The explanation of Ermine's relationship to the two girls was enough to convince Hermes this was indeed the right choice and he turned to Sirius. They both understood the strength of family born of a bond, but having some blood relation wouldn't hurt either.
"Alright, alright...how do we find this Ermine guy?" Sirius said, knowing he was out numbered in this decision.
"I'll go and gather some excess herbs and medicines to act as wares," Hermes said as he went to his small station.
Sirius watched his brother for a moment before continuing. "Also, how are we going to gain this dragon's trust without bringing him back here to see that we really have both of you?"
The explanation of Ermine's relationship to the two girls was enough to convince Hermes this was indeed the right choice and he turned to Sirius. They both understood the strength of family born of a bond, but having some blood relation wouldn't hurt either.
"Alright, alright...how do we find this Ermine guy?" Sirius said, knowing he was out numbered in this decision.
"I'll go and gather some excess herbs and medicines to act as wares," Hermes said as he went to his small station.
Sirius watched his brother for a moment before continuing. "Also, how are we going to gain this dragon's trust without bringing him back here to see that we really have both of you?"
"Hm... That's a good question now that I think of it..." Eira would say, trailing off as she began to think. Initially, the plan sounded easy and solid, however there are those issues that Sirius brought up, the first being where exactly to find Ermine. While she does know where Ermine's burrow is, they both can't exactly walk into the burrows without looking suspicious. The clearing is as far as any dragon can go into the clan, minus the guest units meant to hold travelling dragons until the next day. Not to mention, there was also the issue of Ermine's schedule. Ermine had gotten so distant from them that she did not see much of Ermine anymore, save for when the cadets return to camp after a training session. Ermine's schedule well could have changed in the course of four years as well. For all she could have known, he could have climbed the ranks of the army or completely switched into another role and both of them are very much a real possibility...
And to prove to Ermine that the brothers are indeed keeping them here without making him run all the way here on his own... Though she wouldn't mind that possibility despite it being the last thing Sirius wants, she knew that Ermine would tell the authorities and attract unwanted attention unintentionally. That is... Something difficult to think about. "Hm."
Calendula decided to talk now, seeing the mental gymnastics that Eira is going through. "Maybe you can catch them at around meal time?" She'd suggest, looking between the both of them. Eira then nodded, "I do believe they clock into the clearing twice per day; once in the morning and once at night. During both times they would eat before they are off to go train or do whatever it is they want to do. If you miss them, I do believe you are allowed to stay there for a day. That will give you both plenty of time to scout out the place. As for proving it to him..."
"You tundras have a really good sense of smell, right?" Calendula reached up into her head, claws searching through her mane of feathers until she plucked out a loose one. "Ermine should be able to tell it's us right away, even so when it's our own feathers." She held out the feather towards Sirius. Seeing this action also had Eira pick out a loose feather of her own as an offering. As she tugged free a two toned feather, she added, "Make sure to mention to him not to tell anyone. If you don't reassure him that we haven't been kidnapped, he'll end up bringing unwanted attention with him in an attempt to retrieve us."
"Hm... That's a good question now that I think of it..." Eira would say, trailing off as she began to think. Initially, the plan sounded easy and solid, however there are those issues that Sirius brought up, the first being where exactly to find Ermine. While she does know where Ermine's burrow is, they both can't exactly walk into the burrows without looking suspicious. The clearing is as far as any dragon can go into the clan, minus the guest units meant to hold travelling dragons until the next day. Not to mention, there was also the issue of Ermine's schedule. Ermine had gotten so distant from them that she did not see much of Ermine anymore, save for when the cadets return to camp after a training session. Ermine's schedule well could have changed in the course of four years as well. For all she could have known, he could have climbed the ranks of the army or completely switched into another role and both of them are very much a real possibility...
And to prove to Ermine that the brothers are indeed keeping them here without making him run all the way here on his own... Though she wouldn't mind that possibility despite it being the last thing Sirius wants, she knew that Ermine would tell the authorities and attract unwanted attention unintentionally. That is... Something difficult to think about. "Hm."
Calendula decided to talk now, seeing the mental gymnastics that Eira is going through. "Maybe you can catch them at around meal time?" She'd suggest, looking between the both of them. Eira then nodded, "I do believe they clock into the clearing twice per day; once in the morning and once at night. During both times they would eat before they are off to go train or do whatever it is they want to do. If you miss them, I do believe you are allowed to stay there for a day. That will give you both plenty of time to scout out the place. As for proving it to him..."
