“We are to find dragons in this place.”
“Dragons?”
“This is all I know from Kadam’s list,” Ana said.
I rubbed my hand across my cheek. The mountain was cold. I called upon the power of the fire piece of the amulet. Soon a pocket of air rotated around our bodies, warming us, though the snow on the mountain remained untouched. “If I remember right,” I said, “the dragons came to be millennia ago.”
We poked around the mountain, searching for caves large enough to hold dragons, but found nothing. Finally, I headed toward the sound of the water, and we came upon a great pool that emptied over the side of a cliff. The water bounced down in steps, disappearing into the fog below. Each drop had formed a small pool where the water collected before continuing to tumble down the mountainside.
“Hello there.” I heard Ana’s voice and turned to see what she was doing. Ana knelt at the side of the pool at the very top, flicking her fingers at its surface. Colorful heads bobbed up next to her fingers, their mouths opening and closing as they sought food. “Aren’t they beautiful?” she asked as I crouched down beside her.
“Yes.” I smiled as Ana played with the koi fish.
“They’ve traveled a long way,” she said. “It seems they leapt from pool to pool to get to the top of the mountain.”
“Really? That’s quite an effort. Unless they were spawning, I didn’t think fish could manage such a thing.”
“I doubt that’s why,” Ana said. “These are all male.”
“Huh.” I tossed a rock in the pool and a golden head broke the surface. For just a second, the koi fish appeared to be glaring at me. It seemed very familiar as it stared at me with its big golden eyes. I stood up abruptly and peered down at the large fish. “How many are in there?” I asked.
“Five,” Ana answered.
Ticking off on my fingers as I examined them, I mumbled, “Gold, red, blue, white—”
“And green,” Ana finished. “He’s hard to see since the water is so green here.”
Suddenly my mind flashed back to something I’d heard long, long ago. “Ana,” I said, “I have a story to tell you.”
I regaled her with the tale passed down by my ancestors of the Yellow River and the koi. A long time ago, I’d shared the legend of the brave fish who swam up the river seeking a gift from a goddess with Yesubai. She’d loved the fish just like my mother. When I told her that the fish became dragons, we both knew what we had to do. Ana smiled and stroked the side of the blue one. He swam in a circle so she could reach his other side.
Pointing to the waterfall, I said, “My mother told me the falls where this transformation supposedly happened was called the Dragon’s Gate.”
She glanced down. “Then perhaps we should make this location a bit more obvious so the story might be shared.” Lifting her hands, Ana channeled her power, and the mountain shook, rocks tumbled and shifted, and when she was done, the top of the waterfall had a new lip that formed the bony skull of a dragon. Water poured from his open jaws and hollowed out depressions with different-colored rocks in the center worked for eyes. Jutting stones filled the open mouth to make teeth.
Below that, rocks shifted again, taking on the shape of a dragon in mid-transformation. Ana picked up both of us in an air bubble and we floated down the falls. Each step of the waterfall was reworked until the stone was lined with carved koi fishes leaping upward, each jump changing them until they became fully formed dragons at the top.
When Ana was satisfied, we headed back to the top and she turned to the fish themselves. They waited for her at the edge of the pool, and like she had with the other creatures, Ana asked them if they were willing to become something new. The fish, with as much intellect as fish possessed, agreed, and Ana used her power to imbue them with energy. One by one the fish rose from the water and changed before my eyes.
Scales lengthened and stretched. Tails thrashed back and forth, growing longer with each thrust. Their spines and heads grew knobby with spikes, feathers, hair, and antlers. Horns rose from their heads, as individual as the fish themselves. Their fins became legs and wicked talons. What surprised me the most was how obvious it should have been. Even as fish they had similar personalities to the dragons I’d come to know. Who knew that fish were so varied?
After the dragons were formed, they flew in circles above us and I watched them, trying to put my finger on what was different about them. Suddenly, it came to me. They were smaller. Younger. Perhaps the equivalent of dragon teenagers. I could see the joy they took in their new frames as they wound their sinewy new bodies around and between one another.
