Post by ashfisher on Aug 18, 2014 11:14:39 GMT -5
The great dragons of the sky were once creatures of flesh and blood, as you and I are. They came to this place and found it drik-without life. The five decided to create life for this place they had found. Such was within their power, so they did so.
Hartier-the dragon of earth, stomped upon the soot and rock they found. The shakes he created caused mountains to rise and cracks to appear.
Tralet-the dragon of water, cried upon the cracks her brother had created. Water flowed into these cracks, and nourished the dry land.
Retan-dragon of wind, blew out in a mighty huff at the sight of what had become. Wind blew, sweeping the dust away, and allowing plants to grow.
Ertier-dragon of fire, blew his flames all around. The flames hardened the soil, so that it could not turn to dust again.
Arian-dragon of light, flew into the sky with a mighty roar. Light came to the world, and the five were proud of what they made.
These five dragons roamed this new land, but soon got bored with each other, and started to fight. They argued that there was not enough life on their new home, and whether or not to create fellow creatures to roam the lands with them. Soon they saw reason and combined their powers once again. This time they made the creatures that walk the earth. When they had finished, they were again proud of what they had made. Years passed, and the dragons grew older. They soon agreed that they should return to their home in the sky, and keep a eye on their creations. So the five flew away, and created the everlasting skies; where those creatures they had made could join them when their veras-or life, was over.
PROLOGUE
It is the start of new life, on this night the youngsters can stay up for all three moons. A traveling tale spinner has them gathered around a fire, while the grownups dance and drink. The tale spinner is a woman with long white hair; but she is not old, in fact she looks young. Her blind red eyes look forward as the children get more comfortable on the bails of straw they sit on.
“Gather children, and listen well; for the tales I tell are old, and need to be remembered.”
A young boy shifts, and asks a question the other children are to nervous to ask themselves.
“Are they the legends? The one’s grownups say are lost?”
The woman smiles.
“Aye, and as the blue moon rises, my first tale begins young ones. How do those new tales that aren’t true begin nowadays? Oh yes… LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY…
ONE
In this tale, it is half life. The fields are golden with wild wheat that sways in the wind with a soft whispering sound. I would have you turn your attention away from the fields of golden splendor; and gaze upon the mountains that reach for the everlasting skies, with no chance of touching them. It is in the mountains that the dragons roam, and it is in the mountains that our tale shall start.
In these mountains are several caves, where the dragons take their rest. I’d have you look at a cave that is about midway to the top of this place. It goes deep into the mountain, and has a sort of outcrop-or landing if ye prefer-out in front. From inside the cave comes a middle aged dragon; full grown, but not yet wise with the ways of the world. His black scales glint in the sun a little as he leaves his cave, his golden eyes squint a little at the bright light that meets him.
He goes unto the landing and surveys the land below with love and a touch of worry. This dragon of black scales-which is rare, despite what most would think-is named Durg. It is with him that we will travel in this tale, for he is one of the few who changed our world.
₪
Durg looked down from the landing in front of his cave, glad to have another day in the warm suns. His eyes could see far, and he viewed the trees that edged around this mountain as if they were not miles below. He could spot some elves walking amongst the trees, and also some animals. The elves never hunted for meat, they were far to close to nature for such a thing; they instead observed the creatures, and often made companions of them.
Durg huffed at the sight, but was glad that the creatures could get along peacefully. It was better than most of the two legged creatures, that seemed to kill other creatures-even some of their own-without seeming to have a second thought about it. Durg looked up into the sky, and saw clouds up above. Smiling, he spread his wings and with a flap took off into the sky. Ah, how he loved to fly! He enjoyed the way the wind felt against him as he soared. He loved the sound of it in his ears.
Durg dipped, and just before meeting the ground below, went up a little again. He flew closer to the ground; barely above the trees. He loved the sound of those many trees as the wind his passing created rustled them. He passed over a lake, and saw his reflection, before ripples broke the image. Durg gave a roar of joy, and lifted higher, so that he was above the few clouds that graced the sky. Once above the silent clouds, he glided, just enjoying the feel of the wonderful wind and sky.
I would love to tell you little ones, that Durg spent the rest of his years in such a happy state. Alas, it is not so, and it would not stand for me to speak nus-or lies. Such was not in the cards-as people of today now say-his fate was to be a more painful one. Durg glided for some time, loosing track of how far he was flying. His mountain was a distance behind when he finally decided to dip down closer to the ground and hunt. He found himself above a village of humans.
