The snow fell lightly, coating their furry form with a dusting akin to powdered sugar. Their breath came in puffs and snorts as the pair tramped through their clan’s territory. Apart from the crunching of paws, their snorts and rustling of wing and fur, all was silent. The forest was hushed, as if holding it’s breath.
Neither tundra spoke, merely twining their wings together as they walked side by side, smiling. This was hopefully a tradition that might last. The Den Mother had seemed to like the idea, and had given her approval to invite other clans to join – the Tsugas – for instance – Inuksuk was always pleased to see them.
Ungayok gave a low grunt before pausing, ears twitching as her head tilted, nose raises to sniff the air. Which way? Her male companion hugged her close with his shimmering wing, finally speaking. “This way – soon, we should be able to hear them.” His mate winked playfully. She was not a wordy tundra, but he’d known no other but his lady Priam to be as loving, as doting. They tramped off again, reveling in the crisp air, ears straining to pick up snatches of what was promising to be a wonderful occasion for song, feasts and absurd garb.
Signs that others had arrived were apparent – Ridgebacks and guardians had shouldered through trees, scraping bark and snow, leaving wide paths. A cloud of spirals chattered from the sky as they grew closer. It was in the clearing – the one his clan used for Exalting Rituals – that was where the best site was. Someone – one of the larger dragons had wedged an old log between two boulders, and jammed it with sticks and tree boughs. Adorning it were hordes of faes, wings humming, all wearing varying colours of nightglobes swirling through the boughs, stringing garlands of leaves and pretty arcane orbs. As the Tundras entered, several dragons looked over and gave great roars of greetings. Swiflty, they were mobbed – nose kisses, sniffs and tail wiggles from all sizes of dragons.
“Are they here? Have Clan Tsuga arrived to share in our holiday festivities?” Inuksuk looked around – there were piled of foods, gathered recently – foods of all kinds, piles of presents, treasures and gems. Anxiously, he looked, hoping to see some of those almost trademark shades of greens and yellows common to Clan Tsuga.
