The children leapt to their feet, surrounding Deloren, pelting her with questions, not wanting the story to end.
​
A petite, red-headed girl, popped her thumb out of her mouth just long enough to ask, “What’d Ellisle do afta’ that?”

The child glanced shyly over at another woman who stood across the room, leaning back against the greystone wall of the small space within Guardian Mountain which now served as learning room for the children of the neighboring village. Hands clasped over her abdomen, her hair was corralled into a long braid which draped over one shoulder, ashy brown interwoven with faint streaks of grey. Errant curls escaped about her forehead and wisped at the nape of her neck.

Deloren looked over to where Ellisle was standing and saw her cross her arms firmly over her chest. She knew that the child’s question would bring Ellisle’s memories flooding in. She also knew that Ellisle wouldn’t willingly swim in that river today.

“You know the answer to that Youngling,” said Ellisle, lips twitching upward. Ellisle looked up and winked at Deloren.
The little girl grinned around her thumb and nodded emphatically.

“What’d Terris do when the Guardian’s was all ‘aflamin’? Was he scarert?” A small boy asked, staring up at Deloren with wide black eyes crowned by dark brows almost hidden beneath the ebony waves framing his face.

“He weren’t scarert, Tomlin,” answered a slightly taller and otherwise identical version of the boy, crowding in close beside him. “Terris were brave enough to jump offa’ the mountain to save Ell weren’t he?”

Grimy fingers grasped at Deloren’s tunic, “When they gonna’ sing again, huh? Can I hears it?“

Deloren gently unclasped the childish fingers and held them between her own age-swollen knuckles.

“Yes, Younger, you can hear it, though you may have to wait till the next Ritual of the One.”

“Oh,” she said, eyes cast down, long eyelashes brushing flushed, pink cheeks.

“Gran Bryl! What happened to Gran Bryl?” Another child asked.

Deloren looked at the earnest young face crowding in close to her. She focused on the bright blue eyes and curving mouth that reminded her so of her beloved friend, Bryllint.

Meeting the child’s seriousness with her own she said, “With the Day of Rising their work was done. Gran Bryl and Bryllint are playing now on the Pathways of the One.” The child looked satisfied with that, and dipped her chin in acknowledgment.
 
Another younger, a boy with sparkling brown, mischievous eyes asked, “How’s about Gareth?”

Deloren heard a chuckle from across the room.

“Well you know my Hatchling, just what happened to Gareth,” said Deloren.

“He’s ma’ Farn!”

“Indeed, he is. And your Marn?”

“Marn? Why she’s Mina!”

“And where might you live with your Marn and your Farn, Hatchling?”

“We lives just back ‘a Guardian Mountain,” he said, casting a boneless arm over his shoulder. “In the village. We all lives there,” and he gestured with both arms out wide including all the children in his proprietary response.

A green blur flashed somewhat erratically over the heads of the children, buzzing to land on Ellisle’s shoulder.

“You’re not as young as you once were, Moss. You might slow it down a bit,” said Ellisle, looking askance at the tiny figure plastered to her shoulder, chest heaving.

Not in the least distracted by this, another child piped up, “What about Faltim and Fal? What happened ta’ them?”

“That, my Hatchling is a tale for another time. Off you go now, back to your chores.” Deloren made pushing movements with her hands, herding the children out.

The children scampered, laughing, through the doorway, and Deloren pushed herself slowly to her feet. One corner of her mouth twisted up into a grimace as she said, “These old bones make sure I slow down, and I’ve chores of my own to see to. Remo’s bunions have flared up.”

Ellisle nodded sagely, kissing her fingertips and holding palm out toward Deloren. Deloren smiled, caught the kiss with an outstretched hand and patted her own softly wrinkled cheek, then ambled out the door.

Ellisle! The Pathways are calling. I’m ready to dance! Ell’s words dropped into Ellisle’s mind. It no longer startled her the way it once had. Yet the intimacy of the connection still filled her heart almost to bursting. Her own chores, the endless work of the Eldress, Contracted of Gran Ell, could wait for a little while longer.

Yes, Ell, thought Ellisle. Let’s dance.

The End

Lisle moved to stand in front of where Ell settled her backside to the cavern floor, curling her twitching tail about her. Feeling anxious, Lisle stood as she saw the other Contracted doing, standing straight, shoulders back and arms at her sides. She felt Ell’s head just above her own, and had the incongruous thought of wearing her Guardian like some glorious hat and cape. A nervous giggle escaped her and she took a tiny step back to feel Ell’s warm solidity behind her. Lisle felt Ell’s chest rise and fall, and with each breath her comforting floral spice scent surrounded her tightly strung Contracted.

Lisle looked around the circle. Deloren and her Guardian, Loren were on one side of them with Bryllint and Gran Bryl on the other side. Ranged about the circle were all the others.

Lisle knew each of the Guardians from her time here in Guardian Mountain, but not all the Contracted. They must have been out in the world and returned for this special day. The thought caused Lisle’s roiling stomach to flip-flop like a landed swimmer.

She heard Ell gulping in what sounded like an uncomfortable swallow and realized that Ell was nervous too. Somehow, she felt better knowing that Ell shared her anxiety, and she leaned back a bit more, allowing one hand to reach behind to pat Ell’s leg. 

The circle was silent but for the almost rhythmic clatter made by the multitude of flyer folk wings as they clung to the walls of the cavern. The circle of Guardians and Contracted, standing and sitting, straight and still,  gazed at Lisle and Ell. Lisle had the panicky thought that they were waiting for her to do something. But what was she supposed to do? She had no idea. She cleared her throat, tense, and heard a similar rumble from behind her and felt Ell shift her weight  from one foreleg to another.

Lisle prepared herself to say something, anything, just to end the agony, when Bryllint stepped forward, and in a loud, firm voice said, “I am Bryllint, Voice and Hands.”

Lisle relaxed, exhaling breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Then the Contracted on the other side of Bryllint took a step forward and stated, “I am Holan, Voice and Hands.”

It continued around the circle as each of the Contracted stepped forward in turn, till finally Deloren, standing on the other side of Lisle, stepped forward and stated, “I am Deloren, Voice and Hands.”

Then all were silent once again, waiting.

Lisle’s stomach clenched hard and she heard Ell drag in a huge breath and hold it. Now what? It seemed obvious that Lisle was to step forward and make that same statement. She knew she couldn’t do it without grinding her way through in fits and starts. It would be horrendous. They’d probably laugh at her or worse, pity her. She’d have to sing it. She could only hope that would be correct.

