And The Saga Continues....

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The Saga

I am in town today to pick up someone from the harbor. I felt the need to get away and my priest has a niece or someone coming in. I have the password so that I will know who it is. As I stand patiently on the pier, a soft voice speaks the password behind me, as I turn, I am face to face with the most exquisite eyes I have ever seen. I acknowledge the password and we're off. We reach the edge of town in no time and head into the forest. Under an amethyst sky,the dusk sparkles a lavender hue upon her soft skin. The urge to touch is unbearable, yet bear it I must. We walk thru the woods....I am her guide. She has come to me to be led thru the forest to the citadel. She thinks I am a peasant... hahaha....well... not wanting to let the townspeople know who I was under my disquise, I maintained it for her as well .....much better to be safe than sorry. If I was discovered I'd be kidnapped for sure and who knows what horrors they would come up with for me. My father the King was a brutal man and hated thru-out the country but his death is too recent for them to have noticed the changes I have made.... so I hide until they do.... and when they realize I am NOT my father and that I will rule with a gentle maternal hand...... then I can go greet them with the love and loyalty I feel for my country and my brothers and sisters who share and maintain it for we are not a poverty stricken land. This lady whom I guide is an exquisite beauty..... reddish blonde hair trailing down each side of her captivating eyes. I wonder what she seeks? She seemed to know who was safe to give the password to, and find a way to my citadel, so she is intelligent. As the evening draws on we journey thru the forest until finally we get to the midway point... my favorite meadow. At the center of this perfectly circular meadow is a boulder of compressionite. ...a stone that consists of several types of different stones compressed together by mother earth. It is the stone of togetherness. As we near it she seems to be drawn to it... she approaches it with a look of awe on her face. The sparkle of fascination in her eyes is titilating. Leaning against the rock we rest, and she starts to talk about the things we passed on the way, almost like she wants to refresh her memory for safekeeping. ..but I answer her questions. "Do you think the Lady will recieve me" she asks? "I am positive she will" I reply with a grin. "I have such news for her, but I dont know how she will react so I am scared even to get my audience but I must!" she tells me. So now I wonder should I tell her or is this a trap?? I let her go on about her fear of the Lady of the Citadel. She sits down into the grass and leans against the stone. I am pacing a bit......more nervous than I can say. "are you standing guard or something?" she asks. "Sort of" I tell her. She looks so magnificent..... I notice that she doesnt take her eyes off me.... she stares at different parts of me for moments at a time. Unnerved,yet, I am wondering if she has the same types of thoughts I am having...... Just as I am about to ask her why she is staring at me, she says" You are an extreme beauty under those clothes...... you exude brilliance that shabby clothes could never hide....... may I be so bold as to ask your name?" stammering, I reply " well...names arent important here...getting you to the citadel safely is......" She sits quiet for a few moments then gets up and stands directly in front of me. She stares into my eyes and suddenly........ kisses me.... with her hands on either side of my face she passionately kisses me to a point of massive tinglies........ as she steps back I am dizzy.. realing from the intensity of it. "You are not a commoner," she states matter of factly, "I am not either, but I need to protect my identity." I knew it!!! She had a glow that emenated thruout her. "My name is Amethyst and I am Princess of the Lady of The Lake... ...and you are??" she says. after a moment I decide I might as well tell her........ then perhaps I will seduce her now that I know she is worthy **giggle** or not... "well....I am Tiajla, Mistress of the Citadel of Dragons.... and yes you are granted an audience." She just sat there and stared at me for a few moments............... .........."May I touch your face, M'Lady?" she asks. "YES!!" I believe I'd love that!! As she reaches out I can feel her aura swirling into mine with such intense joy and familiarity............. "thank you" she says. "Lets go" We pick up our journey and walk silent for what felt like hours but was only moments....... .........as the sky starts to brighten and the sun peaks gently over the edge of the horizon I ask her.... "Dear Amythyst....what was the news you were to bring me???" She sits up and smiles........... "our priest had a prophetic dream that there was to be a Mistress to the Mistress of the Dragons and that she would make her happy and would be honored and treasured as would she............. he said I was that Mistress so I came to set fate in motion so there would be no wasted time..you are aparently my soul mate and we are to rule together...or so I am told" After a moments pause.... I tell her that I know she is right.... for that was why I was in town... my priest too had a prophetic dream and told me she would arrive yesterday and be seeking the citadel................ With that we rise and begin our walk home......... home...all will be right in our beloved country soon....... Dawn brings us up over the ridge that looks down into the valley of the Dragons. The citadel sparkles under the twilight and torches lit to show our way. The spires standing proud in the Mist of a fertile Valley. Everything we need is here. We grow fields of food and meat animals are abundant here...enough even to sustain the Tigress and the wolves. We stand there gazing upon the Beauty that is my home. She stands there in awe....speechless. She slowly takes a deep breath and turns to me... "M'Lady,................... the citadel....I've been here before.....in dreams...... You see, when I was little, I was ill and almost died. A Black Dragon showed itself to me in the moments before I fell asleep and gave me an Amythyst stone. She said I was to hold it in my hand when I went to sleep. So I did. A Lavender Dragon came and stood by my bed. Examined the stone in my hand and proceeded to pick me up and fly away with me. I could see my body sleeping in the bed below. It scared me a bit but she told me that we as humans are both body and spirit and that she had my spirit and a Drake had been assigned to watch over my body so nothing would disturb it. We came here..to the Citadel and I felt fine. I played in the fields and I was not sick. The more I came, the more my body healed, until I was completely healed. Ever since then she comes for me if I am sick or on my birthday. " Amythyst eyes sparkled when she said that. But I, on the other hand, was in tears....... as I raised my head she saw them... "Oh dearest.....what M'Lady??!!" I spoke softly............ "When I was little, I too was ill and also the Black Dragon came to me and gave me a stone. It was compressionite....amythyst, tigers eye, and bloodstone compressed together by earth and time. She told me to hold it as I slept. When I did; I sat up in bed and my body...the one that stayed was human but the one I was in was not. I was scaley and purple. My spirit body was a Dragon. I stood....after I tripped over my tail. I stretched first one wing, then the other, then each arm and leg. I flapped my wings and it lifted me up . I believe I was giggling as I flew out the window. I flew out over the city and was met by the Black Dragon. We flew together out of the city and over the forest. As we flew she told me that I will be healed by healing. That I was supposed to seek out the Amythyst stone and bring the bearer here to be healed. As I heal, I will be healed. She tells me to pay heed over the next rise for that is my home. We land right here and I gaze upon the Citadel of Dragons. The spires jetting high above the valley. Dragon perches on each of them. The moon was full that night and the whole place just glowed. She said she had to go and said I had to be back by sunrise." We both stood there quietly.... reliving our most cherished childhood memories. We turn to each other........... somehow inside .... we knew it all along.... our waking selves just didnt remember........ until now. We fell into each others arms sobbing..... remembering...... no wonder the comfort level was so high. We have known each other a long time indeed. We realize the sun is good and up now and the valley simply sparkles with morning dew. "would you like to linger here,dear Lady, or would you like to proceed to the citadel?" "Oh Please, M'Lady...... take me to the citadel right now...... theres nowhere else I want to be right this moment!!!!!" I laugh as she runs down the path that leads to the Citadel. She seems so young right now, like a child running after friends. As we approach the meadow before the gate we see them opening up in expectation of us..... We are welcomed by the Priest and my servants with warm drinks and bread. "How nice it is to be home!" I told my priest, Branydri, "May I present..........." "no need my Dear, I know her already..... How are you my Dear Amethyst?" "I am fine sir." she said as she kissed his hand. "Well indeed you must have been here before." With that we go inside.... I am going to my room to freshen up and Branydri is taking her to hers. I also sent her a few servants , for the Princess to the Lady of the Lake, must surely be used to servants. Branydri and Amethyst walked down the long halls towards her room. He spoke first, "Amethyst, my dear, how have you been, you havent been to the citadel in a long while! We've missed you." With a sigh, Amethyst replied, " I too have missed the citadel,Master Bran, But I have been well, physically, but emotionally, oh sir, its been a hard one." "Yes, little one, word travels fast on the winds and I know of your plight. I have sent for you because of it. Do you remember when you were young and you learned of healing..... as you healed you grew wiser in the ways of Dragon Magick, the Healing love of Our Lady. The time has come...." Amethyst reaches for the familiar door handle and turns to Branydri, "Master............my heart hurts right now, and I dont feel its the time for this, so if you'll excuse me, I want to clean up and rest." "As you wish, M'Lady...... we will talk later." "Yes, perhaps we will indeed, I have things I too wish to discuss with YOU!" "Very well....until later..." She closes the door tightly and turns around to the most beautiful room she's ever seen, yet she knows inside her, she has seen it....in her dreams. She looks around to get her bearings. She spots a rather large bath-tub in the corner, surrounded by plants and flowers, "How tasteful and lovely." she thinks. She looks around for the water tap, or hose, or.......hm........none. Just as she was turning towards the door, a knock came....."Come in!" she cried! The door swung open to a very large Man with two big barrels of water...... "I come for your bath,M'Lady." With a sigh, Amethyst sits in the big comfy chair to await her bath. He empties the barrels, bows, and leaves. She walks over to the tub, dips her fingers in it... "Aww ..it cold......." Again there was a knock...."Come in!" The door opened and a Little red Dragon stood in the doorway.... "may I come in to heat your water, M'Lady?" "OH by all means, please do!!" The Dragon lopes over to the tub and begins to breathe fire into it.... the steam starts to rise above the water... "Do you like it hot, very hot , or turn-your-skin-red hot?" Amethyst thinks for a moment..."I like very hot,please." With that, the Dragon turns to her...strolls over to her and hands her a bell..... "if the water cools M'Lady....summon me..... I will come....no need for you to be shy.... I wont peek and I am female." Amethyst giggles, "And being female makes you, 'safe'? no matter, I am not so shy that I cant deal with your presence, little one." With that the little red Dragon leaves. Amethyst sinks into her tub........... aaaahhhhhhhhhh............ Tiajla makes her way towards her room. She is hoping her beloved has returned before her, so he is home. The chances are slim, but she can hope. The Mistress of the Castle is alone alot, her Husband is an important Peace Embassador right now, trying to mend fences her father broke down. Tiajla sleeps alone most all the time. She is used to it tho, it was hard at first but now, she has learned to turn off her longings for him and what a relief that was! She doesnt feel quite as lonely now. She simply waits...waits for her beloved to come to her. She waits...for he is worth the wait. If only the wait wasn't so long........... Tiajla enters her room to find it empty, "Oh well, maybe he'll be home soon." She sighs. Her bath is already drawn and she sinks into it..... "ahhhhhhh now thats better" I seek the company of a woman. The softness and sweetness that only another woman can give. I am wondering where my Lady is. I know she is there somewhere. The she-dragon who is destined to he here for me, with me and around me. I am a Pisces She-Dragon whos sensitive nature has gotten trampled on way too often. I think the 'perfect' Lady would be someone who is very much like me in alot of ways, for I really do like the way I think and look and wouldnt mind a girl alot like me.....not that I am perfect by no means....perfection is impossible....but I try to see the imperfections right off the bat and determine early whether they are worth dealing with our not, then I find the good points to see if they are worth tolerating the bad ones for. I feel my imperfections would be tolerable in someone else,you see. I feel her near....yet so very far. The dinner bell resounds thru-out the Citadel. Dragons and humans of all shapes and sizes answer the summon. There are about 100 long tables set in the courtyard. All are filled with food. There are larger tables that are apparently for larger Dragons and tiny ones in the trees that must be for Faeries. It seems all in the kingdom are coming here for dinner this evening. As Amethyst makes her way thru the courtyard, she hears her name.... looking around she finally spots Tiajla. Waving her arms at Amethyst, Tiajla beckons Amethyst to join her. As she approaches the table she can see there is nothing but Dragons here except for the Priest, Branydri. But she feels comfortable and oddly, right at home. This feeling of comfort is as un-nerving to her as it is wonderful, for she cant remember anything save bits and pieces here and there. At once all the citizens came to a hush.... Tiajla stands up..... "Fellow dwellers of the Citadel and keepers of her lands, welcome ! As we gather here for our weekly feast, we are reminded of our beauty... look around you and see how we are surrounded by not only the beautiful Earth, but the citizens. We are most fortunate! Before I proceed with the