buzzing along and going no where 34687

 

Mike said. “I can see that he wouldn’t have thought of it. For all Dev said he would be here dad would have thought about it when he saw you. Still he is being silly. The rest will be at lunch, the full court is to be there. At least the games start soon. Just waiting on a few more wagons to get in.”

I nodded. “Ours made it in close to supper last night and so should be set up today. The rest should all be here by Tuesday for the opening on Wednesday. That will stop some of the formals at least, even though the meetings will start and so will the headaches.”

Mike looked at Daren then at me. “I do know a bit and if you are there commander then. Well Dev wasn’t just trying to shock Brandon and the others he is interested and has been for years, but I don’t think he knows that much about the unit bonds. He tended to run from those lessons, like you from court. So should I say something?”

I smiled a bit. “The unit is temporally under my command, so no we have not sealed anything and then there is the fact that they are an Alantain unit. I do not know that they will be one of my permanent units for all we work well together. I haven’t got to the point to where I am ready to talk to Roland about the politics of it to even see if it could happen.” Never mind I knew it wasn’t a problem as they were already a client state. I just think it best that the distance be kept for now. “However, I do think Dev might know a bit more about the bonds now, but if not I have a feeling that Daren will see to it that he finds out.” I shook my head. “I had no idea he was that attacked to Daren, but then I did my best to stay away when they were here.”

Mike said. “It is strange to think of you as a part of a court. I never thought of the politics. Still the way they are with you says you are their commander. So I recommend you start looking into it. I mean it was one of the Reds that told me to say something before the flirting went too much further. That you might not realize how much Dev meant what he saying. No you wouldn’t have known given how you hid from court. He didn’t talk about Daren like he did the others, but it was easy to tell when you saw them. For all Daren didn’t get it, even after the kiss. I don’t know how he missed it.”

Daren said. “I was blind. I just didn’t think like that, think about being with a guy. I do see it now, but then I wasn’t looking. Heck Rick had to flat out tell me what he wanted before I understood. Now though, well I am wanting to see where it goes.”

Mike nodded. “I’m not blind. I just don’t know how much Dev knows about the bonds is all.”

Daren shrugged. “I think he got it just fine, but if not he will.” Mike looked at me and Daren said. “She is just our Commander in name right not. I am low in the unit and so would not be likely to be sent her if was it more. Being the Reds commander I am sure you can understand.”

Mike coughed. “Just how did you? That isn’t known yet. My commission isn’t office yet, not until I complete the trial during the games. I do fear just what dad is going to do. He was upset enough that I was going for rank in the army as it was. It is going to be interesting.”

I said. “I can just imagine how that went over. Good for you, I’m glad that you are going for it. I was wondering if you joined or not. So you made it to the academy?”

Mike nodded. “Took two years, but I won. I spent the last three years on the border, just got here a week before you did. He knows I am here for the games but doesn’t know just what I am after. I didn’t plan, but well I keep ending up in the role so best just make it formal before the war or it will be a mess. I know you didn’t want to go, but it is a good thing. You would never have found where you belonged. You were to will to let them sideline you. I am not a bit surprised that you made rank. Then I told you that Garth was right and you should go for the service. That Dev went in is a surprise, I never thought he would, for all his skill. He just isn’t one to accept direction.”

I nodded. “There is a story there, and maybe sometime he will share. Right now we all more strangers to each other than siblings. So much has gone on for all of us. Is this his first visit?”

Mike nodded. “He wrote though so I know bits of what went on and he knows about me. I did tell him about the tests, but the bond was just not something I felt right to tell him. I felt that should come from Dad and I guess Dad didn’t think he needed to know. I don’t know that we would have, but he was in the hall when your letter and as it had been so long since we heard from you a lot were worried something had happened. So he opened it there, wanting to put an end to the questions. Well you can guess what his reaction was. We didn’t get the full story, but enough to know you were in Glacier and tied to a dragon. It was a bit garbled but most us worked out that tied had to be bonded.” I shook my head, glad that I had been far away. “Mom has eased a bit and has let some Fay art into the house, but don’t expect her to look at you. Not until Lily tells her who you are, then it won’t be friendly. However she will work her way over to talk to you. Likely just to demand that you drop the illusions and stop trying to be what you aren’t.”

I said. “That is more than I expected. I will have to tell her that the only illusions I have are to change the color of my eyes and dropping them won’t help. My Fay blood woke complete and I am truly more Fay than human, for all we are only a fourth. That is the way it can be with the old races, their traits can come in strong up to the eighth generation. Not that I will add that, but you might want to know. So how many times have you been up?” He looked at me and I surged and started walking. I do want to see a few of the buildings and they will be back soon. “You were to relaxed for it to be a first.” As were Dev’s people. I do wonder why they had to check. Just how much is he hiding? Then Mertin Cove was a haven for a lot of the old races, but it was more than about them, I do think. Well time will tell what he feels safe to share.

Mark said. “Just five, when the unit I was with need to get some place fast that could be gated to. I am not to let on just how much time I spend on the lines. Like I said there was a lot that went into getting him to agree to let me go. I’m Mark Niceling in the books. Very few know any different. Something tells me that might just change after the games.”

I shook my head laughing. “Yes I bet he will be so mad that he forgets it isn’t you out there. Just like he did with his brother. I bet Uncle Bert will be laughing when he hears about me.”

Mike smiled. “I should tell you that Garth told me to find some place to be this morning. Seems as if His Majesty wants to know why there are no Fay traders here, unlike at other games.” I winced, but Mike went on, smiling a bit more. “He asked Garth about it when telling him that the Blue Raiders will be here Wednesday as he felt we need more air units for the games. The Blue’s got volunteered as they refuse to stay off duty. That just happens to be the Unit Uncle is with, in case you didn’t get the name. You were a bit upset by his dragon being at the door.” I shook my head, but flushed a bit as I had screamed and dived under a table, not stopping screaming until I passed out. I was seven, but still. That was a short visit, I had met him a few other times, but refused to go near him because he had a monster, which I told him, loudly when he tried to get close to me. “Anyway  Garth told him that Dad would need time to get over that, and that he should talk to him about the Fay in a place they would not be over heard.”

I shook my head. “I am glad that I am not there. I do hope that he has enough time to cool down before I am. I fearsome of it is my fault. I brought up work we have been doing with Fay to identify and track the demons. Not knowing Steven’s interest in the demons or that he had asked the Fay to send an Ambassador. That would have him looking more, made him more likely to realize there are none here.”