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With every passing day, the weather was getting colder. Where there once were colorful autumn leaves decorating the trees and the ground around them there was now only cold brown wood and fallen leaves that lost all their color. Cyrvanyx knew that it wouldn't take much longer until the first snowfall. That would be the first winter he'd spent outside the Dragonstone castle since he became part of the order. But Winter wasn't all he had to worry about. Last morning he was visited by Chief Seoras who told him that the highclaws would be seeing him the next day at midday. He had prepared himself for that moment every day but still, he was nervous.

While his mind was busy worrying about winter and the highclaws his eyes were locked onto Gareth and the little William practicing outside Síona's hut. Gareth had been at full strength again only two days after he woke up. After having a little talk with Ary the knight went on to talk to William about what would happen next. Cyrvanyx had planned to ask Gareth if he could train the boy as his father would have but the fact that he did it on his own made him very happy. He knew that Henry would have loved to see this.

While he was watching them his ears flicked as he heard someone approaching from the side. A quick glance confirmed that it was Ary who came to lay down next to him to watch the two humans train as well. He just smiled at her without saying a single word which she answered with a smile of her own. Both of their smiles disappeared when they heard a frustrated snarl from William.

"This is useless!" Cyr watched as he threw his wooden practice sword away. He stomped his foot on the ground, yelling at Gareth. "I simply can't get it right! No matter how often I try!"

"William, calm yourself." Sir Gareth spoke gently but there was a hint of frustration hidden in his voice. The lad's incapability to keep a correct stance while sparring seemed to be getting on his nerves as well. There wasn't really much Cyr knew about sword fighting but he knew that it was way more complicated than it looked. It was definitely way too complicated for him to understand and apparently the same could be said for William. "You need patience if you want to learn the art. And to learn the art you first need to-"

"Master the basics, yes I know." Will snarled at Gareth, folding his arms in a sulking manner. "But I can't... and even if I could what good would it do to me?" He angrily glared at Gareth, throwing a quick glance over to Cyr and Ary afterward. "You won't even allow me to leave this place to put the things you teach me to good use. So why even bother..."

The boy turned around, looking away from everyone. If he wasn't sulking before, then he was now. Gareth continued to glare at him for a while before turning towards Ary, shaking his head. He picked up Will's wooden sword and walked off, letting out one last sigh as he walked past him and Ary. "Fuckin' hell, this is why I don't have children."

Ary watched her friend as he made his way inside the hut, probably to vent his frustration out on either Síona or her assistant. As soon as he disappeared behind the corner of the hut Ary turned her gaze towards Cyr. He watched William stand there in utter silence. It was the fourth time that had happened since Gareth offered Will to train him. The little boy appears to be angry and frustrated that he wasn't as great as a fighter as his father was.

"You should talk to him." Ary said, putting a paw on his shoulder. "He trusts your word more than that of anyone else around here because you knew his father the best." He slowly turned his head towards her, looking her directly into her mesmerizing eyes. "Let's say you have a talk with him now and tomorrow we take a little trip to the hot springs again. How's that sound?"

A smile formed on his muzzle, already giving away his answer before he even had time to speak. "Yes, I like that sound of that. Why not today though?"

She threw a gentle smile at him as she gave her answer. "Oh, I met an old friend old friend of mine I used to play with back in the days. I already promised him that we would go out hunting together."

"Oh... " He sounded a lot sadder than he wanted to but he couldn't avoid it. "sounds great." It was so obvious that it didn't sound great to him. That moment a thought crossed his mind that he didn't even consider before. What if she falls in love with someone else?

"Aww come on, don't be like that. We'll have plenty of time tomorrow, alright?" Cyr forced a smile and nodded. "But now you should talk to William before thinking about the hot springs." She got up from the ground, stretching a little. "And while you do that I'm going to check on Gareth."

Without any further words, Ary disappeared behind the same corner that Gareth did. He continued to stare at the spot where she just lay. What she said about meeting an old friend still bothered him. It caused a thought to reappear in his mind. An idea that stuck in his head for quite some time but always refused to show itself when he got presented an opportunity. Once they met at the hot springs the next day he swore to himself that he would put all his confidence together an say it. He would tell Ary that he loved her with all his heart and ask her if she wanted to be his mate.

