Last Day's in the Land of Fire

When morning came Sky's head was killing her. Crawling out of the empty bed she slid on some clothes to go find Jamie. Surely out of everyone he had something to help with a hangover.

Making her way out of the room Sky found everyone in the hallway in various stages of discomfort. Michael was leaning against the wall with his head back and eyes closed. By the look on his face, his head hurt too. Eli was bent over at the waist holding his belly with one hand. His head was against the wall holding himself up with his other hand. April was flat out on the floor looking slightly green. Jamie was glaring that the lot of them. Tanner on the other hand still looked drunk as he slightly wobbled from where he stood beside Kyle who looked just fine. After taking in everyone's appearance Sky turned toward Jamie. "Jamie, do you have anything for a headache?"

"I do, but it's in my bag," said Jamie a little too sharply letting her know she wasn't the first to ask and he was upset about it.

Thinking it was because everyone had a hangover and they were all supposed to leave today she continued, "Can I have some?"

Pointing toward the door right across the hall from her Jamie growled, "I would say yes, but I can't get it at the moment. If I could, I wouldn't have to listen to all the complaints about how bad everyone feels. Everyone should have thought about that before getting that drunk in the first place," snapped Jamie glaring at everyone in the hallway.

Stumbling out of his room Johnathon looked ghostly white as he groaned, "Jamie have you managed to get your bag yet? I'm out of stuff to vomit, but it just won't stop."

Not understanding why Jamie couldn't get his bag if it was in his room, Sky walked over and tried the doorknob. Figuring that maybe it was locked and they were waiting for someone to unlock the door, her confusion deepened when the knob turned. Pulling the door open Sky looked from the open door and back to Jamie who was still growling at Johnathon about drinking responsibly. Thinking he was to busy or just being mean because he could be, Sky figured she'd just get his bag for him. That way he couldn't make any more excuses about needing his bag. Spotting the bag on top of the desk under Gregory's face Sky finally realized why he couldn't get his bag. Currently, Grant had Gregory bent over the desk driving roughly into him. Sky was sure Gregory's skin had to be beet red with as hard as their skin was slapping together. She was almost positive that Gregory might have complained about it, but it appeared that Grant had stuffed someone's underwear into his mouth. Gregory might have been able to pull it out if he had use of his hands, but they were tied behind his back by the pantyhose he refused to wear last night. Grant was using them as leverage to pound into him. His free hand, held him down by the horns effectively shoving Gregory's face into the medical bag.

Making her way over to the messy bed Sky looked around for a pillow. Picking the discarded blankets up out of the floor, Sky finally found a pillow on the opposite side on the floor. Picking it up she packed it over to a pair of green-scaled bodies. Growling at her as she stepped up to the desk Sky's dragon knocked back causing Grant to instantly freeze. "My head hurts and I need the medical bag," growled Sky not that she had his full attention.

Pulling Gregories head backward by the horns he groaned a little or maybe that was a moan but either way the position couldn't be comfortable. Trading the bag out for a pillow Sky pushed Gregory's head down into it before making her way back toward the door. Micheal's dragon was on the surface wearily looking at her before settling back down once she was clear of the mating dragons. "I hate it when she does that," complied April still on the floor of the hallway. "I'm always afraid something bad is going to happen. I'm kind of glad it's not me this time standing on edge waiting for the inevitable to happen, but it never does. Can I have something for this elephant stampede that ran me over now?"

"Headache," whined Sky as she held the bag out for Jamie who was looking at her in amazement.

"The things you can do never ceases to amaze me," stated Jamie shaking his head. "Okay everyone let's head to breakfast. I'm going to need glasses and water for all of this."

With that the lot of them drug themselves down the hallway and into the dining hall were Jamie promptly made them all drink a nasty concoction. Fortunately for most by the time breakfast was over their heads no longer hurt. "So my King will you be traveling out today or are you going to delay things because of recent events," asked the High Lord who was pushing his half-eaten breakfast away looking slightly under the weather as well.

"Traveling with one dragon in season his hard enough, but with two it's impossible. I don't want to get down the road and in two days Grant goes into season. Then we'll be stuck lord know's where, in the wilds until their combined season is done. I'd rather not risk it, plus he already can't keep his hands off of him so we mind as well stay," replied Michael pushing what was left of his plate away as well.

"I'm happy to see the Queen's plan has worked. Before long all of your guards will be mated," replied the High Lord as is own doctor handed him his own medicine

After breakfast was over Sky made sure to gather a big plater of food for Grant and Gregory. Sliding into their room she found them passed out on the floor snuggled together. Setting the food on the bedside table she left them to their own devices. Stepping out of the room she found April still looked green around the collar so she sent her to her room to sleep off her hangover. With Alivia at her side and Jeffery close behind Sky headed for the front door. "And where are you going," asked Michael cutting her off before she got there.

"Surely nowhere without guards," chided Eli looking around for April.

"April is in bed, and I've got Alivia and Jeffery so I've got two guards," replied Sky placing her hands on her hip.

"Two is not enough and you didn't answer my question," stated Michael crossing his arms over his chest in an authoritarian way.

"All I've had over the last could years have been two guards and unit just now it's always been enough. On top of that, I'm off to visit with Mike and Bella. I want to capture Chelsie and hide her way to annoy your bother," replied Sky with a big grin.

"Your brother," asked the High Lord looking between Michael and Sky.

"Yeah Liam," answered Michael. "I guess he's still angry with you for taking her the first time?"

Grinning even bigger Sky shook her head yes. "An at that Mike has a couple of swords he wants me to destroy."

