Legend of Spyro - Four Pillars of Aether Book I

by Blazcowitz43

Twelve years after the Temple raid, the four survivors of that dreadful night live a happy, carefree existence. They are Spyro, Cynder, Flame and Ember; the four who lived. Spyro is a rare purple dragon who has been taught his whole life that great things await him, but as darkness approaches can he and his friends truly stand up to the evil that threatens the world? Book II soon.

15. Chapter 14 Casus Belli

Chapter 14: Casus Belli

Noun: casus belli; plural noun: casus belli

"An act or situation that provokes or justifies a war."

Three hours later…

The Doxantha flew towards Warfang in much the same way as she had been two days earlier, with the four dragon Guardians flying overhead and the four young dragons who they were entrusted with sitting up front at the ship's bow and watching the Dragon city getting closer and closer as they flew towards it. There was a noticeably less buoyant attitude present among Spyro, Cynder, Flame and Ember as they sat in a line peeking over the ship's bowsprit as she drifted through the air. The flamboyance of their previous visit to the city had been replaced by a grim seriousness in light of their recent escapades, not to mention their intrusive playfulness that had irked some of the crewmembers that day. Because he was still recovering from his injuries, Spyro was wearing a simple leather necklace with a small red crystal cut from a red spirit gem hanging from it. Wearing it helped to numb the reoccurring pain he had been feeling, particularly since he had opted to go to Warfang himself rather than remain bedridden. As the moles went about their duties on the deck, some of them would occasionally look towards the four who lived and feel a sense of pity for them for how the recent events must have completely changed their perception of the world. The details of exactly what happened remained sketchy as the ship and her crew had not taken part in the daring rescue from the Mountain of Malefor, though they had prepared for it. Only sparse details had been overheard by members of the crew when they had helped to ferry the unconscious purple dragon from Avalar to the temple, the Guardians keeping mostly silent about what they had seen or encountered upon arriving at the dreaded mountain fortress.

As the Doxantha closed in on Warfang, Ignitus, flying in formation with the other Guardians above the airship, took note of the visibly increased activity in the skies over the city. Out and over the city were multiple formations of dragon warriors patrolling the skies, far more than usual. He looked over his shoulders to his fellow Guardians as they all evidently took notice as well, wondering if the city had been placed on a higher alert in response to the recent events. The Fire Guardian looked down towards the airship, settling his eyes on Spyro as he sat with his companions looking towards the distant city, feeling his heart ache in sympathy for them as they sat idly, not even chatting and joking with each other as they usually did. It was understandable as the four of them were expected to explain themselves to the Council about what had occurred. Ignitus hoped that he could deflect whatever punishment may be considered onto himself rather than them, especially in light of the conversation he and Spyro had shared the previous night. He had recounted the young dragon's claims to his colleagues thereafter and they all agreed that it was vital this information be shared with leadership of Warfang, even if they disagreed on just how vital it was.

"I don't doubt what he saw, but I find the whole idea rather farfetched," Cyril had declared to the possibility of the Apes mining under Warfang.

"It's not implausible, though I certainly hope it is merely an exaggeration," Volteer had said rather unsettlingly to it.

"They certainly have had the time, but do they have the means and the know how to successfully pull off such an attack?" Terrador had given as his opinion. He seemed to concur with Ignitus the most out of the three of them, though his more prolific military background had also weighed in on the notion. Ignitus knew he could always rely on them to hear him out, even if they disagreed, but he did not have the same certainty about the Council, who some of the members during the last twelve years of peace seemed not to value the Guardians as much as they had been during wartime.

"We seem to have some company on the way, Ignitus," Cyril said loudly from his right, making the Fire Guardian lift his head back towards the city and gazing ahead into the distance. One of the patrols he had observed had diverted and was flying straight towards them, Ignitus raising his eyebrows as the formation of six dragon warriors approached in a manner of urgency. He looked down again to the ship, seeing Spyro point out the approaching group of dragons to his friends as they all watched the formation speed towards them. When Ignitus lifted his head again, he saw the formation break into two groups of three, one group heading out wide to the portside of the ship and the second group going to starboard. From the starboard group, one of the dragons peeled off and flew up towards the Guardians, Ignitus assuming it to be the formation leader. It was a lithe, red fire dragoness, clad golden plate armour similar to what he had back at the temple, her amber eyes almost glowing from behind her helmet.

"What on earth on earth is happening?" asked Volteer aloud as the dragoness swept around and flew on the right of the Guardians as the other dragons swept in alongside and flew in pace with the Doxantha. The fire dragoness turned her head stiffly to the four dragon Guardians.

"Sirs, my name is Helia of the Warfang garrison!" she shouted to them although her eyes were mainly on Ignitus, recognising him as the leader of the group, "I'm sorry for the suddenness, but I have orders to escort you and this ship straight to Castle Hill!"

"An escort? Why?" asked Ignitus curiously.

"We are at a heightened state of alert, Master Ignitus. An enemy messenger arrived this morning under the banner of truce. My orders are to deliver you directly to the castle!"

"A messenger? From the Apes?" cried Terrador in disbelief as he eyed the other dragons below taking positions alongside the airship.

"But we were expected at Castle Hill anyway!" Ignitus pointed out bizarrely.

"Those are my orders, Master Ignitus," Helia replied simply, "If you'll excuse me, I must inform the Captain of his new orders," she said just before she dived down to the ship, heading for the mole at the helm who jumped up in surprise as she swept in beside him. The Guardians all looked between each other in confusion as Ignitus watched Spyro and his companions down below. They watched the Fire Dragoness swoop down onto the deck and the four of them, Spyro at the lead, began running down towards the stern.

"I'll be back," Ignitus announced to the others as he suddenly plunged down towards the Doxantha, aiming for the middeck to intercept the group of youngsters. The mole crewmembers all stood watching in bewilderment at the unexpected party of dragons that had intercepted them. Ignitus landed hard down on the deck, Spyro Cynder, Flame and Ember all skidded to a halt before they ran into him.

"What's going on, Ignitus?" Spyro asked feverously, the four of them wide eyed with excitement.

"Has something happened?" asked Ember anxiously before Ignitus held up his paw to quell any further inquiries.

"Calm yourselves, young dragons. It seems that there is a heightened state of alert in Warfang. I'm going to find out about it," he said as he turned to head towards the helm.

"We'll go with you," Cynder declared resolutely, but the Fire Guardian looked back disapprovingly.

"No, just stay here. I will be back," he told them firmly but not harshly, heading off at a quick pace towards the stairs to the quarter deck where he saw Helia talking to the mole at the ships wheel. Passing the questioning stares of the mole crewmembers, the Fire Guardian hurried up the stairs and marched up to Helia as she apparently finished speaking to the mole at the wheel and seemed poised to take off.

"Pardon me, Helia!" he called out, the dragoness turning to him and blinking in surprise at his appearance, "Would you mind telling me exactly what has happened to bring this all about?" The Fire dragoness turned her body to him and took a breath in preparation.

"Just after dawn this morning, an enemy Dreadwing rider approached the city under a white flag. He was escorted to the main gate where he delivered a message that was then taken to the Council. I don't know what it said, but shortly thereafter my comrades and I were ordered to escort the Doxantha straight to Castle Hill once she came into view."

"Has there been any other activity or sightings?" Ignitus asked gravely.

"Not that I know off, sir," Helia replied earnestly. "How did they get so close to the city without being spotted?"

Helia bit her lip as she eyed the Fire Guardian humourlessly, "Apparently, the rider said he took a long diversion to the coast to avoid being spotted because he was afraid the flag of truce would not be respected if he was intercepted."

Ignitus recoiled in disgust at the notion, "Is that so?" he asked hotly.

Helia shrugged, "He said that Gaul was taking precautions in the light of the latest 'treachery' committed by the dragons against him."

"Treachery?!" Ignitus exclaimed.

"That's all I know, sir," Helia said finally, "If you'll excuse me, I must get back in formation."

"Yes, yes, very well," Ignitus nodded impatiently, the fire dragoness giving him a curt nod before she leapt into the air and flew up to re-join her formation. Ignitus watched her go before he looked down the helmsmole who simply shrugged his shoulders to the Fire Guardian,

"Orders are orders, sir."

The crimson dragon could only nod ambivalently as he stood in place, thinking hard about what he had been told. The appearance of an enemy messenger so suddenly did not bode well with the recent events. He wondered by what logic Gaul had decided he had been a victim of "treachery" and was now seemingly extending a diplomatic hand? Was the message an ultimatum? Whatever it was, he could only imagine that it somehow played into whatever the Ape King was planning. He looked out over the railing towards the front of the ship as the Doxantha was steered off her original course and pointed her bow directly towards the distant castle.

Ignitus had already been apprehensive about the temple's residents being summoned to explain what had occurred in Avalar and at the Mountain of Malefor, but this new development he feared could only complicate matters. What if the message was Gaul trying to spin his own version of events? What if he, like Ignitus feared the Council might, wanted Spyro to be held solely to account for what happened? But they surely could not ignore the fact that the apes had trespassed on their land and had kidnapped a citizen of the realms? He gritted his teeth as he pondered and turned about to head back down the stairs to where he had left the four survivors. Stepping down, he looked into the uneasy faces of the four youngsters, not least of all was Spyro who had concluded that the turn of events was due to his actions. Ignitus breathed deeply as he tried to wear a calm face to not further unsettle the young dragons.

"Whats it all about, Ignitus?" Flame blurted out impatiently, "What's going on?"

"What did that dragoness tell you?" Spyro followed up equally. Before Cynder and Ember could follow through with their own inquiries, the Fire Guardian explained to them,

"There is a heightened state of alert in Warfang. The Apes delivered a message to the city early this morning. It looks as though the Council wishes to discuss it with me with all due haste. We are to be escorted directly to Castle Hill."

"But that's where we were heading anyway! What does that mean for us?" asked Cynder bluntly.

