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Scrapplets of memories...
On the road between Talantal and the sea...

The Horde’s quartermaster simply held up a triplet of fingers.

“Barris declined, saying something about not being stupid. Tully didn’t last four heartbeats. They had to pull the Captain and the Scamp apart because they were running out of chairs to smash over each other’s heads. Remind me never to get between bickering Koromovs.”

That made two.

“Three was Rafe.”

* * *

Apples, now, they were not a problem. The closer one got to Harvest, the bigger and redder they became. Of course, they also became more common, filling market cart bushels.

All the more for me!

************************

“Maybe...” Kisa simply rested her head on her Knight’s shoulder, as they spoke of Nobles, gifts, and learning. “Maybe... after this trip has finished, perhaps. This is almost like the night... no, this is exactly like...

“I first started stacking double bluff tiles when I was knee height. One of the Priestesses had given me a bag of them. Of course, I was too young to understand the rules. Now that I look back on it, I think that was the whole point. Of course in a single set, there’s only so many and I would stack them on my little night table. Clatter-clatter-clatter-tock.

“Later, come the end of Ice, Mother was holding Court and the Priestess grabbed me by the ear, hauled me up the castle stairs to an empty room. All I saw was a huge empty room with two equally huge grain sacks in them. I was confused, scared – she was the scariest of all the Priestesses – and she pointed to the room, to the sacks, without a word.

“The sacks were stuffed full with fullhand by fullhand by fullhand of doublebluff tiles.”

The red headed scholar laughed.

“Do you believe in coincidences?

“I met you through doublebluff tiles. That was Mother’s doing.

“I still remember what the Priestess said when she left me, wide-eyed, looking at all the tiles and all the open space.

“Happy Midwinters, cobble block.”

She paused, quiet, before continuing.

“Thank you for this Midsummers gift, Dashka.”

************************

It was later in the day, at the ending of lunch, a midday break, a very strange one at that – one missing both a Romana and a Kay. They arrived as the cooking gear was being packed up. That was when Romana bounced up to her mentor, all bright and light, white skirts dashing back and forth and covered in petals and bits of grass.

“No fairs. Not tells!” she chided her superior as she presented Bekkah with a crown of woven wildflowers – mostly daisies, some black-eyed susans, and one dandelion.

“Happy day of Bekkah boring!”

Kay simply placed a hand over her face.

************************

“Please, donnae hate me...”

Kay had stayed there beneath the stars, looking up to the Spear. She leaned up against her own, two hands and her arms wrapped around the sturdy wooden shaft, its ribbons drifting in the night time breeze.

The Initiate stood alone, looking up. She had shaken off the order to return to her bedroll, grumbling about it was someone’s watch and that one was probably asleep on it and that someone needed to watch the camp.

Kay’s excuses were always so easy to read.

“You know I’m an idiot. The stupidest of yours. Kin barely read or write and only know how to poke things real good.”

But the Scamp would have waited until she thought she was alone.

“It was a night just like this.

“...dayhhlna’hhnshallah’shallshenna’al’romanishah’shallhalla...”

“Donnae ask me how I kin remember that. It took me a while to conjure it out, between her few words and some puzzle sense and more than a lil’ bit of luck...

“But it means I’m sorry. She said it was important, to say the words in her own tongue. Because she needed me to believe it was true.

“She had her head down when she told me that. And I was still hurting – Goddess, I miss you, I miss you more than me sisters, me mat, me fa. So I took her collar and jerked her up and she let me like she knew she deserved all my hate and hurt and she wouldn’t stop me from doing anything... anything.

“You know, she has the prettiest blue eyes in the whole world, Lily-kins. You should see them sparkle when she sees something new.

“They were full of tears.

“My heart stopped.

“Right there and then.

“I knew.

“I knew I weren’t gonna let anyone make her cry like that again.”

Daxia Yurisdotter
On the Highland Path

Daxia nodded at the report of Barris’ wisdom and showed no reaction when Dunwich named Tully. She raised an eyebrow at the report of the two Koromovs going at it, however. If chairs were involved...

Well, that sounded an awful lot like a bar fight to Dazi.

But when Duffy said the Imperial Lord was involved, her eyes snapped fast and hard to her Initiate. Regarding Kay in silence for a handful of heartbeats, eyes narrowed, the Starlord’s expression was virtually unreadable.

Finally, without taking her eyes from Kay, she said quietly and evenly, “Dama Kadri, I’d like to request a favor of you if you’d be so kind.

“Teach this one,” she said, point to her battered and bruised Initiate, “to ride, please.”

After all, it would never do to have a Unicorn take up her company and she not know anything about riding except that one faces toward the pointy end.

# # #

“You’re most welcome, Kishka.

“Ah, Kisa... when it comes to Priestess Kassia, I don’t believe there can be such a thing as coincidences.”

Daxia was quiet, looking at the past from yet another point of view.

“Maybe that particular night might have been your Mother’s doing,” she said with a barely audible sigh, “but it was only the last tile to fall in that Pattern. How long had Kassia been laying out those tiles?” She just shifted her eyes so she wouldn’t jostle the head on her shoulder.

“Two handful of years... or even close to three.”

How much of who they were at this very moment had been manipulated by that crafty Priestess? There were times Daxia thought that the questions she had for Kassia might rival the number of stars in the sky. Ultimately... no, ultimately, whatever Patterns had been woven to bring them to this moment didn’t matter.

Her arm was loosely encircling Kisa’s waist; her cheek rested against her soft red hair. She smiled in the darkness.

“You’re right, though, about her being the scariest of all the Priestesses. She truly was.”

Again, Daxia was quiet, feeling her breathing easily fall into sync with Kisa’s.

“Probably still is,” she said at last. “But I hope she’s happy doing all the things she told Sunfire she wanted to do.” Dazi chuckled softly. “And I hope her list is very long.”

As had become her habit, she glanced up at the stars in the night sky. Now, more than ever, she felt it was important to remember all the lessons she'd been taught by that most frightening of Priestesses. Regarding the stars and their stories? Those lessons weren't just to keep cousin Akane from becoming quite vexed with her. And it wasn't only to pass on the teachings, either.

Oh, well. Eventually, it would come to her... all the reasons for knowing the tales.

“I’m keeping track, you know — of all the things you don’t want to talk about until we get back to the Vale.” She chuckled. “I’m not going to wait that long, of course.

“If you had painted another of your tiles and sent it off to Talesan’s Village so I’d be sure to get it there, what would it have been?”

