Ruzi skirted a group of elves. He wore an arm band to show he was Menthanlan and everyone knew what happened the last time he was hurt. But he didn’t want to take chances. “Hey, you,” one of the elves called to him in Elvish. Cautiously, he went over, readying a transport spell, just in case. “Do you speak human and Elvish?” The boy asked. Ruzi nodded. “I do.” “How do you say privy in human?” Ruzi told him. “Why?” He worried about a prank. “He needs to go and we can’t find it.” “Oh, it’s down that hall. Take the first left, and through the door that’s…” He hesitated and then pointed to one of their shirts. “That color.” He couldn’t remember how to say it. “Green?” The boy guessed. “Green.” Ruzi nodded. “What’s your name?” “Ruzi.” “I’m Covin. You don’t have to worry about us because you’re part human. Most that came here don’t care. The only ones you might avoid are those guys.” He pointed to three boys off in a corner, scowling. “They were told to leave you alone. But they like to cause trouble.” “Thanks.” Ruzi nodded. “Thank you. If he wets his pants, they’ll probably send us all home.” With that, they hurried away. Ruzi got the feeling that more than one of them needed to use the privy. He continued on his way. “They weren’t giving you trouble, were they?” A voice asked from behind. He turned. It was another elf, though he was a little older. He must’ve seen Ruzi’s concern. “Sorry, is this better?” He shifted and became a half elf. Ruzi relaxed. He was a dragon. “It worked? I’ve never done half elf before.” The other asked. “My name is Kav. Your sister was in my class. You are Ruzi, right?” Ruzi nodded, a little confused. Kav must’ve seen that too. “When Ann was apprenticed to Master Nim, she went to school with us in Baj-tisk.” “And you’re still in school?” “No, I’m here to support my chosen, Sai. Excuse me a moment.” He switched back to elf form. “Sorry, I can’t hold that form for long yet. I’ll keep working on it.” “What other forms can you do?” “I’ve done any I’ve tried. But I need to practice to be able to hold them. Usually, I use elf because Sai’s alternative is elf, but if that makes you uncomfortable, I can do human.” “My mom’s an elf,” Ruzi pointed out. “We live next door to Pt’this and Dae and their alternative forms are elves. And Shunati, Sinta, and Vaila are elves. It’s just people I don’t know that make me uncomfortable. I know dragons are okay.” “Those kids weren’t giving you trouble, were they?” Ruzi shook his head. “They just needed the privy.” “If anyone gives you trouble, the dragons will help you, even the kids. They’ve been learning fire breathing and love to show off.” “Fire Breathing? I wouldn’t want that.” “I don’t think they’d roast anyone, just give them a little scare.” “Thanks for the offer.” “We’re family. Family watches out for each other.” “Family?” “You’re related to Pt’this. There’s got to be a connection somewhere.” Kav shrugged. Ruzi couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks.” “I need to go, let me know if you need help.” “I will.” Ruzi nodded. Finally, he reached the others. “Is everything okay?” Lamdi asked, taking his hand. Ruzi nodded. “How are you doing?” This many people could be difficult for her. “Stay close.” She leaned against him. Nim was assigning them rooms for sleeping. They’d only be there two nights. Today, everyone was arriving. Many of the mages were helping transport people there, including any family who wanted to watch. King Emeton had given instructions that any servant or guard who had a child would be allowed to have the day off. Many of the townsfolk parents were able to come too. Remtani even allowed Rella’s dad to come, though he was shackled and had guards. Ann took the taki-sphere and went to get the dwarves. Tomorrow would be the contest. There was a list of questions. Each teacher would ask their own students so it would be in their own language. Ann and representatives from each of the other kingdoms who were fluent in multiple languages would monitor to make sure there was no cheating. The following day would be spent getting everyone back home. Nim looked at Ruzi and Lamdi frowned. “You two are not sleeping in the same room,” he insisted. “We know. It’s just being close to me helps Lamdi not feel the others,” Ruzi explained. “I know. That’s why I haven’t separated you too.” “We don’t want to get sent home. We’ll be good.” “You better,” Nim warned. *** Ann did her best to ignore the whispers and stares. It was her fault this time. She’d lost control and let it out that she was Drepal, an insane crossbreed monster. The nobles had wanted her locked up. Emeton had reminded them she had been pardoned. There had been protests about her being there, but he insisted on that too. The other leaders also agreed she should be there. As Deyama pointed out, she hadn’t committed any crime since she escaped Lerjao. She had been directing traffic, but people were too wary of her to listen so she sat off to the side where she’d be judging. Tor came and sat by her, holding her cloak close. “Are you a sensitive too?” Ann asked. Tor shook her head. “Fortunately, no. But if I get bumped one more time, I’m going to scream.” “It must be so difficult in crowds. Does being close to Kar help like Ruzi does for Lamdi?” “What do you mean?” “Lamdi found having an unreadable close at hand helps reduce the discomfort she feels in crowds. I didn’t know if that works for all healers or just sensitives.” “Oh, I wouldn’t know. Kar’s not an unreadable.” “He’s not?” Tor shook her head. “The