Understanding: The Purpose of Your Journey May Not Be What You Imagined

“Imagine what your life will be, begin the journey, look back and surprise, it’s likely not what you thought it would be at all”!

“Step forward, observe where you are, walk another one hundred paces, observe where you came from, move another two hundred paces forward, look at where you’ve been, look at where you’re going, take another sixty paces again, ask yourself if where you are is where you thought you would be. ask yourself if where you’ve been is the journey you planned on it being, ask yourself if it matters at all, you’ll discover the truth about life and you’ll never be the same.“

The five of them arrived back at the campsite. Upon arriving they found that the cooking fire was blazing. On the rack, the pot was already full with a meal. The table had been set with bowls and plates set along it with a spread of fresh bread, fruit, and vegetables.

They all looked at each other while drawing out their weapons. They did not know what to expect except for Kristyna who held onto her staff. She was still feeling the wake of last night’s unusual events. Jerad reached out and sensed she had been there as well. He sheathed his sword and Elyana looked at him as if to say what do you sense? He said to them all. “She has been here; it is her to whom we own this meal.”

Lightfoot and Lauren looked at each other with a puzzle sitting there in their thoughts. Then Lauren spoke in soft tones to Lightfoot, “the hand that they had both felt upon their shoulders. What were they told when first arriving back at the site of the three? It’s her, he speaks of, one in the same?”

Jerad then said, “Well let’s not waste all this effort, let’s get a good meal down and relax a bit before we start discussing our plans and….” He let that trail off on purpose. He didn’t want to mention the events by name with everyone’s feelings still so raw from it.

Lightfoot took up the role of serving the meal to the other three. Lauren stood guard over all of them. She watched the area with keen eyes after all the events that took place last night. The three looked at him and then Lauren, surprised at how they had stepped into these roles. Lightfoot said, “we will mention more on this once we all get past the meal. It’s wise not to say much about it yet.”

No one questioned him and all except Lauren took the hot breakfast stew in the bowls and sat down to the meal. It was a wonderful spread of food with all the fresh bread, fruits, and vegetables. Kristyna sat her bowl down, got up and went to Lauren. She then said, “Guardian, I sense as Jerad and Elyana do that, we are safe now. Please come and sit down with us. Share this meal with us, you are part of our company now and as such all share this burden together.”

Lauren nodded, took a place around the setting of food. Kristyna handed her a hot bowl of breakfast stew. The conversation was casual and kept that way to allow them to enjoy the meal. They all joked a bit about different inconsequential things. Elyana entertained them with some stories about her early childhood.

When they completed the meal, Lightfoot grabbed all the dirty dishes and the pot, took it down to a stream to clean. Lauren stood up again to stand guard. The rest of them considered how the two had taken on this role of service to the three. Jerad attempted to do it as he would have before Lightfoot and Lauren arrived. Yet, Lightfoot and Lauren would hear nothing of it. Lightfoot said, “we will discuss our reasons for what we are doing once through with cleanup.”

After the meal and Lightfoot returned from cleaning up, they all sat down around the fire. Jerad had asked Lauren to join them. He said Lauren, this is a request, but I will demand it, if need be, to get you to sit with us. Lauren looked into his eyes and after a moment, said to him, “No need, I am not comfortable yet with this new skin.”

Jerad thought he understood what she meant. He thought then responded, “all of us here have had to adjust to roles given, not chosen by us.” Jerad then went and added some more logs to the fire to keep it burning for a while. He sensed that talking on this subject would take some time. As they sat there looking at each other for a moment or two Jerad began since the trail of events started with him.

Jerad told them, “I had traveled up to the sitting stone at the top of the ridge. There I sat and prepared myself to review the content of the journal again.” He paused, no one said anything, so he continued, “I put myself into a meditative state. It assists me to block out everything else to allow myself to look for patterns in the journal again.

I wanted to be sure there was nothing that got missed.” There was another message. It was using a very old complex code that not many left in this world would remember or recognize.” Elyana could no longer hold back, “Jerad, what did it say? It was something else about us, wasn’t it?” Jerad looked at her to pierce her heart behind her eyes as if to say prepare yourself, “Yes, here it is:

She didn’t give anyone a chance to respond. She then said, “What if we chose to walk away? To tell the gods and dragons and whatever else is part of this to find someone else. That we want to live out a live that is normal, what then, tell me Jerad what would they do with that?”

Jerad then spoke up, “Could you do that Elyana, would you walk away from us?” He then turned and looked at each of them. He then said, “could any of you walk away after all that has happened? All that we heard about what would happen if we failed to act?”

That stung them, but particularly she felt the impact. Her failure, no, their failure to act might cost not only them but everyone in the known world. Then she considered, not only now but future generations as well. She regained some of her composure and said to Jerad, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. You know my feelings, don’t you?” Jerad then said, “I do know how you feel and there is more so prepare yourselves.”

Elyana settled back down to sit and listen, and Jerad continued, “The message is not only about us. It’s about allowing the reunification of mother and daughter. With that reunification, the return of the stream of time would flow forward, towards the prophecy of the one. This next part has dark possibilities so listen. No interruptions please,”

Silence fell on the little group after hearing these words. Their impact on them had stunned them all. Elyana was staring at Jerad, reaching out with a myriad of emotions. They threatened to engulf her in darkness. Lightfoot sensed her grip on things were slipping and decided now was the time to speak.

“When we, Lauren and I, came upon the three of you in the woods. There was an area of great light centered around the three of you.” “There also was a gathering of animals. They were both large and small, all standing together, encircling you as well.” He paused then said, “the trees all around you had been alive with a great array of birds as well as those seen in the sky.”

He continued, “what was so strange is that many of these forest creatures would be hunters and hunted. At least so under the normal rules of the forest. Something was taking place that did not fall into the whelm of normal.” He paused again considering something, looking to assure he had their attention.

He then continued, “Even the trees and plants were leaning over towards the light as if paying homage to you. All the animals had their heads bowed or lowered and it moved me in ways I would not have thought possible.” Lightfoot paused again looking at each of them.

He noticed that Elyana appeared to be back from the edge now listening to his story. He then asked Lauren if she had anything to add to what he had said. Lauren thought and then said, “the stone was singing.” They all responded at once, “what do you mean the stone was singing?”

Lauren said, “when we work the stone and when we are looking for certain types of minerals, we can hear stone sing.” She then said, “it is a gift from our mother creator that all dwarven kind have.” Our people believe that the stories of the desert people are true too. That they too can feel the sands of the desert. and understand where water is without seeing it.” Lightfoot responded, “that is true, but few know that of the nomad tribes of the desert clans where I come from. I am impressed by your knowledge on this.”

Lauren nodded her thanks and then she continued, “As we walked into the circle to see what had taken place. The animals all parted for us and allowed us both to pass. Lightfoot and I walked forward through a path they had opened to us where we now saw the three of you.”

