“How are you holding up?” I hear Moon's voice from behind me.

“Holding out? I am a freaking killer.” I say not sure I can accept what I was told but unable to deny it.

Moon glides in front of me. ”You are not a killer and never was. You were only a tool used unwisely.”

“But if I created this curse it is because of me that humans suffer.”

“No,” he says angrily, “They created their own suffering. You prevented them from enslaving many others. To this day most want obedience and servitude. Their greed is only to blame not your knowledge.”

“But still where do I get off setting the human race's fate?”

“Your guilt is misplaced. You cannot take responsibility for others folly. Humans still have the ultimate potential. They just have to get over their pettiness.”

“But I am human.”

“Yes and so are many others with your vision. You cannot be held responsible for everyone's actions. You humans go from one extreme to the other. Merlin was much like you. When another misused what he taught he would blame himself. That is what eventually destroyed him.

He could not forgive himself for what happened to Lefay. He tortured himself to his last breath about it. He dedicated the rest of his days trying to find a way to heal her. You cannot remove that which is a part of nature.”

I look at Moon, “But every one here does not try to control or oppress the other.” I say.

“What makes you think it doesn't happen? Just because this one town works together so well?” He laughs, “This town has not always been so calm. When it first started it was the farthest outpost from any other town. Crime and mayhem was the constant part of life. It wasn't till Foot Strong, Star Seeker's mate, stepped in that it calmed down. If it wasn't for him the whole town would have torn itself apart.”

“Actually it was Star Seeker who sent me,” the deep gruff voice says from up the hill. He stops at the edge of the stone circle, ”She bade me go down and calm them. I agreed only as she is my life mate. I thought it a waste of time, but she insisted.” He turns to face me, “I apologize Jode, I did not understand who you were. Star Seeker had some affairs to take care of. She bade you wait till she returns.”

“As she wishes sir. I am still the same human you met earlier, and expect no different actions then you would deal with another human. She says I am an old soul but I am still very young and naive in the physical.” I say with as much respect as I can.

“Very wise for being so young. I will respect my mates wishes to treat you as equals. But be advised, you still need to prove your equality to me human. In your actions so far you have earned the respect of your name, but do not make me regret it.”

“You honor me sir,” I say.

“I doubt that, but I accept your courtesy.” He says and walks off.

“A name in one meeting,” Moon says, “I am impressed. He still only recognizes my existence when he has to. There is definitely more to you than meets the sight.”

“I don't know what I did. I just tried to act as Shade of Night told me.” I say baffled.

“There is more to their ways than following a few simple rules. They see into the person. They see things that most of us could never see.” He says.

“I hope he isn't basing his decisions on what he sees and hears. He will be so disappointed when he finds out the truth,” I say.

Moon laughs, “I will never understand you. You are given a complement and you make a joke of it. You are insulted and you thank them for it. Do you ever think like anyone else?”

“Don't know, can't compare thought patterns, unless you have a neat gadget that can do that?” I say, trying to forget what I have been told.

Moon laughs, “See that could not have come from normal thought,” he says.

“Normal? Jode,” Oaky says, “No that could never happen. Just after a year with him and I know for sure his thoughts are not normal,” she sits in the same chair she had left and Rock sits next to her.

“Awesome, maybe it will be funner around you.” Rock says.

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“I don't know about funner, but I have been told I look funnier than most.” I say.

Rock laughs hard then says, “You are a riot.”

“You are something else,” Moon says, “I will see you all later. I have some errands to run. I just thought I would stop by on my way through.”

I look at Moon, “Okay,” I say then add softly “Thank you.” Moon nods and floats off.

“Ooo,” Rock expresses and jumps up, “I want to show you my new weapons. Mom made them the other day for me,” he says and bounds off more hyper than a pup.

I look at Oaky, “Where is Shade of Night?”

“He is talking with a few of the other dragons about town policies or something.” she says.

“Oh okay, Not a socialite is he?” I ask.

“Not even close,” she says exasperated.

Rock stands in the center of the circle from out of nowhere. I fall backwards off my rock and yell, “Shit.”

Rock looks at me with laughter in his eyes, “Sorry.”

