Sapphic Voices Fantasy

Ember Dragon

The girl stared from her vantage point down into the distant valley at the large city. Kilmarus was the continents capital city and it was by all means huge. It was bright coloured which made a small smile come to the girls face as she enjoyed anything colourful and this city had an array of bright coloured rooves.

She was staring down into the valley from high up on the mountain to the city’s north, she had walked for almost a month to get to the city and had had a lot of trouble with her old travelling companion an old man named Trenton. His ornery whining had grated on her nerves the longer they travelled together.

The few minutes ahead she had gotten pleased her greatly when she made it over the rise of the mountain and she could see down in to the valley and see the glittering city of Kilmarus. But now she could hear him muttering up the trail behind her. She ignored him and continued to stare at the large city.

“Alright child, now you know where it is I'm going back.” Trenton said when he reached her side.

“What? You’re not coming down with me?” She said a little surprised.

“No Daisy, I told you I would take you to where I thought you would be fine by yourself, now I have things to get back to.” Trenton said seriously.

She knew what he had to get back to, his herb garden; it was his life since his wife died a few years ago. She felt sorry for the old man because he had drudged all this way with her and it was only to look after her. She was grateful and reached over and hugged him briefly.

“Now get off child. All you have to do is say thank you and I will be off.” He stood there expectantly.

Daisy contemplated not saying thank you and seeing what he would do but she decided against giving him any cheek. He had after all looked after her for almost a month.

“Thank you, I won’t forget.” She said formally and smiled kindly at the man.

He nodded turned around and trudged off back the way he came, Daisy stood and watched him for a few minutes before turning back to the large city. She a soft whoop she started on down the hill knowing it would not be until midday tomorrow that she would make it to the city gates.

She made her way carefully for a while until she heard a sound somewhere to her left, she looked over and saw a large figure staring at her, she couldn’t see the figure clearly and it slowly began to lumber towards her, she tilted her head and stood watching as it approached.

The stench reached her before anything else, the smell of putrid and decaying flesh made her stomach curl and bile rise to her mouth. She bit back the sudden desire to vomit and stepped back as the figure came into view. She couldn’t help it. When she saw the creatures face the vomit tore free of her stomach and she bent over retching. She stepped back when she heard a hideous snarl come from the creature’s mouth, she looked up and looked strait at the creature and realised that is must have once been a human. She stepped back again as the ghoul lurched forward.

She turned on her heel and ran strait into another ghoul with its arms spread out as if to embrace her. However the impact of her body against the decaying one cause the ghouls leg snap at the knee joint. The ghoul toppled over and she leapt over it and shrieked as she saw more coming out of the darkening woods.

She ran as fast as her legs would carry her strait down the hill towards the city, she began building momentum and soon realised she couldn’t stop running unless she ran into something. Luckily for her she found that something, unluckily for the something she ploughed strait into it.

Groaning Daisy rolled off the man and gasped for breath, she opened her eyes and tried to shriek again unsuccessfully. She was face to face with a large green dragon that looked rather furious. A low growl emitted from the beast as it stared down at her.

“Now Greer, I am sure there is a perfectly good reason as to why she ran into me. Stop crowding her and let her breathe you great brute.” The dragon looked towards the voice and then stepped back.

Another face came into view then, a gentler kinder looking face of a man. A living, healthy man. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly before trying to sit up the man helped her and she nodded a thanks to him.

“Now, why were you running so recklessly down the hill?” The soft voice asked gently.

Daisy looked up at the man fear in her eyes as she remembered just why she was so hell bent on running down the hill. She cleared her throat and took another breath before answering.

“You might not believe this Dragon Rider, but there is a horde of undead back behind me.” Daisy said slowly, searching his eyes for the disbelief she was expecting.

Instead the man looked more curious than before and even a little worried, he stood up and turned around. This was when Daisy noticed the others. There was a small company of official looking men on horses a short distance away looking from herself to the man she ran into.

“You men go on up the hill some and check this out, do not engage. Seek and report only.” The man said in a voice that would be hard to disobey.

“Yes your highness.” One of then men said before making a hand gesture to the others and the horses began trotting up the hill.

Highness? Daisy found it rather curiously that they would call the man than and she looked him over. He looked like he might be a royal, he certainly held himself well.
He turned back to her and returned the scrutiny before a slow smile spread over his face.

“My name is Thorn; I’m the king of this continent and as you pointed out, a dragon rider.” King Thorn bowed deeply at the waist before extending his hand to Daisy and helping her to her feet.

Daisy’s mouth had dropped open and stared openly at the man. A king was helping her to her feet, she couldn’t believe it, and of all the tales she had heard of the mighty King’s she had never heard one that told of a king picking up a common girl from the forest floor.

“Your highness, I am so sorry I ran into, I understand why your dragon wanted to stomp on me.” She said getting onto her knees in front of him.

“Stomp? What makes you think he wanted to stomp and not eat?” Thorn asked curiously, his brow creased.

“That was the impression I got, that he wanted to squash me like I was an over grown bug.” Daisy answered immediately.

“Very curious, you’re more strange than I first thought.” This comment from the king struck a raw nerve in Daisy.

“I don’t appreciate being called strange, your highness. And what do you mean ‘more’ strange anyways, how am I strange in the first place.” Daisy rose to her feet and asked the questions a little rudely.

“Oh please don’t take offence I don’t mean my words to be hurtful, but you have the oddest red eyes, eyes like I have never seen before. And you get impressions from my dragon, it is indeed curious to me.” King Thorn said the first apologetically and then his tone changed to that of something more serious.

“Creatures have always given me impressions, its almost like images pushed into my mind.” Daisy said honestly.

“Very curious indeed. Would you like to ride upon my dragon?” The king asked smiling warmly.

Daisy had always enjoyed the tales of dragons and had wished she would one day be able to meet one. She had seen a few in her life time fly over. Some where used like a horse might be to transport there owners from place to place others were used by knights and some were so small they were more like pets. Daisy had never seen a dragon up close however and she was surprised indeed by the sheer beauty of the green dragon before her.

“I don’t wish to put you out sir but I have indeed always wanted to ride a dragon, they are such beautiful and noble creatures.” Daisy smiled and bowed to the dragon and was surprised when the dragon bowed back.

“This Greer. He has been with me for years now, I was lucky enough from him to like me while he was still in the egg and he hatched bonded to me.” Thorn answered warmly.

“My name is Daisy.” Daisy introduced herself finally and bowed again.

“Well met, now let me help you on this brute and I will take you down to the palace where we will wait for my men to report back.” Thorn moved to Greer’s side and held his hand out to Daisy.

“But sire, they won't be back until tomorrow. You intend me to stay in your palace?” Daisy was a little shocked as she moved to Greer’s side and let the king lift her up onto his back.

“Of course, I assume you have no accommodations else where.” Thorn said as he stepped on Greer’s strong foreleg and pulled himself onto the dragons back behind Daisy.

“Well, no I have never been to Kilmarus before.” She answered blushing a little.

She got another impression from Greer, it was the image of him lifting a curious brow at her blushing and it only caused her to blush deeper and ignore him.

Thorn gave the dragon a mental command, like all dragon riders could, and the dragon pushed off the ground with his strong legs and beat his wings effortless to carry them above the tree line. Wheeling around the dragon soared down to the city and circled it slowly for Daisy to admire it.

“He likes you; he hardly ever circles the city for me unless I ask him to first.” Thorn said into her left ear.

“I like him too your highness.” Daisy almost yelled into the wind.

Greer swooped down moments later and landed in the court yard at the centre of the palace. King Thorn slid off the dragons back and stood ready to catch Daisy, she hadn’t moved when a young woman about her own age stormed out into the court yard with a furious look on her face.

“You told me you would be out all day; I let most off for a few hours.” She said a little rudely to the King.

“Well that’s ok, I will eat later.” Thorn said smiling at the woman before him.

“Oh, so you don’t mind?” The woman asked curiously her fury fading.

“Of course not, I'm not a tyrant Lily.” Thorn said rolling his eyes.

The woman grinned and punched the king in the arm in a rather sisterly manner. Daisy watched the exchange curiously and then got another mind image from Greer, the image was broken up into several it displayed a time line but Daisy understood. Thorn and this Lily woman were twins, there mother had died giving birth and they were raised by there overly kind father who past away some 5 years earlier.

Shuffling his wings Greer turned and started towards a large stable complex unnoticed by Thorn or Lily. Daisy made to protest but got the impression Greer wanted to show her something so she stayed quiet as the dragon walked in the large doors that had been opened at his approach.

The dragon came to a stop in front of another door and made a sound in his throat, the draconic command was heeded by two guards and they pushed the doors open and allowed Greer to pass. Inside he stopped again and lowered himself to the floor so Daisy could slide off.

When her feet hit the floor she had the strangest desire to approach one of server large oval shaped rocks in the centre of the room. A large green leg came down in front of her and she stopped and looked into the large yellow eye. The impression she got was a questioning one and she thought about it for a moment.

“I don’t know what it means to be a dragon rider. You’re the only dragon I have ever seen.” She said quietly.

Greer nodded and sent her another impression; she understood that before approaching the largest rocks he wanted her to go to the smallest ones first. She complied and moved slowly towards the indicated rocks and knelt down beside them. Greer had followed her and she could feel him watching her intently.

Little did she realise, King Thorn and Lady Lily where also watching her from the door way. Daisy stared at the nest of rocks for a long time and noted that they were all the same size and shape and colours. She realised with a soft gasp then what they were and looked over her shoulder at Greer her seemed to be smiling at her. She looked back the nest of dragon eggs and stared again, before reaching out her hand grabbing one before Greer, Thorn or Lily could stop her. Although Lily was the only one that moved as if she wished too.

Daisy drew the egg close to her face and looked at it closely and then felt it begin to warm and vibrate slightly in her palm. She gasped and would have naturally dropped it but something within her wanted to never let the egg fall. She stared at it before standing up and facing Greer.

“What does this mean?” She asked quietly watching the dragon intently.

She got the impression of a person long ago standing in an open field with dozens of small dragons surrounding her and several larger ones. She still didn’t quite understand until she watched the image change as the person gave a single command and all the dragons moved over to her, crawling on her and rubbing against her affectionately.

“A Dragon Keeper?” She asked curiously never have heard the term before.

The dragon keeper. There is only ever one at a time. The words shimmered into her mind and she gasped and stared at the dragon as he nodded slowly, asking her unspoken question.

