One My Try

I woke the next morning feeling much better and was surprised by the three large packs stacked by the roll. Kiron was humming softly as he made a small breakfast. Talon looked like she had a black cloud floating over her head. He saw me looking and shook his head slightly. Not a morning person then. He motioned over to a small pile of clothes and whispered.

“See if those fit and I will work on getting her into a better mood.”

It had several layers, all of a much better quality then I had ever worn. The first layer was pants and a loose blouse made of silk that would tie over socks and gloves. Over that was the same leather flight suit that both the twins were wearing. They fit perfectly, right down to the boots and gloves. Talon came over nursing a metal mug of something that smelled very very strong.

“Good. They fit well, then.”

“Thank you very much. This is better than anything I've ever had.”

She muttered, “Yeah, but your family was a pile of dicks.”

“Well, at least my brother was.”

“Heh, I like you.”

“Why thank you.” She mussed my hair and then looked closely at it. “Hmm, we need to do something about that before we get moving. Kiron catch.” She tossed the metal mug at him and I gasped as it caught him on the side of his head.

“Oooooooooow! Talon why do you have to be such a bitch?” He groaned and picked up the mug, muttering under his breath.

She turned back to me and laughed. “He will be fine. I have done worse to him.”

“But...you just threw a mug at his head!”

“So? He is fine.” Before I could bluster any more about it, she had a brush and was tying my hair back into a complex bun. “This will keep it under control for a while.”

“Thanks.” It felt odd to have someone tie up my hair, but a very good odd. I jumped when Kiron tapped my shoulder.

His chuckle made me flush with embarrassment. “Well then I think we are ready to go. Stay close to me. This grass can be hell to move through. Though, luckily, we do not have far to go.”

“Okay then.” He soon proved his point. Kiron was tall, maybe close to seven feet without shoes, and the golden stalks still rose far above his head. I had to laugh as he muttered and cursed at the grass. When he bent or broke a stalk, a milky white sap that smelled of apples dripped to the ground. Soon all three of us were covered in the sticky sap. Kiron growled softly and slicked back his hair, only to have to spring back into disarray with the slightest breeze. Come noon, the pain started. It started as a mild ache that slowly increased in intensity and moved all over my body, roaming with my blood.

“Are you all right, little one?”

I started when Kiron looked back at me. I had fallen behind. “Yeah. I'm just not used to walking this much, I guess.”

Talon chuckled softly and patted my head. “You have done well to keep with us so far. I guess we can slow down a bit.”

“No. I am getting out of this thrice be damned grass tonight. Pardon me.” With that, Kiron crouched and picked me up, holding me in his arms.

“Um...I can walk, you know.”

“Not fast enough to clear this place by nightfall.” His voice had dropped an octave and held a small undercurrent of growl.

“Well, pardon me then, Mr. Grumpy-Pants.”

Behind us, Talon burst into laughter and I was mortified. Never call out the grumpy dragon who is holding you several feet in the air. Bad move usually. I felt the chuckle deep in his chest before I heard it. “Yes, I guess you can call me that. But there is a small inn with the promise of soft beds and baths before we cross. I want a bath. Desperately. I thought that you might enjoy that too. Talon will not. She enjoys being covered in mold inducing ick.”

“I do not.” I chuckled softly and held up my hands in surrender. “A bath sounds wonderful. Are you sure I'm not too heavy for you, Kiron?”

“Little one, you are a feather.” He sounded angry.

“Oh.” I didn't want to anger him further, so I fell silent. A few hours later, he seemed to have calmed down. It probably helped that the grass was finally thinning out. Just before nightfall the stalks finally gave up the fight and we came to face an extremely abrupt mountain. It defied natural laws and looked as if the ground had been pinched tightly. Nestled at the foot of the only path up was a small inn, almost invisible against the rock. Kiron gently set me down and I stared up at the massive mountain. How something so big could have no foothills astounded me.

“Are all mountains like this?”

Talon shook her head and smiled. “No, this chain marks the boundary of human lands and, as such, Tiamat decided they should be as imposing as possible. She did a remarkable job, do you think?”

I nodded and Kiron laughed as he opened the door. “Come on, baths await us.”

The inside of the Inn was cut from the mountain's face and lit by ghostly blue fires that danced in the air. Behind the bar was an old crone who cackled gleefully as she hugged Kiron. “W'at brings ya 'ere, laddie?”

He smiled and motioned to me, “We found Marianne's daughter and decided to bring her home with us.”

“Glory be, Mariann's daug'ter.” The crone bowed low and smiled. “Welcome ta my 'umble abode. I see ya all are in need of bat's. Upstairs. Ya know t'e way.” Kiron patted her shoulder with a wide grin.

“Thank you much, Mother Rae.”

He led us up the stairs and stopped at the first door, “You two can use this one.”

“Who...was that?”

“Mother Rae is a brownie and she runs this way-station. She makes it sure that no humans get past this Inn when they try and climb the path.”

“How?”

“Fey Magicks of course.”

