"Stretch out your foreclaw! Higher! There, but faster. Your sorry scales won't survive a heartbeat in a real battle! It is my job to make it so you survive at least two heartbeats! Now get moving! Claws! Duck! ..."

The noises of the training grounds reached the two pointy ears of a young dragoness hiding in the foliage of blue flowers who stubbornly grew in the crevasse between several rocks and boulders. How exactly these flowers managed to find its way through all the blocks of stone was a mystery to Ayliith, yet the attention of the Air and Water hybrid was drawn squarely towards the open grassy field below her. Three rows of air dragons, arranged in lines of five about the same age as hers were slashing at thin air before them, rolling aside, charging forward, raising their claws and rearing up according to the voice of a grizzled Clawstopper Rankath. 

For a Clawstopper, Rankath was unusually old, and Ayliith imagined that that was possibly one of the main reasons why he was assigned to train the youth in the arts of combat. His scales were nearly white with age, and many have been damaged from Passes of performing his duty in service of protecting his Tribe. Despite it all, Rankath's brown eyes shone with focus and energy that rivaled that of the subjects he shouted orders to.

The hidden dragoness felt a twinge of envy towards all that trained below. Her shoulders raised and claws dug in, why can't she train with them? At least, why not secretly so? Her paw raised and slashed, mercilessly cutting two of the blue flowers. It was simple, there was no doubt she did it correctly. Rankath was currently muttering something to one of the youngsters, so she tried to imitate the ducking maneuver. This was harder to accomplish, as the blue flowers before her didn't seem keen on attacking her. After a moment or so of imagining an opponent, she was confident that this maneuver was also quite easy. In fact, she felt already as good as all the apprentices, if not better.

Another maneuver, this one was charging. From what she knew, this one served as much a defensive purpose as it was aggressive. An opponent preparing a heavy strike would be easily  imbalanced standing on three legs, so the best defense was to quickly dart in and close the distance before they finish their attack. So busy was the young hybrid charging into the blue flowers that she didn't hear the wingbeats before it was too late. The scar-covered muzzle of the veteran Clawstopper peered down at her from the sky. "What do you think you are doing there? This area is for Clawstoppers only." 

Ayliith's body involuntarily took a step back, while her mind raced for possible excuses or explanations, while Rankath swooped down in a single swift motion, showing off an unusual flying grace. The blue flowers under his weight were crushed and filled the air with pleasant sweet aroma but a moment later his forepaw snapped forward to painfully grasp the young female's scruff, lifting her head up to peer directly into her eyes.

"I asked you a question, girl." His last word had a venomous undertone to it and his claws tightened their grip.

Twisting in place, she wanted to escape the male's wrathful gaze but couldn't. The Passes long desire to learn how to fight was gone in an instant, all she wanted right now was to flee and hide somewhere far away. "I was just watching..." 

"Miserable mongrel. You dare lie to me?" At this point, all the young dragons stopped their routine and watched. Her heart pounded with the force of thunder as she found herself nearly lifted off the ground, with only her hind legs still finding purchase amongst the rocks. 

"By skies, I am sorry, I wanted to learn how to fight but I am sorry..."

The Clawstopper's brown eyes finally stopped digging into her soul as he turned his head around to his pupils. "Everyone, do sixty and once you all done, I will see you back in class in Claw's Talon." His commanding voice carried across the plains below him, where the distracted pupils quickly went back into their training regime, yet exchanged hushed remarks to one another. Rankath's head turned back to the intruder in his claws and spoke calmly. "You and I will pay a visit to your mother. We will find you some occupation and make sure you stay far away from my students. The last thing I want is for a filthy hybrid like you to distract them. Did I make myself clear?"

Ayliith's tail curled up and ears flattened. This was not the first time she got herself into trouble but never before has a Clawstopper been angry with her. A pang of guilt and helplessness rose within her chest as she was dropped on the ground. Mom already faced more than enough unjustified complaints and rumors, especially due to her brother's disregard for flying off the Maester's tribe borders, but now she feared that Rankath will force mom to send her into apprenticeship somewhere she never wanted to go to. With a nervous gulp, she raised herself into the air and lead the Clawstopper to her home.

***

Much to her delight, nobody wanted to have a hybrid as an apprentice and so she was still free to roam the tribe's territory. At least, for a time. The mistrust of Air dragons towards water dragons and hybrids in general has made it difficult for Ayliith to find herself any friends aside from her own brother Sayeth. Although on a day like this, even he was nowehere to be found which was not surprising, his tendency to frequent seaside got him into trouble nearly constantly, to the point where his absence was expected rather than questioned.

