Dread

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Lore

Dread and his mate, Dreary, produce offspring for the clan to sell in the hatchery. Instead of using the clan's designated surrogate to raise their offspring, as other pairs do, the patriarch himself raises Dread's hatchlings. Along with his mate, Dread has also taken on the role of a scout. Every night, he scales the trees outside of the Glass Shatter territory, on the look out for any threats.

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In the early days of the Glass Shatter Clan, before Aries had delegated the task to her team of Collectors, the Matriarch herself did the scavenging. One day, while scavenging in the ice realm in her frenzy to find treasure, Aries pitched aside what she presumed to be an ordinary chunk of ice. Her mate, patiently standing guard, saw the ice roll away from them. Curious, he followed the ice and stopped it with his paw. The ice was in an oval shape, with flat blunt sides, an imperfect sphere. Aries was preoccupied and didn't notice Falkor pressing the ice to his ear, listening to the faint heartbeat coming from within. When she finally realized what was happening, that the ice chunk she had discarded was actually an unhatched elemental egg, she immediately became interested in the object. Not for the same reason Falkor was interested, though. Though she had never found an unhatched egg before, the matriarch knew that eggs such as these could sell for considerable amounts of treasure in the auction house. Ice eyes were coveted for their beauty and she planned on taking full advantage of her fortunate find. Falkor, though, wasn't ready to give the egg up.

The pair was expecting their first nest to hatch the next day, and Falkor could already sense Aries' disinterest in being a mother. The prospect of taking in an orphan on top of the three eggs they were already incubating put his mate on edge. He knew there would be no appealing to her emotional side, that he would have to convince her another way. He knew that certain color combinations could fetch a high price tag on the auction block. Much more than an egg itself could. It was a gamble Aries was willing to take. She agreed to let Falkor incubate the egg, but she wanted no part in it. Gathering the rest of their loot from the day, Falkor carefully tucked the egg into his pack and made the trek home with Aries, checking the egg every few feet to make sure it was safe.

His mate snorted in disdain as he gingerly placed the egg among the glowing eggs of their shadow nest. It looked so out of place, but Falkor never gave it a second thought. He tucked it close to his body, breathing over them to surround the eggs with his warmth. Aries had gone about her own business and he was alone with the eggs when he saw the few rays of sun that managed to pierce through the foliage of the Tangled Wood begin to fade. It was sunset. Exhausted from the day, Falkor struggled to keep his eyes open, to keep watch of his nest. Rave, the only other dragon Aries had trusted so far within their clan, had graciously watched over the nest while he was out gathering with his mate that day. But, now he was alone. He couldn't sleep during his turn to guard the nest. He started to nod off when he heard a faint cracking sound. Looking down, he saw the tiniest of hairline fractures within the ice egg. Then, it started to move.

Rocking back and forth, the egg was bursting with a new found energy. With a loud crack the egg split down the side and a tiny brown claw reached out from the shell. After a few more moments of struggling the hatchling freed itself from its casing. It opened its mouth, sharp rows of baby teeth gleaming, and let out a barely audible growl. It's large ice eyes glistened as it looked around, soaking in its surroundings. Falkor lowered his head, imprinting the scent of the little one in his mind where it would live forever in his memories. The hatchling barked a squeal of surprise, then shakily made its way to standing on all four limbs. Falkor beamed with pride as the little one nuzzled his forelimb. In an instant, he had formed a bond with the hatchling that ran stronger than blood. No matter what Aries would say, this was his first born son.

Aries was disappointed when she found out that the egg had hatched without any desirable double or triple colors. She wanted to cast him out to fend for himself. Even though just one of the hatchlings from their first nest together, Slate, had stayed with the clan, Aries felt raising a hatchling that wasn't their own would be a senseless drain of their resources. After much heated discussion, it was decided that Falkor would speak with the leaders of their allied clan, Maldolf and Uhnalia. They were generous and graciously agreed to take in the young hatchling and raise him until he was old enough to contribute to the Glass Shatter Clan. Only then would he be allowed to return to his birth clan.

With a heavy heart, Falkor embraced his son. Though he knew Dread would be safe with their allies, he longed to be the one that raised him. Dread was too young to understand that what was happening was the only way that his father could keep him safe. Falkor's fears that Dread would think he abandoned him were warranted. The young dragon would grow up with a bitter resentment toward his father for leaving him the way he did. Though he was often told by Wraithra, the mirror chosen by Maldolf to be his surrogate mother, that his father loved him and was anxiously awaiting his return, Dread never believed her. If his father had wanted him he would have kept him. He would have fought for his right to remain with the Glass Shatter. Instead, he felt as though he had been discarded. That his worth was only measured by the contributions he could give to his clan or the currency he could be sold for. Yes, it was Aries who decided that he would be raised in another clan, but it was Falkor who had let it happen.

