The God of Sleep Has Made His House

Did I ever mention that the doors to the palace are massive?

They really are quite big.

So large that a full grown dragon could easily walk through with plenty of space to spare. The doors were made of hard iron, with many different images of warriors, tales, tragedies of olden times carved throughout the the exterior.

Recently, a series of new carvings had been added to the great door's surface. Carvings that portrayed one of the most significant events in Allerseen's history. One we were all to familiar with.

Various battles were carved onto that specific spot.

Carthame.

Gallowbraig.

The Siege of Trejan.

Not Venom Falls, though.

They'd never put that horrid event on the doors.

Yet, they did immortalize the moment before my father executed the President of the Dominion. His head lay upon a slab of stone, while my father raised his sword to deal the death blow.

I'm in the carvings as well, standing by my fathers right claw.

Immortalized in metal on the doors to my home.

"He's here, he's here!" A voice atop of me squeaked happily, breaking me from my thoughts.

Shaking my head a bit, I turned towards a tiny claw that pointed into the distance, allowing me to focus on the Griffin pulled carriage that was headed towards our direction.

"Uncle Alphaeus is here, Louie!" My little sister squealed again, wiggling herself in excitement atop of my shoulders.

I chuckled slightly, reaching my hand up slightly to ruffle the feathers atop her head.

"I see him, Del, I seem him."

"Do you think he brought me something special, Louie?! Like a pretty new dress! Or a new toy! or-"

My hand moved from atop her head to her beak, closing it gently.

"We'll see soon enough, little one. Be patient."

Delilah huffed, crossing her forearms and pouting a bit, causing me to release to her beak and moving my hand back to the top of her head and giving the spot behind her left ear a little scratch.

At once, she cooed softly, leaning towards my hand and it's magic fingers, causing my mother, Sasha, Gilda, Ellie and Willow to giggle slightly at my sisters reaction, while Dash and Romulus rolled their eyes slightly.

I smiled softly to them, letting them know that I was in higher spirits.

I still haven't had the time to really talk to anybody about what happened yesterday besides Willow and my father. Last night, all I wanted to do was sleep and forget.

Sleep, I did.

Forget, I didn't

I honestly didn't know what to next.

Though my father said he would talk to Blackavar about the dishonorable discharge, to change it to an honorable one, I could never hope to join the Red Sparrows again.

Blackavar had seen to that.

My position had been filled already.

By Rush, no less.

I haven't had a chance to talk to him either. He was sent with one of the flocks into the Woods of Desolation to find Abinchova and bring him back. Dead or alive.

I could only imagine what's going through his head right now.

Ellie and Gilda, as well. My smile was sign that I was ready to talk.

Man, I'm gonna get an earful, tonight.

Speaking of Ellie and Gilda, it seems that two were quite aware what happened this morning. During are very quick breakfast that we had before readying ourselves for Uncle Al's visit, the two wouldn't stare at each other in the eye, deep blushes apparent on their face.

It really lightened my somber mood.

Focusing once again on the carriage, I watched as it slowly descended in front of the steps that lead to the palace doors, it's griffin pilots letting out exhausted pants as they slowed to a stop.

My mother and father walked forward, guards on either side of them, to greet out guest.

At once, the carriage door burst forward (causing Willow and Delilah to leap in surprise), and out came a fat, jolly griffin, with a large grin adorning is beak, followed by his familiar booming laugh.

"BROTHER!", Uncle Al boomed, lunging forward and catching my father in a crushing embrace.

My father laughed just as loud, returning the hug with fervor.

"Al, it's good to see you again," he said, clapping him on the back," How have you fared, brother?"

"I've fared well enough since we last met, Braig," Uncle Al replied, releasing my father from his hug,"Though I think I may have gained a few pounds."

"I could see that, you big lumox,"My father smirked," But you're still the same huggy cretin you've always been."

'What can I say, Braig? Hugs are exceptional."

He turned to my mother next.

"And Ysolda! How are you, my dear?!" He asked, taking her right claw and kissing it slightly.

My mother blushed bashfully, returning the smile.

"I've been well, Alphaeus. How are Therine and Belle? They didn't come with you?"

My uncle shook his head, his puffy white feathers around his neck swaying in the wind.

"Sadly, the lasses could not attend. Therine is visiting her sister in Red Shift, while Belle is watching things for me until we get back from the Council of Kingdoms."

My father cocked an eyebrow.

"You trust Belle that much?"

