Aww... It’s a cute baby dragon. Unlike the other hatchlings, this one hatched with wings.

And look! Its back legs have become a second set of wings! It must be close to maturing.

Young dragons are relatively defenseless. They are born with relatively soft scales, which are shed and replaced with harder ones as the hatchling matures. Once a hatchling’s wings grow in, it typically marks the beginning of maturation. At this point they are often capable of hunting on their own and are usually left alone by their mother.

Kitewing was bred from a distinguished line of fliers, every genetic ability carefully selected to ensure that she would be the best of all; for Kitewing is no normal skywing, but one of the most famous combatants in the annual kite-fighting competition.<br/>Kite-fighting is an ancient sport which has grown increasingly in popularity. Hatchlings are put into a soft harness, from which a long string extends, held by their owners. The tiny creatures then take aloft, performing daring aerial maneuvers and feints in an attempt to get close enough to their opponents to claw or bite through their opponents strings, thus removing them from the competition. Nonviolent, and full of goodwill and excitement, it is nonetheless taken very seriously, as the best kite-fighters will become the best aerial fighting dragons.<br/>Dozens of baby dragons happily discuss the upcoming event with their owners, and both ready with pride for the day when they will win, the day that Kitewing will fall.