Mountains ranged as far as the eye could see. Spires reaching high into the heavens that have been the homes of dragons for many generations. The highlands were a true place of marvel to Cyrvanyx to this day. Even growing up there the appreciation for the endless mountain ranges, both large and small, never diminished. Further up the mountains were rocky jagged peaks, covered in never melting snow above the clouds while the lower mounds and hills were pastures of such brilliant green that not even the bleak touch of fall could wither it. Few trees grew in the highlands. Instead there were large plains of flowers and grass. It had been years since Cyrvanyx visited and yet it still felt like home.

To William it must have seemed like a wonderland. Flying on his back had become the child very well and in between the rush of the wind and his beating wings he could hear William's admiration for the landscape and the mere wonder of seeing the world from his back. Whenever he asked a question he was happy to answer it with a smile, just glad that he was talking about something else than the war.

“So, you are saying there are whole clans of these kobolds while others mix with the human clans?" William would ask as they flew over the dragon pass, the only road that leads through the highlands into the northern lands beyond. It meant that it would not be much farther until they reached their destination.

“Indeed." Cyr confirmed with a chuckle, raising his voice so the boy would hear him over the wind. “I am surprised you have not heard of the little critters. King Aerdur liked to employ some as scouts in his campaigns against Goedwig."

“Of course I heard of them! I just never saw one or know how they live." Will retorted. “Do they also love dragons like in the stories?" Cyrvanyx' sharp ears could hear him chuckle.

“Some surely do serve dragons, yes. Most of them these days just mingle with the human highlanders and live their lives as any other human would in the highlands." Cyr answered earnestly, twisting his neck to look back and make sure he was paying attention. The boy was squinting his eyes as he looked around the land going by beneath them, trying to shield his eyes from the windy onslaught.

“They do make great servants though!" Ary injected suddenly from the side as she flew closer, still holding Gareth tight to her chest. Her tone was jesting, her muzzle parted in a big smirk. “They are tiny version of dragons. It is like they are made for it."

“Shouldn't let their elder at Baile-Cridhe hear that or she will never stop yip yapping at you." Cyrvanyx joked back, smiling at her.

“You think that old crone is still around? How old do kobolds get anyway?" Ary asked with a laugh. The sound alone made Cyr's heart soar higher than his wings could carry him.

When he did not respond right away it William who spoke up instead, doing his best to yell over the wind. “Old enough to be considered a crone I guess?" When Cyr looked back he saw the boy grinning from ear to ear as Ary laughed at his words. He joined in on her laughter, finding it contagious. Soon William was laughing as well. The journey seemed all the more pleasant in spite of their grand task with such company.

There was only one more stop before Cyr knew they would reach their destination. They took the time to restock on water and did some hunting. William even took out a rabbit with an improvised sling he made which Cyr and Ary praised him for on the way back to their camp. Gareth was still a concern that would not grow easier. Still he did not move. All the knight could do was breathe and be carefully fed water by William. Every time Ary looked his way he could see the barely disguised fear in her eyes. Fear that was only growing in the past few days. Fear that after carrying him all this way the highland healer they would find would only proclaim he would never wake.

Besides Ary's fear he managed to make her smile as he regaled the story of Henry and him on their last night together, getting drunk. The memory alone made Cyrvanyx smile from ear to ear. In hindsight, as little as he initially wanted it, he was so very glad that Henry persuaded him. Had he not done so he could not share this last memory of them together, happy and laughing. The part about him giving advice to him for Arylaryl he left out, feeling his muzzle flush a little when he got there. The inquisitive look Ary had suggested that she knew he was leaving something out, but William saved him from her inquisition when he spoke up, laughing, that he never had seen his father drunk.

Neither had Cyrvanyx for a long time, he admitted, and then went into a shorter story in the aftermath of a battle two years ago in the forests of Goedwig. It was a victory that day, but a costly one. Cyr did not quite know what Henry witnessed that day for he was flung off his back in the chaos of battle on the ground, but he seemed quite distraught afterwards. Since then he had seen him drinking more often, heavier too. He never mentioned that day again. The mood at camp become glum quickly after the tale, even short as it was.

