Dragon Riding and Painful Words
"Solaris wake up!" Tao pounces, landing on my chest.
"Wah! Huh?!" I sit up my hair slightly flying in my face. Tao doesn't really ever wake me up like Peckers would so it's a little surprising. He scratches at my arm with both front paws, "Tao what is it?" I ask rubbing an eye. The last thing I remember was Miss Daine waking me up in Rahauls room to send me to bed in this room. I changed clothes and went to sleep immediately. I can't really see why he would be so alarmed
"It's well passed sunrise and neither Daine nor Numair have come to wake you up!"
"What?!" I look out the window and find what he said to be very true. Usually I'm up at the same time as them in the morning or they wake me up; but looking outside the sun shows to be well passed the usual time. "Oh no! Peckers wake up! we have to go!" flipping the covers off, I trip racing for the wash basin. The crow squawks in protest as Tao takes over in getting him up. with my face hand arms half wet from washing I hop on one leg as I put on my breeches. Again I tumble on the ground,
"OW…! Black God curse it all…!" I finish on the floor getting my breeches on before getting up and putting my maroon tunic on. after that I race for the mirror and quickly brush my hair. When the curls are somewhat manageable I put my boots on and race for the door. In a rush, I hurry the two animals out into the hall. running down the hall I try putting my hair up so it at least will stay out of my eyes when I slam into someone. I sit there on the ground looking up at the fancy ceiling for a few moments. Peckers lands next to me,
"Why Turf stay on floor?" ignoring him I sit up ready to snap at the person I ran into. However the person I see stuns me from doing so. I've never seen royalty or nobility per say aside from Miss Alana but this guy most likely fits into that category. He's very flashy. He wears gold accents everywhere, earrings, arm bands, rings, and other things. His robes are decorated intricately but don't seem to be to heavy for him to wear. His hair also decorated with a few gold accents is pulled into thousands of night shaded braids. His skin is slightly darker making me think he's been in the sun more than others here in Tortall but other features on his face make him seem like he might not be from here. I stand and remembering my manners bow slightly,
"Sorry sir…I was in a rush. I didn't pay attention."
"That's alright. Are you hurt?" he asks.
"No sir…" his eyes narrow making me a bit uneasy. Peckers sensing that, lands on my shoulder before hissing, his feathers ruffle up to make him look bigger. The strangers eye brow raises, "Peckers stop it!"
"Peckers no like Shiny Man look…"
"DON'T attack him…!" I warn him silently
"Does your bird friend not like me?" the stranger asks humored.
"He…um…Peckers doesn't usually like strangers…" even though I say that he still reaches out to the crow, "No um…that's not a good idea. His name is Peckers for a reason sir."
"Thank you but I think I may have something he might like." In his hand he holds a small, shelled nut. He cautiously holds it out to Peckers. Peckers eyes him suspiciously, making small sounds as his head twitches from side to side. The crow pecks at it lightly and decides that he likes it. taking the nut, Peckers gobbles it down. suddenly changing his mind about the stranger he nestles against the strangers' hand.
"H-how did you…?"
"I just figured he might be ok if I offered a peace offering…" he looks back at me, "I'm sorry but are you…Solaris?"
"Oh…um…yes…"
"Ah…I thought so. I suppose you're also looking for your Teacher and his wife?" I step back from him very suspicious now. Even Tao bristles protectively as his tail puffs up to twice its normal size.
"What's it to you?" I say glaring at him slightly.
"Nothing it's just a simple question, isn't it?"
"A stranger who knows me yet I don't know who they are asking a simple question? You're the one who's simple if you think I'll just fall for it!" He laughs gently, as if keeping himself under control,
" you have a lot of spirit for one so little." He bows slightly, "I apologize. I seem to have given you the wrong impression. I am Kaddar, I am a friend of your Teacher Numair and Daine."
"Oh…no offense or anything but you don't look like any Tortallan…" I say gesturing to his flashy outfit,
"Well you would be right about that. I am from Carthak."
"Car…thak?" Kaddar nods.
"Numair and Daine I believe are finishing up with a conversation with his majesty the king."
"Oh ok…thank you." I look around not sure as to where I should even go, "Um…Mr. Kaddar do you know where they are by chance…it's my first time here and I don't really know where to go."
"Well…I'm not too familiar myself but I think I can manage to get you to the audience chamber." He holds his arm out to me. Confused I give him a questionable look, "your hand miss."
