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CHAPTER NINETEEN

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Vanador was flying. He was getting close to the elven capital. The place was not full of happy memories for him, but his sister was waiting. He had made a quick stop on the way to get a drink and hunt. He had even managed to re-find the clear mountain lake that Siophra and he had stopped at on their trip away from the Capitol, fleeing from Argent. He could almost still see Siophra, bedraggled and emaciated, climbing out of the water of the lake. He remembered how concerned she had been about trying to find her family while still unclothed. Her long imprisonment had ended in a period in which she had been left naked and starved. She had suffered through so much. She had been tortured, and more. It had been so much worse for her than it had been for him. He felt his rage at what Argent had done to her burn with fresh fervor. At least now, she was safe.

“I care deeply for that elf.” He thought to himself. “If my mate Vanquish wasn’t so against dragons and elves being bonded, I would never have ended it. I’m glad that she found Tundor, so at least now she doesn’t have to be alone.”

On the outskirts of the city the dragon had begun to gain altitude. Without a supply of dragon eggs to power the spell, the chance of being killed by an elf throwing lightning was pretty low. It would, however be wise to avoid running into the ballistae weapon that he had heard mentioned. He wanted to get above the threat of that! Vanador was planning to come in high and then try to center himself over the city central tower, before slowly spiraling down to the spire. That should keep him out of range of the new weapon. Before he got too high, he glimpsed something strange. A group of elves was gathered around something on the ground. It looked like a dragon! His blood ran cold. As far as he knew the only dragon in the region was Esmarilla. He couldn't just fly by. He had to investigate this. The elves seemed pre-occupied with stabbing the dragon. They didn't notice him flying towards them. They were looking down with glee as they impaled it and over. The dragon was already clearly dead. Suddenly Vanador snorted. It was a grey dragon that he recognized. It was Killingsworth! What had he been doing out here, so far from Delora Natine?"

Just by chance, one of the elves facing in Vanador's direction looked up from his mayhem. His eyes grew wide. He yelled a warning, but it was too late. Vanador's flames roared. After the huge white dragon's third pass over the bodies, only blackened skeletons and ash remained. It wasn’t a pretty sight. Several small fires had sprung up. A tree and nearby fence were burned where one of the quicker elves briefly escaped before being found by Vanador’s flames. Vanador left the farmland burning.

"We need to end this war soon." said Vanador to himself. "I have too many elf friends to be killing them indiscriminately like that. Seeing them stabbing Killingsworth made me lose my temper. I don't know what I would have done if it actually was Esmarilla lying there.

Vanador resumed his journey. As he flew away, he did not see the female elf hiding behind a hedgerow. She had silently watched him kill her spear wielding soldiers, biting her lip until it bled. She had remained silent, even as the flames began to spread. Only after the dragon was fully on his way did she begin yelling in alarm.

Argent’s daughter Jewel knew better than to draw the attention of an angry white dragon. She ran back to the estate. She needed to tell the others that Vanador, the white dragon had returned. She would recognize that dragon anywhere. He had been on the roof of her father's offices the whole time she had been growing up. There were only so many really big dragons. They were the most dangerous ones. The smaller ones would be much easier to subdue. Her troops hadn't had much trouble with the lone grey at all. It was somewhat lucky that he had attempted to talk first. With Vanador now at the capital, she would have to tell her sisters that the eggs back at the lake were now relatively unguarded. It was time to bolster their magic reserves again.

------------

Tundor was was out flying a patrol for hostile entities. He was taking his new responsibilities seriously. He had even met with a few old dragon council members and their families without showing his intrinsic dislike of them. Their past mistreatment seemed to have happened in a different lifetime.

Vanador had been right. No one tried to bully him. In fact they showed him a quiet respect. He deliberately tried to be friendly, even to Benedar. No one had seen any hostile elves. Tundor nonetheless reminded the grey's to constantly guard their nests. He had observed more than a few with multiple eggs in each. He was glad for them, but now that Vanador was gone, it made him nervous.

