“Do you have to constantly hum or sing?” I asked, annoyed.

“What? Does expressing a little bit of happiness bother you?” Symphonia retorted cheerfully. “My mate claimed a new merriment, the negotiations with the villagers are going well, and soon, we will solve that little problem with the swamp-kirins. This seems like a good day to me.” She smiled and continued her happy humming.

It wasn’t like she was wrong. If I was being honest, it was more that I didn’t like her that much. I was technically higher in hierarchy than her and could order her to stop, but, Candid had decided I should leave her alone, and who was I to question that?

Anyway, my family wasn’t camped too far away from the medical tent. It only took us a few minutes before we were close enough to see Dad curled around Night and Kindling; the former happy cuddling, the latter angry and grumpy about Dad’s protective behavior.

“Fiery!” Kindling shouted when I was close enough. He struggled to get free of Dad’s wing, and as he did, he was able to evade the claw Dad attempted to use to catch my little brother before he finished breaking out. It was good for everycreature that Dad hadn’t determined that anyone in our group was a threat.

“Are you alright, sis?” Kindling asked as he embraced me with a hug. “I wanted to visit you in the medical tent, but Mom wouldn’t allow it!”

“Yeah, I am fine,” I replied and returned the hug, grabbing my brother tighter.

“Good to see you are alright!” Night joined the hug a moment later, licking over my cheek in the process.

Well, it did feel good to have those two in my wings for a moment.

When I finally let go of them, the usual pleasantries were exchanged, with one exception. When Symphonia tried to approach my brothers, Dad rushed over, growling warningly.

“Dad!” Kindling yelled angrily. “Not everyone we meet will try to kill us! Okay?”

That didn't do much to prevent Dad from grabbing him and pulling him closer and away from Symphonia though.

“Mom! Dad’s being stu… Dad’s being Dad again!” he yelled.

The moment it took Mom to appear, Night had returned to Dads side by himself, rubbing his head against Kindling to calm him down.

“Big Softy!” Mom shouted, not angry, but firm as she made her way over. She gave our little group a look, then plucked Kindling from Dad’s grip and placed him back on his own hooves.

“They could be a threat!” Dad hissed.

“There is only one of them we do not know yet, and they are with Fiery, so they will be fine,” Mom retorted. “If they were a threat to our kids, Fiery would at… Fiery wouldn’t have brought them here at all.”

Dad just snorted.

“I told you we would be fine!” Kindling burst out. “We are not constantly in danger or in need of cuddles!” He made his way over to me again, staring angrily at Dad.

“Don’t be so hard on him,” I said, trying to ruffle his mane. “Dad is just being protective.”

“I know!” He slapped my claw, pulling his head back. “And it’s super annoying!”

“Don’t hit your sister!” Mom called out. At first it seemed Kindling wanted to give her his two bits about what he thought about her lecturing him here, but he quickly thought better of it. Instead, he just put his hoof up with the underside up and waved it back and forth.

I giggled and followed suit. While I didn’t like him slapping my claw, I also knew he wouldn’t like me ruffling his mane in the first place.

To no one's surprise, my kirins in tow started to giggle too.

“Your brother remains adorable even when he’s being silly,” Bliz stated.

“I know, right?” I had to resist the urge to cuddle him.

Kindling murmured something under his breath.

“Anyhow, we came here,” I explained to my parents, “to see if we could find Allerian and keep me away from galloping after my swamp kirins, who ran off during the night.”

“They did what?” Mom wondered.

“They ran off,” I repeated grimly. “Except for Caustic Mercy here, they all went back to the swamp.”

It took a moment to explain the situation to my parents, and a bit more to assure them I was fine. Illu didn’t completely share this assumption though, the same going for Rythil, but I was pretty sure I was already back to normal. Illu found common ground though with my parents over my cut feathers…

“Cunning of them, but just as brave and foolish,” Dad judged after I’d finished my explanation. “Maybe you will find quite the number of dead bodies on the way to the swamp, if Hades doesn’t share their interpretation of things.”

“They value their independence very highly,” Rythil pointed out. “Maybe…”

I closed his snout with my claw and stuffed him into Bliz mane. Illu gave me a worried look, so I rubbed my snout against his, purring.

“Completely yourself and well, hmm?”

I just fluttered my eyelids.

“Fiery will gather them eventually,” Bliz pointed out, plucking Rythil out of her mane before placing him on her back. “For now, however, Candid has decided it would be safer for her to stay campside in the merriment.”

“Seems he is not a lost cause after all,” Mom nodded.

“My mate is one of the wisest stallions there are,” Symphonia threw in.

“And you are?”

“Symphonia Lonevoice,” Symphonia said, extending a hoof. “Candid is my mate.”

“Figured as much,” Mom replied, shaking the offered hoof.

During their conversation, attracted by Bliz's voice, Sealgair emerged from one of the carriages where she had been taking a nap. Happy to see her owner, she wasted no time in weaseling over.

“So what are you gonna do now?” Mom turned her attention back to me.

“Well, wait till Candid is finished with the negotiations I guess. I have to wait for him to allow me to chase my missing kirins.” I sighed. “And, in the meantime we want to ask Allerian where he’d been while Fertile Desert was preparing my drink yesterday.”

Mom tilted her head curiously.

“Illu made a list of possible suspects. It’s unlikely, but Allerian is on it, so it will make them all,” I made a gesture that included my whole little party, “feel happier if we check on his alibi, you know?”

“Wasn't he the judge during your duel?” Mom wondered. “Would have been a close call to poison your drink and get back unnoticed, wouldn’t it?”

“Like I said, unlikely, but it will make them feel better.” I lowered my voice to a whisper and leaned closer. “You know they would follow every clue that kept me from chasing after my swamp kirins through a,” I made air-quotes with my claws, “dangerous swamp.”

“Hmm-hm,” Mom said, throwing a glance at Illu. I couldn’t place my talon on it, but it felt like she approved of this nonsense. Before I could focus my thoughts on it though, a loud startled shout from Rythil reached my ears, followed by a little defensive hiss.

All heads spun around to our little luck dragon only to see he was fighting with Sealgair! Bliz was so used to being climbed on by her little kundeel that she hadn't thought of what would happen if the little one were to find her favorite spot occupied by someone else!

“Hey stop it!” Bliz shouted, trying to reach onto her back while I rushed over to rescue my scarf. This proved to be unnecessary though, since as soon as the initial shock was over, it was obvious that this hadn’t been an attack at all. It was a cuddle attempt! Sealgair’s happy chitters and chirps, along with her being curling around Rythil, made that quite clear.

“Help!” Rythil yelled regardless. He had stopped hissing and had restrained himself from biting, but still was unhappy with Bliz’s pet curling around him.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” Bliz started, attempting to unfurl Sealgair from Rythil, but I stopped her with a claw. “Huh?” She wondered. “Why?”

“It is alright.” Now that it was clear that Rythil wasn’t in any danger, I calmed down. “He is supposed to cuddle every creature that wants to cuddle him. That’s what Fortuna said.” I explained.

“Uhm…” Bliz sounded unsure.

“No no, it is alright,” I nodded my head while raising my claw. “That is what she said. If Sealgair wants to cuddle with him, that is what he is going to do.” I leaned closer to Rythil with a smile. “Right?”

“You can’t be serious,” he complained with an expression that was equal parts anger, annoyance, and defeat.

