THE FIFTH REALM: TURQUOISE — The cherry tree's welcome

The dragon searched her heart for Ernesto’s presence. She needed a place to rest, and she wanted to tell him everything that had happened. Her search brought her to a cherry tree in bloom.

As she approached, she sensed a sweetness that made her imagine the taste of its fruit. She closed her eyes, breathed in the fragrance of the blossoms, and thought of the cherries the tree would offer at harvest time.

Something fell on her head.

Skyblue opened her eyes. A cherry was rolling between her paws.

“I see you don’t have to wait so long here either,” she said with a laugh.

She picked it up gently and savored it. It was as juicy as she had imagined, but there was something in its flavor that no imagination could have supplied. She hugged the tree in thanks.

A second cherry fell beside her.

“This one’s from Ernesto,” she heard.

Skyblue hugged the tree a little tighter.