"Oh! Ok…" I place my hand on his arm, still not sure of what this means as he starts to lead. Tao races ahead a few feet to wait watching the man warily but with much curiosity; Peckers actually takes a bit of a liking to him enough to sit on his extended arm while picking as some of the embroidery. "Peckers…don't do that. You're going to mess it up."
"it's alright. I'm not entirely too attached to these clothes, it is fine if they get a bit messy." With that as an invitation, Peckers wastes no time in trying to figure out how to get the shiny string to come undone. We turn down a few halls and I notice the servants along with the knights that we pass by, bow in our direction confusing me.
I guess it's because Kaddar is a friend of the king?
With that thought I dismiss the strange behavior when we come to a door guarded by a guard.
"Are Numair and Daine still in with his majesty?" Kaddar speaks with authority but still retains a gentle tone.
"yes sir."
"Could you let us in; I have Numair's student here who wishes to speak with him." the guard nods before knocking on the door,
"Yes?"
"Your majesty, His Majesty Emperor Kaddar is here with Master Numair's student."
w-wait! Did he just say Emperor?!
"let them in." the guard opens the door and EMPEROR Kaddar leads me in. once the door closes behind us I immediately step away from him and bow as deep as I can,
"I am terribly sorry Your majesty! I didn't realize you were so important! I'm really sorry if I disrespected you in anyway! Please don't hold it against the king in anyway!" Tao even chirps slightly as he rolls over on his back in submission, Peckers only continues to inspect his clothes, "Peckers stop that!" I say panicked, emperor Kaddar laughs,
"Is that it? you had such a fire in you earlier calling me simple and all." I want to crawl in a hole right now!
"I'm really sorry! Really, really, really sorry!" this does nothing but make everyone in the room laugh,
"it's alright, calm down Solaris. I'm not offended in any way. I didn't tell you of my own accord and for my own reasons. I would appreciate it if you continued to treat me as you did when we were alone earlier. At least around familiar faces such as these." I nod,
"then…Mr. Kaddar can I ask you not to tease me about such things…I've had some bad experiences with nobility about lesser topics…"
"I see. I apologize if I caused any discomfort but you're rather adorable when you're all panicked you know?" my nerves disappear in an instant,
"Why do people have to tease me about getting panicked? it's not that funny!"
"hahaha, there it is, that fire from earlier!"
"grrr that's not funny Mr. Kaddar!"
"Well in his defense Solaris you make it a bit too easy to tease you." I snap around to look at my teacher,
"it's your fault Mr. Numair!"
"really? And how am I the one at fault?" he says trying to stifle a laugh,
"because you didn't wake me up on time like you ALWAYS do when ever I sleep in!" I stamp the ground placing my hands on my hips. My temper tantrum does nothing to get my point across as Numair covers his mouth, his shoulders shaking. Daine shakes her head but I can see a slight smirk on her face as well. "Oh you-! you're so-so batty sometimes! I can never understand how that ditzy brain of yours works Mr. Numair!" of course I don't mean it. but I'm so angry and embarrassed it's all I can do and say at the moment.
"Solaris." She says to me, "We didn't wake you because you seemed emotionally exhausted from telling us about…our visitor. We wanted to make sure you were well enough to travel with us."
"Oh…" I say sheepishly, "Well, you could have said so…wait we're traveling again? So soon?"
"So this is the Student I've heard so much about." I turn to greet the owner of the unfamiliar voice. He's tall but not as tall at my teacher but he makes up for it in regality. His sapphire blue eyes look at me with humor and kindness. His coal black hair is slightly peppered with grey indicating age framing his face with years of experience. I can tell right off who he is and bow.
"How do you do your majesty, my name is Solaris."
"You don't have to be so formal. Jon is fine."
what is this…all the Royalty I've met so far is nothing like what I thought it would be. Is this what Miss Daine meant when she said that Royalty and nobility wouldn't be like what I thought?
"Um…Mr. Jon about the letter…did you make a decision?" I ask.
"Yes. Numair explained to me what you told him." the king pats my head, "thanks to you I think we made the right choice." Tao trots up to the king and sniffs his hand. "And who's this?" Mr. Jon kneels down to pet the fox,
"His name's Tao. I found him when he was a little kit; he was so tiny he could have fit in the palm of your hand sir." Tao props himself up onto Mr. Jon's shoulder sniffing curiously,
"Hey Tao, come on don't do that…"
"he smells funny."
"Hey don't say that…! That's rude."
"but he does!" Tao sniffs the kings' ear before curiously licking it.
"You still shouldn't say- don't do that Tao!" Mr. Jon laughs,
"does this happen a lot Numair?"
