Chapter 14: Old Friends
By Dardarax
Disclaimer: I, Dardarax, do not own Spyro, Cynder, the Dragon Temple, Warfang, or any other character or place that belongs to the Spyro Franchise. I think I'm starting to run out of ideas for jokes… I wonder if I can find any in these boxes of– *is run over by a school bus of ballerina rhinos* Nope… I think I have some ideas left… I own a few characters here… they're listed at the bottom…
Savron woke with a scream. Cushions went flying in all directions as the purple drake flailed about on his bed, desperately trying to claw the fire and insects off him. Slowly, painfully, the visions of monsters, shades, corpses and purple flame faded from his mind, leaving Savron lying upon his bed, sweat soaked and shivering. A cool hollowness crept over him as the distant dawn light began peeking through his drapes.
"Waking again screaming from nightmares? How pathetic. No true son of heroes would weep or cry or scream over nightmares."
"Shut up," Savron mumbled to the voice that reverberated throughout his head. "Just… shut up," he stood up and shambled across his room, knowing the futility of attempting to sleep once more. Savron stopped in front of his mirror and looked at himself blearily. His emerald eyes were sunken and half-lidded in exhaustion and his purple scales had dulled faintly since he'd last looked at himself. His four silver horns and his golden crest were scuffed up and dirty, as if they hadn't been washed for days and his shoulders were slumped.
"Such a disgrace to such a noble heritage."
"Fuck off, Cyril," Savron muttered the last word mockingly, though the voice didn't seem to care or notice. A knock sounded at the door and Savron threw it open to glare up at Spyro. The purple dragon looked down at him worriedly, amethyst eyes strained.
"It's nothing, dad," Savron groaned before Spyro could ask. "Just a nightmare."
"Are you sure?" Spyro stepped into Savron's room and looked at the pillows coating his floor, flung there during Savron's dream. "You were screaming a lot…"
"Yes, I'm sure." Savron held the door open and gestured to it with a grunt. "Now can you go? I'm trying to sleep."
"Alright," Spyro murmured, shifting over to his son and giving him a light hug. "If you need us we'll be here for you, Sav."
Savron stiffened and nodded, quickly breaking the hug to push Spyro out of his room. The door shut with a thunk the moment Spyro had left and Savron leaned against it with a sigh.
"Remember Sav, we also have training in a few hours," Spyro's voice came weakly through the door. "So… have a good nap, alright?"
Savron didn't reply, simply sitting and waiting silently until he heard Spyro walk off. The young drake let out a dreary sigh and lowered his head so his snout touched the ground.
"Still being treated like a hatchling it seems, isn't that right Savron?"
"Cram it in your nonexistent rear end," Savron muttered as he gathered up his pillows. "Assuming that's not what you're talking out of. You are spouting a lot of hot air."
"How very eloquent of you. A muzzle worthy of a tavern's jester, and all the respect that pertains."
"Be quiet!" Savron snarled, whipping about and lashing out with a paw. He struck a bottle filled with drifting lights that had been placed on a counter and knocked it to the floor. It shattered and the lights poured out. Savron's eyes widened and he tried to catch them, but they soon faded away, escaping into the dawn light. Savron slumped to his haunches as he watched them go, his shoulders sagging once more.
"Aw, how sad. You really need to control your temper you know. It's not very heroic to go smashing gifts like that."
Savron didn't reply, the purple dragon hunched down, his eyes shut tight.
"I'm sure Elora will be so disappointed when she learns all that fairy magic she painstakingly gathered for you for saving her friend went to waste."
"Please… please just…"
"Just what, Savron? Please stop pointing out all of your little tiny secrets? All of the little truths that you desperately try to deny?"
"I'm not listening to you," Savron muttered standing over his bed with shaking limbs. "You're not really there. I'm not listening to you."
"And now you're talking to voices in your head, how pathetic. I wonder how long your parents would lock you up for this time if they learned about this…"
Another knock sounded at the door, this one more urgent.
"Sav?" Cynder called. "Are you alright?! We heard glass breaking!"
"I'm FINE!" Savron roared, glaring at the door angrily. "I just had an accident, that's all!"
There was silence for a moment, and then Cynder spoke more tentatively. "What did you break? What happened?"
"I tripped and fell and broke a bottle. I'm fine."
"I was always under the impression a hero never lied. Then again talking about voices in your head would be a very bad thing indeed. I'm thinking a few months in a nice cushioned room. Maybe a year or so to be safe. You can never be too careful when dealing with an insane purple."
Savron took a deep breath and let it out pensively. "I'm sorry mom, I'm just… tired is all. I'll get a nap and talk to you later, alright?"
There was silence from the other side of the door and then a sigh. "If you say so Sav, but you're starting to worry me. A broken bottle and a scream? Are you sure nothing is going on?"
"Yes mom, I'm sure," Savron insisted. He felt the voice begin to snap at him again but he called upon the mental training he'd gotten from his parents and found, to his delight, that the voice's words were muffled and barely coherent through the layers of the mental barriers. "Go get some sleep and don't worry about me. I promise I won't screw anything up this time."
"Alright. Have a good sleep Savron. I love you."
Savron blinked at this and smiled, feeling suddenly better. Only for it to sour as a surge of anger washed through him, memories of her berating him and belittling him filling his mind. Savron turned away and slumped down on the bed, focusing on the mental barrier. For another hour Savron tossed and turned, the barrier falling slowly, allowing the voice to return. It seemed more reserved now though, poking and prodding only when Savron was just about to fall asleep.
Finally, fed up with the waiting, Savron rose and headed for his window. He slipped through it with his shadow element and then leapt out into the open air. He unfurled his wings and let them catch the wind, the purple gliding out over the open air. He circled about his parents' tower twice before he soared off, a tiny smile creasing his muzzle as he enjoyed the crisp morning air. He drew up the barrier as best as he could, not wanting the feeling of looping through the air to be sullied by the venomous words of the voice.
Savron set down on the roof of the Temple and curled up, so he could look over the view without the chill wind bothering him overly much. He raised his golden-frilled head high, breathing deep of the damp air.
"I need to do this more often." Savron gazed out over the countryside delightedly. "It feels like ages since I've had a good flight or seen a nice sight."
"There you are!"
Savron stiffened and looked over to the voice with a start. A group of half a dozen dragonesses had landed on the roof across from him and were glaring furiously at him.
"So you finally came out of hiding, huh?"
"What?" Savron tilted his head. "I've never gone into hiding. What are you talking about?"
"We've been searching for you for months now! Every time we approach you, you always skirt away or hide behind your friends!" a plump ice dragoness shouted. "But now we have you alone and you can't run away anymore!"
Savron cocked his head and peered closer at them, wondering why they looked so familiar. Then realization struck and memories crashed back into him.
"M-Miranda…" he stammered, all joy leaving him.
"So you DO remember her, huh!" a grey wind dragoness sneered. "I'm surprised you did, given how poorly you treated her!"
"I… I never treated her poorly!" Savron stood up and snarled. "I always treated her with respect! I cared about her!"
"Yeah, you cared about her so much you bailed on her funeral!" the ice dragoness snapped. "You never even showed up, even though you were the last one to spend time with her! You were the reason she died!" Tears began to well up in her face.
"You could have saved her you bastard!" a second wind dragon shrieked. "You shouldn't have let her die!"
"You could have shadow-jumped her to the clinic! Or… or just stopped her from being injured at all!"
"You're a purple! You can do anything and yet you let her die!" the plump ice sneered, her tearful expression filled with venom. "And now you just prance about going on adventures like nothing ever happened. You act so cheerful and carefree even though someone died because of you!"
Savron took several steps back, muzzle opening and closing as he tried to defend himself, tried to explain but the pain in his chest kept choking him up. A hot burning sensation scorched his eyes as he struggled to breathe.
"What do they know?" the voice hissed, bubbling back up through the shattered barrier. "What do they know of hurt? What do they know of struggle? You were there, weren't you? You saw her die, they didn't. You were the one who carried her body all the way to the clinic; you were the one who fought off the Panthers and Ferans. What did they do? What do they know of you?"
A sneer crossed Savron's face and he shut his eyes, limbs quivering.
"Say something you bastard!"