Uncle gave him a simple smile.

"With my life, Braig."

"Uncle Al, Uncle Al!"

Delilah all but sky rocketed off my shoulders and plowed into my uncle's chest, sending them toppling to the ground. My uncle's guards immediately were by his side, ready to help their liege up, but abated when they heard the giggling of my sister and the booming laugh of my uncle. Delilah nuzzled my uncle's chest, laughing as he tickled her sides.

"It's good to see you, again, little one! And, before you ask, I brought something extra special, just for you."

Delilah's eyes lit up with excitement.

"But...."

Her eyes dimmed a bit.

"It's going have to wait until I finish having a talk with your father and brother, OK sweetie?"

The twinkle returned.

"OK Uncle Al," she replied, giving him another nuzzle before hopping off him, allowing his guards to help him up.

Sasha and Romulus stepped up next.

"It's good to see you again, uncle, even though it's only been a short time," Romulus said, grasping my Uncle's claw in his own, shaking it.

"Like wise, Rom, and you as well Sasha."

Sasha leaned in and gave my Uncle a kiss on the cheek.

"We would've stayed longer, Uncle, but, as you can recall, we were needed back here," Sasha said, casting a glance towards me.

My uncle locked his eyes on me, his jolly look slowly drifting towards a somber one, as he let go of my brothers claw and walked towards me.

Dash stood behind me, while Gilda stood on my left, with Ellie on my right, instinctively placing a protective wing behind me.

She's been doing that ever since the Great Civil War. It's just habit now.

My Uncle walked up up to me into we were almost face to face, turning a glance towards Gilda and Ellie.

"That dragon is still protective of you as ever, huh Lou?"

I nodded my head.

"She always will be, too." I felt her wing encircle me a bit.

A small, sad smile crept up to his beak, as he reached forth and brought me into a gentle hug.

"It's good to see your alive and relatively well, boy," He said, patting me on the back.

I returned the embrace.

"It's good to see you, too, Uncle Al."

He released me, turning to Gilda and Ellie.

"And are you two taking care of this one?" He jutted a talon in my direction.

"You think I'm an idiot," Gilda asked, annoyed," Of course I'm taking care of my honey bun."

"Honey Bun?" I cocked an eyebrow towards her.

I was answered with a sock to the arm.

Uncle AL laughed, his jolly demeanor returning again.

"Still feisty as ever, aren't ya, Gil?"

"You know me, Al. Someone's gotta keep this dweeb in line," Gilda smirked, while I grumbled, rubbing my arm.

"And you, dragon," My uncle turn towards Ellie.

"He fuck you yet?"

Everyone's eyes burst open.

"AL!"

"Alphaeus! There are children here!"

"Uncle Al! Gross!"

"EWWWW!!"

"Throdos, AL!"

"....no he hasn't yet...."

"Uncle Al....what the fuck?"

"Watch your mouth, young man!"

"What? I was just curious."

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".........And the wench still can't cook a single decent meal!" Uncle Al exclaimed, his booming laugh echoing around the dining hall.

After the little "incident" outside, we all retired back to the dining all to drink and eat, Ellie and my faces still glowing hot and red all the way, accompanied by the annoyed grumble of Gilda and Dash's snickering.

After eating our meals, with no few amount of stories by Uncle Al, we all leaned back in our chairs, while the young ones squirmed, anxious to move about. Willow and Delilah both sighed, resting upon their forearms, clearly bored at the adult conversations going on.

"Hey, Gil," I called out," Why don't you and Dash take those two off to the market district to look around; show Willow a bit of the city."

"You sure you don't want me to stay with you, Lou?" she asked in that same, warm tone of voice she always has.

I smiled and nodded.

"I'm sure. We have to discuss business,anyway. Here." I reached towards the pouch on the side of pants, filled with various gold, silver and copper coins, and handed it to her.

"Take these and show em a good time. For me."

Gilda, almost reluctantly, took the pouch, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks Lou," she said quietly," We'll be back soon."

She put her beak closer to my ear, her eyes half closing, a cheeky smile on her face.

"And when we get back, we're making up for lost time, mister," she purred.

I smirked. "I'll be waiting.......honey bunny."

Another sock in the arm, before her, Dash, and the two kids followed after, Willow turning behind for a second to wave me off.

"Have fun, little one. I'll see you at dinner."

Willow smiled, walking back up to me, and hugged by leg tightly.

"See you soon, Louie," she said, before following after the rest.

