Elrodan gives a sigh. "Politics. The elders choose where we stay. We don't often sing in our own halls as they say it's rude, and instead we join with the elves in their halls. By the time any are an elder... They are too set in their ways, plus they're chosen by the elves".

"wouldn't it be nicer if you had twice as much, I know it's shared, but do you do anything with it? But it doesn't matter. Each have their own ways of things." not sharing seemed odd, yet there was a feeling there was either something behind her choice or it was non negotiable.

He looks at Sparky. "Yes, I mean its not like common tongue but he speaks, don't you Sparky?". He gives a wiggle of his finger near the face of the little mote. Sparky's mouth appears as the little black hole, a few sparks and crackles come forth, before it bounces up and down. "As to it being linked... I don't know. The top symbol was of the same style, and you've said they all mean fire, isn't that what the sun is? Lots of fire. Maybe... I don't know."

Elrodan puzzles this for a moment. "Your name isn't Ebonflame, and formally call you Izanami, so you have your name backwards to us... Me? If I had been given chance I could have been Master Healer Elrodan Silverthorn, so my title is said first. I will try and learn your customs so I don't make such an error again. Let me make it up to you..."

Giving a quick setting of the tune, he started to sing.
" There is a dragonkin strong and bold,
She took on a giant in this tale it's told.
Growing to such a size, she was eye to eye,
Revenge dead who had been passing by.
With fist on fist, they stood toe to toe,
She pushed him back and smacked him so.
He came full of rage, using a fallen tree,
Swinging it at her, she smashed it into three.
Thus they locked in battle once again,
She this ended the fight there and then,
Taking off his head with one of her tails,
Truly it can be said, she's harder than nails.
Take heed of this name, yes, without fail,
The mightiest of all, Izanami Shadowscale!"

Izanami mulled over the blight of the fairies. "They say the forest grows tall when old men plant trees they won't live to see bloom. Perhaps your elders should look to the future, not live in the past." As if she was one to talk, her race venerated their ancestors, worshipping their ancient dragon kin like dead gods. Those that didn't were so avaricious and greedy they cared for no one beyond themselves. She was a pot calling a kettle black. But it didn't make her words any less true.

"I do plenty with my hoard!" Izanami said defensively, heat rising off her like an oven warming up. "I pile it up in my vault, deep in my family manor. Down in the cold depths past a gate only I know the combination to. It's very organized, coins in one pile, gemstones in another, relics are arranged on shelves should I not have need for them." She averted her gaze, looking down at the ground. "Sometimes I roll in the pile of gold, or sleep on top of it." That was baseless instinct, she couldn't ignore the drive to do so. It wasn't even comfortable compared to her bed.

Conversation shifted back to the fairy's odd fire mote. Izanami snickered at the demonstration of his 'speech.' She had a hellcat that spoke like that once. Shame his ninth life ran out. "But you are correct, far as I can tell every rune and symbol on that box means fire. Different languages, different definitions. Candle, flame, campfire, furnace, Every race sees fire differently. Dwarves think of their forge, elves think oi the rising sun, dragonkin think of our fiery breath." Izanami raised a hand to her chin, mulling over it a bit. "Maybe you are right. The sun is just lots of fire... I think." She looked up to it, blinking her secondary eyelids that acted to dull its harsh light.

"Right?" It certain acted like fire, just distant beyond imagination. Even the harpies couldn't fly high enough to reach the sun, The air became to thin to breath long before they came even remotely close. "It must be fire. Or fire must be like the sun. It's like the dragon and the egg." She hoped her metaphor didn't go over the fairy's head. Though it seemed maybe it would, as even her name seemed to properly elude him.

"I suppose maybe it is. I bare three names, only one was earned, the others given. Shadowscale is my clan, we have lived in the Ashlands since before they were known by that name. Izanami is my name, given by my father to honor his grandmother, and Ebonflame is my title. Earned through my strength and skill, it is passed down generation to generation to the greatest scion of my clan. My father was Ebonflame before I, but he is an old dragonkin now. With more sunsets behind him than ahead, so I carry his title with pride, as he carried it for his forbearer so on and so forth back to The Ebonflame himself."

