All you wanted was to take a shortcut through the forest to get from Riverside to Veta. You have done that a hundred times before. But somehow you lost your way. The dark has already fallen over the woods, and you have no idea where you are or how to get out of here. You have been wandering around for a while, and you are getting really tired. As you see a light in the dark, you cautiously walk closer.

Hello there, stranger!

You are startled when you hear the voice, but after hesitating for a moment you decide to continue walking. As you come closer you see a cloaked figure sitting by a fire. He is hooded, so you cannot see his face. His voice does not sound unfriendly and you are really tired. The fire is already starting to warm you from where you stand.

It's nice to see a friendly face around here. You look very hungry and tired. Why don't you come closer, and sit with me by my campfire? Let's share meat and wine. Please, help yourself.

You are too hungry to refuse the offer, so you grab a nice slice of meat and a chunk of bread, and start to eat.

Isn't that better? So tell me, what are you doing around here? Don't you know that these woods are told to be very dangerous these days? Especially when you're wandering alone in the dark. You never know what mischievous creatures you may meet.

There is something alarming in the voice, so you look up. You still cannot see the face, only white teeth shining in the dim light.

Don't worry. I am not talking about myself.

Without taking the eyes from the fire he removes his hood, and reveals his face. Or rather her face. Her dark brown hair falls loosely to her chest. But as you take a closer look you see scars running over her face. She still stares into the fire with a sad smile.

I'm talking about dragons and witches. Monsters. If you have some time, let me tell you my story. Where should I begin...

Giyan hatched a few days before her little brother. Of course she didn't know her name yet, but she knew what her instincts told her. They told her to wait until the other egg in the nest would be ready to hatch. She was just a little lindworm, so she spent her time growing, watching the sun and stars alternate with one another, drinking from the morning dew, and discovering her surroundings. When Arthaniel started to move nine days later, Giyan was already double the size of a hatchling. She showed her little brother all she knew about their new home; where to find water and food. Then, after they had grown a little stronger, the siblings decided to explore the forest. It was no easy path. They had to climb over roots and streams. One day they even had to cross a broad river. Arthaniel fell into the water and almost drowned, but he knew he could always count on his big sister. She always took care of him. And so Giyan pulled Arthaniel out of the water and saved him. He was very grateful and in that moment they both knew they would always help each other when they were in distress. The journey was hard, but it hardened their muscles, so they became stronger each day. Their bodies kept growing and growing, as the bond between them.

»Watch out«, Giyan told Arthaniel by looking deep into his eyes. They hadn't met anyone yet, so they did not know how to speak. But they understood each other. »Don't fall down.« The dragons had traveled for a while when suddenly a huge mountain appeared in front of them. They decided to climb to the top, to get a view of the forest and maybe see something beyond. They had already come very far, when night struck and the winds blew harder than before. The next ledge ought to be their place to rest. Then everything happened really fast. Arthaniel tried to pull himself up, when a part of the rock broke apart and he lost his grip. Giyan saw him falling and tried to catch him, but she had no chance of reaching him. This time, she could not help her brother. With panic in her eyes she saw Arthaniel falling into darkness, screaming in fear, until he disappeared from sight. She looked away in desperation, closed her eyes and cried. All she could hear were the winds howling in her ears. Suddenly a flapping sound mixed with the howling. Very quiet at first, but Giyan noticed it came closer. When she turned her head, she could not believe her eyes. It was Arthaniel, coming back to her. And he was flying! Giyan hurried to climb the rock, and when she reached the ledge, Arthaniel was already sitting there. He was out of breath, but he was alive and smiling. It was one of nature's wonders, that when Arthaniel fell down, his wings strained themselves. Before he reached the deadly ground, his instincts made him flap, so he slowed down and finally began to fly back to meet his sister. When they fell asleep, snuggled up against each other and exhausted, both dreamed of how they would continue their journey flying.

Giyan and Arthaniel rushed forward as they flew over the vast plain of Ytiva. It was biting cold, and all they could see was white snow everywhere. At first sight the frozen water had seemed to be beautiful. Soon the young dragons realized the downside of the white. There was no way to land and rest without the danger of freezing to death. The last time they had slept had been nights ago, on the mountain where Arthaniel fell. After waking up Giyan was alone on the ledge. She saw Arthaniel flying a few feed above. He pointed to the horizon. »I saw something. Let's go there.« There was just one problem. How was Giyan supposed to fly without wings? She landed on her face for the first few trials, but after some crash landings it turned out that it was not that hard. She had to concentrate her full energy on her wish to fly. It seemed that her mind was her wing. Though it was difficult to focus when it was freezing cold. Giyan knew she was becoming slower. Arthaniel did not seem to have any problems, but she was getting tired. Her brother noticed her struggles. He flew higher, hoping to spot something. Maybe the end of the cold desert or a place to land. When he saw nothing he flew higher, and higher, searching for something in the distance. And crushed into something.

»Can't you watch your steps?«, said a beaked, angry looking fellow as Arthaniel went down from him. They crushed to the ground together, but luckily the snow was soft enough so nobody was hurt. »You cannot just fly around like a dumbo, you dumbo!« It was not the worst that Arthaniel did not understand a word. When Giyan caught up with them, the strange white dragon already rose. »What are you goslings doing in the Ice Fields, anyway? Don't you know it's dangerous to roam around this area?« Arthaniel and Giyan only gave him an anxious look. The Irion - that was the name of his species - noticed how they shivered from the cold. »You're lost, eh? And you don't understand a word I'm saying, right?« The dragons only stared at him with big eyes. This was the first time they met another living creature, and they did not know yet if they should be afraid or curious. »Well, then... I guess somebody has to take care that you don't freeze to death. I dunno why this always has to be me, but... anyway! Follow me, little ducklings.« The Irion got ready to lift into the air again, but the dragons were still standing there and staring. »Oh, come on«, he said and gave them a gentle push. »Let's go somewhere safe.«

Still under construction...