Beating Wings (EDITING)

1 : Blood Scar

     Tagonia has been my home ever since I emerged from the egg. The beautifully lush mountains speckled with towering pines are a sight that I am lucky enough to witness daily. For sixteen thousand years I've watched the sun's rays stretch over the hills. It's not a very large amount of time compared to some of the others who live here, but I'm proud of it.

     I have a stunning mother, Esperanza. Her ruby scales and thin spikes laid along her spine give away that she's a Fire Dragon. She has protected us on her own for as long as I've been alive, and has earned the respect of the land.

     My younger denmate, Deltul, is almost completely opposite. He has earned the reputation of being quiet the troublemaker and a clumsy flyer. Mother and I agree that he will probably be named an Electric Dragon due to his short claws and deep blue scales.

     I loved my family, and I love my home. Unfortunately, we are at war...

     These were dark times for Tagonia.We live in the Kingdom of Sulona. Our enemy, the kingdom of Blatua has declared war. We trade many of our resources, one of which is gold. Dragons are very greedy creatures, and when one refuses the amount of gold requested, well, things can get ugly.

     Sulona's Supreme Royal, Queen Hyla, has been leading us towards peace but to no avail. If things don't shape up soon, we will be in trouble. The war has caused our Dragon Army to set up camp in Tagonia because it is the best location for them in case we are suddenly under attack. Unfortunately, a thousand hungry dragons tossed into my home has had a negative effect on our wildlife. Most nights, my family goes to bed with stomachs growling.

My only sister, Shina, starved to death last winter.

Luckily, we were at an age where we could hunt alongside our mother and catch our own food, with Deltul being thirteen thousand years old. At thirteen thousand, we were all supposed to be sent to our land's Masters, or elders. They would examine our physical features and announce which element we have become.

Every single dragon is born identical: sleek, black, and plain. Over time, our elements gradually show themselves in physics changes. For example, scale colors. A Water Dragon will begin to grow fins and gills, as well as lighten to a pale blue shade. A Master simply recognizes those signs and reports back to Tagonia's Royal Family to keep in records.

I was long overdue to be evaluated, but Mother insisted I wait. My physical changes are... not the same as other dragons. My scales remained black, but have faint trace of purple tint. My claws, once white, darkened into obsidian. I had no horns, unlike Deltul and Mother, but several floppy ears. I have slender spikes trailing my spine, with a large one at the tip of my tail. In addition to all of this, I bore a red scar behind my eye with a strange symbol on it.

It frightens me because I'm not sure what it means. Even more, Mother told me to never show it to anyone. Most days, I plaster black mud behind my eye to conceal it. It makes me feel dishonest, but it must be done.

Regardless of all of this, I used to think I was no different than any other dragon. I used to be so oblivious and clueless. At such an innocent age, how could I know otherwise?

My family unfolded our mighty wings and propelled into the sunrise, embarking on our daily quest for dinner. I stretched my leather folds as the air current kept me airborne. Deltul flapped quickly in an attempt to keep up.

We dove under several fluffy clouds and landed outside of the Forest of Whum. I crushed a skinny crow and gulped it up. The crunchy meal snapped as I munched its bones with my powerful jaw.

Deltul splashes into the river and searched for fish, and my Mother dug into the earth after a retreating rabbit. She flung dirt aside and then chomped down into the hole.

We are looked up at the sound of a new dragon landing nearby. Metal clanked as the bulky guard approached us. I swallowed the last scraps of meat and took a nervous step away, keeping my eyes trained on the stranger.

The male's white armor glimmered with the reflection of the sunlight, sending shivers of his superiority down my spine and causing me to fold my ears back and look down. He raised his chin at us and announced firmly, "Her majesty requests Zepth to join her in Tagonia's Castle."

I swallowed hard as he spoke my name, glancing back at my Mother. She stiffened and hesitated before opening her mouth and replying, "Why has she asked to see my hatchling?"

"Your place is not to question her orders, but to obey them." The guard snapped. "Zepth has been due to be evaluated for her element for a while now, yet the records for her remain blank. You have neglected to have her seen by a Master."

    "I apologize." Mother bowed passively. "I swear it shall be done by next sunset, just allow me one more day."

"I have not come here to give you more time." He snarled. "I came to collect Zepth for her majesty."

"I'll come." I interrupted, not wanting my mother to be punished for her stalling. The Queen was not a very forgiving dragon.

I unfolded my wings once more and followed the guard to Tagonia's castle.

Each of the lands have their own castle. It is where the royal family lives. Each royal family rules the land, but they are just under the Supreme Royal.

Sometimes, the Royal who rules one land can also be the Supreme Royal. This was very unfortunate for me...

I was flying directly to Queen Hyla herself.