FSE

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phew! ok a month late and 7500 words later heres chp 26. thanks for all the emails and encouragement. I needed them. Ive also rewritten and reformatted the first 3 chapters as well. This will be an ongoing thing as I improve my abilities and style. Enjoy. shim

XXVI

James blinked at the stunning emerald green dragoness as she peered intently at him. He felt her intense gaze and flushed before straightening "I am Cill's mate James, yes...and you are?" he asked politely yet cautiously.

"Me?" Shalla fluttered her eyes at him "I'm Shalla; I used to be one of Marre's apprentices too".

She had brilliant yellow eyes he noticed as Shalla's head dipped lower to sniff at him.

"I just had to see what Cill saw in you to accept you as a mate" she purred, nostrils flaring as she scented him. Cill's scent was all over him it seemed. Including the mating scent she had suspected.

"I-I'm not sure myself' James murmured as her eyes captured his gaze once more and to his shame he felt himself physically responding to her presence.

Shalla looked him up and down slowly.

"You do seem fairly tame and housetrained" she said tartly, as if trying to find some fault with him.

James frowned at this comment "Excuse me?"

Shalla slowly circled him with a predatory stalk. "So why should she choose a puny human as a mate instead of a drake like normal dragonesses?"

James sighed and stood still. He should've seen this coming. Just as the humans had their prejudices the dragons would have theirs.

"When I started courting her, I didn't even know she was a dragoness" he murmured.

"But surely she knew you were a human!" Shalla exclaimed in surprise, perhaps there was more to this than she had initially suspected.

"Oh yes and at first she didn't want me knowing she was a dragoness and that was fine with me. I could tell she had a good heart and it wasn't until her mother stepped in that I found out"

Clapping her paws in quiet amusement Shalla let out a giggle "That must have been a shock"

James nodded, feeling himself relax a little more in her presence. "It was, but we both talked and fell in love and tonight I am going to claim her as mine"

Shalla felt a secret thrill run through her, so it was true. All those images her mother had shown her were real. But surely Cill couldn't love a weak little human. She would have to see some more humans to see if they had this ones daring and heart also.

Shalla leaned back with a smug look on her muzzle 'I would like to see that but I ...have other plans for tonight" She tapped her fore-talons together slowly. "I hope you will tell me all about it the next time I visit?"

James nodded and held out his hand. Shalla looked at it curiously.

"We shake hands as a gesture of friendliness" he explained slowly to her, trying not to sound patronizing.

Shalla nodded and took the proffered hand carefully. 'If only the others could see me now... shaking hands with a human?' she thought to herself. She was so excited at learning a proper greeting ritual that she could try out for herself tonight.

"Thank you... James" she murmured, trying the unfamiliar name for the first time. "I hope we shall talk again soon" there was a soft implosion as she vanished once more and James was left alone once more in the workroom contemplating the mess. He sighed and reached for the mop.

The clan hall was filling rapidly; dragons were flying or 'porting in and greeting one another eagerly. Younger dragons were congregating in small packs and daring one another to run up and tap one of the massive drums near the head of the hall.

Occasionally a dull boom would be heard inevitably followed by a squeal as the dragonets were disciplined by their parents. Nokala's gaze kept flicking to the Clanmaster's large lounger behind the altars, it was still unoccupied and that was making him nervous.

No, he thought to himself. Make that 'more nervous'. He felt a surge of relief as Carlina arrived and embraced him warmly.

"Stop worrying dear" she murred at him, waving a paw at the surrounding dragons who roared their congratulations as they passed. "It will all go well... you know how the Clanmaster loves to make his entrances"

Nokala rolled his eyes "He should act his age sometimes, All we need now is Allester showing up, but no-ones seen him round for centuries. He goes gallivanting round the planes looking for females"

Carlina smiled as they walked towards the altars, nodding at various clan members as they renewed acquaintances. "You sound almost jealous darling" she teased, curling her tail around his in an intimate embrace.

"Jealous? Me?" Nokala huffed "I love one female and that's enough for me" his tail tip dipped briefly and daringly brushed over her vent. Carlina flushed and tried not to react but there was brief laughter from the surrounding dragons as they passed.

Sweet smoke filled the air as the censers were lit and potent herbs were set to smolder slowly. The smoke enhanced the senses and opened the mind in strange ways. Some of the dragons would have prophetic dreams after the ceremony and these visions were held in high esteem and could advance a dragon's status considerably within the clan should they prove accurate.

