Sing for me {Sen & Shadicmaster}

[Shadicmaster]

No other day brought pressure like this. The sun rose sluggishly in the sky, none of its normal radiance being cast among the clouds, as if Arithus, god of sun and light, carried a heavy burden this morning. Every window of every house was closed. There was no singing, no dancing. There was not even sight of one man doing work in the fields. Today was the beginning of the week long celebration of the passing, a week that lead up to the sacrifice of one of the virgin women of the village. There were few women who qualified this year, the woman having to be on the verge of turning for her eighteenth birthday, no younger than seventeen and a half, but no older than eighteen on the day. This year, there were three women. Each of poor stature, each close friends. They all sat in a small room in a plain building, now beginning their week long fast, preparing themselves for the honorable choosing. It was a day of mourning at the end of the week, the day that one of them would be taken away, never again to be seen within the reaches of the human kingdoms. Not one female sacrifice has ever been returned in the centuries that this tradition has gone on, but in exchange for but only one life, hundreds more were spared from the wrath of the great dragon, living in the mountains, holding control over the populations of the world from his seat of authority.

Sitting in the very plain, hot room, wearing nothing but a white silk dress, like the other two girls, was Maribeth, her long black hair hanging loosely over her shoulders and down her back. With deep violet eyes, she took in the plain walls of the room she was in one more time before letting a sigh escape her lips, she laying down on her little bench just as the other two women had done long ago, they now sound asleep. They would have to live on just water for the entire passing before they could eat again, their first meal, if they were even to get that, being with their new dragonic captor. No one knew if the girls ever survived after their first song sung. The thought sent shivers down Maribeth's spine and raised goosebumps along her naturally pale, smooth skin. Twirling a bit of hair about one finger the girl continued to worry, only drinking when absolutely needing to, doing so and thinking of her furture all the way up until the day of mourning. She wore a more see through woven dress, the same as the other two girls, they all holding hands as they walked up to the foothills, trembling with each step they took, guided by guards to ward off any opposers.

 

[Mu]

Painted on a giant flat rock just sitting on the halfway point to the Dragon's Lair was the depiction of the ruling dragon, Apophis, and the first Singer. A small blonde woman, with her eyes closed and mouth open, shown as singing a song as she is clad in bright golden robes decorated with feathers and jewels. Behind her is the giant, godly figure of Apophis, depicted by lowly humans as a giant mass of power with multiple arms, beautiful scales and always followed by his loyal army. The last Singer had died a year prior, and Apophis was getting restless. For there were no more soothing songs echoing through his lair as he sat upon his mound of gold. Stirring from his troubled sleep, with a booming voice he roared at the sky, and the town under the foothills knew it was time for another Singer to be chosen. Girls of purity and innocence will be chosen and taken to his lair, and forced to sing a song. Those who had a voice pleasing to the dragon lord, would be chosen. The girl would never return to their home, but instead will be loved and taken care of.











Apophis stood upright in the crystal clear body of water within his lair near the entrance. His home was a large cave at the top of the foothills, where the wind was strong. From up here he could see the towns beneath him and show that he was the ruling being of this land. Even the Capital that was in the far south could be seen, and the size of the white buildings were nothing compared to the Dragon's Hill. His cave was like a dark palace surrounded by glowing crystals and bright ever-burning torches. Surrounding the cave were a few shrines where visitors could drop food offerings, and a small forest that made a ring around the lair itself. Waterfalls and life could be heard if you walked through the lush greenery. There were plenty of rooms suitable for his Singer-to-be, with rich, fancy furniture in large rooms. The roof was often decorated with magic, showing the twinkling night sky or the bright day as most Singers were not allowed outside. His throne room was a giant rock throne and also the room the nearest to the entrance. There was also a large clear pond where water trickled in, and that was where he hid his gold, within the bright blue depths were no human could reach. Bubbles that could not pop floated around magically around his body of water, and Apophis couldn't help but play with them as he waited for the ladies.

