1 Prologue: Opportunity

It was the worst of times.

Ches lay panting in the claws of a Spirit Hawk. Fortunately, Spirit Hawks rarely eat chameleons. Chameleons are known to be on the stringy side of the meat food group and Spirit Hawks are notoriously fussy eaters. Unfortunately for Ches, this particular Spirit Hawk was in the process of hunting for a golden drake who'd just undertaken the role of "Nursing Mother." Jresh, the golden drake being discussed was known for her ability to let anyone else do for her what she was perfectly able to do for herself (ie she was lazy). She was also regarded as thinking her taste was the epitome of classiness, when in reality she had little sense of subtlety in anything, let alone taste. Her friends described her as 'True to herself' but in reality she was completely tasteless. In short, Ches knew he was destined to be her, or her offsprings, next meal.

As Spar, the Spirit Hawk, spiralled into Jresh's nest, Ches slowly allowed his breathing to quiet down. He knew he could never blend his colours when he was anxious and guessed that now was a pretty good time to be able to 'lose himself' as he called it.

Upon landing Spar threw Ches at Jresh's enormous feet. "For you, Your Ladyship. A meal for Amiel."

Spar chuckled at his own joke. Ches was tempted to laugh with him but as he was the meal that was being laughed at he decided not to. Jresh didn't know that a joke was being made. She was pretty and fearsome but not very bright.

"Thank you Spar. Have Jarleson provide payment."

With that Jresh flicked the chameleon towards a slowly breaking shell. "What a delightful entree you'll make for Amiel."

Ches actually laughed at the comment.

"Your Ladyship." Ches turned to Jresh in a fawning manner. "I've heard of your beauty and your fairness, but it's nowhere near the reality of what I see now."

Jresh smiled, taking his praise as her due.

"This is a hunting experience for your baby drake Amiel, isn't it? What a wonderful mother you'll be!"

Jresh nodded appreciatively.

"I know that like any good mother you'll be setting good consequences for your new heir."

This time the nod came more slowly but eventually Jresh agreed.

"So if Amiel can't make a meal out of me in the first hour you should probably make her go hungry. Completely appropriate consequence from a wise mother." He smiled at Jresh's obvious wisdom.

Jresh concurred, smiling at her forward thinking.

"If I survive I suppose you'll turn me into a personal trainer for your daughter. You'll probably only pay me half a royal tutor's wage, being the benevolent tyrant that you are." Ches looked like he was being cruelly taken advantage of.

Jresh chuckled evilly and nodded again.

"Will you please wait outside so I can prepare myself to become your daughter's meal or her tutor?"

Jresh smiled and left, smug in her own brilliance.

Quickly turning into the aqua colour of the large shell in the corner Ches laughed at his fortune. He'd just recently been laid off from his work as a party entertainer and was looking for a new job.

Then the shell began to crack. A small draconic snout broke out. Almost immediately two large cyan eyes opened.

Ches looked into them with awe. "So," he said

silently to himself, "This is what love feels like. She's probably a little young but drakes mature quickly."

Fortunately for Ches he'd heard a rumour about draconic bloodlines that he'd always wanted to try out.

It was the best of times.