# # #

Daxia felt restless that night. Maybe it was just a hitch of something she had heard in Kay’s voice when she made her transparent excuse to continue standing alone in the dark. Whatever it was, her mentor was not all that far from the young Dayalan when she spoke; she couldn’t help but hear.

The grief still filling Kay’s voice as she talked to her Allaine tore at Dazi’s heart, too. Part of the curse of thinking too much was being able to imagine some things that were unimaginable.

Like Kay’s pain.

It seemed like a forever time ago that she had helped rescue Romana. And she still remembered being so furiously angry at some small thing the frightened Easterner had said. Something about the Princes of their many towers that invaded from behind their mountains because they were just bored? Yes, that seemed about right. She had stormed off in her anger rather than take it out on Romana.

She hadn’t been sure why that had been the right thing to do. Not then. Not for another handful or two.

Yes, she remembered seeing tears in those blue eyes... but not because Dazi had been threatening her, no. Because Dazi had been listening, hearing Romana’s story... and not judging her. Everything made sense now. As Gilly had said that day they left the Vale, Kassia forged Dayalans. Not just that, however. She forged Wild Dayalans.

It wasn't just Kay’s grief that kept her staring up at the sky unable to sleep. It was the girl’s words, too.

“Most folk can’t read or write and can barely scribe their names, you know,” she said softly in the darkness. “You’re a damn sight smarter than I was when I first came strolling out of the Vale. Probably still are about some things.”

Maybe Kay believed she wasn’t terribly bright. Maybe compared to others in her Company at the end of the Second Age that was true. A lot can change in an Age, however, and the newest Starlord Priestess had a nagging feeling the youngest Koromov undervalued her skills and knowledge.

It was an odd and sad synchronicity that Kay had one-sided conversations with Lily Allaine that were, in some respects, so very similar to some of the one-sided conversations Daxia had with their Lady.

There really wasn’t a way to tell Kay that her Allaine couldn’t hate her. That was the thing about love... it just keeps right on going. She couldn’t tell Kay that her Allaine watched and saw what Kay saw. Either she already knew and understood... or it would be like pouring salt on a wound instead of clean water.

She couldn’t give Kay the forgiveness she sought for the sin she thought she committed as she protected an Eastern princess.

There hadn’t been anyone who would have been able to forgive Daxia for the same sin until she had come to the understanding — on her own and with her Lady’s love — that she hadn’t committed a sin. And by then...

Well, there was nothing to forgive.

“I don’t know if my thanks mean much to you yet, but I am deeply grateful that you are watching out for Romana.

“Thank you, little sister.”

It was likely going to be one of those nights that each of them watched the stars until dawn came. Still, it needed to be said...

“Go to sleep, Kay. You know bloody well Mikal is not asleep on his watch.”

Kadri:

"I would be honored if the estimable Kay would join Cesare for lessons in riding. And anyone else who cares to pick up a few tips from the horse-lady - is quite welcome to join."

Kadri was, in all, a light sleeper. She unobtrusively studied Kay for a while after awaking.

In her head:

"There are things beyond words and letters to write and read, people, situations and souls.

She liked the freedom to roam, had seen many many new things on her travels and met new people that she loved like family. Still, she missed the plains, the wide open and unobstructed spaces with nothing but waving grass below and nothing but starry sky above. Much of her time on watch was spent near Lisica. She was the piece of her original home still remaining to her.

Looking up to the stars, she has a quiet conversation with them.

"Was it worth it to throw everything out the window and leave? "

She plays with the cord from he bag, ticking through the collected memories tied to it. Some were good. Some were painful. But they were HERS. "

She paused, running a finger over a tooth from an eastern hunting beast.

No, the were not hers, they were HER. The Kadri that stayed on the plains and married the lord Rikart was a different person. Fate. Destiny. Bah.

She looked up.

"Perhaps it is best for a simple girl of Amber not to be able to read what is written in the stars - it means that I am free to ignore it."

Mikal

Once they are clear of the city, Mikal moves Talia closer to Daxia and opens up a conversation he's been wanting to have ever since the idea of a Troop came to him.

"So. We're all square now. I am protecting Kadri, but I've been working on something else and I was really hoping you might be interested in giving me a hand."

He watches how Talia reacts to being near the Unicorn, hand tight on the reins.

"I am working on starting my own Troop. Kadri is going to be the silent partner, so it is not obvious who the Troop is Contracted to."

"I'd like it to be a Light Horse Troop, but one I've never seen before. Using tactics I've been toying with. I could use your help."

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter

She hid her smile at Mikal’s obvious assessment of Talia’s behavior while walking next to Morning Star. If Talia was going to have a problem with the Unicorn, they all would have discovered it by now. And the Unicorn thought all horses were beneath his dignity to acknowledge.

But she nodded at his new duties. “While traveling with the Larsens, I think it best that we follow their lead. I watch over Kisa as you do Kadri, and Kay has taken the position of Romana’s protector. I think we all understand by now that Dean can only protect my sister as much as she’ll allow.” Daxia did smile then. “And we’ve seen how much — or rather, how little — she will allow.

“We mustn’t slack off on our daily practicing, however. If Khorall Larsen’s men are willing, we can add them to the mix.”

She gave him a sidelong look and chuckled. “The Captain mentioned something about you considering the creation of a Troop of your own. She was cryptic even for her, although she did ask that I give your thoughts serious consideration.”

The Dayalan paused to shake her head and glance at Kisa, who was riding beside the Khorall and chatting. No, it was really more of a case of Tieg Larsen chatting and Kisa nodding her head in agreement.

“When I assured her that I would do anything in my power to help you,” she continued as she turned back to Mikal, “she insisted I hear your ideas first. I have to admit that worried me. Either she was having a little fun at my expense or you’ve gone mad.” She grins. “I’d say the first is more likely, but you have seemed terribly restless lately.

“So. Tell me your ideas. How do you believe I can help you?”

Mikal

He rides quietly for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "So at the moment we have several different types of Troops, each specialists at their own individual tactics. We have Swordsmen, Archers, Horse Archers, Heavy Cavalry, and Light Cavalry. Each has their strength and also their weakness."

"Heavy Cavalry can ride down anyone who stands in their way, but those who are quick enough can outmaneuver them or flee. Swordsmen are formidable against anyone they can get close to, but Cavalry can escape them and archers can hurt them at range. Light cavalry can outpace anyone else, but they dismount to fight. And so on."

