CHAPTER 1 - written by Danielle VanVoorhis(Pav01@hotmail.com)

I was only five years old when the battered figure of the man in black first came to our village. I was living Micah, the local physician, at that time since I had no other family. Of all the children of the village I spent the most time with him. I remember that he was a very quiet man. Whether he was secretive or just shy I couldn't tell, but he never spoke of himself or his past and refused to show his face. The other children were afraid of him but his eyes looked kindly upon me and I trusted him. He stayed with us for nine summers although during the rest of the year he left until the next June when he returned. The only other time he came was each year on my birthday when he would bring me a small present such as a flower or a leaf or a tiny wooden caving of an eagle. These visits were usually brief. He barely spent enough time to smile and deliver my birthday gift and then leave again.

His last visit was on my 14 birthday. I was surprised because he stayed all that afternoon into the evening. At sundown he took out his travelling bag and nodded to me. Micah smiled at me and left The man took me to the corner and sat me down by the fire. For the first time, as I stared at the faded black scarf that covered all but his eyes, it bothered me that I couldn't see his face. He carefully took out a small object wrapped in red silk and handed it to me. "You're old enough for this," he said.

I stared at the jade dragon amulet that lie enfolded in the scarlet material. "Guard this with your life. It contains powers that many would kill to possess. Now begins your journey and your true calling. There is much that you must learn about yourself and the world. Be strong."

Then he was gone.


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