"More than you can count. If Daine weren't round to translate the other half of the conversation, I would be at my wits end." Again I blush. Another sound gurgles in the room making me blush even more.
"That Turf stomach…"
"I know it was my stomach you seanile bird! I don't need you telling me that!" I shout at the bird still messing with the Emperor's clothes. Miss Daine pats my head,
"Ok I think we've all teased her enough…Solaris what happened to your hair?" Miss Daine tries to smooth down my hair,
"I was in a rush and…tried to tie my bangs back at least."
"Let me see." She takes the ribbon out and begins smoothing my hair back as Mr. Jon and my teacher continue with their talk.
"So I'll leave the matter to you then?"
"Yes, based on what Tornmatt told us yesterday it's something that should be handled as soon as possible." Mr. Numair says.
"What did Tornmatt say you guys?" I whisper to Miss Daine.
"Shh…later. Why don't you and I go and get something to eat." Numair stays behind to finish his talk with Mr. Jon. Mr. Kaddar escorts us to the door.
"Come on Peckers let go." I say reaching for him with my hand. He squawks in protest while flapping out of the way,
"Peckers no leave shiny stuff yet!"
"Peckers, Mr. Kaddar has work to do to. he can't do it with you picking at his clothes like that!" I reach for the bird again but he only moves to his other shoulder only to mess with a glittering gem sewn on.
"My shiny." I can only glare at him. Kaddar chuckles,
"What's his name? Peckers?" I nod. He takes a loosened jewel and takes it off. Kaddar shows it to the crow letting the light hit the sparkling red gem. Squawking curiously, Peckers twitches his head from side to side before he snaps at it; Kaddar keeps it from him. "Peckers if I give you this, you have to promise to be good for your little mistress. What do you say?" Peckers shifts his weight a few times before staying still; when he moves again, he flies over to land on my shoulder.
"Can peckers have Shiny please? Peckers be good; Peckers be very good."
"I think you have a deal." With that Kaddar gives the gem to me and I promise to make it so that Peckers will have it on him at all times later. We say good bye to Emperor Kaddar as he goes back to speak with the king and Numair and head for the mess hall. Although it's late in the morning it's still very busy with trainees coming in and leaving. Many are rushing to eat and finish their food. Miss Daine leads me along to get something to eat and we sit at an empty table. Tao sits next to me placing his head on the table while he watches me. Peckers messes with his new toy on the table while I eat. It's noisy but peaceful in some way. Happy to be away from the teasing I eat with a smile on my face. I butter a roll and chomp into it not even caring about the spread getting on my face. I'm just happy to finally calm my grumbling stomach. Although I'm curious,
"Hey Miss Daine, How come Mr. Kaddar is here? if he's the emperor of Carthak shouldn't he be there instead?"
"He's here more so for personal reasons Solaris. You see he's married to their majesties daughter princess Kalasin. She wanted to visit so they came here."
"Oh…but I would still think that…Mr. Kaddar would stay even if that was the case."
"Well…it turns out that even those of noble birth and high stature like him can't say no to their wife."
"Huh? Really why?" she reaches over and pats my head,
"I'll…tell you when you're older." She give a slightly more serious look,
"Although his being here was more than likely a good thing considering what happened yesterday. He was able to help clear up a few misunderstandings that Tornmatt brought to our attention."
"What did she say?"
"She-"
"Alright my lambs! I suggest you get moving; if you dilly dally you get left behind! If you get left behind, you might as well pack your bags and go crying home to your mommies! You have only an hour left! I suggest you get moving!" the voice is so shocking that I end up bumping my unfinished roll onto the ground. Tao gets it for me and holds it up for me to take it.
"That's ok…you finish it." with his front paws keeping him upright on the table, Tao wastes no time in eating the surprise treat. The loud speaker after making his announcement, he comes thumping over to our table.
"Daine! It's been ages, how have you been!" she chuckles a bit,
"I'm fine Sarge. I see that even in your prime you sill have the ability to scare your charges. Buri hasn't whipped that out of you yet?" Laughing he claps her on the shoulder lightly. Even though he's large he proves to be kind of like a big puppy, really warm and nice around others when he's not working.
