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Appearing from behind the clouds, a rather large red dragon with a small passenger sped into the calm clearing. The sun shone brightly over the meadow, but there was no one around.

Pyralis slowed down for a moment, flying around to show Anna his homeland before continuing on to their destination. Look around you. This is Eldon. It means 'the old servant' and is the birthplace of dragons, my birthplace. We serve this land as understood by this land's name.

His own eyes took in his homeland as well. The lush greenery and magestic view from the air. The golden sun made everything appear richer and more brilliant.

A small pang of sadness flashed through Pyralis' mind before he could hide it properly. There is much for you to know, my A'mael. He smiled within her mind to erase the sadness. Just the fact that she thought the land beautiful made him happy if he concentrated on that.

Though it was true that elves and dragons had a history that wasn't quite a pleasant one, Pyralis was sure all would be well. There was really only one that he had to worry about pleasing and Anna had already met her.

Now it was time to go even deeper into his homeland and to see his home within a home. Picking up speed again, they headed for the mountains. It took just a little longer than reaching the gate had, but there it was. A magestic mountain range and within it there seemed to be buildings of sorts within the sides. They landed on a supprisingly smooth clearing, surrounded by the mountains. Alreayd waiting there was a familiar white dragon, who had been tracing over the carvings in the stone floor with her golden eyes that now settled on the arriving pair.

Greetings to you both. A skilled and ancient dragon, Arondis was able to greet Anna in her mind as well as Pyralis.

Pyralis took on his human form once more for his love. Taking her hand, he smiled warmly at her and pulled her along with him into the carved building. Arondis led the way, still a gleaming white dragon.

The halls were lit with torches, already lit before the couple had arrived. It was by this flickering light that the carvings of the walls were visible. They depicted battles, treasures, and many dragons in flight. Gems were expertly placed in the walls so that when the light hit them, they brought the carvings to life.

The already giant hall gradually opened up even more, a more brilliant light beckoning them. Pyralis gave Anna's hand a squeeze. "You'll love this." For a moment, Arondis's frame blocked much of the brilliant light; but then she dissapeared into the room and the two of them stepped into the opening.

A fire held in a pit of gems illuminated the entire room, though the walls were far apart and the celing seemed to have no end. The gems cast colors everywhere, most prominently on the white dragon the had taken her place right next to it. She was across the fire from where they stood. "Come." Pyralis led his love into the room and to a seating place. There were old cushions strew around for them to sit on. He took a seat first and then pulled right next to him. "There is a tale you must know. Have you noticed just how quiet this place is?" This was a dragon's home afterall. Where was the noise of a rambunctious dragon clan?

"Yes, my love." He looked up at his mother. "You will find none of my kin here, or anywhere, only my mother or sister, should circumstances be fitting."

Arondis settled her eyes on them together and then more so on the elf. She was the one new to the tale. Anabelle, the tale I am to tell you is ancient and sacred as are all tales of a fallen clan. You will be bound by our law of silence. Do you accept this?

Arondis nodded. Her wings spread wide, her whole body now reflecting the full rainbow of gems that glittered everywhere.

Dragons are as old as this land. We are its protectors and its children. We are of different clans, all living separately and in different ways; but all are rooted in the same ancient customs and natures. Our clan was one of prosperity. We thrived and worked with other creatures that wandered to our land, understanding the value of alliances.

She raised her head proudly.

My mate and I lead our clan. We had a council of dragons to make all as fair as possible, but some dragons were never meant to live so closely as we did here. A dragon's wrath is a monstrous thing, Anna.

Pyralis held her closely more closely. Arondis flashed an image of a red dragon. He looked a lot like Pyralis, but his scales gleamed more of blood than of any gem. She read Anna's thoughts at this image.

Indeed, it is not uncommon for a father to look so much like his son.

There was a night that all woke to smoke, fire, blood, and the roaring of many dragons. All but the children fought and even then, they were killed in the battle. It raged for a full day, far into the next night. I killed those that I had once stood next to, making decisions that were for the good of the clan. The last I killed....the last was my offspring's father, my mate.

Her golden eyes stared hard into the fire, looking into the past.

He had started it all. The clan we had built up together, he took down in those bloody, horror-filled nights and single day. We were destroyed and I had to end his life. My children were the only others left.

There is much to tell you. Many stories fill these halls.

Sad eyes looked around and then fell again on the elf, a soft happiness in them.

Do not fret, there were times of joy held in these halls. As she spoke these words in her mind, the dragon's form shimmered and then gave way to the form of a white-haired woman. It was the form more familiar to those at grove, but the clothes were foreign. A robe of white silk with gold embroidery trimming the sleeves and edges lay over a simple dress of brilliant gold. Her white hair spilled over her shoulders.

Pyralis rose with Anna at her approach.

Arondis still spoke in their minds. I fled with my children and made a home elsewhere. The last image she offered them was one right out of a story. It was of Arondis, looking to be in her mid 20s, with a teenage Pyralis carrying his baby sister as they walked away from what would be the graveyard of fallen dragons into the rising sun. There was hope a sad kind of peace in her eyes as she looked at the two before her. "Come with me, Anabelle." The woman held out a steady hand and Pyralis nodded for Anna to take it.

Pyralis smiled. "I'll be waiting." He nodded to the two woman and took his leave down one of the many hallways from this room. His mental link with Anna sent calming thoughts to her, but it was now in a way as to provide the two privacy. He would easedrop on nothing.

Smiling kindly, Arondis led Anna by the hand out of the room and down a hallway. It was warm inside and only grew warmer as they walked down the hallway. They came to a fork and Arondis took the left one, turning once more into a room off of the hallway. It was rather warm in the room, almost steaming and it was easy to see why.

A hot spring lay in the center of the room, cloths to dry off with piled around it at different points. There were also some changing screens that had been put up. Arondis had seen to the proper care of the room just for this night. Gems filled the walls here as well, but the light seemed softer and the water smelled of different pleasant fragrances that came from the oils Arondis had added earlier.

"I though you might like to freshen up after your long journey." Leading Anna further into the room, Arondis let go of her hand and gestured to the changing screens. Taking the lead, she herself went behind one of the screens, emerging with one of the soft cloths wrapped around her torso and her hair pinned back. She laughed one of her true warm laughs as she submerged herself in the hotspring; it was easily compared to the warm laughter of Pyralis but obviously feminine in nature.. "This must be a bit of a shock for you."