Prompt: Describe the egg presentation/ceremony and how the egg chooses you. Write a description of the baby dragon and  Also write how you pack up and leave town if you don't already live in Ellesmera. Remember the Gedway Ignasia and to name your dragon.

Score: 10 out of 12, no eliminations this round

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The sun rose over the forest, slivers of golden light filtered through the needles of the great pines. Birds flitted from branch to branch, flying from the party that rode towards the elven city of Osilon.

The silvery coats of the horses glistened in the low light, the elves who rode them proud and full of feline grace. Their angled eyes were brimming with barely concealed excitement at the opportunity ahead. As they progressed closer, a singular elf shifted, holding closer the oaken chest that he held in his arms. His slender fingers stroked the large silver clasp on the front, outlining the delicate etchings that crossed the burnished surface.

The raven haired elf leaned forward in the saddle, hunching over the chest. In a mellifluous voice, he murmured into the serpentine grains of the wood,

“Maybe this time, small one. Maybe this time.”

**********

I stood with the other elves in the centermost part of the city, my angled eyes wide in amazement as the five egg-couriers migrated closer, becoming clearer and clearer with every step they took. They progressed into the city, regal and proud, the horses tossing their manes to the beat of their hooves on the cobblestones.

At the back of the procession, rode a youthful looking elf clutching a wooden case tight to his chest. I could just barely discern him through the press of the people around me, yet I knew that what he held in his arms was the entire motivation for this foray.

Finally, they filed to a stop, and stood in the middle of a courtyard; one rimmed by fragrant gardens and beds of loivissa. The five of them dismounted gracefully, landing softly onto the pavers that lined the pathways of the city. I heard them whisper a soft “Ganga,” and watched, as their horses melted back into the forest.

“Greetings, and may peace live in your hearts.” The lead elf’s voice rang out in greeting as she stepped forward from their small group. “We have been sent by our gracious queen to offer anyone who wishes to try their luck, the opportunity to touch the egg. Everyone is encouraged to participate, for there is a chance that anyone will be the next Shur’tugal.”

As soon as those words fell from her mouth, the dark haired elf stepped forward, opening the chest to reveal a beautiful dragon egg. Oblong and smooth, it glistened in the mid-day sun. It was a deep emerald green color, while veins of gold webbed their way across the surface. Nothing I had ever beheld was as exquisite and and magnificent as that egg that he carried.

“All who wish to try may now come forward.” Once again, the head elf’s melodious voice reverberated across the courtyard. At her words, many stepped forward, creating a singular winding line leading up to the egg. I stood, silent for a moment, weighing my options; there wasn’t much of a choice anyways.

Stepping forward, I joined the line, excitement building inside of me with every step I took. Within moments, the first hints of hastily hidden disappointment began to make their way past me. Some hid it well, others had it blatantly written across their faces; they had not been chosen.

As the space between the egg and I grew smaller, anxiety started to eclipse the prior feelings of excitement I had experienced just moments before. Everyone was passing me, none however with smiles on their faces, joy in their eyes. Suddenly, there were only fifteen people ahead….then twelve….eight…..five…..one.

The snowy haired elf ahead of me stepped forward and stretched out a hand to touch the egg. When her hand made contact with its sleek surface, I felt a small tingling sensation at the base of my neck. In front of me, the couriers flinched simultaneously, as if struck. The elf preceding me stepped back, shoulders hunched in defeat.

I took a shuddering breath and stepped forwards, my breathing rapid, palms sweating. I placed a slightly damp hand on the slick surface of the egg. Nothing. Yet the tingling sensation endured. After a moment, I reluctantly took my hand away. Disappointment crashed over me like a wave, abrupt and harsh. I had been rejected; although it isn’t like she should have been surprised.

As I turned to walk away, however, one of the elves behind me gasped. I pivoted around quickly, shocked at what I saw. The egg was shaking like a leaf in the wind. The entirety of it was shivering violently. Suddenly a crack, no thicker than a strand of hair, appeared, followed by more and more, radiating out across the once smooth surface.

I was amazed. Inching closer, I noticed that a small fragment was loose. In a single fluid motion, the emerald green shard popped off of the shell and onto the ground. I watched with rapt attention as the final pieces fell away, revealing a tiny, reptilian body.

The baby dragon was covered in a film of mucous, wings bent at odd angles, her scales, for it was a female, glimmered in the sun. Her small, slender body quivered as she stood for the first time. Quickly I stooped and reached for her, regretting that decision as soon as I had made it.

As she stumbled into my hand, pain erupted from my palm. Burning sensations raced up and down my arm, yet my blood was frozen in my veins. My ears were filled with high-pitched screeches and screams, overlaying deeper clanging noises; my throat burned as the bile rose, leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

Tears ran down my face as the pain started to fade. After what seemed like hours, I picked myself up, noticing an odd sensation; a completely foreign mind touching my own. After a moment I tried closing my mind to it, but it was impossible. There was a connection there; one that refused to be broken.

A small grin flitted onto my face as I realized that it was the dragon who the connection was with. From across the link, great waves of curiosity and enthusiasm came crashing into my consciousness. My smile grew, influenced by her emotions.

Looking down at her, standing in my hand, I noticed a silvery swirl twisting around my palm; the gedwëy ignasia, the mark of a Rider. Noticing my gaze on her, the dragon started squirming, opening and closing her wings, showing off the threads of gold that wove their way across the velvety membranes of her outstretched wings. Using her wings as balance, she slowly clawed her way up my arm, her new, ivory talons pricking me with every step she took.

