Zamji

Story by @Foxe
Dragon bought from @Foxe 8/1/2019



She is a dragon of shadow. She met her companion fuiran, Mordred, as an adolescent, both of them bonding quickly over their shared love of night and mystery. They communicate with telepathy - a natural ability for the shadowy variants of fuiran, but something uncommon amongst dragons. Zamji was also born with the power of suggestion, and from a young age she exploited it even when she was unaware it was there.

Her gift was seen as alarming and dangerous when it was finally discovered that she had it. Her clan sent her off when she was young to live on her own amongst the creatures of the forest. It wasn't unheard of in her her birth clan, and she holds no grudge against them - she knows well how powerful her abilities can be, and sometimes is glad they forced her to leave before her own power caused her to turn on them.

Quietly influencing the thoughts of the creatures around her she created a small empire of willing servants, all eager to bring her food and groom her scales and feathers. It was never enough. She always felt unfulfilled, bored with the tedium of never having to lift a claw and the manipulation of smaller minds. Mordred also began to stir with longing to travel, the shadows calling for them both to move on. On a moonless night they took wing, releasing the small animals from their grasp and flying from their only home with no formal goodbyes. That was how they always did things - without warning, but not spontaneously. No matter what, each knew what the other was thinking or feeling.

She was very young when she began to travel the world with Mordred. He was an uncommon sight in other parts of Sornieth and several times the two of them had to fight off familiar-snatchers who tried to take him for themselves, but his imposing form was more than enough to ward off most thieves from trying anything.

Most fuiran have very poor eyesight and the nightsky variety are practically blind during the day so Zamji was his eyes. He in turn watched over her when she slept, keeping her warm on the coldest of nights when they slept out in the elements and letting her know when he could smell danger or prey. As they grew wiser on their travels she found herself using her powers less, though they were still quite useful in a tight spot.

Eventually she came to rest in a dark forest on the border between shadow and light. She had never bothered to settle in a clan ever since her atypical rejection from her birth clan, but upon meeting several welcoming shadow dragons she was surprised to find herself enjoying life in a mixed clan of the light domain. However, the urge to wander hit once more, and after a long life of travelling she was almost disappointed to find that she desired to leave once more.

As night fell, she said her goodbyes to the dragons she had come to love and began to fly, Mordred by her side. However, it had only been a few hours before they saw beneath them a strange sight. There was a celebration going on below, the song of music and singing reaching their ears even from their lofty height. Without a word the duo banked, landing to watch and listen as dancers twirled and spun together. Above them on a crumbling marble platform were two dragons, their music loud and joyful. It was late into the night by this point but even the hatchlings were awake, dancing about beneath the full moon in their own clumsy way. Most strange of all were the beastclans who had gathered around, serthis pausing their hostilities to enjoy a dance and harpies and talonok courting each other in the sky. A carmine serthis was particularly accomplished, a beautiful golden ribbon wrapped around her as she expertly twisted and captivated the nearby audience.

Before they realized what was happening, Mordred and Zamji were being pushed into the throng of revelers, accepted without question into the celebrations. Though initially reluctant it wasn't long before they had been drawn into the pure joy around them. Before they realized it the sun was rising, and the dancers slowed to a halt as the song began to finish. The dragons and beastclans alike were quietly watching the sun rise, and Zamji watched with wonder, relaying everything she saw to Mordred telepathically as the ceremony drew to a close.

After the sun had risen, she was greeted by a friendly but imposing mirror. "Welcome." He greeted them both with a guarded smile, and though he was smaller than her she could see he was older and well muscled. When she prodded at his mind he repelled her, and she felt somehow relaxed around this dragon who she now saw as her equal. He glanced behind her, a look of surprise crossing his face, before turning back to her. "I see you're not the only newcomer here. Are you planning on staying?" From behind him a much larger mirror emerged from the crowd, her pale green hide marked from many battles and her eyes like flecks of ruby from beneath her wolf pelt headdress. Her feet and claws were crimson as if they had been dipped in fresh blood. She stayed silent, but her presence was enough to show that this was no clan for those who came to start trouble.

"Yes. " For once, Mordred seemed surprised by her answer. However, he also nodded. Perhaps both of them were yearning for a place to settle down after their years of travel. "Then I welcome you." The mirror rumbled, ducking his head and nuzzling his larger mate before leaving to greet the other newcomers he had mentioned. The green dragon met Zamji's gaze for just a moment before turning to leave. Her mind was a steel barrier, impenetrable and cold, though the coatl could've sworn she saw a smile cross her face before she left. "What a strange clan." She murmured, and Mordred chuckled. "Perhaps we'll finally fit in."