Goliath took a seat on a large log that had been laid next to the fire for seating.

"I am sorry," Talia said, grimacing. "We did not mean to make you or your mate uncomfortable."

Goliath nodded. "We knew, from the beginning, that not everyone would be open to the idea of a human and a gargoyle."

"It was a surprise," Talia said.

"A few members of the human tribe try to keep their eyes open for news of other gargoyles when they are able to make it into a town," Koa added. "We have been aware of you for a few months, however the news stories were already almost a year old by the time it reached us. A few of the younger ones, the ones going to school outside of the tribe, began more in-depth searches and brought the news of your daughter."

"Once we were able to see her image," Talia picked up the story, "It was obvious that she was not fully gargoyle, and that was when the elders began speaking of the legend of the origins of the gargoyle race. It is an old tale, and not one that is brought out as often as the stories of this land."

"We spoke of it," Koa said, "And had decided that coming forward as the others had, there was a chance that you may come find us."

"And a chance that we would someday meet the Promised One," an elder female, her dark hair spun through with bright silver strands, said. The female's eyes were bright, almost as if she were holding back tears as she turned to look at the distant form of his daughter.

Goliath sighed. Nothing about this journey had gone right, but perhaps some good could come from it.

"Would you like to meet her?" He asked the elder.

Hey eyes widened a little as she turned back to Goliath. "I was raised on those tales, of the Dragon and his lady. Of their children and the origins of our race. Of course," she admitted a little sheepishly, "I had thought it only a pretty story. The world has changed so much since my youth, but with age comes the knowledge that the world cannot and will not stop, despite your feelings. I have no quarrel with you or your choice of mate, and I would welcome the chance to meet the young one."

Goliath gave a solemn nod, then rose to his feet.

When Bolin began to rise, as if to follow him, Goliath motioned for him to remain seated.

He moved quickly, and with a purpose, to fetch his daughter.

She was still in the center of the group. The other girls had found some of the tribe's ceremonial paints, and had not only painted small white dots around her eyes and over her forehead, they had shaded the sides of her face with a crimson that almost mimicked the clan's skin color.

Nayeli turned at the sound of his approach, and she smiled brightly at him.

"Dad, look," she said, raising her arms to show more designs painted down each arm. "Isn't it pretty?"

He smiled at her. "It is," he said, then turning to give the other girls a courtly bow that made them dissolve into fits of giggles. "Please excuse us, but I need Nayeli to come with me."

His daughter's smile slipped, just a little, but it pained him to have to take her away from the others. Gracefully, Nayeli handed the large lizard that had been so content to lay in her lap to one of the gargoyle girls and pushed herself to her feet.

Goliath laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry to pull you away."

Nayeli raised her shoulders in a shrug. "I'm glad to help," she said, raising her face to smile once more.

Goliath gave her a small smile, then turned to lead the way back to the gathering.

{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}

Elisa returned to the porch, feeling a little lighter.

She had decided to go inside for a few moments and test out the satellite phone, and much to her relief, it had connected the first try.

She had spoken to Owen at the castle, and he had promised to get in touch with David Xanatos and begin making arrangements for their return trip, since the helicopter was going nowhere anytime soon.

With that task out of the way, she felt as if a weight that she hadn't been aware of carrying had been lifted from her shoulders.

Upon opening the door, she found Fox surrounded by the girls who were ooh-ing and awe-ing over Foxes red hair.

They turned when Elisa came out, and a few of the younger ones hopped up to give her room to sit.

As Elisa sat down, she noticed a few of them were studying her.

"You look like Nayeli," one of the human girls said, pronouncing Nayeli's name with a thick accent.

Elisa laughed. "Or Nayeli looks like me," Elisa said with a wink. "I came first, after all."

The girls thought that was hilarious for some reason, and a few went into full on giggle fits.

The girl who had spoken introduced herself as Lowanna, before asking her if she knew any stories.

Elisa hesitated. "I only really know a few," she said hesitantly. "Have you heard the story of the dragon and his lady?"

The girls nodded enthusiastically.

"The elders told us that one a few nights ago," the gargoyle female surrounded by the animals said. "My name is Bindi."

"I'm Jedda," another human girl said in a rush. "Do you have any stories from where you are from?"

Elisa nodded slowly. "I do know one," she said slowly.

There was a flurry of activity as the girls hurried to sit in a half circle around the two women.

Fox gave her a questioning look, then leaned back against the well weathered post that held the porch railing as if she, too, were settling in for a good story.

Elisa took a breath, then began, "One thousand years ago, superstition and the sword ruled…"