When the vision resumed, Darin guessed it to be early summer. The new born animals of spring, had grown in the safety of their herds. The air was warm, humid and filled with the singing of insects. Much to Darin’s surprise, his host, Shadow had noticeably grown. His wings seemed an inch or two longer, and his muscles felt more developed. Just how old was he before? Something felt odd around his neck, but Shadow paid it no attention.

It was early in the day when his ancestor(father?) set out. Ember wasn’t with him right now, but it wasn’t as if Darin could ask. After leaving the cave, they took a sharp turn and traveled along the mountain. Shadow didn’t enter the forest today, instead flying over ridge after ridge. The view was magnificent, but with no control Darin dozed off well before they reached their goal. He woke later, to the sound of Shadow’s joyous cries. The air smelled foul here, but he could sense the excitement of his host. Ahead was a sight Darin never dreamed he would see, except perhaps from space.

A black spike of rock stood alone, sputtering out smoke and steam. Around it was not land, but a small volcanic lake. The land all about was a mix of bare stone, ash and soot. By the edges of the lake, floated sections of nearly molten stone. Between the cracks, the lava seemed like blood surging through it’s veins. A few of his kin circled the fire lake, each fixed upon their own desires. At times one dragon or another would dare to fly low and take a swipe at a black stone. But the lake did not so easily give up it’s treasures. The stones took great effort to break, and most were far too hot to grab. Shadow it seemed had other plans, he circled the lake a few times, but seemed disgusted.

Leaving the lake, he followed one of the lava flows that bled from it. Darin noticed that he took great care to fly as slow and steady. The next hour was spent coasting on the lava’s thermal lift, eyes ever watchful at the edge of the flow. Shadow was determined, but also starting to resonate fear. A claw strayed up to his neck and light tugged at the odd weight. His fears eased only slightly as necklace held firm. Another hour passed them by, before something glimmered. Shadow glanced behind him to be sure he’d not been followed, then dove for the spot. He landed with great care on the charred and blackened stone, a surge of fear spread through him as he let it hold his weight. Once he was sure he the ground wouldn’t crumble, Shadow eased his way towards his goal. His target was the charred and jagged rock, which had housed a slight amber glow. Around the other side of the rock he found it, and his heart soared.

“Flame amber.” Shadow whispered, his voice was full of awe. Darin was surprised at how beautiful the gem was, but the reverence confused him. The small gem was no larger than his host’s palm, smooth but not truly round. It was a deep golden color, with a red flame like color flickering about inside it. Amber from lava? He mused. Only in a world of magic I suppose. The better part of the next hour was lost to the gem’s extraction. Shadow’s claws and beak both seemed a little worse for wear by the time the gem was free. But in his elation, it seemed the dragon could care less. With great care, he brought it to his beak and touched it to his tongue. To Darin, it tasted like the most decedent desert he’d ever tried. Thus he was all the more surprised, when Shadow chose not to eat it.

“It’s perfect!” Shadow cried in delight. His outburst caused a surge of panic, holding the gem with both sets of claws as he looked about. Nothing was around him, so the fear soon drained away. Before doing anything else, Shadow took a few bipedal steps onto smoother stone. Then with great care, his claws opened the item hung about his neck. A pouch, on a cord? I didn’t realize they even crafted things. Shadow soon had the gem tucked away and the pouch closed. He took a few steps, hopped into the air and landed again. A quick, if not paranoid check confirmed that his treasure remained secure. For the entire flight back, he kept checking on the pouch. Darin began to wonder if his fear of loosing it might become a self fulfilling prophecy.

When they finally reached the mountain cave they called home, Darin realized how strange it felt. Many of the younger dragons, Shadow included, wore pouches or carried items wrapped in hide. The air was tense in the cavern, with many seeming anxious and on edge. A few of the older dragons were relaxed, watching the young fret and pace seemed only to amuse them. Others had gone off, seeing quiet places to call their own for a while. Shadow seemed more calm than the rest, but he never went far into the cave. Every few minutes his eyes would flick up to the largest of the three moons, trying to gauge how much of it’s blue-green form remained in shadow. In time the sky turned red, then orange, before fading to a pleasant black. As the moon shined bright, it seemed to be full enough for the dragons. The number of dragons in the cave had doubled, but the tension had grown far faster. It was the elders who broke the silence. Far larger than their young kin, the pair entwined their necks a moment and then murmured to one another.

“Summer is here and the true moon rises, this night will be it’s best.” Declared the male, stating the lore as if they might not know otherwise. Ceremony perhaps, Darin mused.