"I think Sasha and I will head out with them as well," My mother said, arising from her seat," Girl time and what not. Come along Sasha."

My mother motioned for my sister to follow her, who arose from her seat, as well.

"Take two Sparrows with you, and be careful, dear," my father said, leaning against his chair. Mom walked over to my father, kissing him on the cheek.

"I will, Braig. See you soon. Take care, Al. And watch that mouth of yours"

Uncle nodded before swigging down the rest of his goblet of mead.

My cheek was kissed as well.

"Feel better, ok sweetie?"

I smiled weakly. "I'll try, mom. Be careful."

She kissed Romulus as well before walking off after Gilda and the others, with Sasha and two Sparrows following behind her.

My father watched as she left, sighing softly.

"Gods, I love that hen."

"I know the feeling, brother. Complain as I do about my loves, I loathe to part from for to long."

My father turned his attention back to Uncle Al.

"So how are you holding up in Dis, Al."

Uncle Al reclined into his chair, taking a drink form his freshly filled goblet, before sighing sadly.

"Not to good, Braig," he said solemnly, rubbing a talon through his crown of feathers,"gang activity has soared as of late around the city and it's borders. We have it somewhat under control, but Thrush Folloch and whatever the hell is left of Tragic Idol is becoming a real thorn in my and the Legion's side."

"He's not lying, father," Romulus added,reclining in his chair as well,"the palace district is relatively calm, as well as the upper and middle class district, but the woods are still crawling with bandits, and the poverty district is ragged with scum. Murder is not uncommon as far as I've seen and read."

Ellie wrapped her tail around my leg protectively, worry apparent in her features from her spot by my side. I reached out my hand, taking her claw in mine, and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Her long neck slithered down, resting her head against my shoulder.

"She gets nervous when death is mentioned," I said, still holding Ellie's hand tightly.

"I thought dragons were suppose to be fearless," Uncle Al, said, an amused grin upon his face.

Ellie growled at him.

"Pardon me, sir, but I have proved myself enough," she said, lifting her self up right, allowing the long scar across her stomach to be shown from the bolt that pierced her during the war.

The bolt that she took for me.

My Uncle laughed slightly.

"There's the big, blue dragon I know. An odd mate to chose, Lou, but a worthy one."

I leant up to kiss her on the cheek.

"That's my girl," I said, causing her to blush before setting her head back down on my shoulder.

"Anyway," my uncle continued,"we are still trying to get the region completely under control, Braig. We honestly are trying the best we can to keep things under control, but the army is still spread thin, what with the trouble in the south and all."

My father shook his head, sighing.

"Don't remind me. I don't know if that region will ever fully recover."

"From what they did?"

"No, Al, from what we did."

My uncle narrowed his eyes.

"You know this whole mess wasn't your fault, Braig. Just like father, you are a kind and fair king. Taxes were low, crime was down, we were in a golden age. And it was through your leadership that we achieved so much during our time."

My father slammed his fist onto  the table.

"What of Venom Falls?! What of the Purge of the Seven Towers and the Fall of Char?!! That was my doing! Did you even see the numbers of casualties?! Seven-hundred thousand of my subjects are DEAD!'"

Romulus rose from his chair, dashing to my fathers side, trying his best to calm him down. My father panted heavily, leaning against the table, his ragged breaths slowly turning to choked sobs.

"We....we've done bad things, Al. I've done bad things. Unforgivable things. How can I lead a country that I almost destroyed..."

Uncle Al rose from his seat as well, and walked to my father, wrapping his arms around his head, rubbing it gently.

"Brother. It wasn't you that first lift the sword. You wished to keep your country whole. Your country. It population owes so much to your leadership, and have only the Dominion to blame for its current state."

"You're a good griffin, dad," I said from spot on the table, giving a sympathetic look,"you've always been. You did what you thought was right.....like me. Sparrow or not, you will always have love and respect. You've earned it."

Uncle Al nodded.

"The boy's right, brother. If there's still one truly honorable griffin alive, it's you."

My dad smiled, eyes glistening.

"Thank you. All of you. I know in my heart that what you said is right, it's just nice to hear it sometimes. To know its true."

"Anytime, Braig," Uncle Al, replied," now, all this bitchiness aside, there are things that we are going to have to discuss about before our trek to Pony-Land, down south."

"Yes, you're right," my father said, wiping his eyes, before straightening himself out and reclining back into his chair,"I have a feeling our.....predicament is going to be one of the center topics."