“Jerad and Elyana were both lying together on the forest floor with hands held tight. Kristyna sat there between the two of you leaning on her staff. She had one hand on it and the other hand touching the two of you.” She paused again; they were all waiting to hear what came next. She then continued, “There was a light surrounding you. There upon the heads of Jerad and Elyana .” She paused then as a tear rolled down her cheek in the telling of this story.

Elyana then said, “please continue Lauren”. She continued, “there upon both yours and Jerad’s heads sat crowns. They appeared to the eye to contain the essence of the stars themselves.” Lightfoot chimed in, “Yes, they were so bright, they hurt our eyes to look at you where the crowns sat.” Lauren continued, “Lightfoot and I knelt. He raised his sword to the air as I recall. I rammed my axe heft into the ground and placed my free hand upon the stone of the land.” They all sat in silence waiting to see what she would say next.

She continued, “the stone was singing not one song but that of a chorus of many stones and minerals together. It was if the earth underneath us was vibrating together. It was unique and created a song that sang. Something that I am sure would only happen once in any lifetime.”

She heard them all gasp, she paused then and saw the questions forming on their lips. She looked to Lightfoot who then raised his hand to say wait a little longer. Lightfoot continued the story, “As I said it gets stranger. Sitting over them leaning on her staff was Kristyna. Her staff was glowing like a full moon. Kristyna had one hand laid upon both of you as he pointed at Jerad and Elyana.” Elyana said, to him, “but you repeat yourself.”

He paused again in thought and then said, “Are you ready for this because it is very important?” He continued, “Between you both sat what I thought was another crown that touched you Jerad and you Elyana.” “Yet, on closer investigation, they laid near your stomachs, more on Elyana then you Jerad.”

Elyana was ready to ask a question, but he held up his hand again. “The crown between you was much smaller than what sat upon your heads. It was pulsing with many colors and so I tilted my head to appreciate the difference but a small amount. It was then I noticed something I am glad I didn’t miss.”

He paused and looked at all three. They were almost holding their breaths in anticipation of what he would say next. He looked at Lauren then and she nodded to continue as she agreed with what he was about to reveal. “It was not one crown that sat between you but two. One was sitting on top of the other. It was if it were saying two people but one voice.”

Elyana eyes began to well up with tears. They began to flow down both her cheeks and she turned then to look at Jerad who was already looking at her. Lightfoot then continued, “It was as if it was foretelling of something that cries out for us to know. Something that none of us understood until now” Jerad and Elyana both reached out to hold the other’s hand.

Tears now ran unchecked from Elyana. Jerad knew she needed more. He then reached out to her and pulled her in to hold her as she let the emotions of this telling and its impact roll out of her. Kristyna spoke up next saying, “I remember now, what Lightfoot said is true. I remember seeing this too before I lost myself amongst you. When I became lost to the outside world.” Lightfoot then said, if you both don’t believe then know this. What comes next will help you to regain your faith.”

Kristyna moved to her and pushed the others back. Elyana was trembling and crying in her unconscious state. Kristyna, seeing this, placed her hand on her head and the runes on the staff came alive again. A light flowed from it through Kristyna and from her fingertips into the head of Elyana. She felt her relax and the tears stopped flowing along with the trembling.

Her eyes then opened, and she got up and threw herself at Jerad saying the following. “Oh Jerad, what are we to do, please promise me you’ll be there for us, for me and them.” Jerad did not hesitate this time and said, “I have loved you for a long time now Elyana. I promise you I will be there always to love you all. To protect you and sustain you, to keep you safe from a fall.”

Lightfoot then knelt in front of Jerad and Elyana and spoke. “Please forgive this unworthy soul for causing you both so much pain. I had not foreseen it’s impact upon you at the time of my telling. I did not mean for it to hurt you, only to give you understanding.”

Elyana reached out to kiss him on the cheek. She then said, “Lightfoot, you and Lauren both did bring understanding. You could not have known its impact. Without your observation we would not have known its meaning.” “Thank you for being there for us and them.”

Jerad then said to both, “The voice it was an older woman, wasn’t it?” Lightfoot responded first, “Yes, it was, although I had not given it much thought before.” Lauren said the same, “she was a wise sage that spoke to us, even a deity possibly.” Jerad looked at Kristyna then acknowledging what he suspected. Jerad then spoke to both again, “That is a heavy load that she set upon you and your families, are you sure you want this?”

Jerad paused looking at both. When no response came, he continued, “The path ahead will not be without it’s dangers.” Lightfoot raised his sword again to the sky and Jerad saw something new in it. A power that he had not put there. Lightfoot gave the same oath again. “Sar stand uaul nevae lor / nae aegis Tel’ Ivae” He paused and then said, “We stand against the darkness to protect the light.” He then sheathed his sword and bowed down to the three. “I and my family yet to come and all our blood from this day forward are sworn to protect you.”

Lauren then tossed her new axe into the air in a spinning display. It came back down and with accuracy, she caught it as it was jammed into the ground saying. “My oath to you and them that are yet to come. May the stone of the land not accept my rebirth if I break my word. It will be so as Lightfoot has said.”

Elyana stepped forward, lifted them up to stand again and spoke. “We accept your service and those of your families. Your service will always show that you are the first, but not the final to offer it.” Jerad was always amazed at her ability to sense what’s required during these times. It was an instinct that came naturally, and he loved her more for it.

The rest of the day they spent planning for their last leg of the trip to Anyathlion. Jerad said they could reach it in a single day and once there it was already set up for a longer-term stay. There were many comforts of home he promised them all and a place they could plan for the rescue of her mother.

As the day approached evening, the dinner meal got prepared by all. They all labored to make it a good one. He told them they would need to eat light upon waking the next day so they could begin the next leg of their journey. All spirits were light, and everyone’s heart seemed lifted by a good meal. There was general banter told around the dinner fire. They all had different stories they all had to share.

As the sun set and the stars came out the conversation died away. Kristyna got up first and said she was retiring as the last day or so had taken its toll on her. Jerad asked Lightfoot and Lauren to watch over her. He told them he was going to take a short walk down to the hot pools that surrounded the campsite with Elyana.

Both Lightfoot and Lauren looked at each other on receiving this request. They were immediately uncomfortable with it. But remembered who he was and that the night events on the day before were unusual to say the least. Both nodded in agreement and said they would be listening if anything turned up.

Lightfoot went and sat down on a comfortable spot near where the tent of Kristyna. Lauren stayed nearer the campsite fire and looked out upon the surrounding area. Both took up watch thinking about the day and what was ahead tomorrow.

Jerad took the hand of Elyana and asked that she walk with him down to the hot pools. She smiled and agreed without hesitation. When they arrived at the pools, they both stood there a moment. They watched the steam rise off the warm waters into the cool air above them.

It was dark down here this low below the campsite. The area surrounded by the fens and ferns that grew all along the water’s edge deepened the shade. Jerad walked over to one of the larger pools of water. He began to move his hands drawing out runic symbols across the surface. As he did so the waters began to glow and give off a slight light. He then chanted a few words, and the lights began to cycle through a series of hues and colors. They changed in a random rhythm, as if responding to some silent song.

