While Skylar gets more from the game than he wishes, Verago has a delicate matter he needs to straighten up so it's in line with his rules once more.
Skylar positions himself in a playing arch. While bend through his front legs, he teasingly looks at Avira. "¿Estás lista? Are you ready?' he asks her vibrantly in repetitive impatience out of playfulness but with her hesitating attitude over his question he decides not to await her response, 'Let us backtrack to the start. Ooh! But this time, we mirror our way back there! You know, to make things more challenging."
He raises himself to all fours again in a swift yet elegant manner while bearing his famed wide-open smile. This sudden change of posture has Avira taken by surprise. She startles from this outburst of his. Whenever Skylar is in this gleeful mood, he becomes even more impulsive and there'll be no telling what he'll do next. "You always are so certain of yourself. How come?" Avira comments intrigued yet in a calm manner to ease the atmosphere to her advantage using her yet-to-master Soothsayer skills.
"¡Porque siempre realmente se lo que quiero!' Skylar replies happily but as soon as he notices Avira having fallen silent he repeats himself once more in an equally thrilled manner, 'Because I always really know what I want!"
"Okay. Yeah, I got that. And – I like that. I am just…' Avira starts by expressing her acknowledgment yet cannot help but wonder what to say next and refrains from it in a moment of relapse, 'Well, never mind."
"I still want us to backtrack to the start. You will race me back there, right?"
Avira nods gently and decides to race down the course again, back to where she and Skylar came from. She has to admit to herself she's getting the hang of it. Avira also enjoys bonding with Skylar greatly. To her, these are moments she feels need cherishing.
While Avira fosters these thoughts carefully and coyishly avoids eye-contact with the boy she's bonding with, that same boy suddenly, and without announcing it, starts racing back to the start. To him, her nodding was the cue he was waiting for. Skylar speeds up and starts slaloming the rock piles as he did before, but this time in a mirrored fashion. He makes this look easy as well. After all, he's been doing this quite often. He has trained here many times over, both alone and with some friends of his. With sheer elegance, he makes his way back to the start of the course. Avira follows his every move carefully, utterly focused on the way Skylar manoeuvres up the course.
As Skylar passes the final rock pile he lands smoothly while holding his head up high bearing a self-indulgent smirk across his face. He then yells to Avira from across the self-made course to race the same way he did. She attempts this as well but at a quarter down the course, she decides to revert to the original routing as this mirrored route is more difficult.
"Hey! Do it my way!" Skylar shouts in an aggrieving way from across the course.
He wants to make sure they race along the same route. If they do and Skylar emerges as the winner, he can brag about it soon enough. However, now that Avira doesn't do it his way, Skylar believes she's cheating. Avira, being completely focused on the mirrored routing, startles from his sudden call. Intuitively, she looks up and focuses on Skylar. Avira thereby forgets to make a planned turn and before being able to act, she crashes into the rock pile straight ahead of her. As she hits the ground, and shrieks of panic as she grinds to a halt. A part of the pile she collided with now collapses onto her, as dust and dirt springs up from the area of impact.
Skylar startles from what he sees unfolding in front of him. He gasps. He wants to act but stands nailed to the floor. He never expected this to happen and knows not what to do. Fortunately, he's able to pick himself up and violently shakes his head as if waking himself up from the mesmerising fear within. He immediately hastens towards her. "Avira! Avira! Are… Are you okay?" he asks hastily with increasing concern to his voice.
Avira groans. She shakes her head slowly, both out of increasing discomfort and to get rid of the pebbles on it. She shakes her body also to free it from rocks and dust. This, however, is immediately followed by another shrill shriek. This time, it's one of pain. "Uh oh.' Skylar mumbles to himself as he looks at her left wing with widened eyes and comments, 'Your wing, it looks weird and has some blue spots on it…"
"Ouch. It… It hurts." Avira says in a waning manner.
She keeps her eyes shut of pain. She stands up slowly. When standing on all fours, she tries stretching both wings. Only her right wing stretches completely. Her left wing winches when she tries to move it. Pain surges through it that makes her body flinch. "Can you – move? Or fly?" Skylar asks with fear in his voice now.
Avira opens her eyes and looks at Skylar. Her eyes turn wet from tears forming in them. It's because she's wretched, from both the impact and pain. Though most of the hurt is felt across her body, it feels as but pinches compared to the painful throbbing in her left wing, one of burning sensation.
"I can go and – and get the others… You know, Luna, Migs, Dulce… Sienté also! Whoever I can find. They must know what to do…' Skylar says with a clear trembling in his voice and adds mumbling in fear, 'As long as dad does not find out…"
Avira, however, doesn't like what she's hearing. All she wants is someone by her side now. Anyone. She needs comforting. With sadness in her eyes she gazes at Skylar: a silent plea not to leave her here all by herself. It's the first time she's experiencing something intense and obnoxious inside of her. It makes her anxious. The thought of being fragile, helpless, and in pain… Avira feels devastated. If only she could take away but one of these problems.
