Two days went by quickly. Especially when Zara and Vinessa lead your training personally. Over those two days in the fairy village, Zerine would barely have enough energy after their night time training to even move. They ran her through physical, mental, and willpower training. At first it was difficult and Zerine hoped it would stay like that, but nope. This was Zara and Vinessa she was talking about. At the end of each day, she had to be dragged to the rejuvenation bath or she would have just taken an extremely short shower, probably falling asleep standing, then fall into her bed. The last part happened no matter where she cleaned herself.

Zara had to carry Zerine to bed the second night.

She knew her parents, Zara, and Vinessa were planning something to do with her instincts. Most likely it would be awful so she started making mental enhancement powder, but stopped when Ava placed a box full made by Sashi on her bed.

Zerine wasn’t sure how she felt when they brought her to the dragon lands days early. When she saw her parents were coming as well, her feelings turned to apprehension then stress realizing the tribunal must be today. Vinessa had said not to worry and left it at that, but Zerine was worried. She kept spiraling, thinking over what could come of this to her family, to Varino, and herself. She could be killed or held prisoner. It came down to what the two councils presiding over the tribunal thought.

They didn’t even want her there. Something to do with stuff that her parents, Zara, and Vinessa wouldn’t elaborate on. She stared at her parents with laser focus.

They all stood in the usual clearing waiting for probably Bob.

“Yes, it’s today,” Cal said cheerfully. “But we brought you because the council may ask for you to show up, but it’s unlikely. And Arashi said she would be happy for someone to help with the hatchlings,” Cal said when Zerine’s questioning gaze landed on him.

“Um, alright. How long will it take?” Zerine wondered. She wanted to read some Magitech books they had brought with them tucked away in her spatial storage and if Zara and Vinessa were busy, then she could have a relaxing day…for once.

Ava and Cal shrugged.

“It’ll be a good chunk of the day. I’ll have Bob take you through physical training after the hatching hunting grounds. The recruits can be teleported around without him,” Vinessa said.

Burst all hopes for a day of time with the hatchlings and reading.

“Alright. Tell Varino I say hi. And hopefully it goes…well,” Zerine said, trailing off as the others were all focusing on her.

“It will be alright Zerine,” Ava said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, then squeezing.

“Varino is and has been free to do what she wants. Honestly, we thought she would have given up on wanting to bond with you years ago,” Cal said.

Zerine sighed. “I’ve wondered why she wanted to bond, but she never gives me a straight answer. We don’t have to bond. I was fine with her traveling with me. Bonding though.” Zerine shrugged. “I still don’t know. I don’t want to lose my closet friend, though.”

Her eyes glistened from holding back tears.

Ava pulled her into a hug. Vinessa and Zara silently watching on.

“You won’t lose her. This probably pissed her off, if anything,” she said softly.

Zerine giggled, but it was tight as she fought to stop herself from crying.

“I’m actually looking forward to hearing what she will say to the old elders. I mean, the two-legged ones, not the high council of the dragons, they will find it amusing,” Cal said.

“Cal, they are called the lower council,” Vinessa said, rolling her eyes.

“Ah, whoops. I really don’t get in to the politics. I have to apologize. It’s partly my fault that they’re making a fuss over this,” Cal said, scratching the back of her head.

“Marcy is going to love breaking this down,” Zerine muttered.

Vinessa’s gaze lit up.

“That is an amazing idea! Done! You pass her test, you’ll be ready for a trip.”

Everyone starred at her.

“What? She will have to get used to dealing with politics. We all can’t be you two who get a backwater barony through insane means, so everyone underestimates you and basically lets you do your thing.”

“That…is not how it happened at all,” Ava said.

“They leave you alone now,” Zara said with a grin.

“After you killed the entire assassin group that attacked us,” Cal said.

“Huh, that would be quite the message,” Zerine said. She had wondered why they hadn’t been attacked in years. And Zara going out and heads rolling would certainly do the trcik.

“That and the Countess has helped make quite the buffer,” Zara said.

“And she knew you back when you all were young and now are family. That’s lucky,” Zerine said.

“We aren’t old,” Zara said, her cat-like eyes narrowed.

Zerine coughed.

“Of course not. You’re young, nearly forever at this point,” Zerine hastily added.

“Hmm,” Zara said, her gaze still locked on to Zerine.

“Oh look, Arashi and Bob are almost here,” Zerine blurted out, gesturing toward the glint of red scales approaching them.

Vinessa laughed.

“Why are you laughing!?” Zara teased. “Should I tell her how old you are?”

Vinessa made a hushing gesture to Zara, who rolled her eyes in response, chuckling.

Bob and Arashi landed moments later.

Bob appeared in a blink, looking a little nervous to Zerine, but in his emotions Zerine noted it was mostly because of the addition of her parents and Zara. This wasn’t the first time that Zerine felt just how people revered her parents. But Bob’s roiling emotions of fear, honor, excitement, and nerves were interesting.

Most respect her parents. The nobles that her parents had to deal with sometimes treated them with respect. The good ones. There were many that looked down upon them, as they were the poorest barony, and some of the major changes hit their coffers, so they held some impressive hostility.

The fear and excitement were new. Why those?

Zerine focused just a bit, but winced, flinching back as Vinessa lightly flicked her forehead.

“Ow!” Zerine grumbled.

Vinessa gave her a look that clearly said stop it, or maybe, self control.

“Sorry,” Zerine muttered.

Behind Zerine’s back, Zara gave Vinessa a questioning look. Before Vinessa could say or think something, Bob said.

“Vinessa, are you going to teleport us directly or should we use the gate?”

“I can only teleport the group to the outskirts of the city. Escanar only allows me to appear in certain areas, so you’ll have to do the rest,” Vinessa replied, absolutely lying. She and the dragon lords went way back. They could appear in her lands whenever and wherever, just like she could in their lands. But she wasn’t going to tell anyone about that, maybe Zerine…someday.

