Dragon Shaman: Book Two, The Smoky Mirror

By Teresa Garcia

BlowingWind and Ryu expected to be able to get on with living, but Fate has a different idea for the young Shaman in training and her Dragon Protector. Continuing her adventures between the worlds of Spirit and Man, BlowingWind traverses the worlds, and even time itself to regain the Smoky Mirror. Take Ryu, her protective volcano dragon kami and suitor follows her, in a quest of his own that he is not fully aware of. To his dismay, a kitsune and two tengu complicate matters even further, and are responsible for tests of her character and problem solving ability. The root of an ancient curse is revealed and witnessed, possibly giving clues to how to fix it. The question is if she will remember them, and if she can regain what was lost. More important, will she start growing into her preordained multicultural role? Or will she even be able to return at all from this unexpected twist in her life's plans, and get back on her feet?

This second book in the Dragon Shaman series, "The Smoky Mirror" continues from "Dragon Shaman: Taming the Blowing Wind."

• Language: English
• Publisher: THG StarDragon Publishing
• Release date: Aug 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476034409

Teresa Garcia

Teresa Garcia (once Teresa Huddleston-Garcia) is a 30-something mother of two children with special needs, raising them "alone" in the small mountain town of McCloud, CA. Just because she is on her own though, does not mean that she is "alone." Many thanks are due to the McCloud Community Resource Center, to her brother and his family, and her mother, for all their help. She loves to text role play, write stories, hike, paint, meditate, and play games or read with her kids. She also writes quests for, and helps to maintain, the online browser-based RPG Dragon Hearts. As Amehana, Teresa volunteers time for the Trotsdale Public Library in Second Life. She was raised in another mountain community, which she visits as often as she can spare time and gas, though not nearly often enough for her wishes. Her parents always encouraged her writing and artistic talents. In 2005, she decided to pick up the dream of writing and publishing a novel once more, having shelved that (and the "Shadow Chronicles" manuscript) in her early college years due to the time constraints of motherhood at the time. In 2006 she released to the public her first novel in the "Dragon Shaman" series, "Taming the Blowing Wind," and has since published a second book in the series and a poetry book. She likes to deal with multicultural themes because of her own background. Currently Teresa has several manuscripts to work on, such as her "Dragon Shaman" series of novels and her current favorite serialized story, "Selkies' Skins." She is also currently narrating "The Ian's Realm Saga" trilogy by DL Gardner, expected to be available April 2018. Teresa writes short stories for children in the Adventures of Lightning the Cat series. Her other titles are intended for more advanced readers. Her personal blog is located at http://rainstardragon.livejournal.com You can check out what she has available for her patrons at her Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/Amehana In addition to finding her in print on Lulu, she can be found at Amazon Author Central. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009Q938VE

Book preview

Dragon Shaman

Book Two:

The Smoky Mirror

By:

Teresa Garcia

A.K.A. Teresa Huddleston-Garcia

THG StarDragon Publishing

Smashwords Edition

First Edition Copyright © 2009 Teresa Garcia

Second Edition Copyright © 2012 Teresa Garcia

All rights reserved.

Cover art courtesy of Victoria Davis.

Editing courtesy of Faith Lindgren.

Published by THG StarDragon Publishing

www.thgstardragon.com

DEDICATION

In memory of my father, Ben Garcia, who set out on the Star Path December 1 of 2008, without whom this story would not exist. Also, for my mother, my mate, my children, the residents of Youkaimura, and all my friends past and present who are too many to list. Certainly not least of all is Goruden-sensei. Thank you all for your encouragement, and for putting up with all my eccentricities.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Obsidan of Rhian copyrighted to Rowan Wookey of Dragon-hearts.uk.co and Obsidian project. Shadow copyrighted to Travers Stevenson. Vadise copyrighted to Juan Rozanski. Ashkore copyrighted to Chibi-kun. Many thanks to the owners of these characters, who in their ways have all been of great help during this project. Again, thank you for keeping me sane in my more stressed moments.

