Where the Cherry Blossom Grows

[Jaden Rain]

Spring will always draw me back here, the land and its beauty will bring me here every Spring. This year it is more beautiful then I ever remembered it to be. The trees This land holds a special part of me, after all I am half Tokunese. As a child My Mother read me stories my favorite was a story of a Fisherman and his Wife , a wife who asked of her husband to catch a magical fish who granted wishes, Until one day the wife had asked for way to much and was cast back into poverty. I suppose this taught me respect for what was given to me, and now perhaps my giving and giving to Daenyra needs to stop, She is doing well and becoming a powerful mage and Dragon Master, as my old Father grows older and loses more memory every day. It is now time for me to devote time and memories to him. He loved it when Mother would read to us children and would hold us as she read the stories. It now grows time I find a place of peace for his mind and read to him .....boarding the ship at Zento docks I smile at him and motion to board the boat. For his age he still gets around quite well, just his memory slips from time to time. The waters in Tokuno seem so calm and relaxing this spring evening and our destination is a tropical Isle to spend a few weeks, a retreat and time with my Father while he still remembers this. As darkness falls and within the cabin of the ship My Father asks " Do you remember when I used to hold you as your Mother read you that silly story about the magic Fish?" , nodding to him " Yes Daddy I remember, it was our favorite." " this adventure reminds me of that story, will we see the magic fish do you think?" looking at me with those loving Father eyes, I am not certain if he is in one of his illusions or if he just jokes with me but I will go along with it " Yes perhaps we could. Have you ever seen the fish yourself Daddy?" With serious face he nods to me and begins his fish tale (typical man) " One day as I courted your Mother I took her to a tropical island in Tokuno beautiful sandy beach palm trees cool breeze and a tiny island chose to shore that held the most beautiful Cherry Blossom Tree. I had taken my fishing pole and she had prepared a picnic lunch she had brought as she spread the blanket I went about my own thing and began to fish. I believe this had annoyed her but she seemed to not say much. As I sat there fishing I felt a tug on my pole ....a BIG Tug I tried and tried to pull it in I knew it was a huge fish as I pulled the golden fish onto the sandy beach as if looking at me it began to speak...yes it spoke to me." . " Now Father" I replied in that adult voice as a parent would use to a child with a wild story. " ok so what did it say" . As he seemed to get humor telling me this I sat smiling and listening to his story, he continued " He told me if I released him he would grant me one wish. So I made my wish but it was a wish of multiple wishes" Curiosity had me and I had to ask " So exactly what was it you wished for?" in that very moment as I looked into his saddened face I saw for the first time a tear roll down his cheek, With a heavy sigh from him he looked up at me and spoke the words that touched me to my soul ...." I asked for your Mother, that she would say yes to my marriage proposal and we would have many Daughters as Beautiful as she was" as I began to tear up he went on to say " the fish Granted me my wish and now I have you and your Sisters who remind me of her" . Trying very hard to not fall apart in this moment I stood and began to turn back the bed and try to convince him he needed rest. Not fighting the situation a bit he just seemed to prepare for a nights sleep. Leaving his room I know now our destination. Not sure that I will even be able to sleep until I know we are there. A I begin to discuss the destination with the Captain he seems to know the island well and asking if I can send word to Britannia he lends me a Raven for my message. Taking the bird to my cabin I find matches and light the lantern looking out the window of my cabin the light flickers through the glass panes onto the waves of the sea as if calling to the fish, parchment in front of me I reach for the pen. As I begin to write the message for my Sisters to meet us on the island where we are headed and to send word to Daenyra to plan a Dinner upon our return Home to Zento

 

[Jaden Rain]

Many days have past since our arrival here on the Island, Having all of us girls here at one time seemed to light up his soul. He just seems to glow with happiness the last several days. Not one word has even been brought up of Mother. I believe his mind is clear and he knows she is gone which isn't often lately. I am not sure I could take it if he had dwelled on her absence while we were here. The small fishing hut is very cramped with all of us staying there and My Sisters are returning back to Britannia today. For now they sit with him telling stories while he fishes. Yet have we seen the magic fish, although from his tales we know that it is Golden. Sitting on the steps of the Hut watching them, I wonder what it must have been like the two of them together, My Father and Mother. I remember her as a beautiful woman Golden Hair and always with a smile on her face. The magic of them and their beginning must have been quite the sight. That is how I remember her, the memory of her laying in that bed as she slipped from us and this life as she held his hand I keep locked away. I must go get lunch ready, I am sure he must be hungry I know I am. Desta had brought with them when they arrived so much food, we could stay here a very long time but time is drawing near for us to return as well. Once my sisters leave I fear he will return to his saddened state. Deanyra sent word as my Sisters had arrived of the dinner planned for him and of a magical Gargoyle healer residing in Yew. When I return I will search for this healer and clinic and he and I will make time to travel to Yew. Dae also spoke of a fortune teller perhaps she could put his mind to rest of Mother and that he needs not worry of her now. Many solutions are at hand and we must seek this help out on our return to Britannia. For now I will just enjoy this wonderful time of us all together.