"No, she's an angel when we're alone. She only gives me a hard time in front of everyone else…" I'm finally noticed after their exchange. "Well, who's this? I don't think I've seen you around here before. Come to help whip these trainees into shape?" I try not to laugh but can't help it,
"no, I'm here with Miss Daine and Mr. Numair. I'm just visiting the capitol is all. I'm Solaris." His eyes widen before he looks at Daine with shock; she only nods. He turns a smile back to me,
"Well Solaris I'm Sarge! I train these yellow bellied nothings into proper Queen's Ridders." I'm so amazed I end up standing,
"YOU'RE with the Queen's Riders!?"
"Well I should hope so…he's married to the second in command Buri." Daine says.
"Wait so does that mean that the queen herself is the commander?" I ask.
"that's right." A female voice answers. When I turn I get really excited
"Miss Alanna!" I race over to her giving her a big hug. "you're here! I thought you would have gone back to Pirate Swoop already. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to see you…"
"No, his Majesty asked that I escort the Queen to Pirate Swoop along with the trainees. So we'll be traveling together for quite a bit."
"together?" I question.
"Yes. Your bear friend, Tornmatt gave us some information that requires some looking into on your Mentor's part. Apparently he needs to make a quick stop back home first before he can do that though."
"Is that true miss Daine, we're going to travel with the Queen's riders?!"
"Yes it's true." I'm so excited I forget about breakfast and have Tao and Peckers follow me back to me room, forgetting that I don't even know how to get there.
I finish in time to saddle Ebony myself where I meet Buri. She's a really pretty lady and Sarge was right about here, he does give him a heard time in front of everyone. She's a real slave driver in public with the trainees as she yelled at them to get their things together along with poking a bit at Sarge a couple of times. When the last of the trainees left though she was as nice as can be and a bit sweet on Sarge. I had to close my eye at those times. After Buri I meet Onua she was similar to Buri in being able to take care of herself but she handled taking care of the horses apparently Miss Daine and I would be helping from time to time with that. I don't care it sounds like it will be fun. After meeting with them I head outside to wait for my teacher and miss Daine, creating a small chain for Peckers new toy. It's a little hard since I'm making a small chain to fit around his ankle. The bird sits on shoulder watching curiously as I work, but keeping to his word with Mr. Kaddar he's behaving. I'm twining some of the wire around the gem when I hear hooves coming closer. Looking up I see Mr. Kaddar walking along side a woman. She's too old to be his wife I assume so I rule that out. She looks normal wearing clothes for travel and everything but there's something different about her. she walks with elegance and grace indicating that she's of noble blood. Her hair reminds me of the stary night sky as it's pinned up and out of the way. When they come closer I get off the wooden fence I was sitting on and respectfully bow to them, more so because I know that Kaddar is actually royalty. With her up close she looks at me with kind hazel eyes as she smiles.
"What are you doing?" Kaddar asks.
"I was making the gem you gave Peckers into something he could hold onto himself since he likes it so much. I figured since I was waiting for Mr. Numair and Miss Daine I could get a head start on it."
"is it a bracelet?" the lady asks,
"No ma'am. It's just something to latch onto his leg comfortably so he can play with it whenever he wants." Peckers lightly pulls on my hair silently telling me to continue what I was doing, "I'm almost done you Seanile bird…just give me a minute." I twine the last of the wire before setting the bird down on Ebony. He behaves himself as I attach the gem to his leg. "There is that ok? not heavy?" Peckers lifts his leg while looking at the trinket. The sunlight glints off it and he starts poking at it with his beak.
"Pretty shiny."
"you're welcome…" I turn to Mr. Kaddar, "You're not coming with us are you? You don't look dressed for it."
"No I came here for a different reason." I look at him questioningly,
"You help to avoid a great conflict from starting by telling Numair what happened in your past." The woman says, "My husband and I were able to make a more informed decision."
"Your…husband?" I ask her.
"King Jon. You met him this morning." Kaddar explains. Realizing who she is I bow again.
Why don't they just say right off who they are?
I can't help but think that as I feel sheepish about not being able to tell right off who she was.
"Oh you don't have to be so formal. Come now raise your head." I do as told.
"You can just call me Thayet."
"Um…No offense …Mrs. Thayet but um…I didn't really do anything that big did I? I just told about Daigen and what he can do from personal experience. How did that help to avoid a conflict exactly?"
"You don't have to be so nervous Solaris. They don't bite." I hear my Teacher suddenly say. Ignoring him I turn my attention back to the queen. She explains,
"there's peace between our two nations right now and we want to keep it that way. However, that peace is a bit shaky to say the least."
"Shaky?"
