SHORT STORY: FESTIVAL OF FOUR WINDS
Rush the traveling Tundra dragon! Belongs to Nerscyra
Rush's wandering had led him once again to the breezy plains of the Windswept Plateau, the cool caress of the gusting wind on his fur refreshing and uplifting. Following the coastal cliffs of the western border of the Plateau, he eventually spotted a large city to the north and allowed the wind to lift and carry him towards its silhouette.
A large city it was, settled upon the tall seaside cliff of the lower Reedcleft Ascent. Large structures and buildings had been built on the solid ground of the mainland. Small houses and structures settled atop spires of rock which towered above the ocean and fisheries were accessible by precariously hanging wooden bridges. On the largest outcrop of the mainland cliff was what seemed to be the main attraction of the city. A huge multi-story spiraling structure floated above the stone plaza, held aloft by balloons and kites tied to its top, upon which was also sat a decorative rendition of a Spiral's head.
Rush alofted upon one of the sturdy air balloon docks jutting out from the cliff and eagerly, well,
rushed into the city! He was tired from the long flight from the other side of Sornieth, but couldn't help his excitement, wanting to explore the sights of this Wind clan. All kinds of colorful dragons were traveling via flight and air balloons. Decorative strings of paper lanterns, flags, and kites were waving in the crisp breeze, which carried the scent of the sea. Flyers were being pinned to bulletin boards, and extra market stalls were being set up wherever there was free space. It almost seemed as though the city was preparing for something... though, with the inbound traffic of luggage-carrying dragons, and the sun lowering in the sky, Rush realized he should find a room at an inn before there were none left to rent.
Coming upon the large stone plaza in the middle of the city which housed that large spiral, Rush had to crane his head back to gape in awe at the height of it. It was colossal up close - and cluttered with market stalls and dragons. The most impressive feature of this spiral, however, was the powerful column of upward gusting air seemingly emerging... from the ground? Stepping closer, Rush was amazed to see an Aergate embedded into the plaza below, right in the middle of the structure. Dragons occasionally stepped into its slipstream to be carried up to the top of the market and even higher to glide elsewhere in the city.
As he inspected the Aergate, a loud melody of chimes rung behind him, and an
iridescent Nocturne announced to the buzzing crowd that the Festival of Four Winds was set to begin at dawn the next day. Now, Rush knew he simply had to stay for such an occasion! Squeezing his way through the thinning crowd toward a decorative hanging wooden sign with "the Nightingale Tavern" on it, the weary Tundra made quick work of renting one of the few remaining rooms from the
charismatic innkeeper. The two somehow managed to keep a conversation going in the crowded room, all the while Rush horked down a hearty meal and a delicious blackberry wine and enjoyed
the bard's music. Rush learned that this city was called Cloudy Coast, and the Festival of Four Winds was an annual event celebrating that attracted tourists, racers, and tradesdragons alike. He collapsed into bed excited for the coming days.
Rush was awoken from his restful sleep by dragons bustling about right at the crack of dawn. The sun's rays had hardly peeked over the horizon when soft bells began chiming throughout the city, welcoming the new day and heralding the beginning of one of the most fun festivals of Rush's travels. All the stalls he had seen being set up the evening before were packed full of goodies: pickled and fried bamboo and veggie kabobs, small paper kites, colorful leis, handknitted scarves, fireworks and sparklers, pieces of jewelry, paper mache effigies of the Windsinger, honeyed apple cider, and more from dragons who had come from all over to take advantage of the festival. As Rush browsed the stalls and shops in the large spiral structure - called the Merchant's Spiral, he had learned - he came across a stall run by a
rainbow-accented Pearlcatcher who was offering painted portraits, and decided to commission them. It was rather difficult for him to sit so still!
