Dragon's kept to themselves in general, it was territorial instinct. Once dragons were old enough to leave their parents den, they found their own caves, fended for themselves and accumulated their own riches. While that was the norm in the dragon realm, there were dragon families who stayed close to each other. Some family bonds were stronger than others, such was the case with the Lightwood Dragon clan. Dragons were gifted with magic, while not all dragons could perform the same type of magic, all of them could shape-shift to human.

Unfortunately, the Lightwood parental dragons were killed by humans. Robert and Maryse were hunting for dinner when they were ambushed by a human army waiting for them with catapults, ropes and potions to incapacitate the mighty beasts. While fighting the human army, Maryse instructed their eldest son telepathically to take the younger hatch-lings and get them to safety. It fell upon the eldest to tend to the younger dragons as was tradition in dragon society. Robert and Maryse knew, Alec would get the brood to safety and that he would care for the siblings, which included an orphan dragon they had found. Maryse couldn't find it her heart to kill the whelp and while it took a little convincing, Robert accepted the hatch-ling. The whelp was a fledgling that needed the protection of older dragons, they brought him home and raised them as their own.

Many years had passed since the death of Robert and Maryse, Alec Lightwood found the perfect forest with a vast cave system. Not only were the caves perfect, the forest featured waterfalls and enormous lakes perfect for dragons. The cave system gave them their own space while still providing a common area for them to be together. The loss of their parents so young made the Lightwood dragons agree to stay near each other and protect each other.

While Alec had places near the cave system where he could spend time alone and away from his siblings, he still spent his time with them. He was there for them when they needed him. Since he was eldest, he dictated that the clan should live quietly, hunt wisely and to ignore the human race. While that was his philosophy, his siblings Isabelle and Jace were fascinated with humans and ignored this rule.

Jace and Izzy would shape-shift into human form and go into the villages to spend time with the humans. Most times finding pleasure in human company. Alec couldn't even be bothered with what that, seemed like far too much effort. He had accompanied them occasionally but lost interest. He didn't forbid it, even though he should have, humans killed their parents. He never told his siblings, feeling it was the best for them based on their fondness for the creatures. He wasn't so sure that was a wise decision, why couldn't they spend time with other dragons. In the end, he just wanted them to be happy.

The young dragons needed to find their own place in the world, letting them go out gave him some peace and quiet in his cave. Alec admitted to himself, they were old enough, smart enough and knew how to defend themselves in both forms. He had made sure of it, he trained them, they would never be caught unaware again. The Lightwood dragon clan would survive, despite humans.

Alec thought about his siblings, he was most proud of Isabelle. She had taken to learning magic and poisons in addition to honing her fighting skills with a whip. The best part of her training is when she used her magic and knowledge of poisons to kill with them from a distance in dragon form. She was amazing in both her forms and her beauty added to her arsenal. Most never knew they were goners until she tilted her head and with a grand smile waved goodbye.

Jace was more of a brute force type of fighter, he loved getting his claws into things. The thrill of ripping your enemy apart was exhilarating for him. Even in human form, Jace had perfected his use of a sword, and hand to hand combat. They had spared so well, that Jace sometimes got the better of him. It made Alec smile because he knew now, that Jace could take care of himself. Though he sulked for a day or two at being bested.

Alec preferred fighting in dragon form, using his flame and waiting for his prey to think they could take him only to fail when he made a critical strike. In human form, he practiced with swords for Jace and Izzy. He knew how to use all of the weapons he used when working with his siblings but found archery a soothing weapon. He liked killing from a distance, whether he used his flame, magic or the bow. He never planned on doing much with humans, but he would practice in a few competitions to show off, after all he was better and a dragon. When his siblings teased him about being in human form and competing in human competitions with his bow, he would remind them, you have to know your enemy. As much as he wanted, he couldn't ignore the human race, they were dangerous.

