Hacile was getting very hungry, it was in the middle of the day, and he was by the ocean, he decided to take a swim, and maybe catch a dinner while he was at it. He swooped down and down he went, when he went down, he was about 30 feet below, and noticed something that looked like a mountain moving. He looked closer, and it was a monster, it must have been 3 or 4 times his size, and had huge claws, Hacile knowing he couldn't defeat it in combat, decided to get out of the ocean as fast as possible, then he saw a big eel looking monster heading towards him, so Hacile started going towards the big monster, and went right past him, and it was obviously not wanting him, it grabbed the large eel, and bit its head off, and started eating it, Hacile on top, the land, laughed and said to himself "survival of the bigger".

Valynna had found the coast to be quite relaxing, when she was alone that is. The way the water moved seemed to calm the turmoil in her soul, allowing her to let go the hard boundaries she kept to prevent many from getting to close to her. She had found a soft grassy spot just above the beach line looking over the waves, she had laid back her head skyward and began to listen. Soon she found herself slipping off to sleep, but a large dark shadow flew over her, startling her to the degree of defense. She would never forgive herself she was attacked while off guard like she just was.

But what she saw was not some sort of attack on her, but a dragon diving into the water. Well, now that her relaxing mood had been broken she watched the dragon dive deep into the water. She had never met a dragon before, part of her was weary of it, they were after all very large animals, she wouldn’t want to fight against one if she had a choice.

She watched the scene play out in front of her, of part of it from what she could see from her view point, which wasn’t much. Though it was obvious that if the dragon was looking for food, he didn’t get it. She then watch it fly back to land and laugh at what he must have seen.

“Eat or be killed, is one of my favorites, but yours was pretty good too.” Valynna said from her spot to the dragon, revealing herself to the dragon. If she was going ever meet a dragon, this would be the time.

Hacile noticing the young woman sitting a good ways away from here hearing what she said "Well, hello young Sorceress. You might find it quite interesting that a dragon is not the biggest thing here with us. Take a look to see for yourself, its quite a naturally large monster, I wouldn't want to get wrapped into a fight with it." Hacile wonders if the young Sorceress will end being a friend or a foe.

Valynna approached the dragon, still weary about him, even if he wasn’t the largest creature here, he was still larger then her, that was what mattered at the moment. Sure enough approaching the water she could see a fight taking place under the surface of the water, causing waves and splashing to take pace above them.

“Well, those are pretty big sea creatures, glad I didn’t decide to take as swim today.” Valynna said, turning her attention back to the dragon. “Unlike someone else. Are Dragons naturally good swimmers? I saw you go in, and it seemed you avoided being attacked by those two things.” She added with a bit of curiosity in the tone of her voice.

So far so good, Valynna thought to herself, he hadn’t tried to eat her yet. Though something else was on her mind, he had called her Sorceress, how did he know? It was little things like this that always caused Valynna to be on edge and avoid of getting to close to others.

"We dragons are naturally good fliers, swimming comes with practice. I am just a old dragon trying to make my way in a land of chaos and oppresion... So, young Sorceress, what brings you to this region of the mighty arda?" Hacile says, with a mild happy mood, knowing this might turn into a intelligient conversation.

“That’s interesting to know.” Valynna replied. She turned her back on the events playing out in the open water and began walking forward inland, her red eyes never leaving the dragon.

“You sure know more then I think you should.” Valynna finally said, her eyes narrowing on the dragon. “You keep calling me Sorceress, why is that?” Her voice, which had started out hard had quickly turned into a light, carefree question. Her response and actions will be determined by the answer the dragon gives her. What if this dragon had some connection…what if their meeting wasn’t an accident? She would have to play this carefully, she was strong, she was a Sorceress after all, but would she be powerful enough if things turn ugly. True so far this dragon has been kind, nothing like she was expecting. Then again, she herself wasn’t acting like she normally does.

"I know many things young Sorceress, I know many things of this land. It is not that hard for me to see plainly you are a Sorceress. With old age comes wisdom, and knowledge, but also death creeps ever closer, haha. Now, that I have answered your question, would you mind answering mine?"

