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Mike said. “I think he would have noticed no matter, but I am glad I am not there. I don’t want to be there for that conversation. His Majesty has no idea just how conservative Dad is. I truly don’t know which is going to upset him more. Now Mom is not to like it when she learns that he wants the shield down for the games, but Dad might just be more upset over Uncle than the Fay.”

I said. “Being told to take the shield down is not the same as given permission to enter. There will still be a bar there that will only be crossed in need. She should know that so that will help with her. I don’t know what will help with the other news. I wonder if he will remember me, after all he is not one I threatened with a knife. Do you really think I had that much of impression?”

Mike laughed and nodded. “Yes you did and, um he knows a few of the others. That Big red head giant you put out the door is also in the unit. The red head asked me what your rank was and if you still attacked riders on sight. I told that you went to Glaicer and Dad refused to speak with so I wasn’t sure but given they have more dragons it was likely you had made some peace with them.” I laughed.  “Uncle asked him what he was talking about, so got the story. Then said he guessed he got off light just being threaten with a shield if he dared come any closer.”

I shrugged. “Well he was family, so I couldn’t run him out of the house, but that didn’t give him the right to try and hug me. Then to I was younger when he was there then with the Gaint. Who I still say I had every right to put out as he refused to tell me who he was. Even if it was the riding leathers that made me question him.” I looked at the house near us and smiled a bit at how it was leaning. “That house there is a lot like the one I was fighting from when I met Ryder. See it wasn’t exactly stable on the roof, but it was the best cover to work from. So really that way jumping was the safer move. I would be able to do more damage than I could from the roof as well as be more stable. Never mind I had no idea how to fight in the air.”

Mike shook his head. “How did you even stand on that? It does make a bit more sense now. Still to think of you not just touching a dragon but jumping on to one a lot must have happened after you left.”

Rick said. “When she fainted I realized just how scared she was and forced her to get help. I never expected her to see her riding one, but wanted her to be able to fight next to them. Between her skill with the blades and her mages gifts I knew that no matter what she said she would come to be on the lines. She had to be able to trust the dragons as well as all others. It was a battle but between me and the arms master we had gotten her to the point she would stand by the dragons, and she had touched one. Briefly, by accident, but it was a good sign that she might one day be able to. None of us could believe the reports until we saw it. Then we had a different worry, seeing them and the Drake.”

Mike aid. “Anna was always full of surprises. She never would run from a fight. I can see her jumping in when finding the demon and staying there. I can see how it happened, but it is still a shock. It is odd how much can change in just a few years.”

I nodded. “Yet you have as well. After all you would never have thought to join a Jump tam little own take a Command. So how many units will pledge?” He looked at her, she shrugged. “I know what it means that a unit has a color designation. I might not know how they rank, but they are a jump. So are you in talks with the Blue Raiders or a different air team?”

Mike said. “Well right now just the Reds have given me an oath but we work a lot with the Orange knits and the Grants, both ground teams and I think they will as well. The Raiders are under Bill, but there is talk he is going to go into training, leaving the combat to his second, which means there is a chance as Greg doesn’t know how best to field the Raiders and we have worked together well in the past.  Only six of our Air units are jump trained, which was fine before, but now we need at least three more. That is a part of why it is so hard to get them to take their time off like they should. We have more ground that will jump than Air to drop them still.”

I nodded. “We are still the opposite. All our air can do jump drops in a pinch, but only a third have the right to call themselves Jump units. Two experienced Jump units are a part of the team I am to offer to send, as are six line ready but green. Don’t worry I am here with offers of more than trade goods. We have been saying loudly that we need training grounds, which we do, but it also sees there are troops that know the area.”

Mike nodded. “Good that helps, I was hoping so, and I hope they take you up on it. We need the help out there. When they hit they have being so in high numbers. Mostly little guys but still it is draining the air teams. Not that they are going to admit it in the meetings, but maybe you can find a way to make use of it. If you need to know something about the line Garth still is up on everything and I have been there. Those in the field will welcome your troops, if you can get the politics so they can come.”

I said. “You already have, I fear. Roland said you all were known to turn a blind eye should his guys happen to crosses the border during a chase. Therefore a few of ours have been known to change colors if they see a fight. Looks like they are coming back so we had best be going.” With that we started and the dragons and were soon landing in the court yard.  I turned to Mike. “I don’t think it went to well. They are both still a bit red and Dev is nowhere to be seen. ”

Mike said. “To bad we can’t land outside your room, but that would be unsporting. Well good luck. At least I have a reason top stay out of it.”

We sat down and got off Ryder. “Oliver you just go in with him, I will be there in a bit.” It felt odd, but I knew he wanted me to say it.

Steven said, trying but failing to hide the anger that was simmering.  “My researchers got here a bit ago and really want to see that map of yours Ambassador, and the researcher you have done. I told them that you would be busy until after lunch, but they think they have found something and would like to get a look at it before then.”

Just why did he emphasize the title and why did dad finch when he did so? “I will be happy to get it out for them. Do they want to use the room in my suite or have they one reserved in the library?”

Henry said. “They are in the blue room, closets to the records I have on the demons. It has large tables so should be room enough.”

I stopped myself from nodded for that was the one I would have set up in. “If a maid of yours could come to help I will have it sent to them. I just don’t know that any of our servants know how to get there.”

Henry said. “No doubt there is one waiting on you now, just for that. I don’t know just what they saw, but they are most impatient to see if it fits with what you have. Something with lay points and flags lanes.” I blinked. “I see that means something to you.”

I nodded. “Cliect terms for mage lines. I never thought to look at that. I think. I don’t know what you have here, but I will get a copy the line map from the Fay, they are more detailed. Makes sense to look at it. We did look at the big pools but not at the full map.”

Steven said. “So they will send you documents here?”

I blinked. “Of course, why wouldn’t they? They are allies in this fight and are willing to do whatever they can to help. Yes they know more than they tell us, but all the old races feel there are some things we are not ready to know. That no way means they will not aid us how they can.” Only then did I realize that this was more about here to the house, not his land. That it was about the shield. Still that was likely for the best.

Steven said. “I know they will help. It is just where they will not come here, to this house and lands, I wouldn’t expect them to send information to it either.” I looked at him, wondering what to say. “They have sent no traders to the games as they normally do. That tells me that they do not find it welcoming here.”

I shrugged. “I do not know their reasons in this case but they will not go to any home they are asked not to unless there is a great need of aid at that home. That will not stop them sending records to those here if asked. The Fay want to help, but they know that some find them to be upsetting and respect that. They are not offended by being asked to stay away. It is far better than having to deal with the fear. A lot of them have some empathic abilities.” That should be safe enough.

Steven said. “You are very good at this. It is a relief to know that they will help. I just wish I had of known of the problems so we could have found a better place. They should have someone here.”

I looked at him. Henry said. “He knows the barrier is there, but I could offer no expiation as to why you were not stopped by it.”

I winced hoping Mike wasn’t brisling to badly and that Dev had been fully occupied. Not that would do more than delay it. Why did he have to put me on the spot? He could have cleared it up. “I am not Fay, my great-great grandmother was. Those more than three generations away are exempt from the laws that forbid passing the signs. There is nothing that physically stops them, just a signal that they are asked to pass by. It is a Fay spell, that all humans can invoke. It is taught in the schools in Glacier and a few other lands. It is in the folk lore here. Most just never need it so don’t realize it is in the story of the tailor’s wife who ran out the cobbler elves.  I am sorry it troubles you, but they are not. They are fine relaying messages through others.”