As he thanked the artist for a job well done and agreed on a time for pickup, he heard a trumpeting horn and looked down upon the coastline to see a crowd gathering at the edge of the cliff. He had to see what that was about! He trotted to the edge of the platform before jumping into the Aergate's column of air. It filled his wings and carried him into the sky, where he safely glided down toward the happenings. As he approached, he saw a line of dragons donning flight gear and goggles were readying near a starting line... a race was about to begin! Banners waved from tall game stands, each with different colors and symbols. Tiny handheld flags with the same designs were available for sale, all representing a different popular racer. Hearing registration call out for last-minute sign-ups, Rush hurried to the stall to have his name put down. Though it seemed the first race was official racers only, anybody could sign up to fly in the volley of upcoming races for fun and prizes.
Rush grabbed some popcorn from a vendor and quickly grabbed a seat in the packed stands. The calm before the storm settled over the crowd, waiting for bated breath for the sound of the horn... and the dragons shot off of the cliff at the buzzer, dipping into the air between the mainland and the ocean spires with a flurry! They were
fast, especially one
green Wildclaw that had the crowd roaring and waving their tiny flags in support. She daringly corkscrewed between spires and hoops, grabbing extra points for tricks and relay flags. A vivid
red and teal Nocturne and
pastel Skydancer were both close behind, and a
green and pink Snapper was... well, trying his hardest to even stay aloft in the back of the group. But it seemed even this racer had fans!
It was (mostly) anyone's game, the Wildclaw, Skydancer and Nocturne all neck-and-neck coming up on the finish line... and the crowd
erupted with raucous applause - Rush joined in, not even catching the announcement of who won because the noise was so tremendous!
But he was having the time of his life, and when the time came for him to join a race, he could hardly keep his heart in his chest as he perched on the starting line. The ocean was far, far below him, his claws gripping the cliff's edge, the empty windy air both inviting and intimidating. It made the breath catch in his throat, and suddenly the horn sounded, and he lept with a thrill jumping down his spine. His competitors were fast, but he was fast too, and he spun through the loops and spires with excitement and a budding determination to
win as he realized he was doing rather well. It felt like the whole race was only moments long. Rush pulled ahead of second place and zipped over the finish line and the crowd cheered. His celebration left him reeling and breathless, laughing as things calmed down and he stumbled away from the racecourse with a small cash prize and a goodie bag with treats and toys.
In the following days, Rush explored much of Cloudy Coast. He tried its famous honey apple cider, visited the aviary's menagerie of messenger birds, played games on the game field, took air balloon tours, and even dueled opponents in the training grounds. The inland areas of Cloudy Coast were rather calm compared to the coastline, with quiet parks and peaceful gardens tended by groundskeepers. He even met a
modest older Tundra on one of his wanderings near the farms, caring for the beehives. The two struck up an interesting yet short conversation before the old dragon bid him a good day and walked off to have his afternoon tea. It was only later that Rush learned from the tavernkeeper that this was the clan's founder, and by then the kind stranger had retreated to his quiet hut for the remainder of the festival. Rush decided not to bother him and instead enjoy the festival as it waned into its final hours.
As sundown approached, a hulking shadow crawled across the sky. It was the Cloudsong, floating steadily over the northern coast on its wayward path - Rush was pleased to see it but wasn't quite prepared for it to come closer, and closer, and even closer... Until it was flying almost directly above the city! The Aergate's magic responded to its presence, the wind pouring from its runic stone circle growing stronger. As sun touched ocean, paper lanterns of all colors were lit and set into the slipstream, floating high above until the sky was full of them like rainbow stars. Dragons too, joined them, from above and below, and Rush as well. Together, dragons of Wind celebrated the sky and flight in a dance lit by the glow of a promised tomorrow. The Cloudsong and its strangers eventually drifted away and the twinkling starlight lit the quieting city below, dragons packing belongings and dismantling shops. Rush made sure to revisit the Pearlcatcher to pick up his portrait scroll, tucking it into his pack. It made for a wonderful memento for his amazing time here!
One more restful night in the now near-empty tavern, and Rush was on his way in the morn, ready to see newer sights. But one day, he might just revisit this one place, if given the opportunity.