“Of course I am.” I stroked Sealgair, as well as Rythil, on the head. “No dragging him away though, understood?”

Sealgair happily chirped.

“See, we have an understanding,” I said with a wide smile.

“Fiery!” Mom shook her head with a sigh. “Stop being mean!” She came over and tried to retrieve Rythil from Sealgair, but instead quickly pulled her hoof back when Sealgair warningly snapped in her direction. She was wise enough though to not hiss or bite mom by accident.

“Stop that, you little do-no-good!” Bliz scolded her, but made no attempts to free Rythil.

“Rythil is a full grown luck dragon, trapped in a tiny body,” Mom declared. “He is not a plushy! Sealgair, let him go!”

“Uhm, what do you mean trapped in a tiny body?” Symphonia piped up during our little banter. “Isn’t he supposed to be this size?”

“He is normally longer than my husband,” Mom explained. “He just got cursed by Fortuna for making an oopsie while watching over Fiery while they were in Hades temple.”

“He failed to carry out his goddess wishes,” Caustic Mercy said. “A punishment well deserved.”

Symphonia first looked at Rythil, then Caustic Mercy, and finally back to me. “Seems you possibly pose a passive danger to my mate after all.”

“I am not a problem! I am a most valuable part of the merriment!” I quickly stepped next to Illu and licked over his cheek. “And the best marefriend in the world too.”

This statement earned me a raised eyebrow from Symphonia as well as Mom.

“What?”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Mom replied, stretching a hoof out to pet Dad’s nose.

“Yeah, I am sure Candid would say I am the best marefriend in the world,” Symphonia threw in. “And he is the leader of our merriment so he must be right.”

“Could you please figure that out a bit later and help me,” Rythil requested, still in Sealgair’s grip.

“Oh, I am sorry,” Mom hastily said while rushing over. She gave Seagair a harmless little slap on the snout when she made an attempt to snap at her and untangled her from Rythil. “Not a plushy!” She sharply said with a lecturing hoof raised after she was done.

Seagair just chirped, unhappily, before curling around Bliz now that Rythil floated uncertainty around for a bit. In the end though, he settled down on Illu’s back again.

“Who is a naughty Kundeel?” Bliz asked while petting Seagair’s head. “Yes, you are.” Bliz let her hoof wander below Seagair’s chin, giving her scratches, so the chirps became more happy while still remaining generally grumpy.

“Seems your pet is half dragon with how crazy it gets with cuddling,” Kindling judged. He looked back at Dad. “Not everycreature is fond of being cuddled all the time!”

“Careful there,” I snickered. “Otherwise you’ll get kicked out of the nest like I was.”

“Wouldn’t be that bad! I would surely miss Mom, but not Dad!” Kindling spat out.

“Kindling Glow Do!” Mom’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Don’t you dare speak that way about your father!”

I dropped to my haunched instantly and so did everykirin else. It wasn’t even directed at us, but Mom using her Mom voice was scary! Only Illu dared to stay still, he and Caustic Mercy that is.

Visibly intimidated but still holding his ground to a degree, Kindling replied, “It’s true! I don’t want to be cuddled all day! And it would be nice to talk to someone for a change without Dad being around and threaten to kill anycreature at a moment's notice!”

“Your dad is protecting you as dragon’s do! You can’t be angry at him for being who he is!”

“But I’m not a dragon, Mom! I am a pony! I want to make friends and talk to people! And not be cuddled all day!”

I exchanged a look with Nightflame. It was clear that Kindling was overly silly.

“I am just making sure you are safe and loved,” Dad pointed out, leaning closer to rub his head against Kindling.

“I am fine!” Kindling yelled, slapping Dad’s snout with a wing.

“That’s enough!” Mom shouted. “Don’t you dare let me see you hitting your father ever again!”

“He tried…”

“No!” Mom stomped a hoof, causing me and Night to lay flat on the ground. “I don’t want to hear any excuses!” She grabbed Kindling by the mane and pulled him next to Dad, facing the other way though. “You stay here till I tell you otherwise!”

“That’s not fair!” Kindling yelled, turning around. “Dad was the one misbehaving, not me!”

“You hit your father!” Mom yelled. “That is not okay little stallion!”

“And cuddling me without my consent is?” He yelled back, even stepping out of the place Mom had told him to stay in. “That is not fair at all!”

Night started to whimper. Speaking up to Mom was Kindlings unique ability after all and very uncomfortable for Night and me when he did it.

“It is part of your dragon heritage! It is engraved in your fathers scales! He can not help himself from burying you in love and cuddles even if he tried to!”

“Yeah and I hate it!” Now it was Kindling’s turn to stomp a hoof.

And this was the moment it was too much for Dad to handle. He picked Kindling up, despite his kicking and yelling, and tried to calm him down with cuddling and head rubs. Very much to Kindlings displeasure! Additionally, Night rushed to them, climbing onto Dad so he could reach Kindling too.

“Let me go!” Kindling demanded, but it was in vain of course. He kicked and bucked as hard as he could, but it was no match for Dad.

“Big Softy!” Mom yelled with a hint of frustration in her voice.

In the end, there was not much she or anycreature could do. We just had to wait till Kindling calmed down by himself or Dad used his parental purring on him.

“Say, do you guys know a griffon named Angorik?” Symphonia suddenly piped up while we waited.

“Huh? Sure we do.” I replied. “That’s Allerian’s dad. How do you know him?”

“The camp guards just contacted me. It seems he is here to look for his son. I’ll let them know he can pass.” And with those words, she closed her eyes and emitted a little blue aura for a moment.

“I wonder what they have to talk about so urgently that he flew all the way out here,” I mumbled.

“Maybe he just wants to see if Allerian is doing alright?” Illu suggested. He threw a glance at my parents. “Your Dad may not be the only one feeling compelled to make sure his kids are doing well.”

“Your Dad hasn’t shown up so far,” I retorted.

“I am a full grown Batpony, Allerian is just a teenager.”

“You are my full grown batpony,” I purred.

“See, no need for my Dad to check in on me as long as you are around.” Illu ruffled through my mane.

“Shouldn’t we do something about…” Bliz pointed vaguely at my family.

“Feel free to try,” I replied. “If I tried, I’d get sucked into the cuddling. And if someone else tried, they’d get beheaded by Dad, so…”

“Fair point.”

“There you are!” Angorik called out maybe a minute later. He threw a glance at Kindling being cuddled by Night and Dad, watching the former's repeated squirms and ineffectual attempts at breaking free. “Looks like I am not the only one to have a family dispute today.” He then landed next to us.

“Hello, Angorik,” Mom said, giving him a quick nod before observing the situation with my brother again.

“Could work on my timing a bit it seems,” Angorik said. The rest of us then exchanged greetings.

“It’s fine, my brother just needs five minutes to go back to being normal, or twenty. Puberty and stuff, you know? He told Dad he hates cuddling.” I shock my head in fake bewilderment.

“Oh, I am sure Black Death is trying his best to convince him otherwise.”

“He suuuure is. Anyway, why are you here? It’s not like we are just a wingspan away from home, it’s more like a few days flight by now.”

“Well, I would prefer to be sitting at home, getting warm paws and telling some good stories about my adventures. However, my wife decided I should get our son back. Either that or she plucks out all my feathers before going to search for him herself.”

