Arcaeus had smug look on his face. "I knew it. You look good. Nice strong wings and a shapely tail. You're going to be very powerful when you get older." he said, winking at her. He saw her fold her arms as he spoke. "I guess I can tell you about what I did for the Elders." He then took a deep breath and launched into his story.<br/><br/>"It roughly 150 years ago. I was travelling in the mountains, looking for the Portal, of course. It was snowing lightly. I had been in The Dragontail Mountains for about a week at this point, having made several incursions before. I heard the echo of roaring carried across the cold, winter wind. I tried to follow the sounds, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly where they were coming from. I eventually came across the scene of a battle between what looked to be a youngling and a demon. The young dragon was pretty badly injured, as one of its wings was badly mangled, the other, torn. It was bleeding from several deep lacerations on its body. One of it's eyes was swollen closed and bleeding as well. The demon was definitely faring better. He only had some burns and bloody claw marks across his chest and stomach. I sprang into action. My wings exploded from my back and my swords erupted in my hand. I flew toward the other demon, my fire sword raised high. He must have sensed my presence, as he quickly broke off his attack on the youngling and turned to face me. He was in full demon form, his skin a mottled grey color of a lesser demon. His wings were too small for his size, as he was about 7 feet tall. His eyes were a dull black color, lifeless. He yelled at me and charged, using only his claws. I was quicker and slashed with my blade, scoring a direct hit to his chest. It was a deep slash, and the fire burned the area around the wound. He managed to nick me in the side but I barely registered the hit. I now had my back to the dragon youngling and the other demon was already charging me again. I sidestepped out of the way and he stumbled into the little dragon, which had enough energy for one more blast of flame. It it the demon dead on and he stumbled away, on fire. I swiftly ran up behind him and ran my blade through his heart. He died instantly. I withdrew my wings and quickly walked over to the dragon. I asked how bad it's wounds were and it lifted its little head. It looked right into my eyes and a image of a cave flashed in my mind, and I felt a tug toward the west. It then collapsed, unconscious.<br/><br/>I lifted the youngling onto my back, it's forelegs draped over my shoulders, holding it's hindlegs under my arms. I carried it for two days straight, a blizzard had whipped up, slowing my progress. I eventually made it to a cave, exhausted. I entered the cave and at the other end, it opened into a huge outside area, spanning at least five kilometers around. A large, emerald dragon swooped down and blocked my path. In my mind, it asked me why I had this youngling on my back and what happened. I spoke out loud, telling him about the battle and the travel. Two other dragons came and carried the little one to what I assumed was the infirmary, and I was led to a small nook in the mountain wall. As I was escorted there, a saw a number of other dragons looking at me, both young and old, no doubt I was a curious sight to behold. I ended up sleeping there for the night. I was awoken at dawn, my name was taken down by the emerald dragon, and I was blindfolded and flown to an area away from the Clanhome."<br/><br/>Arcaeus then paused at looked the fire. "I then travelled down the mountains and didn't hear from them for about 75 years, after I had settled here and built this cabin. i woke one morning to the sound of rushing wind and beating wings. I stepped outside and a note was in front of my house. Apparently the Elders had been told of what I had done for the youngling and it's clan, and I was in the good graces of the Council and the Elders." he finished. He then looked up and Janelle, expectant and curious as to what she would say and ask.