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[center][item=Cerdae Sparkle][item=Encapsulated Mist][item=Broken Heartstone] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]The Sacrifice and Stockade[/size][size=3] Level 5 Clearance Documentation, For Sentinel Use Only[/font] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60908565][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/609086/60908565_350.png[/img][/url][/center] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: ???[/b][/indent] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60264783]Holm[/url], I hope this letter finds you in good faith! I have sent Tress, my faithful Clown Charger companion, to deliver this note to you but I have my fears about the safety of such a journey. I am uncertain whether or not you guards at Sleetstorm are aware of the situation happening in Wickerfrost Village at the moment. I want to feel certain that the second any of you would feel such a pulsing aura of malice rolling off the town, you'd send a squadron to investigate. Woe is me, you haven't sent such a team. I will admit, I believe this is a personal failing of mine. I hadn't realized Mayor [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/58410779]Abran[/url] had been planning any sort of dealings with the Shade, certainly not of this magnitude. I feel like I've been chasing my own tail as I attempt to parse through reports given by the townsfolk and the sparse, seemingly random copies of reports you've sent me. Take this, Report #324 "Become like the Norm"; I haven't the faintest clue what you expected me to do with this, Holm! I've done follow-up with [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60110229]Cairdeas[/url], but she just stares blankly at me and mumbles through an excuse of needing to check her journals again. I have searched for this Airy fellow, and he does not exist. Regardless of how much work went into attempting to validate this statement, it did not matter in the end. Cairdeas and Airy were not involved in this incident, and as far as I'm concerned this incident is quite a bit more important than a chance meeting at a shop. Let me bring you up to speed, shall I? Mayor Abran, with the help of Reeve [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/57149135]Salenor[/url] and Treasurer [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60400926]Niranye[/url] and a [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/63140258]forth unknown party[/url], convinced the Council of Seasons to channel their magic - at the same time, no less! - into a Shade-tainted egg. The resulting creature can only be described as an [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/63120646]Abomination[/url]. It is the shape and size of a child, with ridging fins almost like a Guardian, but it is most definitely not a dragon. A sliver of the Shade, a true Avatar of the Shade, is now terrorizing Wickerfrost. I am taking matters into my own hands. This is what we've trained for, Holm, this is what we're meant to prevent and we have failed so far. No more. Prospector Vanilla has taken in the civilian population of Wickerfrost, and is housing them at the Trove quarries. It is only me, Councilwoman [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/41489719]Nox[/url], Captain [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/59435645]Telesphorus[/url], Duelist [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/61185016]Monroe[/url] and the four Heralds of the Seasons still in the town, alongside our enemies of course. We have devised a plan to prevent the growth of the Abomination, and it may cost us everything but it will give you time to think of a way to kill the creature for good. I only ask one thing; please, do not leave us in here to rot. Signing off, Sentinel Arorangi ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: ???[/b][/indent] Reflected in glittering, icy-white eyes, a barrier rises over the decimated town of Wickerfrost. Four apprentice mages, led by one kindly senior mage, supported by three members of the town guard, raise a steel-colored magical dome over the town. In the distance, all too close for comfort but too far to prevent the dome from finalizing, a creature wails and screams in frustration while four cultists stand, bug-eyed and with varying levels of fury and relief. Wickerfrost Village is lost, and the Southern Icefield gains a new Stockade in its stead. -----

[center][item=Moldy Leather][item=Stone Knife][item=Tattered Parchment] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]List of the Dead[/size][size=3] Level 0 Clearance Documentation, Open Documentation[/font] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60264783][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/602648/60264783_350.png[/img][/url][/center] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Report #001002[/b][/indent] Wickerfrost Village is lost. The populace has split, some seeking refuge under Prospector Vanilla's protection at the Trove Quarry. Others have arrived to Sleetstorm, demanding aid. Seeker Illyn has arrived, but he is changed and he brought researchers with him; I have had no time to properly welcome him back or examine his condition. Sentinel Arorangi is trapped in the Stockade with enemies. All attempts at a forced entry into the barrier have failed; Warden Inddrin may have seen me lose form during our last attempt. My magic is not strong enough, her magic is not strong enough, we have thrown every guard at the wall and it is still not enough. There is general chaos. I have sent Seeker Zylen to the Trove Quarry, and she has returned with a list of the dead. Faux, Euna, Renegade, Illvir, Yahelora, Avarice, Femoral, Bayvri are all confirmed to be deceased. Many are missing. Baskor, Megwyn and Mavir, Jira and Fain, Silent and Quiet, amongst untold others are known to be missing. It is uncertain whether they are dead, alive or trapped within the Stockade. Has the Icewarden abandoned us? We are his people, we tend his land and fight off the Beastclan hordes. We swear our lives by the ice he blessed and we are ignored. Left to be picked off one by one by the wailing, destructive beast trapped in the Stockade. Every day, we lose more and more hope. There is infighting in the Trove Quarry and if we do not stop it then we could potentially have an Emperor on our hands. I loathe to think about what was done to prevent Faux's body from reanimating. I can still smell the smoke. Head Sentry Talva wants us to annex the Trove Quarry and take control of the survivors. It would be a blessing, to give them our protection and guidance; Warden Inddrin hates the idea, it goes against her morals. She wants to send out the rest of the Seasonal Council and let them lead the remains of their people. I vehemently oppose that idea. The Council has already shown itself to be irresponsible with magic, to the extent of Shade-based Armageddon. Why I am including this in my report, I am not sure. I do not think anybody is reading these, as I sent a copy of Sentinel Arorangi's letter to the Fortress many weeks ago and no reinforcements, supplies or any kind of aid at all has been sent. Warden Inddrin wants to believe we will be saved, sooner or later. That it will all go back to normal, and she can continue to flourish with her quaint little prison. I know better. We must destroy the Stockade, contain the Abomination, and rescue or capture those trapped inside. We cannot hesitate based on your radio silence. Awaiting your aid, Sentinel Holm ----- Memoriam to those lost, [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/39253398][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/392534/39253398.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/40283819][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/402839/40283819.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/40298302][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/402984/40298302.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60643360][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/606434/60643360.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/58824889][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/588249/58824889.png[/img][/url][/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/58589920][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/585900/58589920.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/58562989][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/585630/58562989.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/42321133][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/423212/42321133.png[/img][/url][/columns] -----