This took me by surprise. “Allerian should be around here somewhere, but why did you guys change your mind about him accompanying me on my journey? He seems quite happy writing his book about it.”

“You mean we changed our mind about him telling us he was having a sleepover at one of his friends house only to chase after you and your merriment without letting us know?”

“What?!” No way!” I burst out.

“Yes, it is true.”

“You’re being serious?” Bliz inquired with an approving undertone. “This griffon has more guts than I thought!”

I wrapped my claw around Bliz snout. “Just because Mom said you have to listen to your parents doesn’t mean everyone lying to them is a role model, Bliz.”

“My wife is worried sick, and of course, she blames my heroic past and adventurous bloodline as the cause of our son's behavior, saying that he got his rebellious tendencies from me.” Angorik sighed. “That’s why I was the one who had to chase after him.”

“And how did you figure out he would be here?” Illu wondered.

“He flew off the day we returned home from your lair after we found out you were going on this big and bold adventure. Not hard to guess where he went.”

“Ohhh, yeah, the lair. Is everybody alright back home? How did they take the news?” I asked.

“Well, your grandparents explained everything to everyone, so they are all worried about you and your family. Truth be told, your oma isn’t the best at explaining things. Took the ponies a lot of questions to get the full story. Also, your opa seemed a bit boisterous if you ask me.”

“No wonder with my aunt being part of our group.”

“Yeah, Perle mentioned that.” He ruffled his feathers and shook himself. “Uhm, would you excuse me though, I am happy to enlighten you about your family at a later time, but I would like to speak with my son now.”

“Oh, yeah, no problem.” I threw a look at my family. “This may still take a while though. Mom!” I waited till I had her attention. “Where is Allerian?”

“Somewhere In the field behind our carriage, together with your aunt, Fee-De and Autumn.”

“Thanks, Mom!” I made an inviting gesture towards Angorik. “Come on, I’ll accompany you. We actually wanted to speak with Allerian too.”

“You don’t wanna…” he gestured at my still struggling brother.

“They will be fine in a bit. And I am sure Kindling doesn’t want to get cuddled to make it better anyway.”

“I don't think that I will ever get used to you western creatures and your insistence on cuddling everything.” Rythil grumbled while watching out for Sealgair. “I know it’s your way of showing your affection for the ones you love, but the amount of time you spend doing it is just excessive. It’s making me miss home and how we handle that.”

“How do you handle that?” Illu asked.

“Hmm?”

“You said it is different at home, so how do you guys show affection and parental behavior?”

“We just give quick nuzzles, or hold whiskers with each other. Quick and simple. No all day long intense cuddling and rubbing against each other. The way western dragons do that is just unreasonable!”

“Says the right little noodle,” I retorted, pulling gently on one of his little whiskers like he was a foal. “Tiny cute luck dragon that you are!”

“Could you not?” Rythil asked with a begging expression as he began stroking the whisker I had pulled on and drawing the other one as far away from me as he could.

“I’ll think about it if you stop trying to give half the merriment away every time the opportunity comes up,” I replied.

*

“Hey Allerian!” I shouted when we passed the carriage and got a good view of him talking to my aunt. He was scribbling in his book while doing so, and, given my aunt's expression, she was telling him how important she was or something. Aside from them stood Fertile Desert, waiting for her turn to speak with Allerian.

All three of them turned to me, my aunt with an annoyed gaze, Allerian cheerful, then, when his eyes met his dad, very uncomfortable.

“We still have something to talk about, niece,” my aunt started, unaware as well as uninterested in what was going on besides her. She growled and showed me her fangs. “Now that you are not even leading a merriment anymore, your place is far below me in the hierarchy!

“I am your niece, not your subordinate.” I stuck my tongue out. “And I am an adult, while you are just a hatchling.”

My aunt blinked in complete bafflement. Speaking this way with an azure was new for her I guess. Well not only for her, but for most of my company as well. Even Angorik halted in his tracks for a moment.

“How dare you!” Schimmernde Morgenröte finally burst out, rushing towards me while growling angrily.

Unsurprisingly, my guards as well Bliz, Fertile Desert and, to my immense surprise, even Symphonia, rushed into her path. Illu in the meantime, stepped closer to me.

“Get out of my way!” My aunt demanded, but they didn’t listen.

“I would think twice about that!” I shouted when my Aunt raised a claw to hit one of them. “Mom is only one call for help away, and she is already angry since Kindling spoke up to Dad. I doubt you want to have to deal with her right now, do you?”

With another growl at me, Schimmernde Morgenröte lowered her claw.

“Wise choice.”

“I don’t need to fight your insignificant kirins!” My aunt spat out. “I am flying home anyway! No throne, no azure dragon support for you! This deal is no longer suitable for myself!”

I scrunched my nose at this. Her leaving wasn’t so much a me problem, but it would be a problem for Candid. Bringing an azure dragon to the merriment was one of my bonus points that solidified me being the second in command after all.

“If that is your wish, you should speak with Dad about it,” I replied. “After all, he is supposed to be watching over you. We will see if he allows it.”

I just got a snort and hiss in return. My Aunt then turned around and began heading in Dad’s direction.

“And you are sure you are alright?” Illu asked, placing a hoof on my forehead. “Talking like that with your Aunt is something new after all.”

“Yeah, what were you thinking?” Symphonia also demanded. “Somekirin could have gotten killed! Our ancestors are dangerous!”

“I am fine,” I gave Illu a kiss on the nose and rubbed my cheek against his hoof. “And regarding my Aunt, well, now that I’m not the leader anymore, I guess I’m less affected by the Call? And I am the adult between the two of us after all.” I gave Illu a blink, then turned to Symphonia. “Not with my mom around. You saw first claw what my Mom can be like. Schimmernde Morgenröte hasn’t dared to even once speak up to her during our several weeks long travels. It’s unlikely she would start now.”

“Are you really sure you are okay?” Illu once more inquired.

“Absolutely, but now let us enjoy the show.” I pointed at Angorik. “This will be good!”

And indeed, Angorik had taken a seat in front of Allerian, his paws crossed and looking down on his now sweating son.

“He-hey Dad,” he put on a smile, “you found Black Death’s family…”

Angorik remained silent.

“So, uhm, how's Mom? Everything alright at home?”

“Your Mom is slightly concerned about your well being.” Angorik replied. “So slightly, even Danger Do seems reasonable compared to her.”

“Uhhhhh….” Both Allerian and I made the same noise at hearing that.

“I don’t want to be in his paws,” Bliz commented. “I like his bravery, but whew.”

“You make it sound like your Mom is some eldritch horror or something,” Symphonia inquired.

“Well, she pushed back Candid with only a stare,” Fertile Desert pointed out. “He tried to pull rank on her when Fiery was in the medical tent, but one look at her and he backed off.”

“Yeah, that is true,” I said, a bit ashamed. “She shouldn’t have done that, but she is very scary when she wants to be.” I pointed back towards my family. “You felt it yourself back there.”

“She is just a pony,” Symphonia said doubtfully.

“She is Mom,” I made clear, shaking my claw back and forth with my pointy and thumb talon forming a ring.

Symphonia gave me a doubtful look, then her forehead glowed blue and her gaze became distant for a second. A surprised expression swept over her face a moment later. “Ohh,” she exhaled.

“Shh, I wanna hear that,” I said and pointed at Angorik and Allerian.

