The Snow Dragon walks around the Alchemist and says in a soft voice, "I thought it was time I met you. Please carry on."
Heng performs a slight bow and together they walk along the covered walkway to the kitchen.
"I feel I must say, I have not force Xīng-lóng in to anything."
"Relax, because I know I can trust you not to take advantage of my son. This is just me being an over protective parent. Yes, I know full well my dear son is old enough to take care of himself... Well you know how it is?"
"I do for I too am a father and no matter how many centuries go by they will still be my babies."
"Exactly," says Yúnlong, patting him on the arm. "I cannot thank you enough for taking care of him."
"It was my pleasure. May I say, I never intended to fall in love with him."
The Snow Dragon places a finger to the Alchemist's lips and whispers, "Love is one thing I will never understand. I am just thankful my dear son has met such a nice young man who is highly regarded by his uncle."
Heng's eyes open wide in shock and he asks, "What has he been telling you about me?"
"That you are well respected in this village and it was wonderful that you had finally found someone. I have to admit he did seem a little concerned with it being my son. I told him as long as both of you are happy, that is all that matters."
"And we are happy."
Yúnlong parts the Light Grey Dragon's cheek and says, "Wellcome to the family son."
Heng is speechless he thought it was going to a lot harder to convince him before he was calling him that. All he can do is bow and the next thing he is being hugged.
"Now, is there anything I can do to help son?"
This makes the Alchemist take a step back and reply, "Huh? No, you are my guest."
"Even when this my son's home?"
"Yes. Mainly because is this not the first time we have met?"
The Snow Dragon takes a moment to think and replies, "Junjie said the same thing and I think you are both right. Then this got me thinking in all this time you have not visited the Order or the areas around it?"
The Light Grey Dragon shakes his head and replies, "I mainly stick to the south where it is warmer."
They both laugh as this was a common with the Dragons who were grey to black, they all preferred a much warmer climate, where the Snow Dragons lived up to their title and liked things a lot colder. Well this is how it is meant to be, however, some are able to swop climates, like Junjie who is happy to live in the chilly north.
"Except when it comes to love then you are happy to brave the cold. You are aware we get snow, a lot of snow?'
"Yes, your son did warn me and I thought it would be nice to see it falling how he described."
"It is magical and oddly relaxing."
"Dad you are here?" Xīng-lóng, gasps as he trots over to him.
The elder Snow Dragon gives him a kiss on the forehead and says, "Son, how are you?"
"Fine and you?"
"Can't complain. You have done well."
The young Dragon emits a happy squeak and asks, "Then you approve?"
All Yúnlong has to do is nod and his son gives him a big hug.
Heng pours them both a cup of tea and then joins in with the hug.
"My dear sons," whispers the elder Snow Dragon. "How's about I make breakfast?"
The Light Grey Dragon places his hands upon his new dad's shoulders and replies, "No, please sit, I will make it."
"Insistent isn't he?"
"That's why I love him."
Yúnlong pats the side of his son's face and says, "All right Heng."
The Alchemist performs a slight bow then stands up and walks over to the heath to check on the pot of porridge that has been cooking since he got up to see it is ready. He uses abilities to place some in to three bowls, topping it with seeds and honey.
After they have eaten the elder Snow Dragon goes on to make sure his son's love is prepared for his grandfather Longwei, moving himself to the head of the table; he clears his throat and puts on a slightly deeper voice as he asks, "What is my great grandson to you?"
Heng quickly responds, "He is a wonderful person who I enjoy spending time with. I cannot imagine my life without him."
Yúnlong smiles and says, "Well done, he will be pleased with your answer, you may even see him raise his eyebrows in approval. As long as you are just like that, honest, straight forward you will soon gain his trust. The other way is to cook him a wonderful dish and you will physically see the stern expression drift away. I have witnessed it myself, my father does him this dish that makes my grandfather melt."
"Oh my goodness, I do not think I will be able to do that."
"Sure you will son. That porridge you did was wonderful, and it will certainly win some points with my dear grandfather. Trust me when I say this, he likes men who can cook and cook well."
"Well that is something to remember. Do you have any idea when he will come to meet me?"
