Fal’thor’s eyes kept darting back and forth between the young female dragon, the young male dragon, the clan’s Kailan, and the source of all the attention. Today was to be the day that the egg would be deposited in this unknown land, and the whole clan had turned up for this momentous occasion. Even the egg’s mother, whose eggs were due to hatch any day now, had torn herself away from nesting for long enough to bid her daughter a tearful farewell as the Kailan moved up to the front of the crowd. Fal’thor took this as a sign and joined his old friend at the front, facing the crowd of curious crystalline dragons.

“My friends,” the Kailan began in the voice of power and authority that had addressed them many times before. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the Bishel dragons. It is today that we will send one of our own kind to a faraway world to live in peace and in harmony with another clan of dragons, a clan that has long been lost from our knowledge and our sight. The Machesri dragons are peaceful and healthy, and although they take up companionship with humans—” There were some faint hissing sounds here, silenced quickly by a sharp look from the Kailan. “—they are still our kind, and it is our fortune that we should have the opportunity to learn more about them. A miracle has occurred here – the highly prestigious role of Speaker, which has so long been held by our esteemed Fal’thor, has been gifted with the birth of not one, but two female wyrms who possess the gift. Over the last few weeks, both eggs have been subjected to testing and screening by Fal’thor, and he has deemed them both very sound, capable speakers. Their Orbs have been Implanted, and soon, both eggs will hatch to reveal two very powerful Speakers. However, one of these Speakers will remain with us in a different sense of the word. One of the Speakers will be sent to live with the Machesri, and will act as our relay, so we might learn more about them, and so they might be able to communicate with and learn more about the other clans, from whom they have been cut off for so long. This is truly a momentous occasion.”

With these words, the Kailan stepped aside, and made room for the mother and father of the little egg. The mother cradled the egg carefully in her tail, and was trying not to cry, while the father stepped forward, his look determined. He began to roar out words, guttural and harsh, the language of their homeland, and as he did so, the air before them began to spin, faster and faster, until it exploded with light and a high-pitched humming noise.

“The Portal has been opened,” the Kailan announced unnecessarily, and the mother and father made to deposit their egg through it. At the last moment, however, Fal’thor felt the need to step forward.

“A moment, please,” he called out, slithering quickly over to their small huddle. They paused, and the mother held the egg out to him. Quickly, he laid his snout on it, and closed his eyes.

“Do not be afraid, little one,” he thought reassuringly. “Your sister and I will remain in contact with you – you do not have to fear anything. We will help you hone your powers, and we will ensure you will bring glory to yourself and to your family. You are brave, little one, little Khelekelda, Ice Princess. You will do well.”

With that, he moved back from the egg, tossing a brief nod to the parents.

“Good bye, child,” said the father, and just like that, the egg was gone.