[center][item=Chimera Fangs][item=Clay Fertility Statue][item=Bone Fragments] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]Children[/size][size=3] Level 2 Clearance Documentation, For Sentry and Higher Use Only[/font][/center] [columns][color=transparent]xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx[nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/58490746][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/584908/58490746.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/58423241][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/584233/58423241.png[/img][/url][/columns] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Fain[/b][/indent] Once again, his wife was with clutch. They'd had innumerable hatchlings together, in their many years as mates, and frankly he didn't see them slowing down often. Fain loved children, and Jira liked to pretend she wasn't maternal but she was. They just wanted a family, a family that'd stick by them. Pack, pack, pack, echoed through Fain's head as he dragged the latest slag-beast back to their temporary home in the woods. Wickerfrost Village was a lost cause, and the people at the Trove Quarry had turned them away; and going to Sleetstorm for shelter? Laughable. It was too far to walk to the next nearest clan, as Jira was heavy with eggs and needed to nest. And well, eggs were a bit hard for them to tote around in the snow and uncertainty. Best to play it safe, stick to the cave. "Fain? Fain, I'm hungry!" Jira's caterwauling became louder and louder as Fain drew nearer to the cave. The forest around them shimmered with lost potential; snow dripped off the trees and landed on the icy ground. Councilwoman Labyrinth didn't have the time to bring summer to these areas before the cold breezes of autumn swept in from the ocean. "I'm coming! I hope you like... Shade slag," Fain said the last part quietly. He knew his wife didn't like shade slag, nobody liked the goopy mess that spilled from the veins of Shade-corrupted beasts instead of blood. It was disgusting and tasted foul, but sadly most of the easy game also happened to be infected with the Shade's influence. ...He hoped Abby was alright during all this. His daughter was as headstrong as her mother, and she'd charge right into her death if she thought she was doing the right thing. Again, just like her mother. The cave came into view. It was really more of a rocky overhang, but it sheltered them from the snow and wind and Jira had already built a considerable nest underneath the chipped, heavy stone. Fain dumped what was once an Ophiotaurus onto the ground and turned away to spit the last tastes of the fetid blood. It sizzled when it hit the snow, and whether that was from the warmth of Fain's spit or something else he couldn't be sure. Jira climbed over the twigs, branches and bits of ripped up cloth and canvas that made up the nest, and wobbled over. Her face was drawn up in disgust as she viewed the prey, and Fain could only shrug. "If our children are born as some kind of shade-mongrel, it'll be your fault," Jira stated bluntly and dug in. Fain sat and watched his wife eat. She'd lay her eggs soon, and then they'd take turns hunting and incubating their clutch. But for now she was slow and vulnerable, so it was his job to hunt. He knew that when Baskor brought Jira back, she'd lost bits of herself. Her tastebuds were lost, but her sense of smell increased. She craved old meat more frequently, to the point where she'd bring back half-eaten scavenged kills instead of hunting for fresh. And she always panicked when they got lost, now. He didn't bring it all up to her. Just losing her taste had freaked her out, and in the end she was still his wife. Fain loved her and trusted her. "Well? Are you planning on eating, dear?" Jira's voice was scratchy and mean, but he knew she was just covering up her concern. Fain nodded and, with some hesitation, joined his wife for dinner. ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Jira[/b][/indent] Jira loved her mate, she really did, but he was too soft sometimes. When their latest clutch hatched, Fain spent all day curled around the hatchlings in the nest murmuring their names like they could actually remember them, at this age. The worst part was that he left her alone to hunt for their newhatched children alone. Hmph! Love was service, love was loyalty, love was indulging your husband's paternal side and letting him play with the hatchlings while you stalked a Bullephant alone. This is what Jira reminded herself of, while she pressed her wings to her sides and stayed low to the snowy ground. The beast was large, larger than her for sure. The tusks alone shone with an icy light that made Jira want to recoil and reconsider her pick of prey. But it showed no signs of corruption, no sign of the Shade slag that made her husband gag and would likely hurt their children. Love was bravery, love was selflessness so you could selfishly hoard your loved ones' for another moment longer. And by gods, Jira was selfish. She'd gotten into skirmishes with Gaolers before, for Plaguebringer's sake! A Bullephant was no big deal. She sunk her claws into the ground, let a growl grow in her throat and struck. She lunged and flared her wings open with a snap, appearing momentarily as a giant as she half-ran half-glided towards the Bullephant. The creature could only trumpet in alarm and try to swing around to knock her aside with its trunk. Jira was sent tumbling by the beast's trunk, but she righted herself easily and screeched into the night. The only light was the dim glow coming off the beast's tusks, which was irritatingly distracting. She lunged again, this time anticipating the swing and dodging around it. Her claws dug into the beast's flank and she scrambled messily for footholds, her claws kicking up thick fur. The Bullephant stomped and tried to smack her, but she wasn't in range of the glowing tusks and those were the only weapons the beast had that could possibly dislodge her at this point. Another set of gouges, deep into the beast's flank. She bit and ripped and tore, scratching and gouging and stabbing and clinging. And she stayed at that as the beast panicked, until she exhausted herself and had to jump away and pant from exertion. Jira didn't see the charge coming, but she felt as those magically infused tusks made contact with her side and sent her flying. Her wings snapped open in a desperate attempt to control her fall, but her right wing clipped a tree and she screamed with pain as the impact thundered through her body. She met the ground, very pleasantly introduced, and found herself deep in conversation with the concept of staying unseen in the dark forest while the Bullephant calmed down. It was bleeding, but sluggishly. The mirror waited until she'd regained her energy, and stood. She'd attack again, and again, and again until it went down. It was a dangerous game of endurance, and though she was winning the war she'd lost the battle; evidenced by the ache in her side and the wound bleeding slowly from where the Bullephant's tusks had met her flank. But she would not give up. Love was sacrifice, and she had three hatchlings and a too-soft husband to feed. -----

[center][item=Dried Lilium Petals][item=Golden Key][item=Crushed Petals] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]Those in Spring[/size][size=3] Level 3 Clearance Documentation, For Keeper and Higher Use Only[/font][/center] [columns][color=transparent]xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx[nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60958522][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/609586/60958522.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60097830][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/600979/60097830.png[/img][/url][/columns] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Sycamore[/b][/indent] She dreamt of [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/42548239]Lacey[/url], that night. Of dancing through the sky, her body exhausted but her mind free, free, free. The evening air was warm and they didn't have anywhere to be, and everything was right. It made waking up all the more souring, when she blinked her eyes open to glance around the small, cramped guest room she was sharing with the remaining members of the Council of Seasons. Sycamore sighed and shuffled out of bed, her hands ghosting over her ruffled feathers to smooth them out and dislodge any dirt. Oh, what she'd give for a nice dust bath right now. She got dressed in silence, doing her best to not disturb her roommates. She'd never seen [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/40166509]Equinox[/url] without that strange mask of hers before now, and seeing her bare face while she slept was... Oddly intimate. A nice reminder, that her fellow Councilwoman was indeed a dragon. Councilwoman [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/40802612]Labyrinth[/url] kicked out in her sleep, her claws dug into the comfortable nest of blankets and pillows she'd built for herself. Even in rest, the mirror never stopped; Sycamore wished she had that kind of energy. She didn't put on her normal, gaudy regalia. It would be too heavy and restricting, and the plan for the day was for them to return to the remains of Wickerfrost - known as the Stockade, now - and attempt to break the shell, with the help of the highest ranking guards in Sleetstorm. So, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dressing/outfit/1152076]traveling clothes[/url] it was. There was none of the normal buzzing of magic in the air, even with three of the Council settled in a single room. It seemed their actions that day, when they'd unleashed an avatar of the Shade, had drained their magic considerably. Sycamore hoped it wasn't permanent. Even if it meant exiling herself and traveling far from civilization, so her magic wouldn't be harnessed for evil again, she wanted it back. It was like she'd lost a part of her soul. She wonder briefly if Lacey would be disappointed with her. The other skydancer