DragonChild Part I

Bearing down

The parched lips of my earth

My Queen

Purse slightly

Begging of liquid

The plea is unheard

Burning within a lake of fire

The arms, the hands

They are consumed

The screams echo throughout

Valleys tremble

Soil and stone shaken loose

Dust settles at the crest

Obscuring the face

Within the fire

Only the eyes burn brighter

Volumes are spoken within

Power of the ancients is called

With slitted eyes

She breaks away

Seething rage

Rips away the ash

Life scurries hurriedly

The enemy cowers in fear

Mother lives

Queen is born

Wing to foot

All bow to her presence

Turning to the Kingdom

She towers above Candlekind

Protecting child

Weight of her eyes

Felt throughout the region

Her fury burning the treetops

Heat of the darkest depths

Boiling the waters

Scourging crops

Sending the people into a frenzy

Calling for her death

One must step forth

The king bows his head

Shamed by his fear

Knowing the lore

The gods await

His son looks away

Through the window

Where light still has a home

And sees the future

As if happening before him

To save face and family name

Honor

Pride of his centuries

Calling to him, firing his blood

Donning thin plate

Blessed by court mages

Father looks on, son looks down

Drawing his wicked

Steel glinting boldly

Prepares himself mentally

Mounting muscle-hewn steed

Riding with purpose

The hope of the people

The pride of the King

Into blackened summer sky

Brilliant silver and gold

Against the dankest of backdrops

Dust behind him

Death before him

Glory surrounds

Kissing him madly

Throes of expectations

Tempered by knowing

Absence of life disconcerting

Vow to replenish, to rebuild

His inheritance in his own hand

It should be no other way

Smoke envelopes him

As he passes from light to dark

Misted ash falling from his armor

Sword raised high

The scream of a thousand warriors

Bellows forth from the royal mouth

Dragon eyes scan the black horizon

Expecting the armies of the king

Snorting in disgust at the lone man

Riding furiously from the distance

Cast of mages skirt the perimeter

Fearful for their master’s life

Suspicious their magic is insufficient

The power of White Candle not called

For so very long

Recent memories fail

Fright clouds mind

Yet the candle burns

Sending symphony

Blending the voice of the Royal Saviour

The circle of magic hints at memory

Dragon Queen hesitates

Fear of her own nipping her fire

Memories of the ancient ways

Envelope her fury

Quell the deep fires

Look at the screaming madman

Cresting the hilltop

Sword raised with the expectation

Of her spilt blood

The annals of Draconian fill her mind

The art of Krylindia paralyzes her

Massive frame, if for a moment

She turns to her son

Peering from the mouth of the cave

Warning to stay within

To escape if harm comes her way

The mouth of the mountain

Shall beckon

Roaring fire at her death

Ride that flame to safety

Seek thy father

The smallish dragon nods

Fear-stricken

Crawling back into the darkness

Only his eyes visible in the black

Seeing mother rear up

Wings spread, bellowing bravery

And the horseman spurs forward

Thick clouds billowing behind

Flashes and claps resounding

In time with the horse’s pace

Chanting of mages harmonize symphony

Burning the Candle brighter

Eating into the darkness

Illuminating her monstrosity

Gold-encrusted scales

Layered about her thick chest and torso

Three pronged tail with protruding spikes

Sharpened horns running the spine

Claws longer than a man

Hooked viciously

Long, bony, beautiful wings

Strewn with jewels

Leathery skin about them

Attached to her long graceful neck

Supportive of the royal head

Emerald eyes, long flared snout

Sword-like horns

Decorating the perimeter of her skull

Each tipped in diamond

Forked tongue to control her fire

Massive jaws lined with equal fangs

For a moment, mages and horseman

Hesitate, awestruck at her majesty

Framed by the smoking, black Mountain behind her

The candle lowers

Symphony pauses

From the castle of the King

Scribes study furiously

Trying to understand

What is her significance

Why now

The alignment of the heavens

Curse of the gods

Nature’s disaster

First born, only son at risk

With the music stopped

One sees

Clutching his hair with surprise

Wonderment