"What I have been toying with is a new type of unit. I have taken to calling it 'Combined Arms', for lack of a better term. Within a single Troop sub-units of Horse Archers, Lancers, Spear and shield men for fighting on foot, crossbowmen, and swordsmen. Each unit trained to work together as a cohesive whole."

"A Troop who specializes on hit and run tactics. Who can harass a Troop of foot with arrows and drive them mad, then flee before they can be engaged. Who can ride down foot soldiers with Lances and spears who are undisciplined enough to not be able to resist them. Who has a group of mounted infantry that can form up as an anvil while the swifter lancers and arches act as the hammer to crush them in between."

"A unit with combat trained mounts, but lighter horses than normal so they are swifter than normal Heavy Horse. Kadri is going to see what she can do about obtaining horses from her homeland for us."

"I want the best of each type of unit, so I would like Jvrillians along with followers of Arilys, or Khannish, or others trained for scouting."

He pauses.

"And I'd like a contingent of Dayalan. They are the best horse archers and would be a key component in the Troop."

He looks at Daxia.

"I expect they won't come to me. At least not at first. But they might if you helped. Not to mention I need a good second, and I can't think of any better than you. What do you think?"

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Kadri

Dazi took her gaze from her Initiate and turned to Kadri, smiling.

“Thank you, O Horse Mistress.” She chuckled. “Be sure she learns to ride Fern. It’s best for a warrior to learn to ride a warhorse, da? Lisica is fast and sweet, but not trained as Fern was.”

She looked back at Kay, definitely grinning now. “I’m sure Bekkah won’t mind, and Fern has perhaps gotten lazy. Still, she’s a fine horse for a Dayalan that has not yet met her Unicorn.”

Daxia preemptively tapped Morning Star’s neck. “Not one word from you, Most Magnificent One. It’s the truth, and you know it.”

You just don’t like it, she thought.

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Mikal

“Best, yes,” she said absently, “because we’re the only horse archers.”

And then she rode quietly, thinking. And picking through the maze of Patterns Mikal’s words created. Finally, she nodded.

“Well, I can see why the Captain was being so cryptic. And why she said I should mention you need to learn how to deal with all manner of oddballs and misfits.”

She looked around at the group — her little gang and the Larsen household.

“Yah, you’re going to be looking at folks who are more of the maverick variety than Harry, the Swords or even the Mark are going to want. Personalities more like Koromov’s folks, with the skill sets you want.” Daxia looked over at him and smiled rather more wickedly than she normally would. “Make sure you keep at least one Atteran around as well as one or two other folks who know about herbs. Your head is going to hurt. A lot.”

Morning Star tossed his head and Daxia snorted in a very unladylike way. Then she patted his neck. “You’re rather the incorrigible one, O Great Font. Even I will not agree to provide all the apples on the Heartwood for you.”

She shook her head and continued speaking to Mikal. “You’re right about Dayalans ignoring you. There aren’t many of us out beyond the Vale, and the teachings inside the Vale don’t paint a kind picture of Jvrillians.” She chuckled. “Or the Rames men, for that matter... with the singular exception of Dean’s Knight.”

Daxia studied him and the Patterns, and then she smiled in her normal cheerful way.

“To get you some good horse archers, we’ll need to go to Dawnview. At least half the Khorall’s House Guard are phenomenal. And the rest of them are still better than I am. The Temple Guard...? Well, archery from horseback is something only we do, and we all learn to do it well. We are all required to excel in one weapon form and are encouraged to excel in at least one other. You’ve only met three Dayalans, and each of us has quite a different skill set, yah? Dandy and I might be fairly close to being matched in the skill of using our swords, but our styles are so different that a casual observer might not think so. Kay can best anyone I’ve ever met in the use of her spear.

“It’s interesting that the Troop you’re looking to create exists almost in full already. Except that it’s made up entirely of Dayalans, they’re all in the Vale, and as a unit they’re not leaving the Vale unless the Khorall deems there is a dire need.”

She shrugs pragmatically. “That’s why Linnell and now Kisa hire the Horde when they need a Troop.

“But I have to believe there are warriors of Dayala that chafe at the restrictions set on them by the Powers That Be in the Temple. And surely their desire to do more is equal to that of the young healers of Attera, who now serve their Lady in the First Ring of Talantal.

“So there’s an apple cart to be upset in Dawnview, too. I won’t deny one of my goals is to see a true Temple to our Lady on this side of Snowgate Pass. However, I think it’s even more important for my Sisters to spend more time outside the Vale.

“The way Initiates are sent out into the world to learn what is beyond the Vale is done in a way to set them... us... up for failure. It seems to ensure that those trained in the Vale return to the Vale.” Daxia looked toward Kisa again as she continued speaking. “I don’t think many of the elder Priestesses and Starlords and Starswords will like my ideas, but some will. Kassia would have, I think... if she were still in the Vale.

“I think the first thing I would insist on is that Initiates stop being taught that the other warriors of this world are less than the warriors of Dayala. Jvrillians and the men of Rames are different, there’s no denying that. Well, that’s assuming any will listen to me, but I suspect my words have more power than some will like.”

Daxia silently regarded the Heir of Allaine for several moments before continuing.

“I joked with Kisa about having our small band of misfits escort her all the way to Dawnview Castle. And then more than implied that we would have the same disconcerting effect on the Allaine House Guard that we seemed to have on the entire Fifth Ring of Talantal. I’m still not sure she believes me.”

She grinned crookedly and glanced at Mikal again.

“I think introducing you and Dean as friends and comrades in arms to the Heir’s personal knight would shake a few cobble blocks loose. It will do more than a little good in convincing the more open-minded of my Sisters that Jvrillians and Squires of Rames are as worthy of respect as anyone else.” Then she chuckled.

“I seem to be doing that thinking out loud thing again, but the long and the short of it is that you could probably fill out other units with Dayalans. Don’t separate us out. Put Kay in charge of your shield and spear unit. Not all of us are excellent horsewomen, and not all of us will have horses or Companion Unicorns. A Dayalan can fight side by side with a Jvrillian and a Squire of Rames with sword and shield. Even your archery unit can be blended if you don’t insist your archers use the crossbow. Jvrillians and Dayalans and the followers of Khannish all use different types of bows; all of us are deadly to foes and Prey. Keep your units as mixed as possible.”

Daxia laughed. “Well, there you go. I’ve told you what I think... some of it, anyway. I haven’t any more idea of what it means to be a company’s second than I did to be the leader of a bunch of ragtag misfits. But I expect I would figure it out.” She became serious then, regarding her sword brother for long heartbeats.

