|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 1, 2008 21:06:15 GMT -4
Amidst the unusual stares Draco always managed to attract, the odd looking sage now levitated in front of a group of learned scholars, mortals intrigued by the very same strangness that caused the murmurs of on lookers as he passed through the mortal town, very close to its center of learning.
Draco liked to travel, often finding himself aborbed in studying people, places, and things from an objective viewpoint, rarely engaging in conversation, his seemingly grotesque apperence partly responsible for his introverted attitude. But he didn't take this as an insult, the pettiness of mortals had become something he was accustomed to, but when he actually did draw a crowd brave enough to converse with him, he would willingly oblige without hesitation.
"I have seen a great many things in my time, within the physical confines that determine reality. My race has fallen into disarry, losing their way, falling prey to 'nature' as the mortals call it. The mortals do not relize that their defintions of the sublte workings of creation cannot be adequetly limited to their perceptions of such, for their brief lives are too short to be a measurement of anything substantial. Such is the way of a single grain of sand trying to prevent the ebb and flow of time with the hour glass, it does not realize that their are too many forces acting in, on, and opposed to it. But enough of my ramblings.
I sense the familiarity of the singluar connection, another Dragon is near, and I wish to speak to him." Draco said, drifting away, his stick in hand, off to find another of his own race, a rare event among the many that encompassed his days.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 1, 2008 21:47:15 GMT -4
As was his way, Hatulan departed from the castle before the dawn, both to keep from waking his patron and because fewer people would bother him with questions and salutations. He greeted the drowsy neophyte gate guards by alarming them with his swift and sudden appearance at their post. Since they were newly appointed to the lord's armsmen, he said nothing to the two sentries, for he was certain, after years of observing the same pattern of behavior with their predecessors, that they would remember his smoldering gaze and the disgusted shake of his head.
Humans, properly trained in martial ways, tended to not need much verbal scolding, when they were caught doing something they were not supposed to be doing. Much unlike the newest offspring of the lord's youngest courtesan; the child was already two years old and causing much trouble for his mother.
Hatulan was quite a distance past the outer limit of the town surrounding the castle, by the time the rays of dawn kissed the stalks of grain stretching away to the borders of the lord's lands.
Today, he headed towards the East and, after a day and a night of walking, Hatulan entered the woods there.
The forest could be seen from the castle walls by any of the keener-eyed armsmen, but the trees had grown so thick that even he was unable to see what lay beyond.
When he had asked, he was told of a town on the other side of the forest, at the opposite end of the valley that began at the edge of the wood, that held a repository of knowledge which drew the attention of many visiting scholars.
Hatulan decided to visit this town, not to discuss matters with the scholars, but to read the books; the lord's library was sizeable, but if Hatulan read them all, he'd have no reason to stay - or at least that's what he told himself.
It took a week of walking, to cover the distance that would have taken a day had Hatulan flown, but he was well aware now of how humans viewed his kind; he shook his head at the thought of the unnecessary violence that accompanied the recollection.
Curiously, at the midway point of the valley, Hatulan detected the presence of a fellow Dragon. He could not tell the level of power of the other, and considering that he had yet to encounter another of hi kind since arriving in this realm, Hatulan assumed that he (or she) was likely concealing their true nature from the mortals, as Hatulan himself was.
As soon as he thought of this, he had felt most compelled to quicken his pace.
It was early afternoon when Hatulan entered the town, which seemed much larger than the lord's holdings in the neighboring province; the activity around the stalls lining the street certainly contributed the greater scale of the place.
Not one to appear eager, Hatulan moved slowly through the throng of people going about their business, hiding easily his anticipation of his first meeting with one of his kind in this realm.
|
|
|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 5, 2008 8:43:46 GMT -4
"I see you position, and I am aware of your eagerness young one..." Draco said, using his power of Mind to reach out to the thoughts of the Dragon immersed in the sea of people. "A tedious thing to ask, return to the valley from which you came, so we may discuss things outside of the presence of the creatures who have not yet understood their purpose." Draco continued, floating nearby, waiting for his fellow dragon's answer to his call. "There is no need to speak with tongue, we can converse on the higher plane for now, to reveal ourselves here amongst these beings would result in much annoyance for us." Draco continued, awaiting a response.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 6, 2008 20:55:41 GMT -4
These pervasive thoughts were something quite new to Hatulan, who had only knowledge of it, but not practical experience.
He is speaking to me in my mind; how much does he know of my inner thoughts?
He knew the "known limits" but not the level of experience of the Dragonkin communicating with him.