“Oh go ahead and laugh. I know you want to,” I say to him.

He cracks up and walks over to the stone he was on, “Sorry but that was way too funny. I haven't been able to scare someone like that in years.”

I get back up on my seat, “Well knock yourself out. I've never met a dragon till you, so everything you do will probably give me a heart attack.” I say.

“Really then you will love this,” he says then looks at Oaky, “Can you summon the Screechers like the tree spirits around here?” he asks her.

She nods her head, “Why, they are dangerous.”

“It's okay, it won't last long. They don't have the speed or intelligence to touch me.” he says confidently.

“Okay,” Oaky says then opens her mouth and a height pitch scream comes from her. I have to hold my ears because it begins to echo in my head.

She stops and motions me to follow her, then puts her finger to her mouth for me to be quiet.

I follow her quickly and quietly to a spot between two large boulders. We crouch and wait.

After a few seconds I hear a squeal in the distance similar to the sound Oaky made. As the sound gets louder I hear the flapping of large wings. Rock steps back away from us to the opposite side of the circle.

Rock's whole demeanor changes. The once cheery happy go lucky look he always had turns stern and focused. The glint in his eyes turns to a dark and foreboding star. His wild and exaggerated movements become rigid and quick.

The sounds of the wings hover over us as the screeches continue intermittently. I look up to see a human form with bird feet and leathery wings flapping, hovering above the circle.

Before I realize what is happening the thing dives at Rock. A flash of silver streaks out from behind his back and I hear the clang of metal hitting metal.

Rock then side steps so both him and the creature stand in profile in front of us. The screecher's hands are tipped with two inch claws that shine white like bone. It looks like an old lady with very loose skin. Yellow saliva drips down its jaw from a row of very sharp teeth.

It tentatively swings a claw at Rock and he shifts slightly to avoid it. At first I thought it made contact, but the claw didn't slow or shift in its swing. Not even his loose fitting clothes show any sign they were cut.

Rock does a perfect flip up and over the creature to land facing its back with one of his two swords down with its tip just an inch from a rock. The creature screams and jerks forward as one of its wings falls to the ground. It twirls around and rushes Rock.

Rock does a quick side step twist and I see his blade up in the air. The creature screams again and stumbles forward as its other wing falls to the ground. As the creature stabilizes itself and turns, Rock stands straight up with the two blades held out in front of him with his arms to his side.

“Enough Rock, it's not nice to torment,” Star Seeker says as she walks smoothly down toward us.

“Yes mother,” Rock says with a voice nothing like he was using. It sounded more strained and older in a way.

He flies forward as I see quick flashes of blade faster then my eye can perceive. The creature was in a move to leap when Rock passed it. The creature freezes for a second then its head falls off as its torso separates in half. The creature collapses to the ground in black ooze squirting from its neck and torso.

“Now clean up, I don't want to have the smell in the cave.” Star Seeker says as she sits on a stone seat.

Rock had already put his swords away in two scabbards on his back. He returns back to his normal self, if that is what you can call it, as he turns around. His happy go lucky look has returned as he says, “Yeah mom. I know you tell me all the time how bad they smell.” he says then moves his hand over the remains and they burst into blue flame.

I watch as the flame consumes only the creature and its black blood. “You are safe now, only one was called.” Star Seeker says then adds, “Very good Oaky most around here always call at least two.”

Oaky walks around me to take a seat at the circle as she says, “Thank you ma'am my mentor taught me well.”

“That she has Oaky.” Star Seeker says then looks at me and smiles, “I forget you are still new here Jode. You can relax, no harm will come to you in my territory.”

I realize I am holding the rock so hard my fingers are white. I relax some and take an empty seat in the circle.

“Damn,” I say as I sit down and look at Rock.

Star Seeker looks at Rock, “Happy now?” She asks him.

“Yes as a matter of fact.” He answers cocky.

“As much as he infuriates me I am proud of him. Not many have been able to master all the weapons and forms he has.” She says with pride.

“I'm just good, nothing else to say,” Rock comments.

“I hope so,” Star Seeker says and does not look to see the confusion on her son's face.