Dread was taught practical skills by Wraithra that would prepare him to contribute to his clan. He learned how to track, fish, hunt, scavenge and fight. His colors and natural stealthiness made him ideal for hiding among the trees and tracking prey, or spying on the clan's enemies. Dread grew into a strong, impressive young dragon capable of surviving on his own. He was just a few months old when it was determined that he was ready to rejoin the Glass Shatter. A message was sent to Falkor that his son was ready. When he received the message, Falkor burst into tears of joy. He had barely slept since he had to say goodbye to Dread, and a constant sickness at the pit of his stomach had stayed with him since that day. Though he told himself it was for his son's own good, that he had done his best to protect him from the wrath of his mate, he still carried around a heavy sense of guilt for abandoning his ward. But now Dread would be returning home, they could start fresh and he would vow to protect his son for as long as he lived. But, Dread didn't come home.

Dread was given explicit instructions on how to find his home lair. He possessed an excellent sense of direction with a keen intelligence. There was no doubt he could find the clan on his own. He assured his surrogate mother that he would be careful before setting off on his journey. He knew before he ever left, though, that he wouldn't be heading for the Glass Shatter in the Tangled Wood. He was headed for the ice domain. He was headed for his real home.

He had never been in the Southern Icefield before, but when he reached the domain he instantly felt at home in the cold. It felt as though he were answering a call that had been within him all along. He spotted a pack of tundras roaming across the frozen expanse just as a storm started to pick up. Though he felt comfortable in the elements he knew he wasn't as well equipped as the tundras were, their thick fur acting as a sheild against the impending blizzard. He needed to find shelter. Pine trees dotted the landscape and Dread made a dash for them. The wind howled as if it were angry that he had escaped it, finding reprieve in the boughs of the mighty pines.

Waiting out the storm, he drew comfort in knowing that he blended perfectly into the dense gathering of trees within the boreal forest. He climbed to the near top of one of the trees, becoming invisible among the pine needles. He thought he was alone. He was wrong.

A creeping feeling of being watched began to weigh on him. He heard nothing and he saw nothing, but he sensed that someone was there. The feeling never left and he didn't sleep throughout the entire night. The hair on the back of his neck stood up straight. Where was it? Who was it?

After several hours of silence he finally couldn't help it. He began to nod off. He would startle awake, aware that he couldn't let his guard down. But, eventually, he had to succumb to sleep. It was then that the presence made itself known. A nocturne lighted on the branch above him. Stealthy as Dread was, this creature was more covert. Dread was a light sleeper, but he was unaware that she was just inches from his face, examining him. The nocturne stayed that way for some time, simply studying him, before she lightly tapped his shoulder.

Dread jumped into action. His coat bristled and he stood defensively, with his back to the trunk of the tree. His eyes narrowed and he bared his teeth, unsure if the dragon that appeared suddenly in front of him was a threat. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"I think I'm the reason you're here," she smiled gently. Though it went against every instinct, he found himself trusting her. He sat back on his haunches and relaxed, eager to hear what she had to say. She explained everything. How she had been alone in the woods her whole life, concealing herself from other dragons. She became a phantom, the source of stories, to the clans that were unfortunate enough to pass through her territory. She would rob them of their resources in a way that they never knew she had even been there. She was so quiet, so quick, that they wouldn't know their food and trinkets were missing until long after they had left her domain. Her name was Dreary, and she had always sensed that her mate would appear one day. He would be alone and he would come to her, unaware of the legends. She would know him when she saw him. And, here he was.

They became inseparable after that point. They were a crafty team, robbing clans blind and growing rich from the resources they took. They kept their loot hidden high in the trees where no one could spot them, the very trees that they would swoop down from to raid their unsuspecting victims. Alone, up in the pine trees, they would adorn themselves in the rich clothing they had stolen and act out scenes from the lives of the characters they felt the clothing represented. The fabricated stories became a source of joy for both of them, neither addressing the underlying theme that they represented. The stories were always about a dragon that was loved. A dragon that belonged in its clan. Neither had ever belonged in a clan, and neither wanted to discuss it. It was through these plays that they were able to act out their desires without having to say them. They just wanted to belong somewhere. Though they finally had each other, deep down they were both still so alone.

