Before the Union
Why Windy did it wasn't even known to her. But for some reason it felt really good to be out tilling the soil. The vineyard had a small plot of land devoted to other crops, just enough to feed the family that worked the land. Windy had sparked up conversation with an aging eirian and offered to help him ready the land. She had never seen an old eirian before but she knew this one was ancient. His silver skin was duller than Windy would have expected of an eirian, it seemed to have lost its metallic sheen and his hair was solid white. She had seen white hair before that was iridescent in the light and shimmered with other colors but this eirian's hair had no other colors. It was just brilliantly white in the sun and a soft grey in shadow. He wasn't hunched over like she expected the elderly to be and his face wasn't lined in the least. But he did seem to be out of breath easily and he often complained of how his grip wasn't what it used to be.
The harness Windy wore was awkward, it had been made for one of the dinosaur-like trekkers but as the farmer had already explained his had died over the winter and he hadn't yet found the time to purchase another. He rented whatever animals he needed or depended upon his children and their descendants from the city to aid him. With all the excitement in the city he hadn't been able to find any animals for rent and it was nearly impossible to get anywhere to request assistance from his children or grandchildren. How many greats had he said there were in his title of grandfather? Windy thought it was six, or maybe seven? It was simply awe-inspiring to her to know he was that old.
For the first time since she could remember Windy had taken off the long red scarf Krystal had given her. She didn't dare risk getting it dirty as she upturned earth and worked hard under the sun.
"Thank you again, young lady. And I apologize for not having anything worthwhile to give you in return."
Windy took a few more steps then came to a halt to look over her shoulder at the farmer; he held the handles on the plow to keep the path straight. "No biggie," the Whirlwindling replied. "It's all cheese. I don't need anything in return." It was hard work and she remembered how much she would squirm out of doing any such thing years ago. Now though the work kept her mind occupied and made her feel better. It wouldn't last of course, once she plowed the farmer's small plot she would probably be on her way. The hybrid swished her feathered tail and leaned forward to get the wedge moving again in the earth. She cast a glance to her right and the sections of the small plot that already held the furrows from her effort. It reminded her a lot of the miscellaneous missions she did to gain gold in the beginning of the banishment. Not once did Windy think what she was doing could be seen as degrading; she had offered to do it without any request from the farmer.
After two more rows and perhaps half an hour the plot was finished. Windy's sides were heaving as the farmer removed the harness from her and she was more than a little surprised when he rubbed her down like he would have his working animal. The Skylander didn't complain, he helped clean up the grime that had been worked into her fur as she toiled away and the attention did feel pretty good. She gave the eirian farmer a sheepish grin when he helped put her scarf back on and gratefully accepted the fresh tea he had brewed.
"I would offer you wine but I think you might be a bit young. I have great-grandchildren that talk a bit like you," he smirked. The grey skinned elf grunted as he sat down on an upturned bucket next to Windy and watched her lap up tea out of the bowl he'd set on the table for her. He scrubbed a hand through his short, stark white hair and kept his gaze on the Whirlwindling.
Windy stopped drinking and licked her lips as she raised her head and looked around to find the source of his interest. "What?" she asked upon realizing it was her he was watching.
"What are you hiding from?" he asked softly.
Windy's nostrils flared. "Who said I was hiding from anything?"
"The city is full of Skylanders seeing all there is, taking in the culture and shopping. Yet you are out here with an old elf for company." He squinted at the blue hybrid, "That tells me you are out here to get away from something."
Windy blinked, what was it with old people and their uncanny ability to know when something was wrong? "I'm fine. There's nothing I'm hiding from. I was just bored," she shrugged.
The farmer nodded, his face said he wasn't buying it. "Well I bet you are happy being bored now, correct?"
The hybrid picked up her front paw and eyed the dirt that refused to move from between her claws. "Yeah, you could say that."
The old eirian slapped his knees and made Windy jump before he got up onto his feet. "Well young lady, I thank you for your help. Now it is time to sow the seeds. I will not ask you to help me with this task. You have done more than enough. I wish you luck on your travels, Windy. Enjoy your adventures while you can. One day you will miss them." He gave her a warm smile then moved off whistling a tune to himself.
Windy finished the tea in her bowl and looked out to the part of the island she hadn't yet traveled to. She had seen the rest of Krystal's Skylanders walk by earlier. Whether they saw her or not she didn't know but she hoped had they that they had the decency to keep moving and would let her rejoin them when she was ready. She gave the old farmer one last smile and lifted a front paw to attempt a wave before she hopped off the bench she had perched upon and strolled down the stepping stone path to exit the gate at the front of the yard. She didn't think Krystal would give her enough time to circle the whole of the island but she could at least get a decent walk in to make sure her muscles wouldn't cramp up from the plowing work. The strenuous activity had done wonders for her mind, she felt calm once again and her thoughts were clear of malice or darkness.