 

[Shadicmaster]

The long trek up the mountain was a task that only few could make. Normally when a sacrifice of singers were brought, it was a group of at least fifteen that started out, ending at the dragon's layer with anywhere between seven and five. With a starting group of only three, it would be hard to tell if any would make it. It was winter, setting a chill to the barefooted and thinly clothed women who approached the forested region before the mountain. The forest itself was only a mile thick, but having had to walk for twelve miles already, one had already given out, now being escorted back to town by her guard. As they passed by a great lake, the guide marker for the path they must follow to traverse the forested region, the other maiden came close by to drink from the clear, pure waters. But Maribeth could not. The words of her mother would continue to echo through her mind.
'Drink not a drop and eat not a morsel, for the forest is the most dangerous leg of the journey. Pass through without falling to the temptation of your body, and you may be considered pure enough to approach our great ruler himself.'
Was there something wrong with the forest itself? She couldnt tell. In her mind, it all looked beautiful and peaceful. But one thing struck her as odd. There was not an animal in sight but the occasional song bird. It then dawned on her that something in this place had gotten rid of, or even killed the creatures that would normally be here. Turning her head away from the waters that her partner so eagerly drank, Maribeth and her own guard kept walking, being assured that the other singer and her guard would be quickly on their way behind them. Not a single time did the girl get a glimpse of her friend again. But it was by this time that she had already approached the base of the mountain, a long climb ensuing from there. As she took a step forward, however, her guard did not follow as he so loyally had been this whole time. The girl looked back in confusion, knowing she shouldnt speak until she had the chance to sing, but her look was enough to convey her question to the man.
"I cannot follow you upon the sacred ground of the holy mountain upon this path. I am a commoner in our lord's eyes and must use the path of sacrificial smoke if I were to approach. You will be fine from here on to be on your own. I wish to you the best of luck." he said resolutely before turning and beginning to walk away. Fear glinted in Maribeth's eyes as she watched her only companion leave, but in a way, it was comforting to know that she wouldnt be putting anyone else in danger but herself. With that knowledge in mind, she began the trek to the mouth of the dragon's den. She knew not what to expect or what it was she needed to do, and thus, as soon as she had come to the entrance, she began to sing, her voice soft, yet strong, carrying along the walls of stone that made the cave. Her voice held more beauty that that of even a songbird or an elven maiden, despite the fear in the depths of her heart.

The song

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well...well...well
Let's realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one


We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

lyric credit to Micheal Jackson

 

[Mu]

Apophis raised his white scaled head, his ears twitching at the sound of a female voice, beautiful and clear. With a grunt, he hauled his body out of the water, walking towards the entrance of the cave with a giant dripping body. It was like some sort of melody of indescribable beauty, far more beautiful than the songs of the Fair Folk and the songbirds of the forest. He lifted his grand head and looked out of the cave, his slit pupiled eyes squinting at the bright sunlight. Looking down, he saw a girl wearing simple white clothes, silk it looked like. With flowing black hair that danced delicately in the wind. Lowering his body, Apophis stared at the human with wide eyes, gleaming gold-green. When she had finished her song, his cruel mouth twitched upwards into a grin. He pointed at her with a sharp talon, "Where are the other maidens?" he said in a deep rumbling voice, echoing through the cave.

He craned his head, spotting a group of humans in the forest, his eyes honing in like a eagle on its prey, vision sharp and clear. Apophis looked at the girl below him, "How is it that you are here first, when the others are so far behind?" He looked at her with sharp eyes, sharp teeth revealed to her. "What is your name, human of the village?"

 

[Shadicmaster]

There was a sound akin to dripping water and a loud rushing like the roar of the waterfalls outside of the cave, creating a sound similar to applause. It took Maribeth's mind back to a time when she was only seven, singing in the streets to gather money for medicine to care for her sickly brother. Such memories were always so short lived, however, and just as quickly as they had been reality, so quickly did the remembrance of them conclude. With eyes closed, Maribeth drew up a high ending note, as if drawing up the sweetest of waters from a deep well, feeling a deep rumbling in the ground beneath her. With eyes pure as amethyst opening in surprise, the young girl saw before her the large white dragon, a god among the people. Each scale shimmered like the brightest of pearls, but holding the delicacy of a white rose. The strength and power that exuded from the beast was enough to make her tremble, despite her constant mental reminder to stay strong. Questions were to be asked, and she would have to answer swiftly and with truth, else she incur the wrath of one who might be her new master. Maribeth's mind wandered however, as the dragon was so close that she could catch the faintest aromas of cooked meats, baked breads, and ripened fruits. Many of these things were regularly brought as offerings to the peoples' god, and thus such made sense in a way. Shaking her head and restraining her thoughts once more, Maribeth proceeded on to answer each question asked of her.
"There were only three of us on this trek, Master Apophis.... One succamb to exhaustion, and the other is still within the forest for she stopped to drink of the waters we passed. My guard had left me to join the others at the base of the mountain, and thus I proceeded alone." Said the girl softly, with all meekness and due respect. Her head was down, gaze averted, but even so, she listened intently to the next question asked, a simple one at that.
"My name is Maribeth Jubilee, youngest of five in the household of my father, second girl birthed of my mother." she said softly, giving her formal introduction as opposed to a standard greeting among friends. No human would ever think to offer anything less.