For clearly stated are the bloodlines

The King nods understanding

Silencing his servant

Let the drama play

Tear in eyes

His end is near

Hope for his kingdom

His son

Clutching his wife

They drink

The cup of their ancestors

Spirit mixing with blood

They splay over the family crescent

Wrapped within each other’s arms

To make love one last time

Smile of the gods purging their fear

The heat of their passion

Cooling as they expire

Lifting her soul to the platinum throne

Warmed by the light of the White Candle

Where she awaits her husband

The king has one last responsibility

Only possible in death

The hands of his gods

Lead him

His son awaits at the peak

The last hilltop before the clash

Horse stamping at blackened ground

Hooves cracking the surrounding earth

Symphony begins again

Chant of mages mixing

With the roar of the dragon

Her eyes wide with anticipation, fear

The legend lives

Writ of the prophets

Demanding satisfaction

She stands again

Tall and proud

Releasing streams of fire

Warning the royal her death

Will come at a heavy price

Prince nods his understanding

Watching her vertical ascent

Top of the heavens caress her wings

Clouds parting

Allowing passage and vision

The descent begins

Winds swirling behind

Mount rears one last time

Echoing his master’s impatience

Music and chant building a mighty crescendo

Lightning from above illuminating

Glowing prey

Soul of the father

And all ancestors before

Jolt his body

As the hands of the gods

Place within him

The heart and history of the kingdom

Pieces of his father’s soul

Meshing with his

Ancestors taking their place within him

Clasping hands

They bear down on his mind

Showing him the way of the ancients

The time of dragon rule

To man’s dominance

When the winged creatures helped man

To rule nature and himself justly

Displaying the true royalty

Of a time when man and dragon

Oversaw the same throne

Brood of the Draconian line

Flame of the White Candle

Kept alive by their love

Their children

Now the time has come again

When both shall entwine

A time when death is imminent

Or through faith and trust

A great love shall be born

The candle shall burn brightest

Warming the land, the crops

The people

Engendering a millennium of peace

Through a time of war

Where the Dark Candle

Shall come to light

In a haze of red

Silhouetted by the crest of al-Ahkbar

Dragon son of the last male

At these crossroads does prophecy end

It is yours to write my son

Tears streaming his face

Understanding flows through him

The dreams of his blood

Flooding his heart

He drops his steel to the ground

Raising his arms as if to embrace

The screaming death

Plunging towards him

Father is lifted to his rightful place

Next to Queen

Embraced by the gods

He has done well

Honorably

Having earned the respect of his peers

Throughout the land and the heavens

Now he watches his son

Hears him voice the words

Draconian writ, Draconian Lore

Sacrificial in his pose

Mount steady

Pointed death approaching

She is confused

Images of Krylindia haunt her

His posture disarming

Sword on the ground

The music touching her

Chants pulsing her ears

Stroking her memories

And she remembers

*******

DragonChild Part II

Slowing her descent to a flapping hover

She eyes the Prince Knight warily

She circles him slowly

Small flames burning the air

Reaching down he grabs his sword

Nostrils flaring she heats the ground

Unfazed he holds it by the blade

Showing the hilt, opening his trust

Her eyes soften

Her heart begins to blossom

Their love has just begun

He smiles with this knowing

As does father and those about him

The lore weaves its web

Engaging them both

The candle throws its light

Kingdom sees them clearly

She takes hold of the sword

Righting it

Handing the hilt to him

A king should not be without weapon

He smiles further at this

A king should also not be without Queen

I am Dranithia of Draconia

And you are my King

With this, she lands softly, next to him

Wings outstretched, eyes never leaving him

Chanting the words of Arivel

Last of the human Dragon Queens

Images and words become her

Leaving a golden-haired beauty

Of unequaled shape and form

Voice of bells and running streams

Skin of purest milk

Eyes of greenest leaf

Mother Earth embodied

