Out of the Desert (Dragonsong)

[Kalak8538]

The mood shifted in an instant. It was that time at last, the moment where the younglings were to be left behind to start their new lives.

The Zerdani's eyes became glassy as he looked on. How could this moment have come so soon? Although their time together was so short, it felt like an entire lifetime. Eihmo'tei cared so deeply for these young humans, yet could not bring himself to move and join them. He stood there, frozen in a heartbroken stupor. A single tear escaped from his eye.

[DragonSong]

Tala seemed to notice Eihmo'tei's distress first. With a small, squeaking sort of cry, she flung herself forward and wrapped her arms around the Zerdani's shoulders.

Kiara turned as the others followed suit, smiling sadly and keeping her hands on Perryn's shoulders.

"I'm not...staying?" the boy asked slowly, looking up at her.

Her lips twitched up on one side. "You can if you want. But we thought we'd take you back to Thanatos, try to find your village."

His eyes went very round and suddenly his arms were around her waist, face buried in her chest.

[Kalak8538]

Eihmo'tei nearly collapsed under the weight of the children that rushed him. His arms were pinned to his sides by the children's embraces, so he instead returned the sentiment by rubbing the side of his face on whoever was closest. This was what finally yanked the tears from his eyes.

It was unknown whether or not they would ever meet again. If they did, it was unknown how long would it be. It was this uncertainty that saddened Eihmo'tei the most.

[DragonSong]

Perryn quickly joined the group huddle, now that it was clear he'd be leaving his friends as well. They may be on the coast, but it would likely be hard for the children to see each other again once they'd been separated.

Kiara watched, feeling a little awkward with her arms folded around her body, biting her lip and clearing her throat every once in a while to hold back tears.

"Alright," she said softly after a few moments. "Come on, guys, we should be going..."

[Kalak8538]

Eihmo'tei followed obediently, but not without hesitation. Looking back, he did not see the young humans. Instead it was his tribesman standing there, bearing similar sad visages. The Zerdani blinked a few times until he saw the three younglings again. This slight vision, real or not, made sense. Eihmo'tei once again had to leave those he cared very deeply about. There would only be memories of their adventures.

The Zerdani walked back over, using his finger to direct attention to the glowing gem necklace around Tala's neck. He spoke one word in his native tongue: "Memory"

These necklaces were made from the gems found on their first day traveling together. In Zerdani culture, this meant they held the memories of everything that happened since. Both the good and bad ones. He slowly went to rejoin Kiara, finally ready to leave.

[DragonSong]

Kiara reached out, taking Perryn's hand in one of hers and Eihmo'tei's paw in the other. She gave a small and a nod to the children, then they were gone.

She led her two small companions to the edge of town where they would meet Kit.