The Legend of the Dragon Child

by Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait

  “You see Zelspar, most of Galdean’s previous reactions were owing to his spirit not fully recognizing the flesh. That of course, was because of the tied knot that had eliminated parts of Galdean’s history. Galdean may have not outwardly experienced it, but his spirit knew. Which is why he had such an internal battle. Tell me, has he had anymore high fever and night delusions?”

  ‘No. Which is why I am here. It has all started again. Your idea didn’t work. Can’t you think of something else?”

  “Zelspar, you only believe it is the same. It is not. There are two parts to the problem. With the Historian’s help, we have circumvented the problem with the flesh and spirit. Galdean is quite whole again. What isn’t fixed is the issue of the poison you’ve taken into your bodies. I have been thinking on this. You either drank or ate Dargenoin’s poison or both of the two. It must have not been as large a dose as he would have desired or we would not be talking right now.”

  ‘But I have already used medicines and magic for internal poisoning,” Zelspar shouted in frustration.

  “Remember Zelspar, as I mentioned before... this is a new attack on the Dragon Hails, and you may have to create a new medicine or magic.”

  “Yes, yes. I do remember. I thought, well it’s of no matter now. I did not think of the problem being twofold. I am thankful for your intervention on Galdean’s behalf. That has certainly eased the problems we face,” Zelspar admitted.

  “Pravietis, you also said you would tell me what you see now. Is there a new attack under way?”

  “From what I see, the Future still shows the poison growing and spreading. And the child, the Dragon Child is poisoned also. It does seem mild within her, but it still could cause problems if not corrected, and soon.”

  “Kaida? How could she be tainted? She was left with the peoples before I even heard the Call. She should have been sheltered from all of this--” Zelspar felt as if he had reached the limit of understanding. His anger boiled just below the surface, ready to explode without notice.

  “Spend your energy on a solution. Time is critical and none of us know how long that is,” prompted Pravietis.

  “Yes. You are right. I must think of all you have said and find the solution. I know it is there. That is the nature of things; for every good there is a bad. For every problem, there is a solution. Thanks be to you Pravietis, for all your help and advice, and I might add, patience with this old Dragon. I will go to work immediately on a cure.”

  “I am here whenever you need me. You are the wisest White Dragon I have known, and I have known some very powerful White Dragons. This rests in your unique abilities of medicine, magic and methodology. You will succeed. There is no other choice.” Pravietis’ image rippled the water and was gone.

  He walked back through the forest pondering all of what Pravietis had told him. The magic and medicines he had been using is not effective with this form of poison. But thankfully, they did promote a healing of Galdean’s flesh and spirit. That is a head start, he thought. To use the hair of the Historian to bridge the gap of Galdean’s missing history-- brilliant!

  As he landed at the cave’s exterior, he noted quietness. He let out his breath. Perhaps reason has found itself again. He wandered over to Galdean’s nook to look in on him. It was not what he expected. There sat Galdean on his nesting bed, his head drooped down and sniffling. He wished he could gracefully back away but no, whatever was wrong surely must have something to do with Dargenoin’s deception. He was sure of it.

  “Galdean. Is all well?” Zelspar ventured.

  He did not answer. He may not have even moved.

  “Galdean?” He attempted again.

  This time he moved. Galdean had turned his head enough to shoot Zelspar a glaring, flashing green eye. Zelspar was greatly saddened, for it seemed the poison was rearing its ugly head in the form of Galdean.

  Zelspar stood his ground, neither advancing nor backing away. He stood still. He waited. Then, there is was. Galdean had been interrupted in a very private moment. He had on his bed his uniquely sculpted hatchling box; its contents spilled across his nest.

  “Did something happen Galdean?” Zelspar tried again to get his friend’s attention.

  “Yes, something happened! I should be dead, Zelspar. Dead! Traylethon told me. I should have my pieces in this box,” he sniffled. "Oh, but look at what I do get to add, look!” Galdean’s turmoil erupted like the many Volcanoes on their home planet of Verlaunde.

