Jasmine Vein
Jasmine Landed on one of the moss-covered plateaus that were so common in the west. The almost solid green structure had a stone platform at the top, and a small dwelling that contained a bed. One of her ancestors had the stone structures built, not only as a symbol of power for dragons, but also as a gift for the green dragons of the west. They had once been nice, men would climb to the top once a year, and polish the stone, clean the area, and make sure it was habitable.
Yet now the old empire was gone, and with it, went the funds that paid for the upkeep of these structures. The Plateaus themselves were unchanged, they had been there long before the keeps, but the keep itself was in ruins. Once Tristan climbed off her back, Jasmine changed her forms, and looked around, where the stone platform had once been solid, vines grew out of cracks. Entire stones where left lying around, more than likely brought her for repairs hundreds of years ago.
Tristan poked around the old ruins, “there’s an old bed here, but it’s not likely to be any good for sleep” the man called from the doorway of the old structure. “That’s fine we have sleeping bags, and tents,” she said digging in the pack she had carried as a dragon.
Once Tristan had grown bored of looking at the old ruins, he came, and began to work on setting up a fire. Using old firewood that was stored within the sleeping structure, wood that somehow hadn’t been to aged for a fire. Tristan began to set up the wood in an old stone bowl in the ground, likely built for that very purpose.
Once Tristan had fully set up the fireplace, and shot Jasmine an expectant look, she walked over touched the wood, which promptly burst into flame. Once Jasmine finished setting up their camp, whilst Tristan cooked their food, she sat at the flame, they ate a stew made from dried venison, and some vegetables. It wasn’t the most amazing thing she had ever eaten, nor was it as bad as some of the food she had eaten since leaving Farlen.
The two ate in silence, Jasmine eating more than Tristan, she had been flying all day, and needed the calories. If the old man was bothered by this, he did not show it, after her third bowl of the stew, she bent over the fire, allowing the warm smoke to warm her.
Tristan was the one to break the silence, he often was these days, she preferred her thought to be kept to herself. However, the old man was like a father to her, and she would not complain if he wished to speak with, especially considering where they were heading.
“It’s not too late Jas” the old man said looking up from the fire, and at her, she met his eyes. “Says the one who didn’t fly all day”, this produced a smile from the old fox, “aye that’s true” he replied. Tristan’s humorous eyes hardened then, “I know you told me not to bring it up again, but this is unwise” the older man said.
Jasmine winced at his words, she did not wish to argue, especially since the old man was likely correct. “I have to try Tristan, this is my best chance of stopping Kai” Jasmine said, though her tone was weak, she was tired.
Tristan nodded, but the look in his eyes did not change, “I know we are desperate, but there has to be a better way, the Green Dragons are likely to kill you, rather than join you” he said harshly. Jasmine knew he was not wrong, she didn’t know much about the Green Dragons, but they were a large military power.
Based on her reading she also read that the Green Dragons were the most peaceful of all the draconic families. As compared to the Red Dragons, who were likely to attack her as soon as she got near Blood Rock, on the volcanic islands, their ancestral home.
This was the second time they had stopped in their journey to the Green Mountain, the ancient home of the Green Dragon’s. Jasmine flew from the north, looking more silver, than gold now, and bigger. While she was not quite as big as Jad had been when she left, she was willing to bet she was larger than Kai.
Not that it mattered, he had Jad, and an army, Jasmine would not amount to much against the new Gold Empire. Jasmine’s hair had changed as well, still gold, there was a white mark in her hair, as if the mountains decided to leave her with a mark of their own.
Surprisingly Jasmine realized she missed the north, not as much as Farlen, but more than she thought she would. Jasmine hoped she would be able to go back, that she would survive this trip, that she would not land in her brother’s hands.
Tristan was still staring at her waiting for her to say something, she was tired though, of this argument, and of the flight. “Rather the Green’s than the Reds” she said simply, standing up, and moving towards the tents, “I need sleep we can discuss this tomorrow.” Tristan only nodded, however the scowl he wore told her this conversation was not over.
