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heres 36! late i know but ive got my cousin visiting from the UK as well as trying to cope with the changes at work so im doing the best i can!

XXXVI

Cill welcomed her father at the door once more and let him into the house. She had managed to organize it into a semblance of order and rested on her bed as he found a human chair to seat himself.

Nokala stretched and looked round at the new 'lair'. He thought it was quite adequate for a couple newly started and the protection for them was excellent seeing as it was in the middle of the keep.

Grinning slowly at his daughter, he murmured 'So have you told Duncan you have laid claim to this lair and the surrounding forests within the range of your roar?"

Cill felt her ruffs flush "No...and I hope you won't tell him. I don't want to upset him. I did not really mean to do it but something got out of my control and..." she trailed off and lowered her head.

"Have there been any... repercussions?" her father asked, pouring himself a drink of cool water from the jug.

Nodding her head slowly she told him about the fairies and other races that she had been made aware of by Jasmina and how they thought she was to be responsible for the security and safety of the forest from now on.

Chuckling, Nokala sipped the water "The old laws are followed by many races still and it seems you have managed to find a sidhe that adhere to them" He leaned forward and cocked his head "Are you going to be their protector and justice or just ignore them?"

Cill gave a noncommittal grunt and looked at the ceiling "I am meeting their king soon and I will find out if they are friendly or not. I thought I had enough trouble just looking after James and Myself"

Nokala put his boots on the edge of the bed and grinned up at her "Well, to add to your woes. It seems a human female has inveigled her father into letting her come here to see James. They seemed to have known one another"

Cill hissed nastily and her talons curled in the material of the bed as her instincts rose in alarm "She wants to steal him?" She would not tolerate this!

Nokala held up his hand to head off a potential rampage "She merely wishes to visit and say 'hello' to him. At least that is what the letter says. The problem we have is that she will go home and tell everyone that James has married a dragoness and we are not ready for his parents or friends to find that out yet"

Cill frowned, her eyes narrowing "Go on" she murmured while still slowly flexing her talons in the suffering bedclothes.

"I shall instruct Marre that you are to learn the art of throwing a glamour this week so that when she visits, she will see James happily mated to a pretty human female and will hopefully turn round and go home"

Nokala sounded quite satisfied with the solution he had proposed, not realizing that such a course would often have the reverse effect.

Cill sniffed daintily "I shall make sure my human form is so stunning she will simply faint with inadequacy". Her talons teased a thread from the bed and twisted it like a noose. "So she is due here soon?"

"We aren't sure - it could be later or sooner. The transport that humans' use is unreliable and erratic to say the least. But work out your form according to Marres's instructions and perhaps you can surprise James with it"

Snickering quietly Cill thought that would be a wonderful prank. She felt he was overdue retribution for making her chase him. "I'll do as Master Marre says, Father" Then she smiled mischievously at him. "Do you think I should be blonde or brunette?"

Duncan and Tomako were fast making friends and Master Desmond was only too eager to demonstrate his protégé's talents in front of the keep's lord. After melting another ingot with his breath in front of the sweating lord, Duncan was ready to admit that he was indeed an asset and could visit as often as he liked before heading unsteadily back up to his solar and the comforting haze the wine bestowed upon him.

Tomako easily swung the heavy lump hammer used to beat the metal into shape and found he enjoyed it greatly, especially when he could see the shield shape beginning or feel the form of a sword or lance hidden in the metal he was working.

Ronald was also in awe after having gotten over his initial reluctance of a new apprentice and helped rotate the metal steadily as the dragon hammered at it. He was learning too and envied the fact that the dragon did not even seem to sweat. He was working up the courage to ask Tomako to show him his natural form when Nokala turned the corner into the forge and leaned against the doorpost while the young dragon was engrossed in working the metal.

Desmond noticed the dangerous looking man lurking near the entrance and went over to him "Can I be of service my lord?" he asked, not wanting to give offense.

