Far away deep in the forest there lived a druid It was a long journey of three to four days of hard going with no real path to speak of. Just little trails wandering through the trees and up hills, then plunging down into hidden valleys. Crimson Fire lived up a mountain on a plateau in an earth house loving built by his hands and shared with the animals and birds of the forest and mountains Crimson Fire had never married nor had children his human friends were few although travellers were made welcome as long as they were not hunters. He lived as one with nature reaping her crops abiding by the natural rules and never taking life. A powerful high priest that used his magic for good he shunned the ways of town and city folk. One day a teenager approached his abode a strapping lad sent by his father to study and learn the druid ways. Crimson Fire looked him up and down and thought to himself that Young Sam would do. "Greetings" said Sam, "from my father Blue Dragon" Polite too thought Crimson Fire as he returned the greetings. "I will be setting you some tasks that will show the path to your Future. The first is one of mediation which you will do further up the mountain. Seek out the cave on the next plateau and light the fire, when it is glowing sprinkle on these herbs and they will clear your mind and cleanse your spirit." Sam made his way up to the cave and followed Crimson Fire's instructions and slipped into a deep trance as he inhaled the smoke. Strange images danced before his eyes not to be shared with us mere mortals. In two days time he returned to Crimson Fire's abode and sat with him relating all that he had experienced. The old Druid nodded his head wisely and asked what the last vision was? Sam said it was an eagle that was covered in flames. "That will be your Druid name Fire Eagle In three days time at the summer solstice I as high priest will call you into the druid circle and perform the naming ceremony but first you must go out into the forest to the east. When you reach the tumbling rock your next task will become clear" So Sam set off again. Travelling far to the east he came up on the tumbling rock. Trapped fast by its leg was a young fawn, its mother circling nervously both crying to the other. Sam gently approached and slowly and carefully removed some rocks freeing the fawn who quickly darted to his mother. She fixed Sam with a stare then nodded her head. Together they slipped off between the trees. Sam set off once more heading westwards now The skies opened and rain lashed down soaking all and the rolling thunder claps grew louder and louder and lightning flashed in streaks across the sky. An ancient oak highlighted showed a bird dashed to the ground sodden feathers preventing it from flying making is easy prey for the wolves, Sam frightened them off with his staff and collected up the bird. You need some healing he thought more than I can give you and he carried the raven to Crimson Fire. "You have done well young Sam, rest now, tomorrow is the time of the solstice." to be continued written 07/10/2015 Story Poem contest