Prayer I want you all to make welcome our guest, some of you may remember her, but try not to get mad when she remembers you not.. may I present, her Ladyship, Amethyst, Princess to the Lady of the Lake... (**a roaring cheer resounds**....) On with the prayer.. WE GATHER NOW TO BLESS THIS FOOD IN PERFECT PEACE AND LOVE, LORD AND LADY TOUCH THIS MEAL WITH MAGICK FROM ABOVE, AS I WILL IT.........SO MOTE IT BE!!!!!! BLESSED BE!! Proceed with the feasting,dear ones!!!" Tiajla leans over to Amethyst.... "Let me introduce you to my family and Elders.... at least the ones who are here now.... Pointing to a beautiful Yellow Dragon..... Uh, Laurith, Dear would you mind shifting human for our Guests comfort...... And Would all of you halfings please shift for our guest to meet you? Ok...there now..." Amethyst was surprized to see half the table was now human.. or..something humaniod... she finds their beauty rare and beautiful...... and again, deeply familiar. "Lady Amethyst, may I introduce my Daughter... Princess Laurith The Mistress of the Shadows. Her Beloved is presently away, as is mine." Princess Laurith stands and shakes Amethysts hand softly, "Very pleased to meet you, M'Lady. I have always been fascinated with the Lady of the Lake.... wont you do me the honor of aquiring an audience for me?" Amethyst giggles..."Of Course ,your Majesty, it would be my pleasure." With that, Laurith sits with a smirk on her face mumbling "I am so spoiled..hehehe." Tia grins at her daughter,"yes, yes you are! Now here my Lady is my niece,Ademis, She is the Mistress at Arms, our General if you will. She has been very brave in her young life and we are very proud of her." " Ademis bows slightly and nods, "Merry meet, M'Lady." Amethyst notes how she resembles the Mistress yet does not. "Now dear Lady, on my other side is my other Daughter, Princess DanYell, she is the Mistress of the Bards and as a matter of fact, there will be a concert tomorrow nite." "Yes!!" DanYell pipes up... "We have worked so hard on it....wont you come??" Amethyst nods and says"I believe I'd love that!" With that they all sit down and begin to eat. Just then a big Yellow-Green Dragon bounds in... "Sorry I am late Auntie T..may I join you?? Hmmm.who's the looker?" Tiajla chuckles... "and this, dear Lady is my Nephew..fashionably late as usual." Amused, Amethyst replies.."Nice to meet you." "My nephew is a terminal flirt , dont mind him...or my son either...the Prince is even worse!" "Your family seems to missing most of the men, M'Lady... why is that?" Tiajla pauses a moment, sighs and says, "Well, my father ,the late King, was a cruel man, he made enemies all over the kingdom and around the nieghboring Kingdoms as well. My Husband, the Master of the Citadel has taken a party to our neighbors to see about peace. We are not very confident that they will treaty, but we must try. Mojo took my son Delhutea, my son-in law, VonEntrieu , and 3 armed guards, we fear a bit for their safety but I have sent behind them a squadron of dragons to protect our loved ones. My niece,nephew, and the Princesses are all skilled warriors as am I , so we are staying here to protect the citadel itself." Amethyst sighs,"thats terrible, M'Lady, but if need be, I too will protect this Citadel with my life for I know it saved mine once upon a time....so you can count me in!" "very well then...shall we eat before the food gets cold??" Amethyst strolls thru the courtyard. She cant seem to get enough of the sights and sounds here. All the bards are practicing for the big Concert tomorrow night. Dancers, singers, players of all sorts of instruments dotted thru-out the courtyard practicing for the show. Amwthyst wanders the courtyard, absorbing all the sites, sounds, smells of the Citadel. How well she knows it yet all is new to her. Perhaps once she sleeps here.... she did bring her stone afterall. "Once I sleep HERE with the stone, all my questions will be answered...or so she told me." Amethyst heads towards her room, anxious to sleep. She encounters Laurith along the way.. "May I walk with you a minute." "Sure," Amethyst replies,"What do you seek?" Laurith is quiet for a moment, then says "I am familiar with your Mothers special healing waters and am curious whether it can be transported or not." "Transported? As in using the waters elsewhere....well, from what I know, you must dip yourself in the lake itself for it to have healing properties. So your answer would be NO it cannot be transported.... well...it can be but it will just be tasty water when you get there." "Ok drats, thank you for your help...see ya!" With that she shifted and flew away.... "Well that was strange.." Once in her room, Amethyst reflects upon this day... wow, what a day indeed. Just as she is getting into bed theres a knock on the door. "Who is it?" From the other side of the door she heard, "It is Tia..may I speak to you for a moment?" With a sigh...she opens the door. "Sorry to bother you, Dear, but I wanted to make sure personally that you have all you need." "Yes, M'Lady, your hospitality is superb." "Very well then...I will leave you to your rest... and by the way, Amethyst.... Welcome HOME!" The door closed and Amethyst climbed into bed. Making sure she had her stone, she drifts off to sleep. Tia had so much more she had wanted to say when she went to Amethysts room but lost her tongue. "Damn chicken...why didnt you ask her if she was going to hold the stone tonight?? Surely she will..surely." Tia rounds the corner to the hallway where her room is and there in front of her door is the Queen of Dragons Tiamat. "Well its about time you showed up,littleone!" "Your majesty, I had no idea you were coming tonight." Tiamat laughs hard.. "Amethyst is here and if she is holding her stone tonight I will be taking you girls to your training grounds." "Training grounds?" "Yes, dont ask anything else now... you go get YOUR stone and go to bed!" "Yes Ma'am...goodnight then." Tia enters her room...still no Husband.... sleeping alone again...... Amethyst and Tia drift off to sleep, oblivious of each other and their special trip tonight. Tiamat has a special night in store for them............ As Tiajla falls asleep, with her stone, she can feel her skin turning scaley. She has long since learned how to shift , but this time ,it does it on its own. She rises from her bed in flight and out her window she goes. This time, there is no physical body left in the bed, physical and spirit are one. Flying around the Citadel she is greeted by Tiamat. "Tiajla!! Why Are you Playing?? Go get her and lets go!!!" With that, Tiajla flies towards Amethysts window and lands on her sill. Gently she pushes open the window to see her sleeping inside. Quietly she walks up to the bed and starts to pick her up as she has done so many times before. This time, Amethyst awakens, "Is that you, Tiajla?" "Yes, my Dear, its me, are you ready to go?" "Oh yes, but can I ride you instead of being carried?" Tiajla giggles, "I rather like that idea." With the leap of an expert, Amethyst mounts the Dragon and off they fly!! Out the window they are met by Tiamat.. "Girls!!.. FOLLOW ME!!" She climbs for the clouds.....very very high. We can see the Citadel becoming smaller and smaller and we go higher and higher. The clouds are below us as we fly after Tiamat. As we catch up to her she dives.... we dive after her....WOW, How exillerating!! As we clear the clouds we can see nothing but golden land. Everything here is golden......wow... "Where are we Your Majesty?" Tia asks Tiamat. She did not respond. They land in