"Um a trip to the guild doesn't sound like a bad day. Since we will be here for longer, a walk around town doesn't seem like a bad idea. Eli, go make sure April and Johnathon aren't dead in their rooms and let them know we are leaving. Tanner go collect the other guards. We'll leave as soon as everyone is back here," ordered Michael.

When Tanner turned to leave Michael snagged his ponytail pulling him to a stop. Waiting for Eli to get further away and out of earshot, Michael grinned at him. Everyone else is already on the way no need to go get them. They should be here shortly."

"Your about to purposely leave Eli behind aren't you," asked Jamie with a you devil smirk on his face.

"He'll get mad at me, but he'll get over it. It won't kill him to take care of the sick ones. Especially since one of the sick ones is his mate," stated Michael as the rest of the group caught up with him.

"An who's says April is his mate," asked Owen as he opened the door for everyone.

Skipping past him Sky smiled at him as she passed. "I do, just wait you're next on my list."

Rolling his eyes at her Owen groaned, "Please don't. I don't need that kind of headache."

This had everyone laughing including the High Lord as him and his guards followed close behind. "Are you joining us High Lord," asked Tanner motioning for the butler to stand down.

"I figured a nice walk wouldn't be too bad. It's a perfect day for it and I too haven't visited the guild in a while. If that is alright with his Majesty?"

Shrugging his shoulders Michael kept an eye on his mate as her tail swished around happily as she greeted the guards in passing. "It's fine by me, but be warned this simple task will take all day," laughed Micheal as Sky ran off to greet someone who was in the complete opposite direction then the guild building.

As expected it took them twice as long to get there then it should have. Once they did arrive though it didn't take them long to find Mike and Bella. True to her word as soon as Sky saw Chelsie she plucked her off of Liams back and scurried off with her. Everyone but Liam laughed at her childish antics as she blinked out of the room completely. Yelling at her as he rushed out of the room Michael shook his head as Liam cursed at Sky all the way down the hallway. "You know you should really say something to him. He is cursing the Queen," stated Bella glaring at her mate.

"Well, she deserves it. She's doing that on purpose just to get a rise out of him," laughed Mike as he pulled a bundle of swords out of a box he had slid under the bed. "Where do you think she ran off to?"

"Who knows," replied Michael sticking his head out the door and looking down the hallway. "An you're right she does deserve it. She came here with the intention of stealing Chelsie just to piss off Liam. They'll come back eventually, while we wait how about a tour. It's been a while since I've been here. I'd like to see how things are doing Dalyn."

Bowling deeply Dalyn replied, "I would be honored, my King. Please this way."

Proceeding out of the room Dalyn gave them all a tour of the Guild and the classes that were currently going on. Apologizing for the state of the many classrooms Michael brushed it off. He knew with his surprise visit that they wouldn't be showroom quality. Actually he perjured it that way, to be honest. He got to see what the classes really looked like. They were lived in and students were laughing and having a grand time. In a couple of classes, there were even a couple of non-fire dragons. Halfway through the tour, they found Sky with a sleeping Chelsey in her arms. Liam was sitting down in a chair shuffling through drawings across from a thin and scrawny wind dragon. "These are so pretty and intricate. It would take me a while because I haven't worked with silver a lot, but I don't see why I couldn't do it," stated Liam passing one of the many picture back to the wind dragon.

"Ah, Liam I see you've met Abner. He's one of our most creative artisans here. Unfortunately, most of his concept art is to intricate for most of our workers here. A couple people have managed to make some of his concepts and they sold very well, but they are hard to duplicate," said Dalyn making his over to Sky and scooping the sleeping toddler out of her arms.

Picking up one of the many concepts on the table Rowan sat it down before he started shuffling through them. Making three stacks he said pointing at the biggest stack, "Liam would have no problem making these if you taught him how to make tea sets and pitchers. He already knows how to make plates, bowls, and more practical steel utensils. It shouldn't be hard to learn how to make them in silver. This might be possible with a year or two of practice," added Mike pointing to the middle stack, before pointing to the last one. "These are master level or higher. I'm not sure anyone could master these."

Picking up the first stack Dalyn flipped through them before picking up the middle stack. "If in two years of training Liam could replicate even one of these to a T it would pay for all of his schooling. If he could replicate three of these it would pay for everything all the way to the masterclasses plus leave him with a lot of pocket change. He'd become renowned across the country if he could produce things like this especially if he could replicate it quickly and efficiently."

"I'm a metal mover," replied Liam taking the stack from Dalyn and making his own three stacks. "manipulating metal is what I do. These I could probably do now if I have a set a prefabricated teacup. These I'd need to practice a bit with because like I said, I've never really worked with silver or gold. These here I'd defiantly need to learn how to due, but I don't feel it would be above my level or skill set. I'm just not there yet."

A smile spread across Dalyn's face as he asked, "Would you like to get to that leave? You could get there if you went to school here. I could get you set up in the silversmithing classes that will be starting this fall. Since you've grown up smithing I'm sure you can test out of a lot of the beginner courses. We can even get you a room here in the guild so you won't be too far from Chelsey. You're of the age now to make those kinds of decisions but it's complexity up to you."

Looking between the wind dragon who was close to his age and back to his father who stood expressionless Liam sighed. "I don't know if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it, but it's not my passion like dad. Well dad's passion is knives, he just does the rest of it to make money."

"An you enjoy the crap out of crafting integrate handles for those knives. How about this. You hang out in here for a couple of days and see if you like it. If not then I'm sure you're dad won't mind dragging you up here every so often to see Chelsey," said Sky as she unloaded an armful of teapots and cups she'd acquired from somewhere. "We'll put Chelsey down for her nap and we'll bring her back when she wakes up, deal? Okay, bye."

