Day 344 (322)

Day 344 (322):

Our fatigue from yesterday caused us to sleep later than usual. The sun was half a hand above the horizon when we woke. The terrestrial dragons had decided to return to Demagram during the night. Notes were left to say good-bye, good luck, safe travels, and thank you. A report was also left. Konfatuta's body had completely dissolved but left a fine greenish-white sand in a near perfect formation of his shape on the ocean floor. For reasons unknown, the current was not moving the particles, even though they were powder fine. Seven small jars filled with the powder accompanied the report. Lifting one, I noticed it was heavier than a jar that size filled with sand would be. Through the thick glass of the jar, I could still feel his essence. We put the jars into our gear and went to find food.

Varlan and his crew were finishing up when we joined them. They told us that the Clapper was nearly fried channeling all of that power and might have to be scrapped and rebuilt. Likewise, the lightning items that were attached were melted, burnt, or otherwise ruined. Thankfully, no one was expecting them back as they were all donated. A few of the largest surviving staffs not made of wood were sent to the coral barrier for more protection. The holes were being repaired as quickly as it was safe to do. 

Varlan and his crew left, taking some of the terrestrial people who were ready to return to land. We walked with the ship until it caught the wind and sped away.

Free of anything pressing, we set about exploring Arvocan. The streets, like the windows, tried to be as straight as the rock and coral would allow. No fruit nor vegetable stands could be found. Dried herbs were available. The majority of plant products were water plants, both fresh and saltwater. Some were from the deep waters and completely foreign to us. We relied upon our companions to let us know if any were palatable to them. A few refused payment, expressing their honor at providing them with a bit to eat. Others were strictly business. We did encounter a couple who refused both us and our companions. Their emotions were muddled and their reasons confused.

Around mid-day, we were looking down from the highest point that we could reach by walking. We realized how little of the upper half of Arvocan we had been frequenting by staying near the outpost. We stood there for some minutes. A mental call from Sarkin let us know Sarah's tutor had arrived and was waiting in the outpost. We agreed that I would pop her back and allow the rest to make their way back normally.

The tutor was startled when we appeared. Set's appearance broke him out of his silence.

"Ah, Sarah, is it? I am Thom, your ritual tutor. This is, oh, let me think, Kara?"

"Kayla," I gently corrected, "and this is Sarroset, my partner."

"Right, right, Kayla and Set. Now, Sarah, let us retire in privacy to go over the ritual and your part."

"We can't watch?" Set asked sadly.

"What? Who? Oh, right, he mind speaks. No, not this. It is a private matter for now. You will get to watch the actual ritual, however."

"Alright, I'll wait," Set resigned as he sat near my leg.

Thom and Sarah walked off. Set and I waited for the others to join us. We watched the other riders and sea dragons go about their duties. We noticed a very young pair riding with another set. The aquatic female, physically, looked only to be ten to twelve years of age. The sea dragon paired with her was too small to carry her. Both of them were scared. Their mentors, fortunately, were very patient, supportive, and kind. Set was curious, so we went over to them. The youngsters were skittish, but Ronic and Wave Racer assured them we were friendly. Set and the young sea dragon took to playing in the shallow area of the ramp. Ronic introduced me to Seria, the newest rider assigned to Arvocan. Before I could speak, Seria, who was sitting on Wave, placed her hands on both sides of my head.

"Purple! Her eyes are purple! How? How are they purple?"

"I am of the Faerie. It is that blood that gives me purple eyes and this red hair."

Seria looked intensely at my face and hair. She looked behind me. She guided me to turn.

"Where are your wings? Fairies have wings, don't they?"

I giggled, "Some fey, called fairies by some, do have wings. I, however, am what is called Faerie, a very ancient race that lives near the gods and cares for their creations.

She tilted her head and thought a moment. It took her a second, then she asked, "Ve hye may Oceania?"

I smiled and replied, "Oceania du un gaea mi hye."

Seria, Ronic, Wave, Tide Runner, and Set stopped in their tracks at my reply. Ronic was the first to gather his thoughts.

"Your voice. When you speak your race's tongue, your voice gains much power. I dare say such a voice could shake the entire ocean."

"Sir," I began nearly in a whisper, "you grant me powers I do not have. My voice is but a note in a chorus. Faeries have done much with their voices, but I am far from such power."

"We do great and wonderful things, though," Set told them as I hid my blushing, "Meanies are no match for us."

"Set..." I tried, gently, to stop his bragging.

"It is true," Lisa said as my other sisters entered, "With and without us, you two have done some wonders."

My cheeks were so hot, I feared my face would melt.

Talk of our "greatness" ended when Sarah and her tutor Thom returned. Thom seemed annoyed while Sarah was fearful and teary-eyed.

"What's wrong? What causes you such fear?" I asked, going to Sarah's side.

"Thom claims I am 'unfit' for the ritual. Being bonded with Lust, it seems, is 'unacceptable'," Sarah told us as she tried not to cry. 

We seven, our companions, the riders, and their dragons stared at Thom in disbelief. He dug out a book made of pressed water plants and began reading.

"'Candidates for transformation must be of sound mind, with a singular focus on becoming aquatic. No bonds, legal or otherwise, can remain intact between the candidate and any other entity if the ritual is to succeed.'"

Thom snapped the book shut, punctuating his claim. The riders and sea dragons slinked away, having no help to give either side of this dilemma.

"Sir, Lust is a part of Sarah and a mermaid as well. Does that still bar her from her heritage?" Alice inquired.

"Lust is a sword, not a mermaid or any aquatic. That...thing must be cast aside for the ritual to work. No exceptions."

Sarah burst into heartbroken wailing. Lisa gave Thom the deadliest of looks, which actually made him cringe. We tried consoling Sarah as her crying echoed in the dock area. 

Up the ramp, Aoushlunia and Merroc swam so fast they nearly shot out of the water. Merroc changed first and stormed over to Thom.

"What is this I hear about Sarah being unfit for the ritual? Do you not know who she is?" he yelled.

Thom grabbed for the book to read Merroc the same rule he had quoted to us. Aoushlunia snatched it out of his shaking hands.

"If you had any sense, you would see that they are one, inseparable as tides and water. Your leaders will hear of this insult," she slammed the book down to make her point.

Thom stammered, trying to regain some dignity in the face of these elder aquatics. They would not hear his excuses. Grabbing him, the pair plunged back into the water and dragged Thom at top speed. We were left bewildered.

We all went to the eating hall to sit and get Sarah something to ease her sob-induced pains. Our confrontation had become hot news and we received a variety of strange looks. They stayed back from us to not insult us further and to make up their minds on the matter. 

An elder, who looked a bit like a turtle, shuffled over to us.

"Sarah? Which is Sarah?" she asked in a voice that sounded ancient and little used.

"I am," Sarah answered between sobs and sniffles.

The turtle woman looked her over critically, eyes squinted so tight and covered in wrinkles to the point she looked half asleep. Finally, she clicked her tongue and shook her head. 

"Thom is a fool or stupid. A soul bond is exempt from the rule of singularity. If he had truly studied the rules for transformation, he would not have upset you with false claims."

"So I am not 'unfit' for the ritual?" Sarah asked.

"No, my dear," the turtle woman chuckled, "Thom is unfit to tutor you. The Matriarch and Chief Cleric will straighten him out. Worry not, my dear."

The whole room seemed to sigh in relief. Sarah hugged the turtle woman and thanked her over and over. When they parted, she gave me the strangest look and winked at me. My confusion was quickly replaced by "knowing" her identity. I kept myself from giggling as she shuffled out of the room. I felt her leave and knew we would be seeing her again.

With that solved, the rest of the aquatics expressed their pleasure at Sarah joining her new family. We got lunch. 

During our meal, a frog-like person joined us.

"Beg pardon, Sisters. I am Jondric, a historian. I am charged with recording candidates' histories so, should their terrestrial families come looking, I can tell them if, when, or where the candidate passed this way."

When Jondric was ready, Sarah told him her history as much and as far back as she could remember. He recorded her words accurately and completely. He thanked her and us and left.

Aoushlunia, Merroc, and a handsome male entered a moment after Jondric left. I heard many females inhale sharply when they saw him. The trio walked over to us.

"Ladies, this is Fabian, Sarah's new ritual tutor," Merroc explained.

Sarah rose to introduce herself. Fabian took her hand to help her stand. Their auras mingled for a moment, as if deciding, then smoothly became similar up their arms and to their shoulders. As if shocked, Fabian released her suddenly.

"Forgive my forwardness," he said in a soft voice, "I hope I gave no offense."

We all chuckled and let him know he had done nothing wrong. The two of them left to go over Sarah's part in the ritual. Behind them, looks of jealousy and envy followed them out the door. Aoushlunia and Merroc, observant as always, noticed the pointed looks. They shot equally sharp looks at the women, many of whom found "something important" to attend to and left quickly.

"Songs are sung the world over of the beauty and desire mermaids possess. None tell of the drawing effect of the males of our kind," Aoushlunia noted.

"Understandably," Anna remarked, "as most of the songs are written by men. Also, not many women are sailors, so there is a great lack of experience."

"Your race is not the only one that only receives attention on its females," I added, "Many people do not know there are male Faerie."

The elder aquatics "humphed" and nodded. They told us Thom was being "re-educated" as to what was and was not "fit" to go through the ritual. They excused themselves and left.

We met up with Sarah just before sunset at the outpost dock. Fabian was bidding her good-bye with a light kiss on the cheek. Our eyes followed him as he slid into the water and vanished, a flip of a tail the only sign of his real form. We had to nearly drag Sarah a few paces until she snapped out of her state. She walked beside me, trying to ask, either verbally or mentally, what I saw when they touched. I eased her mind and let her know of their sharing. Her squeal caused many to shoot us questioning looks.

As we had dinner, she told us about the ritual. The "special water" was not actually water. It was a potion that would turn her into a mermaid. While he could not say what questions the gods would ask, Fabian gave her the general idea: Why she was doing this? What was she leaving behind on land? Did she understand this was not reversible?

Sarah prattled on until we laid down to sleep.

Day 343 (321)

Day 343 (321):

As was becoming a habit, I awoke just before sunrise. I felt out as far as I could. Alas, even the reef was too far to feel any one's emotional state. The city, however, was buzzing. Some had not slept all night. Varlan was already up and getting his crew to prepare the Clapper and ship ready. Set and I used our time before the rest woke to work on his breath weapon control and how his barb could be utilized.

Pausing for a moment, I felt a couple of my sisters growing distressed as they slept. Searching, I found Lisa and Gretta having disturbing dreams.

