“Icy? Chatterbox?” Julia exclaimed, turning to William with eyebrows raised high, her expression caught somewhere between horror and amusement. “William, by the First Mages, those are… objectively terrible names for a dragon! Have you no sense of poetry? Of significance? Look at her!” She gestured towards the small white creature, which tilted its head, blue eyes blinking curiously at the sudden attention. “She's magnificent!”
Roland cleared his throat, his expression stern but a flicker of something that might have been suppressed laughter touching his eyes. “While 'Chatterbox' possesses a certain… blunt accuracy based on recent evidence,” he conceded drily, acknowledging the telepathic flood William had apparently endured, “I concur with Julia. Neither name holds the dignity befitting even a juvenile member of a potentially ancient lineage.” Stakeholder feedback on proposed nomenclature: Universally negative. User naming privileges potentially revoked, William thought wryly.
Even Jett chimed in, a rare occurrence. “Bad trail names,” he stated simply, shaking his head. “Bring bad luck.”
Caspian, recovering from his initial shock, waved his notebook dismissively. “Names are mere labels! The taxonomy is what matters! Is she Draco Nivis Minor? A variant Wyrmling Glacialis? We need physical parameters, behavioural observations! The naming conventions can follow rigorous scientific…”
“Perhaps,” Julia interrupted gently but firmly, cutting off Caspian's enthusiastic spiral into draconic classification, “we should focus on a name that feels right, Your Highness. Something respectful.” She turned her gaze, now soft and almost maternal, back to the dragonet perched curiously on a low branch nearby, observing them all. While the others debated, William seized the opportunity, focusing his intent inward. EMMA, initiate scan. Target: Juvenile Dragonet. Obtain baseline metrics, identify capabilities. MP: 125/136.
The EMMA interface overlaid his vision, attempting to parse the creature. Scanning...
Biological Entity: Draconic (Subtype: Glacial/Ice - High Probability).
Age Estimate: Juvenile/Hatchling (<1 Year).
Physical Attributes (Est.): Strength 10, Agility 10, Vitality 10. (Baseline comparable to average untrained human, but potential for significant growth assumed typical for species.)
Magical Attributes (Est.): Magical Power 20, Mana Pool ~100. (Higher innate magical potential than baseline human.)
Detected Skills/Abilities: Telepathy (Basic - Broadcast Capable), Cold Resistance (Basic - Innate), [Unknown Draconic Abilities - Latent/Undeveloped].
Additional Observation Notes: Subject exhibits high levels of 'Cuteness', potentially impacting diplomatic interactions with susceptible humanoids.
Threat Level: Currently Low (Direct), High (Indirect/Strategic).
Okay, so basically a fragile, magically-inclined toddler with mind-reading and potential future apocalyptic power levels, William summarized internally. And objectively adorable. EMMA even logged it, sort of.
Julia, meanwhile, continued speaking softly to the dragonet, ignoring the lingering debate fragments from Caspian. “Names hold power, little one,” her voice was gentle. “They help shape who we become. You deserve a name that reflects your beauty, your resilience… your light, even amidst the cold.” She paused, considering, her eyes thoughtful. “What about… Snowbright?”
She spoke the name clearly. “Snow, for your scales, white and pure like the first snowfall. And Bright… for the intelligence in your eyes, for the hope you perhaps represent, appearing when all seems lost.”
The name hung in the air. Snowbright. It had a certain resonance, a balance of vulnerability and potential.
Roland considered, then nodded slowly. “Snowbright. Aye, that has strength. Dignity.”
Jett gave a single, curt nod of approval.
Caspian, momentarily silenced, tilted his head. “Snowbright… hmm, phonetically balanced, invokes dual aspects of visual quality and luminescence… Acceptable! Though I maintain a proper taxonomic designation is still required for the records!”
William watched the dragonet. Its mental 'voice' suddenly chirped with unrestrained joy, broadcasting to all of them again. < Snowbright! > The thought felt like sparkling ice crystals and warm sunlight combined. < I like it! It feels… like me! Bright snow! Snow… bright! I am Snowbright! > It did a little happy wiggle on its branch, nearly losing its balance, wings fluttering uselessly.
William smiled, genuinely this time. Julia had nailed it. “Alright, alright,” he conceded, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Snowbright it is. Definitely better than my suggestions.” He paused, then added with a mischievous grin directed at the newly named dragonet, “But 'Snowbright' is quite formal, isn't it? A bit of a mouthful for everyday use, especially if you keep chattering in our heads.” He saw Julia raise an eyebrow but pressed on. “How about… Snowy? For short?”
Snowbright tilted her head again, considering. < Snowy? > The thought felt lighter, playful. < Like… fluffy snow? Soft? Yes! I like Snowy too! Snowy the Snowbright! It’s perfect! Thank you! > Her tail wagged furiously.
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Julia sighed, but a warm smile spread across her face, softening her features entirely. “Very well,” she said, her voice laced with amused resignation. “Snowbright it is. And 'Snowy' for amongst friends.” She looked directly at the dragonet. “Welcome to the team… Snowy.”
“Okay,” Roland interjected, his practical commander-brain switching back online immediately. He eyed Snowy, who was now attempting to preen a wing feather with her snout. “She has names. Now, logistics. Jett confirmed she's weak, favours a leg. Can she maintain our pace on foot?”
Jett shook his head slightly. “Not for long. Not through rough terrain. We'd be slowed significantly.”
“And leaving her loose risks her wandering or being easily picked off,” Roland stated grimly. “Carrying her seems the only option if speed and safety are priorities.” He looked around. “How?”
“I can fashion a sling,” Julia offered immediately, already assessing her spare cloak liner. “Something warm, secure. Perhaps a minor warming charm embedded?”
“I'll carry her,” William stated firmly, stepping forward before anyone else could volunteer. “Roland designated her my responsibility. And,” he added honestly, “she seems… calmer with me.” Plus, proximity allows easier monitoring via EMMA and potential telepathic updates without broadcasting to everyone, he didn't say aloud. Integrating legacy system (Snowy) with primary user (me). Standard procedure.
Roland nodded curtly. “See to it, Julia. Quickly.”
“Jett,” Roland continued, turning to the scout, “we've been stationary here longer than I like, discussing draconic nomenclature.” A pointed glance at Caspian. “Do a final perimeter sweep. Confirm nothing was drawn by our presence or is closing in now.”
Jett nodded and melted into the trees without a sound. The remaining team members began quietly checking their gear, the brief interlude over, tension returning. William watched Jett disappear. Constant vigilance required. Threat environment remains hostile.
While Julia worked deftly, folding and reinforcing the cloak liner, whispering faint magical syllables for the warming charm, William crouched near Snowy. He focused his mind, projecting calmness. < Snowy? Can you understand more complex thoughts? Your mother… the Loud Ones… the Goblins… did you see where they went after… after she fell? > He kept the query simple, avoiding direct mention of death. Using EMMA to facilitate telepathic understanding and deciphering. MP: 155/161.
The response was immediate but chaotic. A jumble of images slammed into his mind: SNOW – blinding white snow everywhere – TALL DARK TREES – HUGE MONSTER – sharp claws, long fangs – ROARING SOUND – not the river, something deeper, angrier – PAIN – immense, overwhelming, radiating outwards – COLD – deeper than the frost, a soul-deep chill – DARKNESS – wings beating frantically against snow – fleeing – ALONE. The sequence was disjointed, drenched in terror and grief. < Hurt Mother! Loud Ones hurt Mother! Went… away… Left me… Cold… Hungry… > The thoughts fragmented, laced with residual panic and the simple, overwhelming sadness of an orphaned child.
William quickly projected soothing thoughts < Safe now. Safe with us. >, pulling back from the probe. Data retrieval attempt: Partially successful. Confirms something big attacked Mother, not goblins though. Location: Snowy/forested. Outcome: Mother perished (High probability). Subject trauma level: High. Further direct interrogation inadvisable. He felt a pang of guilt for probing the fresh wound, even for vital intel.
Jett reappeared as silently as he’d left just as Julia finished fashioning a surprisingly sturdy-looking sling. “Perimeter clear for now,” the scout reported quietly. “No fresh goblin sign this close. But detected some trail crossing ours about half a mile back, unsure whether it is goblins or something else. We should be safe but recommend we move now, maintain silence.”
Roland nodded. “Agreed.” He looked at William. “Secure your charge.”
William carefully coaxed the trembling Snowy into the warm sling Julia had made, securing it across his chest over his +2 armour. Snowy burrowed in instantly, emitting a faint thought of < Warm… Safe… Smells like… boar-saver. > William sighed internally. Great. My designation is 'boar-saver'.
“Ready,” William confirmed.
“Formation,” Roland ordered. “Tighter. Jett, point. I'll take rear guard for now. Julia, Caspian, flank William and our… asset. Move out. Eyes sharp, ears open.”
They set off, retracing their steps back towards the riverbank clearing. Their pace was slower now, hampered slightly by the need to protect William and his fragile cargo, but also driven by a heightened sense of vigilance. Every shadow seemed deeper, every rustle potentially hostile. William moved carefully, acutely aware of the small, warm weight against his chest, the immense strategic value and vulnerability it represented. Current status: Mobile repository for potentially kingdom-saving (or destroying) undiscovered magical asset. No pressure. He kept EMMA on passive scan, monitoring their surroundings and Snowy’s faint vital signs. EMMA suddenly displayed a few system details that he was surprised about.
XP Gain Detected: +2000 XP (Saved new companion from certain death – Snowy the Ice Dragonet).
Total XP: 2800 / 5000.
New Title Awarded: [Connection to a Dragon]!
Effect: +5 Magic
Wow, +5 to magic, that’s a pretty substantial reward and Snowy is still just a dragonet. Imagine when Snowy grows older and her own magic powers increase exponentially, perhaps the title and rewards will get incrementally better. Something to look forward to!
They reached the edge of the clearing where the boar carcass had been discovered earlier. Jett held them back, doing a final quick scan. He signalled the all-clear.
Roland nodded. “Alright. William, Julia, Caspian – investigate what Snowy sensed. Jett, maintain overwatch. Five minutes. We need to know what we’re dealing with before committing further down this riverbank.”
William, with Snowy peering curiously from the sling, stepped out onto the muddy bank with Julia and Caspian, eyes scanning the ground, wondering what final mystery this strange day held.
William Shard - Character Sheet
- Level: 4
- XP: 2800 / 5000
- Titles:
- [Novice Magic Analyst] - Effect: +5% Mana Regeneration Rate
- [Light Weaponized] - Effect: +10% effectiveness to Light spells
- [Survived the Odds of Hammer Falls] - Effect: +2 Agility, +2 Vitality
- [Connection to a Dragon] – Effect: +5 Magic
- Class: Magic Analyst
- Stats:
- Strength: 15
- Agility: 20
- Magical Power: 26 -> 31 (+5 from title)
- Vitality: 17
- HP: 170
- Mana: 136 -> 161 (+25 from +5 magic power)
- Unallocated Stat Points: 3
- Skills:
- Swordsmanship: Basic
- Magic (Conventional): Basic
- EMMA System: Basic
- Language (Averian Common): Basic
- Healing / Regeneration: Basic
- Equipment:
- Longsword +2
- Wyvern Light Armour +2
- Companion:
- Snowy – Ice Dragonet