"Absolutely not," Apex began, shaking his head firmly. "It's one thing to observe it here, another entirely to try and transport a wild, unknown creature back across the ocean. It's too risky. For it, and for us. What if it carries diseases? What if it can't survive the climate change?"
"But Apex!" Peyote pleaded. He lowered his voice slightly and dipped his head, trying a different tactic to convince him. "It's so intelligent looking. Like Caliche said. Maybe it could even learn things! Imagine having a Cloth Monkey that could, like, fetch you berries! Or polish your scales! A little friend!"
Vireo almost snorted at that last suggestion, but he kept quiet. He was torn. The idea of taking it back was crazy, but the thought of leaving it, especially with the knowledge of other, possibly less scrupulous, dragons around, felt wrong too.
"It's tiny," Peyote pressed on, seeing a flicker of hesitation in Apex's eyes. "It wouldn't be any trouble! I'll take full responsibility! I'll build it a little house! I'll find it the best fruits! Please, Apex? We came all this way for an adventure, for something new. This is new! This is the newest thing ever!"
Apex looked from Peyote's pleading face to the small, terrified creature, then to the thoughtful expression on Caliche's snout, and finally to Scoria, who was looking away, as if to say 'this is your mess.' Boulder just grumbled.
Vireo could see the internal debate in Apex. The leader in him screamed caution, but the explorer, the part of him that had agreed to this risky trip in the first place, was clearly intrigued. He rubbed his snout thoughtfully with a foreclaw, his golden eyes still fixed on the trembling creature in Peyote's grasp.
"It's not just about building it a house, Peyote," Apex said, his voice still heavy with consideration. "What if it can't eat our food? What if the air in the desert is too dry for it? What if it's got some kind of jungle disease that could spread to us, or worse, back to the kingdom?" He glanced at Scoria, who nodded grimly in agreement with his concerns. "We know nothing about it, other than it wears cloth and likes fruit."
Peyote's face fell slightly at the continued resistance. "We could be careful! And it's so little, Apex! How much trouble could one little Cloth Monkey really be?"
"Famous last words," Boulder said from the back, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Apex's gaze settled on Vireo, who had been observing the debate with a thoughtful, almost worried expression. "Vireo," Apex said, his voice a little softer. "You're usually pretty level headed, despite being Peyote's partner. What are your thoughts? Beyond your mother grounding you into the next century."
Vireo swallowed, the humid jungle air suddenly feeling very thick in his throat. All eyes were on him. Peyote's were wide and pleading, Caliche's were analytical and curious, Boulder's held a glint of mischievous anticipation, Scoria's were unreadable, and Apex's were serious, awaiting a thoughtful response, as well as Barchan. He could hear the tiny, trembling body of the Cloth Monkey still held in Peyote's grasp.
Vireo looked from Apex's stern, considering face to the trembling bundle of cloth and fur in Peyote's talons. The little creature's rapid, shallow breaths were visible. He thought of the pot shattering on his own head earlier that day, the disorientation, the sudden shock. This creature was experiencing something far more terrifying.
"Apex," Vireo began, his voice steady, his gaze meeting his. "I understand all your concerns, truly. They're valid." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "But look at it." He gestured with his snout towards the creature. "It's clearly young. It was all alone. Perhaps it wandered off, got separated from its troop, its parents. We don't know."
"This is against my better judgment," he rumbled, the sound like distant thunder. "A hundred things could go wrong." He fixed Peyote with a stern look. "If we do this, Peyote, you are entirely responsible for its immediate care and containment. If it shows any sign of distress we can't manage, or if it poses a threat, we release it immediately, no arguments. Understand?"
Peyote practically vibrated. "Yes! Yes, Apex! You won't regret this! Don't worry, i'll be so careful! Thank you!" He beamed, cradling the Cloth Monkey a little more gently. "It's really cute."
"Alright then," Apex said, shaking his massive head as if to clear it of lingering doubts. "We're taking the most direct route back, and we fly high and swift. No detours, no sightseeing. Our priority is to get off this island and over the ocean before we encounter any more hunters." He gestured towards the direction they'd come from. "Peyote, find something to secure that creature. We can't have it wriggling free mid-flight."
Peyote looked around , then his eyes fell on a broad, tough leaf from a large nearby plant. He began to craft a makeshift pouch, gently tucking the still-trembling Cloth Monkey inside, leaving a small opening for air. He then secured this leafy bundle carefully around his neck.
"Let's move," Apex commanded, already turning towards the beach. "Single file, quick pace. Boulder, you're still on rear guard. Caliche, you and Scoria flank me. Vireo, Barchan, with Peyote in the middle. We need to leave when there are no other dragons in flight."