"I guess the next thing is getting used to my patrol route," she sighed to herself. Oh well, the elfwood was beautiful so at least it was better than sitting in a dungeon somewhere. Still she wished to speak to Seraphina; maybe something could be done to shorten their sentence.
Steward Kelvin stopped outside of an open doorway. Much like the majority of the palace and city of Haven there was no door in the frame. "Here, Sirs," he said with a slight bow to Commander Roghallach and Ghost Roaster. "May I take my leave now? I have other duties to attend to."
"Thank you, Steward. I can see things through from here," Roghallach nodded to him. He ushered the Skylander ahead of him as the disenchanted Kelvin simply turned around and walked off. Roghallach never did quite take to Kelvin. Steward Dai back in Meir Valan was much easier to get along with.
"Ghost!" Spyro called out happily when the ghoul entered the room he was sitting in with Prince Ceron. Spyro had sat down on a wine colored ottoman; the broad surface was perfect for the dragon and it held no back or arm rests to hinder his wings and tail. The prince himself sat in a plush chair of the same color and was dressed rather casually in a plain cream colored shirt with loose sleeves and the laces undone at the top. The room had a comfortable feel to it; it was another of the palace's many sitting rooms. It was one meant for entertaining with a little corner dedicated to an assortment of simple instruments and a stool. The chairs and couches were comfortable and clustered together in a cozy arrangement that both faced the musician's corner and were backed against it.
Ghost Roaster glided into the room cautiously. So far the prince looked comfortable with his appearance. He watched Commander Roghallach sweep into a bow before the ghoul hastily did the same. "I'm done. I've spoken to all the spirit's surviving descendants. But um," he hesitated for a moment and met Prince Ceron's eyes. "They all refused my help. I mean service," he corrected himself.
The prince met the ghoul's eyes and nodded, "Spyro and I have been discussing an arrangement that might be a perfect fit for you. We simply need to gain the approval of my brother for it."
If Spyro was involved then Ghost Roaster was certain it was in familiar territory and he wouldn't feel like the odd man out for long. "That's good news," he said almost as if he wasn't quite sure. The ghoul clasped his hands in front of him and looked first to Roghallach beside him then to Spyro and Ceron. What happened next?
"Dude, take a seat," Spyro laughed. "We'll explain it all to you. It's a bit complicated so it'll be better if you get filled in before the king returns." The purple dragon watched Roghallach stride into the room and take a seat opposite of him and the prince then looked back at the ghoul still just in front of the doorframe. "You're not in trouble, Ghost," Spyro cocked his head. "These guys are really cool with it and hold no grudge. It's kinda weird actually."
Ghost Roaster dipped his head and coasted into the sitting area. Still he remained floating rather than seated. Spyro hesitated a moment in filling the ghoul in on his plan. But as he progressed through the tale of Asmodeus missing and the implications Ghost Roaster had eventually sat down. The news was also a surprise to Commander Roghallach; the eirian had spent all of his time leading the Skylander around and hadn't yet been made privy to the information.
"Why was I not informed of this?" Roghallach jumped to his feet and demanded. He pinned Prince Ceron to his chair with a molten glare. "I have a responsibility to Meir Valan and I cannot very well uphold it if I am not aware of events."
The prince rose to his feet quickly and held out his hands in a soothing manner. "My apologies, Commander. Meir Valan has been made aware of the news. Captain Avon is more than capable. We knew it would not be long before you had returned from upholding your promise to my mother." His eyes flickered to Ghost Roaster then settled again on the commander. "We would have sought you out soon in any event."
Roghallach scowled and paced the room. His feet snapped through the motions and clapped down hard on the stone floors. The eirian shook his head, his fiery short kempt red hair swayed with the motion. "I must leave immediately to see to the safety of Meir Valan, particularly if the King and Queen are to be here for the wedding tomorrow!"
Ceron stood straighter, the eyes of Spyro and Ghost Roaster had settled on him and he felt abashed for not having sought out Roghallach the moment he learned of events. "I am terribly sorry, Commander."
Roghallach made a wave to silence the prince and strode right out the door leaving the surprised eirian in the company of the Skylanders.
The prince let out a sigh and seemed to deflate before he ran his fingers through his long platinum hair. "That was a horrible oversight on my part. How does Kaelin manage to juggle all he does?"
