DAWN OF KINGS CHAPTER 2

The sun slowly started  to dip below the wooded horizon of the far off mountains. Strange Birds chirped as if whispering amongst themselves as afternoon slowly began to descend on the dead land. A rushing river was hastening through the  wasteland. The calm descending waters having no qualm in accepting the tiny trail of blood that, ran along the ground, wishing to join it in its never ending voyage towards the boundless ocean.  A  wolf lay slumped on the bank of the riverside, a faint whimper escaping its lips and a bloody paw layed on top of a deep and ugly wound that had settled against its side. The wolf bore its teeth tensing its muscles, but when the pain became too much to bear it released the force that was allowing it to barely cling to life. The wolf  stretched out its other paw and began to painfully slide its body across the  floor towards the flowing waters of the river. More blood trickled out from the deep puncture wound and it whimpered in agony several times before she was able to muster the endurance to desperately try and crawl away.

The wolf however didn't get to far, for as it was almost three feet from the river, a clawed foot came  down on its back, while two thin arms grabbed it's neck and bite swiftly down on it, crushing its vertebrae and killing it instantly.

As the grey female dragon enjoyed her meal, something peaked her senses. A strange scent in the air had caught her attention.
Bolting her head upright, still in mid chew, she scented a Male. A big one from the smell of him. She curiously sauntered towards the scent, her claws nestling in the wet forest floor.

The female  wandered around her favorite forest entity. A large, twisted stretching  tree that was nearly as round, as it was tall. The summit of the great old tree had been pressed many times by her gentle footsteps, and she had worn a trail, her path of wonder, in a perfect circle around the tree she loved.

Suddenly a twig snapped clean not even one-hundred yards from where she stood. The fins on the side of her neck prickled, and her ears strained with every pained muscle to discern the approaching sound. A soft four-beat gait reached her senses, and with shock she backed her body into the trunk of the great tree. Another dragon was approaching her hiding place, and she did not know whether to stand and fight or flee into the dappled silence.

Looking around, she leaped frantically up the the tree, years of gut instinct telling her to stay as quite as she possible can.

She bit her lip hoping he didn't sense her.

She watched intently as the drake wandered around the great tree - he obviously had been through some very tough times, which was proved, not only by his disheveled appearance and grotesque skinniness, but also by the way he essentially drank the entire river without taking a breathe or complaining about its rancid taste and Oder. Curious, yet unsettled she looked over her shoulder making sure they, she and the drake, were the only breathing beings in this section of the land. Satisfied that her nostrils scented no other individual, she took a cautious step forward on the branch she was standing on, lowering her head and gazing at him with one, liquid red eye.

She watched him like this for a while, until the drake finally took to laying down amongst the shrubbery, and dozed off into a dead sleep. When she was certain the drake was really asleep, she crawled down the trunk of the tree, quietly, and came up to the sleeping drake. As she stared at the guardian drake, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor disheveled mess of a dragon that lay sleeping against her tree. Part of her wondered what happened to it. But for the most part she was wary of it. She knew, even in their worse condition, guardians could be dangerous. Especially wounded, injured, half-starved, males.

Still, as much as she tried to push the feeling of curiosity away, this dragon-though albeit not one of her kind- Was as far as she knew, the only dragon this side of the dead zone. Deep within her  threshold amongst the throbbing roots and fleshy ground, Dragons never really dared to take refuge here, and it was exceedingly rare to find one who would risk their lives trekking the wasteland just to be here, hell most dragons wouldn't even fly this far. Due to this, she usually was safe from all beings, and all forms of predators.

Dragons who did survive the journey here, however, usually stayed in this land for no more than a few days to a few weeks, before leaving, complaining about how this land made them felt weird. As for her, she however stayed behind, No other Dragon could quite understand her deep love for the deep, dark dead world she resided in and she doubted anybody would. But still, she figured she could spend her life in awe of this wonderful creation, utterly alone. She, for the longest time, managed to quell the instinctual urge to find companionship, and until this dragon showed up, she did a marvelous job hiding her loneliness.

But for her to feel this way, this sudden urge, just by staring at this wounded male. One could only guess how lonely she actually really was.

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Morning soon turned into afternoon. And soon the guardian opened his eyes cautiously, letting the dim afternoon-light stream in, and felt them adjust, a second eyelid swiping down each time he blinked. Trees crowded around him, old trees reaching high up with grasping branches  to catch the dimmed, sun’s rays, thought plenty of it still hit the debris strewn forest floor where he lay alone .

Forest floor. Alone. It took a second to digest the information, the leaves and sticks under his body , helping along the process of him remembering what had happened.

That meant it everything that had happened hadn’t been a dream. He closed his eyes tightly, part of him wishing that his ordeal had been a dream, his mind not coming into grips and accepting the fact about losing his entire clan in the processes of a few weeks.

