jadellstale1

Jadell looked around the camp at the young Lycan faces staring eagerly at her from around the camp fire and smiled softly. “So you want to hear my story? It's not that unusual, really when compared to the stories of other Lycans of my generation. It is basically one of war, slaughter, evil and eventually revenge and triumph. Of course that themes been repeated many times since I was your age. But if you truly wish to hear my tale, I suppose it is as good away to while away the time as any other.” At their eager nods she smiled again nodded her assent.

“Very well, Hmmmm...”She mused softly. “Where to begin....” She thought quietly for a few minutes.

“Well, since we are escorting all of you to the School of Mystical and Arcane Arts for testing I guess a good place for me to start would be my own testing. This was at a very early age...even for a Lycan. “

*                                                                     *                                                                     *

“Lady Serinna, the Institute does not doubt your ability to assess the talent of young Lycans. That has been amply demonstrated in the past. However this is your daughter we are discussing. Further more there is no doubt, given Jadell's lineage, that she will have a certain amount of talent for magic above that of the average Lycan Most likely a very strong talent. The question is not, does Jadell have a gift for magic but just how strong is that gift and how much of the stories concerning Jadell's alleged use of magic is embellishment with each telling of the tale and how much is an accurate telling.” Chaos's waved his hand imperiously, dismissing Serinna's attempt to intercede. “Your    pride in your daughter is understandable, she is after all your daughter but just how objective can you be concerning the assessment of your own progeny. We will of course listen to your assessment and take it into account but we will test Jadell and make our own assessment. “

Lady Serinna Whitebear growled softly in her throat taking a deep breath before she opened her mouth to reply the self absorbent, arrogant pup of a Lycan. “With all due respect to the panel I do not object to your testing my daughter. I merely offer a counsel of caution regarding your use of fire during the test. While Jadell has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to call fire she has no control. Unfortunately at the age of 6 she does not have the self discipline to govern her temper and if she is angry or frustrated the fire she summons at will is amplified by that emotion.” Lady Serinna explained yet again with more patience for bureaucratic imbeciles then she felt.

Chaos traded a condescending smirk with several of the other panel members before turning back to face towns people gathered in Inn and Lady Serinna. “My dear Lady....”

“Serinna what rating would you give Jadell's talent with fire? “ Asked Amira Blacksong, the dark haired Master Mage seated to Chaos's right. Her grey eyes were the only thing that betrayed her irritation with her colleague.

“Off the scale, Lady Amira.   Jadell's affinity for fire is higher then anyone I have ever seen, student or Master.”

“You are telling this panel that a child of 6 even a Lycan child has more control over fire then a master?” Chaos scoffed, ridicule permeating his voice.

“No.” Serinna snorted scornfully. “I said she had an 'affinity' for fire stronger then any student or master I have ever met. At the age of 6 no Lycan has any Control over fire.”

“Surely you do not claim she has more ‘affinity’ to use your term, for fire then Lord Bane?”

“Chaos, as you well know, both Toryl, and my self were at the Battle of Morintal. I have seen Lord Banes use of fire magic. He is indeed a powerful user of magic but that use is from training and age, Jadell's is neither.” Serinna paused. “Yes! I am saying that Jadell's affinity for fire magic is stronger even then Lord Banes'.”

Lady Amira's eyes darkened as she watched the rest of the panel hiss, growl and mutter amongst themselves at Serinna's presumption. However the Lycans of the village seemed to be in agreement with the Lycan, Master Healer.

“Enough of this bickering.” Lady Amira came to here feet abruptly. “Lady Serinna, you will present your daughter Jadell to this panel, here, at dawn tomorrow. The panel will take your words into consideration when we choose the site for the fire test, but make no mistake, she will be tested with fire. “Master Kortel is a talented healer; rest assured your daughter will be safe.”

“I thank you for your concern Lady Amira, but my greatest fear is not for Jadell, but for those around her. Again I caution the panel, take care with Jadell's emotions when testing with fire.” she bowed to the panel and turned on her heal, exiting the inn before anyone could gainsay her.

“Master Toryl, your wife.............”

“Has warned you to treat fire and our daughter with all caution. I suggest you take that warning very seriously. If my daughter is hurt because you ignored that warning, you will pay a serious price for that stupidity!”