“You may not understand what it means to be a follower of Dayala, but you know me well enough now to know there could be times other things are more important than your Troop. But I think I know you well enough to know those things would not be battles you would shirk.” She tilted her head slightly. “Rescuing damsels, fighting Easterners and sorcerers and demons, breaking curses.” She nodded then. “I can’t speak for the Heir, of course, but I would find it surprising if her expectations of me as her Knight would conflict with any duties I might have as your second.”

Mikal

"Dayalan are the only horse archers, for now, yes. Though I had planned to train a contingent of crossbowmen to fire and fight from horseback."

He pauses as she continues.

"That is a good thought. Intermingling different factions among the units. It will build cohesiveness rather than jealousy. Much better chance for the Troop to jell."

He nods at her comments about Initiates not being taught they were better than others.

"I must admit I was taught the same, especially as regards women. I have learned better."

He grins.

"I am looking forward to the shock on the faces of many when they are told they will be fighting alongside women. There will be scorn, you know. At first. Until they are handed their arses on a platter. It should be quite entertaining for a while."

"We will need to blood them carefully. No matter how much training they go thru, they will need to have bled together to truly trust each other."

He nods at the last. "You know our goals have not yet diverged. Perhaps the intensity of their priority for each of us, but I see no issues on that score."

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Mikal

She looked at him oddly, and only had a heartbeat to realize Morning Star was going to stop dead in his tracks. At least she was braced for it. Barely.

You know, you really don’t need to take your ire out on me for words spoken by someone else. I owe you a ribbon for that one.

The Unicorn then stamped one foot.

The Starlord sighed. Then she gestured the rest of the group to continue on. It wasn’t as though they would go far with Khorall Larsen stopping to chat with everyone they met on the road. She was simply hoping to watch and listen and learn should he stop for any such conversation.

“Go along with all of you. Mikal and I have something to discuss. We will catch up shortly.”

She waited until Mikal brought Talia back around to them, as he had not stopped when Morning Star did. How could he? Even she had no warning... just the luck of good reflexes.

“I don’t think I made my statement clear enough about horse archers. If His Magnificence will deign to continue on, we can talk while we ride.”

The Unicorn shook his head and refused to move.

“Very well. We can sit here and talk just as easily.”

Daxia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You have an idea to train your crossbowmen to fight from horseback. First, I will tell you that this would be a difficult task even assuming there existed a person to do such training. I know Darian calls your crossbow a no-skill bow, but it does take some amount of skill to use. It is a practical weapon for a mercenary, and I hold no such prejudices about it for it requires a different set of skills than the bows she and I use. That said, it would take some rather dexterous individuals time to learn how to ride and rearm these crossbows at the same time. In the middle of a battle.

“That is only the... shall we say... the human side of the equation.”

Daxia gave Mikal her full attention. She gave him every bit the same level of respect and honesty she would give the High Priestess of her Temple.

“I will speak of the Divine implications of what you said... the reason Morning Star is upset.

“Dayalans are the only horse archers because Dayala has said this shall be so. We are the only navigators, too, although there has not been a Dayalan on a ship since the last Viceroy came to the mainland. The last Dayalans to leave the mainland as navigators were part of the Forgotten Fleet.

“You cannot train crossbowmen to fight from horseback because Dayala will not allow it.” Dazi shrugged. “Unless my Lady and your Lord can some to some other agreement, of course, but I would not make that request of Her. I cannot intercede on your behalf in this, for what you speak is heresy.”

She looked at Morning Star. “Are you satisfied now? Must I say more words on the matter?”

The Unicorn seemed to ignore her, and still refused to move.

“My, aren’t you stubborn? It doesn’t matter how slowly the Khorall and Dama Larsen move their party forward, we do not have time to give Mikal a history of Dayala’s followers.”

Dazi shook her head again and looked at Mikal.

“I believe there will be Dayalans who would be willing to join your Troop... if I speak well on your behalf. I believe they will come to know the rest of the Troop as comrades and even friends, for that is an example I intend to set.

“But Mikal, please do not ask us to sit idly by while you try to do a thing that is ours, and ours alone, by Divine right.

“I speak to you as a friend, Mikal. I know you do not understand all our ways. Even in the time we have been together — from Cragside to this spot on the Highland Path — there are things I could not share about my cult just as I am sure there are things about the cult of Jvrill I have not been told. There is nothing wrong with each of our cults having our... private things. But we must agree that the things each of us holds as our own must continue to be held as our own until such time as our Deities deem otherwise.

“I made a Contract with you in Cragside and felt the presence of your God. What you seek to do would be something akin to asking you to allow my Sisters to know the secrets of making Contracts. No, no... I understand that it is not the same level of... of duty to one’s Deity. I only ask that you understand that there are things given to you by Lord Jvrill just as there are things given to us by our Lady Dayala.”

At this moment, Daxia seemed as close to... not fear, but something close to it, as Mikal had ever seen her. And she certainly felt a sense of dread.

“I respect you, Mikal, and I count you as one of my closest friends. And I do believe with all my heart that you can create such a blended Troop as the Heartwood has not seen since the army of Andwise Korie of Talantal met the forces of Prince Dherrick Bankorpool at Skaefla Plateau, and drove him back to the piers of the Opal Sea. I do hope that you believe me. I will put my trust in you, and I will lend you every skill I have at my command to make this Troop a reality for you.”

She smiled slightly. “I did tell the Captain I would help you in any way I could.

“But I ask that you not commit this blasphemy against my Goddess. I could not, in good conscious, recruit the horse archers you seek.”

This appeared to satisfy the Unicorn for he began moving forward again.

Dazi considered the rest of Mikal’s statement and realized her headaches would likely turn out to be just as great as his. And once again, she had the fleeting desire to just stay in Dawnview after escorting Kisa home.

It wasn’t an option, so it did make for a pleasant fantasy at times.

“You should talk to Sword Lord Barris Ironhand about his reputation among your Guild Brothers the next time we meet the Horde,” she said, giving him a half-smile.

“Look more at the men who express suspicion and disbelief rather than scorn. The two former are indications of minds that can think while the latter might not be open to the prospect of changing his mind.” She gave him a full smile then. “If you were scornful when we first met, you hid it well behind your apprehension. You and I faced the fact that some of the things we were taught were not exactly true. Squire Conrad wore his score on his surcoat, and you can see where he is today.” She looked at Squire Dean’s back as he rode beside one of the Khorall’s guards. “Or rather, where he is not.”