Back at the dairy, Constance was counting cows. Siophra was writing down the numbers on a tablet.

"I'm telling you that one is definitely missing." said Vigilant. I've already counted them twice."

“You are being persnickety again.” She said.

“I’m just trying to get this done” he replied. “It’s taking too long.”

”I know, but they keep moooving” she said grinning.

”But father’ already left without us! I wanted to go!” said Vigilant, for once oblivious. His sister's humor not even registering.

Siophra did smile at the female blue dragon’s joke. She was funny, and she obviously enjoyed teasing her usually too serious brother.

“Your father thought that, for this first visit, it was probably best that he went by himself Vigilant." Siophra said. "He explained why.”

The blue juvenile dragon started to say something before swiveling towards the barn.

”Oh look!” he said. “Ronniflass is back.”

From across the yard Siophra spotted Ronni. She was ducking into the barn. It looked rather clandestine. Siophra tried to wave but Ronni didn't seem to see her. Perhaps she had something important on her mind.

"Hold on Constance. You can stop counting." said Siophra. "I'm going to take Vigilant's word for it. Someone must have stolen one. It happens when hungry dragons are around."

She set the tablet down on the top of a water barrel and followed Ronni into the barn. When the half elf spotted her coming in, her face fell.

"Oh! Hi Siophra." she said awkwardly.

"Did you solve the mystery?" asked Siophra.

"Pardon me?"

"The quilt question mystery. You seemed very concerned about that earlier."

"Yes the quilt is fine, well, actually it's not. But that doesn't matter as much anymore." she said.

"Was Cenderick helpful in resolving the situation?" she asked. "You two obviously went up to the house again."

The half elf blushed.

"Very helpful." she said.

"We need to talk." said Siophra.

Ronni took a step back.

"Look Siophra, I'm sorry. I didn't really mean for this to happen. I wasn't trying to steal your beau. We just... Well, both of us needed to move on. Cenderick and I love each other. I hope you understand...."

"Oh, ok. Of course I understand. It's really fine." said Siophra. "I sort of assumed that was the case. I'm glad for you both."

Ronniflass looked perplexed.

"Well, then what did you want to talk about?"

"Where do you buy your cows?" Siophra asked. "We are running low and Muina is concerned that we are going to run out of milk."

"Why does Muina need milk?

"Ardwella went off and left her with a hungry baby."

"Oh.. Did she explain why?"

"She left for the capital to deal with the last of Argent's family, among other things I suspect."

"She does seem to be full of surprises." said Ronni.

"When you are as old as me and my sisters, you learn a few tricks." said Siophra.

"I keep forgetting about that. You all look so young. It's the bonding of course."

"About the milk," said Siophra. "Don't worry, there is still enough for Charity and several other young children in town, at least for now, but the cheese maker has been here several time to complain. He's not happy."

"I know where to get more cows, but you're not going to like it."

"We don't really have a choice." said Siophra.

"Ok. But will you go with me? I've got to talk to McDonald."

"I'll do you one better. I'll bring Tundor with us. I don't think McDonald is going to give us any trouble with Tundor around."

"First I'll go talk to my sister. She and Enderline have the gold we are going to need."

Ronni paused. She had an awkward look on her face.

"Do you think you would mind if Cenderick comes along. We've kind of become inseparable."

"No, I don't mind." said Siophra. "We are probably going to need his help for the cattle drive anyway."

"I think he would actually enjoy something like that." said Ronni smiling.

"Where is he now, by the way.?"

”He’s trying to find a dragon to bond with. He said he wants to stay with me forever, and since I am bonded....”

”You won't age, and of course he will continue to.”

‘Ronni nodded.

"He's talking with a young dragon named Pepper. He took his friend Amstell along. Apparently they both are looking for bonds. Amstell is talking to Salt."

"Those dragon's are Mo-Rung's children. Does he know about that?"

"Of course, they asked him first. But they are both good friends of Cantrell. That was all Mo-Rung needed to know."