All the gladder was he when Ary broke the silence and spun a tale of her and Gareth in times of peace when they first were sworn together by a most sacred oath. How proud she was to be bound to the son of the grandmaster. Not to mentioned his kind and lively personality. As she went on however, Cyr's smile wavered when he heard her voice quiver. Even William looked up at him as he surely heard it too. Her eyes were closed then, composure barely held. It was in that moment of vulnerability of her otherwise so strong exterior that he knew he had to act, to comfort her. In the last few days talking with her and being close to her has become more and more natural. While his true feelings he still kept hidden inside. After sharing a worried glance with William he got up from his belly to shift over to where she was laying. Her eyes caught him only briefly before he embraced her with both his arms and his wings, shielding her from the world and all who would pain her.

“It is going to be ok, Ary." He spoke softly, now trying to compose himself not to tear up. “He is going to wake up, I promise." It was then that she broke down. He felt her tears upon his scales and her paws grip his shoulders as she sobbed earnestly, held back no longer. Unlike in the plains he did not cry with her. There they found comfort in shared grief over their fallen home. Now though, Cyr did his best to comfort her in her own private fears for her dear friend. To shield her from her pain and sorrow, allowing her to cry against him as much as she needed.

Like that they remained for a while, Arylaryl crying out all her worries and sorrows under his shielding wings. When at last there were no more tears to shed she still did not move and neither did he. Only when she began to move again did he unfurl his wings around her and released his paws. “We will find a healer who can help. Even if we have to scour all the highlands to find one." He said when she wiped at her eyes.

“Thank you." She said weakly and cleared her throat. “Thank you, Cyr. I don't think…" She heaved a sigh and glanced at the still unmoving form of Sir Gareth. “I don't think I could do this without you."

He smiled at her words. “There is no need to think me. I could not do this without you, either. We are in this together. You, me and William." Then he chuckled to himself when he added. “And Gareth too of course if his lazy ass ever decides to get up."

To his delight that made her laugh. Seeing her happy filled his heart with such joy, a joy that only soared higher when she hugged him again, rubbing her neck against his. His heart fluttered at her closeness, but fully skipped a bear when she gently licked his cheek once before pulling back. He did not know what expression he was making in the moment, too focused on how she had touched him just then. Whatever it was it seemed to make her giggle, a sound enough to ease the tension in him. “This is all very lovely, Cyr, but I think we should keep moving now. I think we had enough rest. If we hurry, we can reach the village by nightfall."

“Oh, y-yes of course." He stammered, clearing his throat after. Silently he cursed himself for reacting so weirdly where before he had hugged her all the same. Then she was not rubbing his neck in such a way however… or licking his cheek so affectionately. His eyes fell on William as he stamped out their campfire, the boy just giving him a smile accompanied by a thumps up. It caught him off guard enough to make him stop for a moment as William approached to climb on his back. Was it that obvious that he…

He shook his head, lowering himself on the ground instead to allow him to climb onto his back and strapping while Ary picked up Gareth. They did not linger at their camp any longer than they needed and soon took to the sky to continue their travel.

Hours were yet spend flying high over the highlands. The sky began to turn shades of orange and red when at last they saw the mountains give way to a large valley in which their destination sat. The largest village in the highlands, Baile-Cridhe, was build next to a large lake that was being fed by a river coming from the mountains. At this hour the village was still abuzz with activity as torch light danced through the streets, wide enough for a dragon to maneuver. Cyrvanyx smiled as he saw dragons walking amidst the humans that lived there. It was home at last and also the place where all the leaders of the clans would gather at the foot of the Daskar mountain, the largest mountain in all the highlands.

The closer they got, the more Cyr was beginning to worry. They have done it. They reached the village save and sound, and yet an even more challenging task lay ahead. To bring the clans together in an effort to join Albia seemed nigh impossible. They care little what happened beyond south of their mountains anymore. The same could even be said for the men living there. So long they believed it did not concern them, they would not budge. Cyrvanyx sighed as he angled his wings to descend as to land in a field next to the village. Ary swiftly followed his example.

