The Legend of the Dragon Child

by Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait

  He traveled over the familiar landscape, his wings cutting the sky with precision. He hoped Kaida would come to their special place. Special now, because he didn’t have to remember it as the place he had lost Kaida. Now it is the place where he again had the opportunity to be with her.

  His eyes locked in on his destination. He masked his colors with his Dragon magic of Invisibility. He did not want to alarm the peoples, or worse, make it where it would be difficult for Kaida and Molakei to slip away to their meeting place. He took his perch up on the side of the mountain and waited.

  Flower Bird awoke first and immediately saw the wolves next to Kaida. She swished her hands at the pups to shoo them away. She was met with snarls and growls, their sharp teeth exposed. Each took position. They planted their paws firmly, hackles ridged with warning. Kaida stirred.

  “Oh! I did not know they came in Flower Bird,” she said turning, and spoke to the wolves. “Stop your growling! It’s only Flower Bird. Why are you in here?”

  Sigrunn, the white-furred female answered. “We have come. This is the time we are needed. We are home.” Tyrianua, the male added, “Change comes. Some will resist. Some will try to stop the change. They have tried before; they will try again. We are…” he tilted his head, “call us Protectors. We are more, but that is an answer for the curious.”

  Kaida quickly answered Flower Bird and Molakei who took a stand next to his daughter, puzzled. “They say they are home now and are Protectors. They said because things are changing and not all will like it. There could be trouble.”

  Molakei unfolded his arms and replied. “Protectors are always good, especially for Kaida and her friends. Molakei accepts wolves into his home.”

  Kaida exhaled a rush of breath and lunged at Molakei with arms flung wide for an impromptu waist-crushing hug.

  Molakei smiled and said, “Help Flower Bird prepare our morning meal. After we eat, we go to the tall shrubs and learn together.”

  She and Flower Bird made quick with the morning’s meal preparations as the new cave members curled up on Kaida’s pelts, their eyes darting about watching Kaida’s rapid movements.

  Sigrunn turned her head towards Tyrianua, “Do you think she is aware yet?”

  “No. She is unaware. It won’t really matter, Sigrunn. She has her purpose as we do. However, let us be to her as she expects. For now, simply wolf pups.” Tyrianua slowly licked his paw, then dropped his head back to the ground, always keeping an eye on Kaida.

  After the meal clean-up, Molakei and Kaida gathered pelts and baskets to take to their learning spot. Kaida fell in behind Molakei as Sigrunn and Tyrianua stretched and ran behind Kaida, all making their way through the forest.

  From Zlemtec’s advantage point, he could see the shapes moving towards the hidden meeting place. He lifted with ease into the sky to glide down close to the shrubs. He waited just outside the shrubby screen that gracefully swayed with the breeze the morning brought. His head turned with his heart, in the direction of Kaida. He tried to squelch the grin on his face, for first, he needed to discuss the potion with her and Molakei.

  Molakei breached the bushes first, almost losing his footing as the two wolves bounded forward, sniffing. They let their fur return to normal and waited for Kaida to announce her Dragon.

  Kaida, all grins and dappled sunshine, rushed forward. “Zlemtec, there you are.”

  “Yes. I have been gathering dust waiting for you,” he replied as he let his colors show.

  The wolves let out quick yaps, tails wagging.

  Molakei greeted Zlemtec with an open palm and a head nod.

  “Oh, Zlemtec meet my Protectors, White fur is called Sigrunn and Black fur is Tyrianua. They live with me now,” she said with her hands scuffing their fur.

  Zlemtec leaned closer to the wolves, carefully scratching their necks. “Why do you call them Protectors, Kaida?”

  “They call themselves that. Well...they explained that is the easiest way to describe them. Anyway, aren’t they wonderful? They love to run and play chase with me,” she said in her normal gush of words.

  Zlemtec stood back and looked at the furry Protectors and gave an approving smile. “Your friends are my friends.” He winked and grinned as the wolves smiled open-mouthed at him. “Glad they are the friendly type.”

  Molakei asked, “Are we ready to begin our lessons today?”

  “Yes,” said Kaida

  “No,” Zlemtec replied, bringing questioning looks.