She pointed to the distant peak, a snowy mountain half a world away at the edge of the Dragon's Spine. Its summit barely visible over the trees. "There. The broken peak, that is where my clan's progenitor lies. That is the final resting place of Yamata no Akantor, the Ebonflame. Perhaps I'll show it to you someday, you would certainly be the first outsider to visit his grave. Though the journey is perilous, and even if you were a... hardier race, I would not recommend it."

Izanami listened to the fairy's song, stopping in her tracks as it commanded her attention. Her twin tails release their ropes, curling under her like a chair for her to balance on and rest. Her normally fierce expression softened, as she listened to the bard and his song. Izanami had slain many foes, plundered many ruins, earned much glory and honor for kin and clan. But never before had someone serenaded her in song. "Did you right that just now? For me?" She didn't know what else to say. "I'm touched."

---

maltholloth

"It would be no easy task. Maybe, with all of this travelling and am able to return, I'll get the chance. Still, against the will of elves, and many others, it many achieve nothing. I think my best chances would be to establish my own village of just fairies or other group free from constraints. Where all are free and recite everyone's story. Though I don't expect that to happen." to get such a change would be most unexpected.

Elrodan listened to what Izanami said she did with her hoard. "You sleep on the gold? Is it comfy? Does it become more comfy if you add more gold?". As he pushed with the questions, he felt his bum warm up.

"You know the egg came first though right? But if they are the same then I don't think one can come before the other, they're the same, but not part of the same. One doesn't give life to the other." he hoped he hadn't just gone against some dragon philosophy that all fire is part of one universal fire.

"Your family is well regarded then. A dynasty for the ages. I would consider it an honour to visit your forebears resting site, if you do still offer me the chance. Have you been there? What's it like? Why has no other outsider been there? Should I take some form of tribute?" his imagination started to run wild at the thought of the place. It was a long way, but he'd need to prepare for a long journey home so it would be good to test himself for that.

As Izanami questioned whether he had just composed that for her, he found it slightly amusing, but only gave a smile. "Yes, I wrote that over the past few minutes for you. I'm glad you liked it. None who aren't fairies have shown or said anything about my songs before. No less than what you deserve though by all accounts. And besides healing, there's not much more I have to be able to give you"

The dragonkin woman mulled over the fairy's plight, offering only a shrug. "History is a story, it is our duty to write it." Every mighty kingdom began as but one man with a dream and the will to chase it. If her diminutive friend desired it enough, then surely he would find a way to make it happen. As talk shifted to her hoard, she begrudgingly answered his questions. "...No, it is a pile of metal, it is hard as it is uncomfortable. Adding more gold doesn't make it more 'comfy,' it only appeases my desires." Asking her to explain why she hoarded treasure was like asking a fish why it breathed water not air.

"If the egg came first then what laid it?" Izanami retorted back, the circular nature of the expression partially lost on her new friend. "Am I to believe the first egg just willed itself into existence?" She certainly didn't know the origins of dragons, but that definitely wasn't it. His acknowledgement of her lineage though brightened her mood once more. "At least that you understand." She grabbed at the ropes of her sled anew, resuming her long march now that talk of the box and the map was somewhat behind them.

"I offer the chance, but not now, and not soon." Izanami said, sighing as she looked to the distant peaks. "The journey takes some preparation, even for me. I would need bring extra provisions to accommodate a fairy. You are quite small, and I presume far frailer than a human or elf. The journey contains scorching plains, rocky crags, and frigid peaks." She placed a finger to her lips, studying her companion for but a moment. "Though you do fly, so that is certainly one advantage. Makes climbing much safer, so I don't need extra rope or climbing spurs. Though I assume you'd want a tent. I tend to sleep in the open, under the open sky. In a pool of molten rock." It certainly kept the predators away at night.

Izanami was getting distracted, she shook her head and got back on topic. "Nevermind, provisions can be discussed another day. Of course I have been there, I have made the journey every year since I was initiated into my clan as a proper scion. We all do, but we must make the journey alone. It is a test of our strength, and a rite of passage. Which is why no outsider has ever come, we are forbidden from bringing outside aid." She looked the fairy over, half the beasts that roamed the Ashlands could swallow him whole and barely call it a meal. "Do not offense to this, but I do not think you will make my journey easier. And that is why I believe the clan patriarchs would allow it."

