FSE

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"Are you ready to go, Keira?" Fallon asked, standing just beneath the doorframe to her room. She looked up and him and gave a solemn nod. The month had passed by faster than she expected it to; it still felt like yesterday when she had lost everything. She still felt empty and lost, even with Evelyn's recent kindness. It was just a glimpse of happiness before everything turned for the worst.

She would miss the old hag.

Keira stood up and followed Fallon into the next room. Evelyn smiled kindly at her and then looked to Fallon.

"Fallon, can you take her around the city for me? I took her flying over the city myself and around the rural areas, but I was too concerned to take her anywhere else."

Fallon beamed and dipped his head affirmatively. "It would be my pleasure."

Keira felt a little excited to get a closer look at the city, but also apprehensive because of all those malicious stares... She felt like a strange animal. Perhaps it is best for me to leave... but...

"And Keira..." Evelyn's face softened as she took the ruby necklace off of her neck. "I want to give this to you." She handed it to the dragonet. The gem fell into Keira's palm while the silver chain drooped down.

"Evelyn... I can't take this..." Keira stared at it, confused and honestly startled. Why would a Southern dragon give her jewelry--someone she hardly knew?

Evelyn shook her head and clasped Keira's talons around it. "When I married my husband, his mother gave this to me as a gift. She told me that she had never had a daughter before, and she wanted to start a tradition and make this a family heirloom. I, too, never had a daughter. I was going to give this to my granddaughter the next chance I had... but..." She pinched her eyes shut and sighed. "You're the closest thing I've ever had to a daughter. Though our time was short, please accept this."

Keira stared at it. The deep-red gem was socketed inside a silver locket, and the chain was thin but thick enough that it wouldn't break easily. Her mouth moved, but words didn't come out.

"Take it as something to remember us by," Evelyn said assuredly.

Keira looked up between Evelyn and Fallon and bared a small, genuine smile as she wrapped it around her neck and had Fallon help her put it on. Even with her smaller talons, she had no idea how to latch it.

"Th-thank you... I'll take good care of it," Keira said, looking down and admiring the shiny gem. She always loved jewelry. Gemstones were so colorful and pretty, and she loved how they shined and glinted in the light.

"It looks good on you." Evelyn nuzzled her snout and said, "Goodbye, Keira. It was nice meeting you."

Keira gulped and nodded, unsure of how to handle the warm feelings in her chest. "Thanks for uhm... taking care of me." Keira had never been close with her mother, as her mother never wanted anything to do with her. Evelyn was the closest she ever had to a mother... but she still didn't understand why Evelyn thought of her as a daughter.

Fallon led her outside, and Evelyn shut the door behind them with the wave of her wing. Keira winced as the bright, morning sun pierced her eyes. The air was brisk and thin, the smell of morning dew heavy in her nostrils.

"Is there any place you would like to see first?" Fallon asked and unfurled his wings.

Keira shook her head. "Anywhere is fine."

Fallon nodded and leapt into the sky. She followed behind the large, black-scaled dragon, keeping close to him. Already, there were other dragons in the sky that speckled the orange horizon with their glinting colors of scales.

While she looked beneath her, she saw all the pine trees with a mixture of wooden and stone houses dotted between them, hiding beneath the branches and leaves. There was a dirt road that eventually turned into a cobblestone road that led to more stone buildings, and a lot of those buildings had more than one story to them. The forest disappeared almost entirely then, leaving only a few trees here and there as remnants of what the land used to be.

Keira hadn't ever seen a stone building before coming here. All of the buildings in her village were made of wood... which was why they burned down so easily. Up until seeing this city, her village was the only piece of civilization she knew.

Now, a giant expanse of clustering buildings was laid out in front of her. Cobblestone streets seemingly split them apart and lined a straight path from one point to the other. If she could compare the size of the city to her village, she would have guessed that over one hundred of her villages could fit inside the city.

The land itself was hilly, so it was hard to see everything at once, but Keira could see the lake to the northwest, as well as the river that emptied into it rolling down the hillside. To the north was a small mountain, though it was incomparable to the mountains she lived close to because she had never seen the tops of them--no matter how high she flew.

As they flew further west, Keira saw that the city curved around a plateau to the northeast, the same one that Evelyn's house rested under. Houses were built into the hillsides and even some resided in or on cliffs. The cliffside of the plateau loomed over a good portion of the eastern side of the city. To the southwest was a large rock that jutted out from the earth, like an even tinier mountain. Coniferous trees grew all around where they could, bringing a dark-green color to the otherwise gray city.

When they landed, Keira noticed that the area was flat and walled off by thin wooden fences twice her height. It had enough room for Fallon's wings to just barely brush against the walls if he extended them fully. The bare ground was flat and filled with ruts and gouges in the dirt.

