Chapter 22- The Triad's History

After everyone had finished dinner and the dishes had been done they all gathered in the living room.

"I will tell you the story of the Triad as I have been told. Each generation it changes a bit but I will tell you what my mother told me."
"Thank you Demetrius, I appreciate anything you can tell me." smiled Wrangler as she took a spot next to Ceara.

Long ago when there were no ponies on these land dragons were plentiful. They lived in peace and harmony with the other animals that populated these lands.When ponies first settled here they were in harmony with the dragons.For many years the two creatures lived as one big family, celebrating life with each other. One hundred years ago a tragedy happened to the young prince of these lands. The ponies turned to the dragons for help to find the young prince but when he was found the ponies turned on them. For you see when the young prince was found and brought back to the King and Queen they blamed the dragons. Of course this was not true so the dragons retreated to the mountains. Not content the King decided that the dragons should be exterminated for the crime.

Three young ponies did not agree with what the Kings thoughts so they took off into the mountains to warn the dragons of the danger coming to them. When the army arrived they found the dragon nest empty and thought they had departed from the lands. After a few years the dragons sent three of there kind back to try and reason with the ponies.

For many days and nights they dragons and ponies debated over the tragedy. When the King asked why the dragons left they informed him they were told by his own kind about the attack. This outraged the King, he demanded to know who they were but the dragons would not tell him. He sent a notice out to the town that these ponies were to come forward for there act of treason against the kingdom. A few days passed and no one had come forward and the King grew angry, he ordered the guards to go into the town and find them by any means necessary.

When word spread through the village of what the King had ordered the ponies came forward, not wanting any harm coming to anyone. The King asked them why they turned against there own kind, they answered that they knew the dragons did not kill the dragons. The King ordered them to be taken into custody and placed in the dungeon. The dragons were pleased that these ponies had protected them from wrong doing and asked that they be given to them. The King was not happy with this plan but his advisor consulted him to let them go as long as they stayed in the mountains. The dragons agreed to stay in the mountains until the issue was settled.

Once the dragons had left with the ponies they headed to the nest in the mountains. The dragons told the ponies they appreciated their loyalty and told them in return they would make them there guardians. The ponies were honored that the dragons would do this and decided that since there were three of them the name Triad would fit best for them. These ponies were an Earthling, a Pegasus and a Unicorn. For days the Triad and the dragons debated with the King but his advisor would not let him agree to piece with the dragons. One the fifth week of debates the King's advisor told the King they should destroy the dragons and there protectors.

Unknown to the King and his advisor the dragons and the Triad had learned about special powers they had when they were united with one another. When the King's army attacked them they fought bravely until only a few soldiers were left and retreated to the King. After of hours of debating with his advisorthe King decided to leave the dragons and the Triad alone knowing he could not defeat them. He sent a message to them saying that he would leave them alone but neither group were to step foot into the kingdom. One of the dragons took the news back to the other dragons and it was decided that the dragons and the Triad would stay in the mountains and watch over the Kingdom until they had won there trust back. They would train together to strengthen the new powers they were discovering.

After a few years had passed the Triad decided that they need to have descendants to watch over the dragons since the dragons would out live them. Over the years the Triad would pass on this story to each generation, warning them of what transpired in the past. When Wind Drifter, Sita and Dorinda were the Triad they decided that they need to bring fresh blood into the Triad line. Wind Drifter announced he would be going far away to see what other ponies he could find, sadly he never came back. went across the sea and found love in a small village sending his descendant back when he was a teenager. No one is sure what happened to him but we do know he is a unicorn. I found love in the village but only because Ceara's mother didn't care who I was or my past.

"But what about the dragons?" Wrangler asked
"They were in a deep sleep for quite a few years. Bita and Alastir left to find there members of the Triad. Sadly Alastir never found my mother and I have not been able to link to him but now that you and Talis are linked we will be able to find him. Talis will have to go more in depth with what happened to the dragons."
"What about Bita?" Ceara asked
"Once you find the third member, the dragons will be able to find her. You see the dragons will be in a deep sleep until the blood line of the pony linked to them is found."
"How are we linked?" Wrangler asked
"Talis is linked to you because he is an air dragon, Bita is a dragon so she is linked to the unicorn and Alistar is fire so he is linked to the earth."
"Oh I get it" both the girls said in unison.
"How do we find this third member?" asked Flameblade
"The girls need to find Alistar first but I imagine Talis and Wrangler will need to work on some of there power first so they can find him."
Wrangler looked out the window to see Talis looking in at them.
"What does he mean by our power?" "You will find out soon enough Little One, I will tell you everything once we are use to each others presence." "Okay"
"I would suggest that you and Talis stay here instead of the place. There is more room here for him to move and I still don't trust the village and its people."
"Times have changed and the ponies have too." Ice Crystal stated.
"You may believe that but I don't" he turned and looked at Wrangler "I don't want to lose you or Talis just as we have found you."
"I have an idea" Flameblade spoke up "Wrangler the King and Queen will want to see you and Talis. We will return to the Castle to see them but Talis will fly back here that night. After a few days he will come back and get us. That way he is in no danger and I will be protecting you when he is not there."
"That is a good plan, please tell everyone that is what I will do."
"Talis wants to go with Flameblade's plan. Ceara will you look after Talis while I am at the castle?"
"Of course, it would be my honor to watch him for you." She smiled.
"It's settled then, we leave in the morning, get a good night's sleep everyone." Ice Crystal stated.
The boys headed outside to sleep in there sleeping bags, Flameblade paused at the door.