"Yes, there are those who would like to see our nations tare each other apart and are willing to do anything to see that happen." Kaddar says. "the emperor before me, my uncle, Ozorne caused a war to break out and my nation was ultimately the catalyst for it. It's better known as the Immortals war now a days. Eventually we worked to create a stable peace between our nations. But my uncle had followers, whether it was out of fear or pure loyalty they still follow his beliefs to this day. some I'm afraid to say have escaped."
"Based on what you spoke about and what Tornmatt told us as well we believe that Daigen is most likely using these followers to start something. Kaddar was able to help us differ that he and his country had nothing to do with it."
"So someone is trying to cause a war between Cathak and Tortall?" I clarify.
"yes, Tornmatt explained that at one point during her travels she noticed Daigen enlisting the help of someone who seemed to hail from Carthak one of the traitors that escaped apparently." Numair says.
"But…why?" I ask.
"that's what we're going to find out."
Mrs. Thayet places her hands on my shoulders,
"I wanted to thank you personally Solaris; what you did was very brave and you helped to keep peace between our two nations." I blush,
"I didn't do anything that big."
"Whether you think you did or not you did help; I'd like to thank you for that as well. Kaddar does nothing but make me even more embarrassed. Ebony nudges me from behind,
"You should take the gratitude little miss; they are taking the time to thank you after all."
"But I didn't do anything all that special…" I answer,
"Oh? Well from what Numair told us…you had a rather strong reaction when you told him about this Daigen. Apparently it was some feat for you to tell it, with all the crying and shaking." I snap around to look at my teacher angrily,
"You told them that much!? Mr. NUMAIR!" he throws his hands up in surrender
"Excuse me, but I said nothing of the sort."
"What…?" when I turn back to Mr. Kaddar he's trying to hold back his laughter, "You…you tricked me?!"
"it's like your teacher said you make it too easy." I'm about to snap when I feel a familiar presence in the distance. Forgetting about Kaddar I look up in the sky. It's like I hear wind blowing in my head and I know only one non-two legger who sounds like that. I catch a glimpse of something glinting in the sky.
"Skysong!" I jump up and down waving my hands in the air. Everyone looks up at the sky as the large, light blue figure descends. Tao runs around me happily as the large lizard flaps up a wind around us. Ebony rushes out of the way allowing Skysong to land. the dragon stands about six feet in length and her wings are large enough to keep her in flight. I run up to the dragon, "Skysong!" she allows me to nestle her head against my as she purrs. I call her by her real name but Mr. Numair and Miss Daine call her Kit or Kitten, but I like her real name better so she lets me use it. when I first met her she was a little smaller but Skysong was really nice. She kind of scared me at first since she swooped in out of nowhere. Apparently she likes to fly around every so often now that she's getting older. But she always comes back home. "Did you follow us all the way out here?"
"uh-huh! I felt mummy's presence so I stopped here." she kind of sounds like a child even though she's so big. For some reason though Skysong calls Daine and Numair mummy and daddy for some reason; they told me they look after her but it's kind of unusual that she goes so far as to call them that. I guess they're really important to her.
"What are you doing here?" Skysong asks.
"We get to travel with the Queen's Riders all the way to Pirate Swoop!" I say hopping up and down, "It's going to be fun!"
"Can I come too? can you ride with me?" I race over to Mr. Numair who's been filled in already on the other half of our conversation.
"Mr. Numair can I please ride with Skysong?" even though she's gotten big I'm the only one that's small enough to ride her. sometimes we'll fly together when I shapeshift into a bird of some kind. Skysong taught me how to fly in the air currents and how to maneuver through them. I guess she's kind of like my sister in some way.
"May I please ride with Skysong is what you meant..." he rubs the back of his neck unsure, "Solaris…" Mr. Numair looks at me as I plead with him, he heaves a sigh, "look it's one thing when-"
"Pleeeeaaase. I promise we won't cause trouble! We'll sty out of the way and…and…"
"we won't eat sheep!"
"Right we won't eat-wait what?" I look back at the dragon whose eyes sparkling.
"I was hungry!"
"Correct me if I'm wrong but this is…Kitten correct?" Kaddar asks seeming a bit surprised,
"Yes this is Kit. She sort of grew up quite a bit." Daine says. Skysong walks up the emperor staring intently,
"He looks familiar…mummy who is he?"
"He's Prince Kaddar, remember from the peace talks."
"Oh him! Hello!" Skysong gives a happy chortle to him. after that she turns back to me this time pulling on my tunic, "Come on Solaris let's go play in the sky! Ride with me!"
"Please Mr. Numair….! Can we fly today, please?" I feel Skysong rest her head on top of mine looking at him pleadingly along with me.
