What he thought might be just a small kernel of hope had quickly dispersed through Beqanna, much like a cluster of cottony dandelion seeds stirred into action by the softest movements. He had severely underestimated how many others were invested in Tephra’s reemergence. He actually feels slightly guilty for bringing them to the Mountain, for their reasons are far more profound than his own. Still, he can think of no better way to tempt her into at least speaking to him again.

He makes the journey alone today, having told the others that he would meet them here so that he might have some time to think along the way. He first recalls his meeting with the purple woman that became his inspiration. Her pure devotion to a land she was not only born in, but born of, and the beautiful descriptions she provided were the fertile soil he needed to begin cultivating the kernel. As he swoops lazily through the skies (a far less strenuous way to reach the Mountain’s peak than he’d previously used), he chuckles at the memory of her unique demeanor and hopes he has not kept her waiting too long.

His thoughts drift next to the one who watered and nourished the planted seed, who encouraged its rooting with her reminiscing over Tephra’s final years. He had been pleasantly surprised to learn that she had been its last queen, that she too would do as much as she could to see her kingdom restored. Laughter tickles his throat once more as he remembers the moment she divulged her parentage. The catalyst of his falling out with Adriana had been the mere mention of an innocent history lesson (okay, so he hadn’t mentioned that part) with another woman; how ironic that this throneless monarch should be that woman’s daughter.

The sun warms his face gently as he approaches the peak, giving him a boost of energy, much as his encounter with the young lilac-adorned girl vitalized the seedling sprouting within his heart. Like the others, she spoke so reverently of her lost home that he had little choice but to tell of his plan. Even if Tephra’s return were not enough to win back the sea siren’s affection, he felt that it would be some small consolation to know that this bright-eyed girl could again flourish in the jungle’s humidity.

Then there are the two young men that struck him as breaths of fresh air that carried untold possibilities within their sinless hearts. One, young and hungry for a sense of belonging in this world—something that he, himself, can relate to all too well. Perhaps these steadfast souls could offer the boy what he craves. He thinks of the other, a seemingly wholesome Tephran. Their conversation had been succinct, but it was enough to rouse a bit of admiration within his own chest. Already that one is the kind of man that he still might have the potential to become.

Finally, he considers the one he had not actually met. The dragon queen told him of her mate, the man who had been born to serve the very land that Assailant now seeks out, the protection a tender young shoot might need to survive. He knows little of the man, but he feels there is no choice but to leave his faith in her word that whether or not success is to be found, her king will rise to the challenge of retrieving his home from the murky ether of Beqanna’s depths.

At last, a glint of light off of purple metal captures his attention. Eager to begin, he hastily dives into his descent and lands lightly near her. He smiles broadly, excitement thrumming in sync with the quickened beats of his heart, filling the air with a nearly tangible crackle of electricity. “I never asked your name, but I am quite pleased to see you here.” His feet shift restlessly beneath him as he continues. “I am Assailant, by the way. Others are coming.” His head turns to the sloping terrain, anticipation sparking in his eyes. He has a good feeling about this.

Let’s hope he does not leave the Mountain in shambles yet again.

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware

--Martin Buber

He is not the same man that had originally brought this group to the Mountain. He had experienced such a violent swing in his emotions that it had scared him as much as it had confused him. From the excitement upon receiving the fairy’s quest on their first try, to the joy of completing his leg of the journey so quickly, to the frustration of going so long without catching even a glimpse of Adriana. All the way down to the anger and doubt that had begun to fester in their time apart, growing so much that he had begun to wonder if it was even worth attempting to restore Tephra to its glory.

But then a chance encounter brought them together and though it had taken some effort to banish the negativity he’d begun to associate with her, he eventually crumbled and had given her what she needed to crack open her stubborn heart to him. Yes, their reunion had a lot to do with his renewed dedication, but deep down, he’d ultimately known that he would have completed the mission even if she had destroyed every last piece of him.

After a (much needed) brief detour to the Meadow, they now stand at the base of the Mountain, gazing at the faraway peak. It does take an achingly long time to complete the grueling climb, but at the end, he is surprised to find that he is not nearly exhausted as expected. Perhaps it has something to do with the red and gold woman at his side. As he leads her to the clearing where the group had gathered, a gentle buzz of excitement vibrates in his chest. He still has not told her exactly what they seek here, as he is hoping their success will be spoken aloud and he will be able to witness her reaction in its rawest form.

As they come to a halt, he reaches for her, taking a moment to appreciate how the tropical blooms look among the seashells tangled in the ombre strands. He leaves one of the glowing flowers behind, then lays the rest gently on the ground before them. Having nothing else to do but wait for the others, he leans into her cooling comfort, idly toying with the ends of her mane.

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware

--Martin Buber