It’s better that only a handful of people know just how close the fairies and dragons truly are. A sentiment that all their predecessors had passed along. It was so they could keep their planet’s mana and natural wonders healthy. Fairies and dragons had once been far more active in the worlds of politics and those of shorter lifespans. It didn’t end well.

Wars, scapegoating, and more tore across their world. Fairy and dragons with their allies against those mislead. Some of their kind had even turned…darker. Atrocities and devastating Iridesium and Gold-rank battles forever altered the world. This never ending war nearly caused the destruction of their world. Vinessa had never found out what exactly had stopped the war, but it was the reason why they stayed out of the short-lived affairs.

Everyone surrounded Vinessa, who snapped her fingers. There was a flash, and they appeared on the Burning Plains. Or at least that was what Zerine thought at first. It was hot like everywhere in the Burning Plains, apparently. But instead of the colorful burning grass, they stood in…

“Where ouch-?” Zerine winced, putting a hand to head, looking around confused.

People of all the different intelligent races were bustling around. Dragons flew or walked around. They were in a large cavernous space carved from solid stone. Fresh scents washed over Zerine. The smell of food, people, and smokiness she associated to dragons.

And there were so many people.

Her head pulsed with too much information as a tsunami of information rushed into her mind all at once. A familiar pain built up behind her eyes and forehead. She swayed. Hands caught her, then pulled her close. She didn’t know who or what was going on, just the fluid of information.

It was too much.

“Oh, shit. I forgot,” Vinessa’s voice was close, but in her current state it should far away. Too much information kept pouring into her mind.

“Vinessa, where did you drop Arashi off at?” Bob wondered. “Wait, what’s wrong with Zerine?”

“Vinessa, take her to Arashi. There aren’t that many people there,” came the soothing sound of her father’s voice. She didn’t really hear it, but felt the vibration as he spoke.

Were the voices muffled?

There was too much. The pain grew, building into a crescendo as information threatened to comply to overwhelm her mind.

There was too much!

Another flash of light filled her sight even with them closed. Abruptly, the fluid turned into a manageable trickle.

An uncontrollable sigh of relief escaped her. Her body shook from the sudden release as what felt like every part of her relaxed.

“Easy, Zerine. Breath through the pain,” Zara said. She was pulled into an embrace. Zara’s familiar pine needle scent helping her breath. A hand ran through Zerine’s hair.

Zerine shook in Zara’s arms, her eyes screwed shut fighting through every pulse of pain that rippled from her head through her body.

There was a pulse of mana.

“I got the elixir,” came Vinessa’s voice.

Someone put a bottle up to her lips, and she drank.

Sweet relief flowed through her. And she let a huge sigh.

Zara held her as she nearly collapsed as the pain faded, leaving nearly limp in Zara’s arms.

“Better?” Zara wondered.

Zerine took a few minutes even after the pain had subsided. She had missed Zara. The women’s scent was soothing with a hint of mint that she hadn’t noticed before. After another breath where she let the go of what just happened, she stepped back from Zara giving the woman a smile.

“Thanks. It was a just too much all at once,” Zerine said.

“I’m really sorry,” Vinessa said, looking absolutely dejected.

“You haven’t brought me to a place with that many people, so you didn’t know. I just didn’t expect it or I would have been a little more prepared,” Zerine said, drenched in cold sweat. She gave Vinessa a hopefully reasurring smile.

To Zara and Vinessa, it looked like Zerine had gone through an entire day’s worth of training.

“I’m not so sure. There were hundreds of people and we both know just how overwhelming a room of forty is to you. That was way too much,” Zara said, looking worriedly over Zerine’s disheveled state.

“I’ll be fine and hanging around with the group of hatchlings is exactly what I need. Can you just drop me off at the hatching hunting grounds so I can mediate?” Zerine wondered.

Vinessa glanced at Zara, who shrugged as they had a wordless conversation.

“Fine, but take another vial. You will need to take it when Bob transports you back to the city,” Zara said. as Vinessa held out a vial of purple and red liquid.

Zerine nodded and gratefully took the vial placing into her spatial storage. She had only brought enough for her to drink the mental elixir once a month. But if the trips with Marigold went to places like this, well, she was glad her mother had dropped off a crate of the stuff.

“Zara and I will be at the tribunal, but once it’s done, we will come get you, then we will do some real training,“ Vinessa said, giving Zerine a wolfish smile.

Oh…good, Zerine thought dryly.

As if she could read Zerine’s mind, Vinessa smirked.

“It’ll be quite the experience, I assure you,” Vinessa said. Now even Zara’s smile turned predatory.

Without another word, Zerine heard a finger snap before she found herself in a large warehouse-like building. Large, long tables had golem parts strewn over them. Some were in different stages of construction with components nearby. There were a few artificers tinkering with different items as well, working on who knew what. They didn’t give Zerine a second glance.

She had appeared here often enough where they didn’t even blink when she just popped in. There were other buildings on the outskirts of the dragon hatching hunting grounds, but she hadn’t appeared in them. From what Zerine had been told, the hunting grounds were on the outskirts of the city, where many more manufacturing, material processing, and alchemy builds resided. She doubted she would ever be able to explore the rest of the city.

Zerine headed out to the usual spot where Arashi would appear with the hatchlings.

***

Vinessa and Zara appeared next to Ava and Cal as they approached two large doors. The immense doors had intricate runes and sigils carved in to it. From Vinessa's glance, the magic stopped someone like her from observing unless they had permission. There was far more to the magic, but they all came down to defensive magic. Any way she had permission.

“So, I hope it goes well. I will be off hanging out with Escanar,” Vinessa told the group before vanishing.

Bob just stared at the point where Vinessa had vanished.

“I thought she said she couldn’t teleport inside this part of the city?” Bob wondered.

