Disclaimer: Anything you recognise from Tamora Pierce is well hers.  You guys know the drill, I'm just borrowing some stuff for my entertainment and yours.  Entirely non profit, well money-wise that is.  Now that's over (I don't plan on doing one every chapter, that'd be insulting your intelligence as well as mine) on with the story!

It's set a couple of years after PotS series, you'll get an idea of how much after once you meet the rest of the characters later on.  This first chapter's a bit of a taster really, so I guess it's a bit short, and it's basically the prologue to the rest of the story.  Hope you like it!

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-We're going back,- said Diamondheart, arching her neck as she glared down at her daughter, her scales an angry red.  -It's been too long.-

-Fine, go ahead,- replied the younger dragon, -but I'm staying.-

-Starfire your place is in the Dragon Realm with the rest of us.  We have dwelt too long here.-

-I'm twenty centuries, I can decide well enough for myself-

-You are letting your affection for the human child cloud your mind,- Diamondheart insisted, -humans are well enough in small doses but-

-You were the one that chose to come here!-

Diamondheart snarled and unfurled her massive wings, -You are too presumptuous young one!-

Starfire lowered her head in submission, her scales turning a sullen grey,  -I am sorry mother, but I don't want to go back.  I like it here, and we haven't even been here very long, only three centuries-

-Three centuries is long enough to think about things which were said that shouldn't have been.-

The smaller dragon stretched out her neck and nuzzled her parent, -you miss him don't you?-

Diamondheart sank back onto her haunches, her scales fading to a pearly white, -I was too hasty,- she sighed, -Dragons should never fight with their kin.-

-If you say sorry, I'm sure he would forgive you.  He is your brother after all-

-Maybe so child, maybe so.  Diamondflame and I always mended our quarrels soon enough, I should not have left-  She looked down at her child for a long moment, -I suppose you are grown, I must stop thinking of you as only ten centuries.- her eyes soft she said, -you may stay if that is really what you wish, I do not have the right to order you to do something against your will.  But I do ask you to reconsider.  Don't you want to get back to your cousin?  You and Flamewing always got on so well.-

-Flamewing,- Starfire snorted in amusement, -she was always acting before she thought about the consequences. - The dragon turned to look out from the mountain top they had made their home.-But I did like her very much for all that she was three centuries younger than me, and I should like to see her again but- she stopped and looked down at the sleeping child curled up in a corner of the cave. -I cannot leave the poor thing alone, I am all she has left.-

-Starfire,- Diamondflame said gently, -think about what you are doing.  Humans do not live very long.  Think of the sadness you are setting yourself up for if you rear her.-

-What am I to do then?- demanded the green dragon, -leave her to be killed by the humans that took her family?- she shook her head, -I cannot, will not, abandon her.  Even if that means all you have said.-

-Very well then,- Diamondheart agreed with a sigh, -I did not think I could change your mind, but I wanted to try all the same.-  She lolloped to the edge of the stony path that edged its way round the mountain and spread her wings. -You know where to find me if you change you mind.  If not I'll expect you not long after.- she bared her teeth in a grin -Mother Flame be with you.- 

And with a lurch she sprang into the air, huge wings beating heavily in the air as the pearly white dragon rose into the air.  Starfire bellowed a farewell from where she stood and watched as the elder dragon climbed steadily higher, circling back once before she winked out of the sky, gone back home to the Dragon Realms.

Starfire turned to make her way back over to the small child.  She blew a warm puff of air into the child's soft hair as she settled down beside her.  The little girl yawned widely and seeing the dragon broke into a broad smile.  She waddled forwards and placed podgy hands on the dragon's side, making happy noises.  The dragon 'smiled' and said to the child, -I shall have to think of a name for you little one- she tilted her head looking closely at the little human.  -How about Ember Dragonheart, I hear humans have two names and I can't very well name you Moonwing or something of the sort-  the dragon bared her teeth in silent dragon laughter.

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A/N: Like I said, real short.  But if you liked it then review and let me know and more will be forthcoming.  The first couple of chapters are written.  Hmm well, gotta go do some real work *sigh* it's so very boring!

xxx