The humans ran around, Durg could hear screams and realized they were afraid of him. He saw some male humans get spears and turned to go upwards once more. As he made to go up, one of the humans threw. Pain erupted from Durg’s right wing, and he roared. He could not flap his wing all the way now, it caused to much pain. So he turned in the direction of his mountain, hoping he could at least get out of range of those other spears.
Durg flew away from the village as fast as he could, but only made it to the outskirts before having to land. The village was still within close range when he looked back; his right wing lay to the side, useless to him now. Durg roared in frustration, then ran for the mountains; which were further away then he had thought. Under normal circumstances, a dragon could run for many moons and still not tire. As it was, Durg’s injury was draining his energy.
Durg had to stop and rest at a smaller cave, perhaps one that wolves had used or did use. He looked to the spear, and saw it was lodged where his wing joined with his body. He yanked the spear out, tossing it into the woods now surrounding him. He licked at the wound, as was the way of dragons; as he was licking he heard a sound behind him. He turned and standing there, was a human woman. Thus little ones did Durg’s naf-or fate change. Perhaps even the fate of Htrea changed that day.
₪
The woman looked at Durg with fear clearly showing on her face. Durg looked to the woman with curiosity, he had never seen any human so close before. The woman was wearing animal skins-Durg could smell the type of animal still-these skins had been cut and somehow put back together to form to the woman’s body. Durg thought this a odd thing, but he knew these creatures had no scales to protect their body and keep them warm. Beneath those skins was nothing but soft flesh that Durg could easily tear through, if he so wished. The woman had dropped some sort of container, Durg stretched out his neck and sniffed at it. It smelled of hay and grass.
The container was woven together somehow, and held berries the color of his scales. Durg had seen these type of berries before, they grew everywhere in the mountains. He drew back and turned his attention back to the woman. She had long brown hair tied back with a strip of animal skin. Her green eyes looked to him with fear still, but now there was curiosity mixed in. He stretched his nose out again, and sniffed her, she smelled of the purple plants that grew in mountain meadows.
Durg could hear the woman’s heart beating fast, and drew back again. He wondered why the woman didn’t run away, it was obvious that she was afraid. Then the woman did move, but not away. She came closer, and surprised Durg by touching his scales. He could feel her hand run down his neck, and found he liked it. The woman stepped away, and picked up her basket. Durg watched as she backed away, she paused when she was at the edge of the cave.
“Your hurt.”
Durg’s eyes widened in surprise. He had known these creatures could speak, but didn’t know that he would be able to understand them. The language of dragons was mostly made up of soft roars and growls after all. Perhaps dragons; like other animals; could understand all language. The woman was backing away again.
“Will ye stay here? I can get something to help ye.”
Durg nodded, what choice did he have but to stay here? The woman smiled and turned, then she walked away fast, going back toward the village.
Durg watched her go, wondering why a human would want to help in the first place. When she was out of his sight, he lay down and waited, perhaps the human could find something to help, but he doubted it. The best healing was to lick the wound, then leave it alone; so he had been taught. After some time Durg fell asleep, it was a light sleep; what you young ones would call a ‘kuma nap’. He awoke when he heard running feet. Durg looked up and saw the woman, she was holding some plants and running very fast for a human. When she reached him she had to catch her breath before speaking.
“I was worried ye would be gone! The hunters have been looking for ye since they saw ye land!”
Durg looked around, he had not sensed any other humans nearby, he most certainly would’ve heard or smelled them. He looked back to the female.
“Do not worry little one, I may be injured, but I am still able to defend myself.”
The woman gasped and dropped the plants.
“Ye speak!!”
Durg laughed. “Of course I speak little one. All animals have language of a kind.”
The woman seemed to think this over.
“Aye, that be true.”
She bent down and picked up her plants. When she straightened she had a look of curiosity on her face.
“Still, it surprises me that you can speak so that I may understand you.”
Durg laughed again.
“Many animals could speak so that you could understand them, they choose not to.”
She looked up at him. “Why?”
Durg shook his head, he didn’t know. “Perhaps they are afraid.”
The woman seemed to think this over again, then held out the plants. “In any case I brought ye healing plants. May I apply them to your wound?”
Durg nodded, he doubted the plants could help any, but would let the human try. He was most curious as to why she would want to help him in the first place. Perhaps letting her help him would help him figure it out. The woman went to his wing, and crunched the plants in her hand. Then very carefully she placed them on his wound. The result was amazing and fast, Durg felt a cooling in that area and sighed.