"Ah…look you two…if it was just us then there wouldn't be a problem but…" Skysong and I both droop at that, so much so that Numair hesitates to say the next part. again he lets off a defeated sigh. "…Ask the queen…" we both turn to her and look at her pleadingly,
"We won't cause any trouble I promise." I say. She chuckles looking away from us.
"Numair, how do you say no to those big, round eyes?"
"very rarely…it's a miracle if I can even accomplish it." the adults all chuckle,
"Alright Solaris, you can Kitten can fly; but you have to promise the two of you won't spook the mounts. The trainees need to concentrate on riding and they can't do that if their ponies get spooked."
"Yes Ma'am." She pulls on my clothes again as Skysong drags me back.
"Let's go Solaris!" a horn blows off in the distance followed by Sarges booming voice to get the trainees in order. Quickly I grab my pack from Ebony and place Tao in his riding bag on her.
"Stay here and be good. Listen to what Miss Daine says; that goes double for you Peckers." I say to the bird still preoccupied with his trinket. With that I race off with Skysong to find a place to take off.
"Solaris stay where we can see you; and both of you be careful!" Miss Daine shouts at us.
"Now who's the one worrying too much magelet?"
"Don't worry Miss Daine we'll be careful. Oh and for the record scrolls Mr. Numair you're the one who still worries too much!" leaving the others to laugh at him I escape with Skysong.
Making sure my pack is securely over my shoulder I climb onto the dragon's back. Off in the distance we watch the trainees fall into place. I grip onto the spines protruding from Skysongs' neck as the dragon sways back and forth in excitement.
"Where have you been Skysong? You have to tell me all about the places you've seen."
"It was fun! There was this one place that was nothing but mountains. There was a village on the inside that was covered in all green."
"A forest?"
"uh-huh! There were many humans living there but they didn't see me. I hid really well. There were humans in the mountains too. they had a lot of funny colored tools. They weren't really doing anything with them though. they just kept them in a pile."
"huh…maybe they plan on selling the tools. I heard that independent blacksmiths will sell their goods at reasonable prices in different towns. Maybe they're with the village that you were talking about before. They must sell the tools to them."
"Oh. Hey they're starting, they're starting!" I look up as she says this and see the group start to move. I brace myself for take off. Skysong extends her wings and, with one push off the ground, we take off. The wind blows all around us as we rise higher into the sky. Flying on Skysong is something that even Miss Daine hasn't done yet since she's still too big for Skysong to carry. In a way it's something that only Skysong and I get to do together. As mean as it may sound I'm glad I'm the only one who can ride with Skysong.
I look down and see nothing but a sea of green passing by. we fly higher into the sky and make it into the clouds. As we straighten out I can see the trainees below as they ride along. We're too small for them to see us as what we really are so we're ok. I take my hands away from Skysong and hold them out to my sides. Even at this height the wind is refreshing and cool and the clouds leave a pleasant dampness on my skin when we pass through.
"Skysong let's do that trick!"
"The one where we spin really high into the sky?"
"Yeah that one!"
"Ok!" She dips down only to shoot straight up into the sky. As she does so, she twirls in the air currents as we go through cloud after cloud. We slow down as she stops spinning.
"Ready?"
"Ready!"
I let go and feel myself lift from Skysong's back. I fall through the sky my eyes closed as I feel the wind pick up at my back. When I open my eyes I fall through a cloud and see my impression in it. I turn over and see the next cloud and close my eyes as I make contact with it. when I finish falling through it Skysong is there ready to catch me. she dips slightly as I land on her back but we climb back into the sky easily and into the clouds. I slowly stand up and balance on her back.
I know we said we would be careful but what they don't know won't hurt them. besides it's not like we don't practice doing these things and if I fall off I can always shape shift into a bird of some sort to fly away.
birds fly by in large flocks and even stare at our od combination. I just wave and say 'hi' as we continue to fly on.
"SOLARIS!" the voice frightens me so much that I nearly fall off of Skysong; but I manage to cling to her. my heart races, beating hard in my chest. When I look to see where the voice is coming from when I see a mirror like image of my teacher in front of us. "Just what do you think you're doing?!"
"Mr. Numair?! You scared me!" I say still clinging to the dragon,
"I scared YOU?! Just what do YOU think you're doing standing up like that?! I thought you said you were going to be careful!"
"I was…!"
"Stay sitting or I'll have you riding with me!"
"Wait don't you mean riding on Ebony?"
