Act IV: Revelations
Autfaer Forest. The 30th of Dratma. Noon.
Fol Drakvrend Jihra
-Jahréim Greihart
Eigyys sat calmly.
To a dragon, three years felt shorter than a single human season, and the note he had received from his beloved son was a perfect opportunity to reminisce on the past.
Sitting silently in the glade where they’d first met, Eigyys allowed his thoughts to wander, alternating between wistful joy and fatherly concern.
Why a dark place, with a dark message in secret? He wondered.
What sorts of trouble might James be getting himself into, if stooping to secrets and shadows with his own father?
It was all quite unbecoming for a member of the Bright Sky… Though, Eigyys knew better than to reveal the note to any others. By ritual-law, his son’s life would be put under harsh surveillance if word of this meeting reached his kin.
As the noon chimes rang from Eigyys’ time-dial, James appeared from the forest shadows.
“Father… Thank you for coming.”
“What is the meaning of all this?”
“I… wish for a reckoning.”
“After three years… you now decide to break ritual-law? Explain.”
“I can’t… focus.” James sighed, shifting uncomfortably on the balls of his feet, “Not until the rift between us is repaired. I miss our talks. I miss… you.”
“J-… Son, the rift between us is only within your mind. I am proud of you, my son. And I always shall be. Of that you need no words or rituals to attest.” Eigyys assured, patting James’ shoulder lightly with his tail.
“Then… why?”
“The bonds of trust. The bonds of caring, of love. All more powerful than anything born of words, physical touch, or ritual. This lesson I tried for years to teach you, but perhaps our time apart was needed to get through that thick skull of yours.” He smiled, gently puffing out a halo of grey smoke.
James grinned at his father’s jest, ruefully nodding.
“What now, father?”
“ Abide by the code of the Bright Sky. Burn each law into your heart. Return to Heimlock. He is your Drakvrend. Until the gods allow, he and I shall never meet.”
“The gods allow? What do you mean?”
“A golden mount… Has a task from the gods. None may interfere. None. Under any circumstance.”