© Barbara Boot 2020. Cover art by the author. Published by DR21 Publishing. All rights reserved.
This story takes place in the middle of the Neolithic before Dampa was put to sleep for an entire century by his brother Nima; who forced him to drink a poison. All because he was convinced the mortals no longer needed gods. Because Dampa only swallowed a small amount of it he awakens in late summer of the first dynasty Xia and becomes Xuě méiguī (Snow rose). One day a Night Dragon appears at Longwei's home who his dear aunty instantly recognises as her lover Huī yè and father of her dear son Dorjee. Longwei is fascinated to hear how his dear aunty and uncle met. It all started one day when Xuě méiguī, at the time Dampa, was caught in a terrible storm. It blew him far to the east to crash land on an island which lies off the coast of what is known today as South Korea.
Dampa takes a moment to catch his breath before he sits up to find himself in a dense forest. There is a flash of lighting which reveals someone is coming towards him. Another flash shows it is a Night Dragon who is dressed in a green robe, with his long red hair flowing down his body.
This makes the Snow Dragon quickly get to his feet. He cannot believe he is now in the presents of one of the rarest gods on the planet, for they never venture far from their hot desert. Dampa starts to wonder why has chose to be here?
He clears his throat. “I am honoured meet you,” he says, performing a deep bow.
The Night Dragon’s head tilts to one side and Dampa notices in the flashes of lightning, his gorgeous eyes, the colour sunset, are looking right at him. They blink a few times, then he speaks with rough deep voice a language the Snow Dragon has never heard before.
When he sees the tall Dragon starts to beckon his heavily ringed right-hand at him to follow him. Dampa gives him a nod and together they make their way through the forest to a round hut made from bamboo, where they stay whilst the storm rages on.
Once the sky begins to clear, Damia looks out the window to see shafts of sunlight are starting to shine through the thick canopy. The Night Dragon joins him; he points his hand upwards and says, “Guna su na ne.”
Dampa just gives him a smile and wishes he knew what he was trying to tell him.
The Night Dragon pats his broad chest and announces, “Huī yè."
“Dampa," says the Snow Dragon copying by patting his own chest and repeats his name. All the time watching the Night Dragon tilt his head slightly to his right as he listens.
Huī yè's spiked scaled eyebrows as he tries to speak, “Dam...pa?”
“Yes, that’s my name,” answers the Snow Dragon, giving him a clap.
There is a hint of a smile, as the Night Dragon points his hand again out of the window to a tree and says, “Fuka.”
Dampa looks and replies, “Fuka? Shù na.”
Huī yè listens and responds, “Shù na?”
The Snow Dragon nods, he points his hand at the cup Huī yè is holding and says, “Bēizi.”
The Night Dragon also points his hand to it and grunts, “Ah. ga."
Dampa smiles and replies, “Ga?”
Huī yè nods and smiles.
They both take a seat by the fire and continue to learn words for things in each others languages whilst The Night Dragon makes a simple, but filling lunch.
In the afternoon Huī yè shows Dampa around his island and when he points his hand out across the sea and speaks very clearly, “Zhìliáo zhě zhī dì. (Healer's Land)."
Dampa looks up at him all wide eyed and gasps, “Wait, I understood you that time. Shì de, nà shì zhìliáo zhě de tǔdì. (Yes, that is land of the healer.)”
Huī yè smiles when he understands him and expresses in the same language, "Forgive me, I should not have just spoken the language of the islands. This is only spoken on the mainland.”
The Snow Dragon shakes his head and apologies, "I should not have just spoken the language of the mountains."
They both emit soft laughs.
“Now we understand each other," says the Night Dragon. "Back at the hut I said, it has stops raining."
Dampa sighs, “I should have gust for you were pointing at the sky.”
Huī yè nods and responds, “I must say, you are far from your homeland of the Frozen Mountains. May I ask what brings you into these warmer regions?"
There is a hint of wonder in the Snow Dragon's gold cat-like eyes. "Adventure," he answers in a bold voice. Then his head tilts slightly to the left and he questions, "I bet it is the same for you, for you come from a hot desert, right?"
The Night Dragon folds his arms and answers, "Yes, a very long time ago my kind came from there. Then we moved in to these cooler regions mainly because, the mortals who fish in the sea around here, sometimes get trapped on these islands, that are uninhabited. We decided to help them return to their families on the mainland."
"I see, how fascinating," says Dampa, raising his scaled eyebrows. "So you were born here?"