“You could tell Mom I am fine,” Allerian requested hopefully. “I am safe as I can be here between over a thousand kirins, some dragons, and Fiery’s family.”

“You can tell that to her yourself when we are back home,” Angorik retorted. “I already got my half of the scolding by her for what you did. The better half of it is reserved for you though.”

Allerian rubbed over the back of his head. “Sounds like it is waaaay safer for me to stay here then.”

“You would only increase the anger your Mom feels. The earlier you are back home, the less of a scolding you’ll get. You may even keep your feathers if we return immediately.” Angorik shook his head in a fake, unsure gesture. “No promises on that though.”

“You know, it took a very brave griffon to pair up with Mom, Dad. A very bold choice! Why don’t you fly ahead and I will follow you a few days behind?” He gave his dad a bright smile. “You have the courage to deal with Mom and I will be the repentant son coming home after the dragon's share of her anger vanishes. You know if you tell her I am on my way, she will calm down eventually.”

“You would come home to my head on a pike dangling from the front porch if I return without you,” Angorik repelled to his son’s suggestion.

“He really is in trouble,” Bliz whispered. “I wonder how he will sneak his way out of this.”

“He is a bard, he will find a way eventually,” Summer Moon whispered back.

“So is his dad, and he has more experience,” Bliz retorted.

Allerian didn’t share this opinion it seemed, since he tried to use his shared profession with his dad to his advantage a moment later.

“But I can’t just leave, Dad. I am onto something here, something big! Here, take a look!” He offered his dad the book he was writing. “You see, this will be the next big thing! Maybe even beat your book in the long run!”

“Ridiculous!” Angorik huffed, but there was still a hint of curiosity in his voice. He took the book and skimmed through a few pages.

“With Fiery not being the leader anymore, this saga has already ended, more or less,” Bliz pointed out. “Writing a book about second place isn’t that exciting I guess.”

“I am still worth writing a book about, though,” I threw a side glance at Symphonia, “changing the protagonist to Candid seems most reasonable now.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t have the connection to him that he does to you and your family. From you he gets your personal insights, from Candid he would more likely get second or third party observations only,” Bliz said.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Symphonia piped up. “Writing a story about my mate seems like a worthy cause. Your griffon friend may need to change the beginning of his story of course.”

“Hey, it is my mate’sbook,” Illu said. “If your mate wants a book by Allerian too, he has to get his own.”

“We will see about that,” Symphonia said, starting to hum in thought.

During our little argument, Angorik had had the time to read a page or two, and it seemed he was indeed impressed.

“These oathbound wilderness kirins truly seem to be interesting, and the part about Hades stepping up, well, this has what it needs to be a success,” Angorik judged.

“And wait till you read about the battle that just took place here, Dad!” Allerian turned a few pages for his Dad. “It was a back and forth, and I am still gathering more viewpoints!”

“Nah,” Angorik raised a paw dismissively. “Writing down battles in full detail is a beginner's error. You need to tell the important event while following the main protagonists. From their perspective, with their emotions well displayed. Aside from that you can just summarize the overall events while you focus on the characters even more. Look, when I told the story about Black Death and Danger Do, I spared the fighting parts quite a bit and focused on the love, affection and the problems and hardship such a relationship entails.”

“To get a more emotional reaction from the reader, I know that Dad! Still, here, look at how I described the actions of some individuals.” He skimmed through the pages till he found the spot he was looking for. “Here, Summer Moon heroically storming in on a volandium, those crocodile cavalry! I even drew a small picture of it!”

The mare in question rubbed a hoof over her leg in shame.

“It is alright, you did your duty,” Symphonia calmed her down.

“Hmm,” Angorik said. “A pinch of heroism doesn’t hurt for sure, still, you need to establish her more in the previous chapters then. Did you mention her a few times before?”

“Of course! She and her sister that is,” Allerian explained. “Two mares, loyal guards, doing their best. And furthermore, they both are single! So even more enticing for the readers!”

“Hey!” Summer Moon growled. “That is me you are talking about! And my sister!” Her growling intensified.

“You are heroes!” Allerian tried to calm her down. He raised his paws. “Creatures love heroic actions! And you are attracting far more stallions this way! We both benefit from this,” he finished, pointing at his book.

“Why don’t you pause your guard duty for a few,” I suggested while patting Summer Moon’s head, “and talk with Allerian about it? I am sure you want to argue with him, hmm?”

She didn’t need to be told twice. With a growl, she stormed forward. Poor Allerian didn’t even get the time to fly off. In an instant she jumped at him, pinning him down and presenting her fangs.

“Hey!” Angorik yelled, grabbing Summer Moon by the mane and pulling her off his son. “What’s gotten into you?”

She redirected her growling at him, trying to intimidate him, but to no success. Angorik fought my dad back in the days as you may remember. A single kirin was hardly a threat by comparison. With a swift kick, he sent her rolling over the grass and placed himself between her and his son.

“Thanks, Dad, but I can watch over myself,” Allerian said, rising to his paws again.

“Not in my experience,” Bliz threw in with a giggle from the side, earning her a flat look from him.

“I know I said so several times already, but are you sure you are alright?” Illu asked next to me. “You knew this would happen if you let Summer Moon loose, right?”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Yeah, no way you’re going to be roaming around unsupervised for the foreseeable future,” Illu judged.

“I don’t mind some co…”

“As a responsible adult, watching what you are doing: Not for you to play any naughty shenanigans!”

“If you say so,” I purred.

“We could still tell Danger Do about the situation,” Ryhtil piped up. “She surely knows how to keep her daughter under control.”

“Little traitor noodle!” I huffed.

“Just trying to keep you safe, as my goddess wants me to,” he said with a little bow of his head.

Before I could reply though, the argument between Summer Moon and Angorik heated up.

“Your son is displaying me like a pin up mare in his book!” Summer Moon yelled.

“He is just pointing out historically accurate facts,” Angorik countered. “Your heroism seems to be accurately described, given there is no protest to this view of events by your fellow kirins. And the fact that you are single is accurate too I assume?”

“Me being single or not is none of your business, and has no relevance to the story of this book either! You will not turn my personal life into some story for your own fame just so some lecherous courtier can have naughty thoughts about me!”

“Well, it worked for my dad’s book,” Allerian commented. “He just had the luxury that he could just change the names of the protagonists.” He shrugged with his paws and wings. “I would do so too, if this wasn’t a historical event. You know, people will know you were the mare in question anyway. No point in changing your name.” He looked over her body with a blink. “Or your status.”

“Wow!” Angorik held Summer Moon back when she pushed forward. She may be smaller than a full grown griffon, but he was still slowly pushed backwards.

“Fiery!” Allerian shouted over to me. “Could you please call back your la… your guard? Nothing wrong with my book, right?”

“She seems to think so,” I pointed at Summer Moon wrestling with his dad. A tiny hint of flames were already starting to spark across her back.

“Fiery!” Illu gave me a small bump on my shoulder. “It’s Allerian we are talking about.”

“Fine,” I gave in. Not without snuggling Illu first though. “Summer Moon, turn it down a bit. Allerian will make the corrections you see fit.”

“But…” Allerian started.

“But not because you’ll otherwise bite him and pluck his feathers out, but because you’ll explain to him why you feel uncomfortable about them.” I gave Illu a look, fishing for some approval. ‘See I am a responsible adult’ was what my gaze said.