Amira's eyes narrowed as she watched the warrior exit the inn in long angry strides. His battle axe most prominently displayed, strapped across his back in easy reach. “Enough!!!” She hissed as she swung to confront Chaos and the rest of the panel. “You may be this panel's elected leader Master Chaos but I will not tolerate you treating two of the Lycan Empires Greatest teachers like they were first year students. I caution you to remember that I out rank you all and if there are any 'mishaps' during Jadell's trial beyond the normal for such events and I will make a full report to both the Institute and Lord Bane! Whether or not you survive Toryl's response to such idiocy!”

Chaos's eyes glittered in anger and though he looked as if he was going to respond he chose instead to spin silently on one heal and stride from the room. The rest of the panel save for Amira and the alchemist Master Kaden.”

“That was perhaps a mite heavy handed Amira.”

“I do not think so Kaden. That man has had a vendetta against Serinna ever since they tested Gerick and she pressed charges in the Emperor’s court against him for Gerick’s death.”

“She could not prove that Chaos was negligent.” Kaden held up his hands to block her interruption. “Personally I believe that he was more then negligent. However you do not seriously think he would be stupid enough to risk Serinna and Toryl's wrath if Jadell was hurt or injured? Serinna maybe a healer but she has proven herself in battle as well. She would flay him alive if Toryl did not skin him alive first.”

Amira studied Kaden for a minute, unsure just how far she could trust the Alchemist. “Chaos is dangerous. Gerick’s death is not the first mishap with a student in which Chaos has been involved. Serinna has been trying to prove that a number of the more serious and fatal testings have been because of Chaos's involvement.” Amira began pacing. “We thought her testimony would be enough when Gerick died. However we did not count on Chaos having a confidant in the Emperors’ Court.”

“Well that explains how he got away with Gerick’s death and of course in the process Serinna revealed her intentions. This is why she resigned from the testing panel. Staying might have gotten her killed.”

“Or accused of the next 'mishap'.”

“The question is what is Chaos up too? Why deliberately endanger students when testing their talent? “ Kaden mused.

“That is unknown, although there are a number of theories on the subject. Hopefully we will not find out the hard way. All we can do at this point is hope that he doesn't get someone else hurt or killed.”

*                                                                      *                                                                 *

Lady Amira sighed heavily as she ran her hands through her now very sure hair. “ I look like a monk.”

“Be grateful, the Lady Serinna was close by or it would have been your life and not your hair that had been cut short.” Kaden answered from the doorway.

“Believe me I am most grateful. How is the rest of the panel” Amira turned to face the alchemist.

“Alive several will bear permanent scars. Chaos will be bed ridden for a couple of days. He took the worst of the damage”

“He was the center of the child's attack so that is no surprise.”

“Hmm, the problem is; how did you and Jadell escaped almost completely unscathed? That is the question being asked by the villagers, the panel, Jadell's parents, and the school of magic’s. Hell even the Emperor and Lord Bane have heard of this matter and the Emperor has sent his adviser of magical concerns to inquire.” Kaden started pacing the room. “There are rumors that Lord Bane, heir to the Lycan Throne, for Pete's sake, will be arriving investigate the incident if we cannot provide a satisfactory answer to the Emperor’s inquiry.”

“I do not understand all the excitement. The answer is very simple.”

“If you protected that girl and yourself only. I do not want to know.” Kaden warned. “I can not lie to protect you.”

“Do not be ridiculous, Kaden. If there had been any warning, then maybe I could have shielded us. However that shield would have extended to Chaos as well, I don’t play games of that type. I want the man nailed for his actions yes but I want it done right, I am no vigilante.”

“Then how?”

“Jadell.”

Kaden rocked back on his heals, stunned but he pronouncement. “Amira she’s a 6 year old! No child that age can cast a shielding spell and any instinctive mental shield would only protect the child. In any case her parents claim she has never shown any signs of the ability to shield even herself from fire.

“Oh…. Has she not?” Amira grinned slightly, one eyebrow raised. She started chuckling at his open mouthed, shocked expression. “Let’s go talk with the ‘inquisitors’ I think I can show them that this child has far more talent and skill then even her parents understand and she’s damned smart too!” Amira grabbed her cloak and headed for the door.

“Amira, I do not know what you think you can prove but Chaos will be there in a litter and he will do everything he can to get that child locked away and use this to press charges against you.”

“I am aware of Lord Chaos’s agenda.’ She reached for the door.

“Then do you not think a more courtly attire would be prudent?” Kaden eyed Amira’s attire of leather breaches, white linen shirt and Leather jerkin with concern.

“No, I do not.” Amira replied firmly and strode from the room.

Kaden sighed, shook his and followed her all the while muttering to himself. “Willful, unable to compromise, has not yet learned that appearances DO matter.”