Konfotuta's presence hung over them both. Knowing what to feel for, I detected him at many points all over Arvocan. Fortunately, most of his targets were not in our party and would not be confronting him. Our other companions were awake and concerned. With them and the swords, I saw his sending. As suspected, he was playing upon their fears, secrets, and doubts. The rest, besides my sisters, could wait. Lisa was handling hers but Gretta was not. Sitting on the edge of her bed with our companions and swords encircling us, I entered her dream.

She was back in her home village. Her father, brothers, and most of the town were verbally attacking her. They had cut her hair very short, taken all of her gear, and holding Greed. They were calling her nasty things, what few words I could make out. Around the edges, people were picking up rocks, sticks, and tools. It was time to intervene.

"Stay your hands!" I shouted.

They all stopped and faced us. I stood in my ornamental armor, flanked by the swords in the flesh and our companions. I held out my left hand and brought Greed over to us where he took his place and form. With my right, I motioned to Gretta. She attempted to join us, but the crowd held her back. The image of her father came to the forefront.

"Bitch! This is your fault! You gave her haughty ideas and took her from her place. Stone her!" he ordered.

Gretta was sobbing and overwrought. In mass, the crowd advanced angrily in our direction with rocks and other items. Her father was continuing his accusations as they got closer. I took a few steps forward to meet him.

"Do you think I am a fool? I see who you truly are, Konfotuta. You have spread yourself thin by attacking so many at once. Do you have the strength to fight all of us?"

He was genuinely surprised, causing some of the townspeople to vanish. This revelation got Gretta's attention as well. She ran towards us, plowing through the people, causing them to vanish as well. Greed met her. As they touched, her armor popped into place. She joined me in confronting her "father".

"You coward! Instead of any honest fight, you resort to this? Shame on you. You keep calling us insects, but only a rat would be so cowardly."

He became enraged. All but he disappeared. A very non-human roar issued from this "man". The village disappeared and the gray void returned.

"Again? Once again, you see through my carefully crafted images. Defeating you will be as pleasurable as freeing all dragons from their bonds to all soft creatures."

"We shall see who defeats who. Prepare yourself for our meeting today. We are ready."

He huffed and vanished. I turned to Gretta.

"Wake now, sister, it is over."

I returned to normal perceptions as Gretta woke up. The rest of our sisters were awake and encircling us. We did not need to tell them what happened. We dressed in silence and joined our friends for breakfast.

We could see some of Konfotuta's victims. Tired faces, circles under eyes, slumped postures, and other physical symptoms. Luckily, our party was nearly ignored. We found this a bit funny. With all his skill, experience, and powers, he missed ninety-five percent of our group. Those he had touched were not downtrodden, but emboldened. Plus, having already shared the fears and secrets he tried to use against them, his weapon was greatly dulled.

We all met at the ship. The sea dragons could swim as fast as the ship easily. Tow lines dangled off the ship and from the sea dragons. The aquatics, to keep up, were to hang on to these as we headed to the rendezvous spot. We seven and our companions boarded the ship with Varlan and his crew. Flanked by aquatic riders and sea dragons with terrestrial riders and dragons above us, we headed out to open waters.

We arrived at the spot. Konfotuta was not there. Try as we may, none of us could sense him or the saurguin. All attempts at far-sight were blocked. Many began to question if this was the right spot, the right time of day, and other doubts were voiced. We double-checked and determined everything was as it should be, but our adversaries were nowhere to be found.

"It is a ploy," Eelly finally concluded, "To disrupt our careful plans, he is hiding and stalling. Most likely, he thinks this will unnerve us."

Everyone saw the logic in his conclusion. We felt out for any magical barrier, illusion, or deflection. As expected, a very large area was detected a few miles away from our position. A pulse of anger preceded Konfotuta dropping his shielding.

"Fine, you found us," he sent mentally as he and the saurguin closed to gap between us, "Still, watching you squirm was amusing. I wonder what other entertainment you will provide?"

No one replied. They arrived in mass, the saurguin forming a living wall between us and Konfotuta. They tried to look brave and menacing, but their fear rolled off of them. Eelly shouted to the saurguin that our fight was only with Konfotuta and they could leave at any time with no repercussions. Some motioned as if to go, but Konfotuta's growl made them stay.

"My pets will not be so easily dismissed. They follow me and will fight to the death for me," Konfotuta boldly stated.

The saurguin attempted to prove his words in posture and expression, but their emotions betrayed them. Mentally, we seven sought a way to remove the saurguin from harm as we had not figured them into our battle plans. Sloth, Sky, and Aoushlunia came up with a solution. Puling some power from the lightning items, they opened a "tunnel" in the water that sucked the saurguin out of sight. Konfotuta's mass and the towlines kept anyone else from getting pulled away as well. Konfotuta's angry roar vibrated the water around us. His control was slipping and his living shield was gone.

"Krimmonjor!" he swore loudly, "For this...for this you all die!"

He began quickly gathering his power. The aquatics, through practice, were quicker. A mammoth waterspout engulfed him, breaking his concentration. He struggled to find a stable spot inside the spinning water. On cue, the lightning was unleashed upon the Clapper. It crackled as the energy collected. All of us on the ship felt it coursing over our skin.

Releasing it pushed a fully loaded ship back a full ship length. The waterspout glowed when the energy struck it. Konfotuta roared an unearthly howl that reverberated through all of us. The aquatics released the waterspout and he fell limply into the sea with a tremendous splash. Everyone was still, not wanting to celebrate prematurely. They looked at us, waiting for news of victory or failure.

"He is gravely wounded," I told them, "He is struggling to survive."

Varlan ordered the Clapper to be set up for another jolt. Most of the items on it were charred beyond repair. Held items replaced the damaged ones.

A shout brought our attention back to the water. The pale and battered face of Konfotuta bobbed a ways from the ship. Blood dripped from his mouth as he tried to speak. Many of the aquatics wanted to flee, certain of our failure. Varlan was about to order another charging of the Clapper, but a movement in the water stopped him and the rest of us. The water around Konfotuta glowed softly. This even got his attention. From the light, forms began to float and hover about him. People, aquatic and terrestrial, sea creatures of all kinds, formed a ghostly cloud around him.

"Konfotutatahendron, our slayer, you deny the truth of the Great Dragon as the resting place of dragons," a collective voice spoke aloud and mentally, "Brimagor taught all dragons that it is so, yet you deny it and the real destiny of all dragons. We, your victims, are sent by Lord Brimagor and the Great Dragon to pronounce your real destiny. As you devoured us, he shall devour you."

Gasps escaped our assembly. These were quieted when the spirits spoke again.

"You are cursed. Your soul will know no rest for five incarnations. Upon the fifth, your ultimate fate will be decided. We go now."

The cloud thickened. Ghostly hands reached into Konfotuta's body. Pulling as one, they removed his soul, as ghostly as they, from his wounded body. He screamed a mixture of pain, anger, and despair. After the tip of his tail was free, his lifeless body sank out of sight. We all watched them pull his soul skyward. The blue sky parted to reveal the Great Dragon. Around the points of light, a misty body formed. His mouth opened as the mass approached. With a fling, Konfotuta's soul was tossed into that colossal maw. Gulping, the Great Dragon returned to stars and the sky closed to be a seamless blue expanse. I do not know how long we all stood, silently staring at the spot. A noise brought us out of our trance. Where Konfotuta's body had sank, a torrent of bubbles and foam churned up the water. Our swimmers dove to investigate. They reported that his body was dissolving, bone and all. We waited until it ended before heading back to Arvocan.

It was afternoon when we docked. It appeared as if the entire population was waiting on us. Eelly stood upon the bow of the ship and announced the death of Konfotuta. The area erupted in shouts of joy. They were allowed to shout and cheer for some time. Eelly got their attention. He proceeded to tell them what had happened. When he told of the Great Dragon "eating" Konfotuta, some gasped like our group had done. Others looked confused, not understanding the significance of this. Finished, Eelly dismissed everyone to return to their regular activities. Our group parted to find food and settle ourselves.

Walking into the outpost, we looked at the nest where we had last seen the trio. People parted before us to keep from impeding our trip. In the eating area, likewise, everyone cleared a path for us, even setting down their own food so we could have first choice. The cooks shouted for "the best" to be brought out immediately. No amount of protest would sway them from gathering "the best" for us.

When we sat to eat, an odd thing happened. Our table became an island. A circle of at least twenty feet with only our table was bare. We were stared at almost constantly, but no one "dared" to approach us. Sarah was the most upset by this behavior. She wanted to be accepted by her new people, not be an outcast. She was trying not to cry, but silent tears slid down her cheeks.

"Sarah," I started as I moved to sit beside her, "it is not personal. They need time to sort out their emotions. Look around with me."

I took her hand to let her "see". She gasped at the wild colors and shifting patterns. As we watched, Aoushlunia and Merroc, clothed and with legs, entered the room. They were not conflicted. The certainty they radiated seemed to stabilize the room. Unerringly, they walked over to us, Sarah actually.

"Child, we must ask you an important question. Our grotto is mostly underwater. If you wish to live with us, we need to know if you will perform the ritual to become a mermaid?"

The whole room went silent. Sarah stared at her elders, wide-eyed. The pair stood still. They did not ask again, in case she didn't hear the question. They did not ask if she was alright or understood the question. They did not sit to wait for her answer.

Sarah shook herself and stood, "Yes, yes, I will. I want to be a full member of the clan."

Smiling, the three of them embraced tightly. The rest of the room stood up and cheered, including us. The uncertainty of the rest had calmed considerably at Sarah's commitment to become a true mermaid. Our companions were slightly confused, but understood when we explained. The elders and Sarah sat with us, ate, and told us what was involved in this ritual.

"Far away from land is an island many believe to be the birthplace of all aquatic races. Whether that is true matters not. It is, however, sacred to the Goddess Ocean. There, the gods and goddesses of the waters test the candidate to see if he or she is truly committed to an aquatic life. If the candidate passes, special water is given and drank. Within a lunar cycle, the candidate is transformed into the race that brought him or her to the ritual. Usually, the month is spent saying good-bye to family on land and severing ties to the terrestrial world. You, however have only these ladies to connect you to the land. This tie shall not be severed," Merroc told Sarah.

"Absolutely, Grandfather," Sarah spoke up,"In fact, we have spoken of adding a Faerie door to my home so they might visit me."

The elder aquatics exchanged looks, mentally seeing their home and where such a thing could be placed. Apparently, neither could think of anywhere "suitable" for a door. They, gently, told Sarah that she should not set her heart upon such happening.