  “Kaida. Molakei. I bring a special potion Kaida must have. A poison affecting the Dragons have spread to her, and I have the way to prepare it but, Kaida, you must explain in every small detail to Molakei on how to prepare it.” Zlemtec said.

  “I will Zlemtec. Thank you! This should help my night scares or scary Visions I have been having,” Kaida said. She turned to explain more clearly to Molakei.

  He told Zlemtec, with Kaida’s help, “I will carefully prepare the potion according to your directions. Since I talk to our Ancestors, I am sure I can talk to the Ancestors of the Dragons and Kaida’s peoples to help bind her cure. Do we do it here or--?” Molakei asked.

  “Better yet, Molakei. I have found a cave perfect for seclusion nearby. I will guide the way,” Zlemtec offered.

  “Yes, yes. Better that way,” answered Molakei.

  Zlemtec lead the small group towards the mountain’s edge and down a short walk to a lower cave that they could access without climbing too high. The wolves scrambled up the rocks first and darted into the cave. After checking it out, they padded towards the opening to watch Kaida and Molakei enter.

  Zlemtec had a small fire prepared with a bowl of water simmering. He sat and explained slowly to both Kaida and Molakei the exact process.

  Molakei stirred the mixture slowly into the bowl, watching it as it popped and sizzled. Raising his hands up high, he called upon the Ancestors to aid in the potion, to bind the elements with the cure.

  All sat still as a vapor rose in the cave. It split and split and split again! A wild spinning took charge overhead with forms changing and darting towards the bowl, infusing it with sparks of energy. The water bubbled and began to boil again as all looked on with eyes peeled open. The vapor forms slowed, and each reached out to pass through Kaida, causing her to jump. A low whine came from the mouths of the wolves. Then all was quiet.

  Molakei stood over the bowl as the potion became still. His heart found its normal beat as he looked to those waiting. Their eyes answered his question. This was not expected. Kaida’s eyes portrayed the most surprise. She was still sitting, but her jaw dropped open. Ancestors of the peoples, Ancestors of Dragons and Ancestors of Kaida’s all joined forces in making the powerful potion. This would be a day none would forget. A power never joined before had touched them all. When the bowl at last had cooled, Kaida drank it down.

  Sigrunn and Tyrianua stood and howled. A change is coming. Beware of those who would try to stop it. A quick snarl passed between them before they sat again, next to Kaida. So, it begins…

  “Kaida, that was amazing!” Zlemtec explained to Molakei and Kaida, “That did not happen to me nor any other Dragon who took the potion. You had so many Ancestors come.”

  “I’m just as surprised,” she answered, eyes still large and round. “So many have come together to make this potion for me, I am very thankful to each.”

  “Molakei,” Kaida said, “you made Kaida well again, I cannot thank you enough. My head is free of those thick clouds and even the rivers which flow on the inside feels like rushing waters. I know now I will never feel alone because each of you have given something of yourselves. That will always stay with me.”

  The wolf pups walked quietly to the ledge, sniffing the air. Sigrunn shook her white and beige fur and quietly said to Tyrianua, “Did you see them?”

  Leaning down, he arched his back in a long stretch he replied, “Yes. I thought someone would have mentioned it, but then, our vision is sharper than the rest. What they see as trails of vapor
, we see as the whole.”

  Sigrunn’s neck pivoted, looking back towards the assembly.

  Tyrianua nudged her chin. “I will not say I doubted you, but... I do applaud your craftiness.”

  Her eyes narrowed to a slit of azure seas. “It took only a breath while they stared up at the vapors forming.”

  “What of the Legend?” Tyrianua pursued. “Will this change it?”

  A low growl seeped up from her throat and through her exposed teeth. “Legends are rewritten all the time. Glance back in history if you doubt it. But do not worry, she won’t be running on all fours.”

  Tyrianua nipped her ear, lightly. “I know that, Sigrunn. But I’m here as her Protector. I don’t like altered plans.”

  Her eyes sparkled in mirth. “We are both here for the same reasons. You worry too much, now be quiet before she hears our discussions.”

  “If you feel steady Kaida, let us feel the sunshine on our skin. Do you feel shaken at all?” Molakei needed to know before he would let her climb down from the cave.

