The next few weeks were such a vast improvement over the past month, it might as well have been day and night. Waking up that morning to the scent of lilacs and a blanket of stars over my head was as amazing and wonderful as knowing that the three most important 'nesses in my life still loved me. As the war continued to develop (and most of it being beyond my control), I dedicated my free time to my most important project - solidifying my new family.
I wasn't naïve. Just because Maggy and Batty and Nessy said that they were all cool with sharing me didn't mean that everything from the last month didn't happen. Yes, Greatness and Fruit Bat loved me, and they both loved Majestic, but the Princess and Queen had gone from passive dislike to cordial friendliness. So even as Maggy and I worked to ensure they got equal amounts of our time, we also worked finding ways to foster a bond between them without forcing it.
For starters, we had one of the Palace rooms reconfigured into a hatchery. Three nests were made, one still waiting to be filled. The roof was made retractable at Nessy's request, so that her children could hatch under the moons and stars as her ancestors did. When Radiant - Sparkling's apprentice and our newest assassin - returned from the Skywing mission, she was assigned to be our eggs' bodyguard. While we were out during the day working, she'd stay by the hatchery, patrolling the room and outer walls, making sure no unauthorized dragons got too close to the most important eggs in the Kingdom.
For another, Maggy and I continued to set up situations where they would both bond and spend time together, with or without us. More time out in the gardens, negotiations with the Nightwings, cataloguing of shipments to the Jade Mountains, and (on occasion) minding the eggs when it was Majestic's turn to watch over me. It's hard to say if there was any change between them, but everything was leaps and bounds better than they were before.
For another, I was also trying to take on a more active role in Stonemover's life. Admittedly, I never had much previous experience with dragonets, and with everything that happened last month, what in other circumstances should've been my most important relationship fell through the cracks. It's no wonder he was so quick to believe I turned against him.
In the three weeks since his release, he'd become a much more active and outgoing youth. He continued to learn and study as he had before, but now I'd been actively encouraging him to go out, make friends and ingratiate himself with the tribe. Stonemover would often ask me if there was something I wanted enchanted, but I turned him down. We had years to work upon enchantments and understanding magic, but there was only so much time a dragonet would be a dragonet.
Understandably, things got boring for him, especially since he was more-or-less forbidden from using his magic. So, I started playing a little game with him. We would come up with ideas for devices, and take turns over how to create them. One of us could describe an enchantment, while the other had to describe a scientific invention that could do the same thing (or close enough). For example, he enchanted a collection of earrings that he handed out to all the Royal Guards, which would allow them to secretly communicate with one another over great distances. It took me many days and nights of thought and brainstorming, but eventually I came up with the twin ideas of a device that emitted vibrations that could produce sounds, and of a receiver that could pick up certain energetic frequencies. I lost the bet at the time, but years from then, those ideas would become the basis for both modern-day speakers and radios.
He took part in other experiments too, trying out different minor, safe enchantments on mice and other small animals. None of them were lethal, and none of them (As far as I knew) were as bad as what happened to me, so as far I was concerned, there was nothing to worry about. After all, it wasn't any worse than what I used to do as a dragonet, and it was definitely less awful than what Burn and I used to do.
Still, it was a little surprising (and definitely amusing) when he asked to have a "formal audience" with me. I agreed, and invited him into my workshop, not expecting him to bring in several scrolls and a cage of mice with him. I looked over the papers, and found myself at a loss.
"What language is this?" I asked.
"Oh, sorry," He flushed, sitting nervously by my desk, "I thought that you could read it, too. It's Old Nightwing. It details an enchantment that can turn you into a Nightwing!"
"Oh?" I said, not disbelieving, but uncertain of what he was driving at. I knew animus magic could transform a dragon - as Nightshade had - but I didn't want to experience that myself. I liked being a Sandwing, thank you very much. Still, I was curious as to what his point was, so I listened.
