"Well I think the king is very nice," Tomao Antan said, "you're just afraid of him because he's human."

Tyyni Suuta looked at hir and put her long, dark-tipped ears down. "I'm not afraid of him, Tomao," she asserted. Her little brother butted in.

"She's not afraid, she's jealous of him." Tiny little purple Sana giggled, and all the pale-carnation colored Usagi saw of him was his tail tip as he darted away out of her reach. But that got Tomao thinking none the less.

The curly-haired Usagi looked toward hir lighter-colored sister Bahasa and asked, "it's the necromancy isn't it?"

That got everyone glancing around at one another. Though necromancy wasn't an uncommon ability among the Usagi, especially now with their mixing with humans and demi-humans, it was still something that was a bit hard to use and difficult to explain. Tyyni and Bahasa both carried that magic, and knew that Sapadt was among the best - if not the best - necromancer the world had ever seen.

"Maybe you could help her learn, Bahasa," suggested Tomao brightly, but hir sister's yellowish eyes narrowed and their sibling intervened before things got uglier than they were.

"Drop it, Tomao," said Taixe, "we all learn at our own pace. And Tyyni is young, still."

Bahasa, who still hadn't really been listening much beyond having been named in their animated conversation, looked up sharply from her book. "Yes do drop it. I'm not a teacher. I'm not anything."

The eldest among the group, this trio of dark Usagi, felt it necessary to keep tabs on their orphanage friends and family. But truth be told, they hardly stood together on anything let alone agreed upon a direction most days. So it was a good thing then, that when the orphanage was contacted by the Gelgelan authorities to get a census (they were doing many more of these in recent years, keeping track of the health of communities and seeing the drift of inhabitants) the tall and hardy human census-takers noted that this whole group was all from one area. He offered something that caused a strange mix of emotions in everyone: they could come live and work in Gelgela.

To the caretakers at the Orphanage, this was elating. The guards were prepared to offer a healthy 'finders fee' if any of the children wound up working in the guard, and that would help continue the place's good work when new younglings arrived.

To the groups of Usagi young, it was a bizarre idea indeed. They'd been raised out in the plains, what did any of them know of city life? And were they being bought? Hadn't slavery been outlawed by the very king himself? One or two - Tomao in particular but Kitjast and Pilih as well - thought it was a great idea to see the sights and get involved in city politics. And on the other end, both Kowagowa siblings were a bit hesitant to leave their pleasant home in the foothills.

Eventually it was determined that they weren't being 'sold' - they were being moved to another form of orphanage, more like. An education, probably much better than that which the poor owners of the orphanage could give, was awaiting them. They'd be trained, tested, given magical aptitude tests too. And then? When they were old enough, they were told, they'd be able to join the guard, open a business, do whatever they'd be doing. Of course remaining loyal to the city and to Sapadt would be 'nice' but as was stressed often by the rulers and their mouthpieces, no one was held against their will unless they'd committed a crime, in Gelgela.

So they took their meager belongings, some clothing and a toy or two, a few books rescued from the flooded homes, and got onto the rolling wagons that the census takers had summoned. Once they could see the city, Tomao brightened even more than hir usual excited nature, and it grew on the others. Taking in the sights indeed! There were book sellers and coffin builders, fountains scattered through the streets and bridges between taller buildings overhead!

Spires and graceful minarets dotted the skyscape, musicians played in taverns and fruit carts were set up on numerous street corners. To some of the Usagi kids, it was a chaotic, noisy mess. They were frightened, and clung to one another. To the elders among them, they were looking for some sign that it was all on the up and up. Or more accurately, they were waiting for the chance to prove to themselves that they were being led into a trap.

But there was no trap to be had. They arrived to a set of white-walled buildings creatively arranged around the base of the castle, which overlooked everything nicely. A large courtyard beyond which was the city's vast library, framed by trade and guild houses. Candle makers, glass blowers, carpenters...

They were made aware that other kids their age - the whole age range, from two to twenty - were here as well. Packs of little children, mostly human but some long-eared Usagi and some oddly colored elfin ones, ran around from door to door. They stopped when the caravans arrived, and others helped the group off.

