Murtaugh

Murtaugh, a dragon of a quiet disposition that often went overlooked in such a crowded lair, was content to merely enjoy the ebb and flow of life. He wasn't a warrior, a mage, or much for taking the lead. Good with his hands, though, he was often found quietly volunteering to help fix broken toys, bumped heads, or just generally helping keeping things on track.

Perhaps that was why he found himself one night being pulled out of the noise of the settling lair by the Mystic Oracle. "There is something I think you should see," the Spiral had simply stated before heading out into the thick woods around their home, leaving the Pearlcatcher to follow at his own pace.

Murtaugh found himself being led deeper and deeper into the dark press of trees, wondering what it could have been that brought them out here. At first he was cautious, but then a strange sense seemed to take over the tone of his thoughts. Curiousity and excitement were something he rarely felt, so he wasn't quite sure how to handle himself. "Where are we going?" he finally asked, just as they broke though the edge of the trees. Here was a magical sight, immediately taking his breath away. They were on a cliff's high edge, water falling down with a roar that he hadn't heard during their walk. Moonlight saturated the scene, and above the stars gleamed majestically. Below, a massive valley sprawled away, trees rising up thickly everywhere, though there might have been the glimmer of firelight here and there among the branches.

Murtaugh tore his eyes away from the scenery to look at the Mystic, who was smiling widely, tears shining in his huge eyes. Slowly, the Spiral spread his wings before launching himself off the edge of the cliff, only to turn around, hovering there, the moon and star light seeming to catch in his markings, making them burn even brighter. "Can you hear the music?" the Mystic called, a power in his voice that Murtaugh had never heard before. As the words were spoken, gentle strains filled the air, soft like the touch of the light from above, warmer than the summer. "That is the music of the Starsong. It is singing for you!"

Murtaugh closed his eyes, the music sinking deep into him as he stood there and let it take his thoughts far away from the here and now. All knowledge of time was lost as gentle sensations brushed over his hide and wings, all he knew is he never wanted this moment to end. Eventually, though, the gentle touch and the music faded, flowing out of his grasp like water over the edge of the cliff beside him. He breathed out, slumping to the ground as Oracle landed gently beside him with a joyous laugh. Exhaustion was the only thing he felt now, but the Mystic helped him to his feet as they started back to the lair. Despite it being hard to form thoughts, let alone words, Murtaugh managed to ask the one thing that he needed to. "What... was that?"

"Magic," Oracle responded softly. "The type of magic that searches for those who can hold it, that can use it to help others. You are the type of dragon that this world needs, and now you are one of the chosen. In time, and if you listen to the music and the magic now within you, deep secrets will reveal themselves for you. The beginning has now begun." With that, the Spiral fell silent, the lair's lights coming into view through the dense trees. "Rest tonight. When you are ready, we'll talk again." Oracle took his leave when Murtaugh reached his nook safely, the Pearlcatcher missing the proud gleam in the eyes of the other as he slipped into the night.