“That doesn't tell me much.”

He chuckled and opened the door. “You will learn more later. Get clean and I will see about food.”

Talon kissed his cheek and smiled. “Bless you.” We walked into the most luxurious bathroom I had ever seen. Set deep into the floor was a small pool of steaming scented water. “Ah, bless you, Mother Rae.” She stripped and tossed the clothes into a small wicker bin. “Toss your clothes in there for now.” I nodded and started to do the same, a little distracted by her wings. Like Kiron's, they almost seemed to dwarf her but, unlike his wine red, hers were a bright crimson.

The water was blissfully hot as I sunk in. “Mmm ,this is great.”

“Mother Rae's baths are my favorite. She always seems to know what to put in them.”

“I see...Will...I get wings like yours?”

“Hmm...I doubt it. Your mother's wings were feathered and that seems to follow bloodlines. As for the color...” She smiled and leaned back, stretching her wings out to their full size. “We will just have to wait and see. It is different every generation with your line.”

“What were my mother's?”

“They were a very pretty white.”

“Are all dragons shaped like you?”

Talon laughed and shook her head. “No. Kiron is much bulkier than I, even if our basic shape is the most common.”

“Basic shape?”

“You will see.”

“Why can't you just tell me?”

“Not allowed to. Part of the Geas.”

I sighed and sunk lower into the water. “Who's bright idea was that anyway?”

Talon chuckled and shrugged. “Who do you think?”

I grumbled and started to look for soap. When we got out an hour, later all of our clothes were crisply folded next to the towels.

“Bless brownie magicks. The best ever for cleaning.”

I smiled slightly and was counting my blessings for another reason; the hot water had helped reduce the pains. Back down in the tavern area, Kiron was sitting at a table full of food looking just as clean as us, wings in full view. Apparently they had no reason to hide them here.

“About time you two got done. Food was going to get cold after much longer.”

Mother Rae had outdone herself with dinner. There was a huge pot of stew, three pies of some sort, two whole rabbits and a very small bowl of salad. Kiron pointed to a wooden bowl carved with dancing sprites and spirits with a matching spoon.

“Those are yours. A gift from Mother Rae.”

“Oh, she didn't have to!”

Kiron chuckled softly. “Lesson number one. The Fey, of any kind, never give gifts. She gives this in with the idea that one day she will be able to gain your favor. She is not a particularly strong Fey but has her own status, thanks to this place, so accept it with grace. You will not be able to with the stronger ones. Their favor and gifts cost far too much.”

I nodded and sat slowly, chewing it over. The food was delicious. Or at least the stew was. Kiron wouldn't stop glaring at me till I finished three bowls of the stuff. Of the new food experiences, peas were my least favorite. The little things just...mushed with an almost tacky flavor. Now, carrots I liked, even if the texture was odd. Something that silky on the outside shouldn't crunch. When the plates were empty and we all leaned back, I noticed that I hadn't seen Mother Rae since we walked in.

“What happened to Mother Rae?”

“She is a brownie. They do not like to be seen, little one.” Kiron said with a slight smile.

“Why do you keep calling me little one?” I responded, annoyed with it.

“Well, what else are we to call you? You have not given us anything to call you by.”

“I... haven't?”

“No...little one.”

I scowled, which only made him laugh. “Well...you can call me Loa then.”

“Alright, little one.”

When I started to splutter, Talon flicked an errant scrap at him. “Stop teasing her. It is getting late, Mother Rae probably has the beds ready. Want me to walk you up?”

I shook my head and rose slowly. I knew a cue when I heard it. “No, I'll be fine. Good Night.” The first door I opened proved to be a bedroom with fresh sheets. I heard them calling miles away. Sleep caught me before I felt the mattress.

I growled when I became aware of the darkness and the woman standing next to me.

Is that the proper way to greet someone of my stature?

“Should be.” I sighed and rubbed at my eyes. Even here I was haunted by the roving pains. “What do you want Tiamat? I'm tired and grumpy.”

I can see that. She knelt to wrap her arms around me comfortingly. You should probably tell them about the pains.

I shook my head and sighed. “I have the feeling that I am going to cause them a lot of trouble the next few years. A little pain on my part isn't something they should have to worry over.”

Her chuckle warmed me and she patted my head. Ah, what little you know of families. But we shall just let you figure that one out on your own. Soon you will be home.

“Can you tell me anything about it?”

Hmm...I could....but I do not feel like it.

“Then why are you here? Besides to cause me trouble.”

Well, I thought you would like to know that you will get your wings when you set foot among the sands.

“What does that mean?” I sighed when she just smiled. She wasn't going to tell me much more than that.

Just tell the twins this. They are trying to figure out how to introduce you. In a week, there will be a ball at the castle. That would be best to make a grand entrance.

“What does that have to do with anything!?” My frustration was reaching a boiling point between her and Kiron.

They will know. Sleep well, my little one.

“I would if you people would stop bothering me!”

When sunlight streamed through the window I wanted to cry. Stupid Gods.