"Practice," Spyro said as the dragon stepped off the ottoman. "We all miss details from time to time. Even now I do and I've been leading the Skylanders for years. You made sure the other kingdoms were made aware of everything. You did your duty; the commander can be seen as a minor oversight. His home wasn't left unprepared."
Ceron smirked at the dragon, "If only that were good enough." The eirian shook his head, "I still forgot to ensure the Commander of Meir Valan, the highest officer in their army, had been informed. There is a reason Kaelin was first in line for the throne."
Ghost Roaster exchanged a confused look with Spyro when the dragon's gaze settled on him in a pointed manner; certainly the magic element wasn't expecting some amazing pearls of wisdom from him to make the prince feel better. He was just going to feel lousy for leaving the commander out, plain and simple. "Well it's not like they were attacked, right?" the undead Skylander asked with a shrug. He tried to give a reassuring grin; an impossible feat with the ghoul's skeletal nature but at least the prince didn't seem to notice.
"Come," Ceron said as he approached the door. "It should not be long now until my brother returns. We should similarly await the return of the other Cores."
"There's quite a few of us still here," Spyro tilted his head to get Ghost Roaster following him towards the door. "Let's get you settled in properly."
Settled in properly? Ghost Roaster thought to himself, were they expecting to remain in Haven even longer?
Far from Haven and outside of the elven cities the three gargoyles that wore the guises of giants among the Skylanders had finally returned home. The gargoyle clan grounds were similar and different to the elven cities and even cities of other folk the Copies had visited. Home was in the middle of a forest with trees not quite as tall as the elfwood but close enough. There were no paved streets but rather boards or sand strewn in areas prone to mud when it was rainy. The buildings themselves were earthen mounds that occupants stepped down into. To prevent flooding they were at least arranged on higher ground. The mounds themselves had a surrealistic look to them. Grass grew naturally on the roofs but the windows and doors set into the sides were anything but. Chimneys too broke up the grassy knoll illusion they held. There were very few buildings in the Marble Grounds that didn't follow the earthen mound motif. A two story inn was made of stone and wood while the rookery, the communal nesting site, was made of the marble that gave the clan its name. So too was the clan council building, the heart and town hall of the clan.
The pillow under Wraith the Hot Headling was eclipsed by his bulk. Similarly the ones Nivaeus and Ginny-Li sat atop were hidden. The long, dirt floor room they sat in was silent for the moment; around the giants were many pillows and all were vacant. Directly in front of them and separated by a swatch of bare dirt was one large pillow that was very wide and marked by two separate indentations. The purple light in the room was familiar, soothing and welcome. As always it didn't seem to have any source; it was just there providing illumination without lamps or balls of mage light to cast it. The smells of the room too had been sorely missed by the Skylanders. It was earthy and held the musk associated with gargoyles; a strong fragrance of wood and leaves. It was the scent of life itself to a gargoyle.
The silence was interrupted by way of a door in front of the giants opening. Immediately the trio bowed their heads and kept their eyes down out of respect. Two sets of footfalls followed the opening of the door and approached the Skylanders. There was a soft masculine grunt as one figure then another sat on the single large and long cushion at the head of the room. Beads and shells clinked and clattered on the jewelry that decorated the dragon-like feet and long tails of the two individuals; one had olive green skin and the other black with white stripes. Being that their location was deep inland and nowhere near a sky sea the shells were seen as a status symbol and valued as much as gold or any precious gem.
"We did not expect you to return so soon," a deep male voice said. "But it is good that you have. We have terrible news from the Amber Clan." The wings he had furled against his back were patterned after a dragon's with the back of the membrane a green so dark it was almost black and the underside a deep grey.
Wraith looked up without first being told to. His eyes flicked past the olive green feline styled male with white hair tied into dreadlocks to the black and white tiger striped feline featured female who wore her pale blonde hair the same way. Her wings were draconic as well with the outside black and the inside a grey so light it was almost white. "We too come bearing news."
The black and white female cocked her head to the side; her brilliant emerald green eyes seemed to glow in the purple light. "Your news may relate to our own. Please, raise your eyes and speak." Alpha Nephilim Marble was a young ruler, she had only held her position for about five years so far but had taken her clan far in her short time as its matriarch. "What have my faction leaders learned?" The Alpha was hard pressed with two of her highest ranking members of her different military branches all caught up in Skylander duties. Whenever she thought about how they had disobeyed her she felt prickly heat in the back of her head. She stamped out the sensation fiercely and smoothed her features so she could listen to her faction leaders.
"The Darksider commander Asmodeus has escaped elven captivity. With him goes all knowledge of our clans and their locations," Wraith replied.
