Andromeda's Story - Part 1 (Flight Rising)
Andromeda is my progenitor dragon, and the Grand Queen Mother of the clan. Her story is too long for one post (since when is there a text limit???) so I'm thinking I might just put these on AO3. Here's part 1 for now.
Andromeda is the Grand Queen Mother and leader of the clan. She prefers non-verbal communication and very rarely speaks more than one or two words at a time. She wields powerful magic in the form of hummed song, and is able to heal wounds, create protective shields, find missing things, and lull creatures to sleep. Through dedicated practice, Andromeda has honed her abilities and uses her magic with ease and confidence. Andromeda hatched alone, seemingly abandoned in the middle of a small clearing, surrounded by a dense, wild jungle. Intuitively sensing the danger in being so exposed, the tiny hatchling scrambled for shelter under a nearby fern. She waited a moment, letting her large eyes adjust to the sudden light of life outside of her egg. Andromeda inhaled deeply and was overcome by the scents of her surroundings. Soil and rain, lush greenery and the perfume of flowers. A breeze swept through the tree, sending a long whisper across the leafy canopy above. Drops of dew shook free, bouncing off the leaves that sheltered her. She reached out her long neck and took a sip of a droplet stuck to the tip of a leaf, savoring the cool water. More drops fell around her as a summer shower picked up. Andromeda tucked herself deeper into the large fern, letting the curled leaves wrap cover her small frame, shielding her from the water droplets. As she listened to the patter of the rain, she wondered why she was alone. Her instincts were telling her to seek shelter in others, to curl up next to kin for warmth and safety. But she was alone. Abandoned? she wondered. Andromeda shook her head, trying to shake the thought from her head. Maybe if she waited, someone who could help would find her. As long as she stayed hidden, she was safe from danger. Someone will come. Calmed by the rhythm of the rain, Andromeda closed her eyes, just for a moment, and was overtaken by sleep. Days past, and Andromeda was forced to accept that she was truly on her own. She would have to take care of herself. The first order of business was finding a safe den. Something up high, she though, eyeing the massive tree trunks surrounding her. Andromeda stretched her wings, testing her strength for a moment, before launching into the air. Flying was second nature, as easy as breathing, but this was Andromeda's first flight and she was filled with intense joy. She twirled through the trees, her laughter a sparkling song. A glint of gold caught her eye, and instinct took over. Amber. The substance essential to building her den. Andromeda spent the next few weeks carefully weaving amber into a spacious den, nestled safely in the crook of a large branch. She took great pride in her new home, and spent her days creating blankets and pillows out of plant fibers. One afternoon, Andromeda's peace was interrupted by the sudden sound of something crashing through the foliage below. Something large. Andromeda peaked out a window. There was an obvious path forged through the brush, heading directly towards her tree. Andromeda quickly backed away from the window, pulling a blanket around herself. She held still and listened carefully to the sounds of the forest. The birds were hushed by the disturbance, and Andromeda could clearly hear footsteps crunching around the base of her tree. She closed her eyes and drew on her magic, tugging on one of the invisible threads of nature magic woven throughout her den. The footsteps below stumbled and the paused. Andromeda tugged on the thread again, but this time she felt a tug back. She blinked in surprise. Unable to resist her curiosity, Andromeda tossed her blanket aside and looked out the front door. Below her sat a Guardian, his massive form surrounded by snapped saplings and crushed ferns. Vines were tangled in his horns, and Andromeda stifled a giggle. He was looking up at her, his green eyes filled with intensity and purpose.
-To Be Continued-
