The Dragons' Daughter

He had come to the forest to visit the Shrine; he hadn't imagined he'd be clearing its rubble. He paused at the edge of the grove and surveyed the damage. Bits of charred wood slumped over the stone foundation, and a lump near the back showed where an altar had been. Most of the surrounding trees were unharmed, though soot hung to the leaves like black veils of mourning.

By the edge of the grove, sprites sat and wept, while others tended the wounded on cots of moss or covered the dead with blankets made of leaves. A few sprites bowed slightly as he walked past them, but most were too absorbed in their grief to notice.

As he came to the rubble, his attention was drawn to a pair of earth sprites arguing near the remains of the altar.

"Just kill her says I," Said one with a red beard,

"But her mother prayed our help," replied the other,

“She prayed the Dragons help, not ours!"

"But she’s just a child!"

"She'll grow and be just like ‘em I'm sure!"

They paused as he approached,

"What have you found?" He asked, his voice resonating like falling water.

"Kamizu," spat red beard, "Some good you dragons are. You're a day too late, had you been-“

"A human child," Interrupted the other, "A woman came here to name her child, but some men had followed and-”

"Had she not come here this wouldn't have happened!” said red beard with some force. Then, jabbing a finger at Kamizu, “Had you been here we could have stopped ‘em. I say we finish the child, then go finish ‘em."

The angry sprite glared at Kamizu. Kamizu looked past the foor-tall sprite towards the child: She was soot covered and singed, she sat cradled in the burned arms of a dead woman and sang herself a lullaby choked in sobs.

“You rage is the rage of the earth, Tera,” He said, “but this child is a victim also. Let's not add death to death.”

"Hmph, as you will.” Said Tera, “We named the dragons ‘guardians’, we should have named you 'deserters'." He clomped off towards the edge of grove.

"He's grieved, Kamizu... it's been centuries since you left and this…”

"What happened?"

"The woman had come here with the child. I'm not sure why, but the men had followed her. When they found her here, they told her that her superstitions had no place in a world of science. She prayed for the Dragon’s help, Kamizu, that they would protect her child.”

“A dying prayer is strong magic,” Kamizu said, “I will save her, and name her my daughter.” He moved towards the child, scales reflecting the sunlight. As he moved, he began to sing along with the child.

“Up the mountain where the river starts,

There is a lonely shrine

Untended by a human hand,

It’s covered up in vine.”

The child started and looked at Kamizu with a dazed expression.

"Hello," He said, his fangs glistening, “I’m Kamizu. I’m here to help you.”

“Dragon,” She said through tears, “Help mommy!” She clung closer to the woman’s corpse and buried her face in the singed garments.

“I’m sorry, I cannot help her.”

“No!” She said, “Help mommy! Mommy love dragon! Dragon help mommy!”

Kamizu paused, his lengthy form began to condense, and his silvery body soon transformed to that an old man in a gray cloak.

“Mommy must sleep the sleep of death, child.” He said, gently, “but I will protect you, like your mommy asked.”

“No! I want Mommy! Wake mommy! Wake up!”

“She cannot wake,”

“No!” She sobbed, “Want Mommy!”

“Ah, child.” Said Kamizu, he placed a hand on the child's shoulder and gently moved her towards him.

“Dragon! Help mommy... mommy love dragon.”

As he removed her from the corpse, she beat his shoulder with her small fists and sobbed. As he pulled her away, the scorched corpse fell backwards as though relieved of a duty. Kamizu stared at the expression a moment; the corpse was smiling. He cradled the child on his shoulder and turned from the corpse.

“Piedra, are you coming also?”

“Sorry, no,” Said the sprite, “I want to continue preparing spots for my brothers. They’ll need cairns and the stones need moss, so…”

Kamizu smiled, “I’ll come back to help. Tonight, we’ll set them to rest and renew this place.”

Piedra nodded mournfully, and sniffed, “Thanks Kamizu.”

Kamizu carried the child to the edge of the grove, "Polvo, Rama,” he called as he approached, “A bed if you will.” a pair of tree sprites approached. They were about a foot tall, and the older, Polvo wore a hat made of a red leaf and had a flowing beard. The younger, Rama, had unkept hair and wore a dress made of bark. The pair darted over and built a small bed of moss and leaves. They bowed slightly as they finished.