I got a boop on my nose for that.

When Summer Moon let go of Angorik I turned to Symphonia. “You see, I am quite… Where did she go?” I looked around but Symphonia was nowhere to be seen.

“She just wandered off?” Bliz wondered. “The nerve of some people!”

“It’s not like we wouldn’t know where she went,” I retorted. Reaching out for her with my azure senses, I knew she was still around. Just a few hundred steps away, between some trees to our left. And to my surprise, Autumn Blaze was there as well. Well, I assumed it was her since there weren't many unclaimed kirins around here in the first place, and Mom told us she would be around.

And that was the moment an ice cold shiver ran down my spine. I suddenly knew why I’d had this bad feeling yesterday when Candid told me he would care for the unclaimed kirins!

“Symphonia, no!” I screamed in panic, pushing Illu aside and storming in the Symphonia’s direction. Everyone stared at me in bewilderment, but I didn’t bother to explain. I spread my wings and rushed as fast as I could.

But it was too late. A new kirin was added to the merriment.

“Symphonia!” I screamed once more. “What have you done?” In my panic, I ran over Fertile Desert before spreading my wings and flying over to said mare. The bewilderment was written clearly on Symphonia’s face. She had just claimed Autumn Blaze and didn’t know the terrible mistake she had made!

“W-what?” She stuttered, staring at me. “I just, I just claimed this kirin back to the merriment.”

“She wasn’t some random unclaimed kirin! She belongs to my brother!” I yelled. “She hadn’t been hit by an anti azure ray! She was unclaimed the entire time!”

“But, I don’t understand.” Symphonia’s gaze flipped between me and the others who’d just arrived behind me. “Why would you…”

“Fiery, watch out!” Bliz yelled, ramming me aside when my little brother rushed in at high speed. He barely missed me and crashed right into Symphonia.

“No!” Bliz, let go!” I kicked her off of me and rushed to Symphonia’s aid. I was the only one who could help now!

Symphonia neighed in fear and tried to fend Nightflame off. In the mere seconds I had needed to get rid of Bliz, she had already sustained several deep scratches over her forelegs. Illu wanted to jump in and help, but I kicked him over swiftly. “Dad will kill you if you touch Night!” I yelled while already pushing everykirin else aside with my aura.Then it happened, in a flash of light, Candid appeared, either because Symphonia had called for his aid, or because he sensed her life was in danger. At the same moment he appeared, Night bit down hard on one of Symphonia’s forelegs, causing a wet and visceral snap, followed by a horrific scream of pain, to resound through the collected mass. As Nightflame began to violently shake his head, Candid leapt forward, kicking my little brother in the throat to get him to release his mate.

This was the last thing he ever did.

I was frozen in shock. It was my duty to protect Candid. But I just knew his life was forfeit. The wingbeats behind me, along with Dad’s roar, were almost immediate. The moment Candid became aware of Dad’s approach, his eyes widened. He shouted something, but I couldn’t hear it. The next moment, Dad crashed into him.

It wasn’t even a fight. One swift move of Dad’s claw and I could feel, FEEL Candid dying! His presence in the merriment just vanished like a candle being blown out. Dad had driven his claw into his head, a clear impalement.

“Fiery!” Illu screamed at me. “Do something!” He pointed at Symphonia who was still screaming, either in pain or for her mate, I didn’t know. Without thinking, I jumped at her and Night.

“Let her go, Night!” I yelled, pulling at my brother's maw. I placed a hoof on his lower lip and my talons between his teeth to have some leverage, however, a dragon's bite is strong! I couldn’t open his jaw even the tiniest bit. “Mooooom!” I desperately screamed for aid. Followed by a loud neigh. I may have been able to roar like Night, but that would only drive Dad further into dad mode. The neigh would just alert Mom.

Instantly, my kirins rushed to my aid, but I pushed them back with my aura. “Stay back! No one touches my brother! Autumn Blaze, you don’t move!”

“What can we do?” Rythil asked hecticly. He floated as close to me as he dared, not wanting to risk getting swatted out of the air from Night thrashing his head around or beating his wings as he tried to slap me off his head and shoulders. Luckily for me, he hadn’t gone insane after the robbery of his hoard. His attacks were planned out and only out of anger, not blind rage.

“S-e st-le from mai hurd!” Night spat out, his words mangled by both my pulling on his maw and the foreleg of the screaming mare he was holding there.

“I know! I know she did! Please let her go! I’ll give Autumn back to you! I promise!”

“Nah one stalls fro a drugons hard!”

“Get my mom here, quick!” I yelled at Rythil while increasing my efforts to open Nights maw. “She didn’t know! She will repay you! You get Autumn back and a stack of jewels or gold or whatever! Please, Night, let her go!”

Suddenly, I felt a wave of anger rushing over me. No it wasn’t my anger, nor was it Dad’s as I had expected. It was the azure magic of the call! Like a bolt of lightning, it shot through the merriment, raging through each kirin in turn, restless, hunting, causing everykirin’s scales to stand on end.

It felt like waves at the sea as I felt it wash over the kirins around me. It flared up and down, hither and thither, rushing through every kirin. Whenever it hit an azure though, it burned with hatred and a thirst for vengeance. It dimmed down as soon as it sparkled though before it turned its attention to the next kirin.

“What is that?” Bliz asked. Obviously she could feel it as well. Even Symphonia stopped screaming for a moment when the wave reached her. And then, it was my turn.

Something, entered my mind. It wasn’t like a conscious entity, but a mixture of emotions held tenuously together by a sense of reason. I could feel it wandering through my newest memories, tugging at my connection to the merriment, verifying my place in the hierarchy.

Something was different though. In contrast to the other azures, with me it didn’t dim within moments of sweeping over me, but increased in its intensity! The rage that had swelled up upon the death of Candid, the thirst for vengeance had found its worthy vessel! Like a magnet, the waves through the merriment came to a halt, then, twice as fast as before, it all came streaming in my direction! Like a sponge, I sucked up all the rage, the cries for vengeance, the feelings of loss…

Before I could even start considering what was happening, I levitated up in the air, ignited with the intensity of a lighthouse as an azure blue fire burning with the heat of an active volcano wreathed my body! When I roared my anger, I did so with the force of an eruption, kicking everykirin backwards and even freeing Symphina from my brother.

As I made my descent back to the ground, two things happened. First was that Symphonia, despite her injuries, crawled towards her dead mate, and second, Night now roared at me. He had been unaffected by my shockwave, only losing grip on Symphonia due to her getting shaken around.

I roared back, presenting my fangs, and pushed him back by my shear presence. He started his second roar, but I rushed forward, crashing into him in an instant. I had his throat between my fangs and was laying on top of him, growling warningly, before he could react. I was the dominant sibling after all!

I felt his wing rise to strike me in the side and increased the pressure on his throat. Reluctantly, he tucked his tail and submitted to me. I snorted, licked over his head and turned to the real source of my anger.

Dad.

The rage of a thousand kirins ignited brightly in my gut. Dad had killed our leader, he had killed Candid Division, the leader of this merriment, and it was on me, the new leader, to seek revenge!

And I hadn’t to wait, the short fight with my brother had already caused Dad to throw aside the remains of Candid and turn towards me. His parental roaring bounced off me like rain on my scales. Instead, I mentally ordered my merriment to rush to my aid. The murder of Candid would not go unavenged!

