Lately it's been a trying time to hold the Clan together. When it was just him, his mate, and four other dragons it hadn't been so bad to lead the Clan he started.
Now? now there was over forty dragons living in the much larger lair. On one hand, it was everything he hoped for, a strong clan able to defend itself. But it came with many complications. He could not be everywhere to break up the fights,train the younglings, and teach everyone about everything. And while his eldest son Gavrilo did help in his efforts to hold the Clan together... it was hardly enough.
Buchanan flopped down in his den where no one could see him as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. Bjartr-a very flamboyant and often blunt skydancer- had once again pushed Impulse's short fuse over a steep cliff.
Of course the darn skydancer had to always accidentally annoy the one dragon in the whole clan that would bite your face off because of you looked at him funny.
"Young fae?" Azurite inquired as he peered through the opening in Buchanan's den. Buchanan didn't even need to look at the imperial to know it was him since the imperial was the only one who called him young fae.
"A problem, Azurite? or do just wish to chat?" Was Buchanan's usual reply whenever the imperial decided to visit him in his den. For it was one or the other, nothing in between.
"A suggestion." Simple, short, and already peeked Buchanan's interest. perhaps there was something in between. He conveyed his curiously through his head fins which twitched this way and that. Azurite being as old as he is- nearly three times older than Buchanan- he had had the time to learn the emotions faes sent via their head fins.
"It's something I had experienced within other lairs. Perhaps you'd like to make a... council... to spread out the duties of leadership between many dragons instead of on the shoulders of one?"
"Continue?" Buchanan's only response as he listened to the wise Soil colored Imperial explain every detail of this "council".
The night went and the light of the sun shone through to wake the many dragons of the Barrow clan. What a surprise some of them had when they heard that Buchanan was forming a small council, giving leader's duties to others! Many of the dragons in the Clan had been brought in as hatchlings so hardly any knew of such a thing.
"Now, I'll only be picking three dragons to fill this role of council members," The dragons who knew little cast each other excited faces, wondering if they'd get pick; a quick glance from Buchanan dropped their grins."These three fellows have been chosen carefully for roles I myself have not mastered. My most obvious choice is Azurite, far older than me with great wisdom. He shall be the Teacher in my Council."
Azurite flared his wings wide-spreading across a considerably chunk of the large room-before bowing down slightly in respect and humbleness.
"Any oppose?" Buchanan shouted in his usual monotone voice, his dark green eyes flickering across the entire room. There was an agitated grumble from Impulse, but that was expected of the headache-ridden guardian. Otherwise all dragons nodded their approval-Azurite reputation in the clan certainly showed he was well-liked by all members. Kabos was the only one to gave an angry hiss of disapproval, but only out of jealously of the imperial having more knowledge than he himself; nothing serious.
"Second,"Buchanan emphasized by jutting his plain rust wings outwards and up." Fei shall be the Warrior Trainer in the council, She shall teach each dragon who wants to fight in the Coliseum how to do so." There was more noise this time around as Fei stepped forth and sat besides their forest scaled leader. There was reason, he knew, for Fei wasn't the best flier nor was she the largest dragon in the lair-in fact even pretty short of length and height for a guardian. But she was a vicious warrior, better than any in the clan at fighting back familiars and enemy dragons alike.
And she silence each nay-sayer with a sweep of her abnormaly long wings, and a stern glare of her blazing orange eyes. Some seem to have forgotten that while she was motherly to most, she could snapped into a frightenly vicious battle mode in the blink of an eye and take down an enemy within another.
Once everyone settled again and Fei relaxed, their Fae leader continued in a booming voice.
"And the third and final member to be in our council..."Buchanan paused, bringing everyone to attention." Is Shadedfern." At this many dragons gave confused looks. While Shadedfern was one of the original four that had first joined, many hadn't noticed her. Some thought she was a ghost that other members spoke of.
But there, in the furthest, darkest corner came out the pearl dragon. Each step the shadow dragon took was small and silent, barely noticed as the shy pearl came up to sit next to Fei on her right.
"She shall be the Head-Medic in the council and if any body falls ill you are to take them to her." Now the unsure muttering increase. Could you even trust a Shadow dragon to heal the sick and wounded were among many concerns. Shadedfern simply gave a kind smile back at all the concerned dragons-no doubt in her eyes of the thought of her job. So quick and efficent at healing that even ones she treated for illness or scars still thought her as but a ghost.
But now they all knew she was real and solid as she stood before them with her obsidian clown body and seafoam shimmer wings clean and tucked neatly at her sides. It was Bjartr, the troublesome skydancer, who got the clan to stop their concern muttering though.
"She taught me everything about healing you know." He stated loudly for all to hear. Now Bjartr was too a healer in the clan and the dragon the clan would've thought most equipped to be the head-medic despite his less-than-perfect manners. His medic skills were probably the only thing keeping the other dragons from demanding he leave the clan.
Hearing him say that had the other dragons approving the choice of Shadedfern now, and soon all were nodding in agreement. (though their was whispers of 'if she isn't good we can have a vote to replace her' going around.)
"Well that's pretty much settled, now if something doesn't fall within their branch of job you come to me as you did before." Buchanan stated once everyone settled once again. A great part of him was relieved that the meeting went smoothly enough-and nobody decided to throw a riot unlikely as it was in this rather peaceful clan.
"Pardon," Fei started once the other dragons had been dismissed-the meeting over and curiosity about the newly formed Council thriving."But I think you might need a update on the FAQ list once the others start trying out this system." The banana circuit lines twisted as she smiled that knowing smile. And before Buchanan could reply that he already planned for that, she had rearranged her caribbean wings and wondered out to one of the hallways.
Of course the work never ends, but Buchanan was at least glad he didn't have to deal with hatchlings sneaking into the Coliseum to try and fight along side the adults Fei trained. Fei probably should've thought about that one. Or maybe Buchanan should've told her?
His brain was still too fried to worry about the details yet. For now, he could finally play on his leaf whistle again.