Of Dragons and War II

[Swordsman]

"You'd better!"

[Moonitic]

"For you, I'll try. No promises."

[Iwant2bafencer]

aww thanks Loch. That could prove to be an interesting bit.

[Moonitic]

Tæbryn seemed to accept Moon's final statement & the matter was settled. Tæbryn would return to Arconia with Moon, Ken-Dall, Slade and Krasala. Moon looked to Meekal then, and said, "I suppose that once I return, I should contact Father and Mother, and let them know that we've been wed." He nodded, and she continued with some hesitation. "I also suppose I should inform them of your father's...demise. They will most likely be furious, but they will be happy to know I've married a king." She gave him a squeeze. "And a good king, at that."

He returned the gesture. "That remains to be seen," he stated, but smiled down at her. "But with you by my side, all will be well." He paused a moment, remembering something. "Once I return, we should have enough time before the war to get to Muu for our coronation. Our people will need to be trained, and they will need us there for them."

Moon held a shutter when Meekal stated they would be returning to Muu, that cold, desolate place. She knew nothing of its people, only their former king...& terrible rumors. But then she looked at Tæbryn, the spirited Muuvian girl Nækos had rescued. If there were any more like her in that kingdom, then Muu would be a worthy kingdom indeed. She smiled. "Aye...they will."

"Now," Meekal said, unwrapping his arms from his wife, "let's get you home. You need a warm bath, good food and some rest before you take on the duties of Arconia. The longer I spend with you, the more I want to take you with me, despite what my friend says." He gave Nækos a grin.

Moon sighed, but agreed. "If you insist." She took a step back from him & called, "Ken-Dall! We're leaving!"

[Moonitic]

In the meantime, Darion kept Ken-Dall wrapped in his embrace. Each whispered to one another sweet words and promises of a glorious reunion. "You have to return to me soon," Ken-Dall said, eyes on his. "You've only just started my training. I have a long way to go."

[Darion McNair]

""Yes you do, but you'll get there soon enough." he kissed her softly. "Come on Love." He took her hand, and together they went to meet the rest of the group.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline had packed her things up and was saddling Shadowmaker while everyone else was saying good-bye to their 'dearest loves'. She sinched up one of the straps and Shadowmaker threw his head back with a whinny.

"Sorry boy." She soothed, loosening the strap.

She finished with Shadowmaker and then looped her way around the outside of the main group to the abandoned fire. Taking up one of the larger sticks, she prodded at the coals and worked with the wood, slowly bringing the fire up a little hotter.
Finding some of the meat from the night before, she got it cooking for everyone else and then without a word she moved back into the forest.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Reaching the edge of the forest, Rose found the first larger tree. She jumped up and grabbed a lower branch, pulling herself up into its boughs. She climbed up a little higher and then sat on a particularely large branch. There she sat and waited for them to finish with their seemingly endless 'I Love You's'. She was almost glad this war was coming. It would get her mind off of what she didn't have that everyone else reveled in.

[Soldier]

Nækos looked around, waiting until all the senstitive moments were over and people were finally ready to go. "Alright, let's get moving - enough daylight wasted already." It took a moment or two, but the two groups got moving, in opposite directions.

[Moonitic]

The group traveling back to Arconia was a quiet one. Krasala was in the lead, eyes sharp as she scanned the area. She led another horse by its reins. The rider was Moon, who kept glancing back to watch Meekal and the others fade. Ken-dall, behind her sister, gave Moon half of a smile & turned herself to watch Darion go. Tæbryn & Slade were at the rear, Slade also watching their surroundings. Tæbryn simply frowned at the silence.

"It's for the best," Ken-Dall told Moon after the fourth time Moon's blonde head turned in her direction.

"I know," Moon said with a sigh. "I have a lot to do once we get back."

Ken-Dall nodded. "I'll have to find something to keep me amused." She glanced back at Tæbryn & asked, "What do you like to do for fun?"

[Soldier]

"I usually just went out and explored, when I wasn't working on the farm. Liked getting in fights some, too."

[Moonitic]

Ken-Dall nodded appreciatively. "Sounds familiar." She smiled as Moon threw her a glare over her shoulder. Then, she cleared her throat. "So...what kind of farm?"

[Soldier]

"Whatever we could raise." Tæbryn frowned. "Which isn't much in Muuvian dirt. A lot of rocks."

[Moonitic]

"Rocks? Rocks!" Ken-Dall began to laugh...so hard that she almost fell off her mount.

Moon twisted around in her saddle & glared at her sister. "Ken-Dall, really!" She looked at Tæbryn. "You must excuse her. She was dropped on her head as a child."

"Rocks!" Ken-Dall squeaked.

[Soldier]

Tæbryn just raised an eyebrow.

[Moonitic]

"It's...Meekal..." Ken-Dall managed between great gasps of air, laughing all the while. "he..."

"He collected rocks," Moon stated matter-of-factly, ignoring her sister's snorts. "His good friend introduced him to geology, and he rather liked it..."

"He talks to rocks!" Ken-Dall blurted, earning a look of daggers from her sister. Her hands flew to her mouth, but her shoulders kept shaking as she held in her laughter.

[Soldier]

"What's wrong with that?" she asked, completely straight-faced.

[Moonitic]

Ken-Dall sobered immediately & blinked. "Well...I..."

Moon smiled. "Absolutely nothing, Tæbryn. Nothing at all." She turned around in her seat and continued on, head held high.

[Soldier]

"People have to talk to somebody," Tæbryn continued. "If you don't have anybody to talk to, most people talk to themselves, or something else. I had a sister who used to talk to a stuffed animal."

[Moonitic]

"That's...good. I didn't have anyone to talk to growing up," Ken-Dall admitted. "Not even a stuffed animal...or a rock." She bowed her head then, thinking of the man she left behind for the sister in front of her. How simple things were before she decided to play a foolish part in Arconia. Now she had to deal with people...and feelings. Something she was terrible at. But at least she'd have time to get better.

Just in time for a war.