  “I feel great Molakei. I think I could run down the mountain side. It’s like how I feel when flying but I feel it through my feet!”

  “I am pleased. I will say your night scares or Visions had begun to worry me. I did not know it was a poison. It acted more like an evil spirit clinging to you. I am glad to know this potion worked so quickly and so well.”

  “Kaida, let’s fly down,” Zlemtec offered.

  “Yes, we fly as one!” She ran and jumped upon Zlemtec’s back. As soon as they left the ledge, Kaida shifted and stood on his back, arched her neck back and gave an ear-splitting roar, causing Zlemtec to crane his head backwards.

  Surprised, he uttered, “By all that is Dragon--” as he stared at his friend, feeling a new Kaida evolving.

  “Kaida, be careful! Molakei shouted, alarmed.

  She urged Zlemtec on, to fly faster and farther. The wind played ancient songs, sending them through her golden hair. Energy rushed into her every pore. She breathed in all that made the magic of her spirit fly.

  She smoothly slid back down, wrapping her arms gently around Zlemtec’s leathery neck. This new wonderful energy seemed to spiral from her head to her toes and pulsated within. It was so strong, she felt she could do anything. A radiance which began on the inside, burst forth into the blinding light of her smile.

  Molakei and the two wolves stood on the ground below, watching. It was an amazing sight to behold. It wasn’t merely the sight of someone riding on a Dragon, that alone was jaw dropping, but what Molakei was witnessing could not be explained nor ignored. He was watching Dragons fly!

  Zlemtec flew in liquid motions, casting silhouettes against the Urthe. His heart beat new and refreshed, the way it always felt when flying with Kaida. Dust scattered across the ground as Kaida and Zlemtec landed. Molakei’s heart overflowed with joy, spreading across his weathered face.

  His concerns had greatly diminished after Kaida received the full benefits of the poison cure, but he still had a splinter wedged in his thoughts. It was those Stone tears. He wanted the Dragons to know. Maybe it is normal in the Dragons’ way, but he felt the need to get a Healer’s opinion. He would have Zlemtec take them to his Healers, to be on the cautious side.

  “Kaida, Molakei needs an item from Flower Bird. Ask her to give you her bag of stones she collected. I want to send them with Zlemtec. We will visit while you do this.”

  “I will be fast,” Kaida said exuberantly as she dashed off.

  Molakei approached Zlemtec with his concerns and explained in his limited Dragon communication skills, what they found from Kaida. Zlemtec’s blue and purple eyes sparked with recognition.

  “Zlemtec also had Stone Tears! Never had before. Maybe from the poison? I will take to Zelspar. He will know if any worries.”

  “Molakei is grateful. Wishes only good things for Kaida. Molakei was very sad before Kaida came. She brought old Warrior new life. Molakei’s heart once felt as Kaida’s Stone Tears, but now sings sweetly like the night bird.”

  Zlemtec nodded his head in complete understanding, thinking Kaida must have that effect on all that she meets. His heart also sang sweetly when he was with Kaida.

  “Molakei not told Kaida of Stone Tears. Not worry her. Zlemtec not tell Kaida?” the old Warrior asked.

  “No. Zlemtec not worry Kaida either. Only gives Stone Tears to Zelspar.” Zlemtec winked at his new friend.

  When Kaida returned, Zlemtec told her he had to return home. Others needed to know Kaida’s potion worked.

  “Zlemtec? Next time you come; will you tell me about the other Dragons? I feel I should know of them but can’t bring up any images or memories,” Kaida said.

  A shadow of concern drifted over Molakei. Zlemtec’s eyes chased the shadow before he replied.

  “I will tell you Dragon stories, Kaida. First, I would like to learn more words of the peoples so I can share better with my friend, Molakei,” he said, his face lit with affection.

  “Good idea, Zlemtec. I want us to be able to talk easily together. You will come in Morning’s light?”

  “If possible, I will. I am not sure since my Teacher has returned home. It may be a few Morning lights before I come Kaida. I will hurry back as soon as I am able.”

  Kaida gently placed her cheek against his, saying “I miss you when you are not here.”