"It is like any grave, do not expect anything grandiose just because it is a dragon's corpse. Yamata's Final Rest is the summit of a mountain who's original name is lost to time. When he died, his body was so great the force of its impact shattered the summit like breaking the tip of your spear on an enemy's shield. Countless arrows and blades pierce his body, it is said a great elven host was assembled to finally bring Yamata down. Their bodies cover the mountain like leaves, though scavengers and raiders have looted most of their equipment eons ago." Izanami let out a long drawn sigh, she had a strange relationship with her long dead ancestor. Great and terrible as he was, Yamata was still responsible for the creation of their clan and indirectly, much of their way of life.

"There is a small shrine my clan as constructed, near Yamata's skull. Yamata is dead, he has no need for tribute. But... sometimes we still offer gifts because veneration comes in many forms. The weapons of defeated foes, the skulls of our enemies, treasures we have plundered, sometimes the works of art we forge in his name. The tribute itself is unimportant, the sentiment behind it is what matters most." It was rare she spoke of these matters with one outside the clan. It gave her much time for self reflection. "You may offer whatever feels right, or nothing at all. You are not Shadowscale, I cannot judge your actions with regards to our traditions."

The admission the song was freshly composed did get a nod of approval from the dragonkin. "I see, well no one has ever composed a song for me before. Not of their own volition. Though I can't say I wouldn't mind a legacy sung of in tavern halls." She gave a great tug at her sled, all this talking was making her lose time. Izanami moved faster alone, though it was admittedly far more boring traveling in lonely silence. "Healing is more than sufficient, and I do not even ask of that. My kind expect nothing from no one, it helps keep our expectations of outlanders low. Now, hurry up, if you're going to fly keep close, if you're going to perch on my shoulder do so now. I want to make decent distance before night falls."

---

maltholloth

For a short while, Elrodan is quiet, thinking about the prospects of leading a village of fairies, or a village of story tellers and musicians. It was a nice dream. When he comes back to reality, Izanami is already taking about gold. He doesn't quite understand the point in sleeping on something of its not comfortable and what's the point in adding more if it doesn't help. 'Hmm maybe that is just dragon and their kin, or maybe it's women. Marlefoor used to collect leaves and flowers that they just put in a book... Though each was different'. Regardless he let's the matter drop as clearly this was what she liked. If it makes her happy, then he'd rather that than unhappy.

What laid the egg? "A predecessor to the dragon. A dragon before they became dragons. Sometimes a flower would grow and bloom in my garden that was a different colour to any before it. So which came first, the seed that made it, or the flower it became?". He could almost fell the response before it was said, but he hoped she found the logic.

He let the lady finish her talk of the mountains and what would be involved, or not. He gave himself a moment to process it before answering. "I am patient, I can wait for you to be ready. I should only need food and water, maybe some extra clothing against the cold. So should we or I ask permission to ascend? In case they say no because you are helping me?" he looks sad "I... I can... Well I don't know what I can say that would make them allow it. Maybe though because it isn't my rite of passage as dragonkin, they'll allow me to send thanks. I will think as to something most befitting. I should feel all the more unworthy if I arrived there with your help empty handed. I should ever so not want to invoke wrath from such a cause that is easily dealt with.". As he thought through this, he felt like there must be something he was able to defeat.

"With looks like yours I'm sure countless other dragonkin have. Even if by one you probably think of as unworthy for not then telling it to you." with that he promptly set on her shoulder again.
"You're too warm to resist the offer of a seat... Hehe. Though I know you want speed, so would you rather me tell you a tale or would you rather tell me tales that I can try to put into song? So long as I have you as protection, I'll happily write and record and such deeds. Hmm speaking of which, did you know there was going to be a tournament? If you enter that, many people would learn of you and spread your story. I can't see anyone else winning. You may even earn a new name. Champion of the people... Devastator dragonkin... Scourge of Ashlands"

For the first time since the two had met, Izanami's gaze was fierce and anger clear in her expression. She tired of the fairy's subversion of her expression. "There were no 'dragons before dragons'." She stated adamantly, her kind believed dragons had been created by the Gods themselves. What other explanation could there possibly be for creatures of such power? She scoffed, it would seem her diminutive friend did not fully understand. "It is better to beg forgiveness than to seek permission. I will not bring myself to come before father and beg he allow me to bring a fairy along on my pilgrimage to Yamata's Final Rest." It was beneath her, and she was the Ebonflame after all. If father couldn't respect her decision then she'd just argue on the merit of her title.

