The Legend of the White Dragon

By EJKatz

Story 2: The First Test

James sat across the breakfast table from Blair. He'd been here one week now, one very interesting week. The sense of peace that had fallen over him since his arrival was greater than anything he'd ever felt before. His connection to the young man who helped him with his emerging senses had grown stronger and he knew that this younger man was everything his younger brother had never and yet should have been.

"I want to go and gather some more herbs this morning, James. Will you come with me?" Blair asked. His brilliant blue eyes resting gently on James' face. A soft smile lit those same eyes providing yet another layer of soothing balm to his once aching soul.

"Traipsing through the woods looking for plants, boring." James teased. "I would rather fight an entire army."

"Oh, come on, James. We still need to do some more work on your senses. You need to expand them and develop them. Besides, you love walking through the woods. You do it for hours on end." Blair's blue eyes showed he recognized the teasing but that he wasn't above using them for getting his own way.

"Don't do that. You look like someone ran a cart over your pet." James put down his fork. "Anyone ever tell you that you are a manipulative little…"

"James." A voice growled out of the dark. A faint light appeared then grew in strength until the form of the dragon's head appeared. The huge body remained out of sight. "Take Blair and bring me some Astor flowers. They are blooming now in the West Fields."

"Yes, Elwaith." James replied respectfully. He saw Blair stick his tongue out at him. The Dragon was not able to see this but he obviously knew what Blair had done for he rolled his eyes and muttered something about humans before turning and moving back into the darkness.

An hour later the two young men were packed for a day in the woods and heading slowly towards the west where the fields of flowers lay.

There was a legend associated with the West Woods. Youths had been taught for years that this part of the woods was to be avoided at all costs. Some claimed that it was haunted, others that demons and monsters roamed freely and still others claimed that all who entered where enslaved or eaten alive.

James and Blair had learned differently in the last week. This part of the woods was the sacred home of the White Dragon. None entered due to the fearsome legends and fables told to children about this part of the forest. The fear of this place was too great for any to risk. The stories told were enough to prevent even the most foolhardy of youth trying to badger their friends into attempting to enter. While dares were not uncommon in any day and time, this was one dare that never crossed anyone's lips.

For James and Blair this didn't matter. For them it was safe to travel, they had the protection of the White Dragon. They were his children now. He cared and provided for them, protected them and loved them. For the first time in either of their young lives, they knew total acceptance and love. It was joyous for them both.

They walked in peaceful companionship. Blair bounded from one new discovery to another with James watching tolerantly for trouble. The youngster loved to explore but James had learned that if there was trouble within a hundred leagues, it was sure to find Blair.

This trip was uneventful. The day had started pleasant even though by the time they reached the grove the sun was still at the early position in the sky is was getting warm, just warm enough to take off his heavy jerkin. James threw it on the ground while he helped Blair pick the wild flowers and plants he and Elwaith needed.

They took separate areas of the large grove. The scent of flowers and herbs was almost overwhelming but the light wind kept the strong smells moving and James was able to ignore it for the most part. Lately his senses had begun growing stronger and he and Blair had learned that together they could control and focus his senses. Unfortunately the control was limited and they still needed to practice. Hence the reason… well one of the reasons they were here.

Around noon they paused to enjoy a small repast, which Blair had packed that morning. Inside the leather satchel was a loaf of fresh still warm bread loaded with raisons, sunflower seeds and whole grains. It was a rich hearty bread made from Blair's own imagination and was one of James favourites. With it were a brick of bright yellow cheese with its sharp tangy flavour and a bottle of fresh current juice. Blair had also packed a small piece of cold mutton as a treat. For all the teasing he did of James' need for meat, he was always doing little things like this for his older friend.

"Want to work on your senses James?" Blair asked. His hand warm on his shoulder as he rose to his feet.

James looked up into the happy blue eyes that peered down at him. He nodded but remained seated.

"Okay, close your eyes." The was no question of hesitation as James closed his eyes, focussing his hearing on Blair's voice and the sound that anchored him the most, that precious heartbeat.

For a brief moment he wondered what Blair might make of the fact that he used the younger boy's heartbeat as a metronome, a guide in and of itself.

"Concentrate, James. I want to know what you can hear."

"You." Came the automatic reply. A giggle wafted down from Blair but James merely smiled and continued the exercise. "I hear a boar, behind us almost a hundred feet."

