The Son of Thunder

Chapter Thirty-Three

A more complete drawing of Magpie above. Magpie often smiles, is tremendously expressive. She's one of my favorite characters.

"Any excuse to leave," the Son of Thunder said, once they were in the street. "I'm amazed Shawna hasn't sent a search party for me. I was cruel to Warrior earlier today and I've been gone so long."

Magpie was only too happy to accompany him and walk through the streets to the ruling wing. Shawna appeared as soon as Lightening set foot on the first step to the offices. A guard was with her. When Lightening introduced Magpie, Shawna announced that they'd met and called her a pleasing young woman. Lightening wondered at this, but quickly forgot any concerns.

"I'm making her a citizen," he said.

"It's about time."

Shawna ordered the guard to escort them to the offices and unlock the hall. Lightening didn't light up the area, just carried a torch along the way. Though they were walking levelly, it reminded Magpie of descending into the recesses of a cavern. Lightening found the paper, Magpie signed it, he filed it and that was it. All that trouble Magpie had been through for a signature. She was astounded.

"Don't I have to pass a test?" She could read a little, but she was grossly aware that she hadn't been able to read Lightening's note.

"You come to the announcements every phase," he said. "You're the only female consistently there. You know as much about the laws of this place as I do."

"But what about sparring? Defending oneself is a mandate of the law."

He stripped his mask off, revealed his broad grin, frightening in the torch light. "We have enough guards to protect our population now. We no longer require a sparring match. Though we do recommend our citizens study the skill."

Glenada might just let the Lovebirds apply after all. Magpie's heart was fluttering. She was heady and light. She lay back on the desk, slipped into the darkness.

"I would like to test your sparring skills," he said, "for my own interest."

Magpie sat up. Her stomach churned. Dinner had not settled yet.

"You have tasks tomorrow," he said. "But when you finish with those, I would have you come here. We will spar before repast, then you'll sup with mine."

Magpie flew to Lightening's arms, held him so tightly. She towered over him. Tears flowed down her cheeks. She sobbed her undying gratitude. He was the dream she had imagined him to be, but he was a man before her. He kissed her on the cheek, rubbed her tears away, then reminded her it was late.

"Your parents will suppose us mating if you don't return soon."

Oh, how cruel of him to say so. He teased her of her family, then escorted her to the end of the ruling wing. He stood in the doorway, his mask covering his face, watching as she ambled down the lane.

Magpie entered through the kitchen door. Annadam and Dark were lingering. Glenada's smile consumed her face and she danced around, twirling her towel. "Oh, he favored you very well, Magpie."

"She probably reminds him of his beloved Camilia," Canary said.

Hawk muttered, "He couldn't take his eyes off of her."

"From the moment you entered the living area, he was taken with you, my dear," Lorid said.

"No thanks to her speaking of politics and women in government," Canary said.

"You spoke words that were impolite too," Lorid said.

"He's definitely thinking of a union," Dark said.