Sharrah snorted. “Right.”
What is happening? Citlali is upset.
A family discussion. Sharrah is not happy about it. No punches have been thrown, however. At least not yet.
Confusion came through the link.
“How long before you’ll be participating in these patrols for nahual?” Toran’s voice was quiet, but it filled the silence.
Sharrah glanced at him, then away. “It depends on how quickly Citlali grows. Dragon flight muscles and wing bones have to be strong enough to carry a rider and not strain or break. Plus, flight muscles need practice in order to increase their stamina, allowing dragons to fly for long periods. So, perhaps in two months.”
Her father smiled at her. It was a little bittersweet. “I see.”
Cheddar raised his brows. Her father, at least, appeared to understand that while she was no longer actively in Animal Craft, her interest in biology had not waned. If only her mother—
“All the more reason.”
Sharrah let out a breath. “Mom, please.”
“If you die on one of those patrols, then you won’t be able to give me any grandchildren.”
Sharrah’s eyes flashed. “Grandchildren? Is that what this has been about?”
“Of course!” Saoirse’s eyes were tortured. “Your sister is barren and your brother doesn’t like girls! He and his boyfriend can’t afford the procedure to have a true child.”
Cheddar looked at his feet. Good gods. Maybe he shouldn’t be here.
“Then you pay for it, or he can adopt!”
“Sharrah, please.” The pain in Saoirse’s voice drew Cheddar’s gaze. “Give me at least one grandchild that is truly mine.”
Sharrah was almost panting. The muscles in her jaws twitched wildly. “Yours?” Her voice was calm but intense. “All that you’ve been talking about has to do with me, mother. My kids, my wedding, and my life!”
Her mother stood, hand still desperately clinging to her husband’s. “If you die before—”
“Aargh!” Sharrah, arms raised, stormed out of the room. “This is why I left Caer Tengish!”
The door opened and slammed shut.
Cheddar took a breath and let it out. “I have never seen Sharrah so angry.”
Saoirse sat down, eyes shadowed.
“And honestly,” he said, “I can’t blame her.”
Toran looked at him. “Nilbert.” There was a warning tone to his voice.
“No.” He shook his head. “I will say my piece. I came with her fully intending to be the polite boyfriend, but after the way you treated Sharrah . . .”
Toran’s eyes narrowed.
Cheddar pointed toward the door. “That girl—no, that young woman—is the smartest person within a thousand miles. Her mind is quick, she sees more than anyone I’ve ever met, and she has a heart as big as Hemet. All of that, I would wager, is mostly thanks to you two.”
Saoirse blinked at him.
“I want to marry Sharrah—more than almost anything else. But she’s not ready or doesn’t think she has the time right now. That’s fine with me. She’s happy. I’m happy. When she is ready, she’ll take a husband. Ulthis willing, it’ll be me. And, I’d also wager that she will have kids at some point. She adores them as much as I do.”
He took another breath and let it out, this one much calmer. “She may not show it, but I’m positive she loves you both and is grateful for everything you did as you raised her into the fine young woman she is today. But as she said, it is her life, now.”
He looked from Saoirse to Toran. “Have faith in how you raised Sharrah. She’ll make the right choices, the choices that will make her happy.”
Saoirse burst into tears, sobbing almost uncontrollably.
Cheddar blinked. Why was she crying? Eyes wide, he took a step back. “I–I didn’t intend—”
What happened? Are you in danger?
Toran’s booming laughter brought him up short.
Cheddar stared at the man. How could he be laughing when his wife was crying so badly?
Nilbert!
Sorry! No, I’m fine. Just . . . very confused.
Toran looked at his wife. “This reminds you of another talk, doesn’t it, love?”
Hand over her mouth, tears running down her cheeks, Saoirse nodded.
“The argument is reversed, though.”
Cheddar looked from Toran’s crying wife to him. “Sir?”