The plants do help! How interesting!
When the woman saw that she was helping, not hurting, she applied the rest of the plants with more courage.
When she was done she backed away from him.
“Thank ye little one, those plants of yours are most interesting.”
She smiled and nodded. “Aye.”
She looked around then back to him.
“I fear for ye if ye stay here.” she held her hands in a fist in front of her. “Is there a way ye can hide?”
Durg took a look around, there were woods, but he was unfamiliar with them, plus they were closer to the village then the cave was. There was some magic he knew, of which sifting magic was included.
“I could change my form.” he said looking back to her.
Her eyes widened. “Ye can change your form?”
“Aye.”
“What would you change to?”
“I could change to a wolf. Or a small animal that could fit into this cave.”
The woman looked to the cave with a frown on her face.
She looked back to him with fear on her face.
“What if the hunters come?”
“I change back and defend myself.”
The woman thought then shook her head.
“No…they would not give ye the chance to change…” she looked to the ground, going into deep thought. When she looked up again she had a smile on her face, and a sparkle in her eye.
“Why not change to a human? That way ye can hide right under their noses!!”
Durg thought it over then laughed. Why had he not thought of that? It seemed so simple!!
“Aye that might work little one.”
Durg closed his eyes and concentrated. After a few seconds his body was covered by a strange glow. Then his whole body began to change shape. His scales and tail disappeared, and his front feet became hands while his back feet became…well, feet. He grew hair, it was as black as his scales had been, when he opened his eyes they were a golden color.
He looked to the woman who was now more to his eye level, though he was still taller than she.
“Well? Do I look right?”
The woman turned red.
“What’s wrong?” he asked
“You have no clothes.”
“Clothes?”
“Like what I am wearing.”
He looked to her, then to himself. It was true he had forgotten about the skins she wore, what she called ‘clothes’. He looked back to her.
“I cannot create what you wear from magic. I know not how.”
The woman looked away. “I could get you some, you’ll have to wait here again.”
“I shall wait.”
The woman nodded, then went off into the direction of the village again.
Durg sat, it was uncomfortable to do so in his new form, but he didn’t want to change back. He had spent a big amount of his energy changing in the first place, and he could only use so much before his body demanded rest to replenish it. As he sat waiting he looked around. His sight had diminished some when changing, and his eyes were now set differently. He was looking at the world in a whole new way. After some time the woman came back, holding some clothes in her arms. She dropped them by Durg then turned away, her face red. Durg went to the clothes and picked up one of the items. It looked similar to what the woman wore on top, but he had no clue how to put it on.
“Little one, how do you put these skins on??”
She turned to him. “They are called clothes, and they are simple enough.”
When Durg simply looked at her with blank confusion, she sighed and came to him.
“Like this.” she showed him, helping him put it on at the same time. It was somewhat painful to put his injured arm in the ‘sleeve’ but he managed with the woman’s help. Then she helped him with the under garment, and the pants.
When he was fully dressed the woman stepped back. “There, now you look like a normal enough person.”
Durg rubbed his hand against the skins, liking how smooth they felt against his skin.
“So do I look better little one?”
“Aye.” She smiled and then took his hand. “Come I will take ye to my home.”
The woman pulled him towards the village, and Durg followed, looking around at his surroundings as they made their way to the village together.
TWO
They did not go unnoticed as they went through the village. A visitor was uncommon enough, and this stranger was injured. The villagers watched as their healer led the strange man to her hut. Once her door was closed, they began to talk to each other about who they might be, and where he might be from.
~
Once inside her hut, the woman busied herself with preparing some more herbs, indicating that Durg should sit down. He sat and took the opportunity to study her home. He looked around, it was a circular structure that was made by stacking stones and keeping them together with mud. Durg tilted his head slightly, how was that even possible? Wouldn't the mud loosen when it got wet, and then the whole structure fall down? He looked up, the roof was even worse, it looked as if it was just wood and some hay and straw, he couldn't even see how it was kept in place. His brow furrowed, how did that not just blow away in a great gust of wind?