Ignitus eyed her apologetically, "I'm not sure if they wish to discuss it with all of us. But I think that our previous engagement had been postponed for the time being."

"You mean I won't get a chance to tell them what I saw?" asked Spyro fearfully. Ignitus eyed the purple dragon calmly, bending his neck down to meet him at his level.

"Don't worry, young Spyro. You'll get your chance to speak, but for now we must find out what the apes wish to say to us."

"Nothing good, I'll bet," Ember remarked bitterly.

Ignitus choose not to re-join his fellow Guardians but decided stay on the ship with the four survivors, hoping his presence would ease their minds as they approached the city. He looked up past the great sails of the Doxantha to the other Guardian flying above, seeing Terrador's huge head peeking down at him. Ignitus responded by simply shaking his head at him and pointing his claw at the deck, the Earth Guardian nodding firmly and turning his attention back to the sky.

"Lets all head to the bow and enjoy the view, shall we?" said Ignitus light heartedly, beckoning towards the front of the ship. The four young dragons glanced to each other indifferently at his suggestion, turning about and walking across the deck towards the bow of the ship. Ignitus looked across at the two formations of dragons flanking either side of the ship, their presence he knew should have provided a sense of comfort and security, but deep down to him it seemed to convey a lack of trust. Whether it was in him or in Spyro he couldn't know, but he buried these feelings behind the smile he kept up for the sake of the youngsters. Presently, the group stood at the bow of the Doxantha, looking out towards the city as it drew nearer. The shoreline passed by beneath the ship as they approached the southern wall of the city, the five dragons taking note of the increased activity bought on by the state of alert. There were many more dragon warriors flying patrols within the city and on the outskirts. As they passed over the city walls, they saw how densely packed the ramparts were with mole at arms and dragons as if expecting an attack. Spyro, Cynder, Flame and Ember all sat with their paws on the front railing with Ignitus standing behind them, the Fire Guardian watching the growing form of Castle Hill, their destination, anxiously.

Without the usual detour to the airdock, the Doxantha flew on a direct course for Castle Hill, the colossal building and the rocky plateau of which it stood taking on a more menacing presence to Spyro as he knew his actions were being judged by those within. The purple dragon swallowed hard as he felt his stomach unsettle at the increased readiness of the city's defenders which he felt responsible for. The news of the Ape messenger arriving hours before they had only added to his concern. He knew the heightened state of alert was an expected response to the sudden appearance of an enemy most of the city's population had not seen for twelve years, but for it come right on the tail of Meadow's kidnapping and rescue was perplexing and troubling. He looked over his shoulder to Ignitus, the crimson dragon taking a moment to notice him but lowering his chin slightly and steering his eyes to him nonetheless. Spyro wondered if they were both thinking the same thing; if this new development was a reaction to what he and his friends had done or if it was part of the long plan they suspected Gaul was playing.

The Doxantha adjusted her course, turning to port for a few seconds before straightening out again to as she made for the western side of Castle Hill. The airship's altitude began to slowly dip as she approached the capital of Warfang. The central keep and its huge red dome now loomed over the sails of the airship, as did the pointed red spires of the four towers built on the plateaus four corners, connected to the castle by four separate stone bridges. Gazing up at the castle, the passengers and crew of the ship could see the faces of numerous moles armed with crossbows watching the sky as the Doxantha slowly drifted by below. The castle matched the style of the rest of the city, its huge mass constructed of the same brownish gold stone that typified the city. It was a mostly square structure save for the four rounded turrets on each corner and the large red dome that rose from the centre of the roof like a mausoleum. On each turret were more of the same canons as found on the city battlements, only these weapons exclusively used canister shots rather than solid cannon balls so that when fired at flying hostiles they would cause less damage to surrounding structures if a shot missed.

"Make ready to dock!" the Captain ordered as the crew went about making their preparations. The hull of the airship passed over the daunting cliff face of the plateau as they flew directly parallel to Castle Hill. The top of the plateau had been flattened out when the mountain had been almost entirely mined out during the city's construction centuries ago. The interior below the castle was like a giant ant colony with numerous tunnels and rooms constructed and finely furnished. It served as a hub for the city's most wealthy residents and important figures as well as being the governmental and administrative heart of Warfang. It was also where Warfang's most valuable treasures were secured in heavily reinforced vaults. It was in these vaults that the second batch of dragon eggs had been kept during the Year of the Dragon event twelve years ago. Unlike at the temple, all these eggs had survived and hatched to become the population of adolescent dragons that called the city home. Access to the castle itself was granted by several elevators like those used at the airship dock and spiraling staircases, although the castle was generally off limits to the general public unless they had official business there.

The roughly square top of the plateau was covered in grass surrounding the castle, with colorful flowerbeds and gardens and a blue and white tiled path that formed a loop around the outside of the castle. On the northern and southern sides of the castle were two great bandstands made of glistening white marble, surrounded by flowers. Each one was comprised of six marble pillars and a flat roof with the carved figures on top of a great dragon looking down at a mole beside it holding a scroll in his hands. One the western side of the castle, facing towards the main gate of the city was a stone balcony extending out from the plateau by some fifty feet. It was adorned similarly to the floors of the airship dock with the same blue and white squares and an immaculate gold dragon head emblem.

As they approached, Ignitus and the others looked upon the whole scene as the Doxantha slowed to dock at the balcony. There was a party of four dragons and six moles standing ready on the balcony to receive them. The group was standing in a square formation with one dragon on each corner and the six moles standing between them in two ranks of three. Behind them was the wide tiled pathway that led back towards the castle, where a great pair of ornate armored rectangular doors led to the interior. The doors were bronze coloured with gold edges and each bearing the image of a dragon's body snaked around like an 'S' with the head and neck turned around to face the other. Standing beside their feet were the images of a pair of spear wielding moles with their weapons pointed out towards an imaginary foe. The airship crept slowly before she halted directly parallel to the figures waiting on the balcony. Ignitus, along with Spyro and Cynder, Flame and Ember, eyed the group with an unhealthy helping of uncertainty.

"Should I feel nervous, Ignitus?" asked Spyro tepidly, looking up at the Fire Guardian. Ignitus took a step ahead of the group as he eyed the welcoming party curiously as the mole crewmembers began throwing mooring lines across and readying gangplanks to disembark the ship.

"I don't think it is you they are interested in, Spyro," Ignitus replied suspiciously as he heard the loud whoosh of a pair of wings and four feet land hard down on the deck behind them.

"Ignitus," said Terrador after he landed, followed by the swift arrival of the other Guardians as they landed beside him, "What's the news?"

"I think we are about to find out," he answered mildly as the gangplanks were secured and the party of moles and dragons marched rigidly towards the ship. His eyes focused on the mole in the centre of the first rank, who unlike the other mole at arms was wearing armour of brilliant bright white with a blue cape hanging over his back and had a much shorter trimmed grey moustache compared with most of the others. The Fire Guardian recognised him as Damir; Warfang's Ambassador. He was one of the members of the Warfang Council and despite his militarist appearance; he was the appointed representative of the peace delegation. His scabbard was always without a sword and his armour was the colour of truce, signifying him, ironically perhaps, as someone who fought to maintain peace and prevent war. The group stopped just beyond the reach of the gangplank, but the white armoured mole marched on, hopping up the ramp and walking towards Ignitus. The dragons and moles aboard the Doxantha viewed the visitor with confusion and awe at his grand appearance. He stopped at the end of the gangplank before Ignitus and saluted him briskly.

"Good morning, Master Ignitus," Damir said formally, "I'm sorry that this is all so impromptu, but I must ask that you accompany me inside. The Council wishes to speak to you immediately."

Ignitus raised his eyebrows, even though if Damir's words aligned with his suspicions, "Speak to me? My understanding is we were all to meet with the Council to discuss the actions of…"

"I'm afraid everything has changed," the mole said sadly, "I must ask that you follow me and that the rest of you stay on the ship."

"What?" asked Spyro fearfully as he and the other young dragons looked to each other questioningly.

"I do say, I beg your pardon?" demanded Cyril as he stepped up in a flustered manner, "Are you forgetting just who we are?! Who are you to demand…"

"It comes straight from the Council," Damir replied swiftly, "I'm sorry, but with the happenings of today we are enacting certain measures. Everyone save for Ignitus must remain on the ship. That's everyone; crew and passengers. You will be allowed to leave once he returns."

"This is most unprecedented!" cried Volteer in displeasure as Terrador scowled crossly,

"What has the Council to say to Ignitus that they cannot say to us?" demanded the Earth Guardian.

Damir shook his head impatiently, "It was not my decision, Master Terrador. Now if you'll please Ignitus, we are expected," he said as he waved for him to follow. Ignitus looked to his colleagues and the young dragons forlornly but sighed reluctantly as he nodded to the mole ambassador.

"If it is their wish," he mused as he prepared to step over the gangplank onto the balcony.

"Ignitus, wait!" cried Spyro as he hurried after him, the guards standing on the balcony watched him closely as he ran up to the Fire Guardian's right side. The crimson dragon looked down to the purple dragon punitively.

"You must wait here, Spyro," he instructed him as Cynder, Flame and Ember all followed after him, perhaps anticipating the need to stop him leaving the ship.

"I know," Spyro answered hastily, "Just be careful, okay Ignitus?" he cautioned solemnly.

The Fire Guardian smiled at his concern and gave him a firm nod in reply. He cast his eyes a last time over the faces of the four survivors and his fellow Guardians before he looked ahead and walked across the plank and onto the stony balcony. Damir walked in front of him as the party of dragons and moles formed around the pair and escorted them towards the door to the castle. The four young dragons all grouped together at the start of the gangplank as the Guardians stood in a row behind them as Ignitus left.

"This isn't all because of us, is it?" asked Flame nervously as he looked at the line of faces beside him.

Ember added grimly, "We didn't cause that much trouble, did we?"

"I hope not," replied Cynder with concern, Spyro noting the unusual fear in her voice. She was not one to normally take punishment too seriously, but beneath her exterior she seemed as nervous as Flame. Spyro turned his head forward as he watched the large doors slowly open as Ignitus and the dragons and moles accompanying him marched through to the castle. Spyro's eyes climbed the towering edifice of the fortress as they inevitably settled on the huge red dome that he knew hung over the Council chambers where Ignitus was due to appear. Just then the top of his view was interrupted by the chin of Terrador as he stepped up close behind him, his huge head looming overtop of the young dragon. He heard the Earth Guardian's chest rumble as he sighed moodily.

"Has this ever happened to you before, Terrador?" asked Spyro curiously.

"No," he answered flatly, "We've had our differences with the Council but they've never put us under arrest before."

"Arrest?" exclaimed Volteer, "I don't believe that's the words they used, my friend."

"Call it what you will," sneered Cyril, "But such fervent disrespect to us Guardians is outrageous! Its simply not cricket!"

"What's cricket?" asked Ember, but the flustered Ice Guardian simply turned away without answering, yet another act that Spyro noted was unusual as Cyril would normally make all the time in the world for a fellow Ice dragon. They watched as he walked towards the back of the ship and began descending the stairs to lower decks.

"Don't worry, I'll see to him," sighed Volteer as he peeled away to follow Cyril, leaving Terrador alone with the four youngsters. The Earth Guardian grumbled under his breath and shook his head disapprovingly.

"So, what do we do now?" asked Cynder irritably. There was no answer from her companions as they all looked between each other while the wind swept over the ship. Terrador then cleared his throat and drew their attention to him.

"Well, all we can do is wait," he said flatly.

"It could be all day before Ignitus returns," Spyro said dismally.

Terrador chuckled, "I wasn't talking about waiting for that, but how long it will be before those two start bickering again."

It was right at that moment as if on cue, the five dragons and crew members of the Doxantha looked towards the stairs as the muffled voices of Volteer and Cyril began thrashing about below decks, arguing about the current situation.

Terrador sighed, "I'll see to them," he said as he turned towards the stairs, "But you four stay on deck, let's not give any more reasons to be used against us."

"Yes, Terrador," the four who lived said together. As Terrador left, Spyro and Cynder, Flame and Ember remained on the edge of the gangplank, staring longing out at the castle that although they regretted the reasons why they were going, they had been looking forward to seeing the inside of. The thought of being confined to the ship when they could so very easily leave it by flying contradicted their natural adolescent free spiritedness, but they all accepted the gravity of the situation and for once they all seemed content to follow the rules, even Cynder.

"Well," Ember announced brightly in an effort to raise the spirits of her friends, "Shall we play hide and seek?"

"Not really in the mood," Flame replied lowly, dipping his head and walking away slowly.

"Yeah, me neither," added Cynder moodily as she about turned and strode away. Ember's heart sunk in disappointment as she watched them go, turning back to Spyro with one last glimmer of hope. Feeling her eyes burrowing into the back of his head, the purple dragon slowly turned his head to face her and sullenly shook it at her. Ember sighed gloomily and turned her back on him, leaving Spyro alone at the gangplank. The moles went about their business behind him, complaining how they were not allowed to leave the ship as he stared at the place Ignitus had gone. The doors had been shut quite swiftly after he had passed through them, almost making Spyro feel worried for the Fire Guardians safety. At the very least it seemed his reputation was at stake. Perhaps the Council had opted to have Ignitus be held solely responsible as he was ultimately the ranking Guardian, responsible for his colleagues and the four who lived.

As the bickering below decks continued to make its way up the stairs, Spyro finally turned away and walked across the deck to the portside. He stood on his hind legs and placed his paws atop the railing, staring out across the western side of Warfang and the green fields beyond. He watched the skyline and the distant fields apprehensively, thinking off what may be looming above and below the city. He could only hope that what he and Ignitus suspected was wrong. The tapping of claws on the deck to his right drew his attention, Spyro looking to see Cynder wandering over beside him. He wanted to smile to her, even though he didn't for some reason. She stood up as he did and placed her paws over the railing, staring out at whatever he was viewing.

"See anything, Spyro?" she asked softly, unenthusiastically.

"No," he replied shortly, but then feeling his answer was insufficient he added, "But I've got a bad feeling."

Cynder lowered her head slightly, her emerald eyes blinked slowly and heavily, "Me too."

An hour passed, during which time Ignitus did not return but the three other Guardians finally emerged from below decks, Terrador having defused the situation between Cyril and Volteer. For Spyro and his companions, they did little more than mill around the ship, not having the enthusiasm for much else. The crew of moles continued their duties such as scrubbing the decks and checking the ships stores. The sun reflected harshly on the deck, the heat of which made the confinement to the ship all the more unbearable. They were all eventually invited to join the crew for lunch, where they ate salted pork with bread and cheese. The meal was not gourmet but it was satisfactory, especially since the Doxantha was regularly supplied with fresh stores such as fruit as she was rarely away from the city for long periods and they did not have to eat the less appetizing non-perishables. But in any case, Spyro was still lost on his thoughts about what was occurring under that red dome and how Ignitus was faring. He was fully prepared to answer for his actions and he only hoped the Fire Guardian was not trying to take the full weight of that onto himself. He partook little in the conversations going on around the table, even among his friends when they had noticed his down look and were obviously trying to cheer him up.

Cynder would occasionally give him a look as she sat beside him that he couldn't quite decipher. It was a smile and a certain slant of her eyes whose affect on him was puzzling. It was similar to the overblown looks of adoration that Ember would give him in her more light headed moments when she fawned over him. But it was far less egregious than those moments and they provoked a feeling of exhilaration he was not used to, but seemed only to come as a result of her. Similar feelings had stirred last night when they had been alone in the temple garden and when she had asked to stay with her when they went to bed. Although he had agreed, he was wary of what Flame and Ember would say when they were found the next morning. Fortunately, Cynder had awoken before him and had told them that she had simply come to check on him when the morning came, Flame and Ember not realising she had been there all night. The Guardians had said nothing of it, thinking perhaps they simply hadn't noticed she was there with him or they didn't want to cause embarrassment to them. Whatever the case, no one else seemed to notice her behaviour and he didn't ask her about it.

By the time the second hour came, they were back on the deck trying to keep out of the direct sunlight that was baking the ship. Volteer, Cyril and Terrador were up on the quarter deck deep in discussion while the four who lived were loosely group together laying by the stairs to the foredeck. Flame was resting his chin and forepaws on top of a barrel while Ember sat lamely toying with her exquisite necklace with her fingers. Spyro rocked his head from side to side like a clock's pendulum and at about the same pace as he mentally counted each sway until he lost count and would start again. Cynder simply lay on her belly, resting the side of her head on her clenched right fist. The chess board Spyro and Flame had faced off on the last voyage lay nearby and unopened as they all were too pensive to use it. Spyro's eyes shot open as he heard the great groan of the doors to Castle Hill, he and his companions jumping up as they turned towards the entrance and saw the doors opening once more. The crimson silhouette of Ignitus appeared as the bronze doors slowly parted with the almost glowing white marble interior of the castle behind him.

"He's back!" Spyro exclaimed as he stood up on his hind legs.

"Thank the ancestors," Cynder groaned short temperedly.

Flame's chin leapt up from the barrel as he craned his neck around, "Oh, man I hope that means we can leave this boat now."

"I just hope it all went well," remarked Ember dryly as the other Guardians quickly shuffled down from the quarter deck. Spyro and the other all ran towards the gangplank, barely resisting the urge to scamper across it towards the returning Fire Guardian. Ignitus strode towards the ship with a dull expression, which may have been from exhaustion or frustration with how the proceedings went. Spyro caught his eyes and smiled brightly, hoping it would incur a reaction from Ignitus, but the blank expression remained.

"Its alright," he called out to them dryly, "You can leave the ship now."

Without hesitation, the four young dragons rushed across the gangplank with the three other Guardians following behind more reservedly. Spyro and Cynder, Flame and Ember skidded to a halt a short distance in front of Ignitus as he himself paused about halfway along the balcony. Almost all at once the four who lived hammered him with questions.

"What's happening?" Spyro burst out.

"What did the they say?" demanded Cynder.

"What was the message about?" quired Ember.

"Are we in trouble?" asked Flame anxiously. Ignitus only blinked and said nothing as Terrador along with Cyril and Volteer walked up behind the young dragons.

"What's the news, Ignitus?" asked Terrador.

The Fire Guardian eyed him plainly and replied, "Follow me, please. I'll tell you what happened."

With that, he turned around and began walking back down the balcony, the rest of the group following him curiously. He led them past the beginning of the balcony and turned to the right of the castle, following the path towards the white marble band stand on the southern side. His abruptness to them unsettled the purple dragon as he and the others wondered what he had to say as he led them past the pristine flowerbeds to the band stand. The white marble beneath the ceiling was a cool change from the hot deck and cobblestone's around the castle. Ignitus walked to the far end and turned around as the rest of the dragons followed in behind him. The Fire Guardian panned is eyes across the faces of his colleagues and then down to the bright eyes of the four young dragons, letting out a heavy, exhausted sigh that he seemed to have been putting off.

"Well, I might as well get the big news out of the way first of all," he said with a heavy tone of reluctance, "The Council has decided that hold a peace conference with Gaul." No other possible announcement could have resulted in the same open mouthed, gobsmacked appearance that was worn across the faces of the seven dragons that day.

"WHAT?!" exclaimed Spyro and Cynder, Flame and Ember all at once.

"A peace conferences? Where and when?" asked Volteer sceptically.

"Right here in Warfang," Ignitus replied jadedly. Another chorus of exclamations followed in the wake of this announcement.

"You can't be serious, Ignitus!" Cyril cried out in disbelief, "After everything that has happened?"

"Have the Council lost their minds?" demanded Terrador furiously.