“It’s Vinessa, you really never know with her,” Ava said, shrugging, leaning up against the wall waiting for the doors to open. She was trying not to focus on what was coming.

“She will be alright, Zara?” Cal wondered.

Ava mentally sighed. Cal was completely at ease. He had to know something she didn’t and wouldn’t say, but Ava was worried about…everything. Zerine nearly passing out from the sheer amount of people around them, Varino potentially separated from them, Zerine potentially be in prison or killed, the damn bandits that have been so fucking illusive, and much much more.

Ava closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She smiled, feeling Cal’s arm move around her shoulders.

“She took the elixir. It should help the with the backlash, but I suspect she will need some headache remedy by the end of the day,” Zara said.

“What exactly happened?” Bob wondered.

“You should go meet up with Kaz. He’ll need the help,” Cal said. A casual dismal.

“Good point,” Bob said. Before he vanished, he hesitated. “I hope everything works out,” he said, giving them a small smile before there was a blink of light and he was gone.

“So, we just wait,” Zara wondered.

“Yep, the door will open once both councils arrive,” Cal said, giving his wife a squeeze. She just rested her head on his shoulder.

“You seem too relaxed,” Zara commented.

Cal shrugged.

“I trust everything will work out, that’s all.”

Zara knew there had to be more when a loud, delighted chime made all of them turn.

A streak of blue and silver lightning flew into Ava’s open arms.

“Hi my little storm,” Ava said, holding the spirit tight.

Varino's muffled chimes and whistles made the others smile.

“We missed you too,” Ava said.

Varino moved her head back from where she had it buried into Ava’s chest.

What came next was a torrent of whistles, burbles, chimes, and trills. The spirit told them about everything she had been up to along with what she did with Kamar, local spirits and slimes. Then it shifted to how angry she was about not seeing Zerine and how they figured out how to pass messages to one another. The information dump went on for minutes, while Ava stroked the spirits back and hair.

“You can easily tell who her favorite is,” Zara teased Cal as Varino went on and Ava nodded along.

Cal chuckled.

“Of course. Who else but an explosion prone lightning wielder would be Varino’s favorite,” Cal said with a broad grin. He laughed as a light breeze from Varino ruffled his hair, clearly having heard his comment. The spirit then moved on a cloud, flying into his chest for a hug.

He chuckled, holding her tightly.

“I see how it is. I call you out and now you try to destroy my will with those big blue silver eyes of yours,” Cal said theatrically.

Varino looked up from his chest, giving him the biggest puppy dog eyes she could muster before breaking out in to giggling burbles. The two laughed.

Ava rolled her eyes and leaned over to Zara. “Varino learned to make trouble from him,” she said in a stage whisper.

Varino whistled and pointed between Ava and Cal. Clearly saying, “Nope, it was from both of you!“

That made them all laugh.

“Ah, I’m glad she picks on you two as well,” Cassel called as he headed towards them down the hall. Bronte squeaked happily and bounded towards his partner.

Varino lept from Cal’s arms and flew on a cloud, flying till she embraced Bronte, who made his rumbling purring sound.

Cal threw his arms around Cassel giving him a bear hug.

“How are you Cassel?” Call said, bounding the Scalekin’s back.

“I’m good. I’ve had my hands full with this one, Kamar, and Zerine,” Cassel said.

“Hmm, I heard you’ve struggled to figure out how to keep up the training with his political mess,” Cal said, raising an eyebrow.

“A mess, you knew would happen. And yes, you know Vinessa had to stop three elementals from killing Zerine because of this bullshit,” Cassel grumbled. He pointed at Varino, who was talking to Bronte. “Oh, and she has caused chaos all over the city! And I’m fairly certain the four explosions when Zerine was with her were some sort of crazy plan of theirs. They destroyed parts of training area four and seven! Twice! Each! And those were the worst ones!”

Ava facepalmed groaning while Zara laughed. Meanwhile, Cal only grinned.

“Their fun, aren’t they,“ Cal said proudly.

“They’re like you two combined, and that’s terrifying,” Zara said before laughing again, joined by Cassel.

“Alright, that…that is…accurate,” Cal said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

There was a rumbling and all conversation died as the large doors began to open.

“Varino, Bronte, come along dears,” Ava called.

The two flew up to them on Varino’s cloud.

“Where are your parents, Bronte?” Cal wondered.

Bronte squeaked.

“Needed…for-” Cal trailed off and frowned. Bronte barely could speak still, but Cal had gotten enough of an idea to Escanar. He paused mid step as a quick message had him turn toward the wall. His gaze narrowed and cast his gaze.

A river appeared. He moved along it till he hit his range, but he could sense it.

Since he was ready to go to the final rank, Cal had refined his new-found skills. His gaze, for example, could be sent out as far his perception could go. And it could cover extreme distance due to…some unpleasant experience that he had barely survived form. But his gaze slammed into a wall.

He scowled and looked up at the ceiling. “You better be watching. If my brother gets injured, there will be hell to pay.”

Everyone paused, looking at Cal, confused.

“Love?” Ava wondered.

“Something with Metal Heads near the Grand River,” Cal said, still frowning.

Where the hell have they all been coming from? It’s been years since the horde and there is still a constant stream of the fuckers, Cal thought. He was pulled back to the present when Ava placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“It’ll be fine,” Ava said, giving him the smile that had stolen his heart all those years ago.

Cal sighed. “I know. Let’s just hope we won’t be needed. If they called out powerful water and lightning dragons to help, then they might just ask us.”

“Then we will help. I wouldn’t mind going all out. It’s been years,” Ava said with a mischievous smile.

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A throat clearing made Ava and Cal turn to the open door.

A human male stood there. He wore the robes of a mage that were deep blue, but for a shining silver flame motif. He had dark skin and amber eyes. The smile he gave them was that of grandfather.

“The Trevel family, Cassel, and,” his gaze went to Zara. “Who are you?”

