"It's a default that I use. There are no words in elfish or common that refer to the dragon neuter pronoun for an infant." He paused, and then looked towards Krako. "No, I'm not embarrassing her, friend. Give me a moment."

"He's a … baby dragon?" Mericlou asked, eyes wide with fascination. Though she had never known dragons personally, many of them trafficked through Lusea in near-human form. Their long, bristly manes of hair and reptilian eyes that stood out from their robed and veiled bodies were unmistakable, but she had never seen a baby dragon before.

"Yes, of course he is," Aldrec answered. "Baby dragons are born sexless at first, from their mothers' unfertilized eggs. They live that way for about two hundred years in the wilderness, learning about nature, until the time comes to return to their egg. There, the father completes the fertilization process, and the dragon re-hatches, fully matured."

"I've never learned much about dragons, except when I was living in Sakar with my old master," Mericlou admitted. "And even this I didn't know."

Aldrec made a dismissing gesture. "Very few people know this, as a matter of fact, Tulyr. Dragons are secretive creatures, even more so than us elves."

Mericlou saw that Krako was reaching out his hand for hers again. She hesitated for a moment, and then took it, stifling her reflex to jump when she heard his voice.

I am sorry if I scared you, pretty one. Aldrec has told me so much about you; I feel like I know you.

"Why … thank you," Mericlou replied. She blushed at the dragon's kindness, but was still slightly unnerved. "I … hope that I might … get to know you better as well?"

I would like that very much, Krako said. His golden eyes sparkled.

"Um … not to sound rude," Mericlou said, glancing at Krako, and then at Aldrec, "but can he talk with his own voice? Or is he … well … mute?"

"Not at all," Aldrec said, completely understanding. "It's just that baby dragons' vocal cords aren't like ours, so they can't pronounce words in common, or even in the dragons' language. What he's doing with you is his natural way of communication." Then he turned to Krako, who was now glaring at him at him. "I'm sorry, friend," he said, grinning sheepishly, "I didn't know you wanted to explain it. Tell me next time."

"Okay," Mericlou said, understanding, "but why is it that he needs to make physical contact with me in order to talk?"




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