Chase of Fate

There weren't always Dragons in the Valley there weren't always Waves in the Sun there weren't always wars to be Won there weren't-

"Toba!"

My pen stopped in its dance across the page; lines and dots and swirls decorating the bumpy surface emitting images in the eyes of the beholder. a head the size of my thumb snaked out and nibbled the top of my ear; his scaly body perched on the crown of my head. I reached up and scratched underneath his chin. His response was to flex his claws in and out of my head much like a cat.

"Toba!"

I was unsure why I was refusing to answer the call, I wasn't quite ready to completely remove myself from the trance that I entered any time quill met paper. The words weren't quite right, not quite fixed in the correct sequence. A dark evergreen tail swung in front of my eyes as his body scampered down to my shoulder; translucent wings with the barest hint of black sparkled in the emerging light.

My fingers itched to release more words, but the time had passed. As I put away my tools, I called out, "Here!"

A moment later, Jennesse's form appeared through the foliage as I completed putting away my supplies. Jennesse was one of the few who didn't mind my quirkiness, my ability to to make people uncomfortable with just the act of my presence. Though I am unsure if that was due to the my aura or for the sheer fact I am a social pariah due to lack of parental support. I had no one, at least not officially, to handle my entrance into polite society.

What saved me, fed me, kept a roof over my head, was Jennesse's mother. She was a woman of fierceness and fire, her dragon reflecting her attributes in fiery reds and oranges, matching the color of flames that emit from its mouth when annoyed. Jennesse's dragon, curled into a crown atop the head, was of much cooler temperament, blues of ice and cold decorated dragon's skin as equally as its breath.

"Ness," I said with a smile, being greeted with a hug; our two lizards with wings chittering their own hellos.

"Umma wanted me to check on you and bring you these delicatessens that Cookie made. She also wanted me to warn you of the impending arrival of the Kapaire."

A sigh escaped my chest before I could restrain myself. The Kapaire. The current ruling organization which also shares the name with the one of the Thirteen originating families. The organization at least held onto morals and the 'right' way of doing things even if at times it led to building on the backs of those that had less, those that were seen as less. The family-

Well, most if not all, avoided them if it all possible; in love, in allies, even as enemies. It was a shame that I did not have that luxury. The warning from Jennesse's mother was not to hide, but to prepare as if in battle. Put on my armor as it were.

Jennesse twittered at me as we returned to our home nestled in the eaves of the giant trees. I responded in all the right places. Later, when I replayed this conversation in my head, I would fill with guilt for not being more present. But in the moment, in the moment I was preparing, planning which outfit would best serve my needs, what to fill my pockets with, what should be decorating my skin.

My distraction was noted, accepted, and ignored by Ness. I was escorted to the half dome where I rested my head when the sky turned dark. Suitable items had already been laid out. My current attire was replaced with skin tight leggings, overlaid with a skirt that hit me mid-thigh. Another skin tight garment hugged my chest and belly which was then covered with a tunic falling two inches above the bottom of the skirt. A small satchel graced my hips hidden underneath all the fabric. My left arm was surrounded in gold coils of a dragon formed from metal, the right decorated in the runes of my name, my history. Lastly, a cowl covered the red curls that defied being tamed.

This was the armor today, pockets and spaces being used by any and all things that I could fit. A dagger hid on the inside of my thigh, sheathed of course, dried fruit and nuts in the satchel as well as all the items of writing from earlier, even a small flask filled with the water from our spring, flavored with the mint and strawberries from the garden. And of course, my dragon, choosing to nestle underneath my hair, breath alternating between cool and warm, tickling the sensitive area of my neck. It would be comfort during what was to come.

Feeling anything but ready, I let Jennesse escort me to the Kapaire,