The Dragon Children: Chapter VII: Caleb and Tayla

In a village that was a three-day journey on foot from where Sophia and her friends were lived a boy named Caleb. He had long orange hair that ened in a ponytail and turquoise eyes. he had just turned seven years old, the age at which a child of Krangor was traditionally bonded to a dragon. His mother, Tayla, who had the same hair color as he and also had blue eyes, offerred him a ride to the nearest dragon cave. Caleb climbed into his mother's saddle and their dragon, Kritor, took off.
"There's a cave below, Kritor." said Tayla after they had flown about ten miles.
Kritor nodded. The white dragon then slowly descended.
A man dressed in a dark brown tunic greeted them. This was a keeper, whose job it was to assist in the bonding. He had no hair and green eyes.
"Is this the boy who will be bonded?" he asked Tayla.
"Yes." Tayla answered.
The keeper took Caleb's hand and led him inside. The cave was dimly lit and filled with groups of dragons of every color.
"Close your eyes and breathe slowly." said the keeper. "This will allow a dragon to choose you." For in reality, it was the dragon who chose the rider.
Caleb obeyed. Moments later, a voice entered his head. He opened his eyes and walked around the cave enchantedly until he stood in front of a red dragon that was just his height.
"Hello." the dragon said to Caleb telepathically.
The keeper came up to them. "Nicah, is this the child you seek?" he asked.
The dragon nodded.
"What is your name?" the keeper asked the boy.
"Caleb." the boy answered.
"Caleb, this is Nicah. She shall be your dragon." said the keeper.
"This is great! One of my ancestors was the founder of the Crimson Order, a group of heroes who all had red dragons!" Caleb said enthusiastically.
"Then give me a finger." said the keeper.
Caleb gave the keeper a finger. The keeper pricked it with a thorn. He then did the same to one of Nicah's talons.
"Place your finger in the wound." said the keeper.
Caleb did as the keeper said.
"From this moment on, the two of you are one" said the keeper.
Caleb led Nicah outside.
"Shall we go home then?" Tayla asked.
But as they flew home, a gentle voice called to them, urging them to take a different route. They obeyed, and three days later, they arrived at another village. They were greeted by Sophia.
"Greetings." she said. "I have caled you both here because I sensed that your village was attacked. If you returnhome, you willhave none to return to. The Black Dragon clan raided it in your absence."
Tayla stared at the woman. "You're a priestess, I presume?" she asked.
"Yes. My name is Sophia." said Sophia.
"Then we have no reason to doubt you." said Tayla.
"This is your new home then, with us." said Sophia.
Joanne approached them. "If you like, I can baptize the both of you. That is all that is required now."
Caleb and Tayla nodded. Joanne led them to a stream.
"Undress and wade into the water." Joanne instructed. For in this planet's chief religion, baptisms were done with the initates naked. This was to symbolize the baptism cleansing them of their sins. "I have purified the water. It will purify you."
Caleb and Tayla obeyed. Joanne cupped water into a conch shell and poured it over their heads. Then she recited the words Sophia had taught her, using the ancient language of Iawia's priests and priestesses. She then led them out of the water and gave them a towel to dry themselves off. When they redressed themselves, they became members of the Resistance.

Some thoughts about the Virgin Mary

I've heard people, especially fellow Catholics, say that the Virgin Mary is a difficult person to relate to. I can certainly see that. She seems so perfect. But let's not concentrate on the differences. Let's look at the similarities:First, she was human. True, there is the doctrine of Immaculate Conception that Catholics ascribe to, but she was still a human.Second, she had a choice, just like we do. She chose to follow God's plan. She could have refused to play a part in our salvation, but she did not. Like all of us, she too had free will.Third, she suffered. Imagine the scandal that must have arisen because of her pregnancy. She was a stranger in a strange land when she was forced to flee to Egypt. She also suffered the heartbreak of watching Jesus, the same child she carried in her womb for nine months, as he was crucified. True, she didn't suffer physically, but there was certainly mental anguish.
For all these reasons, I believe Mary is an excellent role model. That's the reason I reflect on her life as well as Jesus's.