"You know it's up to Salt and Pepper, not their father if they bond don't you?"

"Cinnabar told me the same thing."

"So why now? They are both pretty young."

"They are actually older than the dragons from the cache. They were born on the lake. It was a few days before the big battle. They were Aleena's last eggs before she was killed."

Siophra watched Ronni's face carefully. She looked resigned.

"Right, that was when Ardwynn...."

"Yes, Ardwynn betrayed Lothinar and attacked Mavis and Aleena. Being reminded of that event actually helped me make my decision."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's hard to take....when the person you thought you loved, leaves you to be with a murderer!"

Tundor had been paying attention through the bond. Siophra could feel Tudor's animosity against Ardwynn flare as he remembered his own dealings with her.

Siophra sighed.

"Lothinar's in a difficult spot you know." said Siophra. "The Ardwynn that he married didn't seem to be a terrible person. She only showed her true nature after bonding."

"I saw here before." said Ronni. "Do you know that McDonald and I catered their wedding? That seems so long ago now. So much has happened.'

"Say that again when you are over six hundred. years old" said Siophra.

"I suppose that I understand what you mean. She hurt Tundor too."

"Well, it's probably best then that Lothinar find a way to keep her in Sivantra for a very long time."

‘I’m expecting that he just might do that. That also helped me make the Cenderick decision." said Ronniflass.

She met Siophra’s eyes.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"No, I really don’t. He was never mine you know. Cenderick is great, but believe it or not, my affections lay elsewhere."

"Did you ever tell him that?"

"No, and that was my mistake. I should have let him know that he was my second choice. It is something that is hard to tell someone."

Ronniflass laughed.

Misunderstanding her laughter, Siophra tried to assure the half elf.

"I did enjoy his companionship as a friend. He's a great catch. Good for you!"

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"That's not why I'm laughing. It was the second choice comment."

"Why is that funny?"

"It's a long story." said Ronni. "Let's just say that there is a lot of that going around. It's an epidemic, really. You've got to tell me! Who would have been your first choice?"

"Oh I’m way too late.” Said Siophra. ‘Mavis snagged Cantrell up before I got the chance to. I think that I might be prettier than her, but she had better clothes."

Ronni was shaking her head.

“I'm no one to talk, especially after taking Cenderick, but I think you should give up on that. Cantrell strikes me as being very committed to his wife."

Siophra got a dreamy look in her eyes.

"I'm going to live a very long time. I can afford to be patient."

"Look, Siophra." said Ronni. "I'm not exactly a great example of a person who's relationships have lasted, but don't you think it's a bit pretentious to be scheming after your own niece's husband? It's going to tear your family apart."

"Oh, I'm not going to tear anything apart. Ardwella will. I'm just going to be there to pick up the pieces."

----------------------------

Enderline was writing a letter.

"I wasn't sure before, but now I am." said Pricilla.

"What are you talking about?" asked Enderline. He was eating bear kabobs. Occasionally he would throw a choice tidbit to Ivy. He tossed her another one.

"It looks like you and Ivy have made up." said Pricilla. She's. your new best friend these days.”

"Yeah, she kind of grew on me." said Enderline.

"Well, I hope you are prepared to meet another new friend." said Pricilla. "I'm late."

"Late to what? Were we supposed to have a meeting?

He looked perplexed.

"Who are these new friends you are talking about."

She gave him a big grin.

"I'm talking about your child silly." she said. "I missed my period."

"You mean THAT kind of late?"

"Yes indeed." she said. "I guess that big blue dragon did some pretty thorough work when she was bringing me back from the dead after all."

"Well, give me some credit!" said Enderline.

"Yes, dear, you have been quite enthusiastic."

"Bear meat must agree with me!" said Enderline with a huge smile.

Ivy wagged her tail.

”The bear meat you are currently enjoying had nothing to do with this. You started eating those kababs far too recently. This goes back much longer than that. It must be from right after my Vanquish and Lothinar returned me to life. If I recall, you were exceeding glad to have me back!”

