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Chapter 43

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Lothinar and Candasar started their search for Mo-Rung up near the caves. Flying low they were able to see some of the men that usually accompanied him, she dropped the cow a second time making sure not to hit anyone below. The men had an almost invisible presence when they wanted to disappear into the woods. This time, though, it looked like she had caught most of them playing cards around a campfire. The now twice-dropped cow landed on a large, open, flat spot near their gathering place. Lothinar didn't see any of his fellow wardens.

"Whoo hoo! Steaks for dinner," Lothinar heard one of the men yell.

"That's for Mo-Rung," said Lothinar, jumping off Candasar and walking up to them.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we whittle off a few pieces first, seeing you already ended the poor thing's life by almost dropping it on us."

"That's actually the second time Candasar dropped it," said Lothinar. We made a quick stop on the way out here and dropped it once before landing there, too. Don't worry. She is still pretty fresh. Candasar informs me that landing with a cow in your claws is almost impossible without flipping over"

"Why didn't she carry it in her jaws?" asked one of the men that Lothinar thought was Arnold.

"Tell Arnold that flying with that much weight in your mouth doesn't work. I'd be too heavy in front. I can, however, carry a deer in my mouth when I walk. Tundor did it many times before he could fly. A cow would be a real strain. Much heavier. I might pull a neck muscle."

"You know, I don't really think he really cares about the logistics," said Lothinar through the bond. "I'm glad you explained it to me, though..."

"Where is Mo-Rung?" Lothinar asked instead.

"He's back down near the lake with his new baby dragon and her mother," said another one of the men.

"Terrific, back we go! I guess you guys can have the cow, then. I don't think Candasar's going to want to carry it a third time."

"No, I do not. Twice is enough."

"Yippee!.. and Thanks!" one of the men yelled.

Now that they knew where to look, they found Mo-Rung and Aleena at the nest. The two parents looked up in alarm as Candasar flew overhead and descended but visibly relaxed after identifying Candy and her rider.

"What brings you down to my nest?" asked Aleena. "Not that you are not always welcome"

"I brought a cow that somehow ended up being extra up into the hills for my Grandfather. We left it with his sworn men, but I'm afraid that they were threatening to eat it themselves!"

Mo-Rung chuckled.

"I suppose they deserve a reward for all they constantly do for me. I'll have to make a big show about being cross with them."

"Perhaps we can have what they can not finish for the young one," said Aleena to Mo-Rung hopefully.

"I will need to go back to check in with them and our new friends, the elves, soon. When Cantrell is finished with his meeting, we will have much to discuss"

"Don't worry Aleena, the men will not be able to finish a whole cow, nor do they eat all the parts as we do. I will bring some meat with me when I return," said Mo-Rung.

That seemed to appease the little dragon's mother. Soon Mo-Rung headed out on his way back to the hills.

"I assume this is your new hatchling Firestorm," said Lothinar, bending down to look at the young dragon. She had a slight reddish hue. The wrinkled wings lying stuck to her back were almost pink. "She is so small!"

"This is only her second day out of the egg!" said Aleena, "Already she is hopping around so much I'm afraid she is going to fall out of the nest and into the water and drown; it is nerve-wracking! I have other eggs to tend to. She gets away from me sometimes."

"Is there anything I can do to help? asked Candasar.

A huge wave of something that felt a lot like regret washed over Lothinar through the bond. The longing for Motherhood. Grief for an unlaid egg that had died. There was no condemnation in Candasar's emotions directed toward him, but he could not help remembering that he had something to do with that. Candasar had used her healing to save his life before they were bonded. She had used healing that was empowered by sacrificing a magic-infused egg. She also missed Tundor and wanted to try again. He and Candasar were not together right now. That, too, was at least partially his fault.

"How old do baby dragons have to be to fly?" he found himself asking. "Perhaps if her wings were formed correctly, it would keep her from falling into the lake so easily."

Candasar and Aleena looked back and forth between themselves. They seemed to be communicating in primal dragon. They stopped whatever private speaking they were doing and looked back and forth between themselves, a little surprised.

"We actually do not know the answer to your question Lothinar. sent Candasar. Neither of us has ever seen a newly hatched dragon with functioning wings. Much of what we know about eggs and baby dragons is based on the water types, like the one that I once was and Aleena still is. There is no instinct that we can draw on to answer this. We will have to wait I suppose and see."