"You know Morning Star is going to miss you, if we don't go home soon."
"I know but I need to work with Talis and he will know when we are ready to be out and about in the world."
"I know but just remember she thinks of you as a sister and will miss you terribly."
"Flameblade at anytime you can go home once I have come back here to do my training."
Flameblade shook his head "No Morning Star wants me to protect you and that I will. Goodnight Wrangler."
"Nite Flameblade"
"Do not be sad Little One, we will go see Princess Morning Star, I would like to thank her."
"Thank her?"
"Yes if it had not been for her magic waking up your Pegasus blood line I would never have sensed you. Sleep well" "You too." "Wrangler, I'll show you to your room" Ceara motioned for her to follow.
"Ceara?"
"Yes Wrangler?"
"I'm glad we found each other it will be nice having someone else on this journey with me."
Ceara smiled "It will be nice, sleep well."
"You too" Wrangler entered the room and climbed into the bed, it was so soft and warm. In no time she was fast asleep feeling safe with everyone around her.

After breakfast the next morning, after breakfast approached Wrangler.
"Please be careful and if for any reason you or Talis feel uncomfortable please head straight back here."
"I promise" Wrangler smiled.
"Wrangler" Ceara approached her "I hope for a safe trip for you and I am honored you asked me to look after Talis. I will do everything I can to protect him for you."
"Thank you Ceara, I know you will do just fine."
"Will you be riding me today?" "If you wish me to, yes I will" "Then climb up and I will show you what flying really is" he winked at her "Oh really, well just don't drop me"
Talis gave a throat chuckle and then leaned down so Wrangler could climb on his back.
"Sit right ahead of my wings, you should be able to get your back legs around for a good grip. You will have to sit up while you ride me." Wrangler climbed up and did as Talis instructed her, finding it a bit uncomfortable to sit. "This feels weird" "It will get better over time, I promise."
Once she was as comfortable as she could get she cleared her thoart "I think we're ready."

Wrangler turned around and gasped "This is a glorious sight to see."
"Father?" Ceara asked confused.
"Once the Tirad is reunited then you both will understand the sentimental value behind this moment for me. Have a safe trip and come back quickly so we can start your training."
"I will see you two in a few days." Wrangler waved to them. "Ready boys?"
They nodded at her and Talis expanded his wings and pushed off the ground.
"Hold on tight." "Okay"
Talis pushed off the ground and took to the sky.
"Whooooaaaa!"
"Having fun?"
"Yes but it's a bit scary at first."
"Let me show you what real flying is."

Talis took of between the mountains swaying from side to side. He seen a stream and headed straight down towards it pulling up and straightening out when he was just inches away from it. Wrangler laughed out loud and hung on to his neck tightly with her legs.

"This is awesome!" "Now you know what it feels like to fly like an eagle." "How did you know about that?" "We are connected little one what ever you feel I feel it too." "Really so wherever I am I will feel what you are feeling and vice versa?" "Yes, if you are ever in danger and I am not with you I will feel it and come to you." "Talis, can I ask you something?" "Yes" "When will I know our full power?" "Soon, I will be teaching you little by little and I am betting will want to teach you what he knows." "Can you tell me about them?" "All I will tell you right now is that when you have learned everything we will be very powerful. Now sit back and enjoy the ride." "How long before we are back at the castle?" "Well if we wait for you friends on the ground not until tomorrow but if I carry all of you probably dusk." "Hmmm maybe we should find them and pick them up I want to get done at the palace so I can get back to the cottage." "Okay hold tight and I will turn back around."
After finding the boys Talis landed in a clearing so they could all climb on his back. In the air he was more conservative with his flying so he didn't drop anyone. When the sun started to set the castle came into view.
"There it is" called out Ice Crystal
"Where should I have Talis land?"
"In the courtyard should be fine." Ice Crystal told her.
She looked at Flameblade with worry in her eyes.
He leaned over so only she could hear "Don't worry I wont let anything happen to you or Talis, I promise."
"Ice Crystal said to land in the courtyard." "You sound worried little one." "I just don't want anything bad to happen." "I will protect you and I believe Flameblade will too." "It's you I am worried about not me." "Don't be I am much more powerful than you think."

As Talis's shadow passed over the village the villagers looked up and gasped. Some of the ponies grabbed the young and headed for there homes. Wrangler could hear there gasps and see them running into there homes. This broke her heart knowing that they were afraid of Talis because of an old wise tale. When they reached the palace Talis did two circles and then landed in the courtyard. They were quickly surrounded by soliders with spears, arrows and swords.

"Stop right there you monster!" one of them shouted.

Wrangler looked at Flameblade with terror in her eyes, she just knew this would happen. She could feel her blood beginning to boil at the stupidity of the soliders.