“Thank you,” he said, and sat down near the bed, then rocked the child and sang softly. When she had fallen asleep, he lay her on the bed and left to help clear the rubble.

By evening, Kamizu and the sprites had buried the dead beneath small piles of pebbles and leaves throughout the ruins. For the woman, they had prepared a larger cairn near the center.

When the child had woke, Polvo and Rama fed her a warmed broth made of nuts and roots, helped her wash, and gave her new clothes made of bark fiber and rabbit hair. When they showed her the woman’s cairn, she lay upon it and wept for nearly an hour before she allowed Kamizu to carry her, and then she wept into his shoulder.

When they all had grieved, it was well past dark. The only lights in the grove were a few Whisps of the Willow casting a pale blue glow on the trees. Kamizu set the child on the ground beside him and knelt before her,

“Though these friends of ours are gone, we are not without hope. Here,” He handed her a leaf, and had grabbed for himself a small branch, “now watch and do as we do.”

He stood and clasped his hands together around the stick, then raised it above his head. The sprites raised their hands as well, the child mimicked.

“Kingdoms rise and fall,” said Kamizu, bringing the stick down in front of him, “night follows day follows night,” He moved his hands in a circle in front of him, then turned to his right and walked forward, raising and lowering the branch, “Though our friends have returned to elements, from them will sprout new life.” They turned around with a hop and continued their walk still raising and lowering their branches and leaves, “Let our tears nourish their history, and our love warm their beds, so that in time they will form new sprites, new lights, new life.”

As he spoke, new growths of moss, tree sprouts, and vines began to appear from the cairns. With a sudden motion, he turned to face the rubble, and lowered his hands towards the ground then raised them, straining as though pulling a root from the ground.

Suddenly, the rubble exploded with growth and the various sprouts merged and grew and grew and merged until they formed a magnificent tree 20 feet in diameter. Kamizu transformed back to his true form of a silvery serpentine dragon and swept the child onto his back before she could react.

“Hold fast, child.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck as he wafted up and around the tree. Soon they were at the peak, the sky above them a canopy of stars.

“Look,” said Kamizu, “See how sorrow can still have hope? This is the hope of this place. Though we all must die and return to the dust, in our wake a tree can grow old and tall. All things must rise and fall, but in due time we creatures of light return and reclaim all that is lost.”

The child gazed, transfixed by the sky and the dark forest.

“Lost,” she said quietly,

“Only for now,”

The next morning the shrine had returned to its ruined state. Like a dream, the great tree had reverted to a collection of sprouts and patches of moss. The various sprites moved about, tending the fresh growth and adding wear to the stones. Kamizu had returned to his human form and stood at the edge of the grove with the child, looking back at the ruins.

The child pulled his sleeve,

“Up,” She coaxed. Kamizu stooped and lifted the child to his shoulders.

“Let’s be on our way,” he said, turning down the forest path.

The girl waved at the shrine and the sprites.

“Bye mommy,” she said, “Miss you,” then she leaned her arms on Kamizu’s head, and seemed to fall asleep.

Though they weren’t certain, the sprites thought the men had come from along the river, so Kamizu chose to follow it down the mountain, certain that they’d find a village. At length, Kamizu paused to rest and woke the child.

She looked drearily around,

“Mommy?”

“Sorry, just me.” He said, handing her a cup of water from a satchel the sprites had given him. In the satchel, they had packed a pouch of nuts and berries, and usedtheir magic to prepare a sizable sack of salt.

“Mizu.”

“Yes, Ka-mi-zu.” He corrected

“kmzu,” She mumbled in the cup.

“Are you hungry?” He held out a pouch of nuts and berries. She gave him the empty cup, then took the pouch with both hands and looked at it,

“Not hungry, miss mommy.”

“I’m sure you do. Do you have a name, child?”

She shook her head, “Waiting.”

“Waiting for a name?”

She nodded, “Mommy wanna name, then…” She paused, her eyes started to gain tears.

“Hmm,” he said, “Names are important. There was a tradition that names were to be given on the third moon of the third year at that shrine. Though that was long ago. Was that what you were doing?”

She nodded.

He looked at her thoughtfully,

“I don’t know what mommy would have named you, but since she wanted me to protect you, I will call you my daughter and we’ll find you a name. Would that be alright?”