 

[Mu]

One of his eyes raised up, his gigantic body moving down so his eyes were on the same level as the tiny human. "And while the others stopped on their journey, you came alone?" his voice rumbled through the cave behind him. After a few seconds of silence, a deep rumbling sound emerged from his throat, not a sound of anger or hate, but one of humour. "This certainly is a first! No female has ever ventured here alone." This was true, for so many years, the singers always came here in a group. One may fall behind, but the girls always arrived all together or in pairs - never alone. They were much too scared of being his dinner. "Maribeth Jubilee? I have never had anyone from the Jubilee family before," a long, bluish hued forked tongue escaped his mouth and licked his teeth. "I wonder if your family is tasty." Apophis raised his head and his body, eyeing her cooly with eyes that piered souls. "Normally, I would wait for the other ladies, but your voice seems good enough for me." Raising a bright scale hand, covered in droplets of water, he picked up the girl gently, pressing two thick, pointy talons against her skin and lifting her up. His grip was firm, but not enough to pierce her skin - Apophis knew how delicate humans could be. The dragon walked into the cave and back to the body of water he was bathing in before. Slowly, he placed her down and dragged his body back into the pond.

The bubbles surrounded the girl as if it had a life of it's down, flying about and floating near her like it had eyes that were examining the new human. Apophis closed his eyes, "Sing for me. Your voice should echo and tell the mountain dragons its time to feast on the unlucky ones," he said calmly, as if he wasn't urked that he had condemned the other two singers to their deaths.

 

[Shadicmaster]

Maribeth forced herself not to move, not to speak; she nearly forgot that she would need to breathe. She was indeed afraid, but more so afraid of what would happen to her town, her family, her friends, if she didnt go through with this. She was picked up, a stillness falling over her as she hung as limp as a rag doll, not wanting to struggle and risk being terribly injured by the razor sharp talons in which she was held grip. When she was set down, though, she was grateful, happy to be in a warm safe place. A light hearted giggle rose from deep within her as she was 'examined' by the seemingly sentient bubbles from out of the pool of water the dragon lowered himself into. She was so caught up with the little things that she almost missed what had been said. When she comprehended it, however, she honestly wished she had missed it. Maribeth tried to hold her tongue and not speak of the matter, but such was impossible for a maiden so pure of heart and intention.

"Apophis, my lord, I am saddened to say that I cannot. No, I will not sing for the purpose of killing. I will not use my gifts for the harm of my own kind... Just because they were unable to present themselves for you... There is no cause for the brutal murder of them. And what of their loved ones? It is a hard enough fact to accept for my own family that I will never return, but for two other families as well? That may as well be a fourth of the caretaker town. If you leave an impenetrable sorrow seeded within their hearts, there is a high likelihood that they will lose faith and turn their backs on you, build their lives for themselves and raise an empire..... Humans take honestly, valor, loyalty, and kin as very highly regarded virtue, and as the representative of them for you, I rest my case....."

 

[Mu]

Humans were so strange. Being able to laugh in this kind of situation. The bubbles were fascinating, magical, even. But certainly not a subject worthy of laughter. He watched her try to comprehend his command, his eyes unblinking and fixated on the girl. Apophis was patient and willing to wait for her answer, but there certainly was a time limit. All tests had a time limit. Two dragons disturbed the rocks above, causing small pebbles to slide down the side of the cliff and down, landing with little 'clacks' right in front of the entrance. As if they were summoned, they landed not far from the entrance of the cave. Their bodies were like they were made from rocks, jagged spikes jutting out of their muscled, lean build. Their wings were huge and leather like, opened to make themselves look bigger. Apophis nodded to the younger and smaller dragons, who bowed their head low, lowering their long necks as if to greet him.

