Kariki

Kariki is a quiet and shy dragon. Her dad, Jötunheimrs’ gardener, Yale, is almost entirely mute, and her mother, Khanon, is an incredibly busy merchant who was often away travelling. Kariki stuck to Yale like tree sap on a clumsy dragons paw.

Unfortunately, Kariki doesn’t have very much self confidence. She always compared herself to her father, who had possibly centuries of practice, so she always saw herself as lesser. Other hatchlings learned to socialise from their parents, but Kariki never did because Yale never said a word, which has led to her shyness.

After many failed attempts, she decided she needed a new teacher. Jötunheimrs sister clan, Clan Sun Bear, was home to an expert gardener. She spoke with some of the clans elders and asked to be moved there as an apprentice. Yale, though silent, approved, because Khanon often went by the Clan Sun Bear, and he knew he couldn’t properly teach her because he couldn’t talk.

Before she left, Yale gave her a head sized rock. The top was cut out, and inside was soil. Yale gestured to a huge tree behind him, one he had rescued when his old clan was destroyed and had managed to grow despite being in the middle of a huge mountain. He placed a seed in the soil, squeezed Kariki’s paw gently, and sent her on her way.