Arms reach out to receive lover

White Magic shall touch the Light

The Dark rears its ugly face

Anticipation of this calamity

Besieging its ire

Firing its wrath

Their embrace shatters the existing light

Devouring it temporarily

Imbuing the land with its intensity

The new light shedding growth upon it

Tree and plant

Animal and offspring

Benefiting of its nourishment

Waking the black clouds

Parting for golden rain

Wetting but not drenching

And the kingdom rejoices

The voice of their new Queen

Lifting their spirits

She sings the songs of Arivel

Their image together reflecting in the lakes

This is a new age

Only those in the Heavens know better

King and Queen of old

Grasp each other's hand

Knowing the truest test awaits their son

Newly crowned King of the White Candle

Katarian el Kabar

For the Dragon of the Dark

Will amass the largest force

Seen within known history

All shall suffer through the Kingdom

Begging the question

Whose light shall shadow the Land

The face and form of al Ahkbar

Silhouettes that of new King & Queen

In the mirrors of the lakes

And the bowl of the sky

Blinded by the Light

Son of the Dragon Queen

Sees not his mother

Only that of a human female

Thinking her vanquished

Takes wing

To the heart of the mountains

Soaring through fiery columns

To the south

Where father awaits

Tasting of vengeance

Knowing he yet too young

But a time will come

May it arrive soon

His flight is witnessed by many

Crossing the image of his Father

Heading to the Mountains of Xylanaxia

The winds moan their grief

As the light tempers itself

King & Dragon Queen

Hold one another

Relishing within their dream

Withholding the nightmare that awaits

Falling to the bedded lawn

Loving one another

To the heartbeat of the land

Good light pressing the dark

Screams of revenge

Emanate the southern regions

As the seed of the kingdom passes

Passion of the Queen

Gripping her former mate

Shredding black heart

His love

His adoration

Mired, poisoned by his rage

The earth trembles with his anger and his loss

For what will a dragon not do for love

Envy not the creature who has never loved

For that one has not known

The tearing of the heart

To be ripped asunder in the deepest anguishes

Of such rages of despair

The winds echo his screams

The waters run from his stream

Of poisoned tears

And he bellows

With the force of his ancestors

Calling to his allies

Banding whole

Massing at the mouth

Of the Dreggian River

Where they drink

Of the master’s blood

Eating the flesh of young maidens

Reveling in their debauchery

Reliving the darkest age

Of al Ahkbar’s ancestors

His massive form

Shadowing the south

His minions

Holding forth cups in salute

The Dark One

Shall be victorious

The gift of his love

Not to be discarded lightly

For that of human royalty

Damn the legends of Arivel

The lore of Draconian

Shall come to bear

On those of White Candle

And the people of Arinathal

Seas surge and fall again

The winds carry

The celebration of the Dark

The waters are polluted

Making their way to Lake Arina

Life Waters of Arinathal

That which tempers

The Flame of White Candle

And the heavens weep

Tears of the Ladies unstopped

Wrath of the Lords thundering

Their blades in heaven drawn

Beseeching the Dark Dragon

Stay thy fury

Spare the Land

The laughter of Al Ahkbar

Resounding in their ears

Presenting his under belly

To the sky

I dare your heavens to strike me

Allow my blood to wash the lands

Nay, I beseech thee

Slice me wide

Allow my offspring to germinate

Within every woman of the Kingdom

Then shall you and yours know

True sorrow

The Lords sheathe swords as one

Knowing the lore

Only human hand

May blight Dark Candle

Or might the blood of both kind

Mingle to the benefit of evil

Then shall our age end

Our history meaningless

Allow the course to be driven

Only by human hand

Laughter once again

Blood taints their vision

Banding together

All energies are focused

Katarian hears them gently

Pushing his Queen away

Both flush with their love

The voice of al Ahkbar threatening

To drown the symphony

Of the Candle

And the song of the Lords

Is joined by that of the Ladies

Punishing al Ahkbar

Spinning in flight

Dizzied by the moment

Strength of the Light

The face of Katarian haunting him

