A/N: Since footnotes don't really work here, certain terms will be bolded instead, meaning that there WILL be an explanation for them at the end of the chapter.

I also need to explain a few things here. This story is in a broad setting that was created through cooperative efforts. The other creative mind is NOT on FictionPress, and I have yet to get back from her whether she'd like her real name used here, or a pen name instead. THIS chapter, however, has setting, terms, and characters created ENTIRELY by me - as will the next few chapters. The second writer's influence and ideas will not be introduced until chapter 8. So chapters 1-7, as soon as I get them all up here, will be 100 my creation.

Chapter1

Silver quills of hair flowed languidly with the cool, night breeze. Two, dark eyes peered out from their silver veil, casting a look out to the sacred night sky. A shiver resonated down a slender spine in reaction to pale skin making contact with a cold, stone windowsill. Vapour flowed out from two, dark lips as a young woman let out a sigh into the chilled night air. She stood at her window, gazing longingly at the outside.

At the sound of a knock, the woman’s face jerked to the direction of the door. Slowly, the rest of her body followed. Facing the door she idly got up onto her feet. She walked over with a distinct pattern of clinking, as the hard soles of her open-toe boots hit the hard, stone floor. A smaller tapping could be heard as large obsidian talons that protruded from her bare toes nicked the ground. Two, majestic, dark dragon wings folded tightly behind her back. A long, ebony, scaly tail swayed like a pendulum, rubbing slightly against a coal, velvet robe. The woman pulled up a black hood before opening the door slowly. Once open, she stared up into two pale blue eyes.

“Shedyn… are you ready to go?” a male voice spoke. It was a voice that seemed to drift gently on sound waves, which lapped upon her ears like peaceful seashore. The woman, Shedyn, nodded her head, gazing contently into those ice-blue eyes. Although frosty in colour, they reflected some comforting warmth that eased the longing in the woman. However, she could not smile, even for him. Something wasn’t right in his usually radiant eyes. Instead she grabbed her bags and slipped beyond him, pressing her wings close to herself. The man followed her silently, his own light blue wings folded neatly. He tucked some of his long, frosty blue hair behind a long, pointed ear. The rest of his hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, making a narrow river that flowed between his ice-tipped wings.

“Tyra Moonglow, good luck!” said a pale woman who was standing in the corridor. She was also draped in a black velvet robe. Shedyn glanced over at her and nodded.

“Thank you, Tyra Sauna,” Shedyn responded in her cool, rich, voice. The woman nodded again and glanced up at the tall, willowy figure that followed Shedyn so quietly. His big, blue robe did little to hide just how slender the man was, and his height only emphasized his slight figure. Her eyes followed along the long, thin face of his, passing along his noticeably large nose. Finally they journeyed into his calm, pale eyes. Everything about this man as pale, except for the dark circles she noticed beneath his eyes, giving him a severe appearance. It wasn’t threatening, but perhaps just evidence of where a one cherished light may have flicked out.

“Ah, you must be Sayr Aysyss Runamaya,” the woman said. The man, Aysyss, placed his hand to his chest and gave a slight bow, causing his bangs to fall back into his face. Quickly he whisked his hand, with his long fingers, to pull his hair again out of his pale face.

“It is an honour to meet you, Tyra Sauna. Ah, it’s a long time since anyone has used my real surname, I almost didn’t recognize it.” He paused catching Sauna’s look of reverence, and offered a subtle smile. “I understand you have been keeping a good eye on Shedyn while she was here. I thank you, on behalf of the Moonglow estate, for being of so much help to Shedyn,” he said with a voice ringing with sincerity. “However, we cannot stay long. The world outside of this monastery does not wait.”

“I understand. Please, be on your way. May the Goddess be with you.” She spoke as she bowed and stepped back. She remained with her head bowed until Shedyn and Aysyss left the corridor.

As Aysyss and Shedyn left the old monastery, Aysyss turned to Shedyn. Her hood was drawn close about her face, as though to hide herself. Two frosty eyebrows furrowed close together as Aysyss frowned.