The structure was smaller than his cave by about two baby dragon lengths (in other words, if he was in dragon form right now, only his head up to his front feet would have fit). He supposed humans did not need as much room, especially this woman whom had helped him, since it was obvious she lived by herself. He noticed plants were everywhere, some hanging from the ceiling, some tied to the walls somehow, she even had a small patch growing in a little area near a hole filled with straw. He felt the straw, wondering what it's purpose might be. There were some skins near the end, just heaped as if she had dropped them there without caring how they fell. From looking at both like that, he could guess she lay on the straw and then covered herself with the skins. He frowned, thinking on how different this was from dragons, who just curled up on a hard dirt floor in a often cold cave, and simply slept.
He turned his attention back to the woman and realized he had yet to learn her name. As far as he knew all creatures had a name besides what they were called as a species. He did not think humans were that different from what he knew.
“Little one, what is your name?” she paused in her work and looked to him, for once looking confused, then a small smile appeared on her face.
“Azile.” he smiled back, it felt odd and yet good to smile in this form.
“Mine is Durg.” she picked up a object that looked to be made from dirt, and brought it towards him, sitting it down in front of him.
“So dragons have names too? I'm learning much today.” Durg nodded, his smile fading. If she thought she was learning a lot, than he was learning even more. Azile took plants out of her strange object and rubbed them on his head, over his eyes. He hadn't noticed that it had felt warmer until the plants cooling effect took hold. He sighed, closing his eyes, by the dragons her plants were amazing.
Azile left him there, and started digging a small hole about the length of Durg with a odd tool. If he were still a dragon, he would've done it with barely a full swipe of his claw. As it was, he watched her, then asked to see the tool when she was done. She handed it to him, and he turned it in his hand. Right away he could tell it was made of wood. It wasn't flimsy in any way, and was shaped like the spade leaves of the spear trees in the forests. He guessed the purpose was to dig dirt, since that was what Azile used it for. He tried it out in a small spot near him. It was almost as easy as using his claws. He could see why the humans had to use it. He was also understanding that humans created things to make up for the lack of claw, sharp teeth, and scales or fur. They created without magic too, as far as he could tell. The hut, this tool, that weird clay container...even the things they laid on....all done by hand.
Durg looked to Azile, did these humans not know of magic? Wait, they must otherwise him changing into a human might not have seemed so common to Azile. So they knew magic, but chose to use their hands anyways....why? The only thing he could do besides wonder was ask, so handing the spade back he did so.
“Why don't your kind use magic? Would it not make it easier to complete these tasks?”
Azile smiled at him as she put the tool away. “We know of magic, but can't use it very well. Those who can are usually drafted into what Elric calls the fighters.” she frowned a moment “They come in handy when we are attacked by the red clans in the far East, but we have not been attacked for many a moon.”
Fighting Durg understood in the dragon sense, though he had seen humans fight often enough. It had never occurred to him that the humans had been defending territory that they believed to be theirs against those who would take it from them. Why that was one of the main reasons dragons fought.
THREE
It had been a full year since Durg had come to Azile's village. He was stilll learning the way of life around the village. Often he found himself staring at the distant mountains, wishing he was back there with other dragons. Something always held him back from leaving though. That something was Azile. He was afraid that he was in love with her....a dragon in love with a human? How the others would laugh at him! They were completely different species, they couldn't even mate....could they? After all he looked like a human now, and his body functioned as theirs did.....did that mean he and Azile could?? Durg shook his head and turned his attention back to his task. Each villager did a sort of job in the village, Durg for now was in charge of gathering wood. After his arm had healed he had tried multiple tasks in the village, none of which he was very good at. So they stuck him with gathering wood and making fire's, which he didn't mind. It gave him time to himself, and he quite enjoyed the forest where they got the wood from.
He had quickly figured that this group of humans respected nature to a certain degree. They only used wood that had naturally fallen from trees for their fires. Durg saw this as a grand idea, seeing as some trees were magical, and didn't much like being cut from. The humans gathered water from streams that other animals drank from, and stayed clear of streams that other animals avoided. Durg wondered at this until the time he explored one of the streams most avoided. He had found nasty creatures living at the source of the stream, ones that layed eggs in the beds and walked on the ground protecting them. The creatures had spotted him, but stayed where they were, baring sharp teeth at him. They could perhaps smell his true nature, and were wise enough not to attack. Durg returned the favor by turning around and going back to the village. It was not that he had been afraid of the creatures, but simply did not want to disturb them or their natural habitat.
He gathered wood thinking that it was true that the humans hunted animals, but they only got what they needed to eat, and used pretty much every part of the animal for something. They buried what wasn't used, and thanked the dragons for allowing them to kill their creatures for food and clothes and other uses. Durg had come to respect the humans, though he knew some of them were suspicious of him still.