Before they could land they were already hailed by a greeting roar of a dragon from the ground that Cyr did not see right away. Once they did land eyes were already upon them. A few men were already watching them curiously, most likely wondering what armored dragons were doing here. Their armor was still a sign of their status and likely cause for concern for the locals. Ary was the first to call out in draconic to the whole village. “We have traveled far to seek an audience with the highclaw!" Her booming voice carried over the buildings and through the village.

Not for long did they have to wait, for the dragon who greeted them forth from the village grounds. His red scales were faded in hue, suggesting his age and he was adorned with gold on his horns and several rings around his forearms. Cyr knew that this was not the highclaw, the clan leader, but rather a custodian of sorts who would often dwell amongst men to act as the voice of the local dragon clan. “And who are you to ask for such an audience?" The red dragon asked, his voice raspy and grizzled. As he stepped closer he revealed a slight hitch in his walk, likely an old scar that never healed quite right.

“We are from the order of the dragon, sworn soldier of his majesty the king of Albia." Ary stated clearly, her chest puffed out even as the older dragon approached them. He was nearly doubled the size of Cyr and still greatly outsized Ary. There was clearly something ancient in his bloodline for him to grow so strong and big. “We bring urgent and horrible news from the war. I think it would be best if the we discuss the details with the highclaw himself."

“Herself." The old dragon corrected. “Hastyrnok died last year. His daughter now rules our clan."

Cyrvanyx saw Ary being caught off guard at the sudden revelation, her maw opening and closing a few times, and believed he should take swift action. “Then we need to see her all the same. The boy upon my back and the knight in my companion's grasp might be the last survivors besides the two of us who survived the attack on Dragonstone Castle!"

The old dragon's face betrayed no emotions besides a slight raise of the ridges above his eyes. His gaze shifted from William to Gareth as Ary sat him down softly on the grass, still adorned in his armor. “As you can see we also require a healer." Ary spoke again, her tone now softer as she nudged at Gareth. “My friend suffered a head injury and has not woken since. It has been days and all we could do is feed him water. We need to see the highclaw and your best healers. Please!"

At the insistence in her voice the elder dragon grunted then sighed after he took a deep breath. “You all stay right here. I will return soon." He stated matter of factly as he spread his wings and took off faster than Cyr had expected for a dragon of his advanced age, flying to the mountain. Hopefully to fetch the people they asked for.

Left standing there as they were none of them dared to speak at first. Voices of curious villagers reached their ears as they sat and waited. Hushed as they were Cyrvanyx could not quite make out their words, but he was sure that already they were spreading gossip amongst each other what they might be doing here. He even saw one of the people point at Gareth, seemingly trying to do so discreetly.

William spoke up first. “The people seem worried." He said softly so only they may hear. “Surely they have not already… heard?"

“Surely not." Cyr responded swiftly, his tone also held soft. “We have flown here as fast as we could. The news cannot have reached them this fast." He sighed, feeling his heart grow heavy as he thought about it yet again and that it would fall to them to bring the horrible news. He looked to the side while he listened to William unbuckling himself from his back. Arylaryl was watching the unmoving frame of Gareth yet again, covering him with her wing from the prying eyes of the people. There was still so much fear in her eyes he could see even from just the side. There was hope as well, sure, but it was overshadowed. He felt a sudden nudge at his side as he watched her. Surprised, he turned his head to look only to see William now dismounted tilting his head towards Ary, an urgent expression on his face. In the moment he must have looked funny to look at, maw slightly agape and eyes slightly narrowed.

When he closed his maw he looked away, eyes meeting Ary again as she watched over her friend. So much like his father, that boy. Cyr couldn't help but think. Nudging me to do the right thing. Without further hesitation he put a wing around Ary as she did around Gareth and smiled when she glanced his way. He said no words in that moment. He was just there for her as they waited. His wing remained in place still when his attention was caught by William patting him on the side as he said. “Someone is coming. He looks important."

Wondering who he could mean if not the highclaw, Cyr turned his head back to the village. A broad shouldered man with fiery red hair and a bushy beard just as red was approaching them with clear intent, shouldered by a dozen guards dressed in traditional kilt over their mail armor. Their spears were held aloft and shields lowered as clearly they did not see them a threat. The big smile on the man's face confirmed the clear friendly disposition. The rich jewelry the man was wearing alongside the bright blue tunic beneath his kilt already told him that this must be the local chief. Only then did he truly realize that he was looking at Bailtair, the young chieftain. Well, not so very young anymore. Last time Cyrvanyx saw him he was barely growing a stubble on his chin.

