Another Man's Storm

Prologue work in progress

Disclaimer: All work in progress posts are subject to further editing and revisions and there’s no guarantee if they’ll be published works or not, nor is there a guarantee if they’ll be finished. I like to think they will, but some things like lack of interest or a better idea might determine their final fate. So bear with me!

Prologue

Dai stood on the grassy slope above the river. The early mist hovered over the rocky shore below her, obscuring the gentle current while white boulders peeked above the mist. A lone figure walked the trail below her, his youthful body fading in and out of the fog, his head bowed, his shoulders dropped, his stride slow and melancholy. Even from where Dai stood, she felt his grief. It was not unlike hers, except he had lost more. Both of his parents had died the week before, while Dai lost her father.

The three had been foraging. Her father knew of a ravine where a certain herb grew. While climbing the mountain, a storm swept through the canyon, releasing a downpour. The ground gave way under their feet and the hillside collapsed, washing them into the river. Their bodies were found days later. This left Ala an orphan. Grieved, Malosi took him in as his son.

Dai and her brother were older than Ala and lived on their own. They would survive. Ala was fourteen and he still had growing to do; he still needed the guidance of his parents.

“There you are,” Michail, her older brother joined her, wrapping his fur over her shoulders. “I worry about you when you disappear like that.”

The warmth of the cloak embraced her, and she smiled her gratitude.

“It’s not only I who needs your comfort, Michail. Look at him,” she whispered, nodding toward Ala. “He is all alone now.”

“He has his uncle.”

“Malosi?”

“Malosi is a good man.”

“Malosi lives by himself. What does he know about raising a child? The boy needs a mother.”

“Dai, leave it be. Ala will survive.”

“I have known Ala all my life.”

“What are you saying? That you want to mother him?”

The thought had brought tears to her eyes. Not only had Ala’s parents died, but it was her father who led the couple up the ravine when the earth gave way. Malosi claimed it was his fault that his brother and wife were gone. Overnight, the man was no longer a friend.

“I am saying that Ala needs something to bring him back to life. To give him hope.” She glanced at the cliffs above them and the white dragon sitting majestically on the precipice, visible against the snowy cliffs only by the green of her eyes, and the heat of her breath.

“If I can help him, I will,” Dai said.

“You? Or Laurel?” Machail asked, following her gaze.

“Laurel is carrying a young one. She will give birth soon.” Dai whispered.

“And you think Ala might be brave enough to tame it?”

“Yes. Ala is a healthy boy and he needs this.”