A/N Happy birthday to those of you who have a birthday this month. It just so happens to be my birthday month. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 12

Nephilim

The streets of Urifale were full of dragons. Nephilim had wondered why it had been so busy but remembered it was always like this. Urifale was the capital of the Changewing kingdom. As she walked down one of the less packed streets her stomach gave a low grumble when she caught a scent of meat, roasting over a fire. She turned to look at the booth. A Stonewing was standing there, holding out a tray of small pieces of meat. A sign on the tray read 'free samples.'

Nephilim tilted her head and walked over. The Stonewing saw her and greeted her.

"Hello! Welcome to the Pit." He gestured to the booth he was at. "Want to try a sample?"

"Yes I would." She nodded.

He passed the tray over to her and she picked up one piece. She eyed it for a second before popping it in her mouth. Flavor erupted on her taste buds. Garlic, basil. Thyme and pepper. It was tasteful. She swallowed, enjoying the taste.

"How much for a serving?" she asked him.

His face lit up and he jumped to the booth. "Five copper."

She reached around to her satchel around her neck. Coins clinked against each other as she pulled out one silver and one copper. She placed them in the dragon's talon and took the meat wrapped in paper sheets.

"Thank you." she said softly.

"Thank you." he said smiling.

She walked away, putting the meat into another satchel around her shoulder. She watched as dragonets milled past, running towards a candy booth. The hard caramels, a delectable treat for the little ones, were shiny brown. She could also see some different colored caramels in the booth, listed at five silver.

She walked over to inspect the booth. A Shimmerwing was standing in the booth smiling at the dragonets as they decided what to get. Nephilim stood behind them, looking over the candies.

The smaller dragonet pointed at a small box of mixed candies. The older one nodded. "Can we get that one?"

"That would be four copper." The Shimmerwing looked at them.

The older one shuffled around in a satchel before pulling out four pieces of copper. The shop keep took the copper and handed them a small box of mixed candies. The small dragonet jumped up and down, excitement in its eyes. The two rushed away without a thought.

Nephilim stood there looking at the booth. "I'll take one as well." she said.

"Good to see you again." the shopkeep said, grabbing a small box.

"You as well." Nephilim handed the four pieces of copper out to her.

"Your mother misses you." The Shhimmerwing spoke quietly, so only Nephilim could hear her. "Your father too. I see them around with Matrix."

"How is he?"

"He's better. Still the happiest dragonet in the tribe. He misses his mother." The Shimmerwing looked at Nephilim.

"You know I can't come back, Story." She shook her head.

"You can't even say hello to your own dragonet? If you weren't going to see him, why did you come here?" Story asked her.

"I don't know." Nephilim sighed. "I guess I wanted to see him, but I can't. Not yet."

"He misses you." Story got out of her booth, putting a closed sign down on the counter. "When they visit all I hear is how much he misses you."

"He does?" Nephilim looked at Story.

"Yes." Story nodded. "I've talked with your parents. They say he doesn't have much time left. Maybe a year or two. You need to see him."

Nephilim looked away from Story, tears budding in her eyes.

Story rested a wing on Nephilims shoulder. "Think about it."

Nephilim nodded and watched as Story walked away towards her street. Nephilim sat there for a while, thinking. Finally, after about an hour, she got up and walked to the outer part of the city. There she had a small house. It was empty, as usual, as she never stayed in Urifale for long. It may have been her home but her job required her to move around a lot.

As she got to her front steps she stopped. A letter was left in the letter box near the door. She grabbed the rolled up scroll and looked around. No dragons in sight. At least as far as she could tell. She grabbed a key from around her neck and fitted it into the lock, turning and sliding into place as it clicked open.

She opened the door and looked inside. It was empty besides a large shelf filled with scrolls and odd little trinkets, a cushion on a corner for her to sleep on and a small table in another corner with three scrolls covered in dust layed out. She blew a small plume of fire onto a candle, lighting it. She did the same to the other three candles in each corner.

Giving a sigh Nephlim went to the table, sliding the old scrolls to the side. Dust blew up around her snout and she blew it away. She unrolled the new scroll and read it.

Dear Goliath,

An implayer of mine is working through me to have you find someone for them. Kind Alistar of the Silverwings wants you to find Princess Asha of the Silverwings. He wants her alive. Both of us will be paid accordingly.

Nova

Nephilim tapped a talon on the table. "Princess Asha?" She unrolled it more to find a picture of the Silverwing in question.

Nephilim looked out the window closest to her. The sun was just starting to set in the sky beyond the dormant volcano. Getting up she swept her wings about, blowing out the candles, and walked out of the house. She leapt into the air following the familiar sight and sounds. Her wings were light as she glided over the town. The house she was looking for was small and closer to the palace in the middle of the city.

Soon she saw it. Several lights were flickering inside as dragons walked past the candles. Nephilim landed a few houses away and walked there. Hder heart beat went still for a few seconds then fast as if she was being chased. She went up to the door, hearing laughter on the inside.

Nephilim brought a talon up to the door and lightly knocked. The noise stopped and she could hear talon steps walking towards her. She held her breath as the door opened.

A large Stonewing towered over her. His eyes tired and his face old. He blinked at her once. Then twice.

"Nephilim?" he asked quietly.

"Hello father." she replied.

He darted forwards, his wings wrapping around her like a snake wrapping around its prey. Only there was no pain. Tears streamed down Nephilims face as she hugged her father.

"Who is it, Sandstone?" A Changewing walked up to them.

Sandstone let go of Nephilim. "It's our daughter."

The Changewing dropped what she was holding and looked at Nephilim, unmoving. "Hello mother."

The Changewing took a step forward, holding her talon out as if she was a ghost. "You're here? Really here?"

"Yes mother." Nephilim pressed her mother talon with her own.

"Oh." her mother swallowed deeply. Tears swelled in the Changewings' eyes. She sniffed. "We've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Nephilim cried quietly.

The Changewing went into a slow hug, almost not sure if she should. Nephilim put her wings around her mother. Her father too joined the hug and the three of them stood there.

Nephilim didn't hear the little claw steps behind her parents. She didn't hear the little gasp as the dragonet saw her. She did hear his small soft voice. "Mama?'

Nephilims eyes shot open. There behind her parents was a small dragonet. He looked about 2 but she knew how old he was. Nephilim choked a cry. Matrix was standing there looking up at her with wide eyes. She let go of her parents and cupped his cheek in her talon.

"Hello, my baby boy." She kissed the top of his head lightly.