Last Few days since my sisters have left, Father has become quiet again. Spending most of his time on the beach, determined to reel in that Magic Fish. yet no magic fish to be seen, and he is starting to insist on me cooking these fish he has been catching. Very little has he said just wakes up grabs his pole and is off to the beach, I even have to take his lunch to him. Although I do persuade him to come inside for supper. Maybe today I can get him to talk about going home. Walking t the beach I know bringing this subjest up will or could possibly upset him but we must at least prepare for this. Standing beside him on the sandy beach he looks up at me and chuckles as he says' " You make a nice shade tree" Smirking at his comment I sit down on the sand and cross my legs sitting hands behind me supporting me as I lean back. " So you know we need to make plans to return home, and perhaps seek a healer to maybe help with your aches and pains and maybe find a nice walking cane" watching him as his smiles turns upside down and he huffs and casts the pole back into the water. " I just want to try to catch this Fish, I have a Wish I was in hopes he could help me with" looking at me he seems to await my response. " Daddy you know I love it here and we can come back anytime I have made arrangements with the Fisher who owns the Hut and you can return whenever we can. You are anting that fish to wish for Momma aren't you?" as if I didn't know the answer to that question. As he looks back at me brows drawn in at the center and the saddest face Ive seen him have yet , he nods a yes to me. " Ok a few more days but you have to promise that once we go back you will agree to go with me to see a healer " Smile from ear to ear on his face as he agrees and says " Now I am hungry and I sure would like to eat some this fish I been catching". Wrinkling my nose I know he thinks its funny I will go and clean some those dang fish to cook for him. " and Im cooking them heads and all" slight chuckle from him on my comment about the heads and all.

Cleaning up from our lunch I know I must send a message to the healer Daenyra spoke about. She wasn't clear on if the gargoyle was an actual healer but Daeny seemed to have faith in her ability's to help him. As I begin to write:





Dear Avalon,

I am not sure you know me but I have heard many good things of your talents and abilities. Daenyra has recommended you highly and believes you could possibly help with my Fathers pains and his memory loss from time to time. I am not expecting you to just rid him of his ailments but perhaps make him more comfortable and less irritable. He isn't moving as well as he once did and perhaps I need to look into a walking stick for him. Mostly he forgets present day and looks for My Mother who has been deceased many years now. At present we are on a fishing trip in Tokuno and will return to the mainland in a week or two. Daenyra is preparing a feast in Zento on our return perhaps you could meet us then or sometime after our return.

Thank You,

Jaden Rain

 

[Jaden Rain]

" LOOK LOOK It's like this FISH" were the screams from the beach that awaken me from my best nights sleep I have had since arriving to this island and sleeping in this cramped small bed in this Tiny little shack. Sitting up and plopping my feet onto the Huts well worn floor I stand making quick haste to the door. Running to the nearby beach there he stood, smiling like a child with candy, holding his pole in one hand and the Golden Fish in the other. Smiling from ear to ear he begins telling " This is not the magic fish, I tried to talk to it but it wouldn't speak but it looks just like this..." Glancing at the fish I wasn't as impressed as he , nor did I know much about Fish it just looked like a Tuna. " well Daddy you have got close, perhaps the magic fish doesn't want to be caught, or maybe he ran outta wishes and cant talk now?" with a quick reply he exclaims " No No I know he has to still be out there we must find him" . With a big sigh, after reading my letter yesterday from Avalon and wanting to get him home and prepared to see her yet knowing it would be difficult now to get him to leave this Island I must find a way to get him back to the mainland. "Tell ya what Daddy, I have an idea. What if we post a reward for the capture of the fish, of coarse it must remain alive yes I know. However maybe our friends from the mainland could aide in finding the fish so lets post for the live capture of the Magic Fish" Looking at me smile on is face he nods and agrees it is a great idea so here is my que to suggest our return. " So Daddy the Rven hasn't come back yet from sending the messages for The sisters to come visit, so perhaps we should return home and make posters for a reward for he magic fish?" " Yes lets pack and me way home to get help" he replys as h releases the golden fish back into the sea and slowly walks his way back to the fishing hut. Packing my belongings a feeling of sadness overwhelms me, I too find myself not wanting to leave the island but I will make a deal with the hut owner and we shall return soon.

