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Among Dragons

2 First Steps

After my shout has faded away, I'll get another deep breath. That has made me feeling real good. The sounds of nature swell back up to the normal level - lets the roar of a dragon the nature really falling silent?

Hopefully the others won't take offence at, since I have no idea what's common among dragons. Worried I look back to the three - no, no one seems to be upset.

I turn around - very carefully, trying to keep all in view. Finally, it is at least strange, suddenly seeing everything from almost 11 m / about 36 feet height - even if I see everything better and look sharper than before from 10 cm (4")... or to move a body of approximately the size of a tour bus - not to mention an even longer tail.

My arms and legs I'll find roughly where they should be, but the tail I lack in my collection somehow, though I can see it clearly. Especially at Manvinkona I'm worried who scurries around me. But the girl seems very aware of my problems and is out of my way.

So, to turn, I first have to get the legs under my body, I'm still kneeling. Must look strange, I'm afraid. So, right, left - feels weird, I stay on tiptoes, but a quick gaze ensure me that it looks right. On the long neck I have to get used too. Since Manvinkona is not close to me - she has retreated to her mother - I can turn around now. I just do it the way I would do it otherwise on all fours, just only not on the knees. May look weird, but I have at least a known motion. Works quite well - so now sit down. How will the others do it? Feet on the floor, butt down - so I squat down, and toddle back with my hands, until my hands standing right in front of the feet. Finally head up - done. I believe so. Where is my tail? - Whatever, I did not know now, how I had to move it.

As soon as I'm sitting, Manvinkona already climbs on the backs of my left hand and lies down.

"It's okay." Fjörgyn calms me, noticing my embarrassment.

I turn to the three dragons.

I want to say something, but there are only strange noises from my mouth.

Eldflóð helps me.

"You will soon get used to, that you can no longer speak with Your former familiar voice. The vocal cords and the throat of the dragon is not very suitable for the language, we use a region in our larynx, with that we send the language directly to the recipients ear. We explain our hatchlings that they need to focus on trying to talk to someone and then think what they want to say - this will probably work for you too."

So I imagine to speak to the three and think.

"First, I would like to thank You for the help you have given me."

All three nod and Fjörgyn short replies.

"Now we understand you well."

I nod to her with a slight smile and concentrate again.

"Good - Although I understand nothing of what has happened, or how it happened, nor why. What I understand is that I now really never can go back to my world - not with this body. I really do not want to sound ungrateful, You've finally saved my life - but I'm actually not sure if I should be really happy with the things now."

Eldflóð reply drily:

"You were agreed..."

I look down at myself.

"Yes, I was - but no one has said a word about this."-

"If something bad with the body of a Great Dragon?"-

"No, certainly not, but..."

Eldflóð moves closer and puts a hand on my shoulder.

"I do not want to intimidate You and I know You also do not want to offend us.

I realize that it is not easy for You to cope with such a foreign body. Get used to this body, then many things will look easier to you. And soon You also will see the benefits of a life as the Great Dragon. - Detach from the human point of view, that You are a horrible, deadly monster now. See all the benefits: You have senses now, that exceeds your previous multiple times. You have immense power, can fly, still have dormant abilities, lives longer than any human - maybe the mankind. And You are at the side of the other Great Dragons the top species of this world. No one - except maybe one of us - will dare to contradict You."

I sigh.

"But that includes a big responsibility and a strong will not to be seduced by so much power. -

But You're probably right - it's done, I'll have to get used to it, now to see things from a different perspective. I hope one day I will meet the challenges of a dragon. - Today I am thankful that You do not laugh at my clumsiness."

Eldflóð skewed his head.

"I do not understand - laugh about? Because You now get to know your body? We know our bodies once we hatch out of the egg - You are just now hatched, the difference is only the size of Your body and it doesn't make it any easier."

I lower my head in a slight despair.

"Excuse me, You're certainly right. So I will first learn to control my body and then tackle my new life here. I don't have also another possibility. Maybe I can take it one day as a new opportunity."

This I mean serious. In my life in the other world over, things have not performed particularly well, I was in a deep hole - even so I had been there in the Caucasus to put some daylight between me and my problems on holiday. And here now I suddenly have the opportunity to begin a whole new life - in the pure sense of the word. Only I must first cope with it.

Fjörgyn interferes.

"To save your life, no thanks needed. But what, or why it happened - I have no answers."

Eldflóð apparently has an assumption.

"I think Erce has something planned with You. I felt a strong force stream flowing within You. Also, that Your body has rejected your entire blood, so Lady Fjörgyn was forced to give You a lot more blood than was planned, can be attributed only to Erces influence. It will be interesting to see what power is given to You and which way You will go."-

Græðarinn is almost emotional.

"Yes, I've felt this strong life force. A very impressive experience. But that such a transformation is possible - I see, hear, smell, and feel here a pure Great Dragon in front of me, who was an alien human from another world a few minutes ago and whose soul I now also feel in this dragon. Great Erce what we have just witnessed here?"

He looks at me.

"Sorry Ralf, may I 'feel' you?"

I nod in agreement - he moves closer to me and puts his hands on my head and chest. He is focused and I can feel the tingling again, like a few hours ago, when he first tried to heal me. I now understand that he is in a position to 'scan' a living being to grasp its structure and to use it for healing. An interesting ability. Shortly thereafter, he opens his eyes and takes surprised his hands away.

"There is nothing left - His soul, yes... also it seems somehow split - there is physically nothing left of the human he was. Just a Great Dragon, and purer than most of the rest of us... - And it's still something familiar in him..."

Græðarinn acts confused. In particular, his statement that I was 'pure' he had emphasized so strange.

But Eldflóð calms him.

"Please remember: we others here have hatched from an egg of our parents - there will something have happened over the course of millennia. However, today he was obviously created by Erce after their original plan. Is it any wonder that he is pure blood? But I just do not see him as something so special. - You understand?"

The last words are addressed to me.

"Of course - and I do not believe that I'm really so exceptionally - for a dragon"

But at the statement of Græðarinn, he would also feel familiar to me - I think of the blood. Fjörgyn has given me her blood, did he feel that? I look at Fjörgyn and feel that she has the same thoughts. Quietly, she says:

"You are blood of my blood..."

I nod and Græðarinns brightens up.

"Right, I have not thought about that - and then you're now my brother..."

So all in all, I can not really identify with, but somehow he also is quite right a bit.

"Well, probably something like that." I give with a slight grin in response. Then I turn to Fjörgyn and Eldflóð:

"I would like to apologize for my shout just now - I do not know if I break the rules, I'm sorry. - But the feeling had to be said."

Eldflóð nods with a friendly expression

"You need not apologize for it. If I had not seen Your transformation, I surely would have then sought you. But You have my full understanding. And the first call of a Great Dragon is impressive, also for us - even Erce listened to you."-

So my impression was right? Nature had been holding their breath?

Fjörgyn smiles, with a little sadness in her eyes:

"Do not worry about it please. And the mountains here haven't heard the territory call of a dragon, since my partner was no longer."

Oh, a territory call? And then - she has lost her partner. Oh shit.

"Fjörgyn, please excuse. I'm not going..."

She interrupts me by putting her hand on my shoulder.

"I know."

Eldflóð looks up and stretches.

"I think we will have a long evening of talking, for You have many questions and certainly You will need some information. In addition, I would also hate to leave you alone the first night. Forgive my bluntness, but who knows what may go through Your mind when You come to rest. - I have not forget, that Your soul is that of a human who has seen today for the first time a dragon... Now You're a dragon - I do not want to lose one of our own some hours later again."

