“Wait,” I hear behind me. I turn to see a knome running to us. If we had not just been slowly strolling along, I doubt the knome could have caught up.

As the knome gets closer I realize it is Falls. “What are you doing Falls? Don't you need more time to heal or whatever?” I ask.

“Only more time to run. I can walk just fine.” she says as she gets to us.

“What did you want?” I ask.

“I'm going with you,” she states.

“Uh, I don't think so” I say.

She glares at me, “Like you have a choice. Whether you have me along or refuse me, I am coming.” she says.

“But why?” I ask.

“Because I am a woman and that is my prerogative,” she says.

“Oh please,” I blurt, “I mean why do you want to?” I ask.

“Because I have to,” she states.

“Excuse me?”

“You are just too cute when you're confused,” she says.

“Thanks I think. I mean why do you have to?” I ask.

“I don't know, I just know I have to. The earth guides me to all of you,” she looks at us all.

“Me?” Rock asks.

“Especially you dear Goldie. The earth is strong in you and you pull me,” she says.

“Uh...” Rock hesitates, “I'm too young.”

She smirks, “You are too cute. No silly boy. You are a gold dragon and gold and silver dragons are earth dragons. Even your mother has a few knomes as advisers and companions,” she says.

“So it's true there is a link?” Oaky asks.

“Yes lovely Oaky. On our journey we need to talk. We have much to learn, each of us,” Falls states without a second thought.

“But the prophecy says only three,” Rock says.

“For a gorgeous dragon, you are a bit naive. You are the main three, not the only. Without help none of you would be here. I am merely the unmentioned help. Just like Moon, Star, Gushes, and many others. I was told how much an ego a dragon has, but I had no clue.”

“Hey that's not nice,” Rock says.

“Probably not, but we knomes never claimed to have manners. Have you ever heard of nature being nice or having manners?”

“Okay point taken,” Rock returns.

“So do I rock lock your legs or do you accept me along?” she asks.

“Well as you say I can't stop you, but I don't like putting others in jeopardy,” I say.

“We knomes don't die easily, Once a knome was revived with a pea sized clay clod of him,” she says.

“Okay then we are four now, but I have to ask what is, rock lock?” I ask.

“Wrong question,” Oaky says.

I glance at Oaky then back at Falls to find she is gone. I feel a strange vibration at my feet and look down. I see that my legs are encased in stone. I am unable to move my legs.

“That is, rock lock,” Falls says back at her original position.

“That is weird. How do you remove it?” I ask.

“We have to get a rock splitter. The rock is permanent and has to be broken apart.” She says.

“Well do you have one?” I ask.

“No, but my father does. I will go get it,” she says.

“Oh geez Louise we don't have time,” I say. I hold my hand over the rocks and say, “Rocks of earth upon my shoes. From earth you came to earth you return.”

The rock splits off and sinks back into the ground. I look up to speak and see shock on Falls' face. “What?” I ask.

“No one can reverse a knome spell, not even a dragon,” she says.

“Can't or haven't?” I ask.

“Can't, it has been tried. That's why all knomes are taught that. It's our best spell and you removed it like a fallen leaf.”

“Sorry, but I thought this would be faster,” I say confused.

“There is only rumors of humans once having powers of all the races, and that was before the closing of the portals.” Falls says.

“He is an ancient, Falls,” Oaky says. “I thought you had heard.”

“I had, but I couldn't believe,” she says.

“Do you still want to go?” I ask.

“I wouldn't miss it,” She says excited.

“But what about the cutey you asked to see?” I ask.

She waves her hand, “He was flakier than shale. I want bedrock not sandstone,” She says.

“Okay then. Sounds kinky, but we are off. Rock lead the way,” I say and look at him.

He laughs and turns and walks off. We get out of town into the grassy fields. I remember when I lived in the other world how tall grass brought a little fear in me. The idea of getting bit by a snake really scared me. Now it is just a minor worry of feeling the pain.

Oaky has a few spells that will neutralize just about any poison that exists. She told me that there are only one to three poisons she cannot neutralize because they are unnatural. Only one of those are used by an animal. She reassured me that the animal lives more in the southern hemisphere, and you can't miss them when they are coming.

No one knows where these creatures come from. She was told they were very aggressive. She showed me a drawing of them once. To me it looks like a cross between a hippo and a lizard. The body is that of the water buffalo, but its neck and head is that of a long necked lizard. One of the notes says they partially reside in another plane.

It's funny in a way, I have heard of many references to other planes of existence, but nothing of the spirit world. I don't know if it doesn't exist to them, or they fear death more than humans.