was intelligent; surely she would've seen the scheme coming from a mile away. She should send a letter, just to make sure Lacey knew she was alright. But that would come later, she had a job to do. The skydancer made her way outside the prison unhindered. The guards were intimidating, and surprisingly there was quite the variety of them. Mainly gaolers, yes, but there were a few tundra hanging around and even some imps hurrying through the halls, wearing armor and being treated the same as any other guard. She'd been inside Sleetstorm's walls once before, but never for so long. It'd been weeks since the incident, and nobody could make up their minds about anything. Sycamore had been informed that a high ranking official from Sleetstorm had been stationed inside the town, and was currently trapped; Sleetstorm of course, wanted to rescue her. That aligned with the desires of the Seasonal Council, but that's where their wants split. Sycamore wanted to go to the Trove Quarry and take charge of the survivors. Warden [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/57140569]Inddrin[/url] supported the idea, Head Sentinel [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60264783]Holm[/url] would prefer to see the whole Council in cells. Councilwoman Labyrinth also wanted to get back to the survivors, but Councilwoman Equinox wanted to stay and bargain for more aid. But a small, guilty part of her was disgusted with all of those plans. It told her that she should be throwing everything she had at the barrier of the Stockade, that [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/den/360870/1351585/2]Councilwoman Nox and the Heralds were inside[/url] and needed help so why are we waiting? Herald Ysolde was inside, and [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/39813071]Teema[/url] had trusted her to keep him safe. Head Sentinel Holm had reassured them all, over and over, that Sentinel Arorangi was the best of the best and her abilities should not be doubted. She'd be able to protect those inside until reinforcements came. But Sycamore saw through those empty words and saw the truth; Holm was terrified. He hadn't let anybody read the note Arorangi sent but Sycamore was sure it was a goodbye. None of those trapped inside anticipated they'd be rescued, and that frightened her the most. ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Ysolde[/b][/indent] It was impossible to tell time accurately within the confines of the closed-off town of Wickerfrost. Sometimes it was easier to see than normal, sometimes it was darker than normal, but everything was always dim and covered in shadows. Right now, it was beginning to become easier to see. Morning, likely; Ysolde would count it as morning since the rest of the LRS were starting to wake up. Camped out in the bunker of a destroyed house, things could've been better but it was safe. And safety was in such demand, nowadays. The all-too-close screech of a multi-layered voice sent a jolt of panic up his spine, and Ysolde stood up and dug his claws into the stone ground. He lashed his tail and tried to growl instead of whimper; the [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/63120646]Abomination[/url] had been asleep, but now it was active once more. Another day, another skirmish with oblivion. It was boring in a numb, quiet sort of way. [b]"Stand down, Herald,"[/b] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/59435645]Telesphorus[/url] commanded and Ysolde let out a high-pitched whine of fear and stress, but he sat at the bogsneak's command. Ysolde had spent a few days trying to get the others to call him by his name and abandon the need for titles altogether, but it was too ingrained. He hated it, but in a small way it helped to distance himself from situation. The Herald of Spring was the one trapped with a horrifying monster and cultists of the Shade, not Ysolde. Ysolde was a sweet boy with a knack for magic, Ysolde was a mischievous twin who blamed his brother for the muffins he'd stolen. [b]"Ugh, I'm getting tired of these cramped spaces,"[/b] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/61185016]Monroe[/url] complained as she wound herself around [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60908565]Arorangi[/url]'s antlers spryly. [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60047745]Wit[/url] grunted in agreement from her position pushed in the far-back wall, unable to fully stand or stretch out fully even in the sizable basement. Ysolde supposed he was lucky to be so small. He didn't feel lucky, with Mayor [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/58410779]Abran[/url] lurking around, but he could at least stand and stretch. [b]"We'll need to tolerate them for a while longer,"[/b] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/41489719]Nox[/url] was the next to speak, and her voice was like a soothing balm over the irritated group of dragons. [b]"We need to keep the barrier up until we're certain those on the outside will be able to contain the threat. That means nothing getting in or out, including us,"[/b] Arorangi snorted in contempt and Ysolde shot a glare at the gaoler. It was bad enough finding out the detective had been working as a spy for Sleetstorm all this time, but it's not like she had a shining personality either. [b]"Why don't you use your magic to construct another dome around us? Give us an area to hang around in. Can't be that hard,"[/b] Arorangi suggested and... It wasn't a bad suggestion. But Ysolde wasn't sure if they could maintain a second dome within the first one. [b]"Uh, no. Yeah, definitely not. Can you feel how dry the air feels? That's not just a lack of moisture, that's a lack of magic overall,"[/b] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/61192895]Xyrlove[/url] explained in a clipped tone. [b]"The little shade beastie promptly devoured all the residual magic, and we're so cut off from the outside world that none of us can draw magic from the seasons,"[/b] [b]"Herald Xyrlove is right,"[/b] Nox sighed as she spoke. [b]"I'm afraid we don't have another ace up our sleeve. Inevitably, the dome itself will fall when the magic we pumped into it dissipates,"[/b] The room fell into silence. Ysolde grappled with the fact the barrier could fall; he'd thought it was permanent unless they brought it down themselves! Dear Lightweaver, were they really just trying to hold back an impossible flood with twigs and mud? [b]"It'll fall soon,"[/b] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60870579]Ursa[/url] spoke up, after being silent for the entire conversation. The armored coatl was standing by the hatch to the surface, his mouth set in a grim line. [b]"Something's been attacking it from the outside,"[/b] Ysolde startled. Attacking from the outside? No-- all the Shade cultists were trapped inside. Who could possibly want to unleash the Abomination onto the world? -----

[center][item=Expertly-Crafted Spear][item=Frigid Fugitive Shackles][item=Leather Centaur Quiver] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]On The Topic of Losing Our Minds[/size][size=3] Level 5 Clearance Documentation, For Sentinel Use Only[/font][/center] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Telesphorus[/b][/indent] It was useless to keep track of the days, but Wit had kept a calendar. She estimated three months had passed since they put up the barrier; assuming that time even worked correct, while they were trapped in this Earthshaker-forsaken prison. In that time, Telesphorus had come to know the people he was trapped with very well. He knew the quirks of his squad very well, and he'd begrudgingly accepted the childish name of Last Resort Squadron that Xyrlove had pitched. Ursa's prediction that the barrier would fall soon turned out to be true. Or it would be true, if the LRS wasn't on the job. They traveled to the edge of town, where the barrier met the ground and the elemental mages could weave their magic. What was left of their magic, anyways. [b]"There's nothing we can do, Nox. There's no magic to draw on,"[/b] Xyrlove complained as she stood before the barrier, the blind dragoness moving through the motions of drawing magic from the air but even Telesphorus, as magic-dull as he was, could see it wasn't working. [b]"You need to do something. The barrier will fall if we don't reinforce it,"[/b] Arorangi snorted, twisting her own tail as she tried to drag the magic out of the air. Telesphorus turned his attention back to the ruined landscape around them, feeling exposed as they stood in what used to be a Hippalectryon pasture. Now, the land was blanketed in snow and ice; frozen and uninhabitable. The Hippalectryons had been eaten weeks ago. In the distance was Wickerfrost, or what remained of it. Lurking amongst the destroyed buildings were not just Mayor Abran and her ilk, but the Abomination and the Shade beasts it had summoned. The Shadebound had been oddly quiet for many days, and it unnerved the ex-Captain. [b]"There is a way. But it is dangerous and corrupting,"[/b] Nox sighed and stepped away from the barrier. The tundra looked conflicted, and Telesphorus flicked his tail towards her and sent a small shower of snow in her direction. The playful act was met with a lopsided, stressed smile from Nox. [b]"What do you mean by "corrupting"?"