He nodded his helmeted head and thought "aloud" in the affirmative.
Your logic appears plain as day to me; I will do as you suggest.
With that, Hatulan stepped to the side and turned about, to head back the way he came.
His manuever did not intersect with the passage of the humans around him; he had ensured that, having watched the path each person was taking and planned accordingly.
He was disappointed that he hadn't had a chance to visit the library, but the marketplace itself was a source of great interest on its own.
In any case, Hatulan would have time enough to return to the city after the dialog with this other Dragon.
Taking the path down into the lush valley, Hatulan came upon a hunting trail that broke off to his right - he had noted it on his left, on the way in - and followed it for a quarter hour.
The trail continued further, but Hatulan decided that the position was just far enough off the main road to be private; the trail did not appear to have seen much use in the past week.
Finding a suitable perch atop a toppled tree, Hatulan sat his armored form and waited.
|
|
|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 11, 2008 13:39:49 GMT -4
Sensing that the younger Dragon had taken his message to heart, Draco began to drift in the direction of the clearing, trusting the younger Dragon's intuition on the privacy of the secluded area. Arriving shortly after the younger Dragon, Draco found him perched upon a fallen tree, his armor glistening from the small rays of light forcing their way through the foliage of the valley. Descending closely to the ground, Draco planted his stick into the fresh earth, the gravel crunching underneath him as he began to inspect the younger Dragon.
"I could easily pluck the information I seek from your mind young one, but I am not hasty in the acquisition of my desires, and what I desire from you is your conversation. It has been many moons since I have run into one with such youth that you possess, but I feel as though you are searching for something, you know not what, but the question burns within you like the smoldering embers of the flame the refuses to be extinguished in even the the harshest of tempests.
"I am known as Draco Senex Prime young one, reveal to me your rubric, so I my aid you by revealing what potential you may possess, and how it could potentially relate to the accumulation of the answers you seek." Draco said, his gaze never wanning, his whisker-like beard wafting in the gentle breeze.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 11, 2008 16:23:12 GMT -4
Hatulan had chosen his seat so that he could look down the game trail and see the approach of anyone down the path; he hadn't taken into account the other Dragon coming down from above.
Perhaps I have spent too much time among the Mortals...
He lifted his chin from the resting gauntlets crossed over the hilt of the sword, noting the subdued garb of his peer.
Curious that he should choose such an appearance, Hatulan thought, for bandits would think twice about attacking a lone, armed and armored traveler, but an old man would be considered an easy target.
"I am known as Hatulan Pagtimbangin Sarili," he replied, lifting his chin just a bit, "and if I am young, how old are you, that I have not heard not of you, in this life, nor the past?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 13, 2008 0:30:05 GMT -4
"I am often seen and seldom heard Hatulan." Draco said as he floated effortlessy. "To answer your inquiry, I have roamed the expanse of our Father's creation, as well as that of the Great Banished Ones for the better of five millenia." Draco said, watching the younger dragon as he spoke.
"Tell me, what is it you find so interesting of the scaleless mortals known as humans so intriguing that you dress in their armaments, your Draconic heritage should provide all the protection required." Draco asked, looking and listening to appropriately gauge Hatulan's response.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 14, 2008 13:54:04 GMT -4
"The contradictory duality of their existence," Hatulan replied, "they are at war with themselves, mentally, spiritually, physically."
He sat back, resting the sheathed sword (no more than mere ornamentation between the mighty creatures) across his armored thighs.
"They seek to learn, yet they gird themselves against the unknown."
He gestured with his right hand, in the manner of the more oratorically-inclined of his lord's retainers, the other keeping the sword from falling from his lap.
"They are a paradox unto themselves and I find this facet of them endlessly amusing."
|
|
|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 15, 2008 23:22:49 GMT -4
"Indeed Hatulan, these mortals, humans as they call themselves are unappreciative of their talents. Within them lies great potential, but its is often marred by their dependence and glorification of the flesh, which is a relic, and not their spirit. But do not be so quick to pass judgment on them, for everything loses it's way, causality is powerful force, and it is only through the understanding the lack of knowledge one possess that they realize they have more to learn.
"Life is a cycle, as is the repetition of leaves growing and changing color. We are no more than the foliage in the winds of causality. If we were not visible, as are our flaws, who is to be sure that the winds of fate cause us to drift at all. In the end, the creation is only as flawed as its maker." Draco said, his voice calm. "Tell me Hatulan, are you aware of the Five Great Ones, banished so long ago, or has the tale of Divine Hubris been lost among the ages?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 16, 2008 11:41:19 GMT -4
"I am aware of them," Hatulan replied, eying Draco cautiously, for if the other Dragon were as powerful a reader of the mind as he claimed, then surely, he would have no need to ask.