Hacile wondering if the young sorceress is going to try something.

So it was just his observation of her that made him recognize her as a Sorceress, he must have some good observation to see that, Valynna thought to herself. She then wondered how old he was, to be able to pick out a Sorceress when he sees one was pretty impressive. But she wasn’t as young as she looked either, she too have been around and experienced stuff that made her better at picking out trouble when it comes.

“Okay, what’s your question?” She asked, her body relaxed as she place her hands on her hips, ready for whatever the dragon wanted to know. A brief thought crossed her mind, it would be really great to have a dragon as an ally, the situations he could get her out of was very tempting.

Hacile laughing at the manner of this young sorceress. "My question to you young, sorceress is, what brings you to this part of the land, in Arda?"

Hacile wondering if the girl will tell him the truth, or if she will try to lie her way out of it. Knowing that she might be terrified of him, brings a good reason for the lie. Hacile was hoping he would not have to fight the young girl, but would if forced to.

Valynna thought patiently, something she doesn’t do often, but her mind was troubled over what answer to give him. She could lie, but she felt the Dragon may sense the lie and force her to tell the truth. But what version of the truth could she give that would appease this beast in front of her. But more importantly, why was she here? It had started as just running away from home years ago, but now with her master, who Valynna seemed to have misplaced at the moment, she was just trying to train her magic, to become someone much stronger then she already was.

“I’m taking a break.” She said simply and truthfully, but gazing into the dragon’s eye she could feel him waiting for something more descriptive. “I sort of taking a break from my Master, along with her training.” Valynna added, now feeling antsy. “I don’t know why I’m here…just…trying to figure out how to accomplish my goal in life…well actually trying to survive this life is more like it.” There, she felt her shoulders fall as if she had just released a heavy burden. Her words were true but know it was up to this dragon to decide if he was going to accept this answer, was it really an answer? Valynna began to second think her choice of words, she had to admit they were pretty sloppy, but honest.

But there was something else that made her leave her home village, besides the constant teasing that had just about turned into torture for her. But this reason she had never mentioned to anybody, not to her master, nobody. She had always wanted to know what was her other half, living in a village of demons, knowing you were only half, the answer could not be found there. But if her father was a human…well it was obvious that her search was far too late. Humans barely lived to be 100, and she was already past that. Her mother had never given the slightest hint to help her, and after leaving the village she realized how large this world was, to find someone she never knew, was next to the impossible. It was that revelation that kept Valynna from telling anyone or trying to even seek out the man who was her father.

She waited still for the dragon to make the next move.

Hacile, knowing that the young sorceress was trying to dodge the question, figured this young girl was searching for what everyone else was..."the meaning of life".

So Hacile said to the young sorceress "Young, sorceress you I believe are searching for what everyone else does...the meaning of life, the meaning of life is one thing, that one thing is what you must discover."

“What?” Valynna said with a shocked and confused look on her face. “The meaning of life? I may be searching for something else in this world but ‘The meaning of life’ is not worth my time.” What good would it do to become a philosopher and search out this ludicrous question. Her only goal was to seek out power and show her village that she could become just as strong or stronger then them, then they would see what it was like for her all those years in that village.

“I think, Dragon, you search too deep for your answers.” Valynna added her arms now crossed before her a grin on her face as if she was analizing him. Lets see how he likes it, she thought to herself.

“Besides I don’t like to be analyzed by others, you should keep her big nose out of my business.” This time Valynna was very angry, this dragon had come to a conclusion that she was searching for something much deeper then the answer she gave. That could be true, but he got the quest wrong. Still the fact was that this dragon continued to read between her words, it annoyed Valynna to the core.

Amused at the young, little sorceress's anger. Hacile decided to play along.

"Well, young sorceress, you have gotten angry. I think, that you think, I think that, because you are confused on what you are really doing, besides, you shouldn't get angry, maybe I'm wrong, should it matter to you?"

Hacile wondering if the young sorceress would try to fight him now.