“You haven’t said a word…” he remarked. Shedyn shook her head and continued walking to a carriage, which was waiting for them. Something wasn’t right, and she was too afraid to ask. Aysyss sighed at her silence. He slowly rubbed the back of his neck, uncertain what to make of her silence. He watched her get into the carriage, drawn by two fine Hippudraks. A man grabbed her luggage and secured it tightly to the back of the carriage. With a heave he got up onto the driver seat and waited for Aysyss to get in. Aysyss exhaled a heavy sigh and got in, ducking so not to hit his head on the roof of the carriage.

Once Aysyss was seated comfortably beside Shedyn, the carriage began moving. He watched as Shedyn quietly glanced out of the window. Finally she turned and looked at him, pulling the hood of her cloak down. “I didn’t expect you to come and get me…” she said quietly.

“Of course I’d come,” Aysyss said with a reassuring grin.

“Aren’t you busy like everyone else is with the war?” Shedyn asked.

“Hm? Well, I’m not too busy to come get you in person. I wouldn’t have missed picking you up for all of Lunacress. You are my favorite sister after all,” Aysyss responded with a warm smile. Shedyn arched an eyebrow at him.

“Half sister,” she reminded sharply as she quickly glanced back out the window. Aysyss put his arm around her shoulders, sliding in between her wings and her neck.

“Don’t be like that. I’ve never thought of you as a half sister, and never will. Besides, your mother was the only mother I knew…” Aysyss responded, an almost mournful expression approaching his face. Shedyn shot a glance at Aysyss, her face gone white, losing any vague colour it ever held.

“Was?” Shedyn questioned. Aysyss raised his eyebrows in alarm, staring at her.

“Nobody told you?” he asked, a flush of red spreading into his cheeks. Shedyn’s eyes grew intense as she felt a dozen icy needles perforate her stomach, and thread their way up into her lungs. Her hearts, both of them, began to beat furiously to try and bring the warmth back.

“Told me what?” Shedyn asked, as her eyes moistened. She didn’t want to hear, but she needed to know. She curled her taloned toes and gripped her clawed hands into fists. Aysyss’ mouth was agape, the hidden sorrow he’d kept locked back coming to the surface in his reflective eyes.

“Mother died about seven months ago.”

The words fell on Shedyn with a sullen thud. The news sat there for a moment, as Shedyn tried to comprehend it. She will never be there again. There wouldn’t be that plain, hard working mother she knew. Her mother had always stood out in their rich family, for she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. She had always been her sanctuary when her life in such an important and wealthy family got hard. Fluid flooded up into the tiny corners of her eyes, rising up like a translucent sheet. She drew in a shaky breath as her chin quivered. The tears threatened to race down her cheeks. Shedyn bit her lip, furious at the restless tears. Still, she would be strong as a tribute to her strong, determined mother. She dared not let a sob escape her, and she dared not turn to cry on her half brother’s shoulder. Instead she just looked out the window again.

Shedyn felt a hand touch her shoulder. Shedyn curled her lips and lowered her eyebrows. She wrenched her shoulder free from that compassionate contact. She loved Aysyss, but she could not submit to a moment of tenderness so quickly. Without turning to face him she hissed, “I don’t need your condolences, Aysyss!” Instantly, he withdrew his hand.

“I was just…”

“Well don’t! I spent five years in that place, locked away from everything! I never felt so alone, but I had to suffer through it! I don’t have time to be weak and needy of your compassion. I was taught to be distant from sorrow, and I can't just crumble the moment I step out!” Shedyn snapped. Aysyss sighed and frowned, placing his hands gently in his lap.

“You have a whole life ahead of you to be strong, Shedyn. Now is the time to let yourself be weak, because right now, nothing is here to hurt you while you’re vulnerable; nothing, because, I won’t let anything harm you.” Aysyss said slowly. He watched her as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. She slowly turned to look at him.

“You won’t be here forever,” Shedyn responded. Aysyss nodded slowly, his blue eyes looking deep into her dark, absorbing pupils.

“I know. Which is why now is a good time to admit that you are sad. No one will know but me, and Goddess Runeshya,” Aysyss reassured. Shedyn continued to glare at him, with dark, fiery orbs. However, with only little kindling, it wasn’t long until her eyes just began to smolder and smoke. The smoke in her eyes evacuated the welled up tears and she fell onto Aysyss’ shoulder, giving in to his reasoning. He wrapped his arms around her.

