“Have you accepted or denied what I have told you Jode?” she asks.

I look at her concerned, “I cannot deny nor accept that which I cannot prove to myself.” I say then add, “Sorry if I offend.”

“Wisdom should never be offensive, Jode. You taught me that at the first when I fought you.” She states calmly.

“Mom?” Rock asks perplexed.

She looks at Rock with passion, “Rock I have told you not everyone is privy to all. Let us keep this for ourselves for now.”

Rock bows his head, “Yes mother, forgive me.”

“In time my son you will have knowledge that you must keep to a few, then you will understand.” She says then turns to me.

“Of course mother,” he responds without raising his head.

“Do you have any questions Jode?” She asks.

“I think, but I can't seem to clear them up in my head. To start, can I ask how you know I am this person you say I am?”

“Legitimate question. Many have asked me the same question. I can only answer with a question. How does a mother know her child when lost for years. How does a friend recognize a friend through reincarnations? I can only say I just do.”

“Can you be sure in this state I will be able to correct that which has gone so awry?” I ask.

“No, but nothing can ever be sure. All of life is an unknown process. To expect or want certainty is only to cause your own defeat.”

“You have been alive so long, why do you think it took me so long to show up?” I ask, catching on the word me.

She talks without a reaction to my catch. “That I have no answer to. You once told me time is the bane, but it is also the key. You told me timing is everything. That is why time is linear and not circular.”

“Do you feel it a burden to be bound never to seek oblivion?” I ask with a shake in my tone.

“At first yes. I cursed your name for many cycles. But it was your own words that pulled me through. I now look forward to each new generation. Each shows promise of things yet to come. I have lived long past my race's time of transition and do not regret any of my history. Even if I live long past my children's transition I will continue to yearn to see the future.” she sounds sad and happy at the same time.

“How could I have ever been wiser than you?” I ask honestly.

A white aura starts at her and expands to encompass us all. It ends several feet beyond her. I can feel a peace encompass me along with an incorporeal hug. “Jode thank you I never would have expected to hear that from you. You once told me that wisdom is not gained through age, but through acceptance. My wisdom is dimmed by your true wisdom. One day I hope to learn from you again.”

“Mom!” Rock exclaims, “You have never shown your aura. Please excuse my impudence, but I am in awe.”

“My precious Rock. In time I hope you too will understand the arrogance of an aura. Strength and power do not lie in show but in knowing.” she says with a tone that could take the roughest day and make it a pleasure.

Her aura returns and the feelings of peace leaves a void that is almost scary. I watch as Rocks aura flickers and vanishes. He runs to her and hugs her with a strength that looks like it could crush steel.

“Mom I am so sorry I will never doubt again.” he says in tears. The light flickers off his tears to cause them to look golden. I look at the ground and realize he is crying gold. She wraps her arms around him.

“You are the one, son. I fear for you but am so proud. May your journey lead you far and wide and Jode's wisdom guide you.” she says.

Rock pulls away still in tears, “What?”

“Rock do you remember the words from the nightwalk about the three?”

“Yes everyone has been talking about it since Jode showed up,” he says as his tears slowly stop.

“A word was kept from all, but a few. It actually said, 'In an natural teacher lies the awakening, In the mage with no memory lies a key to the double weight only he can bear, and in a golden warrior lies the means to the source.” she says.

“I am sorry Star, I had hoped I was wrong.” we all turn except Star to see Moon floating toward us.

“I know, Moon. I had hoped for a short time, but I knew. I was told by a very wise man that with wisdom comes a burden only the wisest can fathom. An old prophet of our kind told me that I will grieve a loss of a loved one. I had thought I would grieve a death, but in death there is only transformation. I feel no true grief there now. But to lose a loved one to a life of fear and danger can only bring me grief.”

“But mom I could never leave you. I have dedicated myself to the defense.” he says again in tears.

Star cups her hands under her child's chin. “My dear and precious Rock we do not pick our fate it picks us. Your signature would not hold to the commitment. The defense thought it was a game you were playing on them.”

“No, never, I want to be in the defense. I have trained my whole life for it. Dad was so proud when I told him. He has trained me with my mentor.” A pile of liquid gold puddles at their feet.

“Your father is proud, but he fears for you. Why do you think he hates all humans? He knew one would take you from him. His prodigy that surpassed him.”

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Rock steps back and the tears instantly stop. Anger covers his face and his eyes go coal black, “No I will not go, My place is here.”

He jumps two stores into the sky and instantly becomes the most magnificent gold dragon I have ever seen. No movie or drawing can do them justice. I always thought dragons had wings, stout bodies, and long necks. But he was sleek and long. He moved more gracefully and deliberately than anyone could possibly imagine.

He turned to glare at me before he shot off. I thought I would see a Chinese dragon with long feathery appendages. But what I saw was a dragon similar to the ones drawn in American art. But the horns were sharper and more menacing. On his face were tiny scales instead of plates of large bone. The sun glinted off his gold scales look like pure touchable light beams.

When he shot off with a light beam trail and the sky was empty in just a few seconds. Even his trail takes no time to vanish into the horizon.

“He'll be fine. He has always had a temper.” Star says calmly.

“But I can't ask a child, even if he is older than me, to do something he doesn't want to do.” I say fearful.

“We cannot fight fate. She knows how to force you into things you thought you could never do.” Star responds.

“But what good is a resistant participant?” I ask .

