Argent - The Herald

Needed for Mire Flyer: 119 STR / 69 QCK / remainder in VIT

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The first memory he had was laying next to his parents and watching the sky. He had been younger then, just a hatchling, so full of wonder and amazement at the twinkling stars in the sky. His father had been telling him history - most Arcane clans started telling the historical tales early, so their young would never forget the Shade, the Arcanist, or how the world almost was. They also told tales that tried to show what the world could be, though Argent didn't like those as much. No, his preference had always been about the gods, the fight with the Shade, and the way of those that lived in the world now.

The more Argent studied and learned about the world, the more focused he became on the Shade and what it had been. The adults around him waved off his questions - the Shade had not been seen for an Age, and there were more important things to study, answers that could be found in the here and now instead of chasing hatchling tales. Every time his questions were brushed aside, he felt himself becoming a little more sure that there was something else going on under it all, something the adult dragons didn't want to share. They whispered about the raging energies, spoke in hushed tones about things like the First Seed and the Final Infection. He was deemed too young to understand, too unstable to be expected to act rationally.

It annoyed him greatly.

He had been on a tour of the Plaguelands when he asked his father about the First Seed. His father just glared at him like he did something wrong and chose to ignore the question, but Argent had seen enough. Their tour guide at the time, a snappy little mirror that brooked no nonsense from anyone and was quite well educated in all things Plague, had glanced at everyone involved before sneering and returning to the speech she had been giving about the various flora and fauna able to carve out a living in the Boneyard. Argent was quite sure that the sneer was not about disgust for the topic in hand, but rather a way to hide her fear at the mention of the item (or at least, he assumed it was an item). When the tour returned to the host clan, the mirror excused herself quickly, and his father insisted that Argent return to their quarters for a while so he could "reflect on what you learned being around Plague" or something of the like. It was insulting, and he used the time instead to plan out various ways of getting to where there would be adults willing to talk to him. It came as quite a shock later when his father had informed him that they had managed to find a clan for Argent to join for "independent studies".

In Arcane terms, that was the same as saying he was being exiled until he became sensible enough to stop his delusions (at least, that's how it translated in Argent's Arcane Terms, and that was all that mattered to him at the moment). Argent tried to protest, but his father would not hear it. So the next morning, it was a pouting, frowning, upset Wildclaw hatchling that grumped out after his father in the early morning light to see what kinds of dragons he was going to be stuck with for the foreseeable future.

He wasn't expecting a band of Wildclaw warriors, that was for sure. The male was large and imposing, giving off an air of coiled danger ready to strike. His crimson eyes were constantly scanning the horizon, head turning just enough to keep watch, and he never even glanced at Argent or his father. The female standing back to back with him did the same, so between the two of them they had a full 360 degree look at what might be approaching. She was a little lighter in color than he was, with highlights of blue instead of his red, but just as dangerous.

In Argent's expert opinion, he thought they could probably incapacitate the entire clan within two minutes and thirty seven seconds. That would have been some kind of world record, right?

The third Wildclaw there, another female, instead focused her deep green eyes on Argent. Her hide was just as dark as the male, though it looked like her skeleton had been painted on the outside of her scales, and her eyes were the most vibrant green compared to the male's blood red. That gaze left Argent feeling weighed and measured, and for the first time in his life he felt like he might actually be accurately judged as not being enough. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't like that idea. Sure, he was a little lanky, and he couldn't fly just yet, but that didn't mean he was useless! Who did she think she was to even try and judge him?!? Why, he was just going to open his mouth and give her a piece of his mind...

"The Herald, Argent, has heard your call. Gladekeeper willing, the Harbinger will choose you if you choose him."

He had never heard his father speak so formally before. All his anger and impressions were forgotten as he turned his head between his father and the painted female, trying to understand what was going on.

