Star looks at Rock “Rock” she says and he turns to face her as he drops his hand, ”Gather what you need and go with them to town. Your adventure has now begun,” She says with joy and sorrow.

“Really? Into town, awesome,” he says and jumps into the sky. I watch as he transforms into the gold dragon and disappears in a streak. I doubt I will ever get tired of seeing that.

“Jode, please take care of him.” Star says, “He is my baby and very special.”

I look at her confidently, “I will do my best,” I say.

“Thank you,” she says, “With you I know the dangers will be great. You carry a burden I wish on no one, but I know if anyone can bear it, you can.” she says with sympathy and fear cover her face.

“I hope so, I hope so,” I say with a shaky voice. I then change my tone making it more upbeat, “So where do I go to create another mess?” I ask.

“I have been doing some research,” Moon says, “And I suggest you start at the point the last curse was uttered. I have gotten you a ride. One rider has not gotten sick and the healers have worked to protect it. If it gets away from you or you lose it they will always return home which is this town.”

“Okay, how do you lose a ten foot lizard?” I ask.

“It happens, They can be quick if they want to,” Moon says..

“Yes they can, they have been known to go I think your measurements are zero to one hundred sixty in a second.” Shade says.

“Damn, I know a few that would love that. Of course it having legs might creep them out.” I say.

Everyone laughs except Star who smiles. Rock falls from the sky, but I remain on my seat this time. He looks at me and I say, “Ha, Ha didn't get me that time.” Rock gives a wry smile.

Rock carries a belt with several pockets on it. The two swords are strapped to his back. I see what looks like a couple of daggers in their sheaths, at his belt. He is wearing what looks like a silk headband made of silver and gold. Strapped to each arm is what looks like a leather pouch. As he moves his arms I hear metal scrapping metal. He wears black silk gloves that glitter like diamonds.

“Do you have enough?” Star asks evenly.

“Yeah, the swords are really enough, but I thought the others won't hurt to have.” Rock replies.

“If you're sure,” she says. “I have difficulty accepting you don't need the full dress.”

“Mom you fuss too much,” he says embarrassed.

“I can't help it.” She says with a smile. “You are the first gold in many cycles.”

“Mom,” Rock blushes gold. Then an instant confusion covers his face, “What? Gold?”

“You are gold now my precious Rock.” she says with pride.

Rock looks at his mother confused for a few seconds, then jumps into the air and transforms into the dragon. He floats in the air writhing around looking at himself. He then curls above the center of the circle and transforms back to human and drops to land gracefully on his feet.

He looks at his mother, “But I have no wings. How can I fly?” he asks.

“Gold and Silver dragons fly by will alone.” She answers, “Did you not wonder why the training circles were more of a burden to you then a help?”

“No dad just said I learn quickly,” He says

She smiles, “Dear Foot Strong, you never stopped trying. No Rock it is because your magic is a part of who you are. You can never be without your magic,” she says with pride.

“Cool,” Rock says.

Star looks at Moon, “Keep me informed.”

“Of course,” he says and bows.

“I hope to see you all later.” she says looking at Rock, Oaky, then me in turn. She looks at Shade, “Sorry for the interruption, give them a couple of days and you may return.”

Shade bows, “No sorrow at all Mrs. Star Seeker. I'm privileged to have been a witness.” he says.

“I take my leave, I have many things I must attend to now.” she says and leaves. I notice all are bowing except Rock. I thought to bow but figured what for, she is already gone.

“Still the same,” I hear Star's voice carry on the wind.

Oaky slaps me upside the back of my head, “How rude.”

I point to Rock, “But he didn't bow either,” I say defensively. Rock chuckles and Oaky sighs.

“I think I am really going to like you,” Rock says.

“I thought you hated me for taking you away.” I say confused.

“Blah, No it was not you that put me on this path, it was fate. She is who I am mad at. Hell who could stay mad at a fool.” he says and struts down the path to the town.

“Oh,” I say then add, “Hey you called me a fool and what is with the hell reference?” I ask chasing after him.

I catch up to him in the grassy plain. He glances at me as I reach him, “Hell is not just a human concept. All races have their concept of it. Ours is oblivion, but other races use the term.”

“Like a fool needs to protect you.” I say.

“There is more out there,” he motions in an arch, “Then you will know. I have studied combat all my life, but even I have limits. There are creatures out there that a blade can never touch. Shade’s race for one. Others are as physical as you, but a forged weapon does no damage, only magic.”

“So all the myths and mythical creatures are true just in a different world.” I say.

“I do not know your myths so I do not know.” Rock says.

“I can answer some of that,” Shade interjects.

“Shoot,” I say.

“What myths I have gathered from humans do have a basis in fact here. Some have gone so far that the truth in the myths are all but lost.” Shade says.

“That makes sense, it's like the story circle. One person tells the person next to them a sentence and let the others tell it around the circle and see what comes back to you. It never comes back the same,” I say.

