“This wasteland was not always dead and dry,” Ezerella continued. “Most of the coastline was once under the water, bordered by lush greenery and animal life. It was such a paradise of life that even the minerals found within the earth had innate magical properties—properties my ancestors harnessed to become powerful sorcerers. Among those sorcerers was the Ralzan and his family. He had a pair of twins: a daughter named Iraane and a son named Auron.

“Auron was a bright young boy with a keen intellect and great curiosity. He quickly became an adored heir to the Ralzanen, and he in turn wished to bring prosperity to his people.

“His sister Iraane, however, also wished to rule their people and did not know why her twin brother should become ruler instead of her. She was also a proficient user of magic and felt she was strong enough in will to lead. She was so jealous of the priority that was given to Auron that she sought to get rid of him. She found a transfiguration spell in a black book that was supposed to turn any creature into a horrible, vicious beast.

“So Iraane crept into Auron’s room one night and recited the spell. However, she was still a young sorcerer, regardless of her inherent skill. When she cast it, it transformed him into a beast only until the sun rose in the sky. Still, Iraane was satisfied with such a curse—no ralzan could rule as a vicious, hideous beast.

“When the Ralzan discovered that his son was cursed, they tried to keep it a secret. And even though Auron was still revered of the Ralzanen, the curse plagued him and his family each night, when his gray skin gave way to rigid black scales, his nose and mouth to a long snout and thick, sharp fangs. Whenever the ralzani could not keep it constrained within the palace dungeon, the beast rampaged through the lush region like a wild animal. It plowed through fields of crops, turning the produce to ash beneath its claws; every green thing it touched dissolved into dust. It devoured the animals and even drank from the salty ocean until it had drained it to near oblivion. Even the minerals that once held mysterious magic within them were nullified as soon as it passed by, for it was cruel lifelessness in the form of a beast.

“But the people of this dying paradise, through all the terror they felt every night, had no idea the beast was actually their beloved ralzani heir. And no one except for Iraane knew it was his sister’s own doing.

“As Auron grew older he refused to let this beast control his body when the sun set. He knew that as ralzan he could not allow such a curse to plague his people. So he went to Iraane, by now a powerful user of magic, and asked her if she could somehow rid him of the curse.

“Iraane saw an opportunity. She could pretend to be curing him, when actually she could rid the valley of him once and for all. She agreed, and got to work finding a spell that would discreetly kill her brother.

“Eventually she found a spell of separation meant to cure blood beasts and transfigured folk. She figured that she could separate the beast from Auron’s body, and that it would simply devour him in its insatiable appetite. She mentioned the plan to Auron and he agreed, willing to do anything to rid the land of this curse.

“Iraane performed the spell successfully, right as the sun was beginning to set and twilight fell upon the region. Before Auron transformed, an intense dark mist emerged from his body and formed into the beast. It stared down its brother of blood with an incredible might, already marking him as its prey. But Auron, just as powerful a sorcerer as Iraane, summoned a pure blade of light in order to vanquish this harbinger of death. The gods granted him this power, and the blade materialized in his hands. Just as the beast launched itself toward Auron, he plunged the sword deep into its chest, spreading bright white cracks all throughout its body from the wound. It let out a horrendous roar before dissipating into black mist once more, blowing away in the wind.

“The people of the valley rejoiced. The beast had caused incredible destruction, and the land had since turned into a barren wasteland, but they trusted their powerful new Ralzan to lead them to a prosperous future.

“It was only then that Iraane screamed in frustration, revealing her true intentions. She was so furious that her brother had managed to overcome her curse with such ease that she cast another curse, one that would guarantee his reign to lead to ultimate downfall: the eradication of their entire people. She cursed Auron’s lovers, and all lovers after them, to never again bear any sons. The people of the once-lush region would die out slowly and miserably.

“Of course, Auron exiled his sister into the newly-created wasteland and assured his people that no matter what curse any sorcerer cast on his people, he would give his life to serve and protect them.”

Ezerella smiled, watching Izac’s face in the dimming light. His eyes had clouded over as he listened, and she loved the effect the firelight had on them. “There is an amendment to the story,” she said, “that because of Auron’s selfless leadership, a new ralzan will eventually be born. But there hasn’t been one in centuries, so I’m sure no one believes such a myth. Certainly the Ralzanen doesn’t. It is supposedly because of this story that the Drakkir became devoted to Aesis, never again using the magicks of any other to affect the world around us. It is only through the equilibrium that we may do no harm and receive plenty.”

“Do you believe it?” Izac said. His eyes were now on her, watching her every move carefully. The mask in his hand had begun to take the shape of a scaly beast, much like the beast of her tale.

“It’s just a story,” said Ezerella. “Even the elders who tell such tales don’t believe them to be true.” She hoped she was at least mildly convincing, but something told her in the way Izac smirked that he could see through everything, right into her very soul.

“It’s a wonderful tale,” Izac said. “Although I wonder why a city of women would place so much renown in a male ruler, even one of legend.”

“Some say that Iraane was actually Auron’s brother with the name Iranōn,” said Ezerella. “Others claim Auron was indeed a woman named Aura. But it is most often told with a brother and sister. I think people like it because it gives them hope of change. We strive for equality once more, praying to Aesis for his aid. Regardless of what you believe, no civilization can flourish when it’s only half a people.”

Izac smiled coolly at her. “How very right you are.”