“Sire?” Mishtali approached Emeton in the hall. “Sire? Since when do you call me that? Whenever you dragons call me sire outside of court, you want something. What is it?” “The Day of Contemplation is coming. Ertonians observe it too. Would it be possible for Wyrm to be allowed to join us for it? Even prisoners observe it.” Emeton frowned. “If you can find people to guard him, you can wake him for it,” he finally agreed. “Thank you, sire. I’ve already spoken with Andy, Chapado, and Morina. All of them agreed to help. I’m sure Ann will help too if there’s a problem.” “Talk to her, and tell her not to. She needs to take care of our grandbaby.” “I will, but do you think it’ll help?” “No. Talk with Thailyn and have him talk to her. She’s more apt to listen to him. And maybe talk with Drepal. Remind her she promised not to hurt the baby.” Mishtali nodded. “I will.” “And where is his vial?” “Shunati has it for safekeeping. He won’t be able to use it.” “Good.” Then a thought occurred to him. “Does Shunati own it?” “No. We’ve kept it in silk.” “I want it. I won’t take it out unless there’s a problem, but it might help us control him if he does prove to be as unstable as he first appeared.” “Sire, he’s not.” “It’s just a precaution,” Emeton assured him. Mishtali nodded. “I’ll bring it to you before the ceremony.” Emeton nodded. “Very well.” He continued on his way. Next, Mishtali went to where Jaidu and Shay were staying. He knocked and Shay answered. “You don’t have to knock, my love,” Shay told him. “And what if Jaidu was here?” He countered. “Will you be willing to come live with me?” “Ann is going to run out of rooms.” Currently, Shay and Jaidu were using some of Remtani’s rooms. Mishtali was using one of Ann’s. “I don’t live in Ann’s rooms. I’ve only been staying there until things settle down to be close to you. I rent a house in town. I was thinking about seeing if the owner will sell it.” Shay frowned. “You don’t want to go back to Tricon?” “Maybe eventually. Right now, my family’s here.” Shay nodded. “I’ll talk with Jaidu.” “Emeton agreed to let Wyrm join us for the contemplation ceremony. I need to get him some proper clothes. Would you join me? I’ll get you a new dress.” Shay raised an eyebrow. “You think you can bribe me?” She crossed her arms. “I know I can’t.” He took her in his arms and kissed her. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” He grinned. “It covers too much. But that wouldn’t be appropriate either. Come with me. If we’re staying, you can’t keep dressing like a servant.” “This is not what servants wear here,” Shay protested. “No, it’s not. One dress. We’ll expand your wardrobe slowly. A woman as beautiful as you should have a beautiful dress.” “You’re still a peacock.” “And you know why.” “Always hiding.” “I could never let anyone see me weak.” “No one but me.” “You’re the only thing that kept me going sometimes. I would’ve died if I’d been brought back and the bond was gone.” “I saw a pattern to when I could feel you again. I started waiting for it. There were times it was late and I worried.” “I tried to contact you every time.” “I heard sometimes. I wanted to respond so badly but I couldn’t. Even if the Yarbs had stopped me, after all I’d been through, I thought you’d turn me away.” Mishtali growled. “You are my mate. You will be as long as I live. It doesn’t matter what they do to you or me. Even if they found a way to break the bond, I will never stop loving you.” She laid her head on his chest. “I know. And I feel the same.” She shook herself. “Wyrm’s clothes aren’t getting bought this way.” “Neither are yours.” He grinned. *** Wyrm opened his eyes. He didn’t remember closing them. He saw Shunati and his dad. He was out of his cell, but the difference was greater than that. Neither of them looked quite the same as they had. Shunati didn’t seem as tired. And his dad’s face seemed fuller. “Easy now,” the elf warned him. “You haven’t moved in weeks.” His words brought understanding. “I’m awake?” Shunati nodded. “Is it time for my trial?” He guessed. “Not yet. It’s the Day of Contemplation. You are familiar with that, aren’t you?” Wyrm nodded. “We have permission to wake you for the ceremony,” Mishtali explained. “I’ve never been to a ceremony,” Wyrm admitted. Mishtali growled and Wyrm cringed. “He didn’t let you observe it?” Mishtali clearly didn’t approve of that. “He did,” Wyrm assured him. “I had a special candle in my cell.” “Well tonight, you join us, under the condition you agree to behave and not escape. King Emeton made us give him your vial. He’ll use it to keep you from causing trouble.” Wyrm nodded. His vial was what he used to change forms. If someone else touched it, the vial would become theirs and Wyrm would no longer be able to become a dragon, unless the person allowed him to buy it back. Emeton could make them do anything for it. “I’ll cooperate,” he agreed, thinking of some of the things he’d had to do in the past. “Good.” “Wyrm, I promised you something when you woke,” Shunati told him and handed him a plate with a bite of pie on it. “You haven’t had anything to eat in weeks, so your stomach is unused to food, but I wanted you to have a taste.” Wyrm ate the bite. He did taste apples, and it was sweet, but there were many other flavors. He smiled. “Thank you.” No one had ever gone out of their way to keep their word before. “Now, it’s been a while since you’ve moved,” Shunati warned. “We’ve been giving you a potion to help keep your