Silent Assassin xxxxxSilent Assassins are aptly named for more reasons than one, not the least of which is their dark colouring, which is usually black, dark blue or brown, deep purple, or, very rarely, a rich red.
xxxxxThey also have two layers of scales, which is part of their amazing uniqueness. The first layer is sharp and can lift up from the other, like smaller—for a dragon—stouter porcupine quills, while the under layer serves as a protective armour.
xxxxxAs well as the normal row of spine spikes, Silent Assassins have hooked spikes on their tummies, the front and back of their legs, and running up their wings. They also have one on their nose and another on the backs of their pointed ears—yes, unlike most of the other species, both genders have spiked ears.
xxxxxAnother thing that makes them unique, is that they have oversized spikes ringing their necks like spiked collars that they can flare out.
xxxxxUnlike most dragons their wings are protected, too, being scales, rather than the usual membrane. Their wings also have large spikes which usually lie flat against the surrounding scales, but can be extended outward. The tips are actually spikes, too.
xxxxxTheir tails are also well protected, having scattered spikes on the undersides, as well as razor-sharp blades near the end and a pointy tip.
xxxxxAlso on their legs—or, rather, in their legs—are extendable claws, smaller in size than on the tops of their wings, and nearer to the claws in the base/back of each foot.
xxxxxIn regards to their wings’ sizes, they are a little larger than normal, but the reason for their owl-like, silent flight is the unique scale pattern on their wings, allowing air to pass through almost noiselessly.
xxxxxA few spikes in the bases of their necks can retract into individual pockets to allow for riding—not unlike Storm-riders.
xxxxxSilent Assassins have an in-built machine like thing near their other organs that produces and stores a super-charged acetylene that ignites on contact with oxygen and burns white hot, but it can also be coloured a light blue.
xxxxxTheir young can breathe fire from hatching.
xxxxxAt six years of age, Silent Assassins are only just big enough to ride, but their wing-muscles aren’t yet strong enough to bear a rider in flight. Around nine Silent Assassins are able to fly with a rider, but they have the gift of solo flight from hatching.
Nine years is also the age Silent Assassins are able to mate.
xxxxxThe many eggs are incubated for six months, guarded fiercely by both parents—eggs are lain two months after mating.
xxxxxBecause of regular snacking on Fire-Frogs—a hot, sulphurous smelling, fire-breathing amphibian—Silent Assassins’ scales are fire-proof. No other type of dragon experiences this curious side-effect.
xxxxxSilent Assassins seem to have no magic—luckily for their enemies—which is unusual among dragons, but they come from a small faraway island that only they can locate, not unlike homing pigeons.
xxxxxOn average, they usually live to be about five thousand.