Ryruraan had never expected to run into DragonFlight herself at Moon Silver-- much less have her unhappy with them! Thankfully, once they ensconced themselves in a side room where everyone could sit-- or lounge on the floor, in Rane's case-- things were easily explained.

Or, well, relatively easily explained. Ryruraan still didn't speak any common language well enough to be of much use, and Nonaarama wasn't one for words very often, no matter what language. So the bulk of her explanation had to be conducted via sending. She was just relieved that DragonFlight could receive it.

::I know I shouldn't have asked him to go hunting for me,:: she finished contritely after telling everything she knew about what had happened. ::But the first time I sought out a mind I sensed, it turned out so well.:: She put a hand on Rane's nearest muzzle for emphasis; the dragon nuzzled into her fingers, though another head looked embarrassed, and the third huffed at her. ::I thought that might happen, again, if I looked again.::

"All I sensed was Nashai's fear and sadness," DragonFlight admitted from the couch she lounged on, little Nashai-- the dragon-child-- seated beside her hip. His nose was extended in Nonaarama's direction, as if still confused by or interested in him, but he refused to move closer. "And I suspect that was as much seeing a wolf as anything else."

Nonaarama understood the language she was using well enough to at least mostly follow along. "Tell her I did not mean to frighten him, only to make him feel better," he said in the sythyn tongue.

DragonFlight waved away the apology as Ryruraan dutifully translated. "No harm done. As long as Nashai isn't upset anymore." She looked expectantly down at her small companion, who shook his head mutely and put his chin back down on his forepaws. He was still looking at Nonaarama, though, Ryruraan noted. Nonaa' didn't seem to notice-- but then, it was likely he just wasn't pointing it out.

::Do you have a question, young one?:: she asked politely, for him.

"No...." DragonFlight nudged him lightly with her elbow, and he frowned a little at her. "It's nothing. I don't want to pry."

"Ask," Nonaarama encouraged gently, using one of the few words he knew how to conjugate correctly.

Nashai sighed softly. "I was just surprised... with the shape change. He wasn't... I mean, you didn't really... seem like you understood me."

::When Nonaarama changes, it is complete,:: Ryruraan explained simply; she'd explained for him before, and expected she would again. ::He is an animal, even in his mind. The magic he has doesn't make a smaller brain somehow act like a larger one.::

"Isn't that...." Nashai paused, looking for a word. " ... inconvenient?"

Nonaa' chuckled softly. "Sometimes. Ry-- she does help."

At Nashai's blank look, Ryruraan elaborated. ::I help him remember to change back, or help him remember something he needs to know. I can put it into his head, just like I'm putting my words into your head.::

"Oh." Nashai seemed to digest that, then added, ::Like this?::

Nonaarama, who had heard it, too, smiled. "Yes. But less word. More... feel."

The little dragon nodded his understanding. "Why did you lick me?" he asked suddenly, looking somewhere between embarrassed, pleased, and disgusted.

A glance from Nonaa' told Ryruraan to let him answer, no matter how awkward he sounded. "What wolf does do," he answered carefully, slowly picking his words, "when pup is packless. You did smell-- sad, alone." He rolled his broad shoulders in a shrug. "Packless is bad, to wolf."

Nashai looked away with a sniff, as if the accented words struck a nerve. Ryruraan thought it was silly of him to try to hide his tears, now, when he had cried into Nonaarama's fur not half an hour ago. DragonFlight stroked his folded wings gently, but looked at Nonaarama. "You meant no harm, and perhaps you did good," she said simply. "I'll forgive the little trespasses and his scare-- this time." She smiled at them. "But please-- if you get the urge to go wandering again, get permission."

::We will,:: Ryruraan promised earnestly. She looked down at Nashai, who was hiding his muzzle against DragonFlight's thigh. ::I think it's time for us to go. Thank you for your understanding, madam DragonFlight.::

She chuckled. "Thank you for not actually being trouble-makers. Feel free to visit any time; we're pretty open here."

::We will.:: "Rane? Ready to go back to the inn?"

::Very,:: Rane replied, all three of her. Her blue-eyed head yawned widely.

Ryruraan smiled quietly at her young bonded, then turned to the third of them. "Nonaa'?"

But Nonaa' was kneeling beside DragonFlight's couch, next to little Nashai. He tentatively put one hand on the dragon's wings, murmuring to him too softly for Ryruraan to hear. Nashai turned one eye on him, sniffed once, then nodded faintly. Nonaa' stood, then, and let Ryruraan lead the way back out of Moon Silver.

"What did you tell him?" Ryruraan asked curiously a few minutes later, as they left the genetic workshop.

"That... he will find his pack someday," Nonaarama replied, hitching a shoulder awkwardly. "I do not know when or how, but I know he will."

Ryuraan hoped, for his sake, her friend was right.

She also made sure that DragonFlight knew where they were staying, before they left the next morning. Just in case. She found out later, amusingly enough, that Nonaarama had done the same.

If Nashai wanted a pack, all he had to do was ask.

Chapter Fourteen

Back