Shatterlight

From the moment he escaped the egg, Shatterlight knew he had a purpose. He, like his father before him, would serve as a defender of Sornieth.

During their earlier days, he and his sister both listened to the tales their father told of his many and varied adventures. Battles against strange beasts. Tales of daring do. It filled Shatterlight, swelling in his breast, a constant reminder of what he could look forward to. He and his sister even planned to serve side by side, protecting each other as well as their home.

But the IceWarden’s call came too soon.

Shatterlight had little recollection of events, as he was so young then, and his mother did not speak of it, but at some point before he reached his maturity, both his father and his sister were taken. They now serve a higher calling, someone said at the time, though that made little sense to the young dragon. His father and sister gone, a mother who withdrew from him, Shatterlight grew up quickly on his own.

He reached his maturity shortly after that day, and without looking back left his nest to fulfill the dreams made during less lonely times. Finding his way, he met others with similar aspirations but for wider ranging reasons, and soon he and his comrades were in the thick of it. Border patrol. Night watch. Anything and everything, Shatterlight volunteered for. His memories of his father’s tales sustained him through some of the best and worst experiences that followed.

Until her.

She came and went before he could get a name, even had he the time, but he never forgot her face. Before he could find a way to learn more about her, he suffered severe injury. He spent a long time under care, and when he ventured forth once more was told his days of defending Sornieth were over. Disappointment filled him, swirling deep inside along with resentment. Here he was, unable to do the one and only thing he felt worth doing, without a home, without a family. Where was he to go now? What was he to do?

It was suggested he head to the Sea of a Thousand Currents, to stay for a time or permanently, in order to complete his healing. The dragon caring for him, of the Water Clan herself, said the waters of the Tsunami Flats were some of the most healing in all of Sornieth. With nowhere left to turn, Shatterlight did just that.

And nearly ran her over in the process.

Arriving in the Tsunami Flats, in the bright light of day, he was momentarily blinded. Sidestepping to avoid a group of reuniting Fae, Shatterlight tripped over his own four feet as he realized too late that another dragon had moved to do the same. He landed hard upon the ground, his recent injuries jarred and aching, and a blinding headache building quickly. “My apologies,” he said quickly. With some effort, he struggled to get to his feet, but his troublesome leg and bent tail kept it from happening.

But then a slight pressure on his other side, the gentle nudge as she aided him up. Settling on his four feet, Shatterlight turned to face the vision from his past. “I-It’s you!”

She blinked. Twice, in fact. “Yes,” she replied. “Who else would it be?”

Caught off guard, Shatterlight struggled to find something to say. “I – are you from here?”

She nodded, head bobbing lightly up and down. “I am Lisiana,” she replied. “And you?”

“Shatterlight.” He saw her laugh softly and frowned. “Is that funny?”

“I came to the Sea of a Thousand Currents recently from the Sunbeam Ruins,” she explained. Tilting her head slightly to the side, she asked, “Do you really wish to shatter the light?”

“What?” He drew back, confused, and it took a minute for her words to register. “Oh.” He laughed, uncertain what to say. “My father named me that.”

She led him further into the Flats, showing him around after that. “Do you have a place to stay?” she asked when he related his purpose for coming here.

“No,” he replied. “Is that a problem?”

“Oh, no!” She looked over at him. “I have room in my space,” she explained. She blushed and bobbed her head down. “If you are –.”

“Thank you,” he rushed to say before she could change her mind. “If … if it won’t be an inconvenience.”

Her smile assured him he was welcome, and with that image firmly implanted in his head, he followed her toward her lair.