Koyuki

They were warned ahead of time that the storm was coming. Her instructor thought it would be better for her to wait till it passed to then make a delivery. Everyone knew she was still new at the task, viewing her as a year old dragon, and this particular package was going to be her final assessment.

She thought she could outfly a storm.

She didn’t know how strong the storm was going to be.

The blizzard was blinding, with the light of day fading beyond the clouds. Despite how many layers she covered herself in, the cold was still piercing through her scales, her wings already starting to have a small sheet of frost on her feathers.

The package was still held tightly in her talons. No way I’d be able to turn back now. I have to keep moving forward. It’s the only way I’ll survive. It’s the only way I’ll prove I have what it takes to be a messenger.

She thought of her parents who both were the same color of snow. Both were confused why she turned away the life of a highly respected dragon for that of a commoner. They’ll never know though. I bought a spell to cover my true skin. I left home without a note saying goodbye. This is me, this is the life I want to live, away from them.

Let’s hope I have enough strength to make it through-

Her thoughts were cut up when she spotted a mountain ledge jutting in her sight. Pain pulsed through her whole body as she fell, hitting other ledges, finally collapsing onto a pile of snow.

The darkness of the sky was everywhere. She attempted to get up, but her head throbbed with pain, and she quickly sank back into the snow. Her wings were growing numb, and her vision faded into a dark grey. The howling of the wings was all she heard before everything went away.

Warmth.

That was the feeling she woke up with, a small crackle of fire echoing in her ears. She felt like she wasn’t lying down on snow, but a blanket.

She opened her eyes slowly and was greeted by the sight of a white Skydancer, who was carefully wrapping bandages on her wings. The Skydancer made eye contact with her.

“W… where am I?”

“You’re resting in a cave. You’re fortunate that we even found your body at all, the blizzard’s very loud.”

“We?”

The Skydancer gestured her head toward the other side. Two dragons were seen. A red guardian with green eyes was chewing on a cooked piece of meat, and was talking in a low voice. Beside her was a small green Imperial, who had a solemn look on his face. He placed a few pieces of wood onto the fire as he held onto a bowl filled with greenery. Both stopped talking as they looked at her.

“She’s awake,” the Skydancer confirmed. “We’ll have to wait out the storm till we can find the nearest lair tomorrow.”

The Imperial gave a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, you looked like you were a few steps away from death.”

“Were it not for Vicino here, we may have all been done for,” the Guardian agreed. It was then that she saw all the dragons had some bandages and wounds.

“You’re... Warriors?”

The Skydancer named Vicino nodded. “Of the Gladekeeper’s service. We came here to train, but it seems that we all were caught in the same storm.”

She nodded quietly before her eyes turned to slits. She glanced down at her talons, which were empty.

“My package. W-Where’s my package?”

“Calm down,” Vicino assured her. “Ruby found a package nearby, she placed it near our supplies. It only has a small tear, but it’s otherwise fine.”

She gave out a shuddered sigh, her paws suddenly tingling with pain. She gave a small wince.

“Hold up,” Vicino spoke. The Skydancer held onto her hand, before placing her own. A small faint glow came from her palm, easing away the pain.

There was some silence in the cavern. A distant sound of wind was heard.

“Are you sure nothing’s in here?” She asked.

Vicino nodded. “Sagebreeze and Ruby made sure the cavern was empty before we made camp here. We’ll be safe for the night, and you’ll be able to get some rest.”

“But what about you?”

“I’ll be fine, I’m used to making sure others sleep before I do. I’ve been a healer all my life, and while I know my rest is important too, old habits die hard. Don’t worry, I don’t think I’ll have to wait too long for that to happen.”

Both Ruby and Sagebreeze appeared to have finished their meals and were drifting off to sleep. Vicino came over and made sure both had cloaks over their backs while they slept.

She thought about what Vicino said as the Skydancer gave her a warm cloth to sleep under, and a warm meal of rabbit. I know all of my life I’ve been trying my best to prove myself that I’m not who my parents wanted me to be. But by doing that, I’ve just been pushing myself to enter dangerous situations.

I could’ve died tonight. And for what? My parents aren’t in my life anymore, I don’t need to do anymore of these stunts.

So what do I do?

She remembered a time where she wanted to be a warrior herself as a hatchling, before she thought seeing the world as a courier was more interesting.

Maybe I could still be a warrior, and a messenger.

It wouldn’t be an easy switch. She’d first had to make her delivery, and then make an agreement with her instructor. And of course these dragons lived in a clan, and the decision was ultimately up to their leader.

But then again I thought I wasn’t going to be able to run away from my parents. If I did that, then maybe there’s a chance I can do this too.

Vicino laid on a warm comforter besides her. “Could you tell me what’s your name? I want to make sure you don’t have any amnesia.”

“Oh, it’s Koyuki.” She yawned out, lying down and closing her eyes.

“Koyuki, that’s a very lovely name.”