Blue sky breaks through the clouds on the horizon as we depart Bonello’s den. After the outcome of our meeting, I wish I could say my mood was improving as much as the skies are. But all I feel is anxiousness over what’s to come at White Mountain. What will I do if I’ve come this far, only to be turned away at the last step? How will I survive, then?

Kuro paces along my side as we trot the narrow cliff face, our wings folded flat, so we both fit. “I’ve never heard Bonello speak so bitterly before,” she says.

“Well, I deserved it. He was in such a good mood until I started asking questions. Then I got upset and talked back to him about something terrible.” It was the loss of their summer hunting grounds; what an awful thing to be upset about him. I should have apologized.

“If it makes you feel better, I would have done the same thing.”

My legs lock up, unable to believe what Kuro just said. “Really?!”

She laughs at my shock. “He was being a jerk. Asha, you didn’t know about our history with airship-prey. I’d be upset too if someone started accusing me of things I never did.”

Well, that’s certainly what I thought at the time. But Kuro, talking back to someone as kind-hearted as Bonello? “I just can’t imagine you saying that to him.”

Her smile became wry. “You’d be surprised.”

She motions with her head, and we resume walking towards the large, flat crevice we landed in. A cool breeze blows over the top of the rock, ruffling the large hackle feathers of our necks.

I’ve seen glimpses of Kuro’s negative side here and there. When she thought I was some crazy Loner, and then later when we were walking back to the campfire with the ember root. But for the most part, she’s been nothing but compassionate to me in the short time we’ve known each other. It seems crazy to think she could be capable of doing something so… well. Getting moody and talking back to authority figures is sort of my thing, you know?

“Oh! Before we leave,” the soot plumaged Kin speaks up. “Would you mind if I introduced you to my sister? She’d love to meet a Farlander.”

I think for a moment, wondering if there’s any downside to making a detour from our trip to White Mountain. It seems like the sun is still high in the sky, so we should have plenty of time to make the flight there. It might be worth it to get to know more of the flock. “I’d love to meet her.”

Kuro’s smile grows. “Great! I’ll be right back.” She straddles the cliff’s edge with her talons and nearly bumps her wings into me. She leaps and glides over the scalloped terraces of the rock, landing next to a boy who quickly darts from her way on one of the middle levels.

I was beside myself for the first time since I met these feathery creatures.

High atop Flat Rock, I have a dragon’s-eye view of everything. The fledges playing in the grass, the ember wood pit at the center of the large clearing, and all the cliff faces of the rock. It seems most Kin are still on the cliffs from the storytelling earlier — A group of mothers watching the fledges play in the grass, a few couples grooming each other’s feathers, and…

My eyes fall onto one of the lowers levels, where I spot a group of young Kin gathered around two adults on a large outcropping of rock. I squint to get a better view and make out the colors of their plumages: deep copper and slate gray.

It’s Enyll and Fra!

They must be telling stories to the young ones! I’d quite like to fly down there and listen to them. I’d also like to thank Fra for her kind words earlier. They really helped assuage some of the older Kin’s fears over me. Kuro said she’d be right back, but I’m sure she’ll be able to spot me if she flies back to the highest level. I glide down and land a short distance behind the group; Ten or so kits and fledges gathered around Enyll, their ears perked forward to hear every word of his story.

“…The False-Kin was moments away from preying on Asha. If Kuro and I hadn’t intervened, it surely would have finished her off right then and there. What a terrible fate for the unlucky Farlander, so far away from home…” he trails off and closes his eyes, allowing a dramatic pause to build, keeping the fledges on their claws with bated breath. “...But, the False-Kin wouldn’t give up his prey so easily!!” he flares his wings and his yell echoes over the camp. The fledges flinch and gasp, thoroughly entranced by the story.

Is this really the same grumpy Enyll that I’ve come to know the past day? Where has all his bitterness gone? The scorn in his voice? All I see is a Dragon delighted to share the harrowing tale of what happened yesterday.

Now that I think about it, Kuro was also quite the dramatist when she told her side of the story earlier. And Bonello chose to say ‘stories’ before ‘tradition’ while talking a few minutes ago. It’s becoming clear to me that stories, and the way they are told, are fundamental aspects of Lithan society. I would do well to keep this information in mind.

A gray wing bumps against Enyll’s. He turns to the Kin next to him, who angles her ears forward towards me. Freed from the enchantment of storytelling, he looks up and realizes I’ve been standing just beyond the crowd of young ones this whole time.

“Oh!” he chirps in surprise. “It seems Asha has come to join us.”

The crowd swivels their necks, and their faces fill with amazement seeing the star of the story standing just behind them.

“It’s her!!”

“It’s Asha!!”

“Hi, Asha!”

At once, the group abandons Enyll and his story to gather around me. The mass of chirping and cavorting Dragons can’t help but fling questions at me.

“Do you really know everything about airship-prey?!”

“What’s it like to be EATEN by airship-prey?!”