She lifted her foot to take that fateful step when she was halted by a deep rumbling coming from all around the circle. The clattering of flyer folk wings picked up in intensity then, the rhythm speeding up. Lisle listened closely and realized the Guardians were humming. Some were toning so deeply as to be almost inaudible, some higher, all flowing in harmony, each with the other.

Startled, she heard Ell join in from behind her, a beautiful sound that she hadn’t known that Ell could make. It was almost flute-like and yet far deeper than any flute she had known. It flowed into the harmonies of the other Guardians with a beauty that brought tears to her eyes. She forgot her fears and gave herself up to it, allowing herself to be carried on the wings of that wondrous sound.

The toning grew in intensity, filling Lisle with energy, tingling up her legs and arms, filling her chest full and moving up into her throat. She couldn’t stop herself and opened her mouth to join in the harmony. The song flowed out of her, high and light. An etheric descant that poured from her mouth, lifting to the very top of the cavern and cascading down again. Weaving in and out through the bass tones coming now only from directly behind her. Coming from Ell.

It was just she and Ell singing now. Lisle was so caught up in the song that it didn’t matter. Their harmony was perfect, low and high, weaving up and down and around each other. She didn’t have to think about it, she simply knew which note to sing to blend perfectly with Ell’s tones. It poured from her heart and out through her mouth and she felt as though her spirit filled all of the cavern around them. She flowed on this great river of sound until gradually, so gradually, the song wound down and drained away like water into the stone.

Lisle felt utterly emptied and deeply satisfied. She rested into the gentle swells of energy that moved through her and all around her, as Ell breathed quietly behind her. Then all was silent. Even the flyer folk held still.

Once again, the Guardians and their Contracted looked steadily at Lisle and Ell, waiting, expectant.

Lisle could not react. Ell was there in her mind and Lisle was captivated. She felt Ell’s warmth and her fathomless love. It filled her to overflowing, spilling out and around her, then filling her again and again. She gazed about the circle and realized that it no longer mattered what the others thought. They could laugh or pity her and it made no difference. She and Ell were One.  

The words were there then in Lisle’s mind, pushing onto her tongue. She felt she might burst from the pressure of them. Almost without conscious volition, Lisle took a firm step forward and said, “I am Ellisle.” There was no hesitation, no stumbling. Then, clear and strong, “I am Ellisle, Voice and Hands. We are One.”

As she did so, she felt Ell’s head close to her own, graceful neck curving lovingly about her shoulders. Ellisle reached her hands up, one arm cradling Ell’s head, the other holding the long, sinuous neck that embraced her.

They held each other, lost in Oneness.

Each of the other Guardians and their Contracted remembered their own ritual, eyes closed now, their hearts meltingly one, unaware of the time which passed.

Deep within Ell’s embrace, Ellisle’s eyes drifted into the circle. There in the center of all the Guardians and Contracted, she saw something so startling as to shock her out of her dream-like state. Ellisle struggled up, pushing Ell’s head so that she too would look into the circle and see what Ellisle saw.

Standing in the center of the cavern were the translucent, ghostly figures of Fal and his Contracted, Tim, who looked about himself, eyes wide in surprise.  
 

Lisle trod behind Ell who led the way to Guardian Cavern. Lisle’s stomach felt jumpy. The little of the morning meal she had been able to force down sat uneasily within. Her earlier excitement had drained away and now she had the desperate thought that maybe they could wait a few more days. She wasn’t ready. How could she be all that Ell would need her to be, Voice and Hands? She was just a younger. The other Contracted were older, at least the ones she had met. They knew more. She didn’t know enough. She didn’t know anything. She was just here because she stumbled on Ell’s egg in the woods. She didn’t belong here. Lisle almost turned around and ran back down the hallway. But Ell moved steadily ahead and Lisle, taking a deep, shuddering breath continued to follow her.

Lisle was nervous, maybe more nervous than she had ever been. But still she felt amusement as she looked ahead and saw the misty steam rising from Ell’s back in the cool air of the tunnel, remnants of her recent preparatory bath. The scent of the delicate floral oil Lisle had used to shine and polish Ell’s scales wafted back to her, calming her.

Looking at her Guardian as they moved along, she was surprised to realize that Ell had grown since their arrival here at the mountain. She now moved with an ease that hadn’t been there before. The awkwardness of the young dragon was gone, replaced with the grace of an adult Guardian. Even from the back, Lisle could see her head and neck held high, bobbing gently with each step. Her wings arching up, and powerful hindquarters swaying from side to side. The young Guardian’s legs had lengthened and now held her considerable bulk well up off the tunnel floor, moving with an easy, measured pace. She held her tail just off the floor, the end curving up and around, forming almost a circle at the tip.

Her scales and ridges shone in the light as they passed each of the many torch sconces placed along the walls. The olive green was deeper than it had been, with touches of buttery yellow showing close in to her body as she moved, an echo of the warm yellow on her belly. The crimson edges of each scale on her sides and back, and the ridges on spine and neck, glittered, gem-like. Lisle spared a glance down at her own finery, proud to remember that she too wore Ell’s beautiful colors. At least this she could enjoy today.

Lisle felt a sharp expansion within her chest and inhaled deeply, the better to take in the overwhelming love that suddenly filled her. It tingled up through her legs and arms and cascaded up her spine as her breath carried it though her body. The sensation was so intense that she had to stop walking and just feel.

She saw Ell stop just ahead of her, and curve that long neck back and around so that she could look at her Contracted. Ell’s jaw dropped open slightly in a Guardian approximation of a grin. An expression that might look alarming to any but the Guardian’s Contracted, but Lisle understood. Her own mouth split in an echoing grin.

Ell moved onward then, slowing as she approached the entrance to Guardian Cavern. She stepped through the greystone archway with Lisle following closely behind. Ell stopped and her tail dropped unexpectedly to the floor. Lisle had to make a fast adjustment in her forward pace and do a little hop to avoid stepping squarely on that vulnerable tip. As it was, she had to catch herself with hands outstretched on Ell’s hindquarters. Ell didn’t seem to notice. She stood perfectly still.

Lisle moved to the side so she could peer out and around Ell to see what had halted their forward progress.

Her jaw dropped in awe. Ten enormous Guardians lined the circumference of the cavern in a large circle. Each sat in the same upright pose with deepest green-blue and olive-green heads erect on curved necks. Forearms on the ground before them, claws neatly curled under. Long tails gracefully wrapped about their bodies reaching across in front of them and then around the other side, huge wings lay in folds upon their backs. Each one turned golden eyes to stare at Ell and Lisle.

