Days 188-191 (166-169th)

Day 188 (166th): 20 days until wedding
The wedding was beautiful. Mara was a vision in her remade gown. Gavin was strikingly handsome in his stylized uniform. Everyone was smiling and enjoying themselves. Suddenly, people started screaming. I watched members of the assembly begin to turn to dust. Hands fell away like sand. Bodies crumbled, leaving only clothes behind. Mara shrieked as Gavin dissolved before her. She turned to me and stared at me with hatred in her eyes.
"You caused this! Mongrel half breed! Not human, never to be Faerie. See what you interference has caused! We are all dead because of you!"
Then she, too, crumbled to dust, leaving her dress in a heap before me. I turned to see my sisters, but they were old hags; white hair, deep wrinkles, bowed, and bent.
"You will out live us all. The swords have sensed our deaths and left us. Your new sisters are children. They will seek you out for guidance. Good-bye, Kayla, it has been a pleasure."
They disappeared as a strong wind blew and carried their dust away, clothes and all. I stood in an empty city.
"Not so tough when you are all alone," a deep voice rumbled and echoed, "Who will save you now?"
The ground bowed up and the large demon slowly ascended. He stepped out of the hole when he had risen to his ankles. He looked down at me.
"Join me and you will never be alone. I am ageless. Together, we will rule a new world, forever."
I did not pause to consider his offer.
"I am never alone. I am Faerie! The oldest of powers created me. The wind sings to me. The sun caresses my skin. All of life keeps me company. You may be ageless, but you are not eternal. Sah kalash doma ta fal!"
"NO! Stop that! You don't know what you are saying!" he cried.
"I do know. You will not turn my fears into a weapon. I know I will outlive all of my friends and my sisters. I may even out live Sarroset. But they are in my heart, which makes them eternal. So, run unless you wish to die."
A hand took mine. I turned to see Vanity, smiling. Another hand clasped mine on the other side. I turned to see the Faerie Queen. A roar behind and above me turned out to be an adult Sarroset in his full empirical glory. The former guardians of Vanity joined on both sides of me.
"I am never alone, Garamesh. Yet you are painfully alone. Prepare to die!"
We all began a spell I had not heard before. The large demon roared in pain and stepped back into his hole. As he descended, he shouted,"You are truly not human. No mind of mortal blood is this strong. I will break you. By a thousand hells, I will break you!"
The ground closed over him. Sloth's physical form of Barcabas handed me a scroll.
"Take it to the physical world. You will need it."
I let go of Vanity and the Faerie Queen and took the scroll. I turned to face Set. He laid down so I could see into his eyes.
"Through the both of us, let us bring this spell to mortal lands."
He huffed and placed the tip of a large claw upon the scroll. We nodded and, in unison, said, "Awake!"

I awoke with a start. Sarroset also awoke suddenly. Between us, under his claw and in my hand, was the scroll. In the dim light of predawn, I unrolled it. It was the same spell we had started in my vision.
Set looked at it,"What happened? I was big and strong. Now, I am little again. I am confused."
"You took part in my vision. It was dream magic. Yet, we pulled dream into reality. We need to get help on this. You wake up Falcon, I will find Mattis."
He nodded and we began. I felt around and found Mattis sound asleep. I felt bad for waking him, but it was necessary.
"Mattis! Wake up! I need your help!"
Mattis bolted awake. I felt his confusion as he looked around the dim room.
"Mattis! Meet me in the courtyard. You and Falcon are desperately needed."
"On my way, Kayla. Can you tell me anything?"
"I have a scroll you both must see and a vision to share with you both."
"I am fully awake now. I will be there shortly."
I broke contact and turned to Set. He nodded and walked over to me. I picked him up and headed out the door. I magicked my clothes on as I carried him to the courtyard. He had the scroll between our bodies. In the early dawn, we entered to see Falcon and Mattis waiting. Set handed the scroll to Mattis. He read it over and nearly fainted. Falcon, too, was nearly overwhelmed.
"Where did you get this, Kayla?" Falcon asked, nearly whispering.
I recounted the vision and how Barcabas had given it to me.
"This spell has been lost for over a thousand years. The last known copy was destroyed by Maalicus just before he started calling himself 'Lord'. Ask Sloth about it," Falcon suggested.
"I and Andros helped pen that spell. Only in the realm of dreams could I rewrite it. I needed you and Set to bring it back to the mortal realm."
I told them what he said. They nodded in understanding. Others began arriving as we talked. Many of their reactions were similar to Mattis' and Falcon's. I got those looks again that spoke of their uncertainty about me.
"What do we need to do?" Gavin asked as he held Mara protectively.
"Prepare for him," I blurted.
"You honestly believe he will attack?" Kendar challenged.
"Yes, I do. He has invested too much time and energy to corrupting the land to receive demons and demon-kind. This is only a guess, but I fear he seeks to bring the smoke and fire demons out of their realm onto the surface and spread out from here."
Looks of sheer horror greeted me. Mara fainted. Kendar's military mind kicked in and he began barking orders to the guards and servants nearby. The morning was full of running, reports, messages sent and received.
As we were having lunch, the ground began shaking rhythmically. We looked towards the gates and saw Marble and three others of the stone race. They politely stood outside the open gates for permission to enter. Kendar and Gavin rode out to meet them and escort them to the palace. A terrace on the second floor put us at a comfortable height to speak with them.
"The smoke and fire demons are planning something. We weren't sure until Dawn dropped off your message. The conclusion you have reached fits their activities. The magic they are gathering grows daily. What can we do to aid you against them?"
"We need to know how they travel. Since they are not solid, how do they plan to live on the surface? Find any and all physical paths they may or may not take. Our wizards are exploring magical routes. Any help in that area would also be a great help," Kendar informed them.
They agreed and told them the few physical paths between the demons' fiery realm and the surface that they knew off the tops of their heads. Some of the citizens ventured close enough to investigate our guests. Dwarfs greeted the stone people as friends and the feelings were returned. They left around mid-afternoon.
The rest of the day and night were full of reports and messages, and pouring over maps. We were all exhausted when we finally went to sleep.

Day 189-191 (167th-169th): 19-17 days until wedding
We were split into two groups for a while. The men were preparing for war while we seven and Mara prepared for the wedding. Many of the replies to the invitations included hastily added notes for reinforcements. The dress was progressing beautifully as we removed the extravagant parts. We thinned the veil. A local cobbler brought shoe examples. Mary had worn her uniform boots under the dress so we had no shoes. We received apologies from the florists that their selection was very limited now and, in three weeks, would be even more limited. The seating was progressing very quickly. The superb building skills of dwarfs, gnomes, centaurs, and other races made the structure strong, durable, yet very open and airy looking. Former Baaloc attitudes fell away as they saw the stability of their construction versus the slap together Baaloc style. We heard many humans telling other races that they were sorry for the awful things they had been taught about them. Mixed folk were beginning to reveal their heritages as well as those non-humans like Rono and his friends who had been hiding their true natures.
My shift more toward my Faerie kin made it possible to carry Set a little while longer. He like being held as he went through this growth spurt. He slept while we fixed Mara's dress. It was his wings that I first noticed getting larger. I rubbed them as he complained they hurt. It wasn't until he bit his tongue that I noticed his teeth getting bigger. I also had to start taking this odd tool the riders gave me to slough off the dead scales he was shedding. He spent most of his waking time eating, catching something to eat, or being groomed in some fashion. The shallow pools, once purified, made good placed to bathe him. The larger dragons used the purified moat to keep clean. I had help with his grooming as the children of the servants delighted in "petting the baby" as they put it. Two of those children were identified as riders. Being about twelve years old each, they were permitted to go to Demagram to be bonded with two of the eggs. Falcon reported a green and a blue hatched upon their arrival. Our other recent hatches were said to be doing well and looking forward to meeting an emperor.
Word came to us that a "band" of hybrid demons were seen at the forest border. Later, near nightfall, another report was received of the same group being dead and tossed in a heap out several hundred yards from the nearest point of the forest. Their bodies all had a curious single round wound to their chests that ended in a small hole in their backs. While many suggested the elves had used some kind of lance, we suspected the unicorns had a part in their demise.