So what if she was angry, she was becoming confused at what was being asked of her. How can this dragon make things sound so much more confusing then they already are? But she wasn’t completely out of control…yet. She still know that if she did do something foolish like attack, she would be outmatched, and she knew how to survive. If anything she would have to run to escape…but how can you escape a dragon?

“You think? What are you doing, reading my mind? It’s a dark place and I would advise you to stay out of it.” Valynna shouted, focusing her anger on the level of her voice instead of action.

“Why are you asking these questions anyway? What do you want to know, my life history?” This was by far the weirdest conversation she had ever had….with anybody let alone a dragon. “Who are you? Some sort of Dragon Priest? It’s like your trying to make me confess some inner dark secret. Well if you are, I have no uses for Priests, so I suggest we end this topic.” If he didn’t start something else, she would have to do something to prove to him that she wasn’t willing to let someone talk her into a corner.

Deciding he was tired of making the young sorceress angry Hacile decided to change the subject.

"Well, young sorceress, I honestly do not wish to disturbe you, so let's change the topic...what do you think about the other races of Arda?"

Hacile knowing this might cause trouble, but a lot less than what would happen if he bothered her. Knowing he was a old, and strong dragon, did not make him happy in a fight, fighting is fighting none the less. And he knew the young sorceress was not as weak as she looked, but he honestly didn't care about fighting. He fought when neccessary, not when he wanted.

Valynna gave a deep sigh, this dragon somehow new all the topics that could get her upset. What sort of topic starter was that anyway? Was he trying to get her to tell him what race she was? It was obvious what he was, but why would anybody talk about the many races in this world? It’s something along the lines of researchers, philosophers and other boring occupations. To her the races were just well races, they all lived together, well sort of. But it is just the way things are, nothing to dwell to deep on.

“Are you sure your not some sort of philosopher? I mean what’s with you and all these odd questions?” Valynna asked as she decided that this dragon was not too serious about fighting, the way he kept asking these bizarre questions made him sort of safe. She then took a seat on a nearby rock, crossing her legs, prepared to give him an argument if it came to it. If she wasn’t going to fight with her physical body, words would have to suffice.

“Why would anybody ask that sort of question? The races are just well part of Arda, there’s no need to think too hard on it. You seem to do that a lot.”

Amused at the young sorceress's simple nature on the look of the topic.

"Young sorceress, the races are all unique in different ways. Knowing the special things of races is rather helpful in combat. I am a philospher persay, but if you look at my sitatuon. For nearly 100 years I lived alone, only knowing the few beings that lived with me, and reading books. Reading that much makes you think of a lot of things, now that I am out in the open land, I am becoming more in touch with the warrior of all people's hearts."

Wondering if the young sorceress would go with this topic, or make one of her own.

So he was something of a philosopher, she was right. But it sounded more like an amateur, if he truly have read as much as he said he did, he must have picked up a lot knowledge. So her first instinct to shot him down seemed to fall apart in her mind. Perhaps this dragon didn’t understand how his words affected her in such ways. She took a look around, the water to her one side, she shoreline, the tree line above her to her back. She couldn’t see anybody, but that didn’t mean it was safe, nor did it mean she was in danger. She let out a pent up sigh, relaxing her body, preparing herself for what she was going to reveal to this dragon.

“I don’t like talking about the different races of this world. It’s a bitter subject to me. I understand the differences between them, some more then others.” She was stalling, she began to fidget, again her red eyes searched the area as closely as she could.

“I’m a half-breed, something between two different races. I grew up with my one half, never got along with them. But my other half…I don’t know anything about.” She finally said, she wondered how this dragon would react to this, what he would say.

Realizing that the young sorceress was a half-breed must have been why she didn't like to talk about races. Hacile decided to attempt to help.

"Half-breeds..half-breeds are people too. I take it the one side was cruel to you for being a half? Well, maybe you should think about it this way: you gained powers from both sides, you are probably better than a lot of your one side and the other side because of this. You should not be ashamed of what you are, I am not, and neither should you be."