Ana, weary after such a huge investment of power, reached back to clutch my hand. I wrapped an arm around her. “Are you okay?” I asked.
“I will rest when we are done. But there is more I must give them.”
She raised her arms. “Come to me, my dragons. Tell me your new names and I will grant you each a gift.”
“Goddess,” the white dragon said as he drifted closer. “Tell us who you are, that we might thank the mother who gave us this new birth.”
“I…” Ana paused. “I am Mother Earth and this,” she said, indicating me, “is Father Time.”
“Mother,” the white dragon said, “how may we assist you?”
Ana stretched out her hand and cupped his cheek. “You will serve us, mighty dragon. But first, I will give you my blessing.” She looked from him to the others. “All of you are very special. You will be guardians, tasked with certain responsibilities. Only those as brave as you are deserving of so weighty a duty, and therefore, I will gift each of you with abilities to help you in your efforts. First, I summon my dragon of red. What will you call yourself?”
“My new name will be Lóngjūn,” the red-and-black dragon said.
“Very good. Then, Lóngjūn, newborn of the Pacific Ocean, henceforth, I give you a duty to guard the heavens. When mankind looks to the stars, they will see your shape and feel inspired by your daring. You are gifted with the power of the air and the light that fills the sky. Your domain is found in all points west of the center. I endow you with the breadth of the stars.” Ana touched his clawed foot and blew a kiss in his direction. Wind whipped around him and his body gleamed with power.
“Thank you, Mother,” the crimson-eyed dragon said.
Ana nodded as he spun away. “Come forth, dragon of green,” Ana called.
Immediately, the green dragon undulated toward us. I glared at the crafty beast, but he didn’t yet know who I was or what he’d be doing to me in the future. Even as young as he was, he still struck me as cocky and sly.
“What will you be called?” she asked.
“I will take the name Lüśèlóng,” he said with a shake of his head.
“Very well. Then, Lüśèlóng, newborn of the Indian Ocean, henceforth, I give you a duty to guard the earth. When mankind tills the soil, they will see your shadow overhead and know that their harvests will be fruitful. You are gifted with the power of the earth and the strength of the rocks. Your domain is found in all points east of the center. I endow you with the intensity of lightning.”
The body of the green dragon glowed and green leaves erupted down his back. His barrel chest swelled and he sunk down to the ground as if he’d become as weighted as stone. Then, he lifted his head and rose into the sky once more.
“Lüśèlóng,” I warned, unable to resist needling the dragon, “perhaps it would behoove you to return and thank your mother.”
The dragon wrinkled his nose and snorted a puff of air, but I was gratified to hear his sulky, “Thanks.”
“Next, my dragon of blue,” Ana said.
We waited for him to make his slow way toward us. He hesitated until Ana offered to pat his sides as she did when he’d been a fish. He dropped fully to the ground at her feet and rolled over onto his back so she could scratch his belly.
“What will you call yourself?” Ana asked.
The dragon yawned mightily and
lifted an arm so she could reach the spot he wanted. His electric-blue scales shimmered in the light. Only when Ana stopped did he turn his attention back to her. He tried nudging her to continue but she refused. “You will answer me, dragon of blue.”
“Very well,” he said. “You may call me Qīnglóng.”
“Qīnglóng, newborn of the Southern Ocean,” Ana said, “I give you a duty to guard the oceans. When mariners set sail, they will see the brightness of your scales in the water and will seek to discover places beyond. As this important symbol, I gift you with the power of water and the permeability of such. As you bring storms, you also bring life. Your domain is found in all points south of the center. I endow you with the buoyancy of the clouds.”
Qīnglóng didn’t seem to care much about his new powers. He just blew irritably at the turquoise and purple feathers that sprung from his back and flicked his tail in annoyance. Ana told him he could leave, but he just rolled over, wriggled his body in the snow, and proceeded to fall asleep with his short legs sticking up in the air. When he began to snore, Ana grunted and zapped him with enough electricity to make him shove off.
