Ermnzik: First to Fly (The full story *editing*)

Author's Note: 1

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE BEGINNING THE NOVEL. 2

The planet in this story is a young one. Sections of the planet belong to each of the elements, as do the creatures on the planet itself. Each creature on the planet belongs to one or more of the elements. Six such creatures are named in this novel: Dragons (element: fire), Zelik (element: darkness), Sroan (element: water), Nayyi (element: ground), Sarrik (element: ground) and Bazon(element: gold). Sroan and Bazon will be more common in the second book in this series. Zelik and Dragons are what this story is entirely about.3

Salaei is a young dragon, roughly nine months of age by our time, when her mother is killed. In this book you follow her in her search for another dragon, which she believes to be her only hope for long term survival. Her mother hadn't taught her how to breathe fire before her death, so Salaei is pretty much defenseless against the Zelik in the area-which to her knowledge, can only be killed by using fire.4

Tachaeil, the only other dragon found alive in this novel, has an unknown past (that may or may not be explored in later books or short stories). We only know currently that he was buried in light rubble when he woke up, and that he was surrounded by Zelik.5

In order to add another side to this story I included another character, a Zelik that goes by the name Zeil. He, like most Zelik, isn't very intelligent (so his parts of the story are poorly written and he often switches between third and first person when he thinks). He grows more intelligent as the story progresses (so his parts of the story get better later on). 6

Zelik are roughly 5'9" with a small two foot wingspan which they used to jump farther, but are too small to support their weight in flight. The have four fingers on each of their front legs with a two inch claw on all but the "thumb" which only has an inch long claw. They typically run upright with their front legs used to carry something or to hold their food while they eat. Their back feet have four toes on each foot, each toe having a three inch long partially claw that is constantly sharpened and dulled. They also have one retractable claw in the back of their heel. These claws can help the Zelik grip stone, wood, ice, and hard ground. 7

Zelik have relatively large mouths with a total of 64 teeth that are as sharp as diamond daggers, enabling them to chew through pretty much anything. The teeth are shed in the first "month" of their life, after the teeth have been shed once, the teeth don't come out again. Even after death all the teeth remain in the skull except for one. The "death tooth" as the Zelik refer to it, is typically taken as a souvenir by the one who killed the Zelik. The other teeth remain affixed to the skull until the skull is destroyed, which isn't a simple task as the skull is just as unbreakable as the teeth themselves. 8

Tachaeil has two teeth in his possession that are portrayed on his neck for all to see. His scales are all shades of blue and he has dark piercing blue eyes. Tachaeil is about two years of age and he is a little over eight feet in length from his nose to the tip of his tail and he has a wingspan of __ feet.9

Salaei, on the other hand, has no Zelik teeth in her possession, the one her mother had is buried with her in the cave of Salaei's birth. She has orange-pink scales and pale iridescent eyes. She is only a little over five feet in length from her nose to her tail with a wingspan of __ feet.10

There are four main characters in this book. The fourth comes into the story about half way through.11

Thanks for Reading! Enjoy the Story!12

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Salaei 13

I swam through the firaqua* and turned flips in it, churring happily. I shot out of the fire-water, and with two thrusts of my wings, I launched myself into the sky. I looked off towards the horizon instinctively and saw what looked like a enormous ball of fire hurtling towards the ground. I called to mother afraid and a bit confused and flew towards the cave to warn her. I saw the firaqua vibrating from the impact, I saw a large wave forming, threatening to swipe me out of the air and onto the rocks of the cliff face. I knew I didn't have much time left, I called to mother again and dived into the firaqua, I swam as deep as I could and lay still, the firaqua vibrating still around me. I knew I was safe here, I was and had always been safe here, I slowly drifted off to sleep, the flames of the water lapping against my body, comforting me as I fell asleep... 14

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*firaqua- The elemental water for fire, having a consistently warm temperature and heals the creatures of the flame element (such as dragons).
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Later I woke to find the firaqua calm once more. I swam to the surface and found the cave gone, buried beneath stones from the cliff face crumbling from the shaking caused by the impact. I called out for my mother, terrified, not knowing where she was. I called mentally, knowing it would get farther, not wanting to panic, telling myself she was going to come out soon and tell me everything was alright. 16

