Day 8
Chapter 2
For all of the pecking and wing-buffeting she had received Iris' wounds were surprisingly minimal, save of course for the major concern that was her legs and, evidently, her tail too. Most of the minor wounds had already begun to heal on their own thanks to the Mirror's Plague heritage so Hyacinth focused on the freshest. Throughout the process Iris remained silent, not even wincing when a wound was cleaned and magically stitched together. The Skydancer pressed her to find out what had happened to cause all this, but she remained adamantly quiet.
With some difficulty and a lot of shouting Zinnia had managed to convince Magnolia into not fussing over the, as it turned out, young - adolescent perhaps – Mirror, guiding the Ridgeback up the coast in search of some easy fish to catch. Both for Iris and to replenish the cakes Maggie had consumed far too early into the adventure.
“Please,” Hyacinth tried again as he finished healing a scrape on Iris' forearm, “webwings would not cause such damage to your hindquarters. Will you not tell me what it was that did? I may be able to fix it if I knew the source.”
Iris still kept her mouth closed, head resting on her crossed arms while she waited.
“You realise I will need to test the extent of the injury to determine a cause myself if you refuse to tell me, yes?”
Still nothing.
“Very well.” he sighed as he began to run his fingers down her back and sides, occasionally pinching her smooth hide and the base of her wings. Every time he pinched Iris' skin twitched in response, though she remained silent as ever. No wincing, no sucking in air, no sign of any pain. Merely embarrassment as she was subject to this. In spite of this, she let him continue.
It was when Cin started poking around the Mirror's hips that she stopped responding. Furrowing his brow the Skydancer pinched an area a little harder than before. A slight twinge, barely noticeable. Again, slightly below that. Nothing. He pinched harder. Still nothing. He then moved to the legs proper, taking one in his hands and rolling it in a similar motion to walking.
“Can you feel that?” Iris shook her head, briefly revealing a glistening streak beneath her closed eyes. Hyacinth let out a defeated sigh, accepting the fact he wasn't about to get any sort of information from the disabled dragon. “I am terribly sorry to inform you that you appear to be paralysed from the waist downward.” He stepped away to give the Mirror space to think. “I did not feel any noticeable damage to your spine so I can only assume damage to your spinal cord. I expect a strong blow of sorts to your hip area.”
Another strangled noise escaped Iris, who pulled her hands out from under her chin to rest them over her eyes as she wept. “No wonder they kicked me out.” she muttered brokenly, voice barely above a whisper.
“I truly am sorry.” The Skydancer sat on a stony protrusion at the base of the cliff. “Perhaps if I had all my tools I could do something for you.” he pondered aloud. “If you are willing we could take you back to our hom-”
“
No!” Iris shrieked, bony crests pressed tightly to her skull as she whirled to face him. “Please... just no. I can't.”
“Why not?”
“I...” she shook her head furtively. “What's a Mirror who can't stand let alone run and hunt? I don't belong anywhere any more. Please, leave me.”
“We can help you. I can find a way to-”
“I said no!” Iris practically screamed, throwing herself away and starting to drag herself along the sand again in defiance. “I don't need help. I'm better off alone.”
Hyacinth stood, calmly making his way to the ailing Mirror's side. “I won't leave you.” Then he bowed his head. “But I respect your wish for me to not offer any more aid.”
She stopped, blinking up at him through her tears. “Why won't you leave me alone?”
“Because no one should be abandoned because of a debilitating injury.” Pain washed over his normally fair features as memories surged back. “No one.”
Further down the beach not an awful lot was happening. Zinnia had waded into the shallows of an estuary to stalk fish with minimal luck; what she had succeeding in grabbing was too small to be worth much. As was proved by Magnolia who was happily scoffing the minnows down the moment the Bogsneak's back was turned.
“I know what you're doing.” Zinnia finally ground out, back to the Ridgeback and tail flicking like an agitated cat's. “You're doing no one any favour by eating everything you get your claws on.”
