Chapter 4

Two years have passed. I have discovered that my father leaves for many months on a mission to find another place to live. Why it takes so long is something I don't know yet, but I will eventually. "Mother, I'm hungry." Yep, I can talk now. Not super great, but enough to be understood.

    "I'm sorry...I'm too tired to hunt right now, Zavi." She groaned and huffed, smoke trailing out of her nostrils. I'm not too sure, but I think she might be sick. Instead of wondering what my father does, shouldn't I just ask? I was once told in my past life that parents love being asked questions.

    "Mother, why duph father take so long?" Ack, my pronunciation slipped up a bit there.

    Her eyes considered me kindly. "He has to find a home that's safe." That's what she told me last time!

    I won't give in this time! "Safe from what?"

    Her sigh sent plumes of smoke into the air. "Humans." Humans…! "We can sort of almost make agreements with elves, dwarves, and beastkin, but humans are too arrogant to listen. If they found us, it would be bad, not to mention finding you. It would be a complete nightmare if they found and caught you. That's why, when I'm not too tired, I'll teach you to fly. Then, in a few more years, you will be able to use magic...if you're like me. If you're like your father, you'll learn by accident way sooner." Her following laugh made her cough violently. Humans...I do enjoy my first real family, but I kinda miss human contact. I would like it if I could eventually hold a conversation with one. Even an elf would be fine...they aren't much different--at least the ones I know aren't. "Settle down. If you're hungry, you could try catching something. Ah, but don't wander off too far."

    "Alright, mother." My first time going outside alone! Can I do this? I gripped the edge of the cave and looked down. It's so high...I'll fall if I'm not--my thoughts slammed to a stop when I remembered my wings. I've already gotten down how to move them around...can I at least glide down? I spread my wings tenderly and gazed down. My mother chuckled and I knew she was watching. Proud, or just finding me goofy? Either way, I can't back out now! I was given another chance at life and I should live it to the fullest! I went to jump and ended up scrambling when my mind changed. I was still afraid! My still-soft talons scraped over the ice without finding grip and I slid off the edge. I screeched in fear as the wind pelted my tiny body. Having the memories of a past human life doesn't help! I'm too used to avoiding things like this! Why did I ever think I could change so quickly?! Without realizing it, my instincts made me spread my wings. I yelped when I lurched, my fall interrupted.

When did I open my wings? I was still falling, just slower. I'd have to angle different to go forward...I straightened out and pointed my nose at my destination. However, I had fallen further than I knew and promptly slammed into a snowbank head-first. I lay inside the deep snow, trying to figure out what had just happened. My mind had been overridden by my draconic instincts! I thought about that height again and I only flinched a little. Woah! I'm not near as afraid anymore! Hmmm...this snow is so warm. Shouldn't it be cold to the touch? That was what I remembered as a human, but now it felt amazing. It seemed to be radiating warmth for me to enjoy, almost like it was a fuzzy fur coat. I lay there for who knows how long, too comfortable to move. Small squeaks underneath me made me freeze and tilt my head. When the sound grew louder, like it was under me, my body moved on its own and I dived deeper. I automatically opened my mouth when I did. To my further surprise, when something furry touched me, I snapped at it and pulled it out of the hole. A vole! I hadn't eaten for a week and didn't bother to have it cooked when its blood dripped on my tongue. I was far too starved for patience. I repeated this process over and over until I finally felt full.

    That was...strange. I feel so satisfied that I know I'm guilty. My mother needs food too. Sadly, now that I was no longer hungry, I couldn't properly follow the movements of the voles under and around me. I don't think I would be able to climb back up even if I did catch something, so I might have to stay here. No, not this low. I need to at least climb up as much as I can. I wiggled out of the snow to see the darkened sky signaling dusk. A shiver of terror ran down my spine when I registered that the night was coming and the dangers with it. Scrambling along, I scurried up the steep incline until I got to a point uncrossable for a small body. Giving up on getting any further, I buried myself so deep that I pressed against the cool and smooth mountain rock. I may be able to stay safe here. I tried to sleep but found it impossible. I was awake through the scary night, listening to the howling of dyre wolves and the snarling of wyverns. Why doesn't mother hunt those? She's bigger than them, wouldn't it be easy to break their spinal cord in a fight? I poked my head out when I heard the muffled chirping of birds nearby. It's day! I didn't sleep at all! I crawled out and sighed. I had told myself I was a slim and very streamlined dragon, but I was chubbier than expected. I hadn't fully noticed that until I saw my reflection last night on the ice beside me. I even found out my eyes were golden, just like my mother's. I should not expect too much from a body that is only two years old...I'm still a baby. I looked up at the cave, losing hope of making it up there alone. Father will be home sometime soon...I shook my head and spread my wings with a determined expression. If I can't climb, I'll fly! I jumped up and down, flapping my wings desperately. She said she'd teach me once she got better, so I'm old enough to fly! My hind paws slipped on one jump and I fell off the mountain. Ah! I just need to open my wings! My sparkling wings snapped open to slow my fall. I took the chance to try beating my wings, trying to engage my natural instinct. I can feel it coming...I balanced out when the basic idea of flight with this body just up and appeared in my mind.

Where did that come from?! I struggled to make my way upwards. Only knowing the basics makes this harder than I thought. The cave came into view and I reached out, gripping the edge with my front paws and flapping to get the rest of me inside. I flew! It was a bit awkward, but I flew! My mother was sleeping in the depths of the cave, so I went to her and curled up, exhausted. Relieved, I finally fell asleep.