Day 187 (165th)

(Day 187 (165th): 21 days until wedding
Set's intense hunger woke me again. I know he wasn't any lighter, but carrying him was easier today. I didn't bother the servants and prepared Set's food. He waited patiently at the small table, even though his hunger was intense. He ate heartily but not hurriedly, taking his time with his food. Falcon mentally found me and told me to add some odd things in his food: burnt coals, ash, and flint. He said it would increase Set's fire breath and would cause him no harm. I found the items and mixed them with the second plate full. He did not pause or spit out the additions. He did not seem to notice them at all. When he was satiated, I hefted his bulk and took him out to the other dragons. A blue told me he was in charge of teaching Set his fire control. I handed Set over and found a seat. My sisters and friends joined me.
"Gavin and Mara have set a date for the wedding. They will be married the first day of fall, which is in three weeks. However, this is overshadowed by you girls selecting your non-human ancestral faiths over human ones. Many say you are betraying your humanity for the 'power' of your non-human kin," Kendar informed us.
"We are betraying nothing!" Lisa snapped, "We listened to human faith, dogma, and theology. Most of it is the same meat in different casings. The elfish way as I heard it is much purer, clearer, and less encumbered than any human path."
"Be calm," I implored, "they simply do not understand. I can feel the confusion in the city. We look one hundred percent human. They know our ancestry, yet find it hard to see us as mixed. They are tired of confusion and want simple answers. Give them a while. With other races slowly returning to Selvis, they will find their cut and dry world is muddier than they realize."
Lisa took some deep breaths and settled down. Kendar agreed that the people needed time. When Gavin and Mara arrived in the courtyard, we began discussing the wedding.
In the middle of speaking, I stopped. With power I didn't know I had, I moved all of us ten feet closer to the palace. Before the question could be asked, a spout of flame raced over the spot where we had been. We looked and saw Set's mouth leaking smoke between clenched teeth.
"I am so sorry! I was trying to go beside all of you. Is anyone hurt?" Set pleaded.
Aloud, I answered, "Apology accepted and no one is hurt. I would suggest finding a more open place to practice."
Everyone agreed. The blue and Set went out of sight.
After a brief awkward pause, we took up our conversation again. We agreed to reuse the dress with some alterations. The massive train had to go. It was alright for the grand show of the Baaloc wedding, but the real one could be scaled down. The stage had long been dismantled. We agreed to have tiered seating built outside the city and a tent city erected for the event. That would put less strain on the inns undergoing reconstruction. It would also give local and traveling merchants a fair of sorts to try to improve their business and Selvis as a whole. We had the guests sorted by means of travel and station. We suspected those close to Demagram and who dealt with dragon riders frequently would have no trouble arriving on dragon back. Wizards and others like Mattis would most likely "pop" in near the time of the wedding. The rest we believed would arrive in the normal fashion of carriages and horseback.
Around mid-day, a cluster of tradesmen were called and the seating plans designed. Their expertise was very helpful and they worked it out in an hour. Extra building materials taken from the remodeling of the city would make almost half of it. They left, talking about contacts and shipments and other things I really didn't understand.
Set returned, begging for food and proud of his newly learned control. He fell asleep on my foot as we took up the discussion of smoothing clerical feathers. Our cleric friend was very instrumental in finding a way that would do the most good. We penned an announcement to all the faiths with a clear explanation of our position.
Evening found us seven alone with Mara, reworking the dress to something tamer and manageable. The train lay in a heap in the corner, many of the ribbons were removed, and some of the lace was cut away. By nightfall, we had it going in the right direction.
Set popped into the room, a rather bushy tail hanging from his mouth. Mara shrieked and nearly tripped over her dress. I had Set go to a part of the room away from us and finish his food. We got Mara out of the dress before she ripped something. She apologized as she ran from the room. We felt sorry for her as we were trying not to laugh. I asked Set about his meal.
"I saw this rat up a tree. It did not run like the inside rats. Ocean-at-Dawn asked if I was hungry. I said yes. He said to get it. I blew fire at it, cooked it, and caught it before it hit the ground. Then, I saw how dark it was getting and blinked here."
I relayed his words to my sisters. We all laughed at how innocently he sounded about cooking a squirrel on the branch. As we got ready for bed, I explained to him the differences between rats and squirrels.
His only reply was, "Both tasty."
He curled up by my feet and we went to sleep.

Day 186 (164th)

Day 186 (164th):
I awoke to Sarroset nibbling at my foot.
"Wake, please, so hungry," he whined.
I got up and dressed. He tried to climb into my arms. I heaved his growing bulk off the floor and headed to the kitchen. All the while he was telling me how hungry he was. I became concerned as he had not done this before. He had an instant audience when we walked through the door. Coos and scratches nearly made him forget his hunger until a strong pang clenched both of us. The servants raced to the cold room when I asked for him something to eat. I took Sarroset to a small table in the corner. He sat in the other chair, tail nearly reaching the floor. He nearly knocked the food out of the girl's hands, almost attacking it.
"Falcon, are you awake? Something is wrong with Sarroset. He's voracious this morning."
I felt Falcon review this morning's activities and he spoke calmly.
"Sarroset is going through a growth spurt. In the next few days, it will seem as if he only eats and sleeps. This is normal, albeit sooner than most riding dragons. You will not be able to carry him much longer."
"No more snoggles?" Sarroset asked sadly.
"I can still snuggle with you, I just can't carry you after you grow."
"Oh, I will miss it, but we can still cuddle together, so it will be fine."
I brought my chair around the table and stroked his back as he ate. I watched as his muscles rippled under his hide and scales as he chewed and swallowed. When the plate was empty, I told the servants about his growing and asked for another. They said they were getting breakfast ready and showed me where it was kept. I thanked them and prepared him another plate.
When I returned, Sarroset was gone and the servants were staring at the table. They looked at me.
"He vanished! He cocked his head like he heard something, then he was gone! What happened?"
I could not tell them. I felt and called for him, "Set! Where are you? Where did you go?"
My vision shifted and I saw the halls whizzing by at incredible speed. At first it was low, then it was higher up. A point of light was getting closer. Just before it was covered by a claw, I saw the shape of a rat. Sarroset reappeared in the kitchen with a large tail dangling out of his mouth. He grinned then swallowed.
"Heard small feet. Smelled fur and blood. Followed it to fur ball. Ate it."
I laughed. I explained his actions to the servants. They, too, laughed. I, then, explained to Set that it was called a rat and he could eat as many as he could catch. His tail thudded sadly on the stone floor.
"I still get plate food, right?" he nearly whined.
"Yes, you still get plate food," I said as I laid what I was holding on the table. He hopped into the chair and ate, slower this time. The servants, seeing I would be here a while, gave me breakfast at that little table. I informed my sisters of my location. They said to take my time and tend Set. Set asked why he could have the rats. It took a while to explain, but he finally understood.
As we were finishing, my sisters asked us to join them in the courtyard. I grunted as I carried Set out. He told me he wanted me to carry him until I couldn't any longer, as he knew it would be very soon before I no longer could.
In the courtyard, I walked out to a sea of faces. Some I knew but many I did not. Our cleric friend explained that these were clerics of many faiths who wished to speak to us about our choices of paths to follow. I was amazed there were so many. My sisters were already in deep conversations with many clerics. My sight allowed me to see who was sincere in their faith and who only gave it lip service. Some pulled away when they saw a living dragon in my arms. A few told me my only chance for "salvation" was to abandon the "foul beast" I was holding. Set snarled and they left us alone.
Callie had found a dwarfish cleric and they were deep in discussion.
Lisa and Alice had two different elves engrossed in whatever they were talking about.
A trio of gnomes sat with Anna.
Gretta sat as two leprechauns stood and talked with her.
Sarah was with a person who looked like he had just come out of the rain. While not dripping, his hair was definitely wet.
I walked over to a bench so I could put Set down beside me. He was sniffing at everyone.
"Why so many? Are they here to eat?"
"No, they are priests. They want us to join their faith and be part of their church."
"'Priest'? 'Faith'? 'Church'? I don't understand," Set whimpered.
"Falcon, help me explain faith and stuff to Set. I don't know how to explain it in dragon," I asked, completely unsure of dragon religion.
Growls, snorts, and other noises passed mentally between the two.
While they spoke, I surveyed the assembly. The human clerics seemed to be avoiding me. They huddled together and kept glancing my way. A presence approached me from behind. I turned and stood, coming face to face with another rider.