The elder Snow Dragon shakes his head and replies, "I'm afraid none of us will know... Well, that is not strictly true, mother will know, however, she will not give any warning because then it will give you time to prepare which in turn results in my grandfather returning and...let's just say it will be even harder to convince him you can become a member of the family."
"Right, I understand."
"It is a pity you are not the same as my father, grandpa just accepted him straight away, which shocked mother after she had prepared him just like this."
"I agree with you. I know I am ready to face him."
Xīng-lóng gives him a kiss on the cheek and says, "You will be fine my love. "
Heng nods and goes on to make another pot of tea. This is when he noticed the Snow Dragons are looking at each other for a length of time, which tells him they are having a private conversation. This just makes him wonder if they too are trying to work out who next will turn up from their families and has a feeling it will most likely be his father.
The Alchemist was right for the next morning he arrives along with his brother Junjie. Yúnlong is in the garden having a smoke when he sees them both come into land.
"Good morning Wù zǎochén*, Junjie how are you both?" *Misty morning
The Light Grey Dragon claps his hands and replies, "Yúnlong, it is good to see you. I'm well."
Junjie gives Bǎihé's first born son a pat on the arm and replies, "Same here. How are you?"
The Snow Dragon smiles and replies, "Fine."
"We have to ask," says Wù zǎochén, leaning slightly forward, "Do you approve?"
They watch Yúnlong fold his arms and replies, "No, not at all."
The other Dragons start to laugh and Heng's father says, "It is a good job I know you are just playing around."
"It is. Your son is a wonderful boy. They make a good couple."
"I am so relived to hear you say that, my good friend. So has he had to face him yet?"
The Snow Dragon shakes his head and Junjie replies, "I can see him being here tomorrow seated at the head of the table poised ready to bombard him with questions."
"Don't tell me my grandfather has hinted to you?"
"No, more like your mother."
Yúnlong's left scaled eyebrow rises and he asks, "Ah I see, she told you over breakfast?"
Wù zǎochén gently shoves his brother with his elbow and says, "Come on out with it, she told you whilst you were in bed together."
Junjie slaps him on the arm and says, "You know full well I would never do that."
This makes his brother slightly raise his hands in front of his chest and quickly apologises, "Sorry I take it back."
The Snow Dragon cannot help but laugh and says, "I am surprised though my mother did not come with you."
The Head Alchemist smiles and replies, "I think she will be coming with Longwei or after him."
Yúnlong and Wù zǎochén both say at the same time, "After."
They all laugh and head inside where the Snow Dragon goes on to make a pot of tea and also makes a start on breakfast.
A little while later Xīng-lóng enters the room, he takes a seat at the table and says, "Morning everyone."
"Morning my dear son, here that will soon wake you up," replies his father, setting a cup down in front of him.
Junjie tells his brother to give the young god a moment as he will soon realise who he is.
Once the tea begins to hit Xīng-lóng's eyes open wide then he looks to the other side of the table asks, "You are Heng's father?"
"Yes, I am. I have come to get to know the young god my dear son has just lost his mind over. Because even when he is home he is far away thinking of you. I'm sorry to say I have seen lovely strong images of you, fully clothed I might add."
The young Snow Dragon laughs and says, "Well that's good to know he is not picturing me naked and something... Well, you know?"
Heng's father nods and replies, "I was relived. In any case I hope we can spend some time together."
"Yes, I would like that too. Come let's go in to the sitting room."
Wù zǎochén rises and walks with the young god out of the kitchen.
Junjie starts to stuff his pipe with fresh tobacco and says, "I told my dear brother he would get along with your son, for he is a wonderful boy just like his father."
"Kind of you to say uncle," replies Yúnlong, patting him on the arm. "So how are things at the Order? Is Rìchū lōng still behaving himself?"
The Head Alchemist seems to hesitate which only results in the Snow Dragon asking with a sigh, "What's he done now?"
"Forgive me, I do not know the full details. All I heard was Ryṹ telling him off in the courtroom. I also heard your mother shout, why do you insist on not doing as you are told. Also Límíng is considering asking you to take over."
"Hmm, that does not sound good... In any case brother knows I will be happy to take over anytime when Rìchū lōng is just being pain. I cannot believe even now he holds his little grudge against Ryṹ."
"I know it is just strange. Anyway, do I have time for a smoke?"
"Yes, we have plenty of time, so I will join you uncle."
