"No promises." Ricken said, returning the gesture.  "I'll make sure it doesn't happen." Goldenscale said.  Her ears kept on swerving around, catching sounds that no normal dragon would be able to pick up.

"Well, I happy you're back. We all missed you," Clair said,, "They wanted to say you were dead, but Ai and I wouldn't take that without proof."

"Somthing wrong Goldenscale," Talia asked quietly.

"I for sure was not dead nor am I now.  I hope I won't die anytime soon though." he said with an embarrassed laugh.

"No, I'm just making sure nothing does go wrong.  I'm at the end of my patience with everything involving the rogues and the like." she said with a frown.

"We figured you were still alive. There was no evidence you were dead or alive," Clair said, noticing Ricken's tattoo, "I see you made use of what the rogues gave you. We've taken quite a few down in these past few days, and they all had tattoos in the same shape as yours. Yours has a nice alteration though."

"Hopefully, you all won't have to deal with them anymore.  Goldenscale basically destroyed what remained or their growing army as well as their leader." he said with relief.

Goldenscale sighed and put a couple fingers up to her forehead.  She didn't want it to get out that both she and Tieral destroyed a giant army, much less that she almost died because of it...

"Sounds like Goldenscale is very much capable of defending herself, but that's a relief to hear. Maybe now the rouges will let up on their attempts to break into the cave," Clair said, rubbing up against Rickens flank, "If we have time, we might go and enjoy the festival. It just hasn't been the same without you around."

"It would be best if we don't say anything about how and what you and Tieral faced out there," Talia said, the very edges of her spell starting to unravel to show fur, "I'm just going to let my spell wear off. I have no reason to keep my real self in hiding. Now, that I'm accepted as myself, I might as well startphasing my disguise out."

Ricken smiled.  "That would be a great idea.  Finally getting time to enjoy myself instead of fighting and running for our lives.". He then licked Clair's cheek.

"Now why would I tell them?  I don't want to worry anyone.  Protecting everyone in the cave and the forest is my job.  Anything that even tries to get in will have to face me." she said with a frown.  "And anyways, I'm not even sure Shade is destroyed..."

Clair returned the lick. "So much has change since you've been gone. A lot of the shops have moved around, and a lot of the festival booths have changed their regular spots," she purred, "It'll be nice to relax after our final exam."

"I was speaking more for Tieral's sake. You took on no changes during that battle, Tieral lost most of his control over himself. If they learned of that, he'd be branded as a monster and driven from the cave," Talia said, an ear twitching as fur began to regrow on it, "No one other than you and me know of his control issues. I'd like to keep it that way."

"You must have been scouting out some  place with as much as you're whispering to Goldenscale," the instructor chuckled before looking to Goldenscale, "No matter, it has been decided. Ricken, Clair, and Larai will be taking their final exam this afternoon, just before the night booths open up."

"Wonderful." she said with a smile.  "I wouldn't speak of anything that happens in battles to anyone.  It would worry someone.  I also have to think about everyone and how it will effect them.  I have to do a lot of thinking." she whispered back to Ahnah.

"Yes it will be." he said as he stretched.  "Goldenscale, how about you join us when we go to the festival.  I hear it's your first." he said with an inviting smile.  Goldenscale looked away.  "I-I don't know.  Y-you should be able to spend time which your friends too..." she stammered.

"You brought Ricken back to us. As far as I'm concerned, you're a friend of mine," Clair said, looking to Goldenscale, "We can go as a group. Maybe even chalenge eachother to a few of the games."

"I have to agree with Clair, we might not know you that well, but you've already done enough to be considered a friend in my book," Larai said, "Besides, the festival is be enjoyed with friends. You can ask Tieral, Talia, and Metraz to join you. The more the merrier."

"I will." Frost says with a smile.

"Thank you," the woman said weakly, before collapsing there on the ground, her breathing shallow and pained. Several people from the crowd rushed to her. After looking her over, two picked her up, and headed towards Mayumi's shop.

Running into the academy, a public enforcer made his way over to the instructor and Goldenscale. "There's been and incedent at the council booth," he said, keeping his voice down, "A lady collapsed, most likely from malnutrition. There are two citizens taking her to Mayumi's shop. We need someone to find her and have her tell them what needs to be done."

"On it.  I shall be back." she said before bolting out the door.  She ran at her top speed, weaving around buildings and people.  She then made it to the cave, opening the door and going through the barrier.  "Mayumi, someone collapsed at the council's booth and they require your attention." she said.

"What is the cause of the collapse," Mayumi asked, looking up from a block of wood she was working on, "If I know that, I can get the right potion and you can take it to them. I'm not about to leave this nest unprotected."

"Malnourishment.  If you want, I can stay here and protect the eggs while you're gone." she offered.