[/b] Wit asked, her head tilting towards her mentor. If nothing else, Wit's size was a boon in this dangerous landscape; but her scales were bright and noticeable, and they were in the middle of a field. Telesphorus prayed none of the Shadebound were paying attention to the edges of the prison. [b]"These methods are known to warp a dragon's body and mind. Creating something from nothing requires great sacrifice,"[/b] Nox explained. Telesphorus didn't like where this was headed, and he turned to the group with a loud huff. [b]"No. Not a chance, I can't handle five more crazy monsters,"[/b] Telesphorus stated. Hopefully, that'd be the end of it; his reasoning was sound. But he should've expected pushback, because he was trapped with the most self-sacrificial dragons in a hundred-mile radius. [b]"We need to keep the barrier up, though! I'd rather be a monster than unleash the Shade on the world,"[/b] Ysolde lashed his tail as he spoke and began pacing back and forth. Telesphorus didn't buy it though, because he could see the fear on Ysolde's face clear as day. [b]"What other choice do we have?"[/b] Arorangi added and Telesphorus couldn't ignore the stab of disappointment that dug into him. He expected support from Arorangi and Monroe at least, given they were the ones who'd need to deal with whatever happened to the mages. [b]"Why not let it fall?"[/b] Monroe had spoken. The spiral was wound between Arorangi's horns and watching them all critically. Monroe flexed her claws and adjusted her white mantle. [b]"Our options are to let the barrier fall and hope the outside world is prepared, or let the five of you self destruct trying to keep the barrier up,"[/b] Monroe expertly dodged Arorangi's attempts to paw the spiral off of her horns as she spoke. [b]"But what if they're not ready? What if this destruction becomes everything--"[/b] Ysolde gestured towards the smoking husk of Wickerfrost. [b]"--Is that our call to make?"[/b] [b]"I would argue that it's nobody's call to make but ours. We're the ones who gave them three months,"[/b] Monroe gestured to all of them. Scarred and miserable, starving and exhausted. [b]"If we decide to use Nox's strategy, we won't survive. The outside world has had long enough,"[/b] [b]"Selfish little hoof-licker!"[/b] Ysolde shouted, tears springing to the young tundra's eyes. [b]"I have family out there! My birth clan isn't like this place, they won't survive an attack like this,"[/b] Telesphorus saw the situation was quickly spiraling, and the bogsneak stepped forward to guide Ysolde away. He kept his own body between Ysolde and Monroe, mostly worried about Ysolde impaling himself on Arorangi's antlers if he tried to attack the spiral. [b]"Take a breather, Herald,"[/b] [b]"But--"[/b] [b]"That's an order,"[/b] Telesphorus barked and Ysolde's resolve, along with his expression, crumpled. The tundra turned around and stalked away, tearing up the snow with his claws as he walked. He turned back to the rest of the group. Monroe looked too smug, so Telesphorus sent a glare towards the spiral that silently humbled her. Nox nodded at him, exhaustion clear in her eyes. The older tundra had been nearing retirement before this, and now she was several months into a harsh and cruel lifestyle. She couldn't play mediator to violent disputes, not anymore. Breath in for seven seconds, exhale for ten. Repeat three times until he was steady enough to address the group. [b]"Herald Ursa, how long do we have until the barrier drops naturally?"[/b] Telesphorus asked, focusing on the quietest member of their group. While the others had become more boisterous, Ursa had caved into himself. He was still the same strong-willed, competent dragon he'd always been but there was a deep emptiness within Ursa now that made his bright eyes look hollow and dull. [b]"I'd give it twelve hours,"[/b] Ursa responded and nodded his head towards the greyish-blue barrier like it was obvious. Telesphorus took the younger dragon's word for it. [b]"So we need to make a decision now,"[/b] Wit sighed. Telesphorus made his way over to the imperial and patted her tail in a mockery of comfort, but it still brought a small smile to Wit's face. [b]"All in favor of dropping the barrier, flap your wings,"[/b] Nox commanded. Monroe and Ursa flapped their wings, and Telesphorus joined them. He was torn, but he could not see the group devolve into chaos. These Heralds, they were just apprentices; they shouldn't be sacrificing themselves like this. [b]"All in favor of reinforcing the barrier, flap your wings,"[/b] Nox glanced amongst them as she spoke. Arorangi, Wit and Xyrlove flapped their wings in support, and they all knew that Ysolde would also side in favor of reinforcing the barrier. [b]"It's decided then. Four against three,"[/b] Nox looked at Ursa. [b]"You don't need to take part if you're worried, Ursa,"[/b] The coatl shifted uncomfortably and grimaced. [b]"No, if that's what we've decided then I'll follow the group's wishes. We'll need as much energy as possible to reinforce the barrier,"[/b] Monroe huffed in a dramatic fashion and slumped against Arorangi's horns. Telesphorus turned and called Ysolde, who ran back in large bounds like an antelope. Telesphorus had never seen such a lanky tundra in his life, but he supposed they made them different in the Light territories. [b]"We're reinforcing the barrier. Line up, follow Councilwoman Nox's instructions,"[/b] Telesphorus got to work organizing the mages. The Councilwoman and Heralds lined up and faced the barrier, and the bogsneak, gaoler and spiral backed up and kept their distance. [b]"Alright. I want you to focus on the feeling around you, the silence in the air. It feels like the opposite of magic, doesn't it? I want you to take that feeling and hold onto it. And I want you to pull,"[/b] The mages started weaving their magic, through the movement of their wings and their hands. They clawed at the nothingness in the air and Telesphorus could see the effort from the mages' expressions. [b]"It's not working, Nox!"[/b] Xyrlove complained, even as she still went through the motions of pulling magic from the empty air. [b]"Not yet. Keep trying, there is something here,"[/b] Nox commanded and the mages fell silent. Monroe squirmed out of the twisting antlers of Arorangi and flitted through the air until she landed on Telesphorus's shoulder. Her claws dug into the fabric of his cape and Telesphorus winced; Monroe looked upset. [b]"No,"[/b] Arorangi breathed and Telesphorus swung his head around to look at the gaoler. She was watching with a horrified expression, as if sensing something the rest of them couldn't. [b]"They're-- they're calling upon the Shade, Captain,"[/b] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Wit[/b][/indent] It started out slowly. As Wit weaved and weaved, tugging at the thin thread of energy that hung in the air. Nox was right, there was something here, but it felt wrong. Wit could describe it in no other way than distinctly evil, like the energy was openly malicious and she was inviting that evil inside her. The imperial shuddered, and the connection opened. Her internal magic, wound around her soul like a shield, was suddenly touching this malicious energy as it rushed in like the tide. And by the Windsinger, it felt like nothing she'd ever experienced before. Frostbitten winter magic met with the sickly sweet energy. And Wit was laughing now, laughing as the energy pulsed out of her. She knew it should be painful, but she was simply exhilarated. Wit looked at her claws. Black magic poured out of her scales like smoke, and Wit was vaguely reminded of Sycamore fretting over the intensity of magic. The imperial turned her attention to the barrier, and pressed her hands against it. It felt like fire, burning her system and trying to purge the energy. [i]No, no. Take it, take the magic,[/i] Wit pushed past the pain and channeled the energy into the barrier. With a creaking groan and then a final whip-like snap, the barrier began accepting the energy. And Wit was suddenly just a conduit. She dragged energy in through her mouth and her wings, flapping them and sending snow flying as she tried to draw in more and more energy. The barrier pulsed and creaked, and in the distance Wit could hear guttural screaming. Another pair of wings joined Wit's leathery, starry wings. The feathered wings beat against the ground, and all Wit could think was that she'd been gifted. By her sacrifice, she was gifted. Pairs of wings were given to those chosen by the deities. Mayor Abran had two additional sets from her previous service, Labyrinth and Equinox also had additional sets. It was clear she had made the right choice, if a deity had given her a gift like this. Wit grinned and continued to push energy into the barrier. More, more, it would never fall. Not to outside threats, and not to inside ones either. She would protect the world forever. But with a snap, she was suddenly falling. Falling into snow, as a muscled fluffy form pushed her head into the frozen ground and held her down. Wit snarled, furious that anybody would interrupt her job, would interrupt her blessing, and writhed against the ground. Unluckily for her, Sentinel Arorangi had plenty of experience subduing Shade-crazed dragons. Wit was unconscious in a matter of moments. ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Niranye[/b][/indent] [b]"New brothers, new sisters..."[/b] [b]"By the Shade, what is she going on about now?"