Silver Dragon Breath - fantasy writings by Syrobe and members.

    About a year ago I met two cats. They where new in the village, you could tell. When I asked them what had brought them there, They told me this:
    The two cats walked for a while until they came to a break in the path. They were not sure which way to go from there and saw only the wide open land, vast and empty. Which way was home? they thought.
    They decided finally to keep in the direction they were already headed, and went this way for a while. They were not quite sure of themselves now that they had no path to go on. They had felt much safer on the path, It was like a lead to them, and they had not felt lost when they had had it to follow. So now they wandered in the direction the path had gone before it broke off, passing a tree here and there. They came to a lake once, and passed that up too, but then turned back to it to get a drink and rest awhile. It was a good rest, and they thought about staying there much longer, but decided that it would be best to keep going for the time being. then when they turned back to go to the way they had been headed, they found that they had not remembered which way they were supposed to be going. They got quite anxious
    This was unexpected. They had known that they should not have stopped, because that was when one most often lost it's way. they had known that to take their eyes off of the way they were headed was bad luck. After much worrying they decided tha they should just go toe best shot towards which direction they were headed. By that time though, the sun was in a much different place, and it was starting to get dark. they headed on, not sure if there calculations of time and distance were correct. They got stuck with many things, and many animals along the way did not think they would get where they were going or were woven going the correct way at all. they thought that the Cats were going to go aimlessly into the great forest a thousand hills away, and get lost or eaten by the Large fox thing that chased all but the bear. But when the cats did end up in the forest(for the animals of the area DID know about directions) The fox thing did not chase them at all. The fox thing was quite friendly indeed, and led the cats through the forest, and gave them directions to the land of people in which was a huge Village. this was where the cats would go. It was the only way they could get help and guidance to the city of the great mountain. They had been left in the foothills by the strange man. They did not know their way, and had not seen the direction they had been traveling, or landmarks, because they had been in a strange box with wires on one side. They asked creatures of all kinds to see if they were going the right way, or if they had gone off course, but they had not. They were on their way to the huge village. This village was known throughout the valley to be a good place that welcomed all creatures, and it was indeed.

- 1 -

Part 2

    So this is where I met the cats that are my friends today. Very good friends those cats are! So now I am giving them help. I think they would like it much if I would guide them. I thought I most likely would, for they are kind, and even though this village accepted me, and welcomed me there, I got strange looks. I wasn't so much abnormal, I think they just didn't know how to strike a conversation with me, or maybe they thought me up as something I wasn't.
    So for awhile, I chatted with the cats. They decided to stay the night at the village. The others at the village actually liked the cats quite a lot. The cats, dispite it all, would not give their names to a single soul. I still don't know their names, I just realized, but I have never thought to ask. I'n sure they would be confertable enough with me knowing, but I get along with them well enough as it is. They never asked me of my name either, and sometimes I wonder if they have even heard of the concept. Or maybe at the great city of the mountain it is just polite not to ask or give away names. Maybe it is more of a rule. Someday I must ask them. I guess it is easier to chat commonly with someone when you don't know their name. I found out quickly, that you really don't need names. They talked of the hardships they'd hadtrying to get home, and Had asked me why we didn't have paths or roads here.
    I replied with this only: "We have no need for roads, people rarely leave the village anyhow."
    I had gotten asked this by a few other vititors, for most do ask, and most end up staying. Actually, If the cats were'nt so insistant on going back home, I think that they might have stayed as well. The large village is quite peacefull, and most are quite content there.
    The cats remarked many times that the great city of the mountain was much like the large village, exept much busier, and people were almost never content there, though there was no reason not to be content. They had told me time and time again that people, after having almost everything they had needed , had started to want what that really could never have, and spent their whole life searching land through land to find what is not in existence. I have never quite understood why they kept saying this. They say many thing like this, which they don't take the time to explain, but this is in part because I seldom ask what they mean of it. They once asked why the people of the large village have such misconceptions of me, and I told them only that I have never known. I have, in truth asked many prople why they had these strange thoughts about me, but they seldom gave any answer at all. This is in part, I am sure, because they refused to talk to me at all most times. They also ask me why I stayed there as long as i did, which I never could find an appropriate reason for. I often wonder why I always say that the village is such a great place, and I boast about having been able to stay there, if I wasn't much happy there at all.