Toran kissed Saoirse on the top of her head, and looked at him. “Saoirse wanted to get married from the moment she found out what a wedding was. Had hers planned by the time she was eight.” He chuckled. “Her parents weren’t especially interested in her getting married, however. Though they thought it was cute she was so enthusiastic about it, as she got older, they were more of a mind that she first find someone who she loved and who loved her. That, they felt, was more important than a ceremony. Marriage, if it came at all, should come after finding one’s true soul-mate.”
Cheddar smiled.
Toran raised a brow. “They sound like someone we both . . . know, don’t they?”
He nodded. “They sound exactly like Sharrah.”
Toran tilted his head. “Incidentally, I felt that way, too.”
Saoirse glanced at her husband. She sniffled. “I didn’t need any more time to know you were the one. So, why not get married as soon as we could?”
Cheddar smiled. “I agree with you on that count, ma’am.”
She turned to him.
“At any rate,” Toran said, “her parents wanted us to see each other more, to date longer. They would not give their approval for her to get married. After a year of back and forth, that stance led to an argument almost exactly like the one today, with Saoirse storming out and me lighting into her parents much as you did today. Though, the reason for the upbraiding was reversed.”
Upbraiding? Cheddar’s face felt hot.
“Sharrah is a confident . . . young woman,” Saoirse said. “She is also stubborn, opinionated, and can focus on things to the exclusion of all else.”
“. . . much like her mother.” Toran leaned away from his wife’s gaze.
Saoirse turned back to Cheddar. “But, she’s still human. She can be hurt. She sometimes makes mistakes. And contrary to what she thinks, she isn’t always right.”
“Again, like her mother.” When his wife’s elbow hit his side, Toran grunted and then chuckled.
Saoirse stared at Cheddar with a measuring look. “Toran is not a small man. You must really care for Sharrah to have spoken your mind so freely.”
Staring at her, lips quirked in a smile, Cheddar said, “It was a Hemday, just after breakfast.”
Saoirse drew her brows together.
“A meal I’d missed because I had no pissing idea where I was going. Two mornings after first arriving at Caer Baronel and I still didn’t know my way around.” He chuckled. “Most of the others seemed to be excited at the prospect of starting life at a new caer, but I was feeling closer to terrified.
“I love to read, you see. I especially like history. Reading about actual events, what led to them and what transpired after, is incredibly fascinating to me. That’s why I chose Archive Craft. It wasn’t until after I’d arrived at the Caer, however, that I began to wonder how I would apply my craft out here on the fringes of civilization. I was worried and scared, not to mention starving, when I walked around the corner of a building and ran right into Sharrah.
“I was about to spit out an angry remark when I was, ah, distracted.” Cheeks warming, Cheddar cleared his throat and continued. “For her part, Sharrah was effusively apologetic, which then embarrassed me because I had been about to bite her head off. She immediately noticed I was upset and asked if there was anything she could do to help.”
He chuckled. “My stomach chose that moment to rumble, and I asked if she could direct me to the Dining Hall. She gave me very simple and very clear directions, for which I was extremely grateful. I said, ‘Thank you, so much,’ and headed of
f. I glanced back for, um, for whatever reason, and when I looked up, I saw that smile.”
Reliving it again in his memory, he swallowed. “This may sound dumb, but, seeing the sheer joy on her face, it was as if the universe stood still. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t move. I just stood, staring at her, transfixed. She . . . glowed.” He shook his head. “At some point I realized that I had been staring and, horribly embarrassed, I ran off.
“It wasn’t until much later that I found out she’d also been having a terrible few days, because though she was helping people just as she had me, I was the first person to actually thank her. That’s why she smiled like that—the smile that ruined all others for me.
“Now,” he said, “I’m not a hopeless romantic. I did try to find out what I could about this girl who filled my thoughts. But the more I learned, the more time I spent around her and her friends, the more strongly to her I was drawn. Intelligence, humor, heart, and . . . all the rest?” He shook his head and smiled. “I didn’t stand a chance.”