It could go really great or really wrong. Whatever would happen he would no longer cower away from the idea. There have been many opportunities in the last few days and he took none of them. But he would take this one before someone else approached her to gain her favor. Yes, he was certain. A smile of confidence spread across his muzzle as he still stared at the ground.

Once he looked up, twisting his neck around to see William leaning against a lonely tree with his chin in his chest and his legs held tightly to his body. Only a brief look was enough to make his smile disappear, being replaced by a face of concern. No matter how often he tried to cheer him up, it never really worked as it did back at the cave in the woods. He had to try a different approach.

Before approaching William he took a glance at the sun to see what time of day it was. It was almost time to meet the highclaws, the leaders of all the different dragon clans of the highlands. He gulped as he just thought about it. He hoped that he wouldn't forget any of the things he wanted to say.

He exhaled a sigh, turning towards William again. Well, no more time to waste. With that thought in his mind, he approached the curled up child with gentle steps. As he laid down next to him all Will did was look up at him for a mere second before he went back to his sulking. For a while they remained like that, both just sitting there in silence, listening to the sound of the wind.

"He would be disappointed with me." A murmured sentence came from William just as Cyr wanted to say something. His voice was very muffled though, thanks to his head being pressed against his knees. "I want to make father and mother proud because I know that... wherever they are now they are watching me. But I fail again and again... and again." His hands balled into fists. "I can't even get the stance right! I can't even walk properly that's how useless I am!"

Oh, this wouldn't be easy. "William, listen." He spoke as softly as a big dragon such as him could, putting one of his paws on the boy's shoulder. "You can't call yourself useless because you failed the first few times. This is the first time you seriously trained the art of sword fighting, right?" William gave a silent nod, his face still hidden. "So why are you so mad then? It's not even been a full week since you started so of course, there's going to be difficulties."

He patted his shoulder a few times, smiling at him. "Do you think it was any different for your father? He wasn't born a great warrior, you know? I'm sure that he was stumbling around in the beginning just like you." He chuckled, trying to get a reaction out of the child but as expected all he got was a subtle smile. He would have to take a slightly different approach it seemed. "So, how about you go on for another week and if you still can't learn the basics then you can call yourself useless."

William's head jerked up, looking at the smirking dragon with confusion, probably expecting more useless words of encouragement. He frowned at Cyr. "Did you just... make a joke?"

"Hahaha!" That question made him laugh so hard he almost stumbled over. He was holding his side because it got the point where it almost hurt. "Haha... that..." He took a deep breath to recollect himself. "Haha... unbelievable. Your father had about the same reaction when I told him a joke for the first time."

"He... hehehe." That managed to make William at least chuckle a little "Did he really?"

"Yes, I assure you. I wasn't really... known to make a lot of jokes. I was usually quiet and kept to myself."

"But why? You're a really nice person- ehm, I mean dragon." He scratched the back of his head, smiling up at him sheepishly."

"Thank you, Will." He returned the smile. "And I know that you one day become a great warrior." He patted his shoulder again, widening his smile. "Well, are you feeling better now?"

"I think so... thank- hey!" Will was just about to thank him when he gave the boy one single lick across his face. "Eww..."

Cyrvanyx chuckled as Will tried to get the saliva off his face. Meanwhile, he took another glance at the sun. Of course, it hadn't visible moved yet but he wanted to be there very soon. Better too early than too late, he thought. "Well, Will, I'll be leaving for now. My meeting with the highclaws is not far away now."

"The highclaws? Oh! You mean the clan leaders, right?" He asked while smearing all the slobber into his pants.

"Exactly, the clan leaders. I will try to convince them of the importance of this war. The clans have kept out of the affairs of the kingdom of Albia for far too long. We're allies and yet they behave like we aren't." He sighed, looking towards the enormous mountain at the northern point of the valley, which was where the meeting would take place. "If I can convince them that if we don't assist the Albien forces on the battlefield the kingdom will fall, especially while they are without a king to lead them, then we will go out there and meet up with armies of the Albien lords. And together we will be able to crush Ulric's forces, I am sure of it."

"And... what if you can't convince them?" William asked with obvious concern in his voice as he got up. "I mean... what will happen then?"

He looked back at the boy, unsure of how to answer that question. Surely, they would see reason in his arguments. They had to. He had considered that question before but he was so sure that they would see how important this was for their people. But what was if they didn't? "I... I'm not sure, William." He gave him a gentle smile. "Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."

