Sunbeam Lair Wyvern

Quick lil optional meeting to get everything established & settled!! <3 Rounds will be 3 days

Stepping beneath the tattered ceiling of a hauntingly familiar cavern, Reverie called out to her companions — to the scout @Gossamer, the guardians @Hunst and @Hōkūlani, the strategist Gemini who lingered behind too often for her liking. This had been the place of her undoing, once.

The gilded woman lifted her chin proudly as she waited for those who would answer her call, masking the weariness with determination. They'd promised to follow her, each of them. However far it might take them from their homes; however long it might be before they turned back for familiar lands. Maybe some of them never would — but she couldn't let them see how these thoughts kept her awake each night. They weren't here for her sake, anyway. They all had something to die for.

We all have something to live for, too, she reminded herself tiredly, and her gaze drifted briefly to the fractured ceiling.

When Hunst heard Reverie's song through the air, carried by the winds, it didn't take him long to find her. He was never far, always lingering close by at a comfortable distance— for her sake, anyways.

She sat there proudly, head raised as she looked down upon him. Hunst would say nothing, instead opt for a small grunt as he emerged from the bush, waiting to hear if she'd have anything important for him to know.

He was a Sea-Snake afterall. Through all the shit they've been through, this was the last task he'd need to complete before going home. Home. How he missed the scent of salt, the toilsome tides. But most of all, he craved peace. And that's what they were looking to accomplish.

Haze heard the call and was quick to respond. She hadn't been far - she never was, yet tilted her head to let out a song, reassurance that she was here.

The girl nearly skipped over to the pair waiting, her tail held high. She knew that their cause was dire, yet the fact only gave her more reason to remain in high spirits. If she didn't, who would?

Taking her spot near Hunst she briefly looked up at the man, a silent starry-eyed greeting to his contrastingly stoic nature.

In his time away from the prying eyes of the others, Gemini mapped the lands and detailed what would one day become his reports to Basil. The Rising Sun Valley: a place of valleys and forests, a crowded feeling compared to the stark coastal stretches of his home. Casco Bay felt impossibly far when he looked into the distance.

He thought nightly of Jewell Island, of turning away from the others and returning to his kin. Yet each time Reverie called, he answered. It's in the blood, Basil had said, and River will know it as well as I. Gemini saw it now in the proud tilt of her chin; he saw Atlas, and wondered at it. What kind of woman set out to kill her own father?

His eyes glittered as he settled alongside the others, eager to learn.

The ambassador led her colorful band further from the bay day by day. Week by week. They travel in a purposeful stride through unfamiliar territory. Strange lands Gossamer had only heard from the hushed slurry that came from the occasional stranger’s tongue.

Now look at them; thrust into stories these travelers told with such suddenness. The thread that weaved the five together was not the same that wove a typical nomad’s book. Misshapen in form, unfurled at its end. Their group was led down an uncertain path.

Some may find fear in this uncertainty. Some cower from the new. Gossamer was drawn to it with bated curiosity.

A gentle hum came from the gem-dancer’s throat as they fiddled with the flora of this cave. They'd been taking note of each herb they could see when a call from Reverie whisked through the air, taking them away from their study.

Gossamer was the last to arrive at the meeting. Hōkūlani looked to the golden woman with a glitter in her eyes, alongside Gemini, who surprisingly held a similar gaze. Hunst had all the stoicism they had come to find familiar in their journey.

They found their place amongst the others, tucking their tail neatly at their paws before giving their full attention to Reverie.

No posting order, next round on the 3rd <3

Reverie watched as each of her followers filtered in to answer her call. She offered an encouraging look to each of them, though she felt carried away by errant thoughts; they were all so different, these wolves who had chosen to follow her, and she wondered how she could ever keep them united. Perhaps that was some secret of war: the ability to unify, a sort of bloody glue to bind them.

She hoped so, anyway, or they were doomed. When the others had settled, Reverie took in a breath to address them. Once we cross these mountains, things will change. We'll be working for potential allies - not just traveling together, like we have, This had always been their goal, but Reverie worried sometimes that it had been lost in all the traveling. I don't know what they'll ask of us. I don't know how long it will take - and I don't know how long we have before my father sends someone after us. Maybe he already has.

Gossamer - I'd like you to cross the mountains ahead of us, find a path. Gemini, you'll backtrack and look for any sign of Sunfil on our trails. When you've both returned, we'll set out.

And we'll pray this isn't all hopeless. But to who, she wondered; Reverie had never known a god that didn't falter and fail in the end.

There comes the beginning of the end to their subtle tranquility with Reverie’s words. Her presence here would beckon her father and his ever-growing group to them, thus the task at hand came hurriedly knocking at their door.

Gossamer had to admit to the joy they found in their band’s size. There came a simplicity in small numbers. However they felt a buzz of anticipation at the thought of meeting new souls, unfortunate circumstances aside. Perhaps they'd find one on this scouting mission?

Gossamer bowed their head with grace. As you wish. They rose with a soft smile.

Hunst stood a few paces behind her, his presence steady and shadowed as her words filled the space. He observed the wolves gathering, each one casting looks of loyalty or curiosity, and each returning Reverie's gaze. She spoke with a quiet resolve, an edge of uncertainty woven into her words, yet she held them—all of them—focused on her every command.

He noted the determination in her eyes, the firm lines of her posture. Every detail, every glance she spared to each wolf in her charge, told him of the courage she might not yet recognize in herself. The shadow of her father loomed still, a ghost between her and full certainty. But it hadn’t stopped her from stepping forward, from holding her own place of leadership here and now.

He kept his silence, remaining at her side, watchful and resolute. She might doubt herself, and she might question her strength, but it was there, plain as daylight. As they prepared to cross the mountains, Hunst knew he’d follow her wherever this journey led, until she saw it as clearly as he did.

Hokulani tapped her paws as she listened, eager to receive instruction - eager to please. Her job would be simple - to stay by the side of Reverie, but she wished to hear the words herself.

Ears perked and tail waving high, she looked up at the woman and waited.