“So, what to do now.” She said it in a return to her impish ways, a state more becoming of one who looked like she did: young, beautiful, and vibrant.
“I don't know. That's why I've come. To warn you, but also to see what you think.”
“All this time and you still can't think for yourself. It's craziness that you limit your abilities the way you do.”
“Maybe, but knowing the things you've seen and the pain I've already caused, I'm happy with the state I'm in.”
The argument was about to start again, but it could wait for another time.
“Let them come. I'm curious about what they could possibly want with me. Maybe they can create some kind of insight into the terror that this army is causing and why. It's terrible to think we could be at it again. It never ends well.”
“And what of the sword? The voices sense no Power in the boy. Nothing but fear and confusion. What does it mean?”
“I guess we have to wait and see. Be sure to go greet them. Better to get your existence out of the way. If it’s me they want, I'd hate to keep them waiting. Not that I believe I'll be much help.”
“Still, there are worse places in the world to get information than you, the great Crystal Kokuou; immortal keeper of the Dragon Spirit, and possibly the oldest, wisest, and most powerful human alive.”
She reached up to his face and caressed his rough beard gently, taking in his age and ruggedness. “I’ve told you, just call me Mom.”
RAGE
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It was a gross understatement to say it was upset with the recent events that seemed to have occurred in its domain.
Humans weren’t terribly tasty. They were small in size, but they generally put up a decent fight. They were more trouble than they were worth. Below came a stream of people from the valleys of the south. He didn't care in the slightest why they were here, only that they were here. He was a solitary creature, aged and wise, but intensely territorial and exceptionally moody. If this was a trend that continued, something had to be done. Humans, especially in such great numbers, were just irritating.
No, this simply could not do.
His vantage point had a clear and unobstructed view of the branching valleys below. From the south poured the unwanted visitors, some going east to the deep valleys and treacherous peaks, a journey that would almost certainly kill them all before they saw any glimmer of whatever salvation they sought. The rest went west, no doubt to follow the mighty river that had long ago carved its place in the rock. These were the people he was cautious about. If well-stocked and keen of mind, they would enter deep into the heart of his domain or the domains of others like him.
He had to think deeply about his next course of action. Perhaps the best option was to travel along with a larger group until he met up with another of his kind, hopefully one closer to him in age and wisdom. The young could be so impulsive and make too many mistakes. It was an idea likely to have its own perils, but it was better than standing here next to the Uhluktahn, the sacred thundering waterfall, and doing nothing. These lands belonged to none of them and all of them at once. Yet the humans were certainly pressing into their home in greater numbers, and something had to be done.
They had no place here. He hoped they would leave on their own. He certainly did not seek their wrath. People were short-sighted and vengeful. Though he was old and wise, it was also a slave to its own animalistic tendencies. If the humans continued, none would be spared.
To be so intelligent only to still be weak to his baser needs. Shameful, yet unavoidable. He hoped it wouldn't reach that point, but if it did, he was glad to know that many, if not all, of these trespassers would suffer for the idiocy of their actions.
He stalked away, letting the rush of the great water fill his ears; lost in the thought of the anger and bloodlust that may follow.
BETRAYAL
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The journey had taken a terrible toll on his old bones. He wasn't accustomed to such rugged travel. He preferred to walk, letting the road meet his feet and the fresh air and silence fill his head as he went.
Unfortunately, time was not his ally. Speed was needed to reach his goal. His goal was to be as far from the village and the idiots within it as possible.
He'd left soon after the meeting with the demon. A meeting he wanted no part of at first. He'd have preferred to leave well enough alone and never come face to face with such a creature, whatever it was, but he was bound by a promise to another to deliver the monster. Besides, the opportunity to create mischief so late in the game was too strong a temptation.
At this moment he was seriously wondering if the devil at the bar or the devil who wanted him was to be feared most. At least the devil at the bar bought him a drink.
The caravan he'd been traveling with was full of whiney, annoying children and whinier, more annoying women. All they did was cry and talk while the men rode off ahead or behind or wherever they could escape to. The old man had no mount and was stuck surrounded by their constant chattering and useless banter. It was only in moments like this, when he wandered off by himself during the nights, that he found his
