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Chapter 2: New tides

The new day came to the village like a wind blowing across the sea. The great gems on the cavern celling started to shine their light and radiate heat upon the ground below. As their glow intensified the cliffs of sapphire in the distance became alive reflecting the light through the massive crystals. The light is carried into the depths of the crystalline matrix washing the sapphire sea in a blue light.

Rankor stirred as the warmth of the light shone down on him. He tiredly opened his eyes and rubbed them with a paw as he slowly got up. He looked next to himself and saw that Kiru was still asleep, her tail twitching slightly from a dream. Probably flying. He smiled and quietly, as not to wake her, walked away from her and stretched. He fanned his wings out and arched his back and tail as he stretched his front legs out. After he was finished he looked about the village. In the light of day it was much more impressive than originally perceived. There were homes made from stone like anywhere in the cavern system but here, near the sapphire sea, pieces of the blue crystals also took part in the architecture. It gave them a unique look but at the same time made them seem fragile with the small pieces of clear fluid crystal inlaid among the hard rock to form walls.

The village was already in the full swing of the day before Rankor had awoken. Young ones ran between the homes and around the fire pits and the elders attended to the daily routine of chores and tasks. Some were even trying to teach the young ones’ skills like fishing and cooking. To their credit, it seemed to be working. As Rankor continued walking around a villager walk by with his younger sister on his back with a large fish between her teeth as she smiled proudly. The brother, evidently proud of her, praised her as her took them back to their home. Rankor walked on and saw villagers were returning from the sea bringing with them nets of fish and a variety of aquatic plant life. Aside from the local water goods the village also grew large quantities of jibs. This Rankor learned after he stuck his head into one of the peculiar little huts with moss roofs. The little huts were perfect for cultivating the jib mushrooms and with the constant moist and dark atmosphere of the tiny huts they thrived.

After his walk around the village Rankor returned to the fire pit from the previous night where he found Min cooking up some fish and jibs with Kiru next to her jotting down more recipes. The breakfast was, as the night before, truly amazing. Rankor especially savored the grilled jibs when they were done; they were chewy yet extremely filling. Min had done them perfectly with just a hint of salt to bring out the flavor. After the meal was over it was time to get ready for the flight home.

“Thank you for your hospitality Min we won’t forget it” Said Rankor as he and Kiru prepared for the flight. The old dragoness looked at him with soft eyes as she rotated some fish on the hot coals in the pit.

“Don’t mention it it was nice to have company again.” She said.

Rankor tilted his head slightly at this. “Does the rest of your family live elsewhere in the caverns?” He asked. Min looked up and seemed distant in the moment. She shook her head out of the trance and spoke.

“Oh my children have gone to live at the far end of the system in one of the larger villages. As a result I don’t see them very often. As for company…” She crossed her forearms and settled down comfortably by the pit catching the radiating heat. She sighed and hung her head low. “My mate died during the war.” She said quietly. Rankor suddenly seemed lost for words and tried to apologize for the question but could say nothing. Kiru who had been packing heard this and turned her head toward Min. Min looked at her and Kiru quickly dropped eye contact and went back to packing, slower now. Kiru was a child of Quez-or Liel and of Aylassoul. Years before she was born the two cavern systems had waged war fueled by an older conflict. Though even now years later some still hold grudges though most have found ways to live in peace. But the old pain from those who had lost loved ones was not easily forgotten.

Min looked to Kiru and slowly got up and walked closer to her. Spreading a wing she lightly put it under Kirus chin and raised it so she could see her eyes. “Child I have no hate for you nor would my mate if he still drew breath. I cannot blame you for the actions of your ancestors, all I ask is that you don’t repeat our mistakes.” Rankor glanced at Kiru who only looked at Min with sad eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Said Kiru in a low voice which sounded at the edge of tears. Rankor started to move toward her as Min spoke again.

“Oh my dear!” Said Min surprised as she sat on the ground and held Kiru to her in her wings and forelegs. “My dear there is nothing to be sorry for.” Rankor stopped and watched as Min held Kiru as she sobbed quietly. It had been hard for Kiru when she was young. Many had shunned her for who she was and for the actions of her kind. But in the end that didn’t matter. She had her family and Rankors family who welcomed her with open hearts. More than she had ever wished for.

"Kiru are you alright?” Asked Rankor when he was next to them.

“She’s fine” said Min in a low voice as she held Kiru soothingly. “Go and pack the rest of your things young one and bring me one of those old satchels I have, I’ve got some food for you two for the flight home.” Rankor looked between her and Kiru and nodded. He walked to the other side of the pit where Min kept her collection of pots and other various items. Curious he looked inside a few. Salt, dried shredded jibs, smoked moss, some water plant with a strong pungent smell that made him gag, and many others Looking over his shoulder he quickly grabbed a piece of dried jib out of its pot, popped it into his mouth, and continued on to grab an old satchel. After that he returned to their things and proceeded to pack away the collection of journals and maps. As he packed Min took Kiru to the pit and showed her how to grill the fish cooking within. She left her tending to them and walked toward Rankor. She motioned to him to move a few paces back then glanced back to Kiru who was still tending the fire then spoke to him.