"Cool. Dinner." James could almost feel the grin. "What else?"

"A stream a mile to the north, I hear fish in the water, feeding on bugs. Yuck." James grimaced but then smiled, I hear birds, lots of them, coming this way. He opened his eyes and watched the sky as a flock of grey birds passed overhead, their calls sounding happy and musical to James ears.

After that the tests continued with Blair pushing him each time a little further beyond what he'd done before. For all the teasing he did towards the younger boy, he found the love that settled in his heart was a pleasure and he loved nothing better than to spend time in his friend's company. He found that his strange senses were more easily controlled, his fugues were few and far between when Blair was around. The happy laughter that often bubbled up in the youth soothed James like nothing else ever.

They continued working for nearly three hours until finally, James had to call a halt, his head beginning to ache from the workout. They went back to looking for the elusive Astor flowers that Elwaith wanted.

It took a while but finally they met with success.

"James, look." Blair called from across the field.

James jogged across to look at Blair's discovery.

"Have you ever seen black Astors, James?" Blair asked as the older boy approached.

"Nope, never." He picked a couple and placed them in the satchel he carried. The milky white sap dripped from the stems and coated his fingers as he drew them out, extending them to pick more.

Suddenly fire seemed to engulf the fingers. Burning sensations where the milky sap soaked into fragile flesh. James screamed, shaking his hand as if that would rid the horrible feeling. Blair rushed to his side.

"James, what is it?" Fear for his new and only friend clearly heard in his voice.

There was no answer. The fire in James' fingers travelled up into his hands, through his arms and into his head. The pain was excruciating and in defence, his mind shut down.

~*~*~*~

Blair stared as James' eyes turned inward and a strange blankness over came them. Fear rocked his very core as he tried desperately to determine the cause of James' distress. The boy's body was rigid, fraught with tension and pain. The ice blue of his eyes now appears as if dead and only the faint rise and fall of his chest told Blair he lived still.

"James, please come back to me," he pleaded. He shook the taller boy but it had little effect. His small hands sought to find some reason for the strange blankness in his friend's appearance, the strange lack of response.

The sky above grew dark, clouds covered the once warm sun and the temperature dropped rapidly. Blair shivered in his light jerkin. His long pants were warm enough but he wore little more than a light shirt under the sleeveless jerkin. The winds, whipping through the grove froze his flesh to the bone.

"James, please. Wake for me. I am afraid." Blair pleaded with the incoherent boy. Finally, still in distress, Blair manoeuvred James to sit on the ground near a tree, which provided a small means of shelter.

"Elwaith!" he tried to call but the wind grew, forcing the word back into his mouth, he choked, tears beginning to form, sliding silently down his face.

A shock of thunder rumbled nearby, loud and painful to the ears. However, instead of clamping his hands over his own ears in protection, he covered James ears, not fully understanding why but realizing even in his ignorance that this was important.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared. The two coming closer and closer together. Terror had taken hold of the small boy with blue eyes. Those same blue eyes that now twenty minutes earlier had been flashing with joy and mischief were now overflowing with tears of terror. He had pulled his back the tree, with James lying sprawled across his legs, back resting on chest. He could no longer tell if James was breathing but still he held him.

Suddenly a bolt of lightning hit the ground not ten feet away. Blair started both at the sound and the sight. When his eyes could see again he saw a man, tall and foreboding. His skin was black as night, his eyes burning with a malice and evil so strong it was palpable. He wore a robe of midnight blue that shimmered with each of his movements.

He stood on the circle of blackened grass a long staff of Blackwood in his right hand and his left hand outstretched, reaching for Blair.

"Blair, son of Joth. I am Selaxe, please come with me."

Blair shook his head. He would not leave James. Never.

"Come and your friend will live. Stay and he will die." There was no room for disobedience in the voice. It was deep and commanding. Without realizing it, Blair had moved, laying James gently on the grass, his head nestled on Blair's jerkin.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Blair asked with more boldness than he thought he possessed.

"I am your destiny, Blair. I am Selaxe of Tarsun and you are The Chosen one. Come and I will train you to fulfil a greater purpose than even you can know." The eyes of the man flashed with a fire that burned through his very soul and Blair felt great fear, more than even when he thought he was to be eaten by the dragon.

