Surviving Sovereigns (Baldirak)

The evening air was cool and crisp, the sun was lowering at an achingly slow pace that seemed to last forever. At least it was moving slowly to a dragon. Attor sat upon the ledge of a mountain, staring into the scenery of trees and peaks and sighed in relaxation. Being all the way up here was different than the rest of the land, there was a sense freedom from the world, a feeling that you could fly away from it all, a place where your worries are blown away by the strong winds of Pyrria. That feeling alone was what allowed Attor to keep calm from the calamity of these monsters.

In recent times if it weren't the monsters that kept Attor on edge it was certainly tribe related problems, like the divide between the Sky and Light dragons that unfortunately, somehow, existed. But he couldn't complain, if it weren't for everyone's role as a tribe then all the members, Attor included, wouldn't even be alive. The hunters gathered food, guardians scouted ahead and kept watch, and so on. Everyone had a role some way or another and it helped keep Attor alive. He knew he hadn't done much aside from consoling and giving advice to other dragons. When he was inured many had wandered how he pushed himself, how the sovereign wasn't on the ground because they knew he was exhausted. With broken wings, tail, ribs and a broken leg Attor pushed himself beyond limits and overcame the pain no matter how fierce.

Attor's attitude toward his injuries, even after a large loss of blood, it moved others to keep pushing. That was many months ago, and now his injuries are healed and the tribe founded a settlement. It wasn't much, but with the trees below and the group on a high enough plateau it allowed them to see what was coming. Not many monsters save for the Ogres prowled the mountains which was a gods-send. The tribe needed a break from monsters so they could establish themselves.

Attor sighed again, relieved to get away from the chaos sometimes, relieved that his people were somewhat safe. New hatchlings were coming, buildings were built, and everyone seemed to settle down a bit but still wary of the dangers that lurk around. Everyone lost something, even before the invasion Attor lost his first mate and most of the clutch of eggs. After the invasion he lost his second mate and a daughter. It struck the sovereign hard, though he had no choice but  to tough it out and keep what he had; the survivors and his yellow Moonstone.

How he got the Moonstone was an oddity, one day he just happened upon it in a lake. Since then his mind had been overflowing with new ideas and visions of a bright new future. That was years ago, and now he still had that stone, just embedded in an amulet he wore around his neck. Attor took it as a sign that the gods were watching... but if that were the case how could they have let all of this happen? He knew their existence and prayed every morning and night alone, praying to Ark, Celestia, and Astral.

Granted he never received an answer even in these rough times, granted the existence of any god was up in the air, it didn't stop Attor from praying did it? He always prayed for the tribe and never himself, he always wanted a better wellness of everyone even those outside the Order of Starlights. And Attor wouldn't quit having these darn visions either! It was like he was gazing into the future, seeing a mighty kingdom only empty, but that was it! No words, no other images, just the kingdom. He didn't know whether to take it as his own desire or as a message, but Attor couldn't answer it. He put it away though, not letting something trivial ruin his solitude.

But there was another reason he was here. Attor was supposed to meet someone from the surviving Imperium was called forth through a message to come and pick up an injured Earth Dragon. This dragon had been injured, just a youngling slightly older than a hatchling had turned up at the settlement, Kjorvik. Some of the survivors digressed against taking in the juvenile but Attor ordered for him to stay there. Since then Attor had given his shadow, Nelfri, orders to send a scroll out to the EarthWing Clan. She wrote the note, not him, so Attor had only hoped a healer and a an escort, it's what he would have asked for. No, knowing Nelfri she asked for something more. All Attor could do is sit an wait for whatever came.

"Uncle Dirak, a SkyWing messenger delivered this for you." Vilkas left the scroll for Baldirak and went back to his own duties. The Earth King looked at it with interest. Why would the Starlight Order be contacting the Survivors, and now?

Baldirak scanned the area for the designated meeting place. According to the message, an injured EarthWing had come into the care of the Starlight Order. He was quite young, and the SkyWings and LightWings felt it best for one of his own to look after him. The Earth King made Kenina promise she wouldn't go off on any vendettas while he was away before leaving for the Starlight Order's continent. With him was Hapax and Hamnet, his Royal Guards. The trio finally found the Starlights and landed near the border of their encampment.

As he awaited for the arrival of some escort to take the injured juvenile back, Attor looked about and a memory came to pass. He remembered the great big kingdom all Sky and Light kin dragons, Minaura, he had planned out for days. From the several districts to the great castle, a grand theatre and coliseum, a place to learn the arts of battle and even a school of magic. He still had the schematics, the entire layout of the great city, each layout of each building, what the dwellings would look. It was a thick book indeed, instead of writing everything in a scroll he had used a book similar to humans but on a much larger scale, not imitating them but rather using something more organized. It took a lot of leather to make the cover.

