50068 WIN and I don't know that this one will grow more.

Robin said. “Is that so? So just where is he from then?”

Devlin said. “I have no idea. I am just saying that there is nothing that says it is there. In fact given the blood tie I honestly believe that rules them out. Regardless it isn’t right to force the issue. After all Father is still unconvinced that the lost city is real.”

Robin said. “He said that it was as real as dragons being able to seek and he was with me when one told me that you were at throwing practice, so I think that should have convinced him. Just how is that going? At least you don’t appear to have broken anything. What are you throwing?”

Devlin shook his head, smiling. “I don’t know if that would convince him, but I can bet it was shocking. I am playing catch. So throwing balls at dragons who are big enough not to be hurt by a wild pitch. I still am not sure of it, but Gale agrees that I should work on it, so it is a part of my training.” That caused the others to look at him. He shrugged. “Like I said the training has grown.”

Gale said smiling a bit. “There is a hundred percent chance that he will see action. That is a part of being a field medic, add in his ability to sense illusions and there will be some commanders smart enough to make use him beyond the med team. Therefore I am going to see to it that he is not dependant on others for all he can’t use a blade. When he can reliably throw a ball at a target, he can use a grenade.  Thus he won’t be out there with nothing. Likewise it will be usefully for getting supplies to another medic or receiving them. Kits can run low at the worst times, and Dev is a strong mage, but gates on a battle felid are not always workable. Throwing on the other hand will work as long as there is a person close. There are vanes of jade that like go past the snow line, but no man made towers close to that high. The winds make it unsafe to build any much higher than the watch towers here. It was an interesting place to visit, but only visit. They do not accept mages outside of the priesthood, for one thing. I cannot hide that I am one for more than two weeks, no matter how hard I try. No Elderisch has ever attended a summit as a ruler of a nation, or empire, and it is no different this time. They have often came with the party from Idras as advisors. It is not unknown, tough in the last years it has been Steven or his sister that has been here.” She closed her eyes for a bit, wanting to leave it, but she knew her family. Still they didn’t need to know just what it was, a bit of muddy water would hurt nothing at this point. It was too soon for even a hint of the Knight empire rising. After all it was still hoped that just working as Idras would be possible. “The land is on the southern border of Idras, so a long distance from Lighton, and completely unknown even here. They are elfin, not alatain, though yes the neighbors are as are the residents of the Lost City. The fact that the school will go off of test in place of records lets those from lands never heard of attend. Letting them know how things are here. Seeing that there distance doesn’t lead to them being too far out of step with the tec here, for all they might not use the same methods at home.”

Devlin looked at her for a bit then ran though the attendees listed at the first summit and realized that it didn’t include the Knight Empire. “So they weren’t at a summit or on a treaty, but they did send troops I bet. Still not going to scare me away. You said you would take me to see your home and I am going to hold you to it, Sis. No matter what that means. You are not going to get away.”

Gale shook her head. “We will see if you still feel that way after this week. With Steve’s family here you are going to end up at few more events than I thought, including a few balls. Yes I will be in a gown. Now if any of you want in to something just let me know. Hermies will be thrilled if I being people. He feels that I had from my place to much. It is silly, but having titles means I am to make some demands or it will look like there is trouble.”

Willber shook his head a bit. “So you are a princess as well as a commander? It sounds like you have been busy. It has to be a lot to get used to. First being chosen by a dragon, then the bond to a member of a royal family you hadn’t even heard of growing it. I bet that was not in your plan. It is odd to see you are a commander, for all I had come to see you going to the service. I didn’t expect it to be air nor such a strange turn.” He was trying, but it was easy to see that he was less than pleased, and didn’t believe even half of it. Still it was better than Gale had expected.

Steve said. “Well um in Idras we are Lord Kinghts, in the court and generals in the field. At home, well I am a younger son of the throne so yes technically. However there to we are both called Lords, the royal titles staying with my parents and oldest siblings. Thank goodness. I don’t want to be attached to the throne and so kept from the battles. It is enough to have to sit in the councils as advisors to my sister, who is our marshal, and shares those duties with Gervios in Idras. Historically our forces often join Idras on the field and fight under their colors, so the military ranks are joined.”

Gale said. “I have gotten used to it, but it was a bit much to take in at first. I had no idea, just had realized that it was time I left, before it was worse. For all it was wrong to run like I did. I think that Graint suspected that I would be bonded, he would talk to me a bit more away from the others, tell me bits about his dragon and he bond. For all I thought I was hiding it from him. He never did look too closely at the girls. If we were to bond we would be called to the sworn ones and that would see to it. He was to check us only if the parents asked him to. After all riders are fighters and so it is wrong to push females into that life. For all I knew that I would be in the field, I didn’t want to join the sworn ones. I did try the classes, but I just couldn’t find peace. I didn’t belong there. So I started looking outside the church and found a strong calling to the old ways. I knew it would upset you, so I didn’t talk about it. Wanting to find a way, but I couldn’t stay. I knew that some in Idras honed the path that was calling me, so that is where I went, only to travel further south and find what was missing. I knew that would end up forming my unit, but not so fast.”

Steve smiled. “That is just because you didn’t expect them to listen to you, not because you weren’t capable. Your strategies had my sister scrambling and Walter just refused to play with you all together. Unlike mine, where I barely proved them any competition. You are a natural leader, even without Storm’s input, and he does have the years of experience to help you. Granted if we had of stayed and attended Track, you likely would have found a unit to work with last year, but I bet that they would have you forming your unit by midyear all the same. It has to be a shock to you. I fear I know only a little of your traditions, but I know that Gale had to leave them, for all she wished not to. I didn’t meet Gale before she was bonded, but I can tell you that she is fit for the role she has. For all it forced her to leave her home and find a new one.”

