Prologue
The stars pierced through the trees. All was silent in the nearby village. The wind, followed by the howls of wolves, moved the still air. His warm hands laid her on her back. She gazed into smiling eyes that would never let go. Light coming through the window illuminated her emerald eyes.
He laid his lips on her forehead and bid her goodnight, leaving the door open. She had gotten comfortable being wrapped in a blanket, but she still missed Father’s warm hands. Unable to sleep, she started to call out for her parents as something made her uneasy. Calling louder, her father re-appeared to take her back into his arms, though the feeling did not go away.
The wind knocked softly on the wooden boards. Jasmine could feel the heavy air, even though she was only two years of age. She noticed that her Father did not feel the air, perhaps he has lost his sense with age? Father passed her into her Mother’s loving arms. Rocking back and forth, looking down the hill; the village seemed to have settled and the clouds parted just for a moment. Through the clouds, there was a distant land mass, floating with the stars. Along with the imposing storm, it was a sight to behold. A smokey haze creeped up and down the hill, a growing lantern amongst the houses.
It was just then when Father finally felt the sense of trouble. Jasmine had abruptly fallen asleep, unable to comprehend what was happening. The scene was clear, there was a fire in the village, so Father attempted to play the role of a hero and headed towards the village. He stopped and noticed he went alone. Mother shook her head and looked towards the mountains. As he retreated back to the porch, something had revealed itself in a bush. Father took out his sword to investigate. A dark figure suddenly leaped from the trees, attempting to ambush them. Mother seemingly teleported to counter the attack, and began to pressure the attacker. As they were busy fighting, another figure secretly took the sleeping child. Father caught him in his peripheral and charged into the woods.
Trees and foliage blurred past. A sudden shift in movement interrupted his momentum, causing him to fall. Laying down defeated; the dark creature made itself present. The attacker did not appear human, but had a ragged shape with wings and tail from its back. It lunged forward, but Mother flew down, dug her claws into its back, and threw it into the fire of the nearby inferno. He thanked her, attempting to rise, but his bruises pulled him back to the ground. Mother unveiled her wings to pursue the kidnapper. Finally being able to stand, he heard the screams of the burning villagers. Turning his back, he went back into the trees.
Awaken from her slumber, Jasmine cried out for her parents. The kidnapper dug its claws into her precious skin. Infused with anger, she swooped down and dug her claws deep within their scales and pulled her daughter free. She swung around and threw them into a tree. Mother held Jasmine tenderly in her hands, noticing the deep wounds. The other two attackers charged from opposite sides, but she escaped into the sky. She grabbed a branch from a tree with her foot and swung her body and impaled one attacker. Another kidnapper leaped from behind, cutting her back and taking Jasmine. She fell on the ground as one kidnapper took the branch out of its companion. Father came charging at the kidnapper and cut its head off with a sword. He helped Mother off the ground. “Are you alright, my dear?”
“Our daughter,” she gasped, “kill that fiend!”
Father swiftly galloped through the woods. Rain began to fall and the sky lit with explosive lightning. He caught up to the kidnapper and cornered it between the mountains and trees. Jasmine cried out in great pain. Father furiously charged at the kidnapper with all his might. The kidnapper evaded his blade and tripped him. The sword he wielded lay on the ground and the attacker used it to cut his arm. Father screamed out in pain as the fiend escaped into the sky. Thunder roared and lightning struck the kidnapper, and his daughter, out of the sky.
“Jasmine, no!” Father cried as Jasmine’s body graciously fell out of the sky. Mother appeared from the trees and softly landed with their fallen child in her arms. Her skin was charred black. The sky wept for Jasmine along with her parents. Retreating from the rain, they found a small cave in which to rest.
“I know of a way to revive our daughter, my dear,” Mother peered through the rain at the mountains. Father nodded, then rested his head on the rugged wall. Holding her daughter in her loving hands, she took off.
With the dark rain clouds and thick smoke coming from the village, it was a slow flight. Mother glanced at their isolated home engulfed in flames. She saw three figures congregated nearby, searching for any survivors. One of them looked up and Mother quickly hid in the clouds. After two hours soaring above the clouds, she grew exhausted and decided to land to rest. Fortunately, the cave she searched for was not far off, so she walked the rest of the way.
The rain had slowed and the forest was asleep. The world had settled back into its harmonious lullaby. Mother approached a cave. Lining the walls were crystals encased in clear rocks. After strolling deep into the cave, she met a colorful dragon whose scales radiated brighter than the diamonds. Mother fell to her knees and gently laid Jasmine into the pool that sat before the mystic dragon.
“Your daughter may not live,” the dragon appeared next to Mother. The dragon’s voice sounded imposing, alerting one’s senses, yet innocent like a young girl. Mother finally took her eyes off Jasmine and looked the dragon in her mysterious pink eyes. Jasmine’s body lay in shining water as the dragon knelt beside her. She laid her hands on the body, using her powers to revive the child.
After a few moments, the dragon stood up. Mother held her child tenderly in her hands and kissed her forehead. Tears formed a gentle stream down her face. Some miracle occurred once her tear landed on Jasmine’s body. A spark appeared on her head but quickly dissipated. It caught the dragon’s eye, “she seems to be recovering, but she won’t recall anything.”
“It is not safe for her here, where can I take her?”
“Over the mountains in the west, there is a clan of dragons who will care for her,” the dragon instructed, “you have poured your soul into hers, that is why she lives.”
“Thank you, Astrid,” Mother exited the cave. Several hours had passed and the night was coming to a close. She flew back to the cave where she left. She settled down next to her husband and woke him from his slumber.
“Our daughter is slowly recovering,” she spoke softly, “it is dangerous here, I will leave her to the care of some dragons in the west.” Father was not happy by the news.
“The dragons killed her and now you want to give her back?” He scoffed, “you will not give her to them, if you must leave to keep us safe, then do it, but you will not take my daughter away!” He choked and started to cough. Taken aback, Mother fled. Father cursed her, then coughed up blood. She took flight and headed west to the village. Jasmine’s eyes fluttered open, and her green eyes shined in the light of the moon. She was doing well.
The sun rose as she approached the valley and many dragons observed from below. There were several dens in the valley, but farther up a hill was the chief’s den. Mother set Jasmine down in front of the den. She kissed Jasmine on her forehead, pouring out more of her soul than her father ever did, and left.
