“Is it just me or is the sun starting to go down?” Jarix questioned as the pair glided above the craggy rocks of the eastern island. It was a stark difference from the rolling hills Bizmati called home. Tom had to work to remember that the keep was no more than an hour’s flight from the forest, and they had already circled back once now.

“You know… I think you might be right, it is starting to dim isn’t it?” Tom replied, looking towards the horizon where the sun had been obscured by clouds for quite some time now. But that the light was fading was undeniable at this point.

They had been clear of the forest for a while as well and they weren’t flying that high either. The air was warmer close to the ground after all, if only a little. 

“Fuuuuu. I’m gonna have my wings tied when we come home,” Jarix complained as he scouted the horizons.

“What, like, tied up behind the back of the keep?”

“Nah man, don’t you… Oh shit, no, you’re born a cripple. Wings tied, so you can’t fly away from the scolding you’re about to receive.”

“Aaahr I see. Yeah, I do feel like they might be less than pleased with us. Especially Zarko. But hey I’m a cripple, can’t be my fault.”

“Bro I’ve been this way before, like you said. But I ain’t got a clue where we are now. And when it goes dark? No chance.”

“Worst comes to worst we try again in the morning. Failing that, back to the mountains to ask nicely if someone is willing to help out. We might even be able to bribe them into shutting up about it.”

“I fucking doubt that. This is gonna be way too funny for them to pass up.” The dragon did still seem lighthearted about it. It wasn’t like Tom was liable to freeze to death, nor was Jarix. So far he had been doing well, but losing the direct sunlight to the clouds hadn’t done him any favors. He felt very cold to the touch and was certainly slowing down.

“You’re probably right there… I say we try climbing and look for light when the sun starts to set. Who knows? They might have a torch in the watch tower or something.”

“I guess. It’s gonna get so damn cold when the sun sets though man.”

“And no trees as far as the eye can see. So no fire either… Well I guess there is a little one over there actually.” Tom pointed to a small patch of green cover that seemed to definitely grow from a crack in the rock as they flew by.

“Yeah don’t remind me man. Urgh this is gonna suck.”

“Now now, ain’t over yet. Turn back for the forest, we definitely overshot again. Then we’ll see.”

Jarix did as instructed and Tom crossed his fingers. It wasn’t a disaster if they missed, but it would slow everything down by a day at least. And the dragon would of course be humiliated. Next time they would just bring that damn navigator even if she shouldn’t have been needed. Or just ask Fengi or someone else to help them out.

“Would be pretty dumb if we got pounced in the night, ey? Then we’d truly get our ears minced.”

“Not as bad as the wolf who tried it,” Jarix quipped back. “I wouldn’t mind a bit of fresh food.”

“I’m talking darklings and shit. They ain’t food… Right?” 

“Dude… no,” Jarix said, looking back at the human and shaking his head. “Gross… And with how much trouble we’re having, I don’t think they are island hopping just yet. Could you have made that trip today?”

“I mean maybe yeah. Wouldn’t be fun though, that’s for sure. And it’s dangerous. One surprise and you’ve had it.” 

“Let’s guess that they at least worry about their own safety. Whoever is in charge.” 

They glided along quietly for a while longer, watching as the light started to dim across the land. The clouds even lifted right at the lip of the horizon revealing the sun as it finally slipped beneath the island. It was beautiful actually. Had Jacky been here it might even be called romantic. Sadly he had Jarix for company instead.

“Think that’s enough? I can’t see shit now.”

“Oh yeah, landing will be fun won’t it? Very well, let’s try.” Tom sighed and the dragon pitched up, putting some effort into climbing up higher and higher. Tom scouted around for any sign of life, as did the young drake. And slowly Tom grew dismayed as he saw nothing but encroaching inky blackness as they climbed.

“Dude there!” Jarix then called out excitedly, Tom unable to see what the dragon had found. But as he leveled out, he got the opportunity. “Like uhm. Eleven o’clock. I think.” 

Tom strained his eyes, even lifting his goggles to make sure. On the very edge of the horizon he saw the tiniest of flickering yellow dots, all but imperceptible to his eyes. 