Who, like me today, sees him the first time, would never think that he does worry about me - even if it is probably more the dragon is regarded as his human soul. I tilt my head.

"I thank You, my Lord Eldflóð, for Your care. I like to accept and look forward to the discussions."

"Gladly. Soon will be sunset, we should look for some prey now, Lady Fjörgyn."She nods.

"Sir Græðarinn, will You get a little wood for a fire, I think Sir... - Excuse me, how may I call You?" he asks me.

"Eldingar." I respond immediately.

Fjörgyn looks at me quizzically. I shrug my shoulders:

"During the...Transforming the voice of Erce greeted me here in their world and spoke to me with that name. So it will probably be my name."-

Eldflóð looks at me in surprise.

"Erce spoke to You? - Many keepers will envy You for this grace. Your name given of Erce - hmm... Eldingar... - Sir Eldingar, I begin to imagine what will be Your force, yet this is not even awake... - I suspect Your human soul will feel pleasant with a small camp-fire. You would meanwhile probably enjoy the time to get used to Your body a little more. Your friend, the little Dame Manvinkona will surely keep You company."-

I nod and our group dissolves. Fjörgyn and Eldflóð take off after a few steps and disappear over the trees to hunt in the valley. Græðarinn obtained from the forest above a few dead trees. And Manvinkona, who had kept a little nap on my hand during the conversation, practice with me, how I can cope with my size and, above all, how I can move the for me unfamiliar limbs, the flying arms and tail, not to forget my steering fins at the tail and behind the hip, just where the connection of my flight skin to my body ends.

It occurs to me, that I instinctively move all without problems, but when I want to move consciously and deliberately, often get problems. But my little friend can tell me exactly how I, e.g. had to fold my wings, which is a little difficult to manage with finger joints, wrist, elbow and shoulder in correct order. For that, that she never had to learn it and masters the most since her hatching, she can empathize well with me.

"But then you show me how to fly."

With that she had nailed me. Fly - I have zero clue and I will have to show that to her? Well, a few months I would have time, she calms me. Yes, everything's all right then... - Oh help...

After some time I'm going to help Græðarinn and begin the trees, he fetches, to crush. These are rather simple movements that are not too much different than usual. And the trees are already dry, so it went on quickly to break off the branches and even the trunks are for my current power no problem. Great Erce what you have given me...

When I think about how I can split the logs, reminds me Manvinkona:

"Take that talons." -

Right, I've got those too. No sooner thought, are they already extended - I practice a little bit and manage it, that they individually retract and extend. Strange, with that I have hardly any problems.

Manvinkona is amazed:

"Ooh, I would also like to be able."

But she does not envy me this ability - it would be rather that I can do something special. - With the claws the chopping of the logs is done really quickly.

As Græðarinn drags another tree, I mean:

"Great, thanks Græðarinn. I think it is now enough -. Surely we don't need to keep us warm"-

"Correct. Lord Eldflóð has noticed that humans like it to sit around a fire at night. - Why is this actually so? They fear a big fire like almost nothing else - maybe just a dragon yet - but a little fire they start at every opportunity"-

I remember spontaneous the German poet Schiller:

" 'Wohltätigist des Feuers Macht, wenn sie der Mensch bezähmt, bewacht. - Benef'cent is the might of flame, When o'er it man doth watch, doth tame' - so said a poet from my home over there. Even in my world, in which we no longer need the fire so directly to keep us warm, or to cook, we can not resist the allure of a camp-fire. - I suspect that it is an Ancient experience that is perhaps over a million years old and is set within us, like running for precocial. Back then, a bonfire means especially protection from enemies. - But a fire that we can not control makes us fear. And which human can already control the fire of a dragon - and a dragon is the only one of our enemies, who doesn't fear the fire."

Græðarinn looks at me in surprise:

"Why enemy - we dragons are not enemies of the humans."-

Ouch, that's right, maybe I should not say this to a dragon in this world.

"Yeah, right. But the people in my world doesn't knows dragons. Then probably some times they have seen a visitor of you, hundreds of years ago and feared them, because they did not understand who or what they have seen.

And we humans like to declare as dangerous, what we do not know or understand, and then it's difficult to convince them otherwise. A lion or tiger is an old enemy of the humans, but they can banished with fire - a dragon, which was believed that he was also an enemy, uses fire as a weapon himself. So they feared the dragon even more.

And few people were willing to see the dragon as he really is. Even today, where the dragon is regarded as fairy tales in my world, because we have never found a proof. - We know 100 million years old lizards, but we have never found a dragon."

Now, it has already become almost a psychological examination of the relationship between humans and dragons. Meanwhile Eldflóð had come back again and has heard a lot of my statements.

"Your explanations, Sir Eldingar, makes me some human behaviour a little more understandable. Like the ambivalent relationship to the fire, or the often inexplicable fear of our people."

"Oh, my Lord, there are other reasons why we humans fear you dragons - at least if we only slightly, or for the first time have contact with a dragon.

For example, your immense size, the for us - please forgive - grim and dangerous appearance of a dragon, the for us not, or very difficult, recognizable facial expressions of a dragon - if a dragon shows me his teeth, I don't know whether he smiles friendly, or wants he to eat me right now - or the..."

Eldflóð stops me.

"Enough, enough. And think of Your new position."

He casts a haunting, yet friendly look. -

Right, I always talking about 'we' when talking about the humans there...

"You will soon get used to, and I understand what You mean." Eldflóð reassured me, he has my expression interpreted correctly. I hope he's right with the 'used to it'.

Eldflóð turns to Græðarinn and my little Manvinkona who has listened with interest.

"Would you excuse us for a moment, please."

He means me to accompany him a little.

"Sir Eldingar, I see that Your knowledge of the humans will bring our people a better understanding. And that will be important in the future as humans in this world start slowly to discover the technology. I hope that we guardians of Erce, can better manage these with Your knowledge of the humans, to avoid the consequences that have already destroyed so much in Your old world."

So he knows my world apparently. - Is it my knowledge that is the reason of my presence here? There must be better ones, than just me.

I remember the words that I heard during my transformation.

" 'We need you, your knowledge, but also your power, your strength.' "

Eldflóð looks at me quizzically.

"That was essentially what Erce said to me during my transformation."-

"It sounds as if You actually therefore called by Erce. But it says something else, it may be still unknown dangers will come up, for the future we will need Your skills. -

But do not worry. Erce is wise, they will not take You to indomitable tasks. And we other guardians will always fighting on Your side, if a fight is inevitable."

Well thank you - I think I'm in a peaceful world and they speak the same assumption that I should be the champion here? - Whatever, time will tell, battle will come. First I have my new life to explore a little, before I'm thinking about war, that Erce will hopefully give me, when I crash-land in this country already unasked.

Eldflóð would like to know something from me:

"Excuse me Sir Eldingar, I want to ask You and beg You to answer me honestly something private: You said that dragons seem grim and dangerous to humans. - How do I appear to a human...?"

That sounds almost emotional. Apparently he has already experienced startled reactions. Should I really tell him? I have the impression that he really want to know, no euphemisms.

"My Lord. Remembering back to our meeting, as I was still a human and understand Your facial expressions only very rudimentary - then... Well, Your appearance was very frightening - for a human is the sight of You almost equivalent to the - pardon - evil imagines that wants only kill humans and devastate their world. -

I was at our meeting already aware that this impression does not meet You in the least - but humans are unfortunately very quickly with prejudice only due to lacking impressions".

Eldflóð nods seriously.

"I have something similar already suspected, it explains some reaction. Unfortunately, something I can not change. I assume, therefore, only very rarely contact to humans, mostly those who I already know a long time or get to know from other humans. And even them they often seem scared."

He's obviously seriously thinking about it, but if he wants to control humans in the future to a sustainable technology, it gives sense to a good relationship with the humans.

"The humans, my Lord, have prevailed in their development with their higher intelligence against enemies who were bigger and stronger than they. As a result, they see themselves today in a position to tolerate some certain extent.

If they meet now a possible enemy, that is bigger, stronger, and also at least as intelligent as they themselves - like the Dragons - they easily get a fear that they can barely control. I hope we find a way at some point - but it seems to me that a little fear of the power of the dragons should always be obtained, if You want to keep them on in the future on the way of Erce.

The guardians are welcome to appear as friends and helpers, but it should always remain in the background the idea, how the guardians would probably treat with the humans, if they deviate too far from the path. And I say that as a human - as strange as that may sound."

My further thought to the belligerence of the humans and their desire to make themselves their only enemy and wipe out everything else, I prefer to swallow down. I think still as a human being - and I see as the last chance to stop us, only the relentless fight and oppression against us... are we really that bad? -

I just hope I will still reach the serenity as the guardian, with my current mix of dragon with the appropriate power and human thought, in a world like mine, I would become a ruler of terror. And at the same time I will understand why humans will fight me.

Eldflóð noticed my mood.

"Excuse me Sir Eldingar, I bring You to gloomy thoughts. Let us return to the other and talk about other things. You will meet many new things yet. -

I see that Your moving gets better - but..."

No sooner that I have that 'but' registered, I see a cloud of fire racing towards me. Without thinking I react and jump to the side, landing deeply crouched and ready to pounce - my talons extended and ready to strike. Although I have no fire, but I just do not want to make it easy for him.

Eldflóð stands open towards me, his head turned slightly to the side. He shows no signs of aggression or combativeness. - What was that?

"Excuse me, Sir Eldingar. It was just a small test that have You not compromised. But Your reaction to the supposed attack, has it confirmed to me. Your subconscious mind controls Your body perfectly. You are dodged my fire supple and elegant with a rapidity which I almost envy You. But now, when Your consciousness is in control, it looks awkward and stiff again.

Sir Eldingar - You have to accept Your body. Your soul has to take the life here, the life as a dragon, then You will dominate Your body like You were hatched with it. I do not understand what still keeps You from - what it is, that makes it so impossible to You"

I look at him - he can not understand that I'm not enjoying to be a dragon? With all possible earnestness I ask him an alternative.

"Lord Eldflóð. I have the power to make You to a human at a contact. You are in Your soul further a dragon, but You have the body - and also the skills and the abilities of a human. How quickly You will fully accept Your new life in the world over there?"

Apparently he instinctively takes a step back from me.

"Certainly faster than You Your live as a dragon. But the thought makes me understand what's going on inside of You. You probably feel fear, You have to replace Your normal life with a world unknown to You plus Your unknown body. And everything without You had a chance to prepare You. -

But I can only advise You further, to accept it as soon as it is possible for You. Get over it, it's too late to change. -

Just to be safe - You don't have this ability, have You?"

With a big grin I shake my head. It makes him more headaches than he pretends.

"No, it only serves to make You the idea little clearer served. And are You sure that You in - how long has it been? An hour or two? - That You in two hours the human life in the technical world Over will fully accept?"

For a moment, his gaze doesn't holds mine - I have actually a dragon made uncertain.

"But I understand Your advice. I am also sure that I have to do it this way - I'm just not quite there yet. Although I met one or the other request with life as a dragon - but now that it has happened and there is no way out... Yes, I'm afraid, less of the body, but more of what others would say about me. Will I be accepted, what should I do..."

Eldflóð comes closer again and places his hand on my shoulder.

"If so desires have been met You, rejoice, take it. In front of the other dragons here, You do not need to have fear, we dragons find humans admittedly strange, but You are now a dragon for us, not a monster - such thinking is alien to us. And everyone else will never know and do not dare to doubt You.

And what Your duties here will be? Let it come to You, you will deal with it - I'm sure You will manage the tasks of a dragon in no time."

He's right. My old world is past for me, and here I will meet adventures - at first just discover my new life. Meanwhile I'm looking forward to this life - somewhat at least.

We go back, arrived at the other again, I see that they have already prepared a small camp-fire - well small - as a human I would have found it already decent size.

Fjörgyn is already there with her two children and invites us, as mistress of the place, also to lay down and make us comfortably. I imitate the others, because I still do not know what is a comfortable position for a dragon. Whether it is simply habit or the conversation with Eldflóð, the movements of my body seems something easier now to me.

The sun disappears behind the mountains and Eldflóð ignited the fire with a small ball of fire, which he blows into the wood.

The small Manvinkona can resist only with visible effort to get away from her mother, and come back to me. Eldflóð distributes the captured prey. A red deer and three elk (or an elk and three moose like the Americans would say).

"I hope You are hungry, Sir Eldingar?"-

I listen to myself.

"Not really hungry, but I suspect I should eat something and at some point I have to handle with it anyway."

I realize that dragons do not necessarily broil their meat. -

"Lady Fjörgyn knew already that You will not have much of an appetite, so she has killed a red deer for You, when it's all right?"

Of course it is all right to me and the smaller deer seems also somehow enjoyable. So the red deer lies in front of me.

Manvinkona shows her puppy dog eyes. Well, what's next?

"Mum..., can I eat with Ralf? - I've already eaten at him!"

Fjörgyn looks amazed at her. - I tell briefly the matter of the dried meat this morning and nod at her questioning gaze. As soon as she gave her daughter permission, the little one is already at my side.

"What may I give you?"

She looks at me, beaming with joy and points to the back lobe. No problem - a talon unsheathed, two cuts, and already the hind leg lies together with the chump in front of her. She stares at it and her jaw dropped.

"So... much?..."-

I have to grin.

"Eat as much as you like. The rest we will certainly getting somewhere."

She nods, still slightly stunned, but then she digs in. Obviously dragons are predators, she can not deny.

The other three have watched at this with interest and now they also begin to eat. I look furtively as they bite off and swallow the pieces with skin and bones and I think about, how it feels to eat like that. Although I have always loved to eat meat and I also know about chasing and killing of animals, that's not the problem for me - but so bite out whole pieces and gulp raw...-

Eldflóð looks at me briefly and then says quietly, and apparently only to me:

"It's the best, You don't think about it."

He's right. I have to get used to it.

I lift the deer and bite the head off with the first half from the neck. The antlers are still not very large and in full velvet, but so it's done - and the deer looks already more like a piece of meat. It is quickly swallowed - that works quite good.

Then I bite into the full, my teeth go through like butter. A short jerk with my head and the piece is in the middle of my tongue. - A explosion of taste rolls through me: I taste every single part - fur, skin, meat, bones, parts of organs - a wonderful taste of raw venison. And with it the blood, though not quite fresh, but not yet curdled. Just lovely! So deer can taste? What have I missed all these years...

With relish I swallow down the piece and bite again. And somewhere deep inside me grows the desire to hunt, to experience the taste quite fresh, to pierce my teeth in the still beating heart of my prey...

Somewhat guiltily I suppress this desire - is this worthy of a guardian? But Fjörgyn and Eldflóð have hunted too...

I try to eat calmly and really enjoy the taste, even if I feel the need to devour it as quickly as possible. So I then finished last. The little girl is there in front of the deer-leg, stretched on his hands and knees.

She moans happily.

"Phew, I'm full..."

A good part of the hip she has eaten, but it is of course still plenty left, previously I would have had easily spend a week to eat.

"The rest we can get away?"