As the song of colors began its dance, the waters all along the circumference of the pool began to bubble and rise. Jerad then took the hand of Elyana and walked her beyond the wall of water and into the inner part of the pool. They stood there in the waters that were ankle deep. Yet to Elyana, it appeared as though all the water of the pool was beginning to flow towards its edge. As the waters began to rise, they formed a shield wall around the two.

Elyana was delighted by what he had done. Jerad then approached her. Leaned into her and kissed her on the lips using a gentle touch. Elyana did not resist but responded kindly. They both allowed the passions that rose within them to move them into a dance of touch and response.

Jerad paused then reached onto the clasp of her armor and disconnected it. It fell with a splash in the shallow water where the two stood. The light of the stars and moon shone upon her skin that showed with her light clothes on to cover her modesty. He then removed his own armor and took her hand and led her deeper into the pools.

The water was warm, and it surrounded them as the colors of the pools swirled where they both moved to embrace. There they stood wrapped in each other’s arms. As their embrace and flow of feelings continued. Images started to form in a shared vision between the two. It was a vision that began to take on the form of its own telling. A story of a line of rulers rooted in the history of the dragons. Their role was towards protecting this line to ensure its prosperity.

The race of dragons had always known it ties to the gods. That it was during great ages of prosperity that the races of this world were able to advance. Their evolution sprung forward during these times towards a better world. The prophecy of a world without war, pestilence, and disease. Would someday become a distant memory.

They began to understand the part they played in making this world. As a result, the intimacy of their connection to each other grew deeper. It bonded soul to soul, heart to heart, and mind to mind. With this Elyana led Jerad to a shadowed part of the pool and pulled off the rest of her clothing to let it float away. She then laid down. Pulled him down to her and he laid with care upon her. She whispered to him that he was hers and she was his to take this night. It’s meant to be, and they would be one.

Jerad held onto her and rolled her over on top of him. She laughed and said, “Jerad, I love you he of the dragon blood. I love you so very much.” With that they both lost each other in a dance of passion and love that lasted for hours. When they had both tired, she laid there upon him and fell deep asleep.

He closed his eyes and held her tight, not wanting this night ever to end. Within this protective pool they rested and allowed the bond between them to be complete. The morning came, he felt a splash of water hit his face. She giggled and said, “Jerad, come on, we’ve been gone all night, we need to return to camp.

He rose and got dressed, put his armor back on. Afterward he grabbed his weapons and shield. The two-handed great sword on his back. The one-handed long sword on his hip. He placed the dagger on his lower leg. Then strapped the long knives crisscrossed on his back. His shield strapped over the weapons. This helped to hold everything else in place.

Once done, Elyana came to him, wrapped her arms around his middle and placed her head on his chest. She stayed there a moment then looked up and asked, “Well, last night?” Jerad teased her, “It was a beautiful night for sleeping out under the stars, wasn’t it?”

Elyana asked again, “No, you’re not getting out of this that easy.” So, she asked again, “Well, how was last night?” Jerad began to tease her but changed his course half-way through the sentence. “It was a beautiful night for…” She kicked him in the shines, “Ouch, it was a beautiful night for loving Elyana, and she was wonderful.”

She continued looking up at him, “I will remember it the rest of my years…” Elyana smiled this time and grabbed his hand and said, “Let’s go…” They returned to the campsite where Lightfoot and Kristyna worked on the breakfast. Lauren stood nearby watching over everything.

She was looking happy to see the two-return safe to the camp. Most of the meals were laid out on the table when they arrived. Kristyna commented, “So, nice timing to show up when were almost done with preparing the meal. You both get clean-up duty afterwards. Lightfoot, Lauren, and I get to take some time for relaxation.” Jerad corrected her, “Actually you’ll both have to start breaking down the camp. We need to get on the road not long after the meals are completed. That way we can ensure we make it to our destination before nightfall.

Jerad and Elyana began working on some of the camp breakdown. preparation had begun while waiting for the rest of the meal to be ready. Kristyna was observing how the interaction between the two had changed. She thought to herself, “They are more relaxed and at home with each other. There’s not that much tension between them anymore. I wonder…” as she smiled to herself.

Lightfoot called out to them all, “Breakfast is ready, time to eat, I am starved.” They all sat down around the fire and conversations started in earnest. They began discussion of the last leg of the trip before they arrived at their next stop. It will be the final one for a while.

Correction, home base while they journeyed out to complete different tasks. These tasks were things that they would need to do in preparation for saving the mother of Elyana. Jerad began by assigning positions for the trip. He said, “I’ll take the lead as no one else knows how to find this location at this point. Elyana will come next, Kristyna after her, Lauren next and then Lightfoot can bring up the rear.”

He then spoke to Lightfoot, “You need to be certain no one is following us. If that means falling back at times to double check signal Lauren when you decide to do that. That way I can keep my senses trained around us vs. only in front.” Lightfoot responded, “Understood, it is lucky for you I have been a tracker most of my life. My father and his father before taught me everything I know.” Jerad smiled and nodded in agreement.

After breakfast was over, they all got busy getting ready to leave. Jerad was down by the edge of the larger lake that the hot springs all bubbled down to when he sensed her. He reached out to acknowledge he knew she was there. She spoke to his mind through the dragon blood, “We need to speak in private, change of plans I’m afraid.”

Jerad responded, where do you want to meet up?” She responded, “See the small island in the middle of the lake, there.” Jerad didn’t like the implications of her showing up to change their plans. That always meant there was already in motion something that either he or they would need to play a part in.

He looked around to see where the others were. They appeared to be busy enough with their chores of preparing to leave. Without hesitating, he invoked the power of the dragon blood. He vanished from where he stood. He was moving over the top of the lake water at such speed his feet never dove much into the water. It was as if he was sliding through it or across a lake that had iced over. It didn’t take long before he arrived at the island where she was to meet him.

He walked inland until he came upon some old ruins that appeared to have once been a large settlement. There was a temple of some sort in the center. He walked towards it and there she appeared out of shadow standing near the entryway to the temple.

He walked up to her, and they immediately linked dragon blood to blood and soul to soul. Here they were able to move to another plane where only the two of them could see each other or be heard. She then spoke to him, “I sense the binding of the rings have begun.” He smiled at this and responded, “Yes, is it that obvious?” She paused, “Remember I see what’s written upon your soul. Unlike others who can only see what you choose to show them.”

Jerad nodded in agreement and then said, “Why is it that I am here? It is not for confirmation of what you already knew.” She then asked, “Do you know what place we stand at?” He said, “No, but I sense its tied to the lore of dragons long past. I sense it is a time not written in books anywhere nor remembered. Of course, the exception of those of the dragon blood.”

She nodded, “Yes, this is where dragon and man first learned to be one with each other. It was here that the first of those linked to dragons would come. Here, that linkage created the bloodline of dragon rulers. Those that became the future kings, queens’, emperors, and empresses of this world.