Ten Contracted stood in formal pose in front of the Guardians. Heads up, shoulders back, arms to the side. Each wearing the colors of their Guardian they stared at Ell and Lisle, eyes calm and faces relaxed.

On the ledge at the far side of the Cavern, Lisle saw Terris, a huge smile spread over his face. He lifted one hand, palm out, wiggling his fingers at her in greeting. His greying hair was plastered to his scalp, and it looked as though he’d attempted to shave most of the scraggly beard that usually resided on his face. Just a short tuft was left dangling from his chin, and a bit on his upper lip. Beside him sat Gareth, straight, serious and handsome. He nodded to her and she saw the corners of his lips curve upward.

Lisle’s eyes trailed above her companions and she was astounded to see what must have been a thousand flyer folk clinging to a wall of the cavern, slowly fanning their wings in the sunlight pouring through the crater far above. The light shone off their iridescent wings reflecting tiny rainbows into the cavern. Together with the sparkling of the light off the crystal embedded in the greystone of the walls, the effect was mesmerizing.

Lisle looked for Moss, hoping to catch a glimpse of her friend, and somehow discovered her amidst the myriad folk. Green hair formed a nimbus about her tiny face and her wings beat a more rapid pulse than any of the others.

Tearing her eyes away, Lisle saw the largest of the Guardians, Gran Bryl, elegantly dip her chin toward a space in the circle of Guardians just next to her. Ell, hesitated a moment more, then picked up her tail and paced across the circle to Gran Bryl. Lisle closed the mouth that she realized had hung open throughout her awestruck survey of the scene before her, and nervously picked her way across the cavern behind her Guardian. Whatever was about to happen, there was no turning back now.
 
 

“Day of the One Lisle!”
​
Lisle startled awake and blinked sleep-filled eyes open to see Bryllint standing at the doorway of her room. Bryllint was grinning broadly. She held something draped over her arm. Grey on black hair framed her face, falling in straight lines to her shoulders and over her forehead. She held a candle lantern in her hand and the flickering light reflected on Deloren who stood next to her. Deloren rested a hand on Bryllint’s shoulder and a bright-eyed look of delight danced on her smiling face.

“Up you get, this is no time for lying about. Today is your Ritual! You’ve got to get yourself ready and then you’ve got to get Ell ready. Up now!"

Bryllint pushed the curtain aside and stepped through the doorway, followed closely by Deloren. She carefully placed what she held onto Lisle’s lap. Lisle pushed herself upright on her cot, rumpled bed cover wrapped about her waist, and peered down at what Bryllint had brought. It was an olive-green tunic. As she looked more closely, she saw that it was covered in embroidery. Beautiful scallops of red, carmine shading to ruby, sparkled across the fabric in the flickering candlelight. Lisle recognized the colors, the tunic matched Ell, right down to the red tinged edges of her scales. She ran her hand across it, feeling the slight texture of the stitching giving way to the smoothness of fabric.  As she did so, Deloren laid out a deep red ribbon across the tunic.  

“These are our gift to you, Lisle,” said Deloren. “It is the tradition for the Contracted to wear the colors of the Guardian on the day of their Ritual.”

Lisle was overcome and tears welled up in her eyes. “They’re s…so b…beautiful.” Lisle had never owned anything so fine.

“You’ve worked hard to earn your place among us, Lisle. We are all proud of you.” Deloren’s warm brown eyes looked at her with such kindness and love that Lisle could do nothing else but throw her arms around Deloren’s hips as she stood at Lisle’s bedside, and hug her hard.

“Hey, me too!” said Bryllint laughing and joining in the embrace.

After a moment, Deloren released them both. “Lisle, the Ritual is upon you, and you need to get ready. Come on Bryllint, let’s go put on our own finery.”

Deloren and Bryllint left the room arm in arm, and Lisle stared after them, hardly believing what had just happened. Then she leapt from the bed and held the tunic up in front of her, draping the ribbon over her shoulder. She spun about, twirling the tunic with her, and laughing out loud.

“Our Ritual of the One!” Lisle sang out the piping notes. She felt a fluttering in her stomach, part excitement, part nerves. She stopped spinning as she realized that as much as she had anticipated this day, no one had told her what to expect. She had no idea what would happen, except that she would be with Ell. That had to be enough. She and Ell would do this together.
 
Lisle slipped the new tunic on over her shift. It fit her perfectly, draping softly over slender waist and hips.
My Ritual tunic! She giggled at the thought. Now, where did I put my leggings?

Lisle took extra care braiding her wayward, nut brown curls into a semblance of order. Despite her best efforts, wispy tendrils escaped, waving in front of her ears and at the nape of her neck. Huffing out an irritated breath she threaded her fingers through the unfinished braid and pulled it all out. I’ll try it with the ribbon, she thought and reached over to her cot for the soft ribbon that lay there reflecting the candlelight with flickering splashes of carnelian.

Her second try went a little better, and Lisle looked down at herself stroking her hand down the stitching over her torso. Wearing the embroidered tunic and the red ribbon in her hair, she and Ell would match beautifully. She was mesmerized by the candlelight reflecting off the ruby-toned threads. Lisle’s heart felt like it might explode with happiness as tears prickled in her eyes.

Guardian’s scales! I’ll not have red-rimmed eyes at our Ritual. Lisle rubbed the wet out of her eyes. Then with a delighted flourish and a sweep of her arm, she flipped back the curtain at her door and skipped down the hallway. She had to get Ell ready!

She found Ell in the Cavern, reclining upon her usual ledge, eyes closed. Her breath wuffled in and out through delicate nostrils. The sun had not yet risen and only a grey light filtered down into the huge space. Lisle could hear a few of the other Guardian’s moving quietly about, claws rasping on stone surfaces. Most were still asleep.

She tip-toed to Ell’s side.

“Ell!” Her urgent whisper sounded unnaturally loud in the early morning quiet. More quietly then she tried again, “Ell.”
Lisle pushed at Ell’s forearm and her Guardian came awake with a loud snort.

Lisle clapped her hands around Ell’s muzzle in an effort to silence any further outbursts. Just then she heard the loud buzz that heralded Moss’s arrival at Lisle’s shoulder. Still holding Ell’s muzzle between her hands, Lisle looked back and forth between them. Then she hummed softly and sang in her sweet voice, “Today is our Ritual of the One,” ending on a quiet, high note.

Ell reared up, eyes wide. She looked at Lisle distractedly for a moment and then hurriedly got down off the ledge heading straight toward the healing pool.

