Iliris had been away from the other
dragon keepers lately more than she had been with them, and although it did made her feel guilty at times, she had a good reason for it. Now there was someone who needed her assistance more than her fellow keepers, at least for the time being, and she had no other choice but to take up her new responsibilities.
Since they had cleared the little island of the earth worm and rescued the last surviving dragon on it, she had grown closer and closer to their new friend. They had many things in common after all, having lost their families and old way of life, and they both had forged an instant connection, even if it was quite fragile to begin with. But very soon Iliris and
Umno, the water dragon, found themselves getting closer and closer. And Iliris, being who she was, stayed behind for a while, to help the dragon learn how to live on his own.
She would have taken him to
the Spine for good, but Umno had trouble staying away from the sea for long. He was still young, flying large distances wasn't easy for him, and water was the main source of his nourishment. Therefore, for the time being, they stayed on that same island in the gulf of Ryt, visiting the other dragon keepers as often as they could. After all, Umno still enjoyed the company of other
dragons.
This time though, as they approached the little village in the Spine, Iliris felt her heart sink even before she could truly tell the tower of smoke apart from the rest of the cloudy sky. She saw the shadows next, those of creatures far larger than the dragons under their care.
Umno let out a distressed sound.
"We should hurry, friend," Iliris called over the wind, as Umno flew as fast as he could.
The actual scene which they found was... horrifying to say the least. Long burning lines spread line gashes over the village, and what was happening in it seemed to be complete chaos. There were two giant dragons present, as well as one that Iliris couldn't begin to describe. It didn't look like a creature that should have still been alive, yet it seemed that at least this dragon wasn't trying to burn down their home, which was enough for her to be thankful for.
"The fire!" Umno roared, descending swiftly, to get closer to it and try to extinguish as much as he could with his watery breath. It wasn't a lot when compared to the enormous fire, but what else could they do?
Alas, Umno's powers were limited, and they soon had to retreat aside, getting closer to Ash by doing so. Close enough that they could hear him, even over the rest of the roars all around. And now was the time to be brave. Iliris could see the other dragons as clear as ever now, and they were so huge when compared not only to her but Umno as well, that she felt her stomach cover with ice.
What could they do against beasts like this?
But she had to be brave.
They, both of them had to be brave, she could see the same thoughts and the same conflict flicker through her friend's eyes as she looked down at him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Iliris finally called out, to Ash, to the dragons, but mostly to anything who would listen to her. Her voice didn't falter as the draconic words came out, her usage of this tongue definitely far from perfect for dragon's ears.
"Who are you?" Umno added in after her, and Iliris was proud to hear that he sounded as fierce as ever. Even more than usual. Even if they were almost nothing when compared to these beasts.