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Buzzing insects and the wind rippling through grass whooshed through an open window in a cacophony of sounds. It threatened to fill the small home with smoke and fresh pollen, prompting the single occupant to rush over then close the window.
Moss coughed a few times when they got a whiff of remnants from the intruding draft, their chest itching despite the short exposure and they quickly took a step back to focus their breath. The brief fit chased away their waking fatigue and they managed to stabilize themself before sighing. They had no plans to go outside today, but the experience further solidified that as they gazed through the barrier.
They didn't know what time it was, but the sun was high in the sky and the day-fairies were bustling around, tending to plants, animals, and various chores in the awfully bright twilight. Their attention shifted to their desk just off to the side of the view, landing on the clutter covering its surface.
Art supplies laid strewn about, begging to be picked up and worked with in the natural light, but there were also various materials from unfinished projects their hands twitched at the thought of completing.
Unfortunately, their favourite cloth of finely spun spider silk was covered by the gross, fibrous grass burlap they had made the mistake of selecting. They’d meant to get rid of it, possibly pawning it off to someone else, but they kept forgetting and refused to touch the stuff again long enough to toss it.
Frowning, they turned back to their art supplies and sat down at their desk. They brushed aside most of the clutter, making room for their canvas on the cleared surface before picking up their tool of choice. There was a notable tightness still in their chest from the residual smoke and they shifted in their seat, fluttering their wings to try to fix the feeling. They took some deep breaths, sat up straighter and arched their back a bit, then glanced around for inspiration to feed their intended distraction.
Beneath a stack of paper they spotted a pamphlet, which they slid out to look over. They were expected to read it, but a quick glance outside showed the sun still high in the sky, signaling to them they had plenty of time as their gaze drifted instead to the cover. A large, fire breathing dragon was illustrated, sparking their creative interest as their hand returned to their canvas to begin sketching. Starting with simple shapes, they gradually built the drawing up layer by layer, erasing frequently and turning both their body and the sheet often. The wings were too big, then they were too small, so they tried to compensate by changing the body’s size, then there was something off with the head and they just couldn't get the face right.
They tried until their eyes ached, their head hurt, and their hunched posture made it harder to breathe. Pushing back from the desk, they sighed in frustration and stood, taking deep breaths and rubbing their cheeks to lessen the tension in their jaw as they took notice of the persistent sensation like a trapped yawn.
Once their breaths no longer felt like they were only getting half the air, they turned their focus to the abandoned material patiently awaiting their attention. Their brain and body didn't appear to want to cooperate with art for the day, prompting them to answer the call of unfinished projects. However, before they reached out for the fabric, they used their pencil to lift the grass burlap, keeping their arms extended as though offended by the very sight despite the barrier. They moved it away from their workstation and held it over the trash pile, only hesitating long enough to contemplate tossing it or giving it away one final time.
They didn't know the neighbourhood enough to have a lot of options, but Dew was always up to something. Maybe she would take it. She had the depth of a pothole puddle; deeper than expected but usually not the most pleasant thing to discover.
...No, best not to encourage her.
Letting the offending fabric drop, they scrunched their nose, realizing their garbage pile was getting too big for their room. With a shake of their head, they grabbed a pair of gloves and got to work.
Finishing with the trash, they were greeted by a dirty floor, and they grabbed their broom to begin sweeping. As they swept, they brushed against a pile of books still needing to be organized and shelved, so they set aside the broom and began dealing with that. Moss paused occasionally to read the summaries before placing each one in a newly designated spot and they were halfway through when one story really caught their attention. Opening it up, they flipped through a few pages, scanning over the words to get a feel for the style and finding they rather enjoyed it as they kept reading.
Once they reached the end of the book, they sighed blissfully and deemed it a new favourite as they set it back on the floor. Their hand brushed against the broom, knocking it over and taking a plant down with it. Dirt spilled all over the floor and they climbed to their feet to sweep again, hurriedly cleaning the new mess and making their way over to the window to dump it.
As soon as it opened, they were startled by the cheerful fanfare of trumpets and flutes, the first sounds indicating the night parade to honour the fairy knights. It was night time. When did the sun go down?!
Moss dumped the dirt through the window, closing it and running over to their closet. They pulled out their armour, suiting up with each step they took toward the door. The distance was closed on one foot as they hopped to get their boot on and flapped their wings for balance, grabbing the handle and throwing the door open.
Dew stood in the threshold, covered in dirt and holding up the burlap cloth.
