Creative Corner

Courtier Tales: Treasure

It was Easter and you somehow got conscripted into some sort of hunt. It was called the Hunt For Treasure. And it was said as if you should know what they were talking about while you were trying to figure out what they were talking about. In other words there was a major gap of understanding. However you were going to be joining it. However people were talking a bit strangely about the hunt saying things like "I wonder where Treasure will be," or "Well it is Treasure we are talking about." Stuff like that that made it seem like treasure was a living breathing thing. Luckily you managed to score a guide for Newbies of Treasure. Whatever that meant. Reading the book make a lot more things make sense. As it seemed that Treasure was actually a dragon. An imperial dragon at that.

The book also explained several of the guiding rules. Treasure was going to be picking out a place and she would leave clues to where she was her 'Treasure Eggs'. So it was a bit of a egg hunt in a left handed way. Apparently you could collect up to five Treasure Egg clues. And you were to use them to find Treasure. How you found her or not was to go to a central point and declare her location if she was there you got the grand prize. If she was not then you got the secondary prize. It was actually fairly straight forward all things said and done. However it was warned Treasure was a crafty dragon and not all clues were equal.

Well that solved the rules. Now it was time to get to the starting location to start the Hunt for Treasure. Soon you were off and not much later you found your first Treasure Egg. It had already been raided but as each egg contained different amounts of clues based on the quality of the egg clue there happened to be some left. It contained a piece of a map. You put it in your clue holding bag and soon were out finding another one. This one had not been raided already and contained only what appeared to be two dozen clues. That was good. It was a higher quality clue. You picked it up and it contained what appeared to be a small lantern toy about the size of an egg timer. So clearly you needed to find something that required a lantern in the area that the piece of map. That still covered a lot of space.

The third egg you found you passed up as it contained what appeared to be several hundred clues. The fourth egg was empty. The firth contained only two clues which meant that it had either been heavily raided or was a high quality clue. You took a piece. It contained a piece of paper saying "I love exploring...." and a list of several cave systems. Well that was good you already knew that Treasure was in a dark place and a couple of those cave systems were in the map. It also eliminated two cave systems though that still left five different cave systems to pick from. The sixth egg had your fourth clue with a space dozen clues inside it. Inside a little bag was souvenirs for three different cave systems. The final egg clue you took was a piece of rock. It otherwise would be unremarkable except that you knew that this rock with a couple crystals in it. It was unremarkable except it was only located in certain cave systems and only one of your shortened list was in it. You thought you had it solved now and went to the central point and declared where you thought Treasure was hiding. You hoped you were right. And in fact you were. Your prize was a little statue of Treasure made of various stones and crystals. It also had the date of the Hunt carved on it. It was a handy little thing and apparently you did great for your first hunt. Of course you knew a bit more then most from your job as a courtier. Overall you had fun. A lot of fun. And were thinking of a way to thank Draca for all the extra learning you had to make it possible. Now you had a more important issue.... where to put your statue of the Hunt for Treasure. n

Courtier Tales: CrackleTiger

Note this story occurs when CrackleTiger is a hatching.


It was your day off. And honestly you were not too sure on what you were going to do with yourself. You had been working a lot lately and when you were not working you were starting to find things to do. You were not sure if that meant that you were a workaholic or if that meant you were just given too many days of work. Either way it did not solve that you had no idea on what you should do. However what happened next was certainly not what she had planned.

You now realize that you had asked for ideas to the wrong person. Because now you got the lovely job of babysitting a baby dragon. It happened to be the child of the first job you took. In other words it was Epidemics' baby. So it seemed you were going to meet her again. Well she seemed nice enough last time you met her but that meant you had to deal with that bog again. However surely it would not be as hard the second time. Soon you were at the meeting point. And presented with CrackleTiger. You were a little startled to see that this was a tundra dragon. However you had to admit she clearly had the genes of her mother. CrackleTiger was well a lot like the name sake. Playful and powerful as a tiger cub and so energetic that the every air around her crackled with energy. She was already starting to wear you out and you had only been in charge of her for ten minutes. No wonder Epidemic wanted a babysitter for some mom time.