He looked at Sharrah’s mother and nodded. “Yes, I care about your daughter. I’m madly in love with her.”
Saoirse stood and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you.”
Eyes wide, he stared at Toran in shock. “For what?” He wasn’t sure what to do. Should he hug her? Would that be presumptuous?
“For seeing our girl’s true spirit and soul.” She released him and took a step back.
He shrugged. “Anyone could. She’s remarkable.”
“True enough,” Saoirse said. “But as you well know, women in my family have some . . . distractions that tend to blind most to what is more important.”
He locked gazes with her. For the love of all that is good and great in this world, Cheddar, do not look at her chest. “R–Right.”
Toran’s laughter drew his gaze. “Saoirse, love, that wasn’t fair.”
“Perhaps not, but I will give him credit for not taking even the briefest glance at them.” She stared at him a moment, a hint of laughter back in her eyes, then she turned and sat next to her husband.
There was no humor in her gaze when she looked up, but there was understanding. “I’ve heard the truth of your words, young Nilbert, and have taken them to heart.”
Toran glanced at his wife and, after a moment, turned to Cheddar and smiled. “Go on, then. Go and comfort our girl. She’s probably off sulking somewhere.”
Cheddar blinked. It felt like he was included in that ‘our.’ He nodded. “Yes, sir.”
+ + + + +
The late afternoon sun was warm and wonderful on Mia’s back and wings, though it did make her a little drowsy. A number of dragons lay here in the sun, some relaxing after their practice, and some, former Departed, here for companionship.
She breathed deep and let it out slowly. If only Liara were here, Mia could curl up with her. They would not be able to sleep in each others arms quite the same as before, however. Six moons—months, as humans called them—had passed since Mia hatched. She was no longer a little hatchling and was, in fact, more than midway in age to being an adult dragon. She did not feel older but was certainly bigger. Most of the things she used to take pleasure in doing were no longer possible, at least not without causing injury to people or damage to things.
Her size was not the only thing that had changed, either, she discovered a few weeks ago. She refrained from looking at Ikan, who lay to her right. On an afternoon much like this one, Kisa asked if Mia had ever thought about—
You will go to the d–desert?
Mia twitched slightly, momentarily worried that her thoughts had been noted. She glanced at her blood-mother. I will. Ikan and Polandra are going, as will Liara and I, along with any others who also wish to.
Tozi blinked. I–I will go, then. There is nothing to hold me here. The dragons I knew . . . most of them are denied to me now.
Tozi had made up her mind, then. Mia let out a happy rumble. It would be good to have her blood-mother nearby. There was one thing Mia felt a little despondent about, however. She blinked and looked away. And my blood-father? Why did Atoc never come?
All the fathers that had an interest in seeing their children were afraid of being e–exiled.
That was a valid fear, it turned out. Even so. Then they are not as brave as the females.
Tozi snorted. It is not so much bravery as necessity. It is we who carry the eggs, not the males, so it is only we who have to fly here. She lifted her head and looked out over the tree-covered hills. Still, it did take courage and love to do so. I–I will not deny that. Only a few of us have ventured here.
Mia stared at her blood-mother. Thanks to the Bond, Tozi’s memories were hers as well. Mia knew everything about her blood-mother’s life up until Mia’s own egg had been laid, including what it took to come here to do so. I will never be able to thank you enough. I am certain Kisa feels the same.
Tozi turned to her, large eyes golden in the sunlight. Are you happy?
Mia glanced to the right at Ikan—he stared languidly at her, love and support and, to a lesser extent, desire, all flowed from the big, handsome dragon. She reached through the link and found Liara—heart beating quickly at the prospect of a kiss with Polandra after lessons. Then Mia looked around at the other dragons on the hill, the top of this part of the Guildhall. As a show of welcome, they all decided to spend time here with each other and the former Departed rather than their separate courtyards and ledges. The feeling of being part of the same family, of being one House, was good.