"So, you did remember." She began, shaking her head then her entire body to dispel the dirt. "I was just about to get you, but then I found this. Why are you throwing it out? This is perfect banner making material!"
"Well, that's one of the reasons I'm throwing it out." They said as they stepped outside and closed the door behind themself before brushing stray pieces of dirt off of her shoulders.
She clutched the material possessively to her chest as if to protect it from them. "Not anymore you're not." Despite the dramatics, she followed them as they began walking to join the parade, but the presence of others didn't dissuade her from talking. "I need to advertise my new business. This time it's going to revolutionize its industry!"
Moss nodded along, keeping their opinions to themself for the moment as they focused on closing the gap between the two of them and the rest of the knights before the march would end at the cusp of the meadow. Their path forced them to weave around supporters and the torches carried to illuminate the way as the smoke they dodged threatened to blow in their face. Dew kept up despite her chattering, never seeming out of breath even as they struggled but persevered.
The air cleared as the wind blowing through the grassy field snuffed the torches and the pair broke through the parade, joining their fellow knights gathering away from the public.
"I forgot my info guide." Moss nearly tripped over their own feet as they came to a halt in the clearing.
Dew stopped as well, the two looking back at the distant village and knowing there wasn't enough time to turn around.
"The captain will probably review it, it's fine." She said, taking their hand and guiding them forward again.
They pulled back instantly as their hand touched the fabric she still held, rubbing it against their shirt with a disgusted look. The reaction prompted them to move away from her and keep walking, but her focus was shifted from the mission toward her prize.
"Hey, help me figure out what to write on this." She said, following after them with the fabric raised and pointedly ignoring it when they walked faster. "It has to be something snappy, something that gets attention."
"I need my attention right now. I don't know what we're going to be up against." They responded snappishly, weaving around other knights to keep their distance.
"It's only a dragon, we've dealt with plenty of them before." Dew spoke dismissively, earning a few looks from those on the outskirts of the group as she squeezed between everyone. "What I'm trying to do is save lives!"
"Who is talking while I'm talking?!" The knight captain barked, shutting the pair up instantly and ending the subtle chase.
After a beat of silence and a final scan of the army the captain continued speaking.
Moss wanted to listen, but couldn't help replying to her comment in a hushed whisper. "I thought that was the point in...this." They gestured to the soldiers standing at attention.
"No, no...maybe last week, but this week it's for the betterment of our community." She said matter-of-factly.
"You talked me into it! You said joining the knights would be a great way to meet people, but so far I still only know you." Their quiet tone began to rise, earning a few angry shushes and she pulled them further into the back again, thwarting all chances of them hearing instructions.
"Well, okay, let's see." She tapped her chin and surveyed the fairies standing nearby before spotting one. "Over there is Rock, he's a big guy but he's nice enough I think. He was voted the most likely to succeed." She pointed to an extremely muscular fairy with tiny wings, his shape reminding them of a bumblebee.
"...At?"
"Oh, just succeed. I don't think he really had a goal in mind at the time." She shrugged, taking their hand again as the captain presumably finished explaining the plan and everyone began walking again.
The dark mouth of a cave loomed in the gradually closing distance, its rocky formation imposing to the approaching army. Moss hesitated at the back of the line, feeling less than under prepared as the captain stopped and turned to address everyone.
"Stay silent and stick to the plan. This is only dangerous when things go wrong."
"You could say that about anything." Dew scoffed, completely unaware of their slowing steps as she stepped into the blackness.
They watched her go and fluttered their wings anxiously. "I don't know what the plan is." They mumbled and placed their hand on the rocky surface, keeping their distance from the entrance.
"Here, hold this then." A deep voice said, handing them a stick and two stones.
They took it, but couldn't help staring in bewilderment for a moment until they finally registered Rock. "Huh?"
He hefted a heavy looking crate with a groan and smiled at them. "We need that for later. Can't have these going off too soon. Just stay quiet until the captain gives the signal, then we run away from her. Got it?"
"Got it, thanks." They replied, returning his smile even as he continued on.
Gripping the items, they took a deep breath, following after their group and disappearing into the darkness. With only the moon peeking through cracks to light their way, they stuck close to Rock, unable to see much of anyone or anything else. He didn't complain, though he did seem to be struggling despite his muscular stature.
"Do you need help?" They whispered, walking a little faster to rest their hand on the underside of the crate.