Setting it aside for now, we all left to escort Aoushlunia and Merroc back to the water before sunset stranded them. They told us it would take a day or two to set up the ritual. A "tutor" would walk Sarah through the ritual to get her part right. The rest of us were invited to watch.

They and the other legless aquatics retired to the watery side of Arvocan  as the sun left the sky. We looked up as Starlight's first star of evening winked into sight. We seven went to our room as the sea dragons and riders went to their regular duties and the terrestrial dragons and riders decided whether to stay the night or pop back to Demagram.

As we were settling down, preparing for bed, Starlight appeared in our room.

"Greetings, my dears. The Great Dragon sent me to talk to you. He felt clarification was needed about Konfotuta's fate."

"Yes, please," Lisa piped in, "The aquatics and dragons seemed horrified when he was 'devoured'."

"I am sure they were horrified. Please sit and I will explain it."

We all sat to listen to Starlight's instruction.

"Good dragons, when they pass, are taken into the Great Dragon's heart, where the things they learned are absorbed by him to educate the next generation of dragons. Bad dragons are taken into his belly where their experiences are also absorbed. While both have the choice of reincarnation, evil dragon are 'encouraged' to pick reincarnation in order to 'atone' for their evil ways. To be 'devoured' means reincarnation is mandatory after a grueling breakdown of that dragon's deeds, behaviors, and attitudes. Others that have been devoured went back as dragons. Konfotuta, however, will not. His mind and soul will be housed in non-dragon bodies for five incarnations. When the fifth body dies, he will be re-evaluated. If his attitude is unchanged, the Immortals will decide what to do with his soul. For a dragon, five non-dragon lifespans will seem very quick."

"If he is still bad, the Great Dragon won't let him in?" Set asked sadly.

"No, evil dragons are allowed. If he learns the real role dragons have in the world, he might be allowed inside. Should he maintain this 'dragons as rulers' mentality, that will deny him entrance."

We sat and absorbed this information. Set and Echo whined slightly as they huddled against us, feeling very sad that anyone would make themselves inadmissible to such a lofty place.

"How soon will he be reborn?" Alice whispered.

"By late spring or early summer, some newborn babe will be the reincarnated Konfotutatahendron. Which race he will be, I know not."

My heart went out to those soon-to-be-parents. His first incarnation would be the worst. The rage and hatred would be still fresh and raw. They would have a very difficult child.

We thanked Starlight for her information as she left to return to the sky. We finished getting ready for bed and laid down to sleep.

Day 342 (320)

Day 342 (320):

Hard pounding on the door bolted us out of bed. Anna barely had the door open when Sarkin, Corina, and Eelly stormed into the room.

"He's coming!" Sarkin shouted, "He's on his way here, now. Our rider popped back only a moment ago. Konfotuta accepted the message calmly and allowed the rider and dragon to stay while he read it. He was calm until he reached the part about the Soul of the Sea. Konfotuta destroyed the message. The dragon heard him say 'They die now!' before Konfotuta swam off at top speed. They popped back, but it seems he must swim here."

"He's never been here before," I told them, "He can only pop to where he has been before. That is the major weakness with kirlan. After a dragon has been somewhere, they can pop there at will."

"Then, we must go out to intercept him," Eelly barked, "Keep him away from Arvocan."
"It is worth a shot," Lisa said, "Have all riders and dragons, sea and terrestrial, go out to hold him back. The lightning the dragons can produce won't kill him, but it may persuade him to wait until he has thought out his actions."

"Yes, good, excellent," Eelly stammered.

We magicked on our clothes and led them out to the dragons and riders. Having passed on our plan mentally, the riders were saddled and waiting, both aquatic and terrestrial. Extra places were waiting for Eelly and the seven of us. We took off above and in the water.

Konfotuta's rage was a beacon and let us home in on him. We intercepted him on the shore side of the coral barrier. He had paused to vent some of his wrath on the guards.

"KONFOTUTA!!" roared a combined mental and vocal shout.

He stopped in mid-attack to see who or what had called to him. He growled and dropped his prey. 

"Insects! I read your lies. A pathetic attempt to stop me. I will not be denied my destiny!"
"Konfotuta," I sent mentally, "look at me. As one seer to another, look at me and know the truth."

Sarkin and Riptide took me close to him. He swung his head to regard me with one massive eye. I looked into it and fed him everything I had received from the "Soul". When he got it all, Rip moved us back to the others. Konfotuta leaned back to absorb the information. He shook his huge head when he was done.

"I accept this as true. However, my mission is still the same. Brother dragons! Cast off these insects and take your rightful place as masters of this world! Binding yourself to these soft creatures makes you as weak as they!"

The other dragons were speechless. They could not believe what he had said. From nowhere, the three riderless sea dragons charged at Konfotuta, assaulting him with breath weapons, magic, and their physical bodies. He roared at them and fought back. Soon, the trio were gravely wounded and Konfotuta was marked in several places.

"Fools! I could have been your savior! Now, I will be your destroyer! DIE!"

Before he could unleash his power on us, fourteen lightning dragons let loose with all of their might. Konfotuta roared in pain. Cracks appeared in his hide, bleeding into the water around him. Scales fell to splash and sink. When they exhausted their weapons, he looked very beat up, but still able to move.

"How... how is this ... possible?" he panted, "Nothing ... can ... harm me. This ... I must ... there has to be a way."

Kirlan opened and Konfotuta popped back to the saurguin city.

There was no cheering. We converged upon the injured trio. Great cuts, ice burns, missing scales, and other wounds marred their bodies. Their breathing was ragged. Sarah moved to heal them, but we held her back.

"No, Sister, let them go. They deserve their final rest," Eelly told her.

We all stayed with the trio until they breathed their last. Where it came from, I am not sure, but a song came to me and I could do nothing but sing. If anyone joined me, I did not hear them. Before my eyes, spirit forms of the trio rose above the water. Beside them, spectral forms of their riders appeared. Taking their riding positions, riders and sea dragons ascended and vanished into the morning sky. The song left me. In silence, we returned to Arvocan.

Some tried to report the trio's actions, but Eelly told them he already knew. Breakfast was quiet as we all dealt with our emotions. Varlan and the others who had stayed behind waited upon us to fill them in on our activity. We were shown a shrine for deceased riders and dragons. The three pairs' names were being added to a wall that was full of other names.

After lunch, we were ready to focus on our plans to defeat Konfotuta.

"What puzzles me," Sarah piped, "is why he thinks he can't be harmed? Sky cut him days ago. Did he not notice or just ignored it?"

"He may not have associated the cut with Sky. Also, if he heals faster than regular sea dragons, it may have healed before he really noticed," I speculated.

"He noticed that attack," Eelly commented, "Looked a quarter dead when he left."

"Imagine him once the Clapper gets a hold of him," someone said off-handed.

"Do not look for his quick death," I warmed, "Desire can lend great strength."

"Still," Eelly commented, "it is our best option. If he survives, we will jolt him again."

This was agreed upon by the whole assembly.

With that resolved, we went back to waling through our plans.

Mid-afternoon, a saurguin was escorted by two riders and dragons to our location. He radiated fear. Without speaking, he handed Eelly a water-logged board, obviously from a sunken ship. On it was carved Konfotuta's reply to our calling him out. Eelly read it aloud:

"Insects and traitors, your display this morning was fruitless. The electrical attacks proved my power and your weakness. When we meet at the place you suggested, you will see your true weaknesses and fears. You will fail."

The saurguin and his escort were allowed to leave. Many of our assembly muttered curses in response to Konfotuta's words. Most could not believe his arrogance. However, it made those who were not fully committed vow their full heart to his defeat and/or death.

We parted for dinner. Konfotuta's message was the talk of the room. Eelly passed it around so no misinformation clouded it. Many had to be stopped from breaking the board in anger. As we were to meet him at mid-day tomorrow, many not going with us wished us well in our mission. We headed to our room and went through Sloth's exercise to purge this morning's grief and the day's anger to prepare for tomorrow.

Day 341 (319)

Day 341 (319):

(Dream)

Set, Vanity, and I were sitting on the ledge where the outpost's ramp met the sea. Floating in front of us was Brimagor, reduced to Falcon's general size.

"How fair my children?" he asked, concern etched across his scaled face, "I cannot reach them or they do not heed me."

"Their pain is great, my Lord. They are watched constantly in case they should harm themselves or others," I sadly reported.

Brimagor sighed so deeply, I gripped the ledge to prevent being pulled into him. Even in this dream state, I could feel his conflict.

"My Lord," I began softly, "I understand your dilemma. You do not condone Konfotuta's actions since he is causing so much chaos. Yet, you cannot condemn him because he is still behaving in a very draconian manner. I, too, am torn. He is evil and must be stopped, but I, as one bonded to a dragon, find it unsettling to be plotting the death of another dragon."

A small smile softened Brimagor's features.

"Even in dreams, you can read me so well. I cannot fault him for retaliating against even such a small attack. However, my children hurt, in a way I cannot heal, from his retaliation. How to resolve this conflict?"

We sat and thought.

"If we knew his underlying goals, perhaps they would shed light on this problem," I suggested.

"He wants the 'Soul of the Sea'," Set reminded us, "Could this all be about Ocean's dad?"
Brimagor jerked, "He wants what? How long has he sought that treasure?"

"Since he and Alkon terrorized their wards, my Lord," I told him.

Brimagor rolled out a lengthy list of swearing in draconian, common, elf, plus many other languages, some that had not been spoken for centuries. When he finished venting, he faced us once again.

"All these centuries, he has hidden this desire. This I find alarming. There must be a way to find out why he wants the 'Soul of the Sea'." 

"In sleep, part of the mind is unguarded, painfully honest, and approachable. Perhaps we can get his own mind to betray him," I offered. 

Without warning, Brimagor whisked the three of us off the ledge and, impossibly fast, took us out to the saurguin city. Konfotuta was dreaming of his victory. Brimagor went invisible, but held us stationary in the water.

"Konfotuta!" I bellowed underwater.

He saw us and swam over.

"Odd to see you here. Come to chide me for killing your friends? Do not bother. They were very tasty."

"For that? No, that is done and cannot be undone. We want to know why you seek the 'Soul of the Sea'? What power do you hope to gain?"

"'Hope'? Hope has nothing to do with it. It is the essence of a Primordial, older and stronger than the gods. Since even my own creator is too shortsighted to see the dragons' enslavement, I mean to consume that primordial power and free all dragons to be what they show be: rulers of all other races."