“Shit, you’re right.”

“We’re saved,” the dragon broke out in celebration. “I don’t have to sleep on the icy cold rocks like that bitch Yldril.”

“Only the best for our very own interceptor. Right, put some speed on you lazy fuck. We don’t wanna show up after they are all asleep.”

“ ‘Lazy fuck’ says the one laying down. Would you like the nap service in the net until we get there?” Jarix questioned mockingly.

“Ooooh tempting. I’ll think on that with a nice drink,” Tom replied, uncorking his water skin as the dragon decided a sprint was in order. It did make it very hard to actually get something to drink as Jarix flapped madly, entering a shallow dive. “On second thought. I think the bath service arrived. That went everywhere you arsehole!” Tom shouted out, laughing as he put the now empty waterskin back in its satchel and hunkered down.

“What, you expect refreshments too? Damn noble.”

“I have known luxury your kind couldn’t fathom,” Tom jested back as they raced towards the keep.

“I doubt that you hairy little goblin.” 

“Mah heart, mah soul!” Tom lamented as he hunkered down. It did not take long before the keep itself could be made out as the dim moonlight gained power over the night. 

They were all but on top of the small keep when a small white figure emerged, taking to the sky seemingly alone, flying towards them.

“Oh shit, we gotta greet em!” Jarix blared out as he flared to slow down quickly. 

“Oh shit right it’s dark they can’t see who it is. Oh I bet you someone shat themselves on guard duty.”

“Probably yeah, uhm. Right low and slow, show we’re not a threat.” Jarix did as he said, slowing right down and dropping to barely above the terrain, a position an attacker would of course never take. The white figure had circled the keep a few times, climbing steadily before turning to meet them. coming in from above and gliding down. 

“Hellooo!” Jarix shouted out towards the figure. As they closed in the moonlight it looked to be a guard of some description. A male.

“IT’S YOU TWO!” he called back down as he closed further, matching speed. “What are you doing out here so late?!”

“Been busy today. Took a little longer than expected,” Jarix lied as they glided along. “Can I come in?” 

“Of course! Give them a moment.” The dragonette turned towards the keep, and as he flew he rolled side to side, presumably an all clear signal.

A few moments later the door leading to the keep began to winch open, dim orange light pouring out like the golden glint from a treasure chest. Jarix gave them some time to get it truly open before he angled in for an approach. He touched down with grace and, ducking his head, he stepped inside as the door opened fully. 

There to welcome them was a gathering of dragonettes, some busy lighting lamps and torches to properly light the room as Jarix entered.

Leading the procession was Lady Deriva herself. The diminutive old woman’s height had been taken by age, though her smile was warm and welcoming as ever.

“Oh it is you two! Welcome, welcome. Quickly come inside, and shut the door for the cold,” the kind old lady broke out, coming forward, arms spread wide in greeting as Jarix trotted inside the rather smaller greeting hall than what they were used to. But he fit well enough being quite a young lad. 

“Yes, hello Lady Deriva. It has been too long. I am sorry we are so late. And didn’t throw a flag out,” the dragon apologised as he quickly cleared the door by turning his side to the lady and starting to lie down gently.

“Oh we wouldn’t have been able to see it anyway,” the lady dismissed him.  “And Luke said you were all quite alright.” 

“Brave of him to take to the skies at this hour,” Tom noted as he clambered down with grace, for once not making a fool of himself.

He walked up to the old lady, who had her arms wide for an embrace. Tom was more than happy to oblige by giving her a squeeze. For her age she held him surprisingly tightly in return before letting go.

“Yes, we thought we saw some blue and were quite hopeful. We did not think a lonely dragon would be here to cause any trouble. Least of all so late at night and coming from inland,” she replied in her warm caring voice.

“Well we are glad we did not scare you too much,” Jarix added with a smile as Luke snuck his way in under the closing door. 

The young man was wearing what charitably passed for armor. Tom spied a few new ragtag additions. Perhaps spoils of war added to the set following last year’s struggle. The helmet was too big, the spearhead was chipped, and it was clear the leather work, save the few bits of plate he had, was homemade and did not match the rest of it.

