The Shades were something of a myth now, and many now believed that they were something that never truly existed and were later added in for dramatic effects and to scare children into behaving. Mothers would warn their children to behave or the Shades would get them. Even these children knew the stories of how the Shades would steal naughty children and that those children would never be seen again. 

“And during these times, “the woman continued, “people were gifted with amazing abilities by the dragons, and their descendants inherited those gifts from them.”

“What kind of gifts?”, asked one of the girls, her eyes big and curious under the candle light.

“Oh the most wondrous of gifts!”, exclaimed the granny. 

“Why, there were many gifts, some that controlled the weather, the plants, or the animals. Others have claimed that there were some that also controlled the animals, gave super strength and fighting prowess, and others intellect to create the most masterful inventions. One family was even rumored to have the ability to walk silently and be able to sneak into the most fortified of castles. However, there was a rule to those gifts- only one gift per family.” It did not matter if the parents each had a gift, the child would inherit one of the parent’s gifts and one only. It was the way that nature kept things balanced. While it was true not everyone had gifts, those that had similar gifts banded together and started what we know as the Clans of the kingdom. Later these clans would be united by the One with the Dragon Heart. But that, dear children, is a story for another night, it is quite past your bedtime.”

The older woman pretended to get up, knowing that the children would not let her leave before their favorite part.

“No Grandma! You didn’t tell us the best part, you can’t leave the story there!”

One of the boys now, with a perfect pout on his dear little face, chimed in. The elder chuckled and lowered herself back into her seat, pleased that her assumption had been correct.

“Oh alright, but after this you must go to bed!”

With the promise made with the children, the woman continued her tale, her voice bright and cheery and eyes sparkling in the light.

“Now the One with the Dragon Heart was not always called that. When she was born, she was born with the gift of weather. These gifts were tied to her emotions, happy days leading to sun and shine, sad days leading to rain and clouds. As a child, she had learned early on to control her emotions and her powers, because as she grew so did her power.