EDITOR'S NOTE

If your interests lean toward spiritual topics, Native American culture, Asian culture, Pagan History, Geography, time-travel, and adventure with a touch of love story, this book is for you!

The Author's sensitivity to human nature, and especially the spiritual realm, makes her characters seem so real, they come alive in her book.

A tale of Legendary quality. The deeper in the plot you go, the more it feels like this could be history. A story so rich, it's torture to wait for the next one.

A definite can't put it down book. You must get your paws on this one!

Lovingly,

Faith C.M. Lindgren

CONTENTS

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Editor's Note

Finding the Path

Section One: Loosing the Way

Prologue: Gathering of Spirits

Chapter One: Morning Plans

Chapter Two: Return to Sengen Jinja and the Boy in the Mirror

Chapter Three: Memory Retained

Chapter Four: A Promise Kept

Chapter Five: Tokyo Delivery

Chapter Six: Dream Questing

Chapter Seven: First Glimpse of Home

Chapter Eight: Rain's Flower, Wind's Child, Living Silver

Section Two: Path of the Green Robe

Chapter Nine: Guardian Training

Chapter Ten: Cleansing the Dragon

Chapter Eleven: Rediscover Possibility

Chapter Twelve: Faith in Self

Chapter Thirteen: Mirror to the Past

Chapter Fourteen: Trace the Pattern

Chapter Fifteen: Welcome to Rhian

Chapter Sixteen: Purple Shrine, Dark Mirror

Chapter Seventeen: Reaching for Mother

Chapter Eighteen: Relearning to See

Chapter Nineteen: Time, Energy, Will

Chapter Twenty: Finding the Hearth Path

Chapter Twenty One: Return to the Present, Forgetting

Epilogue: Life Flows On

Tame the Wind

Other Works

About the Author

Finding the Path

Passing through the forest

The trees tower over me

Sweeping arms reaching

For what I do not see.

My vision had grown dim

What was once bright

Shadows behind a screen

Hidden from my sight.

Distant is the thunder

Sweeping down to me

Sweet is the water

Flowing at my feet.

Closing my eyes tight

I sway with the wind

Dancing with the might

That has my soul pinned.

I hear the call within

And lift my voice high

Remove from me the tsumi

That obscures my light.

I have forgotten my way

Lost in this mortal frame

Fill me once again today

Rekindle my lost flame.

This little body trembles

Soft beneath the touch

Wind and water mumbles

But will it be too much?

Waiting at the bank

The birds sing their songs

What are my words

Where did I go wrong?

The lesson that I seek

Lies within my grasp

All that I need

Is to lift this hasp.

Within this box waits

My mirror ever still

I look within to find Fate

And for the Earth to spill.

To send my roots deep

Grasping the dark ground

Another connection to keep

Spirit and Body sound.

Show me the Way

That I must softly tread

To balance the two

Fairly in my head.

I have forgotten my way

Lost in this mortal frame

Fill me once again today

Rekindle my lost flame.

This little body trembles

Soft beneath the touch

Fire and Earth mumbles

But will it be too much?

I can only walk ahead

Pacing step by step

Toeing the finest line

Where once I merely wept.

Standing strong and deep

Reaching for the sky

I’ll climb the mountain steep

And watch the stars go by.

Dragon Shaman

Book Two:

The Smoky Mirror

Section 1: Losing the Way

Prologue

Gathering of Spirits

"This running away has to stop!"

Fierce eyes the color of a summer sky, ringed with a desperate yellow, bored into eyes that were the color of an Irish field, as her fiery hair formed a corona around her head. The green of her gown swirled as she swept one slender and pale hand toward the floor, while the butt of the spear in her other hand struck the marble flooring of the meeting hall. The sharp sound echoed in the recesses of the chamber. The owner of the shamrock eyes stirred in her own gown of emerald on the carved granite of the small throne at the oak table.

I quite agree with you my Priestess, but tell me Maeve, how do we break this particular family cycle that dear Drake’s curse has exploited for so long?

I don’t know, M’Lady. I just can’t stand to see what has befallen little Marie from BlowingWind’s mad flight. The child has to face what she has done to her mother, though our plans never worked to heal what Marie did to her own mother Rowena.