“Why are you all alone? And so late. Did you get lost?”

“Oh yes, just us. The huntresses are on their first hunt of the year. Camped in the mountains,” Tom clarified, neatly side stepping any notion they hadn’t actually been able to find the place as he looked around the hall. There were some familiar faces, and most were smiling, but there weren’t as many as he remembered. “We thought we would check in to see how you are doing. Then head home tomorrow.”

“Oh I see,” the lady replied, a hint of hurt creeping into her expression. “It has been a hard winter, but we are still here. We shall manage. How are things at Bizmati?”

“Oh we are doing well enough,” Tom half-lied. “Cold nights?” Tom questioned with concern in his voice.

Perhaps someone had gotten sick sleeping. Jacky and the others had talked about that. It was not unheard of. Especially if you were old. The lady herself looked to be in good shape and they had the healer Quin.

“Oh yes, very cold indeed,” the lady carried on with sorrow creeping into her voice. Something was most definitely wrong.

“Did you get attacked already?” Jarix blurted out, catching the lady off guard as she turned to face him.

“Oh heavens no. We haven’t seen a sign of those dastardly things since last summer… what makes yo-”

“Some of the roof gave in. Nataki is gone. She was the best huntress we had left. Except for Rekui,” Luke interrupted, either wanting to get on with it, or to spare his grandmother the pain of having to explain it.

“And she had just gotten better after all that terrible fighting last year. It was going to be a good year for her.” The old woman sniffed. “And we already lost so many.”

Luke put a hand on her shoulder to comfort his grandmother, who was evidently on the verge of tears. “All the visions we were given in the dead of winter. To help someone dying just beside you. And you cannot do a thing except for burn her when the thaw hits,” she lamented as she leaned into Luke, sobbing. “By Itova what has happened to us?”

Tom didn’t interrupt. He didn’t have anything cheerful to say. The news he brought was not very happy either.

“Is there something we can help with? I could maybe remove the old roof,” Jarix offered kindly, keeping his head close to the conversation.

“Huxley says we best leave it. We might make it worse. But water is leaking in. All the rooms below it are damp and cold,” Luke replied, still holding the lady. “We need to get a real carpenter to look at it, and Geogari did not survive the last year.”

“I don’t think it would be a problem to fly Kullinger out here,” Tom added. Said carpenter was mostly busy working on more and more defences at the moment. And they certainly had many already.

“That would be incredibly kind of you. We know you are working on all sorts of things. I am sure he is very busy, but if he has the time,” the young captain replied, all but giving the pair of them a bow.

“We did have another proposition as well. One to chew on,” Tom carried on. “You have had nightmares, yes? During the winter?”

“Yes, terrible visions. She thinks it was Nataki’s soul crying out for help as we slept.”

“You aren’t the only ones who’ve had those this winter. Sadly I don’t think it was just her.”

“Don’t tell me. Have you lost as well this winter?” Lady Deriva questioned, looking up from Luke’s embrace. “Who? How many?”

“None, the peril isn’t yet here. Or so Kullinger thinks. For once most people seem to believe him. The bastards are coming back. And this time we’re being warned, from above.”

There was silence for a moment as heads turned to look at each other. They then turned to Luke and the Lady. The young man, not much more than twenty years old by Tom’s reckoning, standing in his haphazard armor with a chipped spear in a broken and diminished keep. He lowered his head.

“We won’t survive that.”

“We know,” Tom echoed. “Thus the proposition. We marshal at Bizmati. Everyone under one roof. Those who can fight will fight. The rest will help however they can. We take everything worth carrying there as well. We have two dragons; it would not take very long.”

Luke looked to the old lady, whose gaze shifted between her grandson and the strange human.

“You want us to leave our home?” she questioned, a slight quiver to her voice as she stood. As tall as she was, she was still barely taller than Tom. “We haven’t left this place for generations.”