This makes Huī yè's eyes grow wide and he quickly answers, "No, no. I was born on Mí wùdǎo (Misty Island), north of here."
The Snow Dragon performs a shallow bow and apologises, "Sorry."
The Night Dragon pats him on the shoulder and tells him, "It is quite all right, you were not to know. I should say, I chose to live here, one to help the mortals and two, to have some space from my large family, for I have six brothers."
"Oh my goodness," gasps Dampa. "I only have one."
"Then you are lucky."
The Snow Dragon frowns and asks, "Why do you say that?"
Huī yè lens down to his eye level and informs him, "Trust me, growing up with six brothers was not easy. You never get chance to have a moment alone. They are always wanting to know what you doing. I was always having to look after the younger ones, when all I want to do was play. It was not good for a growing child who craved adventure."
"Oh, now I understand. It sounds like they were a lot younger than you?"
The Night Dragon nods, he stands up straight and replies, "I am the third son. By the time I was born my eldest brothers were barely around. This is because they are eight seasons older than me. Where my younger brothers are only two, then three seasons young than me."
Dampa nods and expresses, "Now I understand. It must be nice though to be surrounded by a large loving family. Mine... Disappeared long before father had my brother and I. And once we had our wings, he left."
Huī yè is shocked to hear this and he gasps, "How awful. He did not tell you where to find him?"
The Snow Dragon shakes his head and tells him, "We awoke one morning to find him gone. He left us a note, which said, 'I regret to leave my sons behind, where I have gone is no place for children. Take care of each other and I hope one day to return.' He never has."
In that moment he is being embraced by the tall Dragon, he gently holds Dampa's head to his chest and rest the side of his spiky scaled cheek upon the top of the Snow Dragon's forehead.
"I am so sorry this has happened to you," whispers Huī yè, whilst stroking the back of Dampa's head.
The Snow Dragon realises he is hinting there are others. This makes him wish he could stay to learn more, however, it is getting late. He leans back slightly to look into his eyes, with the bronze braking away into the blackness it, makes them appear like an explosion of colour has taken place.
Dampa gives him a smile and apologies, "I must go, because my brother will only begin to worry if am not back before dark."
The Night Dragon is a bit reluctant to release him, he strokes the side of his handsome face and requests, "I hope you return one day."
The Snow Dragon nods and promises, "We will see each other again."
Huī yè lets him go and tells him, "Take care, and no more flying in to storms."
"I do not think I will do that again in a hurry," responds the Snow Dragon, giving him a pat on the arm.
The Night Dragon gives him a nod, he watches him unfold his beautiful light pink wings and takes off. Once he has disappeared over the forest, Huī yè heads home.
✲✲✲
The sun is beginning to set when Dampa reaches the village that lies far below the Frozen Mountains. This is where Nima always waits for him to return from his adventure. He is always pleased to see him come into land, save and sound.
"I was beginning to worry for have been gone so long this time," he tells him whilst giving Dampa a hug.
When his brother informs him where he has been and who he has met. Nima encourages him to seek out the Home of the Night Dragons again to thank Huī yè for looking after him.
Dampa agrees and decides to make him a gift, which takes him a week to complete, then he flies once more to those far away islands. To come into land on a small one that lies not far from the main land.
The Snow Dragon trots over to the hut and peers through the barred window to see it lies empty. This makes him start to call, "Huī yè! Huī yè!"
It is not long before he hears the Night Dragon’s handsome deep rough voice calling his name as he comes trotting over to him holding a pile of firewood.
“It’s good to see you,” he says, giving him a pat on the arm.
“You too. Here let me help,” offers the Snow Dragon, taking one of the bundles of sticks from the pile.
“Thank you. Come.”
They both head inside, where Huī yè goes on to make a small fire in the hearth. The moment he flicks his left hand to create a large deep red fireball hovering a few inches above his palm, he hears Damp gasp.
"Oh my... I cannot do that," he babbles, pointing a hand at it.
The Night Dragon shakes his head and stats, "That is because you are Snow Dragon. Your fire gland works different to mine."
Dampa's eyes blink and he asks, "A what?"
"Oh, you have never been told how it works?" Huī yè questions all baffled, watching the Snow Dragon shake his head. "The hot breath to the little flame you can produce on your thumb all comes from the fire glad in the centre of our chests."
Damps places a hand to the centre of his chest and mutters, "Fire gland?"
"Yes, that hot spot you are feeling, that is the gland that gives us capability of fire," announces the Night Dragon, patting the centre of his chest.