"Good, I would have been disappointed if you could not detect my presence. As both a rider and fey, anything less would be a problem."
"Are you a cleric, too?" I asked, indicating for him to sit with us.
"Officially, yes, since I never resigned when I became a rider. I teach cleric spells to riders to supplement the arcane they learn from Falcon and their dragons. Healing spells, mostly, but also purifying and ones to fight undead."
"Why do they stare so? Is there something I have said or done wrong?"
He laughed, "No, it is your Faerie blood. Only a few teach that Fae are demon kin. The rest, however, place them, and you as their blood, a little above demons but significantly below angels and their kind. Adding dragon rider to the mix and Sister as well, you thoroughly confuse them."
"I am sorry. What can I do to enlighten them?"
"Not much. Their opinions are almost set in stone."
Quietly, I watched the crowd. My sisters were happy, I could see and feel it. Meeting distant kin had erased a lot of doubts and fears.
I felt a familiar warm wind blow. I got the cleric rider's attention and pointed at a cluster of bushes.
"Watch," I whispered.
Seemingly on their own, the bushes parted and the Faerie Queen walked out as if walking through a door. All talking stopped. She nearly floated through the crowd, parting it as she approached me.
"It has come to my attention that I have failed in a crucial part of your education. Let us find a quiet place to talk."
I nodded.
Set nudged me as I made to stand up,"Can I come too? I want to hear about fizzes."
"Faeries, young emperor, not fizzes."
"You can hear his mind speech, too?" I asked, rather shocked.
"Yes, my child. His, the other dragons, your sisters, along with many other races and entities. It is a talent you will acquire in years to come. For now, let us discuss Faerie beliefs, shall we?"
I hauled Set off the bench. The cleric rider asked if he could accompany us. I didn't mind so the Faerie Queen allowed it. We walked through a silent crowd. Even my sisters had stopped speaking. I felt rather exposed, rethinking this walk, but followed behind her as she gracefully walked towards a quiet corner behind some hedges. Could I ever do that? Would I part the crowd just by walking? Would I ever be that graceful to appear to be floating instead of walking?
"In time, my dear daughter, in time," came her mental reply.
We found a shaded corner. She waved her hand and three chairs formed out of the ground. She sat and motioned for us to do likewise. A nest-like area rose near my seat. I settled Set into it and we all got comfortable.
"Now, do you want to ask specifics or do I start with the basics?"
"The basics, for now, I may have specific questions later."
"Very well. I will do this aloud so our human guest may hear as well.
"Very few races are as connected to the world and its mysteries as we Faeries. Having thousands of years to learn makes us skilled at finding even very obscure or rare things. Things humans are now learning we have known for ages. As far as the faith of the Faerie, we are a bit unique. While others guess at the will of their god, goddess, or gods, we can go to the source and know without a doubt. This can make us seem arrogant, haughty, or appear superior. That is not so.
"The Faerie Realm lies just inside the Mortal Realm. The Realm of Immortals is as close as Cassabla Palace is to Raval Palace. I cross the border many times a cycle and speak directly to the gods. So, if asked which gods or goddesses I serve, the answer is all and none. While I answer to all of them, I serve none of them. I have been called upon to mediate between two gods before."
"How is it that Faeries don't serve any gods?" I asked as I hung on her every word.
"While humans, elves, dwarfs, etc. were fashioned by one or several gods, we Faerie were made before these gods were born. The most ancient of powers, when fashioning all of creation, made us to tend to the creations. Then, that power bore the gods who were given large parts to oversee, yet we were still the workers tending every hill, tree, river, mountain, ocean, all of it. When it became needed to separate gods from mortals, we were placed upon that border, partly mortal and partly god. We could interbreed with both as easily as with our own. Even after many generations, you and other partly Faerie still retain a lot of that power. Your confidence and conviction are but shards of the diamond will of pure Faerie. The longer you are in our realm, the more your Faerie blood will show until you will be as a pure Faerie. In a thousand years, it will be you they sing and tell stories about: Kayla, the Faerie Queen."
I am sure I blushed. The idea that anyone would sing of me was beyond my belief. The cleric rider was also listening intently. To have the Faerie Queen explain the Faerie way was a very unique opportunity for a human, even a dragon rider.
"As you can see, while other religions build on what they think, hope, or are told is the will of their god, our's is built on first hand knowledge of their wills. Even that original most ancient of powers, whom we refer to as our Parents since it is our father and mother, can be spoken with directly. We have no priests or clerics studying ancient prophets writings about the way to please the gods. We go to them and ask. No interpretation, extrapolation, or guessing required. So we have no church or temple as we have no rituals of worship. We still have ceremonies, like weddings, holidays, and funerals, and celebrations, like anniversaries and birthdays, but these are personal and seasonal. Do you understand, Kayla?"
"Amazingly, yes, I do understand. Humans and other mortal or near mortal races need to hear the words of their gods from clerics who read and reread the ancient tales from those who spoke with the gods. Being practically in the gods' backyard, Faeries are like those ancient people and talk with the gods themselves. Faerie actually have no 'faith', which is the hope that they are doing what pleases the gods. They, or we I should say, have fact, the absolute knowledge that we are doing right because they told us directly."
"Exactly, my dear. Your conviction that you were meant to find the swords of power is but a spark of the fire your will can hold. Others may misunderstand your confidence as arrogance and your certainty as vanity, but we know its true nature and source."
We all sat in silence as we absorbed the understanding and marveled at the knowledge she had shared. Then, Set started growling. I felt anger getting closer.
"I hear angry feet. They are stomping all over. I think they are hunting for us."
"Let them come, young emperor. We need not fear them."
Four men rounded our concealing bushes. They yelled when they saw us. They each had a large glass bottle filled with more of that sparkling spring water. I had to force myself not to laugh.
"Foul being! It is bad enough her blood carries your taint, but now you seek to corrupt her soul! Stand and face holy justice."
We looked at each other and stood. The threw the bottles at our feet. They shattered and sprayed us. As before, other than being wet and a tingle, nothing happened. They were surprised to not see her writhing in pain or Set dissolving in screams. Set growled at the four men, infant flames escaping through his teeth. As he did this, he shook the water off of him, soaking me again as he was at my side.
Pushing wet hair out of my face, I approached the men, "Sirs, I appreciate your concern, but as you see, there is no evil here to purge. The Faerie Queen is not evil. Sarroset, this dragon, is not evil. Neither I, this rider, nor Vanity, my sword, are evil. Please let others know that this water only gets us wet."
They ran, screaming as if I had threatened them. I turned to face the others. The Faerie Queen smiled. The rider looked fit to faint.
Set cocked his head at me, "Your eyes are different. Not all brown anymore. They almost look like hers," he told me as he indicated the Faerie Queen.
I looked into her gem purple eyes. She nodded in agreement to Set's assessment. I found a pool nearby and looked. My brown eyes were taking on a purple cast. They were no longer just brown. Apparently it was striking enough to make them run. We explained to the rider and Set the effects of dragon magic and spring water. His shaking water off of him and on me while breathing fire had furthered my change towards my Faerie kin. While wringing out my hair, the red cast had increased as had the curl. Also, it felt as if it was growing in my hands. I felt it and it was longer now than this morning.
My sisters and others skidded to a stop when they found us, plainly worried about the encounter we just had. My sisters fingered my hair and commented on my eyes. They also showed me that my frock didn't fit right anymore. The bodice was a bit looser and the skirt was now a hand above my ankles instead of at my ankles. I had to put the ring of my harness set on my middle finger as it slid off of my ring finger.
We all walked back to the center of the courtyard. Others marveled at my change. Human clerics were the least accepting. I asked our cleric friend and the cleric rider to dismiss the clerics except the ones whom my sisters wished to continue in conversation. Once cleared, only non-human clerics, save the rider, were left. We asked our friends to explain that our ancestral cultural deities and faiths were our preferred choices. My sisters nodded to indicate we all felt that way. He smiled and said it would be his pleasure.
The Faerie Queen, now completely dry and as gorgeous as ever, asked if I wished her to stay. I did want her to stay. We seven split up and became deeply engrossed in talking with our distant kin. Set laid his head on my foot and fell asleep as she and I spoke.
We were out there all day. Near sunset, our guests bid us good-night and left. The Faerie Queen went back through the same bushes and vanished. We talked well into the night, both in the courtyard and our room, about what we had learned from these people.