"But she still does not have healthy wings," said Lothinar. "We don't know if she might be able to fly now?"

"I doubt it. She lacks the strength to flap strenuously. Perhaps she could glide if dropped from high enough"

"You are not going to be experimenting on my child in that way!" Said Aleena. "I was almost ready to let you babysit her over in the human town, Candasar, but now I don't think I trust you anymore!"

There was a long pause. Lothinar gulped.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Then Aleena laughed uproariously. Candasar laughed too.

"You should have seen your face, my bond!" said Candasar, still chuckling. "Like I would fly up and drop a baby dragon..."

"Ok, you two got me." Said Lothinar, his face reddening.

"Anyway, That seems to be a low priority considering how many other dragons we still need to ask you and Esmarilla to fix," said Candasar.

"Yes, Lothinar, if you don't mind me asking. Who are you going to try and restore next?" asked Aleena. "I know that Mo-Rung is not ready to ask you yet, but there must be others willing"

"He and Cantrell are still working some things out, yes. I think you probably realize that it has something to do with Cantrell and Mavis," said Lothinar.

"Yes, you, of all people, certainly know that bonding too hastily can be problematic."

Lothinar blushed again but didn't say anything. Suddenly he was very angry. The feelings felt overpowering. He had done everything they asked him to. He had followed the rules and played nice. Where had it gotten him?" Ardwynn had left him. Tundor had chosen to follow her. Candasar had lost her mate. He was angry at everything.

The little dragon was so small. How could it hurt? He could fix at least this. He began pushing the power of change into the little dragon. He pushed his power into her wings. He pushed hard. She squeaked and then stood still and began to vibrate slightly. He began to fix more of her. He was going to make her perfect like she always should have been. Before the emperor had screwed everything up!

"What are you doing, Lothinar?" yelled Candisar. "Esmarilla is not here!"

Aleena moved between Lothinar and the little dragon as if to protect her, but it was too late.

From her back, bloomed normal healthy dragon wings. They were beautiful and red. She trilled in pleasure, flapping them. She hopped up and down. Of course, she didn't fly, but it was cute.

Then Lothinar felt a wave of dizziness and exhaustion pulling him down. He fought it. He reached inside, looking for just a little more power. He didn't find it. He swayed and staggered before falling face-first into the lake. He knew no more.

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"The emperor obviously has not come, but we have received a message," said Starett. "It came to Womber at the temple. The old coot almost didn't give it to me, but I suppose a sense of self-preservation finally overcame his anger and jealousy"

"His crimes continue?" asked Esmarilla in disbelief.

"Who is this Wonger" asked Vanador

"It's Womber, and I'll tell you all about it later, brother," said Esmarilla. "In fact, I'll introduce you to him!"

"Is he the old guy over at the temple that keeps trying to flirt with me every time I go over there to visit Vanador?" asked Siophra.

"I truly hope not," said Starett.

"It can't be your clothes," said Mavis. Then she blushed when nobody laughed.

"Please read us the message Starett," said Ardwella

"I can do that," said Starett. "It is written in the human language"

"Not both?" asked Cantrell.

"No, only in human, I can translate. I will read it in to you in elvish. I happen to speak both. "

"We are grateful that someone as young as you can," said Cantrell

"I spent my entire childhood preparing to serve in the dragon temple. My curriculum included elvish. It was always assumed that when the dragons returned, at least some elves would accompany...."

"Please read it already!" said Ardwella being uncharacteristically brusk. "You are stalling"

"Yes, quite. Right, as usual. Sorry."

Starett's voice started out shaky but got more firm as he found his way.

From the Emperor of the Elven empire, Argent the First, To the human temple priest Womber. We. understand that a dragon statue in your temple has recently awakened doing damage to your fine facility. We have experienced an unrelated but similar event in the Elven capitol where a library was damaged. These dragons are dangerous to both humans and elves and a previous war we fought to control them has brought peace to the region for hundreds of years. We understand that you have a sentimental attachment to these creatures but don't be deceived. They are very dangerous. I am sending a portion of my army headed by three of my sons to assist you in bringing this menace under control once again. We have begun to mobilize and should be there within one week. I expect your cooperation in the fullest to put down this threat. Any of the human population that assists or abets these rogue dragons will be considered hostile combatants and dealt with accordingly. Other representatives will be dispatched immediately after the dragons are subdued to manage the lake-bound members of their race in a more restrictive manner so that this kind of thing can not happen in the future. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Emperor Argent the First.