“Can I ask anyone a question? Do you all believe in a spirit world?” I ask, waiting for a reprimand.

“In, spirit world, what do you refer?” Rock asks, “Do you mean non corporeal being, or where those that die go? They are referred to as similarly, but are very different.”

“I was referring to the deceased, but you have peaked my interest. Do you mind explaining both?” I ask riveted.

“I guess since we have nothing better to do, I can oblige.” Rock says, “Let me start with the incorporeal world since it is much easier.

The air riders like Moon is theorized they live in a spirit world that intersects with this one. Even they feel that it is unusual not to have a corporeal body, so believe their physical body resides somewhere else.

I won't go into detail, but when they reproduce an image of physicality is observed by most. It is believed that is why magic affects them so easily. Magic is believed to permeate all planes of existence.

There are many other incorporeal creatures and people in this world. We will more than likely meet a few on this quest. As for those that have died. Dragons believe that we become part of the universe. We believe that on transition that our knowledge becomes a part of the over knowledge of our race.

There are some that speculate that we could transcend to another plane of existence that is beyond our ability in this one to contact. But those that believe that are few and far between.

You had made the comment about hell. We dragons consider oblivion hell. If we die without cause we believe that our knowledge and our essence ceases to exist. To us that is hell.”

“Interesting,” I say then glance at Falls. “And what do the knomes believe?”

“We do not die. We are part of the earth. We are a basic extension of it. The only thing that distinguishes us from it is our individualism. The worst that can happen to us is to be obliterated enough that our consciousness or individualism no longer can articulate. If most of our bodies are destroyed, or are unable to pull together we sleep. We are always looking for our ancestors to reform them. But it is hard to find them since they can reside in a grain of sand. Gets frustrating at times to sift through an area to find a careless knome essence. But afterward they tend to be more careful.”

“Hmm now that is very unique to what I know. To forever be in a coma till someone is lucky to find you. I would try to find a way to be identified even in sand.”

Falls laughs, “What, blink like a star?” Falls asks sarcastically, “It can't be done. Don't you think we have tried.”

I thought I was blunt, but I think she has me beat, “I don't know a star on earth sounds kind of neat,”

“Sure if you want to be vaporized in the heat,” Falls says.

“I meant it figuratively Falls,” I say exasperated.

“I know,” she replies.

“Has anyone told you, you can be a bit too literal?” I ask.

“Hmm...” she ponders, “Nope not that I recall.”

I just laugh and shake my head, “Okay so gold and silver dragons need literal translators?” I ask.

“I don't know,” Rock replies, “Never knew mom had a knome adviser.”

“Course you wouldn't, silly,” Falls says, “Mrs Star Seeker doesn't need advice as much as you.”

“Hey that wasn't nice,” Rock says.

“I wasn't trying to be nice, just stating a fact,” Falls replies with a hint of confusion in her voice.

“How long are you to be my adviser?” Rock asks, agitated.

“Till you die. Why do you ask?” Falls replies.

I can just imagine Rock rolling his eyes as he says, “I'm doomed.”

“Why did you decide you were Rock's adviser anyway, Falls?” I ask.

“Because of dad, he said I owe you my life, Jode, and the best way I knew to repay my debt is to be Rocks adviser,” She replies.

I laugh, “Well when we get back you can separate him and reform him a few times,” I say to Rock.

“Oh could you?” Falls asks, “He needs it, but he is too lazy to do it. Can you also give him a tear or two. He needs a new outlook on life,” she says excited.

“Wait knomes can be made into other metals too?” I ask.

“Not all elements are mailable enough for us, but with a dragon tear any metal can be used, yes.”

“Stop,” I say and pull out the sheet of paper that has the list of items in my pouch. I skim the list and find what I am looking for.

I open my pouch and imagine gold as I start to reach into the pouch. I start with my two fingers unsure how this works. I then find my arm up to my elbow in the small hole.

I feel a rough object come to my hand. I find a good hand hold on a knob of some metal. I pull on it and try pulling my arm out of the pouch.

I watch as my arm reforms to normal as I pull. I see in my hand gold. As I continue to pull a pile of gold the size of falls, but in a lump, comes out of my side. To my surprise it is very light.

I get the pile of gold away from my body and clear of my feet when the whole weight of the item returns. I drop it to the ground, “Can you use that falls?” I ask.

Her eyes grow huge, “Possibly. But I need Rocks tears to make it compatible with my essence.”

