LoS: Heirs of Shadow: Ch 2

A Family Gathering


The group of dragons met up with Acuan without additional incidents and returned to the valley as the sun passed its zenith. There Larshyr who had arrived in their absence greeted them and with everyone gathered, Spyro and Cynder soon took the word.

“Welcome everyone, I am happy to see you all could make it today,” started Spyro with a deep smile as everyone’s attention turned to him. “It has been way too long since Cynder and I could look upon you all in front of our home.”

“Indeed, Spyro and I were gone for a long time as you all know and our homecoming was not the most joyous event,” continued Cynder, her tone and expression more somber and a long moment of silence was held, Cynder’s eyes in particular dwelling on Larshyr who stood with his head bowed, his expression marred by sadness.

“But,” started Cynder again, her expression brightening, “we are all here now, together as a family, and no matter what has happened, it warms us both to see all of you here.”

“Our children,” said Spyro warmly as his eyes walked across Larshyr, Rea, Vynin and Gravi, meeting their gaze in turn and seeing the strength behind those eyes, a strength that made him proud.

“Our parents,” continued Cynder warmly, looking at Ravina and Ghronur who both smiled deeply, pride beaming from their expressions.

“Those who have joined our little family,” continued Spyro as his gaze went to Sceranu and Kyowin, both looking at him with a deep smile as they bowed their head slightly in respect.  

“And those who are to be the future,” added Cynder finally with a deep smile looking at Acuan, Kacid and Frin, the two young dragonlings still playing unconcerned in front of Vynin and Cynder could not help but chuckle a bit at the display.

“We welcome all of you and today as well as this evening is your day,” told Spyro as both Cynder and he bowed deeply.

“Today you are our guests and we ask that you simply relax, enjoy each other’s company and let anything that might worry you be forgotten, just for today,” said Cynder with a smile. “Now, who is hungry?”

Most agreed to that and Spyro and Cynder invited them into the cave where a larger room had been added to accommodate the entire family. There Spyro and Cynder served various meats and fruit for the rest of the family who happily dug in, much to their delight.

The last time the family had all been together had been under the grueling circumstances surrounding Malefor’s return and Spyro and Cynder wanted to give them all something else to think back on as the last time  they were all together and as they looked around the table they could only smile happily.

As the meal ended, everyone started moving outside in pairs or small groups as conversations started or continued from the meal. Evening was slowly starting to fall, the sun setting below the valleys sides.

Rea and Kyowin happily entertained Kacid and Frin, letting the two dragonlings chase them around, giving Vynin and Sceranu some time to relax.

Spyro and Cynder approached the two of them, laying down across from them, glancing towards Frin and Kacid tumbling across Kyowin’s body and trying to hang on as she gently flew into the air. Spyro and Cynder smiled at their antics and then focused on Vynin and Sceranu.  

“They seem to be enjoying themselves,” said Cynder with a smile.

“They do, though that is no surprise really. They are rushing around all the time at home as well,” said Vynin with a proud smile.

“So what are you doing these days?” asked Spyro.

“Mostly keeping an eye on those two,” answered Vynin and Sceranu nodded with a smile.

“But I am still called upon to help with some matters regarding the Stonar with some regularity, keeping me quite busy,” added Sceranu.

“What kind of matters?” asked Cynder.

“The Stonar are considering contacting their kin across the sea, invite them to live here,” told Sceranu, “but the logistics of contacting a large number of their kin and moving them here are proving more troublesome, doubly so as we can’t be sure how peaceful other Stonar might be when encountering dragons, a fact acknowledged by the Stonar themselves.”

“At the moment the possibility of repurposing one of the old abandoned Mole cities for the Stonar is being discussed, but some Mole’s oppose that idea despite usually being friendly towards the Stonar, wanting to have a hand in reclaiming the largest of their old cities, mostly for the mines beneath them and as such finding a good city is running into some trouble,” continued Sceranu.

“Sounds like you have your hands full then,” said Spyro not envious of his position, “wish I could help excavate some of the old cities though, would go a lot faster if had my old power I would think.”

“No doubt there,” said Sceranu with a smile before Vynin took the word.

“But I would say you have done more than enough already. Just rest and recover in your own time, father, we will handle this,” said Vynin gently.
“Thank you,” said Spyro with a warm smile.

“On that note, how are you recovering?” asked Sceranu slightly curious.

“Making progress,” said Spyro seeming slightly tired for a moment, though keeping his smile, “I have reasonable control of the four basic elements again, though nothing beyond what an average dragon of that type could do. The crystals still elude me, even if I am at least able to feel their presence again.”

“I see, hope you recover soon,” said Sceranu gently.

“I am sure you will, father,” added Vynin optimistically and Spyro simply smiled.
Cynder suddenly noticed Larshyr watching Frin and Kacid from a little away, a smile on his face though his eyes reflected a sorrow not otherwise present in his expression.

“Excuse me for a moment,” said Cynder gently as she got up, Spyro looking at her a bit surprised, but she simply shot him a reassuring smile and he nodded, focusing on Vynin and Sceranu again.

Cynder approached Larshyr who looked at her surprised as she lay down next to him. “Everything all right, my son?”

“Why…yes, I am quite fine,” said Larshyr reassuringly, but Cynder could tell he was not honest, but did not comment on it, having already guessed what was on his mind as she looked at Frin and Kacid.

“I remember it as well, Larshyr, the two of you chasing around Vynin outside this very cave,” she said gently. She draped a wing across his back as she lowered her head, “I miss him too, Larshyr.”

“It is still hard for me to grasp…I keep expecting to see him on a balcony back in Warfang as I walk around,” said Larshyr, his eyes half closed as he looked into the ground.