Lisle stared after Ell, then looked down at her shoulder where Moss sat. Moss raised tiny green hands and made scrubbing motions in the air.

“Oh!” said Lisle, and she left the cavern at a trot, Moss buzzing along beside her. They had work to do.

Lisle raced to the cave of the healing pool, knowing Ell was there. She caught the edge of the rough stone entry with her extended hand, catapulting herself into the room. “Ell! Ell!” Ell lifted her shining head, steaming water dripping from narrow, scaled jaws, even as the rest of her reclined in the sulphurous waters, her eyes half-closed in relaxation. Lisle knelt at the side of the pool and threw tanned young arms about Ell’s slender neck, hugging her close. Then in a trembling, sweet voice, she sang to Ell of her amazing discovery, making up the tune as she went along. The words flowed, bubbling joyously out of her like the bubbling pool before her. She felt Ell’s love surround her and leaned against her, resting her head against the heat of Ell’s nape.

She didn’t know how long they stayed like that. Ell seemed to be content to stay with her as long as she chose, but her knees started to get sore and she released her hold and stood up abruptly. Ell blinked lazy, golden eyes at her.

Lisle needed to move. The excitement wouldn’t let her be still any longer. She bent over and kissed Ell’s nose, then turned and skipped out into the hallway. Her feet took her in the direction of the kitchen, maybe Terris was there.

Moss flitted up the tunnel toward her, chittering musically.

“Day of the One Moss!” Sang Lisle.

Moss turned and winged beside her as Lisle kept skipping, not stopping for conversation.

She heard voices from the kitchen even before she reached the doorway. Gareth was there. She heard his low rumble and an answering guffaw from Terris. Lisle happily skipped into their midst to see an aproned Terris up to his elbows in flour and sticky dough, while Gareth lounged against the side of the table, gesturing with his hands, obviously illustrating some tale he was telling Terris.

Moss zipped to Terris’ shoulder and looked with interest at the bread dough.

“Now you wait up there, Moss. It ain’t baked yet and you’ll jess get yerself all stuck up like last time,” Terris said around a laugh.

Gareth chuckled and looked up at Lisle as she skidded to a stop. “You look pleased with yourself.”

Lisle grinned, took a deep breath and sang, “I’m to be Ell’s Hands and Voice, and I can do it just about fine!”

Gareth tilted his head, eyes smiling. “Why you can at that.”

Terris gave the beige lump before him a resounding slap. “Well Younger! I see you gots a new way of oratin’. We’ll be expectin’ some good stories out a’ you.”

Lisle’s head jerked back and she blinked her eyes rapidly. She took several deep breaths and relaxed as a feeling of determination welled up inside.  She would be Ell’s Voice.
 
*****
Gran Bryl would have laughed if her dragon body could have done such a thing. It didn’t matter, she long ago came to accept the limitations of the physical. It didn’t limit her enjoyment. She felt Ell’s happiness as if it were her own, and reveled in it. Then she thought back to her son bouncing delightedly along the Pathways of the One. Thank you my One, for your countless blessings. What she hoped and prayed for, had happened. Fal had come back to the One. Ell’s sacrifice made that possible. Gran Bryl sent a heartfelt thought of gratitude to her youngest, as she felt hope awaken within her.

The Gran Eldress adjusted her great bulk to better expose her aching hind joints to the warm shaft of sunlight flowing through the cavern opening high above her, and her thoughts took another turn. It is time. Ell is almost fully healed. Her abilities as a Guardian have grown tremendously. Even with the little training that I’ve been able to give her in her recovery, she is showing great promise.  

The sun gradually moved, the slanting warmth shifting and Gran Bryl moved her hips and tail with a heaving effort to follow it. Her thoughts shifted with the sun.  Ell’s Contracted, is unsure of herself, fearful of her new responsibilities. Yet, Gran Bryl knew that Lisle longed with all her heart to be Voice and Hands for Ell. That was enough. Lisle needed more training before she would be ready to go out into the world as a Voice of the One. I will make sure she gets what she needs. Gran Bryl took a deep, trembling  breath, feeling the sun-warmed air stirring the dampened fires inside her. 

A deep groan rumbled through her chest as she had the thought, not for the first time, that even when Ell and Lisle underwent the Ritual of the One, it would not be enough. She felt that rising seedling of hope within her shiver.  With Ell and Lisle, the Guardians and their Contracted’s would make eleven pairs, not enough to tip the balance of Gaea to the light and allow the Day of Rising. The shadow of the Others grew in the Pathways. Soon, the Guardians would not be able to hold the darkness back and it would swallow Gaea whole. Then it would move on to the next world and the next after that. Already the insidious influence of the Others spread among the humans of Gaea as greed, anger, fear and jealousy forced the humans apart, creating divisions in their communities and their families.  It lured the humans out of the light and into darkness, away from the One.

The Great Council of the One placed the Guardians on Gaea to hold the light and prevent that from happening. But without the twelfth Guardian and his Contracted they would fail. Gaea would be lost, and they would have to start over again, in new bodies, on another world. A shiver ran the length of Gran Bryl’s spine at the thought. Show me the way, my One, she prayed. Show me how to bring Fal back to us, back to your service. 

Lisle didn’t have long to stew over any misgivings or fears she might have about what Ell had shown her on the Pathways. She stood before Bryllint in the teaching room, and twitched nervously.

“Soon you and Ell will undergo the Ritual of the One. A ritual in which you will take on your new name. It will be a combination of your own name and Ell’s. After the Ritual of the One you will be Ellisle, the Hands and Voice of Ell. You will be a Voice of the One.”

Lisle felt her heart grow inside, her chest expanding so she thought it might explode. She wanted that like she wanted air to breathe. She wanted it so badly that she didn’t allow herself to perceive what that would actually look like in her life. She listened excitedly for what Bryllint would say next.

Bryllint’s voice carried on, almost sing-song in its cadence. “As Guardian’s return to the higher-level energies of Guardian Mountain and assume their role in balancing the planet Gaea, you, Ellisle, as Voice and Hands will serve in the denser levels of energy, out in the human world where teachers and healers are desperately needed.”

Lisle had just started to digest this idea, that she would be traveling away from Ell, when Bryllint’s huge, blue eyes bored into her.

Bryllint’s words took on an intensity they hadn’t had before, “As a Voice of the One, you will be speaking for Ell. You have done this in the past I trust?”

Lisle bobbed her head once, pinned by those eyes.

“It is important that you speak clearly in a way that those who are listening can easily understand.”