"I am just watching my young friend here, Master Smith. I can see he has great talent and I am pleased you are taking the time to nurture it"

Desmond was not as slow as Ronald was and coughed nervously "Are you well acquainted with Tomako sir?" he asked cautiously.

"We are of the same clan and I am keen to see him advance," replied Nokala, watching as Tomako quenched the shield rough in the trough, raising a huge cloud of steam that filled the room in the process.

Wafting away the steam rising from the metal Tomako smiled as he saw Nokala leaning near the door and hurried over to greet him once more.

"Lord Nokala, Let me introduce Mastersmith Desmond and his apprentice Ronald" Tomako was effusive and waved the fruits of his labours easily in one hand despite the size of the shield-to-be. The over-enthusiastic movements making the humans nervous as it waved dangerously within an inch of their faces.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself Tomako" A grinning Nokala took the cooling shield and spun it lightly in his hands "What do your parents think?"

Tomako's face fell a little "My mother thinks it is a good idea that I should be able to work hoard, but ...my father does not know of it yet. I do not think he would approve"

Nokala nodded slowly "I have spoken of this to Shallalindria also and warned her of the consequences of her decision. She said you wished to remain here and build your own lair also"

Tomako gulped, his adam's apple bobbing like a float in a stream. His gaze flicking between the humans "I was going to ask Cill and James if I could stay. I can hunt for the keep and add to their hoards also"

Nokala nodded as he thought slowly "come for a walk with me young one, I can see you have things you wish to say that you may not want others to be privy to"

Nodding Tomako wiped his hands on a towel and the pair stepped away from the forge.

"I shall not take him from you for long, good smith" Nokala reassured the anxious man by the forge. "I merely wish to see how we are going to manage this"

Desmond nodded gratefully and took the shield rough with a grunt as Tomako handed it to him, almost dropping it in the process.

Stepping carefully around the stalls and carts Nokala took in the confident air of the young male and the way he looked at the humans scurrying past. "You know your sister seems to have formed an 'attachment' to a particular human, don't you?" he asked quietly.

Tomako nodded slowly as they made their way towards the training ground, walking in step "Yes, I like Tommy too, if she has found a potential mate. I shall not stand in the way of their happiness. James and Cill seem to be an excellent pairing"

Nokala grunted meaningfully "We shall see. I want you to be there for your sister Tomako. You know what your father is like. I would suggest the both of you seek lodging here - though not together as I'm sure she would like her privacy"

Tomako looked sidelong at the older dragon "Do you think James and Cill would let us live here? And the human lord?"

Chuckling Nokala nodded "They will. There are other considerations also. Will your mother interfere if you tell her Shalla is leaving too? I know she is upset at the plans to mate her to a drake of her parent's choice. I believe she should at least have the choice to find her own mate."

Tomako folded his arms and thought hard, stopping on the track "I think she would. She used to fight my father all the time but now she seems to agree with him a lot more" He seemed to shake with suppressed anger "She told me she wouldn't tolerate Shalla bringing shame upon the family name!"

Nokala shook his head sadly "Honor means different things to different dragon's Tomako, from what you say I think you and Shalla will have to make it a clean break and that will be hard... especially on your mother."

Tomako nodded "My father would likely not be too concerned about me, but Shalla would be unable to ever return home"

Pausing near the field where the novices were panting and wheezing Nokala nodded "That is true" he looked round with a grin "I'm hungry...Let us hunt together. It will give your sister and Tommy some privacy as well as letting you work off some of your anger"

Taking a deep breath the older dragon touched his fingertips together and slowly willed the shift, containing the rushing power easily as he felt it surge through his body. He felt like roaring with relief as he grew to his full size, his wings unfurled and he leaned back, his body growing warm from the energy coursing through it.

Tomako did the same, somewhat nervous about letting the humans see him shift so openly. After shrugging off the cramped human shape, he felt a palpable relief at not having to pretend in front of them anymore. They already knew he was a dragon and it didn't matter to them now. Did humans always adapt so quickly?

