Their breath formed visible clouds of white fog. They tugged their scarf higher. A whisper of a spell and they'd be warm, but well, it was part of the charm. Beneath their hands, their muscles worked hard, warm, against the tug of air. They could feel the power, the ache along their left side, the air current. With another great wing beat they reached the proper height. Their wings stretched to full-size and they glid through the night. At the edge of horizon green light waved them goodbye, the air tickled their cheek, as if to leave a last greeting.
They pressed flat against the back, their hands trailed over the scales and felt the heat. In the faint moonlight they were a midnight lake full of starshine, their wings a comet of light and void. Nuanen Evarína.
Ivren untangled their minds. His long fingers rubbed over the seam of scar-tissue. Long flights exhausted them and they hadn't hunted at all."Sibling-friend should not worry", grumbled the deep voice of Nainar. Ivren patted the scales and basked in the wave of affection.
They had flown towards the south-east for days, if not weeks, following the memory path of Steorra. Nainar pulled his wings against his body and dived. Ivren closed their eyes. The deep blue surface shot towards them. Salt water splattered high against their cheek and foamed around the huge dragon, the waves tugging and tearing at them as they complained about the sudden intrusion.
Dozen of drops dripped of their scales. The huge head shook once and dried with a wave of heat.
Was this the right place? Ivren righted himself in the eyes, all three of them, glid over the landscape. Mountains, forest, mountains. This particular rise and fall, that dip in the mountain range. Yes. This was it. Steorra's memory. Nainar rumbled in agreement. Aurora would love to see it. Ivren unlocked the straps holding him and his gear to the saddle. He slid out of it and right into the sea.
Ivren stood on wet sand, his clothing dried with a spell and strapped his cloak on. It appeared to be an ordinary traveler's cloak. It was not. Enchantment after enchantment layered inside the fabric, the perfect protection. Most important though was the heavy stone in the saddle bag. A stone blacker than Nainar's scales, void-black and a inner light, a golden core like a dying sun, yet not a stone at all. An Eldunarí. He held the stone in his hands and reached towards the mind connected to it. A voice like thunder and yet silk-smooth greeted him. "Hatchling."
"We have arrived without issues." Nainar and Ivren each shared the sight of the coast with him. "I will inform myself on the Order."
"Good. Take me with you, hatchling."
"What – Alright. Just let me -" Ivren weaved a spell around the Eldunarí, drawing from Eous power to hide him from outsiders. He sensed a silent conversation between Eous and Nainar.
Nainar folded into the night, only his false stars betrayed his form against the dark sky. His snout nudged him with all the care of a being so much greater and stronger than any one else. Hot breath waved over him. Ivren stroke the scaled cheek.
"I have to go, iet stjarna. I wish to see and listen, to hear the truth of this land. It has been centuries. Let me have it."
Nainar was unhappy. A loud rumble grew in his chest. "I'll let you go, this time. Veiða, iet vinr."
"Eka wilae kausta aptr." promised Ivren.
With another splash Nainar dived alongside the coast. Ivren felt hunger crescend and then, the connection grew faint. He chuckled. The Eldunarí went into his bag, tightly secured with spells and straps. The landscape was beautiful in the morning light. Ivren stopped at a small creak. Dragonflies danced around him, a blackbird bathed with great enthusaium and a young doe looked at him with big eyes.
"Eka weohnata néiat haina ono." The doe let him approach and pet her soft fur. Ivren smiled. Parchment and coal were a must have for him. He sketched the doe, then offered the sparrow a few crumbs and stroked the feathers. Truly, it was gift of life. Ivren closed his eyes and basked in the sunlight.
This was his reason to fight.