Chapter 3
When I woke, my mother wasn't there. Again. Does it really take so long to find food? I sighed and watched the snow drift down. I'm so hungry...it hurts. With such suddenness I jumped, she slammed into a wall at the entrance. "Here!" She shoved away from the broken ice and tossed a small songbird to me. "That was all I could catch!" With the next breath she roasted the bird. I picked it up and swallowed the small thing whole. I felt bad when she hung her head. Should I have eaten it slower? A shadow suddenly fell over the cave, blocking the light. My mother didn't seem to notice, since her eyes were closed. I screeched at her and she whirled around just in time to smack the strange vulture-like creature. It shrieked and latched onto her, yanking her out and trying to tear at her. I watched scarlet scales drop from the attack with fear.
My dragon mother! I don't want to lose my first parents! Before I could move to help, however, a roar sounded that shook the whole mountain. The creature's blood-curdling cry echoed for miles around when a heavy thump voiced the snapped bones. As it all became quiet, I understood that the thing had died...but why hasn't she come back up? I got to my paws and started to walk to the edge. Once again, my movement was interrupted by the sound of leathery wings snapping and creaking. My mother came in and immediately nuzzled me, but another dragon followed her in. This one was almost twice mother's size and looked far more muscular. It seemingly regarded me with disdain, but its expression lit up when it registered my presence. "Little one, he has returned." She turned to face the dragon behind her and rubbed against it as well. "Our hatchling wants to know you, my dear mate." Mate? So that's my father?! He watched me closely, which made me afraid to move. I instead spent that time recognizing his appearance. Wow...he's very majestic. His scales were similar to mine, but there was definitely a visible hue of dark blue cast over them. So...blue-white opal color? It was fascinating to watch the scales glint a slightly different color every time he moved or breathed.
"This...is our hatchling?" His voice was surprisingly honey-like with a soothing base tone. Amazing.
"Yes. I have not named the hatchling yet."
"You haven't?! How long ago did the thing hatch?!" It's almost disturbing, the way they refer to me.
"Two days ago. A delicate baby who has only just learned to walk." I paid close attention as he made a low gurgle and moved past my mother. He came closer and brought his muzzle to nudge me. His eyes were a brilliant sky-blue that spoke of far more emotions than what his expression did. "I was waiting for you. Are you still okay with the agreed name?"
"Yes." He stepped aside so she could approach.
"Then, my mate, we have a pretty daughter, Zavi." Zavi? Is that my name now?"
He purred--a weird sound from such a brute-like dragon. "Zavi...I have a daughter. Looks like she inherited my traits somewhat."
"Sure, sure, sure, but where did the white come from?"
"Perhaps my own mother. She was an ice dragon. Ah, before I forget, I shall retrieve our meal." He vanished from the cave for several minutes and returned with the grey and black bird that had attacked my mother. It's so big! It could've swallowed me with my wings outstretched easily! He brought it to the center of the nest and waited patiently for us to come over.
"You may want to take your portion now, because we both like it fried." He rolled his eyes, tore off what he wanted, then set it aside to eat later. With that, my mother took a very deep breath, creating a huge plume of crimson flames. So much power! It took around ten minutes before it was finally cooked all the way through. "Eat up. Starting today we'll be living a different life." A different life? What could she mean by that? I shrugged and decided to think about it later.