As they sleep, Sky and Blodwen experience an strange phenomenon. Their dreams begin to mix, allowing a new level of insight into each others lives. Memories of Sky's life float through Blodwen's mind. She sees him looking up at adults from his hiding place, hunger gnawing at him. She sees the first family to take him in, cruel people who tried to remove his lycanthropy in several different ways, from beatings to spells to poisoning him with belladonna, all before he was 8. Then she sees him escape, flying into the mountains weak from poison. She sees fuzzy outlines above him, and they focus to become the tribe his music called. She feels his his emotions, first suspicion as to why they saved him, then awe and admiration as he sees they can shift just like him. She evens seems what is obviously a cherished memory, his first time hearing the shamaness play the flute and his first time seeing spirits. The dream ends abruptly as he flies up a cliff wall toward a pillar of smoke.
Blodwen's memories are considerably less painful. He sees a strange sky with three moons overhead as she remembers looking out of her nest for the first time at the hard-packed red soil far below. All of her memories happen at night, her mother and father teaching her to fly, encouraging her to explore her powers, delighted when she shows an aptitude for shapeshifting. And then one day a ragged messenger arrived from what was left of another tribe of starhawks further south in the mountains. Invaders had come into their peaceful world, little malevolent balls of light that would strip all life from one at the merest touch. There was much arguing and debate. Blodwen watched as her elders argued and planned, at last deciding that their only course of action was to abandon their world and search out another home. Those few who specialized in teleportation worked day and night to build a gate that would carry them all far away. After that her memories are of flying from place to place with her tribe searching for a new home for many years before they heard the call to come to the Eyrie.
Blodwen is jarred out of the dream just as she got to the part where she saw Sky looking at smoke rising ahead. The sound of insistently hungry chicks is near deafening, the eagle chicks screeching blending in with the elven chicks wailing in a cacophonic mess, difficult to process for someone still growing accustomed to not living in silence. She fumbled with the ties of Sky's pack, trying to get food out for them.
Jarred by the elven wails and high-pitched eaglet screams, Sky glances sheepishly at their neighbors, an apoligetic smile on his face followed by a 'waht can you do?' shrug. He is happy to see Blodwen is getting better at feeding the babes, and moves to feed the eaglets. He occasionally glances at her, wondering if the dream he just had was real. He catches her staring at him and they both look away.
:Don't forget to feed Keehaar,: she reminds him as she sleepily feeds a baby.
:Sky,: she asks hesitantly after all the babies were fed and changed and blesedly quiet, :Did...did you have any strange dreams last night?:
:Don't forget to feed Keehaar,: she reminds him as she sleepily feeds a baby.
:Sky,: she asks hesitantly after all the babies were fed and changed and blesedly quiet, :Did...did you have any strange dreams last night?:
Sky nudges a drowsy Keehaar to see if he wants something to eat before answering. :"If seeing the reason you ended up in the Eyrie is strange, then yes, I did. How about you?":
:Then what I dreamed was true? You were...: Sky can feel anger towards the ones who hurt him just pouring out of her. :Those people had no right to do that! You're perfect exactly the way you are.:
She looks down sheepishly as she gets a hold of her runaway emotions. :I'm sorry. Sometimes I get a little carried away.:
She looks back up. For some reason her cheeks are unusually hot. :That sort of thing...Dreamsharing. It's not uncommon among my kind...between er, well, between mates.:
:Then what I dreamed was true? You were...: Sky can feel anger towards the ones who hurt him just pouring out of her. :Those people had no right to do that! You're perfect exactly the way you are.:
She looks down sheepishly as she gets a hold of her runaway emotions. :I'm sorry. Sometimes I get a little carried away.:
She looks back up. For some reason her cheeks are unusually hot. :That sort of thing...Dreamsharing. It's not uncommon among my kind...between er, well, between mates.:
:"So you got memories of my first family huh? Sorry. So, this Dreamsharing, it's some form of telepathy between...": he glances at Keehaar. :"Certain couples of your race?":
:"So you got memories of my first family huh? Sorry. So, this Dreamsharing, it's some form of telepathy between...": he glances at Keehaar. :"Certain couples of your race?":
She gives him a grateful smile for having come up with a way to talk about this without being too obvious. They might be promised to each other, but they still had an entire nestful of chaperones.