“Sorry that I'm hungry.” Maggie retorted, tossing the latest catch into her maw without chewing.
The black dragon stomped out of the water, shook herself off and leered at her companion. “Well maybe if you actually
did something you wouldn't notice so much. You're always hungry and that's going to cost us if you don't control yourself.”
Magnolia rolled to her feet, holding her hands out defensibly. “Well maybe if you got something bigger-”
“I'm trying!” Zin snapped, rounding on the white dragon with teeth bared. “The only reason I'm even
bothering is because you won't go near the water. How about you go forage for fruit or bugs instead. Or will you eat those too?”
“I only eat fish.” Maggie retorted, showing her needle-like teeth. “So no, I wouldn't!”
“Then
go do something else.”
“Excuse me, is this a bad time?”
Both girls stopped their dispute to regard the newcomer, a cream-coloured Skydancer with crystalline feathers. “Oh hey, you're Saira right?” Magnolia asked excitedly, bounding over. “One of the actresses?”
“Only on the side, dear.” Saira nodded, crest clinking melodiously with the motion. “I was gathering supplies to make bandages with and heard shouting.”
The pair exchanged glances, Zinnia's narrowing with frustration as she turned back to the estuary. “Ask Mag. I can't be bothered with this.”
Another chiming as the dryland drifter tilted her head at the Ridgeback expectantly. “Um, well.” Maggie started, rubbing the back of her long neck in thought. “Ilmatar, the leader's daughter, went missing when the wind stopped and I kinda went around asking about her and met the leader himself and... well... we're out here looking for her now.” She paused, grinning toothily. “It's so exciting to go on an adventure together! We had to stop for some food but we'll be-”
“Food that you keep eating yourself.” Zinnia called out without looking up.
“Ilmatar missing?” Saira piped in before Magnolia could continue. “This is troubling.”
The Ridgeback nodded quick enough for her spines to rattle. “It is, it is! I don't suppose you've seen her? Oh, and our friend s up that way,” she pointed to where Hyacinth was tending to Iris, “so we can't leave yet. Could you help with that?”
A delicate finger brushed the beak-like chin as Saira hummed. “I'm afraid I'm only good at making bandages, not using them. I'm willing to spare a few and the materials to make more. Right now I'm more intent on searching for Ilmatar myself.” She turned musically to retrieve the promised items and holding them out for Magnolia to take. “If you're grounded for now I'll check the skies ahead for you. If I see anything I'll report straight back to the Zenith. Get someone to help you down here too.”
“That would be great, thanks so much!” Magnolia cheered, adding the medical supplies to their own baggage.
“And thank you for the information.” Saira nodded again, flaring her wings. “Do excuse the ungraceful method of taking off, it's difficult without a breeze to ride.” With that she dropped to all fours, dashing surprisingly fast for her frame and leaping into the air, waving as she departed.
A wet splat brought the Ridgeback's attention to the ground, only to have a black paw shoved in her face. “This. Is. For. Later.” Zinnia stated sternly. “And for
cooking. So wait.” Her arm lifted up and down as Maggie nodded glumly, taking it away and craning her neck back to watch the glinting shape fading into the distance. “Well. That happened.”
“She was nice.” Maggie said simply, trying not to look at the still-wriggling fish. “I hope we see her again some time.”
It was dropping into evening, the skies deepening into streaks of purple, red and orange. A large group of dark clouds had begun to gather in alarming numbers unusual for this region. With caution the two girls gathered up their spoils, trudging back up the sand to meet with Hyacinth and Iris and describing their interaction with Saira. In turn Cin described the extent of Iris' injury and his reluctance to leave her. The Mirror's insistent refusal to be taken back to Mistral Zenith posed a great problem as now they had to seek shelter somewhere she would be comfortable.
After a great deal of fussing eventually Iris relented into being carried on Magnolia's back while Cin and Zin shared the load of their gear and supplies. Away from the Ridgeback. Making their way up to and past the estuary the Bogsneak had been fishing in the group found themselves following the river back inland by means of a path carved into the cliffside. Someone had come this way before often enough for it to be necessary they guessed.