“I’ll have to send a note, thanking them again personally” said Enderline. “With Ardwynn’s local unpopularity, I wonder if they are going to actually stay in Sivantra. I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

”My sister seems to feel that might actually be the situation. She’s found a new guy.”

”Good for her!” Then everything is working out.

"Candasar has her children here. Tundor too of course. She will probably be back even though she is bonded to Lothinar."

"I wonder if they are regretting their decisions to bond." asked the King out loud. "I can't be the only one."

He suddenly frowned.

"Why can't Night-Sky be more like you?" he said, patting the green dragon on the head affectionately.

"Not everything works out dear." said Pricilla.

Enderline bit his lower lip.

”You're right Pricilla. I am going to agree to Night-Sky’s request to amicably un-bond. Not every relationship works out right the first time.”

"Are you sure, it's a big decision." she asked.

"Yes, I've waiting long enough." he said definitively. "The best decision is the one that is made."

He got a faraway look in his eye. He seemed to be concentrating.

“It’s done” he finally said.

“He then grabbed his lovely wife and gave her an enthusiastic kiss.”

”See, that’s the enthusiasm I was talking about!” Said Pricilla, quite out of breath.

”I’m far more inspired than that!” Said Enderline. ”Let me show you!”

Ivy placed her paw on Enderline's knee.

"What is it Ivy? asked Pricilla.

"There is another young black dragon around here that is still looking for a bond." she said, her voice tentative. "I'm sorry that Night-Sky didn't work out. I really like Enderline!" she said brightly.

"That's a great idea Ivy!" said Enderline. "What's his name"

"The black dragon is actually female." said Ivy. "Her name is Pepper. Her brother is named Salt. They are Mo-Rung's children and Firestorm's younger siblings."

"I'm looking forward to meeting them." said Enderline. "They aren't' bonded to anyone?"

"Not yet, but you might want to hurry" said Ivy. There are not that many unbonded available dragons left."

"We should go." said Pricilla.

"Do you mean that you don't want to celebrate the good news with me?" whispered Enderline, gently nibbling on her ear. "I'm sure that there is plenty of time."

----------------------------------------

Night-Sky sighed.

"Pricilla is pregnant." he said.

Albarad raised an eyebrow. He was holding his daughter in the crook of his arm and a bottle with a rubber nipple attached at one end in the other. The milk in the bottle was almost gone. He set the bottle down. Then he put Charity over his shoulder and began to burp her. She let out a little gurgle.

"That seems to be something that's going around lately. Muina is too. She thinks she conceived on the trip up into the mountains." he said.

"How is she feeling?" asked Night.

The elf grimaced.

"Morning sickness" he said with a sympathetic grimace. "She said she was the same way when she bore the twins. She's laying down drying to keep a hold on her breakfast."

"How are you feeling about all of this?" asked Night Sky. "I mean, Ardwella leaving."

"Well, I hope she meant it when she said she would try to come back, but somehow I don't think she actually will."

"Empty platitudes?" asked Night. "It doesn't seem like Ardwella to lie to her sister."

"I think she meant it when she said it." said Albarad. "She was handing Muina this baby. But Ardwella has always been a reluctant housewife and mother. I mean she really tried with Lothinar. But I could see her thoughts were always elsewhere. Once she figures out that we have survived without her she probably won't be back. At least for a while."

"Oh Wow! Hold on a second. This is what I've been waiting for."

Albarad rolled his eyes.

"You really should go see him. It's not fair to Enderline..."

"Sssh". said the dragon. His sister snow, sitting nearby raised her head in curiosity.

"He's breaking up with me!" said Night. "I can feel it."

"That's kind of sad" said Heirwynn. "When you think about it."

"No it's great!" said Night. "I've asked him to do this several times, but until now he's always put me off."

"How does that even work?" asked Heirwynn. “I was under the impression that breaking a bond was extremely difficult to do.”