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I received a weak reply from mother, I couldn't understand what she had said though, she repeated it once and I strained to hear but still found that I could not, and then the silence I knew to be death came. I lay near the rubble from our no longer existent cave and whimpered, not knowing what to do now without mother around to guide me, terrified and alone. Even in my panicked state I couldn't help falling asleep once again, desperately hoping that the morning would bring some sort of hope... 17

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Tachaeil 18

I dug a way out of the rubble that had covered me, unable to believe how fortunate I had been, finding the Zelik that had surrounded me all crushed beneath the heavier rubble surrounding the cliff. I crawled out onto the pile and flexed my wings a bit, glad to find that I was merely a little scratched up and sore. 19

I extended my wings to their full length before launching myself into the air. I flew up in the air and began to look around for something to eat. I found an young nayyi* in a field of ground plants nearby and dived for it, snapping its neck and flying with it back to my cave before feasting upon the carcass. 20

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*Nayyi- horse like creatures with slightly rounded ears and greenish stripes across their face, of the ground element, they are primarally herbivores. 21

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Zeil 23

I jump and snaps. Bones crunching in mouth. I eat the dragon's flesh, tastes good to Zeil. Big rock hit near dragon home. Many die. Big feast for I and clan. I finishes piece of dragon and gnaws on bones. Zeil hears dragon cry and raises head to listens. Is young dragon, frightened, alone. I open mouth, blood drip down Zeil chin. Dragon sound too young to defend self, no fire breath yet. Easy food, soft flesh. Makes I hungry to thinks of it. 24

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Salaei 25

I woke as the stars rose in the sky and I flew up into the air. I called out once for another dragon and begged for them to reply. I however, received no reply once more. I flew around and spotted a sarrik* munching on some ground plants. 26

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*sarrik- a cabbit like creature of the ground element, they are also primally herbivores.
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I swooped down and caught it in my claws, snapping its neck quickly. I threw it into the air and caught it in my jaws. I chewed for a moment and swallowed the mouthful gladly, not sure when I'd eat again. I flew around in circle examining my glistening scales as I had shed my scales just before Mother had died. 28

I did a couple flips and called out happily, momentarily forgetting my predicament. I flew to the lake of firaqua and dived into it. I popped back up and blew the fire-water out of my mouth. I churred happily and shot to the sky calling out joyfully. I nearly fell from the air in shock as I finally received a reply, stopping mid-flip "Hello?" I asked, curious. The reply came instantly 'Who are you, why do you cry so?' the dragon asked. 29

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Tachaeil 30

'Salaei' came the reply, 'How did you survive? I was in the firaqua lake' the dragon continued before waiting for me to respond. I paused for a moment before saying anything 'I'm called Tachaeil' I replied slowly 'I was trapped beneath some rocks that fell when the fire stone fell 31

Salaei hesitated for a moment 'Could I stay with you please? My Mother...' she stopped 's-she's gone now... I'm too young to live alone, I will be old enough in about a *cycle or so I think' I didn't reply for a moment thinking it over. 'I'll come for you soon Salaei, scan the skies for me' Then there was silence. 32

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*cycle- roughly three months on Earth. Used to measure the growth of young on the planet in this story.
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Salaei 34

A few days later there was a lightning storm that seemed to come out of nowhere, I was flying and I got hit by a small bolt at the tip of my wing, causing me to plummet to the ground. I lay still after I landed, glad I had been flying low instead of really high up. I whimpered for a moment before thinking of the Zelik, hoping that they wouldn't find me in my current state. I was hurt but I tried hard to remain silent despite that, knowing that the Zelik would do much, much worse than an injured wing if they found me here. 35

I tried to move to shelter as it began pouring down water. I managed to drag myself underneath a large bush that grew sort of arched in one place sort of like a cave. It blocked most of the rain and I lay shivering for a few minutes drying off very slowly, but I soon became warm enough to drift off to sleep, exhausted and needing to rest so badly. 36

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Zeil 37

Zeil jump fallen *hallaw to hallaw in pouring air water. No see very well either. Can't smell well, water drowning out smells. Zeil get close to bush and see what Zeil think is dragonling. I hides into a hallaw nearby to wait for air water to stop falling, lick lips thinking how good dragonling will taste.
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*hallaw- basically a log with really rough bark on it. 'Trees' that aren't hollow or fallen are still called hallaws
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Tachaeil 39