a field just outside the most magnificent Golden Citadel one could imagine. Tiamat raises her hand to us.. "Girls, here is my Citadel, we are here to meet with your teacher and get on with your training." "Teacher??? Training???" Amethyst says out loud. "For now tho, you may rest here and wait. Don't worry, you'll know him when you see him.... he will be riding a Warrior Dragon." With a whoooosh she was gone. "Well....." says Amethyst,"I wonder what sort of 'training' we are in for,huh?" "We are to be Warrioresses, my Dear." "Hey how do you know?" Tiajla laughs, "Uh probably cause I was summoned here years ago to the Citadel to Rule it when my Father died." Amethyst shakes her head, "I am really confused...you said you were sick too when you were a kid and that you too were given a stone, so, then, how is it that you are the daughter of the King?" Tiajla sighs,"Its a long and sort of confusing story, but I will try to sum it up as best I can..... When I was born, my mother, who was the Princess Tiajla , whom I am named after, she was the Daughter to Tiamat. She hated my father, for he was a very cruel man. When I was born, my Mother took me to a human family to be raised away from my father and away from his tyranny. I became ill after a few years and my mother came and gave me a stone that would help me get home she said. The stone awakened the Dragon inside me and I was able to come home. My mother was killed by my father not long after that and Tiamat, my Grandmother, was enraged, to say the least. The King and the Dragons went to war for 5 long years. The Dragons won,but he stayed King, on the promise he shall NEVER kill another Dragon as long as he lived. His cruelty didnt wane,tho, but he never killed another Dragon. Then a year ago, he died of an illness. My Grandmother came to me and told me to summon my children and family and move into the citadel for I was now the Mistress of it. It took a few months to round up the kids, but we are all home now and happy. I knew when they were young that they were halflings, but tried to hide it even from them, but when a Dragon spirit beckons to be free theres just no stopping it. As they neared their teens their "Dragonness" became apparent. I summoned my Grandmother for advice and she told me to send them to HER citadel for safekeeping. So as My family turned 16, each ,in turn , went to the Golden Citadel. Unbeknownst to me at the time, she was training them all to be warriors. She made my niece Captian of the Guard and she now is my Mistress at arms. But thats not to take from the skills of the other kids, no, they are formitable foes themselves. I hope youre not even more confused,now." Amethyst spoke quietly, "Wow, so, how do I fit into this picture?" As Tiajla was about to answer, a Huge Red Dragon with a rider approaches then lands nearby. The rider hops off and strolls up to them. His bright red hair trails out of his helmet. His eyes are as green as emeralds and just as bright. His smile widens as he reaches out his hand to shake. "Hi Ladies, how do you do, I am Nord, Tiamats Master of the Guard and I am here to start your training. Do you have any questions before we get started?" Amethyst pipes up " What type of training is this, exactly?" "You dont know WHY youre here??" He laughs. "Well, I have been ordered to teach you much as you can learn about being a warrioress." Tiajla looks seriously at him.... "Am I to understand that this means war is emminant,then?" "I am not so sure,M'Lady. But I have been ordered to shape up the whole army, if that means anything." "I am going to assume that that is a yes, and study accordingly." "As will I" stated Amethyst matter-of-factly. Nord digs in these hugs saddle bags strapped to his Dragon. "This guy,by the way, is my friend and companion,Rojo Dragon." Nord pulls out 2 swords from this bag and hands them each one. "Take these and just play with them for now, get used to how they feel, get over your fear of it, it will become your best friend. These are yours to keep as long as I teach you, when you are no longer being taught, you will need to return them, or I will have to come get it and you dont want that,OK?" "Yes sir" Both girls say. He tells them to continue their play and he'll be right back. As he leaves, his Dragon stays and watches over us as we play with our swords. Amethyst seems pretty comfortable with hers as I am mine. I pretend to challenge her and as we fake fight, we giggle like little girls. Just then, off in the distance the girls hear a siren of sorts. Rojo rears his head and quickly takes off towrds the sound. The girls left behind in the clearing. Rojo flies to find his master and finds him over the ridge and lands for him. Nord mounts him and off they go. Nord tells Rojo to take him to Branydri the wizard, for he awaits us over the ridge. "He wants to meet me about the girls,Rojo..... and I havent even started yet." Rojo lands next to Branydri. "AAAHHH...good, you made it Nord....how are you friend!!" "I am fine, Wizard...what need have you of me?" "Well, I wanted to let you know what Her Majesty has ordered for them to learn...... they are both skilled Warrioresses and they are both very fine Sorceresses....so....we are to teach them the Art of.... War Magick, Dragon Style." Rojo rears back and laughs... "Ha, ha.... humans learning Dragon War Magick!!... Now thats funny...." Branydri smiles, " But these two arent exactly 'human' dear Dragon Friend, remember who our beloved Mistress is to Tiamat our Queen.....and the other , well her Mother is The Lady of the Lake, so you see, they are both enchanted creatures and can very well learn of the magick and be good at it too!" Nord sits silent for a moment. "So.....Master Bran, is Rojo supposed to be their teacher then?" "Yes, Nord, I believe he is. He is also supposed to have his students, the Dragon ones that is, learn with the girls. Rojo, Her Majesty has assigned your present batch of apprentices to this special duty. They are to learn along with the girls and teach them Dragon tricks, make friends with them and learn to love them as to protect them with their lives without being under orders to do so. Her Majesty believes that if the guardians love the Ladies, then they will protect them even more fiercely." Rojo shakes his head, "Great, just great, I have very young and weak Drakes this year. It will be a feat to get them up to par." Nord pipes up,"Well, with all due respect to the Ladies abilities, they too are young and weak, at least compared to Dragons, so it may be easier for them to learn with what is essentially equals." "Nord has a point, Rojo...and dont forget that you are to focus on the Magick with the girls, and their routine should not be as vigourous as the Drakes." "I am Honored that her Majesty has entrusted me with such an important assignment and I swear to do my best or die trying." With That Rojo takes to the air, Nord and Branydri waving..."See ya!!!!" "I wonder whats taking Master Nord so long?" Tiajla says. She and Amethyst have long since sat down to enjoy the beautiful golden grass and the awesome citadel in front of them. Amethyst sighs,"I am not so sure I care. This is so beautiful here. Didnt you say you had been here as a kid?" "Yeah, when I started to change. When humans would have Puberty, we halflings go thru changes.... like breasts and hair grows.... our scales and wings are forming their physical shapes. Our spiritual bodies are already Dragons, but we go thru a change into our Dragon form in the physical realm. After we 'become' our Dragon, then we learn to