Zara smiled.

“Zerine Trevel’s trainer. I was asked to be here by the tribunal.”

“You would know her as the…” AVa glanced at Zara, a grin growing and Zara rolled her eyes. “she has many names, but this one you’ll know. The Reapers Blade.”

“The Scythe!?” the man said, startled.

Zara blinked, few knew of the God of death’s...forces? They weren’t priests, so yeah, forces would have to do.

Zara gave the man a warm smile. “There hasn’t been a Scythe for several eras. The Voices and Hands have not found anyone that meets the criteria.”

Yet. They already have a rather good idea who. And of course that someone had to catch the eye of the dragons too, Zara thought.

The mans gaze went distant before nodding.

“My apologise,” he bowed. “My name is Felix. Asigned by the Lord Flame himself to act as his voice and truth teller for this tribunal.”

Aka, Escanar’s most trusted Mind Bender, Zara thought. She would have to lower her mental defenses to allow him to tell if she was speaking the truth or not, but it wasn’t new to Zara or the others.

“It’s been awhile Felix. Congrats on reaching peak Gold-rank,” Cal said as they headed into the room.

Felix smiled.

“Thank you. And yes, it’s been about ten years,” Felix replied.

Zara only partly listened to the polite conversation. Zara mainly focused her attention on the enormous room they were entering.

Like every building in the dragon rider city, it was carved out of stone. Zara assumed their secret location was in a mountain near the edge of the Burning Plains, but since the Burning Plains ran along an entire mountain range that didn’t really narrow things down.

The best comparison Zara could come up with for the room was an amphitheatre. They were exiting a large doorway into a massive circle. There were several sets of stone benches with a path separating them. Directly across from the entrance, separate from the rings of the plain slabs of stone that went for seating, there were two ornate sets of wood and stone benches.

The benches were tiered with the lower bench having seven large seats with different highly detailed carved flames. The higher bench didn’t have seats and the wood and stone had a large carved dragon mid flight carved in it.

Zara assumed the highest bench was where the dragons would appear.

Varino whistled a question.

“They’re ready and will join us soon,” Ava answered.

Varino drifted on a cloud just ahead of Ava and chittered.

“No. Zerine won’t be here. They don’t want the potential influence of a Mind bender,” Cal said, looking at the empty cavernous space.

Varino let out an enormous sigh. Bronte nuzzled her side and the spirit hug the dragon as the cloud drifted along.

“Hmm,” Felix said, eyeing Varino and Bronte.

“Already listening?” Cal teased.

“Curious mostly. You all have impressive defenses. I cannot even get a hint, which I normally do. Is that something you all worked to stop Miss Trevel from peaking up on your emotions and intentions?”

“You will have to wait for our full explanation. But what we are doing isn’t any Mind Bender technique. It’s actually harder,” Ava said.

Felix nodded, still contemplating as he moved to a chair off to the side facing the center of the circle where an open ring of marble was. The rest of them sat on one bench that faced the middle and the councils benches.

Varino and Bronte sat in Ave’s lap, which helped Ava stop fidgeting.

Zara wasn’t sure why Ava was so nervous. Cal was relaxing, chatting with Cassel. He clearly wasn’t worried at all. As for herself, Zara was mostly curious about how this will play out.

She had been meaning to chat with Vinessa about Zerine’s training and was pleasantly surprised when the Fairy queen just appeared one morning. Now they were planning more of Zerine’s training and Vinessa had even dropped the bombshell that the leaders of the Reaper’s Voices and Reapers’s Hands were on their way to the Emerald forest.

That insane news lead to a very interesting conversation. Evidently, Vinessa only made Zara’s messages to them get to their destinations incredibly quickly. Zara still had no clue how Vinessa knew what her message contents were and who she had passed them to. She gave up after some investigation, assuming some sort of peak Iridesium-rank nonsense.

Speaking of Iridesium-rank nonsense, she could sense Vinessa’s gaze on the room, along with what she assumed was Escanar’s presence. They knew something she didn’t.

Her gaze shifted to Cal, who was laughing, while Ava nervously smiled at whatever Cassel and Varino were saying. Cal either knew or guessed.

She sighed. This was going to be interesting, only hoping that it would at least be entertaining as well.

***

The Void, Expanse, liminal thread connecting realities, you name it. In the seemingly endless space, infinite array of colors, flashes of light, a kaleidoscope of shapes filled the space, never persisting for very long. Energy flowed in thread-like streams into the infinite expanse. A truly incredible space and incredible deadly to anything and everything that wasn’t ascendent in power.

It’s quite the pity then that the creatures calling this one of a kind realm home never appreciates it.

This particular Void spawn cared even less than its brethren did. It was in an egg. To be specific, a silver egg with white swirls that had threads of mana swirling around it. The size of the egg wasn’t anything special, roughly the size of the average bird egg.

The energy around the egg became denser. Silver lightning began randomly shooting out of the egg fending off any who drifted toward it. The other creatures avoided the egg, deciding to fight one another for the energy than deal with the potential death that the lightning represented.

All was darkness. But it was warm. The being inside enjoyed the energy flowing into its core.

This was nice.

The egg drifted on in the Void. The creature inside content, for now.

***

The Trevels chatted with Cassel and Felix for a few minutes. No one else joined them till…

Whoosh!

A blinding flash of light coupled with a gust of air filled the cavernous space.

The first thing that Ava saw was the Dragon council. Seven massive dragons were behind the highest bench. Their scales glittered in the space, while their gaze locked onto their group. In Ava’s senses she knew six were peak gold-rank while the one in the middle was Iridesium-rank. Contrary to what Ava had expected, the Iridesium-rank was the smallest dragon.

Purple and poisonous green scales sparkled, while golden eyes taking in their group.