Keira followed him out of the square and looked around, seeing a lot of houses to her left and right. A few other dragons were walking around, and a red dragoness passed them and took off into the sky from the landing area.

"Here is one of our residential areas," Fallon said and beckoned for Keira to continue following as they walked around. "Some of our oldest stone buildings reside here."

Most of the houses here looked intimidating with the way they were shaped and carved. Solid chunks were taken out of the older-looking ones, and there were stones littering the ground next to what seemed to be an abandoned home.

"Sadly, these were made when we didn't quite know the best way to shape stone yet. Sturdy as they are, the stone is weaker than what we use nowadays."

Keira nodded and picked up a small rock. "How do you make stone houses?"

"A lot of earthen magic," Fallon answered. "The foundation is formed from the ground by the Earth-dragons, and the other pieces are mined from our quarry and shaped by Fire or Water dragons before being carried over. It's a complicated process, but we are quite good at it now."

Keira nodded as she listened and continued to follow him down the street. They walked for another while as Fallon explained a lot of boring facts about certain things that Keira half-listened about. She was more interested in how organized and pretty everything looked. After a few more turns, Keira saw a large opening up ahead, through a circular gate that looked like it was only there for decoration.

"This is the market," Fallon said as they stepped onto worn-down and smooth cobblestone. It was an almost empty plaza as far as Keira could tell. Cart and stall owners were just beginning to set up for the day, scattered around the area. Streets cut off at many different directions.

"Many neighboring clans have merchants that come here to sell their goods, so we have a wide variety to choose from. We have the most renowned trade district in the northeastern part of the continent, which is why our city thrives. Even the biggest coastal city near us is only half our size."

Keira noticed that Fallon seemed to be proud of his clan, but what clan leader wouldn't? "How old is this city?" she asked. They walked together, side by side, with Keira staying very close to him. The few dragons that were around looked over their way curiously. She only received a few hostile glances, but she felt safe being close to Fallon.

Fallon chuckled deeply and answered, "This city has been around for centuries, but it was only within the last century that we grew so large. Our workers can hardly keep up with the demand for houses."

"Are there any Northern cities this big?" She knew that the capital city in the mountain was huge, but she wasn't sure just how big it was.

Fallon frowned and looked down at her, almost as if he had forgotten that she was from the North. "I'm not sure... I'd imagine so. We Southern clans have much more territory, but we are scarcely placed. Since the Northern territory is so condensed, I bet there are a lot of large cities around. Was... Was that village all you knew?"

Keira nodded meekly.

"I'm sorry, Keira... Would you like to see the city's garden? It's very pretty."

Keira shrugged her wings. "I guess so."

"There's not much else to see of the city, anyway--just more buildings."

Instead of flying, they walked down a roadway and passed by many shops, a tavern or two, and a large inn. Then, more and more houses appeared before everything started to turn to green again. There wasn't much indication that they were entering a garden, other than the smooth dirt path that trailed further ahead than Keira could see between the trees and plant life.

Keira was going to ask what made this garden so special, since it looked just like the wilderness that surrounded the city, but then she saw the plants and trees gradually changing. Instead of the piney, coniferous trees, there were all sorts of different varieties that came from many different biomes. The air grew thicker and warmer the further they went, and the canopy overhead nearly blocked out the sun if it weren't for the small beams of light that shone through.

She couldn't describe the area at all. There were giant plants she had never seen before, with huge leaves dangling off of them. Even the trees had large, round leaves. The humidity made the air feel almost wet, as if she was walking in a warm snowstorm. Her talons pressed into a patch of mud. She made a face and shook her paw off.

"What is this place?" she asked with wonderment. Over to her right she saw a bunch of colorful, blooming flowers.

Fallon grinned horn to horn and explained, "This is our garden. We've taken seeds from across the continent and planted them here. We've used magic to help nurture the plant life in our harsher and colder environment. It started off as a small, experimental project a few decades ago, but we've come a long way since then."

Keira walked up to a sprouting plant and gently touched it. "I've never seen anything like these..."

"The plants you see here are a part of a rainforest. These are found much further south than even I have ever flown. They're beautiful, aren't they?" He picked off a vibrant, orange flower and handed it to Keira with a smile.

She took it between her talons and smelled it. Its aroma was sweet and very pungent. She grinned and tucked it behind one of her horns.

Fallon led her across a running stream with crystal clear water. New plants started to mingle with the rainforest's, and they were soon stepping into another environment. The air felt thinner and colder, but it was still much warmer than what she was used to. The plants and trees here weren't all too unfamiliar. It reminded her of the coniferous trees, just without the odd shapes of leaves on the branches.

"This type of forest dominates most of the continent," Fallon explained, looking down at Keira. "It wasn't very hard to provide the necessary environment for these. The plants here are sturdy and resilient. Like this tree here," he said and pointed to an old and massive tree as they approached it.

