The final act

It was my sixth day, the last to spend here before tomorrow morning the plane would take me away. It again was a rather uneventful one busy working, finishing the fence and likes, however still I felt like I had it for a lifetime. I was so glad to be Jake's friend by whom this was all possible.

Assembling my experiences it occurred me that sure I didn't see a whole lot of brass wyverns. A glimpse of Blondie, Ikka, who was although here, I wouldn't want to disturb unless anyone invited me to do so, and of course Drake himself, the majestic awesome Drake. It wasn't even a lot, maybe two hours I encountered him, and for most part he was just resting. But for Heaven's sake, those minutes were something I am never going to forget, not to mention everything behind those moments, monumental expanses of history! I danced with him there! I had seen something never witnessed before as he played out his role!

The labor, the sweat under the hot burning Sun was all something distant. I was doing it, doing because it was my duty to do it, but my mind was somewhere, away, engulfed with thoughts on Drake and all the history which came over those events. Forty years ago maybe Arnold himself was playing these with him maybe even on that wooden tower!

I spent the noon and early afternoon with Jake in the "Track ng debt." hut, casually talking, reciting some I felt appropriate from what happened the day before by Drake. He knew well most of those, said I don't have to afraid to talk, it is all the better to be open in the Fund. He liked Mark for his ideals, his connection with Drake and that he was content with the role of handling him.

He shared my views on Thor's problem telling he was suggesting this from the start. It would be nice to have such an ambassador if he could enjoy fulfilling that role and at least he would get to have a real, useful purpose that way where his weakness wouldn't matter that much. It would be the better for everyone, maybe it no longer would feel like keeping him alive just out of mercy as an uneasy burden taken from Metronics seizing valuable resources from real conversation efforts.

The day concluded with nothing extraordinary, working when heat allowed us to start again, giving up after the Sun went down, a dinner in the assembly hut, some unrelated talk afterwards, family, some bits of murky global politics, nothing either to frown upon. We were maybe even too tired to argue. Physical work, being out in the wild, isolation can probably do wonders in this regard.

My head full with my experiences it was a sad thing to realize in the morning that I was going to sit on the plane soon and maybe won't see this place, Jake, Mark, Drake, this wilderness ruled by the magnificent brass wyvern for probably years if ever. I hauled my crap together ready to be rammed in my luggages when the time came, then went out to the assembly hut.

Janet came from the phone to bring the news of that my ride was canceled for today for some technical problems. Nothing truly exceptional, this environment takes its toll on the equipment, although it messed my trip home up for the reservations. I had to call for some phone time myself to re-schedule.

Of course it wasn't like just getting a bonus day just to linger around: even Janet came to tell not to be too happy about it for they always have some nifty renovations to be done. This time it was the roof of a guest-hut which was to be torn down to replace its structure, well, at least it was just the dusty type job, not the dusty and smelly one.

Afternoon we were directed to the hangars for some tidy-up related to the tending of Ikka, mostly involving stacking used hay on a truck, then some routine cleaning of those resting places which were kept available for the residents should they want to spend the night in the camp.

I noticed a brass flying towards the camp and soon realized she was Blondie with her mostly missing ridge. Mark was out with us working, came to intercept her noting me she likely just dropped in again for the night. He however led her to Ikka's enclosure to make sure they acknowledge each other's presence.

The crew meanwhile was already dismissing, after all seeing a wyvern wasn't something unusually extraordinary if you were decidedly living out in this nowhere and Blondie wasn't that type who would terribly love companion anyway. I just sat on a crate in the shade of the hangar we were tidying up, to silently indulge these last moments of wyvern grace I was to experience live. Mark also retreated seeing them interacting, rubbing their chins to the grates, walking some turns, then finally both laying down, resting.

I asked how he wasn't afraid of Blondie catching something from Ikka. He responded that it is very unlikely for those conditions mostly relating to abysmal keeping and Linda also said it is OK, just let them interact if a chance comes. So we were just sitting there, somewhere behind the Sun going down, with the two females peacefully laying by each other's side, one in, one out. It definitely was nice for Ikka, even though she had to be confined she could have some healthy interaction with free members of her kin hopefully lifting her spirit. I thought it a nice, serene setting to conclude my stay with, I wished to just sit there indulging this sight, thinking of hope, her future, freedom.

