Lesson's Learned

Brittany looked to Corwin as he laid his hand gently on her allowing her to hear his thoughts as he began the story. She could feel a tingle like she would during a storm as his mind touched hers and she smiled. "Now shall I tell you a story little one?", Corwin smiled at her. Brittany nodded and grinned as she heard his voice for the first time. Corwin nodded, "Ok then......"

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The young boy ran to his father, "Father look there is another village and I see kids playing. Can I go play?" His father looked to him and smiled, "Aye son but be careful and do not stray too far. I shall call for you when I am ready to leave." With that the boy ran off and his father looked to his brother who was traveling with them, "This has been so hard on him brother. Being with others his age will help but then we go right back to searching and he seems so withdrawn for days afterward." The brother nodded, "But he is a child and needs to play, in the long run it will prove for the best to let him just be himself." The two brothers walked into the village and although it was a small settlement the people seemed very receptive of them to spite the troubles the had gone through in the past. They asked around for the village leader and where pointed toward a small building near the edge of the village. They knocked and as they waited the father noted how happy everyone seemed now and remembered the past when this whole world was nearly destroyed by.... Just then the door opened and an older man looked at them then immediately dropped to his knees unable to utter a word. "Please stand my friend. I have never been much on formality and do not really wish it known that I am here." The man stood shakily, "My lord, you have returned.... we never expected..." The father smiled to him, "I did not expect to return under the circumstances I have, but yes I have returned. I must say I am very pleased to see the progress you have made. May we come inside and talk with you for a bit before we continue on our journey?" The older man nodded and opened the door fully for them, "Forgive my manners my lord but it is not everyday that you get a visit from..... well I was a bit shocked is all." The two brothers walked and the door closed behind them...

The young boy ran to the other kids who were playing something like tag, "Can I play too?" One of the bigger kids looked him over a minute, "Don't know you seem a bit small to play with us. Probably can't even keep up. Why don't you go find the little kids and play they are in a nursery somewhere. The other kids laughed at his statement and the young boy looked at them his temper beginning to get the best of him, "I can too keep up. Are you afraid to lose to me?" The bigger kid walked up to him and shoved him, "I ain't afraid of nothing. And I never lose." The bigger kid shoved him again knocking him down then began laughing and the others were all laughing too then suddenly they became silent theirs eyes wide. The young boy growled low in his throat and stood. his eyes flashed a red color and he began to glow changing his form. As the glow subsided where the young boy had stood was a small dragon, silver in colorm which let out a high shriek as it moved toward the kids. They began screaming about a dragon going to eat them and scattered....

The father perked up as he heard the noise and ran from the elders home across the village with his brother close behind. As they reached the spot where the young boy had gone to play with the other children he saw the small dragon sitting there with his head down and hurried to his side, "What happened son? Are you alright?" The small dragon looked to him, "They were so mean to me and would not let me play and they.... they.. shoved me. I got mad and I changed without thinking. They all ran away scared of me. Father I just wanted to play..... that's all." "I know son.... I know. but you are very different and these people have seen so much loss at the hand of your uncle. You yourself have lost much by his hand as well..." The elder walked up to them then looked at the small dragon, "What has happened?" The father looked to the elder, "So much you have accomplished and for that I am proud. One day you shall be ready to accept us back without condition but not yet." With that he stood and smiled, "I look forward to the day when we can come home again for good. I ask one thing of you until that day, Teach the children from this day on not to fear dragons but to accept them as friends. And that regardless of size they should accept everyone as equals." The elder nodded, "I accept this charge and I too look forward to the day when you will be back among us my lord." The father smiled down at his son, "It is time son we must continue on our search" The small dragon furrowed his brow as he concentrated and began to glow again his form changing once more. He took his fathers hand as they walked out of the village, all three in silence.

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Corwin smiled down at Brittany, "Now little one, off to bed with you before your mother has my hide for keeping you up so late. I have many more to tell you but they shall wait for another night." Brittany hugged him and kisses his cheek then hopped off his lap heading for bed to dream of the dragons.