Not long after Iris's return, the Dreamweaver arrived in the clearing and met with the current main leadership of the expedition, consisting of Lieutenant Kerrick, an injured but capable Lieutenant Ash Druga, and Sergeant Cameron Cole. They gathered near the heel of the dragon's footprint, standing atop the trunk of an overturned redwood with an overhead view of the entire clearing, and a decision was reached to return to base camp before nightfall.
They moved out in a loose formation, and traveled around the Matriarch's webs rather than through them, and arrived at base camp shortly after sunset. The return to the normal forest was welcome by all, finally putting solid ground beneath their feet instead of gnarled, overlapping roots. The dense canopy opened back up to a towering, multi-layered ceiling with stars twinkling between leaves.
The camp was populated mostly by healers and injured or recovering adventurers. The arriving expedition contingent was met with scattered cheers and greetings, and the occasional emotional reunion. Iris's party made their way to their campsite, the tarp roof they had constructed still holding strong. As Iris unpacked some of their camping supplies from her bag, Eli whistled.
A bird-like screech echoed through the trees, and an excited Glimmer kicked off trunks and roots as she bounded towards them. The griffin slid to a stop as she barreled into Eli, knocking him to the ground and rubbing her head against him.
"Hey girl," he laughed as he ruffled the feathers atop her head and scratched the fur on her neck, "I missed you too."
She squawked, then looked up at the other party members and squawked again, then trotted over to them. Autumn received a few curious sniffs, Titus got a thump on his armor from her beak, and she overlooked Victoria entirely. When she reached Iris, the griffin sniffed her and recoiled back like she'd been attacked, her beak hanging open in an aghast expression.
"I've been through a lot, okay?" Iris defended herself.
Glimmer sneezed and shook her head, then returned to continue nuzzling Eli.
There was little energy for conversation or activity, and once their bedrolls were prepared, the party welcomed comfortable sleep like an old friend. When morning came, they ate a quick, quiet breakfast cooked from ingredients in Iris's bag before attending a debriefing scheduled by the Dreamweaver.
The camp gathered around the command tent much as they had the first day of the expedition. The crowd chattered loudly about the events of the day before, discussing theories about wizards and dragons and arguing over bombastic claims of heroics.
"Why is everyone talking about a dragon?" Iris asked.
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The others exchanged looks.
"Because there was one?" Autumn offered.
"I think I would have noticed--" Iris began.
The crowd hushed as the Dreamweaver ducked under the flap of her tent and addressed them.
"Thank you all," the Dreamweaver began, "you each knew this mission would be difficult and dangerous, whether for experience, glory, or your duty to Giantrock, your choice to participate is appreciated. Still, none of you could have known just how dangerous it would become. I'm sure you all have a list of questions about what's happened, let me put them to rest now: we do not know. We do not know why the dragon appeared, who the lightning wizards were or their purposes with the Wyvern they abducted. I suspect more will be revealed with time, but for now, we know nothing."
Murmurs spread throughout the crowd.
"What I do know," the Dreamweaver continued, "is that our mission is over. The Matriarch is dead. Her off spring still infest the forest, but with her death their territory will shrink. They will become just another hazard of the forest, and I suspect the city will be posting extermination quests to cull their population to manageable numbers."
The Dreamweaver went on to explain that the healer's outpost would be converted to a semi-permanent search and rescue outpost to be staffed by volunteers incentivized by a healthy fee out of her own pocket, and after the last recoveries were made the outpost would be turned over to the City's control. Base camp would be phased out and dismantled over the coming days, though adventurers were invited to remain at their current campsites for as long as they wanted.
The speech continued with an acknowledgement of the accomplishments of a few particular adventurers, mostly higher levels who were in close proximity to leadership throughout the expedition. Cameron Cole received an acknowledgement for his leadership during Ash Druga's absence, which he responded to with a sheepish wave before sinking into the crowd. The speech ended with a brief mention of the dead, and an offer of condolences from the Dreamweaver to all those who had lost someone. Her words fell flat with the crowd, however, as many complaints about her leadership had already begun circulating.
When the Dreamweaver returned to her tent, Ash Druga took her place and addressed the crowd with a raised hammer and a roaring victory cry. The crowd reciprocated, holding fists and weapons high as they echoed her yell. What followed was a brief but energetic celebration of battle, victory and heroics.
Iris's party slipped away from the crowd while the yelling continued.
"An actual dragon? Here?" Iris asked in disbelief.
"I literally don't know how you missed it," Eli said, "where did you think that clearing came from? Did you not hear it speaking?"
"It spoke?!" Iris asked, distraught.
"And breathed fire," Autumn added.
"Ugh! Seeing a dragon is like, top of my list of adventurer experiences to have. This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me."
"Don't feel bad," Titus said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "most adventurers never even get the chance to see a dragon."
Iris groaned and rolled her head back.
"What?" Titus asked with surprise and guilt.
"You basically just said she'll never get another chance," Eli said.
"No!" Titus said, "I mean, I'm sure you'll get to see a dragon one day, Iris. Once in a lifetime opportunities can happen twice, sometimes!"
Iris covered her ears and stomped off.
The party stuck around base camp for an early lunch, over which they explained in detail to Iris everything she had missed while unconscious. When they were finished with lunch, they packed their gear and set out on the journey back to Giantrock City.