change back and once we shapeshift into our human form from Dragon, then changing becomes second nature. I came here to await the change. My human family were very kind to me when it began. They too had been given a special stone to sleep with when it began. They sent for my Grandmother, and she brought me here. It was nice to be with my own kind. My human family was good to me, but I always felt so different from everyone, I was stronger by far, and smarter, by far, and it seemed I had more agility than kids my age and even older. I knew I was not their child and that my mother was dead and my grandmother would come for me one day. I knew somehow that someone was a Dragon, I didnt know how I knew that, but I did. Turns out my Mother and maternal relatives were/are Dragons and my father was a halfling, but not a Dragon halfling. My father was half Troll and half human. His Father, the Troll, killed his mother right after he was born, he never said why. So I have Troll blood in me too. But I am more Dragon than anything else. I am superior to Humans and Trolls and equal to most Dragons, so, I am fortunate to have inherited from my Dragon side." Amethyst sighs "All this talk of family makes me miss my own. I am very close with my mother and sisters.We are also enchanted ones, we are Undines and Mermaids, Sylphs and Fae. My Mother, The Lady of the Lake has raised us all in the old ways, we are master magicians by age 10 and master warriors by 16. Hence, my confusion of being 'trained'..." "Yes, I am perplexed by that myself, M'Lady!" Just then, Rojo and Nord come up over the rise...... landing nearby. Nord hops off and they both stroll up to the girls. Nords tells them, "Well, it seems I was mistaken, I am not to train you girls after all." Tia pipes up,"I didnt think so," Nord holds his hand up...."Not so fast young Lady, you are to recieve training, but not from me. Her Majesty has assigned Rojo to train you in the ways of Dragon War Magick along with his class of apprentices. You are to follow his instructions to the letter and master the magick...... that is her will." With that, the girls hand Nord back his swords..."Your swords, sir?" Nord takes his swords and puts them back into his bag, mounts Rojo and tells the girls to proceed into the Citadel. They fly away towards the Citadel and disappear over the top. Tia and Amethyst shrug and start walking towards the Gateway. Laurith lounges on the balcony, waiting for her love. He isnt expected back until the evening hour but yet, she waits. She thinks about their dedication next month. The Family wants a big bash, but they want something simple. Her beloved is an Elf/Griffon. Yes, another halfling. Laurith enjoys flying with him, so he gladly shifts for her at her will, but he usually saves his Griffon form for battle. They havent yet decided if they are going to do it in their humanoid forms or Dragon and Griffon. She thinks the latter is a better idea because she wouldnt have to deal with a Dress or anything stupid like that. Now, if they could just convince the family that they can have all the festivities they want.... next year at the Handfasting and let the couple have the Dedication to themselves. She decides she will just have to be matter of Fact at Dinner tonight and tell them all that they can have a dinner in their honor or something, they can save their festivities for next year or else!! With the "or else" being to leave the Kingdom! We'll just see how they take that!! Tiajla and Amethyst cross the bridge into the Golden Citadel. They are welcomed by many servants. Tiajla snaps her fingers at them and tells them to back off..... ..they back away slowly all but one man.... standing directly in front of them as the crowd parts. "Welcome Ladies" He says as he bows. "If you'll follow me please....." With that he turns and proceeds across the courtyard and into a huge doorway. Inside the door was a long hall, not dim but not bright....comfortable I would say. They walk for quite awhile to another doorway. The man stops at it, fumbles at his side and pulls out a ring of keys. He searches carefully and picks out a key, he unlocks the door with it and they hear the old door creak open. The man replaces his keys and pulls out a match. He proceeds to light several candles with it. As the light grows, the girls can see that it is obviously an Alchemists lab and a classroom full of books. And Dragons of all sizes laying about or studying. "It was Dark in here sir, how is it that the Dragons are reading?" Tia asked the Man. He holds his hand up to her "SSShhhh... all in due time, M'Lady! All in due time......." Tia blinks, "Well...fine then." With that, the man stops, turns and raises his hands up.... "Ladies...welcome to my lair, I am DeHoff, the Wizard , and it is my assignment to show you the ways of Dragon Magick." "But I know of the ways of magick,sir." Says Amethyst softly. "As do I!" Tia pipes up. "Well, Ladies, I am aware of that and I am counting on that for you must be master magicians to even consider the ways of the DRAGON!! Dragon Magick, especially War magick, is not even taught to young Dragons until they reach a certian level of their own learning. I am aware of your training and will take it into all accounts of your learning." With that the Wizard turns around and starts gathering up a few books... He walks over to the girls and hands Tiajla the pile. He turns back around and once again gathers a few books.... turns and Hands them, this time to Amethyst. He says to them,"These are your initial assignments. You do not have the same books, so studying together will only confuse you. You will learn your magick differently for your natural gifts are different. Tia's natural Dragon abilities will serve her well in many lessons, but Amethysts natural Fae abilities will serve her well in many lessons too. There will be a time when you train together and your different abilities will be fine-tuned to accent each other. You 2 are to be united and bound in power, meaning that alone you might be formitable, but together, there will be no creature that can defeat you. Your natural powers enhanced with Dragon War Magick. That is the goal." Tia and Amethyst stand in silence for a moment... "Bound?" Tia speaks...."How is it we are to be bound,sir?" The wizard laughs,"My dear, not with chains or any such barbaric notion, but spiritually, in battle and wisdom, friendship and a sisterhood like no other. You girls are the bridge between two worlds, the by-product of a conglomeration of Magicks." Amethyst shifts her weight under the books, "I want to go study then, where is my room?" Wizard motions to a Drake nearby, "Take the girls to their rooms.... Be here in the Lab after you get back from Dinner, tonight. You were still planning on going back to your Citadel for dinner, right,Mistress?" "Yes, definately, the Embassadors party will be back for dinner." "Well, we will see you after that then, M'Lady." The girls follow the Drake to their rooms. Tiajla first, then Amethyst. They each spread out their books on the tables in their rooms and get to reading. Tiajla wonders if this is why they were ill when they were kids, if there was a purpose to it and learning of each other and healing magick was the preface of this learning. She wonders if perhaps her whole life has been a Dragon War Magick lesson. Everything specifically geared towards these ends. Perhaps.............yes, perhaps. Amethyst sits before this huge book that smells musty yet the words are as bright as if they were just written. The pictures drawn into