With that Sky pushed everyone out of the room leaving only Liam, the wind dragon, and the teacher. "What was that about," asked Michael once everyone was out of the room.

"Liam thinks making pretty things isn't manly, but he really does like it. Dalyn if I pay you for those materials can he give Bella whatever he creates? I sure it'll be pretty….well maybe not too pretty considering he'll be doing it with no prior training, but I know Bella will like it just because Liam made it," gushed Sky bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"I am going to like what," asked Bella as her and Azalee made their way down the hallway.

"Whatever Liam makes," replied Sky beaming with excitement.

"I enjoy all of Liams works of art. He's very talented. Why, what are you up to my Queen?"

Growling Mike glared at Sky. "Our daughter in law is scheming to get our son excepted within the guild as a silversmith."

"Well he does love the more intricate things in the shop. I think he'd be great at making jewelry or even something like that fancy teapot Mom has. I've seen him eyeing the intricacies of that every time we go over there. I doubt he'll take that route though because every time anyone catches him, he blushes and sets it down quickly. Just yesterday he stopped and practically ogled the silver shop but refused to go in. I'm not sure why though," stated Bella as she and Azalee began to walk away with a sleeping Chelsey in her arms.

This seemed to give everyone some food for thought as they continued on with their tour. Several hours later and a lot of wrangling, Michael managed to get Sky out of the guild and in the direction of food. Sitting down for a massive lunch together Sky filled them all in on her adventures within the Land of Fire. Halfway through the story, Mike remembered them that they didn't give Sky the swords to try. The High Lord invited them all over for supper and for a good round of sparing afterward. Declining the sparing session Mike agreed to supper right before his family and Dalyn's family returned to the guild.

Wrangling Sky they managed to all get back to the castle in half the time it took them to get to the guild. Once inside Sky went directly to check on April and Johnathon. Poking her head into Johnathons room first she found him passed out on the toilet. Grabbing a pillow and a blanket she gently laid him on the floor. Next she checked on April who was sleeping soundly with a very protective dragon sprawled out on top of her. Dragon blue eyes glared at her over April as she waved at him. Backing out slowly Sky went and checked on Grant and Gregory. Poking her head into their room she didn't see them. On the other hand, she could hear lewd noises coming from the bathroom. Collecting the empty tray from breakfast Sky packed it to the kitchen and traded it for a full tray. Packing it back to their room she now knew how everyone felt during their mating season.

Satisfied that Grant and Gregory weren't going to go hungry Sky busied herself around the room. For someone who was supposed to be leaving today, she hadn't packed anything. Tossing her things in the trunk that was given to her Sky paused as a strange voice said, " So Lamfhada what do you make of this?"

"I told you already to call me King or Lug," snapped a masculine voice in return that Sky had never heard.

Turning from where she sat within the closet Sky looked through the door to the stranger and the white-haired lady who looked a lot like her. "I'm not calling you King. I have not King, for I bow to no one," stated the woman void of emotion as if that wasn't just a slap in the face for the Young man who stood beside her.

If the man was a King he was a young one. From a human standpoint he was in his late teens or early twenties, unlike the woman who appeared to me in her thirties. That is if they aged like humans and not like dragons, but then again she knew nothing about these people. "One day you'll find a God who's bigger than you and you'll bow then," retorted the man as he glared in Sky's direction.

Pushing herself off of the floor Sky walked over to the doorway and looked out at the strangers. Waving her hand at them they didn't seem to be able to see her at all. As she reached out her hand it flattened against an invisible wall that separated her world from theirs. "If I live that long. I swear the fates want me dead, their efforts just keep getting forted by a plethora of different Gods. So what do you think it is? It's covered in dragons and look at this. This thing looks like a manticore or something similar. Have you seen what a manticore looks like? I've got a couple of books, but none of them look like this, but they are close. These dragons look like the European decision of what dragons look like. All of their horns are different though so I'm guessing different breeds. You created several different kinds of dragons. Does any of yours look like these?"

"None of mine look like these," said the man as he touched something on the other side of the doorway that Sky couldn't see. "An yes, I've seen manticore before they left this world long ago. They went the way the unicorns did, through the gates. I don't know where they have wound up though. Out of all of the worlds, I have access to none have manticores on it. Dragons on the other hand are rare though. I know of several Gods who have created dragons, but none who look like these. I wonder if the world beyond here has dragons in it. I wouldn't mind having a conversation with their god and maybe acquiring a few."

Hitting the man on his shoulder the woman looked over her shoulder as a little girl with black hair and bright green eyes ran up to them. "You act like they are pets and you can just purchase them or something,"

Hugging the woman's leg the little girl who looked no more than five spun around and hugged the mans leg before running off again. "I swear your children have no fear," stated man as his soulless black eyes watched the child as she now chased a butterfly.

"Whatever you like hugs, get over it, and back to dragons. So you think there is a world on the other side of this gate?"

Nodding his head in agreement Sky watched as the man seemingly walked right through the door but he didn't appear on the other side of it. Sky looked around the closet just to make sure, but she didn't see him anywhere. "My dragon king was lost long ago when his mother got in a fight with Ganapati. Lord knows where he wound up. What confuses me is why he never came back. I created dragons in a way to let them travel like most Fae. With one thought he could have come home but hasn't. I lost a lot of dragons that day since they all decided to go on a hiatus on all the worlds they opened pathways to. It took me a while to gather all of them up and I know I missed a lot of them. After the queens passing and no one strong enough to keep the damn beasts in line, well they are on the verge of extinction."