Suddenly, Avira comes to a realisation that she might be part of the solution, to her own salvation. Somehow, having participated in Skylar's game makes her feel certain. More than ever. *Attempting this course was a good choice. A good one… Even though this happened. I must take control… Control over this situation. I can do it!* she tells herself to gather both courage and strength.
Somehow, she must embrace this feeling and grow more secure. "No!' she suddenly exclaims while in pain but with great certainty to her voice, 'I… I can fix – this. But… You must – help me."
Skylar feels torn by choice. Either he stays here and helps Avira the way she wants to, or he leaves her for the time being and finds someone that can help her better. It takes him a brief moment of hesitation and weighing his options before he musters the faith required to make the call. "Sorry…" he murmurs with remorse echoing from his voice as he takes to the skies.
By now, Verago's done training the Royal Guard. With a graceful motion of his wings, he dismisses the Royal Guards from the throne room. He watches them leave quietly, yet keeps his eyes focused on one of them. "Veje! I need a word with you." he states solemnly.
Veje stops in his tracks. He sees everyone but him leave. Only when he and Verago remain in the throne room, does he turn around and slouch over to his king. Veje looks him in the eyes, his own filled with admiration but anxiety also, eager to know what his king has to say or ask of him. Verago's glare is a huffy one. As Veje approaches him, Verago thinks: *He seems genuinely fond of me. I am glad. Yet, I must be firm with him and heed the rules.*
He now glares at Veje intensely. A sense of indignancy toward the rose taupe Jaquin fills him. Somehow, he feels deceived by Veje which he displays through eyes showing irritation. "So, you thought you could escape my clutches?' Verago states in an austere manner and goes standing tall to display dominance as his tail twitches lightly, 'I understand the will to avoid my dominion but it is always to no avail. Heed my words, Veje, for I always find a way. After all, I am the king and I am expected to be resourceful. You must not take this delicate matter lightly, for I too can grow impatient. You must know that things have recently come to my attention. Things that involve your actions of late. You might not realise but this has set you in bad daylight, both toward the Royal Guard and me. Also, there are opinions being voiced, which have grown louder to such an extent I can no longer ignore them. All of these combined leaves me with little choice.' Verago says solemnly before clearing his throat and continues in a stating manner, 'Veje! By my will, your king and friend, I hereby release you from your duty as a member of the Royal Guard. You will no longer enjoy the privileges and heed the obligations of this position. From this day forth, you shall be a clan member and abide by all duties that befit this role."
Veje falls silent. He looks at his king. Stern-looking eyes look back into his, telling him those words are sincere. Taken aback by Verago's decision, Veje can but ponder over this consequence. It makes him think back on his actions leading to this moment, which in his mind has become the inevitable now. "I had this coming, did I not?' the rose taupe Jaquin murmurs softly and lowers his head in disgrace before continuing at a normal tone of voice, 'So, you… Do you heed their call for removing me from the Royal Guard?"
"Who is 'they'?"
"The other guards."
"Hmpf. I could not care less. Veje, as you well know, each of the Royal Guard has to do whatever I tell them to. They are obliged in following any of my commands, whatever that might be. This places great responsibility on me as their commander and king. I want to see my plans work as intended without any of them causing disruption. But, everyone must remain safe at all times. This means I cannot, and will not, always listen to whatever a single Royal Guard wants. Each of them knew what to expect when I assigned them to this position. As do you."
"But… What about my services to you, and… and to – to her?"
"This decision is unrelated to that. Know that I will always be thankful for what you have done. You will carry that pride with you for the rest of your lifetime, and I will humbly remember it during mine. This will never change."
"Gracias…' Veje mumbles only to realise Verago probably hasn't heard it and repeats himself in a normal tone of voice, 'Thanks… I know you do not like to talk about this… But, is it – because she is no more?"
Verago snorts briefly. His gaze radiates an aloof intent. This response of his is always hard to figure out what he means by this otherwise clear expression of annoyance. Apart from the stern look, Verago always seems difficult to pinpoint before he speaks. "No.' Verago replies with tranquillity and calm as he steps down from his throne and goes to stand beside Veje, 'Truth be told, I had not considered this for a moment. You truly aided Myra when the situation, in which she found herself, became dire. Without your intervention that day, she would have left us much sooner. You must know she was always thankful for it. She often reminded me that I should be too, that I was to reward you greatly. Being stripped from the position of a Royal Guard only is due to your actions of late, Veje."
Veje raises his head again after taking in these words. They sound harsh at first as if Verago is definitely is appalled with him and now bears a grudge against him. But as he speaks, they become more cordial. Especially on how Verago speaks of Myra makes Veje feel more at ease, knowing that his action during that fateful day remains close at heart. Despite this all, Veje cannot help but feel sad as he looks back into his king's eyes. He's telling himself he deserved this dire consequence by his own wrong-doing, which he without a doubt has even if being spurred on it. Saddened yet calmly and with curious intent, Veje asks: "So, now what? You no longer have need of me? What should… What must I do now?"
