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and shook my head seeing he had my clothes waiting and breakfast on the warmer. “I do hope you haven’t been waiting on me for long.”

Oliver shook his head. “Not long Ma’am, I was worried you were up as I am late. Lucky Ryder was kind enough to late Lake know you were just starting to stir. Lake said that you would be riding so I laid the clothes out with that in mind.” He bowed and I smiled a bit. He was looking better, so he must have gotten in some play.

I said. “Yes, we have the rest of the morning, and let the others know they are welcome. I need to clear my head and Ryder wants to hunt. I fear I am close to snapping at Keven and with Dale here it is just worse. They are to good at knowing what upsets me. Just let me change then you can see to my hair as I eat. I didn’t know it was troubling you all so badly that I was taking care of myself. Yet I can tell it does just by how fast you are to see I don’t.”

Oliver said. “Most times it is fine but we do wish you would let us help more. We all know why you don’t, now. Yet that doesn’t make it right. You are a general you need a staff, more so as we know that there is not much time. You are going to be leading us and for all it is not yet formalized it is starting to pull on the bond. You are not a part of it, but bonded units have ties to the commanders. That is making it a bit worse, but most of this is that I was told to serve you and so the bond kicks in. “

I shook my head a bit as I walked to the table. “I should have known. I will try harder to find someone I can take full time. I do see why I need to. It is just hard to let anyone get close. Quin was just supposed to be a fling, like the others. Now then you need to rider with me if you can until we are out of sight, then we can land so you can go over to Rick.”

He said. “Thank you, I wanted to, but was scared to ask. You haven’t taken anyone since, and so I feared it would be too much right now. You don’t need to land so I can switch. I will be fine with you. Truly, it won’t trouble me. I have ridden with others when Master wasn’t near even. My bond doesn’t care, and that will be more so where I have been assigned to you.” he finished my hair and moved back.

I shook my head smiling a bit. “All you needed to do was say something. I don’t ask because I don’t want anyone to feel pressured but I have no problem taking riders. Ryder likes it and he makes me safe. Yes, go see to him, just light gear, but full. We are near the border and that has to be respected.” He bowed smiling and started to Ryder. I shook my head only to start a bit from the bells that I hadn’t realized he had used. Clearly he was in a good mood. “It won’t do to not to be seen so we will mount in the court yard. The others can join us there or in the air.”

He said. “That is what Master thought and it will be a mix. There are a few in both that want a flight, but he doesn’t want it to look like you need guards so most are leaving from here and meeting us. Max, Daren and Master will be in the courtyard. Daren is going to ask his father to come, just to see the faces. Unless you think that is going too far.”

I said. “It is fine, but tell him one or two of his brothers is likely to say they want to come. Ryder says they have been watching the dragons a lot. I have no problem with it, but it is up to him.” In fact I think it might just be a good idea to say that we are more than willing to give rides to those wanting one. Might help get some to see they do not need to be afraid of the dragons, for there will be some un-bonded that come to help. I hope. We will need them. I could tell that Ryder liked the idea, he did like it when people would ride. Likely that was a part of why he let me, as well as the fact it was the only way we stood a chance if stopping them.

It wasn’t long until I was in the court yard with the others. Daren smiled at me as I walked up. Henry said. “Just what is it with the bells? Those sure are loud.

I shrugged. “I will agree these are a bit loud, but do to the way my hair is done it is what the court would expect at home. I just failed to think of where I was and let Oliver do what he wanted this morning.”