[/b] Salenor huffed as he paced back and forth in front of the altar. Behind them, the mottled black Banescale-like Shade Beast muttered to itself in excitement. Niranye huffed a bit of smoke in the Wildclaw's direction and shuffled over to where Eurydice stood. The Shade Beast had been modeled after her, and Niranye felt... Well, she sort of felt responsible for Eurydice. It was a horrible feeling, really. To think of a monster like a daughter. Niranye had hoped to raise children with Kireg, but now Kireg might be dead and Niranye was trapped in a bubble with a bunch of monsters and her least favorite people from the Wickerfrost government-- old Wickerfrost government. [b]"What do you mean, Eurydice?"[/b] Niranye asked gently, and Eurydice responded with an excited chirp and wiggled her body. Eurydice was a bit smaller than Niranye, and though she was supposedly fully grown Eurydice still acted like a child. Inexperienced, was what Mayor Abran had said. [b]"I feel them! I feel them, miss,"[/b] The words spilled out of Eurydice's mouth like tar. And actual tar also spilled out of Eurydice's mouth. Ew. [b]"New family, new family to join us!"[/b] [b]"Don't tell me that cultist made another one,"[/b] Salenor huffed as he approached. Niranye shot a glare at the wildclaw, who responded with a low growl. [b]"A Gaoler, a Banescale, what's next? She better not model one after me,"[/b] [b]"Be nice,"[/b] Niranye snapped under her breath. Eurydice didn't seem to notice or care about Salenor's temper, because the beast still wiggled in place with excitement. [b]"My Herald, the mistress called Rhoslyn didn't make the newest members of our family. They turned of their own volition, like you!"[/b] Eurydice flicked Salenor's mask and the wildclaw took a swipe at the wing she'd used. Niranye tried to guide Eurydice a few paces away from Salenor. She knew the Reeve was sensitive about what the prolonged contact with the Shade had done to his face. That's why he wore that mask; the slick black garment hid the corruption underneath. [b]"There's nobody in here that can turn, construct,"[/b] Salenor snarled. [b]"It's only us, and the group that trapped us in here. And I very much doubt they're wanting to join us,"[/b] [b]"That's where you're wrong, my Herald. The ones that trapped us here came to the Shade for help, and gave themselves in return. They're family now, my Herald. New brothers and sisters, new brothers and sisters..."[/b] Niranye and Salenor shared a look. [i]Abran can't know,[/i] Salenor mouthed. [i]We need to find them first,[/i] Niranye mouthed back. Salenor nodded sharply. Niranye glanced at Eurydice, who had fallen back into a manic muttering and wasn't paying any attention to them. It would be easy to leave the Shade beast here and sneak away. And that's exactly what they did. Running with pounding, jackrabbit-like hearts, the two cultists escaped into the ruins of Wickerfrost and went in search of where the Last Resort Squadron had, apparently, defected. -----

[center][item=Bone Fragments][item=Clouddancer Hide][item=Small Ribcage] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]Carry On[/size][size=3] Level 5 Clearance Documentation, For Sentinel Use Only[/font][/center] [columns][color=transparent]xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx[nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/57149135][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/571492/57149135.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60400926][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/604010/60400926.png[/img][/url][/columns] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Monroe[/b][/indent] The spiral was doing a good job of ignoring the too-sensitive feeling of feathers poking from her scales, or the clack of the keratin beak she'd sprouted. Calling upon the Shade, of course it would be something as monumentally idiotic as calling upon the Shade to reinforce a barrier [i]imprisoning an Avatar of the Shade[/i]. The mages laid scattered on the snowy ground, most of them unconscious. Except Ursa, who struggled against the bindings that Telesphorus had haphazardly fashioned to tie up the mages. Now, Telesphorus was patching up some sluggishly bleeding cuts that Arorangi had received from the Shade-mad mages while she was subduing them. Monroe flitted around in circles, needing the feeling of air under her wings to feel calm. Feathered wings, now. [b]"Detective, what exactly... Happened? To us, to you?"[/b] Telesphorus rumbled softly as he finished tying off the last bandage on Arorangi's neck, where Ysolde had made a deep gouge with his horns accidentally while struggling. [b]"Shade feedback. It can happen when there's high concentrations of Shade energy in an area,"[/b] Arorangi shook her head and a few droplets of inky, tar-like material hit the snow and stained the ground around her. Arorangi had taken the largest hit, her body... Melting, almost. [b]"How does that explain these?"[/b] Monroe flew over and circled in the air, extending her feathered wings for Arorangi to see and clacking her new beak in anger. She knew they should've dropped the barrier, now they were all turning monstrous! [b]"I don't recall being blessed, either,"[/b] Telesphorus flapped the secondary pair of wings that had grown out of his shoulders, underneath his normal wings; his birth wings were also different, with pinkish markings obscuring the patterns. [b]"As I said, Shade feedback. It changes you,"[/b] Arorangi held up one hand and the dark fur seemed to melt off in long, goopy strands. [b]"I guess I won't be in active duty after this,"[/b] The gaoler sounded sad about it. Like she hadn't nearly been magically vaporized a minute ago, and her biggest problem was [i]early retirement[/i]. [b]"The Shade can bless you?"[/b] Telesphorus asked, and Monroe-- well, she supposed that was an important line of questioning. Only the draconic deities were supposed to be able to bless dragons and give them additional sets of wings, that was strictly a type of regenerative, orderly magic that Monroe didn't know the Shade possessed. [b]"Yes, Captain,"[/b] Arorangi drawled like it was obvious. Telesphorus sputtered, flapped his wings angrily and stomped off to check on the mages. Monroe landed in Arorangi's antlers and twisted through the prongs until she was comfortably tangled. Arorangi didn't ask if she was alright, and Monroe didn't ask how the gaoler was doing. They were both professionals, and while Monroe felt like her blood was alight with anger at her new features she was still able to bottle the emotions and settle into a hazy calm. Arorangi could do the same thing, she'd be fine. Monroe settled in to wait until the mages awoke, but something caught her attention. The flash of movement in the corner of her vision. The spiral swung her head around and slithered out of Arorangi's antlers immediately, taking to the air again and drawing her blade as she saw two cultists trudging down the field, heading straight towards their weakened group. ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Niranye[/b][/indent] Niranye saw the downed squadron and stopped on the edge of the pasture. Salenor huffed and climbed over the fence with a few, panicked flaps of his wings as he clawed his way over the rotting wood. The banescale could see many members laying amongst the snow - the Councilwoman and her Heralds, oh no - while only three still stood. Monroe had seen them and was circling lazily, her blade flashing in the dim light. Arorangi was struggling to hold form, but she brandished her antlers in their direction. With a swift motion, Niranye headbutted the fence and the wood crumbled and fell. The banescale awkwardly picked her way through the remnants of the fence and followed Salenor, trying to keep up with the wildclaw's grueling pace through the snow. [b]"Don't come any closer, traitors!"[/b] Monroe snarled, her voice echoing across the field. Niranye winced; couldn't they be a little quieter? She didn't want them to attract any Shade beasts, or worse. [b]"I think you'll find that you need our help right now,"[/b] Salenor snapped back, but he kept his distance from the group. Niranye stood beside the wildclaw and watched the survivors line up. Telesphorus was sporting a new pair of wings, Monroe looked more feathered than normal and Arorangi was still melting a bit. [b]"What do you want?"[/b] Telesphorus gruffly demanded, his tail lashing through the snow and fins flared in aggression. Niranye didn't like their chances against those three, even in their weakened and disoriented states. [b]"We're here to help. You-- you gave yourselves to the Shade,"[/b] Niranye took a hesitant step forward. None of the group made any move to attack her, so Niranye relaxed her stance. [b]"We're not loyal to the Shade, we were simply using the resources available to put a stop to your master's destruction,"[/b] Arorangi retorted. Niranye bit her tongue and tried to think. What could they have done that necessitated calling upon the Shade? [b]"The barrier, it's stronger,"[/b] Salenor whimpered and Niranye flinched and stumbled back to the wildclaw's side, used to associating pain and punishment with that kind of fear in Sal's tone. But none such punishment came. Still, Sal looked at the blue-grey barrier with a deep frown and his claws sunk deeper into the frozen ground. [b]"You used the Shade to reinforce the dome?"