They both head out in to the back garden where they go on to catch up for it has been months since they seen each other.
✭✭✭
Heng makes his way in to the sitting room to find his father and lover are busy playing Wéiqí which makes him very happy as he knew they would get along just fine. He decides to leave them to it and head down to the kitchen to find Yúnlong and his uncle are sorting breakfast.
"Morning son."
"Morning father, uncle Junjie it is great to see you."
"You too dear boy," replies the Head Alchemist, pouring him a cup of tea. "Breakfast will not be long. Let me guess they are playing a game?"
"Yes, neither of them were even aware I had entered the room."
"In that case I will take their breakfast through to them," says Yúnlong, placing everything on a tray and walks out of the room.
The Alchemist has a stretch and says, "I knew once dad saw my love likes to play Wéiqí he will accept him as part of the family."
Junjie nods and replies, "I could not agree with you more. On the way over I was telling him I'm sure you both will get a long and he will be like another son in no time. Looks like we were both right."
"It is one of the reasons I love Xīng-lóng is because he is so easy going. Nothing is too much for him and I am sure if it were not a game he would have found something they had in common or would have been happy to try something dad enjoys doing."
"He's a Shao they are very adaptable family and always keen to get to the bottom things."
Heng nods and replies, "You are not wrong there uncle."
They look to the partly open doorway when they hear Wù zǎochén in the corridor say, "It will be nice for us all to have a family breakfast."
Then the door slides open and Xīng-lóng along with the two dads enter the room. They all take a seat at the table and begin to eat, when they are finished they all spend the day getting to know one another. They go for walks and in the evening Heng's father cooks one of his special dishes. The elders stay for nearly a week before returning home.
✭✭✭
A week later the Alchemist awakens early he gives his love a kiss on the cheek before he gets out of bed, throws on a simple robe and heads outside to the bathroom, from there he makes his way to the kitchen. The back door is not fully closed and the lamps along with a fire have been lit.
Heng hesitates, he takes a deep breath before he slides the door open to see seated at the head of the table is the Father of the Gods, dressed in his fine light green half coat with a cup of tea in his left hand.
"Good morning Longwei," he says, performing a slight bow.
The Father of the Gods sets the cup down on the table, he clears his throat and asks, "What is my dear great grandson to you?"
The Alchemist quickly gives him the same answer he gave Yúnlong and watches the stern expression disappear, there is even a hint of a smile.
Longwei shakes his head and says, "I see they have prepared you. I am curious though son, did they also tell you, you have to earn my trust?"
The Father of the Gods has a very authority sounding voice that makes everyone listen to him and promptly answer the questions he asks. Even Heng did not think it would effect him, however, he is finding the voice overpowering giving him the sense of feeling small.
This makes him quickly reply, "Yes father."
Longwei's eyes blink in shock and he says, "Father? No, there is no need for you to call me that son."
"Forgive me Longwei," replies the Alchemist, performing a slight bow.
The Father of the Gods shakes his head, he pours the young god a cup of tea and says, "Forgive you? You have done nothing wrong, I know it is my voice that makes people do that. So I ask you son, do not allow it to intimidate you. Relax and we will get along fine."
Heng has a drink of some of the tea to discover it is not the usual blend he makes in the morning, he has another sip and says, "This is lovely. Is it one of yours?"
"It is indeed. It is one of my own blends of calming teas, very appropriate for this current situation," replies Longwei, winking his let eye.
"I agree with you. It is relaxing, what's in it?"
This makes the Father of the Gods emit a soft cough, his otherwise dreamy eyes open wide and he replies, "I will not give away my secret blend. Then again you are an Alchemist, I'm sure you will figure it out."
Heng smiles and replies, "Perhaps I will, then I'm thinking it would no longer be a secret."
"Hmm, you are a good lad. I think we are going to get along just fine."
"Great grandpa," says Xīng-lóng, trotting over to him give him a hug. "It is wonderful to see you."
"You too my dear great grandson," replies the Father of the Gods, giving him a kiss on the forehead. "How dear you warn him."
"Well I thought I should with you being so intimidating."
"It's the voice."
"Yes, yes, blame it on the voice. It has nothing to do with the way you sit looking all proud."
Longwei looks at himself and replies, "Proud? I'm just sitting the way I always sit."