"Almost all of the creatures you created are on the verge of extinction. Then again most of those monsters need to die anyway," snapped the woman with clear venom in her voice.

"I am not a god of creation so no, most of my children are not beautiful or gentile by nature. Even though they are my creations, I love each and everyone one of them. They have their uses."

Rolling her eyes the woman snorted, "As useful as a tick."

"Even ticks feed the birds and birds are pretty," stated the man as we walked back into view.

"The only birds on your half of the world are harpies and they are not pretty or useful," snapped the woman glaring at him.

Sky had to agree with the woman on that one. "I beg to differ, my harpies are great at collecting things. On different worlds however they are only great as nature's garbage disposal. I just so happened to tweet the ones on my world and made them better," said the man like he was proud of his achievements.

"You made them into better killing machines," growled the woman as she glared at him.

"Exactly, either way, if you ever happen to say, I don't know, fall through this door can you bring me back some dragons? You don't have to bring a lot. Maybe like, two or three would be okay. I could add in some new bloodlines to my dragons. Maybe I could fix my insanity problem," stated the man like him making better killing machines was a good thing.

Then again Sky didn't know what a killing machine was, but from the look on the woman's face, it couldn't be good. "I don't plan on doing anything with his gate thing. Especially since no one can tell me what it is. I sure the hell aren't giving any pour creatures to you to live in the hellish world you call home. Maybe if you fixed it up a bit maybe, but until then it ain't happen. Anyway, when you touched it, did it feel sick to you?"

"What do you mean," asked the man as he laid his hand back on whatever it was that Sky couldn't see. "Sick meaning slime, or sick meaning evil and twisted?"


 Shaking her head no, the woman laid her hand next to the man's. "No sick in like it's dying. It feels like whatever is behind here has been poisoned and it's dying.

"Well if that's the case you can go collect all the dragons from that dying place and drop them off on my world," laughed the man before he looked down at his arm. "Well look at the time. I've got to be heading on. I do have an underworld to rule and things to destroy. On top of that, some boss marshall says I've got to build a better habitat for dragons so I'll try my hand at making grass. Oh and I can fill it with flowers that'll kill you if you touch them or make you go insane."

With that, the man vanished in thin air leaving the little girls to look between the woman and the place the man use to be. "Mommy, does he really destroy things?"

Shrugging her shoulders the woman took one last look at the door where Sky stood. "Lord if I know baby. He is the Unseelie King after all and a slightly twisted God."

"Is he really a God though," asked the child taking up her mother's hand as they walked away,

"He is very powerful and he can create life. So I would say he's somewhat of a god even if not a good one," informed the woman looking down at her daughter.

"You've met many Gods mommy so why is it you've never met the God you pray to at night," asked the little girl as they traveled farther and farther away.

"I don't know maybe he went the way of the titans, or maybe he just doesn't want to see me or his people. Who knows baby, who knows."

As the world of the stranger faded and her closet door came back into view Sky was left with a lot of questions. First was how is it dragons exist on other worlds. Who were the people on the other side of the doorway, and what was a titan? There had to be a reason she witnessed this strangeness. Before she could rap her brain around any of it the door was ripped from its hinges. Blinking at the black galaxy filled eyes, Sky thought back on the young man and his black eyes. Even though they both had fully black eyes Michael's where not empty at all like the one man. No, his sparkled and shined like the heavens at night. Grabbing her roughly Michael pulled her out the closet and inspected every part of her. Looking over his shoulder Sky could see everyone was gathered in her room. Looking over the worried faces Sky's eyes stopped at the dark window. Glancing from the closet to the windows, and the growling dragon, Sky stood there utterly confused. "You smell weird," growled Michael's dragon has he buried his nose in her hair.

"I never left the closet," stated Sky confused as she looked back at the dark windows again. "What time is it?"

"It's supper time," growled Michael sniffing her again.

"It's impossible we just ate lunch," stated Sky still unbelieving she'd been in the closet for hours, but the sun was gone so it had to be true.

"What happened in there," asked Eli walking out of the closet with a funny expression. "It smells odd in there. The only smell I recognize is wolf, but even that smells off."

"I couldn't smell anything coming from the other world," said Sky still in shock about everything.

"Another world," asked Kyle as his stoney face changed for once to that of curiosity.

"Yeah on the other side of the closet door was another world. There was a woman who looked a lot like me with white hair. She had a daughter with curly black hair and green eyes. There was also a young man with scary black eyes. His name was strange and unlike anything from this world it was something like Lamb-fa-ha-da."

"You saw Lugh," gasped an unfamiliar voice far to Sky's right.

Turning she looked at the man who stood in the corner of the room away from everyone. His sharp purple eyes regarded her closely as the vibrant blue ring around the outer edges of his iris seemed to reflect the dim light in the room. His long black hair was pulled up high into a ponytail today exposing his strangely pointed ears. It took her a while to recall who the man was as if his name and identity was buried deep within the fog of her mind. "Oh, Edward I didn't see you there. And no I didn't see anyone by the name of Low, he did however tell her to call him Lug or King."

Sky watched Edward's eyes round as he pushed himself off of the wall. Quickly he walked into the closet and inhaled deeply. "That is the smell of Gaia," said Edward under his breath making Kyle seem a bit anxious.

"Who is Guy-a," asked Sky causing both Edward and Kyle to turn toward her quickly.

"Gaia isn't a who it's a what. Gaia is a planet. Can you open that portal again," asked Edward quickly.

"I didn't open it in the first place and it's not a portal, because I couldn't pass through it," said Sky as she watched Edwards face sink like she'd just ripped away all his hopes and dreams.