”With elves it is harder, yes. Their magics become entangled with that of the dragon. The rending can be very difficult and painful. With humans it isn’t as difficult.” Said Night. “Of course emotional attachments still come into play.”

“I’ve grown quite fond of you Heirwynn” said Snow reassuringly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

”And now, neither am I” said Night. “I thought Enderline was going to insist that I go back to Sivantra with him, and I could never leave Snow.”

“If you two are staying, do you think you could do something about Muina’s morning sickness?” Asked Albarad.

“I will try to adjust her pregnancy hormone levels” said Snow. “But it will probably make her breasts grow somewhat larger.”

”Well, I will just have to endure that inconvenience” said Albarad trying to keep a smile off his face.

”You can do that? Tell me more about that” said Heirwynn to Snow as the two of them left to go speak with Muina.

”And maybe you could tell me a bit more about Mandel.” Said Night-Sky. “Like, why isn’t he already bonded?”

”I think you should give it some time, little ambitious dragon” said the elf. “You just got out of a bad relationship. Don’t bring that baggage into the next one. Besides you might find living in a palace unappealing.”

“It’s a terrible job, but someone’s got to do it.” Said the dragon.

------------------------

I really wasn’t gone very long. I had been worried that Courtney might have actually turned out to actually be a good father and try to talk his daughter Michelle out of leaving. I didn’t want to hang around long enough for him to change his mind. While it had eventually turned out Michelle had been completely right about his intentions to use her for political gain, the expression on his face after I came back downstairs, had worried me. He actually looked conflicted. I got out of there quickly. I was really concerned that he would notice my eye color. He didn’t. I quickly climbed on Firestorm. As she was flying away, I didn’t look back and Michelle didn’t ask me to.

I could see Lothinar and Ardwynn already in the yard as Firestorm made her approach to the house.I was obviously hanging on with all my might, but Firestorm wasn’t making it easy. I probably really was near her weight limit. I had no idea that wing flapping felt so bouncy! Candasar was standing next to the two elves. She looked over at me with a strange expression as the smaller red dragon landed. I slipped off Firestorm”s back eager to get back on the ground.

“Ugh!” I said.”That’s a new perspective on flying! I’m not at all looking forward to the crossing.”

Firestorm looked offended. She flicked her wingtips effectively stretching out her flight shoulders.

I felt the human girl grow concerned. Michelle was afraid my comment would somehow result in her being left behind.

”I heard your father offer to send you by ship” Firestorm said, looking at Lothinar, instead of me. “I’m not insisting on carrying you, especially with that extra gold your father gave you. it’s pretty heavy!”

“Are you actually interested in taking a ship, instead?” Lothinar asked me. “If so, that might work out better. There is something called sea sickness, though, that you might have to contend with as well.”

Michelle started wailing internally. She could imagine Lothinar’s actually thinking that was a good idea and leaving without us. I did my best to tune her out her squalling and forced her facial muscles to relax. She had somehow managed to make us frown.

I read Michelle’s memories. I was trying to see if she had spent time on boats. She hadn’t. Nor had she exhibited any problems with flying when I, as Vanquish, had accidentally grabbed her instead of Ardwynn. Although it had been a very short flight. When I parsed those thoughts it was clear that she was still a bit surly about me ruining that dress. It seemed incongruous to me that she seemed far more upset about that dress than me actually taking over her body.

Michelle began pleading with me to do anything to convince Lothinar to not leave us behind. Her powerful infatuation with him hadn’t really diminished. Only my stabilizing influence and control over her actions, kept her from throwing herself at Lothinar again. It felt like fighting a strong headwind back when I used to be able to fly.

Lothinar was looking at me curiously. He was still waiting for an answer.

”I don’t think I want to be left behind when you go. I just have concerns. I wish that there was some way to practice or something before we actually leave. It’s going to be really terrible if I’m air sick the whole time we are flying over the ocean.”

”Do you think that it’s Firestorms small size that is the problem?” Asked Candasar. “You were a pretty big dragon before….”