"I'd best take us back," announced Ignitus reluctantly, "And tell you about the message that was delivered this morning."

"What did it say?" Spyro asked desperately. Ignitus sighed again and took a preparing breath and recounted,

"His Royal Majesty, Gaul, King of the Apes, wishes to express to the citizens of Warfang and all the realms a desire for peace and understanding after generations of war and suffering…"

Cynder suddenly interrupted with an almost painful scoff, "Is that really what it said? And they believe them?"

"Please let me finish, Cynder. Believe me, I read it enough times myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming," Ignitus replied sorely, evident taking no pleasure in repeating what it said, "Now to continue on;

"In light of the recent events, his majesty wishes to convey his regret at the gross misunderstanding which occurred two days into the four day holiday period observed by all citizens of the realm except the apes. However, his majesty also cannot ignore the flagrant violation of his territory by a certain party of misguided young dragons and the disproportionate response by the Dragon Guardians to retrieve said dragons. Despite the pain and anguish which his majesty feels for his subjects whose lives were taken during this incident, he does not wish for any more death to either side. King Gaul, therefore, wishes to meet with the leaders of the great Dragon city of Warfang in order to discuss a peaceful resolution to resolve this issue. War is no longer a practical or ethical solution to the differences which have divided our races since before the time of Malefor. His majesty wishes only to improve the lives of and restore the honor of his people.

However, King Gaul also wishes to have it be known in the strongest possible terms that although he does not desire war, he very much still does have the capability to wage such a war if a reasonable agreement cannot be met. If this message is ignored or if a meeting of which has been suggested is outright refused, which his majesty knows would be a direct violation of your laws, such an act will be regarded as an act of aggression and will serve as our casus belli to reengage in open warfare until our terms are met.

King Gaul once more wants to expresses that his ultimate goal is peace between us and hopes that this wish aligns with that of your leaders. His majesty expects a reply to this message before midday tomorrow. If no such reply is forthcoming, it will be taken that you have rejected our offer to bring a lasting peace and a state of war will be exit between us.

His majesty, King Gaul, awaits your reply."

There was silence following the end of Ignitus' words as the incredulity of what had been said sank into the minds of all those present. Spyro and his friends and looked at each other in shock as the Guardians stood behind them absorbed in their own thoughts. Volteer was the first the break the silence,

"You said the Council has already agreed to this then?"

Ignitus nodded solemnly, "Yes."

"Without consulting us?" roared Cyril, "It's disgraceful!"

"How can they do that, Ignitus?" Cynder cried despairingly, "How can they think of letting that monster in Warfang?"

"Because it's the law," Ember told her dully, "If any enemy expresses a wish to negotiate or make peace, they must be allowed into Warfang for that purpose."

"But Gaul tried to murder us!" Flame yelled tensely, "Letting him into the city would be like jumping into a pool full of hungry sharks!"

Spyro frowned as he tilted his head thoughtfully, "What exactly does Gaul mean by 'misunderstanding'? What did we misunderstand about what nearly happened to us?"

Ignitus eyed the purple dragon ruefully, "It seems he is trying to argue that your capture was the actions of some overzealous minions and not the result of any orders from him."

"Seriously?" Spyro growled, "We were there! We saw and heard everything he said!"

"That's true, and I believe you. But the Council raised the point that due to the absence of any other witnesses, we have just the word of four adolescent dragons to go off, potentially not the most reliable source…"

"You're saying they think we're lying?" Cynder asked venomously.

"But what about what I told you?" Spyro continued desperately to Ignitus, "What about the tunnels I saw and the excavations?"

"Believe me, I emphasized that until I was blue in the mouth," he replied, "But the Council do not believe that the apes have the expertise or the resources for such an endeavour. They said even the moles would struggle to achieve such a feat in twelve years."

"Yeah," Cynder scoffed, "Maybe because the moles have rights and labour laws and the apes don't! What about Meadow? He was the whole reason we went to that place! Why don't they ask him about what happened?"

It was then that Terrador fielded her question, "As far as we know, young warrioress, he is still unconscious in Avalar. But even if he is awake, I doubt Prowlus would let us bring him to the city or let us go see him. After he barred us from the valley, I took it that he wishes to disassociate his people from the dragons."

"The Council are most unhappy about that, but I wouldn't give up on him just yet," said Ignitus, "After a few days perhaps he'll come to his senses. We can only hope Hunter will help bring him around. But we'll discuss that later."

Spyro let out a frustrated groan before he asked, "So what's going to happen now?"

"Well," answered the Fire Guardian, "Since the decision had already been made, they will be drafting a reply to Gaul's message and expect they will have a courier deliver it before the day is out."

"I still cannot believe this," growled Cyril, thrashing his tail behind himself angrily, "You may be our leader, Ignitus, but this is something we should all have consulted on!"

"I share your vexation, Cyril," Ignitus told him calmly, "But I get the impression that it was not that they wanted to consult me, but merely instruct me on what was going to happen."

"Bureaucrats!" Terrador snarled, his harsh tone making the scales of those present almost shiver. Spyro looked up at the disappointed, angry faces of the Guardians standing around him, perhaps even trapped between them. He couldn't escape the sense of guilt that continued to crop up any time anything related to the incident at the Mountain of Malefor caused any kind of unsettlement. He looked across to his friends who all still looked horrified at the prospect of Gaul being allowed into the city. Spyro was no exception to this. After a few moments of silence, Flame spoke up again tepidly,

"So, does that mean we don't have to talk to the Council now?"

"Not quite, Flame," Ignitus said with a weak smile, sensing the hope in the young dragon's voice, "However, it does seem our original meeting has been postponed for the time being. I suppose until we know more, we might as well prepare to spend today and probably tomorrow here in the city."

"Is that it?" asked Volteer disappointedly, "We are just letting this happen without letting our voices be heard?"

"On the contrary," Ignitus replied brightly, "You three are more then welcome to express your displeasure to the Council, they even told me so. But the final decision has already been made…"

"They'll be getting much more than that!" snapped Terrador as he furiously turned about and stormed towards the castle, Cyril and Volteer swiftly concurring.

"They'll know what it means to get a frosty reception!" the Ice Guardian warned coldly.

"Let us see if we can shock some sense into them!" Volteer sneered as he walked with his erstwhile rival behind Terrador as they strode back around to the castle entrance. Ignitus watched them go flatly as Spyro and Cynder, Flame and Ember, stood along with him.

"And here I was, thinking I was going to spend all day answering questions until I went crazy," remarked Ember dryly.

"They don't trust us enough to even let us answer for ourselves!" Cynder replied harshly.

"Now, now," Ignitus intervened cautiously, "What's done is done. My colleagues are not setting you best example right now. So let's not worry about what has happened and worry instead about what is to happen."

At the Moutain of Malefor….

In the royal chambers of the Ape King, several large ape Generals were standing and talking around the long dining table in front of the fire place, the worn and weathered cloth mostly covered by a long map that stretched almost along the entire length of the table like a roll of carpet. Each of the Generals were wearing their violet plate armour but each had their helms resting on the table in front of them as they examined and discussed the details of the map. The map showed an intricate layout of the landscape between the Mountain of Malefor and the Dragon City, with the border of their territory stopping just before the Twilight Falls. Beyond that was the Valley of Avalar and then the great plains of the countryside before the ultimate prize, Warfang at the far end of the map. The flames of the stone fireplace crackled heartily as a flash of lightning from the balcony slashed across its warm glow, illuminating the devil like silhouette of Gaul as he stood out in the open. The Ape King stared out into the moody black sky that rumbled over the Mountain Fortress, the glow of his left green eye growing and shrinking with each heavy breath.

Gaul watched the crackling lightning zigzagging its way across the black clouds, his left hand clutching his staff like a vice as he thought of the humiliation that had been brought upon him by the purple whelpling. It infuriated him to know that his sworn enemy and his companions had escaped from the same balcony that he had spent countless nights standing on and planning his revenge against the pompous dragons and their lackeys; the moles and Cheetahs. He knew that the common soldiery and even the officers of his army had mocked him behind his back for his failure to kill the purple dragon when he had literally been delivered to him like a roast hog. He was well aware of the things that had been said thanks to the spy's and informants who he used to keep himself abridged of what his subordinates were saying and doing. He knew their names and had been tempted to personally execute them to set an example, but he knew he couldn't afford the squander the skills of even the lowliest members of his army, let along the officers. He would keep them alive until the success of the operation and then he would kill them, assuming they did not die in the upcoming battle. Either outcome was acceptable to him.

As another white flashed rocked the sky, it revealed the silhouette of an approaching Dreadwing as it aimed towards the balcony. Gaul's cruel face showed a glimmer of excitement as he watched the creature grow ever larger as it approached. He saw the white streamers on it wings illuminated by the lightning flashes as the creature and rider finally swept in front of the balcony, hovering in place as the light from the chamber finally glowed over it.

"Your majesty, your message has been delivered!" the rider said fervently, "It was accepted and delivered to the Council. They have promised a reply with all due haste!"

"Very good," Gaul nodded with a gleeful smirk, "Double rations for the troops tonight!"

"Thank you, your majesty," the rider bowed atop his mount before he took hold of the Dreadwing and it threw itself back into the sky before soaring away in the darkness. The Ape King leaned back as he drew a deep breath into his chest, letting out a growl like sigh of content as he turned his staff on its right side and tapped it into his right hand. He eyed the glistening green crystal and its fork like head purposely, letting out a mild chuckle as he turned to head back inside.

As Gaul stepped back into the chamber, the Ape Generals stopped talking and promptly stood to attention and bowed their heads as he strolled towards the table, waving off the formality in light of his good spirits.

"Our message has been received," he announced as he reached the end of the table, "Now we wait for their acceptance so we can proceed with our plan."

The Ape Generals all looked between each other nervously as if hoping one of them would speak up before they did. The accompanying silence agitated the Ape King as he firmly stamped the base of his staff on the stone floor, his previous good mood disappearing in a flash.