“As with the tides of the Mother’s water, so too shall we feel the moon’s pull. Many already know it’s calling, yet many now find it new.” The female elder decreed.

“Go now, to that which pulls you. Go now, bearing gifts, and see if you too hold sway.” Both elders sang in chorus. With their blessings, the room erupted into chaos. Names where called, dragons bumped into one another rushing about. Echoes of joy and sorrow filled the room as they sought each other out. Not every meeting ended well, when two or more gathered on a single dragon, trouble often started. Darin saw it all so clearly, but it seemed that Shadow was oblivious. His host was still busy searching about, ignoring all others until he heard his own name called.

“Shadow!” It was Ember’s voice. His head whipped about and he charged in the direction of the voice. He even jumped onto, and over, one poor soul who blocked his path. As he neared where she had called from, he could not see her in the crowd.

“Ember, where are you?” He called out across the chaos. Her answer from the cluster near the wall. As shadow drew near, his gut wrenched and his temper flared. Several would be suitors had gathered about her and showed no signs of leaving. “I’m here.” He told her, as he shoved aside a one of the pests. Many of the would be suitors, had not tried very hard. They came bearing gifts of flowers, horn or a chunk of glass. One carried nothing, assuming his grand stature alone should suffice.

“I told you, he would come for me when I called to him.” She told the other males, a polite dismissal at best. Many left, but the brown tinted brute and the horn bearer remained. Darin could feel Shadow’s irritation, and he couldn’t blame him.

“I would always come to you Ember. You are my song and my fire.” Shadow declared, his every word the truth. She brightened and preened to hear it, despite the slight burns on her claws. Beside him, the horn bearer sighed and crept off into the cavern. Perhaps his luck would be better elsewhere.

“My eyes seek out only you, dear Shadow.” She told him, her voice as soothing as the sky. It would have been a sweet moment, had not the brown tinted brute still lingered on.

“Then you should see more impressive things in this world, before you sell yourself short.” The brute suggested, earning glares from both of them. Yep, in every world known to man…you can always find an asshole, Darin grumbled in silence.

“You should leave now, and go find someone as stupid as you.” She suggested.

“Yes, you should runt. Now run along as she says.” The larger suitor told Shadow. Anger flared, leaving Darin to wonder if blood lust was part of the package.

“She spoke such to you, rat-eater.” Shadow growled. The larger dragon seemed to cringe at the name, as if a nerve had been struck. The two began to posture for battle, but it was Ember that ended the dispute. A single burst of flame caused the interloper to jump back. His expression was one of surprise, that he would not simply have what he wished. Shadow opened his beak, emitting a soft red glow. Only when Ember echoed his threat, did their larger kin withdraw.

“I’m sorry for that, my dear. I’ve made you this.” She said in a quiet voice, embarrassed by the display. Looking away she passed him a small, yet heavy bundle of hide. With excitement he opened it and found a lump of purified iron. Shadow cooed softly as he saw it, looking up to her in admiration. “Is it, good for you to use?” She asked, a nervous flutter in her voice. He placed the iron in his beak with care, his eyes going wide a moment later. Darin was forced to ride waves of emotion as the metal was crushed an swallowed. It had amazed his host, what every it was.

“Oh…” Shadow murmured, as wave of silver energy coursed through his form. Once it had passed, Darin could see that his claws, beak and hide all showed faint traces of metallic ore. “It was amazing my dear, I have no doubt that my bite shall be stronger than ever before.”

“I’m pleased.” She responded, watching as he carefully took the pouch from his neck and offered it to her. Darin kept sensing waves of nervous anticipation from his host. He suspected she’d have approved almost anything from Shadow, but he knew it was special. When she opened the top, a faint light escaped. With a gasp, she drew out the gem and cradled it with care. Around her many of the other couples turned in surprise, envy and awe were common amongst the onlookers. “By the Mother.” She murmured before placing the gem in her beak and swallowing it whole. A soft moan escaped her, as an amber glow rippled across her body. When the change had run it’s course, her beak and claws had gained faint hints of red while her scales had taken a slight golden hue. She tipped her head back and exhaled an amber flame, larger and brighter than before. So that’s how evolution works.

“You like?” Shadow asked in a soft, playful tone. His emotions were thick, overwhelming Darin for a moment. Love, joy, adoration and delight.

“Not like…” She said as she stepped close and pressed her beak against his. “Not like.” she repeated softly. “Love…”

As that memory came to an end, Darin greeted the familiar blur of a transition.

- - - - - - - -

Author’s note: Large chapter, trouble posting it. I hope you enjoyed. As always, thank you for the feed back, encouragement, follows, favorites and reviews.