Blue's Story

Conal

Chapter 12: 

Blue hugged her father tightly. The people of the village stood around, in awe. Loki and Spyro looked to each other, the two of them looking slightly concerned. How could they know he was telling the truth. Blue was hugging this stranger, crying tears of joy. She believed him, although maybe that was just out of pure desire to find her parents. She pulled herself away from the hug to look at her father. He looked down at her lovingly. "My name is Conal, and I am the Chief of this village", he said gesturing towards the people. Blue smiled, "And you're my...", she sounded a little unsure now. Conal smiled, "Do you have the ring...?", he asked. Blue's face lit up with excitement, "You are my father!", she said happily, pulling the ring out that Eon found with her. He gave her an assuring smile, then looked to Loki and Spyro, "You've brought friends", he said calmly. "Oh yes! This is my adoptive brother Spyro who you all attacked and this is my friend Loki!", she introduced them, her eyes full of joy. Conal smiled awkwardly when she mentioned the attack on Spyro, he turned to the people surrounding them, "Let your guard down, go back about your day...", slowly the people of the village dispersed. Conal walked over to Loki and Spyro, "It's wonderful to meet you both...", he said leaving his hand out to shake. Loki looked down at his hand, then back to his face, "So why did you leave Blue in the middle of the woods as a baby?", he asked bluntly. Blue looked at him with shocked eyes and hit him gently, "Loki! What the hell...?", Conal placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's alright, I'm sure you have questions, all of which I will answer". 

Conal turned, gesturing for the group to follow as he began walking. "This village has been here for generations. Hidden away from the rest of the Skylands. We live in peace, we stay away from neighbouring villages, mostly to avoid war and conflict", Conal explained as they walked through the village. "Don't you wonder what other villages are like though? Wouldn't you like to meet new people?", Blue asked. "Of course we wonder...but we know we are safer this way. I mean look at those who live amongst the skylanders..for years they have been getting caught up in their wars". Spyro perked up, "Thought you guys were closed off, didn't know anything about the outside world?", he said getting defensive, afterall he is a skylander. "We haven't always been so ill informed about the world around us. 19 years ago the village traded food and goods with other villages, we weren't so hidden...but then one night we were attacked by another civilisation within the forest, and we lost a great amount that night. We closed the village off, in a desperate attempt to protect it". Blue looked around her, "But...I was able to find the village, doesn't that mean that it's kind of exposed?", she asked curiously. "You were born here, my child, you always knew where home was...deep down". He smiled and walked into one of the houses at the end of the village. Blue stood still for a second, confused by what he had said. Loki put a hand on her back, "Are you alright Blue?", he asked gently. "If I knew where it was, then why did it take so damn long to find it...", she asked confused. Loki laughed a little as they made their way to the house, "I think it was a bit of a sentimentle metaphor darling...". 

They entered Conal's house. Inside, it was dimly lit, but there was just enough natural light for them to see. It was small for a chief's house, but it looked comfortable and cozy. Conal put a pot on the fire, "You guys must be hungry...long journey?", Blue laughed, "More like long search..", she said looking to Loki. Conal stood away from the fire, "Well why don't you boys have something to eat here and relax, I owe my daughter some answers..", he said offering them food. Loki looked to Blue, "Is that what you want?", he asked. She smiled at both Spyro and Loki, "You guys rest, we'll go for a walk". The two sat down, while Conal and Blue went back outside. "Come on, I know a nice route", he said. The two walked through a beautiful forest, full of colourful flowers, the sun shining through the trees brightly. The trees weren't as tall, but they were still big. Blue looked around in wonder, "It's beautiful! Is this part of the village?", she asked. "Of course...we never leave our borders..", he said in a slightly sadened tone. There was  an awkward silence between the two, the only sounds were that of the birds and the trees leaves in the slight breeze. Blue decided that she couldn't handle the silence, "So, Conal, what happened to me?", she asked gently. He took a deep breath. "19 years ago, you were born in the house, your mother and I were thrilled. Our baby girl. We knew about your magic when you were born...Blue seemed like the perfect choice, so we stitched it into your baby blanket", Blue smiled, "That's how Eon knew my name...", Conal raised an eyebrow, "Eon?" Blue sighed, "He took me in...I thought he was my Dad, until I found out the truth..he still loved me as his own though...", she said with a small smile. 

They kept walking until they were standing on top of one of the low lying mountains. They looked down upon the village, with the sun setting over it. "A few nights after you were born, there was an attack on the village. The Dragons. From the South of the forest, flew into the village, their fire reining down upon us. The attack came out of nowhere. I rushed outside, to help the warriors of the village fight, your mother stayed with you. She could see the battle from the window. I had been knocked down vicously...your mother, she ran outside, thinking I was dead. I still hear her screams. As soon as she left the house, one of the bigger dragons burned our roof, ripping it apart, taking you from your craddle. When I got up and saw what was happening I screamed your name and started running towards the house....before I could get there...the dragon took flight, leaving with you. Though he didn't leave before looking me dead in the eye, taunting me. Knowing that once he took to the air, there would be no chance for me....", Conal told Blue the story. A tear running down his cheek as he remembered his pain, "After you were taken, all of the dragons withdrew, as if it was their mission to steal you away from us...", Blue listened closely, becoming more sad with every detail he gave her. "I'm so sorry Blue...I'm sorry I couldn't protect you..", more tears ran down his face. "It wasn't your fault, and I'm here now...", she said attempting to comfort him. "Conal...where's my mother..?", she asked nervously. He looked into her eyes, his eyes red from crying. "After we lost you...she headed south to look for you. She insisted I stay here, we couldn't leave the village without a chief, especially after what had happened...I wanted her to stay. I really did, it should've been me to go..", he said tearing up. "What happened to her?", Blue asked. "She never came back. I sent search parties, I left the village hundreds of times...I couldn't find her..". 

The sun set over the village and darkness fell. "After I had lost both the love of my life and my daughter...I cut the village off from everything...no one would ever attack us again, I used our peoples sacred connection with the elements and magic to surround the village with mountains and more dense forest, so that we could stay hidden..for good. But I always made sure the elements around us would let both of you in, if you ever did return...and you're here..", he said, smiling at the last part. Blue smiled, "None of what happened was your fault or my mother's. It was just...well I don't know what it was...but we found each other. That's what counts", she said assuring him. Conal put an arm around Blue, "You're right. With each year that passed by...I grew less hopeful of your return and your mother's. But you're here now, my daughter...", he smiled as his crying came to a slow and steady stop. "Conal, I'm sorry I didn't come sooner....it must have been so lonely...19 years alone. It's just Eon, he never told-", Conal shushed her gently, "It's okay sweetheart, you didn't know...". He motioned for her to start walking again. They made their way down the mountain, and back into the village. "You must be glad, your search is over..", Conal said with a smile as they arrived back at the house. "For you yes...but I don't have all of my answers yet..", she said walking into the house.