A crack interrupted his thoughts and he jumped to his feet and spun around, then fell over with a yelp. It didn’t hurt much at least, he didn’t feel sick anymore, and the scales were tough, but he still felt a little embarrassed as he climbed back onto his feet, trying to reclaim some draconic dignity. A little snicker came from the direction again, and he turned more slowly, peering between the trees and bushes in a attempt to find the source of the snicker.

“Hello?” He tried to call but it only came out as a growl. When no answer come, He Walked a little around  the tree, it was easy to walk when he didn’t think about it somehow. His stomach growling  with hunger. He took time from his looking to instead look at his own body, damn he didn't really notice how skinny he had actually gotten.

Figuring the sound was nothing more then some bird or something, he began to walk behind the tree and go off in search of a meal. He hadn't eaten in weeks, and boy was he so hungry, he could have eaten a imperial whole, and not think twice about it.

He didn't have to look for long, for when he came to a river bank, there laid a wolf corpse, half eaten and decomposing in the hot afternoon sun, it's blood still wandering freely and staining the waters of the river, turning red. Without second thoughts, and with hunger driving him, he growled, then turned and snapped up the meat greedily, swallowing it whole like a snake, chewing only slightly when the meal decided to get snagged on his fang.

Halfway through chewing, a sound came from behind him.

"Enjoying yourself big boy" a voice said coyly.

In surprised he turned abruptly, growling as though anticipating a fight, even though he was in no condition to fight. However ever his muscles relaxed and he stopped baring his lips when he saw what had talk.

There, standing for the whole world to see, was a medium sized, Mirror female. She was steel colored with a blue tinge to her, along with Green wings, "spring" as most dragons described the color. She stared at him with her the largest set of eyes, the smaller set hidden behind closed eyes.
"Why do you wander through this land so alone young female?" he managed to rasp from his nearly frozen vocal chords. Just that one sentence made his throat hurt, but it didn't matter. He now had someone to talk to. "Where is your guardian?, (he knew mirrors ran in packs, finding one along was a abnormality) These are bad times, no female should wander alone so far from her pack." The male's voice piped with a protective tone, but he was sure the female interpreted it as something condescending.

He knew females could hold their own when it came to any kind of battle, especially when it came to mirrors, but she was so lithe, so finely-boned. When she stepped grace emanated from her being. The male  feared to even breath on her for fear she would break. Had a more perfect creature ever wandered across his path? It was hard for him to remember a finer example or a female blue beauty such as this one standing before him.

As the roots  parted where she walked, she understood that would be strange for a lone Drake to wander by himself. It was unheard of in her original homeland for any dragon to to travel alone then again there was her

Her delicate claws embedded in the thick moss and undergrowth, she ruffled the verges that stood between them. Each of four legs working like clockwork, she sauntered down the knoll that she had appeared on.

The damp grass made her uneasy on her feet, and she slid slightly down the brown.  She eased her walk towards the drake.

She noted he was curious as to who would be following her, and she gave him a knowing look. Her bright red eyes piercing his warm chocolaty orbs. How they twinkled in the dappled shade - she could stare at them forever.

He was finely crafted, a prime example of a drake guardian, despite his slight emaciated appearance  . His marooned scales glowing in the warm sunlight, with attractive splashes of teal and swampy colored wings - he was an unusual marked drake. His fine, black beard rippled so softly in the dancing breeze, it seemed to caress his thick, arched neck. She had often wondered whether she would see a drake such as himself, with all the sheer masculinity just standing out.

She faced the drake, her body tensing at his tone.

"I am alone, drake" She murmured gently. She gave a weak smile, as not to reveal too much about why. "And you, what of you? You seem to be in solitude also ..." She trailed off at the end, not knowing his name to finish the question.

"I'm sorry," he quickly whispered, turning towards her and bowing with maroon head with apology. "It has been a while long since I have greeted another, I have forgotten the formalities. If I may be honored enough to know it, what is your namesake beautiful one?

"You'll have to earn it first" she said coyly,"And you, what's your calling?" She asked quietly. The midday sun just emerging through the wood's many crevices and gaps. A particular sun ray seemed to illuminate both of them, in a bolt of warm sun. She felt warm when he had complimented her, her chest seemed to flutter, a feeling she had not experienced for a long time.

Knowing the way mirrors could be when it came to introductions, the drake didn't really seem to mind that she did not give him her name, so he replied "I cannot say I have a name as  that may be as divine as yours, but you may call me Shmurda."
"Pleasure to meet you, Shmurda.... I have no guardian of you must know, well, not anymore. I have been alone for at least a few years......How far have you come drake? What led you to this place?" The mirror quickly changed the subject.

