The Gift of Charms by Julia Suzuki Page B

over and over. But something happened, before your birth. Something which made me know you would be a blessing.’
    Ketu looked into Yoshiko’s eyes as he prepared himself for his story. He patted Yoshiko’s arm then began. ‘It was back when Romao had only just won his guardship with us, and Kiara was first at her nest. Do you remember the Ageless Ones?’
    Seeing Yoshiko’s interest, Ketu drew himself up evencloser. ‘It was a time of great worry for Kiara and me, for as soon as your egg had been laid gossip in the clans began.’
    ‘I was in the market,’ he continued, ‘buying some herbs and potions, for Kiara wanted to be sure she had every medicine for the cave and would not leave the nest for fear of prying eyes. I was weighed down with cares worrying about your egg. Without thinking I sat down in front of the Ageless Ones to sort through my basket. When I looked up they were staring down at me.
    ‘It was no different from how they usually gaze out blankly at everyone in the marketplace – but the white opal stones that they wear around their necks seemed to shine brighter – and I had a feeling, somehow, as though some kind of connection had been made.’
    He looked at Yoshiko, who was staring back in silence. ‘I found myself talking to them,’ continued Ketu, ‘of how Kiara’s chest had begun to speckle before laying your egg, and of how overjoyed we were to be bringing forth a new hatchling.
    ‘Then I told them about all the rumours and of our fears for the egg because of it being so different,’ said Ketu, keeping his eyes now fixed to the dusty ground. ‘I spoke of how I had to reassure Kiara of ourhatchling’s health when I did not feel the certainty myself, and that with many moons left to go I feared I would not have the strength to continue comforting her without more confidence. Then a strange thing happened,’ he said.
    ‘The Ageless Ones leaned forward and firmly took my arms. I gasped, having been told that the twin dragons had never been known to communicate with another dragon. I felt as though I were being pulled into another place, another time,’ he continued. ‘It was as if the whole of Dragor was rushing away from me and then, just as suddenly I saw myself, a few winters older, with a young dragon at my side. I knew instinctively that this was you, Yoshiko. That is when I knew that all would be well.’
    Yoshiko swallowed.
    ‘Something similar happened to me too,’ he said, ‘with the Ageless Ones.’
    Ketu looked at him in surprise.
    ‘When we first visited the marketplace. They stared at me and then touched their stones,’ continued Yoshiko. ‘I felt as though I had entered another world with them. Then came a voice that said something about destiny.’
    ‘I do not know what to make of all this,’ said Ketu.‘I know only that Kiara and I want you to be safe and happy. I thought it unfair to keep this from you now you are older.’
    ‘Have you talked to the Ageless Ones since?’ asked Yoshiko.
    ‘Many times I have tried,’ said Ketu. ‘I walk past them often, but never again have they blessed me with a vision.’ He stopped as if considering something, and continued, ‘Without doubt, they have powers that are not known elsewhere in Dragor.’
    He turned suddenly to face Yoshiko.
    ‘But you need not worry yourself about such things,’ he said as he then covered the eggshell over again with the dusty soil. ‘You are now a happy and normal dragon.’
    Yoshiko nodded but inside he felt a twist of pain.
    He had been ready to tell Ketu about the callstone and about his visits to Guya, but now felt he couldn’t. It was clear that all Ketu and Kiara wanted was for him to be like other dragons. And as time passed he wasn’t sure he wanted to be.

14
The Trail Mountains
    ‘ A re you ready, Yoshiko?’ asked Romao.
    The day had finally arrived for Yoshiko to try out the Trail Mountains.
    ‘I can’t wait. I will be like a soaring eagle,’ he said, grinning at