Shadow of the Dragon

Prologue: Jasmine

***All RIGHTS RESERVED***

"Oh Hark the mistress of the sun.

Oh Praise the keeper of the moon.

Hail the beast with wings a flame who forever holds the stars."

Jasmine listened, her eyelashes fluttering against closed eyes to the chanting of the Allura. Her heart thrummed to the rhythm.

"Bring forth the midnight sunrise.

Arise the Moon in day...

Forgive those who have forsaken thee.

They have been lead astray."

The sound enchanted her. Rising, Jasmine's little bare toes gently thudded against the wooden floor. Instinctively, they pointed to the window, and without knowing how, she was there, standing at the portal between captivity and freedom. Eyes still closed, she leaned into the song, the wind rustling her hair.

It was calling to her. Every cell in her body vibrated in excitement. Her blood pumped through her body with every breath, filling her veins with the sense of adventure. Completely ignoring the brand new silver shoes she had begged for just that morning, Jasmine crept out the window, cracked and weathered from the countless seasons rain, onto the wizened branches of her ancient, encouraging oak.

"Love us all and ignite our souls.

Oh giver of light and day.

Grant us what we all long but lost.

We, your children, the Fay.

Have us stay yours forever.

Help us face the world of fear.

Grant us strength in any weather.

And we will fight no matter the foe.

To protect which that you hold most dear."

Jasmine lifted her fingers into the moonlight, basking in the beams of liquid silver. Lifting her tiny body off the platform, she swung gracefully from branch to branch. Leaves whispered a greeting as she lowered herself to the ground.

"Jay?"

Jasmine froze, eyes wandering forward, tracing the closest tendrils of undergrowth beneath the arms of her wooded sisters. Her heart pounded as she prepared to make a run for the forest. So close. Glancing over her shoulder, she gauged the distance between them. Wisely, she released her rebellious nature in a single sigh. The distance was far enough for her to lose the race.

"Jay, what are you doing out here?"

The little girl's eyes roved to a solitary Moon Lilly fluttering silently.  "The Faeries are singing tonight, father." She whispered, here eyes filled with the innocence of the forest.

"I don't hear anything." He rumbled, a thorn in the midnight melody. "And you shouldn't either."

Jasmine turned towards this man, his shaggy beard and side burns obscuring his angery expression. He was like a bee buzzing persistently in her ear. "They're calling me. I can feel it." Her foot took a step forward all on its own, her other falling suit. "The Fay."

"I don't hear anything." He repeated, sternly. She listened to the harsh crunching beneath violent shoes, seven steps to reach her. "And you shouldn't either." Gently grabbing her hand, his voice softened. "The Forest is forbidden for a reason, daughter. It's not safe."

"But-" Jasmine hesitated. No words could translate the feeling she possessed, at least not to the simple man in front of her.

"But nothing, off to bed. It's way past sunset!"

He bent down until his face was even with hers.

"Never go to the forest again."

"But the Fay-"

Her father placed his hands upon her shoulders, steering her in the direction of her home. "Fay and humans are not meant to mix."

Jasmine frowned, "Then why do you attend the festival?"

"That is only concerning the chief and his merchants."

The little girl crossed her arms, her ebony skin shimmering beneath the moon, nearly full, like the tiny pearl around her slender neck. "I wish to see them!"

His eyes sparkled, indicating an affectionate smile. "Once you are of age, your mother and I shall take you, and you may meet the Fay, but until then, stay here, with your brother. For it is the village that should be calling you." He paused." Now, promise me, pet."

Jasmine glared at the floor as if all her problems were rooted underneath the wooden panels.

"Jay."

"Fine."

But even as she said it, her face turned to the night sky.

It was a promise she never intended to keep.