this shadows were works of art themselves and she enjoyed this lesson. She was halfway thru the first chapter when she realized she was being watched.... she looks around and spots a little dragon sitting in her windowsill like a cat would do, watching her, and the outside. Just sitting there hanging out. How cute he was. "Pssst...little one...hi!" The little Dragon just smiled and dozed back off. "gees, you act like a cat." "Well!!!.,...hrumph...." And the little Dragon flies away... "heyyy!!!!! aw man....I sure didnt mean it in a bad way... gees. Darn it,now I gotta find that little one and apologize." Amethyst gathers up the book she's working on and leaves the room in search of the Little one. Tiajla goes out to the balcony and summons a Dragon to carry a message to her Citadel. When he arrives, she tells him, "Tell the kitchen staff to remember the dumplings and have them tell Princess Laurith that I recieved word that they are safely on their way, they have crossed our border and are fine." With that the Dragon speeds away.............. "there, now I can study without distraction...." **KNOCK KNOCK** "aww gees, you gotta be kidding....Who is it????" "Amethyst" Tia rushes to the door, "What is it?? Trouble?? The wizard?? What??" "No...theres a Dragon I need to find ,and you being the Mistress and all......you just gotta help me find him, I insulted him and I want to apologize." "haha you insulted a Dragon??? Oh my, you will be hard pressed to gain any forgiveness, they rarely forgive!!" Amethyst pouts, "aww gees, this is NOT a good way to start learning Dragon Magick." "Hahahaha, Well, lets go see about that Dragon,ok?" Amethyst manages a small smile,"ok, thanks" Tia starts for the balcony and Amethyst starts for the door, "UH, Tia, Where are you going?? Arent we going to get the Dragon??" Tiajla continues out onto the balcony..... raises her hands towards the sky and says something quietly...... .. as she lowers her hands a Dragon appears to her..... "You summoned, your Majesty?" "Yes, I want you to find the whereabouts of a young Dragon who visited Miss Amethyst a little bit ago, he may have felt insulted, so thats how you may know its him... and report to me the whereabouts so we can go talk to him." "As you wish M'Lady!" Tiajla turns to Amethyst, "There, we should hear something soon." "Thank you" The girls find different spots in the room and began to read as they awaited news. The little dragon comes back and lands on Tiajlas book. "The Dragon, he is a lookout for Rojo and was here to watch the new apprentice. He went and reported back and is still there." "Thanks little one, you will be rewarded!" "Do you know where Rojo would be?" Asked Amethyst. "Oh yes, I do. At First the Golden Citadel appeared new to me, until we got inside, then I remember it well and I know where Rojo's Lair is... follow me......" As the girls walk down the hallway, Amethyst asks Tiajla, "Tia, You were about to tell me how I fit into all this." "Well, I dont know much except what my Grandmother and Branydri told me about you.....well...not you personally , but they have always told me about a Lady who was to become my Sister in Magick. You see, I seemed to forget my Dragon home when I was in the human world for a while, so my memories are bits and pieces until I come home, then I remember. The Citadel I am Mistress of wasnt home for me growing up, this one was. So when ever I came home they would fill me in on the happenings during my absence . One of those times, Branydri told me of a Crystal image....... of me he said, but I was grown up, he said I was astride a Dragon and riding next to another Dragon with a rider and that rider was a Lady. He told me that he later asked My Grandmother about that image and she told him that there was another Mistress of the Citadel of Dragons, but she was no Dragon , but that the real Mistress , who was of Dragon Royalty, would afford this Lady all her privledges as the Mistress ,out of Love and Loyalty to her for saving the Mistresses life. In their prophecy, I am to share my Citadel with both My beloved Lord and a Lady as well. Grandmother told me one night that there was a little girl who needed my help and that if I helped her not only would I too be healed but I would fulfill the prophecy...I never ever understood that statement , M'Lady..........until last night. Do you think you are the prophecy? I cannot be sure because I am confused about you too, you tell us you are the Princess of the Lady of the Lake but yet I used to pick you up at a human home, I know it, so how is it that you were on THAT plane??" Amethyst sighs,"well...uh which question would you like answered first? Well, perhaps both will be answered in one. You see, I am indeed an Undine. I can take human form at will because they are mostly water so its easy. My Mothers sister is a Fae but is fasted to a Human man. I got along very well wth my Aunt and cousins and visited them alot, but everytime I did, I got sick. My Aunt thought it was the air, for humans can breathe really dirty air, Undines cannot. That would be about the time you started taking me to the citadel. I am curious why we went there instead of here , but you can answer that later. My Aunt used to tell me and my cousins bedtime stories and one in particular always stuck out to me and that was one about Dragons. She said when she was young a Black and a Purple Dragon used to come visit their Mother. And when ever they did, there were always many other visitors who also came to speak with the Dragons. She said they were very respected and reveared in their Lands and have been close friends for as long as anyone can remember. I just remember feeling comforted by that for some reason. Sometimes she would whisper to me.......'remember that,my queen'........Then one day quite a few years ago, my Mother said the time had come for me to retrain my skills, all of them. She made me go thru everything again, even those I'd mastered long ago. I got mad at her and told her this was nonsense and she told me that if I was to gain respect of Dragons, I would have to be worthy of it. Something inside, told me she was right. So I decided to train hard and I did, I perfected every single little fault, I am fine tuned. But yet I am eager to learn more.....I am anxious to learn things I havent learned before. Yes, I believe the prophecy. The only question I have about that will answer itself later, I am sure." "We will ask my Grandmother to fill in some details,for now, tho.........here we are, this is Rojo's Chamber, if he's not in here, I know where the tunnel to his Cavern is, too." **KNOCK KNOCK** **KNOCK KNOCK** Tiajla tries the door........ "Its open...the tunnel is thru here, c'mon, Amethyst, thru here.." The girls go thru the room to the wall across the room. Tiajla stand before the picture and touches the nose of the face in the picture. The wall pulls open to show them a dimly lit hallway leading downward and around a corner. Carefully, the girls proceed into it. Tiajla goes first. "This way...... I have never come down here without Rojo, but I know the way. I will have to shift into Dragon down the way because the drop off is very deep. I will have to fly down and you can ride,ok?" "OK?? thats more than ok, I love to fly!!" "Well, here we go then....." With that, Tiajla shifts.. Amethyst stand there amazed at the wonders of a shapeshift. Tiajla stands tall and spreads her arms out. As she does her skins starts to turn to scales and lavender colored.... her fingernails grow into talons and her wings pop up in the back, sprawling out then flapping. She is actually Growing before her eyes. "Wow,"Amethyst said,"That was beautiful!!" She climbs upon Tiajla and yells"WWWHHOO HOOO........Lets GO!!" Tiajla flies down into the Huge Cavernous hole. The walls seem to be on fire yet, are not too hot. The flames are all of the colors. here and there. It looks like a huge cylindrical fire pit . As they near the bottom, they can see light shining from one side of it. Tiajla flies towards the light and thru the hole it came from, coming out into a bright and beautifully sunlit courtyard . Tiajla landed and let Amethyst dismount. "Look around here, I'll be right back." Tiajla says. She takes off thru the courtyard. She finds an Elder and asks the whereabouts of Rojo. The Elder tells her "He was summoned by your Grandmother, Dear, but is expected back soon. Why dont you girls wait for him?" Tia sighs, "Well, M'Lord. I actually seek the little one whom he had sent to look after the Undine." The Elder laughs, "Oh, well....... he is still looking after her." "What?? I have been with her, he has not been with us....... has he??" The Elder laughs even harder.... "Well it seems... M'Ladies need to brush up on their detection skills, then,huh?" Laughing as he walks, the elder leaves. Tiajla makes her way back to Amethyst, only to find her sitting in the grass with the little guy. She walks up to them and asks,"Excuse me....uh...were you following us all along??" "Yes, I was, I listened to her lament over finding me and decided to ease her mind and show myself." Tiajla giggles, "Well it seems the ol' Boney one was right then.. we do indeed need to brush up on our detection skills." Amethyst looks seriously at the Dragon,"Wont you PLEASE tell me if you forgive me, I didn't mean it, at all, as an insult." "Well......" He pauses.......... "Since I have been assigned to you and we are to go thru our apprenticeship together, it would make our studying infinately more productive if I did, so, I will. However, I may not forgive again." Amethyst squeels gleefully.... "Oh Thank-You..uh...what, by the way, is your name??" "Later...maybe........I will tell you." Amethyst climbs back onto Tiajlas back and they fly up to the tunnel. She lands at the top opening and Amethyst dismounts. "Gees, Tia, I sure hate getting off you, that is so much fun!!" Tiajla laughs, "Well, I sure dont mind it at all and if, when we're outside, you want to ride, just let me know, ok?" "Ok, thank-you. Are we leaving soon to go to Dinner? Can I ride back with you?" "Yes, but I am leaving now, tho." "Thats great, can I gather a book for tonight?" "No, thats not necessary, we were summoned here after Dinner anyway, so we'll have no time at my Citadel to study anyway, so lets just go, unless there was something else you needed to retrieve from your room?" "NO, lets go!" Just before the girls get to the main gate, The Queen her self meets up with them. "Hello, girls." Tiamat kisses her Granddaughters cheek, I heard and know that you didnt sense the Hatchling... are you ill dear?" "No, Grandmother, I am distracted tho. My heart is in pain." "Well, Dear one, you MUST learn to put any and all things aside when one is in training for and in battle. We are going to war soon. We have been told, long ago. You are to lead us to Victory, but as all future visions are, it has variables, and if your training does not go well, that prophecy could change. It is up to you to fullfill the prophecy." Amethyst speaks softly to the Queen, " Ma'am, may I inquire....what is my role in this prophecy?" Tiamat turns to Amethyst, "You are the Granddaughter of my oldest and dearest friend. She and I made arrangements before you two were born, that the first child of each of our daughters would be united to face this foe. We had hoped for a male -female pair so we could arrange a marriage, but we were not disappointed with you two, tho. The magick swirled strong around you both and we were hopeful right from the beginning the the prophecy had a good chance to be fulfilled with the two of you. I had you brought to the Citadel every now and then, so you would get to know Dragons and feel at home when your time came to stay. Your home is to be with Tiajla at her Citadel, thats where we had her bring you. We saw to it we timed your visits to when "he" was gone. The late King, that is. Look at the time, you need to go........ Mojo is due any moment to the Valley." Tiamat kisses her Granddaughter and this time, Amethyst too and flies away. Amethyst climbs aboard Tia and they too, fly away. They fly up into the clouds. Tiajla dives a little and giggles as Amethyst squeals **giggles** "Did I scare ya???" She flies straight, but picks up speed... Amethysts hair plastered against her head .... as Tiajla flies faster and faster, she realizes she is near the Citadel and slows down. Amethyst asks her whats up....Tia says, "Well, we are already there, dear one." Amethyst laughs "Oh wow that was sure fast!" "Yes, I can fly pretty fast when I want to ... **giggle** or if I am scared." They landed in the courtyard and looked around at all the festive decorations. "They are almost ready, I see" Tiajla pipes up.... "Hey...YOU...over there....those are the wrong flowers!! The daisies are supposed to go on the dining tables, not the walls...ok??" Amethyst tags along behind as Tiajla walks around examining all the details. She heads for the kitchen to check on the food. As she enters the kitchen she is immediately greeted with a scream and a pot flying thru the air Crashing upon the wall just to the side of the door where she stood. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE???" All of a sudden everything went silent.... "Oh dear.... Mistress... pppplease.... ddddont ppppunish us.... we're sorry...." Tiajla sighs...."I am not my father, my punishment is only the loss of your job, not your life, so settle down and tell me what in the world happened here, ok?" The young cook pipes right up and says "Well, Mistress, I came to work late , so its my fault she was mad in the first place, but honestly, what I did after didnt deserve to get the pot thrown at me. " "Yes it was you stupid wench!!!" Tiajla holds her hand up "There will be none of that!! Name calling is not the way to argue, so if you continue to resort to that, I will assume that you have no real argument and you'll be the one fired, is that clear??" The old woman nods weakly, "Yes ma'am." The young lady continues..."When she handed me a cup of salt... all she said was 'here add the salt'....for Dragons Sake, Mistress I havent cooked here before, I thought she meant the cup of salt....she saw me dump it in and went beserk.... saying we were all going to parish for my stupidity because the soup was ruined....so she dumped and threw the pot." "YOU THREW IT????" So now we have no soup??? Well, you had some nerve calling her stupid.... we could have spilt the soup into 2 pots and cut it with more potates and vergetables and had twice the soup... now we have NO soup....what do you have to say for yourself??" "I am sorry, Ma'am, I truly am. Please dont punish me." "Well, I wont fire you, but I will be the one in charge of the basic cooking needs until a suitable replacement can be found. I will come down and supervise Lunch and Dinner. Niether of you is fired....but if you EVER throw a tantrum , let alone a POT, in MY kitchen again...you will indeed be fired for good!! Now....is that perfectly clear??? Good, now...what have you actually gotten cooked??" The old woman moves quickly over to the huge oven and opens it....as the