Creative Corner

PENNAR! I missed him! I’m soooooo glad he’s back!

@rainphee

I missed him too! I'm so glad you are happy to see him back!

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/32#post_34793282]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Chapter 58: A Call to War[/u][/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=42077492] [img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=42077492&skin=0&apparel=22257,21843,1706,21850&xt=dressing.png[/img] [/url][/center] Daisy Mae sat in her underwater cavern at a round table, a crystal ball in the centre. Training of the prisoners had gone well. Taking over the system had been only too easy. Now she had a way to attack Quartz, the only question was when. Not only that, she had to find out where he was. That evening, however, she got contact. Daisy Mae was surprised to look up from her paperwork to see her crystal ball glowing a pearly white. That bognseak had actually done it, he had made contact with Quartz, and had wormed his way into his ranks. It was perfect. Now she could use the connection to track him down, and wherever he would be, Quartz would be nearby. Soon the image became clear in her crystal ball, a tower on the edge of the Windswept Plateau, overlooking the Sea of a Thousand Currents. Banners and lanterns hung from every window and ledge, filling the tower with a joyous light. This was the clan who sheltered Quartz, and they would pay dearly for it. "Guards!" She called, and the two guardians standing outside her door rushed in. "Are the prisoners ready to move?" "They can be in a few days, Mam." One of the guardians said gruffly. "Perfect." Daisy Mae said with a sly grin. Soon, she would be rid of Quartz, and her revenge would be set. "Get the prisoners and the beast ready. We are pulling out all the stops. Soon, this war will be over." ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/33#post_34847257]Next[/url][/center] ----- [center]@CleverDual @Alwaid @zzzhorses @Skyeset @ScrivenerRook @Kizzan @clarax @lilastar @tigressRising @Disillusionist @Aetherstorm @rainphee @RiaFire11[/center] ----- A bit of a shorter update today, but an important one. I don't have a lot of writing energy right now so I thought I'd keep it short and sweet and to the point.

@Petall XD I'll never stop enjoying the contrast between the ruthless Daisy Mae and her adorable nickname. It's the most amazing thing. <3

I'm curious, though, does her crystal ball transmit audio as well, or is it a video thing only? (Though if it'd be spoilery to answer, I understand. x3 )

@Disillusionist

I took her name from another guardian I had a year or so ago but never did much with to be completely honest. It was just such a great name I couldn't resist using it again with a proper character!

The crystal ball is video only. It had made an appearance before, if you want to go and check the end of Chapter 42.

@Petall I get what you mean. I've also had dragons leave my lair, but whose names I've tucked in the back of my mind in case I want to use them again in the future. Hasn't happened yet, but it's only a matter of time.

*flips back* Ahh, there it is! And Daisy Mae was the mysterious figure! Funnily enough, that...actually makes me feel better. I think I'm biased towards Guardians. x3

@Petall Oh dear. This isn’t very good. Windkeep Tower doesn’t seem like much of a fighting clan- I’m absolutely terrified as to how they’ll make it through this!

@rainphee

It will be a challenge, that's for sure

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/33#post_34810456]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Chapter 59: The Cloudsong Trail[/u][/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=42353367] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/423534/42353367_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] The group had decided taking the path of floating platforms that lead from Windkeep Tower to the Cloudsong was a bit too conspicuous. Though the platforms were spaced out and a decent flight was required between each, taking to the skies so close to the mansion was just asking for Rubywing to be spotted and her presence to be reported. Instead, they would travel on the ground for a while, detouring through the bamboo forest, until they reached a point where they could fly upwards to join another portion leading to the tail of the great colourful collection of kites, balloons and platforms that made the rumoured dwellingplace of the Windsinger and his exalted. Night was beginning to fall, it was been a few days since they had set out, and there was no sign of any platform. Rubywing was getting tired. She was not used to this much activity. Though she dared not complain. Despite what her father said about her being a princess, she could not bring herself to act as though she was above her traveling companions, especially considering she had recently discovered two of them to be her brothers. If they were fine to carry on, so would she be. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=41173788] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/411738/41173788_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "Ruby? Are you alright? You are looking a little tired." Rhowen whispered his question in her ear, drawing close beside her. "Rhowen, please stop trying to be my guard. You no longer need to carry out my father's orders. I can handle myself." Ruby hissed back quietly. "I did not say you could not. I simply don't want you to burn out." Rhowen reminded her. "And it is Tess, not Quartz, who I made the promise to escort you safely." "They already think I'm a freak." Ruby said, gesturing to her brothers, who were poring over a map trying to sort out their next move. The last rays of sun washed over them as the skies grew darker and the colours of the brilliant sunset began to fade. "They don't think that." Rhowen said. "They love you! You're their sister!" "They seem so much more at ease out here! I barely know how to behave around other dragons, let alone my brothers! Dad never taught me that! He never taught me how to do any of this!" Ruby said, growing more panicked. "And that is not your fault. You are doing great. You're getting along fine." Rhowen promised her. "I don't even know what a proper family is!" Ruby was growing louder. "My father is far from normal, my mother disappeared mysteriously and I have been told all my life she was basically evil, I was raised by a manticore, have had my father's employees watching me my entire life, my only friend I have met once and have corresponded only through our occasional letters since then. I'm not a normal dragon, Rhowen. All my life I've been told who I'm supposed to be, but I've never been taught how to be me!" "Ruby, no one's family is perfect. There is no template that must be followed, no test to determine what the perfect family is. That standard doesn't even exist! Many dragons have family groups that are not even related to by blood, but their family bond is forged by their shared experiences and lives." Rhowen reminded her. "And as for being you, you'll figure it out as you go." Suddenly, the two coatls were aware of the presence of other dragons. They looked up from their hushed conversation to see Runeclaw and Rammus next to them, Rammus holding a rolled up map in his talons. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=42353365] [img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=42353365&skin=0&apparel=283,424&xt=dressing.png[/img] [/url] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=42353366] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/423534/42353366_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] "There should be a guest house or inn somewhere around here." Rammus announced. "It marks the start of the Cloudsong Trail." "If we get a move on, we might be able to stay there for the night instead of in the bush." Runeclaw pointed out. "Plus, we could get a properly cooked meal, and maybe a guide to the Cloudsong." "I'm not sure that's a good idea." Rubywing said quietly. "What if word gets back to Quartz?" "Hey sis, you can't go your whole life not meeting new dragons! Relax! I bet thousands of dragons pass through here ever week, you're just going to blend into the crowd!" Runeclaw said with a grin. "Trust me, I've done so much shady stuff for my cousin and her partner, I know how to exist in a space without drawing attention. That's why Jules chose me for the job." "We're in this together. I wanted an adventure so if it takes us years to get there, who