Mavis made a face. "Sounds like daddy." She continued. "That's not good, but honestly, I'm surprised he gave us so much time."

"You are saying 'Us', said Siophra.

"Hey! I'm bonded to a dragon too!"

"She is? really? Which one?" asked Siophra, clearly surprised. "I haven't seen one around her"

"She's a water type... She's down at the lake. The dragon is a blue," Said Cantrell. "One of Candasar's cousins"

"Barely a dragon, but Whew!" said Siophra. "I'm frankly shocked. The emperor's daughter. Did you know this Vanador?"

"It's rather new, but yes," said the white dragon. "You have been preoccupied and not really yourself. I've been filtering things that might upset you..."

"Don't you all see? Siophra shouted. "This proves what I was saying earlier". There is no way Mavis is Argent's real daughter. "If she were, her blood would be tainted!"

Mavis looked thoughtful. Then suddenly hopeful. Then she ran over and hugged Cantrell. She had tears of joy in her eyes.

"And that means that my brother, one of Argent's generals, isn't either!"

"Do we know which ones are coming, Starett?" asked Cantrell, trying to hold down the bouncing young elf.

The young priest flipped the letter over, examining both sides.

"It doesn't say. It just has the Emperor's signature"

"Let me see that!" said Mavis, grabbing the letter.

"It has a watermark right here. It says 'From the desk of Mandell, Records General'"

"Now that's my brother," said Mavis grinning broadly.

"Well, let's just hope he likes your father as much as you do!" said Cantrell.

"I wonder who my real father is?" said Mavis. "I just love a mystery!"

"I could be wrong, but I might have a suspicion," said Siophra.

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Lothinar groaned and opened his eyes. The place he was in was dark, and he was alone. He couldn't feel Candasar. That by itself was terrifying. He had become used to Candasar’s constant presence. Suddenly a red glow appeared outside through what had to be a shuttered window. In the slight glow, he could see that he was on a bed of straw in a large barn. There were stalls but no horses in sight. Farm implements were hanging on hooks on the walls. It looked like a couple of low stools were scattered about. Outside he heard the nocturnal murmurs of cows. The large door at the end of the barn creaked open a small crack. He saw movement, and a feminine figure squeezed through and rushed to his side. She knelt next to him. She held a small lantern in her hand.

"You are awake," she said. "I have given you something for the pain. Unfortunately, it may have a side effect of cutting off communication with your dragon for a time. You severely overtaxed your magical pathways healing that little dragon and collapsed. You were lucky I was there."

"Who...?"

"It's Ronette, my love. I have chosen to spend the rest of my life looking after you. Protecting you. I don't know what I ever saw in Michael. I was going to outlive him by hundreds of years anyway".

"Wait... no," he mumbled.

"Sssh! do not speak. You are still too woozy. I know it is confusing. You almost died. Candasar was frantic. She flew away to get help, and Aleena went chasing after that little dragon Firestorm, who flitted off into the bushes somewhere. Where you fell in it was very deep. It's a good thing that where I am from, we are good swimmers"

"I thought you grew up here?"

"No, of course not. I am from Savintra, the human capital. The kingdom of Silvantra is on an Island. Some of the elves, including my family, fled there when the dragons lost the war. My sister is a half-elf like myself. She is actually married to the King of Silvantra. He is coming here soon and bringing her with him. They are bringing a fighting force to help the dragons. They will no doubt bless our relationship. Ardwynn is a fool and blood-related to the emperor. You must give her up. It was never meant to be. Not like we are."

"Lothinar's head was whirling. He felt sick. He coughed up some water. It stank of the lake. His head fell back into the straw and he felt the darkness closing in again."

"Yes sleep now, when you awake again we will leave this place. I will take you to a secret place that I know. McDonald does not know of it." We can be together...."

He felt the waves of darkness rush over him again. Candasar would have to find him eventually. That is assuming she knew that he was still alive.....

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