“Nice comparison,” Moon says, “May I use that?”

“Sure it was a thing done in grade school, everyone uses it.” I say.

“Thank you.” Moon says.

“Why are there no coaches or cars here?” I ask.

“There are transports in the larger cities,” Shade says, “But we have no need for internal combustion engines with magic.”

“Internal what?” Rock asks.

“Jode?” Shade asks.

“No, go ahead Shade, I'm sure you could explain it better then I could,” I say.

“If you wish. Humans have no magic so they use mechanical means to substitute. An automobile uses electrically ignited explosions with combustible material. Each time the explosion happens a piston I believe...” Shade says.

“Yes,” I encourage.

“Will move an arm that is connected to a shaft to create rotary movement. Under the metal carrier are wheels that turn by this rotary motion to propel the automobile, Right Jode?”

“Sounds good to me. You got the idea across.” I say.

“Sounds like a lot of work,” Rock says.

“I guess it could be, but humans can't snap their fingers and poof they are there.” I say.

“Neither can we,” Moon says.

“Really you don't have teleportation?” I ask.

“Tele...what?” Rock asks.

“The ability to transport from one spot to another instantly,” I say.

“No,” Rock says snidely.

“With all this magic, a simple teleport can't be done?” I ask.

“No, why teleport and miss everything, when you can fly and see it all.” Rock says.

“You don't count, I saw you fly. You are just shy of teleporting.” I say.

“Really I didn't know,” he says in thought.

“Well I guess if flying is that fast you really don't need to port.” I say.

“Guess not,” Rock says.

“Not all can fly as fast as Rock,” Moon says.

“Nope I'm just good,” Rock says.

We walk for a while in silence till I see the farms just over the horizon. “Hold it,” I say and stop. Rock stops and looks at me. “So teleportation doesn't work?”

“Well some can if they conduct a long ritual and leave a marker, why?” Moon asks.

“That is why my magic wouldn't work.” I say.

“But you have tried fire and that doesn't have anything to do with teleportation,” Oaky says.

“But that was after I tried teleportation and failed many times. By then my heart wasn't in it, plus I don't like fire.” I say.

“What are you saying then?” Moon asks.

“I've sent myself here to stop a curse, not cause more problems. If I had created a fire back then I would probably have caused a major problem,” I say.

“But we took precautions just in case,” Oaky says.

“Yes but think about it, other than starting a fire at a campsite, what use would I have for it?” I ask.

“Blow up things. You ought to try, it it's fun,” Rock says.

I look at rock, “Probably would be, but for me without a mentor I need to start small. I was trying to do things I have noticed are for the experienced.” I say.

“So what do you suggest?” Oaky asks.

“Rock do you mind if I try something on your swords?” I ask.

“Will it weaken them?” he asks, reserved.

“I don't think so, but I can't say for sure.” I answer.

The blades appear in his hands. I didn't even see him pull them out. “Go ahead, I'll just have to postpone the trip a little longer if it does.”

“Okay, how the hell do you get them out of your scabbard so fast?” I ask.

“Huh?” he asks and looks over his shoulder. “Oh they aren't actually in there. Me looking human is an illusion. I'm actually still in dragon form. The swords are actually special made claws for me. The other things are what they look like, but I thought the swords were a nice touch, and a distraction in a battle. He says proudly.

“Oh they are. I can see how they would expect you to have to pull them out and get a nasty surprise when it stabs them.” I say impressed.

“Yep.”

“Well here goes, I hope these being on your claws won't make a difference,” I say.

I look at the swords and imagine a rainbow flying off the swords as it moves. Without realizing it my hands circle and move in front of me. I see a trail of ever changing colors trailing my hands. Then I come back to myself. My arms are at my side and Rock's swords are like a color wheel on a bulb, rotating fast.

“Awesome,” Rock says and starts swinging his swords around. A foot long rainbow follows his swords like a tail. It doesn't matter how fast he swings the swords the tail trails one foot from his swords. He holds them still and the tail vanishes back into the sword, then returns as he moves them.

“How long will it last?” Rock asks, still playing.

“I don't know, never done it before,” I say.

“If it stops you gotta do it again.” he says excitedly.

“Okay,” I say.

I see Moon pull out a black box. Where it came from I don't know. He holds it next to me then waits for Rock to stop moving and holds it next to the swords. “That's the most stable magic ever recorded,” he says. “It can only be stopped by canceling it. And the only one capable of canceling it is the creator.” He looks at me in awe.

“Um, oopsies,” I say.

“Super awesome,” Rock says, “You can't touch my swords ever.” He says and starts doing flips with the swords.

Oaky runs over and looks at the device. “What do you mean oops? A historian can't even do magic that pure.” She says.

“Double oopsies then,” I say timidly.

Rock sheaths his swords and walks back to us, ”Awesome, I got a double oopsie. I think that is what I will call them.” he says triumphantly.