:Yes. Sometimes those who are especially close and spend a lot of time speaking together when they are awake will also share their dreams. Memories, hopes, whatever those dreams happen to be.:
:"So you got memories of my first family huh? Sorry. So, this Dreamsharing, it's some form of telepathy between...": he glances at Keehaar. :"Certain couples of your race?":
She gives him a grateful smile for having come up with a way to talk about this without being too obvious. They might be promised to each other, but they still had an entire nestful of chaperones.
:Yes. Sometimes those who are especially close and spend a lot of time speaking together when they are awake will also share their dreams. Memories, hopes, whatever those dreams happen to be.:
:"Looks like we learn something new about each other avery few moments, doesn't it? Not that I'm complaining. I wonder if we could do that while awake...":
:"Looks like we learn something new about each other avery few moments, doesn't it? Not that I'm complaining. I wonder if we could do that while awake...":
:What do you mean?: she says, clearly puzzled. :Can you truly not speak mind to mind? You've never had any trouble hearing me. I must admit, it would be very useful if you could, as those sort of conversations can be kept secret from prying ears,: she adds with a fond smile for the chicks. :Have you ever tried to speak telepathically?:
:What do you mean?: she says, clearly puzzled. :Can you truly not speak mind to mind? You've never had any trouble hearing me. I must admit, it would be very useful if you could, as those sort of conversations can be kept secret from prying ears,: she adds with a fond smile for the chicks. :Have you ever tried to speak telepathically?:
:"Looks like we learn something new about each other avery few moments, doesn't it? Not that I'm complaining. I wonder if we could do that while awake...":
"Huh, I never thought to try." He concentrates while looking at her. :Can you hear me now?:
"Huh, I never thought to try." He concentrates while looking at her. :Can you hear me now?:
:Yes, I can hear you perfectly,: she says happily. :It seems that you can speak telepathically after all.:
"Huh, I never thought to try." He concentrates while looking at her. :Can you hear me now?:
:Yes, I can hear you perfectly,: she says happily. :It seems that you can speak telepathically after all.:
:Good. Now we can conspire with out being easily overheard. BWUHAHAHA!:
Sky seems to have decided to act silly while trying out his new ability.
:Good. Now we can conspire with out being easily overheard. BWUHAHAHA!:
Sky seems to have decided to act silly while trying out his new ability.
Her laughter echoes in his mind. :Silly Sky,: she says fondly. :Like a fledgling playing with a new toy,: she adds, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
Her laughter echoes in his mind. :Silly Sky,: she says fondly. :Like a fledgling playing with a new toy,: she adds, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
:Good. Now we can conspire with out being easily overheard. BWUHAHAHA!:
Sky seems to have decided to act silly while trying out his new ability.
:Says the speedy night wing of last night. I want a rematch by the way. Eagles are not night fliers.:
:Says the speedy night wing of last night. I want a rematch by the way. Eagles are not night fliers.:Her laughter echoes in his mind. :Silly Sky,: she says fondly. :Like a fledgling playing with a new toy,: she adds, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
:Good. Now we can conspire with out being easily overheard. BWUHAHAHA!:
Sky seems to have decided to act silly while trying out his new ability.
:Anytime, anyplace, slowpoke: she says, laughing more. :I should warn you, I cheat. I can make myself faster with my abilities.:
Sky nudges a drowsy Keehaar to see if he wants something to eat
Keehaar takes a gobbet of rabbit meat and snaps it down.
Sky where is my mother? He asks drowsily
Sky nudges a drowsy Keehaar to see if he wants something to eatKeehaar takes a gobbet of rabbit meat and snaps it down.
Sky where is my mother? He asks drowsily
Keehaar's words brought her back to reality with a thud. She looked helplessly over at Sky, unsure of how to answer Keehaar's question.