"You bet your ass, it is," Uncle Al exclaimed, pulling his pipe from his cloak pocket, "I honestly can't say for certain, but I'm pretty sure ex-Dominion members may speak at the Council."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"Do you think Samson will be there?" I asked.

Uncle Al turned to me, a visible glare in his eye.

"Without a fucking doubt."

Ah, Samson Rork. One of the first "revolutionaries" and right hand man to the Bastard, himself: the President of the Dominion. He participated in many per-war activities, such as the Great Flag Burning, and the Sacking of Wormwood, a fort that held the stock of weapons for half of the Feathered Legion 3rd Army.

He even personally murdered the former governor of the Arsis region during the initial secession.

Cold blooded murder for the sake of democracy.

A cut throat with a forked tongue, halfway through the Great Civil War, knowing that the Dominion would fall, he abandoned ship, fleeing south to the Southern Griffin Empire, according to our intel. He has since managed to weasel his way up the government  ranks, now standing as an adviser to the Young Emperor Kain.

"Knowing him, he may claim war crimes against us," I said, clenching my fist.

"Wouldn't that effect him too?" Ellie asked,"I witnessed many atrocities committed by The Dominion, and many know well enough that he was behind Governor Ghalahan'a murder."

"But we have no proof. Physical proof, at least" my father replied, rubbing his eyes in annoyance.

"Aye, he's right, lass," Uncle Al chipped in," he covered his tracks well, and in room full of diplomats, eye witness testimonies won't help us alone when he has concrete evidence that he's no doubt collected."

"There's plenty of written records of the atrocities at Venom Falls," I said, turning to Ellie,"but when we purged the Dominion, we destroyed many of their records, as well. To kill off this democracy idea as quick as possible."

"You mean we have no records at all?" She asked in a worried tone.

"Some, we do have," I replied, a sinking feeling in my gut," but all are small fry compared to Venom Falls. Hallow, as well. If Samson wishes to fuck our shit, that's all he'll need."

"If the Council of Kingdom goes for the vote, there may be talk of banishment."

"The council has hat kind of power?," Ellie asked, an unbelieving look adoring her face.

"Even since Sombra was removed from power, the Council has been given the power to remove 'dictators' or 'tyrants' from power if they abused the creatures under their rule, in order to keep the nations at relative peace."

"But what about the Gem Vale and Roam?! They're slave nations!"

"The Council is also easily bought off," my father said in a distant tone, "the Equine Princesses are not, but many are. Samson lost a lot here. Money. Land. He now has he power to take it back if wished. It has to be majority in favor of banishment, and majority of the current leaders are still very much open to bribes.

"There's sill he chance he won't do that. He may not even come to the Council meeting at all. We could be worrying for nothing" Romulus exclaimed in a nervous tone.

I sighed, taking a drink from the go let before me.

"If he's alive, he'll be there. I killed his brother at Gallowbraig. He'll be out for blood, rest assured. Especially WHEN he finds out I'm going."

I put my head in my hands, rubbing my temples in annoyance.

"First bandits, then Abinchova on the loose, and I'm removed from the Sparrows. Now Samson may have father imprisoned or banished. Why can't we catch a fucking break?!"

Ellie's head snaked down, kissing my cheek softly.

"It'll be OK, Lucifer. Everything will be fine."

"Why am I having a hard time believing that?" I mumbled in reply.

"Why don't get some rest, son?" My dad said, sitting up right in his chair,"you've been up early, and I know that you must be tired after sparring this morning. Plus, no matter how hard you try to fake it, I know your injuries are still bothering you."

He always seems to know what's up.

Couldn't really fight the logic behind his statement either.

"I guess you have a point, dad. My stomach is bothering me a bit. But I still want to hear everything that you guys talk about afterward."

"Yes, yes, just go rest with your dragon already, ya hound dog," Uncle Al piped up.

And here comes the blush again.

"I love you Uncle Al, but sometimes I wanna stick a sword through your gut."

"Love you too, boy. Now skedaddle."

Shaking my head, I rose from my seat, heading towards the hall ways that led to my quarters.

"You coming, Ellie?" I asked, turning my head back.

Sure enough,'I was greeted with a blushing Ellie, her blue wings extended outward.

"Dirty girl," I said, shaking my head with a small smile, before reaching out my hand and taking her claw in mine, making our way back to my bedroom and the immaculate comfort of he bed in it's center, a blushing Ellie in tow.

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