“Hey, Asha!! Can you teach me how to scare away airship-prey?”

A young girl nips the wings of the boy next to her. “Tott, no! I want her to teach me how to scare the airship-prey!! SKREECH!!” A puff of smoke leaves her nose as she screams directly into Tott’s face.

Oh, boy. It seems that even in Felra, I can’t escape being a celebrity. As I’m beginning to get overwhelmed by the deluge of attention, Enyll roars to silence them.

ROOARR!!

The young ones instantly turn docile and pivot to give him their full attention.

“Meno!!” he scolds, the sternness of his voice fully restored. “What did your mother tell you about using your smoke?”

The eyes of the group fall onto the cloudy blue Kit. She ruffles her feathers in embarrassment and mews, “Not to do it?”

Enyll’s eyes narrow. “You know the stories. What happens if you accidentally use your fire?

“…Bad things?”

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“You must never use your smoke in camp, even as a joke. Do I make myself clear?”

Dejected, the girl flatters her feathers and droops her head. “Yes, Enyll.”

He grunts, lowering his wings back to his side. “Good. Now please, would the rest of you all back away from Asha? You’re acting like a flock of rowdy gulls.”

Fra bounds from the rock and addresses the group of retreating Kin. “Please, listen to Enyll finish his story. I’m certain you’ll have plenty of time to ask Asha questions later.” They flow around her and retake their seats in front of Enyll. He settles down and picks up from where he left off. “Now, then! Kuro and I knew we had to defend Asha…”

Fra trots up to me looking penitent. She has a floral scent to her, like blooming orchids. “I-I’m sorry, Asha. They’ve been all riled up since they heard what you said to the airship-prey.”

I chuckle a little to myself. Not at the kits being excited, but at how nervous Fra is over talking to a Farlander. “It’s all right. Would you believe me if I told you I’m used to it?”

Relief washes over her face that I didn’t take it personally. “Oh, are you? Well, I’m glad it didn’t bother you much. You must be a popular, um, Lehmur in the Farlands,” Fra smiles, and I catch myself smiling back. Now that we’re up close, I can tell we’re nearly the same height, though Fra edges me by a foot. Dang it.

“Yeah, I’m something like that!” My face flushes at how much of an understatement calling me ‘popular’ is. “Kuro and I are leaving soon for White Mountain, but before we go, I wanted to thank you for what you said earlier. I really think it helped convince Bonello to trust me.”

Of course, he’s still undecided whether he would vie for me in front of the elders. But he could still say, ‘yes.’ Think positive thoughts, Asha!

Fra’s feathers rise slightly. “Oh, Asha. I’m glad it helped you out, though I’m the one who should be thanking you. Offering some of your prey to a stranger was a very kind gesture.”

Gosh. Unlike her brother, Fra is just about the sweetest Dragon ever! I still don’t understand why sharing your food in Lithan society is such a big deal, but I’m glad a simple act of kindness is helping everyone like me. “Well, I’m glad I could help!” I smile awkwardly, unfamiliar with receiving this much praise.

A fledge cries out overhead, trying to get the attention of their friends as they perform an acrobatic flight maneuver over the camp. “I’m curious,” Fra speaks up as I watch the young Dragon spiral through the air. “You seem pretty persuasive, Asha. How did you convince Kuro to act so nice to you?”

“How did I convince her…?” my head tilts in curiosity.

“Enyll can’t believe how polite she’s acting. He thinks it’s the first time she’s ever acted nice to someone,” Fra speaks with a hint of disbelief like she had trouble believing it herself.

I stare at her in a daze. “The first time? You mean this isn’t how Kuro normally acts?”

Fra half-opens her muzzle to reply but stops herself before the words leave her mouth. Her expression deflates like a balloon, and she darts her eyes around the camp. Moving her head close to mine, she whispers into my ear, “I think we should talk about this somewhere else.”

Trepidation jolts me, and I nod slowly. “O-okay?” Is she being real? Kuro’s never been friendly to someone… ever? This is the same Dragon we’re talking about, right? The one I’ve spent the past day bewildered by because she’s been so kind to me?

I have to know more about this.

Fra lifts her wings and beckons me to follow. I follow in her talonsteps past the spellbound kits and into a small, bowl-shaped crevice along a sheer rock face. Sheltered from the wind and far away from other Kin, this is obviously where Kin go when they want to keep their conversations private.

“You’re taking this awfully seriously,” I say as I step into the fissure. Ahead of me, Fra keeps her wings folded tight against herself so there’s enough room for us to fit.

She releases a sigh. “I’m sorry, Asha. I just don’t want her to hear us talking.”

“Kuro…?” I blink disbelievingly. “You’re worried about Kuro hearing our conversation?”

“Listen,” she talks slowly and stares directly into my eyes. “I don’t expect you to know this. But Kuro and my brother have a reputation of being… difficult to get along with.”

