Healed

Chapter 32

Distinguished Teacher Sunny,

Hello again, I hope you are doing well. It if wasn't obvious from the return address on the letter this is Starfish again, Soul Healer to Flame, your previous student. We corresponded some time ago about Flame's history at Jade Academy, specifically on the topic of Stonemover. Anyway, Flame has requested I write this letter to you on his behalf to request a meeting among the three of us. There are important matters he would like to discuss in private and we would be most grateful for your cooperation!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Starfish of the SeaWings

Flame leaned back from where he had been reading over Starfish's shoulder at the freshly written letter.

"Well? Is everything to your satisfaction?" the blue dragon asked as he wiped his talons clean of ink.

"Meh. Good enough," Flame shrugged as he brushed over the letter once again. "Although, 'distinguished teacher' is pretty dumb sounding."

"Agreed. It sounds like you're trying to suck up to her," Avalanche voiced, not that anyone had asked her to share her opinion in the first place. As promised she had returned first thing that morning and, much to Starf's reluctance, had joined their session. She was now craning her neck high above the blue dragon to peer down at the letter on his desk, inspecting it with displeasure. "Are you trying to win her favour through flattery, SeaWing?"

Starfish's ears twitched at Avalanche's steely voice as he stuck the cork back into the ink bottle. "I do admit it's a bit fluffy, but I don't know how else to address her. Once I learn what her actual, official title is then I can use that instead." He placed the bottle back in the top drawer and pulled out an envelope that already had the address printed on the front. With a sigh he folded the letter and placed it gently into its paper package. He paused.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" he asked Flame for the tenth time. "I've told you before, it wouldn't be any trouble for me to go over there in person and speak with them first. I could get everything settled before you arrive –"

"No. I need to be the one to speak to them," Flame insisted once again. "If you tell them I want to speak to Stonemover they'll probably throw you out for trying to get me close to him. I have to be there to show them that...well...I'm not a psychotic killer anymore."

At least I hope I'm not, he silently fretted.

Starfish heaved another sigh and inspected the almost sealed envelope once again, his talons wrinkling the fine paper.

"Oh stop being such a wuss!" the red dragoness hissed and snatched the letter from Starf's timid talons. She took a stick of wax already waiting on Starf's desk and melted it with a gust of hot breath before letting it drip into the back of the envelope. Just as the red liquid congealed she pressed the wax seal against the paper, pulling it away to reveal an ornate symbol of falcon, wings spread and talons outstretched, with a sprig of herb in his beak.

It was apparently the symbol for the Healing Center and, even though Flame wouldn't admit it, it did look kind of cool.

"There. Done." Avalanche promptly tucked the letter into a small satchel beneath her wing. "I'll make sure it gets to the post office safely. Of course, I COULD just deliver it myself," she flashed an accusatory glance towards Starfish, "but apparently SOME dragons would find that rather uncouth."

Starf put on his signature smile, clasping his talons together almost as if in prayer. "Thank you, Avalanche. That would be great."

Flame couldn't help the wry grin that pulled at his mouth. He could see the strain in Starf's face as the SeaWing tried to interact politely with the obnoxious and opinionated female. But then again, if Starf could handle Flame then he could handle his mother.