The Legend of the White Dragon

By EJKatz

Story 3: Hope's Glory

The door opened suddenly, banging harshly upon wall of the small house. A small figure flew from the door, hastily making his way down the path into the woods, followed only seconds later by a larger and somewhat older man.

"Blair, come back, I said I was sorry." The older man called. He called a jacket in on hand and a pair of gloves in another. "Damnit Blair!"

A rumbled from behind caused James to turn and see Elwaith watching. <<What happened now, Hero?>>

"I didn't mean it, Elwaith. I was just teasing him and… well I guess I shouldn't have but he's never been touchy about it before." James muttered half in complaint and half knowing he should never have teased his smaller friend about his size.

"Besides it is too cold for him to be wandering around without a coat."

<<Go after him, James. Bring him back, things are going on here that you both must know about. And stop teasing him, just for now.>> A dragon grin lit the beautiful face of the dragon. At least it was beautiful to James and had been for the past seven years.

Since the first day they had met there had never been any fear of the dragon, just a deep love and sense of family that he'd never gotten from his own father or brother. And Blair was more the younger brother than Stephen had ever been.

James returned the grin, then turned and raced after Blair.

~*~*~*~

Blair was in a huff and he wasn't sure why. It wasn't like James hadn't teased him before. In fact he normally liked it because it made him feel a kinship with the older man. Like they were truly brothers and not just best friends. Finally he stopped and looked around.

"Where am I?" he wondered aloud. He had lived in these woods for nigh on seven years, surely he knew every corner by now. But this he didn't recognize.

Before him stood a stone building. It rose a hundred feet into the air, its sides like giant steps. It was almost completely covered in moss and vines, the forest encroaching upon it and yet still it survived. It drew him closer.

He could feel the power in it. Power he hadn't felt since the day he'd become Shaman. The Earth power was strong here and this building seemed to focus it, draw it in, gathering and storing and yet it was a peaceful place. A place where Blair felt he belonged.

Without conscious thought he began to make his way up the steps towards the opening he could see about halfway up. It took some time as the stone steps were huge and his legs, short though they might be, had to work extra hard to make the climb.

Finally he reached the opening. A door four feet wide and ten feet high met him. It was sealed shut but that did not stop Blair. His hand rose and pressed against the strange round markings. It glowed for a moment, then the door swung open soundlessly.

Without trepidation, Blair entered. Inside he found himself in a huge antechamber. It was well it from torches which he was sure should not have been burning in a building that seemed as old and uncared for as this one seemed. The warm glow was not frightening instead gave a warmth and peace that Blair had never known. He eased toward the far end of the room, where a fireplace was lit and a heavy armchair waited. He took his seat and prepared to wait.

And wait he didn't do for long.

"Hello young one." A voice from out of the darkness. A female voice, soft and musical.

"Hello?" Blair stood. "Who are you? What is this place?"

"Please, be seated Chosen One and I will tell all." The voice sounded closer but still no one appeared. Blair remembered the title from all those years ago when he had faced the Blue Mage. But this time the title didn't bring terror; instead it brought calm, joy and a rightness with it.

"We have waited a long time for you, young one. Welcome to Abriathe."

A rumbling noise grew in volume, the walls and floor shook. The light began to dim, and then everything went black.

~*~*~*~

James followed the path of his soul brother easily. The young man had made no attempt to hide his tracks. He followed them for several minutes before the trail ended abruptly in the middle of a clearing. It was the clearing where Elwaith sent them to pick flowers every once in a while.

He stood there for a moment just listening, feeling and looking. Nothing. There was no sign of Blair anywhere. The footsteps ended right where he stood and there was no indication that the younger man went anywhere else from there.

Confusion filled James, warring with the concern. He didn't know what had happened in this field that had scared Blair so badly but he knew that this place had power, he could feel it now that he knew what to look for.

The last seven years had not been spent in idle play. The two men had learned much about Dragon lore, fighting, magic and all things related. James had excelled at swordplay but then he'd had a good start from his early years with Henri and Jason in his father's keep. They had taught him much but Elwaith had taught him more than fighting, he'd taught James to pick the right reasons for fighting. The honour James had sought for all those years he had found. The tales of knights and their quests were real not just the imaginings of a young boy.

Blair had excelled with the art of healing, and herbal lore. His gentle nature was gifted with compassion for all, he abhorred killing but recognized it as a necessity at times. He had developed a good ability with a knife for protection but refused to learn the sword. Elwaith had not pressed it so neither had James. Not that the worry had faded but they had recognized alternate needs in each other.

Now however was a different kind of worry. Blair had vanished, seemingly into mid air. James raced back and forth trying desperately to find some clue as to Blair's whereabouts.

A rush of cold wind signalled Elwaith's arrival. In despair James turned to the dragon.

"He's gone."

<<Abriathe has him. Now we must wait.>> The great Dragon settled down, wrapping long limbs under himself gracefully, his tail wrapped in tightly to prevent young men from stepping on it during his pacing.

"Abraithe? Who is Abraithe?"

<<No who, Child, what.>> The dragon gestured for the young man to come near and settle against his belly. The tail uncurling then re-curling around the shivering form.

<<Let me tell you the tale of Abraithe.>> Elwaith started. <Once Abraithe was my home. A place of pure joy. It was a happy place where only peace was known. Everyone one lived as one, as equals. Dragon and Elvin together, symbiotic in connection.