"Yeah, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"What? Are we just not special enough to speak with you? I bet that's it, isn't it. You're not even listening to us because we're no better than her to you! I bet you're too thick-skulled to notice we're here!"
"Are you going to let them talk to you like this? After all you've done? After all you tried to do? Are you going to let them taunt and berate you like this? Your efforts? Your pain? Are you? ARE YOU?!"
"SHUT UP!" Savron's eyes flew wide and he loosed a bolt of lightning towards the group. They screamed as it struck directly in front of them, blasting off a chunk of the stone and scorching the rock. They huddled together, staring at the purple, darkness flickering across his scales. "JUST SHUT UP! What do YOU know about what I did, huh? Do you really think I didn't try to save her? Do you not think I didn't consider shadow-jumping her there!?"
Savron leapt across the roof, boosted by his wind magic to land directly in front of them. They scrambled back, terrified as he stalked towards them, lightning crackling over his body and smoke drizzling from his nostrils and muzzle. "I went out and SAVED YOU ALL! I was the one who drove back the Ferans and Panthers in the females' hall! I was the one who brought you all to safety! I was the one who organized the defense! You didn't do anything! And yet you accuse me of all of this, you self-righteous, ignorant, egotistical WHORES!" Savron shoved his face into the plump ice dragoness, who gazed back, muzzle open in horror as his emerald eyes glazed over with white. "So don't you ever speak of Miranda to my face again! Don't you ever accuse me of not trying to help her! Because you have no right to talk to me of this!"
Savron turned away sharply, body heaving. "Now get out of my sight!"
The group complied, all but throwing themselves off the roof to escape him. Savron gazed at the wall, quivering with emotion as he fumed. Slowly the touch of darkness died away and Savron's breathing slowed. His tense body slumped, his head drooping to stare at the ground far below, emerald eyes wide and muzzle agape. A tightness gripped his heart and gut, and his shoulders began to quiver.
For once, the voice didn't have anything to say, remaining quiet as Savron curled up and hid his head under his paws.
…
"Where could he be?" Cynder turned about once more and resumed pacing the room. She kicked over another pillow and glanced under it, as if expecting to somehow find Savron under it. Across the room, by the door Spyro shrugged weakly, his eyes strained and distant.
"As irresponsible as he is at least he usually leaves a damn note!" Cynder hissed, stomping over to her mate, somehow making the thumps imposing despite her thin frame. "But there's nothing here! Not a scrap of paper or a message written in blocks!"
Spyro gave a brief nod and a sigh. "Maybe he didn't sneak out to get away from the lesson, Cyn? Maybe he just went out for a quick fly and plans on being back in a few?"
Hooded emerald eyes met his violet ones. "Do you really believe that, Spyro?" Cynder huffed. "Do you really believe him being late is unintentional?"
Spyro opened his muzzle and then closed it, shaking his head in defeat.
Cynder snorted. "That's what I thought. It's been ten minutes and he's clearly not here. We have to go and find him."
"Alright Cyn. Any ideas? He could be anywhere in the Temple by now and he has hundreds of hiding holes we'd have to search in order to find him."
"Hm… could you use your psionic magic to track him? You know his mind well enough that I assume you can seek it out."
"Sure, though I have to be close enough to him to be able to sense him. So we're still going to have to do a walk about the Temple."
Cynder sighed morosely. "Joy."
"How about we do a flight about the Temple first? We could get a sweep of the area and all the grounds pretty quickly, and if he's near any of the walls I could sense him."
The black dragoness grinned and leaned forward, to nuzzle his face. "See? You can come up with good ideas too."
"Um… I never said I couldn't…"
"Right, you didn't. But it was one area that Sparx and I agreed on." Cynder leaned back, a twinkle in her eye. "It's nice to see you prove us wrong now and again, hero boy." Cynder stepped past him back out into the chamber, leaving Spyro behind. He shook his head and followed after a moment later.
"Speaking of good ideas," Spyro called as they descended to the landing pad, "have you sent her the message yet?"
Cynder paused as she landed on the edge of the platform, glancing back at her mate. "Hm? Oh, yes. I sent it off a couple days back. I hope she gets it soon."
"Yeah, it's been years since we've seen her." Spyro settled beside her with a chuckle. "I wonder how she's doing?"
"I don't know. Honestly I feel a rather guilty that the first message I sent to her after so long is asking for her help on something like this." Cynder shook her head and smiled wanly. "Still, this'll give us plenty of time to talk again, once she's here." Spyro nodded in agreement.
They took off, soaring out over the Temple grounds and into the open sky. Spyro took the lead and took a deep breath as he focused himself. His eyes shone a dark purple as he brought his mental magic to bear. He searched the skies for a moment before veering off to the right, towards the Temple roof. Startled, Cynder followed after him.
"Spyro, what's…" she started to say, only to gasp upon seeing Savron lying atop the roof, gazing out over the now fully risen sun. She dove down, heading straight towards him.
Savron only had a moment's warning before Cynder landed with a crash beside him and lunged, grappling him in a tight wing hug.
"Savron! Don't ever scare me like that again!" She nuzzled his head, much to his spluttering annoyance.
"What are you… urgh! Stop that! What are you talking about?"
"You had us worried sick, that's what," Spyro said as he landed down beside Cynder, his serious tone not matching his expression.
"Why… Oh right. The lesson," Savron sighed.
"Yes, the lesson," Cynder murmured, letting her son go to stare down at him. "What were you thinking, going off without telling us? And right before the lesson too!"
"It… wasn't intentional," Savron mumbled, looking out to the sun again. "I went out around sunrise and… sort of lost track of time."
Spyro and Cynder looked at one another sceptically. "How could you lose track of time when you can clearly see the sun rising right in front of you?" Cynder gestured with her snout towards the sun.
"It just happened, alright." Savron glared up at her indignantly. "I got lost in its beauty."
"As if."
"Look, I'm sorry but could you drop it now? Let's go do our lecture or whatever."
"Savron," Cynder insisted, craning her neck around to gaze into his face. "This is important. We can't have you just running off like this, especially during something so important. It's reckless of you."
"I've heard this all before."
"Savron!" Spyro barked. "Listen to your mother. We are getting tired of you just running out on us again and again. We thought you had improved after the Feran Incident but lately you've been relapsing. You need to tell us if…"
"Why do I have to tell you?!" Savron snapped, turning and gnashing his teeth inches away from Cynder's snout. She jerked her head back in surprise. "I'm a grown drake! Maybe not an adult but I know what I'm doing! Why do I always have to answer to you, huh? Why can't anyone take me seriously?" Savron jerked his silver-horned head away and stomped off. "Why can't I just take a damn flight without someone shouting at me about being irresponsible? It's not fair!"
Cynder took a step towards Savron but stopped when he glared back at her, expression hurt. Spyro was not fazed however and walked towards Savron. "Savron, please. We aren't trying to oppress you, we're just worried. We all have a responsibility to each other, to look after one another. So please, listen to us."
Savron was silent for a moment, staring out at the eastern sky for a moment before he sighed. "I'm sorry. I've just had a bad morning," Savron turned to Spyro and Cynder and gave them a sheepish smile. "I didn't mean to worry you."
"Thank you, Savron." Spyro smiled. "And I'm sorry for snapping at you too."
Cynder walked over to her son and gave him another warm hug, and this time he didn't object. "There, better?" She looked down at him with a cocked eye-ridge. "Because we've still got lots of training to do. Your bad morning isn't over yet."
"You have to ruin everything, don't you?" Savron shook his head and sighed.
Cynder smirked. "I can't go easy on you, Sav. Not on something this important."
"Fine," Savron grumbled in defeat. "So what now?"
"Now we should go and get some training done." Spyro placed a wing on Savron's shoulder. "We don't want to fall beh–"
"Lord Spyro! Lady Cynder!"
The two heroes glanced up at the call and blinked in surprise as an ice dragon servant landed before them with a bow. "Urgent news! The Guardians request your presence immediately!"
"We're busy," Cynder snapped. "We've already arranged the time and we intend to use it."
"Lady Cynder" – the servant bowed again – "they are very insistent. They want you to be there to greet King Eclipse and his family!"
Savron looked up in surprise, a grin crossing his face. "Does that mean Danrah's back?"