- 2 -

Part 3

    When we headed out the next day, I told them that they hadn't been too far off track, until they had reached the lake. That was over a week ago though, and it would most likely take longer to go back, for we were not so insistent on hurrying, for hurrying causes one to make mistakes in direction, for lack of checking the position of the sun with where one is going. Losing sight of the sun is the worst thing one can do when going through unfamiliar territory.
    Although I had traveled through these lands we had been traveling through at the time, I did not know them well enough to travel by landmark, or sheer memory of direction, and I had never had this great city of the mountain as my destination. I had never actually seen this great city of the mountain, and was wondering with great hopes, if maybe I would find more creatures with such kindness as these cats.
    So now we are at the brink of steepest hill which is far past the valley. It has taken a long time indeed. I have just asked the Cats about the name thing I had mentioned, and they say that names are not necessary for friendship, but they had wondered many times why I had not asked, or called them as I liked. Many do call them what they like, they never mind the nicknames, as long as they are not unkind, and once or twice, the names have caught on, and kept with them traveling many places past the usual. I ask them now if they have names of their own at all. They say they do, and remember them well, but a cats name is all they own, and it is in their tradition not to tell any creature but those they truly trust. This strikes me as odd, for I've always felt, since I first had a real conversation with them, that we have had a strong bond of trust. I ask again why they do not feel they could trust me. They say that it is not so much trust, but the uselessness behind the concept of names. They say a name is useless,except to know that oneself is in existence.
    This confuses me greatly. I do not understand this concept at all. They ask me if things would be any different if they knew my name, and addressed me by it instead of calling me friend or guide or one which they can trust. I suppose they are right in that. But I explain that a bond is tighter when you know ones name.
    They say reply only with this, which is great advice: "do not tamper in ones believes, for beliefs are set and you wont succeed." I have always known that one sticks with what they belive in, but have never stopped to think about it before questioning someone with a belief I did not understand. I tell this to My dear cat friends, and they say in reply that is is sometimes smart to question what one does not understand, but not to make them understand otherwise. I know this, and I think they know I do, or maybe they have made a judgement on me that I do not know as much as I say I do. I never say I know something If I truly don't though. It is one of my beliefs. But many people thing that I am just showing off, or that I know all about this subject, and talk about it often because it is all I know. But in truth I talk about that because I am not sure what else I could talk about that they would for sure know of. Well the sun is getting high enough to start out again, so I'd better wait to write anymore, until we settle somewhere for the night.

- 3 -

Part 4

    Now we have gotten quite a bit further. I am starting to see now, that the Large Village (that's all the name it's been given, for no one has ever bothered to think of something better to call it) wasn't as peaceful as the creatures there often said. My two cat companions agree that there is much more peace when one is not in a crowded place. I ask them why they are in such a hurry to get back to the city if they do not enjoy a crowded place. They say that they have family there. They have close friends, and though they have made close friends in other places along the way, and will miss those that they have met, they do not want to cause their friends at their home worry. They say that that place is their home, and they have a certain feeling that is urging them to return. It is the way of life that they know, and they miss it no matter what they might say.
    I have never truly had a home. The Large Village was as close as it had gotten, even though no one ever bothered to get to know me. In the Large Village there were few humans, and this soothed me well, for humans don't properly understand my kind. I tell this to my cat friends, as I have a few times before, and they tell me as I always do that "Humans don't like to believe that there are creatures above them" They always say to me that humans and cats get along okay, because most of the humans don't believe cats to have high intelligence al all. I have learned over this last year or so that this is under no circumstance true. Cats are very smart creatures, and know a lot indeed. Humans are smart-alikes and tend to think they know everything, when in fact they know very little about most subjects they bring up. They are dull conversationalists, and use very plain vocabulary. I never could quite see why it was that they are always thinking such ridiculous ideas such as that they are the smartest animals in existence
    But enough about petty humans. My cat friends think it very well indeed that I record the events on this trip. As to warn all others who might read these records against stopping before the sun is about to set, and keeping eyes off the sun for extended periods of time. They say that the sun is the best way to keep your direction, and you must also keep an eye on the time by watching it, to be sure your direction is constant and steady. Also they always are lecturing me about asking if we are al going the proper way, even if I am quite sure of it. Even after all the times we have asked, we have been on the correct course. The only advantage to it so far, has been that the others along the way have given us advice on good resting places for the night. Yes indeed.
    One night the wind had gotten as fast as the frightened rabbet, and we had gotten good advice from a passing stranger about a good wooded area that protected against the harm of wind and rain. This kind creature had been very good at predicting the oncoming storm. It was exact to the young gulls word. Yes, I believe it was a gull. A young seagull, no, not a seagull, for we weren't near the ocean at all. It was some sort of large bird though. Another creature, towards the early beginning of our trip, told us of a place slightly towards the zone-of-sunset, which many know as west, that shielded us from the rain-showers. Yes, I do suppose it is never a bad idea to talk to the passing strangers. Also when talking to strangers, one can tell them of what to look out for along the way, as they can tell you the same. But the Cats have travelled this way once, and know most of the hardships they might encounter. But in that, one can still warn them of what might come of where they are headed.
    But with the new day, we have gone far. We have gotten past the steepest hill, and two other hills, and thought the trip is tiring, I am glad to have Cats as my companions, for cats are quick, and good on their feet, and have no trouble on the rough terrain. They have to work much less to keep up with me than other creatures I have travelled with. I have travelled with other creatures before, though they were not as kind to me as these cats.

- 4 -

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