Star smiles, “I was once very defiant and resistant. You never gave up on me. I ask you the same for my son.” she says.

“I would never give up on anyone, but defiance can breed carelessness.”

“Perhaps, but I have faith in you.” she says with a smile.

“Thank you ma'am. You have more then I have in myself.” I say.

“You were right my dear Jode. The tables always turn. Once directed all things return.”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

“When the table returns to you, you will understand.” she says slowly.

“Of course ma'am.” I say hesitantly.

“Please Jode, this formality does not become you. You once told me formality is for the weak. Many of my peers resent me for that statement. But you of all people should understand it.”

“Yes, but respect is also vital to any relationship.” I say in respect.

Star, burst out laughing and a chime can be heard in the air. I can feel the mountain themselves laughing with her. “Oh Jode you are still the same. Never without a counter. But so true.” she says.

I hear a loud sound in the distance of a thousand wings flapping. It grows louder and louder till everyone but Star looks nervously around. It hits a crescendo almost deafening, then stops and you can hear a pin drop. I hear footsteps all around us. Then I see wave upon wave of men, women, and children slowly walking to us from all directions.

All races, ages, and looks can be seen. They stop in a circle around us and kneel in respect. An older man of very advanced age walks in from somewhere in the back of the group. He stops in front of Star and says, “Lady Star Seeker, liver of many lives, we thank you for the blessing. May I be so bold as to ask you the source of your blessing?” the man's voice cracks as he talks.

Star nods to me. My eyes grow huge and I feel horror fill me. The man looks at me and bows, “The blessing will never be forgotten. May life always shine on you.” he then turns back to Star, “I ask your leave to harvest your bounty.” he says and Star nods.

He looks at me and bows again and vanishes. I watch as the first row of people bow and vanish, and the next group takes their place. They then bow and vanish, and it continues till all have bowed and vanished.

“May I ask what that was all about?” I ask.

Before anyone can answer Rock drops in the center of the circle. I again jerk back and fall off my stone seat, “Okay I need to get a crash helmet. I'm going to get a concussion or something.” I say.

Everyone turns to me and laughs. I know Star does too because even the mountains felt like it was laughing. “Great now even the mountain is laughing at me. Calling the seamstress I need the joker's outfit.” I say and have to chuckle.

I could feel a peace wash over me and knew her aura was out again. I get up and sit on the stone seat, “Okay what was the question I asked?” I say calmly as though nothing had occurred.

I sit and wait as the new wave of laughter starts. I can't understand why my actions tend to make people laugh, but I don't mind. I always prefer laughter to any other emotion. The laughter slowly dies and I watch Star’s aura slowly retreat back to her.

“Jode even in a new life you have not changed.” Star says with a smile.

Rock looks at me sympathetically then back to his mother, “I have never heard you laugh mom. Anyone who can do that deserves respect. I will do this for you mother, but no one else. Just let it be known I go begrudgingly.” he says sadly.

Star stands up and puts her hand on Rocks cheek. He nuzzles her hand as she says, “That will do for now. But I think you will find as I did, you can't help but love the man,” she says very softly.

“Awe shucks,” I say and act shy.

“Oh get over yourself,” Oaky says.

“I try, but for some strange reason my skin won't come off.” I say sarcastically.

“Jode,” Oaky says with that motherly retort. I shrug.

Star lowers her hand and looks at Rock, “See what I mean?” She says soft enough I had to strain to hear her. Rock nods.

“Oh yeah I remember,” I blurt and everyone jumps and looks at me, “What was that blessing thing all about?”

“You really are unpredictable aren't you?” Rock asks.

“Sure, I am predictable. If you think I won't do it I probably will and always expect the unexpected.” I say then look up sideways in thought, “Well at least that is what I have been told. I don't know though,” I say then look back at rock, “I don't really pay attention.”

Oaky slaps me on the shoulder, “Quit tormenting the poor lad.”

I pout, “Sorry,” I say.

“Oh dear life you are incorrigible.” Oaky sighs.

“He always has been Oaky. Along with his almost indestructible logic it can become annoying.” Star says dreamily.

“Thank you Mrs Star Seeker, someone who understands,” Oaky says and Star nods just barely perceptible.

“I think they just connected because of you Jode.” Shade of Night says floating out of a boulder.

“Yeah, I always get ganged up on.” I say humorously.

“As for your earlier question.” Shade says, “A dragon of Mrs Star Seeker’s age, has a connection to the land she calls home. Her emotions and actions are tied to it. She is the reason the town is so prosperous. She is what humans would call our mother earth.”

I look at Star in surprise as I hear myself say, “If I had only known,” I then come back to myself.

“Balthore you have blessed me more than you know,” She says and a couple of tears fall from her eyes and a light rain begins to fall.

Oaky looks to the sky and shivers. She then kneels and bows to Star, “Thank you Mrs. Star Seeker, it has been many years.”

“I may have started it Oaky, but Jode is the source. I hope one day you will understand what I mean,” Star replies.

Oaky rises, “I understand the source and repay it in my way, but you blessed me with a rain I have only felt as a child and you deserve as much respect.” Oaky says.

“So you do understand?” Star asks Oaky. Oaky nods and identical smiles grow on each woman's face.

“Oh come on, I know it is about me but I have no clue. Not fair.” I say.

Rock comes up to me and puts his hand on my shoulder, ”Give it up Jode, some things are not meant for us to understand.” he says.

I shrug, “Probably right,” I say and the two women smile even larger.