Daughter of the Dragons

 

**Part Four**

 

Jade smiled and then turned to Trunks. Her smile widened a bit when she saw his mouth hanging open as he gawked at the legendary creature. She nudged his side and talked out of the side of her mouth.

 

“It’s not polite to stare.” She snickered.

 

Trunks came to realizing how ridiculous he must have appeared. Trunks rubbed the back of his head as it hung low from embarrassment.

 

“Sorry…” the prince apologized.

“It’s alright.” Jade laughed. “Skyye wishes me to teach you how to listen.”

“Listen?” reiterated in question.

“Yes” Jade answered, “So she can speak with you.”

 

Trunks face lit up with a smile.

 

“She… she wishes to speak to me??” he asked to make sure he understood right.

“Uh huh.” Jade replied.

“Teach away!!” Trunks said enthusiastically.

 

Jade smiled again.

 

“Okay” she began, ”Just do everything I say…”

Trunks nodded in reply.

“Close your eyes.” Jade instructed. The prince did so.

“Now… Listen…” she continued.

“To what?” he asked.

“Everything.” She answered in a whisper, “Listen to the drop of water hit the stone. Listen to the wind blowing through the cavern clefts. Listen… Listen to each breath that is taken in… each breath that you breathe… that I breathe… and… listen to…”

 

Trunks was totally in tune with every small sound that surrounded him. Every trickle of water, every step taken, every breath let out, he heard everything. Even though his eyes were shut, every resonance created a picture in his mind. He saw with his ears and with his heart.

 

Before Jade could finish her sentence he heard something that he didn’t recognize.

 

Listen to my words.

 

Trunks immediately opened his eyes to the unfamiliar voice in his mind. He looked at Jade and realized that she was smiling at him.

 

“It wasn’t me…” Jade stated through he smile.

 

Slowly and surely he looked up at the immense dragon, still wondering if he even heard what he thought he did.

 

Yes, human-born, you did hear me. Skyye answered his unspoken question, Be proud. You have learned to listen. Not many humans learn to listen as fast as you did.

“Thank you. I’m very honored to be able to hear your thoughts and have you speak with me.” Trunks replied to the voices answer.

 

Jade smiled.

 

It wasn’t obvious, but Trunks could almost sense the dragon smiling at him. It was if he saw it in Skyye’s eyes, and couldn’t help be smile back.

 

“You learned very quickly… I’m impressed.” Jade stated, “Now that you’ve learned how to listen… you can do it without even thinking.”

 

Well… that’s a relief… Because everyone knows that if it did require brains then this would be the only time that he would be able to hear…

 

Trunks looked at Jade perplexed as to whose slightly deeper voice made that remark. Jade attempted a small smile and then turned to the pale-scaled dragon.

 

“Falcore!” she said harshly.

What!? I was only kidding!! Came the voice again, defending itself.

Something doesn’t really feel right… a third voice said out of nowhere.

“What’s wrong Draekon?” Jade inquired the trouble dragon as it approached them.

I get the feeling that… I don’t know… Like… we’re being watched.

“It’s strange… I kinda felt that way when we were at the lake too…” Trunks added.

 

Draekon stopped and jerked his head in Trunks’s direction when he spoke.

 

Jade chuckled at Draekon’s reaction.

 

“It’s alright Draekon, he can listen now.” Jade said reassuringly.

Oh… Okay. Draekon said as he relaxed a bit. The dragon turned back to Trunks and the prince slightly nodded a greeting.

I’m sure that you guys were just imagining it. Falcore replied to the first comment.

“I guess that’s possible.” Trunks thought out loud.

I want to thank you, human. Thank you for helping my children when they needed it. Said Skyye, changing the subject.

“Please. It is my duty… not only as a prince… but also as a decent being living to help those in need. It was my pleasure to help them…” Trunks said as he looked back at Draekon. ”And I would gladly do it again, if given the chance.” Trunks finished as he brought his gaze back to Jade.

 

Jade noticed him looking at her and smiling as he said that. She blushed and quickly looked away so that no one would see her face redden.

 

Jade, I think that the meat is cooked. That’s why I came in. Draekon interrupted.

“Oh… Thank you Draekon.” Said Jade as she finally returned to normal. She cleared her throat and suggested everyone head outside for some supper.

 

They all followed and Jade took the meat off of the spit and handed some to everyone. Skyye had already eaten but she said that she could eat a bit more. They all finished eating and all three dragons decided to turn in for the night. They each gave Jade a nudge goodnight and she hugged them back. They said good night to Trunks and headed into the cave. Trunks and Jade stayed out side to watch the stars for a bit longer.

 

“How long have you known the dragons?” Trunks asked, trying to start a conversation.