"Indeed lord Savron." the servant smiled. "Their arrival was spotted a few minutes ago and the Guardians have request you join them in the Meeting Chamber."
Cynder looked away from Spyro with a sigh and bumped Savron with her wing-knuckle. "Looks like you're in luck this time, Savron." She smiled. "This is pretty important, so you can go and study or something."
Savron opened his muzzle to object, stopped and then nodded. He took off before they could change their minds, flying down towards their spire, claws itching to look over his adventure notes once more. Cynder and Spyro watched him go with a headshake and a smile. Then they turned to the messenger and took off, having the young ice dragon fly them down towards the Guardians' Hall.
Danrah swore as the cart rattled once more and spilled ink all over map. She snatched up the inkwell before too much could get out and glared over her shoulder at the wall where the driver would be found. For a moment she entertained the idea of shadow-jumping the inkwell over his head before she calmed herself with a few deep breaths. With forced delicacy she replaced the inkwell on the table and considered her options.
The ten-horned princess stood, strode over to her luggage and pried it open, rummaging through it until she found a thick textbook. She flipped it open, careful not to use her ink-soaked paw and found the page on apprentice tricks. Danrah rushed back over to the map before the ink could dry further and began tracing a small rune in the air, black, crackling magic taking shape as she worked. She took a breath and released a short surge of magic through the rune, into the ink on the map.
A huge grin split her face as the ink splot rose from the map, to float above it. She replaced as many of the lines from the map as she could using the freed ink and then returned it to the open inkwell. She promptly snapped it shut.
"I can't ever seem to get any work done around here," she whispered to herself as she wiped her paws clean of the ink using the same spell. "Not that anyone cares. Blast them."
Danrah took a seat back by the map and examined the markings she'd placed there. She adjusted the border markings to fill in the mistakes she'd made replacing the ink and then got started. She spent a few minutes outlining the various routes her tribes took throughout Crown Valley to the far west.
She was only just putting the finishing touches on the map when the door to the carriage seat opened up. Danrah glanced over, eyes flying wide as a stab of tense terror struck her gut. She was frozen for a moment as the figure stepped in, limbs refusing to budge. Then, as her brother Vash stepped in, her flustered mask came on.
"Vash!" Danrah squealed, grabbing a pillow from her bed and hurling it at him. "Knock! You're supposed to knock!"
Vash, shocked by the squeal, took the pillow right to the face. He stiffened, gazing stupidly at his adoptive sister as she turned and hastily packed up the map and stuffed it into a bag and hurled her journal under her bed.
"Uh… did I come at a bad time?" he mumbled, cocking his head to the side, causing his spines to rattle. The dark-blue, cloud-pattered dragon had no horns crowning his head, in sharp contrast with his sister. Instead dozens of long, spiny tendrils cascaded from the back and top of his head, to hang almost like hair off him.
Danrah glared at him indignantly and then sighed, shaking her head. "No, I just would like it if you knocked before barging in," Danrah met his gaze with a look of amusement. "It's uncivil."
Vash bowed his head in apology. "I'm sorry, my lady."
"Danrah, you're supposed to call me Danrah!" the princess moaned and rolled her eyes. "You are not and never were my servant."
"If you say so, Danrah."
"Good." Danrah smiled. "So, what did you want to talk about, Vash?" Shegestured for him to come and sit with her. The dream dragon smiled in relief, glad to see the anger gone and joined her by the table.
"We're nearly at the Temple," he explained, gesturing to the window. "One of the scouts said they saw it through the mushrooms."
Danrah strode over to the window and peeked out, searching the sky through the mushroom trees around them for any sign of the Temple. After a minute of looking she spotted it in the distance, looming up atop a stony peak.
"Ah, the Temple," Danrah thought as she gazed out at it. "After this entrance it'll be weeks before I can safely blend back into the background. Still, it'll be nice to see everyone again." Danrah sighed and turned back to Vash, who was watching her carefully. She smirked and approached him with a sly grin.
"So, Vash, how've you been handling the trip?" She sat down next to him, causing him to shift uncomfortably.
"It was alright. Looking forward to being back at the Temple again though."
"Liar."
"Really? Do you have a lady friend there?" Danrah grinned. "Tell me all about her! Have you kept in contact over the break?"
"N-no." Vash glanced away, embarrassed. "There's nobody at the Temple who's all that interesting to be frank."
"Then you have someone in mind back home?"
"Hardly."
"You know, maybe you'd loosen up and enjoy your stay at the Temple more if you found someone. Give you a reason to be there besides me."
"Maybe even stop arguing so much with Lyrith. That would be useful. Still, finding one who can tolerate your stubbornness might be difficult…"
"Danrah, can you drop this, please?"
"It really shouldn't be hard." Danrah hugged Vash close, her eyes glowing feverishly. "You're exotic enough to attract the good kind of attention and you have this mysterious, tortured vibe about you. Plus you're a prince! What's not to love? All we need to do is to…"
"Danrah, please…"
"Probably getting out of paw. At this rate I'm going to break him. What should I switch to?"
"Of course she can't be just any dragoness," Danrah gave Vash a nudge to the flank with her wing. "What do you prefer? Curvy? Stick-thin? Broader…"
"Come on… just shut up for a moment so I can…"
"Danrah!"
Danrah started and a new mask snapped into place. Her face flushed and she turned away, shamefaced.
"Sorry… I just got excited is all…"
"Finally."
Vash looked away with a sigh. "It's alright, Danrah. I'm just not interested right now. There are more important things than my love life to deal with."
"Like what?" Danrah asked, finally meeting his gaze.
"Well, looking after Falwee for example."
"Oh, right," Danrah smiled. "How is little sis doing?"
"She was asleep when I left her. Speaking of which, I'll need to go soon." Vash sighed.
Danrah nodded sagely. "Alright. I understand. Again, I'm sorry Vash. Any way I can make it up to you?"
Vash met her gaze and considered for a moment. His stiff body began to loosen up. "I can't really think of anything right now, Danrah," he admitted. "I suppose a new toy for Falwee would be nice, if I can borrow something." Then he gave her a flat but amused look. "Or maybe you could look after her for a while so I can get some sleep?"
Danrah chuckled. "Next time. I promise I'll look after her next time. For now, how about a toy?"
"Dammit. What have you done? Now you'll never have time to do your work!"
The black dragoness turned away and did a quick search of her room. She came back with a couple of figurines she'd been planning on using for her map and gave it over to Vash.
"Just be sure to not let her eat any."
"Of course. I'm not stupid," Vash grumbled. "Still, thanks. I'm sure she'll enjoy tossing these around."
Danrah inwardly winced at this but simply gave a nod as Vash turned to go.
"Say hello to Falwee for me!"
"You can tell her yourself. We'll be there pretty soon."
"Oh, right…"
Danrah waved goodbye as Vash shut the door, letting in a gust of the rank swamp air. Danrah turned back to her desk and, relieved, let it all fall away.
"That was a bother," Danrah muttered as she pulled her map back out of the bag. "Seems he can hardly go a few hours without coming to check on me." She set up once more and got to work, laying her papers out and scribbling down more notes and plans, checking local resources and interactions with other tribal routes.
Her thoughts slowly diverged from the map back to the thought of her Temple friends. She missed watching their chats, stories, and adventures. None of the clan nobles back home were anywhere near as interesting. All of them were too focused on her as the heir or establishing new trade routes, alliances or ploys to gain more reputation for their clan. It would be a pleasant relief to partake in the exotic mysteries and personal drama that the Temple offered her.
So busy thinking was she that Danrah did not even notice the carriage leaving the bumpy trail or it coming to a halt outside of a bustling town. It was only a firm knock at her door nearly ten minutes later that finally broke her concentration. She looked up with a stricken expression, sure there was another forced entrance. Then, realizing it was a false alarm calmed herself. She stepped up to the door, expression pensive as she readied herself for the interaction.
Danrah cracked open the door and looked through it, sighing at the sight of Vash once more.
"Oh, hello again, Vash," Danrah smiled brightly as she pulled open the door. "Is something the matter?"
Vash began to open his muzzle, when a small black dragoness poked her head over Vash's and clambered onto his head.
"Hi Danrah." Falwee beamed, legs wrapped around Vash's neck, much to his irritation. "We made it!"
Danrah glanced around and blinked as she realized that they were in the town square of Darrowlight.