“Greetings, dragons from the dragon order. I am chieftain Bailtair, pleasure to make your acquaintance." The man said in a smooth yet deep voice, bowing as he spoke." At least I would assume as much from the armor that you are of the order."

“You assume correct." Said Ary as Cyr was too lost in thought to respond. He almost blushed as he cleared his throat and nodded as if her response was not already clear enough.

“I believed as much." He pointed with his arm behind him in a wide swishing motion. They were still being watched by the several people, but many of them have begun going about their day. Seeing a dragon was after all not a special occasion for them. Dragons from the order were a rarer sight however. “As you can see the people are restless as to the nature of your visit. Not often do we get dragons from the order come here. Especially in such a state…" He made a show to look them both up and down and glanced at William. “There are parts of your armor missing for both of you. Your knights seem to not be with you either only a child and a wounded man if the murmurs I heard upon arriving her are to be believed." He took a breath and looked at Ary who in turn slowly unveiled Gareth who was hiding behind her wing. A frown came upon the man's face as he looked at the unconscious knight.

Cyr could see the emotions, barely disguised, moving on his face. He was afraid, and for good reason. The chieftain knew before even knowing their full story that this was an ill omen. “Is he alive?" Was the first thing Chieftain Bailtair asked after a moment of silence.

Ary nodded without hesitation. “We have come here to ask for a healer and to speak to the highclaw. Urgently, on both matters."

Slowly Bailtair nodded his head. He gave one of his guards the order to fetch a certain Una. The man bowed and left with a swift pace. “Before I ask anything else might I inquire if you both are from here? I could swear you seem familiar."

Both Ary and Cyr nodded at the same time and this time it was he who spoke up first. “I was born here. Ary moved here with her family."

Chieftain Bailtair smile from earlier returned at his response. “Well I be damned. Good to see both of you then even if the circumstances seem to be anything but good." He chuckled to himself. His smile was then directed at Cyrvanyx specifically. “You'll be pleased to learn that your father is still around then. I suppose at least neither of you will have to worry about a place to stay at least. I have no doubt your family would welcome your friend as well."

Cyrvanyx was in fact not pleased to hear that, but forced a smile nonetheless. It would have been too easy if he never had to speak with him ever again. Now that he and Ary were home again it would no doubt be inevitable. It was something he had not even thought about until just now with all these other worries clouding his mind. A sudden knot began to form in his stomach at the notion of confronting his father after a decade of absence. His thoughts were interrupted as he felt Ary's paw on his shoulder. He blinked and turned his head to look at her, seeing her understanding smile. However, it could not be harder to face him than to face all of the highclaws and persuade them to join the war. At least so he hoped.

They waited only a little longer as they talked to chieftain Bailtair. All of them refrained to tell him the tragedy of the order until the highclaw showed up. Before that happened the healer Una arrived to take a look at Gareth. She was a woman that Cyr could tell at first glance was a highlander, with her fiery red hair and her broad stature. With her were two assistants, one human woman and a kobold that barely reached the hips of the two woman and that only if one counted the small horns on their head. Kobolds were small and fragile creatures in stature, smaller than a dwarf by far and usually very thin. Their scale coloration and patterns varied widely just like with dragons while this one's were a plain brownish green.

Together they took Gareth away to take a proper look at him at their place. Ary at first insisted to accompany them, but Una and Bailtair both assured her that sir Gareth was in good and competent hands. With Gareth gone chieftain Bailtair wished to inquire who the boy with them was. At this point his clothes no longer indicated a noble's son, dirty and disheveled from their journey through the countryside. There was no reason to lie and so Cyr let William introduce himself as the son of sir Henry Morgraig. Bailtair wished to know more, such as why they were here with the son of a noble in such manner. There was barely hidden worry in his voice. Just when they thought to simply break the news now a dragon came to land. It appeared to be the old dragon from before.