Carlina looked at the clan's offering to James and smiled at her mate "a locater amulet? You think he's going to run away and leave Cill at the altar?"

Nokala laughed "No, I think he's going to be a whole heap of trouble and we need to know where he is when he starts it"

The pair sat in the loungers set aside for the parents of the mated couple and smiled at one another warmly. The sun was slowly dipping into the west and soon they would know.

James wiped his brow clear of sweat and looked at the floor, most of the mess had gone but he still hadn't finished the walls. He poked at the slimy mess in disgust almost considering leaving it until tomorrow.

Marre watched from the doorway as the human seemed to slump and then straighten; applying himself diligently to the mucky job of clearing the gooey clumps from the walls.

The boy had heart it seemed but did he have the head to go with it? He had to find out and scratched his chin while he contemplated altering the standard dragon tests so as to make them possible for a human.

The mere lack of power that the human had until now made it difficult for him to even realize there was an easier way to do things now. How to trigger that realization without making the lad overconfident and arrogant?

If he had judged correctly soon frustration with the hopeless task would shift into anger and a possible release of mana. This was a risky step he realized as too much anger would level the wall instead of cleaning it.

James didn't notice the quiet dragon behind him as he scrubbed at a stubborn glob of ooze that clung like a leech to the wall. It flopped back and forth obscenely defying his efforts to remove it. He wielded his mop like a sword and thrashed at it until with a yell of anger he held the mop against it and directed all his weight against it.

"Gaaah!" there was a sudden yellow flash from the head of the mop and the offending blob vanished abruptly. Losing his balance suddenly James hit the floor in a clatter of arms, legs, buckets and an expression of surprise. He was even more surprised to hear a quiet clapping from behind him.

"Well done youngster. You have shown me you can focus your will when you put your mind to it" Marre said as he offered a paw to the human. "I was afraid I would lose the wall when you finally released your power"

"I felt... something Master" stammered James as he stood up slowly. "It felt like a warm rush down my arms" he blinked up at the dragon "This was a test then?"

Marre nodded "Everything in life is a test and you are starting out with a handicap in that you have never known Mana before. Now you have to learn how to control it... and how to control yourself."

James gathered the mop up once more "What do you mean Master?" he asked, feeling foolish for being so clumsy in front of the ancient dragon.

Marre sighed "If you felt such anger towards another, be it dragon or human. You could just as easily obliterate them or provoke an attack that would end you. Therefore you must never let your emotions rule you when in combat. Focus is the key"

James nodded and looked ruefully at the mess "A dragon would have just waved his paws and all this would have vanished wouldn't it?"

Marre nodded "Yes, but lacking the instinct all you considered was the physical action of cleaning. Now you know better" He waved his paws and the poisonous mess vanished without a trace.

.James pondered a little "So the Mana can be used for anything we do?" replacing the mop in the bucket he gave a sigh for the wasted effort of the previous hours.

"Not quite, it has its limits and in your case we don't know them yet. You may drain yourself and not recover them or replenish them slowly as dragon's do and grow stronger as you do so"

Marre leaned down and grinned at him "You may have to run off and mate with Cill each time you deplete your Mana...wouldn't that be fun mm?"

James flushed pinkly "Yes Master Marre" he replied, not knowing what else to say.

"I'm hoping you will think of this tonight and try and hold in your fear and apprehension else it may overwhelm you and embarrass both you and Cill" murmured Marre quietly.

"The clan ceremony can be awkward enough for dragons let alone small humans and things may occur that will shock you but remember... you do this for Cill and the clan, not yourself" Marre laid a friendly talon on James's shoulder as he led him out of the workroom and towards the main hall.

James was feeling more apprehensive by the minute and realized he was sweating profusely. "What should I do?" he asked, feeling helpless.

"If all goes well, you shouldn't have to do anything but stand there and follow instructions. You shall not be alone though, Nokala, Carlina and I shall be there to act as your advocates" Marre walked towards the travel portal slowly so James could keep up.

