Loose Threads

by Fatespeaker

Darkstalker's story leaves us with a lot of questions. Who exactly was Queen Pearl, sister of Fathom? How much did the seer Allknowing really know? What happened to Thoughtful and Whiteout? Where did Clearsight's friend Listener go? These are the loose threads, the forgotten dragons. Let their voices be heard at last. (Collection of soliloquies from different perspectives.)

13. Vigilance

13. Vigilance

It hits me in the middle of my evening walk. A pang in my chest and a truth in my mind.

Goodness, I am old.

Enjoying that realization, I watch the rising moons and breathe the warm spring air.

It all comes back. The wins and the losses. The joy and the sorrow. The war, the peace, the anxiety in between. I close my eyes, reviewing it all, and wrap my wings around myself.

I feel the steady rhythm of my heart in my chest. Old and tired, it beats on. It gives me one more night to savor.

I have led a balanced life. The first half brought me happiness, the latter took my payment in sorrow. I remember my easy ascension to the throne. The parties! The music! The love! I was flying high back then. It was the years that followed my age of bliss that brought me back to humble earth.

There's an old saying about us NightWings: we often turn out to lack the very attributes we are named for. I wonder now, was I not vigilant enough? There are things I should have seen and tragedies I should have prevented. A cold breeze blows in from the north, and my frail wings shudder. I think about the IceWings, about Queen Diamond and her unfortunate son. I do have some regrets.

The feud between our tribes is far from over. I suspect that the Night Kingdom and Ice Kingdom will war with each other for centuries to come. Yes, I am aware of the blood that stains my talons. I made my fair share of mistakes, the results of which will unfairly echo through time.

But this chapter of history? I think it's safe to say that I am the victor. I will be remembered as the hero. I protected the NightWings, and lived to see them survive. Most importantly, I made them a home here.

I think about my tribe and feel proud. A hard-won smile breaks on my tired face. Ah, the satisfaction of knowing that I did my best.

Oh, how the wind cuts my scales! Every ache in my bones and twinge in my skin reminds me that I don't have long. Soon I will join the rest of the legendary NightWing queens in the collective memory of the kingdom. I will be gone.

And yet I feel no fear. Why should I be afraid, when I have lived a good life? Why should I go sadly, when I know my legacy will be a happy one?

I stroll slowly toward the incomplete fortress, knowing now that I will not live to see the end of its construction.

I shall call Allknowing to me. We shall drink the finest wine and stare at the stars and celebrate my passing with stories of dragons long forgotten.