Young Writers Society

This is a re-up of a work I posted before. It has been edited and tweaked based on the comments of the YWS.

Juliana awoke in the middle of the night sweating and breathing heavily. Her fingers trembled under her wool blankets as she slowly sat up. It was only a dream. It wasn’t real, she told herself. The horrifying nightmare nearly brought her to tears. Though she could not recall many of the details, the image of her brother’s bloody corpse lying on the open battlefield remained fresh in her mind.

The young woman looked all around the tent to calm herself and come back to reality. Radi and her grandfather slept peacefully on her right; undisturbed by the girl’s light scream when she awakened. Juliana lay down again and covered herself with her blanket. But her fear was intensified by the shadows cast upon the tent’s canvas. The moonlight distorted the trees’ proportions, causing them to appear cold and menacing. One branch seemed to reach out for her through the wall.

Juliana decided to leave the tent and walk outside to shake the terrifying feeling of her dream. She borrowed her grandfather’s cloak and stepped out into the late night air. The woods were eerily silent, as if all the creatures deserted their home for the night. The stream in the distance behind her was the only sound she recognized from earlier that evening. A light breeze carried the scent of newborn pine and sent a chill through her arms. She washed her face with a damp rag and stared at the now less intimidating forest.

As Juliana began to regain a sense of peace, she heard a faint sound coming from the far side of the road. The noise was low pitched and seemed to begin and end in irregular intervals. She knew it could not be natural to the area. Her curiosity led her through the darkness and into the woods.

Twigs snapped under her feet as she moved cautiously; ducking her head under the low branches. Juliana listened carefully for the soft sound and proceeded deeper through the forest until she came to a large oak. The sound then became clear in her ears as she approached; someone was crying on the other side of the massive trunk. Surprised by this discovery, Juliana quickly hid herself behind a nearby bush to the right of the tree. She was astonished to see the young traveler as she peeked over the thicket.

The boy sat with his back leaning against the tree and face pointed to the ground. He held his hands behind his head as he sobbed and moaned softly. Juliana wondered why the stoic young man was crying in the middle of the night. It was obvious to her that he moved away from the camp so he would not draw attention to himself, but he did not attempt to wipe away the water that streamed down his cheeks. He seemed to be mumbling something, but Juliana was too far to hear the words. She was then startled when the young man let out a loud and painful cry. His sudden outburst lasted only seconds, and his bottom lip quivered as he returned to his quiet somber state. The boy tried to stop himself, but the tears continued to flow.

Juliana felt a strange sense of deep sympathy for the stranger. His weeping reminded her of the sadness she experienced when they set off three days earlier. She wanted to do something, but was afraid to be caught spying on him.

What could I say? she thought. She continued to secretly watch him for a while longer. Not knowing what action to take, the young woman quietly returned to the campsite. She still heard him crying in the distance as she entered the tent.

What could make him so sad? the girl wondered. Should I ask him? Should I tell grandpa? Juliana had difficulty sleeping for the rest of the night.

She awoke the next morning with her grandfather standing next to her; his back arching along with the tent wall.

“Would you care for breakfast?” he asked.

Juliana stretched and rubbed her eyes as she stepped outside. She saw her brother sitting on a large stone near an open fire not far from her. He carefully rotated a cooking skewer over the knee high flames. The smoke trail blew west over the treetops.

Her grandfather placed his hand on Juliana’s shoulder and pointed to his grandson. “I was blessed with a wonderful catch this morning. Those fish will make a great meal. Well, assuming Radi doesn’t burn them as he did yesterday.”

Juliana walked over to the fire pit and noticed Radi looking at a small paper resting on the ground between his feet. She saw a wide smile displayed on his face as he read silently to himself.

“The ink will melt if you continue to stare at it like that,” she said.

Radi turned to her and chuckled. “I enjoy reading this because it’s real. Unlike those absurd children’s books the old man brought along.”