"If there are problems, few there are that would face Nokala in combat as he would champion you... Once you are a clan member though he shall not be able to do that and you will have to fight your own battles"

James nodded and looked up at Marre "Thank you Master, I shall do my best and not embarrass you or the clan"

Marre grinned broadly "Good, one can ask no more than that and I am sure that many clan members will be so stunned at the sight of a human standing at the altar in the ancestral hall they will be unable to think clearly"

James grinned "I hope so..." he bowed to the elder and stood still as the cold of the travel spell whisked him back to his home.

Cill was at home in front of a mirror applying what James could only think of as dragon cosmetics. Her talons had been buffed and polished before being glazed with glowing opalescent highlights and her horns had dainty tassels and tiny bells on them.

He smiled as he watched her paint peacock blue swirls of color above her eye ridges, all unaware that he was behind her she was so intent on her decoration.

Wisely waiting until she had finished he moved so she could see him in the mirror, his arms folded and an admiring look on his face.

"You look stunning" he murmured and ran his hand slowly along her neck, feeling her rumble in pleasure at the touch and compliments.

"Oh Thank you love" she purred and nuzzled him affectionately; "Would you help me with my preparation?" reaching back she handed him a palette of metallic, iridescent pigments. "It would be a lot easier ..." she murmured as she rolled on her back revealing her smooth belly and breasts to him.

"Oh with pleasure" he chuckled and looked at the palette. "What would you like and where?" Cill giggled and pointed at a rich emerald green "I would like... a swirl of that ...here" her talons described a slow sensual spiral starting at the top of her breasts and around the sides before linking them in the middle with a knot.

James picked up the brush with a grin and took a deep breath..."here goes...' He caught a generous daub of paint on the brush and slowly drew the pattern she desired paying close attention. Cill watched quietly, her eyes wide in approval and occasionally wriggling as the smooth brush tickled a tender spot.

James felt himself relaxing as he listened to his mate's wishes, painting Celtic circles and tattoos on her shoulders and body and what she explained were the draconic runes for luck and health on each of her wings until she was a rainbow of glittering color. She slowly spun in front of the mirror and liked what she saw.

"I think I'll look a little ordinary next to you love" James said as he washed his hands of leftover paint "We males don't really have the same ability with paints" he looked over at the dress uniform and sighed'

Cill giggled and lay on her side upon the bed "I could always paint you up... The clan members wouldn't know the difference." James shook his head and declined "Ah...no... I feel awkward enough without making it more obvious" stripping out of his breeches and jerkin he squeezed his way into the white linen shirt and trousers.

"I'm hoping most will be so dazzled by your beauty they will quite ignore me"

Cill watched as he tugged on a jacket with gold frogging on the epaulettes and piped with gold down the legs of the trousers. "Not if you wear gold as if it was so common you put it on clothing" she murred in amusement from her position on the bed.

"Really?" James asked somewhat nervously. "I don't know how they make it into string. These used to belong to my father" He made sure to transfer the pouch from his breeches into the pocket of his dress trousers when he thought her attention was distracted, patting it with a feeling of relief.

Standing in front of the mirror next to his mate he smiled cheekily up at her 'Shall we go and shock the collective might of your family love?"

Cill gave a muffled and surprisingly girlish giggle "Lets..." as the pair walked over to the travel ring.

Shalla was feeling a little apprehensive as she lay on her bed. The conversation she had with James that morning had left her confused. He hadn't acted like she thought a human should. Surely they were all hairless apes with no manners and little intellect.

She shook herself and stood up. It would not do to let the others know of her concerns before visiting the keep while the ceremony was in progress. After all she reassured herself. It was only for a quick look around and to have a laugh at the humans. She couldn't shake the feeling that she been mistaken about something though.

Cill spoke the runes for traveling to the ancestral dragon cavern known as Ridgemount and soon the couple appeared in the noisy, smoke-filled melee that was a typical clan meeting.

There was a dip in the noise level as all eyes turned on them and James felt a small hot spot just between his eyes where he was sure their gazes were focused. Taking a deep breath he offered his arm to Cill and they stepped into the throng together.

Dragons of all sizes moved aside slowly as the couple walked somewhat nervously around looking for Nokala. James was aware he was the focus of a lot of unfriendly stares and whispered mental comments that drifted past his mind. He shifted a little closer to Cill unconsciously as they walked around the huge cavern.

Cill was in awe as she realized just how much attention she and James had caused in the clan and within dragon society as a whole. She waved at several younger dragons that she recognized and was pleased to see them smile and wave back. It looked as if all was going well after all.