"What's the matter? If any of you have something to say then speak up!" he roared fiercely. His outburst prompted the Ape General nearest to his right to cough frightfully as he prepared to answer.

"My King, we all appreciate how hard and how long you have prepared for our coming resurgence. We all have no doubts as to the genius of your overall plan, but…." The ape stammered as he lost his voice to fear, prompting his colleague across the table from him to finish for him, "But what he means to say, your highness, we do have concerns about some very certain aspects of your plan."

Gaul gritted his teeth coldly, "And you wait until now to show me you have cold feet?" he snapped as he slammed his fist on the table, making all the generals jump with fright. As silence overcame the chamber again, the Ape King calmed himself long enough to ask, "What of my plan concerns you? What causes you to question my judgement?"

His tone was laden with deadly seriousness, but underlined by a slight touch of genuine curiosity that his pride barely allowed to slip in. The Generals all steadied their breath, as now that they had been directed by their King to answer, they had no choice but to. This shattered the faint hopes they may have had that he would simply explode in a tirade and rebuke them outright rather than ask them directly.

"It is just, my King," began to furthest one on the left, "What if the dragons refuse your offer? What if they refuse to allow you into the city?"

"They cannot," Gaul answered irritably, "It is written in their laws. One thing dragons will never miss an opportunity to demonstrate is how they are absolutely creatures of law. They must keep up appearances no matter what."

"But must it be you, your Highness, that ventures into their midst?" asked another General to the right, "As their greatest enemy, would it not be sensible for them to take the opportunity to assassinate you?"

"We may do that, but they will not," Gaul declared firmly, "Their sense of 'nobility' would never allow them to condone such an act. Have you all been without combat so long you have forgotten the nature of our enemy?" he challenged them with a sharpened claw. The Generals quietly mumbled their answers, all amounting to variants of 'no'. "Besides," Gaul continued, "It is essential to keep up all appearances on our part. They would likely would have made the same assumptions as you as to why I would not go myself unless they believed I am sincere about wanting to make peace with them. It is I who must be in the city to initiate the first stage of our attack."

"My King," began another of the Generals, "We understand well why this must be, we wished only to express our concern for your wellbeing. We know you pride yourself on leading our troops into battle, but we felt it was a concern we must raise."

"Hmph. Your concern for your King is touching, but the plan stays as I have decided it," Gaul replied tersely.

"My King, if I may…" said another of the Generals on the right of the table.

"What is it now?" Gaul snapped coldly. The other apes all watched tensely as their colleague bravely faced the King's wrath.

"With your permission, I feel I must ask about one other aspect of your plan."

The Ape King did not give him a verbal reply and simply stood with his bared teeth grinding against each other irritably as his fingers tapped his staff menacingly. With a hard face and swift gulp, the General help up a piece of parchment in his left hand. Scrawled at the top half of the parchment was a drawing of a young dragoness's face on the left side with a side profile of her body on the right. The drawing was surprisingly detailed, though the use of colour was somewhat overdone with heavy blotches of black ink colouring the body and red for the underbelly and wings. Written in bold letters directly beneath the image was the caption;

"BY ORDER OF THE KING; CAPTURE ON SIGHT!

SUBJECT MUST BE TAKEN ALIVE WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.

ANY NESSACRY ACTION MAY BE TAKEN TO ENSURE CAPTURE OF SUBJECT.

HOWEVER, UNNESSACRY HARM WILL RESULT IN EXECUTION. ONCE CAPTURED,

SUBJECT MUST BE IMMEDTAETLY BOUGHT TO THE KING FOR INTERRORGATION.

THOSE WHO SUCCEDD WILL BE REWARDED."

"We all understand why it is imperative we destroy the purple dragon before he grows to be become a most serious threat. But I must ask the strategic value of placing the capture of this female just as highly as his destruction. She is a mere whelping, not a Guardian or other high ranking official…" Gaul let out something like a growl, cutting off the voice of the ape General as the king suddenly slammed his staff onto the table and strode towards him dangerously. The others watched and held their breath as Gaul shoved one of them aside and drew one of his curved blades from his back.

"My King, I…" the ape began to apologize fearfully just as the blade was thrust into his chest. The Ape's eyes lurched forward as he let out an agonized gasp, the shock dulling his voice so that he only wheezed rather than screamed. Gaul watched him emotionlessly as the others all stood rigidly by as it all happened. The parchment fell from the ape's hand as his body became limp, the parchment drifting like a leaf to the ground. Gaul put a hand on the subordinate's shoulder as he drew the sword back, the violet blade darkened with crimson blood as the ape's eyes rolled in his head as he fell face down to the floor, his armor clanking loudly as he fell. The Ape King turned swiftly towards his other Generals, drawing a snarl like breath as he held the tip of the blade up, droplets of blood tapping onto the floor.

"Any further disagreements?" he asked viciously. The remaining Generals held their tongues and their breath, bowing their heads in synch with each other as Gaul reached over and grasped the edge of the tablecloth to dry the blade on. As he wiped the blade clean, he remarked, "Then all that is left is for us to wait for the dragons to formally accept my proposal. You are all dismissed."

"Very well, sire," they all said, hiding their fear as they stood to attention and turned towards the door, formally but quickly moving towards the door and temporary safety. Gaul stood at the end of the table with the balcony behind him as they went, slipping the blade back in behind his back. His claws then slowly wrapped around the staff, almost caressing it in his hairy palms. He lifted it up gingerly, holding it upright with the green crystal right between his eyes, staring into it hungrily as it glistened silently.

The wicked Ape King smiled his jagged smile, his one green eye glowing intensely. His eyes diverted over shortly to the body on the floor, scowling vilely as scarlet blood flowed from beneath it over the floor. Gaul groaned irritably, knowing his impulsive act would mean he would have to appoint a successor, but he had no tolerance for Generals who could not accept orders, especially those so sensitive for what he knew was indispensable to his plan. With a low growl, Gaul turned his back and walked out towards the balcony to clear his mind. Another bright lightning flash threw his shadow across the room as it dragged across the back of the dead ape. The parchment he had held lay on the floor beside him just under the table, the pool of blood slowly creeping to it and soaking its edges. As the parchment turned to blood red, it crumpled and darkened, but the likeness of Cynder remained unmistakable.

That evening in Warfang…

The torches along the viaduct were all ablaze and the lamplighter dragon and his mole partner were entering the western tunnel beneath Castle Hill just as another two figures emerged from the eastern end as the last rays of the sun vanished over the sea. Flights of dragon warriors continued to patrol the perimeter of the city and the outlying countryside as the garrison remained on high alert. The two emerging figures were Spyro right and Ignitus to the left, walking alongside each other as they ventured out onto the viaduct that spanned the city. From their vantage point it was possible to see the numerous orange glows of torches now flickering through the windows of the many towers and along the streets of Warfang. Though it was early evening, both dragons observed the unnatural quiet in the streets below. Normally such was the time the citizens of Warfang would be celebrating the end of the day by visiting the taverns and ale houses or taking in some evening entertainment.

But there was barely a soul that they could seen in the streets and the taverns were unusually short of patrons. This was the effect that the Dreadwing rider's message had bought on, coupled with the news that had been issued later on about the details of that message and how the Council had reacted to it. The other Guardians had indeed voiced their frustrations and concerns to the cities leadership with great fervor but it had resulted in no change to their decision. That afternoon a dragon courier had been dispatched with a mole messenger to fly to the Mountain of Malefor to give their permission for Gaul to visit the city for a conference. They had returned just before sundown and delivered the Ape's reply that Gaul and his entourage would be arriving sometime tomorrow morning.

This news had left Spyro and his friends almost enraged, but none more so than Cyril, Volteer and Terrador who had practically screamed for the Council to see sense, but in the end, they could not argue with the law. Ignitus had steered clear of any further interaction with the Council, perhaps knowing it would only lead to him following his colleagues' example and entering into a tirade. They had all been assured that every precaution would be taken and the alert status would remain until further notice, however the conference turned out. This did little to assure the four young dragons who had barely escaped with their lives from the Ape King, even if literally hundreds of soldiers would be watching him at any time. In any case, the Guardians had decided that they should all stay in the castle that night for the simple reason it was the most heavily protected building in the city, just in case. Yet even knowing that, Spyro suddenly felt that no part of the city was safe. He wondered if that was why the Fire Guardian had asked him to accompany him out onto the viaduct.

"Everyone seems to be on edge, Ignitus," Spyro remarked worriedly as his eyes turned to the crimson dragon. Ignitus turned his head just enough for his eyes to meet his and gave two rocking nods with his head.

"It has already spread like a plague. Everyone down there feels just as we do," he said as he beckoned to the streets below.

"Should we though?" asked Spyro cautiously, "Should we be so afraid?"

"It is only natural to feel fear when there is danger in the air," Ignitus replied bluntly, "But when you've not felt fear for over decade, when it comes back to you like a nightmare you thought was over… well it takes some getting used to it again."

"You mean like when the war was on?"

Ignitus nodded the same way again, "Some of us thought the peace would last forever. I envy those who could have such beliefs. But I fear that it has also bred complacency. Complacency is what gives us the kind of problem that we have now; our enemies seem poised to strike at us and some of us are trying to convince themselves it is not so."

"But it's like you said," added Spyro pointedly, "It's the law. They couldn't refuse Gaul's entry to the city even if they wanted to."

"They cannot refuse the request, no. But they should not have accepted it on his terms. We should have been consulted to draft a counter proposal. If he refused it, then it is we who would have the casus belli."

Spyro frowned hesitantly, "But don't we already have that?"

Ignitus shrugged, "Without Meadow himself being here to give testimony, the Council does not believe so."

"So Cynder was right," Spyro mused crossly, "They don't believe us."