"Arcanist willing, the Harbinger will accept the call to Herald the dangers of the world for the clan." She returned her gaze to him, and Argent straightened. "Argent of the Starfall Isles, your clan has recommended you to us. We travel to the Viridian Labyrinth to carve out home and clan in the deep Wilds of Nature. We are in need of one knowledgeable in the Arcane arts, the world around us, and one who has the strength to keep asking the unanswered questions in the dark. Will you join us?"

In that moment, all eyes were on him. Even the scanning warriors turned their heads enough to study him, the world silent and still, all seeming to hold their breath. To Argent, the entirety of his life, the whole path he would walk on, everything came down to his decision right here, right now. So he hesitated, took the time to think his options through, and answered. "I will join you."

The male seemed to give an approving rumble and returned to watching the horizon, his partner grinning before resuming her watch as well. Nature's kin just nodded, returning her gaze to his father. "We leave now. Take the time you need, but we must be moving for the safety of all involved."

Of course, there were tearful goodbyes, frantic packing of everything he held dear, and the replay of the events in his mind over and over again as his clan scrambled to get him ready to go. Before he knew it, Argent was traveling in the middle of the Wildclaw pack, protected from all sides by these warriors that never seemed to be reminded that he had shorter legs or stubby wings. They never went faster than he could handle, and always offered food and refreshments when they stopped. They were a quiet group, and Argent followed suit, keeping quiet and learning from their body language. He could almost make full sentences in his head for how they were communicating by the time they reached the edge of Nature's home.

That night, camping on a bluff overlooking the Labyrinth, Argent went out and looked up at the stars. It seemed like so much time had passed since he was laying in the Isles with his parents, eagerly asking what each star was and what they meant and how did they get up there.

"You seem troubled."

Pulled out of his thoughts, Argent turned his head to see the Nature female, Grimm, watching him. She was the one that actually spoke the most, though he believed it was actually for his benefit. She seemed to watch out for him, and he appreciated that. But just caring for him wasn't enough to convince him that he was in the right place. He needed to know more.

"I have a question for you." Argent turned enough to watch her every move. "What is the First Seed?"

Grimm arched a brow, tilted her head, and studied him like she was considering what exactly he was after. He could see that she was thinking things through and actually giving his question a moment to play in her mind, which was more than he could remember the adults at home doing. In the end, however, she shook her head.

"You are not ready."

He had heard those words so often, it was instant disappointment.

"But I will tell you all you wish to know once you are ready."

Wait, what? Argent perked up, replaying what she said before meeting her gaze. Yes, she was being completely serious! There was a chance!!

"Before you can learn about the First Seed and the Final Infection, before you can understand the Armstice, or even truly grasp why we are going to Nature despite our clan leaders being Plaguebringer's children, to understand why we are not at each other's throats, you must first understand the gods, and the histories of each. Not what is taught in books, but what is taught by clans who listen, who interact, who hear and experience the will of the gods in all things. To do this, you must go through exalt training. When you have finished, then we will discuss all the questions you have."

Argent had to keep himself from jumping up and down. Finally! Answers! Only...something was nagging at him.

"Wait, does that mean that I am going with you to become an exalt?"

Grimm shook her head, giving a soothing smile. "The Shaidar Siorai are all fully trained in the ancient knowledge of the exalts. When you have absorbed all 25 levels of knowledge, when you have been deemed proficient enough to pass the tests, then you will be ready. When I reached that level of knowledge, I chose to become a trainer of those actually wishing to become honored exalts. I believe I can do more good here helping others train than I could if I actually went to see our great mother. You can make that decision when you have finished your training. And when you have, we will discuss anything and everything you wish. No subject or knowledge will be barred, should we have access to it. Understand?"

To Argent, it was what he had been waiting for his whole life to hear. He just had to learn the histories and basic principles that guided the honored exalts, and then the world would open up before him. With a nod and a better outlook on his place in the clan, Argent smiled. "I do understand, and I will make you proud, Grimm."

"Don't worry about making me proud, youngling. Make yourself proud, and do what you think is best. We are just here to help you find your path in life."

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