"Who's the leader of your flight?" Nevaria said, stooping back against his scales in an attempt to hear his answer.

Kalec chuckled in a deep Draconian tone, but didn't answer. She clung to him tightly, yet carefully to avoid dislodging any of Kalec's azure scales as Kalec dove down towards a giant pillar of ice. As they neared the tower, Ria couldn't believe her eyes. It wasn't made of ice at all, but of a sparkling white marble, carved intricately into a delicate yet strong spiral.

The tower pierced the sky and made her feel even smaller, although in their world she was already small as she was the same size as one claw. As Kalec carefully touched down in an open air chamber near the top of the tower, Ria huddled close as other dragons began to as well. There were hues of blue that ranged from ocean mist to the deepest night sky. They soon were joined by hues of red, gold, and rich ivories, but she had yet to see a Black.

Great stone archways circled the room, each with a large glittering orb, beaming the color of each of the flights. Her eyes rested on Yura, who stood proudly under the great red orb next to smaller male, who she guessed to be Yura's mate. A great Gold dragon landed under the Gold, and as she turned to Kalec, he raised his head proudly as it nearly touched the ice colored orb. As the numerous other dragons began to arrive, Nevaria noticed that Yura and Kalec were much larger than the others, along with the Great Gold. Suddenly it hit her...Kalec was the Aspect of the Blue Flight.

She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of that before. That explained why he had dodged her earlier inquiry into the Blue Aspect, and why his attacks towards Ayran seemed much more powerful. As the number of dragon's continued to increase, she remembered her size and she slunk even closer to Kalec, nearly disappearing in his great wings as she began to feel more uneasy.

Yura's energetic voice rang loudly over everyone's murmurers, cries, and shouts causing an almost eerie silence to fill the air.

"I thank you all for coming so quickly, my kin. This is a sad day and it pains me to bring you such terrible news, this close to our new coming moon." Yura then paused, as if hesitant to speak again. "Our brothers and sisters of the black flight have betrayed us."

Chaos erupted as the flights jumbled in panic and the stone beneath Ria quaked uneasily under their claws.

"Please, Aspects! Calm your flights. I know this is terrible news." Yura shouted, trying to settle the panicking flights.

A pale white dragon was the first to speak, and her voice made Ria feel as if she were walking through a dream. By this point, she was starting to feel sick. Any of her people would have drank this in and enjoyed the swirling high the magic provided, but not her. Shaking her head to try to rid herself of the cloudy feeling, she turned her attention back to Yura and the Pale one.

"Life-Binder, How is it we know the whole flight has turned against us? There has been many times in our history where a small number of a flight have fought against us. What have you seen that has drawn this conclusion?" asked the White, who seemed to speak as if she was not entirely in the chaos that surrounded her.

"My dear Veerya, I have witnessed with my own eyes the dark and ancient magic Rhovarian meddles in. It was Rhovarian himself who took the life of my mate Zapharyn."

A gasp filled the air, meshing with the hushed murmurers.

"Why would Rhovarian turn against us?" boomed the Gold's deep voice.

"I cannot answer that Durion. Although from what my flight has gathered, it seems our brother Rhovarian has lost his mind and abandoned his duty as a Guardian of this world. He's even moved to attack the mortal races."

"Attack the mortal races? Why would he do such a thing? That could expose us all! Our secrecy has been the only thing allowing us to rebuild our numbers!"

"Have any of the mortals discovered us?" Durion turned to ask the Dragon Queen.

"Only one." Yura answered, turning to Kalec.

"We must silence this mortal before they reveal us at once. Yura, we can't have this mortal running around, we must put an end to them." Durion growled.

"No!" shouted Kalec, flaring his great wings.

"Why do you of all protest? It is thanks to mortals that your flight was nearly wiped out. Do you wish to be erased from our world?" Durion flared back at him.

"I would never want to cause Kalec or any of the flights any harm!" Nevaria finally shouted over the dragon's deafening echo, stepping out from Kalec's shadow, sending the flights into a frenzy.

"You brought it here! First you allow our secrete to be know, and how you bring the mortal to our home? How dare you bring her here to our sacred place!" Durion continued to shout, snapping his great jaws towards Nevaria.

"Durion! It was by my order, that Kalec brought her here today. Only in need of protecting those he loves, was Kalec forced to reveal his true self to this she-elf." Yura growled, stepping between the two male Aspects.