Dragon song of his Queen

Punishing him further

Dragging him down

To the hardened earth

The gods lean forward

With anticipation

Think Katarian

Doom him now

Thy strength is great

Drag him to the Lake of Fires

Burn his corpse

Beyond Hell’s gate

The black dragon flaps useless wings

As Katarian pushes mightily

Force of the candle lifting him

Dragon song winging

His heavily muscled structure

Blood of his queen

Now his own

Taking the air beneath his wings

Sword drawn

Intent on taking the head

The dark one shall not harm

That which is his own

Alas, he sees not Dragon son

Crashing into his back

As sword arm falls

Missing by hairsbreadth

He spins to attack

To see son of the dragon

Help Father right himself

The Dark one stares deeply at Katarian

Soul searching soul

Of equal strength

Of equal resolve

They nod

Tantamount to respect

The wordless challenge heard throughout

Kingdom and Heavens

People bowing their heads with grief

The gods nod in agreement

Hope of the vanquished struggle

Torn from their dreams

Lord and Lady of old

Hear the command

As it shall be

The twain

Must clash amongst the people

The Great Purge shall commence

Son shall meet son

May our daughters be protected

The seed of the Dark

Must never touch their womb

For then

Shall we blight the Land

Rather than allow

The age of the Dark Dragon begin

As it shall be

It shall never be

*******

DragonChild Part III

Of great love

Is born a daughter Kalandra

Fair and true to mother

Strong with the power of the Land

Seen in eyes of gold

Whitish aura surrounding child

Cries of the child

Like a wailing wind

A wind that torments Al Ahkbar

As they blow from the North

Fresh with the Light

Tears of the child

Feed the rivers

Purifying his poison

Weakening his troops

Calling to question

His ability to overthrow Katarian

His will to rule Arinathal

Many the carcasses of his dissenters

Line the mouth of the Dreggian river

The mumbling ceases

Yet, the power of the White Candle strengthens

As the life of Kalandra lengthens

She becomes one with the Light

One with her lore

Her ancestry

Through her

The heavens guide

Katarian and Dranithia

To rule and protect

Fostering the love

And the loyalty of the people

Men throughout the region

Heed the call of their King

Proud to serve

Willing to train

Anticipation of battle whetting their senses

Katarian walks among them

Sharing his experience

His touch

Each man flush

With his intense power

Shadow of his Queen

Cools their impatience

Relaying the strengths and weaknesses

Of their enemy

Her wisdom lending them

Necessary maturity

Her beauty must never be tarnished

The ugliness of al Ahkbar

Shall not prevail

Yet he mounts the women of his domain

Searching for those that can

Breed him a son

Throwing the useless to his minions

To do with as they please

Protecting those who

Swell with child

News of this reaches Katarian

Calling for a council of war

Between himself and the Dark one

The dismay of the High Council

Is echoed by the Mages of the Candle

Dranithia consults the Book of the Lore

To see the words fade

As she opens the cover

Voice of his father reminds

It is yours to write my son

Kalandra’s distress evident

She whisper to the Flame

Hearing only the wind

Causing her screams

To bounce among the castle parapets

Begging she pleads to her father

Who holds her

As if for the last time

There shall be war among the people

Or between ourselves

Sparing the lives of all within the Kingdom

I choose the latter

With a kiss upon the brow

He turns to leave

Dranithia catches him

Speaking of al Ahkbar’s need

His plate of vengeance is enormous

Ambition boundless

Tread carefully my husband

She watches with brimming eyes

As her King and escorts

Vanish into the Arinithian Forest

Heading south

To the Circle of Eldrick

Where magic is made useless

Absorbed by Elven elders

Allowing a fair meeting of mind and body

Her heart heavy with worry

Knowing full well

The treachery of her former mate

She turns to face Kalandra

Who enters the open embrace

Crying the tears of a child

Longing to hear father’s voice

Forgetful she is heir to the Kingdom

Last of her dragon-kind

The power of Arivel unleashed within her

She looks to the sky

Begging askance of the Lords & Ladies

Why this silence?