Half an hour later you had already exhausted three different ideas of games and about 5000 calories. You also had a lot more respect for mothers and teachers of young children. Anyone who elected to deal with that full time was either insane, a masochist, or had a hell of a lot more dedication for children then you would. Of course this was a baby tundra dragon so it would grow up a lot faster then a human child. However that might also mean that the dragon could end up with a hell of a lot more energy even if it was for a shorter duration of time. Somehow that theory did not seem convincing to you. Maybe because you had seen more then one human mother racing around all day to keep up with their child. However the dragon was still better then a human baby in some ways. They could at least talk at a young age. Though it was more telepathic then verbal.

A hour and a half later and it was all over and you were exhausted. Luckily CrackleTiger was taking a nap. And you had time to fortify yourself with food. However you had enjoyed yourself some as well. However you were not sure you were going to volunteer for this every time you had a day off. In fact you were fairly certain of that.

Courtier Tales: Anat

Today you were not working so you were wondering how you managed to be in search of yet another dragon. Let along a dragon so very far far away. It was going to take all three of your days off to find this dragon yet here you were doing it. All because of a favor you had promised to do for a friend. The dragon you were looking for was called Anat.... the picture you had been shown reminded you oddly of a crocodile. Which was strange considering this was a nocturnal dragon. And you had never known a crocodile to fly. Yet that was the strongest impression you got from Anat's picture. However you still had to go find this dragon, this Anat. Anat it seemed was a traveler or at least seemed to be one from the literature you had been given. The latest book was titled simply "Far Far Away, Travels of Beyond. It was filled with pictures and stories of places that were quite a distance away. The pictures were striking and mixed with them was sketches and stories about different people and cultures. And here you were going to a book signing for your friend. And all you got out of this was travel funds and dinner. This was seeming suspiciously like a job that Draca might be giving to you.

Well it was not like you had gotten out of it. And at least the book gave you something to read. And you found it was actually quite interesting this book called Far Far Away, Travels of Beyond. You were currently tucked in at night reading a story of a desert culture who rode on giant Lizards. And who treated water as more precious then blood, to be the most valuable thing that they had. Of course in a desert water was life. It was the thing that allowed food to be grown and people and animals to live. But it was amazing on how Anat captured that feeling. That reverence to water in the simple pictures, drawings, and stories. The words were not complex. The sentences were not overly long or intricate. Yet they seemed to perfectly capture the feeling and culture. Soon it seemed almost like you were there. And the smells and sounds of the world around you faded and twisted into the smells and sounds of the world of the tale. Of the desert people. As the words morphed into images that played before your eyes.

Finally you had to go to sleep and the next day you knew you would arrive to the book signing. And as you took a break you decided to read some more. This time you lost yourself into another series of tales. This one was about a different culture A jungle culture deep in the wildness of trees, plants, and rivers. Again you were drawn into the tale... the simple style captured the spirit of the people. Their wild spirit, the love for the hash wild land, the reverence for the power of water and their bone deep respect for the animals and trees. They also shared a powerful relation to water. Rivers were the roads in the jungle. They were the surest highways yet they were also like wild beasts willing to buck their banks and rage unchecked if the conditions were right. They showed an off love of color and a reverence to life that appealed to you. But what got you most is the name they gave Anat... Sky Crocodile. It seemed that you were not the only one who saw the connection. That pleased you in an odd way. Still it was time to go... you still had a ways to go. You carefully closed the book. And got back to the road. Soon you found where you could take public transportation the rest of the way there. That was a relief. As there was no way you could make it all on your feet. Also it meant you could read more.

Sure enough that is what you found yourself doing. Another chapter and another place Far Far Away from here. This time you were in a land of ice and snow. A place that water was usually in the solid variety. You smiled a little at the story of the playful antics of the children who still found now in the simple things even in such a harsh land. One picture made you smile. It was of a group of children playing with some dogs and a leather ball on a field of snow under a sky speckled with snow. You could almost hear the children laughing. A second picture showed those same children and dogs hauling firewood in sleds. Still laughing. Children were children no matter where they were. You think you could like this Anat. Or at least like her work.