"Oh! I hadn't even noticed. Thank you Falwee," Danrah leaned forward to bump her snout with the dragonling, who giggled lightly at this.
"Mother was wondering if you were going to join us," Vash continued, lowering his head to deposit Falwee onto the cobblestone streets. She sat down and looked about, her overly large head swivelling to try and take in all of the sights.
"I'm sorry," Danrah sighed. "I was so distracted I hadn't even noticed. Tell her I'll be out in a moment, while I pack up."
Vash nodded his head and turned away to deliver the message. Falwee waddled in after Danrah however, catching the door with her paw to keep it from closing. She squirmed inside and plopped down in front of the door to watch as Danrah threw her belongings together into a bag, the map going in last after being nicely rolled up to avoid being wrinkled.
"What's that?" Falwee asked finally, causing Danrah to jump.
"Huh? Oh, um…" Danrah stammered for a moment, caught by surprise from the seemingly abrupt appearance of the younger dragoness. "Well… it's a little project I've been working on."
Falwee stood up and scampered over, picking it up and unfurling it once more, ignoring Danrah's pleas.
"Oh! Pretty!" Falwee giggled, her eyes following the many colourful lines traced across it. "Are you making a fairy tale map?"
Danrah tensed as the dragonling began flipping it up and down, trying to orient it. Danrah took a few deep breaths as she prepared herself to confront Falwee.
"Close." Danrah burst out giggling, flopping down by Falwee. "It's actually a super-special secret map for daddy. He wants me to figure out all of the locations in the lands to try and find a lost treasure!"
Falwee gasped in awe and began looking at the map even harder.
"But I haven't figured it out yet, and nobody's supposed to know," Danrah explained sneakily. "Because it's going to be a gift to mom, alright?"
Falwee nodded, eyes wide.
"But since you're involved in this now too, I'll need you to be quiet about it, alright?" Danrah beamed. "If you don't tell anyone about the map, I'll give you half of my dinner tonight, alright?"
Falwee's eyes grew wide and she began wrapping the map up, only to stop.
"Next day too." She grinned, her eyes gleaming slyly.
Danrah chuckled. "You're a hard bargainer, Falwee. Alright I accept."
"Yes!" Falwee gave the map back to Danrah, who quickly rolled it up and put it back in her bag.
"Now go on, Falwee." Danrah smiled. "Go wait with mom and dad. Unless you want to help carry all my stuff…"
Falwee paused and considered for a moment. Then she smiled, grabbed one of Danrah's smaller bags and tugged it out. Danrah rolled her eyes and smirked at this as the younger dragoness left the carriage, luggage in tow.
"Silly girl," Danrah snickered as she picked up her personal baggage and started out.
"Great. Now I have a lie to take contend with. And over what? A personal project on economic and cultural restructuring? Way to panic again, Danrah." The ten horned princess sighed as she stepped out of the cart. "I just hope Falwee keeps her end of the bargain. I don't want dad finding out early and getting the wrong idea."
Danrah joined up with her entourage of guards and let herself be guided towards the center of the town square. A large crowd had gathered to investigate the grand entrance, drawn by the sounds of fanfare, banners and marching warriors dressed in exotic garb. She was guided up onto a platform being constructed by some of the warriors, in which her family sat. Upon a bed of blankets and stones sat a slim but elegant black dragon; her father, Eclipse, the king of Shadows. His ten horns curled up into the shape of a crown, exactly the same as Danrah's, though each was dipped with gold leafing and shone brightly in the candle light. Gold tattoos swirled across his ebon scales, detailing the entire history of the Shadow dragon kingdom, from the gryphon war, to first meditations of the Monk King, to Eclipse's father falling from the Sky, pierced by Gaul's spear. His magenta belly and tail-spikes shone in bright contrast to the dark scales and gold designs, though the bed mostly hid them.
Beside him lay a stark black dragoness, Midnatla, her grey and faded black scales blending almost perfectly together. She bore a suit of ceremonial chain and a silvery helmet with a circlet of gold embossed into it and a long plate of metal that ran protectively along her stout muzzle. Her deep green eyes searched the crowd as she and Eclipse spoke, body tense and ready for action.
As Danrah stepped up onto the platform all eyes were drawn to her. She gave a flowing bow of apology, saying she hadn't even realized they'd arrived until mere moments ago. Eclipse chuckled at this, shaking his head ponderously.
"No need to fret, Danrah. We are not yet ready to depart for the Temple as it is." He raised a claw to poke at her chest. Like his horns, his claws were decorated in gold leaf. "We just figured you should know before it does become a hassle."
"Indeed." Midnatla gave a stiff but friendly smile and a nod of her head. "We know how deeply involved you can get with your reading or projects."
"Thanks mom, dad." Danrah beamed. "I'm certainly glad you did. I can hardly wait to see the Temple again!" She all but quivered in excitement.
"Quite, I've always wanted to see this famous monument." Eclipse gave a wistful smile. "A place of heroes and legends. In this past decade I've heard more poems than I can count about this place."
"Makes you wonder if it'll even hold up," Midnatla huffed from off to the side.
"What makes you say that?" Eclipse looked aghast. "Please don't be so negative, love! This is a happy occasion!"
"I apologize, Eclipse. I was simply pondering aloud." Midnatla leaned forward to nuzzle her husband's cheek. "I simply feel the need to remain skeptical about such things, especially when so much has been said around it."
"It is not as impressive as the Sanctum, Father." Vash cleared his throat sharply. "Though, I will admit that it is quite a sight."
The platform lurched off the ground and the family of royal dragons stiffened as they adjusted to the sudden change. It lurched again, this time levelling off as the last of the servants got into place under it. A guard cleared his throat and declared that they were ready for departure. Midnatla gave a nod and ordered that they move out immediately and the platform started off. It lumbered forward for a few moments as the dragons below gathered speed and then with a mighty thump it lifted off, each of the six dragons beating in unison.
Danrah distantly heard the murmurs of awe from the watching crowd and smiled in amusement. Behind them the guards followed suit, circling up after the ponderous platform to keep a steady watch for potential threats. Eclipse turned back to Vash once the beat of wings had ceased being erratic to continue the conversation.
Danrah settled her head down to watch the Temple's approach, a sweltering pit opening up in her gut. She tried to console herself with the fact that most of the eyes would be on her parents and not her, but it was still a bittersweet bite of knowledge.
"Of all the ways of returning to the Temple I could be enjoying, this is the exact opposite of what I wanted."
The platform landed outside of the Temple gates and the dragon guards standing outside of it gave a brief salute. The platform was lowered, much to the relief of the ones under it, and Eclipse rose. Midnatla jumped in before her husband though to take the first steps. She glanced about to make sure it was safe as Falwee and Eclipse strode off, both gazing about curiously. Vash trailed after Danrah, who moved to stand beside her mother.
The gates opened and an armoured red dragon emerged, backed by two more guardsmen. Flame stopped before the shadow king and removed his helm to give a properly respectful bow. Eclipse returned the gesture, though with less gravitas than the red drake.
"Welcome to the Dragon Temple, your Majesties," Flame smirked as he met the king's grey eyes. "I hope the trip wasn't too dull."
"It took a while, but the anticipation kept us going." Eclipse chortled, stepping past the fire-dragon hero and into the Temple grounds. "Now then, take us to the Guardians. I don't wish to leave our hosts waiting."
"You needn't worry. In fact, they might appreciate some extra time, since they're still trying to put together your welcoming ceremony. I don't think they expected you to arrive so soon."
Midnatla raised an eye-ridge at this. "Is that so?"
Flame opened his muzzle only to realize that he probably shouldn't have told them that. He shrugged and placed his helmet atop his head once more. "They are ready of course. I just suspect they won't have the banquet all set out just yet."
"Curses." Eclipse clicked his tongue in disappointment. "I'd been waiting the entire trip for that."
"It'll be worth the extra wait, believe me. Ember is personally doing all of the cooking," Flame smirked. "You won't believe the meatloaf."
"I'll agree with him on that one." Danrah beamed as they set off towards the Grand Hall.
"I'm sure Ember appreciates the sentiment, Princess Danrah." Flame looked down at the slim black dragoness. "Speaking of which, how have you been? Looking forward to classes?"