"You tundras have a really good sense of smell, right?" Calendula reached up into her head, claws searching through her mane of feathers until she plucked out a loose one. "Ermine should be able to tell it's us right away, even so when it's our own feathers." She held out the feather towards Sirius. Seeing this action also had Eira pick out a loose feather of her own as an offering. As she tugged free a two toned feather, she added, "Make sure to mention to him not to tell anyone. If you don't reassure him that we haven't been kidnapped, he'll end up bringing unwanted attention with him in an attempt to retrieve us."
Hermes and Sirius listened to them, the truth of the matter was this was going to be a delicate situation that had every possibility of blowing up in their faces and they could end up being dragged to the cult and sacrificed to the humming monster. The way that Eira spoke about Ermine it sounded like they had a fall out that had hurt the girls deeply, but Hermes did not think it was the proper thing to ask about, especially since it seemed to be a sensitive subject, which made a lot of sense since there were so many things going on to the Dragons of the Clan. This also raised the question who could be trusted at all?
When they were offered a feather each, Hermes took Calendula's gently in his claw and nodded his head in answer to her question. "The best sense of smell than any other Dragon," he said proudly. He opened his satchel then and gently placed each feather inside of it to keep them safe. Hermes now knew they were searching for a Tundra, which would make narrowing down the search for Ermine a bit easier. "We will make sure he knows that to tell anyone," Hermes promised as he took a deep breath. This was the moment they had been prepping for, they were heading into the center of an enemies stronghold really, armed with nothing more than their wits and the hope they had someone to trust on the inside.
"The clearing," Sirius repeated with a nod. "We will try to catch him there, might be the only chance we have to talk to him."
Hermes walked over, wrapping a gentle arm around both of them before pointing to his table. "If you feel pain, there is another vial there for you, take it and rest...we will try and return quickly."
Hermes and Sirius listened to them, the truth of the matter was this was going to be a delicate situation that had every possibility of blowing up in their faces and they could end up being dragged to the cult and sacrificed to the humming monster. The way that Eira spoke about Ermine it sounded like they had a fall out that had hurt the girls deeply, but Hermes did not think it was the proper thing to ask about, especially since it seemed to be a sensitive subject, which made a lot of sense since there were so many things going on to the Dragons of the Clan. This also raised the question who could be trusted at all?
When they were offered a feather each, Hermes took Calendula's gently in his claw and nodded his head in answer to her question. "The best sense of smell than any other Dragon," he said proudly. He opened his satchel then and gently placed each feather inside of it to keep them safe. Hermes now knew they were searching for a Tundra, which would make narrowing down the search for Ermine a bit easier. "We will make sure he knows that to tell anyone," Hermes promised as he took a deep breath. This was the moment they had been prepping for, they were heading into the center of an enemies stronghold really, armed with nothing more than their wits and the hope they had someone to trust on the inside.
"The clearing," Sirius repeated with a nod. "We will try to catch him there, might be the only chance we have to talk to him."
Hermes walked over, wrapping a gentle arm around both of them before pointing to his table. "If you feel pain, there is another vial there for you, take it and rest...we will try and return quickly."
They both nodded as the tundra brothers prepared to head out. "Good luck," Calendula would say, offering them a reassuring smile. Eira hummed, her way of saying good luck as well.
"One last thing," Eira would say before they would part. "Although the Cryosta members have a close range of colors more often then not, Ermine is a white and grey tundra with a dappled black mane. Just a tip before you both go. Stay safe, alright?"
And with that, they sat back and watched the boys go off, uncertain as to whether or not they will succeed. A part of them wonders what will happen should they fail, but the thought was quickly squashed down as they tried to hope for the best. They gave a wave to them as they went off.
They both nodded as the tundra brothers prepared to head out. "Good luck," Calendula would say, offering them a reassuring smile. Eira hummed, her way of saying good luck as well.
"One last thing," Eira would say before they would part. "Although the Cryosta members have a close range of colors more often then not, Ermine is a white and grey tundra with a dappled black mane. Just a tip before you both go. Stay safe, alright?"
And with that, they sat back and watched the boys go off, uncertain as to whether or not they will succeed. A part of them wonders what will happen should they fail, but the thought was quickly squashed down as they tried to hope for the best. They gave a wave to them as they went off.
"White and grey, dappled mane," Hermes repeated gently as he committed the description to memory. "We will find him and we will return," he promised as Sirius walked slightly ahead of his brother, stopping to look back of his shoulder and waited as the Healer quickly turned to take his place slightly behind his brother as they headed out into the frozen wasteland. Hermes heart was pounding so loudly in his ears that he thought he was hearing a war drum for certain, this was perhaps the most reckless thing he had done, though it was being done for a good reason. Silence had fallen between the two brothers, each one of them lost in thought about what could be laying in wait for them just beyond the stone walls of the camp, only have stories to go on.
