#bunnyrp

[snastle]

Entry 11: Battle Royale

Gorgo stood proudly beside her sisters as she watched the clanmates line up before them. Those who had heeded the Gladekeeper's call and wished to be exalted to her service were gathering for their farewell from the clan. Gorgo and String had personally given each of them basic combat training, so that no matter what service was required under the deity, they would carry themselves well and bring much honour to the clan. Beltiln and Brondelle stood beside the sisters, Brondelle perched atop a large mossy boulder to make up for her diminutive height, with her tiny fae mate standing by her feet. Beltiln read as loud as he could from a long scroll. "Vampirella, Pascale, Eirys, Relyna, Fulgoria, Lifi, Kessla, Aelia, Rhonda, Sandwing, Saporita. Sylph, Gevris and Jaz. Armerio, Kubos, Dianon. Rubrik, Tremayne and Rianon. Ellesime and Esh. Divantae, Malin, Ludis, Rosalba, Sleu, Catrain, and Ochiba. Bora, Amorra, and Speothos." The dragons stood tall and proud as their names were called. Some were long time clan members, others were the young hatchlings that had come into the clan as training began, newly come into adulthood and full of the enthusiasm of youth. "You go today to the service of the Gladekeeper. Her call resonates within you, willing your wings to carry you to her side. To pledge your service is a lifelong commitment, a great duty and a great honour. What say you?" The named dragons roared in unison, putting their full force into the sound. Huge guardians and tine fae roared alike, and the forest filled with the sound of passion, enthusiasm and anticipation, ringing a challenge to the sky. Leaves shuddered as if the trees themselves gasped at the display, and birds took off, shrieking. As the roar died down a complete silence descended upon the clan, each and every member smiling at each other in shared happiness. Brondelle spoke without not raising her voice, and it carried through the silence to each clan member. "We are all so very proud, of all of you. Go with our blessing, and know that no matter how far you travel, you have our love." She took a deep breath, and roared "To the Gladekeeper!" The exaltees launched themselves into the air, spiraling upwards to burst through the canopy into the bright sunshine. Dalek nodded to her sisters and leapt into the air, powerful wings heaving her bulk upwards. It had been arranged that she would escort them to the Behemoth, hopefully bringing some relief to her urges to find her charge. As the exaltees few, the remaining clan members let out a roar to spur them onwards. This roar went on forever, ringing in their heads even after the noise fell away. Into that roar they poured everything. Encouragement, pride, the sadness of parting and the happiness of a new journey, excitement, and love for friends and children they most likely wouldn't see again. On and on the roar went, until the last dragon had disappeared into the sky and the canopy shook into stillness, dislodged leaves raining down on them like confetti. Gorgo sighed, ending the spell, and clanmates broke their upwards gaze. Some returned to their tasks while others chattered about the farewell. Life resumed, the clan filled to the brim with pride and a sense of solidarity.

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Entry 9: Overrun

Beltiln stared in disbelief at the scene before him. He had a suspicion that his mate had found something to hoard, and that that something was hatchlings. Brondelle rolled about in the grass, covered in baby dragons. Three were their own, fast growing balls of tundra fluff that gamboled about wildly. One was a Skydancer born to a clanmate who was visiting her mate in Shadow territory. Three large blue imperial hatchlings Brondelle had adopted when their distressed mother was faced with a lack of room in her own clan. As if that wasn't enough, Mannix and Aelia had hatched three spiral babies and then run off to train for the Gladekeeper, and of course, Brondelle had taken in the babies. Another spiral dragon glistened in the sunlight as if it's coat were made of fine crystal. Beltiln hadn't asked where that baby came from, he didn't need to know. Then today, another spiral hatchling and two young guardians and a baby mirror dragon had shown up from Gladekeeper knows where, all before lunch time! Beltiln butted his head against a tree, defeated. His mate was far too soft for her own good, and word was getting out to other clans that she had adopted many babies. The Gladekeeper had called out for exaltees a few days ago, and many dragons all over the Labyrinth had heeded the call, traveling to join her ranks. Many parents found themselves unable to go with a hatchling in tow, so they had started turning up at the doorstep. He could hardly attempt to say no, he wouldn't want to turn away a hatchling needing a home. And while the parents wouldn't just abandon their young if a home couldn't be found, Beltiln understood the urgency in the Gladekeeper's call. A few more days and who knows if she would still need more dragons to exalt to her ranks. Nobody wanted to miss the chance for that honour. Beltiln felt no need to go, and neither did his mate. The call resonated strongly with some, but others were happy to live out their lives as usual, aiding the Gladetender in other ways. The building of a strong clan, the hatching of healthy young. All these brought their own kind of honour to the flight. "I guess Brondelle is bringing honour to herself, raising these babies. And if it allows the parents to answer the call, even better." Beltiln said to himself, his defeated expression warming into one of pride. How he loved her kind heart. "Still" he sighed "Fifteen babies Brondelle. Fifteen!"