The chair of the dragon tribunal, Ava assumed. She mentally nudged her husband through their soul bond, wanting information from his mind, but they had agreed not to have the connection open in case there were listeners like Felix. They really needed to deepen their bond. It was on their list now that they were both the same rank, but never seemed to find the time.

She shoved aside the bubble of frustration and focused on the here and now.

“Take your seats. There should be, ah, there they are,” an elf said. He sat on the second seat in from the right of the lower bench.

Ava turned like everyone else as a group entered the room. There was one human with dark brown curly hair and skin walking next to two elves that to even Ava’s sharp gaze were identical. They had an entire group of people with, but were clearly, the leaders.

“Max, glad to see you're doing well. Twins…I have to be honest I don’t remember your names at all, but seeing you here is telling. What hole did you come scuttling out from?” Cal said, giving the human, Max, a wave and one of his Deathstalker glares at the twins, who winced.

Ava tried to not roll her eyes. It was quite the struggle. Then she saw the moment when Cal’s calm demeanor turned hostile. She followed his gaze to see another group heading towards the group, but the massive door slammed shut in their faces.

Everyone froze.

“This is a closed tribunal and we will not allow political games or,” the iridesium-rank dragon said. Well, spoke wasn’t right. Ava felt the magic used to make the air vibrate. The dragon’s voice was a pleasant tenor, which was a surprise to Ava. Many male dragons she had met liked the deep voices.

“You’re giving special treatment to the Trevels,” a female voice complained. Ava couldn’t see the speaker, but could tell this was the group that Cal had warned her about.

The Unification faction, multi generational rider families, and probably a few others. Cal had told her the factions in the riders and dragon world really didn’t matter, as all would bend a knee when a dragon lord and their retinue decreed it. But there were still plenty of political drama, intrigue, and games in the riders themselves that the Dragon lords simply didn’t care about.

As long as it didn’t impact the duties of the riders too much, the lords were content with letting them do their own thing. There was still a structure and hierarchy in the riders set by the lords and was a source of infinite headaches for Cal. Few knew it, but he was the one that created a path for independent riders.

Riders sent out to investigate, scout, and explore as needed by the lords or local dragons and fairies. The path was the most grueling a rider could follow and few after Cal had succeeded completely it. It being new and a source of change; it came with the expected backlash. As the riders only reported to the local dragon lords, their retinue, or other top representatives, they weren’t directly part of normal riders. That didn’t mean the independent riders refused to work with the regular riders far from it. They simply never stayed in one place for very long. A rider went from dragon flight or wing squads, fairy flutter squads, or acted as spies, going where needed and doing what was needed. Unfortunately, many viewed independent riders as a risk to the structure and hierarchy as a whole.

There were maybe two hundred riders that formed a bond with a dragon and completed training globally every few years. A paltry number compared to the amount of regions the riders and fairies were tasked with protecting. The Unification faction wanted the independent riders to be abolished, and any that completed the training to join the regular forces and directly controlled by the riders’ leadership. The only problem was that those that couldn’t complete the path were always far stronger than other riders’ training paths, which the flights and wings directly benefit from as they joined the regular riders.

Cal had described it simply as.

“Love, you know I hate dealing with politics and yet I find myself neck deep in it all the time. But with the riders, change was needed. It was time for the riders to adapt to current and future needs. We aren’t some group above them all, even if they love describing it that way. We are the spearhead, the first in and the last ones out. We abided by the riders’ rules, laws, and customs we’re just…independent in thinking.”

She had rolled her eyes at his description, but over the fifty years since he had created the path, those that had completed the training had already made ripples in the riders. With these ripples, the Unification faction wanted one thing…control. They wanted control over the more powerful riders, to influence them, to be their confidants. To shape the riders to their whims.

Many in the unification faction were multi generational riders who probably wanted to have them join their families to consolidate power further. The fools didn’t seem to understand that the dragon lords were the ones that had agreed to the new path, even supporting it fully.

Cassel was a trainer for the independent path. In fact, from what she had overheard, Cal and Cassel said Kamar and Varino had beaten up most of the potential candidates, much to Cal’s amusement and Cassel exasperation.

The dragon’s words brought Ava’s focus back.

“You are all going to hear an element spirit’s reason to bond. Personal thoughts of that spirit. The upbringing of the Varino and Zerine Trevel. Detail discussion of an individual’s abilities and magic. These aren’t something we will allow to be widespread,” the dragon's chair said calmly. But there was an unrelenting pressure in the words ending the conversation there.

“Speaking of all those details,” a woman’s voice said before there was yet another blinding flash that filled the space.

Vinessa stood in the middle of the circle with a pair of disembodied eyes made from flames floating next to her. With their appearance came the pressure of the two undescribable powers, letting a mere wisp of their power escape.

Varino chimed and waved, while everyone else was struggling to breathe. All but Cal, that is, who shrugged the pressure off.

The flaming eyes turned their attention to Varino and Ava could have sworn she heard amusement as Escanar, the lord of flame, introduced himself to Varino and Bronte.

“Nice to meet you, little ones. I’m sorry our first meeting is like this, but I have matters to attend to.”

The burning eyes drifted upwards till they were floating far above everyone looking down at them all.

“A contract will be required to ensure all parties keep the details they will learn in this tribunal to themselves till they either ascend or die,” the Lord of flames decreed.

At his words, documents wreathed in flames appeared in front of everyone. Everyone, but for Bronte and Varino, that is.

“This is not-”

Ava had no idea who was dumb enough to try to weasel out of the contract, but there was a flash of light and the individual was gone.

“Anyone else unwilling to have their soul bound to secrecy?” the Lord of flames asked.

There were small flashes of light as the remaining people excepted the contract.

“Good. Now I expect this to be a fair tribunal and there to be no more interruptions. Any words you like to add, Vinessa?”

