I am a multitasker. i screw up several things at once. so this won't be updated as often as my other two stories, but enjoy and review! then go look up the song 'what hurts the most' by Cascada because it is one of my favorite songs

"Glad to be home?"

"I don't know if this even is my home any more."

The herald banged his staff and announced, "The Shang Dragon!"

Dead silence fell over the court. King Jonathan felt his breath hitch. Someone had reclaimed the title 'Dragon' after Liam had died. But there were two more shocks in store. The first being that when the Dragon came through the doors, everyone realized that the Dragon was a girl.

She was rather young, about 18 or 19. Her hair was so dark brown it was almost black and was cut to her shoulders. Her walk was even and she moved with pure grace. She was slender, less muscle then expected on the best fighter. She had good looks, but her eyes drew most of the attention. They were blue and it looked as though there were flames in them.

The third shock was that her twin sister was engaged to Thom of Pirate's Swoop. Thayet had to give Shia full marks. For someone who had been disowned after she ran off at five, Shia had done very well for herself.

The Shang Tiger had arrived last week. Shia had shown up that day with the Wyvern in tow just after sun up and had 'warmed-up' with her old master. Drake was in a bad mood when he had to teach the pages that day and was still a bit sore, despite the healing he'd had afterwards.

After being greeted and all the formalities were over, Shia got to meet pretty much everyone of interest, and a few that bored her to death. She said hello to her sister, then had a nice conversation with Alanna, George, Thayet, Jon, Raoul, Buri, and Gary. All had known the previous Dragon and seemed to want to know this one. Alanna agreed to spar with her the next day, then hauled her off to meet Kel.

After Shia had talked with everyone of interest, she started to get restless. It was hard for her to remain still for a long time, after more then ten years of stretching, fighting, and moving every waking moment. It was hard for her to make polite conversation anyways. The Wyvern, Kruse, stayed with her to make sure she didn't start a blood feud and to keep her from screaming with boredom.

There was dinner afterwards and Shia decided that if she was going to have to attend dinner like this the whole time she was here, she would starve.

"Shia, I know you are picky about what you eat, but just try it," Kruse sighed. He was her dinner partner, and Alanna and George were seated with them.

"Old man, what is this even? Tail?" Shia asked.

"Eel. And I. Am. Not. Old."

"You're 35. That's old." Alanna and George hid smiles.

Kruse rolled his eyes. "Just eat."

George decided to intervene. "You two know each other well?"

"Yeah," answered Shia, still pushing around her food. "When I went to the Shang, Drake was my first teacher, then three years ago, when I could have become acknowledged I wanted to go for immortal status, so the old man agreed to teach me." Her eyes fixed on Alanna. "I was planning on going straight to the Copper Isles then work my way back, but I decided to come here when I heard you were in the court. You're even famous with the Shang."

"Thank you," said Alanna, surprised. "I think."

"Yes," said Kruse dryly as Shia nibbled at the food. "That's the closest to a compliment she can give."

"Why did you want to go to the Copper Isles?" asked Alanna.

Shia shrugged. "I want to learn the different fighting styles. And even if I'm the best in Shang, that doesn't mean I'm best of the best. You could have joined Shang and done well, but you didn't. And you could probably teach me a few things the old man didn't."

"Smart," applauded George. "We actually just got back from there for the coordination of the new queen."

"Hmm." The second course came, and as it was recognizable as pork Shia ate it. The conversation went to other topics and Alanna was pleased that this girl was the Dragon. She was a good successor to Liam.

As soon as se could, Shia fled and went to her room. There she stretched again, got undressed, climbed into bed, and fell asleep. She felt content that she had come.

The next morning Shia was up before dawn. She arrived on the practice courts a few minutes after her teachers.

"You're late," said Drake.

"Got lost. Damn, this place is big."

Evidently they had picked a popular area because they were joined by several others, mainly knights. Alanna showed up, so she and Shia grabbed practice swords and spared. They both worked up a sweat, but finally Shia won.

"Youth and skill beats age and treachery," laughed Kel.

"Do you want to go?" asked Alanna. Kel quickly backed off.

After breakfast Shia went back outside. Kel caught up with her and they talked for a bit.

"What's your best weapon?" asked Shia.

"Either a glaive or a lance," answered Kel.

"And I know neither. Can you teach me?" asked Shia.

"We'll need to get you a charger if we're going to joust, but I can teach you about the glaive."

"Here." It was handed to her by Neal who had arrived with Dom and Yuki. "We figured you might need it."

"Wow," said Shia. Kel handed her prize weapon to the younger girl. Yuki had her own glaive,

"Here," said Yuki. "Kel and I can teach you how to use it."

Neal and Dom settled themselves on the other side of the fence during the lesson. Shia was a quick learner and it wasn't hard to see how she had earned the title of Dragon.

"Incredible," murmured Dom. "I don't think even you Meathead could be stupid enough to make enemies with her."

"No, but you might be able to," answered Neal. "I don't think she has the Lioness's temper."

"Which you know all about."

Neal shuddered, remembering having Alanna as his knight-master. "Oh yes. How old do you think she is?"

"Hmm. Good question. Shia!" called Dom. She looked at him. "How old are you?"

"18," Shia answered. The four stared at her. "What?"

"You- you're, 18!?" demanded Kel, her mask slipping.

"Yeah. What?"

They all just shook their heads. How could she be that good, that young, and yet so dense?