"You intend to eat the 'Soul of the Sea', gain the Primordial Water's powers, unseat Brimagor, and make all living things subject to dragon rule? No one can accuse you of small thinking," I said, a bit sarcastically.

"For a soft creature, you have a quick mind. Yes, I intend all of those things. I was going to share power with Brimagor, but our talk showed me that he would only fight me and cause a dragon civil war. No, he must be eliminated and a new order, a real dragon order, put in his place. I am the only one willing to do such, so the burden is mine to supplant him."

Brimagor's rage was making it hard for him to hold us still. Konfotuta seemed oblivious to our movement.

"Is such the dragon way?" I asked like I didn't know, "Do many dragons seek to topple their god, their creator?"

"The dragon way? There is no dragon way. Every dragon acts as we see fit. The notion of a 'dragon way' is more archaic than I."
"So there is no code or tradition that guides dragon behavior?"

Konfotuta laughed, "Small body, small brain, both very fragile. Brimagor has tried for eons to solidify that pathetic system. It, like him, will be tossed when I gain godhood."

"Then you will not hold dragons to any model and open the belly of the Great Dragon for all to enter," I remarked.

Again, he laughed, "The Great Dragon? A fool's tale that only fools believe. Any dragon, even this whelp here, with an ounce of sense does not believe such rubbish. When I am a god, that group of stars will be obliterated and the tale will gather dust in terrestrial archives."

Brimagor could hold still no longer. Encasing us in a cloud of bubbles, he shot to the surface and back to Arvocan. Without a word, he set us down and zoomed off. We three decided it was best to waken.

I opened my eyes to see my sisters and companions leaning over me. Worry hung over all of them. As I rose, I noticed I, the bed, and an area around us was soaked. Set, also, was dripping.

"Fear not, my loves, this is ordinary sea water. When I tell you our vision dream, you will understand."

Set, Dawn, Echo, and Bo took up the task of drying out the bed and room as I found a towel and dry clothes and recounted our trip. Unlike their usual reactions, they were all silent and still. I couldn't blame them. I was still a bit shocked at the idea myself. 

We decided to consult Sky Thunder, as the oldest dragon available, as the possible success of Konfotuta's plan.

Once he got over his shock and, like Brimagor, vented a long list of swearing, he sat with us to discuss this matter.

"Konfotuta is wrong. I have seen the Great Dragon from the inside. The story is long, but the short of it is I died, went to the Great Dragon, was told it was not my time to enter, and awoke to find myself being healed. He is the fool if he believes it does not exist.

"His ambition is not dragon ambition. I have met some truly ambitious dragons, some who also aspired to godhood. They were perfecting their magic, their skills, or their strength. None have attempted such a short-cut, cowardly path to divinity. Such a view is unheard of among any other dragons I know. Brimagor must be furious."

"He is," I reported, "So angry is he that he ripped us away from Konfotuta without a word. What he may do, even I cannot see."

"He cannot have it!" both Sarah and Gretta stated uncharacteristically loud.

We all turned to face them. They began stammering, trying to explain their outburst. We smiled.

"No, Sisters, he shall not," Ian confirmed, "It is secure in the Hoard and such as he shall ne'er lay eyes upon it."

"Can it do what he claims? Can swallowing it make him a god?" Gretta asked, barely above a whisper.

Ian shrugged, "Dunna know, we've no way to determine such."

"Kayla can!" Callie exclaimed, then blushed deep enough to hide her freckles.

Ian gave her a grandfatherly smile, "Well, it seems I am to be escortin' Kayla to the Hoard."

"Uncle," Gretta said softly, "may I come, too? I would like to see my future home, maybe meet more family?"

Ian laughed, "Of course, child. However, how are we to get there? It took us a couple of days to get here."

"I believe I can aid in that," Sky Thunder volunteered.

We ate as we coordinated our trip and what the rest would be doing in our absence. They would plot the best place to confront Konfotuta and work with the deep aquatics to get the timing of the waterspout and the Clapper.

Using my riding set, I saddled Sky and added two more spots. Sky promised Set he would not fly too fast and overtax Set's "small" wings. I let Ian take the front-most position in order to guide Sky to the Hoard. Gretta's excitement over meeting more family overrode her fear of riding a dragon again.

We kept a leisurely pace, one Set could easily maintain. Over ocean, above fishing villages, and over the warming terrain. Spring was trying valiantly to throw off the blanket of winter.

Before long, Set sent me the excited message that "treasure", and a lot of it, was close. Gretta reported feeling a faint vibration that was growing stronger. I began feeling the presence of hundreds of leprechauns and non-leprechauns, most likely mixed like Gretta and I. 

As we landed in what appeared to be an empty field, a swarm of armed people seemed to erupt out of the ground. Seeing Ian at the reins of a wild dragon, they were, understandably, confused.

"Mi till thugaibh, m'sluagh, leatha, Gretta, m'banacharaidean agus piuthar seachd an claidhnean," (I return to you, my people, with Gretta, my female relation and Sister of the Sword.) Ian announced as he dismounted.

Gretta waved shyly as she and I, along with Set, joined Ian. I unsaddled Sky to allow him to wait comfortably. He proceeded to explain our purpose for visiting the Hoard. Gretta, like Anna, discovered a large, previously unknown, family. While I could tell she wanted to bask in this love, she reminded Ian of our purpose. Blushing slightly, he led us under the concealing illusion into the holding town of the Hoard.

It was, truly, a town unto itself, hidden even better than Gowgornok. This illusion not only shielded the town, but kept me from sensing the full population. Only Set's sensitive nose gave any hint as to its location. No wonder no invader had found it. Anyone short of a dragon would have no chance of even accidentally stumbling across it.

Our presence caused a stir that followed us as we descended into the heart of the Hoard. As we traveled, whispers of "Chathair Caillte" followed us. Ian told us that they surmised that Gretta was a Lost City child, explaining her human height but leprechaun kin. I also heard "seidh" when someone saw my purple eyes. Set was almost ignored.

Many levels down, we came upon a small pond of the purest water I had seen outside of the Faerie Realm. In the center, just below the surface, a large blue sapphire sat. Around it, tiny beings attended it, keeping it, and the water, pristine.

"Gallday, mi siblia. Ma chay soka du 'Sola de Ocea'?" I asked the little water pixies.

"Meh? Heh su choka du Faeria langa?" one of them asked, probably shouting, of me.

"Ie du Faeria Regalia childre," I answered.

"Um," Gretta interrupted, "translation?"
"Sorry. I said hello and asked to see the 'Soul of the Sea'. They asked how I knew the Faerie language. I told them that I am the Faerie Queen's grandchild. Actually, 'childre' means 'girl child of distant descent'."

"Oh, good, are they willing to let us see it?" she asked, a small quiver in her voice.

"We are, if you can tell us why you need to see him," the same one replied.

We told them about Konfotuta and his quest. They were outraged. As a group, they lifted the massive gem out of the water. Gretta stepped back to where its song was easiest to bear. I took a couple of deep breaths before accepting the gem. Just as Ian had told us, the story of how the Primordial Water became a gem played before me. Once he became this gem, his life slowly ebbed away. I could feel little life and a hint of godly powers residing within its beautiful crystal structure. Still strongly tied to water and the seas, it had not the power Konfotuta sought. Finished, I returned it to the caretakers and faced Ian and Gretta.

"While beautiful and magical, it is nearly a corpse. Not much life resides inside. An elemental wizard could conjure great storms with it, but it cannot grant godhood."

Ian let out the breath he had been holding as he relaxed. Gretta got more frightened at this news.

"This will anger him. He'll think we're lying when we tell him. This is not good."

"I know," I reassured her, "but, we do not have to fear him actually achieving this goal. No evil sea dragon god."

She relaxed slightly. The gem was returned to its previous position. We headed back up to the surface. We were met by a group who wished to visit with us. A meal was served as we discussed Konfotuta, Gretta, and other things. By the time we rose to leave, Gretta had a post, house, and family waiting upon her return.

Sky Thunder was finishing his meal. He swallowed the last bite as we surfaced around the illusion barrier.

"No go, eh?" Sky chuckled, "Good, teach him to take a short-cut to power."

"Still, he must be defeated," Gretta quietly mentioned, "He has done too much evil to go unpunished."

"Yes, he has. Let us return to Arvocan and plan his punishment," Sky agreed.

To save time and energy, Sky enfolded Set, Gretta, Ian, and I into his embrace and took us through kirlan back to the plaza in Arvocan. Our sisters, companions, and friends ran over to us. To my sisters, we instantly shared all we had learned. To the rest, we verbally told them our findings. The aquatics were saddened that he was passing away in such a manner. Some resolved to formally mourn him.

With that settled, we decided to officially call out Konfotuta to face us. In the message, we put our findings on the "Soul of the Sea", letting him decide if we spoke truthfully. Written on water-proof material, it was carried by a rider to the saurguin city.

Since we were waiting for Konfotuta's reply, we asked the Council if they were ready to test Set. They were and all of us seven and our companions joined them in a theatre of sorts. My sisters and companions took seats in the audience along with the Five. Set and I were on the stage with several aquatics and items similar to what the dwarfs had when they tested him. Having us present eased Set's fears at being captured again.

"Emperor Sarroset, this will be a series of tests to gauge the strength of your breath weapons and other abilities," one of the testers told him, but loud enough for all to hear.

"I try," Set replied out loud, hesitantly.

Just like the dwarfs, they set up a large pot of water and asked Set to heat it up as hot as he could and boil out the water. We were all informed that it was saltwater and needed more heat to boil. There was no wood flanking this pot. Set puffed until smoke trailed from his nostrils. He let loose a vent of flame. I took a step back to avoid the intense heat. Within seconds, steam rose from the pot, which began glowing with the heat. Set exhausted his fire and sat to rest. The pot was white hot, the stone pedestal it sat upon was glowing red, and steam rolled from within. I praised Set for such a good job. The testers were writing furiously and measuring pot, water, and stone. This all was set aside with testers still observing it. Another set-up was brought forth. This was to be frozen. Having rested and cooled down, Set pumped his sides until a light frost gathered upon his nose and lips. With all his might, he blew cold upon the pot of seawater. In short order, the pot and stone pedestal were enshrouded in frost. This, too, the testers examined. The water was solid. One tester tapped the pot and it shattered like glass. The ice within, free of the pot, toppled off the stone pedestal and crashed onto the stage floor. Cracks webbed out from the impact site. A tester made to touch the ice and, due to his wet skin, became stuck to the block. When he stopped panicking, warm water freed him. With care, the ice, pedestal, and pot shards were taken away, also with observers. A human head-sized chunk of black rock was placed upon another stone pedestal.