Jasmine didn’t take long to fall asleep, her dreams saw her a great silvery dragon, flying through the snowy peaks of the north. Jasmine felt the snowflakes around her turn to steam as they touched her hot scales, making her form look almost like a ghost.
Jasmine saw the kids of the villages she used to play with, her old friend the elder, who had passed away last year. All she saw she saw from the sky, all the people far below on the ground, so small they could be specks, however she saw them clearly, in a way that could only happen in a dream.
Then she saw a bolt of golden light strike the ground, and with it came a fiery explosion which overtook all the figures on the ground. Jasmine roared with anguish, and then turned to what had made the explosion, there she saw a small puny gold dragon, flying next to a dragon larger than any she had ever seen.
While one gold dragon was lackluster, small, and had to continuously flap to keep aloft, the other flew in place like it had been born to the sky. Jasmine’s father had been giant in his dragon form, and even he was smaller than the beast she saw ahead of her.
“Jad” the thought occurred to her, then as if the thought awakened something the dream shifted. Now she was seated in a golden seat, men were bowing to her, and she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked a saw Tristan, fully plated in his Relic armor, a solid silvery color, with a Fox helmet under his one arm.
Jasmine found herself in a courtroom, filled with an almost alien blue light, with gold banners, of a dragon filling the halls. Jasmine saw the material of the walls was a thick black stone, dark as stone, and seemingly ancient.
The man looked every bit like knight who had fought in wars, and inspired so many young squires, and soldiers. This was not Tristan, this was the Fox, she saw him smiling at her, and returned it with one of her own. Jasmine’s previous dream forgotten, when she turned back to the courtroom, there was a man facing her, the man was large, and muscular.
With long golden hair, and golden eyes, he looked like a king, he looked familiar as well, her brother she realized. “Jad” she though again, Jad bowed to her, with a smile on his face then he weirdly turned to her left. The man bowed again to someone else, only then did Jasmine realize there was another throne next to hers.
Next to her was a solid blue throne, with white veins racing up it, it seemed to glow faintly, and now that she had seen the throne, she could not unsee it. While her throne was a grand golden seat, with jewels inlaid into the top of the back rest of the chair, and by no means was not a beautiful seat. The chair she looked had a different kind of beauty, like staring at the lights that would appear over Farlen in the summers.
There was a man in the throne as well, he had long dark hair, the color of a northerner’s hair, and sharp features. However, his mouth was smiling it did not meet his eyes, the eyes were silver, almost glowing silver. Those eyes had a tragic twinge to them, as if they belonged to a tired old man, rather than a handsome king.
King he was, for on his head was a white crown, with a blue gem inlaid in the middle of it, but Jasmine felt her eyes constantly returning to his eyes. When the man looked at her, she saw the eyes light up, as if he had found a flame in the freezing cold. The man moved his hand out to touch her, his hands cupped her cheek, she was surprised to find them cold, not horribly so, but cold, nevertheless. The man spoke to her, but she did not hear the words that were said.
Jasmine jerked awake, she had woken first, something that rarely happened, she immediately began to take down their camp. Taking down their tents, and preparing some breakfast afterwards, when Tristan woke up, he had food already waiting for him.
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Triston smiled, said his thanks, and ate, another silent meal, after which she spoke first for once. “I know I’m taking a chance, but it’s a chance that has to be taken, the Green Dragons were loyal to the Golds for hundreds of years” she said looking at the man who listened silently.
“Kai is using my brother, sitting in my rightful throne, and killing in the name of our ancestors” Jasmine said with all the conviction she could muster. “I need to stop him, and to do that I have to take chances” she said trying to keep from flushing with embarrassment at her own speech.
Triston was silent for a while, and she turned back to her food, forcing herself to each more of it she would burn through it in the sky. When Triston spoke, and did so with a heavy sigh, “very well, if this is what you wish, I will just have to deal with it” the old man said.
Jasmine looked at him mildly shocked, she hadn’t expected him to accept what she said. She was so relieved she could have cried, “worst case scenario, I’ll just have to kill me some dragons” Triston said with a bright smile.
Jasmine gave a laugh, and an hour later they were in the air, they would not stop until they reached the green mountain. Once they saw the mountain in the distance, she heard Triston gasp, had she had the ability to do so she more than likely would have done the same.