Soon enough you were there and you gulped at the length of the line. However you soon found that there was two signing going on and Anat had a shorter line. It seemed not everyone was as taken by the work as your friend was. Or as well as you were. You already decided to buy the book for yourself as well. You soon were in line and as you waited you pondered the stories you had read. And a theme of the power of water. However your thoughts were interrupted as you now had to buy a book for yourself. And then faced the dragon in question. The feeling you had of you facing a crocodile still met you. However you also get this feeling that the crocodile in question is not dangerous to you, And in fact is smiling. You smile back and said "I enjoy your book Anat..... you are very good at capturing the people. I came to get my friends book signed but I am here to also get my own book signed. Anat smiled at you. "I am glad you like my work." She deftly moved to sign the books. "It is how I catalog my travels. I take pictures and write stories. To help make sure that I remember it. And so others can enjoy it as well." You agreed with that. And you took your two signed books and moved so the next person in line could have a short talk as they had their book signed. You smiled and said a silent farewell to the dragon. However you knew it would not be forever. No this was the parting of a person you would meet again. After all you were both travelers. And paths once separated could meet once again even if the meeting place was far far away.

Courtier Tales: ArcaneStar

Draca had another task for you. This one was not quite a job it was training. Something about integrating the mind and the body. Considering what happened last time you did something like that you were a little nervous. However Butterfly was not too bad right? Well it had been a little mind stretching and perhaps a little mind destroying but well it had been kinda nice to be seen as smart. Also you were informed that Butterfly was using your answers in a work that was going to be out on the shelves in the next moon cycle. And Butterfly promised you that she would sign a copy if you brought one by. So perhaps you were feeling in a pretty good mood about it now. However this task was about using the mind and body so perhaps you should be a little more nervous. Yet you were feeling just a touch cocky so you pushed that sense of warning aside.

Soon you were going to the location. The Cathedral of the MindSoulBody. You were a little curious on why there was no spaces in the last three words. But well it seemed to you that people could name just about anything pretty much whatever they wanted. The dragons mostly seemed to have unique names anyways. And your target dragon also has a name of words merged together as well. So you go in and ask for ArcaneStar. And you are shown to a circular stairway and told that ArcaneStar is at the top. You then go up what feels like seven flights of stairs. You find yourself a little nervous as the stairway is missing the outside rail. You had been assured there was a spell that would keep you from falling off but you were not really sure how much you trusted it. No cancel that you knew exactly how much you trusted it: about as far as you could throw an adult snapper dragon. In other words not at all.

Finally you are at the top of the stairs and move over to the large open door at the top. You go in and see a pearlcatcher dragon that seems to be the colors of either bananas or lightly shot with other colors. And red angry looking wings. You find the look striking. You naturally ask to make sure you have the right dragon and well you do. What you do not expect was that not only is ArcaneStar expecting you. But her response is "Yes yes now lets get started. Now I want you to go get a mat and lay it out and stand on it. Face the diagrams at the front." You are startled but you obey and are soon put through a grueling physical workout while also being questioned in a philosophical nature. And the most obvious answers don't appear to be getting you any headway. In fact some of the questions lack sense as well. How in the blazes could you fit a camel through the eye of a needle? And why would you want to? And how could an ox's horns, body and hooves go through a door yet the tail not fit through. Last you checked the widest part of a cow was the body and horns and the highest up was the horns and hooves. The smallest bit of the beast was the tail. Was the door shrinking? The onslaught continued for what felt like an entirety complete with rest time, snack and water breaks. But there were no brain brakes.

