Longing Ring

BOOK ONE

Torran amp; Samael,

I am Mountainshadow. Alone among dragons I have taken interest in mortal races. And now I have taken interest in you two.

Bother yourselves not with wonder at a letter from a dragon. My ways are my affair and no concern of yours. Perhaps if you agree to see your father, he will tell you of me. As it is, I have written to tell you of him.

Yes, your father. You have not seen nor heard from him for some thirty years now. How you mortals squander your few precious years on this earth. Your lives are slow mornings against my centuries; yet you let fear and pain swallow your hope and joy. .

Enough. My studies are my business.

Having had occasion to spend time in your father's thoughts, I can say that he longs to meet with you again. Yet he is afraid of you. Afraid? Yes. I know you two fear him; or rather, I suspect as much. Most likely you fear each other though none of you wishes it to be so. That is why I offered to act as — intermediary, and now write you on his behalf He agreed.

He is old; his flesh soft and dry, his bones brittle. Fear of life can make your kind commit acts of terror, and fear of death sometimes produces acts of contrition. It is such that your father wishes to conduct with you.

As for the two of you, why would you care to hear from the man who terrorized you and left you? I cannot say, but I have seen such desires in mortals before.

Do you wonder at my mention of spending some time in your father's thoughts? I am not the first creature to have shared his mind. Once, in J'role's youth, a Horror lived inside him. You are surprised? You did not know this? No, nor did anyone else. So now I offer the story of his first adventure. If you read it, you will better understand the man who is an- empty space in your hearts.

'In-deed, the tale is more complete than even he could have remembered. Having lived in his thoughts I know of many memories and sensations that have dimmed in his own consciousness. It was an odd experience. I have never… I… Enough. Expect no more of me. Send me no reply. I am done.

He 'believes he loves the two of you, and from what I know of the mortal heart, that is so.

If this tale touches ' you, tell ' him.

I am, Mountainshadow