The olive male, Baites, frowned and flicked his blue eyes towards his mate. "Your news does indeed tie in with ours. Psionics have been stolen from the Amber Clan, children so their minds are young and impressionable."
Ginny-Li hissed and the giant elf leaned back in surprise. "No, he can't have psionics in his hands! If he or Kaos should break them we're all in danger!" The magister's fingers twitched as she tried to find something to do with her hands.
Nephilim held up a dainty clawed hand to calm the magic giant. "We understand, Magister. The clans closest to elven kingdoms are seeking shelter behind their walls as we agreed. We however are going to remain right here," Nephilim's raised hand angled down to point at the earth under her. "We have protection in the forest; to leave its boundaries and travel across open land will surely put us at risk. There is also the matter of the Shadow Clan, if Surpin himself was present in Uzern as you say then our clan is already in Kaos' sights." She looked to Nivaeus and frowned, "You brought me news of the elven psionics having their abilities returned to them yet I find no trace of your talent within you even after you returned to the elven kingdom a second time. Why have you chosen to remain as you are, First Psionic?"
"Honor," Wraith cut the Swarmling off before he could answer.
Nephilim nodded curtly, "Honor. Of course, War Leader. Is there no greater honor in protecting your clan and the next generation?" Wraith was older than her; he held firmly to some of the old beliefs while Nephilim had started to broaden her horizons more to include admitting that accepting help didn't automatically make one weak.
"Nivaeus is hardly incapacitated." Again, Wraith had cut the youth off.
Nephilim sighed and decided to let the subject drop, she had been furious with the three of them when they came back as Skylanders and were forced to serve a Portal Master rather than their clan. If Wraith was going to treat the situation as punishment then she would accept his refusal in allowing Nivaeus to restore his psionics. "Very well. Is it safe to assume the Skylanders or at least eirian don't yet know of the Amber Clan?"
"When we left, no, they didn't know," Nivaeus blurted out before anyone else could speak over him. He felt proud at beating Wraith to the punch for once. Maybe a little too proud, he felt the grin melt off his face when he noticed the molten glare from the Hot Headling and Ginny-Li's barely perceptible shake of the head.
The Alpha female closed her eyes and nodded slowly. She brought a hand to her eyes and sighed before she rubbed them. Baites frowned and put an arm around her. "Don't tarry here for long then. Return to the eirian and inform them of what we know." Nephilim's brilliantly green eyes opened again and she pinned each of the Skylanders with a piercing stare. She still couldn't get over how strange they all looked now. "Do you have a plan for watching the clans?"
"The leader of the Skylanders would like to send a Skylander representative to the largest clans. To do this we'd need to know which clans have sought sanctuary in elven cities and which have remained in their Grounds," Ginny-Li spoke up after a few heartbeats of silence, it seemed Wraith and Nivaeus were expecting the other to take the lead and answer. Ginny-Li knew that it was also a possibility that Nephilim or Baites would be upset by what they said if the Skylanders hadn't hatched a decent plan in the eyes of the Alphas. Both of the men with her were cowards if they were afraid of Nephilim unleashing wrath on them for simply telling them what another power had offered in the lines of defense and communication.
"Such information could be dangerous. Aren't portals traceable?" Baites mused. He and Nephilim both were psionic and only knew enough about magic to not be completely lost whenever one of the magisters approached them with an issue.
"They are," Ginny-Li nodded. "If a portal was opened in a guarded area it would be harder for the enemy to use them against us. There are also wards that disallow portals to open. It won't stop them from realigning it to open nearby in an unprotected area but it's better than trying to open a portal in the middle of the traveling caravan."
Nephilim shrugged Baites' arm off her shoulders and rose to her feet. Her cat tail uncurled from where it had been tucked just under the curve of her thighs and she folded her arms under her breasts. The gargoyle took to pacing the floor behind the pillow she had shared with Baites and her wings twitched as her mind raced. "Then send the Skylanders into the elven cities and have them move outwards in anticipation of meeting the marching gargoyles. Portals should only be used to bring in reinforcements, once a Skylander is stationed somewhere they shouldn't be jumping all over Skylands."
"We understand, Alpha," Wraith said as he rose to his feet. He had always been taller than Nephilim and even Baites but as a giant that difference was only increased. The roof of the Council Hall should have been tall enough to easily fit him but he found himself ducking in his current form. Leaving the room would be as hard as getting in had been. All of the buildings in the Marble Grounds were built into the ground with a sloping incline that lead down into the buildings. He would be forced down on his knees to get back out the door. Wraith had never been more grateful for the overly wide door as he was at the moment.