muscles from deteriorating, but they will be a little stiff.” Two men entered. One had a brace on his leg. Shunati looked at it and frowned. “It’s just a p-precaution,” the man assured him. Shunati nodded. “This is Prince Janta and Prince Bacna. They’re going to help you dress. Normally, we have valets do it, but we’re in a little bit of a hurry and both have experience helping people dress.” “S-some of us are more experienced in being d-dressed,” the man with the leg brace said. “Bac, hush, you know what to do,” the one Wyrm guest must be Janta told the other. They started to help him undress. He felt silly. He couldn’t remember the last time he needed help getting dressed. Then he saw the clothes. “These aren’t mine,” he protested. He’d never had such nice clothes. “Your other clothes had quite a bit of damage from the battle,” Mishtali explained. “I bought you something new for tonight.” “Thank you.” The clothes they put on him were nicer than anything he’d ever had. Then Bacna stepped out of the way and Mishtali took his place. He and Janta helped him stand. He felt a bit wobbly but stayed upright. They helped him walk outside the healing room and into what he realized was the palace. Shunati nodded. “Okay. He’s doing fine. I need to finish getting ready myself. Let me know if he has any problems.” Mishtali nodded. “I do know a bit about caring for someone.” Shunati smiled and hurried off. “In the pouch with my clothes, there was a ball. May I have it?” Wyrm requested. Mishtali went to a drawer. “This?” He held up a ball he’d taken from it. “Yes, please.” He relaxed some as he took it. “You had this in the trance too,” his dad said. “I don’t understand it, but it helps me with my magic,” Wyrm explained and Mishtali nodded. He thanked the two princes and transported them to another part of the palace. “We have a few hours. Shunati needs a chance to get ready and you need time to get used to moving. Now, they’re setting up special accommodations. If you need to, don’t hesitate to lie down during the ceremony. I can help if needed.” “Is that allowed?” Mishtali growled. “Didn’t I just say to do it? Do you think I’d tell you to do something if it wasn’t?” “Yes, Sir. I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with what I should do.” “The same thing you did in your cell. It’s permissible to move around as needed.” A woman and a girl entered. Mishtali smiled. “You look beautiful, both of you.” But Wyrm could see he was looking at the woman. “Wyrm, this is Shay, my mate, and Jaidu our daughter.” Wyrm worried about how Shay would feel about him. He was a child from Mishtali and another woman. Shay smiled warmly. “Wyrm, it’s good to finally meet you. Mishtali’s talked so much about you. I’m glad we found you so you can join the family. “I know I’m not your birth mother, but you are my son, as much as Thailyn is or Jaidu is my daughter.” “Or Pt’this and Sapphire,” Jaidu added. She hugged him. He’d never been hugged before. “I’m glad to meet you. A few months ago, all I had was four brothers and sisters. Now I’ve got,” she stopped and counted. “Eight more. That’s twelve. And if Remtani and I get married, I’ll have,” she stopped again. “Twenty-three, no. Twenty-two, I can’t count Remmy. He’ll be my husband.” She hugged Wyrm again. “I’m glad you’re awake for tonight. This is my first time for contemplation here too, and Mom’s too.” “Where did you observe it before?” “In Yarba where I grew up.” Several things popped into Wyrm’s head. Mishtali was a captive until recently and had come here after that. There was no way he could’ve father Jaidu. And she’d mentioned having more siblings that no one had brought up before. He had a feeling Mishtali wasn’t her father. He decided not to push it. “So you and Prince Remtani are getting married?” People seemed to like talking about weddings. “Maybe. We’re pledged to get married and we’re supposed to. But here, I’m too young so we have to wait. Right now, the only reason why we’re still pledged is so I don’t have to go back to Yarba. But I hope we do get married because I like him a lot. He’s really sweet. Mishtali doesn’t like him because he had some problems, but he’s getting better. And no one’s perfect. We’ve got plenty of time. How about you?” She asked. “Me?” Wyrm frowned. “Me, what?” “Did you have a girl back home?” Wyrm shook his head. “I don’t have any kids.” He’d never even considered becoming a father. “No, silly. I meant a girl you liked. Were you courting anyone?” “Courting?” Wyrm still wasn’t sure he understood. “Someone you wanted to marry.” “Me? Marry?” He was shocked at the idea. “I’m a half-breed freak. No one’s going to marry me.” Jaidu frowned. “Hey, I’m a half-breed too. I’m no freak. Being a half-breed doesn’t make you a freak.” “Not here, it might not. But they don’t like half breeds in Ertonia and I’m too pale. No one looks like me.” “Ann and Drepal do,” Jaidu pointed out. “Three people don’t make it normal.” “So, no girls.” Jaidu shrugged. “Maybe you’ll find someone here.” There was a flash of light from a transport and Thailyn appeared leaning heavily on the elf who’d been down in the catacombs. They were accompanied by a woman with amazing blue eyes. She held a child. This was the first real child he’d ever seen. He tried not to stare. “You met Thailyn, and this is Pt’this, Sapphire, and Bremul.” Mishtali introduced them. “Good to finally meet you.” Pt’this nodded as he helped Thailyn to a chair. Bremul is a half-breed