I see rock pull out a small chunk of the purest looking gold I have ever seen, “Mom gave this to me last night saying I might need it. It was my first tears when I changed to a gold.”

He gently places it on the pile of gold. His tears melts into the pile of gold. The pile then begins bubbling like it is boiling. Before I realize what is going on, I see Falls diving into the pile

She splatters onto it to completely cover it in mud. As it continues to bubble rocks pop out of the mud and roll off onto the ground. Then the movement stops.

What used to be a pile of gold, now looks like a huge pile of dark gray mud. Several seconds pass without movement, and I think we have killed her.

Just as I am about to give up hope it begins to move. It elongates up and forms into a rough human form. I see two round globs of mud drop off. I see golden eyeballs look at me.

She blinks a few times then does a violent shake. The mud falls off to reveal a golden version of falls. She looked beautiful in clay, but now she is stunning.

She looks at her hands then down at her torso. I see tears similar to her fathers, but in gold, on her face. She runs to me and hugs me. I expected to feel cold metal, but it is like touching warm flesh. She then rushes over to Rock and hugs him.

We all look one to the other in amazement. None of us say a word as she hugs Rock and continues to cry audibly. After about a minute she runs back to me and hugs me. I put my hand on her hair to feel actual strands of hair that look like pure gold.

I stroke her hair till she slowly pulls away and looks back and forth between me and Rock. “Thank you both so much, I am meant to be an adviser,” she says.

“You mean you weren't sure?” I ask.

She bows her head. “No I had just hoped. Only way to be sure is to see if you are compatible with the dragon's tears. It was not my intention to deceive. I just didn't know any other way to find out,” she says.

“You never need to deceive. All I ask is to be honest,” I glare at Oaky and she shies away, “Deceit only breeds discord. If anyone is unsure, say so. We then can work to find out for sure. Nothing in life is definite.”

Her eyes literally twinkle, “The rumors are true. You are a very wise man,” Falls comments.

“Hah not really, just a lucky bluffer,” I say and smirk.

“The wisest man is always unknown to himself, Jode. And I believe you know very little about yourself,” Falls says.

“Well uh lately I really don't know who I am,” I say unsure what she was implying.

“I look forward to the journey ahead. I see much will be taught to me,” Falls says.

“Well I guess no learning is going to happen if I keep us standing here. Great Rock, our all seeing guide, lead the way,” I say.

“Ooo so funny, Ha, Ha,” Rock says and walks on as we follow.

It is an odd feeling walking in an open field with walking gold. In the human world, if someone had seen that pile of gold it would have been gone in a heartbeat and sold for money.

I could probably have lived high on the hog for several years with it. Now the only thing that goes through my mind is how wonderful Falls is, and how glad I am that she is gold. Most of my desire for wealth has all but left me. Now my wealth lies in my friends that I walk with and those I will be happy to see again after all this is over.

As we walk in silence I see the mountain range in the distance. By the look of it we might be to it by dusk, but I'm not sure. If we make it that would be nice. I don't like the idea of camping in the open. I have heard of some of the night creatures that roam around.

I notice something in the distance moving. My best estimate says it is heading straight for us. I'm hoping it is just the illusion of the planes. I continue to watch as it grows larger and larger. “Um what is that?” I ask.

“I am hoping I am wrong,” Rock says, “But it looks like a slitherant.”

“What is that?” I ask.

“The creature I showed a picture of to you” Oaky says.

“You mean the one with incurable poison?” I ask nervously.

“Yes,” she says.

“I thought you said they are way south of us.” I say.

“They are supposed to. They hate the mountains and tend to stay in warmer climates,” she responds nervously.

“They're aggressive right?” I ask.

“Very,” Rock says and stops.

“Let me in front first,“ Falls says, “I am not affected by poison. If it spits I may be able to block it. They generally only spit once when they first attack.”

I watch as the creature approaches. As it gets closer I realize it is the size of an elephant not a hippopotamus. Its neck is as long as its body. Its eyes glint red in the sunlight.

It slows its approach as it gets closer. It stops several yards away and looks like it is about to throw up. Falls stomps the ground and raises her arms. A wall of sod flies into the air to block a gob of greenish fluid leaving the creature's mouth.

The sod blocks all but tiny droplets of the green fluid. Several head our way. Without thinking I raise my hand and yell, “No.”

The droplets look to hit an invisible wall and fall to the ground. Before I can react in fear or be stunned I hear Falls yell, “Here it comes.”

I look up and see the huge creature lumbering toward us almost up to its original speed. “Shit,” I yell and take off to my right. I stop when I am sure I am out of trampling range and look back.