"We'll have to fly in a big arch, so that no hunter sees us coming back when they're on their way to the island," Barchan added.
Apex and Scoria nodded. Apex said, "that's right. We should roll now."
Reaching the edge of the jungle, the white sand of the beach stretched before them, the turquoise water beckoning. The sky was clear, no sign of other dragons. The tablets they'd found would be examined closer another day; right now they needed to get back as quick as possible. The arch that they would take will also add time to the flight back.
I'm going to be sore after this, Vireo thought to himself.
"Oh yeah!" Peyote blurted. "I'm ready to get out of here!"
The dragons lined up, wings flexing. Peyote clutched his leafy bundle carefully. Vireo took a deep breath, the salty air filling his lungs. He spared one last glance back at the dense green of the jungle. With a coordinated beat of powerful wings, they surged into the air, climbing rapidly, leaving the island behind them. The expanse of the ocean opened up, a shimmering blue.
They ascended. The wind roared past Vireo's auditory canals, a constant, thrumming sound. The island faded away as they flew further.
"Maintain the arc!" Apex's voice boomed, cutting through the wind, though it was slightly strained by the effort of their climb and speed. "Keep your spacing! Barchan, your trajectory is a little wide!"
"Trying to avoid your tailwind, Apex!" Barchan said, though his adjustment was immediate.
Heading further out to sea, they would begin to angle back towards the mainland. So they could circumvent the direct path any Ventifact hunters might take to or from the island. Vireo felt the added strain in his wing muscles almost immediately.
Hours seemed to pass, marked only by the shifting position of the sun, now beginning its slow descent towards the western horizon. Vireo's scales felt gritty with salt spray, despite their altitude, and a dull ache had settled in his shoulders. He glanced at Peyote, who was flying with a determined expression, one arm occasionally touching the leafy bundle at his neck with a gentleness that was almost comical.
Caliche, her bronze scales catching the sunlight, tilted her head. "Something in the distance. West-northwest. Single flyer, moving fast, lower altitude." Her violet eyes were narrowed to slits, focused on a point Vireo couldn't even discern.
A ripple of unease went through the formation.
"Ventifact hunter, most likely," Scoria grunted, her dark scales blending almost perfectly with the deeper blue of the higher sky. "They're cutting across our intended path, but much further in."
It was then that Peyote let out a small, distressed yelp. "Apex! Something's wrong!"
Vireo looked over. Peyote was fumbling with the leafy pouch at his neck. The small bundle was twitching erratically.
"What is it, Peyote?" Apex's voice was concerned.
"It's the little guy!" Peyote cried, his voice laced with panic. "He's gasping! And he looks cold!" He managed to peek into the pouch, his face paling. "Yeah, I don't think he's doing to well."
They dove, the wind screaming past them as they descended altitude. The cold receded, replaced by the familiar warmth of the lower air. Vireo felt his lungs expand more easily, the ache in his wings momentarily forgotten in the rush.
Peyote, looking immensely relieved, was cooing softly at the leafy bundle. "There, there, little one. Better now? See? Warmer." He risked another peek. "He's breathing better, Apex! Not gasping anymore!"
Finally, after what felt like an entire lifetime of worry, Barchan let out a cheer. "Land! I see land!"
"We're almost there!" Caliche called out, her voice rough but full of relief. "Let's find a quiet spot to land, away from the main pathways."
They flew along the coast for a very short while. Finally, Apex signaled, and they glided down towards a little cove, hidden by tall rocks.
Their claws touched solid ground. A collective groan of relief went up. Dragons stretched their aching wings and sore necks. Barchan flopped right onto the sand, panting.
"We made it," Scoria breathed, shaking out her dark wings. "I didn't think that last hour would ever end."
Peyote, despite his own tiredness, immediately fumbled with the leafy pouch around his neck. He carefully peeked inside. The little Cloth Monkey was still, but its chest was rising and falling in even breaths. "He's okay!" Peyote whispered, relief making his voice shaky. "He's really okay!"
Apex nodded, looking utterly spent but satisfied. "Alright, team. Good work. Everyone head home, get some rest. We earned it." He looked pointedly at Peyote. "And you, get that little one somewhere safe and warm. Caliche will want to check on it tomorrow, I expect."
The dragons began to say their goodbyes, each one eager to reach their own homes.
Vireo walked over to Peyote, who was still gently stroking the leafy pouch. "You better take good care of him, Peyote," Vireo said with exhaustion. "That little thing is counting on you."
Peyote looked up, his eyes shining despite the dark circles of tiredness under them. "I will, Vireo! Don't worry! He's going to have the best home ever."
Vireo managed to make a smile. "See you later then." He turned and launched himself into the air one last time.