Ember towered over her subject. “Coxal, is it? I’m glad you got my summons.” Coxal nodded. She had trekked up the mountain to the Dragon Lord’s lair after the dark line down her spine began to glow. It took her all day to reach the top, but now she was finally face to face with the blue dragoness.

    “What did you need me for, my lord?” she asked. Ember waved a clawed hand dismissively. “You can drop the formalities for now. I wanted to talk with you in person, since you seem to be a rather…interesting acceptation among the other dragons.” She gestured for the smaller one to sit, and Coxal obliged. Ember stared, looking over the dragonling. Coxal started to feel uncomfortable when the Ember spoke again.        “You know, I knew your father Garble when we were kids. Well, ‘knew’ is a strong word, I guess it’s more accurate to say that we met for a short time and I quickly became annoyed with his attitude. I was surprised when I heard that he had a daughter, but you two do have a lot of similarities.” Coxal quirked an eyebrow up. What point was the Dragon Lord trying to make? “However,” Ember spoke again, “you have even more differences. Not just with your father, but with many of the dragons who live here.“    Coxal felt her whole body stiffen as Ember continued. “You appear to have never gotten your stonescales, the horns on your head haven’t grown since you were a child, and even your eyes appear clouded, even though you apparently have incredible eyesight.” Coxal raised her head and dared to make eye contact with Ember.    “Did you really summon me to come all this way just so you could ridicule me, like everyone else?” she snarled. “What’s the real reason you wanted me to come here?” Ember’s eyes widened at Coxal’s outburst, but she tried to keep her voice even in her reply.    “The real reason you’re here is so I could see you up close, and perhaps confirm some suspicions I had. It appears I was right about one thing…you’re not a full dragon.” Coxal stood on all fours and glared defiantly at the Dragon Lord, growling “What is that supposed to mean? I’m no less of a dragon than you are!” Her tail lashed behind her. To her surprise, Ember almost snorted at her reaction.    “Don’t be ridiculous! King Thorax and I have been friends ever since the two of us started ruling out respective kingdoms; you think I can’t tell when someone has changeling blood in them? Your back legs don’t even have claws, they’re hooved.” Coxal’s head was reeling. She never knew her other parent, and Garble refused to talk about them but…they couldn’t be a changeling, her family had never left the Dragon Lands!

    Ember could see Coxal’s face contort between confusion and anger, and she let out a sigh. “Look, you being part changeling actually makes your appearance…make sense, I suppose. Changelings are a kind that thrive on love and positive emotions and clearly staying here has had its toll on you. I feel that bringing you somewhere new will be beneficial to you.” The dragonling had snapped out of her inner turmoil to stare blankly at Ember “W…What?” she asked, clearly confused. Ember rolled her eyes and spread her wings, stretching them in preparation for flight. “I’m taking you to the Changeling Kingdom,” she replied, “so that – hopefully – you can be a bit happier and healthier than you are here. Now climb on.“    Coxal’s head was still spinning and, perhaps, that was the only reason she didn’t argue with the larger dragon as she climbed onto Ember’s back and hung on with her claws. “All set?” Coxal nodded. “Alright, good. Time to pay Thorax a visit!” With that, Ember took off towards the Changeling Kingdom.