Apophis was silent as he listened to the girl's answer. "...You make a good point, human girl. You are not as bad as I thought." The huge dragon twisted his head to face the small dragons who now were eyeing the new human with curiosity. "Carry the other two tributes back to the village," he commanded. Without hesitation, the two rock like dragons ascended, flapping their winds and causing a miniature gust as they took flight, easing maneuvering their bodies towards the woods below. After they left, Apophis dragged himself out of the pool, shaking his limbs and wings to rid most of the moisture. "Come with me," he mumbled to the girl, turning his body to leave the room and deeper into the cave. He did not look behind him, fully expecting the girl to follow him.

 

[Shadicmaster]

Maribeth was frightened to say the least as the dragon's gaze bore down upon her while she spoke, but the things she had said must've been expressed. There was a sound akin to rocks falling from a high place, or even pebbles being thrown against a window if you'd please, she turning back to see two large dragons, seeming to be part of the mountain itself, land near the entrance. They were certainly fierce in appearance, but their eyes were what captured the girl, she looking into their murky depths, finding no malice within them. She smiled slightly, though shifting as they themselves examined her in return before being ordered off by their leader, she flinching and covering her face due to the gust of wind that was produced from but a singular powerful beat of their wings. Being given hardly any time to recover, her new master commanded her to rise and follow, a command that puzzled her slightly, but wasnt too hard to obey. She forced herself up to her feet, though her legs at this point were weak and her body was nutrient deprived due to the long rituals involved in the choosing, namely the fasts. Her mind was foggy at best, and her gaze wandered about, not really comprehending much of anything, despite her steady pace being kept to follow behind Apophis.

 

[Mu]

Apophis led the girl down a large hall, supported and held up by pillars of rock, standing still and sturdy. Torches sat in their iron cages, attached on every second pillar, illuminating the otherwise dark hall. Turning a sharp corner, he climbed a set of steps made from set, flat rocks, leading into a room just as large as the one containing the pool. For having many singers for many years, he needed to have bedrooms for the humans. This one was surrounded by bookshelves set into the stone walls, their wooden arms embracing books of all kinds, fiction and non-fiction. Some about the romance of knights and princesses, some about crime. There were books about age old myths and some containing maps detailing places all around the world. Only one of the walls was free of books, instead it seemed like it had a long, horizontal gap running through the stone, like a tear in fabric. It showcased the scenery outside the cave, tall trees could be see swaying with the wind beyond. The gap was small and thin enough to make sure no dragon could enter, but big enough to allow birds in. A large, grand, comfortable bed accompanied by many sheets and pillows - all fluffed up - sat in one of the corners, jammed in between a bookshelf and the empty rock wall. There was a long table that held a bowl of fresh fruit, and a single chair. A pretty, large warbrobe was also present, containing dresses Apophis found appropriate. "This shall be your room. Is there anything else I can add in this room to make you feel more comfortable?" Apophis murmured. If the girl was to stay, she would be for a long time, and it was best she felt like home.

 

[Shadicmaster]

Meribeth looked around in awe as she was lead down a large passageway with pillars carved out of the stone that it was supporting, all placed in a way, not only to be aesthetically pleasing, but structurally sound. Such design captivated the girl for a very short amount of time, however, as she climbed carved and set stone stairs, made of rock that seemed it could adorn the halls of a grand manor house. Having climbed such, she entered into another large room, more furnished to be a dwelling place, at least by human standards. Such luxury, however, had never been seen by Meribeth in her whole life; a large bed sat in one corner with royal red and purple sheets, well stuffed pillows and a thick blanket covering, it looking to be a resting place fit for royalty. Alongside the walls were books of such quantity it could fill three times the archival library in her town. The view just from the entrance of the room of the outside world by means of the carved window in the stone was astonishing by all definitions. Slowly, the girl entered into the room, looking around in awe, before her eye was caught by a flash of color, a wardrobe still open, showing off dresses of all colors and design, made with satin, and linen, and lace. At having seen all of this, there was little more that made sense in Meribeth's mind then to give her utmost thanks to the provider of such things, she kneeling low before the great dragon with her head lowered.