bond helps a little. And I’m not as strong as some, but it can get uncomfortable at times. That’s why we’re not as physical as most dragons.” “Is that why you never had any other children?” “It didn’t help. Kar’s fertility is low. Our attempts get to be a bit much.” “I imagine it’s gotten worse over the years, with his illnesses and all.” “It hasn’t helped, but it’s not as bad as you’d expect.” “Do you want more kids?” “I never wanted to give up the one we had.” “You would’ve been proud of him. He did so much for the kids in Thager.” “I’ve heard, and I am proud. Who watches over those kids now?” “For a while, all his friends did, but most of them moved to Sen-gan. Fists’s brother, Netia, started and a retired city guard was helping. There were a few others helping too. Now, there’s a home there. They get a lot of help from the others. You’d think you were living among dragons there.” Tor smiled. “And your son started it all.” “I never asked how he paid for it.” “He got good at trading favors and he worked his tail off. Once or twice, Nim lent him money, but Kith paid him back. Many learned what he was doing and helped him out when they could.” Ann saw a dwarf woman making her way through the crowd. She too was wrapped in a cloak trying to avoid people. Ann waved her over. “Do you need healing?” The woman asked in thickly accented Menthan. “No. It looked like you could use a break from the crowd.” The woman sighed and nodded. “Thank you. You’re Shimmer, the white princess, aren’t you?” Ann smiled. “Not too many call me Shimmer anymore, but I am. Are you Darkham’s mom?” The woman nodded. “This is Tor. Be careful, she’s a healer too.” “Pleased to meet you. My name is Smillit.” “Did you come with your husbands?” Ann asked. “My third came. My niece is the wife of one of the chieftains. They asked me to come.” “Taled? We met. I knew she was Darkham’s cousin, but I didn’t know by which parent. It was while he was still banished so I couldn’t ask.” “This was at the rulers summit, wasn’t it?” Smillet asked. “And when I was in Grywell for the treaties.” Ann stood. “How about I look into a section for healers to sit in away from the crowds,” Ann offered. Smillit sighed. “That would be wonderful.” *** Andy sat with Cari near the judges’ seats. She wasn’t in the competition. She wanted to cheer for her uncles and other family. Most people were seated and the contest would be starting soon. He watched Deyama and Vor enter surrounded by enough guards they could hardly be seen. Surprisingly, they both wore hunting clothes rather than their version of court clothes. The elders were dressed up though. Andy guessed Deyama was wearing silk, linen, and dragon skin to keep healers from harming her or the babies. Vor was wearing it to show solidarity. Shunati was dressed very similarly to Vor. Andy guessed it was for protection also. He normally dressed up more. All three had their faces painted in elven fashion, as did Pisha and Ruzi. And while Pisha dressed in elven fashion, Ruzi dressed in human clothes. He was proudly showing off both halves of his heritage. Deyama and Vor stopped to talk to Shunati for a moment. The guards obscured the three from view and then Deyama and Vor continued to their seats by the elders. One of the elders bumped Vor, and he winced slightly. Andy frowned. Why would that bother Vor? Usually it was Shunati that didn’t like being touched. Andy looked closer. Vor glowed blue green showing a healing magic while Shunati glowed pure blue, lacking it. Andy understood. The twin cousins had traded places so Shunati could protect Deyama with his healing. Andy warned Cari so she wouldn’t say anything. She hadn’t noticed but admitted she probably would’ve said something when she did see it. She grew quiet once the contest started. There was a bit of fuss over Tercala being a participant due to his age, but that had been expected and they had brought his adoption papers as proof he’d only been in Menthanla for five years. And they had the school records to show he’d only been in school four of those years and was still in school. There were also some comments about Ruzi’s face paint, but he pointed out that a gathering such as this was an appropriate time to wear it, indicating Deyama, Vor, and the elders having it on. He said it was good that at least he remembered since most of the students hadn’t bothered. A spell was cast to keep the dragons from using telepathy. Cari complained that it made her feel stuffy. Andy promised if it got to be too much, he’d take her out for a break. Each of the teachers was given a list of questions. A representative from each kingdom would draw a number out of a container and the teacher would read the corresponding question. All the students did quite well. Andy was impressed. What impressed him more was how many questions Cari knew the answer to and whispered them to him. She clearly favored her own kingdom, but she cheered for everyone and she wasn’t the only one. It was close and there were a few protests when Menthanla was announced as the winner. Some of the students complained that it was unfair that Menthanla had foreign teachers because it gave them an unfair advantage. It was pointed out that both teachers were citizens and it was the choice of each kingdom’s rulers to decide whether or not outsiders could live in their kingdoms. Emeton announced that the next day, there would be a celebration at the college, and anyone who could make it was welcome. Ann and Tercala would help transport them there.