”Before Ardwynn destroyed my dragon body? You mean”

Candasar looked at me curiously.

”Now that you mention it, I think that everyone here is actually eager to know what actually happened.” She said, poignantly looking at Ardwynn. “Ardwynn claims not to remember.”

”I don’t think she’s lying to you about that.” I said. “I’m fairly certain it was an accident.”

"How did Ardwynn do it? How did she kill you? That's the part that has been really bothering me!" asked Candasar. "For obvious reasons."

"You're afraid." I said. "You think that she is going to do it to you."

"Anyone would be." said Lothinar. "I'm only a small part dragon and even I'm concerned. I don't know if I can really even trust her at this point."

Ardwynn squeaked a little. She looked upset.

"You can trust her. What happened wasn't really her fault. One in a million chance."

"It was a spell that Muina knew. The dragon burning one. While she was married to Argent she found it among his things. She stole it to keep it away from him. Unfortunately when she read it, she learned it."

"So then, because you were bonded with her, you knew it too."

"Of course."

"While I was working on removing all traces of Argent from your bride, Lothinar, I briefly bonded with her. Our thoughts combined. Unfortunately one of the things Ardwynn got from my mind was that spell."

"Why did I use it on. you? I don't think I would do that!" protested Ardwynn.

"You cast the spell because I asked you to!"

All of them were looking at me.

"You said that words were hanging behind your eyelids. That seemed strange to me. I asked you to read them to me."

"And you burned." said Ardwynn. "That part I do remember. I'm so sorry!" said Ardwynn. "I would never have spoken that spell if I knew what it was."

"The old Ardwynn would have, but not the new one." I said.

"Ardwynn, you are the most dangerous elf in the world!" said Candasar. "At least to dragons."

"Does Ardwynn still know that spell?" asked Candasar. "I would like to know."

"You would have to ask her." I said. "But I suspect she does. It's somewhere in her memories."

"I'm afraid to look!" said Ardwynn. "Please don't make me."

Candasar flinched.

"My mother has vowed to remove that spell and everyone that knows it from existence." said Lothinar.

"Well, she will have to start by killing her sister Muina then." I said. "She's definitely closer."

"Well, that's going to be awkward." said Lothinar. "Muina's actions have always been to help the dragons."

"That's the point Lothinar." I said. "Muina can be trusted."

"Are you saying that we can trust Ardwynn with this secret?" asked Lothinar.

"I'm vouching for her." I said. "I made sure to make her one of the best of your kind. She is special, just like you are Lothinar."

Lothinar reached over and took Ardwynn's hand. He smiled at her. She gave him a grin.

"It seems that I owe you a great deal" Lothinar said.

"Well, now that we have all that out of the way" said Firestorm, "If we are leaving, we need to get going."

Lothinar looked at Me. The girl he met at the party and danced with. I looked back at him with the ancient eyes of a blue dragon. Lothinar seemed to be gathering his thoughts. Finally he spoke.

"There's just one more thing." he said. "What happened to Michelle. I really need a serious answer to that question."

I suddenly realized that I had just assumed that Lothinar wouldn't really care about the human girl. Now he seemed to need additional assurances of her well being.

I sighed.

”You saw my seed reborn” I said. “When you activated your magic. It was the thing that jumped out of Ardwynn and into Michelle.”

”I did see something “ he admitted. “In my magical perspective we all were like stars, or maybe planets.”

”What you were looking at was probably our magic. When you started to bond with Michelle you made her receptive. Or I suppose she actually did. She wanted your bond. She made herself open to it. I needed a body, so I jumped”

”But you were already in me! Why did you need to jump into Michelle?” Asked Ardwynn.

Michelle who had been quiet up til now, seized on that statement and seemed determined to somehow make a racy double entendre out of it. She opened our mouth to speak. I fought for control and won. Perhaps Lothinar half expected something like that. Michelle had been saying suggestive things like that for a while. He was watching my face. He must have seen something. I answered Ardwynn’s question.

