Thane

The Tender General

The tale of how I met Thane is quite long-drawn and perhaps of little consequence to you, but to me it is a treasured moment that I feel I must share.

The Flight Rising economy had begun to decline quite wretchedly, troublesome for those selling dragons, and yet excellent for those buying them at such a reduced rate. I was one of those struggling to make ends meet, even with the sudden discovery of the Skydancers and my acquisition of a magic spell which allowed me to give my two mated Guardians a new lease on life as Aerially Gifted Skydancers. Sadly no one seemed interested in my valuable hatchlings.... which was terrifying since I lacked any sort of protection against the looters and criminals who had begun to crop up more frequently at this time.

A saving grace occurred when a longtime friend asked if perhaps I would be interested in giving her first choice of my Skydancer hatchlings in return for an Imperial hatchling she had been having difficulties with. Naturally I agreed, as I had always longed to have one of those anciently intelligent creatures in my lair.

The day came when we were able to make the trade, me handing off a newly born Skydancer baby, still cooing softly with its tail curled sweetly around its body, and her giving me a decently sized crate, from which I could hear the unhappy growls of a dragon caged.

In the safety of my lair I released the young Imperial, and he exploded forth in a burst of fire and excitement, flapping his small wings excitedly as he looked around wide-eyed. Spotting me something extremely strange seemed to come over both of us, an odd bending of time it seemed like, and reaching his head towards me I placed my palm on his forehead and felt a delicious heat fill me.

When I next opened my eyes there was a faint glowing mark on my hand and his forehead, we had bonded for the rest of eternity...though what that might mean I couldn't fathom.

He grew quickly and with all the typical wisdom of his kind, being undeniably intelligent and wise the instant he was full grown. He swiftly became known by me as 'The Tender General' for he defended the lair ferociously, but was ever gentle and loving towards me.

And that is the tale of how Thane came into my life.