Day 185 (163rd)

Day 185 (163rd):
We awoke that morning to furious knocking. We had taken a suite in the palace so Mara could find us quickly and easily. Kendar and Lehand burst into the room before we could open the door.
"Trouble at the gates, ladies. An army of Baalocs along with some hybrid demon-things are trying to break in. They are demanding our surrender."
We got dressed and assembled in Mara's chambers, which had the balcony used to make speeches. Old war machines, men in battered Baaloc armor, and those dog demon things were stationed a hundred yards from the gates. The gates were closed every night and, fortunately, had not been open when they arrived. We were handed the demands for the "swift and complete return of Baaloc Prime to its rightful rulers". It was signed "Lord" Baqdoll, "true chosen of the Baalocs". Mara was frantic. Gavin was furious, but consoled Mara as lovingly as always. We were asked to asses those at the gates.
"Afraid, many terrified. Baqdoll has threatened every last one of them. Three clerics summoned the dog demons yet only barely control them. The big demon watches, but is not here. None of them, including Baqdoll, have any demon words on them. There is the possibility we can scare them away," we informed the others.
Falcon, having listened at the balcony, suggested that he and the other dragons attempt to discourage their attack. Everyone agreed to try that first. Falcon, Leo, and four others sans riders took off and landed between the army and the gates. About a dozen fled immediately, ignoring any and all threats from Baqdoll or anyone else.
Falcon's voice carried even to the palace, "Baaloc soldiers! You fight a lost cause! Baaloc Prime is gone! Selvis Prime is reborn! Lay down your arms and a place can be found for you in Selvis. You need not fight today or any day to enter these gates."
"Beast!" Baqdoll roared as he urged his burdened horse forward, "We do not fall for such tricks! Those whores control this foul creature to make it speak! True warriors of Baaloc, kill them and retake your city!"
He tried to charge. The dog demons followed his lead, but ran ahead. The struggling horse used its waning strength to buck him off. Baqdoll landed in an inglorious heap on the road. Falcon and the other dragons destroyed the demons before even one reached striking distance. The soldiers looked at each other, very confused. Citizens who had been watching began calling for them to put down their weapons and join Selvis Kingdom. A single clank started a rain of weapons and armor. Half-dressed men walked pass Baqdoll, some spitting on him, over charred and ruined bodies, and between the dragons. They entered a door in the gate. Cheers erupted from inside the city as friends and family reunited. After a few minutes, only Baqdoll and the three clerics remained. He was still sitting on the road where he had landed, surrounded by empty armor and abandoned weapons. He cursed as he struggled to his feet with the clerics' aid.
"Bastards! Cowards! Traitors! All of you will burn forever in the Abyss! I will see paradise beside Maalicus, Cornwall, and Tharinzar! The glories you have forsaken shall be mine!"
He turned in circles as he searched for his horse. Not seeing it, he grabbed a sword and hurled it at Falcon. It kicked up dust as it skidded far from Falcon's feet. The citizens still watching laughed loudly. He ordered the clerics to destroy the dragons. Hesitantly, the clerics faced the dragons and began a spell. We could hear Falcon's mind voice assess the spell and find it meaningless. They let the clerics finish. When nothing happened, Baqdoll threatened to kill them for their "obvious" lack of faith. One cleric took off his robe, let it fall to the ground, and walked between the dragons to the door. A cheer rang out as he entered. Baqdoll was so red with anger his face was nearly purple. He slapped the two remaining clerics and demanded they do something. They looked at each other and silently agreed on a course of action. They began a spell that had Falcon, Leo, and many others laughing in their minds. Baqdoll began to change. When he saw what was going on, he ran. A few steps off the road and he could go no further. His feet were anchored in the soil. Fruitlessly, he tugged but was firmly and literally rooted to the spot. The clerics continued. Other clerics, including the one that had just entered, walked out and joined in the casting. Baqdoll changed even faster, screaming and cursing the whole time until the bark froze his mouth into a twisted knot hole. His flailing arms became stuck above his head. When the tip of his fingers had turned to wood, long thin leaves emerged from hands and head. Within a few moments, the man that was Baqdoll was now a graceful willow on the side of the road. Everyone cheered and went back inside the city. The dragons nudged the gates open and walked back to the palace. Mara was crying because even and enemy had been harmed. Falcon consoled her by letting her know he was still alive and, as a tree, would provide more benefit to the kingdom than as a fat selfish human with delusions of grandeur. She did admit that he was a lovely tree.
We all gathered in the courtyard that had become the "suite" for the dragons and riders. The servants who had stayed had learned to make real food that was delicious. We ate outside as Falcon told the others his thoughts on the useless spell to "destroy" dragons.
As he spoke, I felt something shifting between Mara and Gavin. I could feel her need for him by her side grow and his overwhelming need to be with her, protecting her, and helping her through this trial and all trials to come.
"Propose already," I sent him mentally.
Shocked, he looked at me, "I... I can't. She is the crown princess. I am a second son. Vangar should propose to her."
"She doesn't love Vangar. She loves you and needs you. Besides, the laws are being rewritten here and it would help the people not feel like they are a servant of Raval and let them be a real kingdom."
He thought on it. He asked Kendar if the infant council could assemble out in the courtyard. He said he had an announcement and wanted the whole council and everyone present. It took over half an hour to round them all together. During that time, Gavin asked us to get a ring for Mara. It took almost no time to find a lovely ring, exquisitely made by an elfish craftsman, of the perfect size. We returned and showed it to Gavin. He was very pleased. When everyone was assembled, Gavin called for silence.
"My friends and colleagues, I have something very important to say and I wanted everyone to hear. Mara, stand here with me, please."
Nervously, she stood and walked to him. When she reached him, it was as if the whole world fell away and only the two of them remained. A cloud of rosy pink enveloped them both.
"Mara, when you arrived at Raval Palace and I found out you were a princess working as a servant, I admit that I looked down on you. At the time, I believed people were servants because they were inferior and not truly 'people'. Seeing legends emerge from the peasants, my opinion has changed. During the time you have been at the palace, I have seen the woman that no title can describe. Princess, lady, friend, I would like to add another title," he bent on one knee and held out the ring, "Will you accept the title of my wife?"
Mara was speechless. Tears ran down nearly every face of those assembled. Gavin slid the ring on her finger. Mara stared at it and him. When she flicked her eyes to us, we all nodded. Her eyes widened even more, realizing this was real. She nearly lifted Gavin off his feet.
"YES! Yes, I will marry you! I had hoped you felt the same I felt about you. I didn't know how to tell you or express it. I gladly accept the title of your wife."
They hugged so tightly that we joked we would have to physically pry them apart.
Sarroset seemed confused, "Kayla, what does this mean? Why is everyone leaking?"
"Gavin and Mara are pairing to be mates. This is how humans become mated pairs."
"Oh, I see. When do they do their mating flight?"
"There is a public ceremony, called a wedding, first. Then, their flight, called a honeymoon, happens in private."
"I think I understand. Why is the ceremony important? They are together, can't they mate now?"
"Humans have a lot of rules about pairing and mating. The ceremony, the wedding, lets a lot of people know they are a pair at one time and they hear them make vows to stay together and not part for any reason other than death."
"Wow, that is complicated. I'm glad I'm a dragon."
"Me, too."
Gavin, Mara, and a couple of others isolated themselves to write announcements to the surrounding rulers and clerics, hopefully remembering everyone so as to avoid hard feelings. 
The rest of the council went back to their work. Sarroset, my sisters, and I stayed out with Falcon and the other riders, learning new skills, spells, and just being social. The cleric handling the question from the people found us and asked to get our answers to questions specifically about us. He found a place to sit and write our responses. Many of the questions were old and easy to answer. A few we found a little strange. Like one fellow wanted to know if the seven of us were sexual partners. Some asked if our swords were our pleasure slaves. Almost all of the new questions were about our sexual history and preferences. A lot of those were answered when we told him we were all virgins. 
He leafed through the parchments to find one not related to sex,"Here is one," he called out, "They want to know what gods you serve."
We all thought on that.
"Well," began Sarah, "the order I lived with at the convent was dedicated to the goddess of healing and protector of children. I was in training and had not truly dedicated myself to her. My ancestors are mer-folk and, when I meet them, I might follow their faith."
"My father took me to the temple of the Guardian," Alice stated, "It is the path I know. I have had little chance to learn what deity the elves follow as they are my ancestors and kin."
"I, too, have not gotten to discuss elfish faith," Lisa reported, "but my commander father had all of us soldiers pledge to the god of justice and valor. I guess that was my path, or is since I have not consciously changed."
"My father said faith was for fools, the weak, and the lazy. He never allowed me to attend any church or temple. He threatened any cleric who darkened our doorstep. So, I don't really have a chosen faith. I haven't asked any leprechauns, my kin, about their faith," Gretta said.
"My parents were too busy to attend any religious ceremonies or go to a church or temple. They were courteous to all clerics who were patrons of their inn. So, I can't really claim a specific faith. No brownies or gnomes have spoken with me about this," Anna told us.
"Our village was too small for any temple or church," Callie began, "and the church was also someone's house. They just called to 'the Divine', never really specifying one deity that I remember."
"You are right, Callie," I added, "I don't remember any one deity named, just the Divine or Divinity."
"The dwarfs have spoken of an All-Father, the High Fathers, First Ones, and other beings, but I haven't pressed for specifics on their, and mine as we are kin, cultural deity," Callie said.
"The Faerie Queen has not spoken to me about the Faerie faith, if there is any, during the times we have spoken. Other things were more important," I told him.
"Wait, Kayla, are you saying you are kin to the faeries?" the cleric asked.
"I am heir to the Faerie Queen as the only living female descendant of her only child, her son," I said as if he had asked my name.
The cleric just stared at me, pen dripping over the bottle. Apparently, no one had told him. He regained his composure and started writing again. When he finished, he shuffled through the papers again.
"Ah, this is a good one. 'Once Mara is Queen and Selvis is restored, what do the Sisters plan on doing next?'"
"This is still our journey year," I informed him, "We plan to visit our distant kin and find our places in the world. Callie has a house in the mountains set aside for her. I have my duties to the Faerie Queen and dragon riders. Alice is a lord's daughter and has those duties. Sarah has expressed a desire, if not at home with the mer-folk, to rejoin the convent. Lisa has commented about going back to her town and return to the life of a soldier. Gretta and Anna have decided to wait until after meeting their kin to decide their next life choice."
The cleric nodded as he wrote, agreeing with my answer.
Sarroset interrupted, "I smell food and people. Is it eating time?"
We noticed it was evening and I confirmed it probably was dinner time. Servants with food, chairs, and a large table appeared in the courtyard. The councilors and our friends also arrived. The servants were getting accustomed to feeding dragons. Meat that most people did not like dragons savored. A small plate was even brought to Sarroset. Seeing a baby helped them understand dragons a little better and destroyed the myth that dragons burst fully formed and grown out of caves or volcanoes to devour everything in sight. The servants' children even played with him and thought it was neat that he spoke to me. While it would take years for him to form verbal human words, the private words we shared made our bond all the more unbreakable. Sarroset had learned not to dive in and eat himself sick. Once he understood no one was taking it away from him, he slowed down and ate at a comfortable pace. I found myself explaining everyday items and events and it helped me really see the world in a way I would not have without him. He shared his dragon sight with me and I the true seeing with him, explaining to each other the meanings of the colors, ripples, etc. While he didn't understand human names, yet, he had his own way of picking out our friends, my sisters, and strangers.
During the meal, Sarroset stopped eating, a strip hanging neglected from his teeth.
"What is it?" I asked, knowing his senses were far keener than mine.
"Bad smell. Odd footsteps. Someone we do not know is inside the big house."
I relayed this to the others. Guards and servants were dispatched immediately. In a few moments, they returned with seven struggling teenage girls, who were demanding to be let go. Mara nodded to Gavin to let him handle this.
"Explain yourselves," Gavin ordered when they were lined up before him and the council.
One took a step forward, "Sir, we are here to inform you and this council that you have been tricked. The girls you know as the Seven Sisters of the Swords are false. They are impostors and phonies."
"Really?" Gavin pretended to take them seriously.
"Indeed. We know this because we are the real sisters, trained from birth to accept the swords when their former guardians died. We received the last mere days ago and were setting out to find a ruler to serve. We heard of t he rebirth of Selvis and decided to come here. Hearing reports that the Seven Sisters had been the catalyst for the Baaloc's downfall, we knew we had to reveal ourselves and expose the impostors."
Gavin and the council behaved as if listening and believing every word. I could see the emotions under the surface and knew they were not swayed. Alice probed the girls' history and relayed it to all of us. We saw seven old women drilling these girls on their duties as "sisters" and the punishments they received for even the smallest waver in that conviction or questioning anything the old women told them. Any who could received our mental voice was given this history.
"You can prove you are the real Sisters?" one of the council judges asked.
"Of course," they chimed in unison.
The speaker stepped back in line. With practiced precision, they drew their swords. It was all we could do to not burst out laughing. The swords they carried were battered practice swords, ornamental ones that hang on walls, and ceremonial swords. Gavin and Rono inspected them. When they turned their backs to the girls, they smiled large "They are incredibly poor swords" smiles and rolled their eyes. We looked over each one and found they really believed what they were saying and that their swords were real.
The cleric took up the interview, "I suppose you each bear the mark with which all guardians are born," he calmly inquired.
They looked at each other, confused. The speaker replied, "The marks are a false legend. That further proves that they are phonies if they bear any marks."
"I see. I'm guessing the tale that each is endowed with a sentient spirit is also false?"
"No, that is true. However, we have not performed the ritual to awaken the spirits inside who became silent just before the death of their current guardians. In our rush to confront these false Sisters, we chose to do the ritual on the next full moon. Until then, we cannot speak with our swords."
The cleric nodded, "Who holds Wrath?" he asked casually.
Again, they looked at each other in confusion, "Wrath, sir? None of us holds Wrath."
"The swords of power are endowed with the seven deadly sins: Wrath, Lust, Envy, Greed, Vanity, Sloth, and Gluttony. Are you saying none of your swords are any of these?"
"By the Host! No! Our swords are seven virtues: Love, Peace, Patience, Chastity, Honor, Sacrifice, and Servitude. You have been truly deceived if those are the powers of their swords," she responded adamantly.
"So, every tale that says the swords are sins are false?"
"Yes, sir," they replied in unison, far too practiced.
"I suppose you can identify the 'false Sisters' for us?"
"Of course," again in practiced unison.
"Well? Show us," the cleric nearly ordered.
They started giggling as they looked at all of us. The speaker stopped and told us, "They are not here, sir. They would not dare by in such noble company."
More giggling.
The seven of us stood. The cleric and everyone else took a seat to watch the show. We approached them as they were still giggling. We lined up and faced each, one to one. We did not physically touch the swords as they drew themselves from their sheaths. As they settled between our two lines, the giggles stopped, replaced by looks of horror. A few of them were close to fainting.
"The whole time? All of you have been here, watching and listening, this entire time? Your magic must be great if you could conceal your energies from us."
They pointed their swords at us. We could see the poor construction and heavy wear of the swords they held.
"We are sorry to do this," I told them sincerely, "but it is the only way to get through to you as you will not hear us otherwise. Gretta, if you please."
Gretta sadly nodded and pointed a finger at each sword down the line. A second after she pointed, their swords disintegrated into piles of dust from the tip to the pommel. She did this quickly enough that the last did not have time to remove the sword or protect it. As the handles sifted through their fingers, the understanding hit them. They dove to the ground and valantly tried to scrape the dust back into solid forms. They tried spells, spit, tears, anything to return the dust to a sword. Failing that, a couple lunged at us. The swords had formed a wall and they bounced off of it unharmed. Realizing defeat, they held their hands out with their wrists together.
"We accept our positions are your slaves," they recited in their practiced way as they were drilled to respond.
"You are no one's slaves!" we replied, joined by many at the table and a few dragons.
They looked around, really confused. The swords returned to their sheaths and we helped them stand. They wanted to run, but had no where to go. Their whole reality had, literally, crumbled before them. We sent them with some of the council members to get them on a new path. We finished dinner and parted company for the night. What a day.

