Dragon of the Mountain Ch 2

And so, from dawn to dusk, travelers tried their luck. Each traveler stood on the very same spot the Village Head had stood the night before and explained their story to what seemed to be nothing more than the mountainside. It was decided that, if after the count of 10, the Dragon did not reveal itself, the traveler was deemed unworthy and the next would try his luck.

The first that the Dragon deemed worthy was a woman and her baby. She knelt before the mountainside and told her tale:

"O Great Dragon of the Mountain. I come not for myself, but for my son. His father has died in war and now he must live with the pain of never knowing him. Please bless my son, so that he may be protected in whatever war he fights, for I know he will grow up to be just as courageous as his father."

The Dragon revealed itself, emerging from the shadows of the mountainside. The people watched in awe as the dragon gently touched the child with the tip of its claw. For a moment the baby glowed with ethereal light, and on his forehead was a star shaped blessing.

"I have blessed your son with long and prosperous life. He will never lose a war as long as he lives." The Dragon said. "But there are other things that are beyond my power to protect. Give him love and happiness, and raise him well."

The mother cried tears of joy and bowed, and the Dragon retreated into the mountainside.