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"So this is the Sun Shrine," Vence said. He had been following Armli from the Legless Horseman for some time, short as that time was.

The shrine was more like a stone temple ruin. The very center of the shrine had a short pedestal. This was where he supposed the egg would be placed.

"Quite a monument here, don't you think? So, the egg goes there, right?" he asked, pointing to the pedestal.

"Pretty nifty, I'll say," was the only reply he made. Taking another quick glance around, he then walked toward the center of the shrine. Removing the egg from its covering, he placed it on the pedestal where he was sure it would receive the most sunlight. He was slightly surprised to see mirrors; after all, the shrine was built many, many years ago. The gemini were an advanced race, though, so at the same time it wasn't very hard to understand. Here was probably where humans learned how to make glass and mirrors and such.

"And now we wait." Vence took a step back from the pedestal, closely inspecting the egg for any sudden happening. He knew it wouldn't be some event lasting seconds, but if the process could be visible, rather than seemingly invisible to the naked eye, it would be interesting to watch.

"Interesting. So the egg must have been newly laid when I got it." Vence recalled how he had stolen the egg from the nest, roughly around a week ago. He assumed the Drake in the egg by now was easily in the middle stages of development. So, the only question left was how was he going to take care of the thing?

Vence nodded as Armli spoke, and did not show his surprise as he answered the question he had been thinking. Interesting how things worked out.

"So I will basically have a solar powered Drake. quite convenient, I guess. It would still need meat to grow, though, correct? The sun alone cannot allow growth. Plants are like that, but an animal is quite different, needing nutrients other than what a sun tan can give."

Vence thought for a moment, then nodded.

"I guess I'll head back to the bar. It's not like this will happen in seconds." Vence turned and walked away, turning his head briefly back as he walked onto the main road back to town.

[Vence has left the Sun Shrine, headed to the Legless Horseman.]

[days later... XD]

As Vence drew closer to the Sun Shrine, he could sense the presense of the drake. Strange, as he had never been able to do that before. He preceeded with more caution.

Arriving on the scene, he found Armli still sitting there, watching the egg. Only the egg was not staying still this time. It was wiggling around, though in place, oddly.

"So it's hatching, or trying to, isn't it?" he asked Armli.

Vence took the papers, nodding in undertanding. The symbols were pretty weird, when he looked at them, but he couldn't blame anyone.

"So, how does the process work? I know his name, I've told him it several times, so what do I do?"

Vence gave a snort, hearing Armli say he had to put it on his forehead.

"It's almost like a 'kick me' sign on the back," he explained, chuckling. "Alright, I'll give it a go, give me the paper."

Vence took the paper as Armli handed it to him, and loked at it for a moment. It really was a strange symbol. How did people make these things up? There were probably more convenient ways now, but it didn't really matter. What did matter was getting this egg to hatch.

Vence placed the strip of paper of his head, reluctantly, and waited for a moment...A little longer....

Serol?
Truthwing?

The name seemed to echo in his mind, and felt something else seem to stir.

Air sar o, Serol?
Is that you, Truthwing?

The stiring seemed to strengthen, but Vence could tell something was missing.
Tell the Drake your name, stupid.
Vence blinked, a little surprised that he called himself stupid. Well, in a sense he was, as was everybody else, but it was sort of silly. He was right, though, He should tell the Dake his name.

Serol, tia basti air Baeli Aelaesal.
Truthwing, my name is Vence Elserain.

Something shuddered, and then...it was like a veil tat had covored something fell away. What it had covored though...he couldn't say.

Baeli? Aelaesal? Shar eil or basti thys ei olol jhoji osaer.
Vence? Elserain? What an odd name for a youngling like yourself.

Vence blinked, wide-eyed now. He was talking with it now.

Olol? Ai'bi shael eisyl jhylaes sal o, calael's Ai?
Youngling? I've been around longer than you, haven't I?

Tystasaer sai ei Paji, aelael ei carol jhoji teiraer, o eisi olaes sal Ai. Ai tal saer saesi air tes o baer sai jhaes.
Compared to a Drake, even a hatchling like myself, you are younger than I. I can tell there is much you need to learn.

Vence glanced over to Armli, almost stunned. This one had an atitude...or maybe that was how Drakes talked.

"This is insane. A piece of paper can do this?

Os tysi vadaes tal pai sar. Air tandros, eil tandros car bai shyl.
Of course paper can do that. Its magic, and magic has no bounds.

Vence returned his gaze to the egg, dumbfounded. How had it?

O vaelia eisi cydaelaer.
You really are hopeless.