"Yeah!" Stonemover continued, gesturing at some of the pictures within, "See, it's basically just turning one thing into another thing, and that's easy for me. Like, I've turned... things into stone, before." He shrank away briefly, remembering our fight. My foreleg itched - it did a lot, ever since that incident. I figured it was a psychosomatic thing, a reminder to think twice before I said or did anything I'd regret.
"Dragons are really similar," He continued, "So I should be able to turn you into another one no problem."
"Ooookay," I said, continuing to look over the papers, "And the rest of this is...?"
"Oh, that's for turning you into an animus!"
I stopped reading, and looked up. The dragonet smiled, knowing he had my full attention.
"You see," He explained, "I thought you wanted to be like me, since you wanted all those magic things. So I thought about like really, really hard. And it's a lot harder because, changing 'something that isn't' into 'something that is' is rather than changing one thing into a different type, like with dragons, but if I focused really, really, REALLY hard, I should be able to do it!"
I furrowed my brow, my mind racing with so many questions. Why was it harder to turn someone into an animus than petrify their body? If an Animus could be created, why weren't there more of them? What was the Animus power exactly, and how could it be given or activated in others? Could it be tested and quantified? I pondered them all as I reached the back of the scroll, and saw a diagram of a white dragon becoming an egg, then becoming a black dragon.
"Ooh-ooh, that's the hardest one!" He exclaimed, pointing at it, "You see, the reason I was thinking about making you a Nightwing is because we have all the cool powers! But we only get those powers if we're hatched under the moons, so we'd have to wait for a couple years, at least until two of the moons are full, so you could read minds AND see the future! But, really, we should wait until the Brightest Night, 'cause then you could become the most awesomest Nightwing Animus EVER! But that's forever from now."
Fifteen years to be precise, I mentally corrected, though I remember being at his age. Fifteen years might as well have been forever.
"So, anyways," He continued, "When all the moons get full again, I'd turn you into an egg, and then you'd have all the Nightwing Powers! Wouldn't that be cool?"
"Well, uh, this all seems very..." I started, trying to think of a way to let Stonemover down gently. The dragonet wasn't having any of it, though.
"I know, I know," He interrupted, "If you were an egg, you'd be a hatchling. But you see, I'm really really REALLY sure if I did it JUST right, I could make sure you keep all your memories, even if you were a hatchling a second time! I'm not super-duper sure it'd work, but, um, I'm pretty sure that it'd work."
I wasn't completely sold on his false confidence, but I didn't want to shut him down after he'd done all this work and research on this little project. It wasn't like his research wasn't without merit, after all. So I said to him, "Alright, thank you, Stonemover. I'll keep this scroll and look it over tonight. I need some time to think about what you've told me, and if we should follow up on it, alright?"
"Awww," The little Nightwing whined, "But I hardly ever get to do any magic anymore!"
"Yes, yes, I know," I sighed. But then an idea struck me, and I smiled. Leaning in, I whispered, "I heard Fruit Bat's offering a whole candied orange to whoever can pick the most figs in an hour."
"'A whole candied orange'?!" He exclaimed, suddenly hearing about his favorite treat. He didn't even bother trying to gather his presentation or clean up before he scampered off to join a little competition. Chuckling to myself, I looked over his transformation spells and age-reversing spells. Was this something I wanted? Did I really want such godly power? Was I willing to risk losing myself to be rehatched with the Nightwing Powers of the Mind?
My smile fell, and as I started collecting and rolling up the scrolls, I shook my head. The me of a year ago might've, but now? Now, with my own kingdom, my own harem and a father-to-be, I had everything I could want or need. I was happy, and I didn't need magic powers or different scales to get it...
As all-around fun and enjoyable as things were in the Rainforest, there were other affairs I had to take care of with the rest of Phyrria. It was only a matter of time before the Coalition discovered what we'd been up to, and we had to prepare to react accordingly.
First and foremost, I sent Sparkling back out to the Sand Kingdom, to keep an eye on the continuing developments of the war. He'd proved himself with the capture of Tanwen and his part in the Battle of the Skywing Palace, and had already developed a network of spies and informants in my homeland. With our intervention looking increasingly likely, we needed as much intel as possible, and I trusted no one more to do that job than him.