Ahead of him Amira’s laughter told him that she had heard his mutters all too clearly. “Hey you’re up to something!” He called out but there was no time for further discussion as they had already reached what was left of the town hall and the huge encampment tent that now stood beside its remains, a temporary replacement proved by Lord Bane himself, or so the rumors said.”

Without a single hesitation in her long legged stride, Amira swept through the entrance and up to the tables at the back of the tent. With one defiant glare at Lord Chaos who was conversing with a tall male elf from his litter, Amira took the center chair at the table. Kaden with only a slight hesitation seated himself to her right.

He leaned over and spoke quietly in her ear. “The elf is Lord Gwydion, the Emperor’s Advisor”
“Not Elf,…Dragon in Elf form and we have met.” Amira corrected.

“Dragon?” Kaden almost screamed silently. “I thought Lord Bane avoided dragons since his wife’s death, I am surprised he would accompany the Emperor’s Adviser..” Kaden sent the telepathic message to Amira over tight beam of thought

“With the exception of this advisor he does, but Lord Bane knows that the Dragons are one of the most powerful beings on our world. Knowledge, skill and raw talent they are the only beings that out power us in all three. He would not encumber the empire by denying us access to the dragons because of his personal feelings.” Amira replied on an equally tight telepathic beam.

As soon as the rest of the panel, Lord Kieran, master of the School of Magic and Lord Gwydion had taken a seat, Amira stood and stepped to the dais effectively preventing Lord Kortel one of Lord Chaos’s cronies from doing the same. “It would appear that Lady Serinna’s assessment of her daughter Jadell was correct. The girl does indeed have a very powerful talent.” her pronouncement stirred a great deal of murmurs from the assembled villagers that amounted a one big disgusted murmur of “tells us something we don’t already know.”

“However there is a serious flaw in her assessment. She has …actually we all have seriously underestimated young Jadell, not only in her talent but her intelligence and skill.” Amira paused for the startled murmurs to die down. Lady Serinna’s puzzled frown did not escape her notice.

"I for one am extremely grateful for that skill and talent. Had Jadell not protected not only herself but me as well from her fire blast we both would have been in as bad of condition as Lord Chaos."

It was the panel who erupted in protests but Amira silenced them with one hand and dark glare. "I know that this sounds improbable but I believe I can prove my assertions."

"Lady Serinna, you told the panel that Jadell started calling fire two years ago. What form did that first incident take?"

"She started her doll's hair on fire. She was angry because she had tripped over the toy and taken a tumble."

"Are you sure that is the first time? Were there never any smaller sparks? Any incidents of her staring at a fire that was burning low and it suddenly burned brighter? Have you had any problems with what you took for miniature fire sprites?

"We have had those types of things happening for about 3 and 1/2 years." Lord Toryl replied frowning slightly.

"Oh surely your not claiming Lady Serinna would fail to notice her daughter calling fire the very first time she did it no matter how small it might have been?" Lord Chaos hissed from his litter. "I may not like the woman but I know how talented she is, that's not a mistake her pride would let her would make and she is not stupid."

"Thank you.... I think." Serinna replied ruefully.

"Oh on the contrary I think that is exactly why she did miss the small signs. As one of the institutes most powerful instructors on the healing arts she has to be careful not to let her pride in her daughter overpower her judgment of her daughters’ talent. That would undermine not only Serinna but Jadell as well, I think she was too conservative precisely because of that pride."

"Uh, Lord Toryl I hate to mention this but I think Jadell was about two at the harvest festival the year the fire sprites wreaked havoc with the festival decorations.” Byran, the Inn keeper pointed out.

His pronouncement brought an outburst of half remembered incidents with fire on a much smaller scale then the wild fire blasts that had been causing such a problem for the last year and a half. When things quieted down Lady Serinna stood up.

"Apparently you are correct Lady Amira. Many of these incidents I knew nothing about. Many others we just did not connect with Jadell. Possibly for the reason you suggest but possibly because no one on either side of her family has ever shown an affinity for fire."

"Was Jadell ever burned in the smaller incidents?

"No. Until the incident with her doll Jadell had never had a burn."

"How badly was she burned that particular time?

"She singed her hair, a small burn on the palm of her right hand. It healed almost immediately of course."

Amira nodded thoughtfully. "What about the time she started the Inn's barn on fire?"

