~ Renea Goldson ~

Year G0392 - Month 6 - Day 15

The Redwind Cottage

The excitement and eagerness filled her bones quickly as she walked through the forest. Her eyes wide as she picked berries from different bushes. Dressed in a dark blue dress with brown sandals on her feet she made her way through the forest. Sarah had let her roam around outside to forage for edible foods, such a simple task and yet it filled her with both excitement and joy.

Twirling around Renea looked at the large canopy of trees above her. Slowly and calmly she began to him a sweet tune to herself. The same tune that Sarah would always sing aloud in a cheerful and energetic voice.

“High in the skies where the dragons roam free,

A land of untold stories awaits to be found.

Deep in the sea where the sirens sing for thy,

Adventures of all kind are there to be won.

Down on the earth where the wisps dance around,

Love is waiting to be found,” Renea sang with joy as she twirled around happily.

Suddenly she stopped and looked into a tree that was twisted around in an odd shape. Looking at it she walked towards it curiously, the dark brown bark seemed to have spots of gold glowing on it. Dark emerald green leaves reflected the sunlight filling the ground with a beautiful green color. Renea’s eyes widened in wonder as she walked over to the tree, not noticing the way that dark beady black eyes watched her from the darkness.

“This tree is so pretty,” Renea said with a huge smile.

Everything about the strange tree seemed to pull her closer to it, but she stopped just short of touching one of its lower branches when she heard a voice. The voice was both kind and stern, but it was also one that she had never heard before. The sound echoed in her head as she pulled her hand away.

“Don’t touch that young lady,” immediately Renea turned around in fear to look at the person who spoke.

However what she found didn’t scare her, in fact it only fascinated her. What she found was the very dragon that she had seen flying across the night sky nearly two whole weeks ago. Renea’s eyes widened in pure shock and awe as she looked over the creature. Ever since she had seen the dragon she had become fascinated with them, it was like some strange pull was telling her to get closer.

Her eyes widened in fascination as she took a step closer to the dragon that sat on the ground. It’s wings were folded into its back while it watched Renea with beady black eyes. Sharp golden claws dug into the hard soil beneath her, and sharp teeth glimmered as the dragon looked at the small child.

“I… I can understand you?” Renea asked slowly, completely shocked at the realization.

“Yes you can young Goldson, a child gifted with dragon tongue is rare,” The dragon responded while tilting its head to the side.

It was so graceful and elegant as it examined Renea head to toe. Renea listened as the dragon spoke but its mouth didn’t move, while a small black crystal on the center of the dragon’s head glowed a soft white with each word that was spoken. Slowly she puffed out her cheeks and glared up at the dragon before her.

“I’m not a son,” She pouted in annoyance.

The dragon's eyes narrowed down at the girl as she lowered her head to have a better look at her. Looking directly into her eyes Renea let a grin cover her face. The dragon's scales shimmered in the sunlight that came down in beams through the leaves above.

“You fear not my knowledge of your name?” The dragon questioned.

Renea looked up at the dragon and just grinned a wide smile with her eyes closed. Slowly opening her eyes she shook her head, what was there to fear if the dragon had been overhead when her name was called out. The dragon could clearly understand her language what was to fear about a coincidence.

“Nope, my keeper shouts it all the time,” Renea chuckled with a smile across her lips.

“You are very bright, for a human,” The dragon responded as it raised its head back up.

At the praise a huge grin crossed over her face. Her eyes glittered with joy and she took another step closer to the deadly creature. They were so close that Renea could touch the dragon easily if she were given the opportunity. Soon a thought came to her head and she turned around slightly and pointed at the tree.

“Why can’t I touch it? What’s so dangerous about it?” Renea asked slowly.

“It is a very wonderful but dangerous plant. It is known as the Phoenix Tree, capable of healing any wound or sickness. However it is known as the Phoenix Tree for a reason, it has the ability to restore a person’s life while at the same time trapping them in the endless pain and suffering that comes with immortality,” the dragon spoke calmly while looking down at Renea waiting for her reaction.

Blinking slowly in surprise, Renea spoke in a confused voice. It came out confused with a tinge of fear, and the dragon tilted it’s head as she asked the question.

“And you’re telling this to a child?” She asked while narrowing her eyes slowly.

“Of course, as a child you must know the dangers of this world. Otherwise you may not know what will hurt you,” The dragon responded.

Renea’s mouth opened wide as she nodded slowly in understanding. It was strange, but she didn’t really have to think too hard about it to understand it. After all a childhood was to learn and prepare for surviving and living.

Slowly she tilted her head once again. Renea was about to ask about the tree, but as she was about to the dragon's wings spread out wide. The burst of wind sent leaves flying away from her and Renea’s hair to blow into her face. The dragon took one last look at Renea and flew into the sky leaving one last warning.

“The Phoenix Tree is dangerous and can kill you if you are to be near it for too long. However it’s roots travel through the whole forest on this mountain, it’s power dwells within every tree,” The dragon’s words echoed through her head before everything went quiet.

Suddenly the dragon flew up off the ground and out of the forest. Shock filled through Renea before she looked at the ground where the dragon had stood, something strange had caught her attention. On the ground was a beautiful golden scale left behind. Walking up to the item she picked it up and examined it.

Silence filled the forest around Renea as she stood next to the huge tree. She blinked slowly trying to understand what she meant only to be found with nothing that she could think of. The scale glittered in the sunlight as Renea turned it around looking at every edge.

“The Phoenix Tree… What could be so dangerous about something that would heal you?” Renea asked herself as she looked over at the tree before her.

“Renea! Where are you it’s time for lunch!” Sarah’s voice rang through the forest loudly but calmly.

Turning to her keeper’s cabin she began to run. A wide smile decorated her face as she came up to the river that separated the right forest from her cabin. Quickly she jumped onto the first of the large stone rocks that formed a broken up bridge across the river. Expertly she jumped from rock to rock to get across the swift river current.

“Renea,” Sarah called once again once Renea made it passed the river safely.

“Here Sarah!” Renea called as she ran over to her keeper.

“Oh there you are, come on it’s time to eat dear,” Sarah said with a smile as she pulled Renea into a tight hug.

Renea just smiled and followed Sarah into the cabin. In the satchel that hung around her left shoulder she had hidden inside of the inside pocket the large golden scale. She smiled up at Sarah as she was served a steaming hot stew filled with chopped carrots, onions, peas, green beans, rice, tomatoes and diced up roasted venison meat. Licking her lips Renea accepted the spoon and bowl from Sarah and dug into her food.

“Sarah?” Renea asked slowly as she looked at her keeper.

“Yes dear?” She replied slowly.

“Have you ever heard of a Phoenix?” She asked curiously.

Sarah’s eyes widened in surprise at the question. It was not something that she had expected the young child to know about. “Yes… I have. Why do you ask?” She asked slowly.

“Oh no reason, I just remember hearing about it somewhere,” The girl shrugged as she ate her food. Suspiciously Sarah looked at her for a long moment before nodding.