"Quite!"
The troop filed up the stairs to the Grand Hall's doors, Flame and his Guards taking up the front, while the Shadow dragons and their guards marched at the rear. The doors flung open and a blast of fanfare erupted from all sides. Danrah winced at the noise and threw on a huge smile for the crowd of students she knew would be there. In the center of the hall was an uplifted dais upon which nearly all of the Guardians sat.
Students did indeed line the balconies and walkway, though not nearly as many as Danrah had expected. It looked like barely a third of the student population had gathered for the event, far less than she'd seen clamoring for a look at Lyrith when he had first arrived at the Temple. However, the preparations here did seem considerably more expensive and lavish. Danrah couldn't help but wonder how long it must have taken to cover each of the pillars with live roses like they had.
"Still, it's odd that there are so few students… It must be how early it is." Danrah nodded to herself, somewhat relieved that there wouldn't be as many eyes on her as she had originally thought. "This is a day off after all."
Eclipse climbed the dais and turned to the cheering students with a bow. Then, he and Midnatla turned to the Guardians to greet them. Danrah, Vash and Falwee sat off to the side, to witness the event. Danrah gazed over the pleased expressions of the Guardians as they each bowed to the pair in turn, only for a frown to crease her face.
"Where are Spyro and Cynder?" The princess wondered as she searched the crowd for any sign of purple or black. "I'd have thought they of all dragons would have been here."
Midnatla seemed to be thinking along the same lines as she too searched the faces of the Guardians with concern. "I was under the impression that Cynder and her mate would be here. Where are they?"
"I must apologize, my lady." Cyril coughed delicately. "We sent a message to them a few minutes ago when we realized they weren't here. They had planned on a session to train their son today, which we had completely forgotten about. They should have arrived at the meeting hall by the time we get there."
The shadow queen sagged and gave a disappointed huff. "Hm. Fine. I was hoping to have a talk with my claw-sister while we walked but I suppose it can wait."
"Again, apologizes my lady." Cyril gave another bow.
"Hello Cyril, Terrador, Inferna, Volteer!" Danrah gave a brief nod of her head to each. "How're you doing? I hope I haven't missed much in the classes!"
"Hm? Oh, nothing much, Danrah." Inferna smiled. "They've only just gotten started last week after all.
"You should be able to catch up in no time." Volteer nodded emphatically. "Knowingyourprowess inourstudiesatleast."
Eclipse looked back at the crowd, the cheers having died down. "Hm… perhaps we should be on our way. Assuming the formalities are over with."
"Daddy! Can Vash and Danrah and I explore?" Falwee interrupted the conversation, looking up at him with huge watery eyes. "I wanna see the Temple!"
King Eclipse glanced down at her, startled. "Er…"
"Please no." Danrah inwardly flinched. "This is such an important meeting, I need to see it…"
"It wouldn't be much trouble, father," Danrah chirped. "We could show her around."
"Please ancestors no!"
Vash stepped forward, interceding with a bow and a glance to Danrah. "No, you should go to the meeting with mother and father. You should be a part of this. I can show her around myself."
"Oh thank you, Vash. I owe you one."
"Indeed" – Midnatla nodded – "we want you with us Danrah. After all, you do want to become Queen one day, correct?"
"Yes," Danrah lowered her head morosely. "I do, mother."
Terrador met Eclipse's gaze, an eye-ridge raised. "To be honest, I had been expecting more members of your nobility, your Majesty."
"The other Chiefs are rather reluctant to come," Eclipse laughed weakly. "Until they know for certain that the terms appear to their liking."
"I thought we had already established that?"
"It's a formality, Terrador, nothing more. They will be showing up soon."
"Hm… seems rather strange to send their king forward to check things out instead of a courtier."
"Our kingdoms have very different definitions of a king, Terrador." Eclipse smiled. "Now let us depart. The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can set upon this feast."
"That sounds like a most exceptional suggestion!" Volteer grinned. "Come-come, I'll lead the way!"
…
Aephion sat up sharply as a great clamour rose outside the chamber, a rabble of voices and conversations all seeking to be heard over one another. The armoured wind dragon cleared his throat and moved to stand in the center of the doorway with a gesture to the feline guards to open the doors for those on the other side. He shook out his lithe body and gave his paws a quick polish as the stone entryway began to open before he looked back up and gave his most presentable and respectful smile.
Almost as soon as the doors began opening Midnatla stepped through, her deep-green eyes casting about the room for any sign of threats. The room was lavishly decorated compared to its regularly drab appearance. The ring-shaped circular table was laid out with a flush black and red cloth. The cushion-seats had been replaced with satin pillows, each coloured after the Guardian that would sit upon them or, in case of the visitors, with similar trappings as the cloth. Banners from all the kingdoms hung, from the United Kingdom of the Realms to the Feran Empire and the Shadow Clans.
Aephion gave a deep bow to the black dragon queen, kneeling so low that his snout brushed the stone floor. "Queen Midnatla, it is an honour to meet you."
Green eyes fell upon Aephion and the queen scoured him. After a moment she nodded.
"Same to you, General Aephion."
The doors finished opening and the remainder of the crowd entered. The Guardians entered first, each giving a nod of their heads towards the general as they passed, a gesture which he returned in kind. Then King Eclipse sauntered in, gazing all about the chamber with an open and curious expression. Aephion bowed deeply to him as he stopped by his mate in front of the general, looking down at the prostrating grey dragon.
"Ah, General! It is a pleasure to see you again. What brings you here?"
"A slew of things, your majesty." Aephion gave a stiff smile and rose to look the black drake in the eye. "Firstly I am here for everyone's protection. I am security to ensure that this momentous event goes without issue and that all of us are safe."
"I suppose the extra security would be useful." Midnatla gave a terse smile and a nod in his direction.
"In addition to the protection of the Temple itself, of course." Aephion smiled back as he continued his speech. "After the events last year my lord Pyron thought it wise to supply greater security to this grand monument."
"A sensible choice, though why you did not do that before is beyond me. The Sanctum of Shadows has a standing army ready at all times. A small army, but an army all the same."
"If only we had thought that necessary," Aephion sighed. "And lastly, I am here as a representative of King Pyron in this affair. As well as the caretaker of our feran dignitaries…" His eyes flickering behind Eclipse and the two royals looked back as Tantius and two other ferans stepped into the room. The ferans gave a deep bow to Eclipse and murmured a verse in a strange tongue. Eclipse repeated the verse and gave a bow of his head in return.
Aephion raised an eye-ridge at this and Eclipse chortled.
"Our two people have had frequent relations in the past. They were our main trading partners for the longest of times."
"Ah, I see. Well that'll hopefully make these last negotiations easier."
Together they turned and strode into the chamber, to find their seats. A set of guards from each faction stepped in: two shadow dragons and two panthers to accompany the two cheetahs. The remainder were left outside to guard the entrance.
Terrador glanced around, eyeing each one as they sat at the table. He frowned and opened his muzzle to ask where Spyro and Cynder were, only for a corner of the room to burst upwards with shadow. The shadow dragons were immediately on guard, black fire crackling at their muzzles as Spyro, Cynder and a shivering messenger emerged, bickering.
"See! I told you this was faster!" Cynder snapped.
"Well, to be fair Cyn, I really did think that was a shortcut." Spyro winced, letting the young messenger drop down from his back.
"A shortcut to the kitchen maybe. How can you not know this?! And why didn't you tell him it wasn't?" Cynder glared down at the messenger in frustration.
"S-sorry ma'am… I tried–"
"To be fair, love, I never got breakfast. My stomach probably just guided me there on instinct."
Cynder sighed and opened her muzzle to reply, only to become aware of everyone in the meeting room staring at them. She flushed slightly, thankfully hidden by her black scales and looked up at them with a smile. "Apologies for being late my lords. We got sidetracked. I hope we didn't miss anything."
"Not at all, we were just getting seated," Eclipse smiled. A few seats away Tantius was coughing into a kerchief, trying and failing to hide his laughter.
"Ah, it is good to see you again Cynder." Midnatla rose and gave a short bow to the slim black draken. "It has been too long since we've seen one another, claw-sister."
"Same here," Cynder gave a small but delighted smile and a much deeper bow. "How have things been for you?"