Rock is standing in its path still, with swords drawn. Falls is flat as a pancake where she stood to draw up the earth. Oaky is to my right already in a spell.

All at once Rock jumps onto the creature's neck and anchors himself on the creature with his swords. Oaky stops the movement with her arms and vines try to wrap around the creature's legs. Falls pops up in normal form and yells, “Under the jaw. Straight to its brain then run like fresh lava.”

I try to think as fast as possible at what I can do to help. I cast the strike true spell on Rock. Then I focus on all of us and see a tether on us all anchored in the earth several yards behind me.

Rock tries to swing around to get another sword higher in the creature's neck, but it jerks at the last moment and he misses. Rock dangles like a rag doll with one arm barely hanging on to the whipping neck.

“Earth's field of magnet I do call, Wrap your loving embrace on Rock of gold. With your love I do guide,” I say then see myself connected to Rock with an invisible force through my hands.

I raise my hand and lift Rock free from the creature's neck. Rock glances back with a mix of fear and shock. I move my hands and see Rock slide just under the creature's head. I just hope Rock gets the idea.

With relief I see Rock jab up at the creature's jaw. His aim was true and I see the tip of the blade come out the top of the creature's head then retract. I release my hold on the invisible force and see the tethers pull us to the anchor point.

I feel a strange sensation in my stomach then I am flying backward at an incredible speed. The sensation ends as I hit the ground and get the wind knocked out of me. I see a green explosion in the general location of the creature and black out.

I open my eyes to see a starry sky above me. I feel the hard ground against my back and a rolled up pile of grass under my head. I hear murmuring behind me in the distance and try to sit up.

It feels like a mack truck hit me head on. Every bone, muscle and sinew in my body aches. I feel a quick wave of dizziness hit me as I sit up, but it quickly clears.

Rock sits facing me, “Welcome back sleepyhead. Kind of over did it didn't you?” he asks.

“Over did what? I just hit the ground too hard,” I say.

Rock laughs, ”No you landed on Falls. I had to do a quick roll to miss you all. I would probably have crushed you all. Course since you are the only one mortal, I would have only killed you. Didn't think that was a good idea.”

“Thanks you are such a saint,” I say.

He smiles evilly, “I try.”

“I'm sure you do. What happened,” I ask.

“Well you hit Falls and passed out, end of story.”

“Ha, Ha,, funny. No really?”

“Well whatever you did got us just out of range of the splatter. Falls says that is its last ditch effort to kill its foes.

She says that all they do is kill without remorse or discrimination. They will even attack each other to the death.

Oaky was right, they don't come this far north. What it was doing here is a complete mystery. Falls done some checking and its tracks just start in the middle of the planes. Like it just appeared.

Falls and Oaky agree that it will be a safe night here since every animal will avoid the area one of the creatures die at. Something to do with the smell of the poison.”

“I just don't know why I passed out. I just thought it knocked the wind out of me. I don't remember hitting my head,” I say.

“Your head landed on my stomach,” Falls says behind me.

I turn to look, but have to put my hands down to stabilize me as a dizzy wave hits. “Lie down,” Oaky says at my side. I realize she is helping hold me up.

“I'll be okay as long as I just sit still,” I say slowly righting myself.

“You need to rest more. I'm sure you drained a lot more in your spells. You don't use the whole earth that fast and much without consequences. I'm surprised you weren't out for days.” Oaky says concerned. I could almost swear I see a snarl from Rock.

“I didn't use the whole earth. Just altered the magnetic field around rock. But I will have to work at my magic more to build myself up.”

“But you said, whole of the earth,” she says confused.

“That was simply to get earth’s attention. I doubt even the ancients could control the whole planet singly. There is just too much. The way things are phrased is not as important as what you imagine or think. The words are just your announcement to the powers beyond yourself you ask for their assistance. I just think please help would get redundant.”

“Definitely, “Rock says.

Oaky gives him a glare and he shrinks back, “But that is not what I was taught,” Oaky says.

“That's probably because your magic works differently. I'm sure Falls does it just as different,” I say.

“I'm sure,” Falls says, “We have to make the earth mad to work for us.”

“Oh I didn't know that,” Oaky says.

“But you are right, I over did something. Just not sure where,” I say.

“Yeah you were showing off,” Rock says disgusted.

“Well maybe a little,” I say.

“A little?” Rock asks mockingly.

“Maybe more, but it worked didn't it?” I ask.

“Barley, if my sword work wasn't so good we might all be dead,” Rock retorts.