She nods, picks herself up and delivers the leg at one end into the air. I take the end gently with the incisors - she directs me with sensitive small head movements, it is just not easy as I can't see anything so directly in front of my snout. Then I close my lips and suck the leg like a noodle in my mouth. Manvinkona dissolves into giggles.

I look around and look into three pairs of eyes, two curious, the ones of Eldflóð with aloof interest.

Grinning, I give information:

"Yes, it was better than expected. No - indeed it was delicious! Although at first I had some inhibitions, I surely will get used to it."-

"Thus, a first question would be answered..." Eldflóð says, "... how we want to proceed? We simply tell, or do You want to ask, dear Sir Eldingar?"-

"Hmm, I think it is best you tell, and I ask if I need more information." I reply.

Eldflóð nods and starts. Fjörgyn also participated and Græðarinn throws occasional a few additions. Sometimes I ask for understanding.

And so I get information about the history of the guardians, the life of the dragon, even more about the smaller ones, and especially about the humans here. About their progress, their structures, something about what technology they already have - almost only simple, without the use of machinery. It seems that there could be very first developments of steam engines. But it's difficult for me to see now how developed it already is.

The dragons have so little understanding of technical things that they can only describe everything just awkwardly. They are surprised, when I say on 'House on the River with a rotating wooden thing about that water runs': Ah, yes, a water mill. Where for me it is not always immediately obvious because the technique from the 12th to 17th Century, or in some cases even of antiquity is not always familiar to me.

Manvinkona is interested to listen, but after some time a more and more widely gaping, small dragons mouth shows me that she is tired. I'm now comfortable and supported me on the elbow. Thus, she easily comes on my hand, curls up in my palm and soon her eyelids drooped. Fjörgyn suggests to take her, but I fend off. I owe a lot to Manvinkona and I just love the feeling of her small, quiet breathing body in my hand. -

As soon as she was asleep properly, I feel very back in a corner of my consciousness, something let go, as if a small hand which has held contact, reluctantly let me go. I have to smile: this little dare-devil of a dragon girl has never left me. Although she didn't had to hold me any longer, since my transformation, but she has continued the contact. Only now in her sleep she let me go - if really completely. On occasion I must ask her what she has noticed from my transformation.

I decide to tell nobody about our constant contact - at least for now, that remains a secret between me and my little friend.

But in the following I get also more information about the biology of the dragons voice. Dragons communicate with each other and also with human with a kind of direct transmission of sound, their anatomy is not very suitable for the production of language. But this is not a form of telepathy, it has something to do with sound, but does not come with the vocal cords. They can not read the thoughts of others also. So, it is not very different than a conversation among humans. I find it interesting that the humans nevertheless always believe that dragons normally speak audibly to them, they did not notice that the dragon's mouth does not move.

In this context, I also noticed that I don't use 'muzzle, snout, devour' and so on at us, but I use mostly the usual human terms. It seems to me just right, I do not like to think that I 'devour' or 'booze' - I can't see us dragons as animals. On the other hand, seems to me claws, talons or 'paw' for my feet then logic again.

Writers remark:

I know, this must sound weird for English native speakers, but the dragons talks first with me in my native language, which they interestingly understand. In German there is a difference in vocabulary between men and animals when they speak of eat and drink - the most matching English vocables for animals seems to be 'to gorge' and 'to booze'

- A similar problem I have with the ancient style of salutation which is used by the dragons. Since the English language uses a similar style until today, in difference to my native German, I have problems to differ the official salutation, which in German is similar to You - (in modern German the correct salutation is similar to 'They') - and the private salutation which is similar to Thou, which sounds in English unfamiliar and ancient. Almost vice versa to the German...

- Since my English isn't good enough to write an ancient style correctly, so I have decided, to use the normal, well-known form of salutation and to make a little difference with a capitalized Y in 'You' for the official - actually ancient style - salutation and a normal y for the private form. - Not correct, but...

After many other things, such as the names of other Great Dragons and their residences and districts - where Eldflóð want to show me a map later, that created him a wise man of the humans - I finally realize that Fjörgyn and especially Græðarinn also be tired and finish the information evening.

"I think for now I have already received more than enough information from You. We should end this for now, so I can sort all that for me. I thank You for Your efforts, Lord Eldflóð, Fjörgyn, Græðarinn."

I indicate bows. Fjörgyn replies

"Yes, I think we should call it a day. Please be so kind Ralf, sorry Eldingar, and bring our little girl into the cave. Græðarinn will show you her nest. - Lord Eldflóð what are your plans?"

I get up, carefully so as not to arouse Manvinkona and walk slow and a little awkward with her in my hand, up to the cave. Græðarinn accompanied me. On the way, I notice that my eyes adjust to the darkness almost immediately and I also have no trouble seeing in the dark. Of course not as bright as day, but it seems to me as if I can see in the infra-red range. In fact, when I am focused, I can see Græðarinn significantly brighter than the surrounding area.

In the cave Græðarinn shows me the sleeping area of the family and there in a corner the little nest of Manvinkona. Cautiously I get it, to drop her there, without making her fully awake. She curls up again and goes back to sleep.

I wish Græðarinn a good night and leave the cave, outside I met Fjörgyn.

"Lord Eldflóð is still started out, he will stop by again tomorrow. You're welcome to sleep with us in the cave, Ra... uh Eldingar." she offers me.

"Thank you, I'm not sure if I can sleep tonight, it's so much happening today, I still do not feel tired. Anyway, I am an 'owl'. I just stay out here and enjoy the warm night. In addition, the night vision is also something new for me, so I will look around a little. - And you shall love to stay with my human name." -

"Well, the name was given to you by Erce, it is an honour to speak to you like that. But in private I will like to call you by your hatching name... - And I can understand that you would like to have a little rest. But please, no black thoughts. You can always come to me if you need assistance. And feel free, to sleep here with us, right there is a good place."

I put my head on her shoulder, which today at high noon still loomed so very high above me, she copies the gesture.

"Thanks Fjörgyn, I will certainly get along. A peaceful night to you."

We split up, she retires into the cave and first I lie down again to the bonfire, into which I puts the rest of firewood. I look into the flames and think about the information that I received tonight. An interesting time will come to me, no doubt.

Trying out my night vision, I recognise, that directly from the fire to darkness, my eyes adopt in no time - within a second I have full night vision and vice versa.

Once the fire has burned down, I stroll down a little way of the meadow, to glance around a little in the late night or early morning actually. Open my senses and capture the surroundings with my new, almost unbelievable skills.

I can see on the other side of the valley a wild cat that goes to hunt before dawn, hear the bats call above the forest in front of me and the moths, which they hunt. I smell, taste, feel... When I close my eyes, I recognize the surroundings with the other senses almost as if I would see them in broad daylight. I move so quietly that I surprise a fox that run a strait line along the forest - he looks at me completely terrified for a long time, before he almost panicked disappears in the woods where I listen to him for a long time, I smell deer and wild hogs in the valley, resting in their shelter and feel the urge to hunt. I swallow down that now the better - hunting without hunger seems not correct to me.

And then I look at the sky. What a starry sky... The combination of a clearer, darker atmosphere here and my night vision is a view of the stars that I've never experienced before. The Andromeda Galaxy is clear before my eyes, as if it is just before the collision with the Milky Way. And the band of the Milky Way is a bright light in the sky and I guess, I can see every single star. Still a good hour I watch the sky here and explore at the same time with the other senses the environment, only when the zodiacal light in the east appears, I go back to the camp-fire, take a big gulp of water from the lake and lie down next to the still warm embers, to have a little rest.