For ages beyond counting, they ruled the fate of your kind and were wise counselors. It was then, those gods consumed by their passion of power and rule. Decided to begin interfering in the future outcomes of man. The world began to change, and the wise counselors began to fall from grace.

Jerad had listened to all this and felt there was a message that she was trying to deliver. He had not completely understood it yet. She brought them back to this world at that moment to stand once again in front of the temple entryway.

He turned towards the temple while she spoke to him in plain language and walked up to its main entrance. It was a door made of various marbles. Within its borders were strange runes he had not recognized. The runes etched using the darker colors of the veins of the marble to mark their design.

As he studied the door, she watched him with great intent. She then spoke to him, “Do you not know the language it speaks to you?” Jerad responded without turning away from the door. “No, they are a form I do not recognize or remember us ever speaking of. Not in all the times we have spoken about the various forms of them used throughout the time of man and Mer.”

She told him, “Reach out and trace their design if you wish to understand them.” She paused then said, “Be forewarned that with understanding comes enlightenment.” Jerad responded, “Why would I need warning about enlightenment?” She answered, “The truth of things is not always what we perceive them to be. With enlightenment comes knowledge. With knowledge comes understanding. With understanding comes the truth that binds our lives to each other. With that binding the actions we carry out are set in stone from that day forward.”

Jerad nodded in acknowledgment of what she told him. He then turned back to the door and began to trace the runes without hesitation. She watched him as he did so. With the completion of the tracing each rune shimmered. Once done shimmering, the runes rearrange itself into a series of words he understood.

Jerad then knew that it was a sort of lock. It provided a key to open the door. As Jerad continued to trace out the runes around the parameter of the doorway. He could hear a low hum almost like a chorus. It began to sing in sweet tones a song that begin to rise in volume.

He committed at this point and continued to move his way around the door until he reached the last rune. He then stepped back and began to read what was there.

With the ending of his reading of the words of the one, the door swung open. Jerad felt compelled to enter its halls and so stepped within. There he saw a series of murals encircling the walls of the temple. Each panel depicted the story of the one from its beginning stretching until one stood out and there. He saw her with its story clear as day.

It showed the night, he called upon the heavens with his anguish. With its founding of the crude runic inscriptions etched into her back by the Lian. It showed the light encircling them and the touching of Kristyna to heal both their pain.

He continued to follow the intricate story laid out upon the murals. They encircled him above his head. Telling the stories of their future. Until he came upon something that filled him with such emotion that he fell to his knees. He began to weep with the telling of its truth.

She knew the moment of his understanding. Although it was not common for a dragon to cry, tears fell from her eyes to fall upon the ground. There where they feel, small delicate white flowers sprung up. Their sent was sweeter than honey. It filled the air with a healing effect that reached out to him and touched his heart and soul. With this moment a bright swirl of lights and music began to swell from the island located in the center of the lake.

Back at the campsite, Elyana felt her heart leap. The new life seeded within her responded with movement too. She fell to her knees and cried out in a tongue not known to Kristyna, Lightfoot, or Lauren.

“Nin mel, nin emel, nin faer, nin galad” in translation meaning, “My love, my heart, my soul, my light”. Lightfoot had drawn his sword, while Lauren had already pulled her axe. They both took up an immediate protective position around Elyana. Kristyna had come to her side and knelt beside her calling out to her, “Elyana, what is happening? Is it Jerad, is he okay?”

Elyana lost in rapture though, tied to Jerad and what he was experiencing. They could all see the light at the center of the lake growing. They heard the music rising, and then an image of a dragon appeared. From it two more dragons formed. They encircled each other and then two more were born to be raised by them. Then they joined and a single dragon of such beauty that hung in the air above the island. With a light shining forth from its open mouth to stretch up to the stars.

From that final joining, a sight developed, once in any lifetime it began to become clear to all that could see. The stars began to rain down small sprinkles of what appeared to be stardust. Upon the earth it fell, and its light lit up the land. Where it fell a grace of healing took place within all living creatures near to this place. It filled them all with peace unlike anything ever felt before. Even Lightfoot had now fallen to his knees. With his arm stretched out and his sword stuck in the ground in front of him, bowing, afraid to look up.

He and Lauren both were kenning some song of the earth and stone. It swelled from them like poetry from some ancient place. Elyana looked up unto the stars. She then cried out in anguish so sharp and clear that Kristyna thought her heart had stopped.

Kristyna begged her, “Please Elyana what has happened, what is causing you such pain? Elyana called into the night, “Dragon king I call upon you wherever you are. Please aid my soul mate, give life to him so he may return to me now.” Kristyna then understood, something had severed the link between her and Jerad. It was in such a way that it violated her very being. She was feeling a loss without a known definition. It went beyond anything she had experienced at any other time in her life.

Elyana then swung her hands down with such force that her fingers became locked to the earth. She began to cry a song of loss. Lauren especially felt this immediately being so tied to the stone. She began to chant something to help her. “Stoneheart, stone soul, I call upon you to ask our people for aid. Please lend their power with mine to help Elyana find her soul mate again.”

The story tellers would tell tales years into the future. That all the nations of all the dwarves still living fell to their knees and touched the stone in a single moment. That they lent their understanding of the stone to lend power to Lauren and then to Elyana.

So compelling was its call; it’s said the mother of the Draven nations awakened. Upon hearing this call, she commanded it to be so. They were all driven by their relationship to her to take immediate action. Elyana finally called out, Aurian. I need you… Then they heard her say, “You who are my heart, whose soul I have bounded to whose life now lives within me. I cannot do this without you by my side. Our souls are bound together as one as we chart out the road through life together.”

There was a song rising from the earth that seemed to surround Elyana who then said, “I call all invested in that truth to help me in this moment of pain. Please forgive me for disturbing your earned rest. I plea to you, bring us together again.”

The ground began to tremble all around her. Lightfoot, Lauren, and Kristyna looked at each other with fear in their eyes at what was happening. The trees around them began to sway as the ground shook even more. The stone of the earth was responding and its song it sang vibrated into the air all around them. Then the air around them began to shimmer and it split open with a loud crack that produced a deafening noise.

Light coalesced into the form of something. Then an unseen but tangible power began forming within the light. Something was beginning to take shape within it. This light grew in intensity and size. From its depths a form of a man began to take shape. It has become more defined now. Then as the edges of the light began to fade. There in front of Elyana appeared Jerad knelling with his head buried in his hands weeping.

Upon seeing him in front of her in such need, Elyana lifted her fingers from the earth and leaped to hold him. It was with her touch that he appeared to become aware that she was there. He was still reeling from the emotion of what he had seen in the halls of the first union of dragon and man.

Raising his head with his cheeks streaked with the trails of tears. He saw the look upon the face of Elyana and the tears running down her own cheeks. He then took hold of her squeezing her in his embrace. He wondered what had happened and what power she had invoked to return him here.

