dressed rodent said as he accepted the large gemstone. "I'm Oz. It will be a pleasure to take you with me."
"I am Eon... what do you mean by a 'summon'...?" The guardian of the forest felt a familiar pull from his heartstone. He sighed and didn't resist, his shrunken form turning to light and flowing into the transparent blue gem.
Oz smiled warmly, holding the heartstone in his hand. "I'll take good care of you, Eon. And in return, you can lend me some of your own power." He opened one of the many pouches on his vest and slipped the stone in. He stretched his arms over his head and rocked on his feet, looking around. "Were there any chests in here? I guess not." The burmecian casually strode to the barn doors and pressed them open, walking back out of the structure and towards town.
"Just another look around and then I gotta be going back to the Lanes Between..." The rodent muttered to himself. "Can't wait to see how you fare when I'm fighting iron-free enemies, Eon."
EonaRider
