Ananda

The earth shook violently beneath Ananda's paws.
She hissed under her breath, a sure sign that things were not going as she had planned. Of course, she had started the day cheerfully, on a mission no different to her usual ones - find the beastclan and negotiate. This particular beastclan was none other than the Flamescale Illusionists, a powerful clan with even more powerful magic. Though the source of their potent magic was a mystery to most, diligent researchers such as Ananda would know that it stemmed from the high concentration of tectonic activity in the area. Ananda also knew that the more powerful the quakes, the more powerful the spells that the Illusionists would inevitably cast upon unsuspecting travellers.
Hence her annoyance when she arrived within reach of her destination, only to find that the worst case scenario was raging beneath her paws.
But a mage of shadow as strong and witty as Ananda would always find a way, so she made her way to the beastclan's camp all the same.

Grey clouds of ash covered the sky as a pair of glowing orange eyes stared out at Ananda from beneath a tasseled hood.
"So you're saying you want the right, to… excavate, on our land?"
The illusionist hissed, tail flicking the fractured ground.
Ananda met his scathing gaze, and questioned, in her head, how eyes the colour of fire itself could seem so cold.
"There would be no disturbance. I believe-"
She stopped, and drew her dark eyebrows together in a frown. The flamescale illusionist was staring at her in frustration, gloved hands twitching at his side.
"Your magic will not work on me. A simple protection spell does the trick."
The illusionist's tail slashed through the air.
"What, exactly, do you want from our land?"
"I believe there to be relics, buried. Near the ruins of your ancestors' lair. My only interest is the pursuit of knowledge, and once I have learnt all I need from the artefacts, I will return them to you."
"Why would we want such things?"
"It is said that they contain forgotten encantations. Once I have found them, and learnt what I can, that information will be yours."
His eyes lit up, and Ananda could tell that she was winning him over. Not many could resist the temptation of power, especially not the beastclans, as she had learned in her many travels.
"Very well. Your offer sounds good - but how do I know you can be trusted not to take these relics and leave?"
Ananda stood in thought for a second before answering.
"As part of this agreement, you become my familiar. That way neither of us will betray the other. In time, perhaps, we will grow close. It seems we both share an interest in the pursuit of knowledge, and powers like yours and mine would do well when combined."
Her offer was risky, and she knew it. So close to an agreement, such a proposterous deal could completely change the illusionist's mind. But to Ananda's amazement, the illusionist slowly nodded.
The deal was done.

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Intact Stone Relief Dragonmade A carved relief that depicts a story of a Guardian dragon hatchling journeying to find their ward. 65

Ananda has never seen these strange symbols before. Strange things, carved into a slab of stone in the middle of the jungle. These don’t seem to be your regular Beastclan glyphs. She stares at them for a while, but can’t seem to decipher them. They might be some sort of warning? Or a marker? Maybe a memorial of some sorts. Whatever these symbols may be, since they’re unreadable, most dragons would steer clear of them. But Ananda isn't like most dragons. Where others sense fear and danger, she senses adventure! And what an adventure to be had!Ananda decides to look very closely at those carvings and the stone wall itself. Maybe there’s a hidden button, or something else wonderful! She lays her paw onto the stone, and she feels something shift. Well, that was surprisingly easy. Behind Ananda, something starts to glow. A warm, orange glow, like the sun when it sets. Ananda turns around to see what's happening… And she can’t see it. The glow seems to come from nowhere. Like a small glowing piece of nothing, just floating there. She takes her paw from the carved symbols to move closer to the light, but as soon as she does that, the glow disappears. Oh, it’s that kind of puzzle! Ananda eagerly puts her paw back onto the carving and stretches out to reach the light. She’s slightly too small though, so she tries with her tail instead. With some acrobatics, her tail reaches the glowing thing and touches it. There is nothing there, but Ananda can feel a warmth coming from it. A warmth that quickly travels from her tail through her entire body, all the way to the paw that is still touching the engravings. She watches as the symbols light up in the same orange light… Before the warmth promptly leaves her body and everything goes black.

Intact Stone Relief Dragonmade A carved relief that depicts a story of a Guardian dragon hatchling journeying to find their ward. 65