Three dragons walked a shroomlit path, walls of bramble growing steadily beside them as they walked. Few words were exchanged as they entered the village, ignoring the other drakes that passed them by. As they neared a tree larger than many of the others they could hear agitated roars, and caught sight of the Imperial August staring down a white coated Gaoler. His feathered wings were spread wide blocking the door set into the tree's trunk, but the Gaoler didn't seem to notice, his Ice white eyes glaring dappers at it straight through them.

The Nocturne leading the group trotted ahead, catching his attention and talking with him for a moment. The fur along his spine twitched and he growled something at her before turning to leave, long tail lashing. Azura sagged once he was out of sight, looking exhausted. The clan leader had been exercising her authority much more than she was used to, and the stress was starting to wear at her. She turned and said something to August who promptly stepped aside, scanning the trees for any more dragons that may be approaching. She nodded in gratitude before beckoning her companions to her.

Thought and Memory came forward, the Skydancer in particular eyeing the door to the house like it was a snake about to bite him. Memory watched him with concern as the Nocturne hesitated with her talon on the handle.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

"As ready as I can be," the jeweler huffed in response. Azura stared at him for a moment thoughtfully, then pushed the door open.

Memory had a bit of trouble following her mate in, but eventually managed to squeeze through the door. She couldn't help but look around in interest once she'd made it inside. It was much smaller than she'd expected for a clan leader's home, the main room was rather cluttered with papers and odd objects piled on every surface. There were a surprising number of pillows and blankets scattered around as well, adding a cozy feel to the atmosphere.

Movement from a ledge high up the wall caught her attention and she looked up, just catching sight of a long tail before it was pulled out of sight. A moment later an unfamiliar head poked out to gaze down at them with pale, glaring eyes. As the Imperial took in the unusual features she was able to tick off identifying features. Rounded horns, facing forward instead of back. Long spines down the center of the head, raised defensively. Pupil-less eyes that seemed to hold an ancient flame despite being the identifying white of Ice.

"It's alright," Azura called up to her, "These are the dragons I told you about."

The dragonet's eyes flicked to Memory in suspicion before taking a step toward the edge.

"You said there was only one," she hissed accusingly at the Nocturne. Memory felt a pang of hurt that this dragon she had never met seemed to hate her, but the Skydancer quickly spoke up for her.

"She's my mate. She knows everything I do, she has as much right to be here as I do."

The dragonet growled in displeasure, but hopped off the edge and fluttered to the ground. She landed with difficulty, one claw carefully holding something close to her body, and Memory ticked off the final confirming thing about her. She only had two legs.

The Banescale bared her teeth at Thought as she spoke.

"Whatever. As long as I can get help I guess that's good enough. As soon as we're done I can get out of here, and I won't have to deal with any of you after that."

A shocked look appeared on Azura's face, and Memory briefly wondered why before the Bane gently deposited her cargo on the carpeted floor. She sucked in a breath as she realized what the dragonet was planning to do, spinning her head to face her mate in concern. This child wasn't even grown yet and didn't know how to hatch the egg she'd left gleaming dully in the candlelight, but was planning on leaving as soon as it hatched?

Thought seemed more annoyed than worried though, ignoring the hatchling's warning growl as he picked up the egg to inspect it. It was covered in thick brown plates which seemed to have done their job so far protecting it. Finding no damage the Skydancer set it back down with a frustrated look. Memory saw his antennae quivering slightly, a sign that he was in deep thought over what they could do.

A rustle from inside her robes distracted the female. A tiny head poked out of her robes' collar with a wide yawn, then reaching a hand to rest on her neck with a sleepy blink of its large eyes. Slightly guiltily Memory realized she must have tensed herself and roused her familiar from its nap; Glow had grown used to her body language in their time together, and with her tendency to beat herself up over little things had seemingly tasked itself with comforting the huge dragon. She rubbed its cheek fondly, smiling a little when it leaned into the gesture. She flinched a little when a tapping claw by the impatient Banescale started, but knowing Glow was with her was reassuring enough that she was able to turn and look the dragonet straight in her very... Pale. Eyes.