"Give our regards to Haven and Meir Valan," Baites said as he too rose to his feet. "I wish we could send warriors to help them but I think everyone would agree the fewer gargoyles in the crosshairs the better."
"Princess Seraphina marries King Kaelin tomorrow," Nivaeus said as if it were urgent news. The Alphas gave him wide-eyed looks that melted into warm smiles a moment later.
"Then send our deepest apologies for not being in attendance for the wedding. Come see me before you leave, I will see if I can find a suitable gift for the royal couple." Nephilim was beaming suddenly, that one bit of news seemed to have taken the weight off her shoulders and she was more animated suddenly.
Baites rolled his eyes, "Now she's going to worry if her gift is suitable. Thanks," he said with a wry smirk directed at Nivaeus.
The Swarmling looked abashed and could only shrug in return.
The metal loops on the reins of Meilyr's orniteryx jangled in time with the clicking of his plate armor and the rhythmic pounding of running feet as he tried to calm the war bird. He wasn't as strong a rider as others but he damn well knew how to bring a mount under control. What had gotten into the crazy bird that made it so unruly and unresponsive? Behind the Fizzling, over the sharp intakes and hisses of expelled air from the bird's lungs the gremlin could hear Rafer call to him. He didn't dare turn around to see where the Flameslingerling was; if Meilyr inadvertently pulled the reins who knew what the crazy bird would do next?
"What is wrong with you?" the gremlin snarled through grit teeth. He couldn't saw the reins; the bird was agitated enough for such an act to make him go wild but nothing seemed to work at getting the crimson chicken calmed. Meilyr saw another rider approaching him at an angle from the right. "Kaelin?" the gremlin asked incredulously. No, it couldn't be Kaelin. The Riderling was sitting in a carriage dressed in finery. The Riderling that was fast approaching him and apparently coordinating his movements with Rafer was wearing Rider's standard fare armor.
"Ease back on the reins!" the other Skylander called. No, it's wasn't a Riderling. It was Rider himself. Meilyr would have rolled his eyes if he wasn't worried the bird would shoot off in a different direction the moment he did. The last thing he wanted was to look incompetent in front of a Core; it had been bad enough to hear Anicetus taunt him as his bird carried him off to light knew where on a whim.
"Right up alongside him Fright, atta boy," Rider murmured to his skeletal mount when Fright smoothly altered his course to pace the war bird. "Hold steady old friend," he told the ostrich. Fright gave a sound that could have meant any number of things but Rider knew it to mean the bird was aware of his surroundings and wouldn't move unless commanded to or to get out of harm's reach.
"Do not let him pick up speed!" Rafer called as he brought his mount up on Meilyr's left. "Light, what in Skylands did you do to get that poor animal so spooked?" the green skinned elf said with a grin.
"When I figure it out I will try it on your bird!" Meilyr promised. "Make it stop already!" The trio of riders had been speeding towards the palace but Meilyr's bird had turned sharply when he noticed Fright trying to intersect his path. Buildings raced by, small ones that held only one story and had gates out front complete with gawking children. Wonderful, Meilyr thought. Right into a neighborhood. I will never hear the end of it if I trample a child.
"Take the reins from Meilyr!" Rafer called to the other rider. He wasn't familiar enough with Rider to know it was him and not just a Copy. As soon as the undead elf had leaned out to snag them Rafer began to adjust his position in the saddle of his orniteryx.
Meilyr could only stare in wide eyed disbelief when Rafer planted both of his feet on the saddle and crouched on it. "Are you insane?" the Fizzling exclaimed.
"No more than you," Rafer replied in a distracted manner. He looked to Rider when he felt comfortable enough on his bird. It was still a risk; Rafer had never trained with the orniteryx to know how well it would mind him. "Hold him in line. Are you comfortable enough on your mount to offer Meilyr an arm if he slips?"
Rider smirked and nodded; he knew Rafer's intentions and had done the same himself. There were two differences from then and the current instance and the reason the undead Skylander couldn't attempt it himself; Rider hadn't been wearing armor and Fright was a creature of flesh and blood. While it was true Rider had a better bond with Fright than Rafer had with his borrowed mount Rider's agility and Fright's narrow back wouldn't allow him to try it. "I've got him, Fright knows the drill. Unless the bloke attacks him we're not breaking formation."
Rafer's expression flickered for the barest of moments to surprise, he found it slightly ironic to run into the Core again out in the city. "Are you ready Meilyr?" The Flameslingerling ignored the figures that pointed at them as they raced through the residential district.
"What are you doing?" the gremlin almost wailed. "How can I be ready if I have no clue what you are about to do?"