Wilbber said. “I am glad you found what you needed, but I do regret that you had to leave. It is a hard thing, but that is why there is more than one path. I cannot agree with the road you have taken, but it is your right to take it. I am sorry that you felt that I would not welcome you because you are walking a path I cannot. You are family, no matter that life has led you to places I do not wish to see my children go. You will always find the door open.”

Gale said. “I know that now, but at the time I was to upset that I couldn’t stay. I didn’t want to go, yet I had to and it hurt. I couldn’t say it as I didn’t want it to be real. Even as I made plans and packed. I was still trying not to. I am amazed by what has came to me.”

 Wallace said. “I am not surprised. I expected to find you in charge of a unit. I could tell you were headed there just by the war games you led in the living room. However I didn’t think about it being an Air unit, I was looking for mage, they do have some female only teams, and you were more than strong enough. For all not many of them use weapons, still it seemed to me where you were headed. Just how did you meet Storm?”

Gale smiled a bit. “I never expected it, I was just hoping that a unit would take me on. I didn’t think that I would bond. Yes I liked dragons, but I never expected anything.  Then, Storm didn’t either. Storm was in the last Great War and was sure he was far too old for a bond to form in spite of the fact there was a prediction saying he would have one. His home is in the Gem Mountains, and it is seldom he left them, but there was a new wing that wanted to take part in Idras battle games and he wanted to see how they fared. I wanted to test myself in the single combat, to see how our rankings compared. We bumped into each other, and I didn’t make it to the ring, nor did he see how the unit did. The bond just swept us both away. There was nothing slow about it. We were both still reeling a bit when along came Steve and Hank and really turned everything around.”

Wallace said. “You have a strong unit and we are going to be hearing a lot about you. I can just bet that we are all going to be told we are lying when we say that you are related. I am going to be joining the Stars after the holidays so will be around longer. It is going to be strange but it is too good to pass on. I had never heard of them, but they are just what I need. I wanted the Rangers, but it was unlikely given the training that I had was all involving magic. The Stars though train for the same sorts of missions that out Rangers are known for.”

Gale nodded. “I thought you would like them and am glad you are going to try. No, I had nothing to do with it. I did ask if they had seen your test, but was told they were already in talks with you. Rick and I often talk over the arms tests so asking him in no way influenced anything, even if he was just considering offering and wanted to warn me off. That was the only time your name came up, so I had no idea how the talks were going.”

Wallace smiled. “Come on. I know you better than to even think you would. You would never interfere that way. I just wanted to know what you thought. It still seems a bit unreal. That for three years of doing just what I want to be doing I will come out with an officer rank, not have to take the other courses I was dreading.”

Devlin said. “I can see that, even with Uncle Wane telling you he knew about them. I hate to, but it is getting late, and I bet we are not the only ones with studying waiting on us.”

Erin nodded. “I hope your extra lessons are not causing you problems. Sounds like you have some full days.”

Gale laughed, but before she could say anything Devlin said. “No, in truth they are helping. Getting me away from the books some is letting me do better in the classes and then the dragons are good at explain things when the books are confusion or seem to be missing something. Cap has told us all that grades are monitored and if they fall below a B average our training hours will be cut and replaced with tutoring. That made a few more of the new recruits leave. I can see just why the Gold dragons are one of the slowest growing units in the school. It is more than the physical training that sends them packing.”

Gale said. “If they are in school, then they are going to study and not waste the time. Not all in my unit are taking academic classes, but they will all have an understanding of military history and the basics of gear upkeep. If they don’t like it then they are not right for my unit. Don’t worry, I want Dev to have the skills he needs to mange being in the field, but I will not let it take precedence over his med classes. Thank you for supper. I don’t know how often I will be able to come over, but come to the Dragon any time. All you need to do is tell the person that comes to show you around that you are looking for me.”

Erin smiled a bit. “It is good to see you here. I missed having you around. You have a good evening and let us know if they start bugging you too much. I can bet they will be coming over. Wanting to know your team, as well as get you caught up on all you missed. This night has passed far to fast. There needs to be more of them.”

Gale was glad to get outside and start back, for all it hadn’t been as rough as she feared there had been too much left unsaid. “Dev I do hope that helped, and that she will understand why I can’t come over to much. It hurts him t see me and be reminded that I left the way. I understand it and expected it, but the fact that he is hiding it makes everything ten time worse for me.”

Devlin said. “I do understand better now and will talk to Mother when he isn’t around. She isn’t an empath and so likely missed a bit of what was going on. I am sure that I can get her convinced that you are not upset, just that the repression of the anger makes you too jumpy. After all it is why you would take off whenever one us was in trouble. Now do I need to go to the welcoming?”

Steve shook his head, “Not the formal one, but my folks do want to meet you, so will likely join us in the clubhouse. No titles matter on campus, so don’t worry about them, no matter who is there.”

Gale nodded. “It will be fine, just busy. See you in the morning.” He nodded and waved, as he went to meet up with Sara. Gale watched him go frowning a bit.

Steve put his arm around her and kissed her. “It will be alright Love. He is shaping up just fine, and will be ready when he leaves here. Yes he is likely to go from school to the field, but what you are doing will see he is better off than most.”

Gale started walking. “I just wish I knew if they were ready at all. I think that there needs to be an unofficial meeting with Wane before the conference. He needs to be fully looped in. I know it is a risk, but Lighton is going to be right on the front. If they are not ready then it will be lost before it starts.”

Seve nodded. “We can go over it with the folks and Hermies after the formal welcoming is dealt with. I am sure they will agree to at least sharing the full intelligence reports. I don’t know that Dad will be willing yet to say who is arming.”