Along the way, he was to spread rumors in the Jade Mountains regarding Scarlet and Tanwen. Because of the Nightwing meddling, he was to say, the Queens were becoming angry and wrathful, and would come down to get them if Nightshade lost. Why did I want him to say this, when spreading fear and paranoia might be bad? Simply put, I had a feeling that I would need the extra manpower to clear out the Coalition and their underlings in the Sand and Sky Kingdoms. If they were afraid that they had nowhere else to flee, they'd be much more willing to fight against them. In addition to this, I had the Rainwing Army itself move to the western border near the Jade Mountains, just on our side of of the territory. With all the dragons now fearful of reprisals, my troops would then offer to teach and train any and all volunteers in how to fight and wield a crossbow. In time, they would then train them to form their own militias. While ostensibly they're meant for self-defense, their teachers would instruct them with an undertone of anti-Coalition, pro-Nightshade and pro-Me thoughts and sentiments.
As with Project Technocracy, this was my first step in long-term planning in geopolitics.
The next thing I did was call back Mastermind. Understandably, he was a little nervous when he came back to the Palace, and apologized profusely for his part in my "accident". I accepted his plea, and in turn showed him a copy of Project Technocracy. He agreed to take it home and read it, and a few days later, I received a letter from the Island, giving me his full support. He'd been relying on the generals for most of his decrees, but he was already thinking of forming a council with Farsight and Clearstrike - his wife and Battlewinner's personal assassin, respectively - to bring in some outside opinions. He believed that the Tribe might be loyal and supportive of him if they felt like they were being represented.
I sent out messengers to the Skywing and Sandwing Palaces, giving my Nightwing forces their next orders. For Morrowseer, Sparkling and the Royal Guard, I wanted them to ditch the Palace and head over to the Scorpion's Den to aid the Coven of the Night King. I was sure they were going to take their sweet time, after they looted the place for all its' treasure, but I wasn't going to stop them After all, would only infuriate Scarlet more, and keep her distracted and away from the Coalition. The Royal Guard would then make their way to the Hypaethral Detachment, do as much damage as possible to them, and relieve the Coven militia still stationed in the Scorpion's Den. With the Nightwing Army still routinely striking back and weakening the Coalition forces around the Palace, we'd have momentum back again. How much longer would Glacier and Moorhen keep to this war, once their biggest pusher was out, and their troops started dropping like flies?
Nightshade's success was going to be essential to our future. Like me, they came from humble beginnings, and had maneuvered their way through this conflict to become Queen (or King) of our kingdoms. We were threats to the established order. We were proof that you didn't have to be a dragoness or from a long line of murderers to run a nation. The Rainwings (and now Nightwings) were putting the entire world order in question, and that made us a threat to them.
With that in mind, the continent was on its way to becoming the setting of a cold war. The continent would either become divided 3-to-3 (with the neutral Seawings), or 4-to-2 if Tanwen took the throne. If we faltered or slowed now, we would be surrounded and outnumbered by regimes that wanted us gone. Thus, it was becoming high-time to rethink our neutrality and actively commit. Once we secured the Sand Kingdom, we could then focus on demonstrating the great successes of the Rainforest Kingdom. By displaying the superiority of our system, the hope was that future queens could then start implementing our methods in their own Courts. By doing so, perhaps Phyrria as a whole could avoid the whole mess of Sandwing Civil War from ever happening again. Never again would daughter have to kill mothers to take the throne. Never again would murderers find themselves on the throne. If we succeeded, the world would become a more peaceful and civilized place, as better Queens and Kings would lead dragonkind into a brighter future...
I'm sure a lot of the drakes and dragonesses reading this book have also read "Project Technocracy", either as required reading in History and Government classes or on your own time to better understand the current state of our glorious civilization. As such, I won't trouble or bore you with the intricacies of how Technocracy works now, but rather, how I originally saw it, and what it meant at the time.