When the flow of questions stopped and your body was about ready to give out you look up praying that this was over. That was about the last coherent thought process you could manage. The dragon looked at her toying with the pearl in her hold. "Good you are making progress." That startles you a bit but you will take what you can get. "Draca was right about you. You do have promise. A jolt of anger energizes you a little as you realize that Draca knew that this was going to happen to you to some degree. But if this is what she does to people who hold promise you are scared to even consider what she would do to those who don't. ArcaneStar approaches you offering you the pearl. "Touch it...." You obey as there is little other choice. You somehow feel recharged and your brain and body recovers somewhat. The strange and slightly disturbing yellow and blue drink she offers you next finishes the job. However you are feeling a little nervous. What exact is going on? Yet you realize that you can only wait understand. ArcaneStar looks at you again and speaks. "You will find out the reason for this later. But Draca is not the monster you might think she is. However sometimes a lot has to be done before a person is ready to understand the purpose of why a person does things the way they do. Keep heart. Next months session should be easier." Your gut suddenly sinks as you realize that this event is going to be repeated. You are certain you did not sign on for that. But it seems you have no choice. However at least now you are allowed to leave and limp home to shower and rest. You know you are going to feel this tomorrow.

Courtier Tales: Cynbel
subtitle Tale of Two Wolves

There are some things that are spoken as if they were legend. And then there are some things that are truly legendary. But when it comes to the story of two wolves those two things become one and the same. And this tale is how they began.

There once was a mighty wolf the size of which was almost unheard of. It was a mighty beast and destructive in its own way. While it meant no real harm to anyone it seemed that chaos and disaster followed it like a cub follows its mother. This caused many to turn against the large wolf for the problems that kept of causing. The wolf who originally had no name was now called Gale. For it was like a mighty wind that destroyed all it its wake. Gale however was feeling alone. For he was welcome no where and had no kin. And wandering like a the wind that gave him his name from place to place to try to find a place that he could call home. It was on one of these wanderings that Gale met a dragon. Now this was not unusual but what was unusual was this wildclaw dragon was wearing a brown wolf hide that was of impressive size. The wolf's head was whole and rested over the dragons and what skin was exposed was painted white with twin red lines where the eyeteeth were. The foreclaws of the dragon were armed with metal claws that ran into silver plats along the forearm. Snow white fur trimmed the edge of the kilt and and shoulder guard. And blood red tassels hung from the blue banner that covered the wings. All together it made for an odd somewhat feral sight.

The dragon eyed Gale and dipped its head before making a throaty wolflike sound in greeting. Surprised Gale returned the gesture and the two began to share the path in a comfortable silence. After an hour of walking together they finally introduced themselves and Gale found that the dragon was called Cynbel. And for once Gale was welcomed like a friend. That was something that Gale greatly missed and the two continued to travel together to the point that they could almost be taken as brothers. In fact whenever Gale was turned away from the place Cynbel turned away from it as well. When they ate they ate together and slept side by side like cubs. However this was not what made them creatures of living legend. No that was because of what happened two years after they had traveled together.

It was a hot summer day about half way through the season. The sky was clear and there was not a but more then a whisper of the wind leaving to a heavy stagnant heat that dragged at the soul and body wearing a person down. However among the party of Gale and Cynbel they acted as it was a fresh spring day seeming totally at ease with the harsh heat. It was at times like these that a person's only true relief was in two forms: shade and cool water. There was a large down who was blessed with a water reserve that ran sweet and clear. But on that day the stream ceased to flow. And the town was in a panic. They could not figure out what halted the steady flow of water. It was then that Gale and Cynbel came in to town. But as usual the pair was not much welcome and some said it had to be because of them that the water stopped. And a few even threw stones ta the pair. Gale and Cynbel however did not react poorly and simply ignored the stones staring at the empty bed. Then they left headed upstream. They actually were of the good sort even if they were greatly disliked if not outright hated by people. They kept on going upstream traveling for several days and going much farther then the town's people did. It was about four days upstream did they see the source of the problem. A cliff had collapsed and blocked the river. Now many would have given up as this was a massive rockfall.

And even the townspeople would have given up from the massive blockage. However to ceatures like Gale and Cynbel where it was harder to temper ones strength then it was to release it the fall did not seem so dangerous or as insurmountable. The two stared at the rockfall gathering its measure before they blasted into action. They soon were blasting the rockfall with power. The ripped and tore at the rocks reveling in their powers of destruction. It took almost two days to destroy the rockfall and it released a powerful flood of water that had been blocked. Yet because of how they did it they allowed the water to be released with just enough control that the water did not leap the banks. And that meant that the town was not in danger. However they both returned at the heels of the water. And soon they saw that the town was fine and they turned to leave. However an old dragon saw them and spoke allowed in wonder. "I see Two Wolves. They brought back our water. Who would have thought that the Wolves would have done that when we chased them away." His voice was heard by others yet before even a half a dozen of them could see Cynbel and Gale the pair were gone. But it was enough to start their legends as the Two Wolves.