She nodded,

“Then what for a name?” He watched the river for a moment, then said: “How about ‘Subete-no-shitsumon-ni-kotaete-kureru-kanojo’?”

She stared at Kamizu like he had just turned into a giant spider.

“That is a bit long, isn’t it?" He said, "How about ‘Argetlam’?”

She made a face and shook her head,

“How about Byrbryd, I think?“ Came another, raspy voice.

The child jumped and Kamizu looked sharply towards the noise. On a rock in the water, sat a creature that looked a bit like a turtle with a flat bowl of water on his head. He was about 4 feet tall and sat with his hands on his knees, looking intently at the child.

The girl dropped the pouch and hid behind Kamizu.

“Ah,” said Kamizu, “A kappa. I’m Kamizu’ryu of the Waters, well met, Sir Kappa.”

“Kamizu’ryu our Water Lord!” Replied the Kappa, clasping his hands together, “My mother’s mother’s mother said she met you, I think. I’m Crwbyn, son of Llyffant, daughter of Broga, daughter of Penbwl who, the story goes, you saved from a farmer who accused her of drowning his son, I think.”

“I’m glad to know she fared well.”

“And had very good family, I think.” Said Crwbyn, “Why do you have that human child?”

“She was left for dead at the shrine, and I was asked to protect her,” Said Kamizu, “so think of her as my daughter.”

“Ah, then her name should be Anfwytadwy, I think.” Crwbyn looked thoughtful, then continued, “It’s been some centuries since a dragon came through here, I think. Where do you go?”

“We’re looking for a human village. They burned my shrine, and I taste a terrible bitterness in the waters. It seems- “

“Ah! The bitter waters!” Exclaimed Crwbyn, “If you want bitter water and bitter humans then keep along the bitter river, I think. They make the water bitter with their machines and give us no credit when we drown them! Does your visit to them, oh Lord of the Waters, mean you’ve named them foe and will make them fear our name again?”

“I go to see what name they must be given.” Said Kamizu, “If they poison us in ignorance, then they shall be called “students” and they shall learn; but if it is in malice, then I am willing to name them ‘foe’.”

While he spoke, Kamizu picked up the pouch of nuts and placed it in his satchel.

“Then you ignore your own, I think.” Said Crwbyn, “I had hoped the dragons would free us from this oppression.”

“A sickness must be drawn out carefully,” said Kamizu, “lest the host be killed.”

“Ha!” Exclaimed Crwbyn, “and a Lord that ignores his subjects isn’t worthy of the name!”

Just then a half-dozen Kappa jumped out of the water and made to grab Kamizu and the child. But just as they landed on shore, Kamizu waved his hand and the water on their heads suddenly shot up to the air, then curled down and splashed them in their turtle-beaked faces. The force knocked them on their tails. Kamizu calmly picked the child.

“I’ll forgive you this once, Crwbyn.” Said Kamizu, “But do not forget: despite our absence, we dragons and our kin do not carry our names by chance or favor.”

Crwbyn, who hadn’t left his rock, glared, “We have little choice but to remember, I think, Lord of Waters. But you remember us: while you’ve slept, we’ve suffered, and on the dying breaths of our kin was confidence in the dragons’ name. Only a promise of vengeance will make your name worth a drip, I think.”

With that, the Kappa all jumped back into the river and disappeared.

The child looked up at the sound and stared at the water,

“Scary frogs.” She said, sniffling. Kamizu chuckled despite himself.

“Yes. Scary.” He started walking back down the trail, “But I will keep you safe. I’m a poor replacement for mommy, but I will protect you.”

She lay her head on his should, “Mommy loved dragon. I love dragon.”

They reached the edge of the woods as evening fell, and the tall evergreens gave way to a field of stumps. A way up the river was a mill, where a handful of men were finishing their work. Beyond the mill, a few other humans were ambling down the dirt road towards the village, where a few isolated chimneys sent smoke above a wooden wall.

The darkness was deepening as they reached the mill, and the humans had all gone home to the village. Among the stumps, dark figures began appearing and listing around the clearing. One dark figure stood near the mill and seemed to watch them. The child clung close to Kamizu,

“What that?” She asked softly.

