Stars litter the sky like freckles sprinkling over the surface of the fairest of skins, releasing a silver sparkle and holding the secret that only the moon and a collection of selected people were privy to. Indigo dancing crystals mark a cobbled path, gnarled with forgotten roots, pushing up the paving stones, the light from the crystals calls like a beacon guiding the way home. A gentle, magical wind sways at the backs of the visitors who delve the blackened woods, pushing them onward with an almost playful manner. Mischief is in the air and the woods seems to hunger to let the walking visitors in on its secret, leaving an excitement buzzing in the up-drafts.
Pressing across a babbling brook and following its silver slither, sooner or later the crowd comes to a hidden building that stands proud and old in its foundations. The lazy light of the moon and the yellow lights of fireflies brings to life the elven home of the Thalassian Skyguard - Mistbrook. White washed walls stand straight with pillars of chipped gold and a crimson roof with glass missing at the window at its crest. But beyond this, there is something charming about the unfinished building, once a ruin and now like the woods, life being breathed back into it. A bright arcane light rises towards the sky from the middling platform where the sounds of familiar voices can be heard, summoning the guests up a nearby ramp and forgoing the open door to the officers ground floor rooms.
Clambering up, the Gilded Blades and a few sparse others are greeted by a platform made entirely of arcane glowing gems set in between cobblestones, forming the shapes of several Dragon-hawks dancing around the perimeter of the platform that encircles the building. Stepping forwards the Blades could see to the side two braziers have been set, unlit and empty, the smell of fragrant sandalwood fills the air from large burning incense pillars either side of the braziers. Welcomed inside by fellow comrades everyone is invited to help themselves into the middle floor communal room which has been laid out with a spread of fine foods, cooked to perfection by Ashleaf and Ranthos and drinks with no expense spared as though someone else had paid for it. Unknowingly.
Captain Autumnvale moves to stand between the braziers, his eyes moving to the large disc in the sky, inhaling deeply as the wind tousled his hair before turning his form to smile at the guests and colleagues. âLadies and Gentleman, the flight of colours is about to begin. If I can have you all please come stand together, Skyguard up front in rank order, everyone else a well measured step back so you can see.â
âWelcome. It brings me great joy to see so many new faces in the ranks today as well as so many friends and family who have come to watch and support those who are being celebrated tonight. In just a moment, we will start tonight off as is tradition - with the flight of colours. A ceremony in which we release the Rookery of all our Dragonhawks, from hatchlings to adults, guiding them to the sound of music. Afterwards we have a busy schedule with promotions, people receiving ace names and bonding where two of our Cadets will be chosen by two Dragonhawks, for the rest of their time together.â
âI think I speak for all of us in the Skyguard tonight when I say this is a special evening, one thatâll mark the peak of a fliers career and the precedence for future fliers. But it is made twice as special for the people who have come to celebrate with us. As I said, weâve a lot to get through tonight so I wonât go on about what the flight of colours is. As alwaysâŚit is better to show you.â
The Captain turns and takes out a small metal instrument which he hits to the side of the brazier beside him, causing the instrument to vibrate and quake with an arcane aura surrounding it. Soon a sweet melody with a strange fluted roundness to each note calls out and visibly before Deâvontae, swirls of natural green energies begin to release like ribbons from the item. The music rises and fallsâdeep lulls and glorious crescendos, trills begin to form a song that is wrapped with long pauses, as though waiting for an answer. The way the audience is positioned, theyâd be watching the ribbons lead out over the edge of the platform and to the landscaped view of Eversong beyond. Over the river, and up towards the Waterfall on the right.
Moments pass before it happens, in one of the inset pauses of music a gentle cry of answer comes back. The noise repeats the melody of the song. If you had thought you had imagined it or missed it, it happens again, unmistakably with each pause. If you listen hard, you could swear the sound is coming from the east.
An arrow formation of shadows dart out of the spray of the waterfall faster than a bullet, diving and keening down with the falling water towards the river below. A whooping sound of a birds cry followed by a unified roar can be heard as the figures snap open wings, arching up with a show of athleticism. These figures arch towards the sky and release plumes of flames that meet together to create a spark that they fly through, the heat of the flames can be felt from the platform.
The figures turn in the air and with a few beats of music, the wings of eighteen Dragonhawks can be seen beginning to synchronise, aligning together as they begin to fly forwards towards the platform of Mistbrook.
The moon gathers and the azure lights flicker shining onto the bodies of various Dragonhawks, all different in size, colour and shape, from reds, golds, greens, purples, pinks. These Dragonhawks are adorned in plated armour, each with a gilded name that can be read on their crests. Skylark, Cloudkisser, Ghost, Anâtelas, Keyo, Idrilla, Ignaeus, Sorelais, Austral, Tezani, Paskel, Rivatha, Stargazer, Vixra, Eurwen, Nymira, Cloudsinger, Galath.
A big thank you to the Gilded blades, Zarale Brackwater and Felicia for coming to the Skyguards ceremony and helping us celebrate the following awards and moments for the Skyguard members.
Vaelath âCantripâ Ashleaf, promoted to the rank of Sky Warden for outstanding dedication, compromise and continued support of the unit.
Iâlen âTalanasâ Lavellan, brevetted Lieutenant while Lieutenant Yasmyr âBanditâ Starglow is occupied in service of the High Home.
Skyguard Malâthadian DiresâVal, dubbed with the ace name: âFelreaver.â
Skyguard Leynwa Dewfeather, dubbed with the ace name: âDynamo.â
Adding to this shift in the ranks, the unit took the opportunity to commemorate a pair of elves who have, quite recently, stood out for their heroics and were yet to be recognised:
Sergeant Erivana âSavantâ Everstride, awarded with a Pinion in Bronze for âInspiring Heroics in the Skies of Hillsbrad.â
Skyguard Gaxxius âGallantâ Dreadstar, awarded with a Pinion in Bronze for 'Remarkable Valour in the Skies of Hillsbrad.
Lastly, the Skyguard is happy to welcome the newest members to make the rank of Hawkrider alongside their siblings, the newest War-Hawks:
Hawkrider Tayara Coldspark, bonded with the pure Red Emlen.
Hawkrider Daisy Deâmorae, bonded with the Blue-Red Aravel.