“Since before I can remember… My parents knew Skyye even before the hatchlings were… well… hatchlings.” Jade answered.

“Really?” Trunks replied with the sound of interest in his voice. “So your parents can hear the dragons?”

“They could…” Jade paused for a bit, “Before they were killed…”

 

Trunks reacted in surprise.

 

“They… were killed? I… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…” Trunks started.

“It’s alright. It’s not your fault… You didn’t’ know.” Jade interrupted with her head low.

 

Jade gave Trunks a faint smile and turned away so that he wouldn’t see the tear fall.  Trunks sighed and looked away at the ground.

 

“They were protecting the dragons… Just as I am… That’s why they died…” Jade continued, “The were murdered by hunters!” He voice grew a bit loud with the last statement. Trunks raised his head at her tone of voice and caught a tear glimmer in the light of the fire. “They killed my parents because they wanted the dragons… now… the dragons are all I have left…” She wrapped her arms around herself and gripped her sleeves. “I have to protect them… because if I don’t then… then I’ll have nothing left…” Another tear fell down her cheek.

 

Trunks move closer to Jade and lifted her head.

“I’m sorry, Jade… But I promise that I’ll do anything and more to help you protect them… and you” Trunks wiped away a tear on her cheek with his thumb as he said the last two words.

“…” Jade didn’t know what to say, she was grateful for his offer, but didn’t know how to respond to what he had said.

 

Instead using words that she couldn’t find, she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. She cried and spoke, her voice muffled from hiding her face in his shirt.

 

“Oh Trunks… You don’t know how much that means to me… My dragons are everything… They are all I have… I’ve been with them since my parents died… How could he take my parents away from me?! I was only five years old!!” Jade was having a hard time talking between her sobs.

 

“I…” Trunks didn’t realize that she was so young when she had lost her parents. He didn’t know what to say to that.

 

“I’ve been so afraid… I’m scared that it’ll happen again…” Jade continued to cry. “Then I won’t have anyone.”

“Shh… It’s alright… it won’t happen…” Trunks said trying to calm her down, stroking her hair, “And you’ll always have me… I told you… I’ll always be there for you…”

 

~*~

 

The queen sighed and continued her way to the throne room. She made her way through the doors and up to the balcony where, as always, the princess stood gazing at the moonlit ocean.

 

“Dearest princess, have you seen your brother today?” asked the queen hoping for a yes.

“Nay, mother.” Bra smiled, “He hasn’t returned from his daily venture.”

“Oh heavens! We must search for him!” Exclaimed the queen with worry.

 

Bra chuckled and turned to her worried parent.

 

“Mother, please, you know he will be just fine on his own. After all, he is one of the best swordsmen of Zyron.” Stated the 12-year-old girl.

“Yes… yes, I suppose you’re right.” Replied Bulma, now a bit calmer, “But he better come home soon. Goku and his family will be here in two days.”

“Don’t worry, highness. He’ll be here.” Smiled Bra.

 

~*~

 

Morning had come and night had vanished, although a few stars still lingered in the skies. Trunks opened his eyes and saw the flames of the fire had died, but the wood was still burning. He sighed and scratched his head.

 

“Well… So the prince finally awakens.” Spoke an all too familiar voice.

“Well good morning to you too, princess.” Trunks smirked as he looked behind him.

 

Jade was sitting atop the rock that Trunks had slept against. She leaned against the cave’s outer wall and was polishing the blade of a sword.

 

“Don’t call me that… I am nothing of the sort.” Jade said as Trunks stood up and stretched.

“Oh, but your majesty, you are.” Trunks said bowing and taking her hand. “You’ve always been to me.” He continued, and then kissed the hand that he held.

 

She smirked.

 

“Well… if you insist.” She replied, “And since I’m now a princess… you can finish cleaning this sword then, servant boy.” She snickered while pointing the blade to his neck.

“Of course, your highness.” Trunks answered with another bow.

 

Jade laughed and shook her head. Trunks took the sword and examined it.

 

“Amazing. The sword is in prefect condition. The steel is strong but…” He waved it around in the air a couple of times, flipping his wrist as he twirled it. “It’s not too heavy. The shape of the blade is perfect enough to practically cut the air for easy movement. It’s really great.”

 

The hilt of the sword was fashioned to look like dragon scales and had a dark green coloring, the guard shimmered pure silver as it stretched outward and curled underneath, and on the face of the guard, where the blade met the hilt, set a ruby. It was fashioned into a tear shape and looked like a drop of scarlet blood, about a third the size of Trunks’s palm.

 

“And… This jewel is amazing…” Trunks finished.

 

Jade smiled softly.

 

“It belonged to my father.” She spoke, “If I remember right… I think there was some kind of legend or something that referred to it… but… I never knew what it was.”