"But what if it does?" Will took a step forward, his voice becoming louder and almost aggressive. "I- if you can convince them to fight would that mean that I could come with you?"

"William I don't know if-"

"So if they don't listen to you would that mean that I will be stuck here forever?" He took another step forward, poking the black dragon at his chest while his other hand was balled into a fist. "I told you, all of you, that I want to avenge my parents! Sitting around in this cabin won't do! I want to fight!" He stomped his foot on the ground, glaring at him angrily.

"I know what you want, Will." The black dragon said with a calm voice, gently pushing away his hand from his chest. "I will see what I can do, alright? You just wait here. I'm sure the meeting won't take too long."

William took a deep breath and folded his arms, looking away. "Fine then." He kicked a little branch on the ground away, his eyes still anywhere where Cyr was not. "Can you at least promise me that you won't leave me here should you convince?" He looked up at him once more with a pleading expression. "Please?"

He smiled, admiring Will's will to fight. "As I said," He spread his wings, the sunlight slightly shining through the transparent membranes. "I'll see what I can do." He left off with a cheeky wink before he turned around and took to the skies, going straight towards the huge mountain.

The mountain that towered above all the others. It was even said that it is the highest mountain in the world. Whether that was true or not he could not know, but it certainly was the biggest mountain in the highlands. The meeting would take place at the mountain's feet, inside a huge cave that was partly carved out by humans many centuries ago.

As he approached he felt a chill running down his spine. The cave was already in sight and with it many dragons who were present to watch the meeting since it was not often that all the highclaws met at that old and holy place. Legend says that this cave was where the first alliance between men and dragons was formed and everyone, men and dragons, bowed before the first king of Albia, Rhodri the Dragonhearted. Ever since it has been the meeting place for all the clans of the highlands.

With all this in the back of his mind, he landed in front of the cave. All the dragons who wanted to watch the meeting made room for him as he walked closer to the huge cave. In front of the cave, there were several stone pillars. They were inscribed with many dragon runes that if read out aloud summed up the pledge the clans made to the first king many centuries ago.

His eyes caught glimpse of humans standing in between the rows of dragons as he looked at the stone pillars. There were more watchers than he anticipated. He tried to calm himself by telling himself that it was going to be fine over and over in his head. This was good, he told himself. If he were to speak to the highclaws with confidence and strength the others might see that he was right and follow him to fight in the war despite what the highclaws may say.

All those in his way parted to let him pass. He took a deep breath and stepped forward into the cave. The inside of the cave formed a half circle. The ceiling was lacking any sort of uneven bumps, just like the walls, and was also dome-shaped. It was quite obvious that those walls were manmade. An enormous engraved picture stretched from the left to the right side of the cave. It told the tale of the wars between the different clans of men and dragons until eventually, one came out on top, the Draigcalon Clan.

He stood in the middle of the huge cave with the uneasy feeling of many eyes in at his back. He lowered onto his haunches, taking a look around the half circular walls. Platforms were extending out of the walls, somewhat in the form of huge stone thrones for all the different clan leaders. And there they all sat. The leader of every single dragon clan of the highlands. Some were brown, green, red or black, but what they all had in common was the markings all over their bodies, each in the color of the clan they led.

They were all currently still muttering amongst each other which gave him some more time to think. He took another deep breath, taking a quick glance at the cave entrance. It looked like the entirety of his clan came to watch. It's not like it was the first time he was being watched by an audience since the competitions he took part in to join the order had an even bigger audience. He was nervous back then, just as nervous as he was now. But he won, he told himself, everything went out great back then and it will go out just as great now.

Suddenly his eyes fell among another dragon in the crowd who just managed to squeeze through the first row. It was Ary. As she saw that he spotted her she picked up a trusting smile and nodded to him. He opened his mouth, just about to say something as-

"Cyrvanyx, son of Corrunth!" He tensed a little as the highclaw of his clan addressed him, his booming voice making him turn around in an instant. "We have gathered here today on your behalf. Chief Seoras told us that you had something to talk about that is in the interest of every clan of the highlands, man and dragon alike. And if I am not mistaken it has to do with Ulric, is that correct?"

