Tale of the fireborn

Ones friends shall always be close.

A young soldier standing in the now open door. „Dragons !!", he yelled panicked. Some of the younger soldiers were training on lookout shifts. It would not be the first wrongful alarm. Calmly I asked: „Were you send or did you started to panick?" „Send by ..." „Dragons approaching from which direction?", Colonel Thiander asked whilst I checked inn with the Dragons.

„Do you know who is approaching?" I asked through our bonds and Tsharr grummeled: „ I know them. They have no business being here!" „Well, go and escort them to the Flying field. I will meet you there." „I will got too", Ever sang melodic and Sea tshirrped: „I will protect you."

„Tsharr and Ever are escorting them to the Flying field. It does not seem endangering, do not start an Alarm. Do you understand?!", the young soldier nodded fearful and asked: „Am I allowed to go back to the lookout?"

Quickly the whole Council walked through the Fortress down to the tunnel to the flying field. We almost ran. Sea was already waiting for us. Doing her best to appear as huge as possible. Being one of the biggest Dragons known to us did not make it difficult for her. „Am I terrifying?", Sea asked and I grinned: „To everyone else yes, to me... not so much." „Stop Blabbering you two and focus"; Tsharr demanded from afar. I don't even know how to stand so that it appears like I am leading. To the ones here in the Fortress it was never a question. To outsiders? It always was annoying being young, a women, without a husband and the chosen leader for many regions. It had been a fight. Hopefully whomever it was, would not make more difficulties then necessary. Tsharr came closer and I recognised the Dragons following his lead. Seven Dragons landing. Tsharr and Ever didn't even attempt to. They passed by and took their favorite seats atop the Fortess.

The second they had dismounted their Dragons, the women walked with huge steps towards me. „A a familiar face. How comforting. Child give me a...", Anniza Fowenner was stopped by Boaz a few steps before reaching me. The Brigardier Jon Fowenner stood right behind his wife: „Captain." Everyone waited for me to say something. I nodded to Boaz, so he took down his arm. „Welcome to the Temzzarian Fortress. How can we be of service to the Fowenner Family?" I welcomed them as warm and almost as I could. Anniza took the word: „Child, be so kind and get your mother. We have something to discuss with the senator." Jon still glancing around the Council. He seems like someone turned on the lights. „Senator Rae, would you like us to remove the visitors?", Boaz asked with his tenor voice and Anniza forgot to breathe just for s second. „Please be so kind and escort the Ladys and the Children to the dining hall and kindly ask Mrs Carleighl to hand out some refreshments since lunch will be shortly. Anniza, I expect you'd like to take part in our discussion?" She nodded. Jon walked towards me with his oldest daughter right behind him and his youngest son. Both have some military background. „We will use the Council meeting room for this. Please follow me. The dragons will be made comfortable in the Den", I explained and walked back through the tunnel, up the two staircases and into the council room we had left so quickly. I took my seat. Jon seemed less uncomfortable than Anniza. „Jeán, take a seat too. I would like to hear what brings you to the Fortress since you expected my mother to be here", I explained and literally gave them the Floor.

Jon hadn't taken a seat. Anniza was nervously shifting her weight. „Please talk to me otherwise I cannot help if need be", I pleaded with warmth. Dara gave me an impressed look. Jon took the word: „We would like to seek refuge in this very Fortress." It had taken him everything possible to ask for help. I never intended to embarrass him. My intention was to him keeping his pride as unfounded as possible. „You do understand that seeking refuge in our Fortress will demand certain responsibilities Jon", I used his Name not his title or familyname to give comfort. He took a deep breath. Jeán and Liza waited for their parents to take the word but neither did. Liza asked: „What responsibilities would that be?" „The Children will be going to class. Either in the Academy for the younglings or join the cadets so they can contribute to our way of living around here. Each adult will choose were their abilities are best used. Which could be from teaching certain skills, taking care of the little ones up to serving in our force. If you do not wish this kind participation and would like to tribute to our society in another way, we will help you with housing and finding any kind of work you seek. Does this satisfy your question?", I asked and could already see Liza trying not to smile. Anniza started to calm down. Jeán asked quickly: „Do I have to go on the force again? As a rider?" „Honestly, since I know were your strength lies, I would recommend you for something else unless you prefer to join the military this way", I gave him a warm smile seeing his relief was more than I could have asked for. Jeán was their youngest child, the only son and never was a fighter or strategist like his father. Liza joined in again: „I would like to join the force directly, as for my sister she..." „Will receive the best care possible. As does every single pregnant women in the Border Strip. The Children will join their classmates after lunch. Makes your settling inn much easier. We have many young children around due to their parents working here, being soldiers or being orphaned. They will have a blast in their classes. Trust me", I winked to Jeán. We had been together in classes but I was teaching since my healing powers had been quite powerful very early on.