“Do you love her?” Asked Min quietly. Rankors jaw dropped slightly. He expected many questions but that was not at the top.

“I… er… well of course I do.” He answered in a rather awkward way. Min tightened her eyes on him.

“That is a good way of saying maybe.” She said a little coldly. Rankor took a step back and shook his head a bit to think straight.

“Sorry” he started. “I was just surprised by the question.” Mins eyes softened a bit. “I guess I do love her, I mean I’ve known her for most of our lives, we practically grew up together.” Min nodded.

“So you are close friends? Or do you have deeper feelings for her?” Asked Min. Rankor blushed slightly and glanced at Kiru to make sure she wasn’t listening.

“I don’t know.” He answered and looked down slightly. “It’s weird, I’ve known her for so long but I couldn’t ever ask what she thought about us. I know she loves me and I her. But I don’t know how much she thinks of me.” He sighed and looked at Min who smiled warmly.

“Oh my son.” She began. “If you don’t find the courage to ask you will find the ages of this world come and go and you will look back with regret.”

“Min I think they’re almost done.” Shouted Kiru as she carefully grabbed the fish out of the fire with her claws and set them on some smooth stones.

“Be there soon dear just hold on.” Said Min and turned back to Rankor who was deep in thought. “Hey.” Said Min. Rankor looked at her again. “I never said you had to ask her right away, just don’t put it off until your scales stop to shine, Okay? She has a good heart and a pure soul but many won’t see that in her. If you two are destined to be together then take good care of her.” Rankor smiled slightly and nodded. Min, content, motioned to the fire pit and they both then returned to Kiru.
Kiru looked up and smiled as they came back, her green eyes still slightly red. Min knelt down and moved the fish to a large piece of flat stone and proceeded to prepare them with various ingredients. While she packed the provisions into the old satchel Rankor took their water pouch and walked a distance to where a small stream twisted its way past the village and filled it.

A short time later they were saying their goodbyes. Kiru had her journal satchels secured around her head and left leg and Rankor had the water and provisions secured to his sides strapped saddle fashion around his back and chest. Min was wiping small tears from her eyes as if she was seeing off her own children.
“Now you two take care of each other and don’t fly over the Roe at night okay.” Said Min as she embraced each of them in turn.

“Don’t worry we won’t” Said Rankor and he stretched his wings and fiddled with the satchels. They always itched if he didn’t secure them just right.

“Thank you for all you have done for us.” Said Kiru. She was about to say more but stopped. Instead she reached into her satchel and took out her Aylasoul Quez-or crystal necklace. She smiled and hung it around Mins neck where the light of the smoothly polished hybrid gem glittered off her red neck scales. Min looked down and held the pendant in a paw.

“I can’t take this from you dear.” She said as she held it.

“I want you to have it” Said kiru as she hugged Min again. “My father taught me how to make these hybrids years ago, I only wish I had one of the finer ones to give you.”

“It’s perfect as it is my dear, thank you.” Said Min as she let go of it and let it rest against her neck. She looked between the two of them and smiled. “You two will always have a home here should you ever find yourselves passing through.” She said. Kiru smiled and wiped a last small tear as she backed away and leapt aloft into the sky. Rankor watched her as she circled higher then turned back to Min.

“So.” He started. “What is your name?” Min who had been watching Kiru gain altitude turned back to him with a questioning look. “You told us that it was easier to call you Min rather than your real name.” He was about to say more but Min had started to chuckle.

“I am sorry for that.” Said Min as she calmed down again. “Min is my name I just tell those who I think are troublemakers otherwise.”

“Troublemakers?” Said Rankor. “Us?”

“Well…” Started Min. “You did walk right into the village and take a fire pit without anyone saying you could.” Rankor opened his mouth and raised a claw ready to dispute it. Until he realized that is exactly what they had done. Min chuckled again. “No worries, it happened for the best.” She said as she looked back up into the sky following Kirus outline against the cavern celing. “Please take care of her.” She said as she turned to look him in the eye. “She is more fragile than you know.”

“Fragile?” Said Rankor I disbelief. “She has done things I’ve said are crazy and reckless. I’m lucky to be in one piece still!”

“Not fragile in body, but in spirit.” Said Min just as cool wind blew in from the sea. “Go to her now, you have a long journey ahead of you.” Rankor nodded and unfurled his wings.

“Thank you again. For everything.” He said then turned his head forward and took off into the sky. The Village shrank below him as he soared upward into the cavern sky. He met Kiru who was circling around one of the large gems on the celling. The great gem giving off large waves of heat which did wonders for the soul.

After a few rounds of the crystal they straightened out and headed across the expanse of the Dead Shore until the silver sands of the sapphire sea were beneath them. Waves lapping a new shore with a dead one far behind them. Waves coming and going, generations come and gone, everything pushing and pulling in the tides of time.