Days 170-184 (148-162)

Days 170-184 (148-162):
The transformation was sporadic, but moving in the right direction. The outlying forts and posts were notified of the change in leadership. We were saddened by tales of mass suicide, but learned about half were false.
The golden bowl from Starlight's temple was found, cleaned, and returned. News of elf migration from the forest did not surprise us. We received a letter from Sarah's mermaid family that told us the special water had been collected and taken to the temple. Another letter, rather official, proclaimed Selvis Prime a sister city of Crialas, the capital of the elf lands to the west, and the seven of us honorary citizens. It was signed by the King and Queen of Crialas. At the bottom were two deer hoof marks.
Mara and Gavin had arrived. We did not tell our friends, but seeing Gavin had grown a thick, dark brown beard, we knew who the future king of Selvis would be. However, from the looks he was getting, they had figured it out as well.
With Falcon, Leo, and the other dragons, Callie rebuilt massive areas of the city.
Sarroset seemed to have grown bigger every time I turned around. By a week out of his shell, I had difficulty carrying him. Falcon became almost my private tutor. He relieved my worries of taking him away from his other students by telling me they had received assignments before he left Demagram and he was bringing me up to their levels. Besides, there were experienced dragon riders to help train them.
The councils we had seen were beginning to form. Some who had come before Mara to become part of the councils either left after seeing me and a dragon at her side or I saw their quests for power and suggested they be denied. Besides Rono and company, another dozen honest men and women formed the infant triad of religious, legal, and economic councils.
Some who had left until "the city returns to normal" had returned. Die-hard Baalocs tried desperately to show the "corruption" we were bringing to their "holy" land. They were usually arrested for vagrancy or small acts of vandalism. When the faithful saw we were true to our word and allowed not only their churches to stand but admitted them into the council, the cries of corruption and evil conquerors died to almost nothing.
The palace was redecorated to Mara's and Gavin's tastes. It was obvious the two had developed feeling for each other, even to those who could not see the pink glow around the pair and how their auras were nearly identical.
The dragon riders were flying almost nonstop to get the palace actually livable. Other races began contributing to the rebirth of Selvis as well. Centaurs began teaching blacksmith skills along side dwarfs and gnomes. Elves brought a variety of trades back to the city and kingdom. Dryads and wood nymphs brought plants and taught their care. Callie's dwarfish kin helped reopen abandoned mines and taught jewel cutting and metal crafts. While they did not appear in person, Faerie gifts of all kinds appeared where clean up and renewal projects were taking place. Even mermaids and water nymphs were sighted in the river not far from the city.
The first treaty of Selvis was written to establish alliance with the subterranean stone people. Marble, Flint, and Pyrite spoke for their reunified tribe. The second alliance was will all the races of Brimgrove. Tymara and some of her people spoke for them. The old Selvis seal had been found and used to seal these agreements. That seal began to be seen as plentiful as the former Baaloc emblem.
Amid all of this, we kept watch for Tharinzar's master. We did not feel he would give up a thousand year hold so easily.

Day 169 (147th)

