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Description

The Ancient One

Enjoy the story barf.
           Cianna’s instinct commanded that she remain perfectly still, and that’s exactly what she did when the man arose from his ancient, vine-clutched chair. He was tall and strong, with thick, shaggy, dark black hair and eyes like royal gold. His olive skin was marked by pale scars, and his elfish garb was as ancient as the ruins he stood in the midst of. He walked slowly, like a prowling panther, circling Cianna. There was no hint of expression on his face, but there was something Cianna caught. Something that was almost indiscernible.
            He was melancholy.
            Cianna followed his pacing with her eyes when he circled back around in front of her. He kept up the pace until she let out a small growl. Even she had limits, and his appraisal was taking longer than she liked. The man stopped at her warning, but he was not even a little bit afraid. True to dragon custom, neither said a word. Instead they stared each other down in a taciturn struggle for dominance. Cianna tried to hold his eyes, her defiance rising from the need to be free. But his gaze was much more powerful and ancient than hers, and so she felt the weight of his stare force her into submission. She reluctantly turned her bright green eyes down.
            “How did you find this place?” His question came from a deep, calm voice. Cianna could tell much from that voice; an instinct deep inside encouraged her to lift her face. She stared defiantly into his eyes, but she knew who was the dominant one—and so did he.
            “I am a dragoness. I followed your scent, ancient one.” She replied, refusing to avert her gaze again. He never once looked away from her challenge.
            “Why are you with humans?”
            Cianna’s skin crawled. He must have scented them. A dragon with humans was unheard of—and a disgrace. But she was already disgraced, and so there was no reason to hide the truth. “I was captured many years ago by the royal family. I have been their prisoner since, and they promised me my freedom if I brought their knights to your lair.”
            The ancient one made no clear emotional response. “Imprisonment can destroy even a dragon’s spirit,” he said.
Cianna is a dragoness from a mountain region that was captured by the kingdom adjacent to Elamon's territory. Prized as a living trophy of a rare species, Cianna remained isolated and trapped within the kingdom dungeons for quite some time. Then the ruling family decided to invade Elamon's territory, so they figured having a dragon on their side would make it easier to do. Thus, in desperation for freedom, she agrees. She fights with Elamon soon after their first encounter, and he nearly kills her. She outwits him and manages to hide amongst the ruins. Elamon is impressed by her fighting, and he also understands her desire to be free, so he let's her stay in his territory from then on. He learns a lot about his own kind from Cianna, and she in turn learns about the history of what happened to the elves and the dragons in days long past.

About the Art

Tried something new (technique-wise). I have another idea I want to try, which will also be something new, so we'll see how it works out haha. (: Still a lot of practice to do.
I had a lot of fun with her hair. I don't often paint blond hair (I like brunette hair xD), but when I do I always find it interesting just how many colors can be represented. (:

Description

The Ancient One

Enjoy the story barf.
           Cianna’s instinct commanded that she remain perfectly still, and that’s exactly what she did when the man arose from his ancient, vine-clutched chair. He was tall and strong, with thick, shaggy, dark black hair and eyes like royal gold. His olive skin was marked by pale scars, and his elfish garb was as ancient as the ruins he stood in the midst of. He walked slowly, like a prowling panther, circling Cianna. There was no hint of expression on his face, but there was something Cianna caught. Something that was almost indiscernible.
            He was melancholy.
            Cianna followed his pacing with her eyes when he circled back around in front of her. He kept up the pace until she let out a small growl. Even she had limits, and his appraisal was taking longer than she liked. The man stopped at her warning, but he was not even a little bit afraid. True to dragon custom, neither said a word. Instead they stared each other down in a taciturn struggle for dominance. Cianna tried to hold his eyes, her defiance rising from the need to be free. But his gaze was much more powerful and ancient than hers, and so she felt the weight of his stare force her into submission. She reluctantly turned her bright green eyes down.
            “How did you find this place?” His question came from a deep, calm voice. Cianna could tell much from that voice; an instinct deep inside encouraged her to lift her face. She stared defiantly into his eyes, but she knew who was the dominant one—and so did he.
            “I am a dragoness. I followed your scent, ancient one.” She replied, refusing to avert her gaze again. He never once looked away from her challenge.
            “Why are you with humans?”
            Cianna’s skin crawled. He must have scented them. A dragon with humans was unheard of—and a disgrace. But she was already disgraced, and so there was no reason to hide the truth. “I was captured many years ago by the royal family. I have been their prisoner since, and they promised me my freedom if I brought their knights to your lair.”
            The ancient one made no clear emotional response. “Imprisonment can destroy even a dragon’s spirit,” he said.
Cianna is a dragoness from a mountain region that was captured by the kingdom adjacent to Elamon's territory. Prized as a living trophy of a rare species, Cianna remained isolated and trapped within the kingdom dungeons for quite some time. Then the ruling family decided to invade Elamon's territory, so they figured having a dragon on their side would make it easier to do. Thus, in desperation for freedom, she agrees. She fights with Elamon soon after their first encounter, and he nearly kills her. She outwits him and manages to hide amongst the ruins. Elamon is impressed by her fighting, and he also understands her desire to be free, so he let's her stay in his territory from then on. He learns a lot about his own kind from Cianna, and she in turn learns about the history of what happened to the elves and the dragons in days long past.

About the Art

Tried something new (technique-wise). I have another idea I want to try, which will also be something new, so we'll see how it works out haha. (: Still a lot of practice to do.
I had a lot of fun with her hair. I don't often paint blond hair (I like brunette hair xD), but when I do I always find it interesting just how many colors can be represented. (: