QuiTong

Lightning quick and bursting with energy; it is always a task to keep QuiTong on the ground and not streaking across the heavens. Which is why many ask her beloved mate Chilali how in the name of Wind Singer did she manage to catch QuiTong's attention long enough to settle down and have a family. A question that Chilali always answers with a shrug and a quiet "Who knows?". When QuiTong is asked the same question, she usually answers with a disgruntled "Why? Do you think my mate isn't good enough for me, or something?" and usually tries to defend her mate's supposedly affronted honor until Chilali comes to break up the fight and calm things down.

Before the Jingang clan was formed between herself, her mate, and their friends Braum and Deshi; they were all a part of the Sun Long clan, an ancient noble clan of the Windswept Plateau. Their former clan's Progens are actually QuiTong's Parents(ignore what the page says above). In fact, the Sun Long clan disbanded in part because the male Progen, ChenDa, had forced QuiTong to be exalted after discovering her relationship with Chilali. Much later the clan was notified that QuiTong had either died in battle or MIA, for her body was never found after a particularly gruesome battle with the Shade. Distraught; the female Progen, Meifeng, declared that she was leaving Chen Du and the clan disbanded. With her went those of the clan who were fully against exalting, and those who remained with Chen Du were those who strictly adhered to traditions and the exalting ways.

It wasn't until almost a year later that the truth behind QuiTong's disappearance had become known. Before the battle with the Shade that had sparked the Sun Long's clans disbandment, the Windsinger came to QuiTong with a proposal. He had known of her plight and her longing to return to her love, and so, he allowed her a chance to return to Chilali's side on one condition. If she was to be free of her bonds to him, she would have to promise him a chance to choose those of her first hatchlings of every year for five years. Those he chooses would be exalted. Before QuiTong could protest to the conditions, the Windsinger assure her that each hatchling he chooses would grow to want to serve him whether or not he came to choose them himself. He choosing them at birth would only allow him to better prepare them for his conquests and the war against the Shade.

Placated, but still wary of such an agreement on her children's lives, QuiTong agreed to his terms. Immediately the Windsinger sent her back to the lands of her birth, but not before sending word to her clan that she had disappeared during battle. This would give her the time she needed to reunite with her love, and to gain enough strength and support to fend off the Derg forces Chen Du would soon send after them.

After reuniting with Chilali and their old friends; it was a heartbreaking time in their lives when QuiTong had to tell Chilali of her deal with the Windsinger. After believing for many months that QuiTong had died in battle after her exaltation, Chilali had refused to accept QuiTong back due to such a deal made on the lives of their children. Many weeks would pass fighting off Chen Du's dergs and not just a few mortal dangers were vanquished before Chilali found it in her heart to forgive and accept QuiTong. After the Jingang clan was formed and QuiTong and Chilali took the other as their mate; Chilali had accepted the sad but inevitable fates of her future hatchlings. When the time came that their first three were born, it was with a heavy hearts and not a few tears that QuiTong, Chilali, and their friends saw two of their hatchlings, Enri and Aylen, be chosen and exalted by the Windsinger.

It is not all such a bitter ending though. Their remaining son, Kubo, and their adopted children Tadzea, Ai, and Percius are the lights of Chilali and QuiTong's world. Every day is a new adventure, and even the hatchlings that are exalted are not truly disconnected to them. Every day Chilali and QuiTong send keep sakes and letters to their exalted hatchlings; the Windsinger having made an exception due to the special circumstances. From time to time they receive letters describing in full in vivid detail as to how their young are growing into powerful and resplendent warriors for the Windsinger. How their early training under him has encouraged them to flourish and thrive. How they know how much their birth parents love them, and wish them all the happiness in the world even if they can't see them. From time to time those letters come with portraits of Enri and Aylen, showing how they are growing with little notes written by the hatchlings themselves describing their lives.

With every letter tears are shed, but it comes to no surprise to QuiTong and Chilai that although still a bit sad there is also a profound happiness to it all. Because even if they can't be with all their beloved hatchlings; all of them are safe, happy, and thriving. Despite all they went through, they have found happiness. They know that such could not not have happened without the Windsinger's kindness; without the deal that was made.

And so, QuiTong and Chilali are forever grateful. For the life they were given a chance to have, and for the love that they were allowed to share.