Arlo

It was a warm and exciting day for the Wind clan; a clutch of eggs was due to hatch any second. The little green-swirled eggs wiggled and bumped against each other as their precious cargo inside shifted about in an attempt to enter the world. Their proud parents sat coiled nearby, watching with smiles across their scaly muzzles. It was their first clutch together.
Finally, one by one the eggs began to crack open, allowing the tiny, slithering, wiggly worm-like dragons to slip free from their shells. With their large neon-green eyes, they they squinted at the brightness of the sun, the warmth of it encouraging them to explore about their nest while the clan watched and celebrated with the parents. It was a good day!

The little dark male, whom did not yet bear a name, quickly learned how to use his beautiful shimmering green wings. It wasn't long before he and his siblings were noodling about in the air together, spiraling down and spiraling up, looping and darting across their home. It was a young spiral's dream; growing up in such a calm carefree home with an entire clan that loved them, and proud parents declaring their love and joy. There seemed to be no ill-will between any of the clan members. It was an amazing home!

New clans were beginning to arise out of nowhere all over Sornieth. As each flight grew stronger, tensions were beginning to rise. But for the dark little Spiral and his clanthere seemed to only be happiness. They were excited for the world to grow, and plans and preparations were being made while the little ones watched on, curious about the actions of the adults.
Finally the day came, when the little ones were scooped up and taken away from their home by their clan mates. It was done with smiles on everyone's faces, for it was an important journey for them! Today, they were going to go out flying across the skies with their elders, traveling from one territory to the other. Of course, the clan made extra sure to let the neighboring clans know that they would be entering their land in peace. The last thing the clan of Wind dragons wanted was to put their precious young ones in danger and be torn from the skies.

With curious eyes, the little dark male Spiral watched as they dropped down to a lair to coax out one of the newly forming Clans from their den. The Windy dragon clan would exclaim with joy how happy they were to meet them, offering small trinkets and food to show their friendship. He and the other youngsters danced about excitedly, talking about the various things they had seen and learned on their journeys. It was a fun meeting every time, and new friendships were made quickly. Some of the lairs even had offspring already inside, which delighted the youngsters of the Wind clan. Everyone was happy. The offerings were taken into the lairs while goodbyes were given, and the traveling clan of Wind dragons returned to the skies.

What fun they were having: so many new faces. Dragons of so many different sizes, shapes and colors! Each den was a surprise. Each meeting was filled with happiness and appreciation, but perhaps one day the new Clans would become more hostile. During their new beginnings, it was smart to make alliances. Most would retain these relationships, but in time there would always be those that drifted away or took the path of war. All this was explained to the youngsters as they flew with the elders. It was difficult for them to understand why anyone would want to not be friends anymore, but they accepted these words and pondered them, for one day it might prove useful to them.

The small traveling party of Wind dragons dropped down once more. They were nearly done with their journey, as this was one of their last stops before heading home. Everyone was tired from hauling around treasures and gifts of welcome, as well as giving the youngsters rides across the skies to multiple territories. Luckily, their last few stops were in the Shadowbinder's lands. Already they had made many friends there. The lands of the Windsinger and the Shadowbinder were not that far apart from each other, and so the trip home wouldn't be too stressful. Excited to meet the last few clans, they called to the owners of the den they had landed outside of in an attempt to coax them into view, so that the gifts and warm welcomes could be given.

The little dark spiral youngster wanted to help! He and one of his siblings rushed into the mouth of the cave, calling out to those inside and holding little bits of treasure in their front talons. A bright smile grew on his face as a pair of eyes appeared in the darkness. Kind eyes. Finally, a Pearlcatcher with a speckled hide emerged, his shadow eyes glowing softly in the darkness. He smiled down at the youngsters, then looked nervously towards the adults behind them, nodding gently to the words of welcome.But the Pearlcatcher quickly tried to hush the welcome crew and looked about with his ears pinned back.
"Thank you for your kindness. But please, you can not linger for much longer."
The shadowy dragon spoke in a low tone.

This confused the little dark youngster... something didn't seem right. Everyone had been so friendly, but this one seemed to be worried about something. Even the location was weird. In their journey, each den site was taken care of! A dirty lair was not acceptable and most dragons would at least give the outside landing area a light cleaning to hide any scent and make it appear tidy, but this den was a mess. This Pearlcatcher looked like he would be happy to clean up a bit! Maybe his partner had something to do with it, but where were they?

The rest of the Wind clan seemed confused as well. Before they could question it though, a loud rumble sounded from inside the den; the footsteps of a large creature. The youngsters blinked and tipped their heads to the side to peer around the nervous Pearlcatcher, watching as a massive form began to appear from within the shadows. Only one eye shone this time, bright with the element of Shadow. The Pearlcatcher turned, one wing outstretched in an attempt to hide the small greeting clan from view, though their silhouettes were still slightly visible through his ivory membrane.