"You know the strangest thing about that fire was not its size." The innkeeper spoke up before Serinna or Toryl could. "The little one scorched herself pretty good that time, but t'was no where near as bad as we all feared and the little filly Lord Toryl had just brought back from Aipocater was singed a little but unharmed. We found the little one with her arms wrapped around the filly’s neck. The dam almost didn’t survive."

"How old was Jadell?"

"She had just turned six that day. The filly was for her birthday." Toryl answered.

"And the range fire she was in the middle of six weeks ago?

A young farmer stood up. "Jadell didn't cause that fire. I watched the lightning strike the old dead oak tree that stood in the center of the clearing."

Amira smiled and nodded. "But Jadell was in the clearing was she not?

"Hold on a minute." Lord Chaos called from his litter. "You are not going to claim the child called the lightning! There is no way that is possible! I will not stand for such blatant misdirection of the facts!”

Lady Amira smiled. “You wont be ‘standing’ fro much of anything for at least a few days Lord Chaos. However, no I was not trying to suggest that Jadell had anything to do with the storm or the lightning.” A wave of titters swept the room

“However that child was in the center of a range fire and I have heard no stories of her being burned. Was she injured and if so how bad?” Amira asked the assembly.

“A little singed.” Toryl answered quietly.

“Is that all? I assume she was scared, in tears perhaps?” Amira inquired.

“Not when we got to her.” Bryan answered. “She was sitting on the ground beneath the tree playing in the dirt and suet. I remember she looked up at Toryl and said ‘Up daddy, I want up.’ As she held out her arms to him.”

“She was covered in suet from the fire but other then her hair and the edges of her clothes being singed she was unharmed.” Toryl mused out loud, frowning. “Oh and she had one small burn on the palm of her right hand but it did not seem to bother her.”

“That burn is the only scar she has from any of the fires.” Serinna added.

“So she has the Lycan natural ability to regenerate injuries. Probably also has her mothers talent for healing. What does any of this prove?” Chaos sneered.

“Each incident by itself proves nothing but a pattern is emerging. Serinna has Jadell ever witnessed you or Toryl casting a shielding spell?” Lady Amira asked.

“Certainly, many times but until the barn fire it was only wound shielding to protect wounds from infection and insects. When the Inn’s barn was destroyed I started trying tot each Jadell a fire protection spell but that was only a few weeks ago.”

“I do not think a spell is what Jadell has been using.” Toryl mused aloud, more to himself then to the assembly.

Someone is finally beginning to understand. Amira thought to herself and smiled. “What exactly do you mean Toryl?”

“Jadell has watched me training young warriors since before she could walk. Serinna was away a lot with her duties as healer. One of my students built a playhouse near the training arena. Very nice job of it he did. It kept Jadell pinned up safely but allowed her to move about, play and still easily keep her da insight.”

Toryl looked at Lord Bane? “It is well known among my students, and through out the warrior guild that I have always had the ability to project a mental shield about my person when in battle. This shield helps deflect damage from weapon strikes. That is its primary function. I try and teach this skill to any student that seems to have the aptitude. But over the years my shield has grown and now at least partially protects me from some spells. Usually from elementally based spells. It is not something I try and teach right now because I really do not have much control over that aspect of the shield. Over the last five or six years some of my students have been sent here for marital training to back up their spell battle skills. When I get students of that nature. I have them cast elemental based spells at me while we are doing sword drills and battle sessions. It is my way of trying to train myself to have more control and strengthen the shield. Jadell has seen and heard hundreds of these session since the day she was born. "

“The brat is only 6 years old! She can not even control her physical change yet. It’s obvious the girl has talent but the only one who could have shield the two of you and only the two of you was you Amira!” Chaos accused from his litter. “I knew you wanted me disgraced I had no Idea you wanted me dead!”

“That is a ridiculous accusation Chaos!” Kaden shouted as he jumped to his feet. “If you had not been at least partially shield from the blast you would be DEAD! She very easily could have amplified and directed Jadell’s blast. If Amira had been shielding and wanted you dead YOU WOULD BE DEAD! ”

“Lord Kaden is correct.” Serinna stated flatly. “Let us not forget that you were warned that Jadell’s ability to control fire was directly effected by her emotions. The trial had not even started yet and you deliberately antagonized my daughter, to server your own purposes.” Serinna paused for a deep breath and with a wave of her hand she cloaked the entire assembly in a spell of silence that allowed no one but her to speak as she slowly and purposefully strode toward Lord Chaos’s litter.

“This empire has lost far to many talented Lycan children to your manipulations. I promise you Lord Chaos that you and your cronies will never harm my daughter or any other young Lycan every again.” As Serinna continued to walk slowly toward the litter her brown eyes grew dark and everyone could see the spell she was weaving begin to form as a dark cloud surrounding her gesturing hands. No one could move to stop her.