Day 169 (147th) Wedding Day:
It was strange. The city was busy, yet no business was done. Some people arrived around the stage very early in the morning and never left. Others flitted around without staying or leaving. Since our inn was so close, we watched from the roof. Just after lunch, large items were carried to the stage. Massive flower pots with those awful smelling flowers in them. A trellis-type arch and podium was also set up. As more stuff arrived, so did people and soldiers. Around early evening, "important" people assembled: generals, high clerics, Cornwall's "special" household members, and others.
 A few hours before sunset, the weird horn blew. Like a swarm, the rest of the city raced to be as close as possible. Our friends took up their positions. The cleric performing the ceremony came out with a large book. It thudded on the podium and shook the stage. In a monotone, he began to tell how Maalicus had received the holy words and the revised history, according to the Baalocs. Many people were falling asleep. When he had finished, he closed the book with a loud thud. That woke everyone and signaled a quartet to exit the palace. I didn't know the music, but it was poorly played. They were followed by other clerics, soldiers, then Cornwall in a tacky version of Droland's royal attire. They arranged themselves on the right side of the stage, facing the crowd. The officiating cleric turned his back to the crowd to face Cornwall. Once they were settled, Cornwall signaled the quartet, now off-stage to the right. They began another poorly played melody. Raval soldiers exited the palace, followed by wizards, clerics, servants, and, finally, Lehand and Mary side-by-side. Her dress was amazing. The clean white of it showed how gray and dirty the city was truly. The train was so long that she was a third to the stage before it left the door. They arranged themselves until Mary faced Cornwall with Lehand behind and between them. Lehand gave some formal announcement of Raval, as Selvis' guardian, giving Mara to seal the throne of Selvis by Mara and Cornwall. He, then, joined the soldiers off the left of the stage. We got off the roof and made our way through the empty streets to the wedding. We stood a few yards behind the furthest person and waited for the appropriate moment. Cornwall was making grand promises of the glory their union would bring to the world. We took it as a cue when he said, "Not even the Seven Sisters can stop our glorious reign."
We clanged our swords and brought all eyes to us. Cornwall went red as we stole his thunder.
In one voice, we said, "Your reign ends now. This wedding is over."
Our friends emerged from their places, shouting obscenities and saying we should die. They threw the fire powder at us. It burst just as we planned. Our magic kept it from harming us. As we started to make the illusion of it getting bigger, Tharinzar appeared on the stage and ordered the fire to destroy us all. It flared over our heads and around us. Still, our magic held and we were safe. We heard Tharinzar laugh and pronounce our deaths. We produced our armor and stepped through the fire.
"Not dead yet," we called out as one.
Tharinzar nearly choked. People ran screaming. Baaloc soldiers fled, dropping weapons and armor as they went. Raval soldier mounted the stage and Lehand drew Mary into their protective ring. Cornwall staggered to Tharinzar's side.
"Finish them, Master. Destroy these evil bitches."
Tharinzar's arm lashed out and knocked Cornwall on his butt. Standing over him, he shouted, "I did, you fool! My master said that would kill them! That was my strongest magic!"
Cornwall lost all color in his face as he realized his god had nothing stronger to take us out. We advanced and began the vanquishing spell. The Raval wizards and clerics took up the chant.
Tharinzar spun back to us, "NO! Not that spell! How do you know that one? All copies of that were destroyed!"
I answered as everyone else continued, "There is one among us who wrote that spell a thousand years ago. His memory is untouched."
I, then, took up the chant again. Tharinzar growled and moaned as we plus five wizards and five clerics continued the chant. Cornwall, getting to his feet, tried to save his master. Mary, from somewhere in that massive dress, drew a sword and plunged it into Cornwall. Apparently, since Tharinzar was weakened, his handiwork was also weakened. Cornwall stared at the sword sheathed in his chest. He tried to speak, but only bubbled up blood.
He collapsed as Tharinzar went to his knees, "My master... will see... all of you... dead for this! I will...be...avenged!"
Just like the demon flesh in the stone people's village, Tharinzar shrank. His human guise fell as he could no longer maintain it. Our friends had begun gathering trusted associates to secure the palace once Tharinzar was gone. At the edge of my vision, I watched scribes writing the event as it happened. Hopefully, this would be accurate years from now. Tharinzar shrank to the size of a cat then bellowed something. It was answered by a ground shaking roar from the palace. It ended as the tiny Tharinzar exploded. We were all still as we waited for a retaliation. Nothing came. Rono and the rest cheered and raced to the palace. Callie called to Leo to come retrieve the eggs. We helped Mary out of the dress as she had a uniform on underneath. Mattis magicked it back to the inn.
 As we headed inside, we expected chaos. Fortunately, Rono and the rest were all business. Slaves were given their freedom. Servants were permitted to leave or stay. Obviously, they had planned this out as they, in an organized fashion, took control of the palace. We were told they were forming a temporary council until the real Mara came to claim the throne of Selvis.
We were heading to the egg chamber when Leo called to us, "Ladies, I need directions. Where are they?"
"Do not be cheeky with us either, young ones," came Falcon's mind voice in a playful tone.
We directed them as best we could. We arrived at the chamber and heard the roof being torn away. The setting sunlight burst into the dark room as it finally gave way. Falcon, Leo, and a few other dragons with their riders looked down into the room.
"Well done, my dears. That was the cleanest coup I have ever seen. Only two death and one escapee. Not bad," Falcon said, smiling.
We all smiled and begun handing the eggs to dragons and riders. None moved. I began to doubt my dragon was here, as did everyone else. Then, I felt something from the corner. I told everyone to be quiet. Searching, I found a large egg, larger than the rest, rocking under a table far from the others. Tearing more roof, Falcon brought light to the egg. Unlike the others that sparkled and reflected rainbows, it was a solid green-gray. They must have thought it worthless and tossed it over there. I grabbed it and walked back to the others. It was almost twice the size of the other eggs. Falcon moved back.
"No, that's not possible. They are only legend. Surely that can't be," he muttered in awe.
We did not have time to ask what he was going on about. I sat in the floor and held it as it rocked. Shards began flying. A dark tail flopped out of a hole. Dawn had joined us and sat beside me. My sisters gathered around as well. The tail thrashed and cracked the shell lengthwise. The halves fell and revealed a moss green dragon with nearly black wing skin. It raised its head and stared at me with brassy-gold eyes. I was in love. He had ram-like horns circling above his eyes and curling over his ears. His smooth face highlighted his shining eyes.
"Hello, my name is Sarroset. Who are you?"
"My name is Kayla. I am your rider."
"I am glad to be with you. Who is the other one?"
"I am Vanity. I am a sentient sword also bound to Kayla. She is one of the Seven Sisters and the heir to the Faerie Queen."
"Wow, then I do belong to you. The gold one will tell you again, but I am what is known as an emperor dragon. Like my queen sister, we are unique, but I happen only once in a long time when a very special person is born. Someone like you, Kayla."
I began to cry. I wanted to tell Sarroset that I wasn't special or unique, but none of my voices would say the words. I looked up at my sisters, Falcon, Leo, and all the others.
"Well," said Callie, "what's it's name?"
"His name is Sarroset," I croaked, "and he is..."
"An emperor dragon!" interrupted Falcon, "I would not have believed it. Only you, only this group, could uncover and bond with an emperor. I have seen those colored eggs lain, but they never hatch. Due to their color, they are referred to as 'poison eggs'. Our queens will be happy to hear this news. Let us find Sarroset something to eat."
"Yes, please, I am famished."
I could feel his hunger as if it were my own. Leaving dragons and riders to finish the gathering, we all headed to the kitchen. Rono and company were taking inventory. They stopped when they saw what I held. Those who had witnessed a hatching began calling for meat. The cold room was found and Rono expertly sliced pieces the appropriate size for Sarroset to eat easily. I sat with him as I gave him a piece at a time, even though he begged for all of it. Our armor had faded by now and only our swords marked who we were.
Freed slaves returned with news of the city in turmoil. Loyal Baalocs were trying to rally the people to retake the palace. The sight of dragons tearing apart the roof had slowed that activity. High clerics were trying to herd the people for a mass prayer to return their god to the mortal plane. Five of those had been killed as false teachers of a false god who could not kill seven girls with "flashy" swords. People were demanding answers from within the palace. The freed slaves could only say as much as they knew, which was not a lot.
Since Sadal had the loudest voice, he was chosen to go to Cornwall's balcony and address the people. To get every one's attention, Falcon and Leo went to the area in front of the palace and roared loud and long. With Sarroset now asleep, quite full and happy, I could feel the city turning its focus on the palace. We alerted Sadal when the majority of the population had assembled.
"People of Baaloc Prime! Tharinzar is dead! Cornwall is dead!"
Shouts of pleasure and rejection mingled from them. Voiced unified into a chant of "Who rules now?" Waving his hands for attention, Sadal continued.
"A group of merchants and citizens are holding the place of ruler until Princess Mara of Selvis can be properly crowned and Baaloc territory is returned to Selvis Kingdom. Every piece of land the Baalocs took from Selvis will be returned to Selvis rule when the princess becomes Queen."
Dead silence.
I could feel the turmoil of emotions. A thousand years of Baaloc rule gone in moments. A kingdom dead for almost twenty years when Mara's parents were killed. Many below had never known anything but Baaloc rule.
"I understand your confusion," Sadal's voice broke the silence, "but we are strong. Even though Mara is young, she had many skilled advisers. King Droland of Raval, the dragon riders of Demagram, and the Seven Sisters of the Swords are her allies and are the allies of the reborn Kingdom of Selvis."
The people were still unsure. Sadal did not know what else to say. Falcon took a few steps forward.
"Good people," he began as the crowd reacted in shock from hearing a "dumb beast" speak, "this is a time of change. Have scribes write your questions, doubts, fears, and uncertainties, or write them yourselves. Present them to these learned men and women. This is the time to pull together, not be torn apart. Reclaim your voices as citizens, not chattel of a tyrant. Be heard and make Selvis a name known far and wide."
Falcon's power as a speaker became clear as people clamored for pens and parchment. Our friends' cleric and a few of his associates took up the task of receiving the people's inquiries. Some they answered right away while others were told their questions required investigation or council or some time before an answer could be given. Baaloc soldiers were rounded up and given the option of being Selvis soldiers of finding other jobs. A dragon rider was dispatched to bring Mara as swiftly as possible. Mattis did not feel transporting her his way was necessary. We all agreed that the people, for now, did not need to know Mara was never in Baaloc Prime. The people were sent home well after dark to sleep and ponder their feelings over the new rule.

Day 168 (146th)

Day 168 (146th) 1 day until wedding:
We awoke, ate, and went back into Baaloc Prime. Our friends shared the fantastic deals they had made on the dragon eggshells. Wizards had started a waiting list for the next batch.
As we visited, that weird horn sounded. Yet, this came from the gates. Having missed the procession leaving Raval, we raced out to watch it entering Baaloc Prime. It was as grand as we had imagined. The honor guard on horseback pranced in wearing their fancy uniforms. Even the horses were done up fancy in silver and gold. The carriage, even slightly dusty, was still magnificent. Mary, still playing the role of Mara, shyly waved to the people of Baaloc Prime. Behind that, a small squadron of wizards and clerics road uncomfortably in the carriage's wake. At the rear, a dozen servants rode in a wagon with a sheet protecting them from the sun. We followed them, along with a lot of other people, to the palace doors. Cornwall, Tharinzar, and Robear stood just inside the door as the procession came to a halt. The servants jumped out of the wagon and began collecting everyone's gear. The wizards and clerics got comically out of their saddles. Even Cornwall chuckled. Once on their feet, they assembled behind the door of the carriage. The honor guard, with practiced precision, dismounted and formed two lines, one on either side of the door. Wizards and clerics scurried back as they formed ranks. When the last was in place, Lehand opened the carriage and helped Mary out. She was lovely in what everyone believed was her simple traveling outfit. Many peasant women would do anything to get married in such a dress. Cornwall took a few steps out of the doorway and watched the pair walk towards him. Pride and arrogance formed around him like a stone shell. Mary pretended to be fearful of the people and Cornwall. Her emotions practically sang, "I can kill him where he stands." They came together on the front landing of the palace. Lehand introduced himself and "Mara" to Cornwall. Robear stepped forward to verify that this was the same woman he had examined and matched every visual record from Raval to Baaloc Prime. Cornwall was pleased and introduced Tharinzar as "the physical representation of the one true god". Cornwall stepped aside and bid "Mara", Lehand, and their people to "Mara's" new home. Slowly, wizards, clerics, servants, and four guards entered. The rest took horses, carriage, and wagon around to a side building and disappeared inside.
When the door closed, everyone outside began returning to their daily lives. We watched Baaloc soldiers emerge with signs in hand. Everywhere they hung "Wedding Tomorrow" banners on any place big enough to hold them. The stage was reinforced magically and mundanely.
We returned to the inn. Our friends said it would not be until after lunch when the wedding would begin. Also, there would be no reception, at least not for the public. We went over our plans as Mattis demonstrated the fire powder they would throw at us. While we watched, I felt a familiar pull on my perception.
"Sisters, Tharinzar is sending a vision," I told them mentally.
We all sat down and allowed me to receive it.

