Kaja

An old Snapper stomped across the Shadow territories for the seventh time in a almost a decade. Her scales resembled dirt and the mud and stone hardened over her feet from her constant walking. Her wings Were dyed green with chlorophyll from the leaves she shook from trees and bushes. She hummed a tune she'd heard from the bees that put her in a happy mood.

Kaja was almost as old as the Earthshaker himself. She had seen more sights and traveled more miles than most of the monsters of Sornieth. She never got tired of traveling. She had friends in every corner of the world of every different type, young and old, rich and poor, She considered them all her children. In fact, It was said between friends that Kaja had adopted half of sornieth, and was passing time until the other half was born. They had Renamed her "Mama Bean." She loved this name. Who else could boast as many children? As many proud moments? Certainly not many.

She came upon the outskirts of Driftwood drag. A wide river ran through the forest and Fire bugs glittered the scene. The moons and stars shimmered on the surface of the water. It a comforting sight. she had always visited when she came through. She sat on the band and remembered something one of her children had asked her.

"Mama bean, Do you ever stop?" They'd said.

"Stop? Stop what? I don't really do much of anything. Except for walking. I do a lot of walking."

"That's what I'm talking about! You've walked for so long, You must of seen everything by now! Why not stop and go home?"

She gave her child a huge smile and began to laugh.

"What's so funny? I didn't say nothin' funny!"

"But you did Dear!" she explained. "No body could see everything. Things keep changeing, Dragons keep being born, Adventures are still being had. You could understand why I would want to see as much of that as possible!"

The child looked up at the ancient derg and pondered her words. They smiled at each other. "When I get older, I'm gonna Run as fast as I can so I can see A bunch of stuff, Just like you!" Kaja gave them a warm smile, and they shared a long hearty laugh.

She would always remember that day. Before then she had never really thought much about traveling. She just felt the need to... go. Like all Snapper dragons she had the urge to travel from birth, and like all snappers, looked forward to the end of her life when she would tell her story to her father The Earthshaker.

As she remembered she noticed something. What she thought was the reflection of the moon on the water's surface, was not a reflection at all. It was a dragon. Kaja Stared at it. It stared at her. It was quite an awkward and lengthy moment. Kaja decided to break the silence.

"Hello, Child."

The long horns and neck of an imperial rose out of the water.

"How long have you been treading the water there, my dear?"

There was no answer.

"A shy one, aren't you?:

Still nothing. He simply blinked. Kaja nodded.

"I understand. You take your time now."

The silence continued until Kaja began to hum. Some old tune deep and slow she heard from a chorus of rocks and water. The Dragon in the water let his eyes relax and and finally close as he sank back into the water. Her hum broke into a song and he smiled. He began to whistle along. His tune was hoarse and quiet. She sang quieter and listened carefully to his tune. soft and sweet their song became, And when it was done they stopped and smiled at each other again.

"Come back tomorrow." The Imperial mouthed. He drove back into the water and flew back out towards home. His spray created the smallest little moonbow. Kaja smiled. She would indeed come back and sing with her new friend. She wondered why he wouldn't talk, perhaps with time, he would. Kaja Got up and decided to set up camp in a small cliff nearby. As she slept she listened carefully to the wind and the trees. She would have a new song to share tomorrow.

Tomorrow came and so did their meeting. Kaja sat on the river bank with a few Umbra Partheniums she'd picked on the way. They looked delicious. She hoped she could control herself until her new friend got there. She smiled about how pretty they were, they were the color of his hair. She looked up and saw the moon was big and round in the sky. It was noon already.

The Imperial appeared behind her, inches from her head. He snorted. Kaja nearly jumped out of her skin. "Oh! When did.. When did you get there my child? You mustn't sneak up on an old woman like that!" Kaja sputtered. He blinked and sat down beside her. "I live here." He said in a quiet monotone voice. "I am always here." Kaja raised an eyebrow for a moment. "Oh.. You live in... where? Here? In the river?" He nodded his head, and stared at the river. "It doesn't seem like the best place to sleep. 'cept if you're fond of colds. And you don't look like much of an Ice dragon to me!" Kaja laughed heartily at her own joke. Heath simply stared at her. "You are correct. I am a child of the Light Flight." Kaja turned to look at him, startled by his cold reply. "I... see. That reminds me, I never learned your name dear."

Heath looked into the lake and closed his eyes. He could not remember. "They name I have been given is Heath." Kaja nodded and gave him a warm smile. "It's wonderful to meet you Heath, Here, I have brought something for you." She got up and revealed the Flowers she'd been hiding. "Here, we can share a snack. They're even your color!" Heath looked at them and nodded. He gave her a small smile. "Thank you." He said it softly as if he didn't want anyone to hear.

Everyday they would come to the river and sing. They sung loud to the trees and water. Their voices flowing freely through the air. Kaja had the most wonderful stories too. Tales of far away lands that Heath had never heard of, or perhaps didn't remember. Large monsters Dragons fought against in war. Heath never got tired of listening, and for once, never got tired of talking.


This time it had been heath to speak first. "I love you. You are very kind." Kaja simply blinked, then smiled. "Ah yes. I love you too, child. I'll have you calling me mom like all the rest in a couple of days." she said with a chuckle. Heath seemed disappointed. "What's wrong dear?" Kaja panicked, she didn't wan't to hurt his feelings. Heath spoke again, this time softer. Kaja had to strain to hear him. "Not like that."