“You can not kill him Serinna, without benefit of trial.” A deep voice broke through the deafening silence as a man in a dark cloak moved quickly but not suddenly to Serinna’s side.
“I do not intend to kill him, Lord Bane. But I will prevent him from ever harming another Lycan child.”

“She is correct, Lord Bane.” Lord Gwydion spoke up. “The spell will strip Lord Chaos of all his magical talent.” The elf stated evenly. “It is quite easy to see where Jadell gets her talent. It will not only strip his talent for magic, it will leave him without his natural Lycan ability to regenerate wounds.”

Serinna hesitated. “Permanently?"

Gwydion shrugged and moved to stand between Serinna and Chaos. “No but it will maim his magical abilities almost to the point of stripping them completely. If he even attempts to use magic of any kind until the effects wear off he will cause himself great pain and delay his recovery and that includes his recovery from his injuries. You know of course that only another Lycan could cast this spell and make it effective."

“I suppose I should have known my spell would not work on a Dragon.” Serinna sighed. “But you know what would happen if you interrupt me at this point.”

“Yes I know, I will not stop you if choose to cast the spell. But think of your daughter, what happens to her with you gone. You know the court will have you executed for casting such a spell. No matter what he has done, no Lycan, no creature deserves what that spell will do to Lord Chaos.”

Lord Chaos’s eyes widen in horror and he tried in vain to scoot away from Serinna as she approached him. Even had his injuries not prevented him from moving he found that Serinna’s spell affected even him despite the many magical talisman’s he had secreted about his person. Terror gripped his heart and he found himself almost unable to breath.

“Do not do this Serinna.” Lady Amira spoke quietly. “Do not make yourself guilty of his crime.”

“He got away with it the last time he was on trial.   I can not take the chance it will happen a second time.” Serinna continued to build her spell.

“Lady Serinna, I understand your anger.” Lord Gwydion moved up next to Serinna and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Dragon children are our most precious treasure because they are so scarce, but even I would not cast the spell you build. It is an abomination to strip a being of its natural abilities. I am surprised that a healer would even know of such a spell.”

The room was silent as everyone watched the emotional struggle warring in Serinna.   Serinna shifted her gaze back and forth between Lord Bane, Lord Chaos and Lord Gwydion, finally coming to rest on Lord Chaos. “Your not worth it, your simply not worth loosing my family. Mark my words this is not over, I will not allow you to hurt another child.” Finally she sighed deeply and turned to stride swiftly from the tent, the unleashed spell still rolling in her hands.Lord Bane and Lord Gwydion followed her. No one else could move or even speak they had left her spell in tact.

Amira and Kaden watched Chaos closely. Fear, hatred and a brief glimpse of relief flickered across his face. Serinna had made a dangerous enemy even more dangerous. What concerned them both was the brief flicking of triumph that crossed his face. Amira gasped and jumped in startled shock as the air and earth around them rippled with the crack of an explosion. One that was entirely to close for her comfort. Surely they had not..

“I strongly suggest everyone avoid the clearing south of town where the old oak use to stand.” Serinna stated wearily as she strolled back in and took her seat.

Lord Bane stood at her side one had resting softly on her shoulder. “More over, I am making that ‘suggestion’ an order backed by the Emperor himself. Until further notice that ground is to be avoided at all costs…. Unless you want to loose your magical talents.” He squeezed Serinna’s shoulder gently and nodded once.

With a wave of her hand and a muttered word Serinna banished her spell and released the assembly.

“What now, Lord Bane?” Toryl asked as he quickly moved to his mate’s side and put one arm around her in support.

“You, bitch! How dare you attack a fellow Lycan in that insidious manner. I demand that woman be arrested!” Lord Chaos shrieked in fury. “Along with Lady Amira and that little brat taken away! Some place she can harm no one until such time as she learns control. If she is even capable of it with a mother such as Serinna!”

“I think not.” Lord Gwydion stated firmly. “By your own admission in your statements to me, Lord Chaos, you deliberately incited Jadell’s fear. She was acting out of anger but in self defense.”

“Is this true Lord Chaos?” Lord Bane demanded.

“I was merely testing the child’s reactions. She was never in any danger from me. I would never harm a child. The girl over reacted, possibly due to her mothers response. It is possible that the child only reacts that strongly when incited by her mother. All the more reason to remove the child from her mothers influence.”