The young Snow Dragon points a hand at him and says, "Ah there it is that look of proudness. Do you see it too my love?"
Heng looks to the Father of the Gods, he has not noticed he sits very straight and that serious expression is only intensified when he folds his arms.
"Yes, I do see what you mean."
The Snow Dragons both start to laugh and Longwei grabs his great grandson by the waist, pulling him down on to his knee and gives him a tickle.
"Cheeky I cannot help being the way I am and you know it."
Xīng-lóng pushes his hands away, he takes a deep breath to calm himself and replies, "Yes, or though I know you can show a more relaxed posture."
The Father of the Gods laughs and says, "All right you win. He is a very nice man and with him being a Xù I know I can trust him."
The young Snow Dragon gives him a hug and replies, "Thank you great grandpa. I'll make us all some breakfast."
"No need."
"What? Wait how long have you been here?"
"Oh just after daybreak."
Xīng-lóng shakes his head and says, "Great grandpa."
Longwei's scaled eyebrows rise and he asks, "What? You know full well what I am like."
"Yes, yes, up at the crack of dawn, collecting herbs before breakfast. Even so you did need to come here so early."
The Father of the God places his hands on either side of the young god's face and asks, "Oh I am no longer allowed to be keen to see my dear great grandson?"
"Of course you are, except you have to bare in mind great grandpa, Heng may not like you to see him not dressed."
"You are not uncomfortable dear boy?"
The Alchemist looks down at his simple robe and replies, "No, I'm fine. I am often like this treating patients in the middle of the night. I always say at least I am decent."
"See you have nothing to worry about."
Xīng-lóng shakes his head and touches his great grandpa's mind, "We could have been...you know?"
"I know and trust me if I heard you both were having some fun, I would have called back later. Ah you are wanting that alone time with him now?"
"No, I was just making a point because it is something we have not done yet."
"I understand and do not rush it, it will happen in its own time."
The young Snow Dragon nods and says, "Right I'll go and check on breakfast."
Longwei looks to Heng and winks his left eye, making the Alchemist wonder what they had discussed? He says nothing and just pours him another cup of tea.
Xīng-lóng uses his abilities to place three bubbles of porridge in to each bowl that have been laid out near the hearth containing seeds and gives them all a stir whilst he adds some honey before sending two of them out to his great grandpa and lover.
When the Alchemist sees the porridge is a deep rich purple colour, he gasps, "Black rice!"
The Father of the Gods nods and replies, "It is the only kind you will find growing in my region after the other rice crops were destroyed by mice and I had to bring in not only cats, rice as well. My people loved the colour is goes when cooked they asked me to bring back some baby plants. My children got planting and discovered it liked the soil and soon grew."
"Amazing. And were you able to get on top of the mouse problem?"
"Yes, and by the end we had some very fat cats," replies Longwei with a hint of a giggle.
"Yes I can imagine. Wait, am I right the mortals call your village, the cat village or village of cats?"
"Yes, because the cat population is bigger than the mortals. You will find each household will have from ten to twenty of them living with them. I myself have twenty five is it now?"
The young Snow Dragon takes a moment to think and replies, "Correct, because dad I noticed you had gain three more."
"That's right, two grey ones and a black one. They stood out from the others because they are mainly different shades of brown to nearly the same colour as my hair."
Heng is shocked by how many the Father of the Gods has and repeats, "Twenty five?"
"I know its a lot. Then again I am a man who enjoys having them around, so do my daughter and son, along with some of their children."
"I see so with the sounds of things they are great to have around."
Both Snow Dragons nod and Xīng-lóng replies, "Yes, they are. I was going to take a few off dad. If that is all right with you?"
The Alchemist nods and replies, "Yes, it is fine with me, mainly because I have never kept one before. Is it true Límíng has some living at the Order?"
"Yes he does, they are mainly there to keep away the mice," replies Longwei.
The young Snow Dragon gives the man he loves a hug and asks, "Please great grandpa could you let dad know we are happy to take some of the kittens off his hands."
"I'll be sure to pass that on to him, dear boy. So what is the plan for today?"
Heng and Xīng-lóng look to each other then back to the Father of the Gods.
"Well we have nothing planed," replies the Alchemist. "I mean, we will do our normal routine, go for a morning flight then check on the people."