"Yes, that is correct, your highness." He answered while slightly bowing his head. He then lifted his head to look at the highclaws around him "I came to tell you, all of you, that this war between The Kingdom of Albia and Ulric is not just their war. It is just as much our war as it is their war." Some grunts and judgmental glares could be heard and seen. He continued nonetheless. "I know most of you might not like the sound of that but I assure you that it is the truth. Our human allies-"

"How is this our war, huh? Because some of our kind died in the fighting?" One of the highclaws intervened, from the Thunderwing Clan if the tribal markings didn't mislead him. "If I am not mistaken everyone fled here so they wouldn't have to fight in this war and live their lives in peace."

"Varak, I'd prefer if you would not interrupt him." The highclaw of his clan spoke up. "He is not some Whelp. He is a warrior of the order, so we should listen to every word he has to say."

Cyrvanyx turned his head towards highclaw Varak all the while keeping a neutral expression. "Tell me, highclaw Varak, what do you think will happen when Ulric and his lords have conquered all of Albia? Do you think they will allow us to live here in these lands in peace alongside them or do you think they will gather their armies and march here to kill all of us which Ulric had made very clear is one of his goals." He glared at Varak for a while, trying to read his expression but it wasn't really telling him anything. "So what do you think will happen? How long will this peace last if Ulric wins against our allies?"

"No human army ever marched through the highlands!" Another highclaw said loudly, almost aggressively.

"Yes, and no human army has ever conquered the great city of Alcester until Ulric came." He was quick to respond. "No one ever managed to defeat the knights of the dragon on an open battlefield, until Ulric did just that. Marching through the highlands wouldn't be the first thing he'd do that was deemed impossible."

Silence fell upon the cave for a short moment. Behind himself, he could hear the crowd whispering amongst each other. The highclaws too were discussing the subjects, silent enough for him to not hear a single word. After a little while, they fell silent again, all glaring at him. Then, the highclaw of his clan spoke once again. "Your claims have a certain weight to them, Cyrvanyx. While I deem it highly unlikely that he was to manage to march his armies along the narrow trade routes, it is not impossible." His gaze deepened, as did his voice. "However, Ulric is not our only concern now. Thanks to your insolent father and brother the humans north from here are surely raising his banners to march against us to avenge his people. And since you have remarked that marching through the highlands wouldn't be impossible to achieve for Ulric then I assume it surely wouldn't be for these people."

He worked his jaws, searching for a good answer. The highclaw was right. After what his father and brother did alongside a few others the Redoriens will no doubt seek justice. He didn't know much about those people, but he did know for a fact that the current emperor has a dislike for Albia, calling its people "barbarians and savages". He knew nothing of Albia, but that didn't stop him from hating it.

His next words had to be well thought through. It was obvious that most of the highclaws refused to be persuaded. The only one who seemed open to having his mind changed was highclaw Koru, the highclaw of his clan. Maybe persuading him would be enough. If he were to allow the dragons of his clan to leave the valley and go to war, even encourage it, he had no doubt that many would follow his example and fight for Albia.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and continued speaking with all the confidence he could muster. "I know that the actions of my family and their followers will provoke a reaction." All his frills stood on attention thanks to all the tension coursing through him. "But not everyone would have to leave to fight. Just... even if only all the males of this one clan were to rally together and join the war it would be enough!"

"Well, then let us test how well your premise would work." Highclaw Koru raised his voice to speak to the big crowd that gathered outside the cave. "Everyone who would be willing to join the war in the lowlands to fight against Ulric may now step forward!"

Hopeful, he turned around to see who would step forth and recognize the threat that Ulric was to dragonkind. Ary stepped forward immediately, as was to be expected. It coaxed a small smile out of him, but it faded just as quickly as it came. When he looked at the crowd, glared into their eyes even, no one moved. No one stepped forward.

Cyr's ears flattened against his head as he stared at his clan in utter shock and disappointment. He couldn't believe his eyes. Even after everything that happened, all those who gave their lives for their homes, they all still wanted to hide in the highlands from the rest of the world. Were they all blind? Why could they still not see? It made him sick to think that a few centuries ago the dragons and humans of Albia still had a tight bond that could not be broken. No doubt their ancestors were looking down upon them from the endless skies with disappointment.