"Dull," Midnatla admitted with a shrug. "It's been months since I've had a chance to dig my claws into the flesh of another…" She paused and then turned to Spyro with a hopeful expression. "Lord Spyro, would you honour me with a duel?"
Spyro gulped and took a step back. He forced a smile onto his face and shook his head. "Sorry. I'm going to have to decline. I've got classes I'll need to attend to… every day. For the entire rest of the year."
Midnatla sighed in disappointment. "Fine. Perhaps another day then."
Spyro scampered over to his seat and sighed in relief. Cynder snickered and sat down beside him on her ebon pillow. "You really should take her up on it," she whispered, a snarky smile twisting her slim, beak-like snout. "She's wild in the arena, and she'd make a good fight. Plus, I heard a rumour that, if you beat her she'll take you to bed as wildly as she fought you."
Spyro's eyes flew wide. "W-what? Cynder, what are you…?" he stammered back, as quietly as he could, so as not to be heard over the other conversations. "You can't be serious!"
Cynder didn't reply, simply smiling at him with a sly twinkle in her eye.
"No! For a number of reasons! Besides I'd rather not have chunks of me torn out, thank you." Spyro shuddered. "I saw one of the duels she was in. She isn't joking about the claw thing."
"Don't be like that. She'll go gentle on you. Well, gentler than usual anyway. She wouldn't want me to lose such a good mate like you. We are claw-sisters after all."
"Not taking that chance. Besides, I know you're not serious about that."
Cynder shrugged and turned back to the others with a smug expression on her face.
Cyril rose and coughed loudly to get everyone's attention. "Now that we are all here, I think it is time we begin. Now, primary goal is to review the documents we've been finalizing and decide on a few last tweaks and adjustments before we call upon all participants of this treaty to sign." Cyril turned to Eclipse with a firm gaze. "Your majesty, how long do you think it'll take for your chieftains to arrive here?"
Eclipse sighed and sat back, pondering. "I can only request they've come after I've read and made suggestions for the document. Then I have to send it to them for them to look over and make adjustments themselves. Only then will they come. That combined with the difficult travel here and it is likely that they won't all arrive for a few months."
"I see. That is longer than I had hoped but it'll have to do. This will give us plenty of time to work out any loopholes we might have missed in this review."
"Now then, here are each of your…" Cyril started, giving a nod to Volteer as he dragged over a huge pile of paper. He was silenced, however, by the door opening. A number of guards entered, along with a small posse of robed dragons. The guards were formed tightly around them, weapons at the ready. The dragons seemed completely at ease however, their thick, red-brown robes flowing serenely. Each dragon was decorated with bead necklaces and various dragonic holy symbols. The ten figures stopped and each bowed deeply.
"What is the meaning of this?" Aephion snarled, standing up and stomping over to the guards. "We are having a very important meeting and we weren't supposed to be interrupted!"
"Apologies sir, but these pilgrims were very insistent upon meeting with the Guardians as soon as possible." A wolf warrior saluted. "They simply would not take no for an answer, even after hearing what was going on."
"Pilgrims?" Terrador, Cyril and Volteer glanced at one another, astounded. Inferna simply gazed at them in confusion.
"Your eminencies." The head pilgrim bowed deeply, his bright orange scales flashing in the light. A faint, unidentifiable accent permeated his voice. "We have travelled long and far to reach this place and we are most sorry for this rude interruption, but it is tradition that we meet with the Guardians as soon as we arrive, to finalize our journey."
The three elder Guardians looked in unison to Eclipse, who was gazing at them quizzically. Midnatla was furious, her eyes wide and staring vehemently at the ten, ready to pounce. Eclipse met the Guardian's eyes and smiled.
"I see your Temple is not so different from the Sanctum. Please, go ahead and deal with them. I understand. Many a wandering band of pilgrims have interrupted my work thanks to tradition."
Terrador nodded his thanks and rose to greet the Pilgrims. "Welcome travellers. We are honoured by your visit but I must profess that this Temple hasn't been used for worship in some time. You are the first true pilgrims we've seen since before the War with the apes."
"Is that so?" an elderly fire dragon from off to the side exclaimed. His tone was gruff and exasperated more than angry.
"It is a most tragic and woeful state of affairs." Volteer shook his head sadly. "Many of our artefacts, symbols and tomes were destroyed or lost when Malefor rent the old Temple out of the earth. WhatIwouldgivetohavethemback. Wehavetriedtomakeduebut… much has changed since that time."
"Do not be discouraged though, friends." Cyril beamed. "You are still more than welcome to stay here to continue your rites. While the old worship rooms were lost and the tomes you wish to recite from were destroyed we can still try to accommodate you."
"You are most gracious, Guardians" – the lead drake bowed deeply –"and we would be humbled to accept."
"Indeed," the elder dragon grumbled. "While this is a worse state of affairs than we realized, we can make due."
"We would be most pleased to join you in your rites once we have finished." Volteer smiled. "Perhaps we can share knowledge on this subject to help restore our wisdom."
"Speaking of which, from where do you hail?" Terrador cocked his head curiously. "Is there a Temple still active that we do not know about?"
"Where indeed." Aephion watched them with narrowed eyes.
The elder grunted. "We are from the far south. And while we come from a secular and faithful place, it is not a Temple. Perhaps a monastery would be a closer term."
"To the far south? Do you mean beyond the jungle?" Tantius spoke from the back of the room. All turned their gazes to him. He paused for a moment, tensing at all the attention. Then he cleared his throat and continued. "I know of no villages or cities south of the jungle. There are only mountains and an endless savannah stretching out into the distance. Most explorers never return."
"Not surprising. Many grublins and the like have set up many territories in the Great Expanse," the leader explained. "Our monastery is in a secluded location away from harm, and we have travelled the Expanse many times and know its secrets. Most outsiders would die of thirst or starvation or be shot out of the sky long before they reach our home."
"Then you have come a long way indeed." Cyril bowed his head. "We are humbled by this visit. To think that our fame has spread so far."
"It has indeed. We heard many tales but only recently learned of where to find this place. Still, we have dragged on too long and should go and rest. Besides, you have your own issue to contend with, do you not?"
The pilgrims looked pointedly to the circle of dragons waiting patiently for the return to topic. The Guardians gave a swift nod and bowed their heads once more. "We shall have a servant bring you to a suitable room." Cyril looked to the ice dragon messenger who had been standing by the entrance the entire time. "Would you please?"
The messenger saluted and scampered off, out of the hall. The pilgrims bowed once more and left, trailing out two at a time. The door shut behind them and they let out a long sigh.
"I must apologize for the inconvenience," Terrador explained as he returned to his seat. "That is a old and important tradition that we have not had to uphold for the longest of times. Thank you for your patience."
"I wasn't aware that we had such a function," Inferna laughed. "Though I suppose the name 'Temple' should have given that away, shouldn't it?"
"Indeed. That is yet another thing you have yet to learn Inferna." Cyril smirked. "The proper religious decorum."
"Well, to be fair the same can be said of Cynder."
Cynder glared at Inferna half jokingly. "Don't drag me into this."
"So I take it you have stopped teaching it because many of your religious icons have been lost?" Eclipse leaned forward, curious. Volteer nodded and explained that such simply had not been their priority. They, as Guardians, were originally meant to protect the Temple, and the eggs, and students within. That teaching was originally only a minor issue that pilgrims and other scholars would deal with. But when the war escalated and many of those assets were lost, spirituality had to be set aside in favour of survival. Now trying to teach magic and the fading history of the dragon race was more important than teaching the glory of the ancestors. After all, most dragons in the realms already venerated and understood the faith to some extent anyway, and that the trappings of the faith were burdensome and difficult to carry out.
"Perhaps, with these pilgrims' help we'll be able to restore some of that though," Volteer exclaimed giddily. "We might be able to restore old tomes and recreate some idols. Perhaps we can begin teaching that again as well!"
"Assuming they are who they say they are," Aephion said, finally speaking up.
"Oh?"
"As Tantius has said, we know of no villages or towns further south than the jungle, and those could be any dragons masquerading as pilgrims. We never even got their names."
"Perhaps." Terrador's muzzle tightened.
"And to barge in abruptly just as this meeting is taking place? I smell something fishy." Aephion shook his head. "It is possible I'm jumping to conclusions, but my job is to be paranoid. I'm going to set a watch on them."
