Kknoir sat in the hall of elders listening to reports of the scouts with a stone-faced expression just like everyone else. The atmosphere was serious and solemn, no one smiled or dared to laugh. The scout in front of them was describing the war that was taking place outside their sanctuary. Lazarath, the oldest of them all sat up with a heavy-set frown and looks around the table to see everyone had similar expressions. "It seems this war will only get messier."
The scout named Yamir nods, "Sirens have aligned with the blood witches, no one dares to sail the oceans without a proper escort now. The sea serpents are hiding within the abyss and refuse to take a side between the two." Someone asks him tensely, "And the fae?" The scout's face sours at the name, "They have joined the humans." This word was spat out like a curse, everyone had similar reactions, Kknoir's expression was especially ugly hearing their name.
She asks him calmly, "Which faction of the fae?" Yamir shook his head as if lamenting but there was still disgust and betrayal in his eyes as he spoke. "All of them." Ezekiel sniffs with disdain, "Do they still have the wisteria tree?" Yamir pursed his lips and nods, Lazarath did his best to not burst out with anger and only laughed coldly. "Burn it down. I will send one of our fastest flying wyverns with you. Burn it down to the ground till not even a single seed is left."
Everyone felt their hearts were less stuffy with this order, but the anguish would never be snuffed out. For them to take the sides of those monsters. One can never know the hearts of others until a war is declared and sides are chosen. Lazarath's eyes wandered over the faces of those present and settled on Kknoir whose face was far more calm yet deadly than others. His expression shows nothing but the man sighed in his heart. "As for who will deliver the message and represent our stance, Kknoir will lead the mission."
Kknoir's eyes flicker with shock before she recovers quickly and nods her head while standing to prepare. The others had yet to register his words before they too glumly nod to acknowledge his choice, though Kknoir was young she was serious and the most talented fledgling they had. She kept her calm during emergencies and there was a serious aura around her that was just like her father's. It was why, though she was young she was acknowledged for her talent and power at the table of Elders. This would be a good test to see if she was truly fit to be given full power as an "Elder" at the table.
There was no discrimination in age for the Wyverns unlike other races, those that are capable are those that will lead. Those that are incapable will never be allowed to surface no matter who was their father or mother. That is the wyvern way, others call them foolish and reckless, but wyverns govern like the wind. Uncaring and stubborn only fierce if nature calls for it. And though it would be Kknoir's first time outside of the Zepher it would be a good thing for the youngling to spread her wings and reinforce the hatred for the ones who took their everything away from them.
Out of the chicklings who survived the Zepher gate due to the sacrifice of some of the bravest wyverns that day, only six out of twenty made it back. The rest, it was better not to mention them. It was not good to let the fledglings grow soft and sympathize with murderers as the years go by. Yamir hesitated as he watched Kknoir leave, noticing his concern Lazarath reminds him casually. "She is more like her father than her mother. You do not need to worry, if there is a time where she must take action she will not hesitate."
Yamir tosses his concerns aside for a second as he is reminded of the brave wyvern who had stayed behind the Zepher portal to buy his fellow people time to escape. There was no pause or hesitation in that wyvern's eyes that day, he was a lingering shadow in all their hearts for his sacrifice. "I understand."
~
"Listen to me Kknoir this is crazy! How could the elders send you of all people to lead the mission?! Do you even know what is beyond those gates?! Many of our people have been forced into hiding due to the monsters on the other side and yet you are going back to that dangerous place just to burn down a tree?!" Kknoir pulls her hand out of his grasp and snarls at him not having the patience for his concern.
"Stop meddling Corbett! It is not just some tree! You know what the Wisteria trees are to us! To let those traitorous bastards hold onto our lifeblood like a prized chicken just to stab us in the back after what those monsters did. This is clearly mocking us!"
Corbett growls in his throat after she spoke her piece, "That is not enough reason for them to send an inexperienced fledging out into the enemy camp! I do not care if they mock us what I care about is your safety! We are not built like the dragons! If they shot one ballista arrow into your heart it is over!!" She snaps back at him irritably as others make way and take a detour around their argument, the scouts who were waiting on her signal stood at the gates watching them argue warily.
"We are not mates you do not have a say in what I do or plan to do." The surroundings grow deathly quiet as Corbett grit his teeth and glares at her with red eyes. Those listening in all look away awkwardly not knowing how to react. Although it was no secret he had been after Kknoir, it was also not a secret she had been rejecting his advances. "This is not about whether you're my mate or not. This is to do with life or death! Though we are not mates it does not change the fact that I still care about you!"
Hearing this declaration some wyvern females flush red and hide in their mate's chest. The males too could not help coughing and pulling their mates or children away. But this confession nor his bloodshot eyes could move her heart, in fact, it only made the light in her eyes grow colder. She took the black fur cloak hanging on her arm and wraps it around her shoulders. As she tied the cloak around her neck she spoke in a way that made it seem as if they were strangers, it was not polite but distancing and chilling to the ears.
"I thank you for your concern but it is not welcome nor necessary." Looking over to the scouts waiting for her she dips her head in apology, they both shook their heads at her since they also knew this was not exactly her fault. "You need to understand this, Corbett, what happens to me does not concern you now or ever. Listen to my advice and don't waste your affection on me anymore. This is my last warning to you, do not make me repeat myself."
Heartlessly turning away from the heartbroken male she dodges his hand that went to grab her hand without turning back. Yamir and the female scout who was the other who would be escorting Kknoir on this mission nod their heads respectfully when she was in front of them. Kknoir was cool and calm as she adjusts her wrist guards, under the heavy and dark cloak she looked even more distant and eerie as her peach eyes are hidden in the shadows. "How far is the winter fae kingdom?" The female, called Sahara, had short hair and a serious face that was intimidating unlike Kknoir's more feminine one answers in a respectful manner.
She was shorter than Kknoir but that had nothing to do with her size in her wyvern form. "Since we cannot fly without risk of being spotted by the dragons we will be traveling by foot so at the least it would take us a month or two. If we run into trouble it may take longer." She frowned but acknowledges her words with a slightly contemplating hum. Yamir also adds to her words attentively, "Master Kknoir my mate has offered to take care of your mother while you are gone."
The frown on her face softens at the mention of her mother. "Thank you." Though he was older than her and more experienced he could not help but admire the young wyvern's spirit and temperament. Her way of handling the matter from earlier was exactly like her father would have. They knew what they wanted. Stepping up to the portal she could feel it whipping her cloak around her as she approaches, "Let us not waste time then."
The two scouts smartly pull up their cloaks, under the gazes of almost a hundred of their kind, the three wyverns. Two adults and one almost elder fledging walk up to the green portal that resembled a whirlpool between two archways. As she rose her foot to take a step inside she pauses and took a glance at where her home was, where she knew her mother was watching. "Master Kknoir?" She was questioned by Yamir, but she did not respond and instead only rose two fingers to her mouth surprising him.
In the valley of wyverns, a sharp beautiful whistle resembling the cry of the wyvern pierces the skies. The whistle was sharp but also fine and noble making one's spirit tremble. Wordlessly Sahara followed suit and copies her actions, though slowly lower in a note it was still similar to her, Yamir also hurriedly mimics the action. The wyverns, all hearing their people call to them all bring their fingers to their lips and respond in sync filling the valley full of a symphony of wyverns singing. The wisteria trees surrounding the valley all hum filling the area with the smell of flowers and the singing of these beautiful coveted creatures. With the sound of their cries echoing all throughout the valley, only then was her heart comforted enough to take the last step out of their sanctuary and allow the Zepher to suck her in.