“They’re called many things,” He said, quietly, “While many spirits are born of nature, these are born of human emotions and history. Sometimes they are called ‘watchers’ and sometimes ‘shadow men.’ Best to just walk past.”

As they walked towards the village a few of the shadow men followed at a distance. Watching.

Kamizu picked up the child, and whispered, “You see how they follow? Usually they are harmless, but if they are evil spirits we’ll need to be prepared.” He gestured to his satchel, “When we get to the gate, I’ll show you.”

Kamizu paused at a door just to the right of the main gate and set the child down, then used the cup to take some salt from his satchel, “This salt is very pure, and bad spirits can’t touch it. If you make a line with pure salt, it will create a ward against bad spirits.” He handed her the cup, the shadow men watching. “Start here to the left of the door,” He directed, “then make the line around us, yes. Now, see how the door will open into the building? It means we won’t have to make too large a circle. Yes, good and finish there to the right. Excellent. Thank you.”

When she had finished, he had her place the cup back into the stachtel, then picked her up and knocked on the door. After a moment, an eye-level panel slid open.

“Who goes there?”

“My name is Kamizu, and this is my daughter.”

“What brings you here? It’s past dark you know, and from the forest gate!”

“We are traveling and just came from the woods.”

“You went through the Dark Wood?” The pair of eyes widened, “Then you’re either spirits yourselves or damn lucky.” The eyes glanced behind them to look at the woods. The shadow men had pressed close to the salt line, though the gatekeeper didn’t seem to see them.

“Well, you’ll have to stay with me a moment, but come in for now and I’ll get you some bread and ale.” The door opened into the guard room,

“Thank you.” Said Kamizu, as they entered

“danks,” Said the child,

The gatekeeper shuddered as he shut the door behind them.

“This is always the worst gate to work at night. There’s something eerie about the woods… well, I guess that’s why it’s called Dark Woods.”

“Shadow men,” said the child,

“What now?” Asked the gatekeeper. He gestured to a small table just inside the room.

“Your lumber mill has generated a few shadow men,” Said Kamizu, setting the child on the bench then sitting beside her at the table, “that’s all. In general, they make one feel uneasy, though yours seem to be darker than usual.”

“Well don’t you strike cheery talk.” He glanced at door he just closed, “Is that how you explain the sense where you’re from?”

Kamizu frowned at the gatekeeper, “do you not?”

“Well, my pappy used to say emotions leave marks on places, and those marks could grow into evil spirits. But The Mayor has been showing us that these so-called spirits are just sensations of the mind. He is a man of science and logic, and he’s working to bring us a stability we never had listening to sprits.” The gatekeeper had pulled some bread and cheese from a cupboard, and placed it before them, “Here.”

“I’ve heard rumors of this,” Said Kamizu, “I’ve been gone a rather longtime, but even so word travels. Though I hear more about poisoned waters and burned forests, than I do about stability for humans.”

“Aye, well. The mayor says that the short-term pain is worth the long-term gain, or something like that.” The gatekeeper brought a couple pints of frothy ale and water to the table, then sat with them, “You’ll meet him soon enough. He insists on meeting any traveler that comes after dark. They call me Gordon, by the way. And what’d you say your name is?”

“Kamizu,”

“And the child?”

Kamizu was about to speak, when the door opened and a rather robust, toad-like man stumbled into the room. The child giggled.

“Toad man stumble,” she said to Kamizu, pointing with a piece of bread. The mayor didn’t hear her, but exclaimed:

“Blazes, Gordon! That step needs fixed!”

“It’s flat as a lake on a still day, Mayor.”

The Mayor stooped and examined the floor, rubbing a finger along the threshold.

“And a fine job you’ve done, Gordon- did you polish it?”

“Yes, sir- My pappy always had us clean and polish thresholds with salt and oil. I find it gives a nice sheen. Don’t you think?”

The mayor stood, “Fine idea. Fine idea.” He said rubbing his hand on his trouser, his eyes roving the room, “ah, I forget myself.”

He strode to the table and extended a hand towards Kamizu, who had just finished refocusing the child to her bread and cheese.

“I’m Mayor Marwolaeth. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Well met Mayor, I’m called Kamizu.”

“A good name. An old name if I’m not mistaken. One from legends, an ancient dragon?”