James tried not to sneeze as he caught some of the sweetish smoke blowing round the cavern, the tendrils tickling his nose. He caught sight of Nokala and Carlina near the front of the cavern and gave Cill a nudge in the side.

"There are your parents. Think they'll tell us what to expect?" he murmured to her on a private mental band that he had been practicing on.

Cill gave a chuckle and pushed him out in front of her "Go impress them and the others with your manners".

James gulped and stepped out into the wide area before the reclining dragons...What was he supposed to say? 'Thanks for letting me mate with your daughter?"

The two dragons looked imperious and unforgiving as James described his best courtly bow in front of them. "Hail Noble Nokala and Dame Carlina" he said clearly "I hope this night finds you well" he swallowed rapidly and thought to himself 'so far so good, they haven't toasted me on the spot'

Carlina leaned down and looked at the small human, her nostrils twitching...gold?

She thought to herself as she looked him over "It does indeed find us well young James. Have you brought our daughter to us to claim her as your mate?"

Standing up slowly, James beckoned Cill over and took her paw in his hand "I have Noble lady. She has chosen me and I have chosen her to be joined with your family if this meets with your approval" a bead of sweat rolled down his neck as he said this while looking between her and Nokala who had strangely remained a silent and broodingly ominous presence.

Carlina held back a grin as she enjoyed seeing the human sweat. It made up a little for the trouble he'd caused but after a suitably agonizing moment she nodded slowly.

"This meets with our approval although there may be others of the clan who disagree" Carlina's gaze flickered across the cavern swiftly in a quick sampling of opinion.

"Do you have a gift for your mate?" she asked. James nodded and his hand went his pocket where the small bag was resting.

"Then place it on the altar there ". She waved a paw languidly in the direction of the pair of pillars

"We shall begin once the clanmaster arrives...In the meantime walk and greet the members of your future family"

James smiled widely "Thank you Lady. I shall go and introduce myself" and so saying he and Cill bowed once more and walked over to the altar where he left the velvet bag lying atop it.

Nokala sent one thought privately to James before they left the circle "One word of advice James .Do what the clanmaster says and do not flinch...at any time"

James let out a whoosh of breath as he smiled up at Cill who was looking at him with a strange expression. "What?"

"I didn't know you'd gotten me a gift" she purred while leaning down to nuzzle him "What is it?"

James grinned and scratched her neck "you'll see love" he murmured to her as several dragons nearby broke into whispered groups while sneaking surreptitious looks at them. Cill gave him a poke with a talon "Spoilsport"

James noticed something odd as he wandered round the assorted dragons as Cill introduced him to her friends and other clan members. The males all seemed to be somewhat hostile yet the females managed to keep them under control.

Was it his imagination or had he seen several males wince as their mates trod on their feet with their talons out. The greetings had been cordial enough yet he couldn't help feeling he was missing out on something important.

He would've been even more baffled by the private mental undercurrents from the females that usually ran along the lines of 'be rude to this one and you wont be sleeping in the lair for a month' emphasized by a warning glare or gesture.

Cill likewise was uncertain. She had expected forced jollity or worse, thinly veiled contempt yet she was getting a genuinely warm reception from the females and after a brief moment a somewhat similar response from the males.

She had the sneaking suspicion that her parents had put the word out about James and how he was to be treated or face the wrath of both.

She decided to test this out and walked with James over to where the hatchlings were gathered under the watchful eye of several crèche-keepers. They looked at her with open suspicion but she firmly introduced James to them and watched closely.

The young dragons all looked at James with wide eyes and open muzzles.

One leaned close and sniffed at him, reaching out a talon to stroke his clothing curiously.

"Smell funny" he chirped to Cill and poked a little harder

. James took the hatchlings paw in his hand and smiled "you smell funny too" he said and shook the young males paw slowly. "Not dragon?" the hatchling asked as he looked gravely at his paw.

"No...not dragon, Human" said James and dropped to his knees so he wasn't too tall. The hatchling crooned softly and moved closer "Hoomun?"

James nodded and beckoned Cill down beside him "Different from dragon..." Cill grinned and reached out to stroke James as the hatchlings watched in amazement

"You talk dragon but not dragon?" one asked, leaning closer and daring to pluck at James jacket. "Hide all loose?" she giggled as she pushed at the jacket.