A lump forms in my throat. “Kuro acts… like Enyll does?”

“Yes, very much so.”

I stare at her muzzle agape, unable to locate my voice. Kuro? As challenging to get along with as Enyll? But how could that be? Enyll has been combative to the point of antagonism, but if what Fra’s telling me is true, then Kuro is just as capable of that sort of hostile conduct. I force myself to keep my voice steady. “What has she done? Just how ‘difficult’ can Kuro get?”

“Well,” she flicks her eyes back into camp to ensure nobody is listening. “I’m sure you noticed how upset she got when Relmoon started talking earlier. Those two have feuded with each other for many seasons.”

“Relmoon?” My body stiffens. “Well, I didn’t particularly like him, either.” He was even more hostile than Enyll was. Even though she was clearly upset at him, it felt good to hear Kuro give curt approval when I told her I didn’t like him.

“I know, Asha. But here’s the point I’m trying to make: As long as you’re around our flock, and around Kuro specifically, there will be certain Kin who treat you differently.”

“They’ll treat me differently…” I echo, beginning to understand what she’s trying to warn me about. She must have realized I have aspirations to join the flock, and my chances could be negatively impacted because I’m associated with Kuro, a Dragon that many of Kin dislike. “And, I’m already going to be treated poorly because I’m an inferior species.”

“Yes,” her low voice douses me like a cold rain. “I believe you will.”

My stomach churns, contemplating that the girl who’s been so lovely to me might actually be hurting my chances of getting into the flock. My chances of returning home and seeing my family again. Maybe allowing Kuro to help me was a mistake…

“Listen, Asha. I know better than anyone that my brother is actually a good Dragon. And I think it’s great that Kuro is treating someone nice for a change. You should trust her. It’s just, um…” she trails off, and her voice grows distant. “…You should keep your tail in the air as long as you’re around Kuro. Do you understand?”

I retreat a step and bump into the wall behind me. I’ve never heard her idiom before, but I understand its meaning perfectly: Someone might try to attack me because I’m a Farlander and because Kuro and I are nice to each other. I’m a target. And because of how small and inexperienced I am compared to other Kin, I make an easy target.

The only reason a puny Redaga didn’t kill me is because Kuro and Enyll saved my life. If a much larger Lithan tried to take my life… well, they’d have no trouble doing so.

Kuro could be difficult to get along with, but she’s bigger than I am. And, she seems to like me. If I’m allowed into their flock, then it might be a good idea to ask the elders if she can train me.

In fact, I think that’s exactly what I’ll do.

“Yes,” I straighten myself and incline my head. “I do understand. Thank you for telling me, Fra.”

Fra smiles, relieved I got the hint. I nuzzle my head against hers as thanks, and she responds in kind. The scents of blooming orchids and the warmth of friendship drift between us.

“Come on, let’s head back.”

Sunlight shines down as Fra leads me out of the crevice and back into the center of the rocky terrace. As we step around the storytelling rock, I spot Kuro perched by the ledge, noticeably by herself. Smelling our approach, she swivels around, and her face lights up.

“Asha! There you are!”

As we trot up, Fra’s face fills with apprehension. “I-I’m sorry, Kuro. Asha came to thank me, and I offered to show her around Flat Rock. I didn’t mean to—”

“Oh, you did?” Her feathers relax. “Thank you so much, Fra. I looked around everywhere for my sister, but I think she went out hunting this morning. I was worried Asha was bored out of her feathers!”

I give Fra a sidelong glance, and our eyes meet. We exchange a good laugh.

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“Kuro, is that…?”

Off on the horizon, a jagged white cap rises through the haze to pierce a clear blue sky. Led to the top of Flat Rock, I initially thought it was a stubborn cloud that refused to part. But Kuro just revealed we’d be flying in that direction.

“White Mountain,” she confirms, standing to my left with her wings open. “So named for the snow on its peak that never melts.”

I snap at her in disbelief. “It’s covered in snow all year?”

“Oh, yes!” Kuro rears her head back, laughing at my astonishment. “Asha, White Mountain has been our flock’s home for generations.”

I gaze at the far-off peak in wonder. To think, a mountain that never sheds its snow! Incredible! Even the tallest mountains in Ellyntide lose their snowpack during the warm summer months. What happens to the snow if it never melts? Just how cold is it at the summit of the mountain? What sort of plants grow in that environment?! The scientist in me is screaming to learn more!

“Are you ready?”

An icy wind whips us from the north, heralding the direction we’ll fly. The path I’ve been flying this whole time, ever since this crisis began. White Mountain has always been the destination, and it’s finally time to go there.

Conflicting emotions course through me: excitement, apprehension, and grief. I look up at Kuro and nod confidently.

“Then, let’s fly!”

ROARR!

SKREECH!

We leap from Flat Rock just as a warm thermal roars over the top, effortlessly thrusting us into the sky. I call a friendly goodbye to the camp as we bank overhead, winging off to our northerly destination.