Neve

"It is time to decide your futures." Neve's mother smiled kindly at her nervous children. This was the way of her family. Those with the Tidelord's gift peered into the future and guided their loved ones toward their destiny.

She moved quickly, sorting her children between those that were destined to serve the Tidelord himself and those who would perform tasks within a clan. Neve's turn was last. Her mother looked deeply into her eyes.

"You, my daughter, will be a gift. There is a young clan that has great need of you. First you will learn to fight and to heal, and then you will depart for the Windsinger's lands."

"F...fight? The Windsinger? Me?" Neve barely managed to squeak.

"You will do us all proud, daughter."

********

Neve fidgeted awkwardly in the dust of the dragon markets, her mother perched upon her back. Together they scanned the crowds that had gathered. Neve had no idea what they were looking for. Her mother did.

"There. Those two. They are your new clan."

Neve looked at the dragons her mother was pointing to. The blue guardian looked awkward and the truly ugly fae that accompanied her kept himself close. Neither appeared to be older than herself. Neve tried to give her mother a questioning look but she was already swooping off to approach the pair.

"You are starting a new clan." Her mother said bluntly.

The guardian looked surprised. "I, uh, I guess we are. Yeah. Um, it's just the two of us though. I don't know if we're really much of a clan."

Neve's mother nodded. "You will be. You will need help though. My daughter can fight and heal. She will go with you, if you accept her service."

The guardian looