We began to settle down after the mine collapsed. Everybody was exhausted, and half the party threw themselves on the ground the instant they had the chance to rest.

I, Dota, and the cloaked man stood, out of breath but standing. The lot was quiet, with only our wheezing breaths.

Before anyone could question him, the Cloaked man began walking away. I quickly jogged after him, then kept pace right behind.

We walked in silence for a good half-minute, up until we were behind a building, out of sight of the others.

He looked back at me.

“What do you want? An explanation?” he asked, reserved.

I nodded.

“I suppose that is fair, my appearance was probably surprising. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much more than what you already know.” He looked up and yelled to his [wyvern], who must have been hiding somewhere, “Zatchel!”

I drooped, my slate falling to my waist.

Cobaltio trod up to us, now significantly larger. He looked up at the cloaked man with a strange expression.

The cloaked man slowly looked to Cobaltio. Then, he signed to him:

I’m sorry I can’t be there for you, brother. You have made your choice.

Then, he leaned down and hugged Cobaltio.

I stared at him, shocked.

He let go of the [drake], then stood as a massive [wyvern] took perch on the building above us.

“Well, I ought to-” he began, before staring at me, his expression hidden behind his cloak’s magic.

Can you read me? I signed.

He signed back after a moment: If you can write tree.

I fumbled with my slate, excited, then wrote down, {tree}

You... He began, You can sign the language of the cursed?

I looked at him with confusion. I think?

He chuckled muffledly as his [wyvern], Zatchel, swooped to his side.

That’s...how? He asked.

I’ve seen memories of...a girl. They were from before the Age of Gods.

Fascinating, the cloaked man signed. Perhaps that explains a lot. Was it that holy artifact of yours that revealed that to you?

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I nodded, commanding the cushion to fly between two of my fingers, then pinching it. Do you know why your [wyvern] is called Zatchel?

He looked back at the wyvern for a moment, then signed, He isn’t my wyvern, he is Zatchel. Besides that, his name is quite common between us...well, there isn’t any point in hiding it anymore. He looked about, ensuring nobody was watching, then lifted his hood.

Behind it was a reptilian face, similar to that of the Dragonborn priest I had seen in my dream. His snout was covered in cobalt-colored scales and spikes, which swept backward almost like hair, and trailed down his neck. His eyes were small but imposing, located between two thin lines of spikes. He naturally appeared intimidating.

But he had a large, giddy grin on his face.

I am a Dragonborn, he said. We are no class, but a race of people, who, countless millennia ago, were kin to the dragon. Your friend, Cobaltio, is one of us and always will be.

I smiled too, but I wasn’t quite surprised.

You don’t seem too surprised, he signed.

I shook my head. I saw a Dragonborn in a memory.

I see. He signed with a nod. But what did you ask...oh, right. Yes, Zatchel is a common name between the Dragonborn. We owe much to the one who first held the name in records.

Who first held... I began before realizing what he meant.

He nodded. The God of Death, Maophas. His name changed after he ascended, but our kin did not forget it.

‘Wow’ I mouthed. Then my name...

Your name is a reference to his bride, Sayanica, who gave up the chance to live a happy life for Zatchel’s. Though while some of my kind can, in strange ways, remember those ancient days, the mortal races have certainly long forgotten their meaning.

We didn’t sign anything for almost a minute. Eventually, I realized how truly confusing those names were, and chuckled to myself.

Before I leave, the Dragonborn signed. I think I’ve changed my mind.

I looked to him, curious.

I won’t tell you everything here, but I feel you’re someone who could be valuable. Can you promise to keep all of this between you and... he motioned to the two Dragonborn beside him, us?

I nodded. I can.

Firstly, I am Bull-Song, but you may call me... He thought for a moment. You may call me “Song”.

Hana-Bull, I messaged, somewhat confused by the name. Do you know of someone called ‘Bull Dana’?

Yes, he signed, She is the (word I didn’t know) of one of my brothers, and the one who married together the ancient Zatchel and Sayanica.

What is (that word)? I signed.

It is hard to describe...but for now, you can pretend it means ‘predecessor’.

Zatchel tapped Song’s shoulder with their snout, and he nodded to the [wyvern].

But this isn’t a good time. How about...how about we meet up again, sometime? Perhaps in the Capital?

I nodded. When?

You can leave that to me, he said before rubbing Zatchel’s head affectionately. He looked between me and Cobaltio, then signed, You two stay safe out there, got it? He then briefly bowed to me, his palms clasped together. But before I leave, I ought to apologize. This affair with the dungeon was my fault, and I nearly caused you two to die, so I am very sorry. May the Greater Ones leave you be, and your friends always be there for you.

With that, I waved bye with Cobaltio as Song climbed onto Zatchel, then flew off.