The Snow Dragon has a think and informs him, "You see father called by another name... I am unable to say in this language."
Huī yè gives him a soft shake and tells him, "Same here, in my tongue it is, owa gon... hmm... I guess the closet is, fire maker."
Dampa chuckles, "I like it."
"I know it sounds really dramatic," express Huī yè, in a bold voice.
The Snow Dragon nods in agreement and answers, "It sure does. Oh I have something for you." He goes on remove a small cloth bag from his belt and holds it out. "Thank you for allowing to stay with you until the storm passed over."
"You are giving me a gift, for doing what I do?" The Night Dragon questions, opening his eyes wide. "Taking in people who are stranded here at this time of year is... normal."
"Please I still would like to thank you," insists Dampa, placing the bag into his large hand.
Huī yè shakes his head and stats, "You are as bad as the mortals. They too like to give me something for my hospitality." He goes on to open the bag and tips out the item into his other hand. "A bracelet, made from Snow Crystal.... You made this?"
All the Snow Dragon has to do is nod and the next minute his friend his pressing his lips into his left cheek.
"This it stunning," whispers the Night Dragon, sitting back to admire the bracelet. "You are very skilled."
Dampa smiles and says, "I am just glad you like it."
"I do indeed," answers Huī yè, slipping it over his left fingers. "Look, it fits nicely too and goes well with my blue jade bracelet."
The Snow Dragon notices it has been cut to resemble a creature dragon, this prompts him to ask, "Have you seen or met one of them?"
The Night Dragon look at him all confused and questions, "Have you been flying with your eyes closed?"
Dampa shakes hies had and babbles, "No. Why that would be a silly thing to do."
Huī yè slightly raises his hands and apologises, "Forgive me." He folds his arms and queries, "I am just puzzled when you are in this region, you have not seen large white, grey to storm clouds moving against the wind, for they hide creature dragons."
The Snow Dragon takes a moment to think and points out, "I have to say no... Then again, I have not been looking for them."
"True, true. We will have to have a fly around and I will point them out to you," offers the Night Dragon.
"I would like that."
They look in to each others eyes for a moment, then Huī yè goes on to make a pot of tea.
"You have visions right?"
This makes his young friend's eyes open wide and he utters, "Yes... Why?"
The Night Dragon then walks on his knees over to a stone table that lies on the far side of the hut, is covered in scrolls and he starts to go through the left-hand pile.
“The reason I asked is because I have been having quite a strong, clear one, in which I see three Soul Drinkers, who bare the makes of the Other Realm," informs Huī yè as he makes his way back over to his friend.
Dampa sees he is now holding a large scroll and confesses, "I never write mine down unless it is something important... I am gathering this is?"
The Night Dragon strokes his chin, then unrolls the scroll and utters, "I will let you decide."
The surface of the scroll is covered in images, there are three young men, strange circle and line pattens.
"Now I had no idea what all of this meant," explains Huī yè. "I took it to the White Dragons, who helped me to fine the very gods, who are experts when it comes to visions. The Dreamers."
Dampa's blink and mutters, "Dreamers?"
"No, you have never met one?" the Night Dragon questions, watching his friend shake his head. "Sorry, I find that so confusing when they live in the Misty Mountains, that lie not from your icy home."
Snow Dragon has a think and asks, "Describe one to me."
"They are the size of mortals," Huī yè informs him. "Long black wavy hair, a full round chest and a band of fourteen pupils going across their white eyes. They mainly dress in light yellow or blue robes. They speak my language and this one we are communicating in. Trust me if you had met one, you would remember."
Dampa smiles and responds, "I will take your word for it. So what did they make of this."
"Well the Dreamer I got to know, was a little unsure about telling me what all of this meant. Main reason was this is way off in the future, when the Ancients of the other realm choose three Soul Drinkers to bring order to chaos."
The Snow Dragon frowns and questions, "Ancients?... other realm? Sorry I do not understand."
Huī yè pats him on the arm and explains, "Neither did I, until the Dreamers explained it to me. I feel though if I try to explain it to you, I will only make you more confused."
Dampa smiles and informs him, "I understand there is still a lot of things I need to learn. I hope one day to be like you, meeting other gods to understand a vision. Even when it is a long way off. I bet this was quite an adventure?"
The Night Dragon chuckles, "In a way it was."
"Speaking of visions," says the Snow Dragon, as he moves a little closer to him. "I knew we would meet one day... Although from our chance meeting, I never thought we would become friends."