Slipping the fisherman a large amount of coins and touching my finger to my lips "Shhh" arrangements are made and the hut will now be available to myself or family at any time. As Father board the boat he seems to be happy and content and like a man on a mission. As if the sea sends him to begin a task we set sail back to Zento and again the sea is calm yet on this return journey it seems to be a part of us now sending us for fishers to visit.

Far from the city in the countryside near Zento I get him settled and here we will stay. During our absence it had bee contructed to look similar to the home I grew up in as I had sent arrangements for. I will begin making the notices to be posted in Britannia
Yet before the posters I begin a letter to somebody very unlikely easy to locate..........a Gypsy isn't easy to track down perhaps first step is notices for the whereabouts of such Gypsy

POSTED:

LOOKING FOR A GYPSY THAT GOES BY THE NAME AILA
THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO READ FORTUNES AND POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO CONTACT THE DEAD.
IF ANYONE KNOWS THE WHERE ABOUTS OF SAID GYPSY CONTACT ME,
JADEN RAIN

 

[Jaden Rain]

Well trying to keep Father settled from his revealing of the blocked memory that he had an affair and had another Daughter seemed to have him shaken somewhat. Not to mention my thoughts on it all, trying to keep busy was my best outlet. The Gypsy had revealed more then we possibly imagined and now I not only had this quest for the magic fish but more importantly to me I wanted to know who my Sister was and where was she. With such urgency of finding this fish and getting this over with a fisher I employed from the docks came to help me drag in this fish but what came up rather then the fish was horrifying. The fisher had yelled from the boat "SCALIS, hurry get help" . Daenyra had sent the guardsmen of DragonStone looking in on me or else I would have had one heck of a mess. From the House they heard the scream of the fisher and had seen me near the shore The men from DragonStone and their beasts battled the Scalis many wounded from the harsh blows and the wicked eel the monster cast upon them four guards from DragonStone and Daenyra , along with a Ranger from Skara fought until it lay dead half onto the banks of the sea. Alas though no magic fish....much effort but no fish. The DragonStone Clansmen checking the body one did however reveal a great find, remains of a great soul Forge. Hoots and Howls from the men wirh Victory of slaying the beast along with great reward for them. Well I shall await for the fishers searching for the fish for my reward perhaps I will have better luck awaiting their finds.

In the meantime I must Gather a group and my Father and maybe find where this baby, my sister was taken, maybe the Dragons hold her there but we must go look for her....

 

[Jaden Rain]

The white haired old man sat at the edge of the sea near his home every evening now, his Daughter coming back to check on him less and less. watching the sunset each evening remembering the day the sun set for the last time for his beautiful wife. His heart had saddened and never quite recovered from losing her. He had blocked everything that had ever caused her pain from his memory. Yet now after the visit of the gypsy many things started flooding back, the event that started his wife to begin her darkness the black magic that had consumed her as she tried to pay back the evil woman who had bewitched her husband and seduced him. Jaden's Father had fell into a great darkness during one of his trips to Skara Brae, he had wanted so much to be the man Jaden's mother had always wanted him to be but the Jade Dragon was no Ranger, he could pretend for the rest of his days but he was never going to be a Ranger. What he truly was, was an ancient people with a strong bond to Dragons, one of the last of their kind. His desendants would be strong with this in their Blood, it would dominant and he would send forth little dragons, not in the true sense of them being dragons but they would have the fierceness of a dragon and the bond with them as well. However he may have been one of the last pure of his people but there was still the dragon keeper, the guardian of the Dragons a swordsman that guarded Destard unknowing to anyone and had secretly lived on Dragon Island for many years raising his own family his child was a daughter , hair of black. On this trip Jaden's Father had taken when Jaden was in her mid teens , he had been in Skara for many weeks mostly in the Taverns bragging as if he had been a Ranger himself on one of these drunken nights he had seen a very young lady eying him from the bar. Aleera had left home soon as she believed herself as an adult and had taken up residence in Skara, she had grown up with a Father who had taught her the ways of a sword and she knew how to use it quite well but she was attracted to Rangers. Aleera had watached this handsome man for many nights from the shadows of the tavern, but this night she had a potion she had acquired from a visit to a small cottage in Moonglow. The pale skinned lady had sold her the potion and promised whom ever she gave this potion to would love her forever. What had seemed to her to be a Ranger this was who she had chosen and this would be who the potion was given to. Pouting the potion into his drink as he had not noticed. Yet one thing the pale skinned woman had not told her, this would only work on someone not already in love. However in his drunken state the potion did work temporarily but when he came to his senses at the rising of the Sun he would slip away and back home to Zento.

