Four Dragons, Four Directions, & Four Different Ways

Once upon a distant time in a long forgotten place there was to be a meeting to determine the fate of the last luck dragon, a peaceful creature that appeared to be fierce due to his unusual color, size, and fiery breath. A knight had been chosen to destroy the magical beast by a King that wanted the creature’s great fortune and treasure in gold. From every corner of the world despite their differences, four wizards and their magical flying dragons set out to attend this urgent meeting. It was hoped that with their combined magic the dragon could be saved. The princess of the luck dragon’s land had sent for each of them. The Mystical Wizard of the East and his Flying Serpent with the power of clear sight, The Crystal Ice Wizard of the North and his Snow Dragon with the power of healing, The Sun Wizard of the South and his Fire Drake Dragon with the power of spirit, and The Wise Wizard of the West and his Thunder Wind Dragon with the power of storms. 🐉

Each Wizard arrived in style and flair illustrating their magic. The Eastern Wizard arrived with sparkling lights, falling cherry blossoms, and shooting stars. He wore a silver, lavender, and golden jeweled, as if bedecked with stars, kimono that was detailed with crescent moons. The Northern Wizard arrived in a flurry of snow as his dragon breathed ice into a sparkling display of a bridge that magically enabled them to descend from the heavens. The Northern Wizard’s blue robes were trimmed in soft white fur and crystals that glistened in the light. The Western Wizard wore feathers and arrived with the colors of the setting sun behind him, magically colored leaves swirled around and fluttered to the ground where he and his dragon lighted. The Southern Wizard arrived with the rising sun with his white robes detailed in golden suns and bright colors. He and his dragon descended the heavens upon a rainbow bridge.

The meeting did not waste much time, as all agreed with the princess that the luck dragon must be saved. Quickly, the four Wizards rushed off to intercept the knight on steed from slaying the dragon. As they were on their flying dragons, they were certain to reach the dragon’s cave before the horse of the knight.

By some mystical power, the Eastern Wizard received a vision that he called out to the others, that the knight was to arrive at the cave before them. The Wizard of the West called into the heavens for a great storm that the wings of his dragon beat down to slow the knight, and the Wizard of the West said onto his traveling companions, that he would use his power of spirit to speed their own arrival. It came to be that the Wizards and their dragons stood before the cave just as the knight was arriving and dismounting his speed. The knight was dressed in black with a jeweled sword and shield. His horse was mottled in black and white with a braided black mane that blew in the stormy wind.

The curious luck dragon stuck his great rainbow spotted head out of the mouth of his cave to look at the spectacle of commotion that had disturbed his sleep. The knight raised his sword but hesitated as he gazed upon the wizards before him.

“Did you call this storm to deter me, I am unafraid of your illusions,” bellowed the brave knight.

“Yes, the princess sent us to save this beast,” shouted the Wizard of the North as his beard blew in the great wind.

“I have been sent to show my strength, courage, and obtain this monster’s treasure for my king’s kingdom. I do not wish to be insulted by four illusionists. Step aside!,” demanded the knight.

Just then a great flurry of snow began to fall and cover the ground, and a pond of ice formed between the wizards and the knight. The nearby babbling brook could be heard to become silent, as surely it froze as well.

The great dragon that had been watching stepped out of his cave. This dragon was quite magical, and he spoke.

“If it is my treasure you seek, know it belongs to the princess, and I will defend her,” said the dragon.

All were surprised to hear the dragon speak; never had this been before.

The knight knew he could not cross the ice with his metal boots. So, the knight raised his sword high and threw it at the mighty beast. The sword pierced the dragon in a vulnerable place wounding him. All watched as the dragon transformed into a blond haired prince. Now laying at the mouth of the cave bleeding from a great wound across his chest.

The knight fell to his knees, for he recognized the prince as his own brother, that the king had told him was lost many years before.

“What have I done, my brother is slain by me,” cried the knight.

Just then the Wizard of the North knelt down beside the prince. He uttered a few words, and shining light came from his crystals and the falling snow all around them, as the ice began to melt and the babbling brook could once again be heard. The Wizard waved his glowing hands past the wound a few times, and the mark vanished.

The knight rushed to help the prince to his feet.

“I have long been my dragon form trying to keep our father, the king from harming my love the princess and pillaging this kingdom for its riches, magic, and prosperous lands,” said the prince.

Just then the other dragons transformed to reveal other crowned princes that the knight recognized from previous gatherings of the realms for trading in years gone by of his childhood.

The Eastern Wizard began to speak, “Many moons ago, the king became greedy and wished to harm the orphaned princess of this land, and it was decided to create powerful beasts to guard her, but the beasts needed to be wise. It was determined that the princes who loved her would protect her from near and far.”

The Western prince spoke, “We all volunteered for the task, and could shift at will if need be.”

The knight fell to his knees.

“I must ask the forgiveness of my brother, these wise men, and of all the lands for raising my sword against you,” humbly said the knight.

“Rise, my brother,” said the blond prince as he picked up the fallen sword and approached the knight. “ I declare you the champion to defend this land. Here, take up your sword and protect my bride, my land, and my wealth. Do you accept?”

The knight took his sword and bowed to his brother proclaiming his loyalty to his brother and all the realms of every direction, swearing his defense for their safety from greed, jealousy, and fear.

The wizards blessed and enchanted the knight’s sword, shield, armor, and steed. The steed grew wings to enable flight and speed. The shield glowed and floated as the Wizard of the North said a touch of the jewel would enchant any water to heal any wound or disease. The sword sang as if a musical instrument and the Wizard of the west said that it would never miss its mark. The Wizard of the south said that the spirit of all creation would make the armor of the knight impenetrable.

The brothers embraced and all the princes and wizards headed to the princess’ castle to hold a celebratory feast, jubilee, and reunite the blond prince with his bride. Long forgotten was the greed of the king, because united together there was grace and strength none would have apart.

There began this world’s happily ever after in peace and faith empowered by love, friendship and common cause to uphold what is right, kind, and just. This kingdom knew of four ways the way of wisdom, the way of valor, the way of love, and the way of greed. From combining different traditions, the best ways and balance bringing joy and peace became the only way.

The End…