Standing there looking at the downtrodden man all of the others were making their way out of the room. "Come on let's go eat," said Michael gently pulling on her arm.

"What about Edward and Kyle," asked Sky glancing back at the two who were still standing in her closet.

"Kyle will be right behind us," said Michael as if he hadn't seen how destroyed Edward had become.

"What about Edward," asked Sky looking from Michael's uncaring face back to Edwards downtrodden one.

"What about Edward? I'm sure he's around here somewhere. You know he's never far from Kyle," stated Michael as he continued to pull her along.

Sitting down at the head of the table Sky's worried her bottom lip at the sadness in Edward's eyes. She didn't think she'd ever seen him sad before. As she thought about him she realized she didn't have a lot of memories of him, and if she did they were all fuzzy. Actually come to think about it, all of them were fuzzy. Up until this point, she couldn't ever really recall what he looked like. Thinking back on it she knew Edward was always there within the group, but she didn't share memories with him. Come to think about it, did he ever read her any bedtime stories? Everyone but the King took turns reading to her, but she couldn't remember him doing it. When she was in the Land of Earth everyone came down and played baby sitter with her except for him. It was like he really didn't exist at all but yet she knew he was always there. He was always with Kyle, right by his side, like a good second.

Lost in thought Sky thought about the young man and the woman with white hair, she didn't notice that Michael had sat some food down in front of her. "What is it my Queen," asked Michael as he ran his hand over her hair and her flattened ears. "What is worrying you."

Opening her mouth to reply Sky closed it again. Trying to reply the thought again Sky realized she'd forgotten what it was that was bothering her. "I don't know, I guess the woman with white hair and the young man. They said a lot of things I don't understand. They mostly talked about dragons and how the dragons on the young man's world were going extinct. He made a joke about taking dragons from this world and bringing them to his."

"That sounds dreadful," stated April from where she sat to Skys left.

"You think that's bad, you don't want to know the other things that were said. The white-haired lady didn't seem to care much for the young man," informed Sky as she began to dig into her food.

"Is that all that's bothering you," asked Kyle which was strange for him to ask questions in the first place.

"No, what's really bothering me I guess is that the white-haired woman said that the gate felt sick to her. Like whatever is behind it is poisoned and dying," informed Sky as Kyle nodded to the man on his right seemingly happy about something.

"Do you think she's talking about the mother," asked Eli leaning around April making sure to get well into her personal space. "You've mentioned before that the mother is sick and that's why the White Woods are dying."

"It could be. Either way, I don't know. I would question my sanity, but you said the closet smelled weird, and that it smelled like Gaia," replied Sky before turning her attention back to her plate of food.

"Gaia," asked April confused, "Who said that? I don't remember anyone saying that name."

Thinking back about it Sky couldn't remember either who had said it. At this point, it didn't matter, but what did matter was this roasted duck on her plate.

Fat and happy Sky and her group lounge around the study until Rowan came and got them for a bit of swordplay. Heading out to the training ground Sky smiled at Mike who was currently laying a verity of swords out on a table. "I take it I'm here to break these," laughed Sky making her way over happily.

"I'm hoping you can't break all of them, but that's the point yes," laughed Mike at Sky's childlike antics.

Picking up the first sword Sky frowned, "This one's a bit heavy."

"Right now it might be, but if it proves to be unbreakable you'll get used to the weight if you practice with it every day.

"Okay, if you say so," said Sky bringing the sword up quickly and swinging it with deadly accuracy at Tanner.

A loud clang had both of them stumbling into each as they both frowned at the heavy sword. "Okay maybe not," stated Mike taking that sword back from Sky. "Try this one instead."

Taking that sword up Sky went after Tanner again causing everyone to laugh. "Why do you have to pick on me," complained Tanner as he met her swing for swing without breaking a sweat.

"Because it's fun," laughed Sky as her sword began to ring loudly.

"Go have fun with your mate," shouted Tanner to be heard over the ringing.

Giving one final swing the sword shattered on impact as Sky growled, "no," before shifting over to the table for a second one. Bickering back and forth as she whittled away at the stack of swords Shy huffed when she picked up the last one. "Fine then! I'll show you why I don't want to play with Michael," snapped Sky before charging at her mate.

Drawing his sword quickly Michael parried and blocked her swings with ease. No matter how fast she was or randomly she disappeared and reappeared she could never get the best of him. The harder she fought the stronger the smell of his want for her grew. Sky hadn't ever managed to break the sword before his dragon had her on the ground pushing his tongue into her mouth. "My King," scolded the High Lord in a fatherly tone. "Not in the middle of the training grounds."

Breaking the kiss Michaels dragon growled as he pushed himself off of the panting Sky. "See! He doesn't fight fair," snapped Sky when she finally caught her breath and climbed to her feet.

"All is fair in love and war," laughed Tanner as he cheesed at the both of them.

"Yeah and that's how you got stabbed in the heart too," teased Sky wiping the smile right off of his face.

"That was dumb luck on her part," snapped Tanner as his dragon colored his eyes.

"No she was just the better fighter," snapped Sky in return before lunging at him.

Growling something incoherent Tanner met Sky with a vengeance. Chasing each other all over the training ground everyone laughed at there sibling-like squabble. Once the sword was broken both contenders flopped back on the ground panting. "Whelp it looks like it's back to the drawing board for you," laughed Rowan patting Mike on the back.

"That's okay. I'm going to make a sword that won't break. Just wait," with that Mike made his way out of the training area mumbling himself about things no one else understood.