“Really? …huh… wow… I’d really like to try this out.”

 

Just as soon as Trunks finished his sentence, he had to bring the blade up in front of his face. Jade had drawn her sword and swung it in his direction.

 

“Then try it out.” Jade suggested.

 

Trunks let out the breath he held in from surprise and smiled.

 

“Alright then. I will.” He replied.

 

Jade pulled back her sword and stood on the rock and Trunks looked up at her. She jumped and twisted in the air over Trunks’s head and landed behind him facing his back. She switched hands so the sword was in her right hand. She brought it up over her left shoulder and let it drop in the prince’s direction. He twirled and blocked the falling blade with a loud clang, using the sword in his hand.

 

“Impressive. You’re quicker than you look.” Jade smirked.

“Well, you’re not so bad yourself, princess.” Trunks sneered back.

 

They were matched dead even in strength, as their swords violently shook in a lock. Trunks pushed back breaking the lock and causing Jade to fall a few steps back. They swung their swords at each other and every time they, they met with the sound of cold steel crashing together. They used the entire clearing as a sparring field. Their swords met once more, once again in a lock, each blade being forced against the other’s guard. The two fighters smirked at each other again and Trunks twisted his sword around Jade’s blade, sending it flying and into the dirt. Jade had backed up into a tree and Trunks swung at her. Jade shut her eyes and turned away. The blade embedded itself into the trunk of the tree Jade leaned against. When she looked back at Trunks, he cocked his head and smiled. Jade smiled back and shook her head. Bit by bit Trunks slowly inched closer to Jade, hoping to gain a kiss for winning the little match. As he neared her, the prince checked to see if Jade protested against the idea. Her expression didn’t seem to show any signs of retaliation. In fact, she seemed to be willing to cooperate. He smiled again and continued to lean forward. With out warning, Jade moved her foot between the prince’s heels, twisted it and pulled it back. Before he knew it Trunks had been slammed onto the dirt ground. Before he could get back to his feet, Jade turned and pried the sword out of it’s resting place and pointed the blade at Trunks’s neck, Just as he lifted himself onto his elbows.

 

Hah! No kiss! You owe me pal! I won this bet!  Exclaimed Falcore out of nowhere.

 

Jade looked up and Trunks turned to see the black and white dragons standing at the mouth of the cave watching them.

 

Big deal. So you won. Retorted the darker dragon.

 

“Not bad, princey” Jade commented as she extended a hand and helped Trunks to his feet.

“Heh. You’re quite a handful yourself.” He replied, “Hey, why don’t you come back with me?”

“Huh?” Jade answered, surprised at the question.

“Yeah. Come back to Valon with me and compete in the tournament!” Trunks suggested with a smile.

“Compete in the Preeminent Knight’s Tournament?!” Jade said, some what perplexed, “But… don’t you have to be…well …a knight??”

“I am a prince. Not only that, but I’m the prince of Valon I can find a way around that.” Trunks stated proudly.

“But… What… about…” Jade stared and looked at the peering dragons.

 

Skyye had now joined them.

 

We’ll be fine, Jade. If you wish to go, then I trust this human will take care of you.  Skyye spoke reassuringly.

 

Trunks smiled at Skyye, who nodded back.

 

“Well…” Jade sighed.

Go on Jade! Go and compete! Draekon said in a cheering tone.

Yeah! Beat them at their own game! Falcore chirped as he jumped up excitedly.

 

Jade smiled and Trunks chuckled at the dragon’s enthusiasm.

 

“So…” Trunks took Jade’s hand, “will you come with me?”

“I guess I have to now.” Jade answered with a smile.

 

Well then, you should start back now if you want to make it back before sunset. Suggested Skyye.

 

Jade walked up to Skyye and stroke her shoulder.

 

“Are you sure that you’ll be alright?” She asked the emerald-scaled creature.

Of course, child. Don’t worry about us. Skyye answered.

 

Jade smiled and grabbed a scabbard that matched the hilt of the jeweled sword. She sheathed it and ran inside. A few moments later she exited the cave empty handed, grabbed her sword on the ground and ran up to Trunks.

 

“Alright. Let us be off, servant boy.” Jade sneered.

“After you, my lady.” Trunks said as he bowed and motioned for her to pass.

 

Jade snickered towards the dragons and the two smallest laughed. She grabbed Trunks by the collar and headed into the trees. They turned and waved a final goodbye to the dragons and disappeared into the brush.

 

Hidden behind the trunk of a tree on the other side of the clearing, was a pair of devious eyes. As soon as the two homeward bound travelers had vanished, the stalker snickered and ran towards the opposite direction.

 

**End Part Four**