  Zelspar leaned heavily against his walking stick, more to support his own part in Galdean’s anguish than his weight. He came to a stop next to Galdean and looked for the cause of his despair. The contents seemed to be mostly what all carry in their heritage boxes, the same items given to their Bound in the ceremony of Joining the Two. He bent down closer to see what Galdean was trying to smash.

  “By all that is Dragon, Galdean, is that your main cause of anger?” Zelspar asked, pointing to his clawed finger and what lay beneath it, peeking out.

  “It’s...disgusting! I’ve never had those before. This must be the mark of a dead Dragon, Tears of Stone! They aren’t even clear Zelspar, they have colors oozing around in them. It’s sickening,” he moaned in exasperation.

  “No, Galdean. It is not dead Dragon tears. It only shows your internal systems are compromised. Did this just happen?”

  “No. I forgot when I was with a bad fever, I had this happen. Even then, I knew it was... horrible. I snatched them up from the ground and hid them in a stone box. I didn’t realize I stuck them into my heritage box.”

  “It will be all right, Galdean. Mark my words. I will find a way to stop this from destroying us. I will.... wait... Galdean, you are brilliant! You have just shown me what I need to do to cure us all!” Zelspar in his exuberance leaned over and hugged a startled Galdean.

  He yelled back to Galdean as he raced out to find his parcels and bags, elated for the first time since their encounter with Dargenoin. “I go to make a new magic, Galdean. Do not worry, I will try it on myself, first."

  A new look crossed Galdean’s face. A new hope to return to who he was before Dargenoin.

  Zelspar turned his bag upside down, fumbling through his contents in search of his heritage box. He latched on to it, running his hands over its sides. Carved White Dragons flanked each side with their arms extended towards the lid holding a precious stone resembling a Dragon’s eye, which worked as a latch for the box. He clicked the lid open and his yellowed talon gently flick through the treasures from his Ancestors.

  These were the great Teachers, the revered Magic makers, and the honored Healers of his line. This was the legacy passed down to him. He offered up his words of gratitude to his Ancestors, asking for guidance and intercession in his work to create a new medicine to cure the Dragons.

  He began by performing the ritual to draw their Spirits close and then reached for his mortar and pestle. Into it, he snipped pieces of scale, tooth and bone from each Ancestor and ground them down to a fine powder. He added water to a bowl from the clear pool in the cave. Carefully he sat the bowl over a small fire, allowing the flames to lap the edges of the bowl. Once it had boiled, he removed it to cool slightly on the rocks. He added the powder, a measurement of three Dragon pinches.

  While it cooled some, he wove his magic over the bowl, using the signs and words passed down from his Ancestors. He watched as the water filled with the electrical current of the magic, infusing each particle. Above his head, a cloud formation formed from the vapor, bringing forth the images of his Ancestors. Each separated from the cloud and circled his bowl before disappearing through the ceiling of the cave. It was ready.

  He brought the warm bowl to his mouth and consumed the medicine. He sat there feeling the power of his Ancestors flowing throughout his body. The power of the new magic and medicine rocked him back on his heels. Visions of the long past flooded his senses. An overwhelming sense of his well-being was heightened.

  He felt as if his lungs and heart might explode as hi
s heart raced the medicine through the rivers and streams that wound through every part of his flesh. As his heart found its original rhythm, he was able to sit upright. He could immediately feel the change within himself. He felt more vitality than he had for years upon years. His mind was peaceful and cleared of the layers of muddled chaos he had recently known. He let out a robust roar of gratitude and leapt up to go directly to Galdean.

  “Galdean!” Zelspar yelled as he charged in, “I’ve made the cure! Where is your heritage box?”

  “I placed it back into my pack minus those offensive Stone Tears.” he said.

  “Please get it. It holds the key to defeating Dargenoin’s poison. It not only will restore you to how you were, but the combined energies of your Ancestors revitalize you to such a degree you will feel not only whole but invigorated!”

  “You mean we have been carrying around our cure the whole time?” His large jaw dropped open in shock.

  “Well, partially. The brew is made with magic which infuses each particle so that...”