"I don't understand." Blair said. Though he stood, his legs were trembling fiercely.

"Let me show you your future, child." A glove-covered hand rose and swept the air before them. A large cloud appeared between child and man. Slowly the centre cleared and a vision appeared.

Blair walked through the woods, his body covered in silver armour. His sword glistened in the sunlight. A horse, white as snow plodded behind him.

The two crossed a small bridge and entered a castle courtyard. Cheers rose as the multitude greeted their returning hero. Women threw flowers at his feet. Two stable hands took the reins of the horse and led it to a livery where it was cared for. A single woman approached, her hands wide for an embrace.

He took her in his arms and held her.

"Welcome my Hero. You have saved us again."

Later a banquet in his honour, and still later, accolades from the king. Wealth, riches he could see were his, power and fames were his to command. He was honoured and cherished as a hero.

But something was missing. Something he knew was of vital importance. He looked around, the vision fading.

"NO! This is wrong." Blair shouted.

"You are the chosen one. You are the one the legends speak of."

"No, I am Blair and this is James and we are together. We fight together and with honour. I will not take the likes of you for truth. I know you not."

"FOOL!" The mage screamed, his still raised hand now pointing at the young Blair. "Follow me and you live, stand and you both will die."

"Then we die." Blair said, his conviction clear in both words and stance.

"So bold for one so young. 'Tis a pity you must die." Fire lashed out from the hand, catching Blair full force on the chest. He screamed with the agony of it. The force of the blow threw him back and he hit the tree where he'd been leaning with Jim.

His body landed limply on the top of his still unresponsive friend. He had no strength to even lift his head but he had to move. To remain here would mean James' death also.

One hand crept forward. Fingers gripped into the earth and he pulled himself forward, inch by slow inch. Each second a lifetime of agony as his back protested every motion. His head rang with the pain and his strength was vanishing faster than he could find more. The only thought left was to get away from James so he might live. Blair was not Hero, James was, James was the Chosen One not him.

The blue dressed mage watched with malicious glee as the young boy attempted to retreat. He allowed him to get a few feet from the limp body of his friend before he stepped forward.

"Leaving the party so soon?" He reached down and with great strength, lifted the injured lad. "We're just beginning."

Blair's tiny body was thrown away from the tree to the centre of the grove. He tried to catch himself but still he hit the ground hard, knocking the air from his lungs. He cried out in pain, his leg bending at a horrible angle and the pain excruciating.

Tears filled his eyes again but unlike before he was unable to prevent them from falling to the earth. Through blurry eyes he watched the first teardrop hit the ground. Power filled him. Small but growing with each drop. The earth's forces curled and flowed through his veins and he felt the strength of mother earth.

The pain vanished, his back and then his leg healed. He found the strength to stand. With one hand he gripped a small branch that lay at his feet. Without conscious thought, the power flowed out from his hands into that branch which grew and formed, shaping itself into a long staff, with intricate carvings and glyphs along its length.

He pointed it at the mage.

"Liar, fool. You are both. By Earth's power and mother's song, be gone." He chanted, his young voice strong with power from the Earth. Brilliant blue light flared from the end of the staff like a bolt of lightning. It struck the mage in his chest and he was gone.

The power drained out of Blair, back into the ground from where he'd borrowed it. His strength it seemed flowed from him also and it took every ounce of his will power to make it back to James, leaning heavily on the wooden staff.

"He is gone, James, please wake for me." Blair called softly, a depth to his voice that hadn't been there before. This new tone seemed to reach where the other hadn't before and James moaned softly, turning his head into the direction of Blair.

"Wha'?" James' eyes flickered open to see the face of his best friend peering contentedly down at him. A smile formed, a single teardrop fell on his lips. He licked it gently, surprise and confusion warred on his face as he gazed up and saw the beloved face with its strange new look.

"Blair?" he reached up and fingered the length of shocking white hair that now rested over the left temple of Blair's head.

"Shh, you are fine, my sentinel. You are fine." Blair stroked James' face lightly, his own smile matching the one James wore.

<<Well fought, young Shaman. You have passed your first test. Now Sentinel and Shaman are born.>>

Part 3

Stories

**Picture used without permission as I do not know who did it but it isn't mine, just and awesome picture. If I find out who, I will attribute proper credit.