Tel-ka’tah is the word used by the dragons of Enayra to describe their naming ceremony; the way in which young Hatchlings are named.

Like much of Draznahii, it is hard to translate directly. Astute students of the language will notice the inclusion of the word “ka” or “kha”, the word for “blood.” You see it most often used in the words for organs and flesh, parts of the body, as well as abstract concepts of the soul, inter-personal and social relations, and inter-clan bonds and relationships.

Blood is clearly an importance physical and metaphysical concept for dragonkind–which can be read in my treatise “The Importance and Concepts of Blood, or “Kha”, in Drazhani Culture, Society and Language, a Treastise of Utmost Importance to the Relationships between the Races of Enayra by Amiphorus the Wise”.

*In the margins, you can see written a scrawled note next to the previous paragraph*
Nobody calls him that.

But I digress.

*Another note*
You always do.

Many humans wonder where dragons come up with these wondrous and creative names, and how, as soon as a dragon is hatched, they know their name immediately, before even being able to speak one of the two languages of Enayra.

I had wondered, perhaps, if the parents of the Hatchling can communicate across a mental link with their egg, or perhaps come up with a name and implant the memory of that name inside the egg and the Hatchling after they’ve been laid, but after much research and discussion, and more than a few close calls with angry mother dragons, I’ve come to learn that this is not the case.

It is not those that produce the egg that name the dragon, but the Hatchling themselves.

As they develop within their chitinous shells, the unborn Hatchling cannot communicate with the outside world, but all things that live are always connected to the World herself. I speak of course about the Earth Mother.

It is said among the dragons, there is an ancient covenant with the Earth Mother. She gave them free reign over her lands of Enayra and access to her great fonts of power, and in exchange, she would be mother to them all, including naming her children.

It’s unknown–or not remembered–by most dragons whether they discuss their name with the Earth Mother while in the egg, or if she simply bestows the name upon them after looking into their future. Some say one, some say they remember the other, and some say it was some combination of the two.

If I find more information on this detail, I shall publish an addendum to my great and magnanimous work.

What is known is that dragons hatch knowing their name. But how do they communicate this name?

Just because Hatchlings cannot speak does not mean they cannot communicate.

In my well-beloved book: On Dragons, the Lives, Growth, Development and Culture of the Dragons of Enayra as told by the Dragons Themselves for the Human Use of Understanding These Rare and Wonderful Creatures by Amiphorus the Magnanimous

*More writing*
No one calls him THAT either. Bastard.

The Drazahnii language is more than just words. It’s the conveyance of feelings, emotions, memories, images, smells and sights. A human cannot truly “speak” Drazhanii until they master all the nuances and subtexts of the language and the way they communicate mentally. Beyond words.

Likewise, these Hatchlings cannot communicate with words, but can force ideas, thoughts, feelings into their parents and siblings and fellow dragons. Being such a small presence of course, most cannot sense the presence of a small Hatchling place their name in the minds of those around them.

What a truly wonderful world in which we live. Such beautiful creatures. Almost human in some ways, and more human in others.