Rafer leaned out a little further and swayed in the act of balancing, his bird was trying to veer off and away from Meilyr's. "Release the reins with your left hand and lean back. Once I have the reins in my left hand release the hold of your right hand."
"You are insane!" Meilyr barked as Rafer hopped onto his orniteryx's shoulders. Rafer's backside was above the saddle, the knob of the horn kept him pinned against the back of the bird's neck. The orniteryx squawked and unfurled his wings. Rider was forced to release the hold he had on the reins so Fright could move away from the agitated orniteryx. Rafer's empty saddled bird screeched shook his head and slowed to a trot. A few mounted guards that Meilyr hadn't even noticed until he tried to squirm away from Rafer closed in on the rider-less bird and calmed it further.
"Let go of the reins!" Rafer growled when Meilyr tightened his death grip on them just as Rider pulled back into place and reached out to take hold of them again.
"But what am I supposed to hang onto?"
Rider moved Fright back in when the orniteryx's wings once again furled by his sides. "Take my hand!" the undead elf said as he extended it. He had moved Meilyr's reins into the same hand that held his own. "You're going to put your feet behind me on Fright's back and we're going to stop so you can get your feet under you again."
"You have both lost it!" the gremlin wailed. "I cannot do that! My elven grace is lost in this form!"
"I cannot calm the bird like this," Rafer said through grit teeth. He and Meilyr both lurched to the side when the war bird turned sharply down another side street. Eirian elves and a few Skylanders scattered at the screeches from the angry bird.
The turn had forced Rider to release both sets of reins. He easily picked Fright's back up without worry; the bird was an extension of him and wouldn't move off course so easily. "Hold it steady, Fright," Rider murmured softly to his faithful companion. How much longer could the orniteryx run at top speed? Surely the bird was growing tired or would he run himself to death? Fright couldn't keep it up much longer himself; the ostrich was a sprinter rather than a distance runner. Rider extended his hand again when he was back in range; Meilyr had grabbed Rafer's shoulders so tightly the gremlin's claws had punctured holes in Rafer's shirt and most likely had done the same to his flesh. "Trust me!" the Core urged.
Meilyr scowled deeply and reached out with his massive paw to take the comparatively smaller elf's hand. He took a deep breath and steeled his nerves before he stood up in the stirrups and then did as he had seen Rafer do and brought his feet up onto the saddle. Oh sitting was infinitely more preferable, Meilyr's knees wanted to lock in place to hold him still but he couldn't balance like that. More than once the gremlin had almost wrenched Rider off Fright's back, the ostrich made what could only be described as a scream each time Rider growled out for Meilyr to be more mindful of what he was doing.
"One foot at a time," Rafer said without looking.
Meilyr narrowed his eyes at the back of the Flameslingerling's head, how could he tell the gremlin had been about to jump onto Fright? "Keep that blasted bird still!" Meilyr grumbled.
"Fright's waiting on you!" Rider shot back. He guided Fright a little closer; the ostrich kept balking at him so he knew he couldn't get any closer without the two birds biting at each other. "I'd hurry if I were you!" Rider stressed. He had felt the first tremor run through Fright, the ostrich was trying to keep up his breakneck speed but the fatigue was catching up to him.
When he finally felt ready Meilyr extended his right foot and tapped it against the bony protrusion of Fright's pelvic bone. It would hurt his foot when he put weight on it but if Meilyr wanted to dismount at least with a sliver of dignity he had to move quickly. The orniteryx tried to pull away and Rafer growled as he pulled him back in line. Meilyr stumbled and pushed hard on the Flameslingerling's back. Rafer had to fight to remain upright with the pressure.
"Come on, on the count of three," Rider said. He kept his eyes on the gremlin, not like Meilyr could tell by the solid white that met his gaze. "One," Rider began to count.
Meilyr inhaled deeply and tried to use a trick he had been taught in sword practice. If he could block out all else and focus on only what he wished to accomplish he could do so easily and with a calm mind. It was hard when he was constantly jostled by the separate movements of the birds and made to stretch out when one or the other tried to pull out wide. By the time Rider reached three Meilyr had emptied his mind and was hardly aware of his own movements when he put his weight on his right foot and shifted to Fright.
With Meilyr gone Rafer showed some of his elven grace by bracing himself on the orniteryx's neck with one hand and then lifted up his back side to slide it over the saddle horn and into the seat properly. Rafer could finally exert the will he needed over the bird to calm it and get it to slow. The animal's sides were heaving by that point; the bird was going to run itself to death if Rafer didn't get it under control fast. He forced the animal to slow down steadily and rather than making the orniteryx stop completely he had the animal trot back and forth for awhile until his breathing calmed.