Magnus Bane's father ran the family business, they were from a long line of respected warlocks and had high expectations for him. Asmodeus' son was the best in conjuring and alchemy, both were very profitable for the family. It was part of their family history and Magnus learned the trade well and Asmodeus knew his son was gifted. A seer once told him when Magnus was a baby that the child was capable of anything, including soothing a dragon. Asmodeus let the information run wild in his head. While the seer had warned him to not think too deeply into the vision, that it could mean anything, Asmodeus ignored the warning. He couldn't believe it, could his son command a dragon? To have a dragon to be at your call, he couldn't even begin to fathom the gold. Asmodeus was giddy at the prospect and made sure Magnus learned everything in the family trade in addition to everything there was to know about dragons. There would come a time when being able to call upon a dragon would make Asmodeus a rich man and Magnus was the key.

All the major magic contracts went to Magnus, his father handled all of the smaller ones, his explanation to his son for all of the hard work was that Magnus needed to practice. Magnus did practice hard and some days he felt so drained. He questioned his father a few times as to why he needed to spend so much time learning the trade but the punishment for questioning or disobeying his father wishes became to much for him. There were too many nights spent in pain trying to sleep or being forced to perform magic while in pain that he accepted his father's wishes. Magnus tried his best to please his father knowing a day would come and he would be free of this obligation. There had to be something better for him, he planned for it.

The most current contract made him wonder, his father was almost too excited, and spent too much time reminding him of his dragon studies. He never understood why his father forced the dragon history onto him. Nobody had seen a dragon in years. Magnus would go to taverns and listen to the old men who were drunk on ale telling tales of dragons. Dragons were magical creatures and while they were not seen in a long time, none of the towns folk could prove they existed. Those who swore they saw a dragon, their stories grew more elaborate as the time went on with the more drink consumed.

Some villages believed more than other villages to the point that they would hire magicians like himself to come and cleanse their lands. He would make a potion, cast some protection spells and make a large spectacle with his magic, it was always enough. It always felt like stealing money but the hospitality of the villages made him feel better and he was closer to getting away from his father. He had plans to leave his father's business and be on his own. Magnus' father began to pay him once he was old enough and deemed by his father proficient in the art. Asmodeus went so far as to give his son a title 'High Warlock' to charge more for their services. Magnus had been saving his earnings and knew his day to leave this life behind and begin anew was soon.

Asmodeus received word through messengers of a village several leagues away and was sure there was a dragon. Asmodeus was giddy, this was it, this was the moment he was waiting for, he would send Magnus to the village. If the seer was true to her word, Magnus would find a dragon, command it and they would have riches beyond imaging. He could control villages, command tribute and he would be legend. Even the rulers of the territories would have to bow to him because he would have the power. Asmodeus gave Magnus information on the village, and sent him in search of his fortune.

Magnus smiled to himself, his father had given him freedom, while not intentionally he was going to take it with this trip. Asmodeus gave his son a questioning look with all the extra baggage he was taking with him but Magnus assured him it was needed for the lengthy trip. He needed extra potions and books for this dragon. His father accepted his explanation grudgingly but reminded him to do as he was told. Magnus took his most prized possessions mixed in with his clothing, he left enough behind to give the impression of coming back. He hugged his father goodbye which amounted to hard slap to the back for him, another Asmodeus' warning. Magnus nodded his head in understanding and started on his journey to freedom.

Magnus had sent messages to his father with his magic while he made his trip for appearances but when he felt far enough away and safe from his father, he reminded his father that at some point they would be in a magical dead zone due to distance and possibly because of the dragon. He would try to contact Asmodeus from the village via a messenger when he could. His father accepted this, it wasn't uncommon. Magnus was too far away for Asmodeus to challenge him. Asmodeus reminded him he had a job and was to contact him once he arrived in any way possible. Magnus created static for a reply, felt the connection close and continued on his journey with a smile on his face.

Notes/disclaimer: posting once and is meant for the entire story.

Disclaimer - the characters belong to Cassandra Clare. Dragon inspiration from G.A. Aiken. This is purely for fun, no compensation. Thank you.