Finally, she nodded at his assessment of training versus actual melees.

“Da, and your plan to retake the Castle of Roth is likely not the best place to start. Besides, I have a feeling that will require the assistance of other Troops. The Heavy Horse, the Swords, the Dark Mark, and the Wild Horde might all play an important role in that endeavor. In fact...”

Daxia looked in Kisa’s direction and saw one very interesting Path.

“In fact, it’s possible Dawnview would send their own contingent to assist.”

And because one Path tends to lead to another and then another...

“As would Kierkegaard... perhaps Garrick’s Town Guard... possibly even some sort of assistance from Korie. That Path is less clear.

“My point is that your idea is actually a very large one. True, the Castle holds a different meaning for the followers of Jvrill than for anyone else. But have you considered the trade implications of having the Greenland Path free once again for caravans traveling from Bordertown to the Highgaard Reaches and Dawnview Vale?”

Dazi looked again at Kisa, and she could almost hear the clackity-clickety-clack of a Great Pattern falling into place. She couldn’t help but think of the beautifully lacy room-sized heraldic rose Kisa’s tiles had fallen into that very first night they met.

“Hoi,” she barely whispered. “Very big deal.”

Kadri had been riding along at some distance quietly. As Daxia is finishing speaking she comes closer.

"Can small people make large ideas work?"

She raises an eyebrow.

"Is this large idea larger than its sponsor?"

A pause before speaking again.

"I wish to please and honor a friend and it comes to sound like I am working on a revolution. I think I know those who would be much pleased by the prospects. Still, if I am to be a lever to help start things in motion, 'fate' picked an awfully short lever."

She held her fingers a small bit apart.

She flashes a grin.

"I think there is a chance here to make some very big bullies make some very big howls."

Mikal

He listens politely, and interjects at one point, "Training would not be difficult at all. They know how to ride and they know how to use the crossbow. Using it from horseback is no different. It is the reloading that is the issue. Typical reloading requires standing on the crosspiece and pulling back the string with a hook. But that is a mechanical issue. I have some ideas on how to reload with a different type of hook using a crank. No need to stand at all. A simple crosspiece on the saddle-horn to rest against is all that'd be needed."

When she gets into the religious aspect of it he simply sits quietly. It seems ridiculous that a god would care about a combat tactic. It is bad enough, in his opinion, that Jvrill doesn't like his followers using Longbows. Mikal has seen how well Darian can use hers and he can appreciate a weapon for it's uses. The crossbow is easy and quick to train to use, but the Longbow can out distance it. Much longer investment in training though. Years, he suspects, versus weeks."

"How can anyone claim a tactic? And why would they bother? That make little sense. It's like saying I can't use a cross parry with my sword because Krista owns it. Dayalans may be the best at it because they specialize in it, but own it? Exclusively? The weapon maybe, but the concept?"

He shakes his head. "I fired my crossbow when the Dark Mark was chasing us. I was in a wagon pulled by horses. Is that horseback? Or does the wagon negate it? Maybe I should create small two-wheeled wagons pulled by horses and put the crossbowmen on them, if that will avoid the issue? We can call them, oh I don't know, Chariots? Or perhaps we can train the men to look up and say 'Sorry' every time they fire?"

He takes a deep breath.

"Apologies for that last. It was uncalled for. But what you are saying is ......", he searches for a word, then gives up.

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Mikal

Daxia shook her head and then shrugged.

“First, all I can say about how the Deities can claim this thing or own that other thing is that they are Gods and Goddesses, Mikal. Our mortal selves are not...” She sighed in frustration. “It is not that we should not question Their wills, only that good can rarely come from such a thing. It is not that we would not or could not understand some of these things... especially the questions you ask.”

She looked at Morning Star, at the bright golden horn that grew from his forehead.

“How can anyone claim a tactic?

“Imagine that two ruffs were to converse in whatever way ruffs have of conversing. And one should say, ‘Why does your master scritch you more than my master scritches me?’ The other might say, ‘Why does your master feed you better food than my master feeds me?’

“These imaginary ruffs can only guess at the answers to their questions. They have no way of knowing that one person is wealthier and can afford to feed his ruff the same food he feeds his children. They have no way of knowing that the other person buried her husband and children when they died of some illness, and the ruff is her sole companion.”

Dazi looks back at Mikal. “You know that I am as much a scholar as I am a warrior. That is how I was trained, but I think, too, that I have as much of a desire to learn as Romana does... as Kisa does.

“Do you think I have not already asked myself and my teachers, ‘Why this?’ and ‘Why that?’ until everyone is tired of hearing me talk?”

The Unicorn turned his head to eye his rider for a heartbeat before looking forward again.

“Fine. Not everyone.

“I can’t say why Dayala alone allows Her followers to use this specific skill. I will guess, however, that it might have something to do with the time of the Shattering Wars when the Unicorns offered their service to Dayala. One of Her symbols is Horse... the first, the archetype, the very idea of Horse. I don’t know the truth of what happened at the beginning of Time...”

Her voice trailed off and her gaze seemed to turn inward. After a handful or so of breaths, she said, “Well, I have made guesses that may come as close to truth as a human can understand it. But I wonder if perhaps archery began when Dayala showed Her children how to use the bow while riding the great Unicorns that chose to serve her. They are Immortal, and so similar in form to the Horse.

“And perhaps Khannish saw this as a good thing but gave His children a longer bow more suited to Hunting. At that time, Jvrill’s children had no need of such things. It wasn’t until...”

She paused, looking questioningly at Mikal.

“It was the Knights of Roth, yes? The were the first of Jvrill’s followers to begin a new way of worshipping him?

“If so, by then we poor humans had become much more clever than we had been after the Shattering Wars. We were clever enough to create the crossbow. While Jvrill may have found such a weapon acceptable, neither Dayala nor Khannish would. It was not a weapon suited to the skill of horse archery or hunting.”

Daxia shook her head again as she puzzled through a line of thought.

“In an entire Age, you cannot be the first Jvrillian to have the idea that fighting from horseback with a crossbow might be a good tactical decision. If what you say is true — that there is a way to make it feasible — then why are Jvrillian troops not already using this tactic?

“I will grant that there were more Dayalans at the end of the Second Age, and the Knights of Roth — from stories I have heard, anyway — were honorable men. They would not have thought to use their Sword Sisters’ tactics. And our numbers were further reduced when the Bankorpool Empire... hmm... came to the mainland.

