the kin was looking for something in the woods. My curiosity burned, an oven in my chest. What on earth could be out here that was so important to that creature?
The answer came to me as I found the trees suddenly thinning. I crouched low and found cover in the foliage. I continued to creep forward, my ears ready to pick up any sign of danger. The trees continued to grow farther apart, and a wide clearing opened before me, bathed in the light of moonrise.
What I saw made my eyes widen with fascination and a curious delight. Among the trees I could recognize remnants of a building, now decrepit and covered with vines. Once-magnificent grey statues now lay in pieces across the forest floor. These sights alone would have awed me enough, though I could not believe what they surrounded.
In the center of the ruins was a small building that appeared of the same origin, but quite intact. It protruded from a great cliff that had been carved in the side of the mountain, a small shrine at the center of a greater construction.
Enchanted, I began to step out into the clearing but had to catch myself at the sight of the dragon-kin. I watched him as he strode casually around the walls, not seeming to notice me or be in a particular hurry. Finally, he stopped before heavy-looking doors that adorned the front wall. He was doing no more and no less than standing and staring at the things as if he expected them to open on their own.
I crouched behind a tree to avoid having to bear the eyes of that kin again, but when I peered back to look toward the magnificent structure, he had vanished! My skin went unpleasantly cold, and I found my eyes darting around the clearing.
Where had he gone? The doors had not opened in the second I had looked away, I was sure of that, but unless I had imagined his presence in the first place the dragon-kin had definitely disappeared.
I was motionless for a long moment, my fingers digging into splits in the tree bark. My ears pivoted rapidly, listening. The only sounds that could be heard were the leaves rustling overhead, my own ragged breathing, and the skittering of various night creatures. Only after I had waited a solid minute did I dare step out toward the ruins again.
My eyes darted back and forth as I approached the building, but soon I could not tear my eyes away from the spectacle before me. I examined each of the fallen statues as I passed. Some appeared to be human, while others depicted great beasts