Feldspar could see Aranwen at the far end of the dim cavern, sorting through a treasure chest that was bigger than their entire den. There was no doubt in Feldspar's mind that the contents of the chest were equally as massive, and made a note to watch where they were going.
Most of the larger dragons in the clan were used to living around smaller breeds, and for as long as Feldspar had been alive, they had never seen an accident occur where a Guardian or Imperial accidentally squashed one of their clanmates. But they had heard about it happening before, when Renyor had first founded the clan.
Most of the larger dragons were always aware of the way their body was positioned, and had trained themselves to be equally aware of where their smaller clanmates were, and always watched where they stepped or spread their wings.
But Aranwen was not one of those dragons.
The only thing she was ever hyper-aware of was her Charge-a frightening Serthis woman that Feldspar had made sure never to be left alone with-and the treasure she hoarded.
Stepping fully out of the smaller, fae-sized tunnel and into the larger cavern, Feldspar hesitated a moment, judging their options, before lifting their wings and taking to the air.
They wanted to talk to Aranwen, but they also wanted to avoid Veys, if it was even possible.
They couldn't see the Serthis woman, but that didn't mean she wasn't in the cavern somewhere.
Feldspar wasn't the best flier. The air felt alien and strange under their wings, no matter how many times they practiced. If only Aranwen has been born in the clan, and not the Viridian Labyrinth. Swimming was so much easier.
But ungraceful flier or not, Feldspar managed to get across the massive cavern in record time, their hearts starting to pound harder with nervous excitement the closer they got to the Guardian, and the resulting adrenaline lending their wings more speed than usual.
They made sure to slow to a glide once they got within a few dozen feet, eyes carefully locked onto the idle twitching of Aranwen's tail as she dug through her chest of treasures.
One careless flick, and they would be swatted out of the air like a fly.
Frills quivering with nerves, Feldspar gathered their courage and then jerked their wings in a sudden movement that sent their entire body tumbling haphazardly through the air towards the Guardian's face, calling out as loudly as they could muster, "Aranwen!"
Sudden movement and noise were the best ways to get the attention of a larger dragon, and Feldspar could only hope that it would be enough to drag Aranwen's attention away from her hoard.
Fortunately, it was, and Aranwen jerked as though she'd been stung, her massive head swinging up so that her face blocked out everything Feldspar could see. Those Nature-green eyes stared at them as though Aranwen weren't quite sure what she was looking at. After a moment though, she blinked, and shook her head a bit as though to clear cobwebs from her mind.
When she spoke, Feldspar could feel the sound vibrating through every single one of their bones. They could feel every syllable shake the air around them. They could feel every word shake them, literally, to their core. They had been expecting this. They were used to this. Larger dragons always sounded 'shaking' when you were in the air instead of the water.
Aranwen spoke, and Feldspar was ready for the shaking in their bones.
"What do you want?"
They fought to remain airborne, the sound vibrations wreaking havoc on their untrained wings. Somehow, they managed to keep themselves aloft, and dared to move closer, drifting to the side so that they were positioned near one of Aranwen's large green eyes. She would be able to see them better this way, and the sound waves wouldn't affect Feldspar as much.
Feldspar drew in a deep breath before calling out, "I wanted to talk to you!"
Aranwen blinked again, and Feldspar watched the translucent eyelid sweep over the dark green iris.
"I'm listening."
Even out of the direct line of the sound waves, it was still difficult for Feldspar to maintain their flight from this close.
But they persevered, not wanting to be too forward and ask if they could perch on Aranwen's horns. They were here to prove themselves, after all.
"I found something while I was out in the Coliseum. I thought you might like it. To add to your collection." They waved their tail towards the treasured chest far below.
Aranwen tilted her head to the side, the single eye facing Feldspar lighting up in excitement as her mouth cracked open in a smile. "Really? What is it?"
Feldspar had to resist the urge to grin, their heart pounding again, but this time with pride. "A Shadow Runestone." They said, trying to contain their excitement. They had to remain calm and cool if they were going to impress a seasoned treasure-hunter like Aranwen. "I found it in the Ghostlight Ruins, and Lanata and Manrhi took turns carrying it back for me." They wiggled their frills, unable to completely contain their excitement despite their best attempts to maintain composure. "It's Guardian sized, and there were otherworldly auras all over it." They didn't need to explain exactly why that detail was important. Any dragon who knew anything about Runestones knew that the oldest and most powerful ones attracted ghosts like flames attracted moths. The older ones also tended to be much larger than ones made today. The size of the Runestone reflected the amount of magic that had been used in its creation, and it was an unfortunate but basic fact of life that many things had been lost to the sands of time, including the art of imbuing Runestones with more than a small amount of magic.
Ancient Runestones could be used for many, wildly varying purposes, depending on where it originated, the Deity it was imprinted for, and the Elemental alignment of the dragon trying to use it.
They could be used from anything from simple heating or cooling systems, to forges and healing sites.
And Shadow Runestones were some of the rarest of all. And rarity and worth went hand in hand.
And if there was one thing Feldspar knew Aranwen loved, it was treasure.
The Runestone technically belonged to Feldspar, so a portion of any treasure the clan gained from its use would go to them. Other clans-especially Shadow clans-would pay a small fortune just to come and see it. Not that Renyor would allow anyone to charge anything too exorbitant. Even if they listed its viewing for the lowest price on the market, they would be rolling in treasure in no time at all.