"I thank you greatly for all these provisions... Provisions far beyond anything that I could have ever imagined to see in my entire lifetime. The only thing aside from these that I could ever possibly ask, would be a supply of parchment or paper and tools for use of painting or drawing, for I am a woman of the arts, one who wishes to sing and to paint freely."

 

[Mu]

Apophis watched the human's face as she slowly took in everything in the room. He found it almost amusing, seeing a human so facinated by the sight of their own room. The girl's head turned slowly, looking at everything from the bed to the wardbrobe, her face a picture of awe. Humans were such interesting creatures, he thought. They were going to be enslaved by a dragon god, and they still had the time to admire their own prison cell. The scales were eyebrows would be raised when the girl had dropped low on her knees to bow to him. Apophis said nothing at first, simply looking at the girl in such a position. The dragon raised a claw, "You may stand." As he heard her request, he approved of it. Papers and art supplies would not benefit anything else apart from her entertainment. "Your request will be granted, human. Expect them to be delievered soon," he murmured.

The human must be hungry, considering the fasting tradition that came with being a singer for him. He peered around the room, making sure everything was in place. Slamming his tail on the floor as if to call someone, two dragons, the same type as the rock dragons from before, flew in from elsewhere in the tunnel and stood to attention for their lord. There was no door in each of the rooms, every room was exposed for all to see. Apophis turned his attention to the dragons, who looked tiny compared to his own body. "Guard the room, make sure she does not leave unless she requires cleaning." The guards nodded and stood to the side of the entrance to her room, their face passive. Apophis eyed the human girl, "You will be staying in your room, when you are hungry or require a bath, you may inform the guards. You will be escorted everywhere, and do not dare wander alone, do you understand?"

 

[Shadicmaster]

The girl stood when told, her tired mind able to do little more than follow what it had been told. She then took in the answer of her master as he approved of her request. The ground shuddered, shaking the girl back down to her knees due to her weakness, as Apophis summoned more of the rock like dragons to stay as guard for her, she not minding in the least, not having the presence of mind to think of such captivity as enslavement or as imprisonment. The girl saw it much in the same light as the guards that escorted her up to the mountain itself: a protection, one welcome, and necessary. At the notion of even wandering this vast mountainscape, Maribeth had to contain a slight laugh, knowing that if she even dared step a foot out of her own room she was liable to loose herself in the twists and turns of the great caverns.
"I understand, Lord Apophis. May your day's activities serve you well." she said in simple response, lowering her gaze while doing so, and waiting for his exit before moving over to the bowl of fruits, picking out a pear and sinking her teeth into the sweet, soft, juicy fruit, some of the juice dabbling down her chin as she savored the taste of real food again and not just some drink that she was made to consume.

 

[Mu]

Apophis moved to leave the room, briefly nodding to the rock skinned guards. He headed back towards the room with the pool, his favourite room, by far. Lowering himself back in the water, several dragons crawled into the cave. Some of them were his special spies, keeping an eye out on the border - especially that other dragon he had concerns about. Others were curious to hear about the new singer, and others were simply there to keep him company and strike up a conversation with him. The great dragon lowered his head in the pool, letting the water run past his mouth and wetting his scales, but not low enough for the water to get into his nose. Different sorts of dragons spilled their information, how the border was holding up and the other dragon could be seen regularly, their large black scaled body visible even from miles away. A beared, red dragon told him that a town was getting restless, and were making plans of a rebellion. Apophis snorting, knowing that their efforts were wasted.

 

[Shadicmaster]

After finishing the pear that Meribeth had chosen, she wiped her face and sat down on the bed, running her hand along the soft, smooth fabric of her blanket as she continued to look around. Due to how long she had gone without food, just the one pear was more than enough to sustain her for a short while, leaving her free to do as she wished for that amount of time. The first thing she did, was step into her wardrobe, shutting the doors as much as possible before sifting through the dresses, finding one that suited her fancy, and changing into it, folding her old one and setting it down in a corner of the wardrobe to let it be washed and have it as her nightgown. She then left the secure confines of the small space and approached her two guards, getting a chance to look over their features in more detail as she attempted to strike up an engaging conversation.
"Hi there. Im Meribeth. Do you have names..?" she asked sheepishly, not sure how to really aproach the subject. Nervousness was natural to her in such a situation, but even so, she felt silly asking such questions that would have been thought of as obvious at home.

the dress

 

[Mu]

The two guards exchanged looks, before their faces reset back to passiveness. Looking down at the purple dress she was wearing, they said nothing. "You need not know how names, miss. What is it that you want?" the one on the left said. The one who had spoken was standing on his hind legs, muscles were prominent in his figure and he was wearing a simple set of iron armor, further protection for his rock hide. He was wielding a spear, the tip gleaming and sharp. His partner was also standing on his hind legs, though he was a hunch back. Wearing the same armor, but it included more spikes to cover his much jagged body. Swung over his shoulder was a sword and its sheath.