“What is it Daisy? You look like you have seen a ghost.” Thorn spoke startling Daisy, he stepped forward his sister at his side.

“I don’t understand myself your highness.” Daisy said slowly clutching the egg to her chest as if she thought someone would take it from her.

“Don’t be daft, she stole that egg and she is terrified of the repercussions.” Lily said a little rudely.

“I did not steal it thank you very much. Greer gave it to me.” Daisy said looking at Greer.

“It is true Lily. Greer let her have it.” Thorn said defending Daisy.

“Greer? Are you the king or is it that daft dragon that makes all the decisions around here?” Lily asked rudely turning on her brother.

“When it comes to the eggs its Greer.” Thorn said smiling lightly.

Greer moved a little and made a sound looking directly at Thorn and Daisy watched the king as he nodded and then his mouth dropped open in disbelief.

“Are you sure Greer?” The King asked softly and Greer nodded slowly.

“Well I will be. Daisy you must stay here. Permanently.” Thorn said after a moment.

“What? Why? I don’t want to be a burden.” Daisy was confused.

“Don’t want to be a burden? As if anyone can be that noble when a king is telling them they are to live in his castle.” Lily said a little snidely.

Don’t listen to her mistress; she should have been called Venus, like the fly trap instead of Lily like such a beautiful flower. Greer’s voice entered Daisy’s mind stopping her from responding to Lily’s rudeness. She stifled a giggle but couldn’t help the smile that came to her face.

“What are you smiling about you fool?” Lily asked rudely.

“Something Greer said to me. I would be honoured to stay at the Palace your Highness, if you so wish it.” Daisy said formally as she turned to the king.

“Wonderful, Lily can show you around since she has been so kind as to let the staff have the afternoon off.” Thorn said grinning at his fuming sister.

Daisy watched as Lily struggled to find a suitable argument and came up short, she stifled another giggle as Greer said some more not so kind words about Lily and then urged her out the door.

I want you to hatch this minor dragon and look after it for up to a week before you go near the one you wanted to go to when you first set foot on the ground. Greer said the words kindly and Daisy realised if she wanted to she could ignore the dragon without any real repercussions to herself.

“Alright. How long does it take an Egg to hatch?” Daisy asked walking back out into the sun light.

“Lily can answer that for you and any other questions you have about dragons while she shows you around I need to take Greer and gather up some of the wizards I know.” Thorn said moving over and climbing onto Greer once more.

Daisy nodded and Lily growled in her throat and King Thorn silently urged the dragon into the air. Daisy turned slowly to look at Lily who was scowling after her brother. She didn’t say anything just waited until Lily was done scowling and then silently followed along behind her.

Lily showed Daisy the entire palace which took a couple of hours and reluctantly told her all she knew about dragons. Daisy still clutched the egg to her when they came to stop in front of a door.

“This will be your room; it is quite nice and has a good view from this side of the lake out to the east.” Lily said as she pulled the door open and stepped into the room.

“Thank you for showing me around and telling me about Dragons.” Daisy said a little shyly as she stepped in behind Lily.

“Your welcome. Why was Thorn so shocked when you took that egg and Greer spoke to him?” Lily asked slowly after a few minutes.

“Well Miss Lily, I’m not sure what it means but Greer thinks I am the Dragon Keeper.” Daisy said a little hesitantly as she watched Lily.

Lily stared at Daisy for a long minute and then a strange look came over her face and she turned to look out the window.

“That’s very interesting. I will send the seamstress to you when she returns this evening and have you fitted for some dresses and court clothes.” Lily said dismissing the Dragon Keeper comment.

“I don’t like dresses very much; can’t I have some britches and shirts made?” Daisy asked boldly.

“You can have both made, there will be times when you will be required to wear a dress.” Lily said as she turned and walked out of the room before turning back.

“I will leave you to get settled in.” Lily closed the door and left.

Daisy stared at the door for a long moment, she partly agreed with Greer; Lily was like the Venus fly trap, but only in attitude. She was a beautiful woman like the Lily.

Dismissing the thought she turned and walked to the window and looked out and her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she looked out at the view of the sparkling lake. She stood there for almost an hour looking at the lake and thinking over the events of the day before she turned and moved around the room looking at everything.

She soon realised that somewhere between running from the ghouls and running into King Thorn she had dropped her pack with her few belongings in it an she cursed herself silently before falling onto the soft bed and looking over the egg she held in her hand.

Lily had told her it would take a month after the egg quickened before it would hatch and that eggs can only be quickened by someone the dragon baby approved of. She had also explained that there were several types of minor dragons and that they were distinguished by colour. Red was obviously fire, green is healing, purple is singing, orange is the jester, and a mottled white is a light dragon, there were purple dragons that learned and retained knowledge and there were brown ones that fixed things.

Thinking about the different kind of minor dragons Daisy soon fell asleep cradling the egg in the palm of her hand close to her chest. She dreamt of soaring high above the world on an elegant black dragon with flame shooting forth from its mouth and warm arms around her waist.

She was woken some time later by the sound of knocking on the door, she placed the egg under the pillow of her bed and got to her feet crossing to the door and opening it. She was greeted warmly by a kind older woman who had wrinkles that said she often laughed and smiled.

“Hello My Lady, Lady Lily sent me to you said you was in need of having your measurements taken and some clothes made. My name is Molly.” The woman said warmly.

“My name is Daisy; please don’t call me ‘My Lady’.” Daisy said smiling warmly.

“As you with Dear. Now tell me what you want.” Molly said walking in and closing the door behind her.

Daisy told Molly what Lily had told her, that she had to have some dresses made and added that she would like some pairs of britches and shirts also. Molly smiled and then set about taking her measurements and jotting the numbers down on a piece of paper. This took almost an hour and then Molly told Daisy she would take her down to the kitchen and get her something to eat.

Daisy smiled and followed the kind Seamstress and they talked lightly of the village Daisy had come from and Daisy told Molly how she had come to meet the King. Peels of laughter left Molly when Daisy finished the tale and Daisy was grinning. They entered the kitchen and Daisy was assaulted by rich sweet smells of delicious food. Her mouth watered and she looked around her at the people.

“Don’t just stand there child get yourself something to eat.” It was obviously the cook who spoke as he was standing there with a large wooden spoon and a piece of paper in front on him.

Daisy didn’t need telling twice and grabbed a plate and piled it with food and sat down at an empty table. She was just taking her first bite when Lily walked in and looked strait at her.

“Your not eating in here are you? Come and eat with Thorn and I, my brother seems quite taken with you.” Lily said moving over to Daisy.

“I’m sorry but what are you implying?” Daisy asked frowning.

“I’m implying that my brother may just wish to court you.” Lily said bluntly.

“Well good luck to him. I don’t much fancy myself a man’s lady.” Daisy said wrinkling her nose.

“What does that mean?” Lily asked in an unusually soft voice.

“Means, I’m not the kind of girl to marry.” Daisy said scowling a little.

“Well good for you. Come eat with us anyways.” Lily was a little too cheery sounding and Daisy frowned at this.

She didn’t argue how ever, just picked up her plate and walked behind Lily out into the Dining hall and sat down where Lily indicated. There were several other men there and two other women all talking quietly to Thorn. One of the men turned to Daisy as she sat down and he stared at her a little rudely before speaking loudly.

“Are you the child that claimed to have seen these ghouls then?” The man spoke to Daisy.

“Yes sir.” Daisy answered not meeting his gaze.

“And what, pray tell, makes you think they were the walking dead and how do you even know up such things?” The man asked, all eyes were on her now and she shifted a little uncomfortably.

“Well sir, the first indicator was the stench, it was putrid, then there was the decaying flesh on there bodies and rotting clothes. Empty eye sockets. And how do I know of the walking dead? An old man used to tell me many stories to keep me awake at night most of them about ghouls and other such creatures.” Daisy said a little sarcastically, she had been annoyed by his tone.

The man rose to his feet glaring at her and when she was done he slammed his fist on the table and a bolt of lightning shot from his hand hitting Daisy in the chest and sending her flying backwards. She laid on the ground for a moment listening to wizard yell at her about her disrespectful tone and then stood up and dusted herself off.

She walked back over to the table grabbed her plate and turned and left. She walked back into the kitchen and put her plate with some other dirty dishes and then walked back to her room. Once there she slipped inside undressed got between the sheets of her bed and took the egg from her pillow and slept soundly until morning.

The morning arrived and Daisy got herself tidied up and put her clothes back on and went down to the court yard, Greer was there lazing in the sun and she walked over to him and sat down and leaned against his side. She spoke to her for hours of what her responsibilities would be as the Dragon Keeper and she took it all in her stride listening intently and asking questions only when he was done talking about something.

She went back to her room that night and slept, the next few weeks were boring and uneventful and Daisy did nothing more than write about what she had learned from Greer in a book she had asked Molly to get her, and visit with Greer in the court yard.

Finally came the day when her egg hatched and she sat on her bed staring at it excitedly as she waited for the first crack in the shell. The baby dragon pecked at the shell for well over an hour before the egg actually cracked and then everything sped up as a hole appeared in the shell and a tiny red nose poked out of the hole breathing in its first breath of air.

Red, a fire dragon. Greer had told Daisy that fire dragons were extremely rare in minor dragons and that they were a little moody sometimes but more devoted to who they bond to than any other dragon. She smiled as finally she shell split open and little dragon stretched out on her palm kicking shell out of its way and rubbing its soft little body on her skin.

“Your name is Char. I like it, most fitting for a fire dragon.” Daisy said gently to the little dragon that was staring at her with loving eyes.

That day Daisy sat in her room playing with the little dragon until it was time to eat. She knew the baby wouldn’t want to eat until the next day but she took it down to the kitchen with her. Char rode the whole way on her shoulder with her head tucked under Daisy’s chin affectionately.

On entering the kitchen all eyes eventually turned to the little dragon and smiles lit up on faces as they took her in. The cook, a man named Tom, walked over and stared at the dragon before his face broke into a smile.

“A little fire dragon, they are so rare. She matches your eyes Miss Daisy.” Tom said grinning at them both.

“She does doesn’t she. Her name is Char. She hatched this morning.” Daisy said warmly as she stroked the dragon’s side.

Char chirruped and flew from Daisy’s shoulder and circled the kitchen showing off for everyone. Daisy ignored her and got herself a plate of food before sitting down in her usual spot. She had begun eating while Char entertained the cook and kitchen maids. Lily walked in while Daisy was chewing on a large piece of chicken.

