Long ago, longer ago than even the oldest of trees would remember, there were dragons. They were proud and noble beasts, old as time itself and immensely wise. They brought man down from the heavens and showed him the secrets of the world. Man could not fly, so instead walked and ran on two legs. Man could not make flame, so instead learnt to burn sticks for warmth. Man was so small and so many, he was useful to the Dragon kin, he could be bred in great numbers to accomplish many tasks. He built the mountain halls where they slept. He mined the precious stones and metals to build their nests. He raised their young. What had at first been a jo