"I tried my best, Spyro, I really did. But they don't know you like I do. I trust in everything you and Ember and Cynder and Flame have told me about what you saw. I know you don't keep secrets from me."

"Thanks," the purple dragon replied slowly, his heart throbbing with guilty adrenaline at the knowledge that the Fire Guardian was in fact wrong. Spyro had thus far kept his word to the mysterious voice calling itself the Chronicler that had warned him about the days ahead. The unusual silence of Warfang took him back to the mystical place in his mind that he had apparently been. His insides squirmed with the guilt of keeping all this a secret from those he cared for most, especially when he wondered why he was willing to trust the mystery voice from a dream that he had no way of knowing wasn't some curse giving to him by Gaul without his knowledge.

The questions kept coming in Spyro's mind the more they walked on silently, the young dragon entering a sleep walking like state as his legs moved forward but his mind was distracted from the task altogether. Only when Ignitus suddenly walked in front of him did he come back to the present and bring himself to a halt to avoid bumping into the Fire Guardian. "What's…?" he began to ask, but paused as Ignitus strode over and hoisted his massive front paws onto the edge of the viaduct and stood tall. Spyro curiously walked up beside him to see what it was that had his attention. It was only then that he noticed how far they had walked from the castle, now standing about halfway along the viaduct between Castle Hill and the Observatory. Spyro pulled himself up onto one of the large turret blocks on the side of the viaduct, keeping his feet close together and wrapping his tail around himself as he stared out across the city with Ignitus.

The light of the twin moons was gleaming over the ocean covering the horizon as a lone freight airship slowly pulled into the airdock far over to his left. But he knew it was none of these things that Ignitus was seeing as he watched the way he stood poised on the edge of the viaduct like a gargoyle, moving his head methodically across the expanse of Warfang. Spyro's brow rose as he watched the Fire Guardian expectantly but patiently. Ignitus closed his eyes as he leaned his head back, drawing the night air deep into his lungs before he became still in the moment, nearly causing Spyro alarm.

"What is it?" the young dragon asked carefully. Ignitus lowered his chin as his eyelids slowly lifted and his orange orbs stared reflectively over the city.

"Exactly what I feared," he replied softly, yet heavily. Spyro felt his body almost shudder as a swift breeze drifted over them, which he knew wasn't from the cold. He watched anxiously as Ignitus cast a quick glance to him and sighed thoughtfully. "When my father…" he began hesitantly, "When he and his fellow Guardians pursued Malefor from the city during the Night of Burning Tears, I was standing right here on this causeway, ushering a caravan of civilians across as fast as I could. They had been sheltering inside the castle, but Malefor had so engulfed the plateau in so much flame that the heat alone was enough force an evacuation. Many did not escape the castle and I felt sure that once we were in the open, we would be at his mercy."

Spyro could not help but gasp as Ignitus turned his head to the right and looked back towards Castle Hill, his eyes aimed above and to the left of the castle spires at a patch of empty sky. Spyro turned his head to follow his gaze, the Fire Guardian's expression grim.

"I can still see him now, hovering above the billowing smoke of the castle and looking down at us, looking down at me," Ignitus recalled morbidly, his voice hushed, "Even from down here, I could see the look in his eyes as if we were face to face. They glowed an unnatural yellow and brimmed with delight at the destruction he had caused. The sky was not as it is now; it was awash in an orange glow from the fires throughout the city and the air thick with ash. It was as if Boyzitbig had erupted within Warfang. I looked up at him as the refugees ran in panic and I knew I was going to die."

Spyro was slow to ask, watching the Fire Guardian cautiously as he continued staring up at the spot in the sky where Malefor had once been.

"What happened?" he asked quietly.

"As if by sheer miracle, that was when my father, Dragsooth, of Fire, Bissthlan of Ice, Hargen of Earth and Zygoren of Electricty returned from their raid against Malefor's fortress. A moment later and we all would have been doomed. But once they drew his attention, I resumed my duties and helped to guide the survivors along the viaduct as we made to escape the flames. As the battle went on I wanted to watch but I knew I had to help to save as many as I could for as long as I could. Eventually, all those who had made it out of the castle were with me and I shepherded them out to the east of the city," he said as he turned his head and beckoned towards the eastern side of Warfang and the hills beyond.

"A lot their descendants must owe you their lives then, Ignitus," Spyro said hoping it would boost the Guardian's spirits.

"Not as many as there should be," he replied dryly, instantly making the purple dragon regret his remark, though he said nothing. "I was outside the city when there a sound like a lightning strike that shook the whole world. We all looked back and saw a great hole had been ripped in the sky just outside the city. It swirled like a whirlpool made of all the stars of the universe. It was then I saw the figure of Malefor fleeing towards it, my father leading the Guardians in pursuit."

"You mean the portal of Convexity?" asked Spyro crisply. Ignitus nodded with a heavy dose of sorrow.

"I wanted more than anything to follow him and help him and the others. I wanted to be there to watch them destroy Malefor. But I knew where my duties lay and continued to lead the refugees far from the city even as the portal flashed and disappeared in the distance. Eventually I and some others came back to look for more survivors. It was when we were searching the burning ruins the next morning that the portal reappeared and my father tumbled from the sky and fell to the ground outside the city walls. I have never flown so fast in all my life than I did that morning as I rushed to him."

"He was the only one who made it," said Spyro mournfully.

"I was there when he awoke the next day. He lived only long enough to tell what had happened, but that story you know. There is another one that you do not know. It happened in this same spot, just one day before the Night of Burning Tears."

Spyro mentally prepared for what he was sure to be another grim tale, but hid his efforts behind a resolute face, not wanting his mentor to see how affected he was by his story. Ignitus pulled his front paws back from the edge and sat down quietly beside the purple dragon, rolling his tongue in his mouth as he prepared to speak again.

"Father asked me to accompany him out here, saying he wanted to speak with me. I thought I knew what he was going to say; I already knew of the raid he was to take part in. I expected he would tell me of the dangers and to be sure I obeyed his every word. You see, I was sure I would be there with him, taking the fight directly to Malefor and the Apes. I was much younger and full of vigor. I had fought by his side in many battles and I wanted to be part of such a great undertaking." Ignitus paused as a group of Mole at arms on patrol passed behind them, their armor and weapons clanking as they marched past. Spyro looked over his shoulder at them, noticing how stern they all looked compared to what he saw the last time he was in Warfang and he knew it wasn't just because it had been during the holidays. After they were a fair distance away, Ignitus continued. "But," he said lowly, "He told me that I would not be accompanying him. He told me I was to remain in Warfang while the attack was underway. I was proud and arrogant in my younger years and I felt betrayed. I felt that my father was robbing me of a chance for glory to bring down the Dark Master. But I could not refuse him, even if I wanted more than anything to do just that."

"He must have been afraid of what might happen to you," Spyro suggested civilly.

The Fire Guardian chuckled tersely, "He was, but I couldn't see it in that moment. I was ready to fight for my right to go. I said things that I regretted and he and I clashed fiercely with our words. It was only after he threatened to expel me from the battalion that I finally held my tongue long enough for him to finish explaining himself. It was not just that it would be dangerous for me to go with them. It was because of… something else…" his voice trailed off uncertainly.

"And what was that?" the purple dragon asked hesitantly. He saw Ignitus's face twist uncomfortably as he seemed to be thinking twice about going forward. This pause lasted for several moments as Spyro began to fidget on the stone block of the viaduct. Ignitus then breathed deeply and Spyro knew he was committed to telling him the rest of the tale.

"He told me he had a… feeling or perhaps some kind of sixth sense or instinct or whatever you want to call it. Father said he had this terrible notion that something truly awful was going to happen. For years I dismissed it as simple parental fear or coincidence or the frayed nerves one gets before battle. That was until today," he said dourly, turning himself to face the young purple dragon. Spyro felt a great flush if unease as the Fire Guardian suddenly loomed over him like bird staring down into its nest. His orange eyes burned with desperation for the young dragon to heed every syllable. "I know what he was feeling because I am sensing it now," he told Spyro gravely, "My father wanted me to stay in Warfang because he believed that whatever he thought would happen would happen to him and the others when they confronted Malefor. But instead, it happened here and the whole city burned. He knew something was going to happen, he just didn't know where."

"You think something is going to happen tomorrow, Ignitus? I mean, we're all nervous about Gaul being in the city…" Spyro remarked sincerely.

Ignitus sighed heavily, "I wish I could say you may be right, but no. No, this is what my father was talking about, I know this now."

"Okay," Spyro nodded cautiously, the Fire Guradian's erratic behaviour unsettling him.

"I hope I am proven wrong, Spyro. But that is why I have made arrangements for you and the others for tomorrow."

"What do you mean?" he asked. "Tomorrow there is an airship that is delivering goods to Dante's Freezer. I have quietly organised that the four of you will be taken on board and flown over to Freezer while the conference is taking place."

"Dante's Freezer?" asked Spyro in surprise, "But why there of all places?"

"Because it is the furthest away from the city and I gather the one place the Ape's are most unfamiliar with," Ignitus replied, "I have already asked Cyril to make arrangements with some of his relatives who will take care of you while you are there."

"How long will we be staying?" "For as long as the conference lasts or at least until we know Gaul's true intentions. I've been assured you will be in good hands," Ignitus told him firmly. Spyro's expression was one of worry as he noted the faint shimmer of anxiousness on the Fire Guardian's eye.

"Can you come with us?" asked Spyro hopefully.

Ignitus let out a low sigh, "I'm afraid not. All the Guardians will need to be in attendance here, and Gaul would suspect as much if I was not present. I'm sorry for putting this all to you right now, Spyro, but I have one more thing I must ask of you. You must make a promise to me now. Do you understand?"

"Of course," he replied readily, "What do you need?"

"If anything happens between then and now, if anything goes wrong; you must take the others and get away. If you cannot make it to Freezer, you must find somewhere to go. If Warfang is not safe, try and make it back to the temple with all due haste. Don't stop or wait for anyone, not even me. Go there and wait until help arrives. Am I clear, young dragon?"

