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Three beautiful dragons soared across the sky; one cherry blossom pink, one pale snow white and the third crimson red, with Riders matching their themes perched upon their back cheering and teasing one another. Comfortable as could be, their experience shows in how they are trying to out maneuver each other with bright laughter echoing through the chilly wind they travelled atop above massive ancient pines as they searched for a place to land.
As the sun passes the highest point in the sky they locate a wonderful wide meadow filled with emerald grass dusted in snow, one after the other landing with affectionate ribbing as Ambear beats them both to the ground. Gloating, she prances forward while Pyro rolls their eyes, grabbing the large checked red and white blanket from one of Cindy’s saddlebags to spread across the ground while Scott calls upon his magic to sweep the snow out of the way. They work in perfect tandem setting up a picnic with a glorious spread of food that Scott had prepared, various bowls and containers of fruit, snacks and sandwiches are placed down between them as Ambear passes out tin plates.
“We appear to be missing something.” Pyro smirks, his other two companions turning to him with anticipation before they produce a few bottles of wine with a dramatic flair. “I bottled it this morning, been experimenting with a sakura wine recipe in hopes to make it just a tad more bitter like wild cherries so we have that or some ice wine! Take your pick, my friends.”
“Oooooo, sounds lovely, I’d like to try that!” Ambear bounces happily, Scott retrieving three golden goblets from the depths of the wicker basket before handing them over to the fire mage who pops the cork with a flair.
“I’ll try a glass of that too, why not.” Scott agrees, Pyro tossing a wink his way.
“Don’t worry, if you don’t like it at least there is your favourite ice wine.” Scott smiles bright like the winter sun, glistening and twinkling under the warm star above them dancing between fluffy white clouds.
Clinking their three glasses together, Amber clears her throat, announcing, “For our gathering today, there are some rules.”
“Rules for fun day?” Pyro asks with a sassy tone, Amber narrowing her sky-blue eyes at her friend. “Doesn’t adding rules sort of go against the free spirit of it all?”
She ignores him with a pointed turn of her head towards the blonde slowly being stained the deep blue shades of glacier ice with a huff, Scott barely hiding his smile behind his hand as he listens intently to the fairy. “There are two topics completely off the table so if you mention them, you must take a drink of your wine. You cannot mention anything about the corruption, or the war—”
“You owe us two drinks then.” Pyro pipes up, Scott unable to hold back his snickering as Amber turns her playful ire upon the handsome fire mage.
“Hush you.” She sticks her tongue out, Pyro humming innocently as he sips his own sakura wine. “There will also be no fighting, we must be nice to each other, and I reserve the right to impose more rules if I see fit.”
“Amber, most of our friendship is playful teasing, this goes against who we are.”
Scott remains quiet as the fairy and fire mage lapse into a silly argument about the semantics, silently adding a tick to his mental tally of reminding them they both owed taking a drink after this while his attention shifts to leaning back to stare up at the great branches of the large trees that protect their afternoon sanctuary. Their deep emerald needles contrasted beautifully against the bright blue sky above, a perfect day to get lost in the moments and create a new cache of safe memories to strength their resolves going forward.
His daze is broken by Amber handing him a plate with a variety of goodies on it, both clearly having come to at least a temporary truce, Scott picking up a few of the dried fruits he has prepared to snack on while his companions gather their own food from the spread around them.
“The snow is so pretty here.” Amber mentions gently, Scott nodding along as he watches her expression soften with wonder and whimsy. “Is this what it looks like where you two grew up?”
“The trees are much the same, more of a temperate climate but cooler so we get more evergreens and needle-bearing plants then the maples and oaks that surround the academy. There is also a lot more snow and ice with thinner air, we would have to bundle you up in much thicker clothes to be comfortable if we ever go to visit.” Scott answers with a wistful tone, his mind full of thinking of their mountain home and what they had left behind.
“Oh yes, well if it happens soon I can give you one of my old cloaks, I run too hot these days to feel the chill.” Pyro hums, taking another heavy drink before their face falls in disappointment reaching the end of his current serving of wine.
“Traditional Tegrith clothes for a visit, it does seem appropriate.” Scott replies, Pyro’s odd-coloured eyes shining in the afternoon sun rays alight with mischief and silliness as he refills all their own glasses per their requests.
“Will you tell me more about it? Like where are some your favourite places to go?”