“Who will be next?” Ana asked huffily as she shoved wisps of her hair away from her face.
“Pick me! Pick me!” the golden dragon squealed. “I’d say you should save the best for last but why waste your time when the best is right here?”
Ana smiled. “Dragon of gold—”
“Wait. Wait,” the dragon begged. “You should know that I’m not terribly full of concern for others. Some might call me selfish. As such, I think it best that you gift me with something you know I’ll excel at, such as eating or finding the best spots to sun myself in. Oh! What about being beautiful? I am the most stunning of dragons. I sound like I’m boasting but you were already thinking it, so it’s not really boasting then, is it? It’s just stating the obvious.”
“I will keep your suggestions in mind,” Ana said. “What will you call yourself?”
“Now that’s a fascinating question, isn’t it? There are so many words you could use to describe a dragon like me. Unslayable comes to mind. But that might incentivize knights, don’t you think? Then again, a name like Deathbringer might keep away the rabble. I know I don’t want any silly names like Brightscales or Clawbiter, though I’ll be the first to admit I’ll probably nibble when I feel stressed.” He spun in the air, continuing his monologue. “And definitely not something with an “of” in the title, like Protector of, Champion of, or Bringer of. No. There’s too much expectation attached to a name like that.”
Ana sighed and I mentally suggested his name. “How about Jīnsèlóng,” Ana said.
The dragon grimaced. “Jīnsèlóng? I don’t think so. That name is much too generic for a being as complex as I am.”
“Perhaps you are right,” Ana said. “Why don’t we use it for now as a pet nickname? That way you can have plenty of time to think on it and get back to me with your chosen name later.”
“I suppose that would be fine,” he said. “Just so long as everyone here knows, I’m still undecided on the matter.”
“Very good. Then, Jīnsèlóng, newborn of the Atlantic Ocean, I give you a duty to guard the treasures of the Earth, both those hidden deep within the mountains as well as those created by humans. When mankind sees your likeness in art or carvings, they will be inspired by your beauty and they will imagine and create. With this duty in mind, I gift you with the power of discernment and command of the elements so that you might seek out that which is most precious and protect it. Your domain is found in all points north of the center. I endow you with the continuity of the waves.”
The dragon shivered as his scales hardened and became as varied in coloration as the precious metals of the earth. “I appreciate your gift, don’t get me wrong,” the dragon said to Ana, “but there are a few questions I have regarding my duty.”
“I trust you implicitly,” Ana said. “If anyone can protect the wealth and beauty of this world, it will be you.” Leaning closer, she whispered in the dragon’s ear. “It is best not to go on about your duty too much,” she said. “Your brothers might become more jealous of you than they already are.”
The gold dragon peered over at the white dragon and narrowed his eyes shrewdly. Then, he turned back to Ana. “That is very wise,” he said in a loud whisper. “We will speak more of this at a later time.”
Ana winked at him and he moved off, coiling his body in a circle and glaring at his brothers as if they were going to try to steal his power away from him. I stifled a laugh. She’d handled him with a deft hand. She already had a lot of experience dealing with soldiers of every kind. Dragons weren’t that much different, all things considered.
“Dragon of white,” Ana said, “You are next.”
When he approached, he blew an icy fog over us. “Sorry about that,” he said. “I’m still getting used to life outside of the water.”
Under my breath, I mumbled, “Wouldn’t count on that lasting long.”
“What will you name yourself?” Ana asked him.
He hesitated a moment, looking into the eyes of the goddess as she looked in his. I got the sense that they were communicating mentally though I heard nothing. “I believe I shall take the name Yínbáilóng,” the dragon answered.
