The Fallen Wings » Places

         Jay's head perked up suddenly. A faint shriek barely making its way into his ears. "It sounds like Kestrel," he said into Akemi's mind. Akemi nodded in silent agreement. She herself had not heard the shrieking cry, but had felt it through Jay.

Akemi put a hand on Jay's side, feeling his cavernous body expand and contract with each powerful breath he took. "I guess we'll have to answer."

Jay huffed and shook his head. "You mean I will have to answer." He drew himself up to his full height, entering the canopy of leaves with his head. His serpentine neck twisted, and several leaves and twigs broke, falling down around them. The dragon took a deep breath.

"You'd better close your ears," Akemi warned Zaraian. Her own hands clamped around her ears and pressed them shut. Jay opened his mouth, and let loose an echoing bellow. The sound shook the leaves, creating an almost visible shimmering through the trees. The nearby birds, shaken from their roosts, flew away in panic from the epicenter. The roar continued, blasting the forest with sound. Then Jay stopped, creating a vacuum of silence that was almost unbearable after the previous sound. Akemi lowered her hands sent a mental grin of approval at Jay.

The call had been answered. They had heard and replied.