steam billows out, Tia and Amethyst catch the vision of a delicious Roast...So big, it looks like a whole cow....and the smell....wafted over to them, making Tia virtually growl with delight. "Very good...and the rest?" The young one open the lids of several pots, inside were 2 different kinds of potatoes and vegetables steamed boiled and baked. Everything looked fabulous. "OK, I will want dinner served precisely at sunset.... is that clear?" Both women nod as Tiajla walks thru the kitchen to leave out the other side....she turns to the old woman ..... "Be sure the waiters and waitresses are good.... I will fire anyone who gives our guests bad service... tell them to be on their toes and that just because you got away with this, they wont!!!" The girls leave the kitchen . They each make their way to their rooms to freshen up and change. As Tiajla enters her room, she looks around it.... "damn, he's not here yet." She proceeds to get undressed for her bath. Just as she get the last item off, she notices a movement behind the curtian....she tip-toes over to her things and retrieves her sword.....standing ready she pulls the curtian back with the tip of her sword....as she revals her "visitor" she realizes it is her Husband,,, he laughs as she squeels with delight... she drops her sword and runs to his arms. He kisses her passionately then tells her how he missed her. She invites him into the bath she was about to get into and reminds him how they need to go to dinner soon. Mojo laughs, "well, if I join you in your bath, my love, you wont be making dinner in time. I have been home long enough to have taken one already, so I will have to pass on that very tempting idea. I am instead going to go down and supervise the Hors Dovres, " hahahahah Tiajla laughs "Supervise, huh? Snitch is more like it!! Ok, my love, you are right, if I get you in this tub we will definately miss dinner and I wont get back to Grandmothers on time, I dont want to be in trouble with Grandmother!" "No, Tia my love, pissing off YOUR grandmother is never a good idea!!" With that, Mojo once again kisses his beautiful wife and departs the room," see you in a few, my love!!" Tiajla sinks into her tub ".....ahhhh.....it is comforting to know my Lord is home, I have missed him terrible." As Amethyst rounds the corner to her room, Laurith approaches her... "Miss Amethyst, may I please trouble you for a moment of your time??" "A very brief moment, I must get ready for dinner." Laurith frowns..."I need for you to guide me to your Mothers Lake My Beloved is Ill, he got hurt during the trip and hasnt healed well. The travel party didnt bring a healer with them. Thats a whole other issue, M'Lady, but for right now, I need some water from the Lady's Lake, amd I request your company to go there." Amethyst sighs, "You realize you must take your Husband with, One cannot bring the water here and still heal with it. I am not so sure I can go with you, tho, Princess, I have just begun my Training and that is what I was born to do , so that must take precedence right now. I am sorry." Laurith grins at her..."I will speak to My Great Grandmother..... .we will see about that. Perhaps she in her wisdom can devise a way to include some training in a trip to your home. Yes, I will ask her.....May I ask you, tho, are you willing if I aquire permission? I dont want to make arrangements if you must be ordered to go, I would like for you to want to go... .ok, M'Lady?" "I would love to go home for a brief visit before I sink fully into my studies, yes, it would be a Pleasure to guide you to my Mother. " Tiamat rounds the corner just as the last word Amethyst spoke rang into the hall .... She laughs a deep growly belly laugh... "Well isnt this convientient??? I was going to send you to your Mothers anyway!! Hahahaha So you are to prepare to leave within one weeks time. Tiajla will be told as well....you girls are to take the Gryphon to the Lake......you will know what to do then. There is another challenge to this trip, in fact, that will be this moons main lesson, so you are not leaving your studies at all. Blessings Upon you my children, I love you dearly...." Tiamat kisses her Great GrandDaughter and sweeps one across Amethysts cheek....Turns.....and Flies skillfully straight down the Tunnel-like hallway..rounds the corner and dissappears from sight. Laurith turns to Amethyst.."Well, that solves that, I'll see you at Dinner." Laurith leaves and Amethyst enters her room to bathe and change her clothes for Dinner. The crowds grows in the courtyard as the sun gets closer to the the horizon. Creatures and beings of all shapes, sizes and status are gathered here this evening. The festivities in the courtyard are entrancing, the smells, the music, the laughter. Everywhere you look there is someone performing some sort of creative form ....actors ...singers .... players ... magicians ... jugglers ... acrobats. But, everything stops and all eyes look up as Tiamat herself swoops down from the highest cloud...she lands smack dab in the middle of the courtyard. Settles into a resting posture and simply observes...she orders everyone to go back to what they were doing... telling them that the main reason for her presence was the fine entertainment. Honored, they all resumed what they were doing. Tiajla chuckes as she enters the courtyard and sees her Grandmother sitting right in the middle. She walks up to her and kisses her, "Dear Grandmother, you are such a sucker for Bards arent you?" Tiamat laughs"Yes, well, they soothe me." "I love you Grandmother, you are the best!" "Why, because I love the bards??" "No, because I see much of my Mother and Myself in you and it gives me great Joy." "Tiajla, yes, my sweet daughter, I too, see her in you. We need to talk quick before Dinner begins....... You will be taking a trip very soon, you are taking your daughter and son in law to The Lady of the Lake.... He has been wounded and is in need of the lake waters. You will fly him personally to the shore, when you are there, you will be greeted by the Lady of the lake. Dont be too surprized if she is not alone. There is also a couple water Dragons by her side. She mated twice with my Brother long ago, those are your cousins. Treat her with reverence, she is my oldest and dearest Friend, child. I need for you to give her a message....it is very important and in Dragon tongue... will you remember it?" "Yes Ma'm!" She sighs, "Tes Ha La(**with a growl**)" "Yes, I will tell her GrandMother." Tiajla kisses her Grandmother and hugs her, "I love you, lets go to Dinner, shall we?" "Yes....I am famished!" They stroll thru the Bards to the atble. Tiamat sits at the head, Tiajla to her side, Amethyst to her other. Mojo joins his wife with a kiss, "Hello, my love!" "Mojo!! You sneak! **giggle**" Tiamat pipes up, "See?? you really DO need to brush up on your senses, huh??" "Boy, I'll say!" Tiajla says, quite embarrassed! The dinner is served. Laurith looks sad, Tiajla asks her of her mate. "He is stable, Mother. We need to leave imediately.... preferably after dinner." "No, we will leave first thing in the morning..... I will send nurses to tend my son in law and you rest.... for it will be a long hard journey. Without rest you will be of no good to your beloved." Tiajla takes a bite of food and nods to her Grandmother. Tiamat gently agrees with her. Laurith sighs, "alright, first thing in the morning, but ONLY if you and GrandMother go to him and bless him for the trip...RIGHT AFTER DINNER! Please??" They both nod in agreement, not missing a bite of their Dinner.