Hartier-the dragon of earth, stomped upon the soot and rock they found. The shakes he created caused mountains to rise and cracks to appear.
Tralet-the dragon of water, cried upon the cracks her brother had created. Water flowed into these cracks, and nourished the dry land.
Retan-dragon of wind, blew out in a mighty huff at the sight of what had become. Wind blew, sweeping the dust away, and allowing plants to grow.
Ertier-dragon of fire, blew his flames all around. The flames hardened the soil, so that it could not turn to dust again.
Arian-dragon of light, flew into the sky with a mighty roar. Light came to the world, and the five were proud of what they made.
These five dragons roamed this new land, but soon got bored with each other, and started to fight. They argued that there was not enough life on their new home, and whether or not to create fellow creatures to roam the lands with them. Soon they saw reason and combined their powers once again. This time they made the creatures that walk the earth. When they had finished, they were again proud of what they had made. Years passed, and the dragons grew older. They soon agreed that they should return to their home in the sky, and keep a eye on their creations. So the five flew away, and created the everlasting skies; where those creatures they had made could join them when their veras-or life, was over.
PROLOGUE
It is the start of new life, on this night the youngsters can stay up for all three moons. A traveling tale spinner has them gathered around a fire, while the grownups dance and drink. The tale spinner is a woman with long white hair; but she is not old, in fact she looks young. Her blind red eyes look forward as the children get more comfortable on the bails of straw they sit on.
“Gather children, and listen well; for the tales I tell are old, and need to be remembered.”
A young boy shifts, and asks a question the other children are to nervous to ask themselves.
“Are they the legends? The one’s grownups say are lost?”
The woman smiles.
“Aye, and as the blue moon rises, my first tale begins young ones. How do those new tales that aren’t true begin nowadays? Oh yes… LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY…
ONE
In this tale, it is half life. The fields are golden with wild wheat that sways in the wind with a soft whispering sound. I would have you turn your attention away from the fields of golden splendor; and gaze upon the mountains that reach for the everlasting skies, with no chance of touching them. It is in the mountains that the dragons roam, and it is in the mountains that our tale shall start.
In these mountains are several caves, where the dragons take their rest. I’d have you look at a cave that is about midway to the top of this place. It goes deep into the mountain, and has a sort of outcrop-or landing if ye prefer-out in front. From inside the cave comes a middle aged dragon; full grown, but not yet wise with the ways of the world. His black scales glint in the sun a little as he leaves his cave, his golden eyes squint a little at the bright light that meets him.
He goes unto the landing and surveys the land below with love and a touch of worry. This dragon of black scales-which is rare, despite what most would think-is named Durg. It is with him that we will travel in this tale, for he is one of the few who changed our world.
₪
Durg looked down from the landing in front of his cave, glad to have another day in the warm suns. His eyes could see far, and he viewed the trees that edged around this mountain as if they were not miles below. He could spot some elves walking amongst the trees, and also some animals. The elves never hunted for meat, they were far to close to nature for such a thing; they instead observed the creatures, and often made companions of them.
Durg huffed at the sight, but was glad that the creatures could get along peacefully. It was better than most of the two legged creatures, that seemed to kill other creatures-even some of their own-without seeming to have a second thought about it. Durg looked up into the sky, and saw clouds up above. Smiling, he spread his wings and with a flap took off into the sky. Ah, how he loved to fly! He enjoyed the way the wind felt against him as he soared. He loved the sound of it in his ears.
Durg dipped, and just before meeting the ground below, went up a little again. He flew closer to the ground; barely above the trees. He loved the sound of those many trees as the wind his passing created rustled them. He passed over a lake, and saw his reflection, before ripples broke the image. Durg gave a roar of joy, and lifted higher, so that he was above the few clouds that graced the sky. Once above the silent clouds, he glided, just enjoying the feel of the wonderful wind and sky.
I would love to tell you little ones, that Durg spent the rest of his years in such a happy state. Alas, it is not so, and it would not stand for me to speak nus-or lies. Such was not in the cards-as people of today now say-his fate was to be a more painful one. Durg glided for some time, loosing track of how far he was flying. His mountain was a distance behind when he finally decided to dip down closer to the ground and hunt. He found himself above a village of humans.
