Boreas

Boreas is relieved that his mate Beira agreed to join the water clan they encountered during their hunting trip. More impetuous than the reserved Boreas, she rarely has the patience to settle anywhere for longer than a few days. But she knows her mate wouldn't ask if it weren't important, so she is willing to stay. For now. Grateful for her faith in him, Boreas is determined to discover the source of his unease.

In the meantime, both Gaolers have thrown themselves into helping with the already formidable clan defenses. "Perhaps we were wrong to assume them weak" mused Boreas after a sparring session with the younger dragons.

On a moonless night a month after their arrival, the two Gaolers were summoned to a confidential clan meeting. The three clan leaders were in discussion with Belvedere, the senior Skydancer when the Gaolers arrived. The clan dragons regarded the newcomers silently, as if sizing them up. Boreas could feel Beira growing impatient, but she held her tongue. "Thank you for coming. We have need of your fighting skills" said Taw abruptly.

Swifttalon and Palaemon quickly explained the existence of something called the Hive, which both Gaolers found horrifying. A loose confederation of clans had been battling a large hive and had succeeded in destroying it, but not before some of it's members had escaped the dragons. One by one, they were now grimly tracking the scattered hive members and exterminating them. Tonight they were in final preparations for the last known colony. The big dragons were uneasy and wanted to send Boreas with the colony team and have Beira stay to help defend the clan, should it prove necessary. The Gaolors quickly agreed, although they were reluctant to be apart. "We attack in two day's time" said Swifttalon. "I hope this is truly the last colony of this cursed hive!"

Boreas left his mate after a gentle nuzzle, "this is what I sensed. After this battle, we will need to alert the other Orders, if they don't already know of this." Looking unusually thoughtful, Beira agreed. "I know you will fight well my love, I wish now that I had not agreed to stay behind." "This clan will need your fighting skills should the hive attack while we are gone. They are taking half their fighters with them. I almost pity anthing foolish enough to think they can best you in combat" laughed Boreas. Beira smiled and faded into the darkness to take up her post.

The battle was fierce, more so than anything Boreas had ever faced and he was glad that Beira had stayed behind. The Preatorian guards defending the consciousness were the most formidable creatures he had ever seen. In the end, the assembled clans were victorious, but not without many casualties. The decision by his clan to attempt to rescue a drone hatchling astonished him and he feared they had doomed the entire clan, but he approved of their plan nonetheless. "Perhaps it is our task, Beira and I, to guard this little one. To keep her alive or kill her if need be." He was aware of Taw watching him closely on the flight back and he wondered if she could divine his thoughts.