Chapter One: Spring

A white light flickered on the plains of Northern Caine Kingdom, south of it’s capital, Kylado. Magic tingled in the air, and suddenly the light vanished, leaving behind a blond-haired man, and red-haired woman, a green tiger with orange-gold stripes, and a small, floating mage.

“Whoa, quite a trip,” commented Adam, the prince of Eternia.

“We could’ve had to fly in on Natar,” joked Orko the Great as he looked around.

“I don’t see any of your friends,” Teela commented. “Are you sure it’s today?”

“Zentarou said to arrive one day after he signaled,” replied Orko, remembering the promise the Bretheren Arcanum had made to each other one year ago. “Trolly-Molly, maybe we’re the first, or the last, to arrive.”

“Well, lets find Kylado and we’ll know for sure.” Adam looked around, then chuckled. “Whichever way it is from here.” Suddenly a sphere of blue light zinged over Cringer’s head, right between his ears, and whirled around Orko dizzyingly. Cringer yelped and hid behind Adam’s legs.

“Wh-wh-what’s that?” he shivered. Orko laughed.

“I’d know that sphere anywhere! It’s Dregan’s!” They looked around and finally saw the ash-colored elf and his family riding up on some huge beast. It was much, much larger than a horse, with green fur, a tiger-like face only with a slightly longer muzzle, a pair of horns - also green but covered in gold runes - that curved down the sides of it’s head and then outwards. A slender leonine tail was tipped with a scorpion-like stinger, it’s paws sported massive claws, and it’s front teeth were protruding saber fangs.

Once more Cringer, well, cringed, as they rode up, and Dregan agily hopped to the ground.

“Orko! It’s great to see you!” The pair clasped wrists fondly.

“Trolly-Molly, it’s great to see you too! But what’s that?” He indicated the beast. Dregan laughed.

“I forgot! None of you ever saw him in this form.” The beast made a noise that sounded like chuckling, if something like that could chuckle.

Maybe this will refresh your memory, came a deep voice in everyone’s minds. The beast cleared it’s throat, and said, in a deep tone, “Mew.” The two dunedi children on his back giggled. Orko blinked.

“That’s one of the Nimpits?” Dregan nodded.

“It’s Elfalon, in what we call a Demon form. It’s how Nimpits fight.” Elfalon almost seemed to smile, if something that obviously powerful and borderline intimidating could smile, and happily flicked his tail back and forth. “I haven’t seen anyone else yet. Have you?”

“No. You’re the first Bretheren we’re run into.” Just then there came a white flash from the side, and the group from Gaia appeared.

“Vivi!” Dregan shouted, waving. The little Black Mage waved back and jogged over to them, tripping once en route. Dregan chuckled as he reached them. “How are you?”

“Fine now, but a little while back there was a plague!”

“Trolly-Molly, something strange happened to me too.”

“Lets wait until we’re with Zentarou,” suggested Dregan, nodding a greeting to Vivi’s kids, Zidane, Garnet, and the rest.

“Where’s Kest and your family?” asked Vivi.

“They’re coming. Kest as a strange animal he’d never seen before and ran off to see it up close… and so Astrahna and Sovyss followed… so Quatrill had to follow too… and then the rest of the kids ran off… Well, you get the rest.” He chuckled. “I’m not worried though. Kest could track you, Orko, across flat rock, two months behind you, during a snowstorm.” That got a laugh, and soon enough the rest of Dregan’s family joined them. Introductions were made to acquaint the groups, and they began to walk together. It soon became apparent that there were distinct groups even within the groups. Of course the Bretheren asked together. Kest and Zidane became fast friends and were soon chatting in their animated way. The woman grouped together, while Steiner, Evarion, Adam, and Cedras more or less walked in silence, just taking everything in. And the kids instantly formed a tight knot, laughing and darting about in classic kid fashion. Elfalon, no longer needed as a mount, reverted into his smaller form and leapt to Dregan’s shoulder, from which he climbed into the mage’s backpack as the sounds of the frolicking and mewling of several more Nimpits could be heard.

“Elfalon’s mate and pups,” Dregan explained at the several curious looks. “I’ll dig them out in a more secure area.”

“When he does,” Vivi joked, “hide any dangling belts or tails.” Those aware of the joke, namely the Bretheren and Dregan’s family, laughed a bit but the rest just looked confused, especially Zidane who was looking back at his tail.

Soon they found the road, mostly doe to Kest’s suburb ranger skills, and easily headed north to the city of Kylado. Within minutes the walled city was reached. And seated comfortably on the wall, legs dangling like a little kid, sat Zentarou. He waved when he saw them.

“Welcome, Brothers!” he shouted. They waved back, and Zentarou, with a clearly mischievous look, hopped off the wall. Everyone gasped in surprise, but the cat lightly floated down to the ground.

“Feather fall!” Dregan laughed, realizing what spell he’d used, as the cat jogged over.

“Glad you all were able to come,” he greeted.

“Wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” responded Vivi. “But I was wondering, why did you want us to bring everyone, and why meet here?” Again Zentarou’s expression was mischievous, as was the twinkle in his blue eyes, as they approached the front gates.

“I thought it would be the most enjoyable,” he said as the two guards opened the gates for them, “for everyone to get a change to enjoy the Kylado spring festival!” Everyone gasped again as they saw the beautiful city made even more lovely by the garlands of flowers and ribbons and streamers everywhere. Booths sold food and drinks and sweet treats or sponsored games, and people - Sir’Kai, human, and elf alike - were all out enjoying the fun and fellowship of the day.

“C’mon!” Zentarou encouraged. “Lets all have some fun!”