Izanami shrugged her armored shoulders, this fairy was tenacious. She did not know if that was a common trait among his kind, but is was admirable how one so small and frail did not shy away in fear of such dangers. "So you are set on this course then I take it? If you are already discussing tribute? So be it, I would tell you to bring an offering that you feel most fitting. Sometimes gifts are best found on the journey, the travel itself bares significance." The skull of a great beast, the weapons of a mortal champion, a rare trinket or treasure, the bones of an ancestor wishing to be laid to rest. All these and more were offered up before their progenitor drake.

A genuine laugh escaped at the dragonkin's throat at the compliment. "Elrodan... you flatter me." Izanami said with a fanged smile, shaking her head softly. "Though you aren't exactly wrong either." She had many suitors in her time, most dismissed with the wave of a hand and a pensive stare. Izanami was picky when it came to potential lovers, having very traditional views on love and marriage for a dragonkin woman. She wanted a fearsome lover, a powerful warrior, a talented spellcaster, tall and strong as they were handsome. Someone she could really curl up with and lay a proper clutch of eggs. Izanami was the Ebonflame after all, her clan would expect her eventual brood of sires to be as strong a dragonkin as could be. Anything less would be dishonor and embarrassment to her name.

"Well... I am a fire drake." Izanami said warmly when Elrodan took her offer of a seat. "Hmm... I suppose I could tell you a tale. I suppose you wonder why I can do this?" The dragonkin grit her teeth, clenching her fists as a familiar malevolent darkness wrapped around her body. Once more she began to grow, her body increasing to towering proportions until once more her height rivaled that of a giant. Which also meant she could simply carry her sled in her hands like a platter, at least for the time being.

"Tournament?" Izanami inquired, raising an eyebrow at the word. Darkveil's fighting pits sports dozens of duels every day of the week, but even still organized tournaments were quite rare. Her kind cared more for gladiatorial combat, the spectacle of a proper blood sport. "I'm listening." She said, one of her spiked tails moving to scratch her chin while her hands were occupied. "Well, I do seek glory for clan and kin. And I have slain many a man or beast. I can only assume this tournament is using mêlée rules, battle until first to yield?" She highly doubted the bouts would be to the death as they often were in the fighting pits. "Scourge of the Ashlands..." Izanami rolled the words over her tongue, as if tasting them. "I could certainly live with that. And I suppose you would accompany me too? To sing songs of my tale?"

---

maltholloth

Elrodan noticed the change in the tone of Izanami's voice. It wasn't as friendly, and for a moment he feared for his safety lest her temper take over and bring itself upon him. As there was no sudden movements he tried to reply "... But if.. You know there was nothing before dragons for whatever reason, then why would you have a question of which came first?".

Better to bet forgiveness than simply ask permission... 'It works in some kind of way' but breaking the rules. This concept seemed not exactly new but alien to him. They were there for a reason, it was creatures of evil that seemed to subvert them... Yet in this instance he tried to conclude that it wasn't a rule as much as a guideline. A guideline for those without the powerful Ebonflame for company. What could go wrong. "So be it! We will go without need to ask. I will prove myself as the first to visit the grave and pay homage. Tribute will come in its turn. You have already said trials will await during the journey. I'll face each... If possibly needing you for many of them, but I shall be there to face them all the same." with that he puffed up his chest and tried to look as much the hero as possible. It probably looks more comical than anything.

"See! I'm sure I would have to fight off as many other poets and bards wishing to be your travel companion as you have suitors." he says, gently putting a hand on her head.

As she grows, he feels the shoulder where he's sat become another though the points on her horns still look sharp. "Yes, how do you do that? It could be very handy for me at times to say the least" he says with a laugh. Shifting to be s comfortable as can be, he waits for the tale of her power.

He tries to think of what he read on the advertisements. "I don't know the rules, but it's bound to bring the best fighters for you to show who's the best! Oh yes! I'll be there. I'll be supporting you for sure. And I'll make sure to make a song that all will sing in praise of your name." his excitement making his voice slightly higher pitch.