The humans ran around, Durg could hear screams and realized they were afraid of him. He saw some male humans get spears and turned to go upwards once more. As he made to go up, one of the humans threw. Pain erupted from Durg’s right wing, and he roared. He could not flap his wing all the way now, it caused to much pain. So he turned in the direction of his mountain, hoping he could at least get out of range of those other spears.
Durg flew away from the village as fast as he could, but only made it to the outskirts before having to land. The village was still within close range when he looked back; his right wing lay to the side, useless to him now. Durg roared in frustration, then ran for the mountains; which were further away then he had thought. Under normal circumstances, a dragon could run for many moons and still not tire. As it was, Durg’s injury was draining his energy.
Durg had to stop and rest at a smaller cave, perhaps one that wolves had used or did use. He looked to the spear, and saw it was lodged where his wing joined with his body. He yanked the spear out, tossing it into the woods now surrounding him. He licked at the wound, as was the way of dragons; as he was licking he heard a sound behind him. He turned and standing there, was a human woman. Thus little ones did Durg’s naf-or fate change. Perhaps even the fate of Htrea changed that day.
₪
The woman looked at Durg with fear clearly showing on her face. Durg looked to the woman with curiosity, he had never seen any human so close before. The woman was wearing animal skins-Durg could smell the type of animal still-these skins had been cut and somehow put back together to form to the woman’s body. Durg thought this a odd thing, but he knew these creatures had no scales to protect their body and keep them warm. Beneath those skins was nothing but soft flesh that Durg could easily tear through, if he so wished. The woman had dropped some sort of container, Durg stretched out his neck and sniffed at it. It smelled of hay and grass.
The container was woven together somehow, and held berries the color of his scales. Durg had seen these type of berries before, they grew everywhere in the mountains. He drew back and turned his attention back to the woman. She had long brown hair tied back with a strip of animal skin. Her green eyes looked to him with fear still, but now there was curiosity mixed in. He stretched his nose out again, and sniffed her, she smelled of the purple plants that grew in mountain meadows.
Durg could hear the woman’s heart beating fast, and drew back again. He wondered why the woman didn’t run away, it was obvious that she was afraid. Then the woman did move, but not away. She came closer, and surprised Durg by touching his scales. He could feel her hand run down his neck, and found he liked it. The woman stepped away, and picked up her basket. Durg watched as she backed away, she paused when she was at the edge of the cave.
“Your hurt.”
Durg’s eyes widened in surprise. He had known these creatures could speak, but didn’t know that he would be able to understand them. The language of dragons was mostly made up of soft roars and growls after all. Perhaps dragons; like other animals; could understand all language. The woman was backing away again.
“Will ye stay here? I can get something to help ye.”
Durg nodded, what choice did he have but to stay here? The woman smiled and turned, then she walked away fast, going back toward the village.
Durg watched her go, wondering why a human would want to help in the first place. When she was out of his sight, he lay down and waited, perhaps the human could find something to help, but he doubted it. The best healing was to lick the wound, then leave it alone; so he had been taught. After some time Durg fell asleep, it was a light sleep; what you young ones would call a ‘kuma nap’. He awoke when he heard running feet. Durg looked up and saw the woman, she was holding some plants and running very fast for a human. When she reached him she had to catch her breath before speaking.
“I was worried ye would be gone! The hunters have been looking for ye since they saw ye land!”
Durg looked around, he had not sensed any other humans nearby, he most certainly would’ve heard or smelled them. He looked back to the female.
“Do not worry little one, I may be injured, but I am still able to defend myself.”
The woman gasped and dropped the plants.
“Ye speak!!”
Durg laughed. “Of course I speak little one. All animals have language of a kind.”
The woman seemed to think this over.
“Aye, that be true.”
She bent down and picked up her plants. When she straightened she had a look of curiosity on her face.
“Still, it surprises me that you can speak so that I may understand you.”
Durg laughed again.
“Many animals could speak so that you could understand them, they choose not to.”
She looked up at him. “Why?”
Durg shook his head, he didn’t know. “Perhaps they are afraid.”
The woman seemed to think this over again, then held out the plants. “In any case I brought ye healing plants. May I apply them to your wound?”
Durg nodded, he doubted the plants could help any, but would let the human try. He was most curious as to why she would want to help him in the first place. Perhaps letting her help him would help him figure it out. The woman went to his wing, and crunched the plants in her hand. Then very carefully she placed them on his wound. The result was amazing and fast, Durg felt a cooling in that area and sighed.
