Star Song
By Tiger

                           XVI

WyldeFyre was working on Prol, after the session with
Draco. He was properly apologetic to her. They talked
as they could hear the argument all the way in the
solar, as one petitioner for the Fire Warriors wasn't
getting the message. "Prol... Never, Never Never..
mock a dragon and don't pull the stunts that Hunter
does... You are lucky that Hunter didn't beat you to a
pulp for insulting me like that. On top of that...
mouthing off to Draco! You are very lucky to be alive
right now!. "I realize that now, and will keep my
mouth shut.." he said sadly. "Good...because I don't
like to see anyone hurt." WyldeFyre finished bandaging
him up. "There... Good as new...You realize that you
still have to face both Draco and Hunter this
time....and like it as not... both are going to be
damned angry already, judging by the argument going
on... This is one time, I can't step in." She shooed
him out. The argument was in full swing, but it wasn't
about her.. thank the Goddess! "THE ANSWER IS NO!"
came Draco's angry voice...Goddess...He was more than
mad. He and all the Warriors were angry....She
intercepted Dreden and asked him to keep all the
trainees quiet. Dreden nodded and took off towards the
trainees, who went to the back practice field.
WyldeFyre send a gentle hint of concern down the bond
to Hunter. A short burst of anger, then reassurance
came back through. She let him know that she was going
with the trainees in the Fire Warrior section. Soon
afterwards a page came running to get her..."Lady
WyldeFyre... You are needed at the castle... come
quickly!" She broke into a smooth run and nearly
collided with Lady Raven..."What is amiss?!" WyldeFyre
asked. "Someone has the Draconis blood up!" She
entered the room quietly.. she knew she was risking
injury... but with both men angry...she did her best
to project a soothing, healing presence. She also
stayed out of reach. Draconess Felt WyldeFyre's
calming presence in the room.. She was in Dragon form
too... Blessed Goddess! She concentrated and used her
empathic abilities as best she could to calm down the
men.. She linked with the ladies and the power
amplified. Finally the room was calm. WyldeFyre was
sweating all over. Finally Draco turned to her and
asked.. "The trainees?" "They are at the back training
grounds.. I sent Dreden to take them there and
followed myself..." "Good thinking..." he added. Later
that day, before Eventide... She was summoned again to
Draco's study. Hunter and the others were waiting
there. "What is amiss?" she asked quietly as the door
shut behind her. Draco just smiled, and looked at
Hunter. "Draco, I wish to take WyldeFyre as my own."
"The two of you must be handfasted for a year and a
day... if WyldeFyre agrees." Draco turned and looked
at her. "I agree to your suit, Hunter of the Night"
His smile surpassed the sun for it's brilliance.

               XVII - Dragonflight

 The full Moon rose in brilliant yellow splendor on the
horizon. Draco had met both Hunter and WyldeFyre in
his study. After several minutes of talking, Hunter
and WyldeFyre came back down to the ground floor..
making certain that several certain nosy trainees were
asleep, on their way outside. A thunder of wings met
them as they alighted. Draco was in regal form. Hunter
helped WyldeFyre onto his massive back then the flight
began. Hunter gently tapped Wyldefyre's shoulder and a
shield grew around them as she turned to face him. The
empathic connection grew stronger and stronger and the
loving session began. Words didn't even begin to
express the feelings nor the pure exstacy that
flowed... Draco just chuckled to himself. He should
have thought of this sooner! He had to resist the
temptaion to look back.. Thank The Goddess that they
had shielded themselves to a fare thee well. Finally,
he landed and both slid down from his back.. He had
chosen a peaceful place for them to rest. *Rest..I
will be back before sunrise for you both* Both thanked
him for the ride. He just laughed... *the pleasure was
all mine...besides.. you will get a break from certain
nosy trainees* they all laughed. WyldeFyre snuggled
against Hunter as Draco left them to enjoy the night
in  peace. It was a lovers night... and love they
did... The thunder of wings woke both shortly before
sunrise... The return trip home was fun and Draco
teased WyldeFyre a little. They had just barely beated
the trainees up! Dreden and Prol looked at both of
them suspiciously... but both held in laughter.
Finally she spoke to Hunter about
Dreden...."Beloved...Dreden is you made over again...I
would hope that he would learn better, but alas that
is a wishful thought. " Hunter laughed...."So I
agree.. THAT one we must watch out for, and if I am
not totally mistaken Prol will be one to watch as
well!" She smiled at that remark... "Curious as the
Cat... Prol is....More belike the BeastMaster I be
thinking!" They shared a laugh and began their day.