The sun wakes me up, I am still a little asleep. Although I do not feel cold, but the warm rays of the sun on my scales are nevertheless very pleasant. I roll onto my side and put my feet up - all four, oh no - all six. While I yawn to my hearts content, as far as I can tear apart the jaw.

Apparently, this looks so funny when a, from nose to tip of tail about 30 m long dragon so stretched like a cat, that even Fjörgyn who just comes out of the cave, has to laugh. She wishes me a good morning, already comes Manvinkona stormed out of the entrance, seeks and finds me still lying there. Immediately I feel again the soft touch at the very back inside of me. I focus on and think a 'good morning'. Manvinkona hesitates, looks at me in surprise, she also focuses and I feel a bright 'good morning' feeling lighten up in my mind. So therefore feels a telepathic connection...

I smiled winking at her to show her that I have received it - and it does not anyone has to know - and then say again 'public'

"Good morning Manvinkona."-

"Good morning, Ralf" she recalls happily.

Fjörgyn has an appeal to me:

"Could you mind perhaps a couple of hours to my daughter, Eldingar? Græðarinn needs after yesterday an energy refill, it has cost him a lot and he is not an Elemental, so he must replenish its energy from the outside. And I would like to accompany him."-

"Of course Fjörgyn." I tell her. "We will be able to keep us busy."

Græðarinn soon consort with us, we welcome us, and the two then leave soon.

When we are alone, I lie down next to Manvinkona and take the opportunity.

"Well, you little rascal - You're still with me?" I ask her with a wink.

She grins a little embarrassed,

"Mm-hmm, I like you very much and it feels so good when I am with you." -

"I'm not angry with you, about that. And now, since I know it, I find your gentle touch is also very pleasant."

She is reassured.

"Do you have with your mother and your brother also as a contact?" -

"No, not yet. I can that only since yesterday with you. And I even don't dare."

I smile at her encouragingly.

"If you think you can do that with the contact, then don't be shy. Your mother and your brother will certainly be very happy about it. As far as I know this is a skill that previously had no dragon."-

She thought about.

"You think so? - Then I will practice properly, I may that with you?"-

"Yes, of course. - One thing more I would like to know, you have me so well held all the time during my transformation by Erce, right? Do you like to tell me what you have seen or felt during that time?"

Manvinkona nods vigorously.

"At first it was so weird when mum has put her claw in your chest." -

I nod.

"Yes, it was strange for me, in that time my body had died and my soul hovered above all, I no longer knew where I was and what had happened. I saw three dragons that I no longer recognized and that I thought they want to eat me."-

"Oh, that's odd - you've probably scared then?" -

I shake my head.

"No, not really - I knew I was dead, I was just there and watched. When your brother had then begun to heal - I have also not understood that at the moment - I suddenly saw a bright beam of light coming through me from the earth. From the moment I was again 'in me' and saw the bright light around me and felt energy flow through me. In the end, I was greeted by the voice of Erce as their guardian."-

Manvinkona marvels,

"Ah, that was with you - you felt so weird the first time, then it was back to normal and then I have also seen the light. And a bit of a strange feeling I had in me. And then I heard them say, 'Thank Manvinkona you have done that very well' - and then everything was back to normal and you were a dragon. - Was that the voice of Erce"? -

"Yes, I think that was Erce. And I think you got the gift than, that connects us now."-

The little girl is now very thoughtful.

"Oh, that's that.."

I nudge encouragingly.

"And anyway, we still share something special: we are both guardians, to whom Erce has spoken."

A little pride flits across her face.

"You're right!"

"Well, you know what? Somehow I feel much better understanding of my body now. I now want to try my wings a bit. Not fly, but feel a little air under them, sometime I have to start with that. - What do you mean?"

Manvinkona is in on it.

"Next up is a place with good updraught. There I always practice with mum sliding. That would be something for you."

"Yes, we can try even once."

I look around to see if everything is in order and then we make our way. I put her on my back, on the shoulder, she has a good space between my wings. In fact, I now realize no more problems to coordinate my movements, the experiences of the night were probably still very helpful and grounded me with my body.

So we quickly come a good way up the high mountain meadow, to a point where a hill makes a hump. Up here, a steady breeze is blowing that actually creates a slight updraught. Manvinkona shows me her small gliding, she already well controlled - I spread my wings out, first just to play with the wind and get a feel for the wind, the air and my wings. It does not take long and I lift already slightly only on the updraught.

Surprised, I discover that I'm apparently a good glider, but at just over 60 m (almost 197 feet) span really no wonder. Thus encouraged, I copy Manvinkonas glides, and quickly I gets used to. Apparently I have the knowledge of how to do the flying, also somehow in my memory. Now just switch off the conscious will and retrieve the unconscious ability - so fly is intuitive - and then forget the inhibitions that I have as a ground-based human to the height.

But luckily I learn quickly and I am always just a few meters above the ground. After about three hours I manage to sail and manoeuvre steadily in the updraught in the front of the hump. I'm flying! While only gliding and also close to the ground - but I'm flying!

Manvinkona only sits the grass at last and looks at me. She is happy for me. At the end, as I slowly feel more secure, I let her sit on my back and take her with me into the wave in front of the hump. She holds on tight and enjoy the flight. Most recently, she lies with her wings spread between mine on my back and experienced the flight, almost as if she would fly by herself.

I see two dragons down over the valley coming closer and knows, that Fjörgyn and Græðarinn are back.

"Please cling, we glide down to the cave."

Manvinkona fold her wings and holds on, she still fits well between my fins and can also cling herself without problems. And particularly large manoeuvres I don't have in mind. Directly from the wave I dive through the updraught and glide just over the mountain meadow down slope to the cave.

Fjörgyn and her son stand on the place near the pond and look around. Quickly they notice me as I glide with long, elegant curves just above the ground and at a moderate speed towards them. I can see their astonishment when I fly one last bow on the last meters, increase the angle of attack of my wings slightly to reduce the speed and masters a clean four-point landing. - Landings I had of course also practised.

Manvinkona cheers from my back.

"Hi Mum, hi Græðarinn! Ralf can fly!"

Græðarinn is still amazed, but in his voice sounds a little bitterness.

"I do not believe... how can you still fly such curves as close to the ground..."

Fjörgyn is happy for me, but is also soon serious.

"Great, I am glad that you get along so well. - But, Eldingar, did you have to take Manvinkona with you at your first flight?"

She's right, as inexperienced as I am, what could happen at all.

"Well, I like that not call flying, but I realize that I made a mistake. I let myself be carried away and simply not considered that I lack any experience."

Meanwhile slips Manvinkona my Flying-arm I have lowered down.

"Oh Mum, Ralf is safely flown, very calm and with great curves - and he was also very slow," she tried to defend me. -

"But your mother is right, I have much too little experience and can make mistakes quickly." -

"And if I had listened to Mum, you were not here now and could fly!"

I have to laugh, even Fjörgyn grins - the argument is hard to beat. Only Græðarinn still seems to be somewhat down.

Fjörgyn lays down in the sun and is playing with her daughter. Græðarinn sits slightly off and circulated any thoughts. I go to the pond to take a sip. In the corner there is no wind so the water is like a mirror in front of me. That reminds me, I still not myself have seen so far, because I haven't the time somehow.

In the water I looked against a slender, elegant dragon head. A mixture of gazelle and Raptor I would say. Slender, black horns protrude into a slight swing to the rear, determined to over 1 m in length, between them begins my head fin that runs along the neck and which erect will form a striking crest. So highly erect, head down, on the S-line of the neck, which makes an elegant, almost proud impression. Although that's just my natural attitude, but I'll be careful not to appear too proud, that's not my intention. Then, closer to the water level I recognise deep, cobalt blue eyes that look at me. The narrow slit of my pupil is almost invisible in the dark, but bright blue of the iris.

