A melody like none she had ever heard before broke into the air gently. It made her skin stand, and her ears swivel – searching for its source. Curiosity tickled the emptiness that settled inside of her, and so did a tinge of fear. It was alien, incredibly foreign and new – as the dragon’s song fanned out with a haunting presence – invisible.

She had yet to reign in on her initial reaction; the shadows beyond her taking shape and vague form. Tricking the eyes, invoking the mind to fill in the gaps with all sorts of demonic and hideous forms. Alarming the child as this sound appeared to increase in strength, two-toned – perhaps three – there were more and more, and she couldn’t see them. The sound was above, below, behind?

Ru pressed further into the old tree. It was cold, but the branches that spread above her provided cover. A tangible thing, to remind her it was only in her head. And that there was nothing to fear. Absolutely nothing.

The child tensed as her eyes grasped Amaris’ form. Ducking her head when – dragons – littered the sky with their sharp and scaly hides. Her mouth opened in awe, procuring a sigh – confused and cautious, all together bewildered. Pressing into the old tree to remind herself: there was nothing to be afraid of.

Nearly unawares of the voice, ahead of her, she snapped her attention back to the mare. A feeling of shame unexpectedly possessed the girl. As if she had revealed too much of her weakness, she was now obligated to show otherwise.

Demons, evil spirits? Pah!

She pressed away from the tree and stood poised towards the mare. Taking deep, calm, breaths… Ru bit back on her tongue as she bobbed her head in a nod.  Glancing now and then to the sky, looking for the flying lizards – somewhat doubtful of the mare’s reassurances.

They had just met after all! And she was… she was - mesmerizing…

How could this world be so rich with magic? How was it that the mare had scales – were those really scales?

With a paper-thin confidence, she carefully drew closer – her nose leading, stretching out her neck to take in the mare’s scent. It was a feverish feeling – posing to be courageous, whilst fighting back your desire to withdraw and hide was maddeningly difficult!

Ru was beginning to feel a tad crazy, and perhaps she was – or was it foolishness, that spurred her to Amaris’ side? Avoiding her head on, and swaying away. Eyes grazing the golden body.

But I wish to feel, to touch… She would, she must – and so she did. With a shaky hum she poked Amaris with her charcoal muzzle. Against the shimmering scales of that shoulder, and giggled nervously as she shifted back. Pressing into her heals, and further into the snow walls behind her. Stopping shortly after, near enough for the golden stranger to touch – should she really stretch that neck.

She squealed and reared as she caught sight of the golden one. Wings batting briefly – as if, making herself appear ‘larger’ might warn the beast – beast-s that is!

It looks mother was right after all! There were dragons; living, breathing dragons?