“But still... in the many years that we have mostly existed only in Dawnview Vale, when we were all but forgotten outside the Vale, wouldn’t the followers of Jvrill have thought to use this tactic? I think so. But you and your Guild Brothers have not. Why not?

“The only answer I have, Mikal, is that Dayala has said to Jvrill that this is a thing reserved for Her children and not His. It’s not a good answer for a soldier, I know. It’s a scholar’s answer.”

She, too, took a deep breath.

“You’re frustrated and I do understand that. I can easily forgive what, to others, might sound heretical because I do understand your frustration.

“Yes, what I’m saying is complete lunacy from a purely practical and tactical point of view. I know that, Mikal. But I must also take into account the teachings of my church.”

She paused again and looked at the Heir of Allaine riding ahead of them, recalling some of the words they’d exchanged while still in Talantal.

“Would you really need to train your men in this skill if you had enough Dayalans for your Troop?” she asked him softly. “Because I have a feeling you might just get enough.”

Kay and Daxia

Caught in her mentor’s stern gaze, the black-eyed initiate considered a bit and then just as fiercely scowled back.

“Hoi. It was his idea, not mine.”

*********************************

Daxia and Kisa

“Sea of Storms...”

Kisa whispered quietly, as she considered the path ahead.

“It should be waiting at the Amber Inn.”

*********************************

Daxia and Kay

“Somebody’s gotta...”

“First spear bearer on the left. It’s the only thing I know how to do.”

In some ways, her life was simple. And in other ways, Daxia was probably right. The youngest daughter of farmers, the mascot of a doomed troop, her own worth seen in the roles she had been given.

But she didn’t seem to mind.

She had her favors, hanging from the head of her spear, just like Daxia had from her hilt of her sword.

And she had someone to protect.

Just like Daxia.

*********************************

Kadri

The young Amber Noblewoman was suddenly caught in the breeze, a rogue mini-cyclone that swept across the grassy fields, tousled her in the most un-lady like manner before scattering the white clouds above.

The worst part was that it tickled!

*********************************

Kay

And yes, riding lessons were a good way to spend the weeks between Talantal and Talesan’s. Although they did not begin without a Kay walking right up to Fern, looking the warhorse right in the eyes.

“I’m boss. Got that?”

Fern understood.

Eventually.

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Kay

“Ya? Okay. Deynnekko crazy, too.”

Then the Starlord Priestess chuckled. “The whole lot of you are, I suspect.” She paused, head tilted. “Hmm. And Velikii are very much not nice besides.”

And later, when Kay informed Fern that she was the boss, Dazi laughed. She saw the way Fern flicked her tail, saw the way the mare twitched one ear. She saw and recognized Fern agreeing with Kay... and if she were human, she’d have her hand behind her back with her fingers crossed.

“Fern is naughty. She is well-trained and entirely too smart.”

Dazi grinned at the pair.

“Get used to reminding her that you’re the boss. Eventually, she’ll believe you.”


Later
“True. Unlike her teacher, she really does need a protector.”

Daxia sighed softly, hardly more than an exhalation of a breath. But she smiled in the darkness as she looked at the sky full of stars.

“Da. Excellent Spearbearer, too. But it’s the only thing you knew how to do.” She paused a beat. “Or maybe you didn’t notice you’ve been learning new things? Ah, good, good! Best way to learn is to not know you’re doing it.

“Ya! Good, good, good. You keep doing that.”

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Kisa

“Sea of Storms... and it’s waiting at the Amber Inn.” She paused a moment to check her memory but then shook her head.

“Here is how that would go...

“The Innkeeper would have received a wee package and told to hold it until a red-haired woman with a sword by the name of Daxia or Yurisdotter or both came to the Inn. At which point he should deliver the package to her. I, of course, would be delighted to receive another of your tiles — I do treasure them, you know. I would admire the artistry and I would be thoroughly baffled by the image.”

She smiled.

“I am going to guess now that Sea of Storms is another of the Rhoni cards. Clearly, I am not as familiar with them as you are. I suspect it would be wise to mend this unfortunate gap in my knowledge. Perhaps when you were painting them, you saw the presence of someone in our party who knew the cards, da? Sadly, Camelia remained in Bordertown. Well, sadly for me and getting interpretations of your messages. I think she and Garrett are quite happy.

“I did ask my little group if any of them knew the meaning of the tile you sent to Highside Heather. If our dear Cesare knew the meaning, he was not inclined to share. So when I fell into whatever nightmare that occurs at Highside Heather, I asked the Rhoni there.

“She said it was the Sea of Fog, and that the meaning depended on which direction it was facing when it was handed to me. It was in a little pouch, how was I to tell? But she said she believed it was likely the reversed meaning... a chance to find out the truth. I suppose that was a better option than confusion, with truth and lies all twisted together. Still, it might have been nice to know what I was getting myself into before I got myself into it. Would I have done something other than what I did?”

She shook her head. “No. Probably not. There seemed to be a literal sea of fog outside the windows. That sea of fog held a chance to find the truth, maybe. Or it could have been filled with nothing but confusion, with truth and lies woven together like a tapestry.” Dazi sighed. “But I was so confused by the whole thing that I’m only relying on Akemi’s word that I was there with a chance to learn the truth.

“Yes, I believe I found some truth. Was it the truth? Or was it a truth cleverly weaving through lies, as well?

“I saw the bridge breaking apart. I know the bridge is part marble and part wood, so it’s true that the bridge was broken that night. Mikal’s story... Jankin’s story... they were substantially the same...”

She was silent for some time, but finally pulled herself from her reverie.

“Sea of Storms, though? Well, if anyone could identify the image as such, I would guess... perhaps... you meant to convey something about the Sea of Opals. Or perhaps not, for sometimes your messages are one or two spaces away from the obvious. I would most profoundly hope that I would find someone in or near Talesan’s Village that could tell me what Sea of Storms means.

“However, as you will be accompanying me,” Daxia said brightly, “I need not worry about such things! You can tell me plainly and clearly what you mean. It will be wonderful! And if your message still makes no sense, I will be able to bop you on your head until sense comes spilling out!” She giggled. “And then perhaps you will pull my hair, and we will start acting like children and be made to go outside until we can behave like proper grown-ups.

“And that will be fine because it’s no fun to be serious all the time.”