“Daisy, you’re coming with me tomorrow we are going into the market.” Lily said walking right over to Daisy and sitting down.

Char chose that moment to fly over and she crashed landed on the table Daisy only barely got her plate lifted out of the way in time. Lily gave a soft startled cry and Char chirped indignantly.

“You didn’t tell me it hatched.” Lily said a little offended.

“I didn’t tell anyone Miss Lily, she only hatched this morning and I spent all day playing with her in my room.” Daisy explained scratching the small dragon’s sides.

“She is a cute little thing. Fire dragon I see. You’re lucky. Anyways you’re coming with me tomorrow.” Lily said again about her plans for them tomorrow.

“Why?” Daisy asked curiously.

“Cause I can’t just leave you moping around this palace all the time you’ve been here a month and the only friends you have a dragons.” Lily said frowning.

“Well, the cook and the kitchen maids are my friends too, and I get along with Molly really well.” Daisy defended herself.

“Yes, yes, I may have exaggerated a little. But I would like for you to see some more of the city.” Lily said frowning still.

“Alright, what time, what should I wear?” Daisy asked finally.

“Early but when ever your ready, and wear what makes you comfortable but at least make yourself look tidy. You should also ask Thorn if he can get you some oil for your dragon’s skin. Wont need it for a week or two but she will begin to get a bit rough skinned if you don’t look after it.” Lily said reaching over and scratching the little dragons head, Char tried to bite her and she withdrew her hand with a small hiss.

“Char that wasn’t very nice.” Daisy scolded the little dragon.

“Its alright, she is just a baby she will warm up to me as she grows, I certainly wouldn’t hurt her.” Lily said smiling as she got up from the table.

“She shouldn’t bite is all. I will see you tomorrow morning.” Daisy said in farewell to Lily who then left the kitchen.

Daisy finished eating and then went to find Thorn. She found him in this common room and he was excited to see the little dragon that was now riding on Daisy’s head. She smiled at him as he welcomed her in and they talked about the dragon for a little while before Daisy got around to asking him for some oil for her skin. He told her he would get her some and bring it too her they day after tomorrow and after a few more pleasantries she excused herself.

She went back to her room and wrote more down into her Dragon Keeper journal and then went to sleep, Char curled up against her neck.

The next morning Daisy woke a little after dawn and got dressed in a clean and tidy pair of britches and a form fitting shirt that she had frowned upon until she realise she didn’t have any other shirts clean.

She brushed her hair and pulled it back into a high pony tail and then washed her face and hands before calling Char to her shoulder and walking out the door, she went down to the court yard to see Greer and was disappointed to see he wasn’t there.

“Thorn and Greer went out with a few knights before dawn to look around in the southern woods for more of those ghouls you saw in the north.” Lily’s voice startled Daisy and she spun around dislodging the dragon from her perch on Daisy’s shoulder, she opened her wings and glided to the ground and pounced on a bug.

“You startled me Miss Lily. Is it something to be worried about, this ghoul problem?” Daisy asked curiously tilting her head a little.

“We aren’t sure. You know what a necromancer is?” Lily asked as she came to stand in front of Daisy.

“Like a wizard but one that’s deals in raising and controlling the dead, right?” Daisy asked.

“That’s it. The worry is that most necromancers could only ever raise one or two ghouls at a time, but this one is raising hordes, which is a problem.” Lily explained gently.

“I see.” Daisy said as Char landed on her shoulder.

“Yes. Well enough about that for now I plan to show you around the city, Thorn told me you seemed to enjoy the aerial view when you arrived here so I figure you should like seeing it from the ground as well.” Lily smiled warmly at Daisy and Daisy felt her insides melt, she cleared her throat and looked away and willed herself not to blush.

“You look mighty nice in that shirt too.” Lily said as an after thought, this cause Daisy to blush.

“Thank you.” Daisy said quietly and then scowled at the dragon that was teasing her about her bashfulness.

“Something the matter?” Lily asked noticing Daisy’s scowl.

“No, Char is a little chatty today is all.” Daisy said grinning a little playfully.

“Alright then.” Lily chuckled softly and finally the carriage that Lily had arranged arrived.

“We will take this into the market and then get out and do some walking around.” Lily explained once they were both seated in the carriage.

“Alright.” Daisy said looking out the window as they passed through the gates leaving the palace court yard.

They sat in companionable silence until the driver called out that they had arrived. Daisy climbed out of the carriage and then held her hand out to help Lily down. Lily took her hand stepped down and then turned to her without letting go.

“You know there are perfectly good men with us that could do the gallant thing such as help a lady out of a carriage.” Lily’s voice held something Daisy didn’t recognise in it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think.” Daisy said moving to withdraw her hand.

“You did think, like a gallant man. You just aren’t one.” Lily said softly and smiled at Daisy.

Daisy blushed a little and pulled her hand away calling with her mind for Char to come to her. Once the dragon was perched on her shoulder she moved along beside Lily and listened to her talking about the different things at the market and how popular it all was. Daisy noticed several things she had never seen before and pointed them out to Lily who explained what they were and what they were for.

The day went by a lot quicker than Daisy would have liked and eventually they got back into the carriage and moved off back towards the palace. After a few quiet moments, Daisy forgot herself again and unbuttoned a few of her shirt buttons letting the cool air on her chest.

She glanced over at Lily to see her staring a little angrily at her chest, she moved her hands to button the shirt and Lily moved over to her and pushed her hands out of the way and unbuttoned the shirt further. Daisy blushed but she didn’t argue just watched Lily’s face grow more furious. Finally Lily pushed the shirt open and pressed her hand to the centre of Daisy’s chest.

“What did this to you?” Lily asked in a deathly quiet voice.

“It was the Lightning Wizards bolt.” Daisy answered softly.

“That was over a month ago it should have healed by now, is it getting worse?” Lily asked brushing her fingers over the darkly bruised flesh.

“Yes, it is strange; I can make it so it looks like there is a lightning bolt just under my skin.” Daisy said glancing out the window.

“What? Show me.” Lily demanded moving her hand down to Daisy’s stomach and leaving it there.

Daisy nodded and concentrated on the large bruise on the centre of her chest and then looked into Lily’s face when she heard her gasp. Lily’s eyes were wide and riveted on Daisy’s chest.

“You shouldn’t be able to do this Daisy. I want you to keep this a secret until I can learn a few more things about it is that ok?” Lily asked as she moved her hand back up to touch Daisy’s chest.

Daisy nodded and after a few more minutes watched Lily button her shirt again. They got to the palace and went there separate ways and after Daisy ate she went to her room to write more in her journal before going to bed.

Daisy didn’t see Lily over the next two day but on the third day after Daisy had retired to her room a knock on her door roused her from her writing and she moved over and opened it. Lily smiled at her and walked in and Daisy shut the door behind her.

Char surprised Daisy by flying over to Lily and landing on her shoulder rubbing her snout on Lily’s chin in greeting. Lily chuckled and rubbed the dragon’s side before she moved over to Daisy and without a word began unbuttoning Daisy’s shirt. She unbuttoned it all the way this time and pushed it apart, Daisy blushed deeply as she felt cool air on her bare breasts.

She desperately wanted to close her shirt but she knew if she did that she would be letting Lily know she was uncomfortable and knew Lily would ask why and she just didn’t know how to explain it.

“It doesn’t seem to be getting any bigger since I last saw it.” Lily observed and the touched the bruised chest.

Daisy shivered a little at the touch and stepped back away from Lily sighing, she would just have to be brutally honest.

“Lily you can’t be touching me like that.” Daisy said after a few moments.

“Why? Does it hurt?” Lily asked tilting her head curiously.

“No, it doesn’t hurt, but I'm too much like a man. I can’t handle you touching me, it drives me crazy.” Daisy averted her gaze as she said this and stared at the floor.

“What do you mean it drives you crazy?” Lily asked, her voice had dropped an octave or two.

Daisy glanced up at her and was surprised to see a rather warm smile on Lily’s face, this emboldened her slightly and she cleared her throat before answering.

“I’m too inexperienced to know really, but it makes me want to run my hands over you, have you run your hands over me.” Daisy said quietly and hesitantly. Lily tilted her head a little and lifted her hand again to Daisy’s chest. Touching her lightly Daisy could tell she was pleased at her shuddering when she saw Lily’s smile widen slightly.

“Do you feel this way about all women you know?” Lily asked after a moment.

“No, no of course not. Just… Just you.” Daisy said choking a little on her words as Lily moved her finger against Daisy’s skin in an ever widening circle.

“Why me?” Lily asked leaning closer to Daisy.

“I guess because I'm attracted to you. Please don’t think I'm a freak.” Daisy said quietly.

“Oh but Daisy you don’t understand, I’m attracted to you as well.” Lily said slowly forgetting the circles and moving both hands to Daisy’s waist and pulling her closer so there bodies pressed together.

A soft glow emanated from between them and they both looked down briefly to see the shine coming from Daisy’s chest. Lily smiled and leaned forward towards Daisy there faces coming closer together. There lips were just about to meet in a tender kiss when there was a knock at the door. Both women jumped apart startled and then they both fumbled to do up Daisy’s shirt.

They got the shirt done up and Daisy began tucking herself in as Lily moved over to the door and pulled it open. Thorn stood in the door way and smiled when he saw his sister.

“Lily I didn’t expect you to be here. Having a tea party?” He asked teasingly.

“You know I'm not the tea type brother.” Lily said stepping back to let him into the room. She left the door open and moved back over to Daisy.

“I just bought Daisy some light reading, thought it might interest her.” Lily said moving past Daisy and sitting the book on the dresser.

“Thanks I will enjoy the distraction I am sure.” Daisy said after clearing her throat subtly.

“Anyway, I have things I need to get done before sleep so I will leave you two to talk.” Lily said, she flashed a smile at Daisy and kissed Thorn on the cheek before she walked out, leaving the door open.

“What can I do for you your highness?” Daisy asked after a moment.

“Nothing really, I just bought you this oil, it’s a little later than I meant it to be but I have been dealing with an increasing number of undead in the hills.” Thorn said sitting down at Daisy’s desk and sitting the jar of oil there.

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Still no leads on who has been doing it then?” Daisy asked curiously.

“No, but I have a few of the Wizards working on it. Would be good to have more eyes and ears out there but I wont have the resources for another couple of months.” Thorn rubbed his face and the first signs of stress showed on his gentle face.