I lay in my cave watching the air-water running off the overhanging above my cave, creating a waterfall effect as the water filled the pool below that had been drying up as of late. 40

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Salaei 41

I woke to find the storm over, the stars shining brightly through the branches of the bush, causing tall the water droplets to shine as if tiny little stars. I blinked for a few moment looking around, inhaling the scent that always fills the air after air water has fallen, a calming smell. I froze, catching the unmistakable scent of a Zelik. I looked around and say the black figure curled up in a nearby hallaw I pulled myself up and slowly backed away, wincing as my wings throbbed in protest against the movement, I slowly started climbing up a rough plant that was behind the bush, but my injured wing made me unbalanced and I fell. I saw movement as I landed, I knew it was too late then, the Zelik had stood up and was watching me. 42

I tried to move quickly along the ground, I silently called out for Tachaeil, hoping he was near, my wings got caught in low lying branches of the bush and I cried out surprised as the sharp bits scratched and pierced the membrane of my wings causing them to bleed a little bit, exciting the Zelik as he stood watching, slowly taking a step forward, apparently in no hurry to catch me. 43

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Tachaeil 44

I thought I heard a faint voice calling my name, I listened for a moment but shrugged it off when I heard no more, my thoughts drifted to the young dragon I had spoken to before, Salaei she said her name was, it sounded vaguely familiar but I couldn't understand why. 'I wonder what she is doing right now...' 45

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Zeil 46

Dragonling wakes and tries to climb up hallaw plant. Falls and tries to run away as Zeil pad over toward hers. Do not escape, hurts wing worse, makes bleed. Smell makes Zeil hungrier. Walks closer to dragonling, lick lips as I watching her panics. 47

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Salaei 48

I crawled under branches and slipped into a small pool of ice-water. I let myself sink down to the bottom and lay there, the cold water numbing my wings a little bit. I looked up to see if the Zelik would come after me, hoping that it hadn't seen me go into the pool, wondering if it would wait until I came up for air... 49

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Zeil 50

I watches Dragonling sink into ice-water. Dragonling' thinking amuse I. Dragonling think that ice-water stop Zeil. Zeil dive into ice-water and swim to dragonling, I slash at her with long toe claws, Zeil misses first time but next time slashes through her flesh, Ice-water fast fill with red of the blood. Pool fastly becomes the blood-water*, Zeil retreat fast but still feel blood-water starting to making scales raw, hopes dragonling will leave the pool before death so that Zeil will have fresh Dragonling to eat later. Claws at freezing ground at edge of pool and pulls self up, runs fast, fast as can from deadly blood-water. 51

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*Blood-Water- created when a badly bleeding Dragon submerges in ice water, becoming an acid like liquid that destroys all organic material that falls into the pool.
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Salaei 53

It hurt to move around, my shoulder hurt from where the Zelik had clawed me. I was confused about why the Zelik had fled. The I felt a burning sensation all over my body and in my eyes, forcing me to close them although my eyelids felt like sand parer against them, I pushed up, rapidly rising to the surface, but it felt so terribly slow. I clawed in desperation at the icy ground around the pool, crying out in distress. After a few moments I managed to pull myself out of the pool, my scales were raw and the holes in the membranes of my wings had grown larger, fortunately they weren't very big but they really hurt, I could feel my own hot blood dripping down my wings onto my back. I drug myself slowly away from the pool, heading in the direction of the Firaqua, hoping I'd get there soon, but knowing I was still pretty far away and knowing I had to get there before another Zelik could find me....54

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Zeil 56

Runned long time. Stars move two places in sky. Zeil look back, sees feet prints sizzling, claws burn as I runs. Zeil reaches cave after what feels like always and runs inside it, eyes fast adjusting to darkness of cave. I dives into Black-Water, feeling good as claws heal, warm feel spread through I. Zeil stay in black water long, enjoying feeling of *Dark Glow. 57

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*Cave of Black-Water- The place that all Zelik go when they have been injured, Black water has healing properties to Zelik, it has a putred smell and tend to make all other creatures that get in it feel sick.59

*Dark Glow- The feeling of the Zelik's body being healed, the outline of the Zelik seems to glow black and it sort of sucks color ourt of the air that is touching the zelik (hard to explain), which is where it gets its name from. 60