They were taken to a sort of staging area, where they were then appraised for health issues and whatever else the city required. Genders established, ages noted, full names taken down. More than once, the woman that was writing these things down, a portly human, seemed confounded at the answers the group gave. Especially for their genders...

(That was a minute or two of 'learning experience' for the woman - "how can you 'not have' a gender? Your brother has one, your little sister has one?" To which Pilih put its hands on its narrow waist and leaned forward, showing off the lack of breasts it had, "I am sixteen years old, Illima's a year younger than me and she's got very obvious traits for her gender... Don't you think I'd have ... bloomed... by now?")

As a group they were treated to a large luncheon, introducing them to the caretakers of the Library and the Guilds. They would be housed with others of their age, but since they were already aquainted with one another they'd be bumping some folks out of their bunks in favor of keeping together.

Only a day or two later, was when the King arrived himself to take a look. He really was handsome ("for a human, I guess," Illima said) and very charming - those who had the sense to understand, realized that he was examining them with a far more scrutinous eye than just a passing glance. But why?

That brought everything back to Tyyni and her reaction. For when the King glanced at her, something else altogether happened.

She felt something more. A weird sensation, something unfamiliar and tingling. She didn't know what to think about it, so she turned away and hid her face, suddenly. Sapadt had rarely had that reaction among anyone, friend or foe, but he chuckled, indicated that he'd be back to talk to them individually some other time, and allowed them to return to their studies.

It was Taixe that came back to Tyyni and sat beside the younger female. "You felt something, I could sense it. But he wasn't attacking you, any of us. What was it?"

Tyyni slumped into the couch where the two of them sat. "I can't even describe it, there was ... a voice, I think. A voice behind his mind."

"Maybe that was just his magic?" Taixe suggested, but Tyyni immediately shook her head.

"No, I can see and hear ghosts all the time, this wasn't like that. At all." She pulled at her hair, "I don't know what it was. I'm sorry I was so stupid, I embarrassed everyone."

"Hardly," Taixe said, ruffling hir fingers through the girl's hair. "You were spooked by something. None of us sensed it, is all. It wasn't like he was trying to speak telepathically with you, I'd have heard that."

"It's a mystery for another time," said Fache, Tyyni's elder brother, "they're calling dinner! Let's go!"

***

A few days later, the Usagi were aware that the King was again wandering among the people of his city. He and Queen Sean did that frequently, along with their numerous children. But this time, something else was happening.

Above, with a perfectly framed view from the corner of the courtyard, a whole fleet of flying creatures flapped over the city in unison. They swerved around one tall monument, and then came around to land on the cliff walls just under the castle's balconies.

That placed them just above everyone in the courtyard, who all clapped and hooted, cheering as the creatures landed. Half the orphans had scattered into the shade of the buildings nearby, but they came out when everyone called for them.

"It's the Dragon Guard! Come see them! Sapadt's dragon is waiting for him!" Someone yelled, and pointed at the huge copper colored beast who took up most of the ledge.

Tyyni tugged quickly and nervously at whoever's elbow she could touch. It turned out to be Tomao's. "The voice, in my head, that's ... that's where it was from!"

Tomao glanced down at the girl, not quite realizing what she was talking about. "He's really beautiful!" Tomao said, instead of asking what she meant.

Several riders, some human and some clearly not, in fact most Usagi, waved from their dragon's backs. Tyyni bolted from Tomao's side, and stood before Sapadt with her ears straight up and her tail trembling a bit.

"Sir, sir," she said, and gave a tiny curtsey when he looked at her, "I'm sorry I acted like I did a couple days ago, but ... your dragon - he was trying to talk to me, wasn't he? Through you?"

That made the human necromancer raise his blond eyebrows high. "... Well, now that you mention it he was giving me a blow-by-blow of each of you... You heard him? While he was speaking privately?"

She gasped, "I didn't mean to pry!" She was about to bolt off again but Sapadt knelt down lower to the ground. He looked up at her, and smiled.

"No, no, it's a gift, a very worthy gift. He wasn't really trying to speak to you, or out of me - trust me, when Birth wants to talk, you can't shut him up."

With that, the copper Lantessama born dragon gave a bellow and pressed his head down to the courtyard's awning.

Make me, he bespoke widely to everyone. I want to see them fly with me, some are too young yet, but they will make a fine wing of riders.