When I need you most

Sensing before seeing the grey mist

Rolling over the forest tops

Pushing the Light away

Creeping into every window and open door

Clouding the minds of the people

Dranithia warns her daughter

Take wing

Fly to the Circle

This reeks of Ahkbar

With a look of knowing

No hint of argument

She heeds the command

Flying south

She witnesses the soldiers

Laying weapon down

Overcome with sleep

Visions of the Dark dragon

Wooing their lust

Sipping at their ambition

Stunned by this turn

Her eyes misting with enraged tears

She does not see al Ahkbar and his son

As they swoop from above and below

Come, my child, meet your brethren

Khabar, last of the male Draconian line

As are you the last female

Together shall you usher in

The Final Rule of the Dragon

And your progeny shall reign forever more

Struggling within the arms his son

She spits at him

Coldly stating never

Never shall she succumb

Never shall she mate

Never shall she bear child

For this sin against our Land

Better to ripped in twain

And spare the frustration

Khabar’s hands caress her breasts

As the Dark Dragon smiles

Then you shall know the meaning of pain

Suffer the people your father cherishes

Suffer the humiliation of your mother groveling

Begging like a whore to be mounted

And mount her I will

As will her son

She steels herself against the images

He thrusts at her

Seeing clearly his intent

Knowing that death is the only choice

As she reels with this acceptance

Her mother is dragged from the Castle

Bound like a slave

Brought to the foot of the Dragon

She killed many sire

But I present Queen Dranithia

The guards and commander step away

Ahkbar leans into her face

Your husband is a fool

Worrying over other’s daughters

When his own is the true prize

As with her daughter

She sees the mind of al Ahkbar

Knowing the her husband must prevail

Or all is lost

The gods will blight the land

Better for her and Kalandra to die

Let the men fight their useless war

Meaningless without the hope of a female

The humans shall survive

And the Lore will die

Let the
Flame perish

Better this than the Great Blight

And the Gods bow with respect

Nodding their agreement

Final in their resolve

True to the Lore

Kalandra hears the nodding of the gods

Ensnared within al Ahkbar’s trap

She rages against the nettings that bind

Calling upon her powers of the land

The grey mist clearing about her

Staring intently at the Dragon

Who smiles the smile of victory

Prize caught

His son shall mate her

Bearing the line of the new Draconians

And for a single moment

He revels

Dreaming his success

His stamp upon the Lore

But he is unaware

The Elven guard is warned

The distress of the Land caused by Kalandra

Shivering their spines

Calling Centaurian mounts

They ride with fury to Katarian

Meeting him before the Circle

Treachery is afoot

Their respect for him

Flooding his spirit

Fear for his wife and daughter

Tempered by the needed safety of the Flame

Turning towards White Candle

He screams warning of the danger sensed

Drawing his steel

He issues commands

For the forest reeks of death

As the minions of al Ahkbar

Stream towards his contingent

Mages call forth shields of protection

Elves and centaurs pulling bow

Katarian’s motion unstopped

Mowing down one after another

Elite guard rising to the battle

Inspired

By their King’s awesome display

Blood of their enemy

Painting red the forest floor

Body streaked with sweat and blood

Katarian spies the lead commander

Hacking his way towards him

Who kneels shamefully

Begging of mercy

The King looks to his guard

Seeing the eyes of men, elves and centaur alike

Open wide with surprise

As he takes the head with a mighty blow

For now the Kingdom knows

As the blood of the fallen leader

Washes their feet

None shall threaten this man

None shall threaten this land

Never shall the Flame be extinguished

His warning to al Ahkbar roaring

Across the winds to the North

Setting fire to the mind of the Dark Dragon

Sent reeling with the force of the pain

Knowing now that the struggle’s peak

Is at hand

He turns to the Castle

Wings unfurled, teeth bared

Fire streaming forth

Issuing warning to his former mate

He will use her and daughter

Against the human king

To break his will

Erode his resolve

His smile returns

As the Queen struggles weakly

Her fire exhausted

Her limbs useless

She seems broken

Head lolling to one side

Her bright markings

A stark contrast to the grayed land

As she Quietly awaits

The scales to tip

One way or another

Even the gods purse their lips

With bated breath

At the outcome of the struggle

Reluctant to act upon the Lore

But firm in their resolve

The Great Blight is at hand

They turn their eyes to Katarian

Whose head cocks sideways

As if listening to a distant sound

Finally nodding his head in agreement

He turns to his warriors

Making clear the intentions of their enemy

Mapping a plan for them and himself

And they realize

With sorrow in their hearts

That Katarian holds only

His queen and his kingdom above death

Not himself

With this knowing they stiffen their spines

As one

Screaming their loyalty

Their own resolve to protect

Their willingness to die

For King and Queen

For the Flame and the Land

Sword and bow raised in testament

Their purity of heart

Lightens the spirit of the heavens

Laying their smile upon them

Katarian flushes with their favor

Releasing his wings

Tears of pride tracing

The contours of his body

Tense with myriad emotions

As he raises his own sword

Staring at all men directly

He nods to one and all