"We were attacked by Ayran and three Black Dragonkin, just outside Goldwynn city. I would risk no harm to her." Kalec said, with a defensive tone in his now calm voice.

Durion was silent as his gaze turned to Nevaria. Meeting the great Gold's eyes sent a chill down Ria's spine.

"Ayran? He's in league with the Black dragon's?"

"Yes. There's no doubt that Rhovarian is using him to try and access our Magic stores here. If he's betrayed his Guard, the earth no longer provides him with it's magic for certain." Kalec hissed.

"That still doesn't explain why he attacked you. Ayran knows he has no chance against an Aspect, even with Dragonkin to aid him."

"I'm not sure, but he did seem very interested by my...company." Kalec said, motioning toward Nevaria.

"A Blood elf? Why?"

"If he's in league with the Black Flight, the fact that you chose a mortal as a mate...He views it as your weakness."

"Young blood elf, what is your name?" Veerya, the Ivory asked sleepily.

"My name is Nevaria Silverstream. Ranger General of Goldwynn City."

"Nevaria?" spoke out a Gold who was only dwarfed by Durion. He pushed his way to the center of the room and stared at her. "I knew they would make you Ranger General."

"Excuse me?" she asked, confused as to how this Gold knew anything about her.

"I suppose you wouldn't recognize me in this form." the dragon smirked in an oddly familiar tone. Soon the dragon began to shrink, until a familiar face stood before her.

"Zarim? But you...you're...I saw you die." Nevaria stammered.

"It had to be done, I'm sorry. My flight needed me and I couldn't just up and leave without causing suspicion. It was the only way." he said, stepping towards her carefully.

"But Zarim...How could you do that to me?" she nearly shouted, her voice starting to shake.

"I wish I could have told you Ria, but it was against our code. It's against our laws to reveal our true forms to mortals. I figured Kalec would have told you."

"Kalec?" she asked angrily, " You knew he was alive? How could you lie to me! Both of you!" she turned away from Zarim's outstretched arms and ran past the blue dragons that stepped back and made a path for her. When she reached the edge of the tower, she took a breath and leapt down. A few dragon's gasped at the stunt the elf had just pulled, but not Kalec and Zarim.

"She's fine, Zarim. Just give her some time. She was hurt deeply by your departure." Kalec said, turning to face the golden clad elf.

"I should have told her Kalec. You know she would have kept our secret." Zarim said, hanging his head and running his hand through his sandy blonde hair.

"You did the right thing Zarim. You followed my orders and did what you knew was best for our flight." answered Durion before Kalec could speak.

"Kalec, Zarim...Go find her, then meet me in the Ruby Sanctum. This may have been just the turn of events we needed. The rest of you, please take rest. Aspects, I will meet with you privately to discuss this exposure." Yura cooed before stretching out her wings.

With a single beat of her fiery wings, Yura rose into the air, the rest of the reds not too far behind.

"She couldn't have gotten too far." Kalec said, readying himself to take into the air.

"You haven't seen how fast she can move Kalec. She could be anywhere by now." Zarim said, crossing his arms.

"You search the tower, I'll start searching the surrounding grounds. Her scent should stand out here."

Zarim nodded and again transformed into his golden dragon form.

Nevaria sat in one of the many empty coves that lined the grounds around the marble tower's wall. She was amazed at how the tower seemed to be a very part of the earth it stood on. As she looked upon the tower, the giant Red Dragonkin that stood guard at each of the ground entrances paid her no mind, which she found slightly odd but she pushed it from her mind.

She flinched slightly at the sound of a rustle that seemed to come from the darkest part of the cove. Unsure of what beasts might lurk in this unknown land, she quickly drew back an arrow and held her breath, her eyes focused hard on the dark end of the cove.

The sound of small footsteps and slight flapping of even smaller wings echoed against the cove's frozen walls. Out of the darkness came a small roar, that sounded more like the squeak of a newborn kit, and moments later three small dragons, each a different shade of blue appeared.

At the sight of her bow, they froze then slowly began backing back into the darkness. Sensing their fear, she quickly lowered her bow and placed it softly on the ground and stepped away from it.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to scare you." she said softly.

As if it understood her, one squeaked back as it stepped forward.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you. I promise."

