[color=#9ea3a8]Mist drifted silently through the upper slopes of the western forests beneath the Sunspire Mountains, pale against dark pine and stone. Perched along a narrow cliffside overlooking the cloud-covered valleys below, Eiravelle watched the horizon in absolute stillness.

The Moonveil dragon rarely slept deeply this close to the border.

Ash-gray scales caught faint traces of dawnlight beneath the fog while cold wind stirred the feathered growth lining her neck and shoulders. Only the slow movement of her eyes betrayed that she was awake at all.

[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5659486]Caelis[/url] sat nearby against the stone, fastening the final straps of a weather-worn satchel while the scent of crushed herbs lingered faintly in the air around them. For several quiet moments, neither rider nor dragon moved.

Then distant wingbeats echoed somewhere above the clouds.

[i]Patrols.[/i]

Eiravelle lifted her head slightly, gold eyes narrowing toward the sound while silver mist curled briefly from between her teeth into the morning air.

Caelis rested a hand lightly against the rough scales along her shoulder.

[color=#8f3e4d]“You heard them before I did again.”[/color]

The dragon gave no response beyond a slow blink.

Far above, several shapes passed briefly across the growing light of dawn before vanishing once more into the cloud cover. Riders begin their morning watch.

For a moment longer, Caelis remained still, watching the eastern horizon slowly brighten beyond the mountains. Beautiful.

And troubled.

The feeling had spread quietly through the borderlands for weeks now. Villages quieter at night. Dragons more restless. Riders flying farther east before returning home.

Eiravelle rose first.

Massive claws scraped softly against stone as the dragon stepped toward the cliff’s edge, silent despite her size. Caelis stood soon after, adjusting the sheath at their side before climbing carefully into the riding harness settled between her shoulders.

Far below, the forests of Avalan disappeared beneath rolling fog.

Above them, dawn continued its slow ascent.

Without another word, dragon and rider stepped from the cliffside together and vanished soundlessly into the clouds.[/color]