When the dawn broke over the Plateau, it illuminated the whole valley to the east with a glorious yellow reflection. The Plateau was a most impressive mountain range, hardly one formation was less than three thousand feet high, and it stretched simply miles and miles - hundreds, probably even thousands of miles.

Laka thought so anyway, and she wasn't far off from the truth. The Plateau they lived under was only one of three like it, surrounding an inner sea where many Kin lived in harmony. Part of the reason they of the Spotted Hand had not gone to the south-west side of it, where Twelve and One lived, was that it was so big, they didn't want to try crossing it. Not until they knew they'd be welcome.

The elephant Kin would keep the Lions away. That at least was their solace that they wouldn't worry about the price on their heads.

This morning, though, Laka woke early and stretched, never had it gone from her mind that Felinruad would be back. She desperately hoped that he would come back - and not be angry with her for trying to command him.

It is all right, I forgive you, he said, distantly. He was on his way, but a mind such as Laka's was tuned to the finest thought, the most subtle emotion - and even more than three hundred miles away (which was only halfway through the Plateau) he could sense the girl and she could feel the dragon plus his rider.

Irole was his name, but she'd never met him. Would he be nice? Would he like her? All the trials of a teenager went through her mind at that moment, and of course woke the others.

They roused, and she got a grip on herself at last. Soon, though, there was a sound in the air - dragon wings. But more than just the one pair?

"They've brought dragons to us," Cuhsoyi stated in awe. She'd admired the beautiful colorful dragons from afar, as everyone did. And now they were right here...

Felinruad landed, and the red-haired male Irole jumped from his back. Four others - one for each of them? - landed. One was a good sized brown-and-green dappled female, long points to her wings. The "One" female of Twelve and One came from her narrow back. Another, a pale colored tan-bronze brought his curly haired rider. A third was dark brown with striking lightning patterns on his bold curved wings. The last was a very large, white and copper spotted male with pale yellow marks on his wings. He snaked around and sniffed at Cuhsoyi.

"You are a healer, like my rider!" He said. "I would be pleased to bring you somewhere. You could talk about your powers on the way."

If she could blush, Cuhsoyi would have. As it was, her ears went tilted and she gave a human-style toothy grin to the big Spirit dragon. "... Why thank you!" She finally said. The others laughed, but then got more serious, as Kelssyroth, the dappled female brown, came around to everyone.

It was known even here that Kelssyroth was a search dragon - one gifted to know whether or not a person had it in them to become a dragon bonder. She didn't have far to go before she said, they are all good. All coming with us. We should find them places soon - I think there are openings.

"Thank you, Kel," Temih said with a smile. She turned to look at the group. She was barely older than they - at least it looked that way to them. She had lived in the Healing Den while her two daughters grew up - and was now caring for her own full-blooded Kin son. She would have been in her forties, normally - but time had a way of twisting around itself at the Den, and she was only in her mid-twenties still. That made her an age-mate of Cuhsoyi and sort of a big sister to Etehmaro.

Competition for Laka? Of course - the thirteen year old was like that. But Zalmaji the Spirit dragon, the one who claimed his rider was a healer like Cuhsoyi, nosed toward Laka. He 'whispered' to her (how whispery can a 40 foot long dragon get?) "Hita was your age when he paired with me, and that was only two years ago. I am sure you will find a good friend among them."

"Thank you," Laka said, smiling nervously. Was this dragon trying to hook her up with a kin she'd never even met?

Well, that was probably better than getting rejected because she was too young...

The group split up, eager to see what they would find. Kelssyroth had already gone ahead and searched them, really, when they arrived. Their first contact should have been a little before this time - but they needed that time to heal as a group. She gave specific information to the dragons, as to where they would be going.

Cuhsoyi is headed to Calyeni Caverns!

She has enjoyed the company of her new bond, Maaret, a red-gold female!

Etehmaro is going to the Moire Protectorate!

His strong new bond is silver-blue-green striped Erilainen, go visit them in their Den!

Eqahkali is going with Jahkonu to Lantessama Isle for their Halloween Clutch!

Paired up with Shielding Light Vlodzon! A burning example of halloweeny goodness!

Jahkonu is leaving for Lantessama Isle with Eqahkali.

His new Flame-Sun dragon is named Lieytrez, and he will be growing up quickly!

And Laka is being taken to Alskyr's Xidaver Isle and Caer Hueek!

She has bonded to Female Brown Bark-Patterned Gataraa, visit them in their new cavern!