The impassioned ghost sank in her seat once more, a wilting tiger lily where once had been a proud Priestess in a life long ago, before history was written down. She had been one of the favorites of Brigit, a woman of strength and courage selected to tend the Sacred Forge and Well. The weapons that she had forged had been as powerful as her own temper, and just as difficult to wield properly, but worthwhile to master. It was in part because of her skill at the forge that the calamity had befallen her line.

Brown eyes gazed with concern on Maeve, black braids swinging forward as the man in blue denim reached over to touch her shoulder. SoaringHawk’s skin still bore the dark mark of long hours in the sun, but he had been murdered before the lines of age had begun to set in his face. The haunted look in his eyes had broken through its disguise.

The Shaman’s hand tightened slightly, betraying what he felt for both his wife and his only child that still navigated the perils of the living world. Maeve put her slender yet work-roughened hand on that of the man who had married into her family, grateful for the small miracle of touch. Ghosts did not get much contact these days, unless it was with one of their own. The scientific studies that man had done in this modern age all recognized how important it was, although any of the Old Ones could have easily said just as much.

The small dragon that was curled up like a crown upon Brigit’s brow stirred, then slid down from his perch into her lap. Although he was nearly as old as the much-missed Drake, making him well over a thousand years old, this dragon had remained small, and not much larger than a hatchling of his particular breed. The ancient goddess looked down and stroked his emerald scales, watching them glint in the fairy light that illuminated the hall. Finnigan pushed his head into her hand, purring like a cat as she fondled his ears. The other hand rested on his side, and he covered it with one leathery wing. He always knew the small gestures that made the immortal feel better, and had been a much-needed confidant during the time he had become a guardian. He had stepped into Drake’s place after the imposing and sometimes thoughtless red dragon had finally perished of heartbreak.

A soft masculine voice trickled like water, Gomen nasai, but what is this curse that you speak of? I’m afraid that I don’t know much about the particulars of the woman I am helping to test.

The deity’s mind went over the first two words of the statement as she turned her gaze to the red fox sitting in the chair across the Council Table from her own. He looked so much like the foxes of her own land, and yet she was forced to remind herself that he was from a country far from her homeland. After a moment, she realized that those words must have meant something akin to sorry in his native tongue. The gold eyes rimmed with black were filled with curiosity, and his young voice matched the black tipped ears that pointed straight at her in his interest.

Brigit gestured at the water silently waiting in the silver bowl located precisely in the center of the table, summoning an image of the fateful day that she witnessed the event that had set in motion the separating of the spirit and human worlds of the lands within her influence. The image filled the chamber, putting all of the occupants into the scene, although none could change history. She had already tried calling in favors from those that could control time. Something much greater than she had decreed the happening, although what purpose it would ultimately serve she was still unsure.

The once green grass was now blackened where the flame of the livid dragon had blasted through the air. The village was in ruins, the charcoal skeletons reaching for the sky, while men and women farther away lay where they had been struck down, some lifeless and others merely unconscious. The children had been allowed to flee, as Drake loved children dearly.

Maeve, weak from the drug herbs that her captor had been slipping into the food and drink that she had been provided during her captivity, lay protected between Drake’s great forepaws. Each of his coal colored talons individually was larger than she was. Drake glowered down at the one lone man left before him, his great fangs glinting in the light, every one of his back spikes at attention and slicing the air.

Those of your line too shall have the one they love stolen from them, just as you have done to me. My sorrow and shame shall be thine, and that of your descendants, until two that carry thy blood shall unite with dragons that care for them as much as I care for Maeve. Only then shall her dishonor be fully avenged, and generations shall pass before it shall happen!

If you care for her, then you should let her be with her own kind, Serpent!

The single man that still held his feet, soot marring his broad features and discoloring once blonde hair, charged at the dragon wielding one of the shining blades that Maeve and the two other Keepers of Brigit’s Forge and Well had smithed. Somewhere on the field Brigit’s past self stood watching, unable and at the time unwilling to intervene in the magic of a dragon, with Finnigan girded about her waist. Drake’s massive wings folded against his sides, and an inferno erupted from his mouth to defend him.

