Chapter 14

It was time to allow the others to see each other, and the shadow was ready. It was at a position that it could hear the conversations of all of the guests.

Dart, Mattie, and Shana were the first to arrive. They sat back ready to watch for the Shadow person. Although they didn't know it, they were surrounded by an illusion. The shadow couldn't allow the friends to see each other till they all had arrived. Mattie made the noises that were so accustomed to babies, and the shadow knew that only she could see through the illusion. This child was strong, and very much able to handle the battles that would come later in her life. The shadow felt sorry for the child, for it knew that she would have a lot of pain as she grew stronger in the Dragoon arts. Her father would soon know why she was different.

As the shadow watched, the other friends began to arrive, one by one. Rose looked just as it had remembered, and it knew that she would be testy. Haschel was a bit out going in his arrival, and the shadow thought that he was way to careless as he came up. Meru was a bit more skeptical as she came up slowly, her husband and child following closely behind.

The next to arrive was Kongol, who went to where Dart and his family were. The shadow didn't hide them from him for it knew that Kongol needed to be with his friends as a protector. Kongol was very wary of his surroundings, and once it seemed as though he looked directly at the shadow. This caused the shadow to strengthen his hold on the dragoon's minds. It could not afford its hold to slip, even for a second.

Not long after Kongol, Albert arrived. He seemed prepared with a spear in his hand, and yet he seemed to be watching his family more so than his surroundings. Albert kept a close eye on his oldest son, Klaymor. It was almost as if Albert had become afraid of his son. The shadow watched the son as well, and amused itself with the idea of how the young one would react to meeting the dragoon friends of his father. It thought of how the child had reacted when he first heard of the dragoons, and even more so of his reaction to his father's friends being dragoons. However, it knew that the boy had, somewhat at least, accepted the fact that his father was a dragoon. The shadow kept an eye on its subjects, and knew that only one remained to arrive.

The shadow watched each place that one could enter for Miranda. Finally it relaxed when it saw her come carrying the rose that it had given her. She watched carefully as if expecting the shadow to attack her at any time. She did not know what she was going to see, and was prepared for any and everything. The shadow then decided to loosen the hold it had on their minds. When it dropped the hold, chaos broke loose at first. The dragoons all stood ready to attack, but then they recognized each other. The only one who saw all but was not seen, besides the shadow, was Rose. She was hidden with the shadow's magic still, and the shadow would not release her till the friends asked one question that it was waiting for. The question that Dart was to ask, and most likely all the others. The friends got reacquainted and learned about what had happened to each one. Rose watched almost sensing that she could not be seen as of yet. Finally, the question was asked, but not by Dart as the shadow had expected, but by Miranda.

"Where is the person who brought us here?" At that moment, the shadow showed itself. Every one was shocked that they had not seen the shadow before, and all prepared to battle. Each one spewed questions and comments at the same time.

"When are you going to tell me about Mattie?" Dart asked.

"Is this the wonderful adventure you promised?" Meru shot out.

"Why are we here?" Albert asked. Haschel thanked the shadow for allowing him to see his friends.

"How did you know how to get all of us here at the same time?" Miranda asked. The shadow held up its hands.

"I have a few more surprises if you shall listen. First of which is one that Haschel knows of already." It made a gesture and Rose became visible to the friends. All of them swarmed over her, but they did not attempt to ask her any questions. After they had greeted her, all the attention was back on the shadow. "The second is a tale that Rose can help me to deliver, if you will Rose." The shadow brought out the young child, Davina, and immediately Rose stepped back from the shadow.

"Tell me that it isn't true," she said to it. The shadow nodded and a frown came to its face, although the others could not see it.

"What is it Rose?" Haschel asked.

"Her name is Davina?" Rose asked ignoring Haschel. The shadow nodded.

"What is it?" They were all wondering now why Rose looked so upset.

"Send the children away." She told them. When the children had left, Haschel asked one last time.

"What is it, Rose?"

"The rein of Davina. There is a legend that tells of the rein that will occur when the final moonchild is lost. A child will be born without mother or father. That child will be called Davina, the death's coming. No one will be able to kill her, except for the dragoons. She will be strong, and the new dragoons will be the children of the old ones. That is perhaps why I returned. This child cannot be left to the streets; a dragoon must take care and train her in her powers. There is only two who can do that…the dragoon of light." Miranda looked shock and backed away from Rose.

"I can't take care of a baby!" she cried out.

"You must, or the child will be more powerful than you can ever know. I said there were two that could train her, but the other one is the worst of all to train her. If you do not take her in, then Melbu Frahma must be brought from the grave to train her." Rose looked at her in the most pleading look that she could make. "You have to do this, or it could mean the end of any children we have."

"It is true Miranda," the shadow cut in. "All children you have will be chosen as dragoons when Davina has reached her full age. I fear that will be soon, although I don't know for sure. Your friends' futures are in your decision Miranda." She fretted over it. Meru offered to help take care of the child and begged Miranda to take her. Finally, Miranda reluctantly agreed to take the girl and train her.

"I have one last question," Dart said to the shadow. "Who are you?"

"I knew that you'd ask that soon, and now I can show you." The shadow pulled back its hood to reveal its true form.