“Just that the contract will persist even after we ascend or die, so these contracts aren’t something you can hope to outlive,” she said with a cold smile. That smiled warmed as she turned to Varino and Bronte who were still sitting in Ava’s lap. “I hope you two don’t get too bored,” she said casually before giving Varino and Bronte a wave and a wink before vanishing in a flash of light.

The Lord of Flame’s eyes burn brightly before fading as well.

“Let the tribunal of Zerine Trevel and Varino Travel begin. Judiciary committee head Elara, let’s hear the charges,” the dragon council chair said.

An elven woman sitting to the right of the center chair of the lower bench stood. She had silver hair and brown eyes, with alabaster skin. She wore mage robes a regal blue.

“There were two charges. The first was against Ava and Callahan Trevel regarding grooming an elemental to bond with their child. However, these have been dropped. After an investigation, it has been proven to be nothing more than rumours attempting to tarnish his legacy. As of the start of the tribunal, we will widely disseminate our findings and are not included in the secrecy contract,” Elara said in a stiff, formal tone and paused.

Ava heard some grumblings coming from the group of…twenty!? They brought twenty people to this tribunal? Cal really had made some enemies with his path. She only hoped he wouldn’t be blindsided by anything they try.

She already knew there were threats against Zerine enough that Cassel had to change how Zerine was being trained. Cassel had passed that along quickly after his and Cal’s plan to introduce Kamar and Varino went as…expected, apparently.

A document appeared in front of the women.

“The next charge is again Zerine Trevel. As a latent mage with a partly awaken soul has given her an unseen ability. One that has raised concerns. Soon after the investigation started into the Trevel family, another targeted Zerine. The charge is that she is an unregistered Mind Bender, using her ability to manipulate Varino. Today we will examine their relationship to ensure Zerine did not influence or lie to the spirit to have her want to bond.”

Ava glanced down at Varino, sensing small sparks of power. Sure enough, the spirits’ constantly drifting hair had sparks rippling up and down its strands. Clearly, the spirit didn't like anything that the women had said, but knew enough not to shout at her.

Ava, ignoring the sparks, began braiding Varino’s hair. It was difficult and the braids never stayed for long, but the spirit loved it. Luckily, Ava was resistant to lightning, so even with the sparks zapping her, she began brushing Varino’s hair before starting to braid.

The sparks faded as she worked. Varino hummed happily, closing her eyes, making Ava smile.

She felt a gaze and looked up. She saw the man sitting in the middle of the lower council looking at them with a stern expression that softened for only the briefest moments into a small smile.

“We will hear about Zerine’s childhood, ability details, and training given to us by her parents and trainer. Then Felix’s report will be given. After that, we will examine Varino's childhood and training. Lastly, we will hear the reason Varino is so certain about bonding with Zerine.”

With that, the woman sat down and looked at the man to her right, who stood.

“My name is Marcum Kalus, the chair head of the Lower Council. The High Council will observe and will be part of the final deliberation. Everyone on the stand will be sharing memories and Felix, the Voice of the Lord of Flames, will tell us if the statements and memories are true or not. I shouldn’t have to say this, but civility is expected, and any interruptions will result in expulsion from the proceedings.”

He looked over them all with a gaze that made it abundantly clear that being thrown out wouldn’t be as nice as what happened to the one you refused the contract. His expression softened again when his gaze landed on the curled up hatchling and Varino.

“Now, Mr. Trevel, if you please come forth and share your memories of Zerine’s and Varino’s childhood.”

Ava resisted a wince. Their memories of Zerine wouldn’t be lacking, but wouldn’t help the situation, either. Their memories would have many expressing how worried they were about Zerine’s ability and lack of social activity normal for her age.

Sure enough, the memories they spent the most time on were those of Cal’s thoughts on how Zerine’s instincts affected her interactions. One particular memory stuck out to Ava.

It was just after Zerine had fully recovered from the assassination attempt and her first day back to her normal training.

“Hey, las, why didn’t you go with Neil and his friends to the city?” Cal had asked, walking up and sitting next to Zeirne, who was curled up on a couch reading a book. Several pixies were sitting on Zerine, having been reading over Zeirne’s shoulder or attempting to read. Ava wasn’t sure if the creatures could even learn to read their attention spans were notoriously short.

Zerine made a face.

“Most were from class and people he met before going to class. I could sense they didn’t really want a girl along and that was without my instincts telling me that. So I’m reading a book on magitech and taking some time to read a book to my friends here,” Zerine jerked a head to the pixies who waved to Cal, who gave a small wave in return.

“Aw, I see. Have you thought about what you want to do for more training or classes? Maybe in Magitech?”

Zerine sighed and shook her head.

“Alchemy is enough. I can’t do anything other than runes and sigil work, which I can read about without a class. The librarian keeps me busy in those areas as well. Although I would have loved to. You should ask Varino about training. Zara has me covered. I don’t want to overly specialize and have my crest screw up everything.”

Cal had winced.

“Ava, has Varino covered. I guess I just want to spend some of my rare free time with you. Like the times before the intersection.”

Zerine broke out into a smile. A genuine smile that lit up her eyes.

“Can we fly with your partner?”

Cal laughed.

“He has been wanting to fly, so sure. Let’s go.”

On the flight, they heard Cal’s mental conversation with his bonded dragon.

“Dilong, you don’t sense anything different?”

“No, she is still the spirited one I have grown to accept. If anything, in her spirit, I feel a drive to improve.“

“She doesn’t have any friends. Leaving class seemingly made her happier, but losing any chance to have a normal life.”

“She has friends, just not what normal is for you two-legs.”

“I don’t count slimes.”

Dilong chuffed.

Zerine had cheered as the smoke sparkled due to Dilong adding magic to it.

Cal looked back at Zerine, who was smiling brightly. A smile that Ava had to admit she hadn’t seen in a while even before she left for the fairy lands. It was so open and free. She was truly happy in that moment.

