From the desk of Asiirha Cnámhdubh:
Dear Gaea,
I must admit, though I am deeply appreciative of your hospitality, I do wish that we could have these conversations in person. It’s been too long since I’ve seen or been in the company of another dragon. You were very engaging when last we spoke in the flesh, as were your children. Give them my regards, and I hope that Balteus finds the seas pleasant and that his school never go without an empty belly of fish.
Before I respond to your latest query about my upbringing in Kurosia, I’ll inform you first on the state of your pest problem. The wyrm population has lessened some, but I fear that they are nearing another spawn season. I would suggest speaking to the Poison flock, perhaps have them work together with the Electricity Patriarch, and construct explosive poison traps that I can lay in their catacombs. Enclosed in the letter is a rough diagram of something I believe might work.
Now, I believe in your last letter, you voiced interest in hearing about my family. More specifically, my parents. I understand your interest. I recall Lai-Chen telling me about your strange family dynamic, and I extend my deepest apologies for the poor treatment you received at your surrogate mother’s claws, and that of her clan.
As far as my parents go, I knew them about as well as any other Kurosian whelp would know their parents. We did not receive special treatment from our sires and dams in our society, as we believed that it takes a village to raise a child. However, we do form bonds close to our mothers in our youth, and my sire took a keen interest in my upbringing.
Ciar Credohmain (KEER credge-oh-MEEN) was my dam. Much like you in that her element affinity was Earth, making her a Brokt. Her full name meant ‘Dark deep stone,’ and she lived up to that. Ciar was much slimmer than most of the Brokt females were, but was no shrinking violet when it came to combat or defending her honor. It was rare for a Brokt to be enlisted as an assassin, but Ciar was trained in secret from a young age to be just that. She was called, from time to time, ‘Burdohk’s Arrow,’ and she never missed her mark.
As a mother, Ciar was wonderful. I was her only child, and although I was not spoiled as I have heard only children can be, she was a nurturing and caring mother. Her first priority for much of her life was to the King, but later, I became her number one priority. Though young, she had joined the late King Burdohk’s army at an early age, and served on into Kurogh’s reign, and that ensured that I was often surrounded by Kurosian politics at a young age. My mother was devastated when she heard that I would be betrothed to the Fear Clan’s future Matriarch, but saw the political benefits in it. Still, she missed me dearly, and instilled in me a desire to treat all females with the highest respect. But also to never underestimate how powerful and dangerous they can be.
Maeldun Clockvok (mwel-DOON clock-vock) was my sire, and a formidable Shire by all accounts. Growing up I heard that I more closely resembled my sire than my dam, to the point that I could have been his twin brother in my adult years. I easily outgrew him in my adolescence, but from the day I met him ‘til the day I heard of his passing, I had a healthy fear of the man.
Maeldun was one of the highest ranking Generals in the Kurosian armies. I heard rumors that he was one of the illegitimate sons of the king before Burdohk, and he would kill any who were foolish enough to call him a ‘bastard.’ Despite his short stature, Maeldun was incredibly skilled in battle, and one of the strongest Kuros I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Maeldun had bred with many females in his time, and according to records I used to pour over, he’d brought at least five dozen clutches into being. But I was his last child, and I was the one he took the closest interest in. Socially it is not common, and perhaps even frowned upon, for a sire to take interest in his child, but as you know, my birth was very special. He wanted to ensure that I would live to adulthood, and have a good head on my shoulders. He instilled in me my deep love of academia, as he was one of the brightest minds in the King’s court. He was stern and relentless, but never cruel to me.
However, it was Maeldun who hatched the plan to betroth me to Roxandara. For years, the Kuros had been attempting to either conquer or wipe out the Fear dragons, and their close allies, the Poison dragons. They had been selling their warriors and poisons to the Arkeyans for decades, which in their hands, proved to be fatal to far too many of our kin. Finally, Maeldun saw a window: word had spread throughout Skylands that the Fear Patriarch’s daughter was coming of age, and needed a future husband to help her lead the flock. I was offered, as a peace offering and a bartering chip to secure the Aryos’s and the Paros’s loyalty. The Fear Patriarch accepted the terms, and a treaty was signed, as well as my ‘marriage license,’ if you will.
Maeldun could not know what his actions would cause. Rumors abounded that he was killed by one of the Arkeyan’s last vials of the Paros poison, and it is my firm belief that his death left Kurogh much more vulnerable to be swayed in Malefor’s favor.
You must understand, Gaea, that while we are bringers of darkness, that does not make all of us inherently evil. Ask any Kuros if they have a scrap of good in them, and they will deny it. But both my sire and dam taught me that while we normally do not have it in us to be a ‘good guy,’ there are times when the Kurosians were capable of great acts of kindness. Yes, they made mistakes; and yes, my people made mistakes, most notably Kurogh. But my people were strong, and they had a sense of purpose that was unlike any others. I am very proud to call myself a Kuros, even if I am a traitor to my slaughtered people….
Signed,
Asiirha Cnámhdubh
Weirdlanders 