you follow the edge of the lake, the snow fall thiner here. the icy surface of the lake glimmers up at you, and you pause to stare down at it. the ice is frozen in this part of the lake, and it numbs your touch as you reach down for a moment. you pull your hand away, then straighten and wander on. the caves in the mountains around the lake still decorate the sides, and you stare into one of the chilling dark spaces. suddenly there is a flash of dark blue, and a dragon emerges from a cave.

she blinks and settles her wings against her back, tilting her head slightly to look at you. bright eyes blink, and she smiles, stepping farther from the darkness of the cave, to the edge of the water as well. her spined tail flicks through the air as she watches you curiously, a soft frill going down her back. an amulet hangs around her neck on a silver chain, resting against her navy blue hide. she watches you watch her, and gives a slight smile. "Hello." she pauses then goes on. "I'm Daira, welcome." you blink then nod stiffly, watching her. she smiles again. "You'll find the portal to my origin somewhere around here. Farewell!" with that she gives a final flick of her tail, smiles, then dissapears back into the caves, leaving you. a hollow echo of the wind rises out of the dark, the insides of the caves must be connected, riddled with tunnels. each one heading off in a different direction deep underground. you give your head a slight shake, snapping out of the lull of the darkness, and feel the chill of the wind once more. you blink and look at the contrast of the pure white snow fallen around you and the deep intensity of the dark caves. something glints out at you, a small sign, and you brush away the snow to reveal:

the portal, that Daira told you of. you wonder if you should touch it. after you decide, you stand once more by the lake, then move on.