Mia turned to Tozi. I do not believe it would be possible for me to be happier.
With a chirp, her blood-mother touched noses with her. That is all I want.
Though feeling as if she should do more, Mia chirped back. Living here at the Guildhall with these dragons, with these humans, was so much better than what the borrowed memories held of life at House Yaot. Was there nothing more she could do for her blood-mother to show her appreciation?
Tozi must have sensed her feelings. Daughter-mine, truly, your happiness is all the thanks I need. When you have children, you will understand.
Mia glanced at Ikan, and then looked out at the tree-covered line of hills. Children? There was only one way for that to happen.
Thanks to Kisa’s question, Mia had recently become quite curious about coupling. Not ready to admit that she felt the same desire that Ikan did, the same desire that Liara felt for Polandra, and the same desire experienced in the few memories she had so far looked into, she kept her feelings as close as possible. Her initial review of those memories had revealed a great deal of awkward fumbling around in cramped quarters, and in some cases, injuries had occurred. The injuries were minor, for the most part, but even so, they worried her. Was that how it always was for dragons?
She considered asking Ikan. He was a dragon grown, after all, and likely had experience with it. She had kept silent, however. There were a few months yet to go before she reached egg-laying age, months where she could search more memories. If by then she had not discovered enough, was not comfortable enough, then she would seek details from Ikan.
Though it seemed he tried to mute it, she often enough sensed his desire. He could likely detect her growing curiosity as well. Even so, he had not pressed her on the matter. That he did not begrudge her need to find her own way with things was another of the reasons she found him irresistible. And entirely too distracting at the moment.
She turned to Tozi. What of Nenet and Chel? Do you know what they intend?
I believe they will remain here to be near their children.
They will bond?
I think we all will. Highest Mother Anaya, you, your blood-sister, all the dragons in House Mochyehua are an inspiration to those of us who are not bonded. We want to be like you.
Mia tilted her head. Are we really that much different?
We are tightly closed buds compared to your fully bloomed blossoms. As we can see how bright you all are, you, too, must be abl
e to see the shadows that are us.
What Tozi said was true. The former Departed, the dragons from House Yaot, they all seemed to be under a cloud. Mia had never really thought on it before, there were always so many things to do that were much more interesting than thinking about such matters.
She chirped. The truth of your words cannot be denied. I have been too happy to notice. I am sorry.
It is good to be happy, but it is also good to see the world as it is.
A brightening, a dragon life-pulse—no, six!—drew her gaze north.
Several dragons turned and stood.
Our visitors have arrived. Highest Mother Anaya rose into the air, but instead of flying north, she flew south, Balam fast behind.
Mia blinked. Where was Highest Mother Anaya going?
W–What is happening? Tozi turned north, the direction the remaining bonded dragons looked. Who is coming? Do you think it is Q–Queen Ixtab?
Mia stared at the line of little dots that were dragons. She now recognized a life-pulse among those approaching, the one in the lead. Matlal had returned. As far as the rest, however, she had no idea.
It is Matlal of the Departed and five others. They are all male.
Your young eyes are better than mine. I cannot yet determine their sexes.
It is not my eyes. I can feel them with a new sense, another gift from the Bond. That is how some of us knew they drew near. The way Highest Mother Anaya had worded her statement, however, implied that she knew they were coming even before Mia had sensed them. Had Matlal spoken to her?
Tozi let out a surprised bark.
Mia turned to her blood-mother. It is a wonderful gift, that is true, but it is one which you will know when you—
Atoc comes!
Mia’s eyes widened. She spun to the approaching dragons and quickly glanced from one to the next. Which of them was her blood-father?
As the visitors flew over them and then in the direction Highest Mother Anaya had flown, she spied him.
Liara. Matlal has returned with four male dragons. One of them is my blood-father!
What! Where?
I think they might be flying to the front courtyard.
Barbs and pissing blades! We’re in a lesson at the moment. Go. See what is happening and let me know.
Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4 Page 77