Keira almost lost her balance as he craned her head back to look up at it, and she still couldn't see the top of the tree. Its trunk was as thick as twenty other trees combined. The path continued on through the base of it, cut out of the trunk itself. Its branches were all spread out; some of them drooped down low because of their weight.

"Admittedly, we used our magic to augment this one a little bit. It was an experiment of sorts, and a successful one at that," Fallon said and chuckled. "It's an oak tree, one of the largest we could find. We're still adding on to this garden when we can, but we're running out of room."

From what Keira understood of magic, there were plenty of limitations on its use. She wished she would have been taught more, but her father wanted to teach her other more important things first.

"How do you manage to keep everything alive?" she asked curiously. They walked through the giant oak and quickly came out the other side.

"It's much easier to sustain than you think. The hardest part was getting it all started, but after that it became easier. After we provided the necessary environment, the plants took it over themselves. It took the cooperation of all the elements to make this happen."

Keira nodded. She still didn't quite understand how, but she was amazed nevertheless. If her village had practiced these abilities... She would probably be in a much different situation than what she was in now.

"We're still looking to add more to our garden, but it's a long-running process." The deciduous forest began to disappear, and more recognizable trees and plants came into view. Then, the forest opened up to a giant lake.

The water glistened with the bright sun's reflection. A river spilled into the lake on their left not too far away. Keira could faintly hear the roar of the whitewater billowing over a small cliff.

Fallon sat down on his haunches next to her, near the edge of a small cliff. Down below them was the water. Keira did the same and wrapped her tail around her talons. Her crimson eyes traced one end of the horizon to the other. In front of them and across the lake was the small mountain. Her eyes caught something very shiny near the top of that, and when she strained them she still couldn't make it out.

"I... I know you may hate me for saving you, but I thought it was the right decision," Fallon said softly. Keira looked up at him and frowned. His head was tilted down and he wasn't making eye contact.

"I don't hate you," she said. "Well... not anymore, at least."

Fallon chuckled. "It's alright. I didn't really think about my actions at the time. I just hope you'll learn to forgive me. Life is a wonderful thing, even if you have to struggle through most of it."

Keira touched the ruby necklace at her chest and stared at the ground in front of her. She tried to remember some fond memories of her father and her friends, and for a brief moment she did; but too quickly fire flashed in her mind and incinerated those sweet memories away.

"I wish you could have had a better life, but you're still young. You have a lot to look forward to," he said and nudged her with a wing.

She looked up at him again with tears forming in the corners of her eyes. It was almost time for her to go. Just when she was starting to feel better again, like she had somewhere she belonged, she was going to be thrust out into the unknown world--lost again. She thought she had prepared herself for this, but her emotions just came rushing at her, and she couldn't stop or control them.

"Keira?"

Keira tried to hold back her tears. She never wanted anyone to see her like this--she never wanted to see herself like this. But she couldn't help it; she desperately didn't want to go. She was scared to be alone; even if she did only have two other dragons to talk to, it would be better than having no one. Streams of her tears fell from her cheeks before she wrapped herself around Fallon's foreleg and started to cry.

"I d-don't want t-to go!" she sobbed. "P-please don't make me..." Keira had never begged anyone before, but she felt like she was down to her last resort. She clung to him tightly as her emotions bested her.

Fallon didn't try to pull away, and he didn't push her away either. He calmly watched over her as she broke down and cried. He remained still and silent, like a stoic guardian. It wasn't until Keira began to calm down that his low, rumbling voice split the silence.

"Keira... Look up at me."

Keira sniffled and looked at him through tear-soaked eyes. Her cheeks felt stiff and her nose was runny.

"You're going to have to be strong," he said softly. "I wish there was more I could do for you, but I'm afraid I've already done too much."

Fear started to settle in Keira's mind. Her last resort had failed, and now she was doomed to her fate. She would have to venture alone into the uncaring world.

Fallon nuzzled her and stepped away, separating them. He must have seen how hurt she was because he winced and turned his head away. "Do you see that shiny thing up there?" he asked, pointing with a wing to the mountain across the lake. "Wait for me there. I'm going to get your supplies for you to take."

Keira solemnly nodded and hung her head as she stepped up to the ledge before the land dropped down into the water. Her tail dragged listlessly behind her. "Okay," she said meekly. "I'll fly there soon."

She heard Fallon leave and then started to cry profusely again. Everything seemed so hopeless. Where was she going to go? How was she going to survive? Would she find another village and would someone take her in?

Will I ever be happy again?

* * *

Fallon's heart lurched in his chest as he looked back at the white dragonet hanging her head. He tried to detach himself from his own emotions, but he realized too late that he cared for Keira.