Rider had begun to slow Fright the moment Meilyr's left foot had left the other bird's saddle. The undead Skylander found Meilyr's claws flexed against his armored shoulders and the sound of them scratching it as his fingers flexed and relaxed threatened to give the Core a headache.
Fright obviously didn't like the gremlin's presence. When he had finally stilled at Rider's command the ostrich lowered his rear and the gremlin slipped off to land unceremoniously on his backside in the street.
"Lousy bird," Meilyr huffed as he stood back up. He rubbed his tender backside and glared at Fright. The ostrich cocked his head to the side and seemed to blink when the light in his eyes flickered out then flared back up.
Rider dismounted and pat Fright affectionately on the scapula. "Are you alright?"
"Aside from my pride and possibly my posterior, yes," Meilyr answered sourly. "I would have preferred to wind up on the bird Rafer left."
"With my armor there was no way I could have sat in front of you," Rider shrugged. He looked up when Rafer strolled up to them wearing a smirk. The guards that had taken his bird now held Meilyr's as the aggravated bird tried to kick at them.
"Just like old times, hey Mei?" the Copy laughed.
"Ha, ha," Meilyr grumbled. At least he wasn't saddle sore, when he had spent his first long ride in the saddle he thought he had worn his backside down to the bone the way it felt.
"So I assume everyone is back from Uzern?" Rider ventured forth. "Where are the others?"
"Back with Kaelin as an honor guard of sorts for the carriage he and Seraphina are in. We might be closer to the palace than them by now. Maybe, we are deep into the residential district and the bird did take some odd turns. I am not very familiar with the streets of Haven as I would like to be."
Meilyr walked past the two elves with his chin up and his rabbit-like ears bouncing. "I want to get inside so I can rest," he sniffed and headed back the way he had come.
"Are you going to walk?" Rider asked him with a grin.
Meilyr's fur bristled and he refused to turn around. The stiff gait he adopted was all the answer the other two needed.
"Come with us, we can get you back in easily."
Rider shook his head at Rafer's suggestion, "I'll return a bit later. I have time to explore the city and I intend to do so. Don't worry, I'll return by sunset so I can get my rest. I wouldn't miss the wedding tomorrow for anything."
Rafer's face split into a grin, the fire in his eyes seemed to intensify with the act. "Good, Seraphina wants all of you there. Now if we can just get her Portal Master in as well as the one Kaelin relies on she will be completely satisfied."
The jouster chuckled, "Maybe we can convince Hex to wear something a bit more appropriate. She can't expect to go everywhere in her dark and brooding black magic gown."
Krystal was quiet, the room was alive with conversations but she herself didn't add to them. The Portal Master's pale eyes were twice their normal size, not even when she blinked did that fact seem to change. Krystal found herself in the company of not only the king and future queen of Haven but multiple Core Skylanders with apparently more out in the city and due to return at any moment. It had all happened so quickly; Krystal had come in with Prior Elanniah and before she could even speak to anyone Spyro arrived with Sprocket, Drobot and Trigger Happy in tow saying something about how the guards had nearly taken the trio into custody when they kept insisting they had spoken to Stealth and Flameslinger about entry into the palace. Krystal moved cautiously through the room, the focus at the moment was on Ghost Roaster and the tech trio who had apparently been in town the whole time and managed to not run into Spyro's group in the city streets.
"Are you alright?" a concerned voice came from behind the Portal Master.
Krystal whipped around to face a Sunburnling. At least she thought he was a Sunburnling and not the Core himself, she didn't know yet. His eyes were soft and his brows relaxed, he gave her what passed as a smile with his beak. "I uh, yeah. Yeah I'm cool," she sighed and ran a hand over her forehead and through her hair. He was huge. Well Windy, Camo and her other Skylanders like them were too; Krystal still remembered the first time she set foot into Skylands and saw her Skylanders as they really were rather than their cute rendered game images. The dragons stood as tall as her when they were on four legs; it was a very humbling thought when she imagined them reared up onto their hind legs.
"You are more than welcome to join us," the Sunburnling offered as he walked around Krystal and tucked his wings a little tighter against his sides. "Prior Elanniah said you are pleasant company. Others would like to converse with you, I am sure."
Krystal gave a vague wave in the direction of the different clusters. "Everyone seems to be occupied. I'm good, it's all cheese."
The hybrid looked like he didn't quite understand what she had said and opened his mouth to ask for clarification when another voice sounded behind Krystal yet again. This one was thick with disapproval and question. The Portal Master turned to the side so she could keep one eye on the Sunburnling and see who had spoken with the other. Krystal found a Flashwingling gracefully striding up with her head held high. The decorative golden chains that were draped around her face and horns swayed gently with her movements. The Capricorn emblem on her forehead, over the gem there, was familiar but Krystal couldn't remember where she had seen it or heard about it.