“Fiery, what is happening!” Illu rushed next to me, only restraining himself from laying a hoof on me due to my burning back. “Fiery! What can I do? How can I help you?” He took notice of my burning body and the clear message of challenge I was emitting. He tried to step between me and Dad, but I roared at him and pushed him aside with a claw.

A tiny voice in my head told me to be careful not to hurt my mate, while another one told me he should be supporting us. Roary and Calmly had decided to show up again.

However, there was a third voice now, screaming louder than both of them to attack Dad, to rip off his wings and tail. And that was what I was going to do! And it wasn’t like Dad was opposed to fighting me after I attacked my little brother. We both rushed at each other, ready for violence.

“Fiery no!” Mom yelled from afar, but it was too late. I lowered my head and focused my azure magic. Like a knight with his lance, I bursted forward. Dad, however, had raised his wingspikes and built up the momentum to just bowl me into the ground. A lot of screams reached my ears, like Illu’s, Rythil’s, and Bliz’s, but none of it was of concern to me. Like a train I rammed into Dad, only protected by a thick coat of blue light.

Light that had the force of a thousand kirins.

Dad’s wing spikes scratched over it and his firebreath illuminated it, but neither managed to even scratch me. Instead, Dad bounced back as if I had actually been a train. He flew several hoofsteps through the air and into a nearby tree, which splintered under the impact.

I roared in triumph! Soon joined by several kirins flocking to my side. Together, we prepared another attack on Dad, though that was the moment Mom reached us.

“Fiery Leadership! You stop that this instant!” She yelled. At any other point in time, I would cower and whimper upon Mom yelling at me and using my full name. NOT now though.

“Shut up, Mom!” I roared at her. I wouldn’t attack her though. I didn’t need to, since as soon as I roared at her, Summer Moon and Bliz jumped in her way, growling warningly, making it clear they would attack her if she dared try anything funny!

“Step aside!” Mom demanded, but neither of them listened, instead, they rushing in for the attack. Almost immediately I had to order Fertile Desert and one of my other guards to help them after Summer Moon was sent flying backwards when Mom landed a solid punch on her.

Meanwhile, Dad was unburying himself from the pile of splinters he had created. Seeing Mom fighting my kirins forced him to roar out and rush back at us.

Very much to my liking. Vengeance still had to be served.

I was just going to attack when Illu appeared by my side once more, this time laying a hoof on my side. Me burning or not.

“Fiery!” He screamed in my face. “Fiery, have you gone mad?!” He pulled at my wing, trying to turn me around. His whimper of pain caused me to hesitate for a second.

“We are hurting our mate!” Calmly whimpered.

“We can’t hurt our mate,” Roary agreed.

“KILL THE MURDERER OF CANDID,” a third voice roared.

I ignored Illu and prepared to attack Dad once more when something tiny flew into my face.

Rythil!

“Could you please not do this!” He begged. His tiny whiskers were already curling under the heat and he was rapidly shifting his claws over my burning snout.

“Get off!” I demanded, shaking my head, but he didn’t listen. Instead, he used his curled body to form a ring around my snout. How dare he! The smell of burned fur began to assault my nose.

“Get off of our leader!” Another one of my guards yelled as she pulled Illu’s tail. That finally did the trick to shift my attention a bit. I roared her down despite being muffled. How dare she lay a hoof on my mate!

When my gaze met Illu’s and I saw the desperation in his eyes, as well as my Mom fighting behind him, a spark of sense came to me again, not enough to make me unaware of my Dad storming towards us, but still.

I shook it, as well as Rythil, off and roared out loud for my merriment to get ready to counterstrike. I even ignored Bliz flying past me after another punch by Mom.

Only mere seconds till Dad would crush into me and my kirins.

“Steady yourselves!” I roared, loading up my aura once more.

“Fiery, no!” Mom yelled. “Big Softy, stop this!”

This was one of the rare occasions neither of us listened to her.

Dad jumped up into the air, his claws ready to strike, my aura was cocooning me and my kirins were ready to strike. I felt the anger of a thousand kirins roaring in my veins when I let go of my aura, shooting a lance of azure blue light at him…

“Ohh, that tickled,” Fortuna said as she suddenly appeared next to us, holding out a hoof between us. My shot had hit her hoof dead center and fizzled out like a glow-worm. Even Dad’s impact and furiously biting and scratching wasn’t doing a thing. Well, it did cause Fortuna to raise an eyebrow.

At first I wanted to growl at her for interrupting us, but as soon as her gaze wandered over to me, I changed my strategy to laying down and looking as submissive as I could muster.
She stroked once over my back, extinguishing the flames and then licked over her hoof before placing it on my head, extinguishing the rage and thirst for vengeance as well.

“You must be careful with that, Godchild. Resisting the call of vengeance is no easy feat.” She glanced at Dad now before placing her other claw on top of him, pressing him down to the ground. He got even more furious, roaring, scratching and the like, but he wasn’t able to do much. “As I was saying, getting your leader killed is quite a mess for the azure-kirins below them.”

I whimpered. Only when Mom pushed herself through my kirins did I stand up again.

“Mom, I….” A hard clip around the ear silenced me most effectively. I laid a claw on my cheek, baffled. Mom had hardly ever slapped me at all. I saw the tears in her eyes as she left me behind and continued to Candid’s dead body and Symphonina who was holding him, shaking back and forth crying. Blood dripped off her forelegs and onto her dead mate, mixing with the tears from her eyes.

Mom kneeled down next to her and stretched out a hoof but froze. There wasn’t any doubt that he was dead. The red puddle below Symphonia, fed by the holes in Candid’s jaw, spoke the hard truth.

Now I felt ashamed of my rage. Tears also began to form in the corners of my eyes. After all, he had been my leader too. The tiny hint of burned fur in the air reminded me of some other things though. Quickly, I turned around, looking for Illu and Rythil. When I caught sight of them, I saw that Illu had picked up our little noodle and was carefully extinguishing any sparks left in his fur. It was obvious though that Illu was in pain too. His hooves surely had some burns now too.

I burst over and embraced Illu in a hug.

“I am so sorry!” I sobbed, licking over his cheek as well as Rythil’s burned fur. “I couldn’t stop it! I swear! I didn’t mean to…”

“I know,” Ilu just said, but he withdrew his hooves from me when I wanted to lick over them. It hurt like a shard pierced into my chest.

“I couldn't resist it!” I spat out crying. “I am so sorry!” Now I desperately tried to lick over his cheek, or anywhere I could reach.

Illu let go of Rythil, forcing him to start hovering so as not to fall, and grabbed my cheeks. “I know! Calm down!” He pushed my snout aside, preventing me from licking over his cheeks. “Stop that! There are more important things to do!” He quickly placed a kiss on my nose. Not out of desire to show his love, I could tell that, but to calm me down. And it worked, a little bit. WIth my mate not pushing me back, I could allow myself to regain some self control. Two quick licks over his cheek and some whimpering stopped my heartbeat from going over two hundred.

“It is not me you have to worry about, at least for now,” he said firmly, grabbing Rythil out of the air and holding him up to me.

“Brave luck dragon!” I approvingly bubbled, licking over his burnt fur as well. “Very brave luck dragon!” I bubbled even more approvingly.