It soon became apparent who had made it and why.
Despite even Magnolia's size the group suddenly felt extremely vulnerable as they spotted what looked to be the edge of nests poking over the lip of outcroppings and ledges. Too big to belong to native birds. Too small to be rocs. Plus the caves linking some together only noticeable on the lowest ridges suggested the ability to traverse between each. Some were linked by wooden walkways. It all seemed abandoned but none of them wanted to remain here longer than necessary, their pace increasing as they clambered up the slope.
“Do you really think longnecks carved this path?” Maggie whispered as best she was able without her voice bouncing off the rock walls.
“I see no reason for dragons to have made it in such a way.” Hyacinth replied, gesturing at the crude, rough way the stone had been cut. “Even if it were dragonmade it would be smoother and safer no doubt.”
As they rose higher some of the lowest nests became more visible and, unsettlingly, recently used. No harpies were themselves present but their spoils were; dragon bones and scales littered and lined each ledge and nest. Skulls of smaller breeds hung on pikes with larger ones tied with rope inside the passages.
They all gasped when they spotted three round objects far out of shape to be harpy eggs. “Dragon eggs.” Iris murmured next to Maggie's ear. “How did they get those?”
“Stolen, traded. Who can say for sure.” Zinnia replied solemnly. “Much as I'd love to rescue them it's far too dangerous. It's a miracle we haven't been attacked yet.
“Well I won't just leave them there!” Maggie exclaimed, removing a protesting Iris from her back and gently placing her on the ground.
“Oh no you don't!” Zinnia hissed, grabbing the Ridgeback's tail. “It's not safe!”
She was knocked away by a simple flick, Magnolia abusing her size and strength compared to her team's. “Take Iris and run. I'll meet you up top.”
“Mag, no-!” But she had already leapt, snapping out her dark blue wings and soaring towards the nest that held the precious objects. “
Idiot!” the Bogsneak croaked, suppressing herself from yelling and gaining unwanted attention. She shrugged off and all but hurled her satchels onto Hyacinth's back as she assisted Iris in getting onto hers.”
The Skydancer gasped under the sudden increase in weight, staggering to find his balance as Zinnia slithered up the slope ahead of him, encouraging him to do the same. He cursed under his breath as he struggled.
Below them the Ridgeback had settled straight onto the lip of the outcropping that supported the eggs without so much as a cautionary glance around. Without thinking she grabbed all three, shoving them unceremoniously into a bag and launching herself off the rock again. A few white feathers were kicked loose.
Move, move, move move! Magnolia chanted to herself as she circled around to grasp at the edge of the slope, misjudging the place she aimed for, collided with the cliff. Claws sunk in, carving deep gouges as she slipped backwards. Using her powerful back legs and elongated claws Magnolia found purchase enough to kick herself up and over, galloping up the slope as fast as she could manage.
Deep in the cave voices echoed against the passage walls. The harpies were coming.
The group reconvened at the top of the cliff but with no time to rest. Mag snatched up some of the heavier bags from Hyacinth so he could run better, the four of them making a mad dash in a random direction.
Behind them shrieks of alarm filled the air followed by the beating of many large wings.
“Why would... harpies even... live in caves?!” Magnolia asked no one between breaths. “I thought... they lived in... trees and stuff!
“Convenience of... passage!” Hyacinth replied wearily. He was flagging. “To meet with... other... beast clan perhaps.”
“A... meeting?”
“Shut up... and... run!” Zinnia interjected, also showing her exhaustion. They'd not yet been spotted mercifully but it wouldn't take long if they stopped now. There was no choice but to keep going. For now the best they could manage was weaving between infuriatingly sparse trees. “Go... on ahead... Mag! You're... faster! Find something!”
Stormcatcher help us all if these trees belong to the birds as well.
“I've got a better idea!”
Oh no.
“Wait!” Iris called out urgently. “They're not even following us!”