[/b] Niranye couldn't contain her confusion. [b]"How is that even possible? Shouldn't the Shade-- Shouldn't it refuse a request when it'd be self-destructive?"[/b] [b]"That's not how the Shade works, Niranye,"[/b] Salenor snapped but there was no heat behind his words. [b]"It acts like an unbound deity. It has no territory or flight of dragons to call its own, it is a force of chaos where our draconic deities all pursue coherency. It can't [i]screen[/i] for every request, it just grants them,"[/b] [b]"Regardless of the inner workings of the Shade,"[/b] Monroe spat. [b]"What do you two want? We're not joining you,"[/b] Niranye nudged Salenor to silence the wildclaw before he said something they'd regret. The banescale stepped forward and dipped her head, trying to appear nonthreatening. [b]"We don't want you to join us. We-we don't even want to be working under Abran and Rhoslyn. But well, we thought you could all use some help-- uh, acclimating,"[/b] Niranye smiled hesitantly. [b]"What could you have to offer us?"[/b] Monroe questioned, still twirling in the air with her blade in her claws. Monroe was angry, her entire body a streak of barely-contained violence. [b]"The madness. We can stop the madness that comes with Shade corruption,"[/b] Salenor said, and reached up to tap his mask. [b]"We can't stop the physical altercations, but we can preserve your minds. Abran helped me, and I can help you,"[/b] The three remaining members of the survivors glanced between them. And for a moment, Niranye was worried they'd reject the offer anyways. But after a tense few seconds, the survivors looked back to them. Telesphorus nodded and waved them forward. [b]"If you can save our minds, we'd be fools to not take advantage. But if you betray us, we'll tear you apart like the Beasts your masters send to fight us,"[/b] Telesphorus warned them. And as the bogsneak flashed his teeth, Monroe stashed her blade and Arorangi shook her antlers and turned away, Niranye believed them. She hoped Salenor could back up his claims. -----

[center][item=Charged Tungsten][item=Chimera Fangs][item=Baku Tusk] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]Trouble Lurking[/size][size=3] Level 2 Clearance Documentation, For Sentry and Higher Use Only[/font][/center] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/65023828][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/650239/65023828_350.png[/img][/url][/center] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Andres[/b][/indent] [b]"You're never going to become a Herald with casting like that,"[/b] Andres dropped his hands, letting out a low growl of frustration at his teacher's insults. His tail whipped back and forth, the feathery-fluff on the end of his tail brushing against the hardwood floor of the training room. Kylas stood back, her feathered wings glittering as she watched him. Kylas was likely the worst mage in Frosthome, but she was the only one willing to teach him. Andres knew he had the ability to learn, to become better than all of the Council of Seasons combined, but he was stuck with a terrible teacher. [b]"Well how am I supposed to cast?"[/b] Andres snapped. Kylas glared at him, stood on her hind legs with complete balance and weaved her hands through the air. And as she weaved, she pulled a single, fiery-looking flower from the air. [b]"Like that. Take the energy and give it form,"[/b] Kylas dropped the flower and it crumbled back into energy before it hit the floor. [b]"Weave your hands like you're knitting with your fingers, and the energy is your yarn,"[/b] Andres shook out his body and tried to focus on Kylas's instructions. He stood on his hind legs and weaved his hands through the air, and imagined he was knitting a scarf out of invisible yarn. He tugged at the threads of energy he was only barely aware of, but they refused to heed his call. Frustrated, he tried to yank the energy instead. If knitting didn't work, he'd grab fistfuls of energy and mold it like clay instead. The air around him crackled, and Andres felt a rush of power hit his chest as the energy in front of him exploded outward. With a scream, Andres fell back and scrambled back. The air kept popping for a few moments, like a boiling pot of water, and then the ambient magic went dormant once more. Small burns peppered his chest where the magic had exploded. Kylas helped him up, and offered no sympathy beyond that. Andres excused himself from the "lesson" and headed towards the washroom, feeling his pride burning alongside his feathers. Andres looked at the washbasin full of cold water and splashed a bit on where he'd been burnt, wincing when the droplets made contact with the burnt skin. He looked up and saw himself in the mirror and sighed. Scoutsmaster Andres. What would his family think of him? He'd spent his entire life chasing power, and he was blocked by his inability to pick up a simple skill. He'd studied under warlords, seen the most horrific sights the Scarred Wasteland had to offer, and yet a simple mountain city was besting him. He splashed his face next, and shook the water out of his feathers. He turned away from the mirror. There'd be time for reflection later, he was meeting with the Forgemaster today and he didn't want to keep the ridgeback waiting. ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Andres[/b][/indent] Kantaira was a scary dragoness, even Andres had to admit that. The ridgeback was strong as a roc from working the forge day in and out, sharp as flint and could wield fire magic expertly. If Andres were lucky, he would be studying under Kantaira instead of Kylas. But Kantaira didn't like him, so Andres had to settle for being content that the Forgemaster even accepted his invitation to meet. [b]"Scoutmaster,"[/b] Kantaira greeted as Andres stepped inside the tea shop. The interior of the shop smelt of dried leaves and spring flowers, likely because of the scattering of potted plants taking up as much available space in the crowded interior as possible. Andres walked to the booth that Kantaira was sitting at. The dragoness was sipping a cup of tea and watching him with sharp, fiery eyes. [b]"Forgemaster,"[/b] Andres greeted back as he took a seat across from Kantaira. [b]"I appreciate that you agreed to meet with you. I believe we can help each other,"[/b] Kantaira didn't look impressed. [b]"What could you possibly help me with?"[/b] [b]"Someday, I am going to become a part of the Council of Seasons, and thus be included in Frosthome's Council. This is an inevitability, not a dream,"[/b] Andres flexed his claws on the table as he spoke excitedly. [b]"If you help me with my aspirations before I am part of those Councils, I will welcome you into the Frosthome Court. I will push for rulings and legislation that helps your businesses, and that will make you richer than you could ever imagine,"[/b] Kantaira paused. She was considering it, and Andres smiled to himself. The Forgemaster had been left off the Frosthome Council despite her seniority, allowing people like Lady Kinath into the Court simply because she'd helped house refugees during the incident that destroyed Wickerfrost. Andres was good at finding the dragons who'd been overlooked, overworked and underappreciated. Kantaira was one, Vorrutyer was another, and as his support grew the Council of Frosthome wouldn't be able to ignore him anymore. [b]"I've seen that kind of look before, in Mayor Abran's eyes,"[/b] Kantaira spoke and Andres flinched at the comparison. He was ambitious, but he wasn't Shade-crazy. He'd never betray Frosthome like Abran betrayed Wickerfrost. [b]"Why do you really want to join the Council of Frosthome?"[/b] Kantaira questioned and Andres clicked his beak as he considered the question. He wanted power and authority, he wanted conversations to quiet and all eyes to be on him when he entered a room, he wanted leagues of dragons to cheer his decisions. [b]"I want to be a good leader, Forgemaster. I want to represent the dragons of Frosthome, not the interests of the Icewarden or act as a magical mascot. My intentions are as far from the malicious as they can get,"[/b] Kantaira observed him like a hawk watching a mouse. Andres fluffed his feathers and waited for her answer. [b]"Fine, I'll help you. But I'll be the first to strike you down if you stray down Abran's path,"[/b] Kantaira was a scary dragoness. But Andres only felt exhilaration as he shook her hand to make the deal official. -----