Mikal - to Daxia

He listens respectfully, but is still frowning. "You said something a minute ago that I think is illustrative of my point. You said 'would I allow you and your sisters to know the secrets of making contracts'. There is no secret. You are free to make a contract with Kadri, or Darian, or Dean for that matter, for any service you want at any time you wish. Nothing is stopping you. It is a conversation and agreement between two people. No one owns conversation or agreements."

"However a Contract with a Jvrillian is always better because we specialize in them and they have the power and backing of Jvrill."

"It is the same with horse archery. There is nothing stopping a man who knows how to shoot a crossbow from using it from horseback. Dayalan are simply better at it because they specialize in it and it has the backing of Dayala."

"As I said, there is nothing stopping a man who knows how to ride and how to shoot from doing those two things together. I have done so many times, and so have others in my former Troop. No lightning bolts appeared. No one stepped out of thin air wagging their finger at us. The difference is that reloading has always been a limiting factor for crossbows and thus it's always been individuals who have done it, not full Troops, and it has usually been single shots. The new tweak would be training for mass fire and a way to reload while mounted."

He listens to the rest of Daxia's statement and shrugs.

"Certainly, if I had enough Dayalan to fill out the mounted archery contingent I'd not need it. But you yourself said to integrate the Dyalan into the units, that means cross-training everyone so there are both Dayalan and Jvrillian in the mounted archery Company. Does it not?"

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Mikal

Daxia shook her head again. Perhaps Jvrill’s presence in the lives of his followers was lighter than Dayala’s was? No. That couldn’t be it. She had felt Mikal’s God watching her when she Contracted with him. Surely Mikal felt that same Presence each time he sealed a Contract beneath Jvrill’s gaze.

So how could she explain it so he would... could understand?

“It’s true that I’ve not heard of Dayala striking down a man for firing his crossbow while on horseback. But surely those have been cases — no matter how many or few they might be — of unique opportunity? A man would need to dismount to replace the arrow so it could not have been something efficient, practical, or even effective very often.”

She mulled over both the words Mikal was using and his passion behind them. The Patterns and Paths led to places that were not good. It was not the words as much as Mikal’s real belief that he could do this thing. Chewing her lower lip, she considered how to change the perspective of the problem in a way that would move her friend from those dire Paths.

“While Dayala may not be happy with these accidental, occasional, infrequent uses of your crossbows while you or your Guild Brothers ride, I think...”

She paused, brows drawing together. She had always been taught that the Priestesses of Dayala were the ones to interpret Her will here in the world. There was not much open to interpretation here, however.

“No. I believe it is the occasional and infrequent use, the accidental nature of your actions that has... caused Her to stay Her hand. Your... purposeful intent to upset the order... the Order of things will cause Her to act.” Dayala’s Priestess was clearly as frustrated as Jvrill’s Swordsman.

“And you speak of training...” Dazi shook her head. “Do you know how long it takes to learn horse archery? To understand to the very core of your body — not in your mind, but in your body — how to move in concert with your mount to accurately hit a target while you and they are both moving? Years, Mikal! Gilly said I had more natural talent for it than any Initiate she had ever seen, and it still took me a handful of years before she would admit I was good at it. Good. Not great, certainly not phenomenal. Merely good.

“And who would train your archers? Not any Dayalan. We cannot; I cannot. As surely as I know She will rise each morning and set each evening, as surely as I know my Sisters watch over us during the night, I know that doing so would cause my Goddess to forsake me. To never feel...”

She looked away, for the mere thought of never feeling the joy of her Lady’s love each day was something so much worse than facing an Eastern Sorcerer, and even worse than facing the Avatar of an Eastern God. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath... and then another. When she finally spoke again it was more softly, and much more sadly.

“Please, Mikal, if you will not believe what I tell you is true, at least believe that I believe it to be true. Please try to understand that I know with my whole being that it is true. Trust me enough to set this idea aside, at least until you can consult with one of your Priests who can speak to Jvrill Himself.”

She looked back at him, her blue eyes bright and sharp. “You said your old Troop — Cameron’s Light Horse, wasn’t it? — was your family. And you are going to create a new Troop, a new family. Each person has a part to play in every family. In most families, chores are done by those who can do them. It matters little if the daughter fetches the wood or the son fetches the water. It matters little if the wife tends the garden while the husband stirs the stew pot so nothing will burn.

“But there is one thing in a family that only the mother can do, and that is to nurture an unborn child and then give birth. No man can do that. That does not make anyone else in the family less valuable, it only makes them not-mother.

“So, too, in your new family, your new Troop, there is a thing only the woman can do. There is a thing only a Dayalan can do. This is that thing, Mikal. There are things forbidden to us that are allowed to other women in this world, and yet Dayala has blessed us in many ways. The skill of horse archery is one of those ways.”

Though her reins were loose, Daxia’s hands tightened on the pommel of her saddle, one over the other.

“I will do all that I can to help you, Mikal. I will ask my Sisters to consider joining your troop. Let go of this idea that could turn Her anger in your direction. If you will not believe me, at least speak to your own Priests.

“Please.”

Mikal

He rides quietly for a time. Actually quite a bit of time. After several hands of minutes he grunts.

"I still do not accept that it is possible for a god or goddess to lay claim to a tactic. No, possible is not the right word. Better to use the word feasible. Not to even get into the question of why the heck anyone would want to try? You would think a goddess would have better things to do with her time than that."

He looks across at Daxia.

"However I can accept that you believe it to be true."

"As for training, I understand it would take longer to become proficient, however the ease of learning the crossbow would shorten that training time considerably. And Jvrillian crossbowmen already know how to hit moving targets. It will be the fact that they too are moving simultaneously that would be the biggest obstacle to proficiency."

"And the creation of a mechanism to reload a crossbow while mounted is merely a problem in engineering. It can be solved."

"But I will tell you what. If we can obtain enough Dayalan horse archers to fill out that Company in the Troop I will leave the Jvrillian archers to be part of the traditional Mounted Foot Company."

"You should know that I do not acknowledge that such restrictions are immutable, or even sensible, however due to my respect for you as a sword-brother I will hold off on implementing the idea."

"Oh", he smiles slightly, "And the next time I see a Jvrillian Priest I may ask him to tell me all about Dayala."

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Mikal

“The Deities are inscrutable. And perhaps there is a code of honor among Them that we could never begin to understand.”

She nodded. “And I can almost accept that you’re half crazy already,” Daxia said with a smile. “I think you might need to be a little crazy to lead a Troop — if my observations of my Temple Sister are any indication — so you have a good start.”

But then she shook her head and sighed. She said nothing for a moment, however, merely giving Morning Star’s neck a pat.