James watched with the rest of the open-mouthed novices nearby and then walked up to the pair "Leaving already?" he asked, his head tilted back so he could see Nokala properly.

Nokala grinned and placed his huge paw over James, the long talons digging into the earth until it looked as if he was in a cage. James folded his arms and tapped his foot on the ground "Cill will be angry if you squash me," he said as the novices hugged one another in terror behind him. "Not to mention what Joe will say about the holes in the ground!"

Tomako looked from one to the other, a puzzled look on his muzzle as James nonchalantly leaned on one of the lifeboat-sized talons and tapped on it firmly.

"You see?" Nokala said to Tomako "Humans are brave in the oddest situations. He knows I will not squash him though it would be so easy to. He trusts me, as I am family now. He would also extend that trust to you"

Tomako looked down at James who grinned back at him before buffing at Nokala's talon with his grubby jerkin "What have you been doing with these things...You need a manicure"

Nokala gave a throaty rumbling laugh "Tomako and I are going hunting for lunch. Shall I bring you a sheep too?" Tugging his talons free of the ground, he tapped them on his chest to get rid of the loose dirt and showering James with it at the same time..

"Er, thank you no father-in-law...I doubt I could finish a whole one" James replied after brushing himself down. "But thanks for the offer. Let us know if you see anything interesting out there though"

Stretching his wings out and tentatively flapping them, the wind making the terrified novices stagger Nokala nodded in agreement "I shall, Cill tells me there are several hidden races in this forest and I will endeavor to locate them"

James cocked his head in curiosity "Hidden races? Like the elves?"

"Yes, apparently there are some fairies, gryphon's and perhaps a unicorn or two" the large dragon murmured mentally "No doubt you will encounter them soon"

Spreading their wings wide, the pair of dragons flapped powerfully and leapt into the air above the keep. After making a couple of circles around the perimeter, they flew off in the direction of the deep forest leaving James alone trying to calm the overwrought novices.

King Dougal paced up and down in front of the throne. The large hall was mainly empty as the fairies were out hunting, gathering and helping the various animals of the forest.

He felt out of his depth and was still trying to digest the news that a human and a dragoness were not only mating. But had apparently had set up their own lair in the midst of the stone keep of the humans as well! It was preposterous!

His rotary perambulations were interrupted by a delicate cough, one that did not emanate from a fairy throat and one that certainly was carefully modulated to not cause undue alarm in those who heard it.

He strode swiftly over to the door of the oak tree and peered out and down, and down further...his gaze suddenly captured by the piercing hawk-like glare of a talltyoung gryphoness who was perched quietly on a branch just below the entrance. "Good Day your Majesty "she murmured quietly, ducking her head in a bow "I am Katreen, designated ambassador of the darktail gryphon pack"

Dougal swallowed nervously and bowed in return "Well met Lady Katreen, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" as if he didn't know... He thought to himself.

Katreen preened a little, her coloring was an attractive mix of glossy black feathers that shifted to a deep reddish-crimson before they merged with the tawny lioness body. He also noticed the hooked beak and delicately groomed tufts above the lively bright eyes. Tufted ears perked forwards as she looked up at him. She would easily reach six feet when standing on her hind paws.

"I am informed that we have noble ones living in the forest once more and that you are in possession of more accurate information about them?" she finished hopefully.

"While it is true that we have made contact with the ...er couple, that have moved into the forest I personally have not met them yet."

Katreen recognized the pauses and hesitation in the King's voice and cocked her head "You sound ambiguous about our new guardians, your majesty?" she trilled quietly, hoping to elicit further information.

Dougal sighed loudly "I can hardly believe the news myself Lady Katreen. This is what I know. The dragoness is very real yes, but she is mated to...and this is confirmed I might add, to a human male... and they have made their lair in the stone building of the humans!"

