Winds of War

Chapter 1: Matumlillian Tales

"Faster!"

The old dragon moved deceptively swiftly for his age, dodging the young one's lunge. She hissed in frustration, then exhaled a bolt of lightning at her foe. As usual, he reared back and blocked the attack with his torn, cream-colored wings.

"Good, good! Now come at me again!"

The young dragon hissed again and swiped at her opponent, and once again he dodged it. She expected this, however, and quickly snapped her head around and bit at the base of his pale purple neck. The young Air Dragon held him for a moment, and then released him. The elderly dragon nodded to her and smiled. "You have been learning well, Slu'Iki." He praised her. "Perhaps, in  another year or two, you will be able to handle a Gem's power."

Slu'Iki nodded, thankful for the praise, but still irritated. She had heard Garaaz, her trainer, tell her that for several years now, and she was starting to dislike hearing it. "I can only pray that Ninnurtu will approve of me." She said. "I have only a few precious weeks left before he comes, and I don't think I will ever be able to live down the shame and embarrassment if I am rejected. The Peace Guards are, after all, the most powerful fighters in Matumlil."

Garaaz shook his head with a chuckle. "Not just in Matumlil, young thunderbrand." He said, the dark scar on his face flashing briefly in the light of the setting sun. "The Peace Guards are well-known throughout Tammabuku, recruiting young warriors such as yourself to aid in finding and defeating any of the remaining Salmu dragons."

 Slu'Iki smiled and sat down. She always loved hearing this tale from the old veteran. "Another duty of theirs is resolving other conflicts from the biggest murder to the smallest territorial dispute. All are given at least one Gem of their element to aid them in settling these conflicts, as well as a symbol of their status among the Guard. The higher up the dragon sits in that tree, the stronger their assigned Gem will be. Those with the title Lightbearer are given the special honor of wielding Ninnurtu's own Golden Gems, as well as reporting directly to the Lord of All Dragons himself."

"Tell me again about the other dragon races." Slu'Iki requested, coiling up and tucking her massive wings to her sides. This was always her favorite part.

The old Garaaz sat on his haunches and let his tired old wings droop as he spoke. "Well, as you well know, we are members of the Tabukkulil race, commonly known to outsiders as the Air Dragons. We call this land of floating islands and geysers Matumlil, and it is here we belong. Our wing attacks are second-to-none, and those of us skilled and fortunate enough to posess Gems can use their Dirga to regenerate any damage done to them in battle." He closed his eyes as if trying to recall more information. "The hardy Tabbakumu tribe, or Ice Dragons as they are more commonly called, inhabit a distant and frigid land. Their skulls and horns are sharp, thick and strong, as are their fangs and jaws, which makes their head attacks quite brutal to endure. Ice Dragons with the power of Gems behind their wings gain the ability to heal themselves whenever they inflict damage, unlike our own special ability to regenerate."

The young dragoness nodded in understanding, intrigued by his words. "And then there are the Tabbukkuki tribe, or the Earth Dragons in the common tongue." Garaaz continued. "Their home is a lush land of green plants, rolling hills and rushing rivers. Earth Dragons posess strong, thick bodies and powerful tails, and for Gem users, the ability to poison their opponents." A shudder ran through his wings as he thought of the fourth and final tribe, and he instinctively brushed one claw against the black scars raking across his face. "Finally, we come to the fearsome Fire Dragons; whom use the name Tabbukkugirru to describe their race. The land they inhabit is a desolate, smoking wasteland of stone, lava and sweltering heat. This heat gives them strength, lives within them and enhances their natural fire breath. A Fire Dragon fortified with Gems will have their strength enhanced even further, dealing far more damage than they should naturally."

"And what of Lord Ninnurtu?" Slu'Iki asked, genuinely curious. "Which of the four races does he belong to? He must belong to one, else he would not be a dragon at all." Garaaz leaned forward, looking his pupil straight in the eye.

"That is a question we have all been attempting to answer since time began." He told her. "True, he possesses wings and horns and claws and a long tail, yet he does not resemble any one race. The Golden Gems he and the Lightbringers wield are the only ones of their kind, as is Lord Ninnurtu himself."

The elderly Air Dragon then lifted his head and looked out at the sun, which was now nearly swallowed by the horizon. "Dear me, is that the time?!" He asked, suppressing a yawn. "We will have to continue your training tomorrow. Please return to my isle at mid-sun." He then spread his scarred wings and took off, flying in his awkward limp-like way.

Slu'Iki watched him go, then took off towards her own home, pondering what she had heard.