“I spent five years of my life devoted to her… and what do I have to show for it?” Shedyn asked, her voice muffled by Aysyss’ robe.

“Sssshhhhh don’t worry. She is a very melancholy Goddess in her own way… you should know as well as I do that it’s only through our darkest days that we can truly find enlightenment and peace. I’m certain Runeshya will forgive you for mourning your mother…” Aysyss whispered soothingly, as he wiped her tears away with his hand. Shedyn reluctantly nodded in agreement.

“I know…” Shedyn said quietly as she lifted her chin and looked up at her brother with restrained admiration and love. “I just… I just can’t dwell on this. But I just can’t seem to see past it at all! All I see is her not being there for me anymore, and never seeing pride in her eyes… for me!”

“I’m certain she knows how much you love her. Take your time to adjust; I’m still taking my time…” Aysyss said quietly. Shedyn nodded her head, leaning further into his chest again. Her mother was gone, but she still had her older half brother. It wasn’t the same, but with him, she could cope. He had her mother’s compassion, which no one else in her family shared. Not even she could ever be as tender as her mother. Despite the humility her mother tried to teach her, Shedyn knew that she was very proud and even at times self-centered.

Shedyn’s mother, Reba, was a widow in the labour class. Her husband was a bricklayer who died in an accident when working on a new addition to the Moonglow Manor. Her mother was heavy with child when it happened. The shock and stress from the news caused her to go into premature labour and lose the child. However, Aysyss’ mother, Qasura, was also late in her pregnancy and gave birth to Aysyss about two days after this. Unfortunately, Qasura had died in labour, and Aysyss was born with difficulties. One of his two hearts was underdeveloped, and the other was severely weak. That was when Reba was given the honor of being a wet nurse and nurtured Aysyss. Despite the loss of Qasura, Jyraq Moonglow fell in love with Reba, even though she was a lowly widow and worker. They were married before the year was gone. Shedyn was born two years after they were married. Reba had been the only mother Aysyss ever knew, causing Aysyss and Shedyn to become very close.

Shedyn sighed, feeling only the mildest hint of warmth from her brother. Like all other Draqhyraqy, their bodies did not actually generate as much heat as most other humans. Aysyss, while not actually cool to the touch, was much more cool than the average Draqhyraqen, but this did not bother Shedyn. It was his personality that warmed her. Shedyn often found it strange that an ice medrach was so kind, as they tended to usually be either very aloof, or too superficial to care very deeply for anything. It was a discrepancy, but also a blessing. Shedyn shifted to get herself more comfortable and decided to just sleep the rest of the trip home.

1 Tyra: Draqhyraqen title (for females) used among those in an order or Church

2 Sayr: Draqhyraqen title (for males) for a man of high status or wealth

3 Runamaya: Shedyn and Aysyss' true surname. This is the name they inherited from their ancestors. However, the Runamaya family use the name Moonglow since it is more accessible by most races, who have long since began to speak Common. The Moonglow name is more of a business alias, but in late generations most family members introduce themself as Moonglow rather than Runamaya, since it has become more well known and respected.

4 Hippudrak: Large creatures with the body of a horse, wings of a dragon, and head and tail of a snake.

5 Lunacress: Planet at the center of the Daqka Dimension, best known for its double moon – a moon which had lost a large chunk of itself which then orbited around the moon.

6 Runeshya: Middle Goddess of the Night, Magic, and Serenity. The eight point star, the crescent moon, and the silver dragon are all symbols of Runeshya.

7 Draqhyraqy: A complicated race, referred to as Drakiran by most other races, that is predominantly human with pointed ears, two hearts, dragon-like wings, and dragon-like tails. However, they do not have the same genetic makeup as dragons. They are best known for skilled magic casting and are expert merchants and business managers.

8 Humans in the Daqka dimension are not a race entirely unto themselves. There are many different races of human with a variety of features, such as tails, wings, hair colour, scales, and so fourth. They are all still human.

9 Medrach: A magic caster whom is born with a dedicated magic type that shapes their physical appearance and usually their personality. Medrach can only use the magic they are born with, or any magic type that supports or closely resembles their main magic type.