They were the dragons of Kazan, the last remaining
ones, ancestors of the Ancient Ones. Once, the dragons were worshipped and
idolized but those days were long gone… and they had to flee for their lives,
taking shelter in the little hide away. But dragons needed freedom; space and
the mountains didn’t content them. They roamed over every inch of the Kaman…
making the whole place feared by humans, for it was known that the dragons hated
humans. Venting their wrath on any who came close. Slowly, they died… pining
for the open spaces and good hunt they use to love. Until… until… there were
very few left. The younger ones, the ones who grew up in the Kaman Valley.
But… as the dragons became more secluded dragon magic began to fade from the
world. It wasn’t noticed right away, just little things, the lack of
dragonflies that were rumored to have a connection with dragons. Then the
lackluster birds…. they were kin to the dragons, so the legend goes. As years
passed they became more birdish, losing their dragonish traits; refusing to
acknowledge humans almost completely. Only in the Dragon Valley as it was now
called did those things still thrive… feeding and living off the magic of the
dragon jewel…
The dragon jewel was rather large, and tear-shaped. Made of crystal, it pulsed
and shone with a light of it’s own. It was a mystery to everything and
everyone but the dragons. No one but them knew how it came into existence or why
it did. It was created by the first dragon ever on Kazan. As dragon tales go,
which are mostly corrected the dragon, Gold Flame cried for many days when her
true love had died by human hands. All the tears she had shed pooled at her feet
and as days went by the tears slowly hardened to a large teardrop. When Gold
Flame had noticed this and thought over that she had no more reason to be on
this world she stored all her magic into it. She knew she wasn’t need any
longer… the dragons thrived without her… but with this last enchantment they
wouldn’t be able to live without her. And from then on the dragons thrived and
gained their magic from that jewel. Until the day the jewel disappeared………
It was the last day of winter, the first day of spring and what a lovely day it
was. Five large dragons lumbered out of a cave and into the clearing; blowing
smoke contently and twisting their heads, looking around. Nothing seemed to have
changed since the last time they were out about a month ago. It had been an odd
winter this year. Scarce hunting and ice that wouldn’t melt even with dragon
fire made most of them lean and a few died. They mourned the lose of their
friends and family but it was a new year, a time of new beginnings. The eldest
dragon, a large azure-coloured one with chipped back ridges stood in the middle
of the clearing, peering uneasily into the large pool of water… the watching
pool.
"Flyrn, " a dark crimson-coloured dragon moved over. Gold-flecked eyes
peered under his shoulder into the pool, cocking her head to look back up at
him.
Flyrn shifted, staring down at the smaller dragon beside him. "Firestar…
is there something you need? " He chuckled softly. This young one was just
hitting adulthood and still as curious as she was when she was born. A favourite
among the elders, for though Firestar was curious, she was also cautious and not
as reckless as the other youngsters. She was the only one of her age, stuck in
the middle of the adults and the babies.
Firestar shook her head briefly, still watching him. "No… you look a bit
disturbed. And on such a wonderful day too…"
Flyrn smiled thinly, "The watching pool is dark…" He trailed,
glancing up as the 6 other adults gathered around, whispering.
"This had never happened before, " a green female spoke up, glancing
at her kyn. "The Dragon Jewel keeps the pool clear… did something happen
to it? " She flicked her tail worriedly.
"Nester, " another dark blue male soothed. "I’m sure that’s
not the reason. Perhaps someone had better go see though. "
"Perhaps we should all see! " Nester added and the other dragons
nodded in agreement. Flyrn sighed, his head dropping.
"Yes, we should. I am afraid to know though. I am worried that something
has happened to it. Nothing like this has ever occurred before……. "
They bobbed in agreement, turning to leave. Firestar trotted after them, wanting
to see what happened. A female, Flamea turned on her, growling softly. "You
stay here. It isn’t safe for a young dragon. " Firestar stopped in her
tracks, staring and turned away, miffed.
Flyrn turned his head, green eyes glittering. "Let her come Flamea. She is
old enough now. "
"But someone needs to stay here and take care of the draclings, "
Flamea protested, now glaring at Flyrn, smoke streaming out of her nose.
Flyrn stamped his foot, tail flipping. "Then you stay here, Flamea. And
watch the draclings. "
She snapped, her neck curling and a look of disgust in her eyes. "You
coddle the young one too much, Flyrn. "
"She is our future, " Flyrn said calmly. Flamea gave him another
disgusted look, blocking him out of her mind and turned back to the clearing.
Flyrn shook his head, swinging around to look at Firestar. "Come. We must
hurry. " Firestar nodded, joining the others.
They moved fast, and that made an odd sight. No one would think that such huge
creatures could move so swiftly on foot. None flew… it was too dangerous for
them to be seen, especially with the watching pool dark and all were unsure when
it came to the jewel. It didn’t take them long to arrive at the nook. It was
between two mountains, tightly fitting and only one full-grown dragon could
squeeze through…. if they were lucky. Flyrn decided to go. It was a long
twisting path to the Jewel’s pedestal with many branches off to other parts of
the mountains, designed to confuse and lose a creature not meant to be there.
As Flyrn started to the entrance he stopped suddenly, glancing at Firestar.
"Come Firestar. You come with."
Firestar started, blowing a small lick of flame out uneasily. "Me…? But
why? " The older dragons murmured amongst themselves, looking at each
other. Firestar tried to block out their talkings, but found it hard to without
becoming dizzy. She was still too young yet.
Flyrn shifted impatiently. "Don’t ask questions when you’re ahead,
young one. Just come. " Firestar bobbed her head, meekly and trailed after
Flyrn. They twisted and turned through the passage and many times Firestar
misjudged a turn, scraping a wing or elbow. It didn’t hurt her hide very much,
but her wings were still frail and delicate. Eventually they made their way to
the hidden niche.
The niche, better known as Dragon Jewel Clearing was green, but heaps of snow
still stood in the shadows of the mountains. In the middle a large gold pedestal
stood in the middle. It was unadorned completely except for the small indent in
the middle. That was where the egg sat but much to Flyrn’s surprise and
Firestar’s horror nothing sat there. Flyrn hurried over, snuffling around the
base and over it. There was nothing… He flamed into the sky angrily and
Firestar backed away. He turned towards her, eyes glowing like embers. "GO!
" His voice ripped through her mind. "I SAID GO NOW!!! "
With an eep, Firestar whirled around and took off running back through the
passage. She ran into the sides, cutting the soft underside of her belly often.
Tumbling out of the entrance she lay on her side panting. The others gathered
around her, nudging her with their snouts. "Firestar…" a dark green
one breathed. "What happened?? "
"It’s gone, " Firestar whimpered. "Gone…. gone…"
The others shifted nervously around her, whispering. "Gone… gone…..
Gone…. gone…….. " Echoed through the crowd over and over.
The Dragon Jewel was gone…….