“I know, and you will come back. They aren’t going to kick us off this island easily. But we won’t be able to help you if it comes to that. So please, come with us and we’ll weather the storm together. Hylsdahl is already all but gone. Don’t make it two out of three.”

Tom did not want to push any harder than that. It was their decision. They could only plead with them, but he truly hoped they would take the deal.

There was silence as the Lady was alone with her thoughts for a moment. Then Luke spoke up. “We should go, Grangran. If we stay and they come for us, we will be finished. We almost were last time. What if it’s worse this time? If the gods themselves ar-”

“Quiet,” she demanded, not raising her voice, but she was obeyed. “This is our home, Luke. Your family’s home. If we abandon it, it might not even be ours when we try to return.”

“Oh it will be. We’ll see to that if it comes to it,” Tom reassured. “Worst comes to worst, I have a personal favor with an inquisitor. This is Deriva Keep. And that’s how that’ll be.”

“You speak of Joelina, do you not? We heard from those who traveled here that you have had… guests… Is she a good woman?” the lady questioned. It was clear it was not rhetorical either.

“… No, she isn’t. She is ruthless. Will do anything to get the mission done. Doesn’t care what or who gets in the way. But if she wants me to jump when she says so, we made it clear that requires concessions. And she doesn’t mind pulling strings to keep things on track. So take it as you will. Your home will be yours. Hopefully this will not be for very long. Afterwards you can get what help you need to fix the roof, find new recruits. Gods know we need some of those as well.”

The lady listened, slowly nodding. “I see… If you are wrong, Tom. And please do not take this wrongly. But we would lose everything.”

“It is a big island, Lady Deriva. If someone wanted to set up more keeps here, there is plenty of room. There is no need to pass over your bit of it. And to be frank with you, we much prefer people we know around these parts, if you take my meaning. People we know and can trust.”

“I suppose that is so… And Nunuk has never done wrong by us. Not even once. She is honorable, and strong of will.”

“Some would say stubborn as a goat,” Luke added, receiving a bit of a scolding glance from his grandmother.

“Don’t you dare say that to her face, or any of her children. Stubbornness is essential out here.”

“Of course, that is why the goats thrive. Oh yes, and thank you. We must say thank you for all the help you have given us. There is no way we could ever repay you. With what is left, was it not for you, we would all be starving right now. Or we would need to cull the whole herd. The herd you gave us. Thank you.”

“The least we could do. If you hadn’t borne the brunt of it last year we would have had to. But think on it. It is an offer, not a demand. We also brought a fresh goose, if anyone is interested.”

“It’s very tender,” Jarix added helpfully while nodding.

_________________________________________________________________________________

“Guuuuh it’s cold,” Fengi complained as they all lay snoozing inside the tent. 

No one wanted to get up. Least of all those at the bottom of the pile. Tom’s lovely tent had kept in some warmth, but when sleeping out in the cold, huddling for warmth through the night was still a preferred tactic.

“I miss my warm bed already,” Sapphire added in complaint. She had all but forgotten how terrible it truly was to wake up ice cold in the morning. But today they all got a lesson.

“Won’t someone go light the fire?” Phospheno questioned from the top of the pile. “I want some hot food.”

“You’re on top, get on with it,” Jacky rumbled, voice muffled by limbs and wings. “I am not getting up while you all laze on top of me.”

“You’re a big girl Jacky, think what would happen if you sat on Pho?” Sapphire jested, being rewarded with a bap to the head by the greenhorn’s tail. “Why can’t you hit rabbits like that?”

“Because they are much faster than you.”

“Strange, then how did I kill it?”

“Cheating.”

“Agreed,” Fengi joined, then Jacky, then Essy. 

“Pho, for the crime of striking a fellow huntress, you are condemned to fire duty. Go light the damn thing,” Dakota then ordered also from quite low in the pile.

Pho let out an exasperated sigh as Fengi started trying to push her off, giggling all the while.

Sapphire looked to the zipper thingy that made the door open and concentrated, within a moment it started to slowly move… Then it got stuck. She tried harder. She felt her heart beat in her chest and then let out a breath. ‘Defeated by the doorhandle… where’s that unicorn baby when you need her?’