He barely acknowledged the chieftain with a bow of his head after he landed and spoke up swiftly before he even fully folded his wings. “Highclaw Myrunaryl would like to see you now. You may take the boy with you. Follow me."

“Wait!" Bailtair called out, raising a hand. “I was about to ask what the meaning of their visit is. I would like to be present at this meeting if the highclaw would be so kind."

“Walking there would be an inconvenience for the highclaw's schedule, chieftain." He answered in that irritating dry tone.

“Not if I carry him." Intervened Ary with a smile on her muzzle. “It is the least I could do for his providing of healers for my dear friend."

The chieftain smiled at her in turn and bowed his head. The old dragon sighed but agreed that in that case he did not see why not. Thus William climbed back on Cyr's back and the chieftain on Ary's. The fact that he nor his guards seemed to have any issue with riding a dragon bareback without any straps or saddle suggested that this was not his first time in the sky. Cyrvanyx did not know Bailtair personally, only having seen him from afar. The former chieftain he could recall often flying on dragon back so surely his son was not much different.

Ary and Cyr then took to skies shortly behind the old faded scale. Not that he would call the old dragon faded to his face, only in his mind. To call an elder's scales color faded was a sign of disrespected, no matter how true it often was.

The way to highclaw Myrunaryl was short on the wing. Below the village went by in a heartbeat as they approached the bottom of the Daskar mountain. The lake that lay close to the village lapped also at the mountainside, some dragons visible lounging there on the lakeside. Dragons of higher rank, he thought, of those closer to the highclaw. His father was likely to be among them. Not that he saw him on the sea bank. His dark scales would have easily been a thorn in the beautiful landscape. Sometimes he still hated the fact that his own scales did not reflect his mother more with her red scales. All the red he was grazed with were some red accents on his frills and wings. Meanwhile his brother got so much more.

His heart skipped a beat when he came into his thoughts again. His brother…

Cyrvanyx furrowed his brow and tried to banish these thoughts to the back of his mind where he always put them for the last ten years. Focus, Cyrvanyx, focus! Soon the entrance to the cave came into view. Calling it a cave however would put the massive opening at the foot of the mountain to shame. It was carved over centuries by dragon claws and men alike to be resplendent unlike any home for a dragon anywhere else in the highlands. Pillars of carved stone held up the high ceiling of the entrance, either ends decorated with stone dragon heads. Inside was the cavernous meeting chamber where several more pillars came to aid in holding the place from caving in. The chamber was used to house meetings just like this one or larger ones where all the clans gather to hold talks of issues that matter to them all. Cyr hoped he could get highclaw Myrunaryl to call for such a meeting, but first things first.

“wow…" He heard William say as they slowed down to land in the hall. “Dragons built this?" He asked with awe clear in his voice. Cyr looked back to see him gazing up and followed his eyes. The hall was carved into an almost perfectly round dome at the ceiling. Into that ceilings images were carved, or rather one large image that stretched across the whole ceiling. In the center of it was the first of all dragons, Arthenax, the dragon god, amidst many smaller stories carved in stone. Some of them have been carved millennia ago, some centuries and some so recently that they were carved on the walls for the ceiling was full up. Such was the story of 'Arthenax' claws', the most powerful clan in the highlands.

“It was, yes, though much was built with the aid of humans and kobolds, I think." He said as he set his eyes forward again as they were about to land, which they did in the middle of the great hall. He scanned the room in a wide angle, admiring all the two archways at the back that lead further into the cavern and the seats carven from the cavern walls. Enough for every ruler of every clan, cushioned with padding. The largest of them all was granted to the highclaw of Arthenax' claws, a relic of the time of dragon high kings. It was made to look like a dragon spreading its wings, the head sitting over the dragon sitting within it. That dragon currently was highclaw Myrunaryl whose shining golden scales were an unmistakable tell of her lineage. Her body was adorned with jewelry of silver and gold both, rings around her horns and chains about her neck where her scales became a lighter whitish color. Her eyes were even purer gold than her scales, bearing onto them all, but at last settling upon her emissary. Not to mention she was double the size of Cyrvanyx and Arylaryl at least, not needing the throne to tower over them.

