Pa and I find Lilasia basking in the morning sun in the yard beside his workshop. Pa approaches her cautiously, for even though he helped raise her, it is always better to err on the side of caution when a person who cannot hear dragons speak try to approach a dragon. He had no need for caution though for Lilasia gently bumped him with her snout, silently asking for a good head rubbing.
"Missy, I have something important for Papa Mark in the satchel around my neck. Could you get it out for me?" Lilasia asks me silently, moving slightly so I could have easy access to the satchel without having to dislodge Pa from giving her a good rubdown with his calloused hands.
"Sure thing." I reply as I walk up to the satchel and open it. Inside there was a parcel and a letter addressed to Pa with the leather workers guild insignia on it. Did one of the masters at the capital ask Lilasia to deliver this since Pa was part of her extended family. Precise records are kept on all dragons, including birth, death, and mating records. Those records also include the members of the warrior's extended family and spouses.
"Pa, there is a letter in here from the Leather Makers Guild for you, along with a package." I said aloud.
Pa came over to the leather satchel and took out the letter that was addressed to him in fancy, loopy handwriting. The letter was sealed with the Guild's stamp, making it an official letter. For what, I can only hope. Pa, having worked for years in his craft, has yet to be elevated to Master of his craft. Much of that time, he had been researching, with the use of various chemicals and flora, on how to make leather armor as hard as dragon scales, or as close to it as possible. A couple years ago, he thinks that he finally solved it and submitted his work to the Masters of the Leather Makers Guild. Many leather makers do not make it to master, or if they do, they are almost too old to do their work anymore, though my father definitely getting on in his years, he was still considered quite young in the guild. Pa has told me, after his work was submitted, the masters would put his work to some of the harshest tests known to man and dragon. To test the compositions of his process, calculate the amount of labor and cost of materials to take his process to completion, and the uniqueness to his patent.
Pa opened the letter.
Mark Bershire,
We are pleased to inform you that through vigous testing of the use of the chemicals that you suggested in your patent, we can confirm that when treating the leather in this way, the leather becomes much more durable while still allowing for the freedom of movement that the warriors and soldiers need to complete their duties. During the testing and usage of this process, it has already saved many lives and we hope it will continue to do so in the far future.
On your behalf, we have filed a complete patent on your process with the King himself, and the money you will make from the patent will be added to your Guild accounts.
We are also pleased to proclaim that you have been elevated to the title of Master of the Leather Makers Guild. We hope that you will continue to research and perfect the process while also teaching the next generation.
Sincerely,
Cuero Fabricante
HeadMaster of the Leather Makers Guild
Lilasia trumpeted loudly into the air in celebration as I hugged my father in congratulations. Ma came outside to all of the hub bub, probably receiving the news from her partner who was lounging nearby.
"This is great news, my love." Ma said with tears in her eyes. "You have worked so hard for this."
"Missy, the package in the satchel is also for Papa Mark." Lilasia said with a foreboding tone. "I had asked a mage make this for him as a favor. I hope it will help him in the future. It will allow him to be able to hear a dragon's silent speech when he wears it."
"What!" I exclaimed aloud. Ma and Pa look at me questioningly. I repeat what Lilasia just said to me and they gasped. "How is such a thing possible?"
"The mage said that such requests are not very common since most humans can hear a dragon's silent speech." Lilasia replied. "But once he learned of Papa Mark's patent, and then learned of his problem, he offered to help make his work with dragons and warriors much easier. Especially since we will be soon leaving for the capital, Missy. And with Mama Julie's promotion, she will not always be able to get away to help." Ma repeats what Lilasia just said, and Pa runs to the satchel opening.
With reverent hands, Pa took the package from the satchel and opened it. Inside was a simply made armband that would fit with Pa's tastes and not get in the way. I could feel the magic coming off such a simple charm. But to Pa, it represented everything he has ever hoped to accomplish in his work. He puts on the armband, and it seems to magically fit on his upper arm.
"Can you hear me?" Lilasia asked with a tentative voice.
"Dear, sweet lord, I can!" Pa said with tears in his eyes and awe in his voice. Bellisama also came over to test the waters and was gratified that he could hear her too.
The sound of wing beats filled the air as Solvon also arrived on the scene with his partner and family on his back.
"Is it true? Mark has been awarded the title of Master?" Solvon asked me.
"It is true, Solvon, I have been awarded the title of Master." Pa replied to Solvon's surprise. "And your amazing daughter has made it possible for me to hear a dragon's silent speech for the first time in my life with the help of the metalic armband."
Solvon took a long look and sniff of the armband. "Is this the work of Merlo, the king's personal mage?" He asked with awe.
"Yes, Papa. I remembered you telling me stories about him when I was little. I figured that if anyone could do it, he would be able to. And I was right." Lilasia said with pride in her voice.
"Today is a great day to be a Berkshire!'" Penny said, having came over with Solvon. "First a promotion to Genereal and now an elevation to master and the gift of being able to hear a dragon's silent speech."
I looked on while standing next to my partner with pride in my heart for all of the accomplishments that my family has made in such a short time and wonder how I can live up to those standards.