The Willow Glade -- page 5353

Hum contentedly

You begin to hum - quietly at first, but your voice crescendos into a burst of song - as light and dancy as the Kwua bird, but as deep and solemn as death itself. The dragon's wingbeats slow and the mighty silver beast hovers above the dew-covered earth before landing with a miniature earthquake. Still you sing, piercing the mist with your voice - deep or high, happy or sad, loud or quiet - they are all unknown, but the dragon seems content.

For a while, you still sing and the dragon's almighty shimmering eyes watch your every move. You take a step forward, and another, and another, until you are standing at the reptile's claws. A rumble of happiness drifts from the dragon's throat and in a flash he lifts you up with his claw and places you on his shoulders, between his neck and his back. It is comfortable there, almost as it it was designed for you. The dragon takes off with a sweep of his shining wings and you feel secure and safe, not worried or unsettled in any way.

Like a light breeze, the dragon speaks to you, but you cannot hear his voice, you can only feel it. "Good day, dragon rider." he spoke, "I am Zayak, son of Vyrza. Your song is the song of peace, and what riders sing to their dragons when they first meet. Usually it happens at a much younger age for both - but time runs away from us and we cannot let this pass." You smile, close your eyes and tell him your name. He seems satisfied. "Where are you taking me?" you ask catiously. "To the kingdom of the dragons, my friend. We shall meet a few riders, many wild dragons and we shall learn our destinies."

You smile and accept his answer. What will become of you now? In five minutes you turned from a normal human being into a dragon rider - it was a dream come true, for you had always wanted an amazing best friend, but it was also a nightmare. Where was home? What is this place anyway?