:I should check with Hlaawith. Perhaps she is among the wounded.: she added with hope she didn't feel.
Blodwen shifted back into hawk form and flew off, hoping she could catch Hlaawith before she fell asleep for the day. She saw the older hawk just settling into her nest as she flew up.
:Please, Hlaawith, I am sorry to disturb you. I have an urgent question that I should have asked last night. It's about Tlawen, Keehaar's mother. She didn't come for him. Is she...is she still alive?:
Hlaawith looks startled at the question. :Didn't Hlawerry tell you? Tlawen was in the same group as your parents. They were blasted out of the sky by a dracolich squad. I am so sorry. Did you need one of the older ones to come and claim Keehaar?:
:No! I will claim nest-rights for him. And so will Sky.:
:Ah, so that's the way the wind blows, is it? You're barely more than a child yourself. But I suppose that is inevitable in these troubled times. Well then, I wish you well young Blodwen. I am sorry for your loss, but glad that you have found a new family for yourself. Good flying.:
With that, Hlaawith settled back into her nest and went to sleep.
Blodwen flew back to their nest with a heavy heart. She landed and looked at Keehaar sadly.
:I am so sorry Keehaar. I'm afraid your mother won't be coming to get you. She won't be coming back at all.:
Blodwen flew back to their nest with a heavy heart. She landed and looked at Keehaar sadly.
:I am so sorry Keehaar. I'm afraid your mother won't be coming to get you. She won't be coming back at all.:
Keehaar keens loudly, then shakes. A curious metamophosis happens. He turns into what seems to be a young humanoid. The young boy cries heartwrenchingly
Keehaar keens loudly, then shakes. A curious metamophosis happens. He turns into what seems to be a young humanoid. The young boy cries heartwrenchinglyBlodwen flew back to their nest with a heavy heart. She landed and looked at Keehaar sadly.
:I am so sorry Keehaar. I'm afraid your mother won't be coming to get you. She won't be coming back at all.:
Keehaar keens loudly, then shakes. A curious metamophosis happens. He turns into what seems to be a young humanoid. The young boy cries heartwrenchinglyBlodwen flew back to their nest with a heavy heart. She landed and looked at Keehaar sadly.
:I am so sorry Keehaar. I'm afraid your mother won't be coming to get you. She won't be coming back at all.:
Blodwen shifts back into her human form and hugs him closely while he cries.
:I know, Keehaar. I know. I promise I will take care of you. And Sky too. You won't be left all alone. I know it hurts.:
The young boy cries
I'm in humanform. I-I-want to show my mom, she'll be so p-p-proud!
He starts crying again
The young boy cries
I'm in humanform. I-I-want to show my mom, she'll be so p-p-proud!
He starts crying again
:Yes, she would be so proud. To have shifted into another form at such a young age is truly extraordinary, Keehaar. We are very proud of you too. I know that it's not the same. I'm so sorry Keehaar.:
Though he is suspicious about the wind, Sky pays more attention to Keehaar. :Little nightwing, I'm proud of you for shifting. I have an idea. Would you like me to teach you to play the flute?: He reaches into his pack and pulls out a pale ebony flute, which he offers to Keehaar. It's obvious he's trying to distract Keehaar, but he is willing to teach him. He does cover up the chicks to keep the cold away, even casting a protection from energy(cold) spell over them.
Though he is suspicious about the wind, Sky pays more attention to Keehaar. :Little nightwing, I'm proud of you for shifting. I have an idea. Would you like me to teach you to play the flute?: He reaches into his pack and pulls out a pale ebony flute, which he offers to Keehaar. It's obvious he's trying to distract Keehaar, but he is willing to teach him. He does cover up the chicks to keep the cold away, even casting a protection from energy(cold) spell over them.
