Foresight in Miniature

When a Shin'i'in Shaman, several Gryphons, most of the hertasi, a single, lone Companion in Searching Gear and Wildsong got their heads together on a project involving the young dragon, it was perhaps somewhat premature for the humans in the Vale to assume there were enough responsible adults keeping her busy.

~ Singing Wild ~

The Companion stallion had bedded down in her ground floor room after she had gone to bed one night, then ambushed her with a Choosing as she came downstairs the next morning, sleepy and not even remotely on her game. Like most of the youngsters of the Field she'd grown up with, she knew of this young stallion. He had never approached her for conversation or in suspicion of some prank of her's, but she'd often seen him watching as they put one together. She'd usually known when he was grinning at her...and he'd never ratted anyone out. But no-one had mentioned his name in her hearing, either. Van was going to be fun, she could already tell.

The Shin'i'in was there to start getting battlesteeds accustomed to the specific scent of Wildsong's pet, the Gryphons were helping Fyre fledge and teaching him to fly, the Hertasi were measuring Fyre who had just about stopped growing, before starting the process of making 'dragon furniture' because Wildsong wanted to ride him safely and Wildsong was involved, at some level, with all three. Everyone agreed that as Van had Chosen her, he got the sitter detail for the now nearly eleven-year-old girl.

Young she might be, but she was a long way from being stupid and over the course of the first few days several verbal observations of his lined up with stories of Firesong's concerning a specific one of his forebears...one also covered in history lessons taught by the resident Heralds of the Vale in years past. So, since Firesong had long ago ratted the resident Companions out...for what they were or rather, what they used to be, the child was getting suspicious. As per her usual, when seeking information, she asked a question, but not the sort he'd prepared for. At least, not as an initial inquiry.

"So, where's Ty?"

"Oh, he's still in the Field waiting for...wait, how did you...um, I mean, uh..."

"Well, I didn't actually, until you reacted like that. Please, tell me you were smoother when you wore Whites?"

Oh man...Rolan's gonna be unbearable with the jokes.

"If he takes it too far, I'll tell tales to Myst. I spent way more time with you lot in the Field, remember...and you wouldn't believe some of the conversations I overheard in my head involving my father. Now, your relatives on the other hand...you're on your own."

She's worse than Rolan.

At least you won't have all of them on your case. And I meant Firesong.

Ah. Forgotten about him.

"His parents are here and most of his aunts, uncles, cousins and of course his mate. Most of which are also your relatives." She reminded him. "Where's Y'fandes?"

"Oh, she is my mother this go. I think she's Chosen someone again, by now. She left when I did."

"Y'know, Darian is still in his twenties. There's several young Shin'i'in and Taleyadras that don't fit as well as they should...bet there'd be some of that lot which would make good Heralds."

"Possibly, but we're thinking of putting second Field down here since our Lady is an aspect of their's, and Choosing from this field would be from them, from Taleyadras and Shin'i'in to serve both. No need for sexless warriors there and all. And everyone knows what we are, what we really are, I mean."

"Does Papa know?"

"Yes."

"Well, I guess I better keep him distracted...saddle training Fyre should do that...unlike Gryphons, he'll be strong enough to carry you in a basket...and he mindspeaks just fine...which is why our Gryphons are giving him lessons...they can talk with and to him. Should've seen Firesong's expression when he finally figured out I wasn't using Animal Mindspeech with him."

"Karles reported it, complete with images, it was hilarious. It's very difficult to stun that boy. I'll have a bit of a chat with Shaman Tala just the same, though, about a few Shin'i'in as an escort, since between you and Fyre...and with the fact I have no hands this go, I'll need the help."

"And I'll have one with some of my friends to see who else wants a job in Haven." She ducked out using a path which had too little headroom for him to get through it, at a fast trot, and with no further explanation at all. Vanyel let out a long, low rumbling sigh. Well, he was the one who appointed himself the right person to pair with her, Companion's Appointment Spell never failed to be correct. But boy, did he have his work cut out for him. He snorted a laugh as he took a long and very convoluted detour to meet her where she'd come out at...and knew the conversation he could hear in her head was only half of what she was saying, using sign as she was to keep some things quiet.

He had to wonder just what else she had going on.

Vanyel Askervon had done a lot of insane things in his time, but as he rocked in his carrier hundreds of feet over the land below, he was pretty sure this trumped the lot. He craned his long neck over the side of the basket and tilted his head a bit to watch the shadow they made on the ground, the young dragon's long neck and tail seeming to slither over the ground. Firesong's laughter when Wildsong had requested that Haven not be warned had lasted for nearly a quarter hour.

A bit after midnight Fyre smoothly landed on the grassy approach to the palace between it and the gardens. Alberich, Kantor, Rolan and several farmers were waiting with two large steers and three sheep for the young Trainee's dragonmount to sate his hunger on...it had been a very long flight from the Vale since the morning. Unlike land travel, flight went much faster and the trip had been made it in a single day.

Alberich stared stoically at the chattering young drake as he described the trip, while eating. Kantor leaned his great head on the weapon master's shoulder, eyes closed in thought. "We're in trouble." He said finally. "Dragons are both speech capable and trainable by humans."

"Aye."

"We are in deep, deep do-do."

"We are." Alberich agreed again, long-suffering in his mental tone.

"People...normal people...know where they nest, or near to...and used to avoid those lands. Now? Every child who ever dreamt of being a dragon rider..."

"Very much so. Yes."

"And they sent her home on his first, solo long flight." Kantor pressed. "Firesong did this on purpose."

"He did. Revenge there will be."

"Promise?"

TBC