"Don't wander away from me," Sirius said suddenly. The voice brought Hermes from his thoughts and he looked up at his brother. "I don't want you to be alone there, stay with me...do not follow anyone without me, understood?"
The blue Tundra nodded his head. Hermes knew Sirius would be on guard, but that would raise suspicion if they both were. "I will be careful," he promised his brother as their walk once more fell into silence, following the path that Sirius had taken a few hours beforehand.
"White and grey, dappled mane," Hermes repeated gently as he committed the description to memory. "We will find him and we will return," he promised as Sirius walked slightly ahead of his brother, stopping to look back of his shoulder and waited as the Healer quickly turned to take his place slightly behind his brother as they headed out into the frozen wasteland. Hermes heart was pounding so loudly in his ears that he thought he was hearing a war drum for certain, this was perhaps the most reckless thing he had done, though it was being done for a good reason. Silence had fallen between the two brothers, each one of them lost in thought about what could be laying in wait for them just beyond the stone walls of the camp, only have stories to go on.
"Don't wander away from me," Sirius said suddenly. The voice brought Hermes from his thoughts and he looked up at his brother. "I don't want you to be alone there, stay with me...do not follow anyone without me, understood?"
The blue Tundra nodded his head. Hermes knew Sirius would be on guard, but that would raise suspicion if they both were. "I will be careful," he promised his brother as their walk once more fell into silence, following the path that Sirius had taken a few hours beforehand.
Soon, they'd see the looming walls of Cryosta, flags still up and billowing in the wind in spite of the blizzard from the night before. They could see figures moving about atop the walls. As they'd draw closer, they would see a stream of dragons marching out of the wall in a line, each one of them dressed in a suit of armor. They were marching in a single line out of the clan's camp, posture upright and proud. Though not all of them mimicked the pose as well, there was an air of sternness to the dragons leaving the clearing.
Ahead of the line was a obsidian guardian, scales cracked and scratched from battle, giving way to scars than littered the flank of the dragon. It was obvious the dragon is some sort of senior from the way his beard was flecked in greys and whites. The dragon was dressed in a finer suit of armor from the way it was adorned by banners and the badge hanging from the chest plate. They did not pay any mind to the two tundras approaching the wall, more fixated on marching to wherever they are going.
As the line of soldiers came to an end, they pair could see some dragons with a different grand set of armor follow from behind. It was clear that they are of a higher rank than the usual defenders by the way they carried themselves and the decoration lining their armor, though it seemed like they were not of any of a higher rank than the leading guardian. There were five of them, similarly colored but distinct by their breed.
In front of them strode a haughty looking pearlcatcher, silver armor accompanied by an assortment of white and light colored cloth. Though he clutched the pearl in one claw, he managed to move elegantly in spite of having to utilize three legs.
Followed by the pearlcatcher is a lavender fae with a black shawl and cloak drapped over her armor. She fluttered forward, seeming to alter between overtaking the pearlcatcher and falling behind.
The coatl seemed to be the most out of place one of them all from the way he trotted along cheerfully, tongue flicking in and out in excitement as he chattered about something. The bright yellow clothe even fit his jolly nature.
From behind the group trailed a mirror dressed in red, slinking along. All four of her eyes seemed to be narrowed, as if scrutinizing her companions. The red scarf she wore almost seemed to swallow her neck, even dragging in the snow.
And finally, among the five generals walked a certain tundra. Though there was the armor and banner obscuring much of his markings, the white dappled mane was unmistakable and they could see lines of grey lining his pale coat.
Soon, they'd see the looming walls of Cryosta, flags still up and billowing in the wind in spite of the blizzard from the night before. They could see figures moving about atop the walls. As they'd draw closer, they would see a stream of dragons marching out of the wall in a line, each one of them dressed in a suit of armor. They were marching in a single line out of the clan's camp, posture upright and proud. Though not all of them mimicked the pose as well, there was an air of sternness to the dragons leaving the clearing.
Ahead of the line was a obsidian guardian, scales cracked and scratched from battle, giving way to scars than littered the flank of the dragon. It was obvious the dragon is some sort of senior from the way his beard was flecked in greys and whites. The dragon was dressed in a finer suit of armor from the way it was adorned by banners and the badge hanging from the chest plate. They did not pay any mind to the two tundras approaching the wall, more fixated on marching to wherever they are going.