Lisle’s stomach dropped. In her brusque way Bryllint had just laid bare Lisle’s greatest fear. Lisle’s eyes fell to her toes and she shrugged her shoulders, clasping her arms across the middle of her stomach.

“You can do this Lisle.”

Bryllint stated this as if it was something that Lisle had control of. But Lisle didn’t, and the more nervous she got, the worse she stammered. The harder the words were to get out, the more anxious she became until she was completely tongue tied.  

Lisle shook her head from side to side. “I c…c…can’t d…d…d…do it.”

Bryllint look at her consideringly. “We’ll see. I’ll give you a few moments.” Bryllint clasped her shoulder and left Lisle alone in the teaching room.

Lisle turned her head to look over her shoulder at Bryllint’s retreating back, watching her go out of the side of her eye. It felt like her world was caving in on her. Clasping her arms across her stomach more tightly she sank to the floor cross-legged, her back to the doorway. What was she going to do?

The one thing she wanted in this life was to be Ell’s Voice and Hands. Hands were no problem, anything Ell needed her to do she could do, and gladly. But Voice?

Lisle sat, huddled forward over her lap, rocking her upper body, forward and back, thoughts and emotions roiling within her. Never mind that as Voice she would have to leave Ell and travel out in the world alone. She hadn’t fully comprehended that reality until this moment. Yet that wasn’t the worst of it. She would have to stand before others and speak, loudly and clearly. It was impossible for her to speak a whole sentence clearly. She’d stare out at all those faces looking at her expectantly, then her tongue would trip and stumble, the words getting all tangled up in her mouth. They’d all look at her waiting, then she’d see irritation cross their faces or worse, pity, and she’d feel embarrassed and so terribly ashamed. No, she could never do it.

She rocked and rocked, arms holding her middle, whitened fingertips grasping hard at her elbows, as the fearful thoughts and images filled her mind.

Eventually though, the movement calmed her. The thoughts wound down and she relaxed a little, her breath slowing. She closed her eyes. There, in her mind’s vision was Ell. She saw her so clearly. Beautiful, garnet red brow ridges resting gently down against her Guardian’s beautifully shaped head, narrow jaws closed. Ell’s golden eyes gazed softly at her. Lisle felt her heart expand sharply, breath filling her chest. The feeling of love cascading within her was so strong as to be almost painful.

Ell’s eyes pulled her in deeper and Lisle knew without doubt that she was totally accepted exactly as she was, tangled tongue and all. Ell loved her absolutely. Then, with a piercing understanding in her heart as sharp as a knife thrust, Lisle realized that the One knew her, loved her, completely accepted her.

Lisle felt that unconditional love pour through her, filling in the empty places inside, watering all the expanses that self-hatred, shame and fear had starved into dry deserts. She felt those barren wastes within her suddenly burst into bloom, now green and growing. In that instant of absolute acceptance, she knew that she was whole, perfect.
​
Lisle sat utterly still, stunned by the transformation she felt inside. She wanted nothing more that to continue feeling the beautiful expanse of it within her. continue breathing in that feeling of love with each breath going deeper and deeper till she could hold no more. Even then, she wanted to take in still more of it. 

Then a voice sang softly in her mind. It was her Ma-Marn singing to her, the song she had sung every days-end as Lisle and Mina lay side by side on their pallets in the loft. It was the song that lulled Lisle to sleep when she was a tiny younger. Warmth and safety enfolded her as she remembered the feeling of being deeply cherished by her Ma-Marn.

Eyes still closed, Lisle quietly sang the words that her Ma-Marn had sung to her. The words flowed, even danced off her tongue. Her eyes snapped open as an idea took root within her. What if she sang the words she needed to say? Perhaps the words would flow with the song to carry them.

The idea sparked something deep inside, igniting a feeling of excitement. She would try it.  

She jumped up to her feet and drew in a deep breath. She looked intently at the greystone wall in front of her and grimaced as she felt her stomach clench up with old, remembered fear. But she wasn’t going to let fear control this. Not anymore. She focused determinedly and eased herself in, humming the tune again.

She felt her stomach relax. The tune trickled off her tongue and she dared add a few of her own words to the tune. “My name is Lisle,” she sang. She didn’t care that it sounded a bit off key, the words flowed without a hitch. She sang again, a little more confidently. “I can sing any words I want.” Again, not a stumble. Lisle was so excited she sang louder, “And they flow right out of my mouth!”

Lisle could hardly believe it. The song carried her words for her. She could do this!

“I see you’ve figured out a solution to the problem, Lisle,” said Bryllint, standing in the doorway of the teaching room.

Lisle turned about and faced Bryllint, a single tear straggled down her cheek, dripping into the side of her wide grin. “I can do this,” she sang, her voice ragged with emotion, yet the words were clear.

Bryllint reached out and pulled her close into a hug. “Yes, my Heart, you can.”

Ell could feel her Contracted’s roiling emotions from where she floated. Her rapidly healing body was submerged in the steaming, bubbling waters of Guardian Mountain, even as her essence drifted peacefully along the Pathways of the One. Ell was able to maintain a multi-level awareness now. A new skill for her, which she practiced daily since Gran Bryl had taught her the technique. She was fully cognizant of her physical body in one dimensional reality, her light body on another, and her Contracted’s whereabouts, all at the same time. She was quite proud of herself. So, it was with both pleasure because of her awareness, and dismay at her Contracted’s emotional state of upheaval, that she awaited Lisle’s arrival. She had no doubt that Lisle would find her easily. Lisle had perfected that skill long ago.
​
Lisle burst into the cavern all out of breath. She slid to a stop beside the pool and threw herself down at Ell’s side. Ell lifted her head, steam wafting up to tickle along her jaw line before it evaporated in the hot, muggy air above the pool. She felt the hot water run in comforting rivulets down her neck. She was so accustomed to the odor of it that she no longer noticed the eggy smell, though from the way Lisle wrinkled her nose as she bent close to Ell’s head, her Contracted was not so immune.

Ell’s heart swelled in her chest as she leaned her head close, bending her neck in what she knew was a graceful pose, and touched Lisle’s forehead with her own. She was aware of the growing beauty of her physical presentation and it pleased her in a distant sort of way. Her light body was so much more real to her and so very much more beautiful, that its physical home didn’t concern Ell particularly. Though she did appreciate how quickly this body was healing.

Ell’s tail thrashed in the water of its volition in response to her Contracted’s volatile emotions. She intentionally opened her heart to receive the vibrational upsurge, and listened as Lisle’s anger and fear, the meeting on the mountainside, and the revelation of Fal’s origins all poured out of her, seemingly on one enraged breath.
 
