Dreams From Below

        Blue Green Gem had mixed feelings about his mission.Although
   he was happy that MoonRose wanted him to survey the kingdom,
   he was disappointed that she had picked Gabby as her guide for
   the day.  He was also faced with the dilemma that he couldn’t
   write let alone draw the map MoonRose had asked for.  This
   consumed his thoughts as he flew around, exploring the kingdom.

       As he spotted the marketplace a thought came to him, "If  I can
   find a map and bring it to MoonRose, then maybe she would be
   pleased and she wouldn’t need to find out that I can’t write."

       When he landed in front of the marketplace, everyone turned and
   greeted the young dragon excitedly. This sort of reaction made him
   blush.  An old woman approached him  and offered the kindest
   greeting he’d ever received. "Oh what a glorious day it is to see
   dragons thriving in the kingdom.  How may I be of service, oh
   blessed one ?"

       Taken back by this, stuttering, Blue Green Gem squeaked out
   "A ma..ma.map."

       "Please forgive these old ears. What is it that you seek?" she
   inquired as she leaned in towards him.

       Clearing his throat and gathering his confidence, he said, "A
   map. I seek a map."

       The old woman chuckled.  "Ah, if it is a map you seek you will
   need to see Jade. He is one of the oldest mages of the King.  He is
   older than any in the Kingdom, save for The Crimson Dragon
   himself.  Come, I shall take you there."

       As they walked together, Blue Green Gem thought to himself,
   "I could get used to this."  With that, a huge smile crept across his
   face.  The old woman smiled back, for she heard his thoughts
   within her heart.

       They entered this old house at the corner of the marketplace.
   The fragrance of exotic incense filled the air. Blue Green Gem
   found this very pleasant and relaxing. It was a scent that was
   vaguely familiar, though he couldn’t quite place it.  As he moved in
   closer to the source, he was startled as he saw what appeared to be
   a grin in the smoke drifting upwards.  He rubbed his eyes, thinking
   it would be gone when he opened them.  Instead, he found that
   there were eyes and the dim outline of a face as well.  He stepped
   back in disbelief, and rubbed his eyes once again.  This time, when
   he opened them, there was an elderly man with a scroll standing
   before him.

       "Greetings Blue Green Gem.  I’ve been awaiting  your arrival."
   The man announced.

       Blue Green Gem was speechless.  Before he had a chance to
   respond, the man continued. "I am Jade, the King’s eldest mage.
   Your coming was foretold in the ancient scrolls."

       "I’m in there?" Blue Green Gem asked, as he pointed to the
   scroll.

       Jade chuckled, "No, my little one.  This is the map you seek for
   your queen." He handed the map to Blue Green Gem. "Now go.
   We shall have time to talk more later, but there are many things
   you must do first."  With no further explanation, he was gone in
   a puff of smoke.

       Blue Green Gem turned around to find the old lady was gone too.
   Scratching his head in wonderment, he walked back out to the
   marketplace.  As he passed through the door, he saw MoonRose
   and Gabby walking together.  Just then, Gabby turned to point
   which frightened Blue Green Gem. He didn’t want MoonRose to
   think he was spying on her. Even more so, he wanted to conceal
   the fact that he was not able write.  He took to the air, flying
   blindly as fast as his wings would carry him.  Hoping they hadn’t
   spotted him, he did not look back.

       By the time he calmed down enough to think, he realized that he
   had flown outside the kingdom confines. He found a place to land
   and to catch his breath.  Still, his heart pounded in his chest
   making each breath a strain.

       He thought about exploring this new region.  Then he thought a
   nap would be nice right about now. After all he already had
   the map for MoonRose