James grinned and let the hatchlings explore slowly. There was no threat and even the crèche-keepers seemed to be relaxing when there was a sudden shattering drumming from the entrance.

Two adolescent males had positioned themselves behind each of the mighty drums and were working in concert to fill the air with as much noise as possible.

The hatchlings creeled in fear and one tried to bury himself in James's jacket and he had to carefully extricate it and hand it with a smile back to one of the nanny-dragons who grinned back at him.

Cill grasped his arm and pointed at the entrance where a long elderly dragon was being helped into the cavern. "The Clanmaster" she whispered and they started to make their way towards the altars once more.

The elder wyrm was mottled with discolored scales and he walked with the gait of extreme age, occasionally fending off a helping paw offered by overeager clan members.

Grunting with effort he took his seat in the middle of the dais, positioned between Nokala and Carlina.

Looking at Nokala's expression James felt a little alarmed. That was naked fear on his muzzle. He decided not to underestimate this creaky old dragon and steeled himself.

The clanmaster grinned at the assembled dragons and clapped his paws together. Fireworks burst from the ceiling and whizzed low over the heads of the clan. The hatchlings pointed and jumped in excitement as they watched the show from their crèche. The drummers tried to outdo one another in effort as they filled the air with differing rhythms and patterns until they were both panting with effort.

The clanmaster held up a paw and the room was plunged into silence, broken only by the wheezing of the drummers as they slumped over the tympani.

"Family" rumbled the elder as his gaze swept over the quiet dragons. "We are gathered here to witness a unique event...One that has never occurred before in our history. Should this claim be successful it will be an event that will resound throughout our history and will be recorded as such" His gaze came to rest on James who felt a questing thought travel through his mind. "Are you willing to be tested?"

James felt the power of the mind behind the thought and nodded slowly, lowering himself to one knee in front of the elder "Yes Clanmaster, for the chance to claim my mate I am willing"

The elder nodded in return "So be it...Step forward both of you" Cill and James stepped up together and looked at one another.

"This claim may proceed if unchallenged...Is there one who would challenge this human's right to mate with Cidiliana Mor Dracalar?"

James saw Nokala tense on his lounger, the dragon's talons closing on the edge as his gaze swept the crowd of watching dragons. There seemed to be several muffled comments and a few groans of pain as females ground talons into males who seemed about to protest until there was a respectful and general silence.

The elder grinned "Very well..." He looked at James and extended a talon 'Come here Human". James swallowed and stepped forward slowly.

"By what right do you claim the daughter of these two clan members as your own?" The old dragon hissed his eyes half slitted as he looked at the man.

James took a deep breath and tried not to stammer as he thought rapidly

"By the right of love, the will of her parents and the gift of her virginity"

There was a quiet susurration of astonished whispers behind him as the elders eyes widened in amusement. "And do you have proof of this gift?" he asked shrewdly.

James nodded and tugged the forlorn looking handkerchief he had used to clean Cill with from his pocket to show the elder who took it gently and examined it carefully before nodding

"Your claim is valid" he said then slowly shaking his head in disbelief as he handed the hanky back to James.

Cill was summoned forth and the elder sighed as he looked her over "And by what right do you claim this human as your mate, daughter?"

Cill smiled and stroked James's head "By the right of love and the gift of hoard"

The elder's eyes glittered "and do you have proof of this gift?" Cill nodded and pulled out the gold coin James had given her and handed it to the elder who sniffed it and handed it gravely back to her "Your claim is valid also daughter"

Nokala stiffened on his lounge once more, now came the test of courage, he felt Marre's amusement as the old dragon watched from the crowd.

James felt the tension in the air and tried to quell his fears as he looked at the old dragon "Raise your right paws..." the elder murmured as he lifted his own forepaw, a single talon revealed, razor sharp and glinting in the light as all eyes were on the couple.

James suddenly realized what was going to happen and he felt his heart pounding in his chest. A slice from that talon in his chest and he would be dead in a flash.

He breathed deeply as an ancient instinct told him to flee, the dragonfear washing over him. Catching sight of Cill standing calmly beside him forced him to gather his wits and hold his hand out although trembling somewhat.

The elder let the tension build and intoned "By the will of the gods and the clan. Let us see the power of this couple and the promise of their future"

Nokala could almost feel Marre's amusement as he watched James standing firm 'Don't flinch Lad' he thought to himself. 'We've come too far to lose you now'

Cill clenched her jaw as with a flick, the elder opened a wide gash in her palm letting her thick red blood well up and fall to the floor of the cavern in slow heavy drops.