"That is probably a good idea." Terrador nodded. "We do not want a repeat of the last infiltration of the Temple."
"I'm glad you're willing to see it my way." The grey dragon general smirked. "Guards!" the two cheetahs at the door snapped to attention. "I want you and two others to keep watch on those 'pilgrims.' Don't let on that they are being watched, so do your best to remain subtle. If they do anything suspicious alert me immediately."
The guards saluted and stalked out of the room, snagging an ice dragon and a hawk to aid them.
"So, if that is all over and done with" – Eclipse looked back at those sitting around the table with a large smile – "perhaps we can start the feast? I am utterly famished."
"Thank the ancestors!" Spyro groaned. "Finally someone who speaks my language."
…
The elderly red gazed about the room with a critical eye as the door shut tight behind them. It was a large chamber, and was probably intended to be an auditorium for classes. The elder gave a stiff nod. This would do, even if it would lack some privacy. Behind him the younger red, the one who had spoken with the Guardians stepped forward with a dreary sigh.
"I was hoping for better accommodations. Then again, we are disgui-"
The elder glanced back at the younger with a glare, silencing him. "Hush your tongue! You think that just because we are in a room now means we aren't being watched? Or more likely listened upon?"
"Do you really think they would? Why would they spy on us, Mirrolus? We're just pilgrims after all. Or do you think students are doing it?" the younger said in a hush.
The disguised Mirrolus snorted and whispered back. "I know they would, Lumos, since I saw some guards tailing us. They were trying to be subtle and if I wasn't looking I wouldn't have seen them." Mirrolus eyed his compatriot with a smirk. "I've learned from hard experience that in our line of work, paranoia is the greatest benefit one can have."
Lumos sighed tiredly. "That'll make this infinitely harder than I had hoped."
"Nonsense." Mirrolus smirked. "This is exactly what I had expected. For now though we should find a better spot to discuss this, where we won't get heard."
"And where would that be?"
Mirrolus ignored Lumos and turned to the other disguised light dragons. He hissed a few orders and the drakes and draken nodded, turning to set up their indoor camp and shrine. Two walked over to the open windows and shut them tight, tying the drapes together so that they could not be easily pried open.
"Follow." Mirrolus strode over to the last remaining open window. He shimmered and vanished as he came to a stop, with only a slight twinkle of light floating from the tip of his tail giving Lumos any indication where he was. He supposed he should be thankful that Mirrolus gave him even that luxury as he followed suit, concentrating his magic around him to vanish from sight. They soared out of the window, which closed behind them and flew out into the open air. Mirrolus dipped down and flew along the windows a few floors down, searching for a small but empty room they could go into. He found it after a few seconds of searching and landed outside of the window, prying it open with his tail blade. Lumos landed alongside him, gratefully lowering his invisibility and the shroud of light that changed his scale colour.
"I have no idea how you can manage to hold that for so long, Mirrolus." Lumos panted as he flopped down on a rug, watching the elder shut the window and close the curtains before he himself reappeared.
The old warrior laughed. "I've been practicing for more years than you've been alive, Lumos. I barely even notice the strain anymore."
"How long do you think the other soldiers will be able to hold their shrouds up?" Lumos queried as the elder sat down across from him.
"A few hours. By then the guards should lose interest and probably won't be spying very thoroughly anymore. Besides, in that room there aren't many places for them to hide, so it is unlikely they were spying on us visually.
"I suppose you're right…"
"Now then, to answer your question I did expect this sort of welcome. And while it means we must be cautious it is also the environment that I've grown up in. Leave the reconnaissance to me. You focus on gaining their trust by not doing anything stupid."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Mirrolus."
"You're here to convince them to join our side. I'm here to make sure that they are not enemies."
"Speaking of which"– Lumos smiled – "It appears we arrived at a most fortuitous time."
"Huh?"
"There was a treaty being written, if you hadn't noticed." Lumos smirked. "One that involved all of the dragon kings."
"So it would seem."
"If we play this right, we could get all of the kings to join with us in one fell swoop!"
Mirrolus gazed at Lumos sceptically. "Do you really think it'll be that easy?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not." Lumos smirked. "That'll depend on their sympathies and whether or not they are enemies, as you put it. Still, it is plausible."
"If the state of affairs here is anything like the Guardian's suggested, I doubt it'll be that easy. They don't follow the old ways anymore."
"But will they have a choice, once they learn what we know?" Lumos raised an eye-ridge. "Once they know who we are and what we can offer them?"
"Again, paranoia Lumos."
"You are such a pain to be around."
"That's part of my job description." Mirrolus snickered.
Lumos rose up to sit on his haunches, gazing at Mirrolus from the corner of his eyes. "What do you think of the Guardians so far? Of Spyro and Cynder?"
"The Guardians are about what I expect. And I think they'll be our best allies," Mirrolus muttered. "As for those two… I don't know. They didn't say much when we arrived. Spyro was a bit of a shock. Almost like seeing a smaller Dark Master, if less intimidating."
"And Cynder?"
"She looks so different, and yet so similar," Mirrolus sighed. "It is her, but not the Cynder I remember." He trailed a claw down the deep scar on his chest.
"How dangerous are they?"
"It is hard to tell." Mirrolus sneered, turning abruptly to the window. "This place is permeated with the taint of convexity."
Lumos blinked in surprise. "What?"
"Yes. A slick, oily coating on everything," Mirrolus shuddered. "Not much, but enough to be noticeable. Its far more corruption than I was expecting."
Lumos swallowed hard. "So they're a threat then."
"I do not know. It doesn't seem to be coming from them but rather all around us." Mirrolus let loose a deep breath. "I'm going to be watching them carefully, Lumos." He turned his flat, hard gaze back to the ambassador. "Very, very carefully."
The sun was setting over Avalar valley as a hooded figure hobbled away from the cheetah city and along the riverbed. The ancient blue-grey cheetah wandered through the meadow, stopping his slow walk only to pick herbs and flowers he found along the way, to store in the basket he carried. His intricately carved crystal-topped staff dug deep into the fertile earth with each step, the cheetah leaning upon it heavily. Squirrels, rabbits, and other small creatures gathered about him, to sniff his paws and rub against his legs, while the predators of the meadow turned aside, giving the hobbling figure a wide, respectful berth.
The stars had only just begun to wake from their slumber when he reached the waterfall. The old hermit paused and gazed down into the swirling depths below. He smiled weakly and raised his hand, his quivering claws tracing a couple bright runes into the air in front of him. The water churned upwards, geysers of frothing water bursting into the air. They levelled off, forming a platform of dense water all the way across the chasm before him. With greater purpose than before, the hermit stepped onto the water, which held firm under his weight. He walked over the bridge, the blue crystal atop his staff glowing faintly as darkness began to fall.
After a minute of walking the hermit stepped off the water bridge and onto dry land. He took a deep breath and gazed about the secret grove where he had made himself home. The hermit staggered up to the door of his abode and unlocked it with a trio of carefully drawn runes. Then he stepped in and set his basket down to rest for a moment. With a curious smirk he emptied his basket and removed a small stone tablet engraved with runes. He looked over it again, his distant eyes lingering especially long on the gem in the center. His finger hovered over it, and then he set it aside with a sigh.
"It is not this one's place to look into another's private property," he cackled and rose, leaving his home and locking the door behind him. He hobbled down to the grove once more and set off into the nearby trees, towards the small cave he could just make out from his home door. He knocked on the amateurishly constructed wooden barricade blocking the cave with his staff, tapping over and over again until the large, heavy wood door swung open and an irritated dragon emerged.
"You know you only need to knock once. I can hear after all," she grumbled, head turned in the hermit's direction.
The hermit cackled. "Guiding the way is second nature to me, Yeras. It is a difficult task to give up."
"Oh just get in here," Yeras sighed stepping back in to let the hermit through.
The hermit wandered in and looked about the cramped cave, picking out every new detail. Then his eyes fixed on Yeras. He noted how strained her blindfolded face was, how dusty and lustreless her unnaturally dark purple scales were and how her ice-white-coloured paws were stained with bright herbal juices. Her white quill-mane was a shamble and filled with dirt and burs, and the cloth about her eyes was stained dark with wetness.