Finally, the smallest of the three flew within arms reach. Slowly Ria raised her hand, and as she did it pressed it's small head into her palm, nuzzling it softly. The amount of heat it gave off was shocking, and yet the slime that now coated her palm didn't bother Ria. She giggled as the little dragon began trying to remove the last bits of shell that still clung to it's scales.

"Here..." she whispered, grabbing a small cloth from her belt, "I'm sure those can't be too comfortable."

She began to carefully clean off the rest of the egg shell and remaining slime. Suddenly, the larger two began to nuzzle into her hair. Settling herself on the ground, they moved even closer. Oddly, the ice didn't feel as cold on her skin as she had expected it to. Maybe that was another part of the magic that even made her head spin.

The largest of the three made itself comfortable in Ria's lap, soon joined by it's twin who was just a slight shade lighter in color. The smallest, who was a just a bit darker than her own hair, wrapped around itself and settled down in the crook of Ria's neck, warmed by her long hair. Hearing the fast heartbeat of the tiny dragon in her ears, Ria soon found herself with heavy eyes, and soon the cove was dark as she fell into a dreamless sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, Kalec sat a few feet away, his mind focused on the small fire that now lite the cove up brightly.

"Good morning, Ria."

"How long was I asleep?" she said through a small yawn and arching her back in a stretch.

"Maybe a few hours. Whelps don't know much about time so they weren't much help."

"Whelps?" she said, then remembering the three small dragons. "Is that what dragon's call their young?"

"Mhm, and I see that small one has taken quiet the liking to you." he said with an odd look on his face.

"What's that look for?" she said, running her finger down the small dragon's back, causing it to almost purr.

"It's just odd. Whelps are often very shy, even of their own kind. I really didn't expect to find three curled up with you when I got here. It's just peculiar that they would find comfort with a strange creature they've never seen before."

"Oh..." she said, wiping the small beads of sweat away that had begun to form on her forehead.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just a little warm." she said, confused.

The smallest whelp suddenly burst out with a cry, causing even Kalec to jump slightly. Without hesitation, Nevaria reached for a small blade that had been attacked to her thigh. Carefully she slid her palm across the sharp blade, allowing a pool of blood to form. Almost immediately the small whelp began to drink it, causing Kalec's face to betray his shock.

"How did you know what he wanted?"

"I'm not sure, I just...did. I guess." she shrugged, careful not to disturb the whelps eating.

"He's bonded with you."

"You already said that."

"No, really. He's bonded with you. He thinks your his mother."

"Is that possible?" she said gliding a finger down the whelps neck.

"Only if...But that's impossible."

"What's impossible?"

Kalec was silent for a few moments as he watched how the whelp reacted to Ria's every move.

"I knew there was a reason I was drawn to you."

"What are you talking about, Kalec?"

"What's your mother's name?"

"Rytella Silverstream? Why?"

"And you and Saphrina are twins right?"

"Kalec, how long have you known my family? You know all of this already."

"It's just that...Don't you find it odd that you look nothing like Saphrina, Rytella, or Calanon? And you barely look like your father?"

"Sure, It's crossed my mind, but Kalec, what are you trying to get at?"

When Kalec didn't answer, her mind began to race. Saphrina, Calanon and her mother all looked as if they had been kissed my the golden sun itself, with glowing skin and sunny yellow hair. Her father on the other hand had a deep red, and neither explained why her hair looked more like a Moon's night sky, reflecting an azure color.

"They'd always told me I looked like my Father's mother."

"Uh-huh. And have you ever noticed that magic comes easier to you than to anyone in your family and you don't suffer the arcane withdrawals that torment most of the blood elf race?"

"Kalec, why are you talking to me like I'm not part of them, I am a Blood Elf too ya know? Sure I've been better with magic, but the elders said I must have been born to use it. Besides, I don't use magic like the rest of our people, so of course the withdrawals wouldn't bother me as much. I don''t use it to do everything."

"Oh Ria, it's much more than that. You weren't born to use magic, you were born of the world's magic. You're one of us."

"One of you? As in a dragon? Now I know you're crazy."

"Do you see where I'm going here? That would explain everything!"

"That can't be true. Don't you think I would have noticed something like that? Or the elders?"

"It has to be. I've been trying to piece it all together for some time now. You're affinity with magic, my attraction to you, how no one seemed to notice you at the Spire, and now the whelp? It all makes sense. Besides, you know as well as I do...the elders aren't the brightest."

"I just...I can't see how this is possible. Wouldn't my parents have noticed? I mean, Rina and I are twins. So that just can't be possible."