“Well in the summer when we aren’t sheltering in the caverns there’s a whole village that sits upon a plateau overlooking a large valley that protects the biggest city closest to us. When Pyro and I were wee children we found a tiny grove protected by large twisting brambles that provides a stunning view of said bustling city, its sheltered by one of the oldest oaks in our settlement.” Scott’s thoughts are thousands of miles away, thinking of the numerous times they hid there while recounting their day as they watched the galaxies appear over the horizons. “After we discovered it Pyro carved our initials in the trunk, something I was sure to refresh each time I visited during our time apart.”
Pyro’s mouth drops slightly open at that, his sharp cheeks turning slightly rosy as he gives a fond grin. “I didn’t realize you still went there…”
“I carved them once more before I left for the Academy, something we can do together when we eventually head back if even for a visit. Perhaps we can even have another picnic there, it's something to look forward to.”
“We shall.” For a brief heartbeat, their hope is real. Its big and shining and happy and everything, the biggest star in the dark void above which the ice mages searches for in the darkest nights to guide him home. Once his home was in that small frozen town to the North, these days it was whenever he was near those he cared about, something at first he mourned but now he clung to once he grew closer to the other Riders. “We will also have to add an ‘A’ as well.”
“Really?” Amber’s voice is high, her entrancing eyes wide with surprise. “Do—do you mean it?”
“Of course.” Scott is quick to agree with his childhood friend’s idea, reaching forward to take Amber’s hand. “You are important in both our lives in so many ways, the memories we have made here I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It’s only right you are preserved there too.”
“That…that…that makes me so happy.” Amber continues with a tight voice, a tear or two slipping from her eyes. “You both mean the world to me too, you’ve protected me from so much and are always there when I need it.”
“Who else can I turn too in my most dire of moments and who I trust with my deepest, most shameful secrets? Besides Scott, you are top of my list.” Pyro’s casual joking tone is absent, instead it’s serious as he nods along to the ideas being presented. “Yes, the first thing we shall do besides introducing you to everyone will be visiting our secret grove. We have to show you the best view within Tegrith after all.”
Conversation stretches on as they continue to speak about Tegrith, the topic eventually shifting to where Amber came from which she delights in explaining to them in great detail the grove in which she was raised. The first wine bottle is finished just as she finishes her last tale, the sounds of nature filling the comfortable silence instead until Amber jumps up with a determined furrow in her brow as she rushes off down the meadow for something.
Scott shifts closer to Pyro as they watch her go, patiently waiting for what she had decided their next activity to be while leaning his head against Pyro’s thin yet strong shoulder. Where Scott was taller standing up it was all due to his long, muscular legs, firm after years of manual labour and lengthy treks, Pyro’s height came from having a long torso, wiry with agility and quick reflexes, which meant he was the taller of the pair when they were sitting down. They are pleasantly warm, a wonderful contrast to the ice that ran through Scott’s veins, burning hearth fire to balance out the harsh mountain chill that Scott had become accustomed too ever since his ice abilities awoke.
“I can’t believe you preserved my initials in that oak tree…” Pyro whispers, their normally steady sonorous tone instead shaky as Scott presses closer, a reminder to both the absence didn’t have any place between them anymore.
“It’s our safe space Pyro, even in our years apart I never once regretted our time together as we grew up, sure there are some years we spent apart but I forgave you long ago for choosing to leave our Tegrith. Time can shift or break bonds but a friendship such as ours is special, it may differ and evolve as we grow older but it will never sadden me that I met you in this life. There is a very short list of people I want fighting at my side in the conflicts we face ahead but you are always at the top of it. You and Amber especially…perhaps Legundo too…”
“Oh, Legundo too, hmmm?” Pyro’s stormy gaze twinkles knowingly, raising one of those well-manicured eyebrows Scott rushes forward to explain as his mind twists in confusion with all the nerves that had begun to quiver each time he thought of the iron mage. “Why him?”
“He’s come a long way from that terrified soul who we met upon the first day at this Academy, he may have his flaws but don’t we all? In many a situation he’s proved himself to be determined and one of the first to come up with a plan to protect those he cares about, plus he’d throw away everything he knows for the sake of saving a someone close to him…I can relate to him in many ways.””
“Indeed he has improved in leaps and bounds, he did threaten to kill me though…” Pyro rubs his chin, the joking tone of his voice proving to Scott he is just trying to get a rise out of the ice mage so he goes along with it for now.