“You may leave us." Said Myrunaryl in an imposing tone that carried across the hall. She truly carried her father's voice, thought Cyr. The emissary bowed deeply before swiftly departing. Only Cyr, Ary, William and chieftain Altair were left inside the hall to face the highclaw with no advisor or servant in sight. She must have sensed that this information could be delicate and wanted only herself to hear it. Cyrvanyx hoped she was judging her correctly. “I have not been given your names, dragons of the order."

“I am Cyrvanyx." Deeply he bowed, head nearly touching the ground, as he spoke, putting as much strength as he could muster into his voice in the face of a figure of such authority. Her sheer size and the power of her gaze made him feel as small as a kobold. “And this is Arylaryl." He motioned towards her with a wing. “And this is William Morgraig, son of a knight of the order." By the time he spoke his name the boy had already climbed of his back and fell to one knee, following Cyr's example.

“She is massive." He could hear the William whisper. It made the dragon smile in spite of the situation.

“I am pleased to meet you all, although I have a suspicion it is not under pleasant circumstances that you have returned to your home clan wearing pieces of your armor and carrying a wounded knight and a boy. You may rise." Scraping of metal upon stone echoed through the hall as the highclaw dragged her tail across her throne, the gilded spikes adorning the end biting in the stone. “I did not send my emissary to invite you as well, Bailtair."

A chuckle came from the broad man as he stepped forward. “My apologies, highclaw. I merely saw this as an important meeting that I would need to be a part of. My people are one with yours, after all. I feel it only fair if I am at the least present."

In her eyes Cyr could see annoyance as she stared him down for a few seconds. “Very well." She did at last say with a dismissive wave of her tail. “You may stay. But do not assume authority in my court, chieftain."

“I would never dare, highclaw." He answered, bowing deeply before stepping back again.

Highclaw Myrunaryl sat up straight in her throne, looking over each of them. “Who then wishes to tell me what this is truly about?"

“I shall do my best, highclaw." Cyrvanyx spoke up before Ary had the chance. He wanted to rove both to himself and to her that he could speak with the highclaw as easily as she no doubt could. Her could feel Ary's eyes watching him as he stepped forth, taking a deep breath.

“You are… Arvorylax' son, are you not?" Asked the highclaw with a measured curiosity.

Cyr gulped and nodded. “Yes, highclaw, I am."

“Mhm." She hummed, nodding slowly. “I thought you seemed familiar. Well then son of 'the black dread', tell me why you are here."

The way she phrased it, even using his father's infamous epithet, made him feel like she was making lose his nerve on purpose. Did the highclaw somehow know he dread his father as much as his nickname suggested other's did? For now, he pushed that question and worry aside and took a deep breath, preparing himself to recount the terrible slaughter of Dragonstone Castle. To spare himself he tried to keep it brief.

“There is no… easy way of saying this…" He gulped as he shifted on his paws uncomfortably. “We need the clans to join the war effort against the invaders. The king is dead, the capital is fallen and now… now the order has fallen too. Dragonstone castle was stormed by an army after most of the dragons were poisoned. The soldiers and knights fought valiantly, but we who arrived here today are as far as we know the only survivors." He tried to keep his voice even, but could hear a slight quiver in his own speech. His eyes focused on Myrunaryl to try and read her expression. A task that proofed impossible, for her muzzle proved an unreadable enigma. “So… so we have come before you now, humbly, to ask for you to call a council. All the clans must meet so they can be convinced to join the war."

Silence followed his words for what felt like forever to Cyrvanyx while in truth it was likely no more than a minute. Highclaw Myrunaryl seemed to sink into thought in that time. When at last she spoke up it was not to them. “Axi! Come here!" She roared out across the cavernous hall. A kobold came bolting out from one of archways that led deeper into the cave. Male, judging by the longer horns and dressed in ornate garb that mostly covered his bright blue scales. For a kobold he seemed surprisingly tall, even when he knelt in front of Myrunaryl's throne. He could perhaps reach up to William's shoulder. “Axi, house the dragons. They are my guests. I am sure you shall find suitable accommodations for them. Same goes for the boy."

“I will stay with them!" William interjected immediately.

Cyr looked at Ary in surprise to find her sharing his emotion, shortly followed by a smile from her and a shrug of her wings.