  Galdean cut him off mid-sentence. “Save all the details. It’s plain to see by your reaction, it works! That is the only answer I need. Here, use what you need,” Galdean said, practically thrusting the heritage box into Zelspar’s hands.

  “Oh, dash the boulders! I’ve left everything in my niche. Take a bowl to the pool, fill it and bring it to me. I’ll be preparing the mixture. You will need to stay close so I can draw your Ancestors to infuse the medicine with their strengths. Oh, and whatever you do, do not get rid of those Stone Tears! They may come in handy.”

  Galdean brought the bowl of water, sloshing half of its contents in his hurry to get to Zelspar. He sat and watched silently as the old White Dragon made his magic and medicine. Whatever doubts that lingering in his mind, were smothered from taking a firm grip as he watched Zelspar with his renewed energy and confidence.

  Traylethon heard the commotion and came in ready to grunt a complaint at the noise, but when he saw Zelspar’s activities, he held his tongue in check. As a Healer of the Qyrdrom Hail, he was always astounded at the wealth of knowledge Zelspar carried. Any chance at watching him weave the magic and prepare medicine was met with studious eyes.

  Zelspar looked up and spoke to Traylethon briefly, “Bring me your heritage box. We have the cure from Dargenoin’s poison.”

  Without hesitation, Traylethon flew to find his box. When he returned, he stood watching as Galdean drank down this new potion. Within moments, Galdean’s eyes flew open wide and he jumped up. He threw his head back and roared a deafening roar, causing dust and pebbles from the ceiling to tumble down around them. It was remarkable to watch.

  “Galdean, how do you feel?” asked Zelspar, concerned he may have given him too much, even though he had cut the potion down to only two pinches for caution.

  Galdean laughed. “I feel better than I have in over a century. You are incredible, Zelspar! How did you know this would work?”

  “It’s methodology. Using guidelines, I followed from what Pravietis and the Historian did to mend your broken thread. Galdean, when I saw your heritage box spilled open, the answer seemed to flash in brilliant light. I knew if this was not the direct answer, it certainly was a component. I added to the medicine the magic infusion of the Ancestors culmination of energies,” Zelspar hurriedly explained.

  “After Traylethon has his, we will wait and watch. I do not expect any bad developments as we carry our Ancestors strengths, but we must make sure before we introduce the medicine to all of our Hails. Zelspar ended by saying, “By all that is Dragon, this is a spit in Dargenoin’s eye! I hope he rots.”

  Zelspar took Traylethon’s heritage box and duplicated the ritual and medicinal potion and watched as Traylethon’s reaction became the same as they had already experienced. Roars of celebration filled their cave and reverberated out into the air.

  Unbeknownst to the trio of Dragons, the Deceiver was within earshot. His nostrils flared in anger as he realized his plans had been thwarted. He mused, Time is a long companion and opportunities will always reveal themselves. He left to find where the next opportunity of chaos would be found.

  Pravietis coiled and burst through the deep, his dazzling colors catching the sun and casting off brilliant sparkles before splashing back into the waters. The Future was rewriting itself. Oh, and what a Future it will be for the Dragons! Bubbles of laughter popped across the surface as Pravietis swam his serpentine patterns, relishing in the victory over Dargenoin.

  Kaida woke up to a bad headache. “Molakei, Kaida’s head hurts,” she told him.

  “Tell Molakei what head feels like,” he said with concern.

  “See lots of reflections, as through moving water. See place of many Dragons, much anger! Sees long Strings, ends unraveling. Hear terrible laughs ring in my head. So many reflections, they keep turning over and over. Sees female running from Dragons! They are hunting her. One Dragon flies down to stand behind her and they killed him--”

  “Oh Kaida, you have more night scares. Molakei will sit with you.”

  “Not night scares Molakei. What in head scares Kaida, feels real as you. Then, makes thick clouds start to fill head. Not clouds for rain, these clouds.... they try to...they want no more Kaida,” she sobbed, unsure why her head would make her whole body feel bad.