"You have peered through the veil once more, haven't you?" the hermit murmured, shakily settling down on the one stool in the entire cave.
"I… yes," Yeras sighed, walking unerringly to the table the hermit sat at and flopped down on the straw pillow. "Was it that obvious?"
The hermit smiled. "As obvious as the wind's touch on autumn leaves."
Yeras huffed but couldn't help but smile. "You should really take up poetry. Get some productivity out of your numberless anecdotes. "
The hermit cackled. "My words are reserved for those who need or deserve to hear them. But that matters little now; tell me what you saw."
Yeras hesitated, her muzzle slightly agape. Then she shivered and shook her head. "It wasn't much. And I would rather not have to describe what I did see."
The hermit was quiet for a moment, a small 'ah' escaping him at this revelation. "It was one of those visions then."
Yeras nodded sombrely. "Something is wrong, but I haven't seen what yet. The visions are even less clear than usual, and I can only make out small fragments of what is happening. And they are happening more often than usual."
"Danger approaches," the hermit murmured under his breath, almost too low for Yeras to hear. "That is what you mean, is it not?"
Yeras sighed once more and shook her head. "I don't know. I just don't know."
A small, sniffling sob from the back of the cave startled them and they both looked towards the source of the noise. Nestled in a bundle of tattered blankets and towels was a small grey draken, with surprisingly large red ram horns. The tiny, quivering figure was curled up in a tight ball, a small wing cast over her head as she simpered and sniffled in her sleep. Yeras gave a small sigh and rose from her seat with an apologetic smile. She shambled around the splintered tables and the herb piled counter to the basket the hatchling slept in. The hermit watched from the back, his hooded eyes peering unblinkingly at the two as Yeras cooed and coddled the hatchling, who hesitantly opened her eyes. She looked up at Yeras with a tearful gaze, trying her best not to cry. Yeras leaned down and gave her a gentle nuzzle and then turned to the bucket filled with ice in the corner. She blew another coat of icy air over it, to refresh the cold and then fished around in it for the rabbit she had stored in there. She carved off a small chunk and drew out the cold from the hunk, thawing it out. Yeras turned back to the hatchling with the bloody hunk of meat and placed it against her muzzle. The hatchling smiled sleepily and reached out to snag Yeras' paw to hold it in place. She sank her tiny fangs into the meat and sucked gently on it.
"Thanks mommy," she mumbled tiredly, nuzzling Yeras' paw once she had finished eating the meat.
"Happy dreams, Viri," Yeras whispered, turning away from the bed as Viri dozed off once more. The darkened dragoness stepped back over to the table and slumped down, apologizing once more to the hermit, who waved it away with a cackle.
"When you've seen more springs than there are hairs on your body, a few mere moments comes to mean nothing."
"I doubt you're that old."
The hermit smirked. "Old am I, yes, but not as aged as the wisdom that you perceive."
"I would hesitate to call my visions wise. They rarely seem to have any rhyme or reason to them at all, even after I figure them out."
"Some call me wise, others call me insane. Is there a difference?"
Yeras' shoulders slumped and she shook her head in exasperation. "As much as I appreciate your profound sayings, I don't suppose there's another reason you came here? It is getting late and I will need to rise early tomorrow to hunt for some more food for Viri."
"I have indeed." The hermit reached inside of his robe and produced the tablet. "You have indulged my need for speech long enough, so I give you this token that found me in the city. A gift from an old friend of haunted eyes and twisted scales."
Yeras perked up. "Cynder? Cynder sent me something?" A wide grin spread across her muzzle and she eagerly took the tablet he offered, feeling it over carefully. The hermit sat back, watching her with a knowing smile.
Yeras' claws found the crystal and she eagerly pressed on it, causing the tablet to glow. The faint projection of a black dragon appeared above the tablet, though Yeras had no way of knowing that herself. The black dragoness cleared her throat and began speaking.
Dear Yeras,
It has been a long time since we last talked, well over five years now and I thought it was finally time to get back in touch. I hope you have been well and not too lonely back in Avalar. I know how hard it is for you sometimes and I really should have been more considerate. That's why I was hoping to invite you to the Temple sometime in the next few days, formally of course. Everything has already been arranged and you are welcome to show up any time you want. I included train fare in the package this came in, in a sealed bag so you won't lose it.
The hermit frowned and dug about in his pockets, producing the bag of coins.
I hope you accept. Spyro and I would love to catch up with you and show you around the Temple. Also, I was hoping you might be able to help with an issue Savron is having, though I won't trouble you with that yet. I hope you come as soon as you are able, and once again I'm sorry for not sending you more messages.
Sincerely, Cynder.
Yeras' face was split with a huge grin as the image of Cynder faded. A cackle rose up from the Hermit's throat as Yeras hurried up and about, starting to pack.
"So eager to escape this place I see? Tiring of my company?"
Yeras stopped and turned back to him with a smile. "You shouldn't tease. You're terrible at it. But no, it's just that it's been so long that I've talked with her that I shouldn't miss this chance."
The hermit nodded distantly, his eyes hooded by his cowl.
"Before you go, Yeras, I would give you a warning; as a friend."
Yeras paused and looked back at the hermit with a furrowed brow.
"On the rays of dawn danger approaches. Should you go to the Temple, you will find yourself walking into the mists of catastrophe. You, like many others may lose yourself there."
Yeras was silent for several long minutes, her muzzle twisted into a fine line. Then she sighed and turned back to continue packing. "All the more reason to go then. Cynder said there was something she needed my help with, and I won't let her down."
The hermit's mouth twitched upward in a small smile and he rose, leaning heavily on his staff.
"Then farewell, Yeras. I wish you good fortune. It was a great pleasure to live alongside you, even for this short time."
Yeras looked back to the hermit as he shambled out of the cave, puzzlement tingeing her voice. "Don't say it like that. You know I'll come back once whatever's happening there is done."
The hermit paused only briefly in his walk before the door swung shut behind him, the aged cheetah's silence drifting on the air in his wake.
Dardarax's Characters:
Savron, Miranda, Lyrith,
Aephion, Tantius, Eclipse, Midnatla.
Lumos, Mirrolus.
Yeras belongs to Rurik-Redwolf.
Viri (or Viriti) belongs to Golden Griffiness.
Before I get to the author's note I would like to make something clear. I rarely accept offers for characters from other people. And those who do get accepted with rarely be anything more than cameos. Yeras and Viriti are two exceptions (that prove the rule) because of how close their creators are to me as friends, and because I have somehow managed to find a role for them that actually works into the plot of the story (which is shockingly hard to do, actually). This is very unlikely to happen again. Sorry to everyone who wanted to see his or her character in an important role, but it just isn't really plausible. :/
Speaking of which, go check out Forgotten Memories by Rurik-Redwolf to learn more of Yeras, who is a very fascinating character. =) And the same with Viriti in Golden Griffiness' Legend of Cynder Series, though Viriti's past is nowhere near the same as the DL version. You can find Forgotten Memories on Deviantart under Rurik-Redwolf, and LOC on Fanfiction.
Man that was a long chapter. I really did try to cut it down but it simply wasn't possible. This all had to happen together, which meant that it just dragged. xD I think it turned out fairly well though, if longer than I had hoped for. There won't be too many chapters like this, but I know there will be a few more…
Danrah proved to be the biggest concern of mine in this chap though. I found her boring to write, and I had great difficulty making anything she did work for the longest time. Thank the written word for my friends, who helped me through a near breakdown on a chat by coming up with the solution: "Spy" Danrah.
Yes, Danrah has always been like this in the story (even if I… I mean you didn't know it at first), even when she was the focus of the chapter alongside Voltlyn. That was one of her… masks, so to speak. Now we get to see the inside of her true mind. =P
Thanks to Golden Griffiness and Ardwolf for the help on this idea. It was a life saver (and a hair saver, given how I was ready to start tearing out chunks…).
Lastly, no, Midnatla is NOT Cynder's sister… not biologically anyway. Claw-Sister is a term referring to a respected shadow warrior by a respected shadow warrior. Think Shield-Sister/brother. It is merely a close bond they share as friends and compatriots.
Thank you all for reading and being so patient with me. I'm trying my best to keep up, but those darn games are constantly holding me back. xD