Instead she reached out, stretching as far as she could to reach the zipper. With a few wiggles it came free and slipped open and, with her other arm, she assisted Fengi in pushing Pho out the door. The young dragonette sprung to her feet as her back touched the cold wet rock.

There were a few chuckles and some laughing while Bo stayed tactically quiet. It was no secret that seniority played a big role on who got to do the shit jobs when out on a hunt. At least their leader stayed with them, rather than donning some pretentious outfit just to see them off and then retiring to her chambers with a glass of wine like she did in Vulcha.

“We need Tom to make a portable hot bed… Do you think he can do that?” Fengi questioned as they all settled back in.

“I’ll be sure to ask him,” Jacky offered with a bit of a grumble. “Once all this shit is over.”

“Or we could buy one of those magic blankets. You know, like Rachuck’s powers.” 

“Gods that sounds nice… Dakotaaaa, can we get a blankie?” Jacky teased. Sapphire could feel her pushing against the gilded huntress like a very large, needy child.

“No Jacky, it would be hundreds of gold,” Dakota dismissed, without sounding too annoyed.

“But Dakota it’s cold outsiiiiiide,” she mocked in good humor. Sapphire wouldn’t lie, that sounded like a brilliant idea. If they could get their hands on one.

“Isn’t using a magic item while you sleep, like, a sure way to not wake up ever again?” Sapphire questioned, detecting a flaw in the otherwise genius plan.

“Oh yeah… Next time we don’t let Tom fly off. Put him at the bottom of the pile, like the fires burning under the bedrooms,” Fengi offered instead.

“Ain’t none of you lot sleeping on top of Tom,” Jacky protested, eliciting a few chuckles.

“But Jacky, it’s cold outsiiiiide,” Fengi parroted.

“I’ll turn you into a very fashionable coat. And then give it to Tom. I’m sure he’ll like it.”

“Of course, I have always been fashionable.”

“Fengi, we live in the bumcrack of nowhere. By the time we are told what the latest fashion is, it might be in again by accident.”

“Well the armor is timeless, tradition for the win… also the new uniforms. They are looking so very pretty.”

“I bet. With the amount of silk they better be special. Are they done soon?”

“I think a few of them are close, yeah. But you know, other stuff to do… how did your stuff for Tom turn out?”

“I worked on it a bit… Kinda sad it wasn’t ready for that winter fest thing he did. But I’ll get there.” Esmeralda coughed a little from the far side of the pile. “With Essy’s help of course.“

“Right you are… What is for breakfast?” the old silvered huntress questioned.

“We have some porridge, and we brought a little oil. We could fry some rabbit strips.”

“Sounds good to me, as long as it is nice and warm.”

_________________________________________________________________________________

Tom had been up bright and early wishing to go have a look around before anyone could get up to get in his way. He didn’t think they would try to hide anything, but he wanted to see for himself, without being told how things were. Lady Deriva struck him as someone who might embellish things to avoid coming off as needing any more help than was necessary. 

He walked through the cold, damp rooms of the western side of the keep. The doors were all held closed to try and keep the heat from escaping. Some even had tarps hung from the door frame or straw piled up against them to help with the insulation. 

‘This place is gonna be riddled with mold pretty soon,’ Tom thought to himself as his hand came away slick from the stone. At the top floor the damage was extensive. Twisted timbers, wooden roof tiles, and other random debris littering what had once been quite a nice bedroom. A room meant for the noble family of the keep. But with how many they lost last year, apparently the lady had seen fit to give it to one of the huntresses. 

A nice gesture. One she surely regretted now. 

The debris had been cleared away from the ruined bed. A smattering of blue still stained the sheets. They had clearly sealed this place off, no doubt by order of the lady. Tom knew they didn’t wish to disturb the collapsed structure. But who knew, maybe a good storm would rip the roof off all together if something wasn’t done. 

Tom knelt down by one of the snapped timbers. It was a mighty beam, not something that would break easily. The keeps were built to endure the winter alone after all, why hadn’t it this time? 