Laugher from behind made him turn. There stood Koa, a traveller who had recently settled in the clan from the Ice territory far to the south. "You know" she said, a sly grin creeping across her face "Zurina and her mate are due to hatch three eggs today. And two from Siegfried and Sandwing tomorrow, and the day after that, four from Mortis and Ephialtes." Beltiln groaned. He hadn't even known about that last one. He wondered if Ephialtes father Lifi knew either. "What to do, Koa?" he asked tiredly "We'd never tell anyone not to bear eggs, your life is your own. But the clan can't hold any more, and Brondelle is practically hoarding hatchlings at this point." "We need more space." Koa laughed. "I know, don't sputter at me like that, I know it's not so simple. More lair space is most easily approved when the flight is dominant, but well, you Nature dragons aren't so good at that." "Agreed." Beltiln nodded "We're a pacifistic bunch. What to do then?" "You need to set up proper nesting grounds, for starters. Makeshift nests in your own lairs did fine when the clan was new, but we're becoming more established now, there's a way these things need to be done. Besides." she added, flicking her huge tail around "If we set up three proper nests, everyone will just have to wait their turn to use them, no surprise eggs." "Now there's an idea." Beltiln agreed "I've been meaning to rope some of the others together to help dig out a few proper nests, over by the stream I thought. I just haven't found the time to start." "Well, find the time." Koa suggested brazenly "Lenka and Maiele flew back to plague territory to visit her parents, and I know she was bearing eggs when she left. They'll be back with babies. And Malken has a lover in an ice clan, I know it. He said he was going journeying, but if there is no place for his hatchings over there, you know where they'll be coming." "Oh dear." Beltiln replied weakly "Even when we do build the nests, what can we do with so many new hatchlings?" "I think that problem will resolve itself." Koa replied, gesturing towards the hatchlings playing with Brondelle. Beltiln followed her gaze. Gorgo and String were making their way back through the lair, a spiral dragon named Kessla winding proudly behind them. She had obviously just finished her training with the fighters and was ready to join those who would make the journey to the Gladekeeper in a few days time. Most of the hatchings stared at the warriors in awe as they passed, before bouncing back to Brondelle, pleading her to let them train too. "Young ones feel the call strongly." Koa said, watching "It was the same back on the Icefield." "I won't let hatchlings go." Beltiln said, frowning slightly "They are too young to make that decision." "Wise." Koa replied, nodding. "But they won't be babies for much longer. See how fast the imperial dragons are growing. It's a matter of days before they will be considered young adults, and will be able to choose their own fate. So many joining your deity would bring great honour to your clan." "If that is what they chose, I would be proud, as of any other." Beltiln replied "And I think you're right, the call is strong, and not something that fades once it resonates with a dragon." "I think your worries are solved then." Smiled Koa knowingly. "Thank you for talking it out with me, I feel much better as always. You do have a knack for advising." Beltiln complimented the large imperial "I'd best be heading off to see about these nests." "Best of luck." Koa replied with her usual almost mocking smile, and settled down to watch the hatchlings play.

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Entry 4: Pilgrimage

Brondelle sat at the large wooden desk, parchment spread about before her. Tallies of the clans supplies mostly, none of it was good news. The seafood supply had run dry a few days ago, and the clan had been too busy restocking the empty insect and meat larders to go fishing. Coliseum spoils had been mostly inedible supplies like fur, and the incident between Madrigal and the guardian sisters the day prior had resulted in mass amounts of meat being consumed by the trio as they regained their energy. She glanced over her shoulder at her patient. Madrigal was sleeping deeply. Brondelle had coaxed her into drinking a few of the healing potions the sisters had gathered in their time out hunting. They were a rare find but they were necessary. She needed bandages too, but that was just one more thing they didn't have. She lay her head down on the desk with a defeated thump. She had no skill with this matter of figures and sums. She didn't know how to procure food or bandages from nowhere. Her clan was mostly travellers, staying to rest before moving on again, there were no skilled artisans to bring an income or provide wares.

Small claws ran soothingly through the thick fur at the back of her neck. Beltiln grabbed a handful of fur and gently tugged until she stepped away from the desk, letting him lead her to her little makeshift nest, where their three eggs sat, waiting to sprout. She settled herself down over the eggs with a sigh. Beltiln patted her nose reassuringly and fluttered back to the desk. The couple often communicated by touch and look, rather than speech. She watched as he looked over the papers, eyes skimming rows of entries, small claws deftly sorting them into neat piles. After a while he flew back to her side, clutching a piece of rolled parchment.