After many months trying to forget what he had done, he knew what was right would be return to try to explain and tell the young woman how sorry he was for just leaving. Finding the young girl he was speechless, reaching out to lay his hand upon her fattened belly he could feel it. He could feel the strength of this Dragon Child, He Knew it was his he could feel the fire of the dragons such a fire he knew this was a girl child. One with more of the Dragon Bloodline then any of his other Daughters. Conceived from a night of a magic potion this child could have a darkness yet again it could have a Light to draw the others to her. Looking into Aleera's face , tears were flowing down her cheeks as she spoke " I gave you a love potion one I purchased from a pale skin woman in Moonglow. I made the promised once we were wed we would move to an artic island near Moonglow and start our family there and colonize the island" not allowing her to finish he sighed deeply. What in the world was he to do now, try to maintain 2 families or chose only one. Yet how can a parent just walk away from their child.

(to be continued)

~Jade Dragon

 

[Jaden Rain]

Sneaking away to find time to spend with the Mother of his youngest child was starting to take toll on Jaden's Father. His guilt seemed to show to Aleera yet she still tried to win his favor. Time was getting short till the birth of the child, and the artic Island was like a Winter Wonderland to Aleera, the days he would show up she was extremely happy. Then there were the many nights she had spent alone on this cold frigid island. Those nights even her heart seemed cold and frigid but today he was here and today was an adventure. They had gone exploring around the mountain side as they stumbled upon a path, a path leading far into the mountain into a Cave, not just any cave a Dungeon. Stepping inside was a nightmare. It was here within these walls inside this mountain the stench of the dead over whelmed Aleera, morning sickness ha been bad but this smell seemed to bring the nausea even more. The moaning of the undead became closer they were approaching still unseen but the sounds were yet getting closer the dungeon was dark and it wasn't clear how close they truly were. Jaden's Father advised they leave but Aleera was overcome with nausea and couldn't seem to hear what he had said. The Jade Dragon literally had to carry her out into the fresh air. Here she caught her breath and the nausea began to subside.

On the Jade Dragons next departure to return to his first family, Aleera was so very close to birth of their Daughter. He had promised he would be back in just a few days but Aleera's emotional state was short and very unconfident. Her depression during the days he was gone finally got the best of her, the third day since his departure she could not bare the loneliness any longer she just wanted to end it. Trudging the snow to the Duneon Aleera was just going to go seal her fate and end her miseries. What she had done to have this man was not right. Now carrying this child that seemed to be more then she could bare. Entering the dungeon the sounds they had heard on teir first time in this place were not there so she walked deeper into the Dungeon, still no sounds. Looking down the stairs past the doorways she could hear a faint groaning sound, the sound of the undead. Slowly descending down the stairs the noise became louder. Carrying a torch she could see a turn ahead in the halls. As she started to make the turn in the hall that was when the she came face to face with the steed and slowly looking up upon the back of the steed. There sat the most horrifying sight. A hooded what appeared to be at one time perhaps a human.The face of this thing was shadowed by the hooded shroud that she wore. Aleera's legs began to wooble the room seemed to begin to spin and to the floor she dropped.