Brigit turned her head; still angry with herself about how she should have known back then that there was a possibility that Maeve was with child, especially with how long she had been captive. Her thoughts echoed in her head, I should have warned Drake, so in a way, everything was and is my fault.

She gestured again, and the illusions faded. The fox had remained in his seat, putting on a brave face, though the slight tremble of his single ebony-tipped tail gave away his fear. Brigit studied the young male.

Once more, thoughts sprung from the depths of her mind. Has he never seen a dragon in full rage, even though it was said his mother had become one? Such a heritage was why I had chosen him, unaware that he was already employed as one of the Japanese spirits testing BlowingWind in her new home.

Thinking about BlowingWind’s new country brought to mind a picture of the male she was currently with, although the human woman had fought against it. Perhaps if the Kami had not looked so much like her lost love, or if she was not still slightly addled from his tragic death, then the particular descendant in question could have resisted Ryu’s charms more effectively. While mad with grief BlowingWind had fled the pain and her home, a strange by-product of the curse that had shown itself in some of the adopted O’Drake line, and thankfully not in the children of Drake himself with Maeve. Or at least they did not have that tendency unless the Children of Drake had wedded those carrying the taint of Maeve’s shame, as how BlowingWind and Marie carried it. Those thoughts brought to Brigit’s mind the young Obsidian, a dragon who had lost his physical life at the tender age of five hundred, and the one that had made the obsidian mirror that BlowingWind used as a focus, and at times as a portal to the spirit world.

The mirror, that was the solution, and the best route to take in order to make BlowingWind see what had befallen her mother, and perhaps the way to ultimately fulfill one part of the breaking of the geas, that ancient and ill-conceived curse. Maeve frowned as she watched the deity that she served become lost in thought, then started when the woman opened her mouth to speak.

Akaisu, your mission will be to obtain the mirror that BlowingWind keeps in her pouch. You must then attempt to get her to think about her mother at a time that you can get her alone and out of the influence of others that would hamper her, and cause her to look into its depths. Do not tell your compatriots what you are attempting to do.

The foxed bowed to her, his thoughts forming as gently as a brook would whisper. This will not be an easy task. Things never seem to be simple with that girl, if my intuition is correct. He spoke carefully to the Irish goddess; I will do so, Lady. Akaisu bowed once more.

Leave me, all of you. You know your duties. Brigit’s voice had become threadbare as she dismissed the others with a wave of her hand.

The room emptied with the previously unaddressed Hawk and Raven winging noisily out of the room in their avian forms as the two human ghosts morosely filtered out. It emptied even of the uncharacteristically silent Coyote from North America, where Marie had fled to after her encounter with the curse, and where BlowingWind had been born. When all of them had gone, leaving her alone in her layer of the world’s fabric, she turned her attention back to the gazing bowl, and to studying the mentioned Marie for long hours before watching Marie’s troublesome daughter again. The goddess felt pulls, but she was not omniscient and so was unaware of being watched herself.

Chapter 1

Morning Plans

Starlight streamed through the open window to spill across the tossed sheets and pale face that he watched, lending the narrow visage its silver luminescence. Her short auburn hair was dark in the night, a far cry from the daytime highlights of red, like a swirl of fertile earth beneath the rich loam outside of the cabin. A stray moonbeam refracted off of his dark eyes, shining like foxfire as he ran a hand through his midnight hair and guarded her restless dreams.

You’re supposed to let me into them BlowingWind.

She frowned in her sleep, rolling over to her side and away from him, counting on his honor to restrain him on the other side of the sword lurking between them. The luminescent oval of his own pale face smiled beneath the night dark spikes of contained energy where it rested on his hand, his body perilously close to the keen blade.

I suppose that I could leave you in Tokyo safely while I set up our new home in Hokkaido. The time alone will be good for you, and you can learn for yourself how entwined you are with me. I will still be easily available if you need me though.