Elyana could only cry, “I thought I had lost you, oh Jerad, I couldn’t feel you anymore. What happened out there? Where did you go where I couldn’t feel you anymore? I thought you lost to me forever. Please don’t ever do that again.” The rest of the company looked on at this passionate plea from Elyana to Jerad. It had played out in front of them, and they felt like they were trespassers. Jerad stood and then lifted Elyana up to cradle her in his arms. He told her, “I would never leave you Elyana”. He then looked to the others and saw how shaken they were from the effects of seeing what this had done to Elyana.

It was Lauren who had shown the most wear as if her essence had stressed beyond even her vaulted endurance. With his eyes he asked them to stay. Jerad then said to Elyana, “we need to talk, everyone please gather round so I can tell you what I have seen. It is something that is important to us all. It will change our choices going forward to not only meet our future but that of the world.”

Jerad sat Elyana back down after seeing that she calmed herself. She said to Jerad, “Okay, we’re listening, tell us what happened.” Jerad began to explain, “I have been here many times before in my travels across the land. I always knew of the island sitting in the middle of the lake but never considered it to have any significance.”

Jerad paused then continued, “There was no reason to wonder about it at all. There was never any activity going to or coming from the island. Not all things of importance are evident on the surface, are they? Sometimes it takes looking deeper to understand something not known to us before.”

Elyana interrupted, “You’re starting to speak in riddles. Please what is the significance of the island?” Jerad looked at her then began. “In the middle of the island sits the first temple of story.” Elyana responded, “What does that mean?” Jerad said, “it is where all beginnings and in time, endings display the lives between men, Mer, and Dragons.” There in its halls, documented is the history and major events between us all.”

Kristyna asked, “How can it be endings as well if it is that old and the knowledge to what they have not happened yet? It must be ancient beyond memory if it contains that kind of a timeline.” Jerad responded, “There in its halls it paints the story of our times. It appears to be using some type of magic. It is in constant motion to create that which happens as it occurs. It is a living temple where the events painted on the walls take place as they occur. Even in the here and now.”

Lauren spoke first saying, then it is so, “the proof of the living stone exists within that temple.” They all looked at her and she said, “It is a story that goes back to our creation. I mean Dwarven kind’s creation.” She paused a moment then continued, “it said that the stone lives and tells the stories of our lives. We always thought it meant a reference to the fact that stone moves and recreates new stone from old ones.”

“That it takes on new forms of its original state as it recreates into something new. A sort of rebirth between the death of the old and the birth of the new.” “We had not considered it might be telling the actual story of our lives. Yet what Jerad is referring to, what he saw describes it better than anything I have heard of before. This, the elders of our nation, those closest to her that have brought us into this world would love to hear.”

Lightfoot then spoke, “We know what has passed in recent times as we were part of it, at least some of it. There must be something more. A telling of what is yet to come if there is something that could change the course of current plans.” Jerad smiled to them all. “Yes, very insightful of you. It is in that as he pointed towards the island, which lies a story yet told, and still to write itself.”

Elyana then asked, “Jerad, please tell us what you saw that is present time. Or a possibility of what is to come so we all understand its possible impact on our immediate future course?” Jerad smiled at the response of Elyana, he thought to himself, “Her insight is crystal clear at times.” He then responded, “The history is not yet complete, so the picture is somewhat still lacking in detail. But the one thing that was obvious to me was its location.” He had them all listening now.”

Each person was waiting to hear where it was that they were to travel to and why. Jerad continued, “In the southern lands of Tashina. Exist a chain of islands that are for the most part unpopulated.” “There is one exception. The chain of islands bends towards the isle of the Lian. There is a single port on one of them that the Lian uses to except prisoners.” “Most of these are political but its rumored to have become something much more now.”

He paused, looked at them and continued. “There they send anyone not towing the line. They’re sent there to live out what little time they have left. They are slave labor for the most part, used to mine rare metals that the Lian use in the weapons.”

“The mines there are very dangerous. The air deep in the mines are full of gases that damage the people’s ability to breath and think clear. The lives of most are short which allow the Lian to manage new stronger workers to help keep up the production.”

Lightfoot asked, “Has there been an increase in that production of late? Its rumored amongst my people that they have heard about an increase in activity from the Lian. That their ships increase in numbers going between this port and the mainland. It has an unusual amount of Lian seen recently in the southern ports and lands.”

Lightfoot paused and then continued, “Most of these are trade ports. But there have been large patrols of Lian reported to have gone off into the deserts. They leave the safety these ports provide. To what end it was not known until now with this new information that Jerad brings us. It is also said that many go out and only a few returns.”

Jerad responded, “Yes, it is the buildup of an invasion force.” There was an immediate gasp from the others. “An invasion force!”, blurted Elyana, “Why would they do that again, didn’t they lose the last one when they tried this?” Jerad responded, “This is more than that. They have learned and are planning on putting all the pieces in place ahead of time.” Jerad paused, thought a minute, then spoke. “My instinct and experience tell me they are planning a series of assignations. It would not be one but all the key rulers and leaders in the ruling class and military.”

Jerad paused and there was silence in the group while each of them considered the impact of an invasion. How life under Lian rule might change their lives and those they loved if this were to be successful. Elyana spoke up first. “There are only four of us, how are we to stop this from taking place against what are overwhelming odds?” The others looked at Jerad waiting to see what he would say.

Jerad closed his eyes and sat there for what seemed an eternity. His eyes then opened, and he said, “We don’t try and stop it.” He watched them knowing what their reactions would be. Both Elyana and Lightfoot immediately said, “What! Are we to do nothing?” Kristyna sat and watched Jerad and then said, “Wait, have some faith in Jerad and let’s hear him out.” Jerad nodded towards Kristyna. He saw that her calm inner core had paid off in spades this time over the other two’s emotional reaction.

Jerad said, “We change the playing field by doing what they would never expect but I warned them would happen.” Elyana looked into Jerad’s eyes and let herself connect to him at a different level. She allowed herself to feel the impulse of his inner being. Elyana then gasped, “You think we can do that?” Jerad smiled at her knowing what she had done and approving of it.

Jerad then said, “Yes, because they would never expect it.” Then Lightfoot, Lauren, and Kristyna said in chorus, “You care to share this with the rest of us?” Elyana spoke first, “Jerad wants to change the playing field. His plans are to capture and hold hostage the high elder council. To prevent them from moving forward with their plans.”

Kristyna spoke up, “Can we do that? You’re talking about going to the seat of their power and removing it all from the field.” Lightfoot finally spoke, “Possible, with the right approach, it could be done and with the power of the dragon to assist us from both Jerad and Elyana, hmm…”

Jerad said, “The problem is many layers deep. We’ll have to examine the possibilities to be ready for any contingencies. It’s not only about getting them; it’s getting them out and then putting them somewhere. It will have to be somewhere that no one can find until a negotiated peace is in place again.”

Kristyna spoke now, “I can make the transport part of this easier to do for both Jerad and Elyana.” Elyana then asked. “How will you do that without going against the tenants of your living creed of saving lives?” Kristyna responded with a slight quirk. “Do you remember what I did to both you and Jerad. The time when you both suffered so much from the pain of what you recently learned?”

