SKY OF PAPER: AN ASIAN STEAMPUNK FANTASY

CHAPTER 5

 

I dreamed that night.

It was the same dream I had while in Rune.

The same dragon appeared and blew fire into the sky just like before, except this time, he lowered his massive head and looked at me with solemn eyes. He dipped his head towards me until his massive nostrils were close enough to exhale gusts of hot air into my face. He whimpered as if he had been injured.

"Are you alright?" I called up to him.

He took a deep breath, then blew another gust of air into my face before he answered. "Everyone is going to forget about me. They will forget, and everything will end."

He opened his enormous jaw, then closed it shut, making a snapping sound louder than the loudest thunderclap. I closed my eyes and covered my ears as the ground shook like a restless ocean beneath me. The ghastly sound continued until I could no longer bear it. I cried out, afraid that the dragon had come to take my life.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in the temple dorms, panting and looking around frantically in the dark.

"Finally, you're awake."

I turned around and saw Han standing near the open door in the hallway, holding a lantern.

"I'm glad you’re roommate isn‘t here," he said. “If he’d heard you whimpering and yelling like that, he’d probably smother you with his pillow.”

"Was I really causing that much commotion?" I asked, still catching my breath.

"Yes, you were. I've been trying to wake you up, but you just seemed too infatuated with that nightmare of yours."

"Wake me up? Are we starting training already?"

"No, it's still too early for that. Master Ichiro wanted me to make sure you got up early today. Get dressed and meet me outside; and be sure to bring your tamma." He left the lantern in my room then slid the door closed, before making his way down the hallway.

I folded my bedding and put it in the closet. Before I slid the closet door shut, I made sure to take out the silk pouch which carried my tamma and tied it snuggly to my waist. Quietly, I made my way towards the entrance of the building, carrying the lantern with me. The winter flies greeted me outside, each one emitting an eerie blue glow as they flickered about. Han was waiting several paces ahead of me.

"Don't forget Terr," he said. "Your tamma is as important to you as a sword is to a warrior. At least that's what Master Ichiro told me yesterday. Make sure you carry it with you everywhere you go." I nodded. He looked down at the object tied at my waste, affirming that I‘d brought it.

"Now that you've woken me up Han. What is it you want?"

"I was told that you’re supposed to go to the River Temple today. You were assigned as the morning tea server to a person called, Master Lu."

I was confused at first, then I realized I had forgotten about the incident onboard the airship yesterday and about Master Lu’s punishment.

"The River Temple? I don't even know where that is."

"Neither do I," Han said with a sigh. "But Master Ichiro says, all you have to do is go to the stream, then follow it down the mountain. Eventually, you will come to the River Temple. He said to make sure that you come back before the hour of the dragon. You had better hurry Terr. Master Ichiro will be angry with me if I don't bring everyone to training on time."

"Fine. I‘ll be back as soon as I can."

I gave him a reassuring smile, but he seemed doubtful as he turned away and went back into the dorm.