"But the knowledge of them that I carry, was passed on to me in birth," he conceded.
"I have found that the Mortals' manner of storytelling lends itself its own charms, given the quality of the telling of the tale; even the mere birth of one's first offspring, though common enough among them, can have a wide variety."
|
|
|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 21, 2008 21:06:21 GMT -4
"The tale I speak of pertains to the creators of this reality, 5 beings of great power, they were known as the Shijin Hatulan." Draco said as he watched the young dragon. Draco was at peace here, not having spoken to another dragon in several hundred years. He felt that it would be most appropriate to share with Hatulan stories of times long past, sure that outside of him, no one in this world of humans and other mortals, no one possessed the knowledge of the creators, their eventual rise and fall due to their apathy and latent wickedness, showing intial joy, then disdain for all beings they created, viewing them as entertainment, only to be banished by them later to places unkown to even the great Draconic sage.
"Hatulan, your nature is amiable, you have much to see, hear, and learn. You possess much raw potential, only limited by complantency. You remind me of another young Dragon whom I met and mentored long ago. But enough, would you care to hear the tale of the Shijin, or does the talk of your potential pique you intrest. Mabye you are intrested in a myriad amount of things, but study of me will not garner the answers you seek unless you ask the questions." Draco asked benevolently, aware of Hatulan's attempted study of his character. "I do not read the minds of those who do not allow it, for the mind is prison to horrors best left uncovered." Draco finished.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 26, 2008 21:03:38 GMT -4
It did not take much to pique Hatulan's interest either way, and being a Dragon, he had the time to listen to even the most epic of tales, especially those pertaining to his own kind.
"Please," Hatulan replied, beckoning Draco to continue, "tell me of the Shijin, Draco."
"Your analysis of my potential can wait," he says, with no trace of feigned modesty, but with a hint of the impatience to hear the story of his kin's heritage.
"The story of this other Dragon also interests me."
|
|
|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 29, 2008 10:36:45 GMT -4
"I was like a mentor to him long ago. He was young and ambitious, a troubled soul." Draco said with a twinge of regret in his voice. "We traveled together for many years, until he felt he could no longer wait for his destiny to come to him. I could not interfere in the path that he decided for himself. As for you, I can only steer you in the direction that is not visible to you, the path we walk is often clouded and obstructed by the stones of indecision and regret." Draco said, looking at Hatulan. "The Dragon's name is Ilreg Douisis Ofu'ul, he wields the anima of Ice."
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 29, 2008 17:51:07 GMT -4
"And where can I find this Ilreg Douisis Ofu'ul?" Hatulan asked, leaning forward in curiosity.
How wonderful, he thought.
In all his time in the Mortal Realm, he had not encountered another of his kind until now, and in moments he discovers the existence of a third!
"Can we depart now?"
Hatulan's limbs tensed with energy; he was most certainly anxious to commune with another Dragon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Draco Senex Prime on Mar 29, 2008 23:18:18 GMT -4
"We can depart separately, as for Ilreg, he remains in the mortal Realm. I have respected his wishes enough for privacy and I have yet to prod the expanse of this plain to find him." Draco said, watching Hatulan. "Use the wind to find the coldest regions, their he dwells at all times. Consider this your first test, find him and I will find you." Draco said, grabbing his staff and levitating high into the air. "If we meet again soon, this will be one of many learning experiences for you." Draco said, flying away at an amazing speed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hatulan on Mar 30, 2008 15:49:22 GMT -4
Hatulan witnessed the effortless manner that Draco left the clearing, even despite the superior capabilities of his eyes to any man's.
He smiled and shook his head as he secured his meager possessions for flight.
He did not often indulge in his ability to fly, and rarely did he do so in his human guise.
Hatulan knelt on the ground, one hand down, fingertips touching the grass, and concentrated.
In moments, his body had grown and elongated, his tail unfurling like a welcoming carpet to royalty, his neck stretching to its full length, his face lengthening, widening; hair growing sp[ontaneously from his chin, his skin erupting into blue-tinged white scales, and wide, strong wings unfurling from his torso.
His dragon form released, Hatulan refrained from drawing attention to his new appearance by roaring his pleasure at being in his natural state. Reluctantly, he grunted satisfaction before summoning the particles of moisture in the air to surround him in a concealing mist as he rose to the cover of the clouds, detecting the faint hint of a chill on the breeze, and began his flight to seek out Ilreg.
|
|
