Rhombus

https://youtu.be/DaH4W1rY9us

Cerulean waves crash against the rocks, unrelenting in their power. Crying gulls beckon the coming of a new moon as sunlight fades against their pointed wingtips. Below the deep, far beneath the Sea of a Thousand Currents, he sleeps.

“Awaken, little one.”

Curled within the safety of his egg, the creature rustles, reaching out toward the voice.

“It is time for you to begin your search.”

As the ripples of the deep, ancient voice surround the coiled body, the egg cracks. He blinks tiny, curious eyes against the vast expanse of the deep. The fractured, glinting colors of his nesting reef sparkle brilliantly in welcome.

“The journey…has begun.”

Giving a small yawn, his tucked wings snap wide, and he takes flight.



Widespread wings beat determinedly against the thick, briny air. Rhombus’ fins flare as his wary eyes scan the coastline. He loses track of time as the sun dips below the horizon, pausing to rest heavily on a large rock jutting from the water several hundred miles from the great Fishspine Reef.

Home,he thinks. I’d like to go home.

But the search isn’t over.


He has many, many miles to go.

After all, a guardian without a charge isn’t really a guardian at all.



The years pass by as Rhombus searches fitfully. Each lengthening inch of his beard signals another milestone spent without a charge.

Once every few moon cycles, some character catches his wandering eye. They’ll nod and smile, maybe fly with him for a few miles as the sea spray reaches up to dance with their beating wings.

But he’s too soft, too sensitive. How could someone like him, someone so taken by the ripples of magenta reflecting from the sunset, possibly protect them? How could he ever put himself between them and danger?

And so, they leave, and Rhombus is terribly, terribly alone.

One day, after many exhausting hours of flight, Rhombus settled down to take a swim. As the soothing water rippled against his scales, a glint caught his eye. Rhombus made his way over to a nearby rock jutting from the sea. A rather disheveled looking crab was quivering there, blinking against the bright sun and salty spray.

“Hello, friend. Are you in trouble?” Rhombus rumbled.

“Something was trying to eat me! I couldn’t make it out, but the creature’s shadow was huge. I didn’t think I’d make it out alive! I’m worried it’s going to fine me the second I dive back in.”

Rhombus felt a warmth blooming deep in his chest.

“I think I can help you!” Rhombus smiled for what felt like the first time in forever. “Climb upon my back and we will travel together!”

“Really?” The crab asked. “You would do that for me?”

“I’ve been searching for a companion for years…and it looks like you need someone, too.”

The crab gave an excited shuffle.

“Well, off we go then, big guy!”

Sebastian scuttled onto the giant dragon, settling himself in between the two mighty wings. From then on, the two were always together. Rhombus would swim alongside the crab and keep watch, and the small crustacean would help catch food the two would share together. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the two would sleep together, tucked safety within the briny seaweed blankets of Rhombus’ nest.

They were never alone again.

A B O U T

For such a large, formidable dragon, Rhombus has a soft heart.

He spends his days watching over the dragon’s in his lair, consisting of various misfits that just didn’t belong anywhere else. Rhombus greets wandering dragons with a smile, and always has some kelp or fish to share with them.

Rhombus also loves reading. Fairy tales are his favorite! One can usually find him curled up reading, with jazz music playing softly in the background.