Warm firelight fought back the darkness of the cave as a gentle chime sang a lullaby to the crisp night air.
Joining the rhythm of the melody were hushed words that read a story to life.
"...carried by the wind was a singing pond joined by the hiss of flowing water.
The view from where she stood revealed a mountain with a hive of caves, some of which were hidden by waterfalls that melted down from rivers and streams.
The scent of wet rock invited Caseon to swim amongst a pond of glowing fish that never witnessed the scales of a dragon before.
Even such beauty couldn't claim her attention, however, as wistful thoughts drew her to the final resting place of her father.
A shrine of stacked rocks painted in the same muted yellow of his scales were positioned on either side of a square cut of stone. An intimate dance of symbols had been carved into its face.
Though they meant nothing to a stranger, Caseon closed her eyes and spoke them aloud.
'Death is only sorrow. So it is your life, and the life you brought to this world, that we celebrate.'
An ethereal glow filled the carved words as she spoke them. The ground beneath her shrugged, and in an instant, she was enveloped in darkness..."
Axaran's eyes lifted from the text to examine Pita, whose body was now weighing heavily against the warm pillows beneath her. Her small stone dragon teetered precariously in her claws.
With a huff of amusement, Axaran maneuvered the stone dragon to safety before bumping his snout against the top of Pita's head.
It had only been a year since her green scales had shed away to a blushing pink.
The growth of a Sky Dragon had been surprisingly comparable to a ratite. Her egg tooth fell out a month after hatching, and she'd chosen her own gender once she'd started thinking independently instead of just mimicking things around her.
When her wings took shape, however, they formed a reminder of the life he'd made for himself.
He'd stolen the egg of a Sky Dragon queen, but abandoned his quest to bring it to the Shadowforge. The whiplash from turning his back on the guild made him wonder if he'd ever understood loyalty, or if he was just another fool who expected to betray them and survive.
Of every worry and restless night, regret never found him. All it took was a smile, or the excitement from her vibrant eyes, and suddenly he was reminded of his sole purpose in life.
"Goodnight, my little seedling."
Axaran placed his claw against the rotating cylinder, halting the music that it sang to them. Once the silence had a chance to settle, he shuffled towards the mouth of the cave.
The touch of night air made his muscles tense and his body hunch in an attempt to keep its warmth. Cicadas clattered throughout the nearby trees, and Axaran could've sworn he saw the lights of wisps bobbing in the distance.
A deep breath brought the scent of spring air that dried his throat.
Watching over the cave entrance, he lifted his claw and opened it to reveal a small gemstone with a smooth glossy surface. He peered into a violet reflection of himself, catching a glimpse of his own tired eyes and aging scales.
"I wonder what you'd make of this." The alleviated weight in Axaran's chest forced a grin upon his maw. "You'd either call me crazy, or you'd boast about how you were right. That there was something in this world I cared about more than my own scales."
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Closing his claw around the gemstone, he held it against his chest as the reflection of stars filled his eyes. "There's no redemption for my mistakes. All I can do is try to put something good into this world, and that starts with her."
A clatter drew his attention to the cave.
He watched as Pita picked up her stone dragon. When she looked up, her expression sank with the realization that she'd been caught.
Axaran hid the gemstone away, his accusation was laced into a gentle tone. "Aren't you supposed to be asleep?"
"Who were you talking to?" Pita's voice carried a tired rasp, ignoring Axaran's question.
There was a hitch in Axaran's throat as his answer changed its course. "Myself."
"What were you holding?"
Axaran swept the topic away. "Nothing. You should go back to bed."
Pita clung to her curiosity for only a moment before a yawn overtook her. She relented, and nodded her head.
There was a guarded silence between them as Axaran guided her back into the cave where her eyes, and her questions, could rest for another night.
---------
The summer breeze continued to course around the trees, while sunlight bore heavily upon their branches. Serenity beckoned every insect into a competition over who could make the most noise.
Flower beds were covered by a blanket of serene scents, while pillowy dirt comforted the claws of any dragon or beast that walked upon it.
A chill ran up Finch's spine as he swept away a beetle that curiously crawled down his neck.
"I hate the Quiet Wilds."
"Mister Finch!" Pita shouted, "look!"
A perfect contrast to his misery, Pita sat in the waterfall of sun that peaked through the leafy canopy. A butterfly flitted into her open claw before taking a cautious rest.
As she held the tiny creature close to her snout, her eyes had become wide pools of water and sunlight.
Though it was clearly alive, its wings were a mosaic that could have easily been mistaken for glass. They were thin enough to allow light to splash a kaleidoscope of colors onto Pita's claw.
Its legs tickled and pinched her, as it flaunted its beauty before its captivated audience.
"I've never seen a butterfly like this before."
"Just keep it away from me," Finch grumbled, "I hate bugs."
"How could you hate bugs?" Pita remained fixated on the butterfly until it grew bored and fluttered to its next resting spot. "Aren't they so mesmerizing?"
"No. Not in the slightest."
With a small laugh, she caught up to Finch and walked close beside him.
"So what's it like in Goldenleaf? Is it a bustling city? Are there bazaars and performers from all over the world there?"
"Not quite," Finch struggled his attention away from the treetops. "It's a quiet town that's kind of on the edge of civilization. Everyone knows everyone, and strangers don't stay for long."
"That sounds peaceful." Pita spoke dreamily, "do you like living there?"
"Not really. The kingdom of Reman is known for innovations, wealth and eloquence. I'd rather be trading and bartering than mapping out the Quiet Wilds."
"I see," Pita trailed before quickly trying to pull away from another lecture about economy, "I can't wait to meet more dragons. I'm so nervous, but excited at the same time."
