Earth Touched - A Dragon Tribe Origin

Chapter Eight - Finn

"Tell Sir Garrison, as always, I'm looking forward to seeing him in-between meetings and catching up," Lord Oceina said, giving Finn's hand a firm shake. "And thank him also for the gift. I'm always honored by him."

Finn bowed. "Of course, Sir. It's always great to see you as well." And he meant it. Of all the Great Lords, the Oceina one was by far the most pleasant to be around. He genuinely expressed an interest in Finn as an adult and equal despite their drastic difference in social standing. When the meetings weren't in session, he was just a man. It made the tension around him easier, because Finn was always nervous when meeting with the Great Lords.

It was the morning after the opening party of the council, and a few hours before the meetings began. Finn was put to work immediately by Sir Garrison.

The Oceina Great Lord gave Finn a gentle smile. "Perhaps later, I can introduce you to my youngest son, Darien. It's his first time here for the actual meetings. He could use someone experienced to show him how things run."

"We've met," Finn said, then realized how rude that might sound. "When we were kids, I mean. It was a long time ago. He probably won't remember me, but I do remember him. The three of us, him, Gage, and I, spent a lot of time at the beach that meeting."

The Great Lord raised an eyebrow, his blue eyes going wide. "Weren't you supposed to be doing the bonding activities with the others?"

"We bonded." Finn cleared his throat. "Did I say a lot of time? I meant a lot of our free time." In truth, it had been a lot of time. Sneaking away from the group who liked to torment the poor kid for being different. The other Oceina children didn't take kindly to Darien for some reason. Finn never got the story outside of it involved the fact that Darien was Touched. Gage, also being Touched, helped give Darien someone to relate to. Though things were so much different in Terran. They didn't fear the Touched the same way the Oceina did.

The Oceina Lord nodded, though Finn doubted he believed him. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you. The distraction will be good for him. He just married, and being away from his bride has been hard."

"Oh." Finn couldn't relate on that front. He was the only one of his friends not married still. In Terran, it wasn't strange. Their courtship ritual involved actually courting before getting married and growing to love their chosen bride. All of the other tribes wed a whole lot younger, and the process usually involved convenience over emotions. "I'll find him later tonight. I have a few other gifts to deliver."

"Of course, I won't keep you anymore."

Another bow, and then Finn rushed through the main hall corridors. He had to make his delivery before the Great Lords left their waiting chambers. Once they went down into the private sectors, Finn wouldn't be allowed to see anyone until after the meeting. An important Terran custom was to always greet and bring a token of friendship to the other tribes. Each elected official had a representative make the deliveries. Finn was the chosen one for Sir Garrison.

He only had one more to make, and that was to the Inero. Once he was at the chamber door, he took a moment to catch his breath before knocking. A few seconds later, the Inero Great Lord stood before him.

Finn bowed to him. "Your Lordship. I come with a gift from Sir Garrison, and am here to welcome you to the island. We look forward to the continual growth between our two great nations."

"Thank you," the Great Lord of the Inero said. He took the small wrapped box from Finn's outstretched hands. "Please tell Sir Garrison I am eager for those same things as well. Perhaps he and I could meet again to discuss the upcoming election. I'd love to hear his ideas for your country."