Lumbering from the darkness came the other member of the newly formed clan. A large battle scarred guardian, with thick obsidian scales and wings red like a blood-red sky. Already she had lost an eye, only one remaining to glow within the shadows. She walked with a tall stride, proud, yet threatening, with her jaw slightly ajar, rumbling and hissing with each inhale. She was well aware that others had entered her territory, and she did not seem amused.

The Pearlcatcher kept a lowered stance whilst he tried to explain that there wasn't anything to worry about, and that their guest had come in peace. He was quickly interrupted by one of the older spirals popping around his outstretched ivory wing. With a big, friendly smile, they blurted out how happy they were to meet and welcome the clan. The Guardian jerked her head back in slight surprise, her brow arching at the sudden outburst before lifting her lips in a snarl. These wind dragons were so noisy and annoying. She watched as the green eyed clan laid out some treasures, trinkets and food while they continued to sing with happiness about friendship between the two clans. Even the young ones were joining in, the little dark male wiggling over to the Guardian with a bit of treasure in his talons and offered it up to her.

The Pearlcatcher watched in terror, not moving a muscle as the festivities continued around him. His eyes locked onto the happy little youngster that was closest to the dark scaled Guardian, whom tipped her head down and narrowed her one good eye. Finally, she spoke.
"I will accept these gifts. But I will also be taking what you have not laid out before me."

The Windies paused and looked to each other.There was still more gifts in their claws, but they were for the other clans they were to visit. One of the elders smiled and attempted to kindly explain the situation, but in the midst of his sentence, the Guardian lurched forward, snatching the dark spiral youngster in her sharp talons. He squealed in terror, wriggling and squirming about, trying to work himself free, but her talons held tight around his long looping body, knotting him up between her claws.
"I SAID I WILL BE TAKING THE REST."

Horrified, the wind clan begged for the release of their youngster. It didn't take them long to offer up the rest of the gifts in a desperate attempt to appease the large, battle-scarred female. They laid out everything they had, smiling big nervous smiles and tears in their eyes, waiting for their young spiral to be returned to them. She would not return him and instead the Guardian grinned and outstretched her massive wings, tightening her grip on the youngster until he could hardly take a breath.
"Now go! I will be keeping ALL of this, including the boy. Leave, or I will tear his entrails from his body!"

What could they do? Sure, they outnumbered the Shadow clan considering there were only two of them, but the group was tired from their flight, and they were in the heart of Shadow territory. To launch an attack on even a single clan would alert the others in the Shadowbinder's realm. They would not escape alive, and would likely cause a terrible death for the one they were trying to save. There were other youngsters with them that were of concern as well. It would have been foolish to put them in danger.

They had no choice. Pleading wasn't doing anything. With heavy hearts, the group from the Wind clan would retreat without their treasures and without their tiny dark youngster. The little one could only watch, still struggling for breath as he cried out after them until his family was no longer in sight. They were gone and he was too young to understand why they had not tried to save him. He knew they were sad, but still didn't get it.


Many years had passed and the youngster, who had be given the name Arlo by the brutish Matriarch, grew up to be a very handsome Spiral. His body shimmered with a brilliant, shadowy iridescence and his wings gave off a soft green glow to match the glowshrooms scattered about the Shadowbinder's lands. He looked as though he belonged in these dark forests, and his heart yearned to.

The Matriarch was just as cruel as she'd been during their first meeting. She hated how active and happy the Spiral always was. He'd zip about the lair constantly, chattering nonstop with the other clan members who usually enjoyed his company. It drove the large Guardian crazy. Instead of keeping his head low in respect as she walked by, Arlo would always break early and attempt to tell jokes or start conversation with her.

The shadowy Pearlcatcher often came to Arlo's aid in these situations, forcing his body protectively between the two before the Guardian could tear the Spiral asunder. He would attempt to defuse the situation - or at the very least distract the Matriarch until the others could pull Arlo out of harm's way. It was quite different from the home the little Spiral had been born into. Instead of carefree happiness there was always tension and fear.

When Arlo finally became of age where starting a family was of interest to him, the Matriarch chased him into the back of the den with gnashing teeth and thundering wings. The poor Spiral would then be held there for long periods of time in the Guardian's attempt to prevent this overactive noodle from finding anyone to reproduce with. She was not ready to put up with more nonsense, for one was bad enough. So there he would sit, alone in the darkness. The Guardian would not speak to him, and the rest of the clan was separated from him. With hardly any room to move and no fresh air, it was solitary confinement.

He was being driven mad. Spirals are an active breed, and he could not do as the Windsinger's will had intended! The den echoed with his screams of agony and loneliness, loud thuds rumbling through the tunnels from the Spiral's frantic, spastic movements in such a confined space. He tied himself in knots and rolled across the floors and walls. But the Guardian would not let him out. She cared little for the spiral, and even less for his crying, begging and promises to stop bothering her.

Finally, one of the newer members of the clan, though much older in age, approached the Matriarch. The two of them were sizing each other up: the massive dark scaled Guardian and the armored Wildclaw with a fiery hide. Both were proud, but that was where the similarities ended. While one was ruthless and terrible, the other was kind and stood for truth and honor. Somehow the Wildclaw was able to convince the Matriarch to release Arlo from his confinement without any bloodshed. The Spiral couldn't have been happier! After receiving some help getting untangled from himself, Arlo took to the skies, stretching himself out and breathing in the fresh air.