“Your sword work, I did a true shot on your pathetic excuse of movement, you couldn't even hit a huge neck.” I say.

“True shot? I'm surprised we made it at all then. If I remem...” Rock retorts before Oaky interrupts.

“Enough, You're worse than little ones,” Oaky says.

“I see what you mean Oaky,” Falls agrees.

Rock and I glance at each other with a grin.

“Now lay down and rest,” Oaky says, “We may need your magic later.”

“Okay, but I have a question for Rock if he can answer,” I say.

“If I know. What you want to know?” he asks.

“I gather from Star that dragons and humans have equal power in magic. Why don't you use more?”

“That's easy, I didn't train with a lot of magic. I am told I could do it all, but I focused on battle. I like it better. I don't have the right discipline for the higher magic,” he says.

“I can see that a jarhead like you wouldn't” I say provokingly.

“Jarhead, hmm if that means contained, I agree,” he says smugly.

“I mean...” I begin before Oaky interrupts again.

“Will you two quit it? Sometimes you can be almost hopeless.”

“Ah, but mom,” I say and rock and I laugh.

Oaky throws up her hands and sighs while walking off. Falls follows after a glance at us. They stop out of ear shot and begin talking.

I see Rock in concentration then a look of disappointment covers his face.

“What?” I ask.

“They keep putting up a sound barrier so I can't hear them,” he says disappointed.

“That's women for you, secretive,” I say.

“Can I ask you something serious?”

“Of course, anytime.”

“Is there a connection between you and Oaky?”

“I think. She seems to know my needs before I do,” I say then add, “Why?”

“Oh no reason. Just was curious,” He says and I see a quick wave of depression cross his face.

“Rock she is my mentor for lack of a better word. She is more like my mother or sister,” I say gathering what might be going through his mind.

Rocks eyes light up, “Really? I thought maybe... You know the way you look at each other,” his face begins to gain golden color.

“Rock relax. I just gave her a purpose. Her nature is to nurture everyone. I didn't realize cross race relations would work.” I say.

I see his face in pain then anger, “That is not something you should concern yourself with,” his eyes turn gold with a red tint.

“Rock relax. I am only human and only have a year of experience here. I'm as dumb as they come in all this. I just want to be sure that in the end neither of you are hurt. I consider you both very close friends.”

Rock's anger changes to sadness, “I don't know,” he says and a few gold tears well up, “I just see her and get all weird inside. It bothers me, but I can't help it. Why would love be there if it can't be?”

“I don't know, Love is fickle and very disturbing at times. If you want, I can ask about interracial without implying anything.”

His eyes light up, “Could you please I just can't.”

“Anything guy, just relax and hold in your emotions.”

“Okay,” he says relieved.

“Why are you still up?” Oaky says getting closer.

“Okay, Oaky, just one last question of anyone that can answer.” I say.

“Well hurry up,” Oaky says.

“Is it possible to have two different races have children?” I ask bluntly.

“Jode!” Oaky exclaims as she comes around me into view.

“What? I just got to thinking that humans can have children with others of our race but different, but I just wondered if maybe a light person and a water person mate. And if so, could that be where Moon's race came from?” I say more as a joke then being serious.

“If it will get you to lie down,” Oaky says, “It has not been unheard of for one race to fall in love with another. In fact there are many in history that have done great things together, but actual children is a different story.

Some races are completely incompatible, but others I'm sure could have children,” she says with a stern look.

“Sorry Rock,” I say and he gives me a dirty look, “I'm going to use dragons as an example since they are so easy to pick on,” I see a quick release of tension, but he keeps the angry look.

“Okay what about a dragon and a knome?” I ask.

“Nope,” Falls says, “Not possible even with a metal dragon. The process of formation is way too different.” she says.

“Okay and just to put you on the spot,” I say, giving an evil grin to Oaky, “What about a tree spirit and a dragon?”

She stands silent in thought for a few minutes. “Now from what I understand of dragon reproduction and how we reproduce I would say slight possibility.

I think the children would be more dragon then tree spirit. But there is a slight chance it would be possible. In fact I think it would be interesting to see if it was possible, but I doubt I will ever really know.”

Oaky then looks at me sternly, “Now get some rest. Falls and I are going to scout around since we don't need rest.”

“Okay mommy,” I say.

She looks at me with a sneer then walks off with Falls right behind her. I glance at Rock and he mouths 'Thank you'. I nod and lay down slowly. I know if I don't at least try to rest I will never hear the end of it from Oaky. I realize that I am more tired than I thought and fall asleep fast.