The Ghost of A Dragon's Touch

The Leaves Fall From the Tree...

Upon the sleepy hollowed hills, there rests a dragon old. She brings the light and the dark, night and day. Her wings are of feather and her tongue is of man. She speaks in a voice so tender, than any brute falls in love at her paws. She lies in her nest of golden twine, her head to the sky. Beneath her, her paws shelter a boy. He has traveled far to see the dragon, and he grew weak as time went by.

Now, as the sun rests upon the horizon, the boy speaks softly to the dragon. She listens with a kind ear as his voice faded into silence. She rose her head to the twilight sky and let loose a solemn roar. Down her cheek rolled a single tear. Once it left her skin, it transformed. On the ground below, a golden whistle dropped into her nest.

She picked it up and strung it on a piece of her golden twine. Around her neck it stayed. Until another boy found her...

---

Ghost woke with a start, gasping for breath. Thunder rolled in a distant echo outside, Ghost's breathing leveling out. He glanced around his room, the candles having been blown out by a heavy draft. Calmly, he rose to his feet and lit each one. His room glew with a golden light.

Satisfied, he turned toward his door. Underneath, shadows could be seen moving about. He grew still, slinking silently toward the door until he was close enough to hear voices.

"We can't keep him here any longer! He may not be causing this intentionally, but his father knows he's here! This storm isn't natural and you know it-"

"Calm yourself, General. I understand if his father is coming, but you don't need to panic. We can take care of this."

The General gave a huff, "I won't wait any longer, Yuuval. Either you let me take him, or you train him."

"I will train him either way. You can't make him leave."

Ghost opened the door, a stern look on his face, "No, you can't."

The General scowled at him in disgust, "Do you know what you've caused, boy?" he asked, his face in Ghost's. Ghost stood sentient, a calm, stern look still plastered to his face, "Your father is on his way and I'll be damned if you don't leave or defend this temple-"

"I'm planning on it, sir. There's no reason for you to kick me out of the place I've called home for years. Just because my father has decided to finally come looking for me."

The General rose his hand to smack Ghost, Ghost's reflexes kicking in. His hand shot up and caught the General's, his face contorting in pain.

"R-release me!" and Ghost did, unlocking his fingers to free the man's wrist. Instantly, the General held it close to him. "I want him trained by the end of the month. Otherwise, I'll kill him." and he turned and left briskly.

The Eldest turned on Ghost, "What were you thinking? You could've gotten yourself killed!"

"Better that than having been kicked out of my home."

Instantly, he was grabbed by the ear and drug through the temple. The Eldest released him in the main chamber, most of the chamber dark. Ghost knelt at the base of the altar, ashamed of his comment.

"Do you know what She has done for you?" Yuuval asked, pointing to the statue of the Light dragon.

"She has protected me..." Ghost mumbled.

"She has practically raised you! Her spirit is part of yours, did you know that?" Ghost hung his head, "She has done everything in her power to keep you alive and well, and yet you disrespect Her name just to silence the General." the Eldest spat the General's name like venom, pacing behind Ghost as he ranted.