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Tachaeil 63

I flew around for a while after the storm had cleared. I was glad to feel the warmth of the stars on my wings once again, I flipped and twisted, flying in complex patterns that not even I understood the meaning of. 64

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Salaei 66

I slipped into the lake of Firaqua, my whole body ached as I waded farther in. I winced as a rough stone scraped against my belly and I drifted towards the middle of the lake slowly. After a little while I heard the distinct snapping of a twig, my head jerked towards the sound. The Zelik had come back for me. 67

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Zeil 69

I saw dragonling in big firewater. I walk to edge and dip claw in, planning to get to dragonling. Claw burns off of foot,, and I jumps back, cry out in hurting. Sees another Zelink run and jump far, landing in deep fire-water near the Dragonling. I hears screams of the Zelik as burned alive she became. Turns to ash and sinks to bottom. Steps back as I figures that black sand around fire-water is from dead Zelik. Zeil jumps back and runs into forest, finds scare as realizes claw stump no bleed. I stops a, examines claw stub . Was healed by fire water after burned away wht could mean it? Confusing I does it much. I runs to cave to tell of Zelik's death by fire-water. 70

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Tachaeil 72

I had watched as a Zelik ran towards a cave. It seemed to be in a hurry. I wondered about the significance of the cave, since I had seen lots of Zelik go inside it. I flew down for a closer look. I lighted on the cliff that was over the cave, then I dropped down and took a step towards the cave, folding my wings so that I could walk inside. I hadn't expected them to all be there, after all, the three stars had moved from one end of the sky to the other since I had seen the Zelik run inside. 73

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Salaei 75

I stared in shock, horror and slight fasination as the Zelik burst into flames before my eyes, reduced to ashes in a matter of seconds. I was confused and swam away from the place it had been as the inders slowly drifted towards the bottom, I climbed onto the bank and lay there bathing in the light of the three stars. I thought about it for some time, turning it over and over in my mind trying to figure out what had happened, and what it meant. It made me rethink what the firaqua really is.'It's also a refuge from the Zelik,' I thought to myself. 76

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Tachaeil 78

I slowly walked into the darkness, my eyes adjusting slowly. I saw thousands of glowing red eyes a few paces into the cave and felt a strange cold water at my feet that made me feel sick to my stomach. Then the Zelik attacked me. Claws digging into my flesh, tearing me apart, my mouth opened as I tried to cry out for help. I remembered that there was no dragon left to hear me and with that realization came pure terror. Then there was nothing. 79

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Zeil81

Feasts I does on dragon flesh. All clan there in cave. All surrounded the blue. I tugs off scale on dragon hea, put it between Zeil eyes I do. All lok up. Click begins, all of clan clicks. Clicking for I. Just I only.82

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Salaei84

I ran to the edge of a large rock and threw myself into the air, . I stetched my wings to their full extent and flew up towards the lights. That's then I heard it. The silent but deafening shriek of dath. I froxe in the air for a moment. It was Tachaeil.85

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Zeil87

Clan leader lives many generations. Time is over for now him. I control now the clan. I be killing the dragonling very soon now. First does I do though is show others that the fire-water is bad. show hem burnt claw and show them where happen. Little ones almost fall in water while explain I do. One does, and prove Zeil right about fire water.88

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Salaei90

I flew around for a little while, but I couldn't believe what had happened. Tachaeil and I had been the ony ones left. He couldn't be gone. Not now. I couldn't be the last one could I? I never even got to see him.... I saw the goup of Zelik below near the firaqua and I was furious with myself for not being able to breathe fire yet. Not being able to destroy them.91

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Zeil93

All click in panicing and move from edge. Zelik mother examine when youngling was , see nothing now. All believes I now. knows Zeil tell not the untruth. Zelik all return to Black Water Cave. Zelik Mother clicks loud when sees her nest empy. I walks nest and smells Dragonling. Why Dragonling here? Take egg? What use unhatch Zelik to Dragonling? Confused I doe it much. Zeil tell all to Scan skies. Find Dragonling. Find Egg.94

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Salaei96

I got an idea when i saw the egg on the ground in front of that cave. I landed afew paces from it and concidered dropping it into the firaqua, . But then I decided it might be useful to keep. Maybe Zelik weren't as different as I though. I carefully held the egg in my foreclaws and launched into the air, taking great care not to drop the egg. I landed on the cliff of a ground cave I had found earlier and set the egg down in a shallow indention. i left again and returned with small ground plants similar to the ones in the nest the egg came from and spread it a little in the place I put the egg. I heard a soft rustling sond from within it and realized it would probably hatch pretty soon. I left and went off to catch a sarrik or two, I was famished.97