“Is that so?” replied Juliana. She sat down on the blanket her brother laid out for her and passed her empty plate to him. “Those stories are not all for children Radi. I saw a tale about a dragon in one of them.”

“Please Juliana. Are you certain you’re ready for advanced education? I just told you I enjoy things that are real. Dragons do not exist; they’re fake, make-believe creatures. A military draft notice is real. I thought that would be simple to understand.”

“Radi!” her grandfather shouted. “Speak with kindness to your sister!”

“Do not lecture me old man!” Radi answered. “Juliana and I are having a discussion that is of no consequence to you!”

The man shook his head at his grandson as he disassembled the tent.

Juliana looked down, her eyes catching a glimpse of her brother’s draft notice. Must you hold such a grudge brother? she thought. Why can you not forgive him?

Juliana watched as Radi set two small fish on her plate and sliced them with his knife. He separated the heads and swept them into the flames.

“Why do you still read children’s books Juliana? You’re sixteen years old. You should have outgrown such things by now.”

Juliana received her breakfast and nodded in appreciation before answering him. “Radi, not all fairy tales are for children. And they can still be interesting even if they are fictional. There is often something to be learned from them.”

“I highly doubt that sister,” Radi said.

“You’re fond of war stories correct? Tales involving dragons normally have a fair amount of violence in them. You should at least give it a chance.”

Radi sighed and stood up. “Very well Juliana, if you must read it then I suppose I will listen. But what will our guest think of your childish pastime?”

“H-Him? I’m sure he won’t mind. He is . . . usually quiet.”

“Usually? That boy hasn’t spoken a word for the last two days. He didn’t even thank me for the fish I cooked this morning.”

“Where is he now?” Juliana asked.

Radi pointed to the road before leaving his sister to assist his grandfather pack their belongings.

Juliana bit into the overcooked fish and examined the wagon behind her. Both horses had been secured and brushed. And the young traveler was already in his usual place, patiently waiting for the group to depart.

Juliana’s grandfather approached the fire pit when he noticed her looking at the boy. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

“Um . . . no,” Juliana said as she turned around to continue eating.

“Don’t worry about the boy over there. He and Radi ate earlier this morning.”

“Oh . . . well . . . that’s good then.”

“Will you--,” her grandfather stopped mid-sentence as Juliana looked over her shoulder at the wagon once again. “Juliana?”

She turned around quickly, as if she had forgotten he was there. “Y-Yes grandpa?”

“Are you sure all is well?”

“Yes, Yes of course.”

“Very well then, Will you clean your place and put out the fire when you’ve finished? We should depart as soon as possible.”

“I will,” she replied.

Her grandfather left as she continued to speculate about the young traveler. Juliana lowered her head and offered a prayer to the goddess before they set off . . .

-------------------------------------------------------

The sun began to set near the hills behind them. Juliana barely made any progress in her studies. She periodically glanced at the young man sitting to her left. The girl poked through the bag that sat between them so she would not look suspicious while observing him. The wagon passed through an open section of the forest, and Juliana was finally able to take a long look at the boy when he shielded his eyes from the sunlight.

His body was healthy and strong, perhaps even more so than her brother. The clothing he wore was plain and ordinary, but Juliana’s attention was caught on a headband he wore over his forehead. The bright red cloth stood out sharply in his short strait black hair.

Juliana’s extended stare drew the attention of her brother. She saw him in the corner of her eye, shaping his lips into a kissing motion in a mocking manner. She glared back at him and said nothing as he laughed at her.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” Radi said.

The grandfather interrupted before she could respond. “Juliana, we are losing the light. Will you finish the story from earlier? I’ve been wondering what happened to the dragon from Alecrast.”

“Of course I will grandpa,” replied Juliana. “But only if I can do so without … interruptions.” She stared directly at her brother as she placed emphasis on the final word.

Radi, clearly not interested in listening to the story, let out a deep sigh. “Fine,” he said. “Do what you want.”