I know. But I think this is as much convincing I can do.

“I appreciate your forbearance on the matter,” she said. It was hard to tell from her tone if she was serious, if she was teasing, or if she was being sarcastic. “I truly would be rather saddened if you found yourself flying through the air because Morning Star tossed you off the road. I suspect I’d be nearly as unnerved as you would be if, for instance, your arrows burst into flames or some such message from my Lady.”

Fortunately, there would not be a need to have this conversation again before Mikal could find a Priest of his own God. If he wanted to argue theology with a member of his own church, that would be all the less stressful for her.

“I would be most interested in learning of the viewpoint your Priests have of my Lady. Most of my interactions were with Priestess Kassia, who had nothing to say — either positive or negative — of any other Deity. She encouraged me to think, to ask questions... but I will admit that the majority of them were pertaining to Dayala Herself. It was only by the words of the Guards of the Temple and House Allaine that I learned about the follower of Jvrill and Rames.” She chuckled. “And I would say that Kassia’s insistence that I learn important lessons from the doing of things rather than the hearing of words made a difference in how I viewed people when I left the Vale.”

And those teachings were important if she was going to convince her Temple Sisters to join this Troop of his. She couldn’t recall Kassia taking as much interest in any other Initiate, yet there were a few who could see beyond the words they heard to the truth of a world being greater than they could imagine. She suspected she knew of a few of the younger Initiates that might be interested. They were more than adequate horsewoman, and their swordsmanship was better than many of the Initiates who seemed more interested in staying in the safe confines of the Vale. Kisa knew the House Guard better than the Temple Guard; perhaps she might have a few suggestions.

And all these girls who have been seeking out training since the Pass opened! True, none of them were anywhere near close to being adequately trained to joined a Troop. It would be a minimum of a handful of years... and more likely they wouldn’t finish their training for two handful of years.

She mentally shrugged. She knew Poppy began the training of the girls she came across, although the majority of them still wound up in the Vale. Daxia was fairly certain Kisa’s cousin would not be one of them. Young Kori would add to the ranks of Wild Dayalans out in the great world. She did hope that they would have a chance to meet with Poppy and Kori. If the young woman seemed suited to working in a larger group, she and Dandy and Poppy could see which of the two groups better suited her talents.

Of course, Dazi already had the Koromov’s relative in her little gang. Perhaps it would bring more balance to the world if Kisa’s relative worked with Dandy.

She shrugged again, this time not quite as mentally. The Patterns would unfold as they would... she couldn’t even see how any but the nearest tiles were set up. There were too many Paths still. And some of them had Mikal’s hair bursting into flames.

She REALLY didn’t want him to anger her Goddess.

“So, Mikal... what do you think you might call this Troop of yours?”

Daxia and Kisa

“Sea of Storms...”

“It means that there is conflict in the world... and reversed... that conflict hides beneath the surface of calm waters...”

Kisa looked to the friendly Larsens before continuing.

“And the answer to that which way is which will have to wait until we reach the real sea.”

Daxia and Kay

“Bloody sneaky... teaching me when I’m all unsuspecting. Did short and sassy rent you out to her Lady or something?

“Now if you’ll be giving me your pardon, Whitehair’s about to fall into that kill...”

Kay then winced, blinked and trotted towards a nearby stream where their other initiate was leaning a bit too far out to refill their water skins from a clear and cold spring-fed brook.

Even one without the skills of patterning could tell that by the end of this particular adventure at least one of them would be soaked to the skin.

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Kay’s retreating form

She just smiled enigmatically at her student. But after Kay dashed off to very likely fall into the creek with Romana, Daxia whispered, “Nah, Kay. I teach sneaky because I learned from an even sneakier teacher.”

She nodded to herself with satisfaction. The lessons she learned in doing things she hadn’t realized held lessons were the sweetest in her memories.

We’re all leaky buckets, Daxia...

Yah, that was probably the best one, and she always thought of Gilly when she thought of that lesson. Never mind that it had been Kassia that engineered it. It had taken leaving the Vale for her to realize that was true even of Priestess Kassia, but it made the young Starlord all the more appreciative of her teacher.

No person is perfect... and yet each person can contribute greatly in their own way.

Had Kassia simply told her that, she would have understood it intellectually. But having to fill the Temple’s cassion day after day after day with one fine bucket and one leaky bucket made the lesson hit right to her heart when she saw the riot of color on one side of that path to the well.

And as an added bonus, it had strengthened her sword arm.

Mikal

He pauses a moment, not so much in thought, no, he'd known for years what his Troop's mark would be. He used to carve it into the dirt with a stick when he was small. More, he doesn't want to seem too bold.

So he replies hesitantly. "Black and red, I think. Like Harry's, but not checkerboard. It will be a series of Chevron's, point uppermost. Red, on a black field. The colors of the Knight of Roth."

"Though I don't know that I want to be so presumptuous as to use that name. My mother once told me an old tale she'd heard from a wandering minstrel. It used a foreign sounding word for cavalry. I might use that. They won't be your typical Light or Heavy horse Troop, so how does Dragoons sound?"

Verchovai Daxia Yurisdotter
speaking to Mikal

She regarded him silently as a smile slowly grew. It was a smile that held both sadness and pride, and she nodded to him.

“Their history, their stories, the very memory of them... this all means a lot to you. I think it’s a perfect way to honor them and remember them, Mikal. The pattern you suggest would be distinctive enough not to be confused for Harry’s Troop, and he does not strike me as the type of man to take offense that you use the same colors.”

Then she considered the name he proposed.

“Well...”

She glanced off toward the north for a moment, considering. Patting Morning Star’s neck, she turned back to Mikal.

“It does have a foreign sound to it and a most interesting one at that. You might take some care in its pronunciation for it could sound altogether too much like dragon in the wrong mouths. While Dragon is fine constellation and one of the more pleasant months, I would be wary of association with... well, dragons.

“Of course, that is just me.” She smiled again and shrugged. “A certain teacher of mine was quite fond of telling tales of the creatures of the world.

“Although...” Daxia looked once again in the direction of the Dirkwood. “Hmm.” Turning back to Mikal, she said, “These Dragons that Gilly spoke of are said to be dreadful, fearsome creatures that not even a madman would wish to face. Perhaps being thought that fearsome is not a bad thing.”

Mikal

He chuckles at the latter comments. "The thought had occurred to me. And of course if you can strike fear into your opponents before you ever meet them on the field, you begin with an advantage."