The Celestial Angelic Throneheir sighed as she tucked her hair back into place, hoping her silver tiara wouldn't slide forward again. The last thing she needed at a spring gala filled with ambassadors to the Celestial Kingdom was to look like a clumsy baby bird. Despite growing up in the Palace as royalty for her entire life, she still felt she lacked the elegance the other noblewomen displayed, no matter what efforts she made. Tonight, her attempts included the sleeveless pale blue dress she wore, purple nail-polish, well-preened gray wings, letting her wavy hair down, white high-heels, and even makeup. But she didn't compare to the beautiful brunette woman gowned in deep blues and greens, who easily balanced her gilded crown, which matched her wings, on her head as she exchanged courtesies with her guests. Meanwhile, the girl stood off to the side, near the wall of the roof-top garden, which was decorated with light orbs and gauzy fabric hung from the tree branches. All was bathed in the warm light of the sunset.

"What is the young Lady Grace contemplating?" a male voice startled Fledge. She turned to see the High Celestial Throneholder, beside her, resplendent in his gray suit and blue adornments, dark gray wings folded.

She smiled at him, replying "I've come to expect most to call me by my middle name nowadays, at least those who aren't Angelic or involved in official affairs that require my first name, Father. As for what I'm thinking...I'm just wondering why I don't fit in with the other ladies here. I don't look like them, and I'm not good with people, you know."

The older gentleman shook his head, answering, "That's not true. You look like your mother," he gestured to the brunette nearby, "and she is exceptionally beautiful, inside and out. I also know that you, Grace, are the embodiment of your name; you are kind to others and care deeply for their well-being. Just because you are quiet and withdrawn doesn't mean you're 'not good with people', daughter." He smiled beneath his mustache, squeezed Fledge's shoulder, and excused himself, "The musicians should start soon, and I've promised your mother every dance!" The girl laughed as her father disappeared among the crowd in the roof-top gardens.

Just then, another male figure emerged, coming toward her. It was a young human, from another of Tkaanie's lands. He had ruddy skin, and bright red hair that fell over his dark green, nearly black, velvet waistcoat, which was decorated with gaudy rooster feathers. Fledge pulled a hand-painted fan, of her own making, from the folds of her dress, and used it to hide her snicker as she seated herself primly on the stone wall. This is going to be good, she thought.

The man now stood at Fledge's side and began a monologue of his impeccable royal descent and title. "A pleasure to meet you," she smiled (she was watching her parents waltzing together on the dance floor). He then went on to tell how he heard of the Celestial Angels, their kingdom, and their young Throneheir; the stories of the winged beauty and how he longed to see her with his own perfect eyes. "How was your journey?" she asked (wondering how she could capture the rhythm of dance in a sketch). He told his detailed journey to the gala, (she contemplated how to capture sunset lighting in her art) now he saw the stories were not false-no, they paled in comparison!-even the stars themselves were naught but dirt as to a diamond next to her radiance! As he spun grander metaphors, motion caught Fledge's raptor-grade vision; a golden-brown blur, flying at eye-level over the nearby sea. "My utmost apology, my good sir, but I believe I am desired elsewhere," she excused herself.

Suitors...thank the Maker my parents aren't forcing me to marry like some princesses, but some men are just a pain...Sighing in relief, she exited the garden through a gate, and took a path that led to the eastern wall of the Palace, which faced the sea, towards the gryphon landing strip. "Fledge!" The Angel nearly collided with a ball of grey leathery skin and feathers. "You saw?" the baby Wind dragon asked.

Fledge nodded, "Yes, Tyloria. I'm still on alert even if I'm on vacation from being a hero." The pair met the gryphon, already resting from his long flight beside an oak tree. "Hello, Peter. What brings you here, to my fair kingdom in distant Tkaanie?"

"Rawwk! I have a letter from the Mage Vanessa Wood. She says it's very important. It's in my saddlebag." Fledge found the scroll; Tyloria perched on her shoulder as she read aloud:

Dear Fledge Northstar,
I hope this letter reaches you safely and finds you well. How's life at your home? You must be busy doing important Angel things. The reason I'm writing you is because the town of Moonridge in Doomwood shall soon be under attack by undead! How do I know this?
1. The Paladin Artix Von Krieger told me. You know him and how serious he is about the undead.
2. Being who I am and living where I do has it's benefits.
My cousin Nathaniel, Artix, and I hope you return to the Land of Dragons, straight to Moonridge, ASAP.
Your friend,
Vanessa Wood
P.S: Send my greetings to Tyloria. Draco says hi too.

Fledge turned the parchment over to find a map of the Oaklore and Doomwood area, with Nathaniel's signature stamp in the lower left corner, beside the key and cardinal directions. Falconreach, Amityvale, and the Necropolis were highlighted, but Moonridge was circled in red. She addressed the gryphon, "Peter, you must be exhausted from your flight. You'll find our gryphon rookery by the cliffs, just past the pegasi stables. I'll pen a reply to Vanessa and have one of my hawks fly it to her. Thank you for your hard work."

"You're welcome, my lady." He bowed his head so she could pet his white head before he bounded toward the rookery.

Fledge turned to her dragon, "If Nessa sent Peter across the sea for us, then we really don't have time to lose. It'll take me at least a few hours to gather my things...and say goodbye to my family." Tyloria sensed sadness in her Angel's voice, and nuzzled into her light brown hair. "Thanks for understanding, Tyloria."

*A few hours later*

The Celestial Angelic Throneheir glanced over her shoulder one last time before she lost sight of her parents and blew them a final kiss; raptor-grade vision allowed goodbyes to last much longer. The cool nighttime breeze coming off the sea swept through her hair, pulled back into a ponytail, she shivered a little as she summoned the wind as she caught up to Tyloria, flying in her titan form. "Mistress? You're probably tired from doing your job as a Throneheir. You shouldn't be flying across the sea at night," the Wind dragon said. "You have your...portable nest, right?"

Fledge laughed, "It's called a sleeping bag, silly. Yeah, I have it in my bag. Why?"

"You should tie yourself to me and get some sleep."

"I'll be fine, Ty."

"I wasn't suggesting, Fledge. I'm a nocturnal creature. You're not. Besides, if you fly alongside me all night, you'll be too tired to fight by the time we get to Doomwood." Tyloria narrowed her blue eyes. "Angels have limits too."

The girl relented, landing on the dragon and tying down her sleeping bag and backpack before curling up, facing the stars. "Come morning, we'll be on a new adventure," she smiled.