The plants do help! How interesting!
When the woman saw that she was helping, not hurting, she applied the rest of the plants with more courage.
When she was done she backed away from him.
“Thank ye little one, those plants of yours are most interesting.”
She smiled and nodded. “Aye.”
She looked around then back to him.
“I fear for ye if ye stay here.” she held her hands in a fist in front of her. “Is there a way ye can hide?”
Durg took a look around, there were woods, but he was unfamiliar with them, plus they were closer to the village then the cave was. There was some magic he knew, of which sifting magic was included.
“I could change my form.” he said looking back to her.
Her eyes widened. “Ye can change your form?”
“Aye.”
“What would you change to?”
“I could change to a wolf. Or a small animal that could fit into this cave.”
The woman looked to the cave with a frown on her face.
She looked back to him with fear on her face.
“What if the hunters come?”
“I change back and defend myself.”
The woman thought then shook her head.
“No…they would not give ye the chance to change…” she looked to the ground, going into deep thought. When she looked up again she had a smile on her face, and a sparkle in her eye.
“Why not change to a human? That way ye can hide right under their noses!!”
Durg thought it over then laughed. Why had he not thought of that? It seemed so simple!!
“Aye that might work little one.”
Durg closed his eyes and concentrated. After a few seconds his body was covered by a strange glow. Then his whole body began to change shape. His scales and tail disappeared, and his front feet became hands while his back feet became…well, feet. He grew hair, it was as black as his scales had been, when he opened his eyes they were a golden color.
He looked to the woman who was now more to his eye level, though he was still taller than she.
“Well? Do I look right?”
The woman turned red.
“What’s wrong?” he asked
“You have no clothes.”
“Clothes?”
“Like what I am wearing.”
He looked to her, then to himself. It was true he had forgotten about the skins she wore, what she called ‘clothes’. He looked back to her.
“I cannot create what you wear from magic. I know not how.”
The woman looked away. “I could get you some, you’ll have to wait here again.”
“I shall wait.”
The woman nodded, then went off into the direction of the village again.
Durg sat, it was uncomfortable to do so in his new form, but he didn’t want to change back. He had spent a big amount of his energy changing in the first place, and he could only use so much before his body demanded rest to replenish it. As he sat waiting he looked around. His sight had diminished some when changing, and his eyes were now set differently. He was looking at the world in a whole new way. After some time the woman came back, holding some clothes in her arms. She dropped them by Durg then turned away, her face red. Durg went to the clothes and picked up one of the items. It looked similar to what the woman wore on top, but he had no clue how to put it on.
“Little one, how do you put these skins on??”
She turned to him. “They are called clothes, and they are simple enough.”
When Durg simply looked at her with blank confusion, she sighed and came to him.
“Like this.” she showed him, helping him put it on at the same time. It was somewhat painful to put his injured arm in the ‘sleeve’ but he managed with the woman’s help. Then she helped him with the under garment, and the pants.
When he was fully dressed the woman stepped back. “There, now you look like a normal enough person.”
Durg rubbed his hand against the skins, liking how smooth they felt against his skin.
“So do I look better little one?”
“Aye.” She smiled and then took his hand. “Come I will take ye to my home.”
The woman pulled him towards the village, and Durg followed, looking around at his surroundings as they made their way to the village together.
TWO
They did not go unnoticed as they went through the village. A visitor was uncommon enough, and this stranger was injured. The villagers watched as their healer led the strange man to her hut. Once her door was closed, they began to talk to each other about who they might be, and where he might be from.
~
Once inside her hut, the woman busied herself with preparing some more herbs, indicating that Durg should sit down. He sat and took the opportunity to study her home. He looked around, it was a circular structure that was made by stacking stones and keeping them together with mud. Durg tilted his head slightly, how was that even possible? Wouldn't the mud loosen when it got wet, and then the whole structure fall down? He looked up, the roof was even worse, it looked as if it was just wood and some hay and straw, he couldn't even see how it was kept in place. His brow furrowed, how did that not just blow away in a great gust of wind?
The structure was smaller than his cave by about two baby dragon lengths (in other words, if he was in dragon form right now, only his head up to his front feet would have fit). He supposed humans did not need as much room, especially this woman whom had helped him, since it was obvious she lived by herself. He noticed plants were everywhere, some hanging from the ceiling, some tied to the walls somehow, she even had a small patch growing in a little area near a hole filled with straw. He felt the straw, wondering what it's purpose might be. There were some skins near the end, just heaped as if she had dropped them there without caring how they fell. From looking at both like that, he could guess she lay on the straw and then covered herself with the skins. He frowned, thinking on how different this was from dragons, who just curled up on a hard dirt floor in a often cold cave, and simply slept.