Lightfoot responded, “When I first came upon the three of you in the forest. After the event of Jerad collapsing and Elyana running to him, both of you were sound asleep. Kristyna sat between you both, somehow maintaining her hold on you.”

Elyana spoke up, “That’s right, can you do that again to the whole elder council at one time?” Kristyna responded, “Yes, but I will need Lightfoot to protect me. It will take all my focus to concentrate on the continued task of keeping them all asleep.”

She then turned and looked at Lightfoot. Lightfoot responded, “I swear to protect and keep you safe during that time, I am bound to you all, and those yet to come.” Jerad then looked at Elyana then said, “This will need each of us to use the dragon gifts. We will use them to speed each of the council members to a location where we can gather them all until the end. Once all are there, we can bring both Kristyna and Lightfoot along.”

Jerad then asked, “Lauren, will you take up the role of being guardian of the place where we bring the council to it? Lauren considered the request. “Yes, I will perform that for each of you and then take up watch.” “Once you return you will all need rest, you’re going to experience exhaustion after expending so much power. I am sure that using such powers do not come without their cost to you.”

Jerad responded, “Thank you Lauren and yes you are correct. The power is not free, it costs us each time it’s used. No one alive today understands the full measure of that use as so much of it is new to our generation.” Jerad then said to the company, “Lauren taking on the role of guardian over the members. Will ensure no one wakes up and tries to leave. This will save us time and energy until our campaign’s completed and we can each get some rest.”

He waited for Elyana to respond, “Yes, we will both need a great deal of it after that much use of such power. Kristyna will likely be even more so. I sense the use of the staff costs her something of herself each time there is an exchange of life for life. Is my sense of it correct, Kristyna?”

Elyana then said, “Once we are all together again, what do we do to keep them asleep until morning? Both Jerad and I will need that time to recover?” Lauren responded, “If given time before the plan’s execution, my people have a potion we can use on them. It is safe to administer as it will provide restful sleep to them. We use it when we are treating warriors who have returned with all types of injuries.”

She paused then said, “It provides a faster recovery so that they may return to the battle. As it is in any time, the need for warriors to stand and protect the innocent, is always short of what’s needed.” Jerad responded to Lauren, “You are correct, as it has always been so. It was so during the last war the Lian committed against the rest of us.”

Kristyna then stood up and went to stand before Lightfoot. She looked into his eyes to measure his commitment. He felt the penetration of her mental probing. Yet he allowed her to touch his mind and soul with hers so there would be no doubt there was no deceit. Her staff came to life and a glow surrounded them both. Tears began to fall from his eyes as he felt her gentle probe touch him deep within his soul.

The light then ended and with it she said, “You are honest beyond reproach. I except your service to us Lightfoot, may your days ahead hold the blessings you deserve. You need that much from life for payment of the truth you carry before you.”

Lauren then said, “I could have told you that much without going through all that.” Kristyna bowed towards Lauren and asked how? Lauren said,” We that are bound to the stone cannot hide the truth of ourselves from it. I have been bound to the stone with Lightfoot recently and it reads his heart to be true as you have seen for yourself.”

Kristyna said, “I would like to learn more of that from you someday. In some part the power of the staff comes from a connection to the stone or earth as we call it.” Lauren responded, “You may be correct on that. I have seen that the staff is always planted into the earth when you use its power.”

Jerad, then said, “Let’s get dinner ready and spend some time relaxing. I want everyone to have some time to let this settle. We begin planning in earnest tomorrow morning.” All agreed and each of them went off to their tasks of helping with the evening meal. The dinner went well, and the conversation stayed relaxed. It was sometime after that Jerad went off to patrol the area. He said with so much at stake now they needed to stay alert and be sure nothing unexpected occurred. Well at least within their ability to control that.

Jerad made his rounds to patrol the perimeter. He checked the possible paths into the area where they were staying. He did not expect to find anything. His instincts were correct. After making his rounds he decided to make a quick run to the island. There he would return to the temple since Elyana had pulled him away in her panic. He wanted to speak with his mentor about what had occurred. He needed to understand what insights she might have. Especially, since this power had not ever existed in any way he saw demonstrated before.

He arrived back at the island and reached out to locate her. She was still there waiting near the temple. Jerad thought to himself, “She likely knew I would return after this occurred. Was the dragon surprised at all?” He made his way to the temple. He knew how little time he had before they began to worry about the time it was taking him to return.

He rounded the path towards the temple. He found both the dragon and Elyana sitting together speaking with each other. Elyana must have the same question and as always was a step ahead of Jerad when it came to listening to her inner voice.

He approached them both in a causal manner. Elyana was already looking his way with a smirk on her face. Her expression read, “See, I was one step ahead of you. You’re not the only one with an audience to the wisdom of the ages anymore.”

Jerad chuckled and said, “I see you both have been getting more comfortable with each other.” She laughed, “I have no idea what you’re referring to Jerad.” Jerad responded, “You’re here to ask her how you did what you did when you pulled me from the island to you, were you not?” Elyana responded, “Yes, but that’s not the only thing. I wanted to see if she felt your judgment was sound. You know, about our ability to pull off the vanishing act on the ruling class of the Lian.”

Jerad paused then, but continued with the following: “Well, what did you learn?” Care to share it with me?” This time the Dragon of the Stars responded, “Enough! I grow tired of following this verbal banter. Both of you reach out and touch me so we can speak without the half-truths hiding what we’re feeling.”

They both responded and Elyana reached out to touch her bowed head. Jerad reached out and placed his hand upon hers in a gesture of unity with her, not opposition. Elyana was surprised but happy with his response to show his support for her.

All at once, the world shifted. They found themselves outside the world they existed in. She had transported them to somewhere different this time. It was a beautiful world. Where the stars of the night spread across the sky. It painted colors bright and full of patterns.

They were standing at the edge of a beautiful lake. Here, surrounded by trees not found in their world and animals of types never seen in the world of man or Mer. She then spoke to them. “Inanojde rofetajo, la drako-sango sercoj por paco stas vera. Lia instinkto estas plidetiuede la drako ol dehomoj. Gi aperasec pli dum la tempo marsas” This translates to “no dragon-blood does she use. Her powers are beyond our own. That of Aurian flows within to give her this power.”

In the common tongue what she had spoken before translates to, “Children of prophecy. The dragon-blood quests for peace are true. His instinct is more of that of the dragon than of humans. It appears even more so as time marches on.” “He that I share both soul and blood with.

Know this, she does not speak with our truth but rather that of Aurian. The Goddess of Dawn flows through her blood as well. She is unique in this and never in anytime has any human shared both blessings of a dragon and a god at the same time.”

Jerad surprised, had not considered her tie to Aurian. Even though he knew her influence was evident. It’s invocation was evident or present often in their journey. Elyana then spoke, “You believe Jerad chooses this way because it will help to avoid war and death. That it will force a peace between nations not found without the spilling of much blood. That this choice should we take is better than all other paths?” They both felt her agreement with the words Elyana had spoken.

