CounterPart

16 | The Snow Trip

Sleeping had been hard the last few nights. Qibli, even with his many escape plans, had found it difficult to drift off with the threat of an earthquake killing them all in their subconscious. At times he'd contemplated popping into Moon's cave just to check she was still alive and breathing. Several times he had checked Winter to make sure of the very same thing.

Although to be honest, that hadn't gone down well and usually resulted in him being pushed out with the threat of being turned into an icicle.

Not last time, though.

Qibli could see it in all of their eyes. They were scared - every single one of them. He knew Moon could hear them. He knew Winter was fearful even if he wouldn't admit it. Winter let people in when he was scared, and Qibli hadn't been pushed away for a long time.

At last he felt needed... But the last thing Moon needed was two dragons in a silly rivalry over her, when she already had so much stress. That was why he needed to talk to Winter as soon as possible.

Walking down to the LeafSilk hall - past the rubble, past the dusty debris - Qibli had time to snatch two fried lizards from the table before Princess Hazel and Queen Sequoia entered the room.

Qibli did a quick search of the crowd, and caught a glimpse of Winter, before he melted into the colourful mish mash of scales again. Ha. Melted.

But even his joke didn't bring a smile to his face.

Hazel cleared her throat, and Qibli locked his eyes on hers. She looked a mess. Her eyes were heavy with violet sacks, her ruff looked messed and unkept. She walked into the stage with a tired limp, and closed her eyes briefly before taking a deep breath.

Qibli felt a pang of sympathy for her spear his heart in the moment.

"Dragons of Pyrrhia and Pantala," She half shouted, half sighed. A swarm of heads turned, and she took a moment to recollect herself. "You all know about the recent... Events. You all know about the dangers we faced here. And I'm sure you all want me to make security my priority."

Qibli closed his eyes, wishing, not for the first time, that he could turn back time. At the very least, to stop that miserable green mossball's father dying, and prevent him giving Thorn's daughter trouble for it.

"It is my main priority. And for that reason, I don't expect many of you will want to go on the first of the activities we'd planned for this trip. But Queen Sequoia always said..." Qibli caught her glance tentatively at her mother, who nodded with a serene and encouraging smile.

"Mother always told me that the small and happy things are what combat atrocities, and so... And so I'm still going to persevere with this trip. If just one dragon wants to go, we'll go ahead with it. For dragonkind!"

It started as a feeble cheer, but with a few seconds of rousing the crowd had broken into a determined chorus of encouragement. Qibli saw a shadow of relief pass over Hazel's eyes.

"Today, we were meant to be going to an island, far north of Pantala, where there's enough snow to roll around in and bury yourselves from snout to tail," She said reminiscently. "And we will be going there! Anybody who wishes to go with us, step to the front...  Now."

The entire hall sucked in an anticipated breath.

And Qibli knew, Qibli knew he would step forward. He just hadn't expected that when he did, he was accompanied by Winter... And several others.

Moonwatcher, Kinkajou, Turtle... All the Dragonets of Destiny, in fact, a lot of friends from Jade Mountain. He recognised Alba, chatting rather animatedly with Flicker about the snowy mountaintops. And Umber was there. Not so subtly trying to catch Flame's eye.