Hacile wondered how she would react to such a statement.

“Your starting to sound like my master.” Valynna said in a hushed tone, giving the impression she had heard this lecture before, which she has. How much she wanted to believe what this dragon was saying about her, but the truth was, when it matter the most, her mother never said anything along those lines. Really it came down to what she thought, it always did. Even now, after these past 25 odd years of being on her own, away from the village that raised her, no matter what anybody had told her she still only cared about what her mother thought of her.

“What you say maybe true, but I’ve yet to accept myself. I’m not sure who I am really, I did know that I wasn’t going to get my answers from where I grew up, that’s why I left.” If she stayed around this dragon any longer she was going to reveal her life story to him.

“So I think you’ve learnt enough about me, now it’s your turn. Why are you out here on your own?” She asked, turning the tables.

Hacile having a thought of how the questions had turned on him. He would try to answer as truthful as he could be.

"I am here young sorceress trying to keep the chaos of this world, although its impossible to do alone, I try my best to keep good at least a little higher in the power struggle than evil. I've seen what evil can do, and its not very fun looking. I am hoping to maybe form some sort of "guild" to protect the power struggle, and keep it balanced."

Wondering what the young sorceress would think about that info.

Valynna began to laugh, she had always thought dragons were…well not aligned to the good that was for sure. But hearing him say so was so unexpected that all she could do was respond with laughter. But it had finally dawned on her that this situation was not in her favor. She usually didn’t care one way or another who others were aligned with, what gods or goddess they worshiped, having never choose one for herself. But by the subtle hint within the dragon’s words, she felt as if he would try to persuade her to join his cause. Which was the farthest thing from her mind. If anything she was a demon, and demons don’t have the reputation of choosing the light, and she wasn’t going to upset them more then they already where at her, though…it would upset her mother greatly….

Valynna then stood from her sitting position on the rock, her arms crossed in front of her, a more confident, even spiritful look on her face. Her red eyes narrowed in on the dragon.

“I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting that answer from a creature like you. But I don’t judge or care if you are good aligned or whatever, but I do draw the line when it comes to persuading others.” Valynna then raised her hand, she knew the dragon was going to deny this. “You do whatever you want to about fighting chaos, I don’t care, but don’t pull me into it. I’m a half-demon, I’m sure you understand that despite my hatred against demons and my family, the point is I do have hatred, a lot of it and I will use it if it means power.” She then gave a short sigh. “I think, dragon, our time together has come to an end. Being around you, can be hazardous to my position on life. No offense. I came down to meet a dragon, having never met one before. It has been educational.”

Valynna then turned swiftly and sharply around, her back on the dragon, jumped down with ease to the ground and began to make her way inland, away from the water’s edge, the shoreline and the beast. Others, she knew would have told her to never turn her back on such a creature, but after their discussion she knew that he wouldn’t do anything unless provoked to such behavior. Though she wondered by shooting down his believes like that she did provoke him…she may have turned her back but not her wits, she still was tense enough to move if he did try something.

Hacile, knowing the young sorceress had finally found out what he was talking to her about. He decided to let the young sorceress be. She was not as bad as the other demons he knew, or did know in a sense. He figured he would just fly to the mountains and see if any trouble was happening there. Before he left he mummured to himself in a low voice: "goodbye young sorceress, may we meet again in the future".

A sudden gust of wind flew by Valynna as she continued to walk away from the dragon. She raised her hand to try to keep her loose hair away from her face, catching the sight of the dragon spreading his wings and lifting himself into the air. It was an impressive sight, but she was still upset at being almost lured into his guild.

“Not if I can help it.” She whispered to herself trying to keep her anger to a controllable level. Though it served her right, it was her after all who prompted the conversation in the first place. But how was she supposed to know that he would turn out to be some sort of goody-goody philosopher analyzing her every word, confusing her thought, her feelings.

Another surge of anger mixed with hatred boiled through her veins, if she ever say that dragon again, she was not going to listen to him. She’d even fight him to make him understand she was not going to co-operate with his outlook on this world.