By The Light of Lightening: Rasa
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Chip had no idea what he is in for…even after reading her journal.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
-Bowen…is kind of chubby.
I suppose all babies are like that.
Bowen seemed extra chubby to me but what did I know? I wasn't silly enough to say that out loud of course.
Leanbow and Undonna looked so…happy.
The world is falling apart and they are happy.
Good. We need a little happiness. Calindor appears to be watching Bowen too closely for my liking. Snow Prince and Daggeron are talking about plans to protect the child.
I am sure that this is important but something has been bothering me as of late.
Hmm…why do I get impression that I am missing something?-Catalina
"So…Where are we going?" Chip asked.
"To wake up Rasa. My boy has been sleeping entirely too long," She said as she walked beside him.
He didn't quite get why she refused to ride Brightstar. She did insist to place an oddly shaped saddle and reins on Brightstar's back. He was kind of curious on what Rasa looked like.
"You know that you can ride Brightstar. I am sure that he won't mind," He said.
"Once a mount and knight have bonded, mounts are notable picky on who rides them."
He frowned for a moment.
"But he lets Vee ride on him."
"Because you asked him, correctly."
He thought for a moment. He did ask Brightstar if Vee could ride him. He thought that it wasn't a big deal.
"But Brightstar and I haven't bonded...at least, I don't think so."
"What did Daggeron tell you about the bonding?"
"Not much…it kind of just happens."
She just sighed.
"Of course, I forgot that Daggeron's own "bonds" are different. Daggeron was always a bit different."
He blinked. This was the first time that anyone brought that up.
"How so?"
"Squires are almost always younger but the war changed that. Since many of the youth was killed during the war, knighthood became flexible, I suppose. If it was peace times, Daggeron or I would never become a knight."
He never really thought about it. He read about squires and knighthood of their world. He didn't know that it apply here as well.
"And Jenji and him?"
"That is a whole complex mess that I wouldn't touch. It took forever for Snow Prince to get off his back about that train of his."
"Why?"
"It is because it "wasn't" traditional. He should talk. His mount is a whale," She said with a snort.
Okay…going to stay away from that topic…at least for now. So, he asked a different question.
"But I thought that Jenji stay with Daggeron because he saved his life?"
She shrugged.
"I always have gotten the impression that it was more. Genies are temperamental creatures. I tended to stay away from them as I can," She said.
"From your journal, I got the impression that you didn't like him," He added.
That was kind of like saying the sky was blue or Batman had a secret identity.
"Of course, I didn't like him. He kept peeking into our rooms while we were changing."
"Oh…"
That would make anyone not like someone.
"Back to the matter at hand, what did Daggeron say about the bond?"
"It kind of just happens?"
"By the saints…that is partly right. What is your mount's name?"
He frowned. He really didn't get this line of thinking.
"Brightstar."
She gave him a look. Something brushed against his thought. It was almost like an impulse.
"That isn't his name."
"What is his name?"
"…I…don't know."
She smiled softly.
"Once you learned Brightstar's true name, you two would have truly bonded. There are a lot of steps in between. You two have already started the process with reading each other. Now, stop right here."
He and Brightstar stopped in their tracks. He looked around the hillside for something. There was nothing but trees and more trees. Catalina moved away from him and approached one of the trees. She mumbled something under her breath and stuck her hand out. A bright light blinded him as he was forced to cover his eyes. Once the light disappeared, he blinked.
Catalina was standing by…a giant snail?
"Oh, Rasa…look at you. You look so good. Did you miss me?" She said as she stroked one of his antennas. If he didn't know any better, the giant snail made some noises that seemed to make her happy.
"Your mount is a…giant snail?"
He wasn't going to laugh. He wasn't. He could feel Brightstar trying not to react as well. Brightstar send him an image of Catalina cooing over the giant snail. He send the thought right back that he wasn't suppose to make him laugh. Brightstar's ears just twitched in response.
"A racing snail! Rasa isn't some ordinary snail." She said with a grin. She ran over to Brightstar and got Rasa's saddle and reins. Quickly, she slipped it on Rasa's back and tightened onto his back. She clapped her hands then slipped onto Rasa's back.
"How does it feel? Everything is alright, Rasa?" Catalina asked. The giant snail shifted from side to side.
"Good? Let us be off," She said as Rasa started to move.
"Where are we going now?" He said as he started to follow.
"To the training grounds," She shouted.
He blinked for a moment as the pair quickly disappeared. Quickly, he nudged Brightstar to catch up.
How did they move so fast?
End of Rasa
Next Chapter: The Third Way
A/N: If you get the reference, you win a cookie. ^_^ You guys are highly amusing. I love your ideas and comments on Catalina. Keep two thing in mind, Catalina doesn't think linear at all. It is one of things that get her into trouble but it also a great asset. Another thing, Chip does have leadership qualities. He is much more subdued about it than Xander and Nick. Anyway, read and review if you wish.