Dragon watched and waited as the cub trundled off into the cold waters. It occurred to him that she was young, inexperienced, and likely would never catch a fish her first time--

Oh, he thought, as Layla dropped another fish near her light. He was surprised--but pleasantly so; the faint fatherly pride he felt when "his" hatchlings made a kill flickered within him.

So did his fire, although this was for far more practical reasons.

"Move, and I will try to burn the slime away, and make them good to eat," he rumbled. He inhaled deeply, the air of the swamp filling his lungs and swelling his sides, then pouring into his guttering inner flame, feeding it, growing it. Glowing coal-light was visible in his gullet, flaring bright and brighter.

Pain, pain, agonizing pain--

Dragon pushed the agony aside as he let forth a belching torrent of fire, one which engulfed both white fish, burning away the slime and roasting them to a delightfully juicy crisp. He then stepped forward to plunge his pained maw into the swamp water, as he always did after casting flame. He'd built up a tolerance to the damage, of course, but it still had a cost.

He then took each fish, one at a time, briefly dipping them into the water to cool them, before tossing one down before the cub.

"Eat!" he urged. "Now the slime is gone, and it will not be terrible."

He watched her, curious, and spoke further as he watched her. "There are many in these caves, and they hunt, and eat, and mate, and survive. But the caves have many questions, too, and the many do not often seek answers. That, is a more important hunt," he told the little cub, wondering if she was old enough to understand.

She is wise, far beyond her cycles. I think this, "Layla," will understand this knowledge I give her.

PRIDE swelled within the alligator at the cub's words, as if she were his own child; and joy, joy that at last here was another who simply thought it ludicrous and unbelievable that others did not seek their answers.

He settled himself in the shallows of the black waters, to speak, and left her the second fish.

"Long ago," he began in his rumbling voice, "many of us began to awaken. Children of the stones: those of fur, or scale, and feather. Together we fought our enemies. And together, we secured our home."

His mind ran back, like old and rusted wheels, over thoughts and images he had not considered in many cycles. His sons--the bat, the shaggy boar; his daughter, the black crow; the hybrids they had together created, and those--like the tall cassowary, and the lizard not unlike himself--who had joined them. "We did not know who made these caves. Our father Aquarian, who lives in the deeps, told us that to discover why the Betrayer betrayed; to uncover who made us, and what threatens us... we must live a very long time. And so together, we chose to live forever."

The alligator let out a rumbling exhale.

"I sent them to ask the others in the cave. To find out why we are here; what the strange ones are who try to twist our fates. But they faded, or left; or they forgot their tasks. They wish to mate, and to eat, and then they die. They do not live forever; they do not seek the knowledge that might save us. I urge you, little one--hunt not only your food, but answers, for we rely as strongly upon these to ensure our survival."

His demeanor was very sombre, and his throat hurt--not only from the burning; this was a longer speech than he had made in many cycles.

He only hope that it left an impact on the little one.

But what does she care about? Food, and family; or answers? Will she value knowledge, and try to uncover the puzzles of the caves... Or will she be as the rest, and forget?

He watched her, and wondered, and awaited the little cub's response.

Dragon drew himself up as he listened, and then bobbed his head in a single reptilian nod of approval.

"Good!" he bellowed. "Go, and seek, and hunt! Go, and learn. Remember: our father Aquarian is our protector... and the small creature, of wings and buzzing light, she is Nemean the Betrayer. Do not trust her! And the great dragon, he of wings and flames, he is the Destroyer, who would kill us all."

Dragon considered. What other advice could he offer the creature?

"Hunt well, and do not die, little one. Should you desire protection, you may remain with me. But I swim a great deal," he added thoughtfully. This creature did not seem the swimming type--but then again, he could always remain near shore, if she wished company.

"Otherwise, follow your fire and your light and you will not be lost!"

Dragon slowly pushed himself back into the water, sinking as the cub bounded off, blowing bubbles absently through the marsh water.

Perhaps it would find answers, elsewhere.

Perhaps it would bring some back to him.

The important thing was, it was hatched, and it was safe. But, still... He wondered.

Perhaps I have lit another fire, tonight, more than those that cast light.

Hopefully, he had ignited the spark of curiosity in the cub--a spark that might lead her to seek true answers within the caves. Answers that, thus far, had eluded the best and the eldest among them. He could but hope.