"This is obsidian, forged in volcanoes and very hard. Sarroset, we ask you to shatter this with your lightning," the main tester requested.

Set's skin began to crackle as he powered up his lightning power. He spat a bolt that arced to the stone. With a deafening *pop*, the obsidian shattered into razor-sharp shards, wounding a few of the testers. Set shrank, afraid he was about to be punished. However, they had foreseen this possibility and treated their wounded quickly. The main tester reassured Set that no punishment was forthcoming. The shards were carefully gathered and taken away for study. Next came the measuring. While they were getting his weight, height, length, etc, vials were produced. I aided in the collecting of the carrier oil from his tail barb. With and without it, the other components were collected. Scales, spit, and anything else they could think of was also collected. We were thanked and allowed to leave.

By now, it was nearly nightfall. Set was famished. The rest of us were also hungry. We joined our friends in the outpost eating area. 

During this time, those who had not been with us asked us about Set's testing. We were pleased to be able to tell them how well it went. Some could not understand what was so special about him that warranted such scrutiny. We took a moment to decide on how to explain.

"Friends," I began, "dragons such as Set are very rare. He is only the fourth hatched in fifteen thousand years. The last one before him was hatched three thousand years ago. No record survives of his powers, skills, or abilities. The physical descriptions of his horns and coloring are the only records of Emperor dragons that any remembers. This opportunity is not to be missed. Seeing him grow is a rare sight. While there may be years, centuries, to record him as an adult, there is a small time limit to record him as a wyrmling, juvenile, and young dragon. Do you understand this now?"
Our friends, plus many around us, both spoke and radiated their understanding. Now, they saw my partner in a new light. The rarity, not only of him but of this time in his life, made the "fuss" logical and rational.

I could tell everyone was thinking to what historic or legendary figures were around three thousand years ago. 

One elderly aquatic blurted out in the hush of the room, "Derrock Tatamore! He was said to ride a beast of the elements, that made the mountains shake, the tides turn, even stop the sun, moon, and stars from traveling across the sky. Was that an Emperor dragon?"

We looked at each other. We seven and many others had never heard of Derrok Tatamore.

"Elder," Sarah gently addressed the speaker, "we do not know this figure. Please, elaborate."

He sat with us, "Derrok Tatamore lived before Moa sank and Larroa burned. From a humble family of farmers and common laborers, he became a hero when, it is said, the gods gave him the gift of this mighty beast. Derroc and Murrock, the beast, defeated the tyrant that was bleeding his people. The pair raised an honest leader to replace the tyrant, defended the land, and died together stopping 'a disaster'."

The large room was silent, processing the tale and trying to remember if they had heard of this before.

"What territory did they guard?" Lisa asked.

"The southern tip of this continent. Kingdom known as Sappotay."

The room filled with noise as memories flooded those listening. Unfortunately, most of us seven had never heard of either of them or the kingdom. Lisa and Alice were the only ones who recognized the land. Even through them, we knew we had never been told their story.

It was late, so we shelved this for now. Everyone parted to their homes and dwellings. We went to our room. Alice suggested sending for their story to see if Murrock was an Emperor or even a dragon. We went to bed still working it out.

Day 340 (318)

Day 340 (318):

(Dream)

I found myself in a council chambers foreign to me. My sisters, our swords as they were in the flesh, our families, and our friends were seated in a jury box. The rest of the room was full of strangers, who were shouting and making rude gestures at me. I stood alone before the judge's box, which was massive. Trying to think of what crimes I or any of us had committed, I looked at the jury box. No one would make eye contact with me, even Vanity. A horn sounded. The judge, a giant of a man with white hair, beard, and angry eyes, entered and sat. The chamber became quiet as a tomb. The judge motioned and a constable stepped around me with a scroll in hand. He unrolled it and announced to the assembly.

"Hear ye, hear ye! This court in now in session! This case is against Kayla of Denar for blasphemy, heresy, consorting with fiends, unlawful use of magic, murder, among a host of other, numerous crimes against man, beast, and god."

He turned and come around to face me.

"How do you plead?"
I was dumbstruck at first. Why was I being charged with such grievous crimes? Finding my voice, I answered, "Not guilty."

The room exploded with noise. The judge's thunderous pounding was drowned out for a few moments. Finally, the chamber was silent again. The constable waved up another man, then sat by the jury box.

"Your Honor, the prosecution will show, beyond all doubt, that this woman has caused chaos, confusion, and untold calamity wherever she has traveled. The people in the jury box are more victims than collaborators. Kayla is the mastermind behind every act committed by those in the jury box. Once we have proven this, we hope the court will have mercy upon the rest."

Whispers passed among the audience, which stopped with a stern look from the judge. The prosecutor began telling of our actions, making every good thing sound like something horrible. After a few minutes, I started laughing. The prosecutor stopped and came face-to-face with me.

"What is so amusing? Do you find your crimes funny?"

"No, I find this situation funny. What's the matter, Konfotuta? Have you slept so long that you believe I would not recognize this as a dream sending? Cast off this facade and face me openly."

The court vanished, leaving only the judge and I in a gray void.

"So quickly? You saw through my construct so quickly? How?" Konfotuta asked, still in the guise of the judge.

"Your court was centuries out of date. No human court looks like that anymore. My sisters, even as prisoners, would not shy away from me. You made our swords as they were in the flesh. Lastly,  you forgot our companions."

Konfotuta smacked his forehead, "The pets! I forgot their pets! Oh, well, it is done and over. This only proves I can enter your mind and make you see anything I wish."

"True, but it is harmless. If your actions were intended to harm me, you could not enter."

"You think so, eh? Let us test your conviction."

Konfotuta became his true self. He encircled me, blocking me in completely. I did not fear him nor what he might do. He opened his massive mouth and moved to eat me. He slammed into Brimagor's barrier with enough force that I heard bone crunch. He pulled back.

"What the hells is that?" he asked behind a paw that was rubbing his face.

"That would be me," came a familiar voice, very loudly.

Konfotuta looked around for the voice's owner. Above us, in the gray void, Brimagor's face materialized, larger than Konfotuta's entire body.

"You were told she is Lawnoss, and still, you try to attack her. You are testing my resolve. I have stayed out of this conflict because you are still true to your dragon nature. However, I am beginning to rethink that position."
"Brimagor, how can you say that? I am acting in your honor."

"MY honor? How is all of this in my honor?" he asked, tilting his face slightly.

"You children have been enslaved. Alkon and I tried to show them the error of making dragons subservient to both aquatics and terrestrials. Dragons, even those inferior 'riding' ones, are born to rule, not be some soft creature's pack mule."

Brimagor sighed, "You learned nothing. Dragons and riders are partners, two parts of a whole. One is not subservient to the other. Riders care for the dragons and vice versa. Sarroset, join us."

Next to me, Set appeared. Likewise, around both of us, an aura appeared. I knelt and held Set to me.

"See, Konfotuta, Kayla and Sarroset are a unit. Apart, each is less than half of what they are together. This is the way it is with all riders and dragons."

Konfotuta looked at us for a moment then huffed, "Unacceptable. This pairing weakens the dragon and makes him less than his full worth," he declared.

Brimagor sighed again, "Kayla, you and Sarroset are dismissed. This is between he and I."

"Yes, My Lord," I bowed.

Looking Set in the eye, I said, "Awake."

I sat up in bed with a start. It was still dark.

"Set, you awake?" I asked in a mental whisper.

"Yes, I am. What was that all about?" he asked as he stretched and quietly joined me on my bed.

Gently, I told him of Konfotuta's attempt. Set was upset that he would even try such. We wondered what kind of conversation a sea dragon bent on world conquest has with an annoyed dragon god. Set shook at the thought.

With no desire to go back to sleep, Set and I went down to the dock level of the outpost. It was a strange sight. Aquatics and their dragons were curled up together just under the water, sound asleep. Each pair lay in a way that shown their true pairing. If the dragon was tightly curled, the aquatic was in a tight ball either inside or near that curled form. If the dragon was laid out straight, so, too, was the rider. It was a sight to behold. Set asked to go underwater and see the "wet half" of the city. I found a spot on the edge of the city to sit and share his sight.

Even in the dark, there was enough light for us to see. The underwater half formed a ledge, creating a porch-like affair around the watery half. Irregular holes pierced the coral and rock. Both aquatic people and animals swam around, in, and out of the city. With no need to walk, there were no "streets" to be seen. Some of the larger holes appeared to go all the way through. These may have passed for "streets". Living coral, barnacles, and a host of other things grew on the sides, mimicking the grass and trees one could find around any village on land. Similar to flocks of birds, schools of bright fish darted among these projections in their own random way.

Set swam closer to investigate these things. Unlike the fish in the Faerie Realm, these scattered as he approached. This must have alerted someone. A trio of merfolk raced out of a hole, swimming right for Set. I felt him panic a bit.

"Be calm. Let us see what they want first. If they act mean, pop back to me," I told him soothingly.

"I'll wait. I don't know how much longer I can not breathe," he replied.

The merfolk, two men and a woman, stopped in front of Set. They looked at him, very puzzled. Set pointed up, then at his face. They understood and swam beside him as he came to the surface. The trio saw me sitting on the outpost's ledge.

"Ah, he is that surface dragon. We were confused as to who he was and why he was swimming at this hour. So, Sister, is there any problems here?" asked the female.

"Oh, no, we woke up early and he was curious about the 'wet half' of Arvocan. I hope it was acceptable," I answered.

"Acceptable, yes. Expected, no. We did not know surface dragons swim," one of the males replied.

"We love swimming. It is fun and gets the dirt out of our scales," Set mentally interjected.

The smiles on the merfolk let me know they heard him. We chatted a bit as the sun rose. They excused themselves to resume their duties. 

Set and I were just entering the outpost when my sisters' mental voices inquired about our location. As they dressed, I told them of Konfotuta's dream sending and Set's underwater swim.

As usual, Lisa stormed, Sarah checked us over, Alice nearly fainted, Anna was speechless, Gretta shrank, and Callie was rambling. The only things that settled them was knowing Brimagor's shield held firm and that he was displeased with Konfotuta.

In the eating hall, Varlan, Ian, Sarkin, Corina, Eelly, and all the riders met us. Our secret sharing created an area so clean and pure that it was like a womb, protecting and nurturing us all. A few other aquatics had joined us, but had already told their secrets in preparation. We asked what powers the aquatic races had that could keep Konfotuta in one place long enough to charge and focus the Clapper. Sarkin, Corina, and Eelly told us all of the ability to make whirlpools, water spouts, and other like events.