Izanami was done discussing metaphors, she would not even dignify the fairy with a response. "Oh yes darling, trials beyond measure. If you haven't noticed, the Ashlands alone live up to its name. Beyond the Deadwoods lies the Devil's Ridge, the most dangerous mountains in all of Charon. On our way there expect to see Giant Fire Beetles, Cave Fishers, and Kruthiks..." She liked the latter least of the three, they were attracted to the magma Izanami so adored. They traveled in swarms, and with sufficient numbers even she could be overwhelmed. At least they tasted good seared.

"And those are just the timid beasts. If we're truly lucky we'll see a basilisk, or a spire viper, or possibly even a phoenix." Izanami was practically salivating at the thought of combat. "What I wouldn't give to lay the bones of a phoenix down before Yamata in offering. It takes a lot of effort to kill the damned things for good. Or feast on its eggs, they are said to increase one's longevity... and they certainly taste good enough to." She mulled over the rest of their theoretical journey. "Once we'd leave the Ashlands and enter the Dragon's Cradle proper, the wild beasts will only become worse. Angel beasts, giants, cockatrice, remorhaz..." She grimaced at the thought. "Then there are Beholders. The only thing in the region I will flee from. Thankfully they lurk mostly in the Underdark, we would be unlikely to see one on the surface."

"All this is not even factoring the weather. The Ashlands are bitterly dry, windswept and rarely see rain. The mountains of the Dragon's Cradle are fierce as they come, and as you climb to escape the heat instead you'll meet only the bitter cold. The summits capped in snow and ice, with treacherous ravines and prone to avalanche." Izanami shook her head and scoffed, "And yet in spite of all that I make the trek once a year. It is rare one of us dies making the journey, unless the Shadowscale in question is very old and commits to the journey as an honorable means of death." She let out a soft sigh, reflecting on what that meant. "That is how my grandsire passed on. Made his last trip at the age of a hundred. We found his bones the next season, his corpse still locked in battle with a spire viper. Tore the beast's head from its neck but its fangs were imbedded in his chest, the venom had done its job."

"But enough of that, we can discuss it more once we have returned to Darkveil." Izanami tried to suppress her snickering as the fairy attempted to look imposing. It had the opposite effect. "I had not considered that... Hmm... I suppose if that happens I'll have to scare them off. I don't need a minstrel troupe following me around." Perhaps someday, but the idea of numerous bards sounded too much like suitors tripping over themselves trying to court her favor. She would likely handle them the same way, challenging them to duels. Broken bones sent a clearer message than words ever could.

Once more in her giant form, Izanami gave a fanged grin, teeth the size of daggers gleaming as she chuckled to herself. "I'm sure it would, little one. But sadly, this is one magic I cannot teach." The ground shook with her every footfall, she had since moved off the road to keep from filing it with potholes. Giants caused enough damage on their own, the region didn't need a giant dragonkin adding to the headache. "Yours truly did not earn her title for nothing. Years ago I slew a giant, but no ordinary one. A high chieftain, wielding an old magic that predates my kind. I know giants do not look it, but they once commanded an empire, before the dragons destroyed that in a cataclysmic war. The giants were cast low, reduced to the ignorant, wandering tribes we are familiar with today." Izanami chuckled to herself, "And I suppose you want to know how that ties into all this don't you?"

---

maltholloth

As Elrodan listened to the route and the various creatures that would potentially be faced, he recognised little but by the sounds of things was starting to fear a lot. "Oh.. Hu huh... Timid ones". Her hoped the gulp he did wasn't heard "I'm sure we'll be fine... You and your family will have done it lots of times. There, there won't be many of them left... Ha.. Err.. ha!". Although there wasn't the threat around now, he couldn't help look about and hold a little bit tighter to one of Izanami's spikes.

With a flutter of notes from his flute, he wobbled happily as he spoke "I guess I have been most fortunate then. Presuming you won't try and drive me away too? Or any suitor trying that. I hope they won't get jealous. Even if you are the strongest, which I believe you are, I think one half as strong would be still more than a match for me if they tried anything." looking at all of the razor sharp points about was a concern at how painful they would be.

The tale already sounded enthralling, "Yes, keep going, I'm very curious as to how that gets back to you growing as big as a giant.". Elrodan loved the big tales, with heroes just as big. They were the ones all loved admittedly but for good reason. 

Excellent, allow me to continue." Izanami said eagerly, she did so love telling the tale. "Every once and a while, there is born a giant that is cut from a finer cloth. The same way a legendary human warrior may someday find himself kind, the more brutish races like giants and trolls are no different. This giant went by Aurgelmir, and wished to unite the scattered tribes under one banner. To march to glory and conquest, restoring their long lost kingdom. To do so, he delved deep into the old magics, reclaiming relics of mystical power."