I bare my teeth - which are different than that of my friends here. Their are more lizard- or dinosaur-like in shape, mine looks more like that of a lion or tiger with the broader incisors, curved fangs and the long series of sharp carnassials.

The carnassials will allow me a different kind of eating, so I can kind of chew the meat. A way that is deep inside of me somehow more likeable than swallowing unchewed chunks - although that's easily for me. What the others will say, if I manage like a cat on the prey?

The ability to move not only my lips completely, but also specifically just to show only the incisors, it allows me to suck the water while drinking and swallowing, as I was used as a human being. I take a few sips.

Then I remember: I do have a camera in my backpack, maybe could... hmm...

But first I'm going to Græðarinn, let's see if I can get him of the stick.

"Græðarinn, would you like to show me how to fly, afterwards? The right flying, I mean."

He looks at me.

"Do you mean, I could teach you anything?"

That sounds full of bitterness. Is he mad at me?

"Surely you can teach me something. Even if Erce should have given me the knowledge, they hid it deep inside me. I have to find it first, dig out, get used to it - and only the correct movement of the wings does not mean, that I also fly over to the next tree and pass, instead crashing right in the middle."

He thinks a moment and then nods, at least I convinced him.

"OK. Best shortly after noon, the air carries better than."

I nod at him smiling and then proceed to Fjörgyn and Manvinkona.

"Hello you two. I just thought of myself in the pond and there it occurred to me that I have a camera in the backpack. So that I could look at me much better - you have to understand that I'm simply interested in, how a human would see me now."

Fjörgyn nods and Manvinkona gallops already, going to get the backpack. The things there still interest her.

"You need not justify you, Eldingar. If I had now become a human, I would certainly like to look at."

Not long and Manvinkona returns with the backpack and places it in front of me.

"Please, here it is." She beams on me - ever curious. -

"Would you please get out the camera? You have the matching size for the human things."-

"Yikes! Yes, it is."

Excited, she fiddles around with the backpack. I give her the necessary tips to solve the buckles and zippers to open it. Then she puts her head back into the backpack and sniffs.

"It still smells so interesting in here."

We hear from inside. Now I can imagine what she can smell all there.

"Ah, here is also still the dried meat..." -

"Oh yes," I answers. "In the full bag it will be good until a few more weeks, but the already opened should be eaten no later than tomorrow."

It rustles slightly and her head reappears with a bag between her lips. Manvinkona switched to her mother, who raises her eyebrow slightly.

"If it has to go..."

A glance at me, I nod and the girl takes the remaining pieces

Meanwhile, I take the opportunity and sniff in my backpack, it's interesting, how a Dragon will smell my human gear.

Fjörgyn looks to me.

Well - how does your stuff now smell to you?

"Interesting." I reply. "... a human smells so comparatively little and I would have this perceived as probably not definable - but now: of course the beef jerky, even that in the bag - the energy bar - oh, there's still bread, which should better thrown away before it depraves. - The water in the bottles - cotton, wool, detergents and - what is this - oh, that's human, that are my clothes - so I smelled... - hmm, something chemical... ah, probably the raincoat and the backpack itself, which are of synthetic fibre. - And then something... strange smell... several parts... This may be just the camera and the phone. Yes I had nothing else in it."

Most surprised me, that I can even smell the food itself through the plastic bags

"Somehow I am sorry for the humans now, how much they actually miss around them. Surely, they would then also treat the environment in a different way..."-

"Yes, I hope the people here will never come to such things..." Fjörgyn answer me.

Manvinkona has the bag emptied and wondered what to do with it.

"At best, we keep it in the backpack until someone goes over there once. If necessary, we would have it in a very hot fire burn, so it is not lying here forever, or even toxins produced during burning in a camp-fire. Unfortunately the humans have the stuff made very, very durable." I explain. "... But let us get out the camera."

She begins thrilled to unpack my backpack and discovered now, what has smelled like.

At the very end she has the cell phone in her hand. That reminds me that I should somehow inform my family. Fjörgyn calms me.

"I think in a few days we can send them a message that you are well. I certainly will find a way."

Since I suspect that she knows someone Over they visited from time to time, that should probably actually work. I declare Manvinkona how to shut off the phone, then I can maybe use it sometime.

And then comes the camera, it's a robust Compact, the battery of this thing lasts a long time and I still get substitute with me. I quickly explained the basic features and Manvinkona has understood the operation quickly. I can pose, then her mother, and even Græðarinn participate. And then we look at the pictures on the small screen, but to our eyes it is not a problem.

I see a tall, slender dragon, showing a proud, elegant, almost regal bearing. For a human an impressive appearance. My concerns that I could possibly act too proud, the other dispel quickly. To a dragon my attitude appears though classy, but not proud nor even conceited. And towards humans explains Fjörgyn, it is beneficial to radiate such a royal pride.

But the other newly discovered themselves in the pictures. Græðarinn just seems to draw new confidence from it.

He reminds me of our date.

"The thermals will be fine now, for your flight training. There is a cliff, where we can start first well in glide, so that you get used to the altitude."

We hit the trail, Fjörgyn whispers quickly a "thank you", even she had noticed that Græðarinn had previously retreated slightly.

On our way to the cliff, Græðarinn begins to explain.

"Ralf, sorry that I was so... deprecating to you. It really was not against you personally, but a nagging feeling grew about that you revert everything, I can never work out myself. For Example, I can not soar like you - my wings are too short for that. And I feel there is much more that I'll never be able, like you. But as You mentioned your family, it suddenly became clear to me that on the other side you have also lost everything. What you have gone through on the way. Here, in a world full of strangers, staying with those who almost killed you, have dragged you here..."-

Uh - Græðarinn opens his feelings to me.

"Græðarinn, I would never assign any blame, specially to you. And also not to Fjörgyn, not any more. We are all creatures of Erce - even myself now - and serve.

• And now tell me, how do I get rid the fear of jumping into the deep..."

I grin - a little cramped. Fly, just fly. Actually, an old dream of mine. When I was in the past somewhere in height and had looked over the valleys and into the distance, I would love just to take off and soaring over all that. Of course I couldn't and never in life I would have dared to leap down there. Bungee? Never ever!

And now I'm standing at the edge of the cliff, look down, over the valley, in the distance and feel again the old familiar feeling, the desire to fly, it literally pulls me out - and now I have the chance, just spread the wings and... yes 'and'...

• when looking into the depth, there is again the old fear to jump. A take-off from ground, and then gets the height is not a problem, but jumping from up here? It's not an acrophobia in the sense - even a jump from one-meter board at the pool was pure horror for me, a sports teacher had bred that, without warning, he swept away my legs at the racing dive, since then it was over - only fear of jumping - not only into water, an illogical fear. - I look down doubtfully.

Græðarinn looks at me and noticed that I do not play tricks on him, that I really need his help in order to be able to start flying from here.

"I have no fear of flying itself, even I would like it very much, it pulls me virtually - since ever. But the jump into the depth to start..."I explain quietly.

He tried to calm me, distract me. He can not dissuade me the fear, that he knows - he's trying to concentrate me on flying. That I could, yes, I've done today, and I want it. I spread my wings out, feel the ridge lift, gain uplift...

• and imagine to plunge into the depths. I stand firmly on the ground again. This morning on the hill hump, yes - there, the soil was directly under me, before me. I just needed to reach out my legs and could almost stand. But here is a vertical cliff, a few hundred meters high. Actually enough to open two parachutes or perhaps three - no problem for a dragon, even Manvinkona would arrive safely down there, but the thought...

