He smiled. "There is no such thing as Little Dragon. But allowing yourself to be 'known' and underestimated by those who might one day be your enemies is never a bad thing. We allow legend to shape what people know of us, and now even if we showed the truth the lie would remain what people believe."
He gestured at Rowena. "Furad is your connection to our world. This Great Mother is your connection to your world. My place as your mentor, your Grand Dragon as it were, is vital, but not familial. We share no blood. No spirit. That is intentional. While all Dragons are considered family, we know better than the other races that to place a parent in a place of authority and discipline often does little but harm the relationship. You love Rowena and Furad because they have loved and protected you."
He tapped his nail down, and she could see suddenly that he had six fingers in this form as well. "I will be required to correct you. To discipline you most likely. I will not be harsh or cruel, but young Dragons are often wild and eager and this can lead to mistakes and willfulness. I hope never to do so but my task is to help you become the Dragon you are destined to be. Furad's place is to be your nest mother, To guard and protect you. And she will. As will your Great Mother here."
He was clearly not impressed with Willow. She had shown concern for her daughter, but utter panic at his implications toward her sons. That troubled him.
He wriggled his fingers and smiled. "As for this sign of us, you can decide whether to use it or not. In your scaled form you it will just happen, unless you will otherwise. in that form we need the five claws for many things and our 'thumbs' for even more, and they must be stronger than even human thumbs. We call it the gripper claw." he wriggled his fingers, which did look somewhat odd with five moving in an easy rhythm and his thumb rubbing his first finger. He shifted slightly and the hand became a very small version of his claws. Jet black and thickly scaled with diamond sharp talons at the end of each digit, the thumb had moved down and in somewhat, but had thickened. He began to manipulate it. It was far more dextrous and agile than the human version, and though it's talon was shorter and less curved, it looked no less sharp. It's length was curious as though it was further up the arm it had lengthened until stretched the length of the wrist, palm, and of the other fingers as well, their talon points almost exactly equal.
He pushed it between each, stretching his 'hand'. The thumb could reach over the back to his fifth finger's first knuckle or to the top of the talon. It could also go around the other way and come up over the bottom of his 'hand' and reach the length of his first finger.
He smiled at this then shifted back. Rowena had been staring in awe.
"The first thing you need to know about your new body Tirana is that you can and will have more control of every inch of your existence than you ever imagined possible. Your tail, your wings, your scales, your horns, your hands and talons, and of course your face, and fangs. Dragons are acutely aware of their bodies and their environments at all times. Such as....the seven maids tending to your cousins, uncles, and aunt. The two porters who are helping the doctors trying to waken your brothers. Your mother is currently stroking Damien's hair and singing a lullaby called... Coarser Waters to him. Your father is standing beside his throne watching and thinking and twisting some of his beard about his finger. Your brothers are still sleeping."
Rowena blinked at this. She was honored that she was entrusted with such secrets of the Dragons, but the more she learned, the more she knew that her family must find a way to make peace with these creatures. This became even more clear when she saw that Nabaz was blocked from seeing by several thicknesses of the tent, the sound of the crowds, music, and the ongoing tournament made hear impossible. She shivered and he looked at her and she could not help blanching.
He smiled and nodded. "The vibrations. Through the earth. On the air. The smells. And more."
He turned to Tirana. "Hopefully you don't feel these yet. Your body will not have become a shell for your truth yet. In your scaled form though your senses will begin to heighten and expand. You must remain calm during this. The incoming information can be overwhelming for even matured Dragons. When you are ready we will seclude ourselves so you can grow accustomed to it."
He sipped his tea and smiled. "Very good."
Rowena filled his cup again, and asked her own question. "How long will Tirana live now?"
Nabaz shrugged. "There are still Souled alive from the time before Furad was hatched."
Rowena stared at him, certain he would laugh and assure her he was joking. He did not. He was not. She sat back her eyes wide.
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