Izanami was waxing poetic at this point, her vanity was as large as her bust, and that was saying quite a bit. "Darkveil received word of this from Deadwoods rangers, and summoned the might of the dragonkin to end this threat before it began. Though we have no formal army like the true kingdoms do, we still know when to rally behind a worthy cause. Every clan is expected to heed the call, and many see it is an opportunity to earn much glory on the field of battle."

"Picture it my diminutive bard. Thousands dragonkin and hundreds of hired mercenaries assembled into a great warhost. Rarely do all of the Shadowscale clan assemble in one place. But sure enough, we stood at the vanguard, with me at my father's side. The battle was great and terrible, the giants had fortified a mountain stronghold and captured many wild beasts to swell their ranks. We plunged deep into their ranks, burning anything that got in our way. The ground ran with rivers of blood and the dead were stacked so high we had to climb over them." Izanami shivered in delight, there were few things as exquisite as the carnage of a proper battle. "We would never have believed what awaited us within the walls of their keep."

Heat radiated off the dragonkin as she spoke, eyes positively illuminated as she recounted her story of battle and glory. "Little did we know Aurgelmir wielded the old magics. When he increased his size four fold, I thought myself overwhelmed. A giant, among giants. But all the magic in Charon can't make one smarter. We threw ourselves at Aurgelmir, a hundred against one. Using his great size against him, lashing his limbs in chains and barraging his body with our flames." Izanami's tails slunk round to the front of her, touching their tips and pointing forward. "It was I who slew the giant, seizing the opportunity I lept onto his chest. My tails cleaved open him open from sternum to stomach." She mimicked the gesture in the air with her tails, slicing up and down simultaneously like a pair of barbed blades. "And with my mantle I pierced Aurgelmir's heart and silenced him forever."

Izanami pointed to her mantle with one of her tails, it did not take much imagination to realize how much damage such a cruel mass of bone and spikes could do when rending flesh. "I was bathed in the giant king's blood, and in doing so stole away his magic. Now I command his ancient spell, and have grown rather fond of it. No pun intended." Izanami's tail reached down, coiling around a boulder and hurling it through the air like a skipping stone upon a lake. "This form is incredibly strong, even more so than it appears. But it is also cumbersome, sluggish. Its strength is also its weakness, as I pay for such might with my speed." The giant dragonkin rolled her shoulders, they ached from exertion though she had done very little. Already she was overusing this form for the day. "I cannot maintain the spell indefinitely, it is too taxing to my body to do so. Enough physical exertion and it will unravel on its own."

---

maltholloth

Elrodan sat in quiet awe and shock for a long while. He wasn't often lost for words but his mind pictured the fight, the great host of dragonkin must have been a terrible sight. To then rival the giants which in their own turn would have looked such a fearsome sight to any other than the dragonkin. To then have fought their leader. "Wow." the word was short, the meaning and implication of only using that felt beyond comprehension.

"Have,.. Have any written that into song? It... It was so, epic a tale that it must surely be sung in your halls? A regular favourite... Oh you stay apart don't you. But you must still have it in song right?"  he says, in nervous excitement, unsure if he wants an affirmative or not. 

"Wow indeed." Izanami said simply, she had spoken enough on the matter. Stories for the bards, as they say. This bard had plenty of new material, to say the least. Once more her giant's magic began to dispel, Izanami slowly returning to her normal size... much to her chagrin. She had to set her sled down as she shrunk, once more moving in front of it to drag it by her twin tails. Carrying it was preferable... had she not needed to expel so much energy slaying the giant who's skull she now hauled maybe she still would be carrying it.

"Tavern songs." Izanami scoffed in reply. "We sing tales of our deeds, often over cold ale and hot food. But no, I have no sagas, if that is what you imply." The mention of her staying apart stung a little. "I do not 'stay apart.'" The dragonkin snapped back, only to let out a sigh. "It is just father and I do not always see eye to eye. He is... more committed to the old ways than I am. A staunch traditionalist, thinks we are nothing without our traditions. Maybe he is right." Father would never have so much as considered keeping a fairy in his company, yet here Izanami was with seemingly her new retinue.