"Ah in that case do not let me stop you, please carry on as though I am not here."
"What? We cannot do that great grandpa."
"Xīng-lóng is right, you are our guest."
Longwei shakes his head and replies, "No I am family, so off you both go."
The Alchemist touches his lover's mind and says, "I'll stay with him."
"That is a great idea, my love."
They hug and Heng goes on to say, "I'll get dressed and how's about we go for a walk?"
The Father of the Gods nods and replies, "All right dear boy."
Xīng-lóng and the Alchemist both stand up and walk out of the room. Longwei goes on to pour himself another cup of tea, then stuffs his pipe with fresh tobacco and heads out in to the garden.
Heng is on his way back from the bathroom when he notices the Farther of the Gods is walking around the herb garden, he goes to him and asks, "Ready to get going?"
Longwei realises a puff of smoke as he replies, "Yes, if you are?"
The Alchemist gives him a nod and together they head out on to the main street and walk towards the forest.
Heng notices as they walk along the warn path that takes them around the large tree trunks there is a hint of smile upon the Father of the God's lips and he looking around.
"I can remember when this place was overrun with Paranoid Pixies," he says, pointing a hand towards a large tree. "You can still the remains of the battle that was fought here centuries ago."
The Alchemist sees the bark of the tree is covered in odd bumps and sticking out of one of them is the handle of a tiny sword. "Amazing," he replies, looking around to see the strange odd bumps appear on all the trees around them.
"It was fascinating to watch the Dreamers in action, they did not have to turn to the swarm of those hideous creatures coming towards them, they just held out their hand and poof they were gone."
"What? How?"
Longwei smiles and replies, "I reacted the same way all shocked and puzzled. Then I saw they were using their crystals to open up small portals in to the Dark Realm. It all happened so fast I did not see the crystal glowed for a brief moment. It made we realised why they were called the ultimate gods because it did not take them long to rid this forest of those awful things."
Again Heng looks at him all shocked and asks, "They were that fast?"
"I know it is hard to believe, nonetheless, I witnessed them disappearing and reappearing in another location a blink of an eye. It is because they can open up small portals and the sound they made was exactly how it is described, puff, puff."
"Amazing. Xīng-lóng has also mentioned that whenever a member of the Dreamer family arrives there is also a rumble of thunder?"
The Father of the Gods nods and replies, "Yes, in some cases it sounds like distant thunder when the portal closes behind them. I also say it is down to the Dreamer. Take Lèguān for example he always makes sure his portals make the distinctive sound of two rumbles of thunder to alert the family he has arrived."
"That's good of him when we cannot sense them."
"Exactly, dear boy. My dear daughter always said when she was living at home, aunty's here, aunty's here."
"That is wonderful. I hope you do not mind me asking you and Lèguān fought in the battles?"
The Father of the Gods places his hands behind his back and replies, "Yes, mainly because I would help him get to an unknown forest, for a Dreamer cannot port to somewhere he has not been. I would help them bring the horrid things out of hiding, mainly because I could not see what they truly were without a seeing stone that is."
Heng looks at him all confused and asks, "A seeing stone?"
Longwei flicks the right side of his half coat back to reveal a small cloth bag, fastened with a pearl as black as a moonless night. He slips his left hand under the flap, rummages around a bit to bring out a palm size flat stone with a hole in the centre and the surface seems to be covered in strange marks.
"This," he says holding it out towards the Alchemist, "is a seeing stone. It was given to me by Rúyì, Lèguān's great grandmother. When held up to the eye it allows you to see things you normally would not see. It allowed me to see the Paranoid Pixies for what they really were awful hollow things as grey as an overcast day and no eyes."
Heng seems to shudder at the thought of them and says, "They do not sound pleasant, however, that is just beautiful."
"I cannot agree with you more. These are handcrafted by Dreamers and Soul Drinkers. You will never see another one like it as each one is unique."
The Alchemist frowns and asks, "Soul Drinker?"
"Forgive me they are a rare form of god who are seldom seen these days. Because of the Paranoid Pixie Battles the ones who did not become Dark Ones vanished. Eventually even the Dark Ones disappeared in to nothing more than a legend. I should say they are as powerful, more powerful than a Dreamer. Come to think of it Dreamers referred to them as the ultimate gods."