Spyro looked confused as he looked into the Guardian's eyes. Although he had the answer ready in his mind, for some reason his mouth struggled to articulate it. The stark contrast between his concerned but confident demeanor the previous night and his almost frantic behaviour this evening was as different as sugar and salt.

"I promise," Spyro finally answered, almost forcing the words out. A calming wave seemed to sweep over Ignitus as he closed his eyes and nodded with relief. Spyro kept his eyes on him as the young dragon slowly stepped off the edge of the viaduct and back onto the walkway. Even as his claws tapped down onto the pavement, Ignitus still held his head down almost like he was dozing. Spyro leaned in closer to him, frowning with confusion.

Feeling the need to get his attention he simply asked, "Ignitus?"

His voice caused him to react, the Fire Guardian lifting his head up and back in a tired stretch. "Forgive me, I'm feeling a little tired," he explained glumly.

"Your father, Dragsooth," Spyro began inquisitively, "Was he a good father? Did you love him even when you argued with him?"

Ignitus looked down with his eyes widened in surprise. But seeing the well-intentioned curiosity in the purple dragon's face, he replied, "He was as good a father as anyone could have had, something I perhaps didn't always see. And even when we had our bitter moments, I still loved him. Why do you ask, Spyro?"

"Because I wish I knew what that was like, even the bitter parts," he answered solemnly. Spyro sat on his haunches and wrapped his tail around himself again. "You see," he continued with a sigh, looking away from the Guardian's eyes, "Back at the mountain, just before you showed up, I was sure I was doomed. Absolutely no doubt. When I realised that was the case, it was like everything I had ever seen or thought about went through my mind all at once. My friends, everything I liked to do and everything I was going to miss. But that was when I realised something else… something that I don't think I'd have thought of any other time."

"Yes?" inquired Ignitus oddly. Spyro looked back up to meet his gaze, his head shaking with bewilderment at what he was about to say.

"There was a part of me… that was glad I was going to die."

This revelation summoned a troubled frown upon Ignitus, "Glad? Why on earth would you have such thoughts?"

"It's not like that," Spyro assured him calmly but with a degree of unease, "It was some thought that just came from the farthest reaches of my mind. But I can't deny that it kind of soothed some of the fear that I had of dying."

"What was it?"

"In death, I would finally get to meet my parents. I'd finally know who they were and if they were proud of me," Spyro answered lowly but frankly. Ignitus drew a deep, thoughtful breath through his nostrils as he digested the purple dragons rather macabre remarks. Spyro's face sank as a look of embarrassment came over him, crossing his front paws over each other nervously. Ignitus exhaled slowly as he sat down before the young dragon.

"I can see how it might do that," he said softly, "But someone so young should never have to wonder about such things."

"I never did much," Spyro admitted sadly, "I mean, you can't miss someone you never knew, right? But I never realised how big a hole it left in my heart until right when I thought I was done."

Ignitus nodded steadily, "When my father passed, I felt like a part of me had gone with him. There are many regrets I have for him, things I should have done or should have said. You are perhaps fortunate to not know a loss like that."

Spyro looked up at him ruefully, "Is it bad I almost wish I did? Then at least I might feel some connection to them. Flame and Ember at least know what their parent's names were. But without even that, it's like they didn't even exist, same as Cynder. She doesn't know anything about her parents either."

"Does she feel the same about it as you?" asked Ignitus.

"I don't know, I never asked her about it…" Spyro replied greyly with a shake of his head. He felt another pang of guilt as he thought back to what she had told him about her fears and the fact he knew Cynder had still not come forward to the Guardians about them. Coupled with his own knowledge of the Chronicler, Spyro found himself unable to look Ignitus in the eyes, which he hoped the Fire Guardian would not press him on or else he knew he may tell the truth.

Ignitus looked away reflectively for a moment, staring out towards the sea as Spyro seemed to close himself up. His eyes locked onto another patrol flying across the battlements of the southern wall while the tiny figures of Mole at arms moved across the ramparts. When Spyro looked back up at him, he noticed that Ignitus seemed to emulating him in some way, as if he too had something he was afraid of revealing. Just then he swung his head back, almost startling the young dragon.

"If it helps you at all, young dragon," he said warmly, "I believe they would have been proud of you. Any dragon would be proud to call the purple dragon their offspring."

Spyro shrugged, "I just hope that they would care about more than just that."

"Of course, they would!" Ignitus exclaimed with a chuckle, "Your virtues go far beyond your colour, Spyro. I would have been proud to have a son like you." Spyro's eye's widened in surprise, feeling a touch of redness glowing on his cheeks. But his words as ever bought more questions to Spyro's mind.

"I'm flattered, Ignitus. But why did you never have a mate? I think you would have made a great father."

"Thank you, but my duties as a Guardian never allowed for it," he replied sharply, almost harshly. Spyro lifted his brow curiously as the Fire Guardian seemed to try and look preoccupied. He sensed he had struck a nerve, but he pressed on, albeit cautiously.

"Was there never anyone you were close to? Anyone you thought you might have a future with?"

When Ignitus looked back at him, there was a glow in his eyes that Spyro had never seen before, but his face wore an expression that gave him a look of pain. "I think we should retire now," he said hastily as he stood up, "Tomorrow I imagine will be an eventful day."

"Oh, right, okay," Spyro said as he felt the proverbial door being slammed in his face. Without any delay Ignitus walked around him and headed back towards the castle, the young dragon nearly calling out that he was sorry as he watched the Fire Guardian march off. He followed after him sheepishly, walking just behind his tail and not alongside him as they had done so before. Spyro took a final glance across both sides of the viaduct, lamenting that the citizens below were probably not sleeping as soundly as they were used to. As they drew closer to the tunnel, he looked back up at the sky where Ignitus had described seeing Malefor. He felt a tremble in his body at the thought and wondered if he would have been a dedicated as Ignitus had he been in his place all those years ago.

Suddenly a silhouette swooped into view above the castle and Spyro stopped dead in his tracks. It was black like a shadow and sported a crown of frightening horns and glared at him with a pair of yellow reptilian eyes; the same image he had seen in the fiery display put by Roaraya the storyteller. Spyro felt his heart stop as he closed his eyes in disbelief. When he opened them again, he saw the finely trimmed shape of a hawk as it let out a shrill cry and took off over the city. Spyro sighed heavily as he took the time to catch his breath.

"I'm losing my mind already," he remarked anxiously before he resumed walking back towards the castle. Although he kept his head level, his eyes kept shifting up to that same corner of the sky, just to be sure.

From high above, a pair of emerald eyes watched the tiny purple speck wander behind the large red dragon towards the tunnel beneath Castle Hill. The eyes looked down at the viaduct from the outside balcony that encircled one of the four tall, narrow towers that stood outside the main castle, each one connected to it by four long stone bridges. The tower in question stood on the south-eastern corner of Castle Hill, virtually overtop of the viaduct below. The eyes were those of Cynder as she stood with her head poking between the stone railings of the balcony as she gazed down at the specks as they passed through the tunnel and out of view. Her expression was thoughtful and grim, her claws clenching hard into stone edge of the tower's balcony. With a dejected sigh, she pulled her head back and turned to her left, walking slowly around the tower with her head down, half in thought and half in dread. As she walked around the tower the bridge to the castle came into view and straight across from it was the tall doorway into the tower itself. The doors were open and the light of orange torches flickered inside as Cynder slowly walked around into the doorway.

Inside were the circular quarters of one of the royal guest rooms of Castle Hill, usually reserved for visiting dignitaries or other important persons. The furnishings were all new and had in fact been installed that day just for the four young dragons who would be staying there, namely Cynder, Spyro and Flame and Ember. The four flags of the main elements were hung around each corner of the room Four large golden bowls filled with purple velvet cushions formed a semi-circle in the centre of the floor around a large firepit that burned brightly. The smoke from the flames twirled upwards into a thin stream like a tornado towards a misty grey crystal hanging from a chandelier that absorbed the smoke to prevent it filling the room. Sitting to its left side was Flame, spitting small puffs of fire into the twirling smoke and marvelling at how it twisted and turned into the smokey vortex that drifted to the ceiling. Ember was lying in her bowl, the third one of the second half of the semi circle, holding a book open with both front paws laid out across its pages. Cynder stood silently in the doorway as they were too distracted to notice her, sighing mildly before she finally wandered inside.

"A lot of fuss just for the four of us," she thought as her gaze drifted about the furnishings of the room. As these rooms could become the dwelling to a wide variety of creatures great and small, they were usually empty and would be tailor suited to whomever was expected to stay in them, be it Dragon, Cheetah, Mole or other. The inside wall of the room had been fitted with low tables and cupboards usually intended for moles but suited the statue of the young dragons just as well, even if they were utterly superfluous as they had bought nothing with them on their trip, not having expected to stay in the city longer than the day. Nonetheless, the servants and caretakers had fulfilled their duties to the letter to accommodate their guests, though Cynder suspected it was done mainly due to Spyro's presence.

She wandered past the four sleeping bowls as she walked slowly around the left side of the room. Behind the bowls was a long and low dinning table which they had eaten at that evening but thanks to the servants it now shined like ivory. Cynder just sat on her haunches at the end of the table and placed her chin on the edge, her eyes sullenly half lidded while Flame and Ember still took no notice of her.

The reason why the black dragoness was in such a pensive mood was due to her own actions or rather her inaction that day. Despite the comfort that Spyro had given her, she had still not mustered the courage to tell either the Guardians or her other companions of what she had told Spyro about, despite his insistence. Coupled with the news earlier that day that Gaul would be allowed to visit the city for a supposed peace conference tomorrow, she had buried her concerns deeper still. The result had been her noticeably flat demeanor that day that no one except Spyro seemed to take notice off, perhaps because he knew what the cause of it was. Like her, he had not said anything about what she had told him the garden, at least not when they had been with each other nearly all day She suspected that he was waiting for her to take that step on her own, though any thought to that had quickly been snuffed out before she had done so, fearing what they might say and think of her. Cynder wondered if, now that he was alone with Ignitus, he had told him about her fears during whatever conversations they'd had down on the viaduct. But she was certain that she would know when they finally made their up to them and if Ignitus suddenly asked to speak with her alone like he had with Spyro.

