When the dragons saw Shu, they seemed quite disinterested, but when their eyes fell on me, they jumped up.
Most of them opened their eyes and did not know what to do.
But the elders, seeing that Shu did not give any sign to flee and looking me up and down, suddenly bowed.
I looked at them in confusion, and shortly after, so did the other dragons.
We continued to move toward the center of the crowd of dragons.
The young dragons, who until recently had been playing in the air, were called back to the ground by their mothers, and, with a very confused look, bowed to me as well.
In the middle of the dragons, Shu spread his large wings toward the sky.
As if the dragons had rehearsed it, each of them stretched their heads toward the sky, even the young dragons, and each shot a fireball into the sky.
I wondered why they were doing this, because it would blow up this hidden place. After the flames disappeared into the sky, everyone turned their eyes to me and they sat down.
But before it was quiet enough for me to start talking, Shu said something.
"Say hello to the last moon dragon!"
His loud voice echoed throughout the valley, and the dragons fell into a loud roar.
I reflexively wanted to cover my ears, until I realized that I didn't mind the noise at all. Then it finally became quiet and I could finally speak.
"As you all probably heard, the Moon Lake Cave was attacked by Vitis warriors. Unfortunately, a few of those who protected us died, and a few were probably kidnapped. But the attack is over now, Mineva is already tending to the wounded dragons, and I would like you to return with me."
I breathed a sigh of relief, but there was still silence.
Some were looking at each other with concern, some were not reacting at all, and others were happy to finally go back.
But none of them said anything, and only looked anxiously at Shu, and what his reaction was.
Just like many others, he didn't make a face, but also gave me a sideways glance, assuring me that he had it under control and that I shouldn't worry.
"Listen, I know you're all scared, but I'm going to trust the moon dragon and go back to my partner and my cub."
With that sentence, the decision was already made.
The dragons jumped up and started cheering, for the homecoming and for Shu's young.
I was already excited about what Arma and Shu were going to name their cub.
Lost in thought, I didn't even notice that they all started to move and passed me by.
Only when Shu nudged me with his huge paw did I wake up from my trance.
Shu whirled around and jumped into the air. When he nodded at me, I whirled around too, jumped and spread my big wings at the same moment.
With powerful strokes, they lifted me into the air.
Still uncertain, since flying is new to me, I tried to find my balance.
And when I finally did, I was right next to Shu. "You are our leader, you should fly ahead, and don't worry, I will tell you where to go."
He smiled warmly at me and I nodded.
With full concentration on embarrassing myself with my lack of flying skills, I flew ahead.
It wasn't that long, before we were back at the moon lake cave.
I spotted the hole in the ceiling of the cave, through which the moonlight shines at night, and instinctively started to dive.
All the other dragons did the same, and we plunged through the hole.
With full force I broke through the water surface of the lake, the other dragons dodged the water and did not follow me.
Around me was silence.
Uncertainly I opened my eyes, but I saw everything clearly.
Below me it went down further and further, but it did not get darker in the depth, but brighter and brighter.
The water was not cold this time, but pleasantly warm.
I could not see any fish or corals swimming in the water.
The walls also consisted only of stone.
But something caught my eye, something was carved into the walls.
With narrowed eyes I tried to see what it was, but suddenly I ran out of air.
Panic gripped me, and I didn't care about the stone walls.
I started to beat with my big paws and needed to get out of the water.
Immediately I broke out of the water surface, my wings spread, and brought me back to solid ground in short order.
my whole body was acing and large beads of water dripped down my scales.
I stretched my tilted head into the air and let my gaze wander over the assembled dragons.
They paid no attention to me at all, and were all chatting happily with each other.
Then I decided to check on Mineva.
When I entered the herb cave, I looked at her in confusion.
Most of the dragons, which were injured, looked quite healthy again.
But a few of them were even chained.
That surprised me.
I continued to look around, and my gaze lingered on Arma.
Next to her was Shu, who was looking at his young son.
I walked over to them, and when all three of them saw me, they beamed at me.
The little dragon ran up to me, jumping around me excitedly.
"Kayla!!!!
I finally have a name!!!
My name is now Tsou!!!!!"
Tsou was very happy about this.
"That's a beautiful name though."
I said to him.
Still excited, he jumped back to his parents, and I enjoyed the sight of this Harmonious Family.