He shook his head tensely and someone shushed them from the shadows, prompting them to lower their hand and slow down. Then their steps completely stuttered to a stop as they passed a threshold leading to a bright cavern. Moonlight cast the walls in a cool blue glow, illuminating the shape of a dragon. She was a gigantic beast with dull, ruby red scales that reflected the light despite their lack of luster. Curled around her slumbering form were a pair of wings with a torn, deep burgundy membrane, signifying either a long or dangerous life. There was a mysticalness even in her obvious age and they couldn't help admiring in their awe.
"Whoa." They mumbled, jumping when a hand rested on their shoulder, shifting their attention to Dew.
"First time properly seeing one?" She asked quietly, earning a few dirty looks from other soldiers tiptoeing into the cavern.
"This close, yeah. There were some flying around my old home, but whoa." They said again, looking back at the sleeping creature, the sheer size startling. "What about you?"
"Me? Pfft, of course I have. There was this big, uh, a big green one, and another time there was a blue one. I've seen plenty."
They stared at her blankly for a beat before they both froze when the dragon began to stir, causing all activity to stop. The captain's attention snapped towards the pair, giving the friends a death glare strong enough to silence even Dew. However, Moss's attention was grabbed by Rock who was visibly shaking as he struggled to stay still and keep his grip on the crate. They frantically pointed at him, hoping someone closer would get the message to help. A few others turned to look, but the box was already slipping from his grasp. It fell quickly and loudly, hitting the floor and scattering its contents across the stone before anyone could move as if it solely intended to escape intervention.
The dragon's head shot up and the stunned horror was broken by Rock making a run for it without a second thought. Dew and everyone else joined in, shoving toward freedom and past Moss who was caught at the end of the chaos. They barely missed being trampled as they quickly took flight, dodging around others using the same path to get away. The dragon reacted aggressively to the commotion and released a stream of fire, causing the spilled fireworks to spark before lighting up.
A series of loud, colourful explosions added to the mess and the shrieks from the fairies were rivalled by the dragons as one rocket shot up and tore a hole through her already damaged wings. Moss scrambled out of the way as the dragon charged through the cavern, sending a shower of rocks over those unlucky enough to be stragglers. They dodged to the best of their ability, but they were surrounded by over-stimulation as stalactites rained down, anyone remaining focused on escape, screams and the dragon's roar filling the air, rockets catching fire and exploding, smoke beginning to fill the tight space.
The realization made them panic harder.
Coughing uncontrollably, they dropped to the ground and started to crawl toward the exit. They were an easy target for the dragon now, but she didn't seem to be aiming for them when she released another stream of fire in random directions. Abandoned supplies by the entrance caught ablaze, cutting off their escape and trapping them inside with the dragon.
"Dew! Help me!" They cried between a coughing fit despite knowing their friend was likely long gone.
It was a risk that resulted in catching the dragon's attention as she stomped down directly in front of them, dragging her claws back until they were caged beneath her paw. She leaned down until her snout threatened to crush them into the solid ground.
"Who are you?" She demanded, her hot breath alone threatening to bake them alive.
"I'm-" They coughed harder as their throat dried and the smoke continued to suffocate them. "I can't...breathe."
The dragon released a powerful sigh then sat up and beat the remnants of her wings once with a pained growl. The force threatened to blow them away if they weren't so solidly pinned under her palm and it was enough to snuff out the flames. Wisps of smoke still lingered, but the literal breath of fresh air helped them pull in enough gulps of oxygen to answer.
"I'm Moss." They rasped, trying to clear both their throat and lungs. "I'm really sorry."
"You should be." She replied sharply, her claws burying into the sediment around them.
Their heart leapt with fear, but as their watery gaze began to clear they looked up at her again. As far as they knew, no one had ever been this close.
"Before you eat me, I didn't get to read the guide so I just have a few questions." They inhaled deeply despite the itch in their lungs and continued before she could get a word in. "What's your name? How old are you? How do you breathe fire? Is it already in there like a furnace somehow or do you breathe gas and light it? Are you more like a bird or reptile? Speaking of birds, how do you fly? Do you prefer food raw or charred? Personally I don't know if I want to be cooked or just eaten in one gulp; they both seem equally horrible. Is there a secret third option for that too?"
She remained silent for a long moment as they caught their breath before she slowly drawled out a response. "You are an odd one, though odd is better than rude." She pondered for another beat. "I will answer your questions if you answer mine first."
They nodded vehemently, but she didn't react until they verbally responded. "Yes, yes! Ask me anything."
"Good." She said, lifting some of the pressure off their chest. "Why were you attacking me?"