Too late. Unfurling her wings one more time Magnolia jumped into the air, doing her best to stay above the others as they continued their marathon. Taking in a deep breath she let loose a stream of freezing air, coating the grass in front in a layer of ice.
“Why would yo- Whoa!” was all Hyacinth could manage before his feet gave way, sending him sprawling and sliding along the frozen lane. Zinnia did her best to scrabble to a stop, too late, went flying along after him spewing curses at the Ridgeback as she went, Iris clinging on as hard as she could to the Bogsneak's crests. Magnolia then let herself drop onto the ice and hurtled after them.
She hadn't really planned where the ice path would go, just that it would. As it happened they were all now speeding downhill long after leaving the trail, rolling and bouncing down the grassy hill before colliding with the side of one of the many giant pinwheels that dotted the Wind domain.
“That was awesome!” the white-and-blue dragon shouted, jumping to her feet as the last of the adrenaline coursed through her body. She whooped loudly and bounced around laughing until her aching limbs saw her collapse into the grass, still chucking to herself and waving her limbs in the air.
In stark contrast the other three simply lay still in a groaning heap.
“They weren't... even... following...” Iris repeated as she managed to wiggle free of the mess of arms, legs and wings.
Immediately Maggie stopped giggling to stare at the Mirror. “They... weren't?”
Iris shook her head. “I was watching. They couldn't get enough height.”
“Good thing the lack of wind is hindering our enemies as well.” Hyacinth muttered, laying on his back with arms and legs hanging limply. He winced as he tried to move an arm to roll onto his side, deciding to stay put.
Crack.
Zinnia's crests shot up. “What was that?”
Crack.
“The eggs!” Magnolia rolled over, retrieving the assorted eggs from her satchel and laying them on the ground to watch. It was the blue one with bumps that could confused for barnacles that had begun to split open, the ovular object wobbling as the young life inside stirred.
With various pained grunts and groans the other three managed to pull themselves over to watch the spectacle. “They're all from different regions.” The Skydancer mentioned with some surprise. “Those harpies must have been trading with other beasts to achieve this.”
“Oh really?” Maggie lay her large head on the ground next to the eggs. “So they're not from here, huh.”
“No. This one, the one hatching, is most certainly from the Sea of One Thousand Currents. And this one,” he pointed at the slimy green thing that could only just pass as an egg rather than some disgusting pustule, “probably looks familiar to yourself, Iris?”
The Mirror nodded. “All eggs laid in the Scarred Wasteland come out like that.”
“But this one,” Hyacinth carefully took up the round, seed-like egg, “appears like that from the Viridian Labyrinth. Yet there's something... off about it.”
“What do you mean?” Zinnia inquired, settling down to glance between them. Though she tried to hide it the Bogsneak seemed rather more inquisitive about the eggs than would have first thought. Her electric gaze kept flicking to the Water egg, in which a small hole had started to form.
The Skydancer tapped the supposed Nature egg, only to shake his hand. “It's petrified.” He stated, licking his knuckles. “It may look like a seed but it feels like stone.”
“Is that possible?” Iris' head shot up and she dragged herself around to the bird-like dragon's side to inspect the oddity. “For an egg to be petrified? I've heard of fossilised eggs from ages past. Not so much petrified.”
“What's the difference?” Magnolia asked distractedly, not taking her eyes off the shaking Water egg. Interestingly, possibly from the motion of the first, the Plague egg had also begun to move; the soft, membranous shell bulging out as the hatchling pressed against it.
“Not a lot.” Cin admitted, holding the egg up to examine it all over. “Absolute basics; something fossilised is an object preserved in rock or amber and the like. Something petrified is an object whose outer layer has been replaced with stone, possibly some precious ones, and otherwise decomposed inside. So while it may look like bark,” he tapped it again, lighter this time, “it is actually rock or sto-” He let out a surprised yelp as something inside tapped back, dropping the egg to roll next to the other two. “Wh-what?! That's impossible!”