Juliana smiled as she retrieved the book and turned to the page she marked earlier. Once she found her place she read out loud:

“. . . Y-You wish to serve me?” he asked as he looked at the creature. “But I am human . . . and you are a dragon!” . . . “I saved your life,” the man said. “Why are you so eager to turn it over to me?”

“This is the way of things in my culture,” answered the dragon. . . .

“But a person cannot simply choose a name. It is something that must be given to you by another.” . . .

“I underst --”

Juliana suddenly stopped reading. “No!” she said.

“What is it Juliana?” asked the grandfather.

“The bottom portion of the final page is washed out. It’s not damp, but the back cover is stained as well. I can’t finish the story.”

“Hmm, that is a shame,” the old man said in a disappointed tone.

“Oh yes, a real shame indeed,” Radi said sarcastically.

Juliana closed the book, frowning as she stared at the cover. “I wonder what name the dragon gave him,” she said.

Silence came over the group as everyone thought to themselves about the story. It remained quiet until a voice came from the back of the wagon. The young man spoke in a soft tone.

“Dragoon,” he said.

Shocked to hear him speak, Juliana and Radi focused their attention on the back of the wagon.

“Wh . . . What did you say?” Radi asked him.

“His name was Dragoon,” the young man answered.

None of them knew what to say when the boy spoke for a second time. He then turned to the siblings and calmly recited the final lines of the story:

“. . . As I told you before, I do not have a name. I have wished for one for many years. But a person cannot simply choose a name. It is something that must be given to you by another.”

“I understand,” replied Shin-ryu. . . . “You will be called Dragoon . . . man of the dragons.”

This ends the account of the first Dragoon.”

When the boy finished, he turned away and continued to stare at the empty space across from him. Juliana wanted to say something, but she was still in disbelief of what happened. Even Radi was at a loss for words. Several minutes passed by as the group said nothing.

At last the grandfather spoke, “That . . . was a good story . . . Juliana, please come up here and help me find a place to set up camp. It’s best if we stop before dark.”

Without saying anything, Juliana moved to the front seat next to her grandfather.

“How about over there?” he asked.

“Oh . . . yes . . . that will do,” she replied. However, Juliana then realized her grandfather had purposely pointed out uneven, muddy ground to determine if he held her attention.

“Perhaps there is a better spot ahead,” he said.

The group set up camp a shortly after the sun disappeared behind the trees. Juliana tied the horses to a low tree branch while her family argued and assembled the tent. Her mind still dwelt on what she witnessed the night before. Just forget about it, she thought. Why do I care so much for someone I’ve never met? It’s none of my concern.

She let out a deep sigh as her brother gathered the hunting tools out of the wagon. Her brother and grandfather noticed Juliana daydreaming while she fed the horses. She slowly brushed the animal’s mane with one hand and gazed into the magenta sky. Her grandfather approached her from behind and placed his hand on her shoulder. Startled, Juliana turned to the man with wide eyes.

“Julie,” he said. “Radi and I are leaving to catch dinner. Will you watch the camp while we are away?”

“Yes . . . You can count on me.”

“Wonderful! We will return later tonight.”

Still troubled and lost in thought, Juliana sat down and watched the two men leave for the forest. Her grandfather looked back at her and then motioned for Radi to go ahead when they reached the edge of the trees.

“I seem to have forgotten something,” he said. “Keep going child. I’ll catch up with you.”

“No you won’t old man,” Radi said under his breath. He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head in disgust as he entered the forest.

The grandfather returned to Juliana. “This is your chance Julie,” he whispered.

“For what?”

The old man pointed to a large pine that was separated from the rest. “He’s resting behind that tree,” he said. “Radi and I will be out for a few hours. Go tell him what you’ve been meaning to say.”

Juliana looked at the young man sitting with his back leaning against the tree. She knew her grandfather was right. The evening would likely be her only opportunity to speak with the boy alone before they reached the capital.

“Thank you grandpa,” she said.

Her grandfather smiled at her and jogged into the forest.

Juliana inhaled and gathered her confidence as she slowly walked towards the tree.