"Wow! Did you see that one?" Flame asked excitedly as he marveled the way one particular burst of fire swirled around the crystal. He turned his head to Ember in hope of impressing her, but she barely lifted her head to see before she looked back at her book. The young fire dragon sighed in disappointment and at the same moment spied the dejected looking Cynder by the table behind Ember. Tilting his head curiously, Flame watched her for a moment as she stared blankly across the table. Standing up, he trotted lightly around Ember over towards Cynder, his feet paddling across the floor making Ember look up and take notice of him.

"What's the matter, Cynder?" the red dragon asked inquisitively. Cynder leaned her head slightly to the left as he turned her eyes to him, looking at his adorably worried face blankly, though secretly part of her felt glad to be noticed.

"It's nothing," she replied dismissively. Watching this, Ember rolled her eyes irritably as she flicked her book closed and hopped down onto the floor.

"It must be a really important 'nothing' for you to be moping around all night!" Ember remarked irksomely. Flame spun around and eyed her disapprovingly as Cynder lifted her head and scowled.

"I can do without your pity, thanks," she replied coldly. Ember's eyes widened as Flame switched his disapproving gaze back to the black dragoness. To the surprise of the latter two, Ember did not offer a mean retort but instead held her tongue as she let out a patient sigh.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped like that," she replied apologetically, "Guess I just hate when people are really negative, I guess." The two guesses in her sentence lightened Cynder enough for her to hold back on any mean spiritedness herself. She eyed the pair of them, though she focused on Ember the most.

"Thanks. Sorry for leaving my negativity around," she said as she lifted her head from the table. Flame looked between them a few times; sure things were going to flare up between them. When they didn't he cautiously asked, "So what's the matter then?"

"Nothing, I just..."

"Hi guys!" said a cheerful voice from the doorway, drawing all eyes to it. Cynder eyed Spyro with Ignitus standing behind him just outside the room. Flame and Ember at once turned around and walked towards them while the black dragoness slowly hopped down from her place to follow. Spyro stepped in through the doorway while Ignitus stayed outside.

"Well, I must be getting along," he promptly announced, "I will bid you all goodnight. I'll see you in the morning."

His suddenness was jarring to the three young dragons as they wandered up, but they returned the gesture as they normally did.

"Ah, okay, goodnight, Ignitus," said Flame curiously.

"Goodnight, Ignitus!" Ember wished brightly.

"See you in the morning, Ignitus," Cynder bided softly with a warm smile. Lastly, Spyro turned his head and looked up to the Guardian and said,

"Thanks, Igniuts. Sleep well."

"I'll try," the crimson dragon replied grimly, nodding to the group a final time before he turned his heavy body around and began walking back across the walkway. As he left, Spyro turned his head around and sighed as the others all looked to him expectantly.

"So, what was that all about? What'd he want?" asked Flame quickly. Ember plonked herself on her haunches as Cynder eased herself down slowly.

"Well, I guess I should give you the long and short of it," Spyro sighed. He briefly recounted to his friends the subject of his discussion with Ignitus and the sudden news that they would be leaving for Dante's Freezer in the morning. This news had mixed effect upon the three other dragons; Flame was characteristically nervous about the whole idea while Ember was at least excited that they would be spending time in her 'ancestral home' as Cyril had called it, even though she was not a pure bred Ice dragon. The news didn't seem to affect Cynder in any particular way, Spyro noting that she seemed distracted except for when he spoke of how Ignitus had a close encounter with Malefor during the Night of Burning Tears. Only when he had finished did she finally speak up,

"Why didn't he tell us this himself?" she asked irritably. The others looked at her oddly as the purple dragon gave a casual shrug,

"He said he thought you would like hearing it from me rather than him."

"Why?" she asked impatiently.

"Something about me being a leader, he said," Spyro replied simply.

"Man," Flame exclaimed with a grin, "You must've really impressed him with blowing up the mountain and all that."

Spyro blushed, "Well, I don't deserve all the credit," he said turning his eyes away from them, "Besides I don't think it really did all that much."

"It pointed to you like a beacon, for one thing," Ember added diligently, "And they found us on the way."

"Yeah, I guess they did," Spyro chuckled, smiling widely. However, his eyes kept going back to Cynder and her prominently down demeanour. There was a brief moment in which none of them spoke before the black dragoness suddenly asked,

"Does Ignitus really think Gaul is going to try something tomorrow?"

"I sure hope not!" Flame remarked frightfully. Ember scoffed,

"No way! It'd be suicide for him to try anything. Every warrior in the city will be watching him the whole time. He might be an Ape, but you really think he'd be that stupid?"

"Maybe that's not the question we should be asking," Cynder replied darkly.

Spyro tilted his head in confusion, "What do you mean, Cynder?"

"What I mean is; he might not be stupid enough, but is he cunning enough to try something?" she asked pointedly. Spyro looked at Flame and Ember as they both looked at each other as the weight of Cynder's words weighed down on their minds.

"Maybe..." the purple dragon mused softly.

"After all," she continued, "Twelve years ago, Ignitus assumed Gaul would never guess that he would keep the egg of the future purple dragon anywhere but Dragon City. They thought they could bluff him, but they were wrong."

"Yeah, but," Flame interrupted nervously, "That doesn't mean it'll work, right? In the end he didn't manage to kill Spyro before he was born, did he?"

"No," Ember replied gloomily, "But he caused a lot of death, regardless."

The grim silence that followed the next few moments signalled their unspoken agreement. Cynder's next remarks only served to dampen the mood further still.

"And tomorrow he's going to walk through those gates like a guest of honour..." she said with disgust.

"Not quite," Spyro objected flatly, "But you heard what they said; it's the law. If we refused, we'd be seen as aggressors."

"Aggressors!?" Ember exclaimed, "Did everyone else forget they kidnapped Meadow and invaded Avalar?"

"Let's not go over that again," Spyro said wearily as he waved his paw at her, "The Guardians already made the arguments they could. But I guess tomorrow we'll be dealing with the cold while they are dealing with all the political stuff."

"Think I'd rather risk freezing than sit through all that talking," Flame remarked lightly.

"Every time," added Cynder dully. Spyro nodded surely with agreement before he rose drowsily to his feet.

"We should probably turn in now. We don't know what tomorrow will have for us."

"Okay then," they all responded more or less the same. But it was impossible for Spyro not to notice the unease which plagued his three friends, none more so than the black dragoness of the group. As Flame and Ember turned away, she remained sitting and watching them go by as he remained before the doorway opposite her. Her emerald eyes shot back at him as he stared at her, but she only sighed lowly before she turned away to follow the others. Spyro stepped forward like he was about to speak to her, but he stopped just as his mouth began to open. He swallowed hard as his sullen eyes watched Cynder turn her back and wander towards the sleeping bowls.

'She didn't tell them,' he thought disappointedly, though he realised one of the group would have mentioned it if she had confessed about her fears. For a moment he considered revealing it himself, but then of course he had his own secrets to keep. He had assured the Chronicler he would not speak of him even though he hated lying to Ignitus. He had trusted that Cynder would come forward about her feelings when she was ready, but they way she had turned away told him she was too afraid to share it even with her two other friends. But he was keeping secrets from them too, so he knew it was wrong of him to judge.

"You okay, Spyro?" asked Flame as he settled down in his bed while the purple dragon was standing like a statue near the door.

"Yeah, yeah," he replied hastily, "Just... thinking..." he said thoughtfully before he shook his head resignedly and walked slowly towards his bed. He lifted his head and cast his eyes warmly over his three companions as they all settled down in the golden bowls, the one furthest to the left being his own with Cynder being in the second. He saw that they all wore expressions of reflection as they considered the possibilities of what tomorrow might bring She stared straight past him as he slowly approached the bowl to her right and pulled himself up into it. Spyro curled himself into a ball, his tail brushing up to his chin. He stared towards the open doorway as he clenched his paws into tight fists against his chest. His mind was still racing from the conversation with Ignitus, particularly the details of seeing Malefor's cruelty firsthand. As much as it filled him with dread, he wondered what all who had been on the bridge that day, all of whom survived the burning of Warfang, what they had felt to watch the one whom they had once looked to for hope deliver instead the destruction of their home and most of the population. Only the intervention of the Guardians, led by Ignitus's father, had finally stopped the wicked dragon and ultimately saved the young Ignitus from death. What was it like, he morbidly wondered, to watch hope itself burn?

'They all thought so much of him,' Spyro said mentally, tucking his nose down as he tightened the ball he had made of himself, 'And looked what he became. Did they ever think that would happen? Could anyone have guessed that?' As he closed his eyes, another question cropped up that did not let him sleep the rest of the night,

'Could that ever happen to me?

End of Chapter 14.

Next Chapter: The Last Day of Peace.

Note from the author:

This chapter for me is probably my least favorite thus far, mainly because it feels more functional than creative. It took a lot longer than I wanted because there was a lot of chopping and changing as I originally had planned to have the chapter revolve around Ignitus and his meeting with the Warfang Council, but the more I thought about it the less enthusiastic I became. The meeting alone would have been a chapter in itself and I felt that it would have just been dragging the pace down, especially since things will be heating up in the next few chapters. So I have been kind of cheap and cut out something that was supposed to be an important part.

I've decided that the next chapter will be delayed so it will not be posted around the same time as usual to give myself more time to get ahead as ongoing issues and delays mean I have almost run out of chapters to keep up steady monthly posts. Thank you for reading and I hope this will not disappoint you too much.