“I wish I could help out a bit, I just don’t have anything to offer you.” Daisy spoke softly and Thorn smiled at her and stood up moving over to her.

“Daisy that is fine, I appreciate having you here, perhaps soon you can do more for hatching the other dragon eggs, now just isn’t the time for that many dragons though.” Thorn stood right in front of her smiling warmly.

“I will hatch them when ever you give me the word your highness.” Daisy said smiling still though she felt a little crowded with him so close.

“I know you will. Call me Thorn please.” Thorn said softly and leaned forward to press his lips against Daisy’s.

Daisy turned her head last minute so Thorn’s kiss landed on her cheek and she stepped back and looked up at him apologetically, he looked confused and she wanted to comfort him, sure she had hurt his feelings.

“Thorn I… I don’t want that…” She said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Why?” Thorn raised a querying brow as he asked.

“I’m not… I’m not attracted to you like that, any man like that. You’re my friend, my king, but I don’t ever want you as a lover or husband.” Daisy said honestly and she cringed on the inside ready for the hurt to show on his face.

A smile appeared at Thorns lips and spread across his face slowly and he took a small step back.

“Daisy you are the most adorable person I know. I hope we are good friends for a long time to come and I appreciate your honestly more than you would think.” Thorn had surprised Daisy with this.

“I hope we are the best of friends Your Highness…. I mean Thorn.” Daisy said grinning a little.

“We most certainly are, but only friends, I understand. Maybe one day I will find a lady that won’t turn me down.” Thorn feigned hurt and then chuckled with Daisy.

“You will and she will be a lucky woman indeed.” Daisy said honestly.

“I’m glad you think so. I will let you get some rest and hopefully you will have breakfast with Lily and me tomorrow morning.” Thorn said as he moved over to the open door.

“Certainly. Goodnight Thorn.” Daisy said smiling and then closing the door as he left.

Daisy stood and the door and shook her head frowning over the events of the last hour and found she was rather confused and oddly pleased that she had confessed to Lily. She rolled her eyes after a moment and then moved over to the dresser and looked down at the book. There was no title on the cover so she picked it up and opened it to the first page and the words. Wizard Rarity: Talent Absorption.

She opened the book and began to read, frowning and not really understanding to begin with she began to get more into the book and moved over to the bed and sat down. She read for a long time with Char curled on her chest and eventually fell asleep.

She woke late the next morning and sat up abruptly remembering she was meant to be at breakfast. She cursed and looked out the window seeing the sun higher in the sky and realised she had missed her opportunity. She shook her head sat the book on the bed and began to bathe herself and change into clean clothes.

Once dressed she looked out the window and saw several large dragons flying towards the palace from across the lake. She smiled and called to Char and then left her room heading down to the court yard.

Minutes later she stepped out into the court yard and looked up into the sky; it was only moment later that the 7 larger riding dragons landed in the court yard. Seven mail armour clad men slid from there steeds and then started towards Daisy. She smiled and they each smiled in return.

Coming to stop in front of Daisy each man bowed slightly and then one stepped forward and introduced himself as Sir Dargen, one of Thorn’s knights.

“Well met, my name is Daisy. I am not sure where Thorn is but if he is expecting you I don’t imagine he will be far from coming out here.” Daisy said as the man took her hand and then stooped over it and gently kissed her knuckles.

“Dargen you dog, what are you doing to that young woman.” Thorns voice said cheerily from over at the palace wall.

Daisy turned and smiled as Thorn and Lily walked towards them, she watched Lily for a moment before turning to Thorn as he came to a stop beside her.

“Sorry I missed breakfast, I over slept.” Daisy said to Thorn as a brief apology.

“No worries Daisy. Tomorrow perhaps. My knights can join us.” Thorn said grinning and then turning to his Knights. Lily stood with his listening to the knight’s brief report.

Daisy ignored it and walked over to the seven colourful dragons, there was a green one a little lighter than Greer and two blue and purple ones, a grey one a white one a yellow and pink one and a blue one. They all shuffled there wings watching her approach and then moved closer to her.

She stepped forward and rubbed each dragons nose and spoke quietly to them for a moment before turning as she heard the approach of one of the knights, she turned to see Lily walking with him. She stood there and waited for them to get closer and smiled.

“Miss some of these dragons have mildly bad attitudes when dealing with people other than there riders.” The knight said when he stood in front of her.

“I apologise for coming over to them without asking first Sir.” Daisy said looking apologetically.

“Sir Rupert, Daisy here is the Dragon Keeper.” Lily said before either the knight or Daisy could say anything else.

The knight looked at Daisy as the little red dragon that had left her shoulder the moment she had stepped outside flew back to her shoulder and climbed onto her head, the knight bowed deeply and then apologised.

“Don’t worry for it Sir. It isn’t common knowledge what I am.” Daisy smiled lightly and brushed off the knight’s apology.

The large blue dragon crooned and rubbed his nose against her side as the light green one used her chin to nudge the little red dragon off her head. Daisy chuckled as Char tumbled to the ground and Lily bent and picked the little dragon up who glared upside down at the green dragon.

“Meronda that wasn’t very nice.” The knight said sternly to the dragon.

“She was only joking with the little dragon.” Daisy said softly as she rubbed the blues nose.

Greer moved from the larger building that was a dragon stable and lumbered over to the group. Daisy smiled to him and rubbed his nose as well and then looked him in the eye.

“Greer, perhaps you can show these brutes were the best hunting place is, I can hear a few hungry complaints.” Daisy suggested to Greer who nodded.

The three people watched as the dragons moved away a little and then all eight took to the sky circled the city and then headed to the south.

“May I escort you ladies into the palace?” Sir Rupert asked when the dragons were out of site.

“Thank you but I have something to do before I go back inside.” Daisy said warmly to the knight.

“I wish to speak with Daisy for a little bit Sir Rupert but thank you kindly for the offer.” Lily said moving to stand beside Daisy.

“My pleasure.” The knight bowed and turned and headed for the palace entrance.

Daisy looked at Lily and then turned toward the egg stable, Lily at her side. They walked for a moment Lily crooning at the minor dragon in her hands.

“So did you get a chance to look at that book Daisy?” Lily asked softly, almost distractedly.

“I did, I don’t understand why you wanted me to look at it though.” Daisy said frowning and then giving a gentle order to the door guards who had been informed to let her in when she requested.

“Because silly, its proof.” Lily said quietly as they came to the next set of large doors.

“Proof of what though?” Daisy asked giving another soft command and the doors opened enough to let them in.

The always burning torches lit the room up fairly well and shadows were cast from the dozens of eggs of all sizes. Daisy stood for a long moment admiring the site of all the eggs.

“Proof you’re a wizard, a rare wizard in fact.” Lily said letting the little dragon crawl up her arm to perch on her shoulder and stare at Daisy.

“I haven’t finished the book and may have missed something I don’t know how you worked that out.” Daisy said as she began to move past all the eggs looking at them intently.

“There were a few things in it that got me thinking. It said about visible signs of power, you can form a shining lightning bolt on your chest. It also pointed out the bruises that will remain until the wizard can harness the new power it’s absorbed. I would like to experiment a little if you don’t mind. There will be a water wizard here in a few days to consult with Thorn. If he agrees would you mind taking a hit from him?” Lily asked softly moving closer to Daisy as she had stopped in front of the largest eggs.

“Of course, anything you want.” Daisy said a little distractedly, she was staring at the large egg in the middle of the rest.

There was 5 gets in total in the nest she had stopped at and she knew they were major dragon eggs. She knelt down continued to look at the egg for a long moment. She tilted her head up to face Lily.

“If I am a Wizard how come I didn’t know?” She asked curiously.

“I don’t know a whole lot about how wizards come into the abilities. But I think unless you have been taught to harness them the magic will lay dormant within the person.” Lily reached down and brushed her hand over Daisy’s cheek.

“Makes sense I guess. I will gladly submit to any testing you deem necessary Lily.” Daisy said softly, she turned back to the eggs and reached out and picked up the middle one.

The egg instantly warmed and began to thrum in her hands and she sat it in her lap and ran her hands over the hard smooth shell. She smiled stood and cradled the egg in front of her. Before turning back to Lily.

“Thanks Daisy, it may mean you might get hurt and that thought doesn’t please me at all but I think it is necessary.” Lily said smiling at her warmly.

“The lightning hurt but I survived so I should be ok. I can take a hurting. I grew up in an orphanage in my village and got picked on because of my eyes.” Daisy’s voice grew a little hard and her eyes turned sad and Lily reached out again and put her hand comfortingly on Daisy’s cheek.

Daisy smiled half heartedly as she remembered the beatings she sometimes got from the other orphans she had grown up with. Her mind went blank how ever when Lily leaned forward and gently brushed her lips over Daisy’s. The kiss was light and brief but it melted Daisy and she smiled genuinely when Lily leaned back.

“Thanks for taking my mind off it. I want to grab a minor egg and then we can get back into the fresh air.” Daisy said smiling still as she and Lily moved to the smaller nests.

“Alright. And you’re welcome.” Lily said and then knelt down beside Daisy and looked at the nest of a dozen small eggs in front of them.

Daisy stared at the eggs for a long moment before reaching forward and seeming to pick one at random, she picked the egg up and after a moment it warmed and vibrated against her palm. After running her hands over it for a moment she put it in a pocket in the shirt she was wearing close to her chest. She then looked at Lily and stared at her for a moment before reaching out and running her hand through the lush blond hair.

“Why don’t you take one Lily? Dragons are such marvellous companions.” Daisy said softly and Lily turned towards her with a nervous little smile on her face.

“I’m worried. I have a fear of rejection. I feel like I want one, I would love to have one of these beautiful little creatures as a companion. But what if I pick an egg and it doesn’t quicken for me?” Lily asked and her voice showed more nervousness.

“Then it just doesn’t quicken but you can’t think like that. You said you feel like you want one. Look at them for a moment, concentrate on the eggs and see where that leads you.” Daisy instructed as she gently massaged the nape of Lily’s neck.

“Alright.” Lily smiled warmly.

Daisy pulled her hand away and sat nursing the large egg in her lap as she watched Lily stare at the eggs. She seemed to stare for quite a while and Daisy was getting a little nervous herself worried that Lily wouldn’t find one that drew her. She continued to watch silently how ever and was surprised when Lily stood up and moved to one of the other minor dragon egg nests. She stood there for a moment then bent over and picked up an egg and pulled it in to her.