Ava wished she could say she shared such a moment with Zerine in the last few years like that, but she couldn’t, unlike Varino or the others. Based on this memory, Cal had or was feeling the same as her. Like Zerine had fallen through the cracks, getting less time with either of them because of either their work or training with the others. Gods, even when they arrived at Marigold’s household, they should have spent more time together than they did.

When did this happen?

When did her baby girl lose that happy glow she saw in the earlier memories, having it replaced by a muted presence? A presence she was coming to realize was a sign she was missing something going on with her daughter.

Ava looked down at Varino, wondering what the spirit thought and blinked. Varino was playing with a mana puzzle she had pulled out of nowhere and wasn’t paying any attention. Bronte, meanwhile, had moved off to the side and was curled around some natural treasure that pulsed and flickered like a flame.

She sensed the magic making it so both couldn’t hear what was going on. They could watch, but clearly had better things to do.

Cal stood in the middle of the marble circle and glanced her way, giving her a small smile. He knew what she was thinking.

Gods, we should do some family things before Zerine goes off to an academy, she thought.

What she didn’t want to think about was the fact that there weren’t many times the family as a whole could spend time together. Especially if Zerine…no think happy thoughts.

Ava took a breath in and let it out slowly.

Zara put an arm around Ava’s shoulders, giving her old friend a squeeze.

The rest of Cal’s memories just reaffirmed Ava’s goal of spending time as a family, not on training. There were some of them enjoying city wide festivals, laughing as they watched the slimes zoom around the household, and more. So, they spent time with them, but it didn’t feel enough. Maybe it was just her growing realization that Zerine was going to leave when she was eighteen and she just wanted to spend more time with her before it was far harder.

When it was her turn to share memories, they ended up getting very interested in Varino’s early years at the household and her understanding of Zerine’s instincts. Eventually Ava showed parts of the pair’s time on Trevel Island that were relevant.

The memory viewing had sound, which did allow for some quiet conversations. When Varino and Zerine fought the horde of puffballs as Zerine and Varino called them, the muttering grew to astonishment and disbelief.

“How is she fighting like that?”

“They should have retreated and fought in a better location!“

“If this is her going all out, then what will she be like after getting her crest?“

Ava fought to hide her smile hearing the tribunal and the guests discussing the memories.

She watched the memory, letting Felix’s magic keep the memory on track. She and Cal had kept coming back to this fight, trying to figure out just what had happened. More recently, when she came back to this memory, she watched the small smile Zerine had and how she danced through the swarm of enemies.

Zerine fought like Liliana and Zara combined, which was terrifying to think of but to witness. It was an amazing sight to behold.

The ball and chain whirled, using Zerine’s momentum to keep its deadly speed up. Adding Zerine’s willpower into the mix, it became a truly awe-inspiring weapon. Ava had worked on trying to mimic it, but it didn’t really fit with her fighting style. She couldn’t replicate how Zerine’s instincts gave her a sphere of awareness-like instincts to aid in fighting. Although she ended up having Gary make a spiked chain, she could shoot out and blast electricity through.

“Pause the memories for a moment,” the chair head said.

The memory froze with Zerine mid spin, her scythes glinting with black and blue blood. Two throwing knives having thrown moments ago frozen in the air inches away from killing their target. The ball and chain was crushing the face of a purple puff ball that was attacking Zerine’s back.

“Felix, I think we will have your analysis of Zerine to help explain this,” Marcum gestured to the frozen image.

Ava blinked. It was faint, but Zerine’s eyes were a different color than her normal teal and blue. Was it a trick of the light? No. They really were different.

How had she missed it?

They reminded her of…some kind of opal?

Felix got up from his seat and moved to stand next to Ava in the middle of the circle.

“Ava and Cal’s description of Zerine's ability is accurate with my findings.”

“How is a crestless capable of this?” a woman sitting in the furthest chair on the left side.

“Miss. Woodward, those with partly awaken souls have plenty of records of rather rare or unique abilities. They all have evolved to something different when the individual receives their crest,” Felix said calmly.

“So, we are supposed to believe this ability gives this child an area that she can both sense locations and emotions in?” Miss Woodward asked incredulously.

“Actually, what Zerine is picking up on isn’t the raw emotions or mental defenses would work. But the aspects that every living thing emits on top of their intent leaking out,” Felix replied.

He turned to Ava.

“There is a technique to stop her from picking up on the intent and emotions, correct?”

Ava nodded. “It’s the same technique used to prepare people to handle creating and controlling an avatar.”

Felix nodded.

“As expected, but it doesn’t stop her when fighting inanimate objects with no intent. So then there is an aspect that is partly connected to the other aspects of her senses around her. It’s no wonder why today when you all appeared she nearly passed out. It was simply too much at once. Sounds, scents, mana, emotions, and more.”

“It was far too much all at once,” Ava agreed, startled that he had been there. She thought back and spotted him. He had to watch them the entire time.

He nodded again.

There were some startled mutterings from the tribunal and the guests.

“Zerine isn’t a Mind Bender, but that doesn’t mean she won’t become one either. This ability of hers covers to many aspects and will change when she gets her crest. Most likely, all parts of it will separate into her unique magics or early concepts,” Felix said, meeting the gazes of each member of the tribunal.

“It’s fascinating. Her willpower is incredible for a crestless,” Marcum said. There were agreeing nods from other members. “But this does not mean she hasn’t used this ability to manipulate those around her however.”

“Again, that isn’t her,” Felix said calmly.

“How? You’ve only observed her for two months,” someone in the other group spoke up.

“Silence, that was you last warning,” Marcum barked at the group. “You all are on thin ice.”

There were some growls from the dragon council, which made their displeasure abundantly clear.

“Her mental defenses are quite impressive. I have no doubt it’s because of your training and her own experience with such an overwhelming ability,” Felix said, giving an appreciate nod to Cal, Zara, and Ava. “But I was able to bypass them and she only used the added information to avoid dealing with people that she didn’t like. Or those act more…two faced were her mental words. It honestly reminds me of how an elemental’s instincts about people work.”