"So you are the Portal Master for Windy and the others we rescued in Uzern," the Flashwingling said. She made no effort to hide how she sized the human up then nodded her head as if she had confirmed something. "Where are your Skylanders?" Her brow was arched and Krystal got the opinion it wasn't really a question but more like a demand for information.
"The docks," Krystal blurted out. The Flashwingling made her nervous. She had such an austere look to her that made the human think if she answered wrong she would disappoint the Skylander. She was well suited as a Copy of Flashwing. "They've been banned from the city."
"Princess Eloryn," the Sunburnling said softly as he dipped his head down and looked up at Krystal with what she swore was embarrassment.
Eloryn, the Flashwingling Krystal gathered, tilted her chin up and moved next to the Sunburnling. The way she spread a wing out over him came off as a very possessive action and Krystal couldn't understand what such an act was supposed to mean. "I'm s-sorry," Krystal stuttered, "If I said or did something wrong. I'm new to this whole king, queen and royalty thing. The closest I've ever been to someone like that was nearly running into the mayor's wife when I came out of a dressing room at the store," Krystal said sheepishly.
Eloryn gave her a sour look, when the dragon's teeth peeked out from behind her scaly lips the Portal Master grew increasingly nervous. It wasn't as if the dragon could harm her holographic image but Krystal often forgot she was immaterial in build.
"Eloryn!" another voice said in shock. Krystal sighed in relief when a Hexling shuffled quickly between her and the agitated dragon. "What in Skylands has gotten into you?" Seraphina demanded. She had one hand against her heart and the other was balled into a fist at her side.
Eloryn grunted and turned to walk off without answering. Galvin dipped his head in apology and turned to follow Eloryn with mannerisms of a meek puppy.
Seraphina whirled quickly and her wide-eyed gaze settled on Krystal, "Forgive my sister," she said with a bow. "She is not normally like this."
"Yes she is," one of the three Fizzlings in the room shouted. He wore a strange suit of armor and looked like a knight due to it. Another Fizzling that wore a purple fedora looked unsure how he should react and the final gremlin simply laughed insanely. Krystal was pretty sure the hyena was the real Pop Fizz.
Krystal's ears burned, oh boy was she glad she was just a hologram. Maybe it wouldn't show how red she had turned in embarrassment. The whole of the room was now looking directly at her. She saw the Prior smiling warmly from where she stood next to Prince Ceron and a Riderling as well as a ghostly elf dressed like a priest. The Portal Master picked out two Stealthlings and two Flameslingerlings alongside a figure she knew to be Spyro and an Ignitorling. Ghost Roaster was hovering next to Sprocket, Drobot and Trigger Happy. They had said a few other Cores were missing who else could possibly be in Haven?
"My name is Seraphina," the Hexling said with a smile. "You must be Krystal; Windy spoke about you a lot. I understand we have only met but I feel we might have gotten off on the wrong foot. Allow me to extend an invitation to you and your Skylanders to join us tomorrow in celebration."
"But the banishment," Krystal began.
Seraphina shook her head, her warm smile never once faded. "It will not hinder you. Tomorrow Kaelin and I will be married outside the walls of Haven. Would you honor us with your presence?"
That had been the most unexpected invitation Krystal had ever gotten. Who got invited to a wedding without even knowing the bride or groom or anyone else for the matter?
The Portal Master had taken so long to answer that the Riderling came up and draped an arm around Seraphina and turned an expectant look on her. In fact the whole room seemed to wait on baited breath for Krystal's answer. Why? What made her answer so important to them? Krystal didn't know any of them after all.
It dawned on her suddenly, a prickly sensation that started at the back of her neck and radiated outward from there. Her Skylanders had broken a law and were punished for it but they weren't reviled. Haven was extending a hand to her so she would understand that punishment didn't mean exclusion. Her eyes flicked back to Ghost Roaster, something told her he too had been invited as a means to show Haven wasn't on rocky ground with Skylanders and their Portal Masters.
"Yeah, I'll come," Krystal said at last. "Although I have to go home soon. I can't stay in Skylands for long; my body needs to be cared for at some point. And when I return it will be at my island. I'll need to travel back here."
"We will make sure travel arrangements are made for you then," the Riderling said. "We should discuss this now so you are free to do as you need."
"Heh, yeah," Krystal said with a half-smile. She was going to have to tell her Skylanders about it. What if those banished refused to attend? She would make sure to ask that question before she left. At the moment she wanted to converse more with the gathered group.
