Prince Erhart and his Uncle Edward prepared for a grand journey. Erhart reached for his trusty sword, but Edward stopped him. 'The lands we visit are peaceful, Erhart,' Edward said with a smooth smile. 'weapons are not allowed.Leave the steel behind.' Erhart obeyed, but he tucked the dragon scale into his vest for luck.
Their first stop was the magnificent East. Erhart was dazzled by the golden palaces and the rhythmic music of the pipa and sheng. In a grand hall, they watched dancers move like ribbons of silk.
The journey continued across the sea and into a vast, golden desert. They rode tall, swaying camels under a blazing sun. At night, they sat by small fires and ate delicious roasted meat that smelled of spices. Erhart felt a sense of freedom he had never known in the palace.
Leaving the heat behind, they traveled to the northernmost snow mountain. They traded their camels for sturdy yaks to climb the steep, icy paths. The air grew thin and cold, and the entire world looked like it was carved from white jade. Erhart marveled at his first sight of real snow.
Erhart's excitement got the better of him. He hopped off his yak, scooped up a pile of fresh snow, and hurled it at his uncle. The snowball hit Edward square in the chest. Edward yelped and awkwardly shielded his face, while Erhart laughed, his breath puffing into white clouds in the freezing air.
As the sun dipped low, they retreated to a small tent. Erhart shivered, his energy spent. 'Uncle, I'm tired. When can we go home?' he asked. Edward produced a ornate bottle. 'I'm cold too, nephew. Have some of this to warm your blood. Then we shall return to the Rhine Kingdom.'
The drink was sweet and mellow, and Erhart finished several cups. Suddenly, his head spun, he suddenly felt very sleepy and fell asleep. When he finally opened his eyes, the tent was gone. Edward was nowhere to be seen, and the yaks had vanished. Erhart was alone, freezing, and betrayed.
Night fell completely, and the blizzard worsened. Through the white expanse, Erhart heard the howls. Dark figures emerged from the mist, circling him. He reached for his sword to defend himself, but his hand found only his belt. He didn’t know what to do.
Just as the shadows closed in, a piercing cry split the sky. The dragon scale inside Erhart's vest suddenly pulsed with a blinding light. Prismatic beams shot out in every direction, illuminating the snow and driving the shadows back into the darkness.
Through the clouds, a massive silver-white dragon descended, its scales shimmering like moonlight. Erhart remembered Edward's stories of an evil dragon and trembled. The dragon swept down, a gust of wind tossing Erhart into the air.Overwhelmed, he fainted.
Erhart woke to the warmth of a bonfire. He was in a dim cave, safe from the storm. Standing before him was a beautiful fairy with long black hair and a silver gown. 'Thank you for saving me from the evil dragon,' Erhart said gratefully. The fairy's eyes narrowed with cold disdain.
'How dare you call me an evil dragon!' the fairy sneered. 'I am the guardian of this mountain. That scale in your hand belongs to me. It was stolen by that cunning man you call uncle. He took my things without asking and left while I was asleep.'
Erhart's world crumbled. He didn't want to believe it, but his uncle's disappearance spoke the truth. ' He must be back... planning something ,' the fairy warned. Erhart's face hardened, his fists trembling with resolve. 'Good,' he said. 'I will take you back to my kingdom to talk to him.'
The fairy transformed back into the silver dragon. She lowered her head, and Erhart climbed onto her back, gripping her shimmering horns tightly. With a mighty leap, they soared into the sky, cutting through the clouds like a bolt of lightning. They were heading home to set things right.
They landed outside the capital of the Rhine Kingdom. The dragon fairy turned back into her human form. 'Go into the city and investigate,' she told him. 'If you find trouble, take out the dragon scale from your bosom. I will be waiting to help you.' Erhart nodded, ready to face his uncle and reclaim his honor.