Marcum raised a bushy eyebrow.

“Then, let’s move to the trainers than Varino. Thank you for your report. We may ask you for more input as we see other memories and testimonies.”

Zara’s testimony and memory viewing didn’t cause as much of a stir as Ava’s had, but when it came to Cassel’s that was a different story.

“That was them!” A man sitting next to the chair head blurted out as a violet explosion filled the recording from training area four. Cal was shaking as he tried to not laugh his ass off from the expression of shock that all the council members had. Zara elbowed him, but she was struggling, too. Ava just gave them reproachful looks.

Varino, meanwhile, didn’t care at all. She just clapped and cheered, having finally saw that pretty explosion from a perfect angle.

Varino’s reaction seemingly borke the spell the council members were under. Several chucked at the spirit’s delighted reaction. Even Cassel chuckled.

“Well, at least I got to see why area four was down for a few weeks,” Marcum commented with a grandfatherly smile. “But let’s get back to it. Were these golems D-rank? Or were they matching Zerine’s relative strength?”

“It was set to Varino’s strength. We were told that Zerine could keep up. It turned out to be a bit too much, but both showed they worked great as a team,” Cassel said.

“Yes, that is abundantly clear. So, now let’s have young Varino do her testimony, then we can discuss amongst ourselves,” Marcum said.

Excited to finally get this over and done with, Varino skipped to the marble circle. She just wanted to see her friend again and get back to their normal training and project. Once she was in the dead center of the circle, Varino put her hands to her hips and took a deep breath. A tiny tirade of chimes, whistles, and burbles expressed how she felt about all of this.

“I’ve sat bored for like four hours! And no spirit fruits either! I’ll tell you right now that this was a waste of yours and my time. The ones that caused this were blind, idiotic fools. We will bond. We will travel, and I will become an independent rider!”

Off to the side, Ava facepalmed and Marcum’s smile grew till he laughed along with the entire dragon council, who chuffed and rumbled their amusement. Meanwhile, everyone else looked completely confused.

Varino simply nodded. She said what she wanted to say. Now…what?

Felix cleared his throat, eyeing Varino, who felt a nudge in her mind.

Oooh, right, mental defenses down to let him display memories.

Varino did so, and Felix smiled.

“Gods, I needed that,” Marcum said, still chuckling. “I have forgotten how young elementals act. Varino, I’m a fire elemental that progressed and created a physical body.”

Varino squinted, then went. “ooh, when does that happen again? Mom and Dad keep telling me, but it feels way off.”

Marcum grinned.

“S-rank, but you’ll start feeling changes at A-rank.”

Varino facepalmed. Right, how could she have forgotten? She really needed to tell Zerine who would remember. Zerine always remembered things like that, while she only focus on important things, like zapping things, dragon rider stuff, and ways to make colorful explosions.

Felix looked extremely confused, or maybe amused. Or both.

Varino’s gaze narrowed and Felix’s grin grew.

Amused then. Ugh, he totally heard her internal thoughts. Whoops.

Felix just shock his head.

“Well, Varino, can you please show us your childhood and interactions with Zerine?”

Varino gave Marcum a dazzling smile and whistled.

“Sure thing Gramps.”

Marcum snorted a laugh.

EVeryone, but for the Trevel family, Cassel, and Felix looked even more confused.

“My friends call me Mar. Only my grandchildren call me gramps and they’re nearly ninety years old,” he replied, his smile warm.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw mom facepalm again. Did she mess up? No. Dad was grinning proudly, but she should do as Gramps, whoops Mar said.

Varino glanced at Felix, who gave her a nod. She focused. Images began floating above her.

They saw a ten-year-old Zerine walking out of classes, looking bored and alone.

Varino chimed at her and Zerine’s smile glowed like the sun finally escaping the clouds. Zerine ran up to her and they began chatting.

The next memory was of Varino spending time in Ava’s lap as she taught the spirit how to better control her abilities and read.

They watched Varino playing with the pixies, children led by Estel, slimes, and fellow elementals. The spirit had lesson taught by Zara, Raith, and Ava. The memories always came back to her and Zerine though.

Zerine reading books aloud. Zerine struggling to use ambient magic with Varino, cheering her on. The two training side by side. Varino, sitting in dark blue and teal hair, attempting to braid it, but instead just playing with her that sometimes sparkled like gemstones.

More and more memories flew by.

Varino watched them. She had to admit her life was fun. She learned new things, gotten catalysts, have awesome parents and family, and great friends.

There was a pulse of contentment through her bond from Bronte, and she smiled.

“Who are those dragons hatchlings?” A dragon above asked.

The memories paused.

Varino tilted her and chimed.

“No, not heir names whose family?” the dragon asked.

Varino tapped her index fingers together and looked at Cal and Ava with pleading eyes.

“They are Falkor's last hatchlings, if we believe what either of them said before they went to the northern oceans,” Cal said. There was some rumbling of amusement from the dragons. The mating pair had been saying no more hatchlings for centuries, and yet there was at least one every century. It had become a rather long going joke at the two expense, as they never really could keep their hands off each other for very long. They only behaved when hatchlings were around.

“Strange that out of all the memories so far that Zerine’s closest friends are dragons, elementals, and fairies,” another dragon commented.

“The ability allows her to understand quite a lot of langues without truly knowing them,” Felix said a hint of excitement in his tone.

“Please continue,” Marcum said.

Felix nodded, and the memories continued till there was a spike of something that made Varino suddenly become alert, breaking her happy trance from reliving those memories.

Storm clouds began to form over head as another spike of pain and fear came from somewhere.

Something was wrong, but what?

Another pulse made her chime, turning quickly to Ava.

Ava’s brows furrowed. “What do mean Zerine is in trouble?”