"Of course you are needed. You are a Jaquin, Veje. Thus you will always be needed by the clan, much as you depend on the clan yourself. All of us serve it in our own and unique way, one way or the other. The Royal Guard will not suffer from the leave of one member. I will, as always, see to this personally. Let me tell you something to show you just how important they are. On the day we had our battle with Kizin, I was not yet king. I was a general along with Zephyr and Thunder, led by our previous king. Hrm, may his soul rest still… The Royal Guard stood by his side and later by mine, sworn to protect their king from whatever calamity would threaten this realm, no matter how dire it would turn out to become. Even during the reign of Shuriki over Avalor, most of the Royal Guard remained here, loyal in protecting Vallestrella and the clan to the very end.' Verago comments and prods Veje on the shoulder before releasing a brief chuckle, 'Admit it, Veje, you never acted like a true guard. Always taking things easy and tranquil like you are known to do. Unlike the other guards, who are sturdy in build and thus better suited for their role, you outdid them by enjoying the best of both worlds."
"Yeah. Perhaps I did…' Veje starts in a laid-back manner and with slight hesitation tries to effectuate a deal, 'So, this change being grand for me… It means no quota for me today, right?"
"Ah, is that so?" Verago replies calmly while speaking these words in an austere tone of voice.
To Veje, these infamous words make him get the impression his inquiry won't stand. He quickly tries to think of a way to add more persuasion to his inquiry. However, Verago already continues speaking and with a serious tone of voice: "You are no longer in a position that exempts you from that quota, Veje. Starting from this day forth, you will be subjected to meeting the everyday quota once again. However, I will make it easy for you this time. I will send you southeast from here into Nautica to fetch food."
"Why do you send me into the Nautica region, king Verago? If I am right, no one is foraging near Desolate Peaks. Not that I wish to go there! It just occurred to me, that is all."
Verago looks coldly as if silently condemning the rose taupe Jaquin for asking. Yet, his voice sounds calm and solemn: "Hmm… If you must know. It is because I have a premonition, a feeling I do not like. Something is brewing there. For that sole reason, I do not send any of my subjects there, for I might unknowingly put them to risk of getting hurt. I cannot have that. Lucky for us Jaquins, there are enough feeding grounds around the Palace. Berries, roots, fruits, and meat; all are readily available to us. No harm will come to the clan if I decide to leave one region be. Now, off you go! You know I dislike quotas not being met, especially now that this is your first quota in a long time."
"The area southeast of here… It is the most benign area outside of the Palace Perimeter, right? But – what food shall I obtain?"
"I already ordered Nico and Shaniqua to go there and hunt for small prey. You will search for berries and roots. Use the thermals generated over the many pools and lakes across Nautica to easily glide through the region in search of them."
Veje nods. He doesn't feel sad about this degrading development. It might not be what he was after but with such a reprimand from his king, the outcome concerning both his newly acquired role and quota is not a bad deal at all…
Back at the open woodland, a few Jaquins have accompanied Skylar back to Avira. He was able to find a few, all of whom are close to him personally. He's glad since he definitely wants to avoid his father from finding out about this incident. "¿Qué pasó?" Dióntan asks in surprise when laying eyes upon a wounded Avira.
Luna gives him a questioning look. She frowns and starts glaring at the azure blue Jaquin. "What happened?' she asks in disbelief and turns her gaze at the Jaquin in distress, 'Avira got hurt, that is what happened! We need to take her home. It is not far. We can carry her if we must."
With a demanding gaze, she looks at Migs who in turn reacts hesitantly. "What – do you want me to do?' Migs asks obliviously but then it dawns on him, 'Oh, I get it. With "us" you mean that I must carry her… I guess I can help out with that. I mean, I already carried Veje back home a few days ag…"
"Good! Avira definitely weighs less and our home is nearby." Luna replies excitingly knowing it wasn't hard to trick him into taking on this task.
Dióntan steps in and says to Migs with sarcasm but without a clear expression on his face: "Aww, you are the brave workhorse."
Unintentionally, Dióntan strikes against everyone's feathers now that all but him seem occupied with finding a solution to properly look after Avira. She's distressed and in absolutely no condition to fly home by herself. His timing is simply awful and as a result, he receives indignant glares. Taken aback by this outcome, he feels reluctant to speak up any longer. Not knowing how to cope with this, he turns to Skylar who hasn't glared at him. He sees the blue-and-yellow Jaquin bearing a shameful look upon his face. "So, how did this happen? I mean, you were there when my brother got hurt. Now the same happened with Avira. You are a cat that brings bad l…" Dióntan starts salty but gets interrupted.
"Huh… What is that?" Luna suddenly speaks up loudly amidst Dióntan's unjustified accusation.
All except for Avira look up toward where Luna's looking at, peering into the distant orange sky. They see something in the air. Something which is approaching them. Its dark colour stands against the orange sky, making it look discolouring and, above all, ominous…