The Dragon Children: Chapter 6: Saiyune Departs

Thinking quickly, Saiyune used her mental link with Nefron to create a tornado, but the Joxer stood its ground and sent more lightning bolts at everyone.
Damien hid behind a tree.
"Damien, this is a terrible idea." Cypress chastised.
"You have any better ones?" Damien asked fearfully.
"Yes, place your hands on the ground. I will give you some of my power." the female green dragon said.
Damien did as Cypress said.
Cypress said, "Now, command the ground. Have it dispose of the Joxer."
Damien nodded and exclaimed, "Dirt of the earth, swallow the Joxer!"
A hole opened under the Joxer. It backed away, but the hole became larger, until gravity forced the Joxer to fall into the hole. The hole closed up arouind it, cutting off all air. The Joxer would quickly suffocate.
Night fell, and they had dinner, thanks to some villagers who provided them a meal.
Saiyune was not eating with the rest of them. Nefron saw this and confronted her.
"Why are you not eating with the others?" he asked.
"I don't feel comfortable eating with them."
A black dragon approached them. "Hello, child." it said.
"Who are you?" Nefron asked. "Weren't you with Stefan?"
The dragon scoffed. "My name is Kor. And don't be absurd. I serve none but Pandora.
"Pandora?" Nefron asked. "The immortal sorceress of evil?"
"Yes." Kor said. "And I believe I can offer you something Sophia will not."
"What?" Saiyune asked.
"Sophia cannot help you ease the misery that has plagued your life." said Kor.
"How do you know what I've been through?" Saiyune asked.
"Saiyune, don't listen to him!" Nefron said.
"All dragons can read minds." said Kor. "I can see into yours easily. I can see the pain caused by your parents. They never loved you, child. You on't need love. What you need is power. Power can make you strong. With power, you can have all you ever need."
"Saiyune, if you go down this path, I cannot accompany you." said Nefron.
"You don't need him." Kor said. "Come with me. I can show you true power."
Saiyune thought about it. Could Kor be right? Everything he said seemed to make sense somehow.
"Yes I will." she said.
Kor turned to Nefron with glowing eyes. Nefron's eyes grew heavy and he slowly fell asleep.
Kor flapped his wings. "Follow my lead."
Saiyune nodded and stretched out her arms. She let herself ride a current of air and followed behind him.
Minerva came outside and saw Nefron. She broke the sleep spell.
"Minerva? Saiyune has left me." said Nefron when he was awakened. "I don't know what I should do. She will not listen to me anymore."
"Then pray for her. Perhaps Iawia, the great Creator, will help her." Minerva suggested.
"Can't you go after her?" Nefron asked.
Minerva shook her head. "We cann't force her to do what is right. She must learn that herself. Love does not force itself on anyone." she said solemnly.

The Dragon Children: Chapter 5: Stefan arrives

Stefan watched the whole thing from his scrying pool. He realized he'd better take drastic matters. He summoned his black dragon Kor and mounted him.
When they arrived Sophia saw him and sent psychic energy into the sky. Both dragon and rider were instantly sent tumbling down.
Stefan was unfazed.
"So we meet again, my former pupil." Sophia said.
"I have come to reclaim my clan's members." Stefan said.
"They do not belong to you anymore. I have freed them."
"Have you?" Stefan asked. Then he pointed to Ba-Pef. "You know what to do."
Ba-Pef nodded and stepped in front of Set, forcing him to make eye contact. Set's gentle demeanor instantly disappeared. He said strange words and bats encircled everyone. The bats on Krangor are different from bats on Earth. Krangor's bats can disorient people with their shrieks. Their shrieks brought every member of the resistance to their knees.
Joanne could read Set's mind. She could see the inner turmoil and pitied him. She crawled towrd him and placed a hand on his temple. Within seconds, she entered his mind.
She saw two versions of Set fighting each other.
"Why do you resist me? It's pointless." said one.
"I am nothing like you. I do not wish to be you." said the other.
Joanne realized that these must be the two opposing forces in Set's mind.
"Set, if you truly wish to conquer the evil within, you must fight it." she said. She rushed over to the good Set. "I know you can win." she whispered.
The evil Set laughed. "He fights me every day. I always win." He pushed the good Set to the ground.
The good Set got up. "You won't anymore!" he exclaimed and shoved the evil Set to the ground.
The evil Set disappeared and reappeared behind the good Set. He grabbed the good Set's left arm and forced it to his back in a hammerlock.
Joanne could not stand by any longer. She grabbed the evil Set's head and sent a psychic charge, forcing him to the ground.
The good Set turned to her and said "Thank you."
"I will help you to defeat him if you let me." Joanne said.
"Please." said the good Set.
The bats immediately dispersed.
"Very well, you've won this round, Sophia." Stefan said. "But I will leave you with a parting gift." Then he and Kor disappeared.
A striped panther-like creature appeared. It had black and yellow striped and glowing eyes.
"A Joxer." Elena said. "His cowardice knows no bounds."
The Joxer is no ordinary panther. It can control lightning.
It pounced on the Resistance. The heroes scattered.