Huī yè holds him close and tells him, "I too knew we would see each again. I just did not realise it would be so soon, friend."
They look into each others eyes for they can tell they are falling for each other, but neither of them want to rush into anything.
The Night Dragon sits back, he clears his throat and offers, "Lunch?"
Dampa nods and answers, "Whatever you are making will fine."
Huī yè gently pulls the Snow Dragon to his feet as he rises and leads him out of the hut and over to a small garden.
"What vegetables do you like," pointing his hand to a nice crop of white cabbages.
Dampa takes a look around, he crouches down to pick a nice one along with root veg that are similar to carrots, except they are deep red in colour. He also gathers some nice light brown mushrooms on his way to the stream to wash them.
When he returns he see that his friend is now on the other side of the garden, picking pink rice, that sways in the breeze coming through the forest.
The Snow Dragon watches him use his abilities to break away the husk and just place the gains into the basket. "Amazing. Now if I tried to do that, it would be scattered all over the place."
Huī yè winks his left eye and teaches him, "Then I will tell you, never try to control it. Allow it to have it own will, only then will you be able to do this."
Dampa's eyes grow wide, they blink a few times and babbles, "My bother told me I must control it."
"I'm afraid to say it, my good man, he is wrong. It dose not matter what bread of Dragon you are, you will never be able to control this," expresses Huī yè as the floating basket moves over to him. "Trust me if you do not allow it to have its way, you are going to be constantly battling with it. It is better to live with it not against it."
The Snow Dragon nods and agrees, "That makes sense. I will give it a go."
The Night Dragon watches his friend release his hold on the basket he was carrying and it starts to float back to the hut. He claps his hands and says, "See you are a natural."
Dampa giggles and they both head inside to prepare the meal. Huī yè even makes some flatbread, to which he adds some nice herbs.
When they have eaten they go for a walk around the island, this time the Night Dragon takes Dampa into the hills from which they can view the entire island.
“Měilì de... Sorry I said beautiful.”
Huī yè smiles and says, “Kin sa.”
“Kin sa?”
The Night Dragon gives him a clap, then takes hold of his hand to leads him across to the other side of the island where a lovely white flower grows.
Dampa crouches down to give it a sniff and mutters, “Nice.”
Huī yè picks one and places it in the left side of his friend’s long fringe. “Da kin sa.”
The Snow Dragon gives hims a smile and utters, “Thank you.”
“You are welcome," answers the Night Dragon, stroking the side of his friend's face.
Then something catches Dampa eye. He quickly follows a narrow path down the hill to see it leads to the remains of an old hut. He looks back to his friend and asks, “Did you live here?”
Huī yè joins him and answers, “I did a long time ago. The seabirds always woke me at the crack of dawn. so I moved inland, to where I am now.”
The Snow Dragon looks at the surrounding cliffside to see there is not one crevice without a bird sitting on it, He nods and admits, "I think I would do the same."
"Come, I would like to show you something," says the Night Dragon, offering him his hand.
Dampa nods and continues to walk with him through the forest to the far side of the island where a small private beach lies. The waves lapping on the shingle makes the place quite relaxing and there is a cooling breeze.
"This is really nice. I can see you spending hot days here?"
Huī yè nods and replies, "Yes, is always refreshing here. Also it gives you a great few of the sea and look, approaching storms."
They see a bank of dark grey clouds is now on the horizon which is moving with the wind. This makes them both head back to the hut and arrive just as soft rubbling can be heard in the distance. The Night Dragon collects some tealeaves and vegetables, before they head inside.
The storm lasts for the rest of the day, by the time it goes over it beginning to get dark. Dampa insists on making the evening meal, Huī yè gives him a nod and watches him prepare a nice rice dish toped with mushrooms and chives.
They swop stories long into the night. When they both begin to feel tired, the Night Dragon makes up nice comfortable bed for his guest near his and they both settle down for the night.
Because of the weather Dampa remains on the island for nearly two weeks, in that time he not only gets to know the Night Dragon's seven children, he also visits the mainland with Huī yè and gets to know the Healer Xuě yuèliàng.
Over the next five years Dampa continues to explore the land beyond the Frozen Mountains and always pays Huī yè a visit. One day when the Snow Dragon is in a small village, a tea merchant informs him, a Dreamer has been seen in a village that lies in a valley to the north. It occurs to Dampa, just like him, the rare god was far from his home the Misty Mountains. This peeks his curiosity to discover why and decides to go and investigate.
ns 172.70.126.58da2
and then Add to home screen.