"No I do not! I'll make sure you can't cause any more trouble by having you ride with me!" the spell seems to fade as the image fades.
"joy killer…" I say under my breath, when the image suddenly fade back in making my heart jump again,
"I heard that!" the image evaporates leaving me alone with Skysong. I sit, behaving the rest of the way.
…
the setting sun colors the camp and field in orange. Skysong after traveling with us all day with me on her back she takes a rest near our tents away from the ponies Mr. Numair gives me a stern lecture about being reckless while I go about helping to set up.
"…what in the name of the gods possessed you to think of doing something so reckless? What if you had fallen off?!"
"…I could have changed into a bird…I'm good at that…" I say sheepishly,
"Don't get smart…!" he however misinterprets my comment as something else,
"But I wasn't! I really could have changed into a bird!" I say in a panic thinking he's about to really stir up a storm.
"Numair…calm down. She isn't hurt and kit is more than capable of keeping an eye on her."
"She isn't hurt. yes that's all that matters…not the fact that she was experimenting with aero-acrobatics and dangerous stunts! Not to mention leaving her in the care of a young dragon who's only a little if not any older than her is sure to be safe. Mithros curse me if I just don't let her go about and do what she wants including dangerous stunts-"
"Numair…" he quiets at that, from Miss Daine, "you're worrying too much again."
"I sometimes wonder if you don't worry enough Magelet…"
"of course I do." She says before lightly kissing his cheek, "I just don't do it to the point that I sound like a squawking mother goose." Miss Daine pokes his cheek this time and with that she goes about setting up the fire pit, leaving him defeated and the raging torrent that is his temper quelled.
Phew…I hate it when Mr. Numair gets mad…he's really scary…
"Skysong let's not mention that stunt to them ok?" I try to send quietly,
"the one we did today? ok I won't mention it!"
"Won't mention what exactly?" Eek! Oh no! I forgot about Miss Daine being able to hear Skysong, "Won't mention what, Solaris?" now I'm in her sights. Mr. Numair is worse but I don't like getting yelled at by either of them. She's no push over when it comes to discipline either.
"Um…nothing…?" I smile nervously which only earns me sharp narrow eyes from her,
"Solaris-"
"Well what was with all the commotion today?" Alanna trots over, "You were shouting as loud as Sarge when he drills the trainees Numair."
"you hear me?" he asks,
"Heard you? The Queen and Buri could here you all the way from the front of the group! It was all quiet and peaceful and all of a sudden out of no where 'SOLARIS! Just what do you think your doing?!' " Ms. Alanna tries to imitate his voice which only makes him blush even more.
"My student thought it would be fun to try acrobatics while riding our scaly friend today."
"I was only standing…!" I say defending myself.
"From what is sounds like you were doing more than standing." He says. Alanna only laughs at our exchange,
"Ah you're much more adventurous than what I gave you credit for Solaris! Aero-acrobatics? That's brilliant; you'll have to show me what you can do when Skysong can take us both in the air."
"Please, in the name of the Blessed Goddess, do not encourage her Alanna."
"Oh relax I'm only encouraging her just a bit to spread her winds and fly…she's much more adventurous and daring than my own children when they were her age." Oh…! "of course they got into trouble, but nothing as creative as flying a dragon and performing!" she chuckles again, "anyway I'm only here to spread the word; Thayet wants us to meet before we move out tomorrow. Buri and the others will be there as well."
"Alright." Numair answers. With that Alanna leaves, I stare at her still thinking about the realization I come to.
"Solaris?" I don't answer still lost in thought. I hear a yip from below me as something lands on my shoulder. When I look Tao and Peckers are there. "Solaris what is it?" Miss Daine asks,
"Oh no…it's nothing. I just I never knew Ms. Alanna was a mamma is all." I say as I go back to my work of pealing the carrots.
"you didn't…ah that's right you never met her husband an family when we were at Pirate Swoop the first time."
"No sir."
"She's always away for work so it's a bit rare that she gets to go home like this. usually as soon as she home she has to leave again."
"That's sad…"
"That may be but it's her job and she can't ignore it. besides her family understands."
"You know Mr. Numair I think you two would be a great papa and Mamma." I say smiling at them. he starts a bit looking at me wide eyed; Miss Daine jolts as well but she doesn't look up. "Yeah, I mean Mr. Numair you might be like a doting father if you had a girl. You're funny and nice but I guess you wouldn't be that bad when it comes to discipline…I mean you're SCARY when you get mad."