<<All to soon, humans found Abraithe and corruption began to spread. Humans feared what they did not know so they began to spread tales of dragons and how we would attack without provocation, eating children and innocents.>>

"Elwaith, I am sorry."

<<Why should you be sorry Child, you did not do it?>>

"But I believed the stories. I was like them."

<<You, Beloved One have never been like them. If you had, you would not have been chosen as Hero. Your heart was right, you knew without knowing what was right and honourable. For that you are loved and desired above all others. You and Blair are more special than you yet realize and now is the time for you to see. When Blair returns, you will be taught the final lessons before it will be time to return and fulfil your destiny.>>

"Tell me more about Abraithe." James asked, his body warmed from the heat of the dragon, his soul resting in Elwaith's trust..

<<Abraithe began to change. Humans had destroyed the peace there. Finally it was decreed that all humans must leave, all dragons also.>>

"Why dragons?"

<<Because Humans had tainted them, dragons had begun to believe the tales and acted upon them. Many turned to the way of evil and as such could not stay. Very few remain in Abraithe today.>>

"Why did you have to leave?"

<<I was chosen of my people to fulfil another destiny. I was to find the one who would return Abraithe to its rightful place. Now, Abraithe only appears to the Chosen One. When the time is right Blair will return, unharmed and Abriathe will appear, hopefully for good.>>

"What does Abraithe mean?" James was feeling very dozy now, his eyes barely open.

<<Hope's Glory.>> Came the reply but James was already drifting off to sleep.

~*~*~*~

Blair woke to sunlight streaming over him. The warm was pleasant and he rolled further into it.

A soft musical laugh roused him further and he sat up. At the end of the bed stood a small woman, not much shorter than Blair himself.

"Good morn to you fair traveller. Welcome to Abraithe."

"Is that where I am?" Blair asked as he cast his gaze about the room.

"Yes. I am Aril, daughter of Atos. This is our home. You are very welcome here Chosen One. When you are ready, my father wishes to speak with you. There is much work to be done." Without further explanation the elfin creature was gone, a light flowery scent left in her wake.

Blair rose from the bed and found a pile of linens on the chair. He put them on, please to note they fit him well. Soft doeskin boots laced up his calves and a bright green jerkin covered his arms. His belt with the knife he always wore was also there but he left it behind, knowing instinctively that it would not be needed here.

He followed the corridor outside his room until it can to a large open room, brightly lit from several window that allow the sun in fully. A massive oak table stood in the middle of the room with comfortable chairs surrounding it. Food waited for him on the side table and two servants stood near a door to wait upon him if he should need it. Other than this, the room was empty.

A little puzzled but more hungry, Blair filled a plate with the succulent fruits found on the table, then sat to eat.

Not long after the door at the end of the long room opened and Aril came through on the heels of a tall thin man with a head of flaming red hair and a beard to match.

"Welcome Chosen One. I am Atos. We are pleased you have finally come, we have waited too long for you."

The man took a seat at the head of the table, which Blair had left free. He picked up a goblet and filled it with the vine juices, took a huge swallow before once more addressing his guest.

"I trust you slept well. I forgot how difficult the journey is for new arrivals."

"New arrivals?" Blair finally got his voice working again.

"Yes, though there are not many lately." A huge smile crossed the man's jovial face. "Perhaps that will change in the near future."

"Father." The soft voice of the daughter cut in.

"Yes, child, I know. So, you are wondering why you are here and where exactly you are, yes?"

"Abraithe, right?"

"Yes. This is Abraithe. We who are called the mythical land. Once we were a part of your world but ignorant men came and forever changed our world. To protect it we forced all evildoers out and became only a legend. To the people of your world we do not exist. For us, we appear only when it is required or when the Chosen is ready. Are you ready Chosen One?"

"Chosen One? Selaxe called me that too."

"You have met the Blue Mage? And lived?" Atos remarked in awe. "Yes, you were chosen well."

"Who was Selaxe and who is the Chosen One, why me?" Blair asked.

It was Aril who answered. "Selaxe is the Blue Mage. A powerful man who lived here once but was seduced by the power of your world. Now he lives within the Northern Forests. A fortress that contains riches and power beyond belief protects him but none have ever been able to defeat the defences of his castle nor have any been able to best him in battle, except you.

"But your fledgling abilities are in dire need of training or they will threaten both your world and ours. So for that reason you are here."

"We will help you grow and develop your powers, teach you to use Mother Earth and the power she provided for life and growth." Atos cut in. "Without the proper training, Selaxe may use you against yourself and against your loved ones including Elwaith."

"You know Elwaith?" Blair grew excited that someone other than James and himself knew of the great White Dragon.

"Elwaith is very special in his own right. Our last and greatest hope went with him when he chose to leave here and find you and Hero. Together the three of you will bring back Hope's Glory and unite out worlds once more."

~*~*~*~

James woke refreshed, his whole body still a washed in the warm of Elwaith's body. The morning light had moved into the late afternoon. "Blair?"

<<Not yet, young one. Time is different between here and there. He may yet need time.>>

"For what, why is he there?"

<<To learn.>> was the simple reply.

"I don't understand." James said, a petulant tone in his voice.

<<I know, Child, but you will soon.>> came the enigmatic reply.

The wind picked up and James shivered despite the warm jerkin he wore. With a heavy sigh at the missing piece of himself, he curled up once more in the warmth provided by his dragon to wait for his heart brother to return.

Part 4

Stories