Falkor was inconsolable when he realized his son wasn't coming home. Wraithra had sent news that Dread was on his way, but too much time had passed. He should have been here by now. Falkor combed the Tangled Wood for any trace of his son. It took time, but he finally accepted the reality that Dread hadn't wanted to return. That he had left to find a home of his own. But, Falkor would never give up on him. While the other dragons of the clan slept safely concealed at night, the guardian would wait in the open for his son. If Dread returned at night, he didn't want him to miss the lair because no one was waiting for him. He had to be able to find the Glass Shatter. Even Aries began to empathize with her mate's plight.

One night, Aries made the decision that they would move to the Southern Icefield. She claimed the clan was expanding too much for her to keep them hidden in the Tangled Wood any longer. That she could keep them safer in the ice realm. She would never tell Falkor, but she did it for him. She had a suspicion that if Dread were still alive he would be in the Southern Icefield. He was an ice dragon after all. If he didn't have a home in the shadows, he would surely return home to the ice realm.

Aries laid in wait, hidden beneath the snow. Only her eyes and nostrils could be seen from her position, and only if you were looking for her. They had just arrived in the Southern Icefield and the clan had stopped to rest under the cover of a dense forest of pine trees. They had scarcely been there an hour before they had been robbed. Not much had been taken, Aries had their most valuable possessions protected by Fever and Prince, two of the impressive imperials of the group. It had only been some food and cheap materials that went missing. But, Aries knew someone outside of the clan had taken them. No one within the Glass Shatter would be foolish enough to cross her. She had set her trap, leaving a bag with scraps of silken apparel unattended, while she waited to catch the culprit in the act. She had set the trap at noon and waited well into the night before she spotted someone taking the bait. It was a nocturne, barely visible as she blending with the trees. The nocturne looked around to be sure she wasn't being watched, gently taking the pack in her arms. Aries seized the moment and pounced, springing out of the snow with a fury that would terrify the most menacing of dragons.

The nocturne tumbled over backwards and scrambled to escape, ditching the pack and attempting to fly away from the ravenous mirror that clutched at her waist. Her attempt to escape was to no avail and the mirror dragged her down, thrashing at her arms and chest. The nocturne screamed in alarm and out of no where, a second tree colored dragon swept in and knocked the mirror off her feet. Startled, the mirror jumped back up and lunged for the new dragon's throat. He agilely leaped out of the way before freezing in his tracks. A look of puzzlement flashed across his face, "Aries?"

The mirror stopped her attack to look at the skydancer that stood before her. Could it be? Was this really the young hatchling she had cast out of their lair months before? He had grown. She watched as he tucked a protective wing over the nocturne that was now shaking and licking her wounds. Yes, he had definitely grown. And this must be his mate. Before she could speak, Dread spun on his heels and nudged his mate to follow.

"We're done here," he asserted before heading back for the cover of the forest. Aries' mind was reeling. She had to stop him. For once in her life, she actually cared about someone other than herself. Falkor needed this from her.

"Stop!" She ran in front of the pair and halted in their path. Dread informed her that he wanted nothing to do with her. "Then don't. But, you have to see Falkor." The skydancer laughed at her response. He wanted even less to do with him. He cared to see neither of them for as long he lived. Her heart pounding, swallowing her pride, Aries uttered the words that she had never spoken, and would never speak again, in her life.

"I'm sorry," taking a deep breath, and with great struggle, she continued. "Falkor had nothing to do with the decision to make you leave. He wanted you to stay. He begged me to let you stay. I would have sold you. I would have killed you if I could have. We were a young clan and you were a burden. Falkor did the only thing he could to keep you safe. He sent you to live with Wraithra to spare your life. He's waited everyday for your return and I've watched the guilt eat away at him." Aries couldn't look at Dread as she spoke. Eyes fixed on the ground, she sighed before continuing her speech. "If you never want to see me again, then fine. I wouldn't want to either. But, for Falkor's sake, at least give him some closure. He needs to see you, if only to say goodbye." Lifting her eyes to meet his, stripping herself of any last shred of dignity, she uttered a final plea. "Dread, please... He's your father."

After a tearful reunion from both parties, Dread rejoined the Glass Shatter that day. Falkor had nearly resigned to never seeing his son again. But, there he was. There was much catching up to do, but as Falkor promised, he would never betray his son again. When the time comes for Dread and Dreary to hatch their own nests, Falkor will be there. He'll be the surrogate for their offspring that he could never be for Dread. For as long as he lives, he will always be there for his son.

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Bonds | Relations

Dreary Mate

Falkor Father

Wraithra Surrogate Mother

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Goals | Notes