“If you wish." Myrunaryl said dismissively. “You have given me a lot to consider, Cyrvanyx, son of Arvorylax. Follow Axi, he is the steward of this place and a loyal servant. I cannot promise you what you want, but I can promise that I will try and gather the clans. If what you say is true, then..." She paused and set her jaw, looking them all over grimly. “Things are a lot worse that we thought." The highclaw averted her eyes, seemingly having chosen to end the conversation and think on his words.

“By the gods…" Said the chieftain from the side and Cyrvanyx turned his head to him, almost having forgotten he was there as well. “Is it really true? The order is…"

“Yes. Yes, it is." Ary responded as she laid a wing over Cyr. “As he said, we are all that is left. Along with Gareth, but you saw his, well… condition."

He nodded. “I swear my healers will do all they can. If anyone can save him, its them." His attention turned to William who was still watching the highclaw. The boy's face was full of… anger? “You sure you wish to stay here? You are invited to my own hall if you-“

“I am fine." He responded harshly, his eyes not leaving the great golden dragon for a second. Bailtair did not fight him and merely bowed his head, wishing Cyr good luck before approaching the highclaw for a private chat. Cyr watched William with some concern while Ary already greeted their kobold guide that is meant to show them their quarters. Then Cyr understood Will's expression. Was this it? Was this all they would get now? Sure there was the promise for something more and a warm place to rest, but they did not come all this way for promises. Cyrvanyx knew better than to question and anger highclaw Myrunaryl. At the same time, he could not just go lie down and wait for who knows how long.

Uncertainty weighed heavy upon his heart as he went to join Ary to talk to and follow this Axi.

“Is this all you have to say?!" Suddenly William called out loudly across the hall, his voice carrying echoes and catching the attention of everyone, even Myrunaryl whose gaze fixed on him right away. “My father died and you promise you'll try?" Cyrvanyx' eyes went wide as he quickly went over to Will to quiet him, panicking slightly. He put a paw on the boy's shoulder, but he was shaken off and ignored. “Why do you not fly to meet them yourself today? They are your enemies as well, not just ours! With enough dragons we could destroy them, but instead you hide in your mountains like cowards! Why-“

“Silence!" Myrunaryl roared and the very cavern itself seemed to shake. Cyr lowered himself to the ground in submission almost on instinct alone, his eyes averted. “You are bold, young one, I grant you that, but you understand not the world in which you find yourself! If it were so simple Albia would rule the world by now, but they do not. These invaders may only be seen as our enemies for all the dragons they've slain and for the destruction of the dragon order, not because we hold an allegiance to your kingdom!" Cyr raised his eyes to look at William to see all the anger being replaced by shocked fear. Despite that he still seemed to try and hold his ground. “I will call the clans and together we shall decide if we shall send dragons to war and possibly to death. We are no cowards, but we are no fools either." She rose from her throne with those words and turned on her tail as she jumped off. “Follow Axi and cease your prattling or you can find your own place to rest."

As Myrunaryl left the hall chieftain Bailtair looked back at William in shock. So did Ary and the kobold for that matter while Cyr put a paw on his shoulder. Will did not stop looking after her until Cyr got him to follow at last, at which point the highclaw had almost left the hall. So much for not angering her, thought Cyrvanyx as Axi bid them to follow, walking ahead with a quick pace. He understood William's anger all too well, but in truth he could not have expected more from this first meeting.

The war, the clans, his promise to Henry, meeting his father and William's outburst. It all weighed upon him as Axi guided them through a wide hallway of the network that formed the highclaw's court. The veil on his mind was lifted slightly when over the small voice of the kobold explaining where certain things were in the cavern network Cyr felt the warm touch of tail curling around his own. Usually a gesture reserved for family or mates, Cyr nearly stumbled as they walked, face growing hot as he looked at her.

“You spoke well, Cyr. Proud of you." She whispers over the nonstop talking of the kobold and her tail uncurls from his again. A smile spread his muzzle and a warm fuzzy feeling replaced his worry, at least for now. Such a simple affirmation was enough to ease his constant barrage of worrying thoughts.

Yes, it would all be alright. So long as they were together if would all be alright.