Jerad then spoke to Elyana with concern written in his eyes, “Elyana, how do you feel about this? I know this is not how you wanted your life to turn out at all.” Elyana squeezed Jerad’s hand and looked deep within his eyes. She said, “I may have felt that way in the beginning, it was before we found each other. I know that there is a destiny that is pulling us forward. But my heart tells me the truth that exists between us is the root of the meaning of that future. That this is pushing forward the possibilities of it coming true.”

She paused, then continued. “Without those feelings, without that truth, yes, I would still be very afraid and angry too.” Jerad eyes began to flow with tears as she reached out with her free hand to catch them as they ran down his cheeks. She then took her own tears and turned towards the Dragon of the Stars. She raised her hand and touched it full of Jerad’s tears and her own on her forehead. She then spoke with a commanding voice. “Drako, understand the root of our truth. Feel the life that flows between us and remember us always through this truth.”

The Dragon of the Stars almost purred with the influx of emotions. They transferred deep within her being. The raw emotions of both Jerad and Elyana became a part of her soul. Then something unexpected happened. A light surrounded them all that came from the binding of the tears to her own being. With it her spirit moved to respond.

“You are the truth of life, love, kindness, and compassion. Your story written now upon my soul, will be for all time amongst all the dragon kind.” With that statement the landscape of the stars began to glow brightly and twinkle. A display never seen exploded upon the night sky. “You are the heart of our lives now; we will remember the grace of your words. Your tears that bound us to your truth forever.”

Kristyna, Lightfoot, and Lauren had been preparing the evening meal. It was then the sky began to glow and twinkle. It’s blaze of light and color unlike anything they had ever seen before. Far beyond even that of the night they were all bound together, and the truth of the rings became revealed to them. They all stopped what they were doing and rose to stand together looking up at the heavens. They could not help but have their spirits moved in a very unusual way.

They became mesmerized by what they saw and felt. Their spirits lifted with the grace of the moments as the light from the heavens fell upon them. All who were anywhere in the world and were receptive to its touch. Even the gods and goddesses took notice of this event and paused to try and understand its portent.

But there was one who knew. She reached out to speak to the three whose binding had created this event and spoke. “My daughter the heavens graced with your innocence of heart and spirit today. Dragon kind your parents look down upon you and are proud of you both for all you have done and are yet to do.”

Aurian then spoke to the dragon, “Dragon of the Stars, know that this blessing has come upon you this day. With a grace that has not lived within dragon kind for over a millennial. Know this day will have its place recorded always. As the day of “Grace’s Blessing” and so it so written in the heavens for all time and beyond.”

With that she placed a spell on all three of them. With her power she sent the dragon into a deep sleep. While Elyana and Jerad returned to Kristyna, Lightfoot, and Lauren. They stood there stunned to see the two of them appear in front of them with hands held. Above their heads a ring of color and light had formed. It was as if they wore the crowns that matched the colors of the night sky.

Lauren, Lightfoot, and Kristyna dropped to their knees and bowed their heads. They placed their hands over their hearts as an example of their devotion to the crown and the two who wore them. Jerad and Elyana both walked over to them and begged them to rise. To sit with them to begin their meal. But the three hesitated to even speak as they were still spellbound by the moments of what had occurred.

The feelings that they stood in history as players in an event written in the books of memory. Whose telling by every storyteller and prophet would continue. Long as there were those to tell them. But Jerad and Elyana were insistent and would not take inaction as a response. Both Kristyna and Lightfoot looked up and saw that the crowns were now almost faded. They regained their composure as they stood up. Then Lightfoot asked, “what happened? What was responsible for your sudden appearance back at the camp?”

Elyana realized the need to return to routine. Began preparing the pot for dishing out bowls of the stew. It smelled good and was full of fresh vegetables. Jerad began to set the rest of the table as if nothing had changed in any way. Kristyna and Lightfoot stood there for a minute. Glanced at each other as if to say are we missing something here? Then joined in the preparation figuring out that they would hear about it as they ate the meal. Lauren had stood and taken up her role as guardian as she scanned the area around them.

They all sat down then and began the meal. The conversation was casual at first. Jerad began with his recalling that his journey to look for intrusions came up negative. Elyana had left camp on the pretense of needing to clean up before the meal. But she continued to eat while watching the others.

Finally, Kristyna could not hold back any longer and asked, “What happened, we need to know? Please share this story with us.” Jerad looked at Elyana as the story began with her. Elyana began, “After leaving you to clean-up. I decided I needed answers to how it was that I was able to pull Jerad to me in the manner it had happened.”

She paused and then began again. “I decided to risk a chance to go to where Jerad had last been to see if I could find some answers there.” Jerad then started, “After completing my rounds I decided to go there for the same reason. What Elyana had done was unusual and something I had not experienced before nor seen. When I arrived Elyana was already there, speaking to her.”

Lauren, Kristyna, and Lightfoot all spoke up at that same time, “Speaking to who, who were you both speaking to?” Elyana looked at Jerad and he nodded his approval, “We were speaking to a dragon.” She paused then waiting for the impact to sink in of what they told them. Lightfoot was first, “It was her again, wasn’t it? The one that plucked me from the maze of rocks and dropped me into the lake.” Jerad responded, “Yes, it was her.”

Kristyna then asked, “Okay, so what did she tell you about it?” Jerad and Elyana both glanced at each other, but Elyana knew it was her story to tell. She responded to the question. “It was not the power of the dragon or at least not alone. It was something we both don’t understand yet. But somehow, when I was born, I was not born to my own mother but to two mothers.”

Kristyna immediately responded. “That’s not possible, you cannot be born of two mothers.” Lightfoot observed in silence waiting to hear what they would say next. Elyana responded, “The second mother was not one of physical existence. But instead, one of spiritual.”

Elyana then said, “It was the touch of Aurian, the goddess of Dawn that allowed me to do what I did. It was a unique mixture of both goddess and dragon together that has bound me in ways not capable by others. Of course, it is not physical but spiritual blood that course through me.”

Elyana paused, looked at each of them, then continued. “She was in fact present and has been so all these years watching over me. She is my spiritual mother.” Kristyna responded, “So it was you that returned both of you here using that power?” Jerad responded then, “No, it was more involved than that.” Lightfoot spoke up, “Go on, tell us. We are a part of your present and future so please share so we may have understanding.”

Jerad paused, thought a moment then said. “During the learning from her of what had occurred, I became emotional, and my tears began to flow. Elyana reacted to that and began to catch them and wipe them from my cheeks. Her own tears began to flow as well and mixed in her hands with mine.”

He paused and looked at Elyana then. “I don’t know what moved me, but I took the hand full of both of our tears and placed it upon her forehead”. Kristyna interrupted, “Who’s head did you place the tears on?” Elyana began, “Yes you are right, it was her, “The Dragon of the Stars”.