A large shape's touchdown shook me out. Even Mark was startled, and exclaimed in a forced low tone "Drake!". He already knew about Ikka, but the situation was sure awkward, for me for the simple fact suddenly there were no less than three wyverns there! Mark's complexion wasn't exactly reassuring. He had a gun and its sound was probably enough if anything was to go wrong, but I could only understand him if he thought of it as a very distant last resort.

Drake was aiming for, as it looked like Blondie, while Ikka inside was struck by the scene unfolding before her. He was approaching with head extended low forwards for which Blondie was seemingly startled, stumbling to her feet backing, but failing to straighten out her tail. A few, scared, neck arched steps back and it happened, stepping on her own tail stuck between her body and the grating of the enclosure she tumbled over!

A swirl of dusty hell erupted as the two darted into motion! Ikka, for it was too much to her, fled back in the shelter not to come out anymore! Blondie mustering the strength of her whole body jumped to turn around and run, I only hoped she didn't maul her tail in the process, but Drake was faster! He promptly overtook her and stopped short before, blocking the way!

He stood there firm, arching his neck high, ridge erect, covering a large expanse with his arms, wings partly extended, looking down Blondie, huge and menacing! She, even I could tell was frightened, looking out for ways to escape which were ample but probably futile for the towering male's probable strength! She made a few steps, but Drake, pointing his head low forth followed, just to loom over her again!

I whispered Mark whether he should be doing something but he shook his head. "Whatever it is, let them play it out". I could see on his expression he meant it and hoped not just for his emotions towards Drake. No matter how wonderful and historical he was, letting that poor desecrated female suffer wasn't a possibility I wanted to witness. Yet, it was bleak. She tried to escape again, and Drake did the same, just blocking her way, looking down on her from the solid peak of his gargantuan expanses! It was futile and beyond. If I was to be there, I would be already dead. His silence just increased the sheer terror he was expressing, not a single growl, nothing. I could sense the shadows growing over their figures as they stood there motionless, the utterly scared female shaking under the piercing gaze of that all powerful and confident Drake!

Then, when I felt I could snap under the tension any moment, I noticed Drake finally letting bits of his stiffness go. He was still a towering monstrosity, but his muscles weren't all flexed anymore to sharpen his contours. His head would lower slightly, the arch of the neck turning more gentle, the fingers more loose letting gusts of light breeze pushing the wings. Then Blondie twitched and he was all terror again!

It went on for long minutes, Drake mellowing, Blondie making a move, and starting over! However, she was seemingly allowed more with him stiffening less with each, like she was accepting that she can't and shouldn't try to escape. It was hell and I was still unsure what this quarrel was for, whispering to Mark he only related that he had never seen anything alike.

Drake was moving slow seemingly reassured Blondie won't try to escape anymore. It felt like he was very cautiously playing, performing, sometimes crouching down to touch the ground with his chest in front of her, sometimes standing, stepping to the sides, extending his neck forth, then pulling back in an arch. And finally he was starting to emit sounds.

A very low, soft growling, almost like purring, which would cease, and then begin again as he played, following the acts with his head. He didn't get a response but she was seemingly affected, for she would, inch by inch, lay down on her chest, but occasionally still twitching her head away like she was scared.

He laboriously continued his play under the reddish haze of the setting Sun, softly growling, purring, sometimes looking up, sometimes straight forth, seemingly to emphasize the acoustic of his mild voices, shivers would go down his entire body, shaking wildly the tips of his wings which he kept extending and folding up as he tiptoed around the confused female.

It dawned on us what it was, it was so clear now! We were watching in revered silence, awestruck, wishing our presence wouldn't snap either of them out of what they were doing! It was a sight under the glorious dusk of the savanna!

She finally gave in, neck and tail straightened as she was laying on her chest, wings folding away from her body. Drake kept his slow paced dance, shivering, growling, making a turn to get the resting female's base between his arms, gently advancing fort, laying down on her, his shaking wings extending to cover hers, head held high, purring!

Then, all of sudden, he turned to bite down her exposed, ruined neck, and just in that same instant he halted! His shivering lessened, apparently snapped out, awaken, I could see his eyes opening wide, but not Blondie! She would suddenly truly submit, expecting, tailbase slightly raised, waiting for the huge male resting on top of her continue! Drake was laying there, confused for a moment, like maybe unsure where he was, then his instinct took him over, or I swear it felt much like so, he let it going, giving in for Nature's will and power with one little exception. He didn't bite.

They were there, under the darkening purple sky, a sight never to be seen before, a wonder, these two magnificent creatures bonding their lives, both purring in shivers shaking their whole bodies, eyelids narrowed, Drake gritting his teeth, Blondie under him feeling like having it for the first time in her life as she submitted her entire being to his gentle treatment!