Daisy held her breath watching Lily’s face to see her reaction expecting disappointment of excitement. It was a long moment before emotion showed on the blonde's face and it made Daisy smile. She stood up and moved over to Lily and laid the tip of her finger on the small vibrating egg.

“See, all that fear for nothing.” Daisy said gently pulling her hand back.

Char rubbed her head on Lily’s cheek and then fluttered over to sit on Daisy’s shoulder as Lily leaned forward and caught Daisy’s lips with her own again. Daisy gasped a little not expecting it and then melted into the kiss as Lily deepened it slightly. They broke apart after a moment stared at one another and then smiled.

They left the nursery and went up to Daisy’s room where Daisy put the large egg in the centre of her bed and then they went back down to the kitchen where they parted. Lily had things she had to attend too and Daisy had said she would take Char to help Tom light a few braziers.

They never saw each other for the rest of the day and Daisy went back up to her room after eating and grabbed the book and curled herself around the warm egg on her bed the other in her free hand as she read for a while. She got the book finished late into the night and understood finally what Lily was saying.

After reading the book she put an entry into her journal and then lay down on her bed again, she thought about Lily for a while before drifting off to sleep. She dreamed again about soaring high above the world, the stunning black dragon beneath her and the warm arms about her waist.

She woke up smiling and went down to breakfast after she had bathed and dressed, she decided to put on one of the dresses she rarely wore. When she stepped into the room all eyes turned towards and they all held appreciation and admiration. Lily gestured for her to sit beside her and Daisy moved over and took the seat at her side.

After a moment longer of staring everyone lapsed into a light conversation. Thorn told Daisy what more he had learned of the undead and said he still had no idea who the necromancer was. He then commented on Daisy’s dressed and everyone agreed out stunning she looked in the sunset orange material.

“You look stunning, my love.” Lily whispered to Daisy while Thorn was talking to the knights.

Blushing Daisy nodded and smiled warmly and then verbally thanked Lily for the compliment. They finished there breakfast and Daisy and Lily excused themselves and walked out to the court yard.

They chatted lightly about the material of the dress and then the book Daisy had finished. Before moving onto the eggs they had chosen yesterday, they walked around the court yard in the sun and greeted Greer and the knight’s dragons as they walked over to them.

“I will be leaving for a week to go and visit with another wizard I know, I will try and convince him to come here he knows more than books can tells us.” Lily said finally, they were leaning against the blue dragon as they spoke.

“I’m going to be a little sad to see you go.” Daisy said reaching over and taking one of Lily’s hands in her own.

Lily grabbed her hand and pulled it up to kiss the knuckles of it as she stepped closer, there bodies almost touching.

“I will only be gone a little while my sweet.” She said looking into Daisy’s deep crimson eyes.

“I know. It’s foolish, but I do so enjoy your company. It is only a week though I am sure I will survive.” Daisy said grinning a little.

“I hope you do.” Lily said softly and then leaned in and kissed her again.

Daisy took initiative and deepened the kiss as Lily wound her arms around Daisy’s waist. Daisy pressed her body against Lily’s and put her arms around Lily’s shoulders as they kissed passionately in the relative cover the dragons made.

Minutes later they broke apart breathing a little heavily, Lily made a little sound of protest as it was Daisy who pulled away. Daisy moved her hand and brushed her finger tip over Lily’s kiss swollen bottom lip and then stepped back.

“I’m sorry, Brunst says Thorn and the knights are moving towards us.” Daisy said softly, passion was still burning in both women’s eyes.

“Damn brother.” Lily muttered and then pushed away from the dragon and reached over to scratch Char’s side. The minor dragon flew to Lily and curled up in her arms.

“Damn dragon.” Daisy said looking enviously at the dragon and Lily giggled.

They moved from behind the dragons and started towards Thorn and the knights. The men all bowed to both women and Thorn stepped forward.

“The men and I are going to do a fly over of the northern points while it’s so light out.” Thorn explained.

“Alright. I’m planning on leaving tomorrow Thorn I want to go and visit with Lyra.” Lily said stroking Char’s side.

“That funny old wizard that forgets her name all the time? What on earth for?” Thorn asked a little surprised.

“I have some questions for her. I will only be gone a week.” Lily informed smiling at the dragon in her arms.

“Well alright then.” Thorn said not pressing his sister.

After some more pleasantries the men all left on there dragons and Lily and Daisy went up to Daisy’s room where they sat on the bed with the dragon egg and talked about the strangeness of Daisy’s chest and the lightning bolt. Daisy found out that most wizards didn’t like wizards that could absorb others magic because they thought they were stealing powers.

Daisy asked a few questions that Lily couldn’t answer and after a few hours and a brief but passionate kiss Lily left to go and pack her stuff for her visit with the Wizard. Daisy turned back into her room and wrote in her journal for a little while before rubbing the dragon eggs and then going down to get her dinner.

She didn’t see Lily before she left and the rest of the week she spent most of her time with Char and the other dragons out in the court yard. On the day Lily was due to return Daisy found herself exceptionally restless and requested one of the horses so she could go for a ride.

After saddling the horse and mounting it she turned it out the gates and off towards the lake at the south. She made it to the lake and then turned east and galloped the gelding along the shore of the lake feeling the cool air tugging at her hair as she rocked in the saddle.

She made it to the tree line and decided she wasn’t ready to turn back so she urged the horse into the trees and rode quietly enjoying the scenery for almost an hour before a strange rotted smell became obvious. The gelding made a nervous sound and danced sideways.

“What is it boy. Easy.” She said pulling the reins a little tighter for better control and then looking around.

She saw it to her right about 15 meters away. It was a cat of some kind, it looked strange even in the shady woods and she stared at it harder. It began to move closer to her slowly and the horse began dancing sideways again. Tilting her head Daisy stared intently at the beast and then gasped.

The cat was rotting; green and black flesh hung from it in places and its fur was only in small patches over its body. As it moved closer she saw that one of its eyes was missing and there was nothing but bone at one of its legs and along its tail.

The horse reared and balked unexpectedly and Daisy lost her seat, Char flew off her shoulder with an alarmed shriek and flew into the trees. The cat moved then as the gelding turned and bolted. With speed Daisy wasn’t expecting the cat lunged at her, paws raking.

Daisy leapt to the side just in time and Char flew down out of the tree and sent a blast of fire at the cat. The cat ignored the dragon and lunged again for Daisy missing her again. Daisy rolled and jumped to her feet and began running deeper into the woods.

“It just ignores you Char, go find me some help.” Daisy cried as she ran from the cat and the little dragon soared above the trees and out of site.

The cat was gaining on Daisy and she was getting a little worried for herself, she kept on running and looking for something to use as a weapon as she did so. She couldn’t find anything and was getting desperate for some help when she almost ran into someone, a man tall, wearing a long black robe.

The man turned towards her and smiled, the smile was far from kind. The man had a shaven face and only a few grey hairs on his head and looked like he could have been a 100 years old. A nasty look came to his face and he stared for a moment before speaking.

“So one of my little pets found the mighty Dragon Keeper. Good beastie.”

“You’re the necromancer? You’re vile.” Daisy said scowling and glancing behind her at the now still cat.

“You’re a bright one. Yes I am the necromancer. My work is wonderful isn’t it? I have a plan but I need to perfect my methods. You are a hindrance, alerting the king and his men to my workings. You must be disposed of.” The man said coolly.

“Don’t think I won’t fight you.” Daisy said sounding more sure of herself than she actually was.

The man made a hissing sound and then moved his hands in a quick strange pattern and then clapped his hands together. From his hands came a strange looking shadow ball of purple and black smoke that sailed towards her, and before she could dodge it, it hit her in the chest sending her back. She hit a tree and sank down to the ground dazed.

She thought quickly and the only thing she could come up with she doubted strongly, she stood up and concentrated on her chest and how she made the lightning bolt appear and then channelled the energy she felt flow through her into her hands and thrust her arm forward.

Amazing a lightning bolt sailed from her hand toward the wizard but he dodged the bolt and made ready to send another of his own back. Daisy was startled when a bolt of green glowing energy came out of no where and hit the man in the shoulder.

He staggered back and looked in the direction the bolt came from before clicking his fingers and vanishing the undead cat had also vanished. Daisy sank to her knees panting and felt small claws dig into her shoulder; she turned her head and saw Char.

“Thanks girl.” She said to the little dragon.

“Daisy!” Lily’s voice startled Daisy and she sat up.

“Lily?” Daisy stared at Lily who was running over to her.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Lily asked dropping to her knee’s at Daisy’s side.

“I’m ok. I got hit by what ever he threw at me and I flew back into this tree and hit my head but otherwise I'm fine.” Daisy said reaching back to rub the back of her head.

Feeling warm sticky liquid made Daisy pull her hand back and look at it, she gasped along with Lily when she saw blood.

“Your hair is so dark I didn’t even notice the blood.” Lily moved and started poking through Daisy’s hair.

“Come now you two, let’s get her back up to the carriage and get her to the carriage.” An older authoritative voice commanded the young women.

Lily helped Daisy to her feet and wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her the short way through the woods to the carriage that was on the road. They climbed in and Daisy rubbed her head.

“Now child, can you tell me what happened?” An old woman asked gently.

“Yes ma'am. I was riding a horse through the woods and smelled something, then the horse got all frightened and I saw a cat. The cat turned out to be undead, I wasn’t paying attention and the horse threw me and bolted. The cat attacked me and I ran from it and ran into the Necromancer. He said some things to me and then threw…. Threw some spell at me I suppose. It through me back into a tree and the only thing I could think to do was try to use magic myself.” Daisy explained briefly leaning into Lily’s side.

“You sent your little dragon for help?” The woman asked softly.

“Yes, shortly after I fell off the horse, Char tried to burn the cat but it was dead and ignored it.” Daisy nodded as she spoke.

“That was good thinking. It was lucky she found us, though I didn’t understand it at all. Miss Lily said she knew the dragon though.” The woman said.

“Yes, Char gets along with Lily quite well.” Daisy nodded again.

“You used the lightning Daisy.” Lily said and pushed the shirt away from Daisy’s chest a little.

Lily stared frowning and then looked at the old woman before speaking again.

“You still have the bruise. The book said the bruise went away when you harnessed the absorbed magic.” Lily frowned and sat back a little.

