They said in those days the dragon Angnath ruled the world and all those touched by his flames were burnt to ashes, every little bit of them burnt and carbonised, all except their souls. These the great dragon would draw into himself and store in the pyral glands, that cluster of grape like growths deep in the dragon's trachea where volatile liquids were stored to make his flame breath. The poor benighted souls would then reside in the dragon's glands, where they mixed with the volatile chemicals he needed for his fire and became imbued with Angnath's particular species of spite and malice. Every so often, when the mood should take him, Angnath would use one of the burnt souls to make some fire sprites, beings of fire and smoke who would detach themselves from his breath and go off to do his bidding. These days Angnath no longer rules the terrestrial plane, but has instead retreated to the realms of neverbeen and couldabeen just past the dry abyssal plains of the once oceans. The great dragon was bored and spewed forth two fire sprites, a couple whom he had immolated many years before. “Stop snogging!” grumbled Angnath at the two sprites “I have work for you to do.” Tangerine and Azure broke off their embrace and bowed to the great winged serpent. “Forgive us master,” said Azure sheepishly. “It has been so long...yet our love burns as-” “SILENCE!” Angnath thundered and his voice echoed from the very clouds themselves. “I have no interest in your adolescent affections for one another! I have a task for you both!” “We are your servants!” the two fire sprites chimed in unison. “Good!” hissed Angnath. “You will take on a glamour, both of you and visit the world of men and women. Too much time has passed since I was abroad in the world. I need to find out what has changed in the meantime.” “We will do your bidding!” said Tangerine. “Good, now go now and report what the humans have been up to since I have been gone.” Andrew Panero © 2021