 

[Shadicmaster]

Meribeth flinched slightly at the harsh telling, looking away from the gleaming iron covered hides of the stone dragons.
"Nothing... I need nothing.... Thank you." she said, disappointment evident in her voice as she walked away from the entry and ran her hand along the rows and rows of books. Maybe a casual read would occupy her time until she could draw. The girl payed no mind to titles on the books or subject matter, just picking one off of the shelf at random, the book itself being rather large, and sat down at the table with it, looking first at the thick, tanned hide cover, embellished with carved, intricate designs, inlaid with thin strips of gold to accentuate the carvings. Having looked at the outside of the book enough, she opened it up to see dust in the creases of the pages, she shaking the book out and blowing away any excess dirt before beginning to read the beautiful calligraphy in which the words were written, this being a book of myth and lore. Not all of the stories caught her eye, but she lingered for longer on the tales of dragons as she sat upon the cold, worn chair, one that doubtlessly supported generations upon generations of singers before her who likely even read the book that she was, just as she had begun to do.

 

[Mu]

"Psst, hey!" There was a light scratching sound outside the crack of the wall, followed by the snout of a green scaled dragon. It was pointed, lined with white fur and sharp teeth. The nostrils widened a little, a tell tale sign that the dragon was sniffing the surroundings. There was a shudder, as if the dragon was holding himself up with his claws against the rock surface. His snout lowered, his eyes peering through the gap. Yellow eyes with black slits looking into the cave and right at Maribeth. "Hello there!" said a friendly, rather young voice. This young imperial dragon was Jin, a dragon from a foreign land that had allied himself with Apophis during the war. For now, he was a traveller, patrolling the borders whenever he reached one, and looking at the status of human villages. He was also a young warrior, having participated in crushing the opposition, destroying villages that plotted rebellion without mercy. Jin was an extremely loyal member of Apophis' army. But he was a friendly dragon outside of battle, curious to learn new things and strike up conversations with other dragons and even humans, as long as they were free of crime.

 

[Shadicmaster]

Just as the young woman was able to open the aged pages of the book, a scraping sound, like that of sharp nails, even claws, against a hard surface sounded outside, causing her worry. She jumped slightly in her own seat at the sound of a rather young and excited voice, but quickly calmed as she looked over to her long slit of a window laughing slightly at how comical the dragon snout sniffing about looked as it was shoved through the small space. Meribeth got up from her seat and walked over slowly.
"And a hello to you as well." she said with a wide smile, trying not to laugh again. Her eyes had filled with light once more at the prospect of talking to someone, even a dragon, and hearing about tales of old in ways other than through a book. But even more so, she had realised that she would need a friend, else she drive herself mad with loneliness. Having made her way over to the window, the girl held out her hand before lightly stroking the dragon's snout, feeling the fur lining his chin and mouth.
"I'm Meribeth. What's your name? Where are you from?" she asked happily, taking her hand back after just a few strokes as she had forgotten that she hadn't asked. She would have felt bad if she were to make anyone uncomfortable.

 

[Mu]

Her hands felt so tiny on the huge serpent like dragon, brushing against the fur on his jaw. She looked like a twig to Jin, someone he could easily snap up and turn into a snack. Lord Apophis wouldn't like that very much, though. Singers were hard to find, not every girl's voice appeases the giant dragon, famous for his temper and the power to crush entire countries that would dare to stand up against the colossal giant. "My name is Jin. I hail from the Eastern Lands, far across the border," his voice wasn't deep like Apophis, compared to him, Jin seemed like a newborn hatchling. His voice was playful and full of spirit.

"And you must be the new Singer, miss Maribeth," came the young voice. He peered at her with his glowing, yellow eyes. They seemed intimidating, but inside them, they had a friendly spark.