"I'm not sure. That's why we need to find Yura. She'll know."

Kalec stood up and nearly ran outside into the pale moon light that now reflected on the ice that covered the ground. She watched, again in amazement as Kalec turned from a handsome elf into a majestic beast. She knew that no matter how many times she saw it, it would still find someway to take her breath away.

"Come on." he called.

With the whelp wrapped in her arms, she climbed on top of Kalec, her legs taunt against his scales. The small whelp curled itself in Ria's lap to avoid being left behind as Kalec's wing lifted them into the air. At first Ria thought they were heading back towards the top of the tower, but Kalec surprised her by diving almost straight down and into an ever greater archway that lead deep into the ground.

Kalec hovered in the great room that made him seem small, allowing Nevaria's eyes to take in the sight before them. On each end of the star shaped room were giant, colored, swirling portals. Each of the portals were guarded by two giant Dragonkin whose scales matched that of the portal behind them, all except the dark and ominous colored portal where two more Reds were posted. Kalec turned sharply and pushed into the Red portal, once she was able to open her eyes she couldn't help but gasp.

The land before her was ever flowing hills of rich and plush green grass that looked as if they were as soft as Runeweave cloth. The trees made her long for the warm forests of Goldwynn with their outstanding grandeur and ruby leaves. As the soft breeze fluttered through the leaves, they almost sang of the beauty.

"What is this place?"

"This is the Ruby Sanctum, home of the Red Flight."

"What about the other portals? Where do they lead?"

"Each flight has it's own Sanctum, a place to call home where the land is actually a part of us. It's a safe haven for us, and where many of our kind lay their clutches of eggs. The Spire is the only way in and out of the Sanctums and it's part of the Blue Flights job to protect our homes."

She again turned her attention to the ground where the grass soon gave way to great fields of bright red flowers that seemed to shimmer with gold. In the fields, her eyes began to pick up small nest like circles, with hundreds of eggs filling them and almost disappearing under their red flower blanket.

In the center of the Sanctum stood the biggest tree she had ever seen, a hundred times bigger than the others that stood around it. In it's boughs, many of the red dragons from earlier now slept. At it's crown, sat the Life-Binder, Yura with a small number of other red Dragons at her side.

"Kalec, I was beginning to worry. I see you are fairing well, young Nevaria." she said while eyeing the small whelp that hovered closely to Ria's side.

"Yes, Life-Binder. I also thank you for welcoming me into the realm of your kin."

"But Nevaria, have you not come to know? You are welcome among us, because you are one of us."

"So it is true..." both her and Kalec said under their breaths.

"Yes my child. You are a descendant of Kalec's Azure flight, and the very magic that helped create this world and courses in it's life, also flows through you veins as well."

The red dragons around Yura all looked at each other, and back and Nevaria as if some how they had knew why she felt different than the other mortals they had known.

"Did you find it off that no one seemed to notice your presence at the Wyrmrest Tower? Any of them would have recognized such a different scent, but yet none of them knew you were there until you decided to reveal yourself. You must understand that being caught that unaware did set most of them on alert. We have not had the best experiences with the younger races."

"Than how did I come to live with my family? And how did they not know I was different?"

"We were not always so suspicious of the younger races. Many years ago, we held many connections and ties to the Human, the Elves and even the Kahjinn, but eventually those alliances became our downfall." Yura took a breath, then continued. "The man you know as your father...was a good friend of our Nedragosa. He was the link between the Azure flight and the elven magic wells many years ago. Whilst Nedragosa fought against the demonic horde that sought to destroy our world, her only clutch was nearly destroyed, all of them except you. Her dear friend took on the responsibility of caring for her only surviving egg."

"What happened...to my mother?"

"She was overtaken with demonic energy, and it defiled her pure life energy and sadly in the end it destroyed her." With a heavy sigh, Yura continued. "When we discover what happened, just after you were born we decided to protect you by hiding your true form in the guise of a Blood elf...until you were ready."

Nevaria stood silently, staring out on the magical land. She was a very part of it, just as Yura and Kalec were. All this time, her father had known. This explained so much; why he pushed her so hard, why he begged her to join the mage's circle in place of the Ranger's, why it pained him so greatly when she went to war with the others. He knew what greatness was hidden under her Elven skin.

"So Nevaria, are you ready to spread your wings and take up your birthright?"