The Green mountain was a mountain of green stone, with vines riding all the way up the giant stone mounds. It was extremely green, and at the base of the mountain was a huge city, colors were rampant in the city, gold, red, purple, all blurry from the distance. Yet Jasmine could not help but stare in awe at the multitude of colors in the city.
However, where buildings should have been where tents, and the only defense she could see was a wooden wall that surrounded the city, however there was no door that she could see. A few seconds later she saw the Emerald fortress, a castle of shining green rock.
Jasmine had read about the dragons’ homes, a fortress made of enchanted emerald, that shown bright. The book stated it to be the most beautiful castle in the world, and she could not help but agree with the author.
Jasmine saw the famed emerald staircase, that stretched down the length of the mountain, and she felt herself in awe at the sight. Wagons, and travelers below saw her, and pointed towards the sky however they did not run, nor shrink in fear like they did in the south.
To Jasmine surprise she saw children jumping, me clapping, it was so startling she didn’t notice the man jump off the green castle. Jasmine heard the roar of a dragon though, and she looked up, a giant green dragon flew out to her.
Jasmine had read about the Green Dragons as well, but she was shocked nevertheless, the dragon that flew towards her looked more like a snake than a dragon. The dragon was long, and had a face different form hers, with a set of whiskers under the dragon’s snout. The dragon twisted its body as it flew, like a snake slivers, and to her surprise she did not see any spikes on the dragon, nor any wings.
The Dragon flew out, landing on the ground at the base of the Green Mountain, where it curled up waiting. Jasmine, having studied the etiquette of the dragons, landed bowing her head to the dragon before her. Though she was shocked to realize the dragon was bigger than her, possibly larger than her brother Jad had been when she left.
The Green Dragons head was much larger than her own, and she knew that if she fought this dragon, she would lose. To her relieve however the dragon bowed his head back to her, and then proceeding with tradition transformed into her human form.
Jasmine transformed as well, after allowed Tristan to climb off her back, then she transformed into her human form. The woman looked to be ancient, with many wrinkles gracing her skin, all her hair had turned white.
The woman wore an elegant golden set of robes, which served to remind Jasmine that she was wearing travel wary clothes, that were brown not only from dirt, but also from age.
Jasmine realized the woman had glowing green eyes, and based on her own golden eyes, the woman would know she was a Vein. “Jasmine Vein if I’m not mistaken” the older woman said with a smile, Jasmine was shocked that the woman had recognized her.
“How did you- “Jasmine began to ask before the woman waved her off, “when you were a baby, I visited your father at Farlen, to see the future Empress.” The old woman said with a hard look at her. Jasmine hadn’t known that, but it wasn’t too uncommon for one to ask an elder dragon to bless their children. Though Jasmine always assumed that an elder golden dragon blessed them when they were young. “I am Loong Emerald, I speak for the Green Dragons”, she said with a bow, that Jasmine returned.
“I didn’t know” Jasmine said lamely, “did you bless my brother as well?” she asked curious as to her being called the empress. “Not nearly enough it seems” the old woman said with a snort of derision, and then she gave a shake of her head.
“Why are you here young one” the old lady asked, giving her a wary look. Jasmine realized that she was to give her practiced speech now, flustered she bowed low to the woman. “Elder, the Green and Golden dragons have been allies for centuries” she began until the woman’s snort interrupted her speech.
“You want an army, and dragons to match” the old woman said with a sarcastic tone, Jasmine felt her cheeks redden and she looked up at the older woman. “I need them, to stop my brother” Jasmine said defensively, not liking where this seemed to be going.
“To stop your hatchling king, and his army of southerners” Loong said with a chuckle. Jasmine noticed how she called him king, but said nothing, the old woman continued. “Your little king makes his war to the east, far from her” Loong said waving in the direction as if she could see it.
“Why would the west care about a threat so far away?” Loong asked peering at Jasmine with a gaze that seemed to see through her. Jasmine almost gulped, but she caught herself, “Once he conquers the east, he will come west, you have to see that by now” Jasmine said trying to sound confident in her own words.