While the Rainwings lagged behind the other tribes in wealth and importance, their time between Grandeur's retirement and my arrival was truly historic for Phyrria, for one simple reason: The voluntary and peaceful transition of power between non-related dragons. For several years, the title of Queen was bounced back and forth between a dozen different Rainwings, each of them volunteers, and each of them handing it over after a few weeks. No duels, no coups, no civil wars, just a polite and friendly handing off the crown. A very effective and efficient form of governance, compared to the bloody and archaic methods of the rest of the world.
This, I was convinced, was the way forward for dragonkind.
"Project Technocracy" was something I'd been working on ever since arriving in the Rainforest. Taken from aspects of the Rainwing's caretaker government, the inner workings of the Sandwing Palace, and my understanding and observations of the world until then, it was a blueprint and a manifesto for what I wanted in an ideal kingdom, and what the world may become should we succeed in the war.
First and foremost, the "Council of Queens" would become a permanent addition to the Court. I, as a relative newcomer, had greatly benefitted from having a wide assortment of experienced voices to advise me and help run the kingdom on a daily basis. Each of them was an expert in their respective field, and helped me become a better king. This Council (which in truth could have females and males) would help me run the day-to-day affairs of the Kingdom, and enact the agenda I set forth.
But they wouldn't be just a bunch of yes-dragons, far from it. Grandeur and I both knew that just because a prince or princess came from a prestigious line didn't mean they had all the talent of their forbearers. As much as I'd like my children to follow in my steps, there was no guarantee that they'd have my intelligence or prudence. As such, the Queens serve not only as advisors, but as prospective heirs. At any time, the King could add more Queens to the Council, but would first be vetted by the others, and only allowed to join with a majority vote.
I also wanted to make some changes to how the Tribe selected a future King or Queen. I didn't want any future successors being picked in a trial by combat or a glorified obstacle course - they had to be truly worthy of the power and responsibility placed upon them. As such, any future heir would either have had spent time in the military, served the Council in some capacity, or be actively part of it, so that they understand what the job requires. The Trials, insofar as they exist, are purely symbolic, meant to display the future King's talent, strength and intellect. If there turned out to be multiple candidates for the Throne (or if the current ruler is challenged), all Council members (barring those running or related to them) would vote for their preferred King or Queen, or accept/deny a challenge on their behalf.
No more random challenges, no more blood duels, no family members tearing each other apart. The Crown will no longer go to The Strongest, The Most Popular or even The Smartest, but to The Most Worthy. This was the future of the Rainforest, and Spirits Willing, the future of Phyrria, too.
Oh, but if only I knew the future I was unwittingly helping to create...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: there's something truly peaceful and wonderful about spending sun-time with your mates. It took a little while to get Greatness onboard with joining us (even after we had a special platform built for all four of us to lay on). It was tricky finding a way for all of us to lay and cuddle together on such a limited space, just as it was hard to work out our relationships with each other. But with a little TLC and some careful planning, it's the best way to spend an afternoon with your loved ones.
It'd been almost two weeks since Nessy finally laid. The whole thing was textbook perfect, no medical complications, everyone in perfect health. Maggy caught me as soon as she started showing signs, and we both arrived just as the second egg did. Batty was with her the whole time, comforting and offering emotional support. I don't know what was said or done before we came, but things changed between them. Whatever tension had remained between Nessy and Batty was finally blowing away, and as all four of spent the day reading her stories having musicians play, I knew that they were finally becoming friends.
After Nessy was released, Batty and Maggy invited her to partake in sun-time together, and just like that, she was one of the girls. Somehow, I had gotten everything I could've wanted, and everything was right with the world.
I remember it was the 20th or 21st, just after lunch, and all four of us were cuddling up together for sun-time - Batty and Nessy at my left and right, Maggy acting as our headrest. With the afternoon sun shining above our awning and the birds chirping in the distance, I said, "I've been thinking what to name our dragonets."
"Oh? Maggy asked, sitting up as she turned a curious blue, "Like what?" Batty turned a similar color (even as she kept her eyes closed), and Nessy raised her ears in interest.