"I think I should handle this type of thing." he suggested, gesturing to the piles. "I make a huge mess of it all, don't I?" she replied with a small smile. "Yes." he said, smiling back. "You're far better at dealing with others face to face. I'm the one who's happy scribbling." Brondelle nodded in agreement, a huge and stressful weight off her shoulders. "It's holiday season" he continued, unfurling the parchment. On it were dozens of small lists, each one representing a nearby clan and the gifts which would benefit them to recieve. Such lists popped up every year and gifts were exchanged far and wide, fostering new friendships and alliances, helping struggling clans and spreading the joy that kindness brings. "I want to pen one for us too. Any suggestions?" "Food." Brondelle said quickly. "Bandages. Equipment to help train up our own fighters." Beltiln flew to the desk and wrote the list as she spoke. "I've been hoarding any kind of container too." Beltiln added "Chests, satchels from hunts. I thought we could all open them together and share the spoils around the whole clan. I'll suggest more of such things, it's good to have a bit of fun." Brondelle smiled, it was a fantastic idea.

Beltiln placed the quill down carefully and flew back to sit in front of her. She could tell by his bearing he had something serious to discuss, and she frowned slightly. "I want to visit the Gladekeeper." Beltiln stated matter of factly. "I'll fly through the Labyrinth to The Behemoth, and pay my respects to her. It's about time we did so." Brondelle reluctantly nodded. It was a good idea, but she would miss him. "I'll post our wishing list up with all the others along the way, who knows, someone might see it. I'll see if there is anything the Gladekeeper wants of us, and inform the dragons there of our new clan." "When will you leave?" Brondelle asked, nosing him. She didn't bother to keep the slight sulky note from her voice. "Tomorrow?" He replied, snuggling down into her soft fur. She sighed and curled around him, pressing him in a tight embrace. "I'll miss you too." Beltiln said, hugging back. Curled around each other and their eggs, they drifted off into a happy sleep.

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Entry 3: Madrigal

Brondelle rushed back to her lair, hoping the tiny fae was alright. She couldn't fault the sisters for their actions, they were attacked after all, but she hoped no significant harm had been done to the vicious little thing. Upon her return, she found the fae had been laid out on her pile of furs, the Nochnyr crouched in the corner and Beltiln sitting quietly to the side.

"Our clan needs a healer" he said, and she nodded. Even if they didn't require such skills to heal the fae, it was only a matter of time before accident or attack left one of their number injured. Brondelle looked over the fae as she explained the situation to her mate. She found no life threatening injuries, but the fae was beaten up terribly. She looked at her wings. The fae was a deep crimson colour, with a speckling all over her wings and body which looked so like blood spatter that Brondelle found it difficult to tell injury from patterning. Scars layered atop the spattering, some new, but many old and faded. "What kind of a life has she had" whispered Brondelle in a tone of concerned disbelief, and Beltiln shook his head, looking apprehensive. She gently nosed the fae's leg, close to where a deep gash ran across. She didn't feel any more heat in the fae than was normal, and was relieved, none of the many wounds seemed infected at least. The tiny dragon stirred slightly, and Brondelle looked at Beltiln. He understood the unspoken request. He nodded, patted her tail encouragingly and hurried away, so as not to make the fae feel surrounded when she awoke.

Crimson eyelids opened blearily to reveal eyes the colour of freshly drawn blood. Plague territory, Brondelle thought to herself. "Hello there" she said softly, and the fae looked around in dazed confusion, eyes eventually focusing on her. The fae gave a weak hiss and tried to rise, but didn't have the strength, so she lay, sharp teeth bared. "You're safe here, it's alright." Brondelle continued in a gentle tone "I won't hurt you. My name is Brondelle. What is your name?" The fae glared, breathing heavily. Even lying down she seemed tense and ready to spring. After a moment she slumped down again, exhaustion clear in her eyes. "Madrigal." she spat in a weak whisper. "Madrigal." the tundra repeated. "You got into a fight with three of my clanmates, they took you back here to help you. Do you remember?" The fae nodded, and the action clearly caused her pain. "Now isn't the time to ask about it, you need to rest and heal. You are in my lair, along with myself, my three eggs and my mate, a fae named Beltiln. A Nochnyr followed you here as well, but nobody else will be allowed in, you're perfectly safe. You're too weak to leave, so you have no choice. I want your word you won't harm any of us. I can't risk my babies." Madrigal nodded slightly again, fighting unsuccessfully to keep her eyes from closing. "Thank you Madrigal." The fae didn't respond, already overcome by sleep.