The sun played lightly upon the shrubs and tree that shaded the ground where they stood. A soft wind smelling of fresh, decay hit his nostrils, and he nodded with pleasure. It was nice to be home. But he didn't look like he felt like talking about what had lead him to this place.

When the mirror sensed the dragons displeasure on being asked what had caused him to come to a place that most dragons wouldn't dare to show. So she back peddles and changes the subject

"It is my pleasure then, Shmurda  to invite you into my dwelling place," she closed her eyes and nodded to him, again, displaying the utmost respect for the male.

Swishing her long tail she turned from him, beckoning the male with a head-toss to follow his lead. "You will be safe here, and may stay as long as you please. The land is very protective of her  inhabitants."

Shmurda shyly smiled as she said his name. He did not generally just let his calling be known very often these days. It was nice hearing it come out of someone else's maw. His gaze turned from himself to her. When he realized she was beckoning him  to follow. She reacted the way any male would - with a polite nod.

Turning slowly, the mirror began to walk down a well-worn path. Many prints, all the same size and shape faced north and south, marking the path well with dragon use. Ferns on either side bent as the legs of the female passed them. How many times had she sauntered back and forth from the her dwelling  to the great tree?

As they follow the worn down path, the guardian couldn't help but notice, how [i]comfortable[/i] the female was in this land alone. If he knew one thing about mirrors it was that they were pack animals. Her supposed account about being alone raised a few questions. Where was her pack. Did they leave her here, did she leave them.

Was this a setup and she was just taking him to her clan to be eaten....Actually, even to him that theory seemed ridiculous after a moment’s thought, and he growled a little then moved forward a bit, trying to keep up with the mirrors fast pace. Damn where these guys quick.

Coming into the clearing, Shmurda could see a vast network of tunnels, Dead grass  acting like a welcome mat to each cave system entrance . So inviting . Biting his lip, he calmly followed the females lead, both of them coming to rest a large sunning stone with what looked to be a dead animal on it.

He took a nervous glance at the female, as if asking for permission to eat the carcass. With a nod of approval, He calmly followed the mirrors  lead and began to feast. The meat refreshing in his mouth, as he chewed in the midday sun. He took a sneaky glance at the mirror, perhaps shy if she should catch him looking at her. He smiled to himself, and turned away, delving into the tasty tender flesh.

The mirror  grinned merrily as the drake dropped his head to graze with her. Maybe he would stay, even if it was only for a while. She flicked her red orbs up and down from the ground to his  frame, slowly inching her way closer to his form.

By the time the sun hung high over them, directing their shadows right under their growing bellies, The mirror was inches from him. Their two long, billowing tails swept the ground in unison, ushering flies from their glossy scales with deadly accuracy. A soft wind blew, and Shmurda leaned his side into the gust, softly brushing against her shoulder. A bolt of warmth gathered on his side where he had touched her, and he shuddered with the newfound feeling. If only he didn't have scales, his skin would be inflamed with a light, blushing red.

The mirror self-consciously diverted her eyes from him, The warm flush overtook her, leaving her tingly inside. Hearing a sound in the woods, she  shot up, and realized how stupid she looked.She happened to see the male do the same, and rolled her eyes playfully, giggling slightly.

----------

In the late afternoon, when their hunger had been sated, He knew the female was mere inches away from him. Shmurda smiled to himself, a feeling of youth surged through him. As the female mirror laid against the sunning stone, grooming her blue scales. As Shmurda laid by her. He tried to spark up conversation.

"So...how long have you lived here and how come you don't have a pack?"

The mirror stopped mid lick and stared at the male.

"For a while, I came here when I was Young with my pack. However During a hunting accident I had hurt my leg and wing, and they left me to fend for myself, when I healed, I decided why bother searching for a clan who would leave their own behind, so I stayed behind." The females eyebrows furrowed, how many summers had she seen pass since that day? Six, Seven? What did she have to show for all the years she had spent alone? A vast knowledge of the land and its habitat? How much true progress had she actually made? A slight shudder coursed through her veins. This male was unraveling her and all he did was ask a question.

So now it was her turn.

"And you Shmurda, where are your drakke and young ones? Is there more to you than meets the eye?" She inquired suspiciously. She could tell in his warm brown eyes, that he was not giving away some information. The sudden wash of pain on his face confirmed the fact that she was naive to think a guardian, such as Shmurda, would wandered here alone for so long without a reason.

"Shmurda, Im a good listener" She whispered gently. Her eyes searching his for a sign of leeway.

She shyly nuzzled his thick neck, and held back afterwards.

She turned away and began to walk towards a quiet patch of the ground, where the grass brushed over her fetlocks.

"I'll be over here if you want to talk..." She finished, her voice slightly optimistic. With a quick smile, she continued to the area.

Shmurda watched the young mirror wander from him with an air of uncertainty. She had been truthful to him about her wanderings to this place, did he too not owe her the same truth? Nodding his head as the grass swayed beneath his claws, he slowly approached her, his mind made up.