“Lord Gwydion, what is your finding on this matter?” Bane turned to the elf.

“Before making my final recommendation I would like to talk with the child.” Gwydion looked directly at Lady Serinna and Lord Toryl. “I would in fact like the girl’s parents' permission to test her myself, with your assistance Lord Bane. I guarantee there will not be a repeat of her last test but I will be testing her ability with fire.”

Lady Serinna shared a knowing look with her husband and nodded. “You have our consent Lord Gwydion. When will you test Jadell?”

“Now.”

“An excellent idea, do not give them time to prep the child. I would be most happy to assist Lord Gwydion in this matter Lord Bane, there is no need for you to involve yourself in such matters.” Master Healer Kortel offered solicitously.

“Oh I think not.” Lord Bane all but sneered at the healer. “You have a quite a reputation for being Lord Chaos’s toddy, Mater Kortel and you would find it in your best interest to divorce yourself from these proceedings and from your association with Chaos. Further more I take great exception to your implication that the testing of Lycan child is some how beneath me and thus the Imperial court.”

“I offer my apologies, Lord Bane. It was not my intention to offend you, merely to assist in any way that I am able, after all I am a Master Healer and this you may need with Jadell.”

“I do not require assistance of your kind Healer Kortel.” Lord Gwydion replied. “Dragons are quite adept at all forms of magic including the healing arts.”

“Enough!” Bane ordered. “You will remain here with Lord Chaos under guard along with Master Mage Sinistral.” Bane turned to Serinna and Toryl. “You should remain here along with the rest of the panel. It would be best for all concern if the testing is above reproach. We do not want anyone claiming you interfered with the test. I guarantee your daughter’s safety.”

“We will remain here Lord Bane. I have no fear for Jadell’s safety while she is with you and Lord Gwydion.” Serinna smiled.

“Jadell is at the Inn playing with Savannah’s little sister.” Serinna waved the young Lycan girl forward. “If you accompany Savannah, you will get a chance to meet her in happy surroundings and thus not alarm her.”

As Lord Bane and Savannah left, Kortel and Sinistral moved to Chaos’s litter to confer with him in whispers.

“That does not bode well” Kaden muttered under his breath.

“No and neither Serinna nor Toryl has noticed.” Amira replied. “I will call it to their attention. Make sure Lord Gwydion has taken notice.” She moved quietly to Serinna side as Kaden made his way to the side of the dragon in elven form. It did not take long to alert them to the plots being whispered in the corner.

Shortly Lord Bane entered the tent with a dark, auburn haired, green eyed, girl skipping happily along side of him. “Momma, Savannah says this is Lord Bane heir to the whole empire.” Jadell frowned briefly. “I think that means he will be Emperor one day and that he came all the way from the empirical city just to see me.” The little girl said quite seriously to her mother. “But I think she is just making fun of me because I scared her when I burned that mean man.” Jadell pointed to Lord Chaos. And stuck her tongue out at him.

“Well Jadell you are both right.” Serinna crouched down next to her daughter. “I think that you did indeed scare Savannah when you burned Lord Chaos. But she is right.   This is Lord Bane, heir to the whole Lycan Empire and he did come all the way from the empirical city to see you.”

Jadell turned her big green eyes to the large man who stood smiling down at her. “Are you and the dragon going to take me away because I brunt the mean man?” she asked looking fearfully at Lord Gwydion.

Lord Bane dropped down to one knee to look into the little girls eyes. “No Jadell. I am not going to take you away. Lord Gwydion and I are going to test your magic. I promise we wont hurt you. Can you tell me how you knew Lord Gwydion was a dragon?”

“Because his shape shimmers between elf and dragon. If you scrunch up your eyes you can see him shimmer.” Jadell squinted her eyes at Lord Gwydion. “Is he going to eat me?” she whispered to Lord Bane with out taking her eyes off Lord Gwydion.

Lord Gwydion chuckled and shook his head. “No little one. Dragons do not eat small girls.”

Jadell nodded solemnly. “We probably would not be much of a meal….to little.”

Lord Bane rubbed one hand across his mouth and turned his head to hide his amusement as Lord Gwydion nodded very seriously. “Indeed you would hardly be a mouthful in my true form.”

Jadell cocked her head to one side and looked back and forth between the two men. “If Lord Bane and the Emperor trust you then I do not think you would eat any Lycan. He would not be a good Emperor if he was friends with someone who eat his people. My mom and daddy say we have a very good Emperor and that Lord Bane will be even better Emperor.”