Ell was concerned for Lisle. She was too serious most of the time. Her young life had been filled with so many demands. Where was the laughter and play that a young human ought to have?

Even as Lisle earnestly put her anger and fears into words, Ell spouted bubbles in the air trying to make her laugh. It didn’t work. Instead Lisle reprimanded her for not listening. Ell tucked her chin down and looked at Lisle with big eyes, a parody of chastened dragonhood, while Lisle continued with her tirade. Then Ell started spouting bubbles again. After that, she flipped upside down in the water and stuck her belly up in the air, waggling her tail, making little waves in the pool. She heard Lisle giggle then, despite what Ell knew was her frustration with her Guardian’s undignified activities. Finally, Lisle gave up with a sharply exhaled breath, and just sat beside Ell, running her fingers over Ell’s brow ridges, a slight smile curving her lips.

Lisle was calm now and Ell had something to show her. She lifted her muzzle and looked Lisle in the eyes. Her Contracted acknowledged the familiar invitation and closing her eyes and holding still as Ell tapped her forehead gently with the tip of her muzzle.

They dove together, deep into the sparkling ocean of the One. Deepest blue-black surrounded them. Pinpoints of light filled Ell’s vision. She saw that Lisle shone beside her, a bright, light azure, and knew that her own dark sapphire shone brighter still, guiding Lisle. They glided along the glimmering web of light together, Ell searching for the one she knew would be there.

Ah, she thought, there he is. She saw his radiant light, greys and blacks transformed to a deep blue now, with darkened edges thinning and transmuting to crystal clarity as he bounced along the pathways. He flitted from one spot to another, playfully dancing, never lingering in any one location.

Ell brought Lisle’s attention to the unusual spark of blue through the intensity of her own focus, and allowed Lisle to recognize just who it was they were watching. Lisle’s light flickered, a rapid pulsation from light to dark to light again, as recognition moved from fear and anger into surprise and then curiosity. 

When she felt Lisle was ready, Ell led the way closer to her brother’s light. She knew he was aware of them now, just as he had been aware of her many other attempts to communicate with him since the attack. His glittering deep light stilled for just a moment. Ell felt a rapid succession of impressions from him. She knew that Lisle would feel them too. Shame, regret, a yearning for forgiveness and an inability to forgive himself. Then, beneath it all, a wondering sense of love and a deep reluctance to allow that vulnerability to express through him. Then he danced away from them, off into the eternal depths of the Pathways, not permitting them to come close.

Ell led Lisle away then. Fal wasn’t ready to allow them any closer, and Ell had something else to show her. She was reluctant to place this weight on Lisle’s already burdened shoulders and yet her Contracted needed to understand.

Ell turned and scanned the web that surrounded them on all sides as they traveled rapidly along the strands. Then she could feel it, beneath them and off to the side, the spreading darkness. It obscured the light of the Pathways, and emitted a stench of overwhelming fear. An ominous storm cloud obliterating the light of the One, leaving only that swirling mass of blackness. It was the Others, those who sought to tip the balance of light toward darkness on Gaea. Those who lusted for control and the power it brought them. They were the reason that Guardians took form on Gaea.

Lisle’s small light moved close to Ell’s own, as if hiding from that awful blackness. Ell could see dark tendrils drifting in their direction and she didn’t linger. She wanted only to show Lisle the reality of what they faced. Then, with her intent, she moved them both swiftly away, gliding along the shining strands of the One, back to the light.

Lisle looked over her shoulder longingly in the direction she knew would lead to her Guardian. She would have to wait to tell Ell of her experience on the mountainside. Resolutely, she turned her head forward even as her feet continued to follow Bryllint. Gran Bryl’s Contracted had accosted Lisle in the tunnelway on her way to find Ell. Her abrupt, “Follow me,” allowed no possibility of argument from Lisle. It was well past midday and their accustomed time for teaching, so Lisle shrugged and followed her to the teaching room.

Once settled in her usual seat, Lisle was quickly caught up in listening to Bryllint’s resonant voice as it filled the room. She enjoyed watching Bryllint draw in the air with her hands as she illustrated her teaching.  Bryllint’s energy was such that she paced the greystone floor from one side of the teaching space to the other, her enthusiasm spilling over into Lisle.

Lisle wondered that she could keep up that level of energy, as old as she must be. She didn’t know how old, but the lines on Bryllint’s face told of many changes lived. The soft grey of the hair framing her face, confirmed it. Even so, when Bryllint taught she practically bounced around the room.

Lisle focused her wandering thoughts and listened to Bryllint. She was talking about a Guardian and her Contracted, saying they were two aspects of the same soul. Lisle blinked her eyes. She was astounded by this idea. How could she possibly be good enough to share a soul with Ell? Lisle wanted to object, and yet a tiny voice inside said, wait. So, Lisle held her mind still for a moment as Bryllint explained further.

She said that Guardian’s hold the high-level energy needed to balance light and dark for their Mother world, Gaea. Lisle’s mind hared off again, musing on the fact that she had always thought of their home as Mother. That was what was taught in the Book of One. It was the way Ma-Marn had spoken of their world, sitting at her loom before the fire during the cold of winter, with Mina and Lisle curled up in blankets on the floor beside her, listening. But Ma-Marn had never spoken the name, Gaea. Nor had she taught that Mother home was a being, just as Lisle herself was. Yet that was what Bryllint was saying right now. Well, maybe not a person like Lisle, but so much more than grey rock, trees and dirt. Gaea was alive.

Lisle felt excitement surge through her at this thought. She knew deep within that it was true. Hadn’t she felt that aliveness all around her? Hadn’t Gaea’s music comforted her when she wept? Lisle could hear that music even now. She knew Gaea, though she had never known her name.

“Lisle?”

Lisle snapped her eyes back to Bryllint, who gazed at her with amusement as she stood before her, hands on her hips. Then her hands leapt up to gesture again and she continued. “As I was saying, Guardian’s hold the balance of light and dark for our Mother, Gaea. There must be at least twelve Guardians to hold the balance, never less. In the past there were many more. But the Guardian wars….”

Bryllint’s voice ran down, bright, black-brown eyes dimmed, and her face fell as she suddenly looked old, cheeks sagging downward. She sank down on the floor in front of Lisle and looked down at her hands. Her voice hushed and she spoke in a whisper, the words almost too terrible to say aloud.  “Guardian killing Guardian.”

Lisle’s brow furrowed. “Wh…Why?”