I was standing before the Baaloc palace, Vanity at my side. Tharinzar, in his true form, walked out of the palace doors.
"Watch the end of all your plans," he said as he motioned behind us.
Turning, we saw the wedding taking place. Mary and Cornwall were holding hands and a cleric was speaking. A noise drew all eyes to the back of the crowd. The seven of us, swords in hand, stood there, announcing the end of the wedding. The crowd began to shout at us. At the back, our friends stepped forward and told us we were not wanted, that they would not listen to our lies anymore, and to return to the Abyss that spawned us. They threw the fire powder on us and it burst into flames, along with us. A large wall of fire engulfed us for a moment or two. When it burned out, there was no sign of us or the swords.
"See, your friends will regain their senses in time to stop you. The wedding will proceed and Selvis blood will join Baaloc faith. With her blood tie to the land, we can expel the unwanted raced above and below ground and bring the oldest of gods back where they belong, with humans as willing slaves and cattle before us."
"Tharinzar, the future is not yet written. Your master doesn't know everything. When your plan fails, he will not be pleased with you. Besides, there are more races inside Baaloc Prime than outside of it. Their expulsion will reduce your population by a third."
"LIAR! Only humans inhabit Baaloc Prime! Not a drop of non-human blood flows through a single vein of the citizens of Baaloc Prime. Maalicus purged them before his failure on the battlefield. Baaloc Prime is pure human and demon hybrids. No other race lives here."
"We shall see. Besides, we were wondering if you replaced the part of your spell we erased on Cornwall."
He huffed, "Yes, that is repaired. I don't know what spell you used, but it will not work again. Plus, your vanquishing spell will also fail, if you can use it before you die."
"And what of us, Tharinzar? Will you allow us to slip through your fingers, again?"
"The swords are of little concern. If you do survive the fire, any guardian will be too weak, young, and stupid to be a threat. My master is certain you will be destroyed tomorrow."
"Then your master is a bigger fool than you. We have foreseen Mara's wedding and Cornwall is not there. I tire of your face. Be gone!"

I returned to my normal vision. My sisters opened their eyes as they separated from my vision. Our friends had stopped all activity and were just staring. One of the innkeeper's maids was lying, unattended, on the floor, items she had been carrying laying where they had landed. A nod sent Sarah to her side. The others slowly assembled together. Sarah got the poor woman up and sent her to go lie down a while. She returned to us and we sat there, waiting for the others to finish their conference. Mattis seemed to be the main speaker, but everyone was speaking. It was several minutes before they faced us. Mattis, Kendar, and Sadal approached us.
"Who initiated that?" Kendar asked almost fatherly.
"Tharinzar did. He was trying to scare us by sharing his master's vision of the wedding."
Noise erupted. When quiet was restored, Sadal spoke.
"They know our plan, but want it to proceed? I do not understand."
"We think that, when clothed in magic garments, he cannot see us at all or incompletely. As we will be wearing magically produced armor, in his vision, we vanished, presumably consumed by the flames."
They thought on that.
Kendar asked, "How can we be sure these men won't be corrupted and truly set you aflame?"
"Even if they are, the powder they have will barely light a campfire. Magic will cause the dramatic large fire and it is only an illusion."
They were silent again.
"Besides," I added, "the woman in the palace is not Princess Mara. Even if they do marry, he's marrying the wrong woman."
Silence. Finally, they burst into laughter once they realized how thoroughly we had planned this out. The rest of the day went into the final details of their parts in this strange play. Our friends returned to their homes and we went to our room.

Days 166&167 (144th&145th)

Day 166 (144th):
We chanced a trip into Baaloc Prime. The story of Nigel's death at Tharinzar's hands was the talk of the day. As we wandered, the story grew more and more fantastic and further from the truth. Claims of us being his lovers struck us as extremely funny. Other of him being our agent from day one were equally absurd. I even heard one that we were all his daughters and he was trying to put us, and himself, on the throne.
One story gave us pause. It was said that Cornwall had ordered every slave and servant who had served Nigel to be executed and their bodies displayed as an example. We went to the place where it was said the bodies would be. Unfortunately, there were bodies hung there. Fortunately, none of them were with us last night or had helped us escape. We did see a few of them out in the city. Their emotions told us they recognized us, but they kept their faces neutral. Several clerics were praying over the bodies. All but a few were sincere in their prayers. We slid a spark of energy to those clerics. They did not pray louder, but humbled more. That gave us hope. Alice searched the histories of the dead. She informed us that they had already been targeted for execution, this was just a good excuse. Cornwall was no longer openly obsessed with finding us. The spires were still as Callie had shaped them. The mural was still untouched. However, a plaque had appeared giving the "official" story of Maalicus' death. Any fool could see that the words did not match the picture. The church spire was gone. Many of the healed trees had been removed. The fountains were still flowing with pure water. Sarah said the health of the population as a whole had greatly improved. Lisa said the poison was slowly receding but still present.
A weird horn sounded, drawing attention to the balcony at the front of the palace. Cornwall was standing there as everyone assembled below him. When a large crowd was there, a loud single note, off-key, called for silence. Cornwall raised his hands to draw attention to himself.
"Citizens of Baaloc Prime! A great day approaches! In spite of the horrific attacks upon this city and its people, my wedding to Princess Mara of Selvis will proceed. Nigel's foolish attempt to usurp my authority resulted in divine retribution. The deaths of him and his co-conspirators has purified my household. My new liaison, handpicked by Tharinzar himself, is far more loyal than any ruler could hope for or want. He is on his way to meet the princess and double check what Nigel claimed was true. Through this union of the old blood and the Baaloc faith, this land will know abundance as none has seen before. Working the land will become an honest vocation instead of a refuge for the unfaithful and unworthy."
The cheer was slow to form. Soldiers prodded people to cheer at Cornwall's words. He called for silence again.
"In three days, I will wed Princess Mara. Two days later, we will be crowned King and Queen of the Baaloc territory. On that day, Raval and Cassabla will be receiving notice to either surrender or prepare for war. Baaloc territory will know no political borders. Only the sea will mark the edge of our kingdom."
Another forced cheer. An odd sensation blew by us. Checking for its source, we found a group near the back was its origin. We watched them produce another wave. The cheering became louder and more active. They were manipulating the people to make them agree with Cornwall. Carefully, we made our way to them. Just as they were gathering another wave, we formed a wall between them and the people. When their wave bounced off of us, they looked confused. We approached them as Cornwall continued to brag about the future power of the Baalocs. They started to order us then stopped. Counting seven women with swords, they went white.
"That's right," I said just loud enough for them to hear, "You will be telling no one about this meeting. We only want to know one thing. Did Cornwall or Tharinzar tell you to do this?"
They said nothing.
I repeated, "Cornwall".
Nothing.
Then, I said, "Tharinzar".
Eyes looked away and not at us. We nodded. We walked through them and around them. Our swords wafted a ribbon of power and removed our confrontation from their memories. We returned to the second inn and met up with our friends. That's when we revealed our plan. We would interrupt the "wedding". As "concerned and loyal citizens", they would try to stop us. With supplies from Mattis, they would pretend to set us on fire, just as Tharinzar's master foresaw. However, we would walk out of it, showing that he can't see everything and, maybe, show the people that their leaders are not gods. They loved it. We spend the rest of the day planning it nearly to the last detail. Mattis contacted the wedding party to find out about the new liaison. They reported his name was Robear and he was only slightly less arrogant than Nigel. Robear was upset when they said Mara did not have seven armed handmaidens and never had. No one could or would describe us or said they knew anything about us. Robear was very upset. He confirmed "Mara's" virginity and left. We spent the night at the inn and had decided to go back to the cottage in the morning.