There were so many things he wanted to say at that moment. He was angry, confused and disappointed. Despite all these emotions flowing through him and the words that formed in his head, all got past his teeth was a single word. "Why..." The sadness in his voice elevated the anger he felt. When there was still no sign of bravery amongst his clan, anger won over his sadness. "Why are you too blind to see that hiding here will lead us to extinction!" A few dragons in the crowd looked away, some lowered their heads, but most stood tall and glared at him as if they caught him trying to seduce their sister.

"Do you not realize what will happen to us once our human allies are gone?" He spoke to them with fury flashing in his golden eyes. All his frills once again flared out, this time due to his anger. "All the nations around the known world have different legends about our kind, but almost all of them depict us as greedy monsters. A stereotype my... father was kind enough to prove." He turned around to face the highclaws, glaring at them the same way he did with the crowd. "For know, we managed to rile up the people of Redoria against us, but when our allies fall many others will follow! Eylok will come for us and Avylon will rally their knights! If the kingdom of Albia falls, we fall with them!"

"Pah, that's nonsense!" One of the highclaws spoke up. "The clans were around long before the kingdom even existed. We will-"

"Humans weren't equipped to fight us back then! They are now!" All the respect and fear he had for the highclaws was gone, overshadowed by his anger."As long as we don't have a kingdom of men at our beck we are vulnerable! I... I cannot believe that you still can't see it. While those who fought and bled with the order grew up to be warriors it seems that the rest of our kin grew soft and cowardly!"

"watch your tongue, young one!" Highclaw Koru spoke in a threatening tone. "Do not forget who you are talking to." His voice calmed a little. "I will allow you and Arylaryl to leave the safety of the valley whenever you wish so you can fight and die for a kingdom that has forgotten about us."

"But highclaw, if you were to at least allow others to-"

"Enough!" The highclaw roared, thumping his tail on the ground while his voice echoed from one cave wall to the other. "I will not allow more of our kind to die for this fight. Since you two are from the order I will allow you to leave, but that is all."

"What's with the dragons who live their lives outside the highlands? What is to happen to them?"

Highclaw Koru threw him a dark glance. "They have chosen that path on their own. Whatever happens to them is their fault alone."

He glared at the highclaw, looking for something else to say in his mind, but there was nothing else to say. He had lost. It seemed like only ten years away from the clan and he was out of touch with them. They had no fighting spirit, no will to fight against the monsters that got washed up upon their shores. At least he and Ary could leave, but it did not feel like a victory. What could they two change? They may be well trained, but without armor, a close quarter fight against Ulric's elite and they were done for.

"This meeting is now over." Highclaw Koru spoke to his fellow highclaws and to the crowd. "The crowd may now disperse."

He heard the steps of many paws behind him, the beating of wings and voices. Those sounds became more and more distant as the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving him standing there in the middle of the cave with his head hung low. He felt like he had failed his duty. While he was drowning in his defeat he felt a gentle paw on his shoulder. He didn't have to look. He knew who it was.

"You tried, Cyr. You did your best." Ary's soft voice brought him some comfort. He leaned into her gentle touch and sighed. "See the positive side of things, Cyr. We can go and continue to fight for our kingdom!"

He turned his head towards her and smiled. "I know. I just... thought I could do more and-"

Ary shut him up pretty quick by putting her arm around his neck, pressing his chest to hers. The unexpected hug made him suck in a sharp breath, but he relaxed when he felt her warmth. He put his own arm around her neck. He whispered out a weak. "Thank you." While she rubbed the back of his neck. For a while he just enjoyed her embrace, feeling her heartbeat with his chest. Oh, where would he be without her? He would probably be an emotional wreck. That thought made him chuckle softly.

"Well, no more time to waste." He said with newly gained confidence.

"Hmm? What you-you want to go right now?"

"Not before we pick up Gareth and William of course." He flashed her a smile, retreating from the hug. He was certain that leaving immediately was the best option. As much as he was looking forward to spending time with her alone at the hot springs and despite what he had planned there was no time to waste. And also Ary couldn't meet this "friend" she mentioned so he didn't have to fear for competition.

"So you already know where to go then?"

"Of course I do." A smirk spread across his muzzle. "Where're gonna go to Moudeir castle, Henry's ancestral home." He turned his head towards the sky, his eyes shimmering with renewed hope. "We're gonna bring William home."