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SkyKnight sighed mentally, sending her distress along with her thoughts over the mental link other mentor, StoremeRunner. �The counsel is like a group of small children, frightened of a new kid in town.�
�Mind your thoughts youngling!� StoremeRunner warned Sternly. �Not all of them are alarmists. Of those that are, many have lost DragonFriend, family and/or friends. Even among our own kind there is a wariness that stems from the loss of Everdragons, loved ones, friends and family. They are wrong yes, but do not scorn their caution. You have not endured their losses.�
SkyKnight hung her head, �My apologies Master. I ment no disrespect. You have endured their losses but do not fear the young human. I do not understand.�
�I have lost five bondmates to the wars and lone wizards. I understand their fear. �Tis the reason I will not take another bondmate. So you see I carry the same scars, merely in a different manner. You must also remember that we and some of the other dragons have observed her for ourselves. Many here have not. Speak your thoughts to the council by all means but do not judge them nor let your own feelings bleed through with your words.� StoremeRunner cautioned.
�StoremeRunner, you have observed the human, lend your voice to support those of us who say the girl is a threat and must be driven from our lands with all speed.�
�Brathku, I regret that I can not do as you request.� StoremeRunner spoke politely, hiding his own disgust at the old dwarf's alarmist attitude. �The girl poses no threat to anyone save herself. These mountains have the roughness terrain and weather conditions of any on our world save the Northern Ice fields. Even were the girl a seasoned mage, which she is not, she would be in more danger from our climate then we would be from a lone human.�
�Do not underestimate a lone mage, Great StoremeRunner. They have been know to wreak havoc on even the greatest of dragons.� An older female elf spoke gently, though bitterness laced her voice.
�I do not forget your loss Silvermoon. KnightWing was my great grandsire and a great loss to us all.� StoremeRunner bowed his great head low in deep respect for the elven woman. �However he was on his way back from his last mating flight and thus alone when he was attacked by a seasoned dark Elf Mage. We do not face even an untried mage, nor are we alone.�
�She sings in her sleep and her songs are not dark.� SkyKnight carefully mind spoke only to StoremeRunner.
�Speak it aloud youngling. You have the right to be heard.� StoremeRunner replied privately.
SkyKnight hesitated but then sent somewhat timidly to NightWing Hearths counsel. �The human sings in her sleep her songs are not of a dark nature. She has no darkness within her.�
A low murmur moved through the minds of the council. �Has this been confirmed? She is a bard?� Silvermoon asked.
StoremeRunner, SkyKnight and a few other dragons laughed deeply. �She is no bard, not with lyrics that bad.� BlueFire, one of the older dragons said, her amusement passing from one mind to the next. �I agree with SkyKnight, there is not darkness within this young human.�
�Then what is her purpose in our lands?� Shanon TigerClaw spoke from beside her father, council Leader Kailyan TigerClaw.
StoremeRunner withdrew his mind slightly form the council meeting at the touch of her mind. �Speaking of Darkness within, that one will ever be a great disappointment to her great father.� SkyKnight's private thought slipped gently into his mind.
�Aye, but mind your sending youngling. A disappointment she may be, for no dragon of decent heart or mind would have her as bondmate, but she has a strong mind and no scruples against eavesdropping.�
�She is�.�
�Silence! She knows your thoughts.� StoremeRunner sent in a flash as Shanon turned her dark eyes on Sky Knight.
�She searches.� SkyKnight answered. Shanon's last public question in full hearing of the counsel.
�Searches?� BlueFire asked �Searches for what?�
�I do not think she knows herself what she is looking for. Her lyrics leave something to be desired, this is true, but their general theme is that of seeking. Fame, fortune, adventure, love all have been part of the lyrics but always as something not found.�
�She is questing.� BlueFire stated in amazement. �As though she were a dragon looking for a bondmate.�
�Humans do not quest for bondmates. That is a DragonFlight.� Shannon sent, her sending laced with scorn.
�This one is the exception to the rule.� BlueFire stated firmly. �She is not even aware of what she is looking for, only that there is something incomplete in her life.�
�Well she should be warned away if you are correct. Our youngling dragons are not ready for bonding and the few older dragons that are here have no desire to take another bondmate at this time. Her presence would be disruptive and unproductive!�
�Do not presume to speak for dragon kind young Shanon. Only a dragon knows when he or she is ready for bonding. Several of our young ones may be closer to their first Lifebond then you may think.� DawnFire, her fathers DragonFriend stated sternly.
�Then someone should be sent to greet her and bring her safety to the heart.� SkyKnight declare with an eagerness she could not mask.
�No, SkyKnight.� DawnFire replied with a slight shake of her giant head. �We do not interfere with a DragonFlight. We will not interfere with this young ones quest. It is hers alone to complete or fail.�
�But winter approaches quickly. She can not know the danger she is in wandering about alone.� SkyKnight protested with some urgency.
�Is there something we should know SkyKnight?� StoremeRunner regarded his young pupil closely.
�No, StoremeRunner. I get no sense that the human stranger might be my first Bondmate if that is what you mean�but�her place is here� at least for a time.� SkyKnight shook herself free of the premonition.
�Leave her to her own devices but watch her closely. Should the weather threaten her the we will see to her ourselves.� Kailyan TigerClaw declared.
�Father, SkyKnight is very young. Her interpretations of her visions may not be as accurate as she would like.� Shanon protested. �No offense intended, SkyKnight, I merely encourage you to share your vision with a more experienced seer�better to be safe then sorry.�
StoremeRunner bristled on behalf of his young trainee. �A more experienced seer, Shanon? Yourself perhaps?�
�I would not presume to volunteer my services, Great StoremeRunner, I am merely human, however should they be needed they are of course at the service of the hearth.� Shanon fained humbleness, though not quite successfully.
�That will not be necessary.� DawnFire replied. �SkyKnight�s words are accurate, though I suspect that a certain Dragon is in for a bit of a surprise.�
SkyKnight chuckled but clamped down quickly on any stray thoughts that might give away DawnFire�s meaning.
�The council has spoken. Watch the stranger but leave her to her own devices unless the weather threatens her life.� Kailyan spoke aloud and with a thump of his staff of office closed the council meeting. Slowly the council chamber emptied.
To be continued
Jadell NightSong
DragonFriend
StormRunner
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