As the line of soldiers came to an end, they pair could see some dragons with a different grand set of armor follow from behind. It was clear that they are of a higher rank than the usual defenders by the way they carried themselves and the decoration lining their armor, though it seemed like they were not of any of a higher rank than the leading guardian. There were five of them, similarly colored but distinct by their breed.
In front of them strode a haughty looking pearlcatcher, silver armor accompanied by an assortment of white and light colored cloth. Though he clutched the pearl in one claw, he managed to move elegantly in spite of having to utilize three legs.
Followed by the pearlcatcher is a lavender fae with a black shawl and cloak drapped over her armor. She fluttered forward, seeming to alter between overtaking the pearlcatcher and falling behind.
The coatl seemed to be the most out of place one of them all from the way he trotted along cheerfully, tongue flicking in and out in excitement as he chattered about something. The bright yellow clothe even fit his jolly nature.
From behind the group trailed a mirror dressed in red, slinking along. All four of her eyes seemed to be narrowed, as if scrutinizing her companions. The red scarf she wore almost seemed to swallow her neck, even dragging in the snow.
And finally, among the five generals walked a certain tundra. Though there was the armor and banner obscuring much of his markings, the white dappled mane was unmistakable and they could see lines of grey lining his pale coat.
Both brothers watched the line of dragons marching from the walls of Cryosta out into the cold and white world. Hermes found it hard to believe that so many dragons called this place home, and even more so how heavily armored they were. It seemed like everyone was prepared to march into battle with an unseen enemy that was standing on the horizon.
It was an uncomfortable sight, to say the least. It was as if they were getting a glimpse of the danger that was just laying beneath the surface of the still waters that resembled the Clan. Hermes glanced to his brother, taking notice of the thin, hard line that Sirius mouth took as he watched everyone marching forward. Hermes turned his attention back to the marching dragons, making note of every single dragon that came out, but he was searching for one specific tundra, he was the only one that Hermes really cared about, the only one that he needed to see and to make note of. He was well aware that he couldn't just run down and talk to him, not while he was on duty because it would draw too much attention to themselves then.
"It's a small army," Sirius muttered beneath his breath. "I feel like this is a show of power...but for who?"
That was a good question, and he looked at his brother and whispered gently to him. "Maybe...it's a show to other dragons that it's safe to lure them into coming into the clan?"
"Maybe," Sirius agreed, though his eyes never left the parade of armor that marched before them. "Muscle to carry out the higher up's orders...and to take down any dragon that tries to fight or flee," the last part of his sentence was carried away in the wind.
Hermes ear flicked though, as he caught the words and the meaning behind them and he took a deep breath. "They all can't be in on this...I can't fathom them all wanting to kill dragons."
Hermes felt his brother shift beside him, as if he was not sure of Hermes conviction that there had to be others in there that didn't mean a horrible fate for those who come here seeking shelter, home and family. "Come on, we can't just stand out here waiting."
They began approaching the gate then. It was then that Hermes jerked his head up, if only for a moment, as he made a mental note of where the Tundra looked like in his armor, remembering he had to talk to him at the clearing.
Both brothers watched the line of dragons marching from the walls of Cryosta out into the cold and white world. Hermes found it hard to believe that so many dragons called this place home, and even more so how heavily armored they were. It seemed like everyone was prepared to march into battle with an unseen enemy that was standing on the horizon.
It was an uncomfortable sight, to say the least. It was as if they were getting a glimpse of the danger that was just laying beneath the surface of the still waters that resembled the Clan. Hermes glanced to his brother, taking notice of the thin, hard line that Sirius mouth took as he watched everyone marching forward. Hermes turned his attention back to the marching dragons, making note of every single dragon that came out, but he was searching for one specific tundra, he was the only one that Hermes really cared about, the only one that he needed to see and to make note of. He was well aware that he couldn't just run down and talk to him, not while he was on duty because it would draw too much attention to themselves then.
"It's a small army," Sirius muttered beneath his breath. "I feel like this is a show of power...but for who?"
That was a good question, and he looked at his brother and whispered gently to him. "Maybe...it's a show to other dragons that it's safe to lure them into coming into the clan?"
"Maybe," Sirius agreed, though his eyes never left the parade of armor that marched before them. "Muscle to carry out the higher up's orders...and to take down any dragon that tries to fight or flee," the last part of his sentence was carried away in the wind.
Hermes ear flicked though, as he caught the words and the meaning behind them and he took a deep breath. "They all can't be in on this...I can't fathom them all wanting to kill dragons."
Hermes felt his brother shift beside him, as if he was not sure of Hermes conviction that there had to be others in there that didn't mean a horrible fate for those who come here seeking shelter, home and family. "Come on, we can't just stand out here waiting."