Izanami rubbed at her chin, mulling it over. "Perhaps we have found your tribute?" She said with an inquisitive look, free hand rubbing at her chin. "The only thing a dragon loves more than gold is themselves. While it would be foolish to think a fairy could offer up the skull of his enemies, or the bones of a great beast as tribute... All the same we must play to our strengths." She gave a soft smile, for once her eyes looked heavy and tired. "Were I the slain corpse of an ancient dragon cast low on a mountainside... I would certainly appreciate a good song I hadn't yet heard. It is lonely on the summit of Yamata's Final Rest. Only the wind and the snow for company. And I can say for a fact, I would certainly enjoy hearing the feats of my descendants."

---

maltholloth

Elrodan notices her grunt at pulling the trailer once again, taking out his flute, he once again starts playing and letting the music flow into Izanami and speed her step. It was also a good excuse for him to think of the story just told and work on a song.

Traditions, generally these were good things. He wondered what they would have to cause such a rift. "I guess your father is one who doesn't comprise either? Traditions have their place, it's when they clash with progress that there are problems. Some times they take over, some cone and go, others never make it beyond the thought. It doesn't mean either is wrong. There may be reasons for each side, but if both can be held on to then that's for the best. There are lessons to be learnt in both paths. I hope you can find your peace with your father. It is a shame to have any form of split within a family."

Although he felt slighted by her saying he was unable to slay a foe, but he couldn't argue with it. It was a good idea though. "I will try to think of something fitting. Do you know of anything more that I can weave in?"

A laugh escaped the dragonkin's throat. "Ha! Is that obvious? Am I truly my father's heir?" Izanami was a chip off the old block, which was both a blessing and a curse. "I know how traditions work darling." She retorted back sharply, that was not the issue. "Dragonkin are not... like other races. We have no natural origin, we are but chimera. Dragon's seed and some mortal race. We weren't created by the gods like the other races." It was perhaps the only aspect of her kind she did not enjoy discussion on. "It makes us more finite. Every time a dragonkin sires with another race, the bloodline thins. Their offspring are weaker, with fewer draconic features, less magical affinity, and the cycle repeats. Given enough time I presume we will just breed ourselves out if not careful."

"It is why most of the great clans choose exclusively to marry into each other. To keep our draconic bloodlines as relatively pure as can be. The elders will not tell you, but that played a major role in our mass migration down from the Dragon's Cradle to Darkveil during its founding. It became easier to keep tabs on our limited numbers when we were not scattered across the mountains." She looked at her hands, the chitinous plates, the dagger like talons, the lustrous shine of her scales. How many generations could it last? Would the dragonkin fade from history if left to their own devices? Breeding themselves out of existence? "These revelations have made my kind more conservative than most. We stick to the old ways because the old ways are what has kept us existing. The truth is we are scared of change."

Izanami had worked herself into a dour mood, reflecting on age old issues that plagued her kind. Issues that she would have to directly face one day. When her father's bones had been laid to rest and she was her clan's matriarch. No doubt her own sires would cause her endless headaches too as she grew too busy and too old to keep them in their place. And just like that the cycle would be complete. The scholars say time is a wheel, the older Izanami grew the more she thought they were right. "I will speak no more of this for now." Izanami didn't simply say, she commanded. "We can discuss the matter of your tribute later." For now, she was content with silence to ponder her thoughts.

---

maltholloth

He had obviously pushed too far. But he knew all about blood lines. The elves were terrible for it, once a blood line was tinted by another race, even if generations back, they were no longer of the highest order. There was some that resisted that, trying to cling to the outskirts of the High order. All knew it was too late for them to enter again. Yes, they may try to claim purity over many of the others who had let mix but it was normally only passing on or maintaining that from the High society.

Her almost laughed to himself, perhaps she should try being only two foot tall. How many races do you think are this big, or that you'd want to copulate with. No. At least you're able to pick from a great many others if you wish. Some being magical too may even help being further into blood stocks.

Yet he sat there. She wouldn't want to hear any such arguments. She was apparently, like her father.

This silence was not the nice kind. The scraping of the makeshift trailer hid any of the natural sounds. He felt he'd upset Izanami. His playing, though helping speed them on the way felt... Forced.

"...What is your favourite food?" he asks hoping to come back to something more agreeable to her.