I quickly closed my eyes. How did he know I'd looked at him? I wiggled my shoulders and settled into a more comfortable position against the wall. I again wiped the sweat rolling towards my eyes. Okay, Kat, concentrate. I took a deep breath and let it out. 

I went back in my mind to the cave Lakeershon showed me. I could picture the deep blue pool and the coolness that surrounded me there. A glimmering, giant spear rising from the cave floor gave me the perfect thing to lean against as I sat on the floor. I pictured myself settling down next to the pool. The heat of the sweat lodge seemed like a distant memory.  

I stared into the glistening body of water. Each little ripple started in the middle and worked its way to the outside edges. I watched the center as the water bubbled from under the surface like tiny fish swimming from the blackness toward the light. When the bubbles broke the surface, they became an unending ripple working its way towards me and lapping at the cold stone where I sat. 

What is my path? 

I watched the water work its way up toward my feet, only to slide back down again. Each time it almost touched me. It mesmerized me and slowly changed from a wave to a toe, covered with black scales and ending in a long ebony claw. I watched as one toe became two, and then it was a whole foot. Then there were two feet. Each time a waved licked at the shore, more of the beast immerged. I watched as a muzzle with two nostrils the size of my fist broke the surface. On the next ripple, two eyes appeared, inside, golden swirls surrounded a dark, black slit. They reminded me of cat eyes, only larger. 

"Lakeershon?"

"Yes, Mother. It is I."

I rose to my feet and gave him room to rise from the water. He was magnificent. Each scale covering his body was rimmed with the same color as his eyes. Smaller black scales covered his head. I reached out towards him. He placed his icy muzzle against my hand.

"You're cold."

"I know. We dragons are cold-blooded, and as this cave is cold, so am I." 

He stared at me. Three small horns stood out on his cheeks, and two larger ones graced the top of his head. As he moved completely out of the water, I gasped.

He stood at least ten feet tall. Large golden scales shimmered on his belly. The same color of small scales formed eyebrows against the inky darkness of his head. He shook and his wings ruffled out, each one twice as long as he was tall. The membrane forming them was deep ebony, just like his body, but where the bones ran through, they glistened a darker golden color. He was probably twenty-five feet long. 

I stood in awe.

"Mother?"

"Yes, Lakeershon?"

"Are you afraid?"

I walked forward. He lowered his head and I placed my cheek against his. 

"No. I was just admiring what a lovely dragon you are. I never would have guessed. I'm impressed. Is this your full size?"

"No, I will be twice this big when I am grown."

I watched the swirls in his eyes go round and round.

"Do not look too long."

"Why?"

"A dragon's eyes can freeze you where you stand, just as the swirl on the egg did to Michelle."

I moved away, so I was looking at his entire face. "Why are we here? I'm supposed to be finding my way to defeat Yen Sin, and here I am with you. Not that I mind. Spending time with you has taught me so much."

He rubbed against my face and gently puffed into my hair. "I love you, Mother. However, I am here to show you your path.