Bryllint heaved a deep breath in and sighed it out. She lifted her head, her eyes shining and wet. “The Others.”

Lisle studied Bryllint’s face as if she could read the answer there in the wrinkles at the corners of her mouth and eyes, the gleam of light on tear-filled eyes.

Bryllint continued, her voice low, seemingly reluctant to say the words. “They hide in the dark of the Pathways, insatiable in their desire for power and control. They have no bodies in which to live in this world. They are powerless, so they insinuate themselves into the thoughts of humans and even Guardians. Worst is that their words sound like our own thoughts, thoughts of fear, hatred, anger, greed and jealousy.”

Lisle was struck with understanding. “Th..The Dark G…G…Guardian?”

“Yes. There's no doubt he is a victim of their manipulations.”

Uncharacteristically, Bryllint was silent after that, looking again at her hands, studying work worn palms.

Lisle waited. She could feel Bryllint’s need to work through what she needed to say.

Bryllint took a deep breath,  still staring at her hands, then held them out towards Lisle. “I carried his egg in my hands, just as I did Ell’s.” She swallowed with a gulping sound, and the tears fell now, running down into the furrows of Bryllint’s cheeks. She made no move to brush them away. Her hands dropped into her lap. “He was Bryll’s own, even as Ell is.”

Lisle was shocked, horrified. Her breath came in short gasps. It was too terrible to absorb.

“He tried to k…kill his own f…family?”

Bryllint took a deep breath and nodded as she exhaled. “He didn’t know that the thoughts which goaded him into such a crime were not his own. He didn’t understand that he served their dark purpose.”

“How could he?” Lisle leapt to her feet and ran from the room. She felt like she might explode with rage if she stayed, her anger bubbling up and spewing out like the fire mountains in the Book of One. Her feet flew unerringly down the tunnelway, carrying her straight to Ell. 

​Lisle reached to hold Ell’s head with both hands and leaned down to kiss the smooth, scaled muzzle. Ell gazed lovingly at her, gold eyes soft, then turned and floated to the other side of the pool, paddling with her great, hind legs on the rocky bottom. Lisle watched her, admiring the graceful curve of carmine tipped spinal ridges and tail snaking through the water. Then she resolutely walked back to Gareth’s tiny room.

​Standing outside the curtained doorway she announced herself and pushed the curtain aside. A small amount of light from the torches in the hallway shone on Gareth’s back. He lay in the shadows, just as before, shoulders hunched within his much-rumpled tunic, bandaged leg resting bent kneed, his face turned to the wall. He said nothing.

Lisle hooked the curtain open. Then she took her courage in hand and faced Gareth squarely, hand on her hips, legs spread wide. She glared at his back and took a deep breath, “G…Gareth, e…enough. Y…you can’t j…just d…die. You’re d…doing n…nothing to h…h…” She stamped her foot on the floor in her frustration to get the words out, “help yourself. D…Delorin s…says you’re g…going to l…l…lose your leg i…if y…you don’t try t…to get well.”

Feeling exhausted from the effort of pushing so many words out, Lisle felt frustration and fear engulf her. Her eyes watered up, and she tightened her lips as if that might hold in the tears.

Gareth turned slowly over, grimacing with the pain from his inflamed and swollen leg.

“What do you care what happens to me? I let everyone down.”

Eyebrows pinching, mouth turned down in frustration, Lisle watched Gareth.

“I couldn’t do my job. I couldn’t protect anyone.” Gareth’s eyes fell to the floor. “You don’t understand. I’ve always been strong. I’ve always been the leader. I was the one everyone looked up to. I wish I’d never met that Guardian…” His voice trailed off. He closed his eyes and lay back.

Heat flooded Lisle’s cheeks. A tear overflowed, running down the side of her face and she brushed it away impatiently. How dare he lay there and let himself die just because he felt sorry for himself? 

“You, you self-important, puffed-up, strutting, ground flier! You let yourself get sicker and sicker just because you weren’t the one to save Ell?”

Gareth looked up at her, a shocked expression on his face.

“Just because things worked out the way they did and Terris was able to save Ell, you feel like it shoulda’ been you? What about the rest of us, all worried sick about you?”

Lisle stomped about the tiny room, arms flailing at the air.

As she ranted, color came back into Gareth’s pale face. What could have been a smile began to play about his cracked, dry lips as his eyes tracked her movements.

“I don’t care that you weren’t the one who jumped off that cliff. I’m glad you weren’t. It was awful seeing Terris…” Lisle gulped back a sob that threatened and more words poured out of her mouth. “But you aren’t thinking about that are you? No! No, you’re just thinking about how you aren’t the big protector saving Ell every time there’s trouble! You’re just thinking about yourself!”

Gareth’s dark eyes narrowed, hardened. The corners of his mouth turned down. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself to a sitting position, back braced against the wall.

The motion caught Lisle’s attention and she stopped her tirade. Scuffling her feet, color suffusing cheeks already pink with agitation, she looked down, away from Gareth.
​
 “Get out.”

Lisle froze, mouth slightly open, eyes wide, then she turned and ran from the room.

Gareth’s eyelids fluttered shut, and he leaned his head back against the wall.

You’re pathetic Gareth, he thought. Now you’re scaring little girls. What is the matter with you?

His thoughts took a darker turn.  I’m nothing, nobody, that’s what. Nothing matters anymore. It’s that Guardian’s fault. If only I hadn’t found her that day in the woods.

Gareth knew there was something wrong with the logic of this line of thought. It didn’t  really make sense. It wasn’t the Guardian’s fault. He thought. It wasn’t even my fault. Things happened the way they did and it was lucky for all of us that Terris and Moss were there.  Gareth’s eyes blinked open. The dark thoughts that had been gripping him now seemed a little ridiculous.

I’m better than this. He thought. So, maybe I wasn’t the big protector like I wanted to be. Maybe I don’t have to be the one everyone looks up to all the time. The thought brought an unexpected sense of relief. His felt his lips curve upward. With a self-deprecating laugh, he shook his head.  Lisle’s right. I’ve been doing nothing but feeling sorry for myself. He resolved to do better. He owed Lisle an apology, but first he’d have to get back on his feet.

Setting his jaw against the pain he knew would follow, he pushed himself upright and stood on one leg, hand braced against the rough rock of the wall. Red streaks of lightning pain shot out from the wound in his thigh, almost overwhelming him. He grabbed at the wall to support himself and then reached out blindly, grasping for the crutch which Healer Delorin had left for him near his pallet, and which he had ignored up until this point. Then taking a deep, steadying breath, he hobbled one painful step forward and then another. Slowly, he made his way out of the shadowed space behind him. The light of the hallway glinted at him from countless sparkling facets in the walls, and he squinted against the brightness. Leaning heavily on his crutch, he made his way slowly down the hall to find Lisle.