“Does that mean you are not to afraid of me to let me test your magic.” Lord Gwydion asked.

“Afraid of you?” Jadell rocked her head to other side and looked puzzled. “I am not afraid of you. My daddy says I do not have to be afraid of anyone. He is the best warrior in the whole world. He will protect me until I am old enough to have real swords. Then I will be the best warrior...”Jadell frowned and hesitated. “But I think I will be the best ranger instead. Rangers use magic and they… do you think I will make a good ranger?

“Youngling I have a feeling you will be much more then a ranger but yes I think you will make an excellent ranger if that is your path.” Lord Gwydion, smiled solemnly.

“I think so too. When are you going to test my magic?”

“First we have to find a safe place that will not catch fire if an accident should happen. Do you know of such a place close by?”

Jadell glanced quickly at her parents. “Um there is a rock beach down but the river, it is that way…I think.” She pointed west and turned to whisper in Lord Bane’s ear. “I am not suppose to go there, mom is afraid I will fall in the river.”

“Which of course explains why she knows exactly where the beach is located, despite the fat chat neither of her parents has ever taken her to the rock beach.” Serinna scolded.

“Can I go there this one time momma?

“As if I could possibly stop you. Yes child you may go with Lord Bane and Lord Gwydion to the rock beach.” Serinna replied and smiled as she watched her small daughter skip from the tent a dragon on one side and the most powerful warrior in Lycan history on the other.

Two of the guards that Bane brought with him moved to stand on either side of the entrance and four others surrounded Chaos, Kortel and Sinistral at a discreet distance. Serinna sat quietly next to her husband. The villagers came to her one by one and spoke quietly with her, letting her know that they would support her and help her in anyway they could.    She spoke gently and patiently with each one until at last she and Toryl sat alone. As time passed she began to worry and began to pace the tent relentlessly.

She was not worried for her daughter’s safety but having spent the last several hours going over every incident of fire no matter how small that anyone in the village had seen or heard of she was more then convinced that Lady Amira was correct about Jadell.

“Relax Serinna, Lord Bane will come up with a solution that will serve Jadell’s talent and leave your daughter in your care. He would not strip a six year old of her parents.” Amira said quietly in one ear as she rested as supportive arm around Serinna’s shoulder.

“I do not see how that is possible. I am a healer. I have some magical abilities beyond that as do all Lycans but very little in fire based spells. I am simply not qualified to train my own daughter and no one around here is either. If she were four years older she would be fostered to someone who could train her.” Serinna looked helplessly at Amira. “She is a minimum of four years ahead of every Lycan her age. I was training Savannah to take my place as healer in four years. So that Toryl and I could move closer to wherever Jadell was fostered. But she’s not ready yet. She’s good and very talented but she is not ready.”

“Serinna ..”

Lord Bane strode into the tent, chatting pleasantly with the child who rode giggling on his broad shoulders. The child was blissfully unaware of the anger boiling within the man who chatted so easily with her but the other occupants saw it in every stride, every blink of his sapphire colored eyes.

“Mommy, mommy guess what?” Jadell asked happily as Bane handed her to her parents.
Serinna and Toryl scooped their daughter up into their arms, cuddling her between them.

“What?” Serinna asked, smiling at her obviously happy and unharmed child “Lord Gwydion says I have lots and lots of magical talent. More then any Lycan child may age.:"

As Serinna glanced up at Lord Bane, Lord Gwydion strode into the tent. He handed the wet rag he had been using to wipe the suet of his face and hands to the young maid who was following him with a bowl of now very dirty water in her hands. Their clothes were basically intact but defiantly somewhat scorched about the edges. He too was extremely angry and she doubted very much that either of them where angry at Jadell.

“That is somewhat of an understatement.” Lord Gwydion turned to face Serinna and Toryl.
Serinna started to send her daughter back to young playmates but Bane shook his head. “No this concerns Jadell she should be here for this matter.”

“Lord Chaos, Master Kortel and Master Sinistral you are hereby found guilty of the murder of young Gerick, attempted murder of Jadell, sedition against the academy of magical and arcane arts and I am certain that given time to gather evidence you will be found guilty of treason as well.” Lord Bane motioned for his guards to arrest the three men.

“Based on what evidence?” Lord Chaos demanded.

“Silence! You forget to whom you speak. I answer to no one but the Emperor himself!” Chaos cringed as far back as he could on his litter as Lord Bane advanced toward him purposefully.