“Exactly so. I’m glad you know my stories.”

“I think every child should know stories,” The Mayor sat heavily in a chair, “Despite my work to enlighten the world, I think there is still room for whimsy. And how about you young lady?” His voice softened, “What’s your name?”

The Mayor looked at the child. She had been humming herself a tune about toads while dissecting the bread before her, she paused mid bite as the Mayor gazed at her. She slid closer to Kamizu and shook her head.

The mayor chuckled, “You are a shy one, aren’t you?”

Kamizu answered for her, “I was just telling Gordon, but she doesn’t have one.”

“Hold now,” interjected Gordon, “You said she’s your daughter.”

“She is, I’ve adopted her as my daughter. I found her in the remains of a shrine, Mayor, in the arms of her dead mother.”

“Dead you say?” said Gordon, “Kind of you to adopt a foundling.”

“The mother’s dying words asked me to protect the child. Hard to resist.”

“But you said the mother dead,” said Gordon, “How could you know the dying words?”

“The sprites of the Shrine told me,” Replied Kamizu, then, turning back to the Mayor, “The sprites also told me that it was men speaking of science that burned our shrine, killed a woman, and nearly killed this child.”

The child nodded and sniffled,

The Mayor scowled, “A burned shrine I’ll believe. There are those who say I’m too soft on superstitions. But you say sprites told you this?”

“Correct, and I have more, sir. The spirits in general are getting angry. They speak of humans delving deeper into their woods for precious metals and dark oils; leaving poisoned water and burned woods behind them. Or, as I see outside, mutilated woods. My purpose in coming here, Mayor, is to ask: do you realize the harm you’re causing?”

Gordon stared at Kamizu, mouth agape, then looked to the Mayor who had placed a hand to his mouth and gazed at Kamizu thoughtfully. The child had taken her bread and watched them intently from under Kamizu’s arm.

“I perceive you believe these things fully, Kamizu.” replied the Mayor, smiling, “I do believe in the power of Nature and resources, but the spirits can be explained without resorting to some unseen realm. Any harm you think has been caused can be fixed. Waters can be purified and forests regrown; why let human suffering continue for fear of offending some illusory thing?”

“Ah,” said Kamizu, “If these are mere illusions, then I’m inclined to think that these legends teach us to use our world well, and moderate our use.”

“Moderation, eh? Nothing kills progress like moderation. Even so, those woods are old and dangerous, full of beasts and-“ he thought a moment, “things that humans are prone to associate with legend.”

“Then what does your science make of the dragons?”

“Pah!” Said the Mayor, “You know the legends, they say that the Ancient of Days used the dragons to create the world: Four elemental beings who created matter, then taught the humans knowledge. No, there are better explanations than absentee deities. Surely you can see that? In Science, the dragons are named the Natural Laws, the Ancient of Days is science itself. Through this lens I’ll show humans the way forward and the way to fulfill their every desire.”

Gordon clapped, and Kamizu and The Mayor looked at him.

“Well said, Mayor! See, Kamizu, he’s something isn’t he? Who needs a false hope of dragons when science has such palpable results?”

“but dragons real.” Said the child, defensively.

“Child,” Said Gordon, “how can they be?”

“Mizu dragon.” She looked at Kamizu, who smiled at her.

Gordon laughed, “He’s named for a dragon, but that doesn’t mean he is one.”

“No!” said the child, “Mizu dragon! Myer Toad!”

Gordon started to laugh, “Mayor, I think she just called you a toad!”

“No laugh! Mizu Dragon!”

“Thank you, daughter.” Said Kamizu, patting her hand, “we must be patient when teaching.”

“Children say what they think,” Said the Mayor, “Nothing wrong with that.” He chuckled coldly.

“Mayor,” Said Gordon, “It’s time for my round. Mind if I leave you?”

“I was just noticing the same thing, Gordon. I’ll be fine. While you’re at it, have Greta get a room ready. You can show them to the inn when you return.”

“Thank you, Gordon,” Said Kamizu as the man left the room.

Kamizu turned his attention to the Mayor, and smiled, “I have been thinking, Mayor, that you do remind me of another story. It’s about a spirit called Chasm. Chasm consumed everything, and was never filled. He coveted the humans, so he’d entice them with their desires, only to eat them. Most of all he coveted the power and wealth of the dragons, but was never able to obtain it. In most stories, he is often described as a greedy toad.”