[center][item=Igneous Flow][item=Black Slime][item=Discarded Nest Material] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]The Stockade Report[/size][size=3] Level 5 Clearance Documentation, For Sentinel Use Only[/font][/center] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]Tape #1[/b][/indent] [There is a click of a tape recorder being turned on. The tape whirrs and the sound of a chair scraping against the floor can be heard] "Councilwoman Nox, thank you for joining me," "Don't call me Councilwoman. I'm hardly a part of the Council of Seasons anymore," [The shuffling of papers can be heard] "What would you rather I call you?" "I'm closer to a Spirit of Winter, so Spirit Nox is fine," "Spirit Nox then, thank you for joining me. I have a few questions about what happened in the Stockade," [A claw scratches against the woodgrain of the table and a soft exhale is heard] "Go ahead, Sentinel," ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]Tape #2[/b][/indent] [The tape recorder is clicked on and there is a cacophony of noise. Multiple things clatter to the ground and a loud, wordless yelp can be heard] "Oh! Herald Xyrlove are you--" "I'm fine, I'm fine--" "Are you sure?" [The sound of many, many scratching claws can be heard scouring the table] "Yes, yes. I just tripped, been a while since I've been in a proper office," "Oh, yes-- I suppose," [There is silence apart from the shifting of wings and claws clicking against the floor] "Do you still go by Herald?" "No, none of the old Heralds can take over the Council of Seasons now that we're all--" [The words devolve into scratchy, almost panicky laughter that goes on for twenty seconds before the wheezing subsides] "--Shadebound. Shade-Touched. Whatever you call them," [The words are growled] "I'll just call you Xyrlove, then," "Harbinger is more accurate," ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]Tape #3[/b][/indent] [There is a loud sound of paw hitting cheap metal, and the recording wobbles] "This cursed thing, it keeps cutting out," "That's my fault, I think," [The noise in the background of the recording intensifies the longer the second voice speaks, nearly cutting out again. The noise subsides after a few moments] "I guess we'll use what time we have. State your name and title," "I am-- erm, I suppose Treasurer isn't valid anymore. I am Niranye, no title," "That was easy. Tell me what happened, leading up to the creation of-- what did you all call it? The Abomination? And then lead me through the events in the Stockade," "Er, that's.. Okay, sure. Mayor Abran called me into her office one day, and explained to me that the Council of Seasons was founded to create a well of unharnessed magic. She told me-- She told me that you'd only find so much concentrated magic in the lair of a deity. She gave me the opportunity to help her harness some of that magic for a personal project of hers; I agreed readily, because I know the dangers of having too much concentrated magic around," "Mhm. Other accounts of Wickerfrost's latent magic situation confirm Abran's claims," "I didn't know what she wanted to do, or I would have never agreed. She brought me, Sal and the Council to the town center and introduced us to Cleric Rhoslyn, and explained some made-up story about Rhoslyn's mate dying and her only egg with him being magically frozen. The Council readily agreed to use their magic to hatch the egg but-- it was a trap. Whatever was in that egg was a remnant of the Shade, and they released it," ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]Tape #1[/b][/indent] "I led the Heralds to raise the barrier of the Stockade. It was the only way to contain the Abomination," [A deep sigh, followed by a single claw tapping against the grain of the desk] "But your master does not care, does he? The Icewarden just sees another flock of underprepared whelps touched by the Shade," "I'm not the Icewarden, Spirit. You are subject to my judgement first and foremost," "So he's abandoned us, then?" "He has not sent any aid or replied to my calls for help," [It is silent for nearly a full minute. A tired, long sigh breaks the silence] "We fought against the Abomination, and we are being punished for it. I have long since known the Icewarden to be cold but fair, but I never thought he'd be this cruel," "There is no need to panic. We are cut off from the Fortress of Ends, but Warden Inddrin says she still carries his favor; he could simply be gathering an army to defeat the Abomination once and for all," "And what are we? Fodder for his war?" ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]Tape #2[/b][/indent] "Why Harbinger?" "My magic is still tied to the seasons, but I am not a Herald. I don't think I can stop being tied to Summer, anymore, even if I tried; so Harbinger of Summer it is," "Hmm, alright," [There is a scratch of a quill on paper] "Harbinger Xyrlove then. Are you a servant of the Shade?" [Barked laughter peaks the mic] "No, no. Salenor and Niranye helped us keep our minds. It's all physical changes, my allegiance to-- Well, it's Frosthome now, right? My allegiance to my home hasn't changed," "Mhm. Sentinel Arorangi also vouched for Salenor and Niranye's methods, but I need to double-check," "It's fine. I see you've had a run-in with the Shade yourself," "A long time ago. Shade feedback, not like your own situation," "What's the difference?" "You called upon the Shade, and it gave you abilities and changed you with your own permission. Shade feedback happens when somebody stands too close to a high concentration of Shade energy; I gave nothing to the Shade, but it still can hurt," "Ah. That makes me feel worse," ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]Tape #3[/b][/indent] "...And, well, me and Sal were too scared to leave. Mayor Abran was-- is-- terrifying. Sal was convinced she'd kill us both if we didn't listen to her," [A quill scratches against paper as hurried writing is caught on the recording] "They made us fight with the-- uh, squadron. Many times. Abran took Sal away and gave him to the Shade. Rhoslyn made creatures in our forms; a Gaoler and Banescale," "Slow down, Rhoslyn did what?" "She made creatures. They're like constructs, but made of melted-down materials from the Abomination's destruction," [A head thumps against the desk and it vibrates with the dragon's breathing. A low, keening whine breaks the tense silence and extends for a few seconds] "Of course. Shade constructs. We're certainly making history," "...Are you alright, Sentinel?" "I think this is enough for today. I will speak to you again soon, Niranye," "How long have you been doing these interviews today?" "Too long. Go get some rest," -----

[center][item=Broken Clay Pot][item=Antique Oil Lamp][item=Decorative Rasa Shard] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]The Council of Frosthome[/size][size=3] Level 3 Clearance Documentation, For Keeper and Higher Use Only[/font][/center] [columns][color=transparent]x[nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/57140569][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/571406/57140569.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60264783][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/602648/60264783.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/60097830][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/600979/60097830.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/40802612][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/408027/40802612.png[/img][/url][nextcol][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/40166509][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/401666/40166509.png[/img][/url][/columns] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Inddrin[/b][/indent] [b]"Thank you all for joining me here,"[/b] There were sounds of shifting wings, clacking claws and grunts of acknowledge from around the hall. Inddrin masked her discomfort at being surrounded by the Frosthome Council by shaking out her mane and straightening the paperwork in front of her. The Council Hall was made to fit the Gaolers who built it, and it dwarfed the smaller dragons with its magnitude. Arching support beams of wood rose over their head, and an elaborate set of rafters crossed the ceiling; Inddrin was pretty sure any of the smaller members of the Council could hide up there, if they wanted to. [b]"I hope this is about our Heralds, who you've kept [i]locked up[/i] in Sleetstorm,"[/b] Labyrinth's scratchy voice was the first to speak up, but her words clearly emboldened the rest of the Council of Seasons. Inddrin sighed and rubbed her forehead, and wished they'd waited a few minutes before giving her a headache. [b]"They are heroes, they deserve to be treated as such,"[/b] Equinox's voice was grim and angry and her claws scratched against the table. The Wildclaw's wings flapped and adjusted on her back, and Inddrin could feel Equinox's angry, untamed magical aura from her spot a few meters away. [b]"They're Shade-touched,"[/b] Holm snapped back and brandished his antlers, but Inddrin knew he didn't mean his words by the roughness of his voice and the way his tail started losing form. [b]"Enough,"[/b] Inddrin had long since learned that the Icewarden had gifted her many things. One of those things was her presence; with just a bit of effort, she could make her presence crush down on the magic of those around her. It worked well with mages and other Gaolers, which was what made up the entirety of Frosthome's Council. The other dragons cringed and dipped their heads, wings sagging as they tried to keep upright. Inddrin let her presence ease once she felt they'd all gotten the message. [b]"We're not here to argue, we're here to decide on a solution. Head Sentinel Holm has personally interviewed all of those involved with the incident we've captured and has decided to keep them in quarantine [i]for now[/i]. That is not the point of this meeting anyways; according to Head Overseer Jovial's reports this Abomination has gone into some kind of hibernation,"[/b] Inddrin tapped her claws against the table and wrapped her tail around her haunches as she spoke. [b]"The running theory is that the Abomination ran out of magic, and for the year the Stockade spent in isolation the Abomination starved itself,"[/b] The Council of Seasons looked between