Deciding a little group training was in order they all got together on team-building exercises. Of course, leave it to Sky and her group to turn it into shenanigans. The team building turned into a pick on Eli session with Eli as the looser. Eli's dragon wasn't having much of their hazing. Before long he had Sky and April both down on the ground. Sky was laughing, April was yelling at him to get off and she quickly changed her mind when he began to grind against her. The three of them looked like a bunch of kids in the dirt.

Their childlike teasing of Eli continued off the training ground as the days went on. Grant had gone into season two days after Gregory like Michael was worried about prolonging their stay in the Land of Fire. This also prolonged Eli's torcher as the ladies never gave him a break in their teasing and torcher. Michael was trying to relax and play a game of Chess with the High Lord as Sky squalled from the couch. Eli had her in a headlock as he twisted one of her long ears. April was on his back trying to pry his hands lose all while her dragon was rattling at him in warning. Unconsered with the affairs his mate had gotten herself into the antics came to a stop when a guard came rushing in. "My King," stated the man quickly as he knelt before him and presented him with a bird. "The postmaster…said to… deliver this…messenger bird to you," panted the guard trying to catch his breath.

"A red Siskin," said the Michael reaching out for the bird.

"That's a souther bird isn't it," asked the High Lord picking up the chessboard and handing it off to a servant.

"Yes," replied Michael setting the tiny bird down on the table and placing his hand over it.

Letting Sky go, Eli stood up as April slide down his back. Taking up his position right next to Michael, the High Lord's right-hand man did the same. Unsure if the letter was a threat or not both guards readied themself should they need to get their charges out of the way quickly. Excepting his letter both guards breathed easier when tiny bird produced a small two-page letter. The first one was a signed letter as the second was a skillfully drawn picture of two women. "Hey that's Rebeca," said Sky leaning over Michael's shoulder to point that the pictures.

As soon as her finger touched the page her body instantly went slack. Grunting under the dead weight of his mate Michael dropped the papers before she fell off of him. "Sky," shouted April rushing over to help. Raising a hand quickly bringing everyone to a standstill he allowed April to help to carefully bring Sky around until she was sitting in his lap. Well passed out across his lap really. Adjusting his mate until her head was on his shoulder he held her empty body to him with one hand and picked up the letter with the other. Ignoring the growls and protests when he picked it up, Michael read the letter from his neighboring fire king to the south. It seems that the last king was usurped because he didn't recognize the name down at the bottom. He normally tried to keep up with who was ruling the lands just under the White Woods but it was hard. Those countries down there were so racked with wars it was hard to keep anything straight.

Of course, he did like to be neighborly because he didn't want their kind within his lands. He had enough problems of his own to have to deal with a unwanted war from the south. With the White Woods dying he would be forced to have more problems with boarder jumpers and raids. Not like he cared about the boarder jumpers as long as they assimilated within his people. It was the raids and the trouble starters that he hated.

Reading the letter it seemed as the young girl Rebeca stole the Kings betrothed and he wants her back. From this letter, it states that she had gathered an army, laid siege to his castle, stole his intended mate, and then fled into Michael's lands. For one, this seemed quite a bit far fetched. He kind of remembered Rebeca from his time at Mike and Bella's. He also knew she's the one who bested Tanner. Even then, her fighting skills would not win her an army. What army would follow a woman into battle? Feeling Sky's body jerk as it took a sudden breathe Michael turned his attention from the letter to her, and then to a lot of worried eyes that were locked on his mate. Okay, thought Michael, my army would more then likely follow her into battle if only because his guards would have her back.

This King is asking Michael to destroy this invading army and to deliver the other woman, Casandra, to him. He would be willing to pay him any price for her safe delivery. All of this seemed fishy to him and with his mates sudden departcher that just added it to it. "My King," said Eli his eyes still locked on Sky who was beginning to turn blue.

"Breath," growled Michael as he pushed his power into his mate and returned to his deliberation.

Taking in a shuddering breath, Sky's body seemed to obey his command as he handed Eli the letter. "I can't say I like this. Tell me what you think?"

Dragging his eyes away from Sky as her body took another shuddering breath, Eli turned his attention to the letter. "A woman with an army at her back? That doesn't sound right at all," stated Eli handing the letter off to Tanner.

"Well that's a bit sexist," snapped April glaring at Eli from over top Michaels head.

"I'm not saying women can't lead armies," said Eli defensively. "I'm just saying that if a woman was to lead an army it would have to be a well-established army not just a band of mercenaries."

"True, to take on a castle and steal a woman, only to flee right afterward would take dedication and loyalty. You're not going to get a group of men together to wage war just to steal a woman and then run away. Unless that woman was something special," added Tanner passing the letter to the High Lord who was holding his hand out for it.

Reading the letter the High Lord agreed, "I know the south doesn't mate like we do here. I know that some times they use women as bargaining chips and alliances. Who's to say that she wasn't used as a bargaining chip and her people rebelled and stole her back."

"If that's the case then why run to the north? Why not return back to their own lands where they would have back up. If her people cared for her that much to risk war to take her back then all of her people would be willing to defend her," said Jamie taking the letter off the table so that he could read it himself while he sent his magic into Sky.

Setting the letter down, Jamie looked at Sky as her body drew in another unnatural breath. "She's find Jamie," said Michael in response to the look he was getting from Jamie.

"She…"

"Feels dead," said Michael finishing what Jamie could say. "She's on a walkabout, just not on this world. She feels like this every time it happens. Now, do you think that since they don't mate like us that their dragons don't bond like ours," continued Michael changing the subject? "What if this new king usurped the last king and stole his mate. If her people liked her they would try to rescue her and then hide her somewhere safe. Since that kingdom boarders mine that would be the most logical place to run to. If the new king had a big enough army he could just march into any of the neighboring Kingdoms and just snatcher her back. If the neighboring kingdom was smart enough to avoid an unnessicary war he'd toss her and her army right back out again should they enter their lands. Either way, I'll deliberate on what to do."

