Dragons of Skylark: The Four Heirs

The Festival of Ryu

In the days following our den grounding, we did take one trip outside. Pop explained they were having a festival, one of the first. There'd technically only been on before, but Pop explained the other dragon agreed to have it again, every year. These types of event had to have a name, therefore festival rolled off my tongue the rest of the hour we waited patiently for them to prepare. Preparation included... donning gold. I didn't entirely see the point, but understood the concept from the way my siblings gasped upon seeing our parents return from the collecting cave.

"You're gold!" May exclaimed, "oh Mum can I have some? Please?"  

Mum laughed, "well, you might be able to wear on of these rings as a bracelet, perhaps a cloak around here will suit you..." her voice trailed off as she led May into the back.

"I don't get it." My spines prickled in annoyance. "What does May want?" 

Pop's talons gripped me gently as he hoisted me onto his shoulder. Something on his face made a noise that sound like rain, only lighter, more gently. 

"Go ahead," he mused.

I sniffed, gold, and something else. The remnants of plants, but it mostly smelled like him, and the much older scent of another dragon. When I reached out to investigate, I was met with small gold circles clinging onto something that felt like leaves and grass but it wasn't alive.

"Cloth," Pop explained. "There will be lots of it at the festival today. Many dragons have been finding such skills and creating new things. One of my friends made this for me as a gift, it shows that I love all dragons who come to me seeking advice." 

"Does it have a name?" I tilted my head at him.

"Perhaps, one day. To answer you question, some of the gifts I've been given, and commissioned, are meant to look appealing when worn on the body."

"That sounds funny."

"It does, doesn't it?" He chuckled, "you may have some too if you wish."

Pop slid a ring off his horn and handed it to me. It had more of the cloth tied loosely around the band. I had no interest in gold, but I did like cloth. I reknitted it around the end of my tail where it met the isosceles.

"Can I have the ring?" Ronan asked Pop.

"If Longtayle doesn't want it."

"I don't, but thank you." I pushed it toward him.

Ronan chirped happily; I assume sliding the ring up his elbow. I was content with the sash on my tail, and waved it around. The fabric crinkled and flapped happily, I purred in contentment.

Pop's gold glittered as we flew through the air. At least that's how May describe it, visually. I thought it was a good word to describe the sound as well. It was a gentle, softer crinkle where all else was the wind wiping past our cheeks. It was cold up here, and unlike the cave, the air was not still, but alive. It tugged at my wingtips and sung for me to open them, to join it, to dance together. The sensation of air rushing under my bones alone made my heart race.

"When are we going to fly ourselves, Pop?" May asked.

"Mm, soon, less then a year away if I'm not mistaken."

That was soon. "How do you know when? We are the only hatchlings our age."

"Skylark lets me know these things." He answered simply, as if it wasn't a rockslide that opened up a whole new cavern of questions.