The growls of her dreams died away slowly as she conquered whatever minor demon she had been facing. The mask of her anger fell away again, revealing the child hiding within the woman whose loneliness had called him to her side only a few short weeks ago, or perhaps it was months now with the way time flowed so strangely between his world and hers.

Besides, even though we have reunited the four major parts of your spirit, you still feel incomplete. If I let you be for a month, perhaps you will be able to feel some sense of where the dust and shards of your soul-jewel have scattered to, my precious tama.

BlowingWind retreated beneath the covers, pulling them over her head as if even in her dreams his constant watch was annoying. Incoherent mumbles came from underneath the blankets, then faded to nothing.

What is it you don’t want me to know Little One?

Silence was his only answer from the sleeping woman, and the night danced silently on as he brooded over his prized gem. When night had finally left and the sun intruded into the rustic bedroom with her spears of light, BlowingWind rolled over again. Restless legs stretched out from the ball she had curled into, bringing the blankets down and exposing her once more to his penetrating stare. The itch on her skin that his gaze produced caused blinking and bleary eyes to search for the irritant.

Ah! You didn’t stare at me all night, did you Ryu?

I prefer to think of it as ‘brooding.’ It’s a dragon thing.

You should have slept, dragon.

I got more than enough yesterday. Even in this shape I don’t require as much rest as you do.

Ryu watched her lips purse, biting back whatever comment had been about to spew out. Judging by the glints in her sapphire eyes, it had packed an edge that would have equaled his sword.

Not a morning person I see. I thought your previous ill temper with me was just a result of your hormones.

BlowingWind burrowed back under the covers before replying.

Annoying Japanese dragon, scaly coyote, stalker, sicko.

I love you too my unwilling wife. I’ll be making breakfast while you work out your ‘grouchiness’ my dear.

Ryu smirked as he got up and made his way to the kitchen, remembering how shattered her soul had been when their paths first crossed and pleased at her progress. After she had reintegrated her wisdom aspect, she had slept for a week and then ran away the very next day after she had awoken. It had been interesting to hunt her through the forest and ultimately capture her, storming the castle of her heart, even though she did not like admitting she had a soft spot for him.

Safely in the kitchen from her wrath now, he gazed sadly into the refrigerator and mused aloud as he drew out a carton of eggs and some chopped venison. Such a complicated woman. But there is still so much of her spirit left to find and return, and we have her new life to set up.

He set them on the counter before reaching up to where a frying pan was waiting to be pulled down.

You mean I have my new life to set up. Not you.

BlowingWind had stressed the singular, and her entrance into the kitchen pulled Ryu out of his thoughts. He said nothing in reply to her as he placed the venison and eggs into the pan. She sniffed as she sat at the table, trying to hide how hungry she was, the eggs and meat beginning to sizzle as she made herself comfortable at the table.

God, I need some coffee, Ryu. My classes start in March, and I need to get an apartment near the University. I need a job too, so I can support myself.

You fell asleep right after dinner last night, so we didn’t get to talk much after your extremely long bath. What University?

Hokkaido University. I’ve got a spot at the new Fukuhaku campus.

I’m not familiar with that campus. Is it new?

A silence stretched between the pair as BlowingWind fell into a trance while gazing at the table. Ryu let it be as he scrambled their eggs and mixed in now cooked bits of venison. Shortly, breakfast was ready, and served with the ever-present rice and tea.

Frowning in concern, he leaned over her and whispered into her ear. Wind-chan, are you all right?

BlowingWind snapped from her trance, sighing when reality caught back up to her and her plate was placed on the table so that Ryu could touch her forehead. She waved a hand in irritation at his touch.

Yes, I’m fine Ryu. Just a little distracted.

Ryu sat down across from her, his scarlet and yellow silk kimono blazing around him, contrasted starkly by the unruly and slightly spiky hair that was cut short on his head. Melted chocolate eyes locked with BlowingWind’s glaciers. After a moment, he picked up a pair of chopsticks and began to eat. BlowingWind ate her own fare, her eyes focused far away and not seeing the nutritious food she had been prepared.

We will go collect your things from the lower shrine today. He assured softly, believing that was what had been on her mind.