Lisle trailed her hand along the greystone wall beside her as she almost floated through the tunnel deep within Guardian Mountain. The craggy surface tickled her fingers. She watched as the crystalline structure of the rock winked sparkles of light at her, reflecting from the torch sconces hanging along the tunnel wall. Being here filled her with joy and energy. She felt cleansed and renewed.  It was as if all the exhausting weeks of traveling and the terrors of pursuit dropped away from her. She reveled in the feeling of the roughened surface beneath her feet, loving the hide slippers she’d been given. The air smelled fresh and clean, despite the fact that no breath of wind disturbed the tranquility of the pathway.
​
Since their arrival, Lisle had lost count of how many suns had risen and set, she and Ell were immersed in training, learning of their paired role as Guardian and Voice and their place in the Plan of the One. Their teacher was the huge Guardian that Lisle had first encountered when she entered the Cavern of the Guardians. She was Gran Bryl, Eldress and dame of Ell. Gran Bryl communicated with them through her Voice and Contracted, Bryllint, a small woman, brown haired and brown eyed like Lisle. But there the resemblance ended. Bryllint was a powerhouse of energy, striding about the room on her short legs, practically bouncing off the walls in her excitement to communicate all that flowed through her. Lisle loved to watch and listen to her. She was riveted by the connection between Bryllint and Gran Bryl. The two functioned almost as one. Gran Bryl the wisdom and guidance, Bryllint the hands and voice.

Lisle wanted to be this for Ell with a depth of wanting that felt like an unquenchable thirst. Yet, how could she? She struggled to spit words out. It was a battle to say even a short sentence. The only time she could speak plainly was when she was angry. Then the words poured out of her mouth like a river. But that’s no help to me. She thought. I can’t be angry all the time!

In the rare quiet moments, when she and Ell could sit together and share the Pathways, Ell assured Lisle that it would all work out, and that she, herself, already knew everything that was being taught to them. Lisle wondered if it was so, Ell was a very young Guardian, and Lisle wondered how it could all work out. But she trusted Ell with all that was in her. The ways of Guardians were a mystery to Lisle, perhaps Ell really did know.

Lisle often found her new life overwhelming. She sought refuge outside, among the rocks and tundra on the mountain. There, she had a favorite spot overlooking the surrounding countryside, sun-warmed and wind swept. Or she would walk, the scrubby growth of the alpine tundra crunching beneath her feet. It cleared her mind just to be there, allowing the steady breath of the mountainside to wash over her, cleansing away her fears.  

Between the teaching, quiet time with Ell and restorative walks, she hadn’t spent as much time as she would have liked with Terris and Moss and especially Gareth, though she knew he was in good hands with the healer, Delorin.  

Lisle's lips twitched upward, as she thought of Terris, reveling in his new life here, increasingly in demand in the kitchens as his prowess with a cooking pot became common knowledge. He was kept busy morning till night, chopping, stirring, tasting and hunting his beloved herbs about the countryside.

Moss had adapted to life in Guardian Mountain with ease, and had a following of adoring flier folk. They were fascinated by her dramatic, aerial reenactments of the companion’s adventuresome journey. A journey in which Moss always played the starring role, protecting Ell, and guiding her safely to Guardian Mountain.

Today, Terris and Lisle met in the tunnel, both on their way to see Gareth and glad enough to go together. They entered the room to find Gareth lying upon his pallet, facing the wall.

“Content as a croaker on a log, I see,” said Terris, touching Gareth gently on the shoulder. Gareth gave no reply, only lifting his shoulder away, turning further into the wall.

“What’s this?” asked Terris, and looked at Lisle.

“G…Gareth, d…does y…your leg p…p…pain you?” Lisle moved closer, bending over him.

“Go away,” said Gareth.

Lisle stood up and looked in bewilderment at Terris. Her stomach clenched and she felt a roiling, burning sensation within. Anger, and fear. What does Gareth have to be afraid of? She thought. Lisle moved away from the bedside to stand beside Terris.

Terris shrugged. “Come on, he’ll likely feel more like comp’ny later.”

The next day, feeling reticent and worried, Lisle found Terris and bade him accompany her to see Gareth again. The response from Gareth was the same, except this time with his back turned, face to the wall, he said nothing. They left him wrapped in silence.

Lisle was hurt and confused by his response, or lack of it. She was afraid she must have done something to anger him, but what could she have done? She felt afraid for him, afraid of losing him. He wasn’t getting better.

Lisle sought out the healer, Delorin. The healer just shook her head. “It should have been healing by now. I don’t know what else we can do. Until that young man wants to heal, I can’t help him.”

Disturbed, Lisle found a quiet spot and closed her eyes. Feeling within, she sought Ell, sending her awareness down into the heart area of her chest, and turning slowly. There, she felt the pull, the happy feeling she knew would lead her to Ell. Lisle followed the twisting turns of tunnels, always taking the turn in the direction of where she felt that tingling joy that was Ell. She entered a deep cavern. It housed the hot pools, hidden away within the depths of Guardian Mountain. The air smelled of eggs, but Lisle didn’t find it unpleasant. Through the warm steam rising from the pool and fogging the air, she saw Ell, floating lazily, all but her eyes, nostrils and spinal ridge under the bubbling surface. Lisle sat on the greystone ledge at the side of the pool and draped her hand into the water beside Ell. It was hot, too hot. She pulled her hand out quickly, blowing on reddened fingers.

Ell raised her head and nuzzled Lisle’s fingers. Then she looked up into Lisle’s eyes, gold meeting brown. Lisle felt a tingling sensation wash up and over her, love welling up within her and overflowing. Taking in a deep, grateful breath, she reached down to scratch Ell behind the ear opening at the side of her head. Ell’s scaly hide felt warm and flexible under Lisle’s fingers, and Ell leaned her head into Lisle’s hand.

Haltingly, Lisle told Ell of her concern about Gareth, her fear of losing him, the fact that he wasn’t allowing himself to heal, and her worry that he was somehow angry with her. She put it all into words, slowly and without rushing herself.

Ell listened patiently, floating in the steaming water beside her. Lisle felt her loving presence gratefully, even as she struggled to form all those words.

She took a deep breath as her words ran down and the need behind them finally released. Then she looked up, eyes wide. Lisle knew what she needed to do and she needed to do it now.