"Can one be made to enclose this beasty? He is a large bugger," Varlan inquired.

"If the merfolk, neraids, and the like coordinate themselves, it is possible," Eelly answered.

"We will ask for them to practice," Sarah spoke up, "Get them united in this cause."

The rest agreed. Varlan told us that there were more lightning items than places in the Clapper. He was at a loss as to what to do with the rest.

"Well, the riders don't need hands to stay on the dragons," I pointed out, "There's at least a dozen hands to hold them."

"Yes, we can do that," a rider agreed, "We could even hold two if needed."

Varlan did some calculations, "That leaves about half a score unmanned. What of them?"

"Mattis said anyone can use them," Anna reminded us, "The sailors on the ship can be taught in their use."

Varlan computed again, "Aye, that would do it. So, as I see it, we got fourteen electric dragons, thirteen riders holding twenty-six items, thirty-six items in the Clapper itself, and ten sailors holding ten items, charging the Clapper. The beasty contained in a spout or something in front of the ship. At full charge, he gets a zap equal to four hundred seventy-nine simultaneous lightning strikes, which, hopefully, will kill the bastard."

We told him that we had been told four hundred would kill him, but the extra might be needed against any magical interference or protection. We spent the rest of breakfast drawing plans and diagrams.

After eating, we met Aoushlunia, Merroc, and the other deep aquatics near Varlan's ship. They confirmed their abilities to control the water and shape it to their wills. To put any doubts to rest, they went several leagues away from Arvocan and produced a grand water spout. Sky went out to check its size. Some one got a wicked idea and shot a small spout at Sky. Pure instinct caused him to electrify the water, shocking everyone within a few hundred feet. The spout died. Sky flew back, followed by the aquatics. The prankster, being nearest the spout, got his punishment two-fold. The shock from Sky and the smacks from the other zapped aquatics firmly deterred him from ever doing such again. Also, he was made to apologize to Sky for his action. Sky, furthering the youngster's punishment, made him explain to everyone why he chose to do this act.

"My cousin told me terrestrial dragons dissolve in water. He had seen one do so years ago. I just wanted to see for myself."

Sky, like a parent or teacher, looked sternly at the young merboy, "Son, that was irresponsible, reckless, and foolish. Next time someone tells you something like that, ask a grown up if it is true. I know of no kind of dragon that dissolves in any water."

"They do so!" came another young voice from the assembly.

A boy, only slightly older than the prankster, swam up beside his cousin. He raised himself a bit out of the water to be clearly heard.

"I saw it! A land dragon walked into the water. I swam to see it underwater, but it was gone. Nothing left but hot water. It dissolved."
We all began laughing. The two boys were baffled. A male merfolk took the pair off to explain kirlan and other dragon skills.

With that handled, the rest of us got to serious plotting and planning. Even though Varlan and Ian were not military, their leadership and organization skills shown brightly as they helped sketch out every detail. By mid-day, it was as orchestrated as any concert.

We terrestrials parted with the aquatics to get food. Our friends had duties to attend and did not join us. Varlan and Ian told us old tales of ancient battles as we ate. Some of the aquatics joined us to listen, marveling at the novelty of land-bound fighting.

As we walked out to meet back up with our friends, a wave of pain knocked me to my knees. Callie and Sarah staggered, but stayed on their feet. Set and Echo seemed affected as well. Our sisters and companions were at our sides instantly. Looking towards the riders and dragons, they, also, seemed to have felt the pain. With help, we made it to them. Everyone was puzzled. None of us knew the source of this pain. We noticed some of the aquatics and sea riders were not there, along with their sea dragons. I went to the water's edge, knelt, and submerged my hands. Many gasped as my eyes lost color.

"Three riders and their dragons plus a handful of young aquatics took as many lightning items as they could carry to confront Konfotuta," I told the assembly.

Shocked gasps, moans, and other noises interrupted me. Aoushlunia and Merroc got them quiet again so I could continue.

"They found the great beast a ways from the saurguin city, alone and distracted. All together, they called forth the lightning, zapping Konfotuta just enough to cause him pain, but no damage. This brought his full attention to them. They fled, but could not outrace him. The non-riders were eaten in a single bite. The three riders were ripped from their dragons, who were seriously wounded, and eaten as well. The three sea dragons, fueled by pain and fear, rocketed back toward Arvocan as fast as they could until exhaustion stopped them. They are floating a few leagues away, too wounded, physically and mentally, to make it back."

All of the standing aquatics surged into the water, merging with those already in it, as they swam to find the injured sea dragons. The riders and their partners outdistanced the rest. I felt their relief when they found the trio. I also felt the sympathy they had for the noble beings. 

With great care, the trio were brought to the outpost. In the shallow water of the ramp, we saw the damage they had received. Deep furrows in their backs, missing scales, torn muscles, and trails of blood. Sarah wasted no time and jumped into the water to begin healing them. She was saved from drowning by Merroc, who pulled her up to a shallower part where her clothing, now soaked, would not drag her under the water. Still, she and Lust called upon all their strength to repair the damage. She nearly collapsed before asking for our aid. 

As Set and I waded into the water, I squeezed my hand wearing the riding set.

"Brimagor," I mentally called, "your children are wounded most severely. I know you pledged no help against Konfotuta, but they are wounded more than we may be able to heal."

I saw the eye blink and knew he could see their state. It grew very hot, almost too hot to bear. Without thinking, I plunged it into the water around me. The heat did not die, but made the water nearly boil. Those that would stand left the water to witness this event. Those that could not went to the opening of the ramp to the cooler water of the sea. My sisters and Set continued to stand in the hot water. Sarah gained strength along side the hurt sea dragons. Tissue was mended. Scales regrew. Skin became whole. In just a few moments, the physical wounds were gone and the water cooled. However, the eyes of those three shown the mental damage was still present. The sudden loss of their riders was a blow few can hope to understand. I felt their pain as deeply as they. This pain even a god could not heal. Half of their souls had been ripped from them and, literally, devoured. We knew not, at that moment, if they could recover. Falcon had said riderless dragons can pine away and die from the loss.

The other sea dragons helped pull the three unresponsive dragons over to a nest of seaweed. With all of us helping, they were laid down and made comfortable. Sarkin made a list of riders to take watches over them to see if they needed anything. We left, unable to do anything more, as the trio stared blankly into space, seeing nothing but their own memories.

We seven went to change out of our wet clothes. Sarah could not stop crying, feeling their injuries as well. Anna and Alice, who embraced Dawn tightly, has to refocus to keep the event from replaying in their minds. Callie cradled Echo, dreading the pain her loss will bring. Gretta tried to encourage us, but fell into silence. Lisa was stroking Bo's head, the only tonic to her anger, as she came to grips with the situation.

"What now?" Lisa asked softly, "What can be done for them?"

"Very little, I'm afraid," I answered, "They are in deep shock right now. Only time will tell how they handle this tragedy. They may slowly waste away. They may kill themselves. They may rage and force others to kill them. Until their minds grasp what has happened, they are lost inside themselves."

"I suspect Brimagor is none too happy about this," Sarah said in a whisper.

"Dragons fight all the time," I told them, "Injury, even death, of one dragon at the hands of another is not uncommon. Still, there is a chance that Brimagor may take action against Konfotuta for the undue trauma he has caused. I do not pretend to understand the minds of dragons."

The rest nodded. 

We went back outside and met up with the rest of our friends. From their auras, I knew that we were done planning for the day. The three sea dragons had withdrawn so deep into themselves, their auras were a thin thread instead of the wide glow it had been. Their mental voices were silent. The food placed in front of them was untouched. No aquatic nor sea dragon could reach them.

We all left them to the rider and dragon assigned to watch them. Those who were not riders, aquatic or terrestrial, were struggling to understand why they were reacting so strongly to the loss of their riders. No amount of explaining could communicate what they were experiencing. 

The discussion came to a grinding halt when someone said, "So they're dead, tell them to get over it."

We all looked towards the speaker, who turned out to be one of the terrestrial residents of Arvocan. He faced us in shock. Where the spell came from, I don't know, but we seven began chanting. Everyone within the sound of our voices began to feel the dragons' pain. Tears rolled, bodies spasmed, and egos were crushed. The aquatics in the water floated like dead fish. 

When we were finished, Lisa looked at the one who had spoken, "Get over that," she told him in a forced whisper.

By now, it was nearly dark. After they recovered some, the deep water aquatics headed to their undersea dwellings in Arvocan. We went back to the outpost. Maybe it was a part of our spell, but the three seemed in slightly better spirits, their auras a bit thicker than before. 

In the eating area, the mood was somber. The dragons' conditions occupied every conversation. Those that had experienced our spell were trying to explain to the rest the state of the sea dragons. Whether they understood, I was too far away to tell. 

We went to our room to put this strange and sad day to an end.

Day 339 (317)

Day 339 (317):

I awoke before sunrise. By instinct of faded memory, I found Starcrystal's empty spot in the sky. It felt sad for me to see no star greet the sunrise. Set joined me as we watched.

"Will I go with you when you join the sky?" he asked.

"That I do not know. Even as an Emperor, I might outlive you. If I do, whenever I cross the Great Dragon, we can visit."

"How? I don't understand."

"No one has told you? I thought at least one dragon would have mentioned it. The Great Dragon is another Realm. When dragons die, their souls go to it. There, they add their knowledge to the racial knowledge of all dragons. It is for all dragons, both good and evil. As long as they are true to their natures, they are allowed entrance. Dragons who reject their natures and are not behaving dragon-like are set adrift in kirlan until they have a chance to be reborn in another dragon body. They get three lives to get it right. If, by the third, they are still rejecting their dragon natures, their soul is up for grabs of any power strong enough to capture it. If uncaught, it floats off between the stars, lost and alone."
"That is so sad. I won't float off, will I?" Set nearly pleaded.

"No, my love, you will not. You are behaving as a dragon should. You hunt. You pop through kirlan. You use your breath weapons. I have not witnessed any un-dragon-like actions from you."

"Nor have we," came a chorus from behind us.

The rest has woken and listened to my tale. Echo said that bat-dragons also told of joining the Great Dragon upon their deaths. They, even, did a ritual that "escorted" the soul of their departed towards that place. Bo and Dawn did not know where they could go after death.

"You shall be with me," Lisa stated with determination, "Even if I must battle Death himself, I will keep you by my side."

Bo wrapped around Lisa and gave a bone-crushing squeeze. Lisa nearly blacked out before he let her go.

"If it were up to me," Alice told Dawn, "we would live forever, renewing at sunrise every day. My only wish is that neither of us outlives the other. It would pain me to know you were alone."

