Some reasearch and a couple days later, Clander had discovered where and when the hatching was to take place, though he was a little less than sure it was safe. He wasn't a Shield (he wasn't even Skilled), but he had an idea.      It was raining again, and Reif was once more badgering Aemei when Clander found them. He was rather hoping he'd find them close together like this.      "Bored?" he asked quietly, and had to deny the smile that tried to creep across his face at their obvious surprise because of his sudden appearance. Once over their initian surprise, Aemei nodded and reif hrumphed.      "No," the flame-colored Saa muttered, "Can't a dragon take a break once in a while to pester his cousin?"      Again, Clander had to stifle his amusement. He was good at that. "Well, it's just that there's a clutch of quarter-Saa going out soon," he said softly.      Aemei perked attentively, but again, Reif scoffed. "So? Why don't they just send one of the females? Doesn't 'Kida usually take care of that stuff?"      Clander shrugged. "You know she's away right now. And besides, it's a dangerous place. I don't think anyone would let her go by herslef."      Now it was Reif that was attentive. "Dangerous? Why?"      Clander shied away a little. "well, all I know is that it's a ship like the Abstract Destiny, you know, the place where Ackray came from. Only it's an evil counterpart, or something."      Aemei looked troubled. "Why would a half-saa go to have a clutch on an evil ship?"      "I don't know, all I know is that's where they are. I don't think it's an evil clutch, though." Clander answered softly.      Reif was quiet now, contemplating. Aemei was the one who spoke next. "Who's clutch is the Saa-parent from?"      "Nicari." Clander's answer was short, but that's alright.      "What?!" A voice caroled from below, and seconds later they were in the presence of a very excited young female Saa. Nicari, in fact. "One of mine? And they didn't even tell me?" She seemed both indignant and excited.      Once again Reif and Aemei were startled, but this time the latter grinned in response to the vibrant lacewing's entrance.      "Well, what shall we do about it?" she asked, glancing around at the three others.      Clander smiled faintly "I believe there is a portal there, not too far from our shield. All we'd have to do is find a way to it."      "I'll do it," Reif said suddenly. "Come on." He rose and hovered down to the ground, then sped along with the others following close behind. At the shield's edge, he stopped, and a spot appeared in the invisible barrier. Soon, there was a blue-ringed hole just large enough for a Saa to slip through.      "Hurry," Reif said quietly, concentrating, "I can't keep them from noticing forever."      Nicari and Aemei went across, but Clander hesitated.      "You go, I wouldn't be very useful. Just find that portal. You'll be fine." And with that, he disappeared into the underbrush.      Reif blinked, then made a face and went through himself, letting the hole close behind him.      Very few Shields knew how to break their own specific brand of barrier magic, and fewer still could keep it secret from those holding them up. The three of them raced through dappled light filtering through the canopy, and soon stood before the portal that would lead them to the Twisted Fate. . . .      They actually ended up in Star City, rather than on the ship itself. Still, they were close. Once there, however, the three Saa were somewhat lost. Never had one of them (or their kind, for that matter) been aboard this vessel. Nicari was cheerful enough to look past it's intimidating front to... whatever she saw on the other side. Honestly, neither Aemei nor Reif could tell.      Those two stuck together, Aemei timidly hiding behind his cousin, Reif acting himself and pushing through to the nearest consol to sign themselves up for that clutch.      The boys let Nicari take care of that, since one was too timid to get a spot, and the other was too impatient to work with the controlls.      The moment she finished she returned to her companions and gleefully announced that they were signed up. "It was actually a tripple-clutch," she said cheerfully.      Aemei blinked. "Which parent was the half-Saa?"      Nicari paused, blinked, and looked sheepish. "oops. I forgot to check."      "What?! How will we know who's family and who isn't?"      "Well excuse me. You wanna find out, you can go check yourself." Nicari huffed indignantly.      "Does it really matter?" Aemei asked, his voice quiet. "I mean, does it matter if they're our brothers or completely different from us? If a hatchling needs a home and caretakers, does it matter whether or not it's your grandchild, Nicari?"      The female peered at him, and then shrugged a little. "I would like to know where my line goes. Maybe we'll get lucky."      Reif rolled his eyes (again, only the sentiment carried) and stalked off. "Come on, we'd better go find a place to stay while we wait for the hatching." | Back | Next |