:I could teach you too, Blodwen.:
Though he is suspicious about the wind, Sky pays more attention to Keehaar. :Little nightwing, I'm proud of you for shifting. I have an idea. Would you like me to teach you to play the flute?: He reaches into his pack and pulls out a pale ebony flute, which he offers to Keehaar. It's obvious he's trying to distract Keehaar, but he is willing to teach him. He does cover up the chicks to keep the cold away, even casting a protection from energy(cold) spell over them.:I could teach you too, Blodwen.:
Remembering the importance of the flute to him from their shared dream, she is touched by his offer.
:Yes, I would like that,: she says, shyly.She is still holding Keehaar as he cries, rocking him gently, and she continues to do so until he stops, tears spent for now.
:Then let's try in the morning after a nights rest. Learning is best done with a clear head.: He places the flute to his mouth, and a soft soothing tune flows in the nest, making young eyes droop, then fall into a dreamless sleep. :You can go to sleep Blodwen, I need no more. I'll watch over you all as you sleep, and will comfort those who wake.:
:Then let's try in the morning after a nights rest. Learning is best done with a clear head.: He places the flute to his mouth, and a soft soothing tune flows in the nest, making young eyes droop, anf all into a dreamless sleep. :You can go to sleep Blodwen, I need no more. I'll watch over you all as you sleep, and will comfort those who wake.:
:Thank you,: she says, curling up near Keehaar. Sky can see that all the emotion of the past couple of days have taken their toll on her.
He isn't sure why, but he is certain that he is the only one who can hear the rest.:Hlaawith told me that Keehaar's mother was in the same group as my parents. That they were blasted out of the sky by a dracolich squad. All of them at the same time. And also, I formally claimed nest-rights for Keehaar. For both of us. Which kind of makes us being together not so much a secret, but I thought that it was what you would want. Dearest Sky.:
And with that she finally drifted off to sleep.
:It was bound to happen sooner or later.:
When he is sure they are asleep, Sky flies to the center of the Eyrie and begins to strengthen the wards he placed earlier. Calling on the Five Elements to power them far more than he could normally. He settles back in the nest and continues his earlier song. Soon though, he tries to see Nimora's dreams, hoping to join her in Dream even if he can't sleep.
:It was bound to happen sooner or later.:
When he is sure they are asleep, Sky flies to the center of the Eyrie and begins to strengthen the wards he placed earlier. Calling on the Five Elements to power them far more than he could normally. He settles back in the nest and continues his earlier song. Soon though, he tries to see Blodwen's dreams, hoping to join her in Dream even if he can't sleep.
It is more difficult to join in Dreamsharing with only one of them asleep, but after concentrating for what seemed a very long time he is able to see her dream, but not as vividly as before.
Blodwen is flying through the night sky over a world he doesn't recognize along with many other starhawks. They look tired and there are many injured. Blodwen starts to drift, overcome with exhaustion. She accidentally bumps into another starhawk."I am so sorry, Tlawen," she says, embarrased.
"It's alright, Blodwen. I understand. I can't take much more of this either. One way or another I am going to have to lay this egg soon."
Finally they reach a stopping place not long before dawn. Most are too tired to even care about food, but a few go out hunting. At nightfall when they wake to continue their search for a home, they find the ones who went out dead, poisoned by the meat of the creatures that inhabited this world.
"So, it would seem that we have not yet found a home after all," Blodwen's mother said sadly. Blodwen nestled close to her parents as the dead were commended to the winds. She saw Tlawen standing all alone. Tlawen's mate had died on the last world they had been to and she made no pretense that she was going on for any reason other than the egg she carried.
Arielle woke up refreshed and happy. She hummed to herself and skipped over to the balcony.
"I'm ready to go on that treasure hunt now, Azuri'ith," she said sunnily. Some of the pretty birds had brought her more shinies during the night. She had put them in her special pink bag. She loved listening to the song they made when you put more of them together.
Azuri'ith and Arielle left the Eyrie. She enjoyed flying and would often look down with excitement and a complete disregard for her own safety that made her great-great-grandfather occasionally feel ill with worry. After all, he was supposed to be keeping her safe.
The black dragon, Smagnavast, flies into the Eyrie, a small canvas sack dangling from one foreclaw.