The images of her previous day resonated within her skull. Her tribe leader, Dawnlight, a noble dragoness called upon her. This one was no longer a suggestion for what she should do with her life. She was outright ordered to become a servant. Ayliith was furious to be forced to spend the rest of the day cleaning dragon lairs. The lairs of the same dragons that growled at her mere presence and uttered insults behind her back. It was either do this or become a consort and care for the pleasure of others. Neither was anywhere near to what she imagined her life to be.

It was exactly one Pass since she was caught by Rankath, and the annoyed veteran was now especially wary of her each time he saw her. It didn't matter the circumstance, she felt his eyes upon her back ever since, almost as if he wanted to find an excuse to make her life as unpleasant as possible. No doubt the Clawstopper's hatred was unjustified, even though she knew well enough that females were not allowed to become Clawstoppers within the Air kingdom back then, but after so long, she hoped that he would give up on his grudge by now. 

Wings carried her to the western border, the feelings of unfairness festered and drove her into the forests where she could, at the very least, escape the duties that were put upon her against her will. The smell of fallen leaves and wet moss occupied her senses as the month of Fertilan was nearing its end. Her talons squashed a green mushroom as she angrily stomped upon it, offering little elation as it mushed between her talons. But then again, it was poisonous so she probably did everyone a great service by destroying it. 

The night has fallen and yet, Ayliith felt no impulse to turn back. Gone was the forest, and now she found herself a shelter inside an old abandoned den on the hillside that bordered her tribe and the First Tribe. It probably once housed a bear or a wolf pack but now with her inside, neither would feel inclined to return back. Melancholy filled her as she wondered if her mother would miss her. Her dirty paw caressed the muddy surface as she laid down, thoughts of her mother's stern gaze and disappointed tone ringing in her head. No. As a Wingbinder, she is definitely only going to be happy if her only daughter disappears and doesn't bring her any more issues and disappointments. And Sayeth? He might miss her for a day or two but his incessantly cheery mood will likely lead him to find happiness soon enough. That is, if he hasn't left already. If she was pulled into service against her will, they might try to do the same with him. Pulling her wings close, the young dragoness watched the entrance in silent contemplation for a while longer before sleep stole away her consciousness.

The sound of footsteps jolted Ayliith awake.

It was morning outside with sunlight barely reaching its way into her temporary den. The scent of another dragon tickled Ayliith's keen nose and the dull thud of paws outside echoed closer and closer. It was familiar and sent shivers down her spine. 

"Ayliith. I knew you were nothing but trouble." Clawstopper of dull yellow scaled form entered, his scarred muzzle and brown eyes measuring her with satisfaction as his form blocked the entrance of the den. Despite the fact Ayliith has grown in the last Pass, he was still larger than her and was no less imposing.

Feeling momentarily brave, the hybrid dragoness stood up and growled weakly. "I am leaving the tribe. What do you want from me?"

Rankath shook his head. "You have willingly disobeyed Advisor Yriinth Tonitruum, your tribe leader, left without a word and without performing your assigned work. I have volunteered to locate you and bring you back for trial."

"What?!"

The old grizzled Clawstopper stepped forth and tossed a leather bag into the dirt with a distinct metallic clank that only confirmed his words. No doubt he had something to bind her inside it. "Filth like you should have never been allowed to hatch in our tribe in the first place. But, I am willing to let you go under one condition."

Ayliith's stomach twisted at the idea of what the hated dragon could possibly want from her. "What condition?"

"It's simple really. Since you are leaving..." His snout reached forward and eyes flashed with primal desire. "I shall leave you with a parting gift."

Shocked, her legs stepped back a pace. "But you can't! Clawstoppers are forbidden from..."

The jaws of the older male snapped in front of her nose. The clack of his teeth echoed from the walls. "Silence, whelp. You have no right to tell me what I can do. Besides, nobody will ever know." His form lumbered closer in, forcing the dragoness against the far back wall. "Tyrth be blessed that Hybrids like you can't breed. Not that it matters as you will leave our tribe and never return. Or would you rather be brought back in chains?"

The Air-Water hybrid's head hurt at the unsaid implications and her tail tucked down in between her legs nervously. The morning air was chilly, disturbed only by the warm breaths of the male who kept his eyes trained on her. Yet despite his intense gaze, he didn't see a living, breathing dragoness. For him, she was a thing to take advantage of. A hybrid that only served as a cleaner and pleasure giver. The Maester tribe didn't care for her and this dragon didn't volunteer to bring her back, he volunteered only to take advantage of her. How come she never realized it before? And she can't return there now. In fact, she should have left long time ago. 

Slowly, her head lowered down.

***

Her entire life was the Air kingdom. And as she rose into the skies, she was leaving it all behind. She didn't know anything about any other draconic species but Mud dragons were renown for treating hybrids better, perhaps she could try and start there. With the winds whistling past her ears, she hurried off, shedding her past life behind her. One thing she promised herself though.

She will never return home. Not after this.