Taking flight to the North

To his Queen

To his daughter

Who sees what her father sees

Through his eyes

She witnesses his love of the Land

His love of the people

Who rush out of their homes

Waving

Professing their own love

Pressing him with encouragement

They are tired of the wicked dreams

Forced upon them by the Dragon

Katarian spurs forward

Calling ahead to the Dark One

Daring al Ahkbar to meet him

To battle him close

No need for the soldiers of both camps

Opening wide the eyes of the Dragon

Surprise at the audacity of the human

Hesitant at the unknown

Sensed by the men around him

Known by Kalandra

Who screams of al Ahkbar’s fear

Struck down by Khabar

Who relishes images of her

In a similar pose

Upon his bed

Pleading for his lust

The men eye their leader warily

Again, questioning his right

Not willing to lose more

He quells his anger and his fear

Scanning his armies

Commanding

With a bow of obedience

He flies vertical to meet the King

To crush him swiftly

His soldiers taking heart

Moving northward

Advancing upon the Circle

Preparing to meet the onslaught

Katarian’s men pressing forward

Efficient of pace

Heavy of heart

The image of their King

Massive against the blackened sky

Wings unfurled

Roaring his protection

An image

As one

They wish to see again

*******

DragonChild Part IV

The dragons hurtle at one another

Swords drawn

Voices suddenly quiet

The only sound

The rush and the beat

Of mighty wings

Slapping the air

Fear does not exist

Only intent

From below

Khabar is amazed

At Katarian’s transformation

Realizing the blood of the Queen

His mother

And its effect upon him

The men look up

Seeing the two shapes closing

The gods and elders look down

Cupping their hands around the Flame

To protect it

For the clash of the dragons

Shakes the firmament

Dropping the sky

Lightning flashing in a sphere about them

And the heavens drop

As the tears of the gods

Fall from the sky

Putting out the fires

And the men that they alit

The soldiers scatter

Leaving the Dragon women

Stunned and alone

Kalandra sees the advance

Of the Elven guard

Sees with her mind’s eye

The Lords above

Protecting the Flame
Trembling with fear of the Blight

Through her father’s eyes

The beauty and ferocity

Of al Ahkbar, the Dark

As one do all stare

At the War of the Land

The calamitous storm raging

Strengthened by their clash of arms

Blood of both dragons

Falling to the earth

Fires anew at the impact

Taking down tree and man

Their roars blowing great winds

Fanning further flame

That struggle against the tears from above

The dark forces rush blindly

To the raised swords and drawn bows

Of the forces of the Flame

Blood runs to the mouth of the Dreggian

Steam and fog rise to the call

Khabar strains to gather

His father’s men

But they are beyond hope

And small now in number

He turns his eyes upward again

Knowing coursing through him

The king must perish

For all they have planned

Will be lost

The gods draw breath

The lords and ladies aghast

Khabar approaches the two women

Sword drawn

Teeth bared

Katarian heeds the warning

Swooping down

Away from the relentless attack

Screaming the names

Of wife and daughter

Wiping his brow of blood

To throw at his women’s enemy

Dranithia turns to her son

Daring him to strike her down

Son to mother

Would you perish in the Dank of the Lore

For the pettiness of your Father

For his greed

For his lust

Khabar’s smile begins to fade

Looking deeply at his mother

Her beauty

Her purity

Coursing through him

The litany of his Father

Drumming his head

The uselessness

The waste of life

The truth of the Lore

The deception of his Father

The damnation of the Land

The fear of the people

The dragon song of old

Streams froth of his lips

Echoed by Kalandra

Her eyes wide

Her scales glistening

Dranithia joins chorus

And the Flame begins to strengthen

Standing strong and upright

That the gods must remove cupped hands

The Dark one screams in rage

His power dispersing with rise of the Flame

The chorus of their voices

His blood falls about the Dragons

Strengthening their song

The flame bursts brighter

Engulfing the land

Men, women and dragon

Purifying all it touches

Ahkbar pleads for mercy

For all can see

The Hall of the Dragon

Its doors opening the sky

The hands of the Dragon Lords

Reaching from within

Clutching his throat

Stemming his fire

Snapping his life

Swallowing his spirit

Ahkbar opens his chest

To Katarian’s sword

Do it now my brother

Allow the Lore

To find its rightful place

Sword humming with dragon song

Katarian strikes with tears flowing

The wound glowing red

Showering King with crimson rain

The lords release their hold

Discarding his carcass

Fall crashing to the Land

Katarian calls swiftly

Sing and fly

And the 3 dragons take his wing

Streaming past the falling body

Their song giving a streaming wraith

Guiding al Ahkbar to his place

The dragons meet high above

Circling above the dust

Protected from

The shattering earth

As the mother swallows its child

And weeps

Its final Song of Mourning

Blending with the Song of the Dragon

Pleading its son’s spirit

The hearts of the dragons

Beating madly

Keeping their frantic pace

Dropping lower and lower

To define the chasm of al Ahkbar

To be forever known

As the Dragon’s Circle

And the gods raise their hands

As the Candle resumes its whitish glow

Leaning forward as one

Blowing the breath of the Land

Through the burning of the Flame

To enrapture the Circle

And forever hold it in its light

To remind one

To remind all that may come

*******

Prologue