cares?" Rammus shrugged with a smile growing on his face. "Come on, we're family. We won't let you down." "But you barely know me. How do you know I'm not set out to betray you? I could be anyone." Runywing asked, heart thrumming in her chest. That was the big question, how to trust when her father had told her the world was out to get her. "But you're not anyone. You're my sister. Besides, what could you want from me? I don't have anything worth stealing, I have no enemies who want me dead. And even if you did, it's worth the risk." Rammus told her. "You're very special, Ruby. Don't ever forget that." "You see? You couldn't make this stuff up!" Runeclaw laughed. "I told you Rammus was a great guy. He'd get all sentimental on a toadstool if he could!" "Hey, toadstools are a very important part of the environment!" Rammus shot back with a laugh. "See, everything has it's place." Ruby couldn't help but smile. She was glad she had found these dragons, and that she was having this experience for yourself. "See? I told you that you were loved." Rhowen whispered as the group began to move to seek a place to stay for the night. [center][img]https://orig00.deviantart.net/e0bf/f/2018/247/7/5/divider_by_cas_a_fras-dcm237t.png[/img][/center] The stars were out by the time they caught sight of the inn. It was sat on top of a floating platform held aloft by a large orange balloon. Around the structure, lanterns were lit, bringing an inviting warmth to the place. It was only a short flight up the the inn, and when they got close they could see a sign that read "The Cloudsky Inn: Entrance to the Cloudsong Trail" "This is the place." Rammus sighed, eyes alight. Ruby could tell he had been dreaming of a moment like this for a long time. "Well, what are we waiting for?" Runeclaw asked. "Let's get a room and some grub! I'm starving!" And with that, the young wildclaw pushed open the front door. Inside, the building was filled with dragons chatting and laughing, enjoying their food and drink heartily. It appeared it was not entirely indoors; the inn spilled out onto a patio lit by warm candles and lanterns where the dragons could sing to the sky. Dragons of all breeds and flight were gathered, and a few in an orange and green uniform were bustling about serving drinks and laughing with the customers. "I've never seen anything like it! It's like a festival!" Ruby said with a smile. "Well come on, let's enjoy it then! You've got to see what you've been missing!" Runeclaw said with a laugh. "Come on Rammus, Rhowen!" "I don't know if this is such a good idea. We are still a bit close." Rhowen said warily, looking around for anyone who might recognize them. "Oh, relax! We'll be fine!" Runeclaw reassured him. "Let the lady have a bit of fun!" "I am not her keeper, she can do what she likes." Rhowen said firmly. It was true. He couldn't keep her safe the same way he had before. Tess had ordered him to help her escape to help her live life, not to confine it more. he was not some entitled dragon hoarding away Ruby like a miser with his jewels. She was free to be. She did not need another dragon telling her what to do. Still, it was good to be cautious. Rhowen watched as the three siblings disappeared into the crowd. Rhowen knew he should go with them, but he wanted to scout out the grounds first. He went up to the counter, sidling up to a skydancer, and ordered himself a hot meal. As he waited for his food, he rubbed his hands together, trying not to let his anxiety grow to the danger zone. Freezing this lovely establishment was the last thing he wanted. After a time, the snapper at the counter slid Rhowen his food. Thanking the snapper, he was about to get up to find the others when he heard conversation start up between the skydancer and a fae who was sitting on the other side. Both were wearing military style uniforms. "There's been a report of a kidnapping, have you heard? All wind clans are supposed to be on alert, but it's all very hush hush because the father of the kindnapped daughter doesn't want anyone tracing it back to him. Apparently, he's had a problem with thievery before." The skydancer whispered. "I don't know, it all sounds a bit sketch." The fae yawned, wrapping her tail around her glass. "I mean, we're missing so much information." "I know, but we are still to be on the lookout. Here's a sketch of what we're looking for." Rhowen only had a brief second to glance at the parchment the skydancer pulled out of his bag, but it was enough to see that it was Ruby. They were not as safe as they had hoped. Rhowen didn't stop to listen to anymore. Gulping down his burger, he began frantically searching the room for Ruby and her brothers. They were nowhere to be found. He hoped they weren't doing something stupid or had been spotted. He could only imagine the worst case scenarios. "Psst! Rhowen!" Rhowen spun around to see Ruby beckoning to him out on the patio. He raced over to join her. "Ruby, we need to go, now." Rhowen said. "I know. I heard some dragons talking about my father, but it's okay.. We have it all sorted out. Come with me!" Rhowen could do nothing but