"You defiantly can't turn a blind eye to an army of southern dragons within your lands, that's for sure," stated Eli nudging Micheal when Sky didn't take a breath fast enough to suit him.

"For that reason neither can I. One would have thought I'd have gotten a report about a army passing through one of the White Wood passes," stated the High Lord as he turned a sharp and angry eye toward Rowan who stood attentively to the side.

"Not nessassarily," stated Kyle making his way toward the table to look at the picture of the women. "Rebeca would have known the White Woods on the edge of the continent was no longer. She could have brought her army through right there. Since that town was destroyed by the dead army there would be no one there to notice."

"I sent word to the Lords of that area to post guards long the wood line as well as to set up a permanent camp. If an army came through someone should have known," snapped the High Lord getting angrier by the moment.

"Before we act brashly, let's see if we can find word of an army hiding out within the board lands. We can even put our ears to the ground to see if anyone has heard tails of people living within the White Woods. Maybe Sky can even ask the mother what she knows when she returns to her body."

"Do you think it's the mother who called her," asked April as Eli nudged Michael again.

"No, wherever she is, she isn't on the mother," informed Michael as he stood up. "I believe we'll turn in for the night. Do you mind," asked Michael lifting Sky up just enough so her tail could swing freely and hit Eli on the leg.

Flopping Sky's tail over her lip from Eli and April followed closely behind Michael as he packed her to bed. Two days passed before Sky shot awake and leaped out of bed. Running to the bathroom Sky rushed out again ignoring everyone who starred at her naked behind. Racing into the closet she tossed on a set of clothes before blowing past Michael. Sliding to a stop she sprinted back kissed him on the cheek before rushing off again. Practically racing toward the barracks Sky charged into the building used by the higher ranking bachelors. Making her way down the hallway quickly Sky scanned the names on the tops of the doors quickly until she found the one she was looking for. Throwing the door open Sky growled at him, "Why are you naked? Ugg!"

Frozen on his bed in shock Sky pointedly ignored the naked woman who was sitting on top of Andrew. Pulling clothes out of dresser Sky tossed them at him. "Get dressed I need you to do me a favor. I'll meet you in the study as soon as you're dressed. You've got five minutes," said Sky making her way out of the room quickly leaving a thoroughly embarrassed couple behind.

"I thought I locked that door," stated Andrew toward Tanner and Michael as they both shrugged and left his room.

Making her way quickly toward the study Sky started pulling maps out of their holder on the wall. Finding the couple she wanted she laid them all out on the table. Everyone sat quietly as Sky paced back and forth waiting on Andrew to arrive. Michael could see the High Lord kept wanting to ask what was going on but decided against it every time he opened his mouth. "Good Evening Lord Leigh," greeted the High Lord looking at Andrew's unsightly appearance. "You appear to be a bit disheveled brother."

"Oh you have no idea," laughed Tanner earning him a glare from Andrew as Michael tried to maintain a straight face but failed.

"Not funny," growled Andrew causing several others to erupt in laughter.

"Okay since all of us are here I've got a favor to ask of you," said Sky looking at Michael before turning toward the High Lord who was still sitting at his desk slightly confused. "An you too I guess."

"If it's within my power to please you my Queen I will try," said the High Lord pushing to his feet.

"Okay," said Sky getting right down to it. "There is a army encampment somewhere around in this area." Pausing as one of the High Lords guards choked on his drink all of the sidebar conversations grew quite.

"I would like to send Tanner and Andrew down here to make nice with Rebeca and her Mom. That's where you come in Andrew. You're going to play nice with her and help them keep an eye out for the dead army. With that eye of yours, you'll be able to see ghosts. I want you to barter your talent, assistance, and three hundred of your best fighters for Rebeca."

"What," shouted Tanner, Andrew, and the High Lord at the same time.

"I know this sounds dumb and I can't tell you why it's not. All I can tell you, or should I say, politely ask is that Tanner, Andrew, and three three hundred of your best fighters need to go down there. An depending on how you handle things either they'll turn out good, or you'll all die."

"What kind of explanation is that," shouted Tanner floored by what Sky had just said.

"How many southern dragons are encamped there," asked Michael deep in thought.

"Two thousand nine hundred and eighteen."

"With numbers like that we'd need more than three hundred of your best fighters," exclaimed Andrew. "You'll be sending us to a slaughter!"

Rubbing his chin Michael began to count on his fingers. That would be ten to one odds. In a fight, you'd more than likely die, but in a training scenario that would be great odds. One instructor to ten students."

"What does that have to do with anything," snapped Tanner almost in a panic. "You're not seriously thinking about this are you?"

"She said it either goes bad and you die, so ten to one odds you die. Or it goes good and you live so that's a one to ten ratios. She just said for Andrew to sell his servesses and Lord Leigh is the best instructor the Land of Fire has to offer. If he takes 300 of his finest then that's three hundred instructors to teach three thousand soldiers. Three thousand trained soldiers who can get the hell off my land and go take back their own. It's a deal, permission granted," stated Michael getting to his feet. "I'm headed to bed now. An here I thought this was going to be something that needed some massive strategy or something."

"Your Majesty wait a moment," pleaded Andrew as he and Tanner rushed after him.