Courtier Tales: Conrí
subtitle: Spirit Brother Wolves

note this tale is told as part of the Two Wolves legends cycle though it is focused on a different pair.

There are some things that are spoken as if they were legend. And then there are some things that are truly legendary. But when it comes to the story of Spirit Brother Wolves those two things become one and the same. And this tale is how they began.

There are times when no matter what a person does they stand out. And this was the case of Ciar. Even his name marked him out from his brethren. You see Ciar was a black wolf and his name itself was defined by the color of his fur. Now normally that would not be a problem except for the fact that Ciar lived in a world of white snow. If he was black and white then perhaps he would have fared better but no he was just black with a little gray here and there. The only white thing about him was having a whitish gray chin which was pretty much insult to injury. Ciar had problems hunting in the snow as he stood out like only a black moving object could on a field of white. In other words Ciar hunting always ended with failure. Cair became the butt of all jokes. The only time he was able to succeed in a daylight hunt was in the short months of spring and summer. That was a problem and Ciar soon came up with a cunning solution: Ciar would hunt at night.

It seemed the perfect solution and as soon as he got a hang of it it worked. Ciar was able to hunt without being betrayed by anything but the light of the full moon. However while that meant that Ciar was able to finally provide for his pack it did not bring him up in the ranks and it marked him as even more of an outcast. The pack was slowly but surely moving away from viewing Ciar as a part of the pack. And in time Ciar was rejected and chased from the pack. Now that was a powerful blow to a wolf but to a wolf who had learned to hunt alone under the light of the moon and stars it was not as devastating. He took to traveling outside of the pack territory as he was no longer allowed inside it. It was among these travels that Ciar meet another traveler, a dragon called Conrí.

Conrí was a bit of a strange dragon and taken to wearing a gray wolf pelt. The head of which covered his own with the wolves fangs sewn into the pelt. What parts of his face that were exposed from under the pelt were an odd green like they were covered with some sort of warpaint. The origin of that pelt was unknown as the dragon had never said where it came from or responded to any question about it. He also wore a yellow kilt trimmed with white fur the doeskin belt also held a small pouch of herbs and other things. Conrí's wings were covered by a yellow banner and he wore a gold and yellow shoulder guard trimmed with the same white fur. Conrí was a bit of an oddball himself. He did not fit in well with dragons even his own kinsmen the tundra dragons.

The pair took to each other almost at once and soon traveled from the colder lands to ones that had a bit longer spring and summer. Rather then jumping right to winter there was an actual season of fall. The pair still hunted under the light of the moon and because they were that way they made others a bit nervous. It was like they were the ghosts of the night.... and like ghosts they seemed to leave little trace of their passing.

It was because of their behavior that they ended up seeing what others did not. It was also because of that they were able to see something that some people did not want to be seen. There was a small group of people who were up to no good under the light of the moon. Conrí and Ciar watched the group puzzled by what they were doing and soon found that they were trying to move stolen gold through the area. Now the pair had two choices: to turn their backs on the people who had already abandoned them or to do something about the problem at hand. And to them the choice was simple: action. Now the spirit brothers knew that they could report what happened but they also knew that they would not likely be trusted and could even tip someone off. But they also knew that if they caught the people they might possibly somehow become part of the issue. Still they would not left this issue be left alone. They soon were setting up traps. Traps that would slowly whittle away and trap the people who were using the night to cover their sins. And in less then a half cycle of the moon it worked and they had them all trapped like cattle in a lot. Then they tricked the people into recovering the group. To mark their work all they left was two symbols: a bone gnawed with the pattern of two wolves and an amulet of stone carved by dragon claws of the same image. That soon became their mark and they gained themselves something that they had not excepted: a place in the legends as the Spirit Brother Wolves.