Siltaria landed outside the Lair and called out, "Hello? I'm back and safe! Anyone here?"
WIndSong popped her head out, "Siltie!" She ran over to her Lair Leader and hugged her well, followed by every young dragon in the clan. Siltie could hardly breath she was being squeezed so tightly.
Finally they gave her a chance to speak among the squeals and shouts. "Where is everyone? What's happening?"
"War." WindSong spit the word out angrily. "The idiots have gone to war and no amount of the truth will stop them it seems. There are just a few of us here to feed and care for the young ones. You were kidnapped and the entire Wind lands mobilized...it was awesome to behold! Windsinger was potted as well! But how did you get free?"
"I was being held by Arcane, but some friends helped free me, helped me escape and get home. Oh WindSong, I never wanted war...all this because we helped a poor Arcane in trouble! What is wrong with the world!" With that everything caught up to her and Siltie collapsed on the ground in tears. WindSong organized the others and had them all go back into the Lair so she and Siltie could have some privacy.
"Oh Siltie, you know some folks just need a battle every now and then. It is their nature. Everyone will come home okay, you'll see."
"It's all my fault, WIndSong, I should never have helped that adle-brained Arcane whelp of a Guardian!" Siltaria yelled.
"NO, not your fault, and don;t you ever say that you would not help a dragon, any dragon that needed yours and our help. That is OUR nature, to help and heal. We will need you soon, when the others return, no matter what the outcome." WindSong helped Siltie into the Lair and they sat by the fire sipping tea and having snacks while they waited. The Lair was quiet with the whispers of the young ones.
"ummmmmHello?" They heard from the Lair entrance. "ehem, Greetings to the Lair?"
Siltie and WindSong glanced at each other and went to the entrance together, to find The Great Crumpet staring sheepishly at his paws.
"Crumpet? What are you doing here?" Siltie asked him, inviting him inside. He came in and was given a nice chair by the fire. WindSong offered him tea and hovered behind Siltie, ready to help as needed.
"Siltaria, my Lady, I-" He choked up and wiped a tear from his eyes. "I am sorry. I tried again to tell them this was all a misunderstanding and they should stop this battle against the Wind folk, but they are filled with battle lust and just won't listen. I...I have come to ask that I be your servant, to serve and help you for my punishment. If that means I get locked up forever." Crumpet looked her in the eyes, "I am deeply sorry for what has happened. You deserved so much better. Wind deserved so much better from me, and I just don't know what to do anymore."
"My dear Great Crumpet, we are but two people in a sea of chaos. We both tried. But you shall not be a prisoner here. I will freely take you into our clan, no blame and no regrets."
Siltaria hugged the old Guardian and then Windsong and the others came forward to meet him, adding their own warm welcome.
Just then Crumpet glowed, with a soft green radiance that lit the Lair.
"Wha-what is this?!" Crumpet cried in fear.
"Crumpet! You are called to service!" Siltie was overcome with joy. "WIndsinger has called you to service, come out beneath the sky and we will complete the ritual! WindSong, get the pipes and the incense!"
"B b but, why?" Crumpet was confused.
WindSong spoke up, in a soft voice as she reached for the sacred incense. "You have come and apologized to us, but perhaps it is the Windsinger himself who has heard you. You offered yourself to the clan, but it is Windsinger who is accepting you. I think you will find your forgiveness and happiness serving him directly."
Siltaria formally bowed her head toward WindSong, the spiritual leader of their clan, her colors reflecting her utter devotion to Windsinger.
Everyone left in the Lair came out to the stone circle, a fire was lit in the center pit. Everyone began to sing to the pipes played by WindSong, and the Great Crumpet was directed to add the incense to the fire, spraying a cloud of sparks and colorful smoke into the air that rose straight up. Crumpet glowed brighter, looking up into the sky as the smoke rose higher, swirling and billowing and rising into the clouds.
Siltaria watched him rise into the smoke, glowing brightly as he spread his wings and soared up into the clouds...but the clan stayed and finished their song, watching the skies though they could no longer see the Guardian.
When the song finished, WindSong stepped to the fire and turned, facing all of the clan that could be there. "We are the children of Windsinger. We follow the winds and they nurture our bodies, our hearts, and our souls. When the Wind calls, we must fly. Fly Great Crumpet, fly high and proud!"
The rest of the circle repeated her last words, and then they all went back to their duties in the lair. Leaving WindSong and Siltaria to watch as the fire burned down to embers and ash. the sun set, the world around them grew dark.
But out over the Bay, the skies were bright with flashes and glows. The two finally went inside, praying to Windsinger that their folk would return home safe ans the battle would end.