“However for the benefit oft hose gathered here I will explain. It is obvious Chaos that you have never had children and apparently your time as a instructor at the academy has taught you nothing about children. Children hear everything spoken within their hearing. Jadell heard the three of you discussing Gerick’s death and how you would kill her during her trial the same way you killed Gerick when he resisted your attempts to leach yourself onto his talent and power.”

‘She lies!”

“No she does not. Not even a Lycan can lie under a dragon truth spell.” Gwydion stated flatly.

“Even if this nonsense were true, none of this changes the fact that Amira tired to kill me by not shielding me when she shielded herself and that brat from the brats attack on me.” Chaos desperately tried to shift the focus to Amira.

“Wrong! Amira did not shield anyone. Jadell did that herself. Amira quite right about Jadell. More so then she knows. However Lady Serinna, Lord Toryl, Lord Gwydion and myself will discuss that privately.” Lord Bane turned to Jadell.

“Jadell will you please point out the Lycan you think is not a Lycan.” Lord Bane asked quietly.
“That man on the litter.” Jadell pointed at Lord Chaos. “He looks Lycan sometimes but others he looks like the stories my daddy tells of dark elves.”

“Tell me something please Lord Toryl, Lady Serinna. Is there any chance there is dragon blood in your family history on either side somewhere in the past?”

Toryl and Serinna both shook their heads. “No. Both of our family trees are well documented. Such a thing would have to be before recorded history.” Serinna answered.

Lord Gwydion nodded. “Such a thing is possible but highly unlikely. I ask because along with having a talent for fire your daughter is not easily fooled by illusions or even shape changes and that is a talent found in many dragon younglings. Hence her ability to see that I am dragon not elven but as you say your family history is well documented so that is highly unlikely.” The dragon in elven form shrugged. “But it was worth inquiry.”

“Jadell,Do you remember the spell Lord Gwydion taught you?” Bane asked softly.

“Of course I do, would you like me to cast it now?” Jadell wiggled out of her parents’ arms and stood facing Lord Bane.

“Yes I think that would be a very good idea.” Bane smiled gently.

“Spell” Serinna gulped, wide eyed.

“She will be fine.” Lord Gwydion crouched down behind Jadell as he reassured her mother. “Go ahead youngling.’

Jadell nodded and very slowly began to utter words as she held her hands out toward Lord Chaos.

“Now wait one moment. I will not be used as an experiment for that child’s magic. I am in no condition to withstand another attack from her.” Chaos shouted as he vainly tried to get out of his litter and run.

“Hold him.” Bane ordered the guards who quickly moved to pin Chaos to the litter
As Jadell utter the last word of her spell “reveal.” the air around chaos began to shimmer brightly, blinding those watching for a few moments before dying away.

“So it appears that young Jadell is quite right about you, Chaos. You are not Lycan.” Lord Bane address the dark elf lying on the litter. “That more then explains why your wounds have not regenerated as quickly as the others have from Jadell’s attack. It is not because she had you targeted but because dark elves don’t have the regenerative abilities of the Lycans. Guards you will escort them to the town blacksmith where they will be placed in shackles. They will be accompanying us to the capital where they will be executed for treason.”

*                                                          *                                                *

“Master Kortel and Master Sinistral tired to escape by casting gate spells but were interrupted by a fast silence spell from Lord Gwydion. Chaos was in no condition to even attempt to cast a spell let alone run. In short order the three conspirators were shackled and locked up in what passed for the town jail, the root cellar of the Inn” Jadell told the youngsters surrounding the campfire.

“So you met your husband, the love of your life when you were only six years old and held him in your heart till the day you married him.” A young Lycan female sighed. “How romantic.”

Jadell, Tamara, Mystic and several of the older Lycans roared in laughter.

“No Child though I always remembered the kindness that Bane and Lord Gwydion showed me during my trial. Though Bane is the only man I have ever married, their were other romances in my life before I caught Banes attention as an adult.” Jadell sipped her coffee, shrugged and continued with a wink. “Of course that might have something to do with the fact that everyone, my parents included thought for about 130 years that I died at the age of 9 but that’s a story for another night. Off to bed with you all we have along day’s journey ahead of us all tomorrow.” With murmured protests the campfire was soon clear of young Lycans. Only the older Lycans remained.

Tamara chuckled. “Nice cliff hanger.”

Jadell grinned in reply. “Since you three have first watch, I think I will go to bed myself. Safe watch.”

“Safe slumber.” They replied automatically then burst into chuckles as they watched her retreating back.

By Jadell NightSong

Jadell's Story Part 1
By Jadell NightSong