“Ouch!” Rythil complained, but I could see he felt a bit better given he was getting his goddess’ godchild’s approval. “You are hot when you are angry,” he said. “And not in a good way!”

“I am sorry!” I once more repeated, but he waved me off.

“Just doing my duty.” It was clear though that moving was quite painful for him.

“I will take care of him,” Illu assured me, nodding towards my merriment, more specifically the direction of Mom and Symphonia. “You have other things to do.”

I flinched. “Yeah… you're right.” I lowered my stance and walked over. It hadn’t been me who had killed Candid, but I felt like I had let Symphonia down. Despite being the leader now, I lowered my tail and whimpered apologetically as I approached Symphonia. At first she didn’t even seem to notice me, still shaking back and forth with her dead mate in forelegs. It was only when I touched my nose to her shoulder that she reacted. She loosened one of her forelegs from Candid and grabbed one of my forelegs, pulling me closer so she could bury her head in my lower mane and sob into my fur.

“I… I… I am here for you,” I bubbled, taking a seat and wrapping my wings around her. Softy I stroked over her head with a claw. It took a while till I noticed my mom’s gaze on us. Mom’s eyes were red from crying, even though I hadn’t heard a sound coming from her. Her pony nature may make her more empathic to the suffering of others, though, it was clear that the cause of Candid’s early death was the reason for most of her tears. Four bloody holes in Candid’s jaw showed her all she needed to know.

I wanted to say something when Symphonia suddenly grabbed me with both hooves and buried her head even deeper into my mane. I couldn’t do anything but hold her. And when even more kirins approached us, some flying, some even teleporting, I was soon surrounded by whimpering kirins seeking comfort from their leader. That didn’t distract me enough to not notice Symphonias bleeding foreleg though. Quickly, I gestured to Fertile Desert to take care of it. While I held Symphonia, she bandaged her foreleg and cleaned the scratches she could reach.

“If you would calm down, I could let you go, you know,” I heard Fortuna’s voice during this. Not that Dad would listen to her though.

I exchanged a gaze with Mom. She got up and went to care for Dad. As a result, when Night trotted over, it was on me to stretch out a claw and fondle him between the ears to comfort him as well. So I sat there, one claw in Symphnia’s mane, one on Night’s head, and a bunch of kirins rubbing against me with their noses, heads or whatever they could reach me with.

“Finally we are in charge again,” Roary stated. “Things are going to be alright again.”

“We lost a kirin,” Calmly refuted. “I would hardly call that a good day.”

“One kirin for our right to lead. One kirin who shouldn’t have been our leader in the first place!”

“Shhhh!” I silenced them. And they felt silent once more.

“Night, come over here,” Mom called out after a while, and my brother did as he was told. They were both now cuddling with Dad, calming him down. So in the end, Fortuna was able to let him go and take a seat next to me and my kirins.

“Auntie,” I acknowledged her with reddened eyes.

“Godchild,” she replied.

A moment of silence followed this exchange.

“You are one step closer to the throne of Shakirin-La,” Fortuna said.

“It doesn’t feel like a victory though,” I replied. “More like a tragic loss.”

“That is something Hades has to take care of,” Fortuna nodded in the direction of Candid’s dead body. “To care for the dead and ease the minds of those who remain is not within my domain.”

“Hades domain…” I whispered, looking down on Symphonia. Yes, that was something for Caustic Mercy to handle.

“Bliz!!”

“Yes?”

“Since we lost Candid Diversion, Caustic Mercy’s presence is needed. Go get him!”

“You are needed!” Bliz yelled at Caustic Mercy, which I had forgotten was already present due to the events. “Fiery demands your presence!”

“I am already here,” he replied, stepping forward one step. He then bowed before Fortuna. “Goddess of Luck.”

Fortuna just looked at him.

“You are suited to take care of this,” I said, nodding at Symphonia and her dead mate.

“Yes, Chieftain,” Caustic Mercy acknowledged my command. “If I may,” he leaned down towards Candid, but a quick roar by Symphonia along with her rushing to her hooves and presenting her fangs pushed him back.

“No!” I ordered, grabbing her tail. “He is not here to harm your mate or his legacy. He is a priest of Hades, god of the underworld. He is here to help on my command.”

That stopped her from trying to rip out his throat, but not from being restless, trotting up and down, crying but hissing. Seeing someone touching her dead mate besides me was on an instinctual level urging her to attack whoever was daring to do so.

I softly freed myself from my merriment and stepped next to her, laying a wing on her back. First she hissed, but when I laid a claw on her cheek and she realised it was me, she nestled into my embrace.

Now Caustic Mercy could lean down and close Candid’s eyes. He then covered his wounds as best as he could with Candid’s own forelegs and laid his dead body in a more ceremonial position. He placed a hoof onto Candid’s chest and started a prayer.

Even without my swamp kirins, and without knowing their culture, or even Hades' domain, everykirin gathered in a loose circle, giving Hades’ priest space to perform the rituals. Only me and Symphonia remained next to Candid’s body.

For a long time I couldn’t find the words to describe it. Hades’ priest was able, despite the broad daylight and the lack of any holy site, or even his followers, to create an atmosphere of… of holiness. A consoling aura emanated from him. I could feel the emotions of my kirins around us. A whiff of calmness and the removal of grief spread through the merriment. Not diminishing the legacy of Candid, but bringing forth the good memories of him, pushing back the sadness and filling the void his death has created.

Despite the problems I’d had with Caustic Mercy thus far, my opinion of him as a priest grew that day.

When his ceremonial speech came to an end, he let silence linger in the air for a moment. He then approached Symphonia. In a soft tone he said, “The custom of my people would be to place two coins, one on each eye for Charon to carry him safely over the styx. Do you want to do that, or do your people have a different tradition?”

“We,” she sobbed, “we bury our dead. To have a place to go to visit them, to,” she sniffed, “to mourn.” Her voice cracked with these last words, additionally, she pressed her face back into my mane.

“That will not suffice here,” I said, rubbing a claw over my eyes. “Symphonia,” I softly lifted her head up a little. “We can’t bury him here in the wilderness if you need a palace to mourn his…” I laid my head on hers. “If you wish, we can carry him back to your home, bury him there. Or, we can bury him here but give him the two coins so he has a safe trip.”

She just whimpered, our connection telling me she sought my guidance.

“Caustic Mercy,” I said after a moment. “We…” I hesitated. The consequences of my decision running through my mind. I had been going to say to carry him back to their home, but that would mean not everyone could join the burial, as well as whoever joined it would have trouble following us once we took that airship. I licked over my lips. “We bury him here, with two coins in case he needs them. The merriment needs some days of rest. We will spend them honoring Candid Diversion and attending his burial as well. Please prepare everything for a proper funeral ceremony.”

He bowed his head, turned around, and together with five others, lifted up Candid’s body, carrying him away.

As I watched them go, I noticed Allerian and his dad standing a bit aside. They didn’t disturb anyone, but Allerian was writing feverishly in his book while his dad made comments, probably suggestions, corrections or the like. I wasn’t sure if what I saw was finding my tolerance or not.

“Lady Fortuna,” I heard Illu’s voice to my left. “Your priest has been injured doing his duty, would it be in your interest to heal him?” Illu lifted up Rythil, who was visibly uncomfortable being so close to his goddess, not to mention asking her for something. “He bravely did his best to protect your Godchild and got burned fulfilling his duty.”