"I was originally born here"'he began, his eyes taking on a wispy, distant hue. "I was the first hatchling my mother ever had, and she could not of been more pleased. My father was delighted as well for she was his favorite girl, and he would watch over me almost as much as the rest of the band. I was his favorite" Shmurda chuckled, the memories of his father and mother sending flits of happiness through his veins.

"I was about....one.. When My father, in a effort to give us a better home, lead us to a new home, back to the original birth place of the guardians, the [i]fish-spine reef[/i] as most people called it. "We lived there till about...a few months ago...[i]then[/I]"

The guardian hung his head, closing his eyes fiercely to hold back his tears. The area  seemed to hold its breath as he retold the story of his life, for even the local wildlife kept quite.

"The one day a few months ago, our [i]seer[/i] a old fae we had picked up on our journey back to the reef, foretold that danger would come to us if we stayed any long by the reef. My father, who was as stubborn as he was kind, didn't take the fae seriously and we stayed.... Three days later the seers premonition came true... In the form of a bunch of shadow dragons looking for more territory. my father tired best to usher us to safety and to fend off the shadows, but it was too late. There was too many, He died trying to lead the others to safety , and the rest of my band perished including my mother. Those who survived were a bunch of females who the victor shadows took for mates. My aunt tried to encourage them to come with us. But they were already expecting hatchlings -by the time we had a chance to leave-, with the same dragons who had killed their previous kids... So me, our seer, moms sister and the only two hatchling who survived, my aunts girl and her brother all decided to escape and come back here.

"My aunts baby girl was the first to go, then her brother, Then our seer, then my aunt, I would've went too had I not found this place in time."

With a heavy heart he looked into the distance, his nostrils fluttering. A slight wind stirred and lifted his beard  from his face, and he closed them gently, hoping that maybe his pain could be washed away with the breeze. "That is how I came to be here, and why I do not have a clan."

It wasn't hard for her mood to change from curiosity to plain sympathy. She couldn't believe he had opened up all these feelings. To her especially. What made her so special that he should confess. She felt mad with herself, it obviously caused him much pain to get it off his chest.

"Shmurda, I don't know what to say, I shouldn't have pressed you... I.. Im..." She stuttered, trying to find the right words for this situation, She had a whole new respect for the Drake. Her history was bad, but his was something to be caught up about.

"You did not press me to say anything. I'm not the kind of Dragon that just speaks for attention. I listened to you, don't I owe you the same courtesy, to tell you mine?"The guardians said pressing his snout again the females neck

But the mirror still felt horrible about pushing the drake to tell the story,  how do you open up about something like that. His strong snout pressed against her neck she sighed as her muzzle nestled into his chest. His warm, sea  scent tingled her nostrils. His beard sweeping against her cheeks, she breathed softly into his form.

She listened to his story, her heart warming at the thought his pain was finally releasing him from the grip. The grip that clearly would have a hold on his life for a long time.

"Say, why don't we go on a little flight, to ease the mood" the mirror suggested.

"I thought mirrors didn't like to fly"? He said curiously

"We don't"



"I still want to know your name, drakka,' the maroon replied.

'You have not earned it, so I'm not going to tell you it.'

'How will I do that then?' he asked

'You'll have to wait .' with a great sweep of her wings the mirror took off, soaring into the sky as Shmurda followed a second later, trying to gain the height she had already achieved.

The mirror looked behind and below her and saw the drake following closely. She swerved left and right, climbed and dipped, and all the while he stuck to her, his eyes never leaving her, trying to predict her movements.

'You're agile enough,' the mirror muttered, 'but are you fast?' Her wing strokes increased and she climbed higher and faster, trying to dislodge the drake from her trail. He fell behind, but did not give up.

After three hours  of this, both dragons were exhausted. Sometimes the mirror  had turned and stalked Shmurda instead, and sometimes they just pranced around each other, neither pursuing the other, and revelled instead in the glory of each other's movements. The mirror  began to admire her new companions determination. Usually they gave up long before now.

'Am I worthy of your name yet, my lady?' he would call every now and then.

'Not yet!' she replied, laughing and spinning away into some other sequence that would take his breath away.

They landed together back at the mirror home. Night had fallen long ago and the land was hardly distinguishable from the dark forest around them . The sounds of crickets and other night-time creatures came in restful waves to the dragons' ears.

'The stars are shining brightly tonight,' the mirror said, looking at the sky, and one constellation in particular. Shmurda looked too. He could see the starlight reflected in the female's eyes, making her even more mysterious and beautiful.

She lay down where she was, curling her tail around slender legs hard with muscle.

'Do I have your name yet?' Shmurda asked. The drakka merely smiled and went to sleep.

And so did he.