“Sounds like a sad tale,” Said the Mayor, “What became of Chasm?”

“Same as the dragons, I fear,” said Kamizu, “he’ll fade into legends and myth, only he’ll be remembered for a time as an ugly, greedy wretch, and then forgotten.”

“Unlikely, human greed will always revive him, but what if Chasm managed to eat a dragon?”

“Maybe Chasm would finally be filled?”

“My thought exactly,” Said the Mayor, suddenly leaping at Kamizu. As he leapt. he transformed into a giant, slimy toad, exclaiming, “Then I’ll do so now!”

Kamizu stood and in one swift motion moved the child and his satchel to the other side of the bench. Chasm grabbed Kamizu by the shoulders, and Kamizu grabbed Chasm’s arms. The child screamed, then scolded: “Bad toad! Bad!”

Kamizu attempted to transform back to his dragon form, but found he could not. Chasm chuckled, “I have this room prepared for many spirits! You think I’d dare attack you otherwise? I’ll devour you and the child will make a fine dessert!” With that Chasm opened his mouth wide and wrapped Kamizu’s whole torso in his slimy maw.

The child stared aghast, “Stop!” She said, tears forming in her eyes, “Let Mizu go!” She dashed off the bench then ran to the toad and hit him on the side with a dull splat. Chasm turned his wide eyes to her, Kamizu’s leg’s dangling awkwardly from his mouth. He pushed her with a slimy hand and she stumbled back against the bench. She hit Kamizu’s satchel, and it fell sideways onto the bench, spilling salt.

She grabbed a hand-full and threw it at Chasm, “Let go!” She cried, and cast handful after handful, “Let go! Bad sprit!” The salt hit Chasm in the face and smoke began rising from his skin. He grabbed at his eyes, and he spat out Kamizu in shock. Kamizu went flying across the room and landed slumped against the wall.

“Oh!” exclaimed Chasm “Oh! It burns!”

The Child threw more salt at the toad, “Bad sprit go!” She repeated “Bad sprit go!”

“Gah!” Chasm raised his arms to shield his face, waving his arms against the assault. “Awful child. It’s dessert first!” He suddenly lowered his arms and his thick tongue darted at the child. The tongue latched onto her and, surprised, she grabbed onto the satchel of salt as the tongue pulled her towards the gaping mouth.

“Ah!” she screamed, “bad sprit go!” and she heaved the satchel in front of her. As she reached the toad’s mouth, the contents of the satchel burst all over him. Chasm dropped her, clutching at his face and she scurried towards Kamizu.

“Ahh!” Chasm moaned piteously, crumbling to the floor with the pain, the salt eating away at his head, “wretched child!” He worked to stand, but kept slipping in his own bubbling slime. “’etched chiwd!” He fell once more, then lay still on the floor.

The child stared at the smoking mass, then turned to Kamizu and began to shake him, “Wake up!” She said, crawling onto his lap, and wrapped herself in his arms, “No sleep, Mizu! Wake Up!” she sat cradled in the dragon’s arms and rocked herself back and forth, singing a lullaby choked in sobs.

“Up - the moun-tain - where - the river – starts -

There - is a – lone-ly shrine,

Untended - by - a h-hu-man hand”

Kamizu coughed and spit out some toad slime, “It’s covered up in vine,” he finished, and she looked up. She began sobbing in earnest and held him close.

“Thought – y-you - Sleep.” She sobbed, and he sat and rocked her, surveying the smoking goo across the room.

“Shh, shh, I cannot die, though I would have been most uncomfortable in his belly.”

She giggle-cried, and he leaned her back so he could look at her,

“Did you do that to Chasm?”

She nodded, “H-he – try t-to eat me-e! But – a-ate salt.” She sniffled and rubbed her eyes,

“Well, good thinking. You were very brave. I’m sorry I let him get me.”

“Love Mizu. Protect Mizu.”

He brushed the tears from her eyes, “That you did, my daughter.”

He paused, “How about Halwyn?” he asked.

“Hawyn?”

“For your name, how’s “Halwyn, the Dragon's Daughter.”

She embraced Kamizu and smiled her approval.