Maeryn

Avrae's Charge

Maeryn - Mae for short - was in town with her parents one day, taking in all the sights and sounds of the bustling center. Dragons from all Flights, as well as allied beastclans, were coming and going and hawking their wares as far as the eye could see.

When Lux stopped to speak with a merchant, Mae found a mirror sitting on the table and began to make faces at it. Her antics caught the merchant's eye, drawing a chuckle from him and Lux. Mae glanced up and grinned, then turned back to the mirror. A couple more faces, and then her jaw went slack. "Momma! Look!"

Lux turned to gaze at her daughter's reflection, still not quite believing what her many eyes clearly saw.
Even the merchant stopped mid-sentence as he stared at the scene before him.

A guardian stood nearby, her colors almost a perfect match to the hatchling's. Her purchase done, she turned to leave. She suddenly snapped to attention, her eyes scanning the crowd. A heartbeat later, her eyes locked with Maeryn's.

Lux watched the guardian's eyes lock with her daughter's, saw the look she'd been warned of, and knew both sadness and joy. All of Sornieth knew about The Search, and it was apparent that her daughter was meant to be this one's charge.

Avrae hastily shoved her package into a satchel and approached the family of obelisks. "Hello, ma'am. I am Avrae, of the Stormfeather Clan. You're aware of a guardian's journey?" At Lux's nod, she continued, "I feel your little one here is meant to be my charge."

Maeryn stood slack-jawed again, staring at the dragoness. "Me?!" she managed to squeak. "You want me to come live with you?"

"Yes, if your parents will allow it."

Till looked from the guardian, to his shocked daughter, to his wife. "Mae, want do you want to do? And honey, what do you think?"

Lux smiled. "While I am a bit sad to let our daughter go if she chooses to go with you," she pulled Mae into a hug, "the choice is ultimately up to her."

"I agree," Till replied. "Do you want to stay here with us, or would you like to go home with Avrae to her clan?"

Just then, an icy white wolf obelisk bounded up to the guardian. "Hey Avrae, Nightrain wanted me to tell you she's done with her business, but to take your time. She's found a new salad bar to try."

"Thank you, Neri. Let her know I won't be too much longer."

"Will do." Neri bounded off, howling as she went.

Mae chuckled. "Does she always do that?"

"Who? Neri? Ah, yes, yes she does." Avrae laughed. "Now, to the matter at hand. Would you like to come live with us?"

Mae sat and thought for a couple minutes. Heaving a deep sigh, she looked from her parents, then to Avrae, then towards the direction Neri had headed. "Will you teach me all kinds of fun things?"

"Whatever you wish to learn, I will teach you or find someone who can."

"Then I choose to live with you."

A tear fell from one of Lux's eyes. "My girl, chosen as a Charge." Her head turned toward the guardian. "I know you'll spare nothing to protect her."

Avrae nodded. "You have my word, and honor as a guardian."

"Then go my child, learn all you can about this world we live in. And enjoy yourself!" Lux hugged her daughter tightly.

"I will momma. I'm going to miss you."

"We'll miss you too, honey," Till replied as he swept them both into a hug. "But I know leaving home is part of growing up."

Maeryn moved to stand with the guardian. "I'm ready to go now."

"Thank you for allowing me to adopt her, I've been searching for years for my Charge." Avrae bowed to Till and Lux, then was taken by surprise as they wrapped her in a hug. "We'd best get going," she managed past a lump in her throat. "Let's hope Nightrain hasn't eaten the whole salad bar yet!"

Mae giggled and fell into step beside her protector. "What is she, a zeeba?"

"Nope, just a tundra with a huge love of salads."


....to be continued

(note: genes were applied after adoption, Avrae and Mae possibly browse a catalog ERROR has on hand?)