“Child, she got hit with the necromancers Shadow Bolt.” The old woman said tsking.

“Oh, right. Well hey Daisy I was right.” Lily said gently rubbing Daisy’s back.

“Yes you were, Dear.” Daisy chuckled softly.

“Lyra, do you know who the necromancer was?” Lily asked after a moment, turning back to the Wizard.

“No dear, I’m afraid I don’t.” Lyra said slowly and then looked at Daisy who was sitting with her eyes closed.

“You should keep your lover awake, Lily child. She may be concussed.” Lyra said after a moment and Daisy’s eyes snapped open.

“How did… I mean…uh.” Daisy sputtered and Lily gaped.

“Come now. I am not as thick as you think I am. You may pull the wool over everyone else’s eyes, but I'm adept at reading the feelings of others.” Lyra said and chuckled softly at the looks on the young women’s faces.

“Oh.” They both said quietly and glanced at one another blushing a little.

“I don’t judge, children. Love is love and it’s not to be broken apart by other peoples judgements and beliefs. It's what matters to you.” Lyra spoke wisely and smiled warmly at both women.

After a short but bumpy ride they made it back to the palace where a group of men were milling around in the court yard with several horses. They stopped by the men and Daisy, Lily and Lyra climbed out of the carriage. Several of the men moved over quickly and stood by the women.

“Miss Daisy, are you alright. The gelding got back here a few moments ago.” One of the men asked worriedly.

“I’m alright. How is the gelding? Did he hurt himself?” Daisy asked worry equal in her voice.

“He is fine, a bit nervous. What happened?” The man asked curiously.

“I got attacked by a cat and he threw me.” Daisy said simply.

“Please men, you can call off your search now. We must take Daisy into the palace and tend her injuries.” Lily said a little authoritatively.

The men nodded and stepped back and let the women past. They moved up into the palace and into the kitchen where Tom came rushing to there side at the sight of Daisy. After giving him some orders he rushed off to get Lily the things she had asked for and they say Daisy down at the table she ate at.

Tom came back with the bandages and alcohol and then busied himself with making the women all something warm to drink. Lily fussed over Daisy’s head and then made her take her shirt off much to Daisy’s chagrin. Lyra and Lily both poked and prodded at Daisy noting the bruises up her back and shoulders.

“Daisy this looks awful.” Lily said, concern evident.

“It doesn’t feel too good when you dig your fingers into it either Lily. It will heal it’s just a bruise.” Daisy said a little agitatedly.

“Put your shirt back on deary.” Lyra said handing the shirt to Daisy.

Daisy had just gotten her shirt on and buttoned when Thorn walked into the kitchen and moved over to them asking questions of concern. Lyra and Lily both told him it would have to wait and he looked at Daisy imploringly, she smiled and agreed with the others and he relented with a sigh.

Thorn invited the three of them into his private living area and all found seats, Lily sitting beside Daisy there legs touching. Char sprawled out across both women’s knee and chirped softly before closing her eyes.

Daisy touched her egg through her shirt and smiled when she noticed Lily do the same thing. Lyra explained to Thorn in full why Lily had went to visit with her and then the events leading up to saving Daisy from the necromancer.

“Daisy why did you even go into the woods?” Thorn asked after Lyra finished.

“I didn’t expect there to be ghouls down this far. You said all the others you had seen where to the north.” Daisy said a little repentantly.

“Scared me half to death when one of the stable hands came and told me what happened. And then to learn you had been duelling with a necromancer.” Thorn sounded a little reprimanding.

“Don’t reprimand her Thorn. It isn’t at all like she expected to run into the fiend.” Lily said a little too defensively.

“Don’t go biting my head off Lily, I was just worried. It troubles me what the man said to her.” Thorn sounded apologetic now.

“Its ok Lily don’t fight with your brother. Besides I am ok, I didn’t get killed or badly injured I will just have to stay within the palace walls from now unless I had an escort.” Daisy said reassuringly.

“Won’t be going anywhere if I have my way.” Lily said sternly a deep scowl on her face.

“Lily dear don’t scowl it isn’t lady like.” Lyra said watching Lily as her scowl deepened and Daisy giggled.

“I must go see my egg, may I be excused Thorn?” Daisy asked politely and the king nodded.

Daisy bowed a little formally to Lily and Lyra and grinned at Thorn and then left the room and went strait to her own. She went to her large egg on her bed and ran her hands over it enjoying the warmth of it at her touch.

She sat with the egg for a long moment before going over to her desk and began writing in her journal. Almost an hour later there was a knock at her door and Daisy got up and opened it and smiled when she saw Lily and Thorn standing there. She invited them in and then shut the door.

“I am a little surprised to hear you are a wizard Daisy, and a rare one. I wish Lily had told me sooner though.” Thorn sent a little glare to his sister.

“She didn’t completely believe I was a wizard and wanted to do some research first Thorn.” Daisy defended her lover.

“Yes well I still would have liked to know sooner.” Thorn said sitting at Daisy’s desk.

“Yes well we only learned she is in fact a wizard today so it’s not like we really knew she was.” Lily said rolling her eyes.

“Don’t fight you two.” Daisy said sitting on her bed and lying back with a sigh, instantly Thorn and Lily were in her face.

“Daisy are you alright?” Thorn asked the concern on his face made Daisy nervous.

She sat up a little too fast and became dizzy and leaned forward a little and felt Lily’s soft hand at the nape of her neck. She sighed softly again, this time from pleasure.

“I’m fine, my head aches a little is all, not to mention all my other muscles.” Daisy muttered.

“You need to get to sleep.” Lily said gently, neither woman noticed Thorn looking at them a little curiously.

“I do, I was just getting done writing and then I planned to curl up with that egg.” Daisy said gesturing her egg on the bed.

“We will leave and let you get some sleep. I will come check on you in the morning before I leave, I heading up to the Northern Point for a few days.” Thorn said gesturing he and his sister leave.

Lily followed him to the door and then smiled over her shoulder at Daisy as Daisy wished them good night. She turned and went over to her bed, got undressed and climbed between the sheets into the warm folds and went to sleep almost immediately.

The next morning Thorn shook her awake and she rolled onto her back and stretched out under the heavy blankets. She opened her eyes and smiled at him and he said a few words before leaving her to go back to sleep. She smiled to herself at his concern and went back to sleep feeling like she had a family.

The next few weeks were incredibly dull. Daisy spent a lot of time with Lyra as the Wizard used her how to use her magic and Lily ran the affairs of the palace in Thorns absence. There was little time for the lovers to share more than a few warm embraces and passionate kisses.

Finally the day came where a loud scratching and pecking sound woke Daisy from her sleep. She sat up looking around for the sound before she realised it was the large egg in the middle of her bed. She opened her hand and looked at the smaller egg and smiled when she saw a crack in its shell.

She moved on the bed and cradled both eggs against her and waited patiently for them to hatch. The minor hatched first and it was a little orange and yellow male dragon, a jester. His name was Gible and he rubbed himself over Daisy’s skin before moving to her shoulder and watching the other egg as a large crack began to appear on it.

The other egg split open rather abruptly and a small pitch black dragon rolled out of it into Daisy’s lap. The dragon looked around a little confused and then turned her face to Daisy. Daisy gasped when she saw the eyes of the dragon and her eyes widened. The small dragon had deep red eyes just like Daisy’s.

“Your name is Ember. It is a good name for you my little beauty with her red ember eyes.” Daisy said warmly to the small black dragon as it moved out of her lap to rug its body around Daisy’s like a house cat.

Daisy played with both newborns for a long few minutes before she got off the bed and bathed and dressed. Once clothed she called to the minor dragons and then picked up Ember in her arms and left her room. She went down to the dining hall where she hoped to find Lily.

Lily was there playing with a small purple dragon that was singing a gentle little song. Daisy stood quietly and watched for a moment before Char and Gible flew from her shoulders and landed beside the little singing dragon. They both started to dance to the toon and Daisy chuckled and walked over to Lily who was now smiling at her.

“A jester and a singer. Wonderful attributes they will me.” Lily said grinning.

“Yeah. I don’t know what this one is though.” Daisy said gesturing to the dragon sitting in her arms watching Lily curiously.

Lily gasped and moved over to Daisy and ran her hands over the small dragon that crooned softly at the feeling. Daisy smiled as she watched the little dragon enjoying the hands on her.

“I know how you feel Ember, those hands are magic.” Daisy said softly.

Lily chuckled and leaned forward and kissed Daisy briefly before looking back at the dragon.

“She is a rare, rare dragon; she is one of the black fire dragons. They don’t usually quicken for people. The parents usually force hatch the eggs by keeping them hot and giving the baby no choice but to develop. They are usually very aggressive.” Lily said smiling at the dragon.

“Well that is interesting. How did you come by the egg in the first place if that’s how they are hatched?” Daisy asked setting Ember on the table. She began playing with the smaller minor dragons.

“Most of the eggs we have were handed in by people that didn’t want them or didn’t know what they were.” Lily explained sitting down at the table and gesturing Daisy sit beside her.

“Intriguing. I wonder if any of the others are fire dragon eggs.” Daisy mused out loud.

“I doubt it love. Most of the eggs out there aren’t from the same clutches.” Lily explained watching the dragons rolling around on the table.

Daisy didn’t say anything she just watch the dragons playing together and smiled when they all flew over to her and then to Lily before they began a game of chase around the hall.

“She will be large enough to ride in a week. It’s her eyes that are so strange. Black fires usually have the amber eyes like the others.” Lily said smiling as she watched ember tag her minor dragon Metta.

“I guess she is just a freak like me.” Daisy said distractedly.

“I don’t think I want to hear you speaking like that about yourself again Daisy.” Thorns voice startled them both and they turned to see him standing in the door way.

“Sorry. Old habits you know.” Daisy smiled and shrugged.

“You’re not a freak, you’re unique. So is your dragon.” Thorn said moving over and sitting beside his sister.

“Thank you for saying so. Most people go with ‘freak.’” Daisy said frowning a little.

“Most people are cruel and should not have attention paid them.” Lily sounded hostile.

“Calm down, Lil.” Daisy said softly, smiling at her warmly.

“So you will be able to get out of these walls once your dragons big enough to carry you. No one takes on a black dragon.” Thorn said watching the three small dragons tackle Ember.

“Yeah, I am a wizard too you know, I have the power.” Daisy said jokingly and made the siblings chuckle.