Eventually, a female Spiral made her way into the clan. Arlo quickly fell head over heels for her. Tetai was a beautiful tiger striped female, her red wings were painted with natural markings like extra eyes, but her true eyes were as blue as the oceans she was born in. The two of them became inseparable. Their bodies would tangle and dance in the moonlight each night, exploring each other as if it were for the first time. It had been so long since Arlo had seen another Spiral, let alone been able to touch one. He could not get enough of her.

It wasn't long before they had a clutch of their own, and became the proud parents of four little shadowy eggs. But both of them kept this a secret from the Matriarch. They feared if the eggs were found, the Guardian would destroy the entire clutch, and so it remained their little secret. But when the day came that the little ones hatched, the secret became harder to keep, for little Spirals were active things. It was impossible to keep them under control. Arlo loved each one of them though, despite how difficult it was to keep them where he wanted. They meant everything to him.

Tetai and Arlo did everything they could to keep the Guardian from finding their children, but the active offspring eventually gave themselves away. As soon as she caught wind of the unapproved breeding, the massive brute of a Matriarch burst through the bushes to where the young spirals were hidden. Tetai was on watch that night. Her blue eyes went wide in terror as she scrambled to gather her offspring. Arlo's ears perked up as the sound of furious roars rumbled through the area. He had a horrible feeling in his gut as he rushed towards where his children were supposed to be kept safe, only to find the Matriarch and Tetai in the heat of battle. Claws raked across flesh as teeth gnashed. Tetai's long body wrapped around the Matriarch's neck, who would in turn slam the Spiral against the side of the den and drag her tangled body across the earth, ripping scales from Tetai's lovely hide. Arlo wanted to help, but from the corner of his eye he noticed his offspring. Two lay on the ground, broken and motionless. He had to make a choice, and he chose to save the youngsters while he still could. He scooped them up and whisked them away while the two dragons fought, praying that his lover would be okay.

All four some how survived the attack, and Arlo would find places for each. It was the most difficult thing he ever had to do, but he couldn't have his babies in such a dangerous lair. He knew that some of his offspring would end up being trained to serve the Deities as warriors, while the others would become important members of their own clans. He knew that where ever they ended up, it would be better than here. Returning home without them was saddening, but he felt somehow relieved. He had wanted to raise and love his children. He wanted to be there for them. He wanted to be a father.. But more than anything, he wanted them to live a safe and happy life.

However, the relief was short-lived. When he returned to the clan, he found that his beloved Tetai was gone. Upon questioning the others Arlo was told that the beautiful Spiral had escaped with her life, but was banished from the clan by the Matriarch despite the attempts by the shadowy Pearlcatcher to change her mind. Arlo was heartbroken. For weeks he kept to himself, barely eating. The normally over-active Spiral was nothing more than a limp noodle sitting in the corner of the den. He had lost his loved one and was forced to give away his children. Everything he had loved and cared for was gone.

Months later came a miracle. A dragon from the Plague lands had made their way to the clan and was accepted by the Matriarch. It was a female Spiral, with a tiger-striped hide and shimmering red wings to match her glowing red eyes. Her name was Mirach, a shy female with a bubbly attitude when around those she felt comfortable with. It was Mirach that went to Arlo and soothed his broken heart with kind words and gentle attention. She refused to leave his side and would offer him meals to keep him from starving himself. Eventually, Arlo broke free from his spell of sadness and grew to love this beautiful female.
Before they knew it, the two of them had a clutch together.

The other clan members helped protect these young ones, and kept them from bothering the brutish Guardian. It was because of the help from the others that Arlo could become a true father and raise his little ones. Oh how he loved each and every one of them! They'd slither and flop about all over his coiled body while he sang or told stories passed down from his old clan. As the youngsters grew, he and Mirach would then teach the little ones to fly! The family of Spirals would dance about in the dark skies, darting between trees and hiding amongst the glowshrooms. Arlo had found his calling: to be a father. It was what he loved.

And so as time went on,he and his partner Mirach had many more clutches together, raising each child with love and affection. But as each clutch grew, the Matriarch became more and more agitated with the little family. It was decided that each one would be sent away upon adolescence to a new clan, where they would be safe from harm's way. Many served the Deities as great warriors just as Tetai's offspring had, while others started families of their own. But each one remained forever in Arlo and Mirach's hearts. They were their children and they would always love them. Such proud parents they were, happy to see their children able to find success and safety.

But why would Arlo not leave? He had been taken from his family by force by the very same Guardian that kept him confined against his will, chased off his first lover and prevented him from keeping his children. Would he not be better away from such a beast? Perhaps. But it was not often that the Matriarch was even around, and the rest of his clan was his family now. Most of his time was spent with the ones that cared for him in return, as if he was related by blood. He enjoyed going out and finding food with the others, and trading with the other clans. Despite everything, Arlo was happy. And that was enough for him to stay.