The crafted

For so long Aries has been alone. Finding a suitor was never the issue, having offspring was. When the cold would come all the adult dragons including Aries laid Eggs. Then, the flowers would begin to rise from the Earth and the eggs would begin to hatch. Except for Aries, her egg stayed fully intact. Each dragon hatches from the inside. The outside layer is made to be impossible to break open. The inside is thin. The dragon's claws can break through the shell protecting it. After years and years of continuing to try for her own baby, Aries now had 21 fully intact eggs. She kept them hidden in the back of her cave. She could not bare the thought of tossing them into the fire pit to appease the fire goddess. Dragons have a legend that an egg did not hatch, it was meant as a gift to the fire goddess. She would take the egg and in return, she guaranteed the dragons would keep their fire breath and ability to fly. Even though Aries trusted in the rules and laws put in place for the dragons these were her children, and she was not just going to toss them away.

Aries was very crafty with magic. The other dragons had the mage touch, but Aries was stronger and more skilled than her fellow winged friends thought to be possible. With all her eggs never hatching, Aries was able to dig into as much magic knowledge as she could get a hold of. Anything to figure out how to hatch her babies. The closer she would get to an answer she would hit a dead end. However, in the process, she would learn new spells. The most impressive thing so far is the ability to turn a dragon into a human. Aries decided to keep this spell to herself. No one would even know it was a possibility to transform. Besides the Elders feel that humans are useless beings. They have no positive purpose, and they are beneath the dragon kind. It is a huge issue. The dragon kind does not associate itself with humans. You can be exiled. This is worse than just being killed. It is slower. It is more painful, physically, and mentally. If it were a quick kill, it would be over quick. Instead, the elders send you out of the clan. No other clan will help you either. It will be obvious you were exiled, and they will want nothing to do with a war with another clan. With no other dragons close you start to grow weak and eventually will not be able to fly anymore, finally dying alone. The larger a clan is the stronger they are. Dragons get their strength from being together. Aries feels guilty she takes strength but does not contribute like the other females by adding to their clan. She is useful though and helps her clan by teaching the hatchlings their starter skills in magic.

The reason she is in the Dark Forest in human form right now. Her herbs were getting low, and she has a class tomorrow. Some of the herbs she needed were found quickly so while in there she looked around for any other things she needed to stock up on. Aries has been to this forest thousands of times. Humans have a fear of the deeper part of the dark forest which makes it perfect for her to get what she needs and get out with any interactions. After collecting everything and putting it into the satchel Aries headed to the opening in the trees to start her journey home in dragon form.

As she could see the moonlight shine through the tree opening for her exit, she heard something. Dead in her tracks, closing her eyes, she listens for what she does not see. Using her dragon magic, she digs her human toes into the soil beneath her feeling for the vibrations. There are trees, flowers, worms, and small animals nearby. Then. Eyes wide open. That is a different vibration. She knew exactly what made those types of vibrations. It is human. Human hearts tend to beat slower than a dragon heart does. Dragons also have a better hearing ability than humans so we can hear the blood flow through the veins in their bodies. Aries had been around good humans and not-so-good ones too. Learning it is best to just avoid them all together. The risk is too high. Her first thought was to hide until the human was far enough away, she could fly out of the forest. Then, still using her dragon hearing, the heartbeat is slowing down. Is this human dying? With curiosity getting the best of her, Aries heads in the direction of the faintly beating heart.

Finally reaching the edge of the dark forest there was the tiniest human Aries had ever come across. Must be an offspring. In human form, the child was a quarter of Aries's height. Knowing she should walk away and leave the small human to the humans to deal with, the small creature looked up into Aries' eyes. The moonlight was hitting her eyes making them glow a faint milky blue. Deciding to look for the clan and return the human Aries tapes into her dragon magic and searches for other humans. It does seem odd the humans would leave a baby on the edge of the dark forest. A place that most of them avoid. After trying for some time and realizing there was not a single human within a hundred miles, Aries decides she has two choices here. Leave the small human. Turn, walk away, and head home. Or keep it.

The Elders would never let her keep a human. Thinking of all the possible outcomes, possibilities, and punishments she decides to try her dragon-to-human spell on the tiny human. If she reverses the words in the right order, she should be able to flip it and make a human a dragon instead. Not even sure this will work if the human even makes it through the transformation. Before she could change her mind, the words were flowing from her human lips. Carefully changing the words, she could see the transformation start to take form. The small human cry rang through the forest scaring away any living creature until it stopped finally stopped. Aries begins to think the worse has happened and she killed the human. She starts to walk away to leave the body in the forest where its own kind had left it.

As Aries started toward the opening in the trees a sound stopped her. It sounded just like the embers of a fire crackling. Turning toward the noise, she finds the child has fully transformed into a dragon and she was beautiful. Bright yellow and orange scales cover her body. This small dragon looked to be the age of a hatchling from two winters ago. It worked. Aries had mastered skills and spells over the years, but this was impressive. With reality slowly sinking in Aries says now what?!

