Rock laughed himself off his seat but still didn’t stop. Movement catches my attention and I see a figure walk down to us. For a split second I see a smile on the woman's face as she sees Rock rolling on the ground laughing.

She then looks directly at me with sadness in her eyes. A face like hers should never show sadness. Her skin is the perfect peach I have ever seen. Not one line shows on her perfect face. Her eyes portray knowledge and power tempered by compassion.

Her pure white hair flows to her waist and ruffles with a soft breeze, not felt. Each outline of her skin is smooth and subtle. Her movements flow smoother than silk.

The pure white dress accentuates her perfectly colored skin. The dress is simple but elegant. She is barefoot but not a mark can be seen on her sublime feet. There is no comparison to her beauty.

Without knowing why I say, “Elisa.”

A lone tear falls from her watery eyes. “Balthore,”

I hear the name and feel a pang of acknowledgment from somewhere I am incapable of comprehending. I can't help myself. I stand to face her and kneel on one leg and bow, “My lady.”

“Oh Jode I should bow to you. Rise, you can only insult me with such actions.” She says softly.

I stand confused, hearing my name brought me back. “I'm sorry ma'am I do not know what came over me.”

“Naturally not young Jode, but you will in time.” She says and flows to a seat next to her son, who I just realize is staring at me in awe.

She looks to Rock then Shade as she says, “Can you leave us alone please, we have a lot to talk about.”

“Okay mom, I want to talk to Oaky anyway.” They head off and Rock turns back just before going out of sight. “Are you okay mom?” he asks and she nods. Rock continues out of sight.

We look at each other in unison, “I never expected this day to come,” she says staring at me.

“I'm sorry ma'am, I am confused.” I say hoping not to insult her.

“I know you are. Time can be so cruel to the mind.” She says.

“I do not mean to insult, but why would I deserve a great lady like you to feel she should bow to me?”

“You may be young in form, but you are old in soul. Perhaps I should start at the beginning. I lived when humans and dragons were equals. Both our races lived in peace and prospered. Then that horrible day came when your elders chose curse over disgrace.

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It took one rogue to destroy a great nation. At a time humans surpassed most dragons in knowledge and compassion. Your race taught us much and we taught you much. One human with visions of grandeur destroyed you all. He proclaimed himself a God and bade all bow to him.

Your elders took only seconds to squelch him, but the damage was already done. His obsession spread. In desperation your elders could find no easy solution, but the final curse. I watched in horror as the curse destroyed and consumed all your people had created. A great cry of despair swept through my people.

Many chose oblivion to despair. One man almost destroyed two races. First humans then dragons. Only a few of us in the younger generation found the will to survive. I had you as my support.

Just as now, back then you were but a rebel. You never followed the quota. My son shows the same. You were one hundred years or more my age at the time, but you were always young at heart.

You evaded the curse somehow and found me in this world on the verge of oblivion. You refuse to let me go. I fought you, oh did I fight you. Your compassion and stamina surpassed mine even in my true form. You could hold me at bay with a single finger.

In time I accepted your help and even craved it. We grew together as one. But one day you come to me with tears saying the curse found you. How it could get you here we do not know. You swore me to life that I would not seek oblivion. I agreed eventually.

You told me of the curse that was cast. I did not find out till your last breath that the curse was yours. You created it in one day. The elders found out and forced you to reveal it. They would not listen to reason. They thought it would just block your race's magic but you knew better.

To block your ancient magic, it first had to destroy everything that was touched by it. You warned the dragons in secret. For you feared it might have destroyed us too.

After you died I refused to ever see another human ever, though you pleaded with me on your deathbed to never give up. I was sworn by life not to seek oblivion, but I never swore to help humans. Even after I heard your race was flourishing again I would not open that wound again.

Then I heard of you and it brought back a dream I had of you. You came to me and said you were sorry. You refuse to tell me why. You took me back to the great city in my dream. You showed me the joy I used to have. At the end of the dream you apologized again and told me to watch for you.

I then checked out the nightwalks of Moon and his kin. It was then that I realized what you apologized for. Your ancient curse and the Salem cursed linked. The chain reaction of them both doomed your race to magic oblivion. Only the strongest of the strong could evade the curse. And you are the strongest of your race.

Your race can never be stopped, but it can be hindered. In you lies the answer to your peoples future. I will answer any questions you have and help in any way. Though in you lies a possibility to see my old friends again.”

I stare at her blankly, unable to even think. I hear the father in a daze say, “Seeker I need to talk with you alone please.”

“Of course my dear. I will let you ponder a while and will be back, Jode.” she says and I hear tears in her voice, but can't focus to see clearly. I realize that I have been crying too.

“Okay,” I hear myself say, but do not feel it was me.

I hear them walk off into the distance. I’m thinking this is all wrong, they have the wrong man. I can't be this man she describes. I may be out of control sometimes, but I could never counter laws. I can't even start a fire without help. How could I have created the ultimate curse?