Picking at it, wood flaked off. It was rotten through, and not just a little. ‘It’s been wet here for a long time. Roof leak probably.’ Tom sighed. It was clear things were not as prim and proper here as they were at Bizmati. 

Perhaps they couldn’t afford it, or perhaps Lady Deriva was too soft on them. She seemed so very nice. Not the kind of person to whip her people hard, perhaps even if she should be some of the time. 

‘Send the work crew from Hylsdahl here to fix this first, then they may come to Bizmati… Or get a second crew I suppose. In the meantime Kullinger can have a look. A tarp over the top might do,’ he pondered, looking up at the hole, where the sky was starting to brighten. ‘Have to keep the water out.’

 The inquisitor’s words hung in his mind. She’d do anything to help them. If they stayed in line.

‘Like working on a nuclear sub in the Soviet Union… You get what you point at, but you better not slip up… I suppose it won’t hurt to ask. No way she wants this place abandoned: that leaves most of the island completely unguarded. Three keeps as it is is laughably little to cover this much land.’

Tom then heard the sound of claws on wood coming from the hallway behind him. Turning, he saw Luke hove into view. He looked solemn, but was smiling weakly.

“Pretty bad, ey?”

“Yup,” Tom replied plainly, throwing a glance at the bed in the corner, then he kicked at the rotten beam. “Rest of the roof doing any better?”

Luke’s smile faded. “A little… But not terribly much. Without snow it should be fine for another year.”

“Maybe,” Tom replied, looking up at the exposed structure above. “Why is it like this? Did you know it was rotten?”

“We knew the roof leaked. It’s leaked for years. We patch it as best we can. But the keep is old, Tom. And good wood is hard to come by.”

“Yeah, you’re short on both trees and dragons… Well we can fix that at least,” Tom carried on, determined to put on a brave face. “If it were me I’d get this replaced wholesale.”

Luke smiled weakly at that, giving out a soft chuckle. “I don’t think we can afford that, not with everything else. And we can’t just ask for charity. We will find a way, though. I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Oh quit beating around the bush. We don’t need you back on your feet in ten years, we need it yesterday. We will get it sorted out. Hylsdahl too for that matter. The island has taken one hell of a pounding, and we came off best. Besides, it’s not like we’re planning on spending our money to do it.”

“What, you think the crown will pay to fix our roof?” Luke chuckled, clearly joking.

“Damn right they will. Otherwise we’ll have to do it, and we really don’t have the time,” Tom replied as confidently as he could manage, putting on a strong face.

Luke stared at him for a moment, raising an eyeridge, looking rather confused. “You are one strange dude, you know that, right?”

“One of a kind it seems. Now, has your mother had time to think?”

Luke nodded slowly, looking like he was trying to gauge Tom. “Yes, that is why I came. She doesn’t want to be in here… She’s taken the offer. We’ll run. Couldn’t fight off a pack of wolves in our current state, let alone more darklings.” He looked ashamed to be saying it, but Tom got the impression he agreed with the decision.

“Very well then. Jarix and I have a date with some huntresses, and we have to take home their kills. But we will send Fengi and Yldril as soon as we can. Start packing. Should be done in a trip or two.”

“Yldril?” Luke questioned. “The black dragon slave?”

“That’s right, bound to Fengi’s will so where she goes, the dragon goes. She’s a piece of shit, but Fengi won’t let her raise as much as a uhm… talon? Against you.”

“Right.” Luke nodded as he processed. “I suppose we could give her some of your supplies for her trouble, not many can make a dragon do their bidding… Gods we’ve sunk far, haven’t we?”

Tom stepped up and put a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Chin up, you lived. If we’re keeping score, that’s one better than Hylsdahl. And you don’t go round thinking how they fucked up, do you?”

“Wha- No, no of course not they were-”

“As were you,” Tom interrupted. “If you hadn’t stood till we got here, we would have been in shit to the neck before autumn even arrived. You did your part. So now we lift together, because it sure as shit ain’t done. Now come on, I think it’s time to shut this door again.”