“I then spoke the following, “Drako, meaning dragon in her tongue, understand the root of our truth. Feel the life that flows between us and remember us always through this truth.” The rest of the company moved by this and said, “what then?” in chorus, “What then?”

Elyana looked at Jerad with an appeal to him to help sustain her through this. He then spoke up, “You are the truth of life, love, kindness, and compassion. Your story written now upon my soul, will be for all time amongst all the dragon kind.”

With that statement, the landscape of the stars began to change. To glow bright and twinkle with a display never seen. She responded, “You are the heart of our lives. We remember the grace of your words and your tears that bound us to your truth forever.” This is what the dragons said. Lightfoot spoke, “Dragons, that is plural, I thought was only her.” Jerad responded, “She was speaking for them that have returned to the stars as well as herself when she said that.” Kristyna and Lightfoot looked at each other. Then to Lauren as the impact of these words flowed upon them.

Jerad was not done, he then said we then heard her. Aurian, that is. “My daughter the heavens graced with your innocence of heart and spirit today. Dragon kind your parents look down upon you and are proud of you both for all you have done and are yet to do.”

“Dragon of the Stars, know that you the blessings that come upon you this day. With a grace that has not lived within dragon kind for over a millennial. ““Know this day will have its place recorded always. As the day of “Grace’s Blessing” and so it so written in the heavens for all time and beyond.”

With that, Kristyna grabbed her staff planting it into the earth. Tears of joy spread across her eyes. The staff came alive, and the runic engravings showed bright with a light not before seen from it. From her staff there came a swirl of color and light that surrounded the group and within that light they all heard, “With Graces Blessing the World Will Be Healed!”.

That simple statement touched them all and they all bowed in respect to the moment. They knew it to be a beginning that would heal a world. A world that was torn by war and strife for longer than they could all remember. They held each other and within that circle. The truth of that beginning formed and a bond that would sustain them all through the times that were yet to come.

Jerad, always the calming voice in the storm stood up first and told them all. “Come on, let’s get moving on breaking camp and beginning this journey. I don’t think we need to plan much as we’ve often seen our plans do not always go as expected. It appears our course ahead is to drive more by instinct than reason.”

Elyana stood up and took his hand. She smiled to acknowledge he had finally accepted a truth that she had known for some time now. He gave her a slight smirk and then reached down to offer his hand to Kristyna. She reached out and took it and felt the strength of his commitment flow into her.

They all mounted up on their horses and began to follow Jerad’s lead back through the switch back of canyons. It was an hour later that they came out in a different area with a wide plain of grasslands ahead of them in the distance. They could all see the grasses dancing in different directions. They moved that way due to the breezes that blew across them. The winds blew down originating in the high passes of the mountains. Blowing their way down to the open plain to an unimpeded land.

Jerad brought them to a halt as they neared the edge. A spot between the rocky slopes of the mountains they exited from and the plains. He sat there upon his horse staring out onto the area ahead. Elyana could tell he was sensing the area for dangers. She felt his dragon blood stir now whenever he chose to invoke it.

He turned to them and said “we’re clear until we reach our next stop, it’s a hard ride and we need to make it there before night fall. No talking once out upon the plains as your voices will carry long distances. We don’t want those who might still be looking for us to know where we’re heading.”

Lightfoot turned to Jerad and asked, “Won’t they hear our horses though?” Jerad responded, “There are lots of wild horses out on the plains. It’s very unlikely they’re able to tell ours from all the others that out there roaming.” Lightfoot nodded in satisfaction and then said, “well then, let’s get started.” Jerad turned to each of them to see if anyone else had any questions. There were none, so he tapped his feet into the horses’ sides and began to lead them across the plains. They headed towards their destination.

He picked up the pace as they reached the grasslands and began to steer them in a southwest direction. He kept his senses trained in front of him, but he would listen to the sides to see if any sensed anything. As they rode closer to their destination. In another space and time, the dragon of the stars sat speaking with a glowing apparition who was Aurian. She did not appear to be happy about what had transpired in this conversation.

She turned and looked out beyond their space and time to the one where her charges rode deep within the plains. She felt deep sadness at what she had learned. She then turned and said with some authority. “Why did you not tell them, they should know what or at least forewarned to what dangers they are riding to.”

Aurian paused before responding. “It’s written in the journal of truths that only he that is all can read and understand. “He shared it with me so I could prepare myself and them for what is yet to come.” She paused and then continued. “We are venturing into areas not ever explored by any of us. None that have come before, this story is being written in real time, as they respond to each new event.”

She then said,” You have seen the stories on the walls of the temple. You have seen them continue to write as their journey continues. How often before them have you ever seen that happen?” She paused then waiting for her response. The dragon then spoke. “I nor my brothers and sisters or any of those that came before me have ever witnessed such a thing. It is remarkable.” She then continued. “I sense we are all caught up in a script that has never happened. Not since the creation of time and will never happen again.”

Aurian than said, “So do you now understand why there was nothing more I could say or would dare say to them.” She continued, “This is their story, and their future as well as ours. The fate of many hangs on the balance of what happens in that story from this point forward.”

She turned then and to the surprise of Aurian, she said the following. “Before you are the unwritten story, you are now forewarned. Be it a curse or blessings. All creation, wait to see which one it will be. Which one will find itself written. Choose with wisdom my children.”

With that final declaration, she raised her hand and in it a spear made up of starlight appeared. She launched it across the stars. As they rode through the tall grasses of the plain. They could hear and then see a spear of light coming from overhead to land and explode in front of them.

As it hit the ground a bright display of runic letters spread in front of them. Jerad and Elyana read that their destiny was now theirs to write, the story was theirs alone. The five of them stepped down from their horses and mule, gathered in a circle facing each other. Each of them took up the other’s hand and closed their eyes. Here they spoke an oath that is now known always as the “The Promise of Destiny.”

“We promise that we will not fail those whose sacrifices came before us and those that are yet to be made. We will stand together, the never-ending circle. Believing that because it can be, it will be.” “We are not one alone but many who have become one light. To lift for all to follow. May the truth guide us to whatever ends comes. May it light the way for all that ask what our destiny is and know, it is whatever you decide to write.”

The night turned as the stars of the evening began to twinkle. In another part of the world. A more sinister entity watched this event and sat in his domain with rage flowing through his being. He mustered all the control he had to channel this rage into thoughts. He focused it on ideas of what he would do. How he would stop what had already progressed much further than he had anticipated.

Time did not matter where he was so was it a minute or hours that passed by? It was not important. What was that he was now beginning to see the glimpse of an idea that could trap this foursome. Allow him to interrupt the breaking of the dam that held back the river of time. He knew that if that happened all his plans would be set back millenniums.

Patience was not a virtue he found confidence in at all. So, he watched from his domain. He began to set in motion events that would pull this little company into a trap. They had interfered so much with his plans. He felt dissatisfied with these results. His last thoughts, let them continue. “This I will place into motion. Something subtle enough to deceive even he that is bound to those confounded dragons.”