                            XVIII

Dreden was up to mischief again....This time WyldeFyre
caught him pulling a prank on one of Lady Loreli's
students....Whom proceeded to turn the poor fellow
into a frog! Whispering the incantation that would
release Dreden... She smiled and gave a nod to Jera.
She or Hunter were having to pull him out of hot water
regularly lately. Both discussed his punishment and
set him to cleaning out stables for a fortnight. She
checked with Hunter... Something Felt like it would
mainifest itself...She spoke at length with each of
The Elemental Warriors, and asked to test Dreden in
the manner of the Triad.. Permission was granted.
Dreden soon found himself with a different Lady
WyldeFyre.. One that he didn't know... This fierce
warrior woman was far different from Hunter's
bondmate! She put him through more torture than Draco
did! She finally lowered her sword with a nod of
approval. Both grounded the points into the earth.
"You do well.. much better than I had hoped for." She
spoke to him approvingly. "Lady WyldeFyre... why are
you testing me such?" "Because you are manifesting
certain things, that make me think that you could be
another such as I... and I would spare you the hell
that I have been through, if I can." She released him
back to Draco's unit after the testing.. and reported
to Draco that he was manifesting two of the three
gifts of the Triad. He nodded... "Tis what I
thought...is there a chance that the Vasha could seek
you both yet again?" "Aye that.. and damned if I like
it... but the traitor is now dead that brought the
Vasha on us the first time. He is safe, for now... as
he is NOT recongnizable as even potential Triad. I
reccomend that he continue his Warrior training under
your leadership, and unless the third Gift manifests,
then he will not have to be trained in any other way.
Which keeps him safe... now if Hunter and myself could
just keep him out of hot water for a while!" "Tis not
likely, milady... Hunter.. is  Hunter." They both
laughed and he dismissed her. She revealed what she
had found to Hunter. He was just as concerned as she
about the situation with Dreden."This concerns me
greatly...my love....The Vasha are still about, and a
potential Triad would bring them down on us again."
She grimaced in agreement. "Tis true... but unless he
maifests the gifts of Three, then he is completely
safe from them... I am more a threat than he."

                            XIX

"Truth again, I am much more a danger than he is in
this matter, and they haven't made another try in
roughly half a year now. But we both must watch
Dreden. He is styling himself to be another you...That
could let to many hot fires and hot water for him."
Hunter chuckled. And gently silenced her for the rest
of the night. Morning came finally and she heard
chuckles...She raised her head slowly and whispered
*Hunter*. He opened warm brown eyes and ascertained as
WyldeFyre had... that Prol, Azak and Dreden were at
their pranks again. Outside their bedchamber no less!.
He winked at her. She smiled and they turned the
tables on the pranksters! All three looked like
naughty children so much, that Hunter had to laugh.
Together they came up with a plan to keep the
pranksters VERY busy for a while. Dreden was sent to
the Cook, Prol was sent to the stables, and Azak was
sent to Draconess as his punishment. Azak was
fascinated with both Dragons. and he didn't go pulling
pranks on them, which was a relief. Finally there was
peace for a while. The rule was strictly enforced
now...NO PRANKS ON THE TEACHERS! But that didn't stop
the pranksters from playing pranks on one another. In
fact it made it much worse....Jera, thank goodness
hadn't turned Dreden into a frog again. But he did
turn him into a spider, which scared some of Lady
Raven's students... Finally the adults came up with an
idea they hoped would work. They declared it to be
open season on the students and each other for two
days only.. unlimited pranking and classes were
cancelled for the duration of the "Open season". At
the end of two days...Everyone was worn out and the
mood was one of relief. At the end of two days after
the fact.. WyldeFyre was so pleased with the result
that she could sing.. Draco and Draconess had dealt a
few lessons out, as had the rest of them. One day not
long after that,Dreden approached WyldeFyre and told
her something that made her blood run cold with fear.
He was manifesting the Third gift. Damn Damn Damn.

                             XX


WyldeFyre was tossing and turning, caught in the
throes of an empathic nightmare..Her screams were
unheard. With a final scream, she awoke to find Hunter
gone...Frantic she searched the Castle for Dreden,
only to find him gone as well...The Vision came to her
and made her cry with grief!...Changing into the
Colors of the Triad, she took off after them after she
alerted Draconess. Near dawn, she found Dreden and
Hunter... Her soul screamed in agony... Both were
injured and she knew they needed to be healed. But
before she could do anything, a viscious hand clamped
around her throat. The Vasha smiled evilly..."Now you
will meet your doom at the hands of your beloved.. and
you will not be able to stop it!" Hunter came forward.
An empathic call went to the StarSworn and the
Dragons. His eyes glowed a sickly green as he reached
for her throat.. she went down without a sound. Hunter
was fighting the empathic entrapment that the Vasha
had him under. He was trying to stop himself before he
killed WyldeFyre and himself both! He could Feel her
pain and fear... but she didn't even try to fight
back. She felt his hands tighten... She sent every
last bit of empathic energy that she had to him and to
Dreden, whom the Vasha was trying to break. Finally
she managed to break thru the binding on Hunter. He
let her go just as she gathered all her remaining
strength and she leveled a killing blast at the Vasha.
It hit him square in the head, killing him instantly.
With the last of her strength She dug deep inside
herself and healed both men of the taint. The thunder
of wings filled the encraoching blackness. She knew
nothing more. Light filled her, healing her. She awoke
at the Castle. Hunter was filled with grief...*hunter*
His head snapped up at the love and forgiveness in
that one word. His self loathing disappeared as
wordlessly... She showed him that she didn't hold him
responsible. Draco ordered the room cleared. Hunter
came into her arms. Their bedchamber was sealed and
warded, inside and out. Dreden was under the care of
the Dragons, who assured him that this was finally
over... Hunter and WyldeFyre took all the time that
they needed to heal one another...