He turned his attention back to the woman and realized he had yet to learn her name. As far as he knew all creatures had a name besides what they were called as a species. He did not think humans were that different from what he knew.
“Little one, what is your name?” she paused in her work and looked to him, for once looking confused, then a small smile appeared on her face.
“Azile.” he smiled back, it felt odd and yet good to smile in this form.
“Mine is Durg.” she picked up a object that looked to be made from dirt, and brought it towards him, sitting it down in front of him.
“So dragons have names too? I'm learning much today.” Durg nodded, his smile fading. If she thought she was learning a lot, than he was learning even more. Azile took plants out of her strange object and rubbed them on his head, over his eyes. He hadn't noticed that it had felt warmer until the plants cooling effect took hold. He sighed, closing his eyes, by the dragons her plants were amazing.
Azile left him there, and started digging a small hole about the length of Durg with a odd tool. If he were still a dragon, he would've done it with barely a full swipe of his claw. As it was, he watched her, then asked to see the tool when she was done. She handed it to him, and he turned it in his hand. Right away he could tell it was made of wood. It wasn't flimsy in any way, and was shaped like the spade leaves of the spear trees in the forests. He guessed the purpose was to dig dirt, since that was what Azile used it for. He tried it out in a small spot near him. It was almost as easy as using his claws. He could see why the humans had to use it. He was also understanding that humans created things to make up for the lack of claw, sharp teeth, and scales or fur. They created without magic too, as far as he could tell. The hut, this tool, that weird clay container...even the things they laid on....all done by hand.
Durg looked to Azile, did these humans not know of magic? Wait, they must otherwise him changing into a human might not have seemed so common to Azile. So they knew magic, but chose to use their hands anyways....why? The only thing he could do besides wonder was ask, so handing the spade back he did so.
“Why don't your kind use magic? Would it not make it easier to complete these tasks?”
Azile smiled at him as she put the tool away. “We know of magic, but can't use it very well. Those who can are usually drafted into what Elric calls the fighters.” she frowned a moment “They come in handy when we are attacked by the red clans in the far East, but we have not been attacked for many a moon.”
Fighting Durg understood in the dragon sense, though he had seen humans fight often enough. It had never occurred to him that the humans had been defending territory that they believed to be theirs against those who would take it from them. Why that was one of the main reasons dragons fought.
THREE
It had been a full year since Durg had come to Azile's village. He was stilll learning the way of life around the village. Often he found himself staring at the distant mountains, wishing he was back there with other dragons. Something always held him back from leaving though. That something was Azile. He was afraid that he was in love with her....a dragon in love with a human? How the others would laugh at him! They were completely different species, they couldn't even mate....could they? After all he looked like a human now, and his body functioned as theirs did.....did that mean he and Azile could?? Durg shook his head and turned his attention back to his task. Each villager did a sort of job in the village, Durg for now was in charge of gathering wood. After his arm had healed he had tried multiple tasks in the village, none of which he was very good at. So they stuck him with gathering wood and making fire's, which he didn't mind. It gave him time to himself, and he quite enjoyed the forest where they got the wood from.
He had quickly figured that this group of humans respected nature to a certain degree. They only used wood that had naturally fallen from trees for their fires. Durg saw this as a grand idea, seeing as some trees were magical, and didn't much like being cut from. The humans gathered water from streams that other animals drank from, and stayed clear of streams that other animals avoided. Durg wondered at this until the time he explored one of the streams most avoided. He had found nasty creatures living at the source of the stream, ones that layed eggs in the beds and walked on the ground protecting them. The creatures had spotted him, but stayed where they were, baring sharp teeth at him. They could perhaps smell his true nature, and were wise enough not to attack. Durg returned the favor by turning around and going back to the village. It was not that he had been afraid of the creatures, but simply did not want to disturb them or their natural habitat.
He gathered wood thinking that it was true that the humans hunted animals, but they only got what they needed to eat, and used pretty much every part of the animal for something. They buried what wasn't used, and thanked the dragons for allowing them to kill their creatures for food and clothes and other uses. Durg had come to respect the humans, though he knew some of them were suspicious of him still.