“Well…sometimes I have the urge too as well, you are maddening and stubborn. I wouldn’t have you any other way, though.” Scott chuckles as Pyro lets out a disapproving grunt, Amber returning just then with both her arms stuffed full of fresh fragrant flowers which she lets fall on the ground before them in a pile.
“Whatcha talking about?” She asks, sitting back down gracefully before picking out a few branches of winter jasmine to start constructing a crown, Scott following along with glee as Amber shows him how with patient touches of her delicate fingers guiding the weave. It had been an activity they had always discussed but never had the chance to do, something that was changing today it seems with how she encouraged both of them to pick up a few of the sturdier branches of blooms for their base.
“Scott brought up Legundo, we were complimenting how much he has improved since coming here.”
“He has, hasn’t he.” She hums along, winking one of her brilliant blue eyes towards Scott. “Of course you were the one to bring him up.”
“What does that mean?” Scott tilts his head in confusion, trying desperately to keep the door closed in his mind of questioning his overwhelming emotions surrounding the iron mage and putting a true label on what perception had begun to shift deep within himself.
“Oh nothing, we will explain when you are older.” Amber teases, exchanging a playful grin with Pyro she changes the topic. “That sakura wine you brought is delicious Pyro, you were right to introduce the cherry into it, the bitterness offsets the sweetness in a pleasing way. Let me know when you make your next batch and I will happily buy several bottles for the tavern I am constructing in Wisperville.”
“I am also building a tavern in Kindling, what a silly coincidence, I’d love to see it when you are done so I can steal—I mean trade ideas with you on the techniques you use.” Eating a small amount of the mana berries which his company turn a polite blind eye too, Amber starts to incorporate icy white snowdrops into her flower crown where Scott opts for deep purple irises instead. “Wisperville is beautiful, I am in awe each time I visit how full of life it is there.”
“You are too kind.” Amber smiles, her face twisting in concentration as the trio work away at their current projects.
Pyro chooses forget-me-nots as their second flower variety while Scott picks up a fresh cinnamon bun to enjoy which he baked a batch of this morning with Zam and Graecie’s assistance. Though they had graduated from the Academy technically they all remained extremely close, as Scott loved to cook and bake for his friends he often found himself knocking on their door in Aboria at the crack of dawn to get to work on making delicious food for the day ahead to give to anyone who came to visit or enjoy for themselves. It had become an unspoken tradition in fact, it occured often during the week and had become a routine that brought them all comfort, stolen moments of peace filled with the sweet scent of fresh dough among other preparations to get them through whatever they faced ahead of them.
Amber is quickest to choose her last bloom, bluebells, where Scott and Pyro instead pick up pink anemones, finding the warm colour to be a pleasing addition to their crowns that were coming together quite well. Scott is surprised how quickly he picked up this craft, resolving to join more of these gatherings in the future as Amber shows him how to secure the whole things together with a few clever twists of the stalks it is complete.
Taking a deep breath, she holds out the crown she made to Pyro, a look of surprise on his face as she speaks, “I actually made this one for you, Pyro, the flowers symbolize hope, perseverance and gratitude.”
“That’s too sweet, my friend, thank you.” Gracious as can be, Pyro offers a shallow nod allowing Amber to place it atop his wild chestnut hair that had grown to the point it brushes his shoulders, a style that only accentuated their sharp yet handsome features.
“Well I think its only fair I offer mine to you…unless Scott wants mine?”
“What if we all trade, I like that idea, here Ambear—” Holding out the one he had created she giggles when the ice mage arranges it in her pale cherry blossom-pink hair, Pyro doing the same with placing his around Scott’s temples. “Can you tell us what the flowers we used mean too? Besides the winter jasmine that is which I assume means hope.”
“You are correct! Scott, the other two you chose were purple irises, which mean wisdom and respect where pink anemones symbolize platonic love and friendship. Pyro I think your forget-me-nots are rather self explanatory yet it is sweet, they are for everlasting remembrance and treasuring important soul connections.”
“You are so wise Amber, its wonderful.” Pyro pays the fairy a compliment as she hides her bright red cheeks with taking a deep drink of her wine, pressing her free hand to her warm face they share a round of warm laughter. “You both mean the world to me, I might be quite eloquent in our day to day lives but its hard to wrap up how much you both have done for me in those wizard words you two both poke fun at me about.”