"Well that's that, then," Sapadt stood again, brushing the dirt from his hands, he looked around. "If you're willing to do the work - and it's hard work - you can become dragon riders. The Dragon Guard does need more riders. I've been taking some off to far lands, and I don't want to leave this city unattended. More riders would be very welcome."

Sean snuck up behind her husband, and the Usagi orphans gave further curtseys and bows. This wasn't lost on the King, who muttered to his wife, "they always are so polite to you, but do they recognize me? Oooh no." She nudged him in the gut with her elbow.

"They will make a great home guard," Sean said. Her fur, purest white with blood-colored tips on her ears and hair, stood out and seemed to repel all forms of dirt or grime. "If they would accept the offer. I think... I know where to find dragons for them too!"

At that, the trio of young Aojiroi grrls (two bigendered and one female, what else to call them?) scampered up. "I thought we were to study our magic!" Said Neveseo, hir pale-sky colored ears pressed down.

"We want to learn more," said Sendiri.

"He's too scared to go," Dogai said, pointing at Makea Kowagowa. "He'll get to stay, won't he?"

Sean and Sapadt attempted to answer their concerns, calm them, and convince the rest all at once. Finally the dragons above trumpeted as one, shaking loose a few tiles from the roof in doing.

"I think that means we sort this out," Sean said, "later, and individually."

***

While it was clear that the very youngest of them, little Sana Suuta and Mladik Torikesi, would have to remain with caretakers, Makea was on the edge of his seat with worry. He hadn't wanted to leave the plains, and now here he was in a huge city. He was now facing a huge decision - and he burst out crying at least once. Sean decided that he too was a little on the young side to deal with such a responsibility as becoming a dragon rider.

But the others were barely a year older - Tyyni and the Aojiroi siblings were eight, to his seven. Their attitudes made a world of difference though. While they were young, all their powers were starting to show up and be controlled. They had all had responsibilities thrust on them that much older people might have balked at or failed. They'd survived their families deaths, they had learned to till soil and grow plants, to cook and clean, they were all fairly responsible.

Plus, Tyyni heard those dragons. Her joy at each and every one of them speaking to her in turn was clear. Usagi children grew quickly - Sean and Sapadt's children attested to that fact. An eight year old Usagi blooded child was perhaps more mature than an eleven year old human. That eventually balanced out somewhere in the late twenties, perhaps. Since the royal children were not yet in their twenties, and they were among the eldest of all the half-blooded Usagi out there, it was unclear yet.

But it was certainly decided that this fairly large group of siblings and family friends would want to roost at one dragonry. Sean confirmed it: Ryslen had several clutches on its red sands, and it was to her estimation one of the finest and most reputable places anyone could hope to stand at.

Her own family had repeatedly stood upon Lantessama's sands, but this would probably overwhelm a place like that!

So to Ryslen they were sent - barely a week after arriving to Gelgela, but with numerous new items to go with them. Clothing and supplies like magic books, guides to dragon health and tactics... And magic items, Sean brought them back from her 'day job' at House Domina: mirrors which could be used normally but also enchanted to allow communication with others' mirrors; ever-warm cloaks; and light-casting globes which would hover gently nearby when a soft light was needed in darkness.

It was difficult getting everyone to admit that they were being treated like royalty themselves. Taixe would always be looking for more - and now hir goals could be widened considerably. Diskite Suuta almost tried backing out of the whole thing when they had to climb upon the backs of these massive beasts - but then the night before, Dogai proved to him with a vision produced from a half-hour long chant that he was in fact meant to be with them.

They would learn more magic, they would get every chance to become whatever they could - once they learned to ride a dragon they could even very well fly off and never return. Sapadt expressed that he'd be very disappointed but would never, ever stop them should they decide to leave.

It occurred to Kitjast that this was the best way to keep all his subjects loyal - it was no illusion of freedom, it actually was freedom. That was something that some folks just didn't want to deal with. As long as they weren't being mistreated why not remain loyal?

Well - they'd become loyal citizens later! For now... They boarded the backs of a variety of dragons and were taken to the red sands of Ryslen!

(Stories, Stats) (Suuta | Kowagowa | Aojiroi | Torikesi | Antan) Standing at Nidus Ryslen and Lantessama