  Molakei scooped her up and held her close, smoothing a tangle of hair off her cheek. He gently rocked her, humming a song he once sang to Flower Bird. Kaida caught her sobs and relaxed against him.

  He was worried. It sounded more like a Vision than most night scares he’d been told. The reflections. Could it be the Dragons were hunting for her? And, the one who guarded her? Great Spirit, not Zlemtec! His spirit moaned deep within his body; he could not bear these thoughts. Were the Dragons afraid of the Legend? Even though the sun was up, he decided to have Flower Bird mix up the medicine for sleep. He thought Kaida needed rest after waking to such worrisome images.

  He coaxed Kaida into drinking the warm tea and she fell into a deep slumber. He would have Flower Bird look after her until the mid-day meal. He decided to go to the place where Kaida, Zlemtec and he had shared in learning. He wondered if her Dragon friend would come today. He needed to tell him something was wrong.

  Molakei sat in the shrubs until the sun was high over his head. He looked and listened, then waited some more. No Dragon came to him. He checked the sky thoroughly before making his way back to their cave. He wondered if the Dragons were searching for her and his concern doubled. He would ask Kaida when she woke up if there is anything else that would help them understand the meaning of her...Vision.

  Chapter 16

  A sickness was traveling. The Dragons appeared mostly well but their behaviors changed from being of cooperation to self-serving. The Queen looked around the cluster of Dragons, and each seemed more determined than the next to get their own way. She had enough of their quarreling.

  Her roar echoed over the squabbles. Surprise looks turned her way.

  “Silence!” the Queen yelled. “You must stop this quarreling. This is not your way; this is not the way of our Hails. Everyone, sit. I have news I must share. Do not interrupt me.” Good, she thought, they are dazed by my temper. As well they should be. Watching them behave in this manner is most difficult. They are better Dragons than this.

  “I need to explain what I feel is happening within our Hails. It will take some time, so listen well. I do not intend to repeat it.”

  The Queen of Mursei told them all about Zelspar and Galdean’s exposure to the poison. A poison that corrupted their behaviors, a poison that came directly from Dargenoin. She continued by explaining that is the reason they left, to limit their contact and to find the cure.

  “If they have not returned to us by the next sunset, I will send a Scout to find them. I am confident Zelspar will be able to help us all. Since you now understand the reasons of your internal conflicts, please work hard to not spread them. We do not give in to the Deceiver. We should
all strive to not become a tool for Dargenoin’s use.”

  Low murmurs rose up to meet the Queen’s ears. She glanced from Dragon to Dragon, seeing the eyes of understanding and self-discovery. It is well, she thought. At least they are able to comprehend the reasoning of their turmoil.

  The Queen had made the connection and told Rynik of it. The poison must have spread so rapidly because of the communal dinner they all shared at Zelspar’s and Galdean’s return. The seed of chaos Dargenoin had planted was pushing up and spreading its roots. She longed for Zelspar’s return and his analysis of the situation.

  Zlemtec broke away from the crowd to return to his lair. His mind pulled at the words of the Queen, thankful for the answers to the recent feelings of distrust.

  His mind had begun questioning every aspect of his life, including why he must not bring Kaida home. On some level, he still understood her place in the Legend of the Dragon Child and yet... internally he had his doubts. Lately, he had the strong impression his fellow Dragons, the ones in which he greatly admired, had duped him. It was they who declared Kaida could not return. His struggle with that decision gnawed on his flesh and spirit. He tried to suppress these thoughts, but it was a constant battle. The tears of his frustration had fallen with the pings of crystallized stones hitting the ground.

  Zelspar announced, “We wait no longer. We will return to our Hails. I’m concerned that our contamination may have spread. If so, I hesitate to imagine what we have left them to endure. Prepare to return to our home at once.”

  Galdean and Traylethon made quick with their packing and joined Zelspar by the cave entrance. All were eager to return and share their potion against Dargenoin.

  “Galdean? Did you pack everything?” Zelspar asked with a raised brow.

  “I am sure I have, Zelspar. Let’s fly!” he responded.

  “Just to make sure, Galdean...you did include the Stone Tears?” he persisted.