"Question, what do they look like?"
"Very young men with unusual blue eyes and black hair. A pale complexion and barely say a word or do not speak at all. Why have you seen one?"
Heng begins to walk in a tight circle as he thinks and replies, "I am not sure. Or though the description you gave does fit to man I encountered on the Island of the sleeping dragon."
"Oh and why were you there?"
"It is an old family tradition when we become of age we have to spend a year with them, to learn how to use incantations, also detect them, put up or take down a barrier. I bet to you that sounds like pretty basic stuff?"
Longwei shakes his head and replies, "Not at all son, it is always good to know them as they also come in handy."
"You are right, however, I am willing to bet you know some really powerful ones you learnt from the Dreamers?"
This makes the Father of the Gods look right at him, his scaled eyebrows rise and he replies, "I may have done... Why, what kind of spells do you think I was taught?"
"Well something to do with the Dark and Forbidden Arts, mainly because my brothers and I were not allow to."
"Ah I see, that is for the best as none of you young ones should need to learn any of that... Then I disagree, I think you should be taught it for the next coming darkness. Only then you will be able to do something like this."
The Alchemist watches him replace the seeing stone with an odd looking crystal for it is clear as water with a hint of blue to it. Longwei places it within a few inches of his lips and whispers an incantation. The next thing he sees is a strange white cloud appear near the Father of the God's left ankle and out of it comes a small creature carrying a long spear, dressed only in loincloth. It has spiky black hair, purple horns protruding out of its forehead, dark grey skin and red eyes.
Longwei crouches down to offer the tiny creature his left hand to hop on to and begins to speak in an unknown language. All Heng can do is watch the creature take a seat and points a hand at him.
The Father of the Gods nods and replies, "Min ta un'sin ka, Xīng-lóng unla sin. I was just informing Yuèyǐng you are family."
"This is just amazing. I never thought you would be able to do something like this," says the Alchemist, waving back at the tiny creature.
Longwei shakes his head and replies, "This is nothing, I can summon larger creatures than him, I thought with this being your first encounter with a summoner it is better to start off with something small."
Heng smiles and says, "That is fine with me because he is really sweet. I do not understand I somehow get the impression Yuèyǐng is part of an army."
"You are correct, his sisters and brothers helped me in battles to watch my back for any approaching Paranoid Pixies. Kala intin sa coom ma lin," says the Farther of the Gods, stroking the top of the creature's head.
Yuèyǐng nods, he holds up his spear and replies, "Lala kinsan ma ula kin da."
"Pala, pala."
The creature take hold of the very tip of Longwei's menacing looking claw looks directly into this eyes and says, "Kin la minlin sa tin, tin mala sala."
The Alchemist watches the legendary god place his right hand to his chest and replies, "Kala tinsa mulakin han ta."
Heng begins to wish he understood what they were saying, he just gives them both a smile and watches the tiny creature again point a tiny hand at him.
"Oh sorry dear boy for leaving you out."
"It's all right. I have to say it is a lovely language, it sounds very old."
"That is because it is. It was first spoken by the Ancient Soul Drinkers. The only ones who still speak it are the Black Dragons, Dreamers, forest and other realm creatures. I was taught by Yagan jae, Rúyì and Lèguān."
"I see and in away you were fortunate to have people around you to teach you as all I know is the incantation casting language."
"That my dear son is part of the Soul Drinker language."
The Alchemist's eyes blink a few time and he asks, "Is it really?"
"Yes, you should have been told that by the White Dragons."
The Light Grey Dragon just starts to laugh and replies, "I probably was. I just do not remember, it was so long ago."
Longwei emits a soft laugh and says, "I know precisely what you mean. Anyway, I'd best send this little man home and we also need to head back to the house as there is a storm coming."
Heng is about to question him when a big gust of wind blows through the forest making all the old trees creak and moan.
"Kam'ma insin la," says the Father of the Gods.
A cloud begins to swirl up from the tiny creature's little bare feet to surround him and Longwei continues, "Unta la," then the cloud dissipates and Yuèyǐng is gone.
They make their way back to the house to find Xīng-lóng is not there, all they can do is hope he finds shelter before the storm hits. However, once it has passed over the young Snow Dragon is yet to return.
To be continued...
ns 15.158.61.8da2