“You knocked the man speechless, I think you deserve an award.” Scott fires right back, grinning at the silly glare he is treated with. “It’s not often you are at a loss for words Pyro. Amber, you need to count this as a victory.”
“I shall, I shall.” She giggles, accepting a portion of the fresh banana bread Scott had unwrapped now that they donned their crowns of sweet-smelling flowers. “Perhaps I should even write it down, this is a monumental occasion after all.”
“You two think you are so funny, don’t you.” Playfully put out, he can’t keep his annoyance up for long as Amber snuggles closer to him which he doesn’t move away from at all, despite being upset with the pair of chuckling mages (he isn't really, an act everyone present sees through).
“You wouldn’t have us any other way. After all, bantering is your love language.”
“How dare you clock me in such a fashion, I thought I hid that better.” Pretending to be aloof, Scott rolls his eyes at their antics as they yet again descend into bickering for several heartbeats until the ice mage clears his throat loudly, breaking through the argument.
“That’s two.”
“Two what?”
“Two times you both have broken Amber’s rules for today, drink up.” Scott raises his glass, the other two sighing as they do the same. “To a brighter future, side by side, as we will always be stronger together, even if my ears ring from the disagreements you two have.”
“Oh get off your high horse, if it’s not a sassy mood for me you make up for it ten times over if not worse, don’t give me that lip. I've heard some freezing one liners from you.” Pyro responds with a cheeky wink, Scott narrowing his lilac gaze but he can’t keep it up for long and breaks down giggling. “Someone has to keep up with my sarcasm after all.”
“Someone has to put up with you, you mean.” He snarks back, Pyro’s turn to glare at the ice mage before their ire dissolves quickly as Scott scoots over to Pyro’s other side, all three moving food and plates aside to lay back and stare at the clouds above with alcohol warming their bellies and love strengthening their hearts.
The day passes unfortunately quickly as they talk about anything and everything, making their way through a few bottles of wine and most of the snacks Scott had prepared before they make the decision they should probably start to head back to at least one of their towns to spend the night. Their final activity was Amber taking a moment to braid 3 small weaves into all their hair, just behind their ears, something she explained was a tradition in fairy culture as a symbol of a deep bond which the fire and ice mage happily let her do. As they were packing up Pyro turns to his companions with his arms held open.
“I know its a bit last minute but I have finally finished your rooms in Kindling, if you wished to stay over we can make pancakes in the morning before whatever horrors we have to face.”
“I’d love to.” Scott agrees immediately, Amber quickly following suit after as they finish clearing the meadow from any evidence they had been there, pulling themselves up onto their dragon’s backs who were also pleasantly tuckered out from a day frolicking in the meadowlands together.
Rising into the sky Scott takes a deep breath of the chilly air that embraces him, reaching up to grab the flower crown he had been gifted to hold it close to his chest so he didn’t lose it in their journey back to Pyro’s town he works on committing every second of the time they had spent together into his memories. It had been a relieving change of pace to ignore everything about the wars happening within this realm, even temporarily, and the corruption slowly stealing his dearest childhood friend away. Though he wouldn’t truly relax until at the very least they managed to purge Pyro of his affliction.
Without a word exchanged Aurora had dutifully begun following Cindermeare as Pyro flew point, his sense of direction was frankly impressive and Scott was too tired to do much more thinking beyond appreciating the allies he had found at the Academy, both new and old. Glancing over to where Amber rose at his right side he thinks about how perfectly the fairy had slotted herself into their lives. He certainly hadn’t expected to ever see her again after what happened upon their first day here, but now he couldn’t imagine his life without the fierce fairy bringing her joy and determination with her wherever she went.
They had forged an impossibly deep bond between the trio, the only thing he had been ever grateful to the bandits for was the fact it had brought their little grouping together and they were stronger in the aftermath because of the former threat. Now with an even greater one on the horizon it was important to nurture these connections as they could draw strength from them when one of them faltered, plus they could be trusted to keep secrets which was something Scott valued in a companion among other traits.
With shimmer stars as their guide and the steady wind carrying them to a place of safety and respite, Scott vows to continue to fight for these little moments that reinvigorated his sense of hope. He’d fight the entire Kingdom for another afternoon exactly like that and promised himself he’d cling to it whenever he faltered going forth. Watching his fiery best friend sing his laughter and joy into the sky brings a smile to his tired face, Amber following suit while she urges Orchid forward into a friendly race with Cindy and her loud Dragon Rider that Scott continues to trail behind at a steady pace.