too, Mishtali sent. Pt’this will roast you if you call him a freak. Roast? Was Pt’this a dragon? Wyrm wasn’t sure how to use telepathy to ask. Mishtali must’ve seen his confusion. Yes. He’s a dragon. In alternate form, we can look like various races. They sat and talked for a while. As they waited, Sapphire let him hold Bremul some. But the boy wanted to crawl around. Wyrm was surprised that he couldn’t walk or talk, though he seemed like he was close to doing both. Then it was time to go. Mishtali and Pt’this started discussing the best way to get everyone there while helping him and Thailyn to stand. “Dad?” Wyrm spoke up. “I can do it.” Mishtali looked surprised. “You can?” Wyrm nodded. It was only eight people but Bremul was so small, he barely counted. “I’ve done more than this. Where are we going?” “Downstairs to the Hall of Ceremonies,” he told him. He cast the spell, and they appeared in a room filled with seats circling a set of candles. “You can transport without touching?” Thailyn looked surprised. “So can Ann,” Pt’this told him as he helped the healer to one of the couches. “She can?” Thailyn looked up at Pt’this. “If you hadn’t abandoned her, you’d know this,” Mishtali growled. He helped Wyrm to a chair. “I didn’t abandon her,” Thailyn insisted. “This is hardly the time to discuss this,” Shay insisted. “I was just giving him a topic for contemplation,” Mishtali informed her. “You think I don’t contemplate my choice every year? Do you think I don’t think about it daily?” Thailyn challenged. Shay growled. “I said later,” she snapped. Both men looked subdued. Wyrm watched as others entered. A young elf woman and a young human man accompanied by a large group of children joined them. He saw Shunati enter with an elf woman and their son. The boy was smaller than Bremul. All three had their faces painted. He wondered what that was about. He saw Ann enter with the augmenter that had put them into the trance. He’d been told his name was Andy. Nim and Jo came in together. He saw King Emeton and a woman who he guessed was Queen Tylan. Several others entered. One man glanced at Jaidu and smiled. Wyrm saw her smile back at him and guessed it was Prince Remtani. Then, a man came in and lit candles without a word. By the time the last candle was lit, the crowd had fallen silent. Wyrm stared at one of the flames. He had plenty to contemplate this year. First, he remembered those who had died and gave thanks to the Creator for putting them in his life. He had a little trouble finding a reason to be thankful for Morcri. He settled on the fact that the man had gotten him out of the fire. Wyrm didn’t know how long he would’ve stayed if Morcri hadn’t come past. Cramda had left him. He didn’t know all who had died so he said a prayer for each one he knew had been there. After he was done with that, he contemplated the last year and his actions during it. Most was the same as every other year. But then there had been the battle. That had changed his entire life. The time was supposed to be for reflecting on the past year, but Wyrm couldn’t help but think about the upcoming one too. He had no idea what would happen to him. Would he be found guilty at his trial? He didn’t see how he wouldn’t. He had abducted King Emeton and the man had seen it. What would they do then? And if he wasn’t found guilty, where would he go? Would they send him back to Ertonia? Would the Ertonians accept him? Would his dad want him to stay here? If that were permitted, would he be able to fit in? The ceremony wasn’t meant to be a time for prayer, except in giving thanks, but he did pray for mercy. He didn’t move for the whole ceremony. He never looked away from the flame. He focused on that and his thoughts so intently that he jumped when someone touched him. He looked up and saw his dad. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Time to go.” Already? He looked around. People were starting to stir. Thailyn lay sleeping on one of the couches. Most of the kids were asleep too. Jaidu had moved to sit by Remtani. He had his arm around her. She too had fallen asleep. Others had moved, some to sit or lay on the floor, others stood. Nim sat at Jo’s feet, leaning against her legs while she ran her fingers through his hair. Wyrm was surprised by the informality of it all. Pt’this picked up Thailyn and the healer didn’t stir. “Is he okay?” Wyrm asked. “He’s fine. It was just a long night for him,” Pt’this assured him. “Do you need me to help get everyone home?” Wyrm offered. “He has a room here. I’ll take him there. The rest of us will use my rooms.” He gestured to the group of kids. “Ready?” Mishtali asked. Wyrm nodded. Mishtali transported them back to the healer’s room. “Thank you for allowing me to join you for the ceremony,” Wyrm told him. Mishtali nodded. “Even if you were my son, you’re still a young one in need of help.” “Not everyone feels that way. Would you tell King Emeton thank you also?” He had always been required to say thank you for anything Cramda or the others did. It had become second nature. But he was grateful for what these people were doing for him and wanted them to know it. “I will.” An elderly woman entered. “Sorry about the wait. These old bones aren’t used to sitting so long. I fell asleep. My name’s Mila. I’m the head healer here at the palace. I’m going to put you back to sleep.” She and Mishtali changed him into fresh sleep clothes and put him to bed. He closed his eyes and entered his cell.