Because if you smile in the rain...

No one can tell whether you’re laughing or crying...

Smile in the Rain, number one:

Stories of a rumored past

“Alright, now which story do you want to hear about today...?”

An eager voice piped up. “Tell us about the Draqueen story!”

Another child joined in. “Yeah, the one with the Dragons and the Demons!”

The storyteller laughed. “My my, again...? You children sure do like that story, don’t you?”

“Yeah!”

“It’s interesting!”

The woman laughed again. “Well, alright... it all started many years ago, when the Dragon Lord came to rule over Dusis...”

-o0o-

“Rune, aren’t you going to listen to Julie’s story...?”

“Hm?” The blonde boy, currently walking by the kitchen with a tall stack of laundry, looked over at the red-haired woman who was in the process of mixing together ingredients for a cake.

“She’s talking about the Dragons again, you know.”

Rune set the stack of dirty clothes over on a nearby table and joined the woman at the counter. “You know, if I had any idea what this story was about, I might be able to respond, Marika.”

She eyeballed him quickly before she continued stirring. “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard the story about the Dragons.”

“No, can’t say I have. What is it about?”

Marika stopped and stared at him, setting her spoon down entirely. “You can’t have not heard it. Rune, every living person in Dusis knows that story.”

He snorted. “Well, what am I, the living dead, then? Tell me this story.”

She sighed. “Okay, alright, I’ll tell you the story...”

Marika took a deep breath and began. “Well, they say that many years ago, there was some... war between the Dragons and the Demons. Apparently, Dragons had this monarchy over all of Dusis at the time, and the Demon Lord wanted control. So he kidnapped the Lord’s queen and declared war on the Dragons. This apparently started a huge... feud between both clans. And according to rumor, a few years ago some incident reset the entire world and brought it to the way it is now.” She snorted. “Honestly. A lord ruling over the kingdom? What is this world coming to? We can take care of ourselves, why do we need a king? Seriously, someone needs to be brought to reality. We would know if there had been some huge war, right, Rune?”

Rune, however, had lapsed off into silence at the end of Marika’s story. “Say... Marika... you don’t think that story actually happened, do you?”

“What?” She looked at him strangely. “Of course not. Where have you been, Rune?” Marika just sighed. “They also say, however, that when a few years have passed, the lord’s three greatest fighters, the Dragon Knights, will reunite and bring the kingdom back under rule again. It’s an interesting story, but it’s a load of rubbish, if you ask me.” The woman paused to look back over at Rune. “Why do you ask?”

He sighed. “It’s just... Marika, you have to understand, I don’t have any memories from before this past year. And now, hearing this story... I just feel like I’ve finally found my calling...” Rune looked up. “Say... you wouldn’t happen to know those knights’ names, would you...?”

Marika paused in thought for a moment. “Let’s see... well, the Dragon Knight of Fire was Rath... then there was the Dragon Knight of Earth... that was... Thatz, I think... and then...” She looked at him. “Then there was the Dragon Knight of Water... Rune...”

Rune’s breath caught in his throat as he looked up at his companion. “...Rune?” he whispered. “The Dragon Knight... of Water...”

And a moment later, he was up on his feet, the laundry now forgotten, walking from the kitchen.

“Rune...? Wait! Where are you going?”

But the boy made no answer as he silently strode from the room.

-o0o-

“Rune!”

He was walking away from the small house, pack on his shoulders, when a voice made him turn around.

“Marika...?”

“Now where are you going?” she demanded, hands on her hips. The redhead stared at him defiantly. “Don’t tell me you’re going down to Draqueen to pursue that silly mustery.”

Rune sighed. “Marika, I... I don’t belong here. Look at me. I have no memories. I don’t belong in an orphanage in Cezarre. I belong down in the capital, where that old legend is from... I have to at least see what’s pulling me there... what’s calling me...” He trailed off, looking at the sky.

Marika heaved a sigh and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I’m going to miss you, boy.”

Rune gave her a tiny smile in thanks before turning and heading off down the road.

-o0o-

Okay, so I must admit I've had this storyline in my head for quite a while now, and I just had to write it finally. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have an ending in mind. So sit back, enjoy the ride, and don't forget to review my new "epic" every once in a while. I'll see you next chapter...

Hobey-ho,
Peophin-chan