With a frustrated growl, Fallon surged forward and flew towards his home. He knew that she couldn't stay. He had already promised the council that she would be gone today. If she stayed any longer, he would just grow more attached. He hoped that she would just leave on her own before he returned.

Fallon landed in front of his home with a hefty thud and folded his wings before throwing the sliding door open and quickly storming inside. The satchel he had stuffed with supplies was left hanging on a rack. He grabbed it and went to leave, but not before he was confronted by his wife.

"What are you doing?" she asked, blocking his path to the open door.

Fallon halted in his tracks and gave a low growl. "I need to go, Mara. I forgot to bring the satchel with me."

She nodded, seeing it slung around his neck, but she gave no indication that she would move. "And what's wrong?"

Fallon stamped his talons. "Nothing is wrong! Keira is alone right now, and I need to hurry back." He never liked being rude with his mate, but it was sometimes necessary with how persistent she was.

"You're worried about her," she stated and eyed him intently. Her blue eyes were soft yet stern. Fallon's deep-blue eyes met hers and his heart beat faster.

He shook his head and tried to step forward, but his mate still wouldn't budge. "Mara... please."

Mara sighed and stepped out of the way and let Fallon pass. "Fallon..."

He stopped and turned around to look at her.

"You know what I've always said. Do what you think is right," she finished and smiled at him.

Fallon nodded at her and quickly left. Sometimes, he swore that she could read his mind because she always knew exactly what to say to him. He smiled a little bit and continued flying toward Keira.

He had thought about it before, and he had talked about it with Mara just a few nights ago. It went against what the council ruled, but he was their leader after all. Still, he wondered how Ruari would feel about it... or even how Keira would feel about it. He wasn't sure how he felt about it either, but he was more worried about whether it was the right decision or not.

He thought that maybe Keira could stay with them.

Keira was obviously still unstable, and she needed a place to call home. It's my fault she's in this situation, so shouldn't I take responsibility? He knew there would be more repercussions than benefits, but the benefits outweighed them greatly. Keira's happiness was his primary concern.

The large hill soon came into view with a glistening and shining tree made of ice atop it--Fallon's own creation. He barely saw Keira there lying beneath it, curled up in the snow. Fallon landed as his talons sunk into the cold snow, making him elated to feel that icy chill again.

He looked up at the ice-tree he made, admiring it for a brief moment. It looked like one of the deciduous trees in the garden, like a strong oak tree without any leaves. He had worked on it for many months when he was younger, devoting most of his time to perfecting his element. This was his quiet place, a place of solitude.

Keira looked up at him and turned her head back toward the North. In the distance, Fallon could barely see the giant mountains that reached to the heavens. There were many mountain ranges clawing up from the earth between here and there, and most of them were obscured by the clouds.

"Do you like the view?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

Keira shook her head. "Everything is so bland and white there. There's hardly any color."

"I think white is a pretty color," he said, smiling kindly at her. She looked like she had collected herself, so he wondered if maybe she was going to be okay on her own. If she was ready to leave, then he wouldn't hold her back.

She looked up at him but continued to frown. "I like the color blue, like the sky here... It's just gray over there."

Fallon chuckled lightly and nodded. "Blue is a very beautiful color, indeed."

Keira sighed and stood up, reaching for the satchel. "I'll be going now. I'm sorry that I... uhm..." She sniffled and quickly wiped her cheek. "I-I'm sorry that I... I'm sorry."

Fallon felt his heart nearly break. Keira had been trying her best not to cry, he realized. She was holding back her tears and trying to be strong like he had said... but she lost her battle. Fallon clenched his teeth together and finally made his decision in that moment.

He stretched out an ebony wing and then wrapped it over Keira and pulled her against his flank. He nuzzled her reassuringly and held her close, despite her squeak of disapproval.

"You don't have to leave, Keira," he said softly. "You can stay here with my family."

Keira whimpered and cried into his shoulder, burying her face in it. Fallon rumbled deeply and held her against his body. He comforted her the best he could and watched her emotions flood out of her. It reminded him of the times Raegan had cried against him.

"B-but I'm a Northerner..."

Fallon smiled and squeezed her tight. "You won't have to worry about that. I'll make sure you're treated the same as any of us." He wasn't sure if he could keep that promise, but he would try his best.

Keira sniffled and took deep, steady breaths. "Thank you."

Fallon kept her tucked against him until she collected herself once again. He nuzzled her snout one more time before taking his wing off of her and asking, "Would you like to go see your new home?"

Keira wiped her cheeks and nose and nodded with a small smile. She looked relieved, warming Fallon's heart. He didn't want to think about the repercussions right now.

He just wanted Keira to be happy.

Fallon chuckled and stepped away. He turned around and took to the skies, leading Keira back to his home.

* * *