I wasn't sure how long it lasted, Mark neither had any reference, except that it went dark meanwhile. They slowly settled, tails still intertwined, although gone limp, but seemingly they were keeping enjoying themselves. Drake was grooming Blondie, by the sides of her neck with his cheeks, she just appreciating this care. Not like they would want to give up any soon, who knows, maybe they would even start over!

We agreed with Mark definitely the best is to leave them be, to let Nature having its way which finally happened! It was a first. No-one ever witnessed a wyvern bridal before, at least none we knew of. We also understood it was something very special, who knows how much of Drake's performance was composed of elements he learned with Arnold and how much his natural wild behavior, just that Blondie could tune to it! She was also a huge revelation, for one thing seemed certain: the bite, which with her crippled ridge, made her unable to accept! She was so terribly scared! We were so terribly scared!

Drake...! The venerable Drake again, looks like solved it! I could see how proudness filled Mark seeing his child growing up in such a peculiar way! Of course we could never know how much they might have tried, but for sure they first succeed right before his very eyes! He was so happy he would dance with me, yes, his overgrown adopted son finally became a man, and what a man!

Then, before returning the still bustling village, we got to realize we just can't walk in with the huge grins we were unable to swipe off of our faces. Somebody would notice, ask, and who knows if everyone could restrain themselves from trying to peek at them. They needed their peaceful solitude together. Mark noted he would have to come out anyway to watch over Ikka during the night so it's the better he just skipped on dinner. It was nothing uncommon if one or another resident was here and everyone saw at least Blondie landing. He would also catch the night guard to keep them from doing anything disruptive.

He however escorted me to the lesser used west gate telling how I could get to the guest huts without probably running in anyone before bidding farewell. So, a little uneasy, I searched my way home almost stalking, and indeed, I was lucky to avoid contact. Not like I wanted to shake off anyone, just that it all was a whole lot to settle with, and I wanted to think, be alone, my head still spinning. I kicked off my dirty clothes, made a hasty visit to the shower cabin before finally dropping on the bed, tired and drained.

I couldn't really get to sleep for a long, my mind lost in the whirlwind of experiences accumulated during the days, with Drake coming back again and again. Mark's stories would come to life, soaring, the near collapse of the Fund, sorrow, scenes from old movies I recalled, then the phoenix, the rise, the reborn, the fierce, terrorizing beast of doom to unfold into a fury of mild, gentle love! The timid brass who would take all our abuse without objecting in captivity, skin rotting, bones deforming, collars cutting in the neck breaking off spikes, the same being of gargantuan empowering silent menace, all for love! I hoped it was true, it was what I could see, and that poor ruined Blondie, even that name, the Creator shall have mercy on those who did these to her decades ago, finally found him who could stand by her side!

In the early morning I was a bit uneasy for I wasn't sure how the events of last evening will reveal but thankfully Mark came for me before I could even truly wake up. He was about to gather Janet for she was the head of this camp, and Jake, my friend, to share the story. When we were all together in Janet's headquarters for that was about the tidiest place to have this little meeting, he told what happened. Janet was furious, grabbed Mark's shoulders, demanding if it's all true! It startled her, it was such a big unexpected moment that she wouldn't believe!

We so set out to investigate, on the way even picking up one of the camp's most experienced trackers, Trevis, delaying his group from leaving for field research.

Mark, eager, explained, showing the areas the two wyverns acted, Trevis confirming everything by the tracks in the scarce grassy growth. They stayed out long into the night, serenely growling, purring to each other, bonding maybe three or four occasions more according to the large wingprints left behind, then as Mark recalled they flew off together.

With the realization, the facts sunk in her, Janet got truly astounded, even hyped: she hugged Mark with a big "Thank you!" to him, then we hugged all, even me, even though I was just a week's volunteer, I was there, in the moment, became part of this story, this work, this endeavor for preserving the brass wyvern for the future!

The plane arrived timely, and, again exchanging hugs with everyone, I bid farewell wishing good luck for everything and beyond. The engines hummed, I looked back seeing the people going smaller, the grass runway getting farther, the hangars, Ikka, the village surrounded with the goat pens as they blurred together disappearing in the endless savanna's expanses marked by the blue streak of Yukos with the peaks of the Central Rockies in the hazy distance.

The only thing missing was Drake's magnificent brass-plated being to complete the wonderful sight. He wasn't here. He was somewhere else now. Flying free.

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