James stood firm and watched as the long talon waved across his palm, there was no pain as the edge was so sharp. He watched his own blood trickle down his arm and then the pain reached him, gritting his teeth he turned to face Cill wondering what was coming next.

The elder dragon caught their wrists and pressed their palms together. "By blood given and pain suffered you join with the clan Dracalar. I name you James mor Dracalar!" he exclaimed loudly, lifting their hands so the clan could see. There was a loud roaring of approval and exclamations of congratulation and so it went until James suddenly felt a now familiar warm rush running down his arm.

He looked frantically at Cill but for some reason he couldn't pull his hand away from her paw. The golden flash that erupted from the joined hand and paw lit the entire cavern and reverberated around the walls like a thunderclap. The clan gasped aloud and watched openmouthed as they had never seen such a powerful reaction to the test.

Startled the Elder wyrm leant back and watched the golden nimbus flickering around James's hand as it healed the slash in his hand and then moved to Cill's paw. "The gods bless this Mating!" he roared and placed his own paw over the couples joined hands in his own benediction. The assembled dragons set up a astonished muttering.

James sagged with relief as he looked at his hand, the limb unmarked and leaned over to kiss Cill on the muzzle. She smiled and licked his face happily only to stop at the elder's admonition "and now for the gifts" he said quietly to them both and motioned each to their altars.

"Joined with the clan and to one another, now let the clan show its generosity"

Nokala slowly uncurled from his lounger and walked to the altar, lifting the amulet from its resting place and showing it to the crowd who roared their approval.

"An amulet of power to assist James mor Dracalar on his travels, never shall he be far from assistance and knowledge" he said loudly and lowered the amulet around James's neck, giving him a surreptitious wink as he did so.

Carlina slithered off her lounger and walked up to the altar, she had no idea what James had gotten Cill and was hoping it was something good. She gently opened the bag and let the golden circlet fall into her huge palm where she looked at it... Gold! And high quality too, perhaps this human was going to be good after all.

She looked at James with approval, noting his surreptitious motions of his hand as he demonstrated which talon it would go over.

Carlina raised her daughters paw and showed the ring to the clan "A ring of gold that bespeaks of the love felt and devotion shared" Cill looked at the ring with wide eyes. James had known she couldn't read human writing so there were small engraved pictures instead. Hearts entwined with roses surrounded a dragon and a human holding onto the tail of the dragon as the dragon gently held the human's foot in its mouth.

Carlina triumphantly slid the ring onto Cill's talon where it fit with a gentle click.

The cavern erupted into a full-throated roaring and applause as James and Cill hugged one another before turning to bow slowly before the clan members...

Tommy sat on the battlements of the keep bored out of his mind. He was still trying to decipher his emotions towards the dragon he had met that morning and was wondering if he was going to go to hell for lusting after it. He idly hurled pebbles off the wall, trying to hit the trees edging the forest as he thought. He couldn't help feeling how lucky James was. Surely there was more going on there than just mere friendship.

He grunted and tossed another pebble as hard as he could at the forest. Why couldn't he have luck like that? The boy had looked so smug.

Tommy turned away from the parapet as another stone hurtled towards the trees so he missed seeing the pebble bounce off something flying invisibly past the keep.

James and Cill were introduced to a large number of dragons, each of which sniffed the couple so they would recognize them in the future. James's head was spinning with the differing scents and sounds until he found himself face to face with the clanmaster who quietly drew him off to one side "Now young James' he said on a private band "Tell me all about how you and Cill there met.." he motioned James into a chair that had been dropped in by a grinning Moona and sat comfortably nearby.

Cill was the centre of attention from a group of older females who were listening avidly to her descriptions of human mating rituals and how they added to the thrill of mating.

She scarcely noticed James's absence until a loud, scratchy rumble filled the air. She turned with the others to see the clanmaster clutching his sides and laughing loudly at something James had just said to him. "HAWHAWHAW!! Hanging from the window?!" he gasped and tried to regain his composure as he realized the entire clan was staring silently at him.