"Ah…Solaris…"
"I mean you might even spoil them from time to time but I don't think you would be a push over. Oh but Miss Daine, you would make the best Mamma! You would be able to teach them sooooo much about hunting and archery."
"Solaris."
"I bet if you had a little boy it would look more like You Mr. Numair but if it was a girl, why I bet she'd look so much Miss Daine you wouldn't even be able to tell them apart!"
"SHUT UP!" Miss Daine screeches as me as she slams the firewood into the pit. I start noticing for the first time that she herself is shaking and but she's not glaring at me, it almost looks as if she's in pain, hurt, "Just be quiet! Stop talking about such nonsense! For once can't you do something without talking on and on! So what about that sort of things; why do you even care about that in the first place when you yourself don't know anything about your own-!"
"Daine!" Numair silences her before she can say it but I already know what she was going to say.
I know I don't know…it's not my fault though…even if she is hurt by something I said…that's still too much. It's cruel to say something like that!
"I'm going to go get some water…for mangle and the others…" I say running away grabbing two empty pales and taking them with me.
By the stream, I take my time gathering the water I said I would get. Tao nestles against me as Peckers ruffles his feathers on my cheek. I sit staring at the running water, my face is red with effort as I try not to cry.
Did I do something wrong? I didn't mean anything by it…I was just saying what I really thought. If anything I thought they would be happy that I said that. I was just trying to talk…it's not like I meant to hurt her…! she didn't have to say all that! The 'Shut up' was more than enough!
sniffing I rub my eyes unable to hold back anymore. I can't even understand why she would say something like that. Neither one of them has ever said anything like that to me before. Sure they've yelled at me when I've done something wrong or they were worried about me. I understood why then, it was because they worried and cared about me. but this time it was different. It was like being yelled at like a slave again as if I did something wrong and I was waiting to be hit. She was so scary. I bury my face in my knees,
I don't want to go back there…I'm scared…
"Kasim Onua I found her!" I start at hearing that voice; Rahaul is there staring at me, "you're crying again? who's out to kill you this time?" his words are joking but I just go back to crying into my knees. "Hey…come on I…meant that as a joke. Don't take it so seriously. Ow!"
"how many times have I told you to just call me Onua?!"
"Several… sorry…" it's silent for a while as they watch me,
"Go on back to the camp Rahaul. I'll see to it she gets back to her teacher." Miss Onua says.
"…alright…" she slowly approaches before sitting next to me. Onua pats my back,
"Here, come on now…let me see your face." I shake my head,
"I look bad…I know it…" I say whimpering,
"come on now. let me see." She says as she gently lifts my head. Taking a small rag she wipes my face,
"I'm not a baby…!" I say, pulling away from her,
"well you're certainly crying like one."
"It's not my fault!" I snap at her, "I didn't do anything! I was just talking to them about stuff and I was just saying things! Then Miss Daine got all mad at me for no reason! I felt like…I felt like she was going to hit me…" she lets me finish,
"Numair told me…" she pats my head, "you and I both know she wasn't nor would she ever hit you. That was just the hurt talking Solaris."
"Hurt?"
"It wasn't your fault. you didn't know about it. actually Solaris…believe it or not, Numair and Daine did have a kid."
"What?" she nods, "I don't understand I've never seen anyone else at the tower aside from Skysong show up…are they all grown up?"
"No kid…I'm afraid something happened…something bad."
"what?! Why!? How?!" she shakes her head,
"It ain't my place to say Solaris…but they lost their child. Because of that, that kind of talk is a rather sore spot for the both of them…especially for Daine. You get it?" I'm suddenly not mad anymore; instead I feel really guilty.
"I…I said all those things like it was nothing and…I must have hurt them really bad…"
"They don't blame you kid. It never came up. how were you to know?" I rub my eye again as a new set of tears starts, "they know you didn't mean anything harmful by it. she knows what she said was wrong; just give her some time to calm down than go and talk to her."
"ok." she pats my head, "Um…Miss Onua…do you mind if I sleep in your tent tonight with you? I don't think I should go back tonight."
"Alright…I'll let Numair know then." Suddenly I feel something sickening in the back of my head. I feel as if I'm going to throw up and my ears burn like acid.
"Something's wrong." I say. Goosebumps prickle all over my skin as whatever I feel gets closer.
"Onua! Solaris! GET DOWN!" She pulls me down as Rahaul shouts at us. the next thing I hear is something screeching behind me. something very familiar. Realizing what it is I try to get a warning out to everyone and shout,
"Immortals! Scorrops!"
let me know what you think guys! ^^