“How are your teachings with Lyra going?” Lily asked curiously.

“Grand. She is a tough teacher and tagged me with a fire spell last night.” Daisy scowled remembering the burn.

“She did what?!” Both Thorn and Lily spoke in unison.

“She only did it so I could absorb it. She has finished teaching me the basics of Necromancy and Lightning. She wants to move onto fire and then nature.” Daisy explained as she leaned forward and kissed Ember on the nose as she landed in her lap.

“She taught you the basics of necromancy?” Thorn asked credulously.

“Yes I did. Doesn’t mean she is going to use the power, my boy.” Lyra said walking over to the table from the kitchen door way.

“Well I guess that is true.” Thorn said frowning a little.

“Come now Thorn, you don’t think our wee Daisy is going to be raising the dead do you?” Lily asked chuckling softly.

“Of course not.” Thorn said immediately.

Daisy and Lily both giggled and the dragons started wrestling in Daisy’s lap before moving onto Lily’s. Both women watched the dragons smiling as they all sat in the dining hall for almost an hour before Lyra decided it was time for Daisy to have some more lessons.

Daisy left Char with Lily and Metta and took Ember and Gible with her for her lessons. She sat quietly listening to the instructions she was given and then tried several times before she harnessed and conjured the fire ball as she was instructed. Lyra commended her on her quick learning and she smiled brightly.

Ember surprised them all by letting forth a small blast of flame from her maw; Daisy muttered an apology as she put the bottom of Lyra’s robes out with some water from a vase.

“A very strange little dragon that. Fires aren’t meant to be able to conjure flame for at least 6 months.” Lyra said staring curiously at the dragon.

“She is strange. She was paying good attention to your lesson though and decided to give it a shot. She was as surprised as we were when she breathed fire.” Daisy explained rubbing Ember’s sides.

“Quite the inquisitive creature then. You can be done for today it is almost dinner time and I for one and quite hungry.” Lyra said smiling at Daisy.

“I am famished.” Daisy said and after brief goodnights she left the room with her dragons and went down to the dining hall.

Thorn and Lily was already there with a few of the knights and they all smiled when she walked in moved over to the table. She sat in her usual spot beside Lily and everyone lapsed into conversation that lasted almost two hours before Daisy decided to excuse herself. She sent a smile to Lily and called her dragons to her and left going o her room.

She wrote in her journal and then got into bed and went to sleep her dragons curled up on the bed with her. When she woke up it was obvious that Ember had grown considerably over night.

“Ember you will have to sleep out with Greer from now on or you will grow and get stuck inside.” Daisy said sleepily.

Ember chirped her agreement and stretched out her body and wings before fluttering over to the window and sitting at the seal with her front paws hanging out. Daisy smiled at her and then got out of bed and bathed and dressed.

She went about her lessons again that day and the following seven and finally decided she wanted to take Ember out for a ride as the dragon hadn’t left the palace yards unless it was to hunt with Greer.

She moved out into the courtyard her little dragons on her shoulders and moved over to where Ember waited for her patiently. She talked to the dragon for a long time before she moved and climbed onto her back. With a gentle command Daisy urged the dragon into the sky and she circled the city for a long while before urging Ember towards the north.

Once at the Northern Peak she asked Ember to land and dropped down off the beast too look down the hill into the valley below. She smiled to herself as she remembered the first time she saw the city and then turned to Ember.

She didn’t have a chance to say a word as she was hit in the back by an unseen force and she landed face first in the dirt before she lost consciousness. She wasn’t awake to see Ember blast her attacker with flame before taking a hit to her wing injuring the strong bones before flying off with the minor dragons clinging to her black scales.

Daisy didn’t know how long she had been asleep but when she woke she was in a dark cell with nothing but the stink of death to surround her. She instantly realised who had attacked her.

She sat for a long moment getting her bearings before she stood up and moved around the cell. After a moment she conjured a small round globe that emitted a faint light. The light cast shadows in the corners of the cell and she moved over to a large door. She couldn’t see a lock hole and cursed softly before defeated she sat back down and got rid of the orb.

It must have been hours later when finally Daisy heard a sound. She stood up as she realised the sound was outside her cell. The door opened and she watched carefully as two large creatures walked in and grabbed her without a word. She struggled but it was futile was the creatures seemed unreasonably strong.

They took her too a large lit room and pushed her into an over stuff seat in the middle that was accompanied by another such chair. She looked around as the creatures stood beside her chair to guard her. She looked at them now she could see them in the light of the room and noticed that they seemed to be covered in stitches as if they held there bodies together. She gasped when she realised the bodies were held together that way and bile rose in her throat.

“Admiring my pets are you?” A familiar voice sounded in front of Daisy and she turned to see the necromancer approach her.

“Something like that.” She said fighting down the urge to vomit.

“They are something special aren’t they? Take a lot of time to make them like that, you have to reanimate every piece individually.” The man said as he moved and sat in the seat across from the one daisy was in.

“Why would you want to? It’s sick.” Daisy said not hiding the disgust in her voice.

“Of course a Lightning Wizard would think so.” The man said equally disgusted.

“What is it you want from me, why not just kill me and have it over with?” Daisy asked curiously.

“Don’t get me wrong Child. I do plan on killing you, but I want to show you something first. It should only be fitting for the Dragon Keeper to see it.” The man said as he stood again and gestured for his abominations to grab Daisy and follow him.

Daisy said nothing she simply walked along behind the man contemplating attacking him. He must have been reading her mind or something as he tsked a few times and shook his head before speaking over his shoulder.

“It would do you no good. I have a spell in place to keep lightning magic from being used, besides you can’t kill me with lightning. Only nature can over take death.” He spoke loudly as they walked.

Daisy didn’t say anything just cursed Lyra silently for not teaching her the powers of nature. She followed along silently and stared at the ground in front of her until the man stopped before a large door.

He fiddling with a large key and then unlocking the door, he then stepped back beside Daisy and gestured his abominations to push the doors open. As they opened light spilled into the dark cave tunnel and with it came a rancid stench of death and decay. The necromancer urged Daisy forward and she stepped with him out onto a ledge and looked down into a large valley completely devoid of life and she gasped.

“Beautiful isn’t she? She was the largest known when she was alive and she will be the largest known when she is dead too.” The man said grinning proudly.

Daisy stared down into the valley at the gigantic skeletal dragon that was chained down by dozens of thick long link chains. She stared dumbfounded and didn’t say anything.

“Yes it is a splendid plan indeed. See I am going to set her lose on your Kings precious city and then the rest of the continent. Nothing can stop her, not magic not sword and arrow. No, the dead are so resistant.” The man said pride thick in his voice.

“I would ask why but I really don’t care. You will not get away with this.” Daisy said still staring at the giant skeletal dragon.

“Oh but I will, you can’t stop me and no one else knows where this valley is, its hidden see by an illusion.” The man said smiling still.

“Yes well, I will stop you if I can.” Daisy said turning cold eyes to the man.

“Ah but you can’t. I’m going to give her something to play with. You.” He said and the abominations stepped up behind her and pushed her with such force she toppled off the ledge and tumbled down into the bottom of the Valley beneath the large immobile dragon.

She stood up and looked up to the ledge and saw the man turn and leave his abominations going with him. She moved then and left the relative shelter of the dragon’s skeletal frame. She moved away and sat by one of the ends of a chain where it was secured into the stone floor of the valley.

The large dragon’s empty eye sockets stared at her from where it was chained on to the ground. Daisy tried to ignore it but it was a little unnerving. She moved from the base of the chain to the other side and sat out of sight as she thought about what she could do. She came up with a few ideas but everyone was one that she doubted herself capable of pulling off.

After a long couple of hours as it began to get dark Daisy moved to the front of the dragon and stood by the secured head. She got many impressions from the dragon’s conscience and all of them were hostile. She stood for a long moment letting the aggression wash over her before she used her mind to push into the deeper parts of the dragons conscience.

“So, your name was Galakrond.” She said quietly to the dragon and it seemed to become less hostile.

The skeletal leviathan calmed slowly and instead blindly regarded Daisy. Daisy tilted her head remembering all Lyra had told her about necromancy. She remembered what was said about having to reanimate and then dominate the mind with strong suggestions. A slow smile came to Daisy’s face and she reached forward and touched the bone of Galakrond’s snout.

With a vicious force she regretted having to use she thrust suggestions into the dragons mind and struggled to gain control over the beast. Using most of her energy she succeeded and then staggered over to the large paw closest her and fell down onto the ground in the dirt and slept. She slept deep and without dreams and when she woke it was to the sound of the doors above being opened, she opened her eyes and looked in that direction and saw the necromancer looking down at her.

For long moments the necromancer looked at her and then she heard maniacal laughter drift down to her ears and she smiled to herself when the necromancer turned and walked away. When the sound of the doors rang out over the valley she jumped to her feet feeling rejuvenated.

“Alright girl lets get you free from these shackles off you.” Daisy moved over to the dragon and climbed up on her back and looked at the dozens of chains braced into the stone.

“Lyra why didn’t you teach me to harness nature. Or water.” Daisy muttered to herself.

She though for a long moment on how she could get the chains free from the ground and then she realised she would just have to melt them. With a quiet cheer she concentrated on all the chains simultaneously and watched silently as they all began to glow in places.

“Alright Galakrond. You should be able to break these.” Daisy said and then sat down at the large skeletal dragon began to move.

The chains stretched and then broke where they were red hot. With another cheer Daisy urged the dragon into the sky wondering at how the massive skeletal leviathan could fly. A loud cry from below made Daisy gasp and then smile when she looked down and saw the necromancer on his knees a look of despair on his face.

“Not just a lightning wizard you old fool! I am everything!” Daisy called to the necromancer.

The man turned and ran back into the safety of his network of caves and Daisy frowned. She didn’t relish the thought of killing but she knew that man needed to be destroyed and the only way she knew to do it was to bring down the mountain.

“Can you bring it down girl? Cave it in?” Daisy asked the dragon that then dived down and began tearing at the mountain.

After several minutes of causing the earth to tremor beneath its massive paws the large dragon rose from the earth and flew to the top of the mountain landing there and then with a final deafeningly loud roar the mountain beneath the leviathan shifted and the caves became no more, all inside was destroyed.

Daisy was caught off guard when the skeletal dragon went still and fell to pieces beneath her. She screamed and tried to get out of the way of falling bone but had no chance. She was struck in the head and knocked out and then became partially trapped under a large bone.

When she woke her felt sticky wet stuff on her face and raised her free hand to touch it, she saw blood and then lost consciousness again for some time. The second time she woke she thought she heard a sound and thought it was Lily. She dismissed this and thought sadly that she was going to die here trapped under a skeleton.

“Daisy!” The cry came again and Daisy realised she wasn’t dreaming it.

“Lily?” She said in a weak voice.

A loud whooshing noise indicated a dragon’s wing beats and Daisy tried to twist around to see. She had no luck but was then greeted by three sets of panicked chirps and then the site of a red, a yellow and orange, and purple dragon swarming into her face and running there faces on her cheeks.

“Get out of the way guys, I'm happy to see you really but get out of my face I'm ok.” Daisy said smiling gently at the minor dragons.

Ember flew around and landed ever so gently on the bones of the once leviathan and Lily slid off the dragons back and ran over the bones to Daisy’s side. She knelt down and burst into tears and Daisy smiled taking the other woman’s hand and whispering soothing words too her.

“Daisy, I was so worried.” Lily muttered eventually between tears.

“I know my dear, but I'm ok, I just need to get out from under this bone.” Daisy said, she then gave a gentle command to Ember and asked Lily to stand out of the way.

Ember slowly moved over the bones and then too Daisy’s side and using her nose began to push the bone away. When it was moved enough Daisy began to crawl out of the way of it and to safety. She lay back on her back on the bones and stretched her arms out at her sides. Lily dropped to her knees again then and lowered herself over Daisy and kissed her hard on the mouth.

Daisy’s arms moved up around the other woman’s shoulders and pulled her closer crushing Lily to her as they kissed with fierce abandon. They remained that way for a long time before Daisy pushed Lily away a little and then got to her feet. She noticed the sky was growing darker and frowned.

The small dragons swooped to her shoulders and rubbed there faces on hers and then sat crooning gently as Lily and Daisy kissed again. Lily pulled away this time and she had tears on her face again. Daisy gently wiped them away and smiled reassuringly at Lily.

“You were so haughty and angry seeming when I first met you, now you’re all loving and weepy. I can’t figure you out Lily.” Daisy said smiling.

“Well I only hope you will stay out of trouble and thusly have a lot of time to try and figure me out.” Lily said smiling in return.

“I don’t plan on getting in any more trouble. Let’s go somewhere there is a cave near here I think that should still be intact let’s go and stay in that for the evening.” Daisy said, she hoped Lily would understand what she was getting at.

“Alright.” Lily said in a sultry tone.

Daisy smiled and moved over to Ember and helped Lily onto her back and then climbed up behind her. With a gentle command Daisy urged Ember into the sky and mentally told the dragon where she wanted to be taken.

They got to the cave and Ember walked into the large cavernous entrance and lay down allowing Daisy and Lily to slide down off her back. Daisy hit the ground first and caught Lily by the waist as she slid down.

Unasked Gible, Metta and Char left the cave and found dry wood before bring it back and making a fire. By the time the small dragons had it lit the two women had disrobed one another and were standing kissing in the fire light. The little dragons moved over to Ember and curled up on the large dragons head.

Daisy and Lily both ignored the dragons as they kissed and touched each other desperately needing the contact. Daisy picked Lily up and the other woman wrapped her legs around Daisy’s waist as she lowered Lily onto the pile of there clothing.

The kiss was never broken as both women again set out to run there hands over each others bodies, exploring with hands and then mouths. Revelling in each others love for one another. It was more than an hour later when they were sated and lying peacefully in one another’s arms.

“Daisy?” Lily spoke quietly.

“Yes?” Daisy said as she brushed a kiss to the back of Lily’s neck.

“Please don’t ever leave me again. I was so worried.” Lily sounded like she was trying not to sob.

“I promise.” Daisy said cuddling closer to her lover.

Both women soon fell asleep and Ember moved a little closer to them so she could cover them from the slight chill the breeze brought in with her wing. The dragons and there mistress’ all slept peacefully until late the next morning when Daisy and Lily again made love before dressing.

“Daisy I have to wonder, how did you get trapped under that bone?” Lily asked as they all stepped out into the fresh morning air.

“That was the necromancers plan. He resurrected a long dead dragon, Galakrond.” Daisy said and waited to see if there was any recognition to the name.

“The mighty dragon that lived over a hundred years ago?” Lily asked her eyes wide.

“Yes. He had her skeleton chained down in the bottom of a hidden valley. He threw me down in there expecting the dragon to kill me. I gain control and then melted the chains to free her. Then she bought down the mountain on top of him, and I guess when he died the magic keeping her ‘alive’ died to and I got trapped.” Daisy explained as she stretched her sore muscles.

“You are lucky you weren’t crushed.” Lily reprimanded, a scowl on her face.

“I know… hey… what is that?” Lily looked to where Daisy was pointing and frowned tilting her head a little before both women gasped.

“Ember can you take us down there?” Daisy asked the dragon as both women climbed on her back.

The dragon carried them down to the figure they saw lying amongst rocks and dirt. Once the dragon landed both Daisy and Lily slid off and ran over to the figured. It was a woman, maybe a few years older than Lily and Daisy. Daisy brushed the blood matted hair back from the woman’s face and saw a long cut above her left eye brow.

Lily gently patted the woman’s face until she opened her eyes with a pained groaned and looked at them both. Daisy and Lily both smiled reassuringly and the woman sobbed and laid her head back into Lily’s lap.

“Miss, do you know your name?” Daisy asked gently.

“Amelia.” Came the hoarse reply.

“You will be ok Amelia. We will get you back to the palace and get you healed up.” Lily said warmly.

Daisy moved over to where the tiny dragons where sitting on Ember’s head watching them and she spoke to them gently before asking if they would fly and get Thorn and bring him back. Each dragon chirped and then all three took to the air and hurried off over the cliffs above.

“Miss, where did you come from?” Daisy asked kneeling down beside her.

“I was in the caves. I heard that… that monster who was my father scream and I ran to try and get out of the caves fearing god knows what.” Amelia said quietly in a scratchy voice.

“That necromancer? He was your father?” Daisy asked appalled.

“Yes. My mother died during child birth. She was the first he ever brought back and it all went bad from there. He enjoyed the power he had over her mind and body. He was sick.” Amelia said and coughed a little.

“He is dead now; you don’t have to fear him anymore.” Daisy said slowly.

“I know he is gone, I felt his hold over me dissipate before I became unconscious. He was an ugly vile man.” Amelia said harshly.

“Yes he was. But you are a result of him, and you are quite beautiful.” Lily said gently.

“I look more like my mother. But yes if it where not for him I wouldn’t be here.” Amelia said smiling weakly.

“Rest for now, I have sent for help and it should be here soon.” Daisy said brushing the hair from Amelia’s face.

The woman fell asleep and Daisy moved over to Ember and hugged her around the neck and rubbed the great maw. It was some time later when five large dragons swooped down over the top of the mountain and into the valley.

Thorn practically leapt off Greer and ran to Daisy hugging her fiercely and kissing her on the cheek. Daisy reassured him she was fine and then pointed to where Lily was sitting with Amelia. Thorn moved over to the other women and asked about Lily’s health before concerning himself with Amelia.

Both Daisy and Lily saw something strange cross over Thorn’s face when he looked at the sleeping woman and they smiled to one another. Thorn busied himself with giving Amelia some water before he bent and picked her up and climbed a little awkwardly onto Greer’s back.

Daisy said she would take point and she climbed up onto Ember’s back and watched as Sir Dargen lifted Lily onto the black dragon behind. The three tiny dragons that had flown back on Greer with Thorn now nestled in front of Daisy on Embers back. With a soft command Ember took to the sky followed closely by the other dragons.

Lily wrapped her arms around Daisy’s waist and pressed herself into Daisy’s back as they flew just ahead of the other dragons. Daisy smiled contentedly to herself and her feeling of happiness and wellbeing washed into the other dragons touching her and Ember let forth a massive burst of fire.


Epilogue.

A month after Daisy and the skeletal Galakrond had defeated Amelia’s father, a most vile and foul necromancer, Daisy and Lily stood hand in hand smiling at the King and his very soon to be wife as a priest married them.

The ‘I do’s’ were spoken and the kiss exchanged between King and his knew queen and a loud cheer went up through the surrounding crowd. Thorn and Amelia turned and beamed at the people in attendance and waved to them all.

Thorn then moved with his wife over to his sister and Daisy and kissed them both on the cheek before telling them how happy he was, not only for himself and Amelia but for them both as well.

“Were happy too big brother.” Lily said hugging her brother fiercely.

Daisy nodded her agreement and kissed Amelia on the cheek in congratulations. Amelia hugged them both and Thorn joked about Lily getting jealous for touching Daisy to which he was punched non to gently in the arm by Daisy and scowled at by Lily.

The two couples grinned and then laughed about there happiness before the four of them turned and walked down a long part in the crowd. They moved on to the dining hall that had been set up with more tables and chairs for the guests.

Everyone sat to eat when the food was served and afterwards Thorn stood up and demanded silence from everyone. Everyone was expecting a toast to happiness and long life for all but they were all surprised. Pleasantly surprised.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Normally I would just toast to happiness and long life but tonight I wish to make an announcement or two. First, I want you all to know that dragons will be coming back into our lives with a force, a good kind of force as we have the Dragon Keeper in our midst. My sister’s lover Daisy, the Dragon Keeper has agreed to hatch the eggs we have so we can once again enjoy having dragons in our lives as we used too.” Thorn stopped speaking as a loud cheer went up through the dining hall he let it quiet down before speaking again.

“Also, as Daisy Dragon Keeper has done a great service to not only me and the residence of Kilmarus but the entirety of Anaran, I feel it is only fitting that she be knighted. She shall be hence forth known as Dame Daisy Dragon Keeper.” Another cheer erupted this time louder and it lasted longer.

Daisy stood and waited for the noise to die down before she smiled at everyone and turned to Thorn.

“My king, I humbly accept the offer of knighthood and will serve you in what ever you ask of me. But I must ask sir, why in god’s name are you making this about me when you just got married you old fool.” Daisy turned to the crowd as she picked up a glass of wine from in front of her before shouting. “To happiness and long life!”

The crowd cheered there loudest and Lily stood up beside Daisy and kissed her on the cheek as she and the rest of the attendants stood and raised there glasses to the king and his blushing bride.

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