Prayer to Mary the Dawn

This is a prayer to Mary I read. I thought it definitely deserved sharing:
Mary the Dawn, but Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the Gate, but Christ the heavenly Way;
Mary the Root, but Christ the mystic Vine;
Mary the Grape, but Christ the sacred Wine;
Mary the Wheat, but Christ the Bread
Mary the Rose-tree, Christ the Rose blood-red;
Mary the Fount, but Christ the cleansing flood;
Mary the Shrine, but Christ its God adored;
Mary the Beacon, Christ the Heaven's Rest;
Mary the Mirror, Christ the Vision Blast. Amen.

Dragon Children Chapter 4: Damien

"Why did you bring us to this forest?" Karin asked.

"I brought you here so you could pay your respects." Sophia answered.

She led them to a clearing there were thatched houses arranged in a circle. She led them to a cluster of gravestones.

"Do you remember this village, Karin and Joanne?" she asked.

Joanne said, "Yes, this is where we were born and grew up. And this is where our parents were buried."

"That is correct." said Sophia. "Even though I took you in ten years ago, I never want you to forget your parents."

Karin placed her hands in the soil and concentrated on the life force of the plants. Two chrysanthemums came out of the ground. She pulled them and gave one to Joanne. They quietly walked up to their parents' graves.

A boy with curly brown hair and hazel green eyes was nearby. His green dragon walked behind him. Neither of them paid any attention to the resistance. The boy's name was Damien, and his dragon was named Cypress. Damien placed his hands on the ground.
"Cypress, the trees have suddenly become more full of life." he said.
"Yes." Cypress agreed.

Sophia saw the pair and walked up to them. "Hello, little one." she said to Damien. "I have not seen you here before. Where are your parents?"
"My mother died not long ago." Damien answered. "My father and I live in that house." he pointed to a red brick house with a thatched roof.
"Can I see him?" Sophia asked.
"I suppose."

Sophia followed Damien into his house. Damien's father had the same kind of hair and eyes as his son. He recognized Sophia as a priestess of Iawia, the goddess who created Krangor.

"Welcome, priestess. What bring you to my home?" he asked.
"Is your son responsible for all the plants growing here?" Sophia asked.
"Yes. I felt this would be a great way to help him with his abilities."
"He has great potential. I can help him become better."
"How?"
"I am gathering people to help me fight Stefan. Your child seems like he would make a great addition."
"Well, it wouldn't be up to me." he shrugged. "Why don't you ask Damien?"

Sophia bent down to Damien's eye level. "Would you like to serve Iawia, the Great Shepherdess and your creator?"
"My creator?" Damien asked.
"I think you should agree to what this woman is proposing." said Cypress. All the plants here became more vibrant than I have ever felt the moment she arrived."
"If Cypress thinks that way, I guess I should."
"I have to warn you." said his father. "My son is not talkative."
"That is fine by me." said Sophia. "Then come along, Damien. From now on, you shall see your true potential."

The Dragon Children: Chapter 4: Malika

Deep in the Rathlian Lands, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed teenaged girl was playing with her Blue Dragon. She seemed out of place in the Rathlian Lands, for she and her dragon were happy.