The couriers, like I, were entranced by her every movement. Every twitch of the tail and every flutter of the wings sent another bolt of pride and love through me. Yet, I soon realized that my new dragon was still in need of a name. After a moment of consideration, I thought [‘Laefel.’] At that, a feeling of contentment came flooding from across our link.

Proudly, I said “Laefel. That is her name.” At those words, Laefel stiffened momentarily before drawing herself up, chest puffed out and head held high. Around us, heads started to nod, signaling approval from those had gathered there.

The lead elf stepped forward. “We leave in the morning for Ellesméra. Be ready at midday, by the edge of the city.”

*********

When I woke I felt a small patch of warmth along my rib cage. Smiling drowsily, I reached up to touch Laefel, still in shock at my new status. Sliding off of the mattress, I grabbed the bag I had packed last night. Tunics and leggings had been thrust into the bottom of the canvas pack. A small pouch of coins and a few baubles were placed on top, a spare pair of boots strapped to the bottom.

Looking around the small, wooden room, I felt tinges of remorse and sadness. This had been my home for close to a century, yet in a few moments I would be leaving it,  not sure as to when, or even if, I shall return. Laefel padded around my feet, nudging me towards the door, as anxious as I was to start this new chapter of my life.

I strode through the beautifully carved doorway and mumbled a spell of protection and closing, making myself and Laefel the only ones capable of entering in and out of it. I sighed and looked once more around my home. Leaning against one of the walls, was a fairth, depicting my father and mother; one of the last created before she left us. I walked over to it, tears welling in my eyes with every step I took. I stood there for a long moment, staring at the deep browns, golds and greens of the picture. As I took in the image one last time, I decided to go against my previous plan; I was going to make a call before I left, one that I should have made a long time ago.

******

I reached the large estate quickly, the familiar path leading me towards the Halls of Healing. To most, this place was a sanctuary, to others a prison. To me, it was a reminder. A reminder of the things that were and those that will never be. I ascended the thick stone steps, heart becoming heavier with each step.

On the way, Laefel had climbed into my pack, settling herself into a nest of clothes and trinkets, quickly falling into slumber. Her comforting presence was what I needed to get through this impromptu meeting, but waking her would be cruel of me. I filed past rooms, some vacated, others occupied, until I reached a room towards the end of the hall.

I knocked on the door, before letting myself in. Sitting in a chair, mumbling incoherent thoughts in front of a blazing fireplace, sat my father. My footsteps broke him from his trance, his eyes snapped to mine, recognition flashing in their depths.

“Earawen? Is-is that really you?” His voice had a gravely quality to it, as if it hadn’t been used in some time. His face lit up, as he became increasingly sure that I was real, rather than a figment of his imagination, a cruel trick his broken mind was forcing onto him.

“Yes,” I whispered, “It is.”

“Why are you here? Is she back? Am I leaving?” He spoke quickly, a few rare moments of lucidity granting him understandable speech once again. Hope shone on his face; an oddity for this man I knew.

“No father, she isn’t back yet. Just a while longer…” I tapered off, afraid that my rising emotions would rebel against me, allowing the pent up tears to roll freely down my face. After a moment, I spoke again. “I came to tell you that I am leaving. For a long time. I don’t yet know when I’ll be back. I’m sorry.”

My insides clenched as I saw the news sink in. He looked like a dog, beaten though no fault of his own. His wrinkle lined face crumpled, his hands curled in on each other. The hope on his face had vanished, replaced by a look of despair. Quickly, I tried to amend the damage I had created.

“We can still write each other father. I won’t be gone forever anyways. I’ll always come back; I won’t ever leave you like she did.” I paused, grasping his gnarled hands. “ I’ll always come back.”

He sighed heavily. Slowly, he rose, surprising me with the amounts of energy he still had. Shuffling over to a cabinet in the back of the room, he returned to his chair with a small parcel clasped in his hands. I helped him sit again, taking the package when he offered it to me, eyes locked on mine.

A thin twine held a paper wrapping in place, stamped with a wax seal; green with a small dragon imprint. Carefully I broke the seal, unwrapping the most beautiful dagger I had ever seen. It was about a forearm in length, the blade silvery and shining in the firelight. The length of the blade was polished with the same dragon from the seal etched in at the base. The hilt was modeled after the shape of a dragon, its head forming the base, a large emerald held in its mouth. The rest of the handle was covered in small shards of obsidian, topaz and emerald, its colors roughly matching those of Laefel and her egg.

After a time, I looked back up at my father, whose eyes were still latched on me. Pride shone in them now, replacing the despair that had clouded them before.

In a low voice, he said “I know why you are leaving me; your little friend in the pack told me. When I knew, I figured you should have that blade. Seemed to match her well enough. Know that you were special from the moment you were born-I felt it then and I feel it now, sitting before you. As well as the dagger, know that you take my blessing when you leave.”

After those words were said, I saw a small twinkle in his eyes, something he hadn’t had for the past fifty years. We stayed silent for another moment, deep in our own thoughts. Suddenly, I reached forward and embraced him. Slowly I let go, making my way towards the door.

“I’ll see you again father, remember that.”

With those words I left him, feeling better than I had in a long time/

********

Minutes later, I found myself at the edge of the city, couriers and horses waiting patiently.

“Are you ready Shur’tugal, Bjartskular?”

I mounted the waiting steed and nodded; noticing the small green and gold head that poked itself out from the pack on my shoulders. For the first time, I realized that by doing this, I would be changing our lives forever. But I accepted that change with an excited, “We’re ready.”