Græðarinn begins to get me in the mood, exclusively to the distance, the vastness, the freedom of flying. And slowly I forget everything else around me, wants to fly out there, feel the width, feel the air beneath my wings, flowing around me. Græðarinn comes in my field of vision, beating his wings and flying next to me.

"Ralf, please focus now on me. You know where you are?"

Yes, I know it. I'm flying over the valley, glide in the thermals that carry me and enjoy the feeling of freedom. I look down, I see the forests and meadows far below me, the herd of deer that graze in the pastures, now the depth is no longer a problem for me, I fly, the air carries me - I do not jump.

"Yes Græðarinn, I know it. - Thank you for that."

A convective cell hits me - or I hit it - I circle myself up quickly, in seconds I'm far over Græðarinn. It occurs to me that he can not so quickly, so I leave the thermals again, shortening my wings a little bit and spins me quickly back to him down.

"Excuse me, please." -

"Doesn't matter, I know that you are a much better glider, than I am. I suspect that even Lord Kyrin would hardly be able to lead you the way. Do we want to make a few take-offs and landings, so that you will be more safe there?"-

"Yes, please. - Even if it just difficult for me, not to give in my old dream..."

I answer - with a happy feeling in me.

I make several take-offs and landings until my subconscious realized that I fly, and not jump. Then we move on to active flight. Græðarinn explained to me the necessary movements that I know instinctively, but I let him explain everything to me and follow the exercises. He's now fully slipped into the role of the teacher and I don't want him rip out. In active flight I learn to love the speed that we reach. I feel my ability for more speed, but I refrain to trying that now.

In the meantime Lord Eldflóð has arrived again, after a conversation with Fjörgyn he comes up to us and watched my education.

Finally, I still practice the various take-offs and landings on flat ground. So a start from the ground - especially without run-up - needs strong wing beats and a special technique, how I have to move my wings. Also, it's somehow inside of me, but I'm glad that Græðarinn helps me with his advice to use it right.

Last of all, I want to try something. I return again to the edge of the cliff. When I look forward, I have no problem, I could leave immediately, active flight or sliding - but I want to try something else.

Behind me Græðarinn explain briefly to Lord Eldflóð my initial problems, of course with my consent. And I'm concentrating - yes, now I will try it. I take a deep breath and let myself just fall forward over the edge of the cliff into the abyss - with folded wings.

I plunge head over towards the ground- calm now, the wings spread out, I feel the boost - and flare out the fall, finally I glide over the valley. The short cry of joy I can not help myself. I quickly find a thermal beard and soon I'm back at the height of the cliff. Lord Eldflóð and Græðarinn lift and together we are quickly back to the cave where we're landing next to the pond where Fjörgyn is waiting for us. Where the two needs some strong wing beats to land softly - is for me after a smooth glide and a pitching of my wings, a single blow enough to make a precision landing. Apparently my body really is optimized for flying.

Eldflóð turns to us.

"I am amazed at Your good progress in the art of flying Sir Eldingar. I see that Sir Græðarinn is a good teacher to You. And You have finally accepted your body."-

"I've just woken up and fed, which is already applied to knowledge in Sir Eldingar." repels Græðarinn, but obviously flattered.

"Oh, no. - Without Your calm and perseverance I would not be nearly as far. And only Your help has solved my lock, Sir Græðarinn, my friend," I acknowledge - officially. He is now visibly embarrassed. Fjörgyn is proud and happy that he is back from his mental hole.

"And yes, I'm probably able now to accept my new body, my lord - even if it lasted for a dragon maybe long."

He clearly understood the little barb.

"Please excuse me, I did not want to hurt You with my words."

I point a nod, in return for his apology.

Manvinkona had watched our landing from the cave entrance, and has now arrived. She nudges me.

"I want you to teach me how to fly. I also want to be able to land this way."

She hesitates briefly, turns around, and glances to her mother and her brother.

"Oh, sorry..."

Both nod and Fjörgyn answers.

"That's okay, I do not mind."

Right now, any sense in me turns on, something is there, builds up, gets stronger and come closer. I just don't understand what...

Eldflóð noticed my puzzled look.

"Sir Eldingar what's about You? You seem like You have seen a ghost." -

"I don't know, my Lord Eldflóð. I feel something coming, but I don't know what it is."

He listens to himself, then focuses on me.

"I do not feel anything coming, but that means nothing. Because I think Your power begins to awaken. - If You wish, I will then retire."

I am confused, why he wants to leave?

"Forgive me, my lord, I don't understand..." -

"Well, the awakening of the force of a Great Dragon is a very private affair which takes place in the round of the family. I do not want to impose on You, Sir Eldingar."

A private affair, family matter. Who is my family here? Will Erce be with me - probably yes, just not tangible. Here I am alone

• or maybe not.

"A private, family affair. - Lady Fjörgyn, Lord Eldflóð, Sir Græðarinn and my little Dame Manvinkona - You were witnesses, and involved with my conversion by the Force of Erce - who, if not you, is my family here in this world. I ask you to accompany and to lead me during the awakening of my skills."

I bow.

Fjörgyn responds immediately.

"Eldingar, Ralf. Blood of my blood. Of course, I will accompany you."

Manvinkona calls:

"Do not even think about, that I'll let you alone!" -

also Græðarinn replies:

"Of course I'm with you"

Eldflóð bows.

"It is an honour for me to be Your mentor revival, Sir Eldingar."

"Thank you, all."

I'm a little worried about what will happen to me there again. But Fjörgyn calmed me down, though probably my strength will awake - or will be available to me - quite suddenly, but it's simply a matter of having an escort to learn easier how to use the force.

And during all that time I feel that something is slowly growing and getting closer.

Eldflóð distracts me.

"Sir Eldingar, now that You have reached a certain skill in flying, You might want to go with me to hunt?"

In fact, I feel a slight sensation of hunger. But the deer yesterday has last for a surprisingly long time for such a large body, I must say. On my enquiry, Eldflóð confirmed that the dragons don't actually need not much more. When they rest, they can get along with it for several days. That they had hunted moose yesterday, was due to the higher power consumption by the events of yesterday.

Before we start, I ask Græðarinn quietly.

"Excuse me, maybe it's a stupid question, but also by Dragons, the food certainly someday has to be disposed of again..." -

A slight amusement lies in his eyes.

"Of course. But we utilize the food very good. And what comes from nature, goes back there, the sky is lofty and the forests are broad. - Around the caves we keep our environment clean of course - there besides the cave is a trail that leads to a small ravine."

We lift off, Eldflóð, Græðarinn and myself. We fly to a valley about 20 km (12.4 miles) away, the two ahead, Græðarinn points the way, I follow them a few meters higher mainly in gliding, but I waive to seek thermals, I hold the hight with a few quick wing strokes from time to time. In the valley we start the search. We agreed that today we only hunting deer, so I fly with quick wing beats a way along the valley, and search circling up there. Eldflóð remains in the lower valley, Græðarinn between us. I am looking for a some time, but I'm not sure. Although I find deer, but it does not appear to be the correct to me. I don't quite know what to do, how I should hunt, how to kill. Particular about killing, I thought about. It's clear to me, that hunting is a must, I'm a dragon, the top predator here and even as a human I was always ready to hunt for my food - when also never in the situation that I have to do it.

I feel then that Eldflóð has a kill and suddenly the hunting instinct awakes in me - soon I find a worthwhile prey. An elderly deer, yet healthy, but already beyond his time. I circle around him, watch him, glide slowly closer and closer, waiting for the right moment. He does not hear me, so silent I glide through the air, he does not see me, I avoid any shadows around him - now he is in right position, I address him, ready to dive, to grasp...