Liza and Jeán had left with Kyora whom assigned the Children to their classes and the Family's to their quarters. Shared quarters but more than a tent. Liza would be training with me later just to make her entrance into the team. Left were Anniza and Jon. „Jon, If you wouldn't mind to wait for a moment, I would take Anniza on a short walk", I offered. Knowingly, that Ioane and Dara would talk to him. Just as Boaz and Ciáran will. Lia and Syem were busy with the Sumaccian refuges and the placements, so I took it up on myself to give Anniza a welcome. She was very nervous, almost scared.

„You do understand, that you are most welcome in the Fortress. I welcome you in my home", I offered comfort or at least I tried. Just as we walked out of the Fortress Pyanne walked towards us with Koa. „Mom, flight training was okay. Maybe we should do more maneuvering?!", he almost yelled and Pyanne grinned: „Just because you aced it." „I believe both did well on you training and no, we do not change that schedule Koa", I kissed his temple quickly for some embarrassment. Pyanne laughed badly. Anniza smiled at me: „ You have a son?" „I have children, yes. And a lot of responsibility leading the Border Strip and this very Fortress. I will need help in a certain department which I believe is something you would enjoy." Anniza didn't even ask. We walked past the soldiers outside training space and into the Children's space. „I believe you can spread some comfort for the young families and the Toddlers as advisor or just to chat", I explained. Anniza always was the most warm around her family and when she could give advice. Being a mother was what she was best at and that makes her a connection between us and the Town around the Fortress. Without even more explanation Anniza walked over and started. Amazing to see how fast she adapted to new surroundings. Before I left, she gave me a relieved smile.

Walking back, I took in the fresh air for a moment. Just for a second only birds, bees, dragons and the wind. As good as those seconds were it did not last long enough. Walking back into the council room they stopped talking. Waiting for me to open the conversation. Jon had been a Brigadier for over Twenty years. „Jon, what would you like to do around here?", I asked him directly. I very well know what kind of asset he would be to insiders I do not have connected to my ranking in the so-called old Kingdoms army. Jon looked his eyes itch mine: „I would like to be an adviser or train the upcoming soldiers. If that is needed." „Well, I would like to pair you with Ajax. He will see where you will be best placed in the Trainingsgruppe the cadets and officers. Advisement as needed is what I would suggest", I said.  No words against it. Just a friendly nodding by Ajax.

One more point of the list.

„There is one thing you need to know. Cane is pulling back all his troops into the castle unless the are stationed directly at the border. He is preparing for maximum damage. Which is the reason we are here, following your mother to her home country", Jon explained. The others already giving me looks. I took a breath. My mind started to race. We had to get all our allies out before they started killing them. „How many of our allies are reachable to extract?", I asked into the room and then I demanded: „I need Lia and Syem here in a minute with our higher Leadership!" Dara went out and send for Leadership. The men were told to walk fast not run. I faced Jon: „My mother is not involved in anything around here. But we will have to get her out with many others who will be slaughtered if Cane gets what he wants." „How many allies do you have on the ground?", Jon asked genuinely interested and I smiled: „Way to many. Seems like most want Cane gone as leadership. Destruction is all he is capable of. The common folk is parted over it."

„Tsharr, we need Dragons to do patrol flight by themselves along the border, do you we have a few unbounded up for it?", I asked and Evers melodic voice answered: „Yes we have enough for it. Let me send them on their way." „Little. One, I am not leaving this Fortress unless you are", he shouted with his deep tenor. I took it to heart. My dragons hated leaving my side for any reason how ever pressing. Usually Dragons aren't like that. Clingy is not a word anyone would dare using but me.  They are too clingy sometimes.

Woosh. I turned my head around. Sistine. One of the Divós. Some called them inhumane. Others called them little people. Again others called them cursed. But taught was they never existed, they are a story to tell children. The few that actually met them you could count on two hands. Truly knowing them you could count on one hand. Divós are physically short people at least that's what they look like. More physical strength by afar compared to us magics or humans. Not to forget they are directly connected to all earthly magic since they are the keepers of nature. Most impressive Divós can change places in a second with a woosh. Usually they just turn themselves invisible to be able to act without being spotted. „Sistine", I stated to the maximum surprise of all around us.