My barbed tail brushed against hers'. "Well," I began, "With ours, I was thinking of Rio. It's an old Sandwing word for a river, especially those that come and go with the seasons. A few of them emerge during the spring, and they wind through the dry, empty desert to bring color and life on the way to the sea. I remember a song I heard as a child that compared rivers to dancers, and I just have this feeling that our hatchling will be a great dancer, too." I remembered Rio, the dragoness from my dream. If our dragonet came out like her, I'd be more than happy. Maggy must've agreed with my reasoning, as she turned yellow and smiled sleepily.
I turned to Nessy, my tail brushing against hers'. "I was thinking something more astronomical with ours," I continued, "The bigger one could be Solstice, and the other would be Equinox. One that takes more from one of us, and the other that's an even blend of both."
She cracked open an eye, sighing as she squeezed my chest a little tighter. "Those are great names," She murmured, "But they're not exactly Nightwing names. They're both a prediction for their future, and description of their personality. Battlewinner, Morrowseer, Clearsight, Mindreader-"
"So I should've thought up of some compound words?" I chuckled.
"Course not. Our eggs aren't entirely Nightwing. Besides, Solstice and Equinox are wonderful names. The Longest Day or Night, and Day and Night in perfect balance. They're great names for dragonets of the desert and the stars."
Finally, I turned to Batty, our tails intertwining. "I wanted to come up with something flowery for ours," I told her, "And I thought of flowers that grew in the desert. The Saguaro cactus is the largest in the desert. Tough, strong, they're survivors. But in the summer months they produce these beautiful white flowers that bloom at night and early morning, bringing a little more color to a boring, monotone landscape. So I though that maybe we could name one of them Saguaro if they're a boy, and Blossom if they're a girl. Unless they're both girls - then I'd go for Blossom and Sunflower."
"What if they're both boys?" Batty asked, her eyes lidded and sleepy.
I chuckled, kissing her forehead. "I hadn't thought that far," I admitted, "What're you thinking?"
"...How about Agave?" She suggested, lines of yellow crossing her body, "They're a flowering desert plant."
"You know they make alcohol out of that plant, right?" I pointed out.
She was about to retort, when we all heard wings flapping our way. We looked up, and saw Grandeur accompanied by several Rainwings and a few exhausted Nightwings. They all landed a few feet away, as Maggy reflexively lowered her wings over us as if we were indecent. We waited for them to speak, and Grandeur pushed one of the Nightwings forward with her wing.
"King Xerophilous," The messenger said, "My ladies, we caught her. We caught Queen Scarlet."
We all just stared at them for a long moment, before exclaiming in unison, "WHAAAT!?"
End of Part 2
Rolls for Xerophilous - Turn 11
DOMESTIC
Stonemover Response: 93 + 30 (RP) = 100
Decision (1-10 Leave): 58
Greatness wants in? 52 + 30 (RP) + 15 (Growing) = 97
Does "it" happen? (1-35): 7
Gravid? (1-50): 37
How many? 88 (Two)
Batty okay with it? 71 + 30 (RP) - 30 (Outsider) = 71
Apologies and Gifts: 78 + 30 (RP) = 100
Batty and Maggy: 68 + 30 (RP) = 98
Council Meeting: 56 + 30 (RP) = 86
Compromise with Grandeur: 66 + 30 (RP) = 96
FOREIGN
Radiant (recruitment): 91 + 30 (RP) = 100
Testing Forces: 96 + 30 (RP) = 100
Moving to the Border: 94 + 30 (RP) = 100
Spreading Rumors: 70 + 30 (RP) = 100
Sharing Technocracy: 91 + 30 (RP) = 100
A/N: For clarity's sake, the governmental system described in "Project Technocracy" is not actual Technocracy. What Xero proposed was more of a meritocratic elective monarchy, with a council of experts who advise him and enact his will (think the Secretaries of the US Executive Branch). I'm neither a politician nor political scientist, and this story isn't meant to be an endorsement or denunciation of the subject. However, the main point is that, from an in-universe and outside perspective, what Xero created is FAR better than what's used in Wings of Fire.