And yet it was very possible. Against all rules of nature, while the egg itself was long gone its contents had been perfectly preserved. Life and all.
“Um... Life finds a way?” Zinnia half-joked, clearly bemused herself. “It is a Nature egg after all.”
“Still!” Hyacinth was wiping at his specs, more as a release than to actually clean them.
With another, loud crack the hole in the Water egg grew larger and a blunt nose poked out of it, taking its first intake of the air outside its shell. The hatchling squeaked, throwing itself at the opening, cracking it further until it tumbled out. Large blue eyes blinked in confusion as the tiny tundra's world became a heck of a lot bigger.
“Eeeeee!” Maggie squealed, moving to pick up the sodden ball of fur. Zinnia intervened, blocking the Ridgeback's attempts.
“Oh no you don't. You'll probably smother the poor thing by accident.” As she spoke she quickly scooped up the young dragon herself, holding it close as it fussed at her. “You're far too big and excitable to handle a baby, Mag. Sorry.”
Magnolia let out a hurt whine at that, backing away slightly though her gaze now rested on the two others. The hatchling inside the Plague egg was doing remarkably well, using thin, pointed claws to poke through the membrane and rip it open. A faint peeping started up as its little off-white muzzle found its way out, the weight of it leaning against the ravaged side causing it to give way and leave a very fussy Fae wriggling in mucous.
Again Maggie started to reach out in adoration, but stopped short to turn away sadly. If she was too big to handle a Tundra then a Fae was completely out of bounds. Besides, Zin had already plucked it from its mess and had started licking it.
“...What are we even going to do with a bunch of hatchlings?” Iris wondered aloud. “Assuming they're all dragon hatchlings...” she added, watching the supposedly dead egg roll around of its own accord.
“I... do not know.” Hyacinth stated simply, staring at the Nature egg in bewilderment. “I never expected to become a father or father-figure for a long time yet.” Then he froze, paling with realisation. What were they going to do at all? Iris refused to go to Mistral Zenith so they couldn't take the hatchlings there. But they were on the hunt for Ilmatar with no good place to set up a camp let alone a hatchling-friendly den.
Iris dragged herself a little closer, reaching out to steady the round mini-prison. “I think this one's stuck because of the rock. Such a shame.”
“What do you mean, “such a shame”?” Magnolia blurted, skirting around Zinnia and plucking the petrified egg from the Mirror's claws.
“Hey!”
“We just need to help it, that's all!” She rammed a long claw into the gap where the sprout normally would have been, since filled with packed dirt.
“If an egg can't hatch properly then the hatchling isn't strong enough to live! That's life!” Iris demanded, slapping a hand in the grass stubbornly.
But Maggie wasn't listening. Ramming her claw over and over she started chipping away at the dirt. Slowly but surely a dip began to form. Something inside chirruped in anticipation, butting against where the Ridgeback was digging. Eventually persistence triumphed; the thinned debris gave out and Maggie's claw cracked into the egg. Pulling away the rest of the encrusted casing she leaned down to let the young one tumble out into the grass.
But something was wrong.
“Uh, Zin? Could we see the Tundra real quick?”
Raising a confused eye ridge Zinnia reluctantly placed both, now cleaned, hatchlings on the ground next to the new one who seemed at first to be an extra furry brown Tundra. Except not.
“It's too... gnarled?” Iris furrowed her brow and sniffed at the not-Tundra. “Not something I recognise.”
All eyes fell on the resident bookworm for answers.
Next Chapter
So much for making entries shorter :'D I just realised how much of a handful three hatchlings are going to be to write! Woo!
Speaking of, here are Gardenia, Allium and Lupin as their final breeds with gene plans/ideas in their bios.
Also, if Hyacinth dies, I'm dying with him, I love him with all my heart already.
And I'm glad to see connections with Zin and Cin so early. I really wanted to explore some particular areas so I hope I do a good job with it.
Also, if you feel like it, while I have some ideas in their bios already I'm curious to see what you can come up with for Zin, Maggie, Cin and Iris too 
or 