'Take me, please'.

Confused, I look around me - what was that? A little higher at the slope, I sense a young, formerly strong, but now severely injured deer. I reach him with a few strokes of my wings, landing directly in front of him. He remains quiet, can barely walk. He is obviously recently fallen off a cliff, survives it, but will not live long now. This deer has seen me - has seen the great guardian of Erce and now he asks me to release him from the pain. Not with words, but I feel it.

I keep my hand in front of him, he puts his head on my palm and calms, his pain seems to fly by. "Go in peace into the Force of Erce." I say, and the talon of my index finger twitches out and cut his neck. He's gone, now I'm looking down at his lifeless body.

Shortly thereafter, a voice says.

"How was it?"

I am terrified, Græðarinn is slightly higher on the slope, looking at me seriously.

"I-I don't know... somehow... right - and I feel good that I could help him."

Now I feel a deep sense of peace within me. Græðarinn nods.

"Yes, to be called as the guardian by a living creature to redeem its suffering and to lead to the Force is always a special experience. I have heard his call before and come for that. Before I reached him, I saw you, felt your fully awakened hunting instinct - but then your hunting instinct was completely gone, because he had called you. A rare gift, this rapid switching is also hard for me - and I do not like to hunt. - You have fulfilled your task very well, it is my honour to have witnessed."

I simply nod. Græðarinn raises his head.

"I sense that Lord Eldingar has another successful kill. Added to your guidance, so we need another one." He sighs.

I sense something.

"Would you be angry when I..." -

"No, of course not."

Even before he had spoken to an end, I make a short jump, a quick blow with pulled out claw and the neck of the deer is severed. My first mentioned prey was too curious. Græðarinn winces briefly, but I also feel his gratitude that he did not have to kill by himself.

"You too go in peace into the Force" I said to the deer, I'm not back in hunting mood, just wanted to help Græðarinn.

"Do you sense every death so intensive?" I ask him

"Yes, that's why hunting is always difficult for me, but it is necessary and is also part of life. Thank you for your support, I know it was also not easy at the moment for you too."

I nod. We take one of the deer each and fly down the valley, where we meet Eldflóð. He noticed our mood, but do not ask now on. I take one of his prey in addition because as the best flyer in our group, I can handle better two deer in flight - a few minutes later we are back to Fjörgyns cave.

A little later at 'dinner' - again today Manvinkona gets her share from me, but this time she shows me exactly how much she would like to have - narrates Græðarinn my experience, I'm not in the mood, but I don't stop him. Fjörgyn just looks at me calmly, I think, I can see compassion in her eyes and a little pride.

Eldflóð nods thoughtfully.

"Cancel the hunt and follow the call - I know otherwise only our young friend, Sir Græðarinn here is able to do this. And he is rarely in the hunting fever. You are really the guardian of Erce, my friend."

According to the nature of my teeth, I recognized today, I bite me with my carnassials through my prey and find it more comfortable because I have the feeling to chew. In addition, the taste is thus more intensive. The others did not respond further on it, since they know my teeth and my way of eating corresponds to this. I then flushed through my teeth with a sip of water, when suddenly I know what I have felt in the background coming closer all the time.

"A thunderstorm is brewing." -

Eldflóð looks up and focused.

"In fact, I can also feel very slightly. That was it, what You have already felt the whole time?"-

"Yes, now I know it. - It will not be very strong, but coming here."

I recognize it, like I look an animated weather forecast at TV.

Eldflóð nods thoughtfully. We still talk some time of the tasks as guardian, until Eldflóð says

"It is approaching."

He reckons the storm.

"Yes, in five minutes it arrives." I reply.

Surprised, I feel a slight tingling sensation move through my body.

"I do not know, what time you mean with 'five minutes', but we should retreat into the cave. Please come Manvinkona." Fjörgyn asks her daughter who is with me. I think about - somehow I have no desire to go into the cave.

Eldflóð noticed my hesitation.

"For us dragons, lightnings are not very dangerous, but we do not like them. Well, for the little Lady, it is already safe in the cave. But You, Sir Eldingar makes a tentative impression. So far, I had the opinion that the human rather shun or even dread thunderbolts." -

"Right, it's not the human in me that makes me hesitate, also I never fears a thunderstorm much - it's rather a for me inexplicable excitement, a refreshing energy that flows through me."

Eldflóð puts his hand on my shoulder.

"I'll be with You as Your mentor."

What did he mean? Awakens my force now - and what is my force?

The growing flow of energy I feel, that flows through me and refreshes me, wipes away the questions. The thunderstorm is almost upon us, in the clouds already twitching lightnings and the thunder sounds ominous. But I hardly hear. I just feel the power flowing into me, that refreshes me, charging, strengthen me. I go to a small hill near with a rock plate protruding, where I take my place.

I enjoy the energy flowing through me, the pleasant tingling, the refreshing voltage. The energy increases. I unfold my flight arms, raise them parallel towards the clouds - the first lightning strikes the held high fingertips of my right flight hand, flashes through me.

YES! That's it. I feel wonderful. Another lightning hits my left flight arm, charges me with energy. YES! MORE!

I steady me with my tail, raise my body on the hind legs, directed the wings even higher to the storm cloud, spread out my arms and gaze upward. Now I suck the lightnings into me by my will - more and more lightnings flashes, hitting into the wings, into the hands, the horns - charging me with a glorious, refreshing, wonderful energy. Faster and faster hitting the lightnings into me - I absorb them complete. I suck the cloud empty.

One last lightning, the cloud has no energy left.

But I have the energy! Gorgeous, wonderful energy! I fixate a boulder at approx. 50 m, open my mouth and split the block with a short, strong flash, which I shoot. I close my eyes, concentrate and sealing the energy in my reservoirs. Back to all fours sinking, I fold my wings, take a deep breath and open my eyes again.

In front of me stands Lord Eldflóð.

"Sir Eldingar, master of lightnings. I am delighted to have been present at your awakening. - A very impressive awakening by the way."

I look up, the former thundercloud moves on over the valley, it rains off.

Slowly Fjörgyn and Græðarinn come closer. Halfway Manvinkona not take it any more and comes up to me enthusiastic. Shortly before me she stops suddenly, deliberately and carefully stretched out a finger to me. I have to laugh out loud.

"Have no fear, little friend. The energy is stored securely. You can touch me safe."

She take courage, touches me with the whole hand, nothing happens. Then she looks at me, beaming with joy.

"Hey Ralf, that was great. - Do you want to watch?"

She holds my camera in her flight hand. All have been staring at me the whole time, this little daredevil of a dragon girl but has snatched my camera and has taken some photos, because she remembers that I so can see myself.

And so I see myself, the midnight blue scales and the wings skin now decorated with a lightning pattern. A flash seems to run along both sides of the body from head to tip of tail. Similarly, down the arms and legs to the fingers, on the flight skin from an 'electric cloud' at the front, lightnings seem to twitch, also on all Finns, like standing under power with the flash pattern. At the head, it acts like a Flash, emanating from the horns, runs underneath the eyes along my upper jaws and also the plates of scales on the nose bridge now glow in the colour of the Flash pattern. While the patterns flashed during the storm still light blue, it has now adopted a bright Royal Blue.

Meanwhile Fjörgyn and Græðarinn arrived and Eldflóð almost solemnly declared:

"I welcome You, Sir Eldingar, Lightning Dragon and lord of the thunderstorm, as a member of the Grand Guardian."