Awaking to the worse pain Aleera had ever experienced. Was she dead, she had thought, but how could there be so much pain in death. The pain was so intense the thought that it could kill her was all she could think. Screams echo'd down the dark brick walls of the Dungeon.This was it, she knew her child was coming. What Aleera was uncertain of was what was going to happen to herself or her child as she could see the smile upon the face of that Undead Queen. Facial fearures could not be seen but that wicked smile shone out from the darkness of that hood. " Please let my Baby be born and Please do not harm it" Aleera Begged between screams of pain. "The child can serve me well" spoke Neira the Undead Queen., " I need a Minion, someone to gather my forces and deliver souls to me" . The last pains of labor and Aleera's scream " NOOOO " the last scream, and then the sounds were a Baby's cry. " Aleera you carry Daemons in your soul, you bewitched the father of this child and now you beg me for its safety, with no payment for what you have done?" Neira roughly asked. " I will give you this choice leave the dungeon now and be released from the payment of your sins and leave the child orrrr I will release the child if you stay for the payment of your sins" as Neira gave out the choices, Aleera's only concern then was " and where will my Baby go?". Knowing that the father could search for the child, Neira would have to wipe his memory clean and find a place unreachable by anyone to leave the baby.

~The Jade Dragon

 

[Jaden Rain]

All the memories of his affair, the child they had left, and the guilt he had felt had all came back. So that explains why his beloved wife had gone dark and distant, why the dark magic had consumed her. His last trip to Dagar Island, when he had assumed would be to help with the last month before the baby would be born he remembers telling his wife the story, and had suggested he bring the baby here to be raised as one of their own here in Zento. He had mentioned that perhaps the mother could be brought as housemaid and be married off to the stable man of the manor, that the identity of the baby remain secret and be adopted by his wife as one of her own. Of coarse this wasn't accepted well and she had known all along and must have known his memory of the woman and child had been wiped clean yet not once had she spoke of it after his return. Thinking of the fact, he had 5 Daughters, not 4 as he had thought all these years but 5, mercy what a deal, 5 girls, this must be his punishment he chuckled to himself as he briefly let the thought whisk through his mind. Desta his first born had soon ran off with the boy she had begged to marry, shortly after his return from Dagar island, he had never approved of the warlords son. He wanted his Daughter to never have to feel the pains of War and its tragic endings but soon to learn , he found out what happens when you deny a head strong girl , her hearts desire. Desta had stayed away many years after leaving Zento. On her first return to the island to see him and her Mother, he watched out the stable window and he could see her walk up to the home carrying a bundle. As she was just a few feet from the front of the House, he had came out of the stable to greet her. Bending over Desta had set the bundle upon the ground, there toddling towards the house was the most beautiful girl child he had ever seen, hair the color of his wife's , cheeks of roses and the biggest eye lashes blinking up at him with the deep green eyes. " Her name is AnnaBeth and I brought her to meet you and Mother. Jaden has kept in touch with me and I know Mother is very ill, I want her to meet her Grand-Daughter before she dies" Desta was very blunt and he sadly nodded. Years had past since he had last seen his Daughter and now she returns, what more could soften a heart then the love he was feeling towards this baby girl, his Grand-Daughter. As he stops and remembers that day so many years ago he realizes at that point he had not remembered he had a small Daughter someplace out in the world if she was still alive. So she would only be a few years older then his Grand-Daughter. Before Desta reached the door of the house her youngest Sister had came running from the back, Sophia was about 12 then and had spent much time hovering over their sick mother, trying to stir up potions her Mother had insisted upon, Sophia had learned to much of the Dark Arts of Magic, he hadn't been pleased knowing this. Yet at 12 years old no child wants to watch their mother die, he knew Sophia was only trying to save her and help her pain. Aubrey the 3rd Daughter, in her mid teens, had spent most of her time near Yew, Heartwood with the elf, she had begged to be sent to the elves to learn elven magics, there too he felt it was to look for a way to help her Mother and not be at home to watch her die. While Jaden , barely an Adult , maybe 18, had taken on the burden of providing for the household and managing the family business she had spent most of her time at the docks at the families Trading Co. A place as Father, Husband, He should have been. Leaving his wife and Sophia had not been a thought, he had known his place was by her side and taking care of the house and Sophia.

That Spring the Cherry Blossoms were at their glory. Pink was vivid all over Tokuno. Pink the color for Girls, Cherry Blossom represented Strength and Beauty short lived like well, like a Cherry Blossom. It was that Spring she died. It would be that beautiful Tree and season he would always think of his girls, back then the only ones he knew of were those 4 girls, his little Cherry Blossoms. They were all Strong and very beautiful but now all that had been blocked was back, he knew someplace out there was another Cherry Blossom and it could be anywhere !

~ Jade Dragon