follow Ruby into the night. They stopped on another floating platform, within sight of the Cloudsky Inn. The darkness shrouded it so it would be difficult to see from the brightly lit establishment. On it sat a small house not nearly as large and extravagant as the inn. Ruby knocked a special pattern on the door and it creaked open to reveal a snapper. She looked very similar to the snapper who had served him dinner. "Good, you are all here." The snapper said. She was wearing the same uniform as the skydancer and fae Rhowen had overheard, and he couldn't help but feel a jolt of panic. "It's okay!" The snapper said quickly. "It's fine! I'm fine! I mean you no harm. I saw Ruby in the inn and I knew she was in danger. I brought her and her brothers here, to the house I share with my sister. I work for the Cloudsong Trail, ensuring pilgrims and travelers are safe and go the right way. I want nothing more than to honour your own journey. You will all be safe here, I promise. Not another soul knows you are here and it will stay that way." "Thank you for your kindness." Rhowen sighed. "Oh, no need to thank me. I'm simply doing my job." The snapper said with a smile. "I took an oath to ensure the safety of all who need it. That is what I am doing, even if I am disobeying other orders I've received. Now come, the boys are farther inside." Rammus and Runeclaw were indeed farther indoors, engrossed in a game of cards. Ruby took up a place by the window, and looked expectantly at Rhowen to join her. He smiled and took a seat next to her, admiring the stars and the music and laughter that drifted over from the inn. "I never got to say thank you for all that you've done, trying to give me a life on my own." Rubywing sighed. "Oh, it was nothing." Rhowen said. "I was just following orders. That Tess of yours is nothing if not strong-willed." "It's more than just following orders." Ruby insisted. "Really. It takes someone with great guts to turn against their work for the sake of another." [i]Or more than guts.[/i] Rhowen thought to himself. "Yeah? Well, I think it was getting a little hard to see how your father blinded you to the world and controlled your life like you were another object in his collection. I always planned on betraying him, I just thought I'd be encasing him in ice not-" "Not stealing his daughter." Ruby said with a laugh. "Well, when you put it that way." Rhowen said, cracking a smile. It was great, to feel the guard and lady dynamic crumple like dead leaves. Something new was springing up to take its place, but it was too early to tell what it was. "Were you really planning on freezing him?" Ruby asked, wide-eyed. "Your father has hurt a lot of people. I worked for a dragon like him before I came here. I was forced to do a lot to hurt others." The frozen clans flashed through Rhowen's mind, the dragons who once lived there now a collection of ice sculptures, never to live and breathe again, all thanks to him and his powers. "You have a powerful magic too. I didn't want you to be forced to do the same. I'm tired of dragons being treated like pawns for dragons like Quartz and Mercer. That's why I took the job, to have an opening to take down one of the most dangerous dragons on Sornieth." "Ah, so your a hero then." Ruby's eyes glimmered with amusement. "I wouldn't put it that way. I'm simply trying to make a few things right before I return to the Sounthern Icefields to complete my sentence." Rhowen said with a sigh. He hadn't chosen to be unfrozen, it had been Quartz who arranged that, but that didn't mean he was planning to escape his rightful justice forever. "How long is your sentence?" "An eternity. I'm too powerful to be allowed loose. If I lose control of my powers for a second too long- poof! Another whole clan lost to the ice." Rhowen said miserably. "Rhowen, if my father has taught me one thing, and yes, most that he has taught me has been terrible life advice, but if he's taught me one thing, it's that power can be honed and controlled, and its up to the caster to hone it and make it to be what you want. It doesn't have to be destructive." Ruby pointed out. "You're one of my friends, I don't want to see you locked up like that." "Well, maybe I've found a reason to stay." Rhowen said with a smile. Friends, he liked the sound of that. It had been a long time since he'd had a proper friend, and Ruby was the best friend he could ever ask for. ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2383572/34#post_34862155]Next[/url][/center] ----- [center]@CleverDual @Alwaid @zzzhorses @Skyeset @ScrivenerRook @Kizzan @clarax @lilastar @tigressRising @Disillusionist @Aetherstorm @rainphee @RiaFire11[/center] ----- This chapter is more of a filler to check up on our travelers and expand their relationships a little more, as well as to give Ruby an opportunity to begin to sort herself out outside of her father's life plan for her. I hope you enjoy it! These dragons are all great to write!

*busts through ten walls and flips a table while incoherently shrieking* AY YO DUDES WHAT DID I MISS, BEING AWAY FOR FIVE DAYS SUCKS!
*more incoherent shrieking*