Katreen couldn't hold back a startled cluck of chagrin at this news "A human? How can this be? I rarely see them in our part of the forest though I know they don't get on well with faerie or dragons"

Dougal gave a shrug "I have no idea. I am organizing a meeting with them for tomorrow morning - perhaps you would like to attend also?"

Katreen looked nervous "Meet a human? I-I don't know" she looked twitchingly from side to side "I have never spoken to one before. But I am supposed to be an ambassador so I suppose I must."

Dougal nodded "You would be safe. The dragoness would not let anything happen to you" He did not add that he would also be carrying several powerful protective spells for his own peace of mind.

"Then I shall attend with your leave, your majesty" Katreen murmured graciously and bent her head in a bow.

Dougal was about to say something else but froze as the sun was briefly blocked out by a shadow. Looking up and dreading what he would see, the silhouettes of two large dragons flapped slowly high over the sidhe.

Cill walked slowly up the hill to where Shalla was sitting alone deep in thought. Seating herself beside the quiet dragoness, she watched the others gaze as it followed one particular novice through his training.

"There is a nice lake near here that you can swim in if you wish," She said quietly. "And it is a nice place to take someone for a private talk also" A hint of sly amusement in her voice as she nudged Shalla with a wingtip.

Shalla felt her ruffs flush with heat and nodded "Thank you Cill, I do want to talk with him. D-Did you take James there when he was courting you?"

Cill gave a giggle "No, actually he fell in it when I spoke to him but we have enjoyed ourselves there many times"

Shalla sighed gustily "Your father said you had a lair near here and that you always sought your independence. Did you enjoy it? Being on your own and without family near?" she scratched random patterns on the ground with a talon.

Cill cocked her head in thought "It was lonely. However, I spoke to mother often and she would have been there had I gotten into trouble or hungry. I enjoyed hunting and stealing new items for my lair though," she said this last with a wicked grin "I used to sneak up to the keep and look for things they threw out"

Shalla looked shocked "You hunted for yourself and stole?" she had always had plenty of nice things around and if she wanted something for her room all she had to do was ask for it.

"Of course! That was the fun part - apart from scaring James of course, but that came later and I wasn't expecting a human to come barging into my lake"

Shalla nodded slowly, "they can be fun cant they" she sneaked a sidelong look at Cill "at least from all the noise you two make I can only assume its fun"

Cill licked her muzzle slowly "you have no idea..." She leaned closer "Male dragons don't last half as long and they fall asleep afterwards... not to mention all the naughty things he can do as well. Get Tommy to rub you down with oil sometime. I'll get James to give him some"

Shalla covered her muzzle with a paw, stifling a startled squeak. She felt strange warmth in her belly at the thought. "Oh my". Struggling to regain a little dignity, she murmured.

"Tomako wants to start his own lair near here so he can be near the smithy. Would that be all right? I do not think he will cause trouble. I think he plans to visit other clans to look for a female of his own, though I know a few in ours that want him but he doesn't realize it"

Cill gave this careful thought "I think it will be alright. He and James seem to get on well and I think he has found a good vocation that will make him the envy of other drakes. I will ask James though I am sure he will agree." Her tone grew curious "And you? Will you want a place of your own soon? I know your father will not appreciate you visiting me, let alone Tommy" She was startled when Shalla burst into tears, sobbing noisily into her paws.

"Th-they said they mean to mate me to a strange drake soon," she stammered, "I don't want to be a captive brood-hen like my mother was." Her paw dashed the tears from her eyes decisively. "And I won't! Even if I have to run away!" she seemed startled to hear herself say such a thing as Cill put a comforting wing over her.

"You are always welcome here Shalla," she murmured, realizing that she found a kindred spirit in the confused female.

Shalla sniffed noisily and looked up at Cill, her yellow eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot "Thank you Cill, I will talk to my mother and see what they have planned before I make a decision". Pulling the tattered remnants of her dignity about her she set her wings back and looked down the hill to where the novices lay panting on the ground, various weapons scattered about them.

"And he had better be worth it" she muttered to herself.