  Zlemtec’s eyes glistened. “As I miss you when we are apart.” He turned preparing to take to the air. His long neck turned briefly so his eyes would be filled with the image of Kaida. Blue and golden wings flapped, lifting him to his well-traveled course.

  An assembly awaited Zlemtec as his talons caught the rim of the cave’s ledge. Zelspar’s face was pinched in annoyance.

  “What took you so long,” Zelspar bellowed, mostly from the frustration of not being the one to administer the cure potion to Kaida.

  “I had to stay, I needed to make sure Molakei, the Teacher and Elder of the peoples, understood the directions you sent.” explained the chastised Zlemtec.

  “Did he?” the bushy browed Zelspar asked, only slightly dispatched of his annoyance.

  “I wish you would have seen it, Zelspar. It was much the same as your casting of the Magic to bring our Ancestors, but…” Zlemtec struggled to find the words to explain the event-- “When he asked the Ancestors to come and bind the cure, there were so many that came! The vapors kept dividing, sending more and more shifting forms to dip towards the potion, infusing their magic. I could not make out all of them, the potion almost boiled over with all their power!”

  Zlemtec’s eyes shifted from face to face, to see if he expressed the great wonder he saw. Zelspar’s face at last, relaxed. Galdean and the Queen and King also looked relieved. Zlemtec had returned his gaze to Zelspar and missed the half-curled smile on the Queen’s face.

  Quite right, the Queen’s thoughts flowed. I too, would have liked to have seen this cure. She assured herself, it was the right thing to do, to add snips of Kaida’s Ancestors. Those mystical pieces that were placed long ago in the mysterious crystal orb. Her mother had carried it, clutched tightly in her hands even as she tried to give birth. She would have liked to have known Kaida’s mother and hear her stories. She liked to think her mother knew exactly what she was doing when she stumbled into their cave. She held onto that thought, still hoping Kaida’s mother actually sought them out, to leave them in charge of her special child.

  Zlemtec drew Zelspar apart to hand him the bag Molakei had given to him. “I brought these to you. Molakei is concerned because,” he opened up the bag to expose the shimmering stones, “Kaida cried and her tears fell as stones. Zelspar, I haven’t said anything, but the same thing happened to me.”

  Zelspar’s eyes were wide in wonder as he looked inside the bag. Kaida also cried stones? It must be from the poison. It affected her the same way, he thought.

  “You did well by bringing them to me. I think we will have a Cleansing ceremony. I know there are several Dragons, and I
imagine even more, who have not mentioned this affliction. Now that we have been cured, we must not let anything contaminate us again.”

  He continued, as he cinched up the bag, “We do not know if these Stone Tears carry the poison, but by the odd look of them, a Cleansing ceremony would not only kill any residue poison, but would alter them to be a safeguard against evil and deception. When we have completed this for our Hails, you may return the bag to Molakei with the explanation. Kaida and her peoples could greatly benefit from them. And Zlemtec, you have done well.” He paused, placing a hand on his shoulder, “I was gruff with you before and I should not have been. My concern for Kaida’s cure became a festering boil and I suppose it erupted when I caught sight of you.”

  “I know it was out of worry, Zelspar. We all carry that worry for Kaida. It is hard having her with the peoples and not with us. She holds many pieces of us.” Zlemtec said what his heart felt.

  Zelspar nodded and stepped aside to bring the Queen and King of Mursei, as well as Galdean, up to date with his thoughts. They would need to bring all the Hails together to show the importance of them collecting all of the Stone Tears. Tomorrow, he would take all the packets to a nearby cave to perform the Cleansing ceremony. After that, each will be returned to their rightful owners infused with the new power to protect them.

  People filtered out of the meeting room after Zelspar’s announcement of the need for the collection of any Stone Tears. Looking around at the Hails, his guess had been correct. Most of the Dragons had experienced their tears falling and turning into stones, and rather than questioning him or another healer about them, they kept their silence. He shook his head thinking, A perceived problem has never gone away by sweeping it under the nest.

  Each Dragon left to retrieve their tears and bundle them in labeled packets. Those packets were then given to their Hails leader who, in turn, brought the packets to Zelspar.