Dawn rubbed against Alice, cooing and expressing her love. 

We were silent as we felt our emotions fully. While I hated to stop them, I did need to bring them back to our current situation.

"Konfotuta is a true seer, like me. He can see our fears. I have no doubt he will try to use them against us. All of us must make out fears known to others. Fear only has power when it is silent. We, the riders, dragons, and all who are to fight, must shine light upon our fears and rob Konfotuta a great weapon."

"Very well," Lisa began, "we'll use this day to illuminate our fears and steel ourselves for battle. Sarah, you clan should be a part of this as well as other aquatics."

"I agree. We will need the merfolk, neriads, and the like to aid us. If they can contain him, our lightning will have a place to strike," Sarah concurred.

We found Sarkin and Corina in the eating area and told them what we proposed. They saw the same as we for the need to take away at least one weapon from him. Corina expressed some doubt of both getting the deeper aquatics to meet with us and tell others their fears. Sarah suggested gifts of good will to get them friendly to us. They agreed. We retrieved Sean the leprechaun wood smith's  gifts and instructed Corina to let them know the items were theirs regardless of their decision. She finished eating and left with the wooden crafts.
We gathered everyone we anticipated to take part in fighting Konfotuta. We told them about his threat and what we needed to do. The mass of emotions was dizzying. We let them sort out their feelings as we waited for Corina and the deeper aquatics. Very soon, the water next to the edge where we assembled was filled with merfolk, neraids, and other non-terrestrial aquatics. Aoushlunia and a male merfolk were forefront.
"Greetings, again, dear girls. This is Merroc, our chief cleric, my husband, and Sarah's great-grandfather."
Sarah waded in to give Merroc a proper hug and introduction. He commented on her resemblance to both Orraia and Rain, her grandmother and mother. Sarah returned to us as we got ready to begin.
"Friends, allies," I began, "we are assembled to rob Konfotuta of a strong weapon. He has the gift of true sight. He can see our fears, our true fears. He has already threatened to use our fears against us. Fear only has power in darkness. We must bring our fears to light, to burn away and be nothing."
The assembly murmured. I could see their emotions swirling about as they digested my words. Also, clouds of fear began forming as their minds went to their fears.
"I do not ask you to do what I, myself, am not willing to do. Attend and hear my secrets and fears."
The assembly gathered tighter to fully hear my confessions.
"Last night, the goddess Starlight brought me fantastic news. Her sister, Starcrystal, the last star of night, the Morning Star, used the last of her divine power to impregnate my mortal mother. Starcrystal and I are one entity. When I choose to leave the mortal world and the Faerie Realm, Fate has offered me Starcrystal's vacant spot in the sky."
Everyone was speechless, even my sisters who already knew this. Merroc swam up to the edge and looked at me through a small glass, almost like a monocle. He shouted back to the aquatics that he saw my divinity and verified my statement. Noise erupted. I could not understand all that was said, but most of the shouting began with "Why her?" We let them yell for a bit. When they had grown a bit quieter, I continued.
"The man I called Father had, by accident or Fate, found her last temple and petitioned for my mother to have a daughter as she had only had sons until then. He did not know where he stood or to whom he spoke. His plea was heartfelt, pure, and unselfish. For that, Starcrystal's clerics funneled her last spark to my mother. It was only by Fate that he found her."
The anger slowly died away as they understood that this was no plot or ploy of terrestrials against aquatics. They became more receptive to my words. I took a deep breath.
"Every foe we have faced terrified me. Baalocs, demons, ogres, Duergar, each one I was afraid to face. I did not want harm or death to come to anyone. I knew when we faced, harm and death were real possibilities. My trust in Fate, my sisters, our swords, our companions, and our friends was and is my strength."
Set rubbed against me. My sisters hugged me. Others told me how brave I was to share this with strangers. With my example, others began to speak. Lisa started.
"When I left, my father told me to be wary of these girls. He claimed 'odd forces' gathered around them. I have kept from fully giving myself to this union, in spite of all that has happened and I have experienced. I have been swimming with one hand on the bank. I can no longer do so. I commit myself whole-heartily to this sisterhood."
Something "popped" inside my head, like a tension suddenly being released. Before my sisters could ask, the feeling hit them as well. They looked around at us and the assembly.
"What was that?" more than one of them asked.
"The final piece," I told them as I tried to order my thoughts, "With Lisa holding back, we were not complete. Now, we are. Her destiny, as well as ours, can come into full fruition."
Lisa looked at me, "Is that why I didn't meet my future husband when we were in Crialas?"
"Yes, plus it kept Bo from his full potential," I answered.
Lisa lifted Bo off of her, "Bo? I've been holding you back?"
"Not much, but some," he replied in true verbal words.
"BO! You actually spoke aloud!" Lisa exclaimed, "You were silent because of me?"
"Sadly, yes. Your stubbornness was a barrier, but it is gone now. Likewise, with you all fully together, another can speak."
"Who?" Lisa asked.
"Me," came a female voice from near Alice.
"Envy?" several asked.
A musical laughter sounded, "Nay, good girls, not Envy, it is I, Dawn."
"DAWN!" came shouts from not only us but many of the riders and others assembled. Dawn laughed again.
"Do not be so surprised. Even though I am only part phoenix, that power plus bonding with Alice has opened up ancient abilities."
"This is amazing! Father will be frightened at first, but he may find this intriguing. This will keep people from questioning my sanity by talking to a bird," Alice told us.
These revelations opened up a great dialog. Aquatics, riders, land dragons, sea dragons, Varlan, the leprechaun quartet, plus the land folk who lived in Arvocan spent the rest of the day airing secrets, fears, hidden thoughts, and private beliefs. Food and drink were circulated as people came and went.
By nightfall, there was such good will among us that no one wanted to part. Places were found in the underwater half of Arvocan for the deep aquatics. We drug ourselves to the outpost and nearly collapsed into bed. I was so tired that I just used magic to change into my bed clothes. Set had gotten large enough that he overflowed my sleeping mat and had to use his forepaws to lay his head down and curled his tail up between his wings to stay off the floor.

Day 338 (316)

Day 338 (316):

I woke a moment before a knock sounded upon the door. Set also woke as I had. He surprised the frog-man by answering the door.

"Beg pardon, Sisters, but a leprechaun ship has arrived and one claims to be kin."

"Yes, we spoke to him yesterday. Can he meet with us in the eating hall?" I asked as I stood up and went to Set's side.

"He is there already. I will let him know you are on your way," he replied.

He clicked his heels, bowed, turned, and left. I woke my sisters and friends, informing them of our guest. Gretta was nervous. We all understood. The family she had left was very rough on her. She did not want a repeat from her new uncle. I felt out. There were four leprechauns in the outpost. Two were women. Of the two men, one was much older than the other. The younger was nearly our ages, so that could not be the brother of Gretta's grandfather. Focusing on the older man, I found a serious man, but one who loved his family and friends, who was proud of his job guarding the Hoard, and curious about this "lost child" of his brother. Telling Gretta this eased her tremendously. We dressed and went down to the eating hall.

Four leprechauns stood out in this room of aquatics like a small island in a large sea. A veil of nervousness fell from them when they saw us. Visually, without any other sense, Gretta's uncle was easily identified. Even though he was much shorter then she, the physical similarities marked them as family. Eyes, hair, face shape, down to their general build. He smiled and went right to Gretta.

"Caileag, m'teaghlach seo seas romham (translation: Girl, my family stands before me) Seo m'banachararaidean (my female relation) Faic sibh a-nis uam tog cruaidh fheum. (Seeing you now lifts me from a crying need.)"

"Cruaidh fheum? What is this crying need?" Gretta asked, taking his hands.

"My family, m'teaghlach, is gone. Wife, children, siblings, all gone. Hearing from you, seeing you, fills my heart with joy. Come, sit, let us hear of your life."

We sat, ate, and talked with them. Gretta's history made the four repeatedly whisper "nas bochda caileag", meaning "poor girl". Gretta grew more confident as she spoke, feeling the love of family for the first time since her mother died. 

When she finished Ian, her uncle, told us of the "Soul of the Sea".

"Countless ages ago, the Primordial Water, the father of the Goddess Ocean, kept the waters churned so violently that no land-person dared to attempt to leave the land to sail the waters. He was determined to allow no 'mud dwellers' to 'infest' his pristine seas. All the gods, including the First One, tried to change his mind, but to no avail. Then, he witnessed a sight that surprised even he. Land elves were riding his great swells on small boards. Humans, in tiny boats that could skim the cruel waves, were hauling fish out of his waters. He raged, making the seas even rougher. Still, land people were finding ways to overcome this harshness and venture into the seas. Spent, he gave his control of the waters to his eldest daughter, Ocean, and drew himself into the smallest and most compact form he could. He crystallized and became a giant, deep blue, sapphire. For centuries, Ocean kept him, in this form, as an advisor. Eventually, he withdrew to the point even she could not reach him. A custody battle began as to who and where he, or 'it' by now, should reside. The First One decreed that keeping him with the aquatics would only fuel more fighting. By this time, we leprechauns had established the Hoard. Seeing it so well hidden and guarded, and us as truly neutral to this conflict, we were given stewardship of this gem. Dubbed the 'Soul of the Sea', we placed it in the heart of the Hoard, in a pool of crystal pure water, tended by aquatic versions of pixies. There it has stayed ever since."

"Why would Konfotuta seek it? What powers does he hope to gain from it?" Gretta asked softly.

"Some speculate that Konfotuta wants to awaken the Primordial Water, drown the lands, and establish himself as ruler of an entirely watery world. Others claim he seeks to consume it and absorb the Primordial Water's powers. Only that beasty knows his true intentions. He and Alkon, in times past, sought it while playing at guardians. Fortunately, only those who hide the Hoard know its location and they never nabbed one of those."

"It must be extremely well hidden," Lisa stated, "for no enemy that has passed this land has even lied about finding it."

Ian laughed, "True. Baalocs, sea dragon, lich, and pirates have all been denied the Hoard. However, it is my hope that one of you shall know it well," he looked at Gretta.

Gretta looked at him in shock while my other sisters snapped their heads to stare at me. Apparently, the Hoard was the treasury Fate predicted that Gretta and Greed would guard and oversee. Gretta took Ian's hands.

"It would be my honor to stand with you to protect our people's prized heritage."

Ian pulled Gretta into his embrace. As they held each other, I felt the presence of many dragons and riders. The leprechauns followed us out to a large area where the dragons and riders were assembling. In the middle of them was a familiar sight. 