James flushed brightly and tried to avoid Cill's gaze as she glowered at him. He nodded to the Clanmaster "I think I'm in trouble now" The old wyrm nodded "Dragonesses are hot-blooded and let little stand in their way" he murmured "I never thought I'd see the day when one of your kind would be sitting in front of me let alone joining the clan"

James sighed as he sat back "Nor I clanmaster, I thank you for joining us though and letting me prove myself"

"I could see you wavering there. If you had quailed or flinched... I would have had to kill you. The clan cannot tolerate weakness" the old wyrm said somberly.

James nodded "I thought as much. I won't say it wasn't easy"

The dragon chuckled and reached out his paw "My name", he murmured "Is Osedax, few know it and fewer still have earned the privilege of knowing it" James shook the paw solemnly and nodded

Osedax leaned back in the lounger "I am going to be watching you closely James. You have the power and I can sense a good heart also"

James flushed at the compliment "I shall not embarrass the clan Master Osedax, you have my word on that" His gaze flicked over to where Cill was once again deep in conversation with her gaggle of females.

"I think I should go and tell my mate I love her before she sharpens her talons on me" he murmured.

Osedax chuckled "A wise move James. Please feel free to visit and talk with me if you have questions. I think we have much to share"

James bowed to the clanmaster "I shall Sir, I am currently learning from Master Marre several times a week and hopefully I shall learn to master this gift"

Osedax nodded and let James depart before beckoning Marre over "Do you think he knows how powerful he is? I felt it ripple the local continuum" he asked the blue.

Marre shook his head slowly "I've kept him ignorant of it Elder, I want him bound up good and proper in oaths before he either blows us all up or implodes"

Osedax nodded "good...I feel this human is going to be interesting"

James walked over to Cill and tugged playfully on her tail until she turned and tried to grab him much to the amusement of the other dragonesses.

"Just wait till I get you home" she murmured at him "telling the master about the window"

James held up his hands in defense "He asked me and I'm not about to defy your clan leader"

Cill giggled and grabbed him, holding him against her chest "it could've been worse" he said in a muffled voice "I could've told him about the roa-" he stopped as a talon warningly pricked his rump. "Or not..." he finished lamely, thinking faster than usual.

Cill nodded approvingly "So what do you want to do now?" she asked after releasing him a little.

"Why don't we show these dragons how to dance?" he replied with a grin, taking one of her paws in his hand and leading her towards the open area before the altars.

Shalla barely took notice the small click of the pebble against her back as she and the others flew around the keep. She had seen the lone human patrolling the top of the tower and circled around to have another look at him.

Tommy sighed and idly excavated a nostril as he peered over the side of the keep. It was a long way down and he held onto the wall to stop himself feeling dizzy. Was that a noise? It had sounded like the scraping of something along the stone wall. He gripped his pike and peered over the edge once more. Perhaps someone was about to invade and he could heroically repel them and raise the alarm!

Nothing. He sighed and turned away from the edge back to the battlement and felt his heart jump, stuttering in his chest as three long, curious dragon muzzles peered at him from under wide glowing eyes.

James grinned at Cill then asked her to wait for a moment as he walked up to the drummers who had recovered sufficiently and were resting happily behind each drum.

They leaned over and nodded enthusiastically as James explained what he wanted and demonstrated on a nearby wall. The pair of dragons looked at one another and agreed to keep a tempo that dragons could move to easily.

"Why do you want it so slow?" one asked curiously.

James just smiled "I'll show you in a moment." He murmured and made his way back to where Cill was waiting for him. Taking her paw once more he smiled at her "Just like in your lair...one, two, three and four..." he murmured, signaling the drummers to start.

Cill nodded and placed her paws over his hands as she started to move in time with the beat. The cavern became silent after a moment as the other clan members stopped talking and watched in amazement, their eyes following the couple as they slowly waltzed across the floor.

Nokala gave Carlina a nudge and watched for a minute before offering her his paw "Shall we try this?" he asked her quietly. Carlina nodded back to him, her eyes glowing with enthusiasm as she took his paw and made their way down to the floor..

James was enjoying himself immensely and watched as other dragon couples slowly clasped paws with their mates and moved in time with the beat until the floor was covered with slightly bemused pairs of dragons who watched the newly mated couple to see what they would do next.

James grinned up at Cill "See? Everyone loves to dance" he said and kissed her on the snout as he twirled her a little faster. Indeed the couples seemed to be getting the idea and unfortunately were becoming a little too involved in gazing into their own mates eyes. Sudden collisions between pairs became common and many had sore feet stepped on by clumsy partners.

