It all began with prophecy, as it always does. The divinations of a madman-turned-martyr shattered the peace of a nation, and Sanhoset fled the consequences. She ran from darkness into darkness and, in her womb, her death sentence slept.

The Great Chasm spread out on the horizon before her, the spawning pool of fireside demons for centuries. Its black emptiness brought to mind stories that Sanhoset had thought she didn't remember.

With a gesture, Sanhoset brought to life one of the many runic markings etched across the surface of her skin. It began to glow a dull orange, and warm gusts of air billowed up from the chasm. Sanhoset waited, the heat bringing beads of sweat to her forehead despite the winter chill. For a long while she stood in silence, her hand held out before her, palm toward the sky.

Suddenly, a great roar erupted from the darkness, and a flash of light flickered briefly in its black. The gusts of heat became a gale, threatening to tear the myriad furs from Sanhoset's body. Still she stood stoically, her hand held forward.

Before long, a great shadow coalesced from the nothingness. As it grew in size, intricate features became visible. Great wings flapped lazily, lifting a massive body formed of rock. Veins of magma travelled throughout the shape's body, forming a map straight to the incredible beast's heart.

Sanhoset's heart beat faster as the dragon settled among the decay surrounding her. Craning its neck to the sky, the beast let out a roar of protest to the heavens, leading Sanhoset to whisper words of encouragement. As the dragon settled its eyes on her, Sanhoset declared, "I am Sanhoset, Shaman of the Lowakat people. I demand passage across the Sunder, beast."

Inside her mind a voice answered, My name is Serai, mortal. You demand nothing from me.

The dragon's eyes narrowed, thin slits of fire in a face of stone. Sanhoset stepped forward, the gale whipping her dark hair behind her. "Look into my eyes, Serai," she exclaimed. She was forced to yell in order to be heard over the wind. "See the truth of my heritage and the depths of my strength. I command you as Perjeron commands you. Grant me passage across the Sunder."

The great beast rocked its head from side to side, then bent closer to the frail being who carried a hated child inside her. Deep into her emerald eyes sank the mind of the dragon, searching the expanse of her soul.

This is what the immortal saw: a man split open from neck to groin, his intestines food for wolves; great warriors, faces painted in various masks of pain and horror, screaming cries of battle and agony; a cry for the murder of an unborn child; and the mother (who the dragon could sense was Sanhoset herself) fleeing her own people. . .

Great danger surrounds you, the voice invaded Sanhoset's mind once again. Yet you possess the strength of your ancestors. I will grant you passage, Sanhoset.

The dragon reverently lowered its head to the ground, allowing Sanhoset to climb atop its back. Once the woman was settled, Serai drove her wings toward the ground, spewing dust and leaves in the air with a powerful gust. The dragon's bulk rose swiftly into the air and the two began their flight across the Sunder.