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Ermnzik99

*Thud* Thud* Finally a small crack made in wall, I pushing hard, want out, not strong enough yet, but close. *Thud* Bang had again and shell wall crack more, but too tired, sleeping now.100

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Zeil102

All Zelik return from search. Seen Dragonling carry three things towards big ground water. Click command loud zeil does. All Zelik hear I, not matter how far is they. To Ground Water!103

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Ermnzik104

*THUD* *THUD* All over shaking. *CRACK* Big crack made now. Pushes hard against crack in wall. Getting sleepy now. Rols ackward and walls crack ope, shell fall away. Sits there blinking away the egg juice does I. I looks around a little bit before curl up in softness under where egg used to be. Stranges smells come from everywhere. Later aftr rest try to stand but fall back down. Tries again I does then ses something move. Jumps big up and Iands on it and bites it hard until it not move. Good taste does it have. Eats some until full. then curls up on soft again. 105

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Salaei106

I woke up and looked around the cave. I saw the broken egg shell first, then the dead sarrik. I looked behind te eggshell and saw the small form of the young Zelik, curled up asleep. It was about foot and a half long already, even though it had just recently hatched.I noticed it starting to wake up and gently nudged it with my thoughts. I recieved curious thoughts proding me back as it opened it's eyes and looked at me. I silently introduced myself and asked if it had a name. The name Ermzik entered my thoughts. I welcome it to life and ask itf it knowswhat I am. Again a single word slips into my conciousness 'Zelik?'
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Zeil107

Clan run fasts. Al scan skies for signs of dragonling. I hop big rock onto when all reaches Ground Lake. Loos around does I and sees cave on cliff wall. Clicks I does message to others. I tells them 'how way we reach dragonling cave? too far up, no way climb high enough. I looks at cave and plans next move on to be taking.
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Ermnzik108

Dragon says she is. She speak soft mind talk to I.Calming it is, I hops over to her and stares into eyes. Dragon mind speaking strang name I not understand to say. 'Zalaek' tries I to mind speak back. Dragon makes small outloud sound, but lets I call her Zalaek. Dragon calls I name I not pronounce. Is soft saying like Ermzi. I nomind, not can talk her name good either. I curls up next to her and drift of to sleeping. Feel safe I does with Dragon, ut something worry I. But I no understand what or why. I hears faint clicks in mind as fall to sleep.
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Zeil109

I clicks commands to al as head to ground cliffs. Zelik Mothers stay art Dark Cliffs to wait of us for returning. I hops on high stone and climbs little far up clff. Leaps ups o ledge and I look ups. Cave still big far, still take distance to find egg.
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Salaei110

I wondered silently if they would come for her. I looked down at Ermsi, starting to noice that she loed just ike a dragon hatchling, except she was black, here had never been black dragons. There never will be now I suppose, I must be the only one left. It seemed to be the only explanation.
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Zeil111

All can feels whn new mind appear, egg must have been hatch. Takes other of clan while to know, since they farther away being. Finally call I does to hatched in mind speak. Mind of hatched called Ermnzik. Tells all I does not to think to hatched. Tells I talk to mind talk to hatched first. All quiets then. I call to the Ermnzik, Is weak talk back to I. As if confused of who was I and what was.
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Ermnzik112

I waked to mind talk again. It called itself Zeil. Was good easy speak name unlike Zalaek. Was a Zelik like i. Ask if okay I. I tells yes. Tells I to hop to edge. Tells to look down. Tells I there be many Zlik, is tell I is be rescued from Dragon. I hops to edge nd looks over side after blinks in bright starlight. I sees black dots at ground. Is Zelik I realizes after eyes becomng adjusted. They all clicks up to I. Hps one does, stand on rock and clicks loud to I. Calls name Ermnzik to I. Is shrill clicker. Is pules back b Zelik with blue scale on head. Zeil voice in in tells I to go back into cave, to be wait for Zelik to return and recue I. Dragon is kind to I, no understanding hy I needing of to be rescue, but back into cave hops I does.
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