And almost half of that treasure would go to Feldspar.
But they had no need for treasure. They weren't fond of apparel or skins, and Cho'hara was the only familiar they could ever see themselves bonding with. The clan kept a massive stock of food, so they were never hungry, and they were more than capable of hunting for themselves should the need ever arise.
No, there was only one thing Feldspar wanted that they didn't already have.
Aranwen's eye had gotten so wide that Feldspar could see their reflection in it, and the Guardian was almost vibrating with excitement. And Feldspar hadn't even told her everything yet.
"Aranwen," They said, "I know that I am much younger than you, and I know that you and Lahilo have already shared a nest. I know that you aren't used to being around smaller dragons, but I...I really like you, Aranwen. And I just wanted you to know that. So that's why I've decided that my share of the treasure from the Runestone should go to you."
It took a moment for their words to register, and then Aranwen's head reared back, so that she was once more facing Feldspar head-on, both of her eyes as wide as the moons, her mouth hanging open wide. "You-you what?"
This time, the sound was only strong enough that Feldspar had to focus to feel it shaking their bones. Aranwen's voice had come out as a shocked, almost-whisper.
Feldspar nodded vigorously, completely assured. "Yes. All of the treasure that I earn from the Runestone will go to you, and your Charge."
"But-" Aranwen shook her head from side to side violently, and the sudden change in the air current almost knocked Feldspar to the ground before they managed to right themselves. Aranwen didn't even seem to notice the little mishap. "You can't just-give me all your treasure! I can't take it from you, that's just not right! You need it more than I do and-"
Feldspar let out a small contuse, aimed to fly right past Aranwen's nose to interrupt her. "I can give you my treasure, and you can accept it." They said firmly, "I won't need it, because I'm...Well, I'm leaving the clan."
Aranwen was shocked into silence, and her mouth snapped shut with an audible click. A moment passed, and she seemed to hunch in on herself.
"You-you're leaving? But I thought-" She cut herself off, and then she paled. "Wait. Wait, you said you-you said you liked me. You're-" A note of shame entered her voice. "You're leaving because of me, aren't you?"
Feldspar opened their mouth to respond, but a chilling laugh suddenly cut through the air, and Feldspar suddenly noticed the shadow high above on the ceiling, wound around the stalactites.
It was Veys. Feldspar automatically tensed, just barely able to make out the shape of her pale face hidden amongst the shadows on the ceiling.
Veys was an assassin of the highest rank, a Venomblade. And she was from a 'clan' of Serthis that originated in the Viridian Labyrinth. They were not like normal Serthis, which were usually around the size of a fae. These Serthis could grow to massive size, and there were stories about some of them that were bigger than Guardians.
As it was, Veys was only slightly smaller than Aranwen, and a mountain compared to Feldspar.
And she made no secret of her contempt for dragons. If it weren't for the treasure Aranwen hoarded for her, the Guardian would have died long before she'd ever had a chance to join Renyor's clan.
Feldspar had to resist the urge to hiss in anger, and really had to resist the urge to blast Veys with a bolt of magic.
But that wouldn't help their standing with Aranwen any. Most of the Guardians in the clan were relaxed and almost casual with their Charges. But Aranwen was not one of those Guardians. She worshipped the ground Veys walked on, and it was the reason she was still in debt to the Serthis. She would rather appease her with treasure than ever actually try to end the contract Veys had on her, and that was the main reason Feldspar had decided to leave.
They would go out, and they would travel the world, and maybe someday they would find their way to the Viridian Labyrinth. They would find the person who had set a bounty on Aranwen's head, and they would either find some way to negotiate for its removal, and if that didn't work they would beat the person into the ground until they changed their mind.
But that wasn't the only reason Feldspar was leaving. They were leaving because they were strong, they knew how to fight and hunt and train. They knew from Preston and his slowly-expanding courier system that a lot of the clans out in the world were struggling just to feed themselves.
And Feldspar could help them.
They were strong enough to fight on their own, and they were experienced enough to help other dragons learn. They could make a difference in the world, and they wanted to. They didn't need the treasure the Runestone would bring, because they had never had to want for anything in their life. But that wasn't true for every dragon out there.
Veys was still laughing, but it had devolved into quiet hissing now, and Feldspar took the opportunity to move closer to Aranwen. "Yes, Aranwen, I like you. But I am leaving because I feel I can make the world a better place out there more than I can down here. If I can help you settle your debt to Veys, I will, because you don't deserve to constantly be looking over your shoulder to make sure that," They jerked their tail towards the ceiling to indicate the still-sissing assassin "-thing isn't going to kill you. You deserve to be happy, and safe. And even though I'm not a Guardian like you are, the Tidelord commands my will just as much as he does yours. I have to leave, Aranwen. And I just wanted you to know before I left that I think you're one of the most beautiful dragons I will ever meet."
They had said everything they had come to say. Aranwen knew how Feldspar felt about her, and she knew that she wouldn't have to worry as much about hoarding treasure for her Charge.
They turned to leave, content with the way things were. They knew their purpose, they knew their path.
Aranwen let them go without another word, but that was to be expected.
She wasn't the most talkative dragon in the clan.
And Feldspar was at peace with their decision.