“That is a very fitting choice,” Ana said, then straightened her shoulders as if coming to a decision. “Yínbáilóng, newborn of the Arctic Ocean, you will be the leader of your brothers. As such, I give you a duty to watch over them as well as all the inhabitants of the Earth. Your domain stretches the farthest, touching all the worlds that circle the sun. When men turn their faces to seek out the yellow warmth of its rays, they will sense your protection and be reminded of what it means to be noble and wise. Because of this, I gift you with the powers of judgment and the ability to balance all things. Your domain is the center. This means the center of not only this world but the center of all things. I endow you with the stillness of the snow.”
As power left her once again, the white dragon’s body shone. Icicles grew over his horns and the fur on his back grew thick and white. I was now fully supporting her weight. “Sohan,” she whispered and opened her mouth as if to say more but then her eyes rolled back.
“Ana?” I caught her as she went limp. “Ana!”
“She is simply exhausted, Father,” Yínbáilóng said. “But if you will guide us, we can help. Place your hand on her chest, and the five of us can draw upon the might of the celestial bodies we are now tied to. Come, brothers.”
They all moved closer, their large heads bobbing next to one another. The white dragon told me he would act as a conduit, channeling the power of the others. Using our bond, I poured my energy into Ana through my palm. It began and the five dragons filled with light that burst up and out over the mountain, casting a rainbow hue that lit up the sky. The colorful beam wrapped around Yínbáilóng.
A shaft of light hit me and I staggered briefly but kept tight hold of Ana. Glancing up, I saw that it was coming from Yínbáilóng’s eye. Heat filled my frame and as I opened my mind to the dragons, I saw each of them through new eyes. The time piece of the amulet showed me what they would do and how they would influence mankind over the eons. Apparently, they saw the same thing I did.
Who are you, Father, that you can show us such wonders? they asked in my mind.
As I siphoned the energy of the cosmos from the offering the dragons made, pushing it into Ana, I answered. I am the one who wanders. The one who knows all but prefers to experience the world as one unaware. Someday, your mother and I will leave the mysteries of this world to the five of you, but for now, be content. Learn and grow and use your great influence to be of benefit to others.
Yes, Father, the five dragons said.
Ana blinked her eyes slowly and I swept her up in my arms, cradling her close. “Thank you, my great sons,” Ana said as she touched her hand to the red dragon.
“Is there anything more we can do for you?�
� Lóngjūn asked.
“Yes,” Ana said. “One day travelers will come seeking your aid. They will have the touch of the goddess about them. Help them in their cause and know that when you help them, you are helping me. Should you ever have need of me, simply call and I will hear your plea and send aid as I am able. Go now,” she said. “Build palaces in your domains and find peace and safety in your new homes.”
One by one, the dragons rose in the air, undulating like ribbons in the wind. When the last one disappeared in the clouds, I asked, “How are you, really?”
“I am recovering as we speak. You may set me down now. I believe I can stand.”
“What if I like you right where you are?” I asked, nuzzling her ear.
“I thought those small kisses were to welcome one home.”
“They can be for other things too,” I said, kissing the arch of her neck.
“There will be time for a third lesson later. We are nearly finished with our list.”
I lifted my head, surprised. “Really? I thought we’d never get done.”
Ana peered at me through lowered eyelids. “Perhaps, if we can finish today, we can take a… What is it called? A vacation?”
The thought of relaxing on a faraway beach somewhere with Ana in a bikini was more than enough motivation for me finish our work. I set her down gently. “What’s next?” I asked a little too eagerly.
“I believe it is creating the Ocean of Milk and assigning a guardian.”
Wrinkling my nose, I said, “The mermaid?” I sighed. “Okay, let’s go find a mermaid.” She was about to teleport us away from the mountain when I took her hand and said, “Wait.”
“What is it?”
“We didn’t wipe the minds of the dragons. They’ll remember me.”
Ana grinned. “It’s doubtful.”
“Why?”
“To them, all of us humans look alike. Except perhaps to Yínbáilóng. He is quite intelligent. His mind seeks to learn. I’ll have to visit him again soon and tell him to limit what information he shares with you in the future.”
Tiger's Dream (Tiger's Curse Book 5) Page 56