Even Sky was a little dumbfounded at how quickly Michael made his decision and walked out. She'd already ran through countless scenarios in her head before she woke up on how to convince him to send Tanner and Andrew. She was worried he was going to need all kinds of proof and reassurance, but she just went with it. He even guessed on the route she was hoping Tanner and Andrew would take. She couldn't tell him anything because it could change the outcome of the path they were currently on. Even the Goddess really hadn't told her how to handle the situation. She just showed her the multitude of possible outcomes and let her decided on her own on the course of action she'd take. Of course for Sky it was a no brainer. She'd take the road that led to babies, but it was also the road that had the least amount of chance of survival. She would just have to put a lot of faith in those two that they would make the right decisions.

"My Queen my I ask a question," asked the High Lord with a serious face.

"If I can answer it, I will," replied Sky taking the Goddess's warning very seriously about interfering in the future and peoples destiny.

"What is the good that will come from this?"

"I can't tell you that," answered Sky with an apologetic face.

"Can you give me a possible good if not a direct answer," asked the High Lord making Sky smile at the man's intelligence. She could see the gears in his head turning quickly as memories flashed through him quickly. Sky understood why he was chosen for the position he was in. "One possible outcome is we make an enemy of the South King and he does not aid us in the war against the dead army. In which case he dies anyway because they are headed in his direction. Or we make an alley with strong ties to the King and we have more people to add to our side against the dead army."

"An the bad side," asked the High Lord knowing the answer.

"The Land of Fire loses three hundred and two of it's finest and I grieve the loss of a friend," said Sky with a downcast look.

"Well let's pray to the Goddess they live up to the faith you have him them to do a job of this magnitude," stated the High Lord before leaving the study with his guards right behind him chomping at the bit to put their two cents in.

With that Sky headed to her room and found Michael sprawled out across the bed in his naked glory. She could only imagine how worried he must have been while she was gone. He defiantly looked haggard and warn as he lifted his obsidian eyes looked at her. Striping out of her clothes Sky climbed into bed as Michaels dragon rolled over and pulled her on top of him. Capturing her lips with his Sky could feel his dragon pushing in on her mind seeking out her memories. Letting him past her barriers his dragon growl in frustration as he poked and prodded at her newest memories with the Goddess. With his unsuccessful attempt to skim through her memories with the Goddess he shuffled through everything else before snatching up her dragon. Laughing at his dragon as he pulled at her ear with his teeth Sky pushed him from her mind as she asked, "Are you happy with what your found nosey body?"

"No," answered Michael honestly. "I'd rather not run the risk of losing my long time friend. I'm just hoping that the reward outweighs the risk."

"The reward is babies," answered Sky before she nibbled Michaels bottom lip.

"For who?"

"For possibly twenty of them if they play their cards right," moaned Sky as Michael palmed the globes of her ass and slide her slick folds over his fully aroused cock.

"Is one of those possibilities Tanner?"

"Maybe."

"You're trading my men's lives and the fighting style of the Land of Fire for a woman. This woman seems very important to you. Is she the reason why you have declined the High Lords offer to have a contest for a fire dragon guard," asked Michael dragging a moan out of his mate as he pushed her slowly down on top of him.

"Maybe."

"She's Tanner's mate isn't she," asked Micheal as he slowly pulled himself out of Sky tight wetness just to spear her again. "She's going to fill the rooms on the second floor with little fire dragons isn't she?" When Sky didn't answer Michael drove into her harder making her cry out in as he growled, "Isn't she."

"Yes," cried Sky as her core began to tighten with her impending climax.

Flipping her over onto her back Michael continued his line of questioning as his mate withered under him. "April his going to give Eli his children, but what about Jamie? Who's going to give Jamie his babies?" When Sky didn't answer he drove into her faster and harder. "I asked you a question mate. What is her name? I know you know." This time when Sky didn't answer him he leaned forward and sank his teeth into her shoulder causing her to scream out.

"Sarah!"

Continuing his onslaught Michael continued to drive into her. "So you plan on playing matchmaker while we are up north?"

"Are we really having this conversation now? Can't this wait," complained Sky struggling to maintain focus?

"Baby making seems to be a good topic considering," laughed Michael as he paused in his lovemaking getting a growl from his mate.

Rolling her eyes Sky flopped her head back on the bed as her tail thumped in agitation. "If I can then yes," huffed Sky. "Can we go back to me screaming and you grunting?"

"How about you grunt and I scream," teased Michael smiling down at her.

"You're in a mood," stated Sky looking at Michael like he just sprouted another head.

"I will be the first King in history to have a mate. If you find a mate for everyone then it'll be the first time in history all of the King's guards will be mated. The thought of the castle being full of children makes me happy. Babies mean a prosperous kingdom and a prosperous kingdom is a happy kingdom. I feel it when they are happy," informed Michael.

"You feel everyone's emotions if you wanted to," stated Sky trying to understand the strangely chipper mood.

"True I can, but I mostly turn it off. My guards on the other hand I keep on. They constantly monitor me and I them. I can feel their joy and elatement. I felt Samuels nervousness and then over whelming joy the days his daughter hatched. I want every one of my guards to feel that joy," informed Michael before claiming Sky's lips.

"I can't promise anything but I'll try," replied Sky once she could breathe again.

With that Michael resumed their activity before the both of them passed out blissfully sated.

When morning came preparations were made for both groups to head out. Michael and his band of wind guards he'd brought from the castle headed north with Sky. Tanner and Andrew headed south with their three hundred troops with anxious faces. Giving his friend one last nod the both turned and road off hoping that they'd see each other again. Should things go wrong this will be the last time he will see him alive, see any of them alive.

With a heavy heart, Michal turned his horse and began the long trek north.