"I wasn't, we weren't- it was an accident, I promise." They replied quickly, taking a moment to steady their breathing again. "I'm new to all of this and I don't know what the whole plan was, but when I signed up I was told we were making an effort to scare dragons out of our territory."
"Is that where everyone went?" The dragon spoke aloud for a moment then questioning them again, "This is our home too. Why would your people want to scare us off?"
"Because your people are destroying our homes."
"Excuse me? I have done no such thing." She snapped at their statement. "I haven't left my cave in...three seasons at least."
"I'm not blaming you!" They placated, raising their hands to the best of their ability. "But it happened to me very recently. A dragon flew too close to my tree and knocked everyone out of their homes. My entire village had to move and we aren't the only ones! Some have gotten really hurt. Now most of us are making homes in plants close to the ground, but the flooding is ridiculous and smoke drifts straight through my window."
"That is strange..." She sighed heavily and finally released them from her oppressive hold, only to pick them up as she sat against the wall. The position was far more comfortable and though they could easily fly away, they didn't. "To answer some of your questions: My name is Epiphyre and I am many centuries old. In all of my time I have never heard of this problem, though perhaps many things have changed in my age."
"I mean, we have been spreading our communities, but we've tried making signs to let the dragons know where we are."
"Moss," Epiphyre began, raising them to eye-level and showing them the iridescent silver of her eyes. "Many dragons cannot see signs from the sky and even if my wings still allowed me to fly I certainly would not see them."
"Your wing!" They gasped at the reminder and jumped off of her hand, taking flight. "Wait there, I'm going to get something for that."
Without waiting for confirmation, they flew out of the cave and landed on a mossy patch of ground just on the cusp of it. Feeling around the different textures, they cringed a few times before finding the right moss type and gently coaxing it from the ground. They struggled with the size, but the wound was larger than them and needed to be completely covered.
After a few uneasy steps, they decided to put the clump down and drag it instead. As they slowly walked, they passed a patch of shimmering white flowers with intricately folded petals and an extremely strong but pleasant aroma. They paused long enough to pick one, before placing it on top of the moss pile and continuing their walk back into the cave.
When they entered again, they spotted Epiphyre brushing away fallen debris with her claws and tail, pushing it all out of the way to form a path. They cleared their throat to announce themself again, dropping the plants to help with some of the clean up. Their efforts were minimal due to their size, but a few stones were better than none and resulted in them finding a broken stalactite tip perfect for crushing the moss.
"Here, I brought something that should help with the pain." They said once she was finished cleaning and they’d prepped it. "Do you mind laying down so I can reach your wing?"
"Alright, thank you." She agreed slowly, laying down and extending her wounded wing with a soft hiss.
They were mindful to tell her what they were doing before they did it, but she seemed unbothered as they gradually worked the stringy paste over the fresh hole in her wing.
"I'm sorry for all of this." Moss apologized.
"And I am sorry about the destruction of your village. I hope our people can come to a peaceful compromise."
They nodded to themself silently, pausing and looking over at the abandoned flower by the entrance. "Hey, how is your sense of smell?"
"Bombarded. My cave will likely stink of ash and sulfur for weeks." She replied with a hint of annoyance as she rubbed at her nose.
"Sorry." They apologized again, flying away to retrieve the flower. "What about this?" They asked, picking it up and waving it around to send the floral scent in her direction.
"Gardenias. Yes, I can smell that. I have them planted all around my territory so I can easily find my cave."
"What if we plant these around our communities? If you can smell them from this distance then maybe they'll be strong enough to smell or at least see from the air and could be helpful for any dragons walking around?" They suggested excitedly, closing the distance between the two of them.
"Perhaps we could try. I will spread the word and awareness among my people should they start returning."
"That's a great idea!" A third voice joined, startling the pair until Moss realized who it was.
"Dew!" They flew over to her before punching her in the arm. "You left me!"
"I came back when I realized you weren't with us, then I saw you fly back in here and wanted to check it out. Now, this," Dew gestured between the other fairy and dragon. "This is a great business opportunity. I'm volunteering you to become an advocate for dragon-fairy relations while I handle spreading the word and realty. What do you both say?"
"Who is this?" Epiphyre questioned as Moss hid their face in their hands.
Dew pulled out her burlap material, writing 'dragon relations' on it then slinging it over Moss' shoulder like a sash.
"Dew!" They jolted and ripped it off, throwing it at her and wiping off their whole body with a disgusted shudder. "Epiphyre is my new best friend."
She gave an offended gasp, then paused.
"Who?"