Dragon Sanctuary Submission

Through my University's Creative Writing Group we had a competition to write the story behind a small dragon leather model from the "Dragon Sanctuary," and where this creature came from. I am honoured to have won this competition, with the following insert:

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Dragon Species: Draco Ignis
Dragon Name: Kirchran
Date of Birth: unknown but thought to be around 1602

Mini Biography: Kirchran, was rescued on the slopes of Ben Nevis, unusually far from her home. Due to her size and body shape this was thought to be the Alps in Southern France, although this has not been confirmed. She was found with large wounds on her back left hip and tail, spanning from the pelvic vertebrae until the sixth from the tip of her tail. These were large gashes, presumed at first made by another Draco Ignis, however close inspection by the Sanctuary's dragon anatomy specialist, Professor John Westerly, found them to be nothing of the sort, but rather weapons of human design. Because the majority her wings were not damaged Kirchran had managed to escape her attacker, although it is amazing that she did with the amount of blood loss. The Sanctuary was placed on high alert when Kirchan came, as it was very soon obvious that she was heavily pregnant with eggs. A space was quickly made oustide, but near the Sanctuary, for her to create a nest and lay her three eggs there. After exhibiting the usual behaviours of Draco Ignis and burning the earth for the nest, Professor Westerly and the other researchers were satisfied upon her pyscological state. They took her into the darker, damper areas of the Sanctuary to imitate the tunnel conditions her species is used to and set about bringing her into a full recovery. Further reports around the presumed area of her origin gave stories of Witch-hunters and Monster-hunters, sent by the Spanish Inquisition to slay dragons that they see as being of Hell. Kirchran was kept in isololation under her injuries were healed enough, and then given the chance to be released. As it was she chose to stay within the Sanctuary, and despite not taking any interest in her three chicks who later hatched and grew into strong individuals, she became a favourite of the researchers. She did not bare any more eggs, although she did give strange signs of mourning when another Draco Ignis was brought into the Sanctuary two years later; a male who was extraordinary ill. He later died, and her low, strange behaviour, which included raising her head and baying out long sad bellows, suggests that he was her mate. He has been named "Romeo" for this reason.