Attor's thoughts were interested by a set of shadows at his peripheral. He looked to the right ready to take off if it were those damned birds, but to his relief it were dragons. Not just any, the large size of them were EarthWings, and there was a particular one he noticed. That same one would have broke Attor in a cold sweat if he had skin. It was Baldirak, the Baldirak Draco Sapiens. Attor felt his heart race in joy but also in fear.

"What the hell did Nelfri write in that note?!" Attor cursed to himself, his fear turning into outrage. Luckily those dragons were still aways away do they wouldn't hear him, but he did see the direction they flew. The settlement. And they were close to it.

Attor launched himself in a burst of strength, racing his way to the settlement. He was supposed to meet a few EarthWings, Not Baldirak. The big drake was busy enough as it is, Attor assumed, so making this trip he doubt Baldirak was in any mood besides pleased and nice. Attor looked like a giant wasp racing for it's meal. Attor made it right as the group of dragons landed, he thanked Kelarth that he just on time. He composed himself before walking up to the massive Earth King.

"Earth King Baldirak, I-I'm surprised you came yourself! I was expecting a simple escort and healer. If you would, the youngling is this way." Attor then turned and began walking toward what appeared to be a hut made of wood. It was one of few buildings, only being four, the plateau that latched onto a much larger mountain had numerous caves where dragons can live. Those caves were cleared of vermin, but he'd rather have the foreign dragon and a ground level so it would be easy to pick up and leave.

The hut itself seemed reinforced to some extent, at least able to resist the strong winds with them being high up, however it had no door or covering of the entrance. It was open, revealing a very young dragon, not even an adult, resting soundly. Along it's side was a pair of long scars dancing across his right side ranging from his cheek all the way down to the basevof his tail, and one of his wings were missing. The wound wasn't even a scar, it was still red, but covering it was an odd brown and green paste that was still drying.

"We found him a few days ago, we did what we could with no healer about, me being the only one capable of brewing a novice elixer, it's been years since I had any knowledge of a decent medicine. I used a mix of herbs found only here in the SkyWing land to help seal the wound. Lost a lot of blood, but the bleeding stopped, got him cleaned up and fed." Attor explained, sighing lightly before looking to the Earth King, "I would assume Nelfri either took her time or she ran into trouble. Then again it's a big world and she's no Sky Dragon."

He was greeted by the SkyWing King, Attor. The half-earth Dragon seemed surprised to see Baldirak there. The reason was made clear when Attor spoke. Baldirak shook his head. "I had to become a Healer after the human invasion. I have the most experience of the surviving EarthWings." The King, Hapax, and Hamnet followed Attor to where the juvenile EarthWing was being kept. Baldirak looked over the young Dragon, examining the wounds for himself. The EarthWing frowned, seeing the missing wing and scars. The former was definitely the more serious. He was glad the Starlights had managed to stop the bleeding. Baldirak turned his pale gaze to Attor. "Thank you, Attor. The Little One would have died without your efforts. If you have any more of the herbs you used for this salve, I would like some. I will make my own to make the journey home more comfortable for him."

Attor nodded and said, "Follow me."

The young dragon sovereign walked over to another larger Hutt with a large rectangular cut missing from the left side of the roof. The frame of a scrap door was painted green with engravings of flowers upon it, marking it as something to do with plants. Attor looked back and stated, "Give me a moment and I'll have the plants and seed."

Inside the Hutt were long rows of herbs, different herbs that had moss growing all around them making it like soft flooring for dragons. It took Attor and another a good month to have everything gathered and transplanted, several months to grow from seed but once everything was settled the plants took off. he grabbed a small bag and began to gather the three different herbs. Only the Order knew of these special herbs, but Attor was giving them to Baldirak to help his people put. He knew the Earth King was going through a lot, a lot more subjects, the NightWings, but Attor understood it. He then stepped out from the Hutt with a closed bag hanging off his tail, handing it over.

"There is Granite Root, White Dusk, and Twilight Dusk, all only found in the LightWing Jungles. Granite Root was used to help with pain and clean out any parasites or illness lingering about. The White Dusk herb was used to help excellerate healing properties while the Twilight Dusk is generally there for rejuvenating older dragons, boosts energy and metabolism... I should warn you that an excess of any can be very dangerous. It's relatively easy to grow them as it is to kill them, so find a place with partial sun and constantly damp soil."

Attor nodded for a dragon to take the bag away, knowing his own people not only save a young dragon but giving Baldirak his trust was like giving a mantis your finger. You didn't know if it would eat the finger or just let it go. In this case, Attor was willing to reveal his location to a foreign tribe, give away supplies willingly and treat their wounded. Attor wanted to get to know the Earth King better, but with all this chaos he couldn't afford to travel, not when he has others depending on him and not when their numbers are so few.