“I can’t say if it will ever feel okay, but we are here if you need to talk,” said Cynder with a gentle smile and watched as Larshyr nodded, smiling just a bit again. Seeing that Cynder tried to steer his attention elsewhere, “so, how is Zera these days?”

“She is great,” said Larshyr with a deeper smile, “no problems with her balance anymore, even if flying is still not really possible for anything more than a quick jump. She takes it in stride though, much better than I took my handicap I guess…”

“You probably helped her reach that point, I am sure of that,” said Cynder gently.

“Maybe, probably…” said Larshyr and turned his head away a bit, though Cynder could still spot just a hint of a blush as he spoke, “she is an amazing dragoness, no doubt about that. Still can’t believe she forgave me just like that.”

“It never was truly your fault, though she is indeed amazing for how she managed it,” said Cynder and in a bit more of a teasing tone added, “maybe she will be joining us here next time we get the family together?”

“Me and…?” stuttered Larshyr in surprise, but soon smiled, his blush deepening as he turned his attention away. “Maybe…” was all he added.

“Hey Larshyr,” sounded an enthusiastic voice suddenly and Larshyr looked up to see Acuan and Gravi walking towards him.

“We wanted to get a bit back at Rea and Kyowin for their pranking over the years, do you want to help us?” asked Acuan in a low tone, a smug smile on his face.

“Nothing too serious I assume?” asked Cynder gently, not expecting they would take it too far.

“Off course not,” said Gravi reassuringly. “But…” he added seeming a bit annoyed, “I don’t think we can really get them, at least not Kyowin, without help…”

“Of course ill help,” said Larshyr with a smile as he stood up.

Cynder also smiled as she watched the three dragons walk off, she herself heading back to Spyro who was now talking to her father. She noticed Vynin and Sceranu laying a bit off to the side, Frin and Kacid seemingly having quieted down and were now laying half-awake nuzzled up against their parent.

Even as Cynder lay down next to Spyro, she watched Sceranu get up, gently lifting the two small dragonlings in one forelimb, moving towards the cave. Cynder then focused on Spyro and her father, who were talking about Warfang and she waited for a lull in the conversation before joining in.  

“So how are things with the other Guardians these days?” she asked curiously.

“Hectic would be the best way to describe it I guess, but in the good way,” answered Ghronur with a smile. “Plenty of things to do in the wake of Malefor’s defeat, a city to rebuild, but also expansion plans which were made long ago which are slowly becoming more of a reality.”

“How so?” asked Spyro slightly curious as to those plans.

“Well, Warfang has long been the only big city left over after Malefor’s reign and the frequent other threats have delayed plans to make sure that is no longer so. While the city established up north is one-step in the right direction, Burnia has long been pushing for an expansion to our patrols with established fortresses and manned towers.

These are to provide protection for the establishment of a new city between Warfang and the city up north,” told Ghronur.

“Fascinating,” said Cynder, “I take it you will be involved in that father?”

“I will, though the first order of business will be to scout out where the towers and fortresses should be. If possible, we will be using existing ruins as the base points, to speed up the process,” told Ghronur.

“That does seem like a good place to start,” said Spyro, “but what about Volteer, what is he up to? Is his injuries treating him well?”

“Were it not for him spending noticeably more time in the cast le rather than out and about, one might not even realize how badly he was hurt,” answered Ghronur with a smile.

“He is his same optimistic self and handles most of the internal management of Warfang these days, though he also seems to have taken on a few apprentices to help him, yellow dragons like himself. I would guess he is grooming them towards one of them taking over for him as Guardian in the future.”

“That does sound likely, though I cannot imagine him stepping down from that position,” said Spyro with a smile.

“Neither can I, I think he will be taking that position to his grave,” said Ghronur, “but it is good he is preparing potential successors.”

Ghronur continued, though his voice became a bit more serious, lowering as to just include Spyro and Cynder in the conversation. “Meanwhile Cyril and his daughter are looking into the matter regarding Malefor’s last words. Nothing so far, but they are keeping an eye out and scouring the land for signs.”

“I see,” said Cynder solemnly, though her expression soon brightened into a teasing smile, “though I imagine Cyril is not want for company when he leaves the confines of Warfang from what we know of his daughter’s heritage.”

Ghronur smiled deeply, before chuckling a bit as well. “Well I can’t say for sure, but Tironar does seem to have been in a better mood the times I have met her lately. Seems to have found herself a cave not too far from Warfang as well which she frequents,” he told.

“But make no mistake;” he added more seriously, “I have little doubt that both Tironar and Cyril are doing everything in their power.”

“Oh, we don’t doubt that,” said Cynder with a smile, “if anyone could keep each other focused on the task at hand it would be them, but it is also nice to know they have both found a bit of happiness.”

“I agree and hopefully it will keep my sister from chasing Ravina too much,” added Ghronur and then chuckled, “I can only imagine what might have happened had you invited her here as well,” he added.

“I would certainly prefer not to find out,” said Ravina as she walked by.

“Yeah, I doubt that would have been pretty,” said Cynder with a small smile.

Spyro followed his mother with his eyes for a moment, knowing that he would have to talk about her regarding Demetrius appearance. He did not like the idea that she would have to meet him alone, but of course, she had done so before by her own accounts at no danger…

“Something the matter?” asked Ghronur and Spyro looked at him, realizing how he must have looked quite thoughtful.

“Nothing of immediate importance,” answered Spyro reassuringly, “anything on my mind right now can wait till tomorrow. Tonight, is just for everyone here,” he continued as he looked to the horizon where the moon was rising.