Ever the protector even from a distance he instead revels in the happiness the fairy and fire mage kindled between them. He reminded himself to tell Amber how grateful he was for arranging this outing, not quite realizing how much they had needed it until the aftermath where he felt like his heart was overflowing with happiness that he was lucky enough to call these two, and beyond, his friends and allies. He trusted these two especially with his life in the middle of this war, the ice mage would give everything to protect them knowing they'd do the same for him.
The picnic and flower crowns would serve as a reminder of what was important in their lives, of course fighting to keep them was imperative but he did need to remember to treasure these small moments too. When the seconds bloomed with joy and whimsy instead of terror and dread, it was what made all the blood and tears worth it. He would forever keep throwing himself into battle for the sake of his friends, it was in his nature and what his heart kept beating for, but it was also fuelled by flower crowns and too much wine shared between kindred souls.
The afternoon behind them had been precious and he would remember it forever, finding beauty even in its ending as they made the journey back to the lands they knew and the towns they were responsible for as Dragon Riders. The escape had been a pleasant sanity reset, after all in that meadow protected by the massive pine forest they had forgotten about their duties and instead it had been replaced with three young adults indulging in wine and silly secrets, something that had been sorely needed for weeks.
Unfortunately now, they were reminded of what they faced as they landed, Pyro’s face growing somber as after he showed them to their new lodgings they lead them to their own and requested them to bar the door. All three of their dragons had found rooftops to rest upon as they guarded the town, their Riders preparing themselves for slumber until they found themselves staring down Pyro where he looked oh so small making their devastating request.
Scott picks up a nearby heavy piece of wood to do so but not putting it down until he says a few last words to his dearest friend, “We will figure this out, this isn’t going forever, I promise.”
“Scott’s right, soon we can have drunken sleepovers again, instead gathered all in one room together as we talk until one by one we fall asleep.”
“I look forward to it, my friends, I hope you rest well and dream of wonderful things.”
“You too, Pyro.” Scott sets one of the logs down after moving it into place, being sure to level their gazes together as he says his last words for the evening. “I love you.”
“I love you too, both of you.” Pyro glances between the ice mage and fairy, Amber returning the sentiment as they finish their task with an armoire holding the wood logs in place before retiring to their own chambers.
“Sleep well, Scott.” Amber gives him a quick hug, Scott holding her tight before they separate.
“I shall see you in the morning for pancakes and hot chocolate, sweet dreams.”
“You too, and I’ll see you in mine!”
As their doors close Scott lets out a heavy sigh, fighting back against the sorrow that threatened to drown him he yet again reminds himself of what they had waiting on the other side of this, with even more precious stolen moments just like their outing today sprinkled in between the horrors. Pyro would get through this, he had too, they had their entire lives ahead of them still and Scott refused to accept a reality where the fire mage wasn’t at his side and growing up with them. It had been a delight to get to know the matured version of his friend, always pleasantly fond of when he saw familiar habits peek through too.
For now, he would rest. Tomorrow they’d make plans and face reality yet again, but at least tonight he could sleep with a heart warm with the idea that picnics like the one they had today would happen again in the future, among many other activities in the seasons ahead. After all, they were surrounded by people who shared those same ideals and were working towards the same end goal.
With all that might on their side, they would accomplish everything they have dreamed about and more. There was simply no other option but to succeed, Scott refused to let any of their endings be tragic ones. They would get through this, they had to. After all, if anything, for the inevitable visit back to Tegrith at some point in the future when they were done saving the world as they had been summoned to do. Scott refused to ever go back on his word and they had both promised to show Amber it one day, they would get through this dark night if only so they could face a brilliant dawn beyond it.
Fire, ice and healing banded together to do the impossible, and with their fellow Riders at their side they must continue to uphold the faith they would succeed. For his family, he’d do anything, including defeating the corruption, so the new future they faced was one free of that twisted evil and they could stand tall against whatever came next as a stronger team with that particular victory bolstering their resolve and strengthening their connections in a way only those who stood together through the worst would understand. For them, they'd accomplish the impossible and change fate, it was the least of what they could conquer together.