A little smile crawled over my face, and I pulled Symphonia closer with my wing. I was lucky to have such a good mate, caring for our followers when I wasn't able to. Good Illu.

I saw my godmother’s hoof tapping the ground. “You have to offer something to sweeten the deal!” I shouted, covering one of Symphonia’s ears with a claw. “Illu, goddesses think differently than we do!”

He first looked at me then back at my godmother. “Apologies Lady Fortuna,” Illu said,” my knowledge of your customs is limited. What could I offer to let you consider rewarding your priest for his fine duty.”

“Rythil,” Fortuna focused her attention on him, ignoring Illu. “What do you think? Did you earn a favor from me with your actions?”

“M-m-m-m-y god-od-es,” Rythil looked to the ground, lowering in Illu’s grip as best as he could. “Ne-never wo-wo-wo-would I ev-ever p-presume t-to...”

He wasn’t going to convince her this way, and Illu didn’t know how to speak to a goddess. I had to help them, but I also needed to care for Symphonia. I couldn’t leave her alone just to help Rythil get rid of some burns. I looked around for someone I could send to help, but who was there to… “Bliz! Come here!”

Quickly Bliz appeared by my side, laying on the ground to my hooves.

“Bliz, go and offer my godmother a game of chance. Dice, or a coinflip would be best. If you win Rythil gets healed, if she wins, she heals him but gets… , well…” I tried to come up with something.

“If she wins, you yourself preach to your merriment together with Rythil while we are here,” Bliz suggested. “Your influence on the merriment is huge, kirins will be more likely to follow her if you’re preaching in her name.”

“Yeah, something like that could work I guess,” I approved. “Either that or we turn one of the carriages into a mobile casino. Go!” I shooed her away. While she carried out my orders, I took a look at my family, Allerian and his dad, and finally back down at Symphonia. I could see Mom was still crying and scolding Nightflame for the time being, with Dad trying to stop her from doing so. They would be fine for a moment longer. No, not fine, but they could wait a moment. As could Allerian and his dad.

“Symphonia,” I softly said, stroking slowly over her head. It took her a while to react, but that was absolutely fine. When she eventually looked up at me, I pulled her in for a real hug, with her head resting on my shoulder instead of in my mane, and closed my wings around her back. I didn’t have the right words, but I didn’t need to, simply holding her seemed to be the right thing. I could feel her tears dropping down onto my scales, but whatever Caustic Mercy had done was still helping her. Soon, the others carefully approached us again, seeking support as well, but also to support Symphonia.

I was aware there was a lot to do now, but caring for one of my kirins in need was the most important at the moment. So we sat there for a while, till, at some point, Symphonia had gathered enough self control to be able to move.

“You're going to sleep in my tent tonight,” I told her. “Summer Moon, you take her there. Make sure she isn’t alone. Someone else shall gather her stuff from their tent…”

“Carriage,” someone said. “They lived in a carriage.”

“... carriage.” I agreed. “Let somekirin gather her stuff while you stay by her side.” After dealing with my merriment for a while now, I also added,” She can roam around as she pleases though. If she chooses to go herself to gather her stuff that is okay. Just don’t let her be alone or leave the campsite.”

Summer Moon nodded and rubbed her head against Symphonia, nudging her in the direction of her carriage. I also got a clear view of the bruise on her snout at this moment.

“Symphonia,” I said. “Listen to Summer Moon for the time being.” Symphonia just slightly nodded before limping away.

“Fertile Desert,” I gestured for her to come to my side. “You follow them and take a closer look at Symphonia’s leg. Also, care for Summer Moon’s snout when the opportunity arises.

Fertile Desert nodded and trotted after them.

With that off my chest, but not my heart, it was time to care for my godmother.

I freed myself from my merriment and trotted over. It met my approval seeing that Rythil had been healed. When I was close enough, he floated down from Illu’s back and cowered in the grass, rubbing one claw over the other.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I think so.” He didn’t dare to look up at me.

I picked him up and placed him on my back. “You are a brave luck dragon. A crazy one, but brave.”

“If you say so…”

I poked him with my tail. “I am not mad, Fortuna isn’t mad, you got healed by her as a favor. Today is a good day for you.”

He nodded but kept his gaze on my scales.

“Give him some time,” Illu suggested. “He isn’t as used to dealing with your godmother as you are.”

“Fair enough,” I rubbed my nose against Illu, snatching a little ‘mate comfort’ from him. “You okay too?”

“Yeah, I was lucky enough to get my hooves healed as well, see?” He lifted his hooves up, showing me that they were as pristine as if he had gotten a hooficure.

With a whimper, I tried to lick over one of them, but he pulled it back. “My hooves are fine, don't worry.” He placed one on my neck and pulled me closer. “Are you okay?”

“Will be, probably, in a while.” I leaned against him and pulled him in for a hug with my wings. “Losing Candid was hard. Hit my merriment quite a bit. The effect on me was even worse.”

“Yeah, I saw that,” he replied, wrapping his hooves around my back, forcing Rythil to step aside a bit.

“Without my help,” Fortuna said, “you would still be affected. The thirst for vengeance is strong in the Call.”

I looked up at her. “Thanks, Aunty!”

“Wasn’t such a big inconvenience.” She replied. “I made a good number of points in the great game due to your actions. It also caused Ares to burst out in rage.” She smiled. “I think I can spare some time for my godchild for now.”

“Hmm?” I loosened my grip in Illu.

“I still can’t interfere in your adventure to claim the throne of Shakirin-La, but I can pay you and your family a visit whenever I please. Settling some family disputes is part of being your godmother, and not me being a participant in the great game.”

“Uhm… if you say so.” The reasoning and logic behind the rules of the gods was far above my level of understanding, but I was happy she was here anyway.

“I would prefer it though if you would not burn my priest. You will not get a replacement. Not even in a game of gambling.”

I felt Rythil shift on my back. “I will try not to, I promise.” I threw a quick glance at Bliz, sitting a bit away from us.

“You owe me a rolling casino now.” Fortuna said, noticing my gaze. “I expect you to see to it quickly.”

“As soon as the mourning period for Candid’s death is at its end. If that is okay with you.”

“Hmm.” She lifted her head inspecting my merriment. “Sad creatures don’t enjoy gambling as much as they normally would. I accept your request. You can build it after your subordinates' mourning period.”

“Thank you again, Aunty.”

“Very well then. You have things to do. And this is not the time to stay for dinner anyway.” She lowered a hoof to pat my head. “Farewell for now, Godchild.”

I rubbed my head against her claw before she disappeared. On the spot she had stood was now a little plate with two fortune cookies. Just like when she visited us at home.

“One is for you,” I told Illu, pointing at them. “I normally only get one each visit. Don’t want to break any rules here.”

Quickly, we collected them and I also tried my best to use the short time to ensure my relationship with Illu hadn’t taken any damage after what had happened today. It seemed fine, but you can never be too sure about this!

Eventually though, I had to take care of my family. It wasn’t like Dad hadn’t killed a creature before, but now, now Nightflame was to blame for it and Mom knew it.

One problem at a time, one, at a time…

Author's Note

This was a longer one again, wasn't it?

So finally the original story arc can take over again The events here were supposed to happen two chapters earlier already but my advisors told me not to rush it so here we are