“Kai is not stupid, black dragons to the east are not united, once he united the east he will head to the west, it will take time for his armies to reach you, but they will reach you” Jasmine said. The woman looked at her as if she were something to be studied, “you forget the Red dragons of the Volcanic Islands” the elder said.
“The volcanic islands are safe for now, Kai has little navy presence, which makes you the next target” Jasmine finished, she heard her hear beat thundering within her chest. The older woman thought for a while, “and you would have us fight for you, would you?” she said accusingly at Jasmine.
“I would have you fight with me, as allies” Jasmine said in a hopeful tone, the old woman was silent once again. “You will be welcome to join us as guests while we vote upon the matter, if you will come with me” said the old woman, then she turned around, transformed, and flew up to her fortress.
“Well then, that could have gone worse” Tristan said as she transformed, and he climbed onto her back, Jasmine was tempted to drop him on the flight up to the green castle.
Once they reached a green landing platform, and she had transformed back to a human she was greeted by men in sparkling green armor, she wondered if they ever go tired of green. Four people in golden robes stepped out, they all had dark hair, and sharp features like Loong.
Though their hands were covered, she was sure they all had relics, they had glowing green eyes, and they bowed to her when she had transformed back into her human shape. Though she noticed one of the golden robed individuals scowling harshly at her, the rest only gazed at her with curious eyes.
One man stepped forward, he wore blue robes, a stark contrast from all the green, and he had shining blue eyes. The man bowed, he had dark blue hair, and strange features, where he was from, she could not discern. When the man spoke, he did so with a flowery accent that was knew to her.
“Welcome, this is not my realm, however I am pleased to meet another with a dragon relic, you may call me Jasper Clane” the man said with a bow of his head that she returned. “I am Jasmine Vein, and the pleasure is mine, may I ask where you hail from?” Jasmine asked the man once she had straightened from her bow.
“I hail from the islands to the west, those you call the lawless islands,” Jasper said, “I am of the blue dragons of the sea” Jasper said revealing his ring. Jasmine felt shock course through her, from what she had read the blue dragons never came across the sea, she never thought she would meet one.
“You come far, may I ask what brings you” Jasmine asked her mind racing, if this man had a naval presence over the western sea, he would be invaluable in the wars to come. Jasper smiled, “you may ask, and one day I may even answer” he said, though he said it with kindness, and grace.
“I am Zhane Emerald; this is my sister Liana Emerald” the tallest one of the green dragons said stepping forward. “The last too are Jenna Emerald, and Liu Emerald, my younger sisters. Jasmine noticed that the older sister Liana seemed to be the only one looking at her with hostility.
“Please, right this way, we will show you to our guest quarters” Zhane continued with a bow before leading her through the entry into the palace. Jasmine was surprised to see that the inside was mainly a white marble, and though there was still a plentiful amount of green, she could see gold, and yellow ingrained into the marble.
The room they showed her too was a large one, with a window overlooking the beautiful western fields, she was however surprised to find a blood red tree in her room. Zhane must have caught her staring, for he smiled, “The blood trees, a gift from the volcano islands, we’ve grown them for hundreds of years” he said staring at the tree lovingly.
The tree was completely red, even the bark of the tree was a dark crimson, whilst the leaves were a light scarlet, the tree was beautiful, in the same way a sunset was. “It’s lovely” Jasmine said, still looking at the tree, “I’m glad its to your liking, we will show your guard to a room now” Zhane said turning towards Triston with a kind smile.
“Actually, if I could sleep in here, I would be much appreciative” Triston said, with the smile he so often wore on his face. If Zhane was bothered by this, or surprised he said nothing, “then we will have a bed brought” then he nodded to a servant who had been following them, the servant ran off without a word.
“I am sure you are wary from you long travels; we will leave you to your own devices, however we would like you to dine with us” Zhane said, his sister rolled her eyes, but said nothing. “Of course, we would love to join” Jasmine said, smiling her best smile she could back at the man.
“Wonderful, we shall have a servant show you the way when it is time” the man said bowing once, before leaving, his siblings followed.