James and Cill broke off their dance with a bow to one another and moved off to the side before things got too dangerous. He grinned at Osedax who was also watching the other dragons with amusement on his muzzle and tapping his foot to the beat.

James grinned at Cill "shall we invite the Clanmaster to the wedding in the Keep's chapel?" Cill gaped at him "he would barely fit" James chuckled "I know... but it would be fun"

Back at the keep Tommy was backed up against the parapet as three smallish yet hungry looking dragons stared at him. He felt he should say something though. "Uh...Hello?"

The three females stared quizzically at the trembling youth and whispered to one another quietly.

"He's a bit small" murmured Gergid.

Shalla shook her head "I saw him first so he's mine" she told the others as she looked the human up and down slowly. He did seem a little smaller but if Cill could have a human then she wanted one too.

"A-are you friends of Cill?" stammered Tommy as he looked over the dragons. They didn't look hungry now he thought.

Shalla blinked at the remark. "You know Cill too?" she asked, leaning closer.

Tommy nodded "We met her this morning before James went out"

The three dragons all looked at one another and muttered between themselves for a moment. Tommy wondered if he should try and make a run for it but something wasn't quite right. They were looking more curious than hungry. He was even more startled when the largest of the group stuck out its paw in greeting.

"I'm Shalla" said the one presenting its paw. Tommy took it gingerly and shook it slowly "Pleased to meet you Shalla, I'm Thomas though everyone calls me Tommy"

Shalla grinned at him "We are just ...looking around and seeing what it is Cill likes about this place and the humans here"

Tommy blinked "We haven't seen much of her, she and James have been either in their home or away doing other things they won't tell us about"

Shalla nodded "I know James is working under Elder Marre as an apprentice some of the time"

Tommy shook his head "I don't know who he is...or much about dragons"

Shalla grinned toothily and after a sly look at the other two females 'Well then, why not come visit and have a look at where we live?"

Tommy shuffled his feet and tried not to look embarrassed "Well...I'm supposed to be on patrol tonight but I would like to..."

Shalla took his hand in her paw and tugged him a little closer "oh they won't miss you for a short while. Will they?" she purred.

Tommy shook his head "I g-guess not. How do we get there?"

Shalla looked at Eriga who scratched a hasty travel portal on the stones "oh that's easy..." she said and led the still bemused Tommy into it "we don't have to fly everywhere..."

There was an abrupt yellow flash as the human and all three dragons vanished from the parapet.

James groaned and rubbed his stomach, there had been so much! He was sure they thought he would get bigger if they stuffed him with more food than he'd seen in a lifetime. The banquet held in their honor must have emptied several paddocks of livestock at least.

Cill burped genteelly and covered her muzzle with a paw. She had made the most of the meal and was sat on her back with her paws covering her rotund belly. It was funny she thought, she'd been eating a lot more than usual lately. All this sex must be keeping her hungry she mused and giggled to herself.

James reached over and stroked her belly gently. "You are going to sleep for a week with all that in you" he joked while tracing a finger along the painted bright green spiral surrounding her breasts. Cill regarded him placidly from under half-lidded eyes.

"I think I will...It's been a tiring day and I think I'd like to go home now" her tongue flickered sensuously over her muzzle as she conveyed her needs to her new mate.

"Mmm you think they'll let us go now or try and force-feed me some more "he

Chuckled and met her sleepy gaze.

Cill reached out and pulled him against her breasts "They wouldn't dare stop us....not after you taught them to dance. I'm surprised they aren't taking notes."

James grimaced "they are. I saw one with a scroll and a feather pen earlier"

Cill giggled and slowly rolled upright and onto her feet "Lets pay our respects to the clan master and then go home"

James walked with her until they were under the amused gaze of Osedax "Well met the pair of you" he rumbled approvingly. "You have enlightened and entertained us all this evening James and I am pleased"

James bowed from the hip and straightened once more "Thank you Clanmaster. My mate is feeling fatigued however and we wished to thank you before departing back to the keep and our bed"

Osedax chuckled as he caught the flush of Cill's ruffs "I understand young ones. Go and enjoy yourselves and don't forget to come and see me soon"

James and Cill both nodded and walked over to the travel ring, embracing one another before flicking out of the cavern.

Osedax= 'bone eater' in Latin