A gargoyle approached the girl. "Malika, you and your dragon, Zaki, have been summoned by Stefan." Malika nodded and followed the gargoyle with Zaki close behind.

Unlike the rest of the Black Dragon Clan, Malika served Stefan willingly. The rest were corrupted by their dragons.

Malika and Zaki bowed before Stefan. "You summoned us, my lord?" Malika asked.

"Yes. Come and look in the scrying pool." Stefan said.

Malika looked into the murky water which Stefan used to spy on his enemies. "Who are these people?" she asked.

"They are a resistance movement that dares to challenge me." Stefan answered.

Malika saw a boy with dirty-brown hair. She recognized him instantly. "Lord Stefan, Set is with them." she said.

"Yes, my child. I want you to retrieve him for me." Stefan said.

"It shall be done. He shall pay for his defiance. Come, Zaki."
Zaki nodded and they flew off.

***

When they arrived, Malika saw that Set and Ba-Pef were not alone. She saw a pond nearby.

"Water of the pond, obey us. Arise." Zaki called. The water rose out of the pond.

Malika completed the spell. "Water, become ice."

Saiyune immediately saw what was happenning. She chanted a wind spell and dispersed the water.

Malika and Zaki descended.

"I would assume you are here for Set." Saiyune said.

"Stefan is not happy with your defiance. IF you come with us, I am certain he will be merciful." Malika said to Set.

"I am through with Stefan. He forced me to serve him. He won't let you serve him willingly for long, Malika." Set said.

At that moment, Sophia approached them. "Do you really think Stefan is benevolent?" she asked Malika. "Perhaps I should show you how misguided you are."

"What are you implying? My village banished me when Zaki came to it and chose me. My village had forbidden bonding with dragons ever since it was attacked by the Black Dragon Clan. Haven't you all been banished?" Malika asked.

"No." said Set. "I was kidnapped by Stefan and forced to serve him." The others also shook their heads.

"Stefan is evil. And if you serve him, you are evil." Minerva said.

"But he has been nothing but kind to me." Malika objected.

"Perhaps I should show you why Stefan is my enemy." Sophia said. She gently placed a hand on Malika's temple.

Malika found herself in a room with staircases going several directions. Sophia was walking upside down on a staircase above Malika.

"Each of these stairs leads to a memory." Sophia explained. "Let's take that one." She pointed to a staircase that spiraled right.

Malika followed her. When they arrived at the door, it was locked.

Sophia said "Now why is this one locked?" She placed a hand on the lock.

Malika was astonished. She was now standing in her village. People were walking and talking with their dragons. Then she saw herself as a child. She was walking with her parents arm in arm, her mouth in a perpetual giggle.

Then a swarm of Black Dragons descended. A man who was their leader leapt off his Black Dragon and killed her parents. The man was Stefan.

"No! This is a lie!" Malika wept.

"It is not. I am incapable of lying." Sophia said. "These memories were hidden from you. Look in that door."

Another door opened. She saw herself banished because of her bond with Zaki. She saw Stefan take her in. She saw herself drink an elixir.

"When you drank that elixir, it locked the door to your childhood. I have broken its spell. You now know the truth once more."

The room disappeared. Malika was now returned to the forest.

"You have a decision." said Minerva. "Will you continue to serve your parents' murderer? Or will you serve righteousness?"

Malika realized she could no longer serve Stefan. She said to Sophia, "No more. I shall serve you. What is your name?"

"I am Lady Sophia, and this is my dragon, Minerva. Welcome. And what are your names?" Sophia asked.

"I am Malika. And this is Zaki." Malika introduced herself.

As the other children introduced themselves to Malika, a dark-skinned woman with white hair and aquamarine eyes approached Sophia. This was Elena, the Rain Sage. She was a lifelong ally of Sophia.

"You have allowed two servants of Stefan into your resistance." she said and pointed at Saiyune. "That one has a darkness inside her. Do you not remember the words of your mother? That one would betray you?"

"It is a risk I must take." Sophia said.

"Then you are a fool." Elena shook her head.

"Who is more foolish, Elena? The fool, or the one who follows the fool?" Sophia challenged.