themselves dubiously. Inddrin let the information sink in before she continued; she knew the next part would likely panic them. [b]"So with the Abomination in hibernation, the Last Resort Squadron rescued, we are left with the problem of the Shadebound. ex-Mayor Abran, the one called Rhoslyn and their creations are still alive and active as far as we know. I think it's plausible they are trying to find a way to wake up the Abomination again,"[/b] Inddrin didn't like her own words, but they were true and must be said. [b]"The last time it required the entire Council of Seasons working with them and many years worth of concentrated magic, neither of which they'll be able to get again,"[/b] Equinox pointed out, rather intelligently. Inddrin nodded and let her continue. [b]"Any large well of magic nearby will be immediately investigated. And the Council of Seasons won't do any of Abran's dirty work again,"[/b] [b]"That's not what the Warden's getting at,"[/b] Sycamore's voice was hoarse, as if she'd been crying. Maybe she had been. [b]"The Abomination was an egg, before. Now it's a hatchling, and hatchlings can be fed,"[/b] Inddrin felt a shiver roll down her spine but she nodded at Sycamore's words. [b]"You're right. I fear the Shadebound will take advantage of Frosthome's close proximity and hunt our citizens to feed their magic to the Abomination,"[/b] [i]Perhaps not just their magic,[/i] went unsaid. [b]"So, we're going to be hunted for sport. Like Bullephant during the Midwinter Migration,"[/b] Labyrinth spat, the Mirror's duel sets of wings flaring in anger or perhaps fear. [b]"Cut off from the Icewarden, thought dead by our allies, and hunted down to feed a monster,"[/b] Inddrin winced and dived into the depths of her soul, and pressed her mind against the shining beacon of the Icewarden's blessing. It hummed underneath her presence, pointing her towards Sleetstorm. Towards home. They were not utterly abandoned. [b]"We are stronger now. I will gather Sentinel Arorangi and Apprentice Vorrutyer and we will hunt the Shadebound down. With the Abomination in hibernation we will be able to subdue the cultists and constructs easily,"[/b] Holm sounded confident, but Inddrin didn't trust it. She'd seen Arorangi after they rescued them, and Arorangi was barely holding form just like Holm. And Vorrutyer was just an apprentice, for Icewarden's sake! [b]"Take Seeker Arpine, Apprentice Oath and Sentry Carantog as well. They can help you track the Shadebound and subdue them,"[/b] Inddrin left no room for argument, and Holm's complaints wilted under her glare before he could voice them. [b]"Council of Seasons, you are all in charge of Frosthome's security. I will reassess the survivors of the Stockade and decide if they are mentally well enough to rejoin regular society,"[/b] Inddrin commanded, and it looked like everybody was okay with their assignments. At the very least, nobody was complaining. [b]"I believe that will be all. Meeting adjourned,"[/b] -----

[center][item=Fossilized Leaf][item=Broken Wagon Wheel][item=Forgotten Crown] ----- [font=Palatino Linotype][size=5]Gone Hunting[/size][size=3] Level 4 Clearance Documentation, For Overseer and Higher Use Only[/font] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/59000332][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/590004/59000332_350.png[/img][/url][/center] ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Oath[/b][/indent] Oath hadn't realized just how much he'd gotten used to the warmth of Frosthome until it was gone. The empty Everfrost forests were freezing, and even his own thick coat could not keep out the biting chill as he walked with the rest of the hunting party through the woods. He did not normally leave the safety of Sleetstorm or now the new safety of Frosthome without his mentor, Jovial, but the tundra had been left behind for today's excursion. With Jovial around, he knew he was always safe. Oath tried to not let it show how much her absence bothered him. [b]"Over here,"[/b] Alpine called out and the hunting party made their way to her location. They'd separated a bit to cover more ground - with all six of them, they could search a quarter-mile while fanned out - but their ears were good enough to hear over the distance. Oath was one of the first to arrive, thanking his sleeker pelt and uncumbersome horns and the fact he wasn't melting with every step. Alpine showed him scratch marks scoured into the bark of a tree, and Oath tilted his head curiously. He was no tracker, but the marks looked to be from a large beast. Guardian-sized or larger, perhaps even another Gaoler. Or an Imperial. [b]"You'll need to be more specific, Seeker,"[/b] Carantog was the second to arrive, her fur matted with snow and irritation clear on her face. Oath ducked away from the larger, older Gaoler and let her see the marks more clearly. [b]"Territorial marking from another Gaoler. Whelps do it quite often,"[/b] Alpine glanced in his direction and Oath bristled at the insinuation. He was nearly a fully-fledged Overseer, he wasn't some whelp. [b]"So?"[/b] Vorrutyer was the next to appear, his antlers making it difficult for him to navigate the trees. But Oath had to admit that Vorrutyer's antlers were impressive, in an overly narcissistic way. [b]"One of the constructs was a Gaoler. Perhaps it's acting like a child, considering it's less than a year old,"[/b] Arorangi trailed behind Holm as she spoke. The two had been rather inseparable since Arorangi was rescued, and Oath only felt a small tinge of regret when he looked at the two of them. Illyn had been trapped in another dimension for some time, and Oath didn't know how to handle his brother when he came back changed so he just... Avoided the problem. How could Holm take Arorangi's sudden changes in such stride? [b]"We'll follow the tracks. Apprentice Oath, Apprentice Vorrutyer, Sentinel Arorangi; the three of you stay on the flanks. We'll move as one unit, and if we encounter the Shadebound I want Seeker Arpine and Sentry Carantog guarding our backs,"[/b] Holm commanded them and they fell into position. Oath knew this was Holm's way of keeping the untrained away from the fray, and there was no shame in Carantog and Arpine's positions, but he couldn't help but glow with pride as he stood on Arpine's left and shielded her. They may think of him as an inexperienced whelp, but he was an Overseer. Someday he'd outrank Sentries and Seekers and he'd be given the respect he deserved. But for now, he must keep his ears perked and nose flared for any sign of the Shadebound. ----- [font=System][size=4][indent][b]POV: Oath[/b][/indent] The stars glittered above them and the aurora borealis danced in the sky. Oath wondered what it felt like, to fly through the sky and bathe in the stars. The frosted ground underfoot was cold and he longed to leave it behind. His wings twisted out from his back and stretched, clawed wingtips arching into the sky. But it was useless. He would never fly on these wings. Why had the Icewarden blessed the tundras with flight, but not them? Even the subterranean Ridgebacks were able to cut through the clouds when they desired. It wasn't fair. [b]"Too much thinking will rot your brain, Apprentice,"[/b] A shoulder bumped against his and Oath jolted, drawing back his focus to the ground. Alpine sat beside him, her ruddy red fur bright against the backdrop of white, blue and purple. [b]"Too little thinking and you'll forget what's important,"[/b] Oath retorted while folding his wings onto his back. He did not know Seeker Alpine very well, and saw no reason to change that. Alpine had joined Sleetstorm shortly after the destruction of Wickerfrost, and had seen fit to devote all her attention to building Frosthome. Alpine only scoffed in response to his words, and nudged him again. Taking the hint, Oath leaned against the larger Gaoler and let out a sigh. [b]"How long do you think it'll take to find them?"[/b] Oath couldn't wait to get home to his comfortable, secluded caverns where he wasn't burdened with constant reminders of all the things in life he couldn't have. [b]"Hmm, couple weeks, maybe? Ideally we'll find where they're keeping the Abomination, and pick them off as they check on the creature. I doubt they're bunched together if they're really... Hunting,"[/b] Alpine sounded disturbed, and Oath couldn't blame her. He hated the idea of spending weeks in the wilderness, waiting for a fight that could easily turn from dangerous to deadly. [b]"And we bring the Abomination back, and lock it up,"[/b] Oath reminded her, and summoned some unmelting shards of ice in the air in front of them before letting them drop to the ground. Alpine huffed and stomped on the shards, crushing them into the snow-dusted frozen earth. [b]"That'll be your job, and you'd best do it well,"[/b] Alpine looked at him, her soft yellow eyes burning with passion. [b]"You're the only one who'll be able to contain that thing,"[/b] Oath swallowed the sudden slurry of fear that rose in his throat like bile and nodded at Alpine. [b]"I've been training for a long time now. There'll be no issues,"[/b] He wished he could trust his own words, but right now under the uncaring sky and deep in the woods, Oath realized that he didn't truly know who was the hunter and who was the hunted. If they failed, everything might get devoured by the Abomination. Why hadn't they brought Jovial instead of him? -----