A/N:

Shadowkiller27: Actually, this is something that's worked on during the downtime between Celadon Flight, and WoH. It still gets work time, especially late at night.

Jedi Master Kyre AKA JKM AKA Chaos Storm: I update Celadon Flight when I get inspiration. Since sometimes, I fail to get that during the weekends, I work on something else where I've got a good idea of what to do. Unless you want crappy chapters... :P

Elihu: Thanks for the origionality comment, I guess it's true. . Anyway, since there's quite some time that passes between the chapters, I figured it's better to leave them short, than have several day's events contained within one chapter.

seantheimp: But what? Chapters too short for ya? They eventually do get longer... eventually. In a few chapters.

FoS: You're just updating about three hundred words as a chapter?

Sandstone: I'm working on a massive chapter right now, which explains a great deal about the Rationalists, some about the main char...

FoS: Oh. Busy. Right.

A bit of heroism

I landed again, intent on getting some food before we arrived. I shuddered at the pain of the ice stabbing me, and finally felt the bi'waga climbing up onto my shoulder again. I shuddered, and walked out.

&&&&&

It was a hassle finding somewhere to eat again. Eventually, I found a place that proclaimed 'all you can eat'. I snuck in Toiréasa, and we ate a great deal. She stuck to the vegetables of the planet (and commented to me quietly), while I ate anything that looked heavy, and full of fats. I needed the energy.

&&&&&

After eating, and Toiréasa re-merging with my body, we were flying low over the place, looking for a thermal. I vaguely heard a cry of "HELP!"

I thought for a moment… then… "why not?" I dove, and landed near the source of the sound. She was pressed against a wall, a human male holding a sharp implement to her throat.

I wasn't amused. I started a higher-level summoning, then stopped, and quick-summoned a swarm of insects that began to flay at the male.

He swatted at them with his free hand, then eventually backed off, cursing. The moment he did, he met the blunt end of my staff, which knocked him unconscious. I grinned slightly, and snapped my nails together, a showoffy way to unsummon the annoyances.

I turned, smiling slightly. The woman called out, "wait!" I turned back, and stood there. She looked me over, then nodded, smiling while a faint amount of blood leaked from her mouth. "Thank you."

I bowed in return, then peered at her leaking mouth. She must have noticed, because she managed to say, "I'll be fine. Just a split lip, and a bit cheek."

I nodded quietly, turned, and lifted off, running easy into the air.

Heroism… is that the joy in it? I believe I am beginning to understand it… Toiréasa's mental 'voice' was quiet, and she seemed to be thinking over a great deal (none of which I could 'hear', she kept her thoughts to herself often)