Coming to her senses and focusing on the problem in front of her, a new baby dragon, Aries approaches the dragon with caution, curious if the spell also gave the baby dragon magical gifts as well. Dragons can communicate with language as well as telepathy. This is more common with hatchlings. Like the one she just created. Leaning into the small dragon's face Aries asks, “Can you hear me small one?” The small dragon blinked her eyes repeatedly as if to focus with her new eyes. Confused yet amazed, the small dragon responded with "Yes, I can hear you.” A shocked Aries jumps back in disbelief. I really did it! Forgetting about the small dragon for a moment she hears her ask “Did what?”

“When I was in the forest collecting herbs for magic, I heard you. After looking I could not find any humans to give you to. I did not want to just leave you there, so I took a chance with you and cast a spell to transform you into dragon form. I would not be able to take you back to my clan as a human, so this was my only way to take you and raise you as my own. Do you remember anything from before you changed form?” Thinking to itself the small dragon looked and replied “No, I only remember you.” I did not know if it was the humans' early age or the spell, changed without practice, that kept her from remembering but it seemed like the best for her. No one was there when I looked.

“Well, small one, you need a name.” Thinking back to the sight of the moonlight the moment I heard her for the first time and how it lit her tiny eyes up, Moon seemed to fit. “So how do you feel about Moon?” Moon smiled showing all her baby dragon teeth. “I like it!”

That night Aries stayed in the forest with Moon Switching over to her dragon form she began to explain as much as she could about the ways of dragons and our laws and about the Elders. She let her know to not even mention humans in front of any other dragons ever. “They will never understand. You are my child, and I will always protect you. That is what is important.” Aries continued telling Moon about her new family until she finally drifted off just before the sun appeared. When Aries realized Moon was sound asleep, she stood up to pace and process. Thinking of the future she was going to have with Moon, she realizes she is a human. She might feel a need to find her kind. There is a great possibility she does not want to stay a dragon. Needing to rest, Aries stopped her thoughts and decided these were things she could worry about later. The priority is introducing Moon to the Elders when they get up later.

Once both dragons woke, Aries took Moon to hunt fish and get ready for their flight home. While eating their catch Aries explained the process of meeting the Elders. “Elders meet every dragon in their clan on the dragon's first flight day. When meeting with the Elders some young dragons have been gifted extra magic. A magic special to the individual dragon. This has not happened in hundreds of years. It was turning into an old Elders Tale. Something told to the new mothers for ways of good luck and a healthy dragon. Our clan has 11 Elders. These dragons have kept their place for centuries. Most dragons have forgotten the previous dragons in the council. I am not one of them, my father was an Elder and recently Samuel has taken his place as he stepped down. My father was one of the original Elders. He held his seat longer than any other dragon so far. All dragons have the touch of the mage. The Elders are different, they can give magic. Occasionally there is a dragon that has something special only an Elder can see then you will receive a gift. Magic that is unique to the dragon. It has been quite some time since a dragon has been gifted though.

The flight home went smoothly. Moon caught on quickly. As we landed in the large cave the Elders were waiting for us. Aries sent word to her dad to let him know the situation before we got there. She figured news like this should come from an Elder first. Each member of the Elders admired Moons' beauty. They all seemed genuinely happy for Aries as well. As we approached the last Elder, he leaned into Moons' face and asked, “What do you believe your purpose will be?” Moon stared up at the dark green dragon with old sad eyes and said, “To become the next Elder.” After a few moments, the Elder whispered in Moons' ear so quietly even dragon hearing could not pick up his message. Moon just became the first dragon in ages to receive a magic gift from an Elder.

The ten other Elders and Aries stood in amazement. A celebration begins and Moon is introduced to the rest of our clan. Flying around with the other young dragons, catching birds, and eating them Moon was having the best time. Aries watched her new baby explore and make friends as the other females congratulated her and offered advice. Moon is so effortless in everything Aries has shown her so far. Hard to believe she is not a real dragon.

Over the years Moon grows into a graceful beast. The best flyer in the clan encourages the younger dragons in their flying and magic training and leads the group when they go out exploring. Aries taught Moon everything dragon and magic she knew. Not knowing what choice Moon would make eventually, stay dragon, or switch back to human, Aries wanted her prepared. They would spend nights in the dark forest in human form, so she knew the basics of human life. One night while Aries and Moon were in the dark forest collecting herbs Aries asked Moon, “Would you want to be a human for longer than one night? Or are you happy as a dragon?” Nervous to hear Moons answer Aries looked up to the moon hoping she was happy with her all these years. “I have not thought about it like that. Do I have to choose one to be forever? I am happy as a dragon. It is nice feeling the world with human hands, but I would not want to give up my life with you.” Moon explained. “I just want to make you proud of me. I know the chances you have taken to have me as your daughter.”

As the two flew home the following day Moon thought about the conversation from the night before. Being a dragon was what she knew the most about. She had excelled in anything dragon related. Staying a dragon was the right choice for her. As an adult Moon knows things are going to become more challenging for her. When a dragon reaches adulthood, they are paired with a potential mate and must take a three-day journey to Dragon Cove. A magical place for the new adult dragons to get their full magic limit. Moon knew things were going to change but her imagination could not prepare her for her first adventure without her mother next to her.