"SKY THUNDER!" all seven of us called when we saw him. We raced over to greet him.

"Hello, again, Sisters. My, you lot sure do get around," he said, kind of teasing.

"Us? What about you? Arvocan is hardly the gnomish foothills," I teased back.

"Well, Falcon needed an old lightning dragon to help these poggs get coordinated. The ogres left the area for 'less dangerous' territory, so my guardianship wasn't needed. So, Falcon said an evil sea dragon is causing a big fuss. Care to fill us in?"

We gathered all the riders and dragons around and told them about Konfotuta and the saurguin. It saddened them that they may have to kill a dragon, but such evil had to be stopped.

"Any communication with him? Has he voiced his demands to any here or among the aquatics?" a rider asked.

"Other than saurguin, he has not spoken to any race," Anna told them.

"Let me fly over him, see if he will talk to me," Sky Thunder volunteered.

"Let me go with you," I requested, "Seeing him directly will let me know his true state."

"Acceptable. Then, this is the plan: Fly over the saurguin city, contact Konfotuta, get a good read on him, and fly back. Kayla can relay what we learn to her sisters and these riders."

"Set, please stay here," I told him gently, "Sky flies very fast. I do not need you hurting yourself trying to keep up. Keep our sisters and friends safe, alright?"

His sad face became determined, "I will protect them. Sky Thunder is strong. I will see you when you both return."

With that settled, I faced Sky and placed my hand on his forehead. My riding set quickly grew, forming a saddle, reins, and headpiece. Unlike the others, mine did not form a band around Sky's head, but made separate bands on each horn. Sky gave it all a good shake to insure it was on securely. As I mounted, Set took a step towards us before he realized what he had done. Lisa laid a reassuring hand upon Set's head to let us both know they would watch over him. 

With a few wing beats, Sky was air-born and headed towards open water. In less than an hour, we sailed over the coral reef. Fortunately, we were able to tell the guards mentally who we were and our task. They waved and pointed towards the saurguin city. Thanking them, Sky adjusted his course. Soon, we began to feel Konfotuta's presence. Sky hovered over the post where his presence was strongest.

"Konfotuta!" Sky mentally yelled, "Show yourself! I demand an audience!"

"'Demand'?" replied a voice I had only heard in a vision, "Who are you to demand such of me? You must be very brave or very stupid."

"I am Sky-of-Rolling-Thunder. I was old when you and Alkon were playing at guardian and terrorizing the aquatic races. I also carry Lawnoss, chosen of Brimagor."

The water below us began churning. A massive pale green head rose from the center of the rolling water. Easily equal in size to Aper See, Konfotuta made Sky look tiny.

"Old you may be, but much smaller than I. That matters not. What insect claims the title Lawnoss and speaks for Brimagor?"

"No insect am I," I replied mentally, guessing that my voice would not carry over the roar of the water around him, "I am Kayla, Faerie blooded and Fate's own."

"Bold, aren't we? Let me guess, you have come all the way out here to try to talk me out of all the bad things my puppets have been doing and sail quietly into the sunset."

"We are not fools. We know your history of treachery and treason. Our only purpose is to assess your strength and the depth of your evil. I see both clearly. With my sisters' aid, all of your weaknesses are plain to me. A battle, while not desired, is inevitable between us. We are many and we know your flaws."
"Flaws! You speak of flaws? Know this, little girl, I, too, have the gift of true sight. I see your fear. I see that you don't even know who your true father is. When we meet to fight, all of your fears will be thrown at you and your sisters. It will be my pleasure to drown you one-by-one and devour the pathetic carcass that remains."
This threat upset Sky greatly and he lashed out with the large scythe-like blade on his tail. This cut Konfotuta across the end of his nose, making him roar in pain. Sky's quickness was the only thing that saved us from a blast of ice breath. Sky went up and left, avoiding the sea dragon's powerful weapon.
As we flew off, Konfotuta sent one last thought, "Guard you minds well, insects. You never know when I may enter your dreams."
Sky raced back to Arvocan. An escort met us to insure we were safe. Set was among them, venting mentally and around his mouth as he told me how angry he was at the way Sky and I were treated. My sisters, the riders, and many citizens also voiced their strong opinion of our encounter.
As the crowd thinned, I noticed something dark on Sky's tail. He pulled it around to look at and smell it.
"It seems I bloodied the bastard. Best wash it off."
"NO!" was yelled from a dozen or more.
Sky jumped at the noise and looked at us, puzzled. Several bottles, jugs, and cups materialized to collect the icor as Sloth explained the multiple uses of such fluid.
While it was being gathered, we all speculated on how Sky managed to cut him when no one and nothing else had done so before. The only theory that made sense was that Sky's electrical nature permeated even to the end of his tail.
We left the dragons to join the riders for lunch. Some of the aquatic food had to be explained to the inland riders. The live food challenged some while disgusting others. The citizens, likewise, both confused and delighted the riders who has never seen such as they. So many inland people also intrigued the aquatics. We spent most of lunch explaining what and where each rider was and their homeland.
After lunch, we all went back to the dragons to work on "battle plans" and how to focus the lightning.
A dwarf ship found us and docked near us. Taking up much of its deck was a large metal box with holes, slots, and clamps. A dwarf unknown to us disembarked and joined us.
"Greetings, all. I am Varlan, captain of this vessel. Gorval has given me the task of aiding you against this water beasty causing such a fuss. That device is, crudely, called the 'Clapper' as in claps of thunder. It collects electrical energy, stores it, condenses it, and shoots it out in a controlled manner. Also, your friends have sent with us a large collection of lightning charged items. They are in the hold. The Clapper can hold these things in various openings and draw their power as well. So, am I in time for the war council?"
"You are," Callie told him, "we were just planning our strategy. Please, join us. All help is appreciated."
Varlan sat with us. This added a new option. Since this machine focused lightning, we could focus on it to pour power at Konfotuta. Sloth and other wizards suggested daubing the blood we collected on the Clapper, "aligning" it to him specifically.
We talked until nearly dark. As the sun was setting, many looked skyward for the first star of evening. When it appeared, many began, in various languages, chanting the old verse of "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight". Once they finished, however, something happened. The star looked as if it was coming towards us. We backed up as the bright light touched the coral and stone of Arvocan. It dimmed to reveal Starlight in all her glory. We all bowed as she walked towards us.
"Kayla, I must speak with you. Set, you may join us. Let us find a quiet place," she gently requested.
Set, Vanity, and I went with Starlight to a place that, on land, would have been a park. Here, it was a plaza with benches overlooking the sea. We sat. Starlight steadied herself to tell me what she had to say.
"Aloriana has told us Immortals of what your dad did for your mother. Reviewing the pages of Time, we watched this act. I know who and what you are."
I sat in utter silence, not wanting her to stop or to interrupt her. Set and Vanity were also silent.
"Raymond of Denar did not just stand in the middle of the forest. By some power, he had found my sister's last temple. As you know, I am the first star of evening. My sister, Starcrystal, was the last star of night or the morning star. Do not try to remember her verse. No one has said it in centuries. Gods live on attention. When we no longer receive it, we slowly die. My sister was down to her last spark of power, attended by her last four clerics who, through forgotten magics, fused their four short lives into one long life with four identities. It is with these four whom Raymond made his deal. With his mortal years, one cleric could separate and be an individual for the amount of time that was taken. Hearing a heartfelt, unselfish request on another's behalf with no expectation of personal gain, the clerics were moved to take the last spark of Starcrystal's divine power and used it on your mother. With a charm over her to believe she mated with your dad, they implanted that divine spark inside her, used her seed, and conceived you. In all honesty, you and your mother are almost identical twins since only her bloodline flows in you. With Faerie blood, my sister is sustained in you. As you have aged, her power has become your power. Here, if this does what I think it will, my belief is proven."
Starlight handed me a large, cloudy-white crystal. She set it in my hands. As soon as she let go, it began to clear. In moments, it was as clear as spring water. Starlight was crying.
"I knew it! The other Immortals thought me daft, but I knew. Kayla, you are my sister, given mortal form, and a Faerie's life."
We three were stunned. Me? A goddess made mortal? I began to realize that this made sense. The things I had "known" without anyone telling me. Feeling my best in the hours before sunrise. I looked at her.
"The time of our births, the Twin Stars in the Great Dragon, does this play into all of this?"
"The twin stars were inseparable friends who, upon nearing death, did not wish to leave each other. They pleaded with every deity to let them stay together. Fate answered and made them twin stars that move as one. As part of this deal, they move to make omens or herald some great event. Their presence at your and Callie's birth as the eyes of the Great Dragon foretold of two inseparable friends who would also be bound to dragons."
We sat in silence to absorb this information. Set rubbed me, purring slightly. I rubbed his horned head as I went over all of this stuff. In truth, I have no mortal father. I am Starcrystal, sister of Starlight, enfolded in mortal form, a near twin to my mortal mother as the divine spark used her body to make me. Faerie blood and time in the Faerie Realm, with occasional splashes of dragon enhanced spring water, have strengthened the divine powers within me. Brimagor's divine gift has also aided both the divine and dragon connection. All of my odd behaviors finally made sense. As a star, I am tied to Fate from the moment I came into existence. With the last of Starcrystal's power, I received her knowledge of magic no mortal knew, like blood connecting living items to mortals to make the bond. As the one who helped sing in the new day, Siren Silver and its properties were known to me.
I took Starlight's hands, "Thank you, Fair Lady, for telling us all of this. While I am different from the sister you knew, I will not dishonor her, you, nor her gift by my actions."
"I am glad that even a part of her still lives. This is a bit confusing to me. Are you my sister or my niece?"
We laughed, understanding the confusion. The crystal that lay between us began to glow. Fate's image shown from within its brightness.
"For now," she told us, "Kayla is our niece. In time, she will become more like your sister. When her time comes to cross over, Starcrystal's spot is still open."
I smiled and looked at Starlight, "Can you wait a few thousand years for me to rejoin you in the sky?"
Starlight seized me in a crushing embrace, "Oh, Kayla! What are years to a star? The skies will sing when you join us."
We held each other for quite some time. Fate faded from the crystal. When we parted, Starlight took the crystal and returned to the night sky. We three returned to the outpost where our sisters, companions, and friends waited. Mentally, I slowly explained what had been said. Callie hugged Echo, all doubt of their bonding erased. We did not include the riders, dragons, or aquatics in our sharing. We felt that now was not the time to drop such news on them.
We went to our room to end this extraordinary day. I would need to write my dad so he would, finally, understand what he had really done in the forest nearly two decades ago.