Jalemar sat on a balcony with a blanket around his shoulders but nothing more, sipping from a mug. It was hot, and tasted faintly of cinnamon and chocolate, but Jalemar couldn't place it. From within, he could hear Vanya talking to someone, but couldn't hear the replies.

"…as willing as a green, and twice as eager…"

Jalemar wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but the voice carried.

"…I may be able to use this one…"

"…keep him grounded?"

"Oh no; not that. I don't need another dragon around here trying to talk to me!"

By now, Jalemar was curious. Very curious. Yet he did not want to intrude. There was something going on, but Jalemar didn't want to jeopardize it by sticking himself where he didn't belong. After a while, the Breeder came out and joined him. "Jalemar, I have some propositions for you…"

"Some? All I was hoping for is one…" Jalemar said, lifting his eyebrows at the man. "What do you have for me?"

"Settle it, Jalemar. This is serious business."

"It always is." Jalemar said. His tone may have held a note of melancholy, but no more.

"First, I want to offer you a contract - A breeder's contract."

Jalemar regarded him with a look. "Like how? I'm not from your world, remember?"

"I'm not from 'my' world either." Vanya laughed. If this were Zekira, Jalemar wouldn't have much choice in the matter. " I'll make it plain. I want to chose your mates, tamper with your children's genetics to see what I can make."

Jalemar considered. "And I'll get to keep track of my child?"

"By the terms of the contract, any offspring will belong to the Breeder, i.e. Me."

"That's fine, but will I get to know who and where my child is?"

"Children." Vanya corrected. "I suppose so, but after a while, you may have too many to count. Why, may I ask, do you want to?"

Jalemar looked at the Breeder, with no humor in his eyes - all seriousness. "My father is… was? I don't now… a Satyr, Vanya. I've probably got as many half-siblings as there are stars in the sky, and I promised my mother I'd keep track of mine." He said.

Vanya nodded. "And how many do you have?"

"At last count, none." Jalemar said.

Vanya nodded, with a strange sort of smile on his face. "I can change that."

Jalemar smiled wanly. "I'll have to consider. What's the other proposition?"

Vanya rolled his eyes. "They want you to go spend some time at Baeris'. They've dragons there like you would not believe."

"They who? And why Baeris'?"

"Shard and Baeris. They want you to stick around. They say you're a prime choice for a dragon."

Jalemar was a bit confused. He was picking up some serious negativity about the dragons - but didn't Vanya have a dragon? "Is that a bad thing?" Jalemar queried.

"Depends." Vanya said, rising. "Let me know what you decide."

Jalemar sat and watched the moonrise. What benefit would being a breeder bring him? Bonding a dragon seemed obvious - but he'd have to have some more information about that as well. He didn't have the foggiest notion what there was to being a dragon's lifemate. Seeking more information, Jalemar rose and went inside.

With Vanya were two people Jalemar couldn't put names on, though they seemed familiar. Deciding this was polite company, Jalemar opted for wearing pants, and delayed his arrival a few moments in order to dress.

The man was long since adult, and had spines on his arms, and he was blue. The woman was beautiful, with dark skin and she had an air of authority about her. Jalemar wondered if she was related to Vanya, but didn't ask; it was rude.

"Jalemar, join us." Vanya said, waving him over. "Baeris, Shard - this is Jalemar. Jalemar - Masterhealer Baeris Kshau, and Shard, 'Leader of the Protectorate."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Jalemar said, bowing slightly to them before sitting. He tried to keep his eyes to himself as they were obviously people of some importance, but it was hard; his entire nature since he'd reached manhood fought against him. However, their words soaked in. "Baeris, I'd be honored to visit the Healing Den, whether or not there is a dragon for me." Jalemar said, "and Vanya, I believe I'll be able to take up your offer as well - if Baeris is to be trusted, Dragonriders have plenty of free time…"

Shard just laughed.

Flower buttons&bar by me!