"Is... there anything else? We can provide with what we can?"

The EarthWing followed Attor to where the Starlights kept their herbs. He remained outside as instructed. When the SkyWing king returned, he went about explaining what each plant was and what it did. It wasn't necessary, however; Baldirak was already well aware of their names and properties. He had been, after all, a Healer for some time. And EarthWings had a knowledge of herbs and plants second to none--save perhaps the ElderWings. Regardless, he allowed Attor to go on and accepted the bundle once he was finished. "These are more than enough, I would ask nothing else of you. Once I have gotten him home, I will send a token of my gratitude. But perhaps there is something I can do now, as well. What sort of fortifications do you have?"

"Hmm... Well we really don't have much for walls and we are low on numbers. To tell the truth, we haven't had much trouble with the creatures since we moved here. We don't necessarily have walls or any protection, just these few buildings and the caves that are well hidden" Attor looked around at the open area. There were no walls, no form of outer protection, nothing to stop rival rogues or even a small monster from entering the settlement. Attor didn't know what the Earth King could do for the Starlights let alone Attor himself. He was at least trying to keep everyone civil and alive, and if that meant a dictatorship then so be it. If that meant going as far as enslaving rogues as guards and extra bodies, then do be it, no matter how disgusted he was about it. He then looked to the Earth King. Attor noticed Baldirak was still as calm as ever, but something changed, and Attor couldn't place it... Best to leave things untouched.

Attor wondered for a good minute, he wasn't all for himself but the Starlight Sovereign had a good idea, "Any way you could send us some herbs indigenous to your homeland? We did have some when I last visited buuut... They're kind of destroyed with our cities. But something as of now? I was thinking maybe... I don't know, we could just chat for a bit, if you've got the time," Attor saw the scars along Baldirak's side and said again, "If you've got the time."

Attor knew Baldirak was a busy king, he knew from those scars that the King was in pain and Attor knew how it felt. Much like a spider though, Attor can shed his old skin er... Exoskeleton? He wasn't sure what to call it, but the last time he got pummeled by a group of ogres it took months for him to heal like that. Unfortunately, other dragons couldn't shed an older skin for the removal of battle damage. It was sad really.

"I see. But a reprieve rarely lasts long. Sooner or later, those beasts will come again. I will erect a barrier for you, an earthen dome. And when I return home, I will send some herbs to you. A chat... would be good. But the young EarthWing, he needs help. Perhaps another time, Sky King." Baldirak took to the air then, going up high enough to see the whole of the Starlight Order's safe zone. There was only one area that really needed to be protected, however: the dens, meeting area, and herb storage. Baldirak landed in the middle of these three spots. He dug the claws of his forepaws into the earth, following a small roar. A moment later, the ground began to shake violently. In another moment, a large ring of earth rose, it's diameter large enough to encircle the area Baldirak was most interested in protecting. The ring rose slowly but surely and soon, a great dome concealed the Starlight Order from the outside world. The walls of the dome were tall enough to accommodate the tallest dragon--which currently was Baldirak. At the base, the walls were 10ft thick. All throughout, there were holes to allow light and rain, and a few bigger ones to allow the Starlights to get in and out. Satisfied with his work, Baldirak returned to Attor. "This should serve you well."

Understanding the situation at hand, Attor nodded agreeably and pondered as to how the Earthen King could help the smaller SkyWing Sovereign. It didn't take genius to figure out that the Starlights were completely visible in terms of weakness in their new home. That never stopped Attor from thinking of some way, though he's thought of stone makeshift walls or even possibly see about getting a few EarthWings and FireWings to build a mixture of metallic and stone walls. Alas, he couldn't afford to leave his people, at least not until their numbers are more built. Though they'd have time to talk later, the young EarthWing was an important matter.

Attor happened to look over to the Earthen King who flew upward and encircled the entire settlement. He was confused, trying to figure out what on Pyrria the large dragon was doing. Baldirak landed in between the several buildings and dug his claws into the earth, giving a small roar as the ground beneath them shook violently. Attor wasn't sure what was happening until a large radius of thick stone rose from the ground pushing any gravel, loose rock and dirt to the sides. There, a large dome completed it's growth, big enough for possibly the entire tribe, there were holes carefully placed where rain, snow and sun and moonlight can pour through.

The Sovereign was wordless, staring at the dome for a brief minute before approaching the king, there was an excitement in his eyes but remained as calm as possible. If only Attor had such power. Oh, what he could do with such an ability! Then again, every dragon had their own unique strength though Attor wasn't anything special, just a but of poison and a little protection, that was it. He didn't envy Baldirak though, he was just thankful for what he did.

"Th-thank you!" Attor stated with a sudden glee about him, "This will serve us well! I didn't know EarthWings were capable of such a thing! Should you need our services or possibly trade and such we'll see what we can manage."