They began approaching the gate then. It was then that Hermes jerked his head up, if only for a moment, as he made a mental note of where the Tundra looked like in his armor, remembering he had to talk to him at the clearing.
The guard all marched off into the distance, their figures still audible in the barren distance. Not once did they falter in their walk, as they headed off to who-knows-where.
The gate was not closed when they approached it. From where they stood, they could see that there is indeed a clearing within the walls, a few dragons milling about in the open. There were guards standing by it the gate at ground level and they looked to the two tundras, seeming to be looking them up and down. All attention from the remaining defenders are fixed on them now, waiting to see what would happen. A ridgeback guard a top of the wall called out, voice booming loud enough to not be overridden by the wind.
”What’s your business here?”
Though the gate didn’t close up, they could see guards putting their hands on some sort of crank, ready to close up in case they decided to leave or enter. Either way, they were waiting on the words that would set them to close the gate.
The guard all marched off into the distance, their figures still audible in the barren distance. Not once did they falter in their walk, as they headed off to who-knows-where.
The gate was not closed when they approached it. From where they stood, they could see that there is indeed a clearing within the walls, a few dragons milling about in the open. There were guards standing by it the gate at ground level and they looked to the two tundras, seeming to be looking them up and down. All attention from the remaining defenders are fixed on them now, waiting to see what would happen. A ridgeback guard a top of the wall called out, voice booming loud enough to not be overridden by the wind.
”What’s your business here?”
Though the gate didn’t close up, they could see guards putting their hands on some sort of crank, ready to close up in case they decided to leave or enter. Either way, they were waiting on the words that would set them to close the gate.
The two brothers looked up at the Ridgeback who called down to them. Hermes gaze moved to the other dragons that were preparing to shut the gate, depending on how the brother's answered.
"Hello!" Hermes called back as he looked to the Ridgeback who had addressed them. "I am a traveling Healer, I come in hopes of opening trade with your Clan. I have my service and knowledge as well as herbal remedies and salves! Me and my brother do not mean anyone harm!"
Sirius looked at his brother for a moment and he stepped back slightly so that he didn't seem like he was preparing for a fight, even though he could feel his muscles tensing and preparing for any move from the armed dragons. Hermes gently pressed his brother's shoulder with his own as to reassure him that everything was alright and that they were not going to be attacked, at least that's how the Healer viewed it.
"My brother and I are simple travelers, we have no Clan so we bring no threat to you or yours, we just wish to trade." Hermes said with a gentle tone, only raising it to be heard over the wind.
The two brothers looked up at the Ridgeback who called down to them. Hermes gaze moved to the other dragons that were preparing to shut the gate, depending on how the brother's answered.
"Hello!" Hermes called back as he looked to the Ridgeback who had addressed them. "I am a traveling Healer, I come in hopes of opening trade with your Clan. I have my service and knowledge as well as herbal remedies and salves! Me and my brother do not mean anyone harm!"
Sirius looked at his brother for a moment and he stepped back slightly so that he didn't seem like he was preparing for a fight, even though he could feel his muscles tensing and preparing for any move from the armed dragons. Hermes gently pressed his brother's shoulder with his own as to reassure him that everything was alright and that they were not going to be attacked, at least that's how the Healer viewed it.
"My brother and I are simple travelers, we have no Clan so we bring no threat to you or yours, we just wish to trade." Hermes said with a gentle tone, only raising it to be heard over the wind.
The answer seemed to be enough for the guards, as the ridgeback gave a single nod to their companions. The guards at ground level visibly tensed less, even taking a few steps away from the entrance although they weren't blocking the entry way in the first place. The dragons holding onto the crank didn't let go of it, waiting for the two to step into the clearing first before they could shut the door.
"Very well. Come on in! You both may stay here for a day and nothing more! One of the guides should be here with you shortly after you enter the clearing!" The ridgeback called out to the siblings as confirmation. With that, they backed away, going to sit by one of the guards as they watched for them to enter.
The answer seemed to be enough for the guards, as the ridgeback gave a single nod to their companions. The guards at ground level visibly tensed less, even taking a few steps away from the entrance although they weren't blocking the entry way in the first place. The dragons holding onto the crank didn't let go of it, waiting for the two to step into the clearing first before they could shut the door.
"Very well. Come on in! You both may stay here for a day and nothing more! One of the guides should be here with you shortly after you enter the clearing!" The ridgeback called out to the siblings as confirmation. With that, they backed away, going to sit by one of the guards as they watched for them to enter.