Day 167 (145th): 2 days until wedding
When we awoke, we found our friends deep in discussion. They lit up when we joined them.
Rono spoke, "We need to borrow Gretta for a while. Cornwall is asking for appraisers for his remaining treasury. If she poses as our servant, she can secretly tell us what is real or not. That will gain us his trust and help the plan for the wedding be more believable."
Gretta agreed to go, as long as we were all connected. The rest of us went to the cottage to check on it and gather Mattis' supplies and equipment. Gretta received a crash course in the appraisal business while we were gone. At the inn, we firmly connected to Gretta as to see what she was seeing, although there was no sound. She and the others left and presented themselves as appraisers. Greed was well hidden and no one checked Gretta. Soldiers led them to the treasury. The dust of the fake items Gretta had destroyed still covered the floor. What remained had been sifted out and cleaned. They lay on sheets thrown over the dust and debris. Gretta felt the energies as only gold and jewels could emit. With several receptive non-humans around, she was able to slide the information to them so they would seem to be the true appraisers. The person listening seemed both annoyed and delighted. He was glad they were real, but not at their low value. Intent upon impressing them, he led them to where the dragon eggs were kept. As they stood, the pile shifted. Through Gretta, we sought the one moving. Mattis helped us bring it to the inn. Those in the palace breathed easier when the pile stopped. The official shrugged it off as rats or something. They appraised the eggs very high, which pleased him. He gave them a pouch and escorted them out. They quickly returned to the inn. As they entered, we returned to our normal perceptions.
The egg had been quiet from the time we brought it here until the others entered. One of Rono's younger companions raced to it. It rocked harder as he approached. He and I reached it almost simultaneously. I had him sit and hold it in his lap. Callie called to Leo to inform him of the event. Jacob, with egg in his lap, sat mesmerized by this happening to him. Pieces began falling off and flying off. Dawn, Bo, and Larz gathered around to watch. A dark nose poked through a hole and issued a chirp. Dawn chirped back. The baby dragon thrashed his horned head and spilled out onto Jacob's lap. He was so dark it was hard to determine his color. That mystery was solved when Jacob said his name was Onyx-in-Winter. The blue webbing of his wings was military blue, which helped determine the black of his body. Callie said Leo would be here shortly. We told him, through her, to go to the cottage. Callie said he had my harness bracelet set plus one for himself. She said he was surprised by a black dragon as they rarely survived to hatch. Rono, having watched this before, got some meat for Onyx as I sat with dragon and rider to begin the learning process. Jacob's father was in tears. He explained that, with five sons, he was not sure how to split the family business. He said Jacob never really showed a head for business. As a rider, he would not have to worry about Jacob's livelihood. Once Onyx was full, we headed down the tunnel to the cottage. Leo's eye filled the skylight.
"Evening, ladies. Who have we here?"
We all went outside and introductions were made and a few remade. Leo handed me a harness bracelet. This was not the same as I had before.
"You've been given and in-field promotion. This is the set of a rider-finder. Usually, a trained rider goes village to village looking for youths with the right signs to be a rider. Due to the unusual circumstances, you are to do what you have been doing; showing them how to feed them, hold them, and make the bond. Falcon is very happy."
"Of course he is," Callie piped, "His royal family still lives and now he has three new riders, including a queen, to train."
Leo looked at her with one eye. Callie started to take it back until Leo started to chuckle. We all kind of laughed. Leo had thought ahead and had a sling for Onyx. Jacob eased the sleeping baby into it and put it on. Leo already had the harness on so we just helped him into the saddle. His father assured him that his family would know what had happened and where he had gone. Holding on to Leo's reins, both took off into the night sky. We all went back into the cottage. The others remembered that dragon egg shells were lying on the floor of the inn. Mattis and Kendar, Larz ever at his side, stayed in the cottage as the rest raced to claim a piece. When they were gone, Mattis showed us the coin sized shard he had secreted. He put it in his personal belongings and we all got ready for bed.

Day 165 (143rd)

Day 165 (143rd):
Mattis woke us and said the rider was here. We got dressed and ate as we left. The rider was a soldier we had dealt with before and knew he was discrete. Mattis produced his carriage and horses. He took the reins and steered us to the outpost in front of the gates. Nigel was waiting as were several Baaloc soldiers. We stopped at the door. Nigel struck his pose.
"Exit, ladies, these men are only a precaution," Nigel ordered.
The carriage door opened and, as we left the dark interior of it, our planned outfits sprang into being. Nigel relaxed a bit when he saw it was truly us and not impostors.
"Welcome to Baaloc Prime, ladies," Nigel said with a slight bow, "Once you have seen the examining room, we will go to the palace so you can make your mistress' quarters to her liking. Follow me, please."
It was not until we were inside that Nigel noticed nine instead of seven. Before he could ask, Sarah clung to the soldier and Alice to Mattis. As the two youngest, it would not be unusual for them to have someone watching over them. Nigel guided us through the cold examining room and, delicately, went through the examination procedure. We returned to our carriage and was escorted into Baaloc Prime. I could feel the change rising in the city. Although the buildings were still chaotic, order was taking hold on the living parts of the city. As soon as we entered the palace, servants informed us lunch was ready. Nigel said for us to go and eat. He had "business" to attend. The nine of us followed the servant to a reproduction of Raval Palace's formal dining room. Like all of its copies, this was also distorted. The table was crooked on the edges and uneven from one end to the other. The chairs were mismatched and wobbly. The food we were served was odd. There was little taste and what taste was there was not good. It took a little magic to get it edible. Nigel returned, nearly giddy. Whatever he had done pleased him greatly. He began a history lesson on the palace. Every word was a lie. Anna relayed the real history and not one thing matched his story. We followed him up a dizzying stairway that pitched and leaned as we climbed. He showed us Mara's bed chamber. It was hideous! The pinks and purples looked like bruises. The flowers, although fresh, stank horribly. The bed, draped in those awful pinks and purples, was piled with odd shaped pillows that were barely held together by the amateur stitching and poorly woven fabric. Alice, having ordered servants before, began tearing into everything. Following her example, we had the place nearly bare in a few minutes. Servants and slaves drug the hideous stuff out as we tossed it to them. Mattis and our soldier just stood off to the side and watched. Nigel was growing angrier by the minute, but said nothing. He knew that all of his plans hinged on Mara's happiness and a chamber to her liking would help her be happy. Once stripped, we started a list of materials to refurnish the room. We secretly produced handkerchiefs of the colors we wanted and sent servants to fetch them. We got a sewing kit. As the material arrived, we began sewing them properly. Nigel watched as we quickly fashioned curtains, pillows, and a bed curtain. He was so angry, he nearly radiated red. One treasure was uncovered. A huge rose and white quilt was brought. The slave said a merchant gladly gave it up as he had been unable to sell it for years. It covered the bed and looked beautiful. Nigel sneered at it and made a noise of disgust. By the time we were informed dinner was ready, the room was slightly livable. We left a long list of items to finish the room. Nigel joined us this time. He was very quiet during our meal. This food wasn't any better than lunch. Nigel ate as if he were starving. While his head was bent, Mattis attempted to magic some taste to our portions. Nigel jumped up, anger coloring his eyes red.
"I knew it! I knew you would try something underhanded!"
He ran over to Mattis and confronted him.
"What are you? Cleric? Wizard? Disguised abomination? Speak truly or die where you stand!"
Mattis calmly rose and pulled out his master wizard broach and pinned it over his left breast. Nigel was so angry, words left him. He ordered all servants and slaves to leave the room. As soon as the doors were closed, we heard each lock shut. Nigel became his true hybrid demon self, not much different than Tharinzar, just with wings. Our soldier went ashen. We seven did nothing. It took a moment for Nigel to realize we were not screaming in terror. He looked at all of us, trying to be intimidating.
"Are you girls so frightened of my glorious image that you are frozen with terror? Bow to the power of the Baalocs and you may have the pleasure of bedding my brethren and birthing more of our kind."
All of us erupted in laughter. Nigel just stared. He grabbed Mattis.
"Are you so powerful that they do not fear me?" he demanded.
"No," Mattis calmly replied, "I alone have not the power to do you much harm. We are laughing at the fact you have sealed your doom."
"From whom? The white-faced soldier or a bunch of spoiled handmaidens of a worthless princess?"
I stood, "We are not what you believe. It is time to take you out of the picture."
My sisters stood. The swords rose from their hiding places under our garments. Nigel's eyes went wide and he released Mattis. He stepped back as the truth struck him.
"YOU! All this time? I stood face-to-face with you many times and not once did you reveal yourselves. You may have surprised me, but it is you who will perish."
He began summoning magic. Like lightening, seven swords flew through the air and into Nigel. His casting sputtered as he saw seven blades sticking into and out of his body. He tried to laugh, but it hurt. He looked at all of us.
"I am holy! Even magic swords cannot kill me!"
"No, but this can," we said in unison and began the vanquishing spell.
Nigel roared. The swords kept him from running at us to end the spell. He twisted and spun as his body began to glow. He roared even louder as the glow consumed him. Then, as quick as a blink, the swords were hanging in mid-air, piercing nothing. They returned to us, humming pleasantly. The locks popped open and people poured into the room. They looked around, trying to understand the sounds they had heard. The eldest of them finally understood. He approached us and bowed.
"Blessed Seven, I thank you for ridding us of him. His evil and arrogance made our hard lives nearly unbearable. Plus, many suspect, he was adding to Cornwall's madness."
Some of the others, understanding his words, came over and thanked us as well. A few stood back, hate in their eyes. They were true believers of the Baaloc faith and we were the worst of the worst to them. Sarah, in her quiet way, approached them.
"We respect your beliefs. However, some have corrupted the pure faith and used it for personal power. Nigel was such a person. They are our enemies, not the faithful."
They did listen and did understand. By layers, their hate fell away. A valet addressed us.
"We have known for some time our faith was being corrupted, yet our law says the leaders are in that position by the will of the highest god. They fall only when it is ordained for them to fall. We will not help you, but we will not stop you either. Go, before he is missed."
The elder escorted us back to the carriage. We left at a normal pace as if nothing had changed. Out of sight of the city, we headed back to the cottage under cover of darkness. Kendar and Sadal were waiting. As we entered, Mattis dismissed the carriage and horses. When we were all inside, we gave a detailed report. Kendar was all smiles while Sadal sat in shock. Our outfits had vanished along with the carriage. The two of them had some left over food and we divided it between us as we explained the tastelessness of their food. A flurry of banging brought our attention to the tunnel door. Rono nearly fell in as we opened it. He was out of breath and flushed.
"Nigel...dead. Tharinzar...blamed. Baalocs...claim...he conspired...with Sisters...double cross...Cornwall." he panted.
Silence followed by roaring laughter. Rono looked at us like we were all insane. Kendar explained the he started laughing. It was some minutes before we had enough breath to speak. Mattis produced extra beds for the men and we nearly laughed ourselves to sleep.