Once upon a time there was a single cell, which began to divide. Quickly it doubled again and again until, in the dark recesses of a subteranean cavity a sound was heard. A clicking, as of claws, echoed from rock walls and a tiny cough momentarily purged the surrounding shadows. A humid mist surrounded a bulky form and from behind the dragging rumble, like a log bouncing along the rocky floor. Everyday, for days on end, the sounds grew less faint, more clear as the creature came ever near. One day, a glow began to hint at the cavern's end and he grew impatient as the light became more bright. At last he lumbered into sight. The view was brilliant, filled with light, and space and magical sense of sight, as golden beams of sun rebound from jewel-like flowers and verdant ground.
Entranced by beauty all around the creature breathed in air so pure that, even though his bellowed lungs were filled with smoke, he felt cleansed and belched a small smoke ring that rose until it could be seen above the glade. Because of that, a sudden flutter of a hundred tiny wings, air bound, drew his attention from the ground. As his lidded eyes cast up he saw the fliers grouped in units, military garbed their armor flashing, swords in hand they awaited slashing. He, the newly hatched one drew a breath and unknowing opened wide a mouth so vicious that it daunted all and sundry, but instead of fire and lashing talons he smiled which released the heavy tension and the Queen, with guard attended, welcomed dragon if his intention was as friend and not destruction.
The new-hatched one was truly awesome in his own right, and ancient wisdom held in his lineage told him of the debt he owed the fairy folk from ages past and bending scaled leg he bowed and fealty he vowed. The Queen accepted his obeisance and forged a bond, with fay-magic amended by the dragons power, and so ascended to her bower.
The dragon, even though newly made, held ancient knowledge and was content to dwell here in the magic glade until finally, eons hence, he turned to prince and Queen he wed, to sire a new age of wondrous beings to rule the then-world and thus begins the last age of magic. |
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