“Your own elven magic was already there. Magically, there wasn’t enough room for my seed to expand inside you, There really wasn't room for the both of us if I was going to become magically active again. I needed a container that didn't already have magic in it to put my magic into. Humans have no magic. Michelle now has me.”

"It rather seems that you have her." said Lothinar. "I really barely knew the girl, but I have to tell you I’m not really sure how I feel about that. It seems like you sort of stole her body. That can’t be what she thought was going to happen.” Said Lothinar.

"She's fine with it." I said.

"But how would anyone really know? We have only your word for that." he said.

"I could let you talk to her, but I don't think you will like the results." I said.

"I think that I would feel better about this Vanquish. Let me talk to Michelle please."

I shut up and dropped my guard. Lothinar must have watched my eyes change back to green. He spoke.

"How are you doing Michelle?" he asked.

"I'm fine, I see somehow I've changed clothes. Did you do that Lothinar, because I'd be totally ok with you seeing me undressed. But if we did more, I'm going to be very disappointed that I missed it."

"He didn't change your clothes, and neither did I." said Ardwynn. "I'm assuming you did that yourself when you went back to your house."

"I went home? Did I talk with my father?"

"Yes. Apparently he gave you permission for you to go with us." said Ardwynn.

”I told you that I think this has been on his agenda for quite a while.”

"How are you feeling about having Vanquish's thoughts with you?"

"She is pretty bossy, but I'm learning a lot." said Michelle. "She's also kind of sad."

Lothinar got a strange look on his face.

"What is she sad about?"

"Dying. I feel sorry for her. She had a mate you know. His name is Vanador."

"Yes, I know him. " said Lothinar. "Yes it's very sad for her. Vanador will be sad too, I'm afraid."

"She wants to talk to him. I want to help her do that." I found myself saying. Dammit human tears were running down my face.

Lothinar reached up and touched my face tenderly. He wiped at my tears. Then he coughed.

"Well, you got permission from your father. Are you ready to go Michelle?" Lothinar asked.

"Definitely I said. Oh I love flying on Firestorm. It's Vanquish that has the problem with it! I'm just happy to be going with you Lothinar!"

"Perhaps then, for the trip, you can ride Firestorm while the Vanquish part of you takes a nap or something." he suggested.

It was a solution that I hadn't really considered. It wasn't a bad one.

"One more trip to the restroom? It is a long flight." asked Ardwynn.

"Uh, how exactly do we do that from dragon back?" asked Michelle.

"Strategic eye closing and the honor system" said Lothinar. "Well, Ardwynn and I are married so it's less of a privacy problem"

"Impecable aim is the real issue Lothinar." said Candasar. "And a correctly prevailing wind."

"I'm not promising that I won't watch." I said, embarrassing myself.

Lothinar shook his head.

Candasar looked exited. She wanted to go.

"If you are going to be on Firestorm. I certainly intend to do some fishing." said Candasar. "You don't mind do you Lothinar?"

"Is this something new? What's actually involved?"

"Just some low passes over the water. We then scoop out some tasty fish. Vanquish and I both did it on our last crossing."

"You didn't have riders on your last trip" said Ardwynn. "That sounds somewhat dangerous."

"Oh NO!" I said to myself.

I grinned Michelle's grin. "No, fishing sounds exciting! Lets go!"

I decided to take that nap.

Several hours later I was jostled awake. Firestorm was in a dive. The Michelle part of me was hysterically screaming. I wrested control from the hysterical human girl and looked about in confusion.

High above me and off to the right I saw a gout of flame. There was a loud screeching. Firestorm pulled out of her dive and came turned so that I could finally see Candasar. Lothinar had his sword out and had it pointed at a gigantic bird. Sparks crackled at Crimson's tip. Behind him Ardwynn was holding on tightly, her eyes were closed.

"That was so close!" yelled Firestorm. "That big bird almost grabbed me right out of the air!"

I looked around. There were three more of them. We were surrounded by Rok's.

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