"Ages ago, long before mankind settled on this world, Dragons ruled. They roamed the world over, seeking peace and tranquility among the other races that lived with them. Elven, Fae, Drow, Dwarven to name a few, each living in peace with the Dragons. Stories were told over many a campfire, about each other’s existence. They spoke of their own gods, of the magic that the world held out for them to use, of the many fruits, plants, trees that the world possessed. They all drink from the waters that spilled over the mountains that carved the streams that made the rivers that emptied into the oceans.

All was good. Until…"

Athena took another bite from her cookie, before sipping her tea. "One dark day a new race came, though no one knows how they came to be. Some say they came from the waters edge, like a fish that had jumped onto the land. Others say that they came from the seed of earth, long since planted by a forgotten god. No one really knew, but they soon found out that man was a threat to their world. Man did not care if he killed more than he could eat. To him it was sport to kill an innocent creature for its head, or horns to be placed in their caves. They destroyed forests to build homes, tore up the land to plant their own seeds. They made it so the rivers would stop flowing, diverting the water so it flooded valleys, fields, and forests."

Again, she waited, looking at everyone before going on. "The Dragons tried to talk to man, to explain their ways, but man turned against them, thinking them monsters, calling them devourers of children. They hunted the Dragons, killing them one by one, only because they feared them. That was a new feeling all the races soon felt.

Fear.

Man spread, covering the world with evil, with words, with deeds that were meant to do harm. They set war upon themselves, for land that was never theirs in the first place. The rivers and streams ran crimson with their blood; their wars sent more than one race into hiding. After time the Dragons called a meeting upon the other races to help rid their world of this menace, thinking if one man is evil, then they all must be.

Only not all of the men were evil as they thought. As the meetings gained momentum, a tiny fae came up to stand before the races. Though her voice was small, her heart and soul had seen things the others had not. During the time of the great hunt, when summer becomes fall, when fall becomes winter, they set out and gather the seeds for the next year, for they were the planters of the world. What man destroyed, they replanted with fresh seeds, planting them someplace else to keep the magic alive.

On one such hunt, the small fae had found a child lost in the forest. She was so frightened that she could no longer speak her name or tell where she had come from. The fae had brought her to the meeting, to show not all of mankind was evil. Here stood a child, frightened by the darkness of the forest, by being alone, hungry and thirsty. All of the races came to see this child, a small girl with large blue eyes and blonde hair. Never had they seen a mankind so small, so frightened.

So frail.

The small child stood there before the races, looking at each one while she tugged and pulled at her dirty, torn dress that looked a size to large for her small frame. She no longer felt afraid after everyone came up to her. Some came to touch her, to look at her rounded ears. Others came to touch her pale skin or run their fingers through her long hair. They didn’t try to eat her, nor to tear her arms off or pull her hair out. Why all this was going on, she was hearing her mother’s voice. She remembered what her mother had told her if she ever became lost.

She told the child to sing. If she sang then she could be found and no longer be afraid. She loved to sing because she liked to watch the smiles it brought to her mothers face. She started to sing very softly at first. It was really but a soft whisper, but as more of her fears quickly faded, her voice grew in strength. She sang with a voice much to strong for her tiny frame. Her voice carried out over the clearing, out over the world so that all could hear it. Everyone stopped to listen to the tiny voice that stilled even a Dragons heart. After the child was finished with her song, she bowed. The dragons were the first to step up, to offer her a place to live. After that, each race in turn bestowed upon her and all of her children a special gift.

Magic!

But not any ordinary magic, no this was ancient magic, long since lost to this world. It was the type of magic that each one of the races held dear to their own hearts, only be brought forth by the music that they played, or sang.

They were bestowed with a special name for their race, for they would now and forever be called by the dragons “Drath’r Sin’ras”, or in mans words “Dragon Singers”, for they are the only race that could forever sooth a Dragons heart. They alone were able call forth the ancient magic of the races, using their talents to heal a broken heart, make the sick well, and bring a smile to a child’s face."

Stepping over towards Chandra, she knelt down, placing one hand to her heart, the other hand to Chandra’s chest. "You are a descendent of that child. I felt it when you first sang, but my own heart blinded me. There has not been another Drath’r Sin’Ra’s for ages, for the magic only works on the females of the race, be they mixed or human. The men can pass the magic down, but only the females of the race hold the true magic within. Only they can bring forth the ancient magic of the races. I bow to you out of respect for the firstborn. May your magic brighten everyone’s life."

Flake had slipped down to stand next to Athena, her head also bowed, her wings pulled out around her like a cloak before looking up. "During this time, my race had long since been destroyed. Being frozen saved me, until my mistress freed me. I wish now to bestow upon you the magic that my race would have bestowed upon the first child."

Athena turned to pick Flake up, pulling her hand from both hers and Chandra’s chest. "Are you sure you wish to do this," she asked Flake.

Flake nodded. "It is my right to bestow this gift, is it not?"

Athena nodded as she held Flake up. Reaching out with both hands, she placed her small claws on the singer’s forehead. "With a simple touch, I bestow upon you the magic of the Snowflake Dragons. Along with the other ancient magic that you hold, you now hold our powers within you. May they bring your peace and tranquility."

An image of a small snowflake appeared on Chandra’s forehead, before fading from sight. A very special mark that was one of a kind.

Like all snowflakes.

Athena stood, placing Flake next to the small child that was sitting there in silence. Looking up, she asked, "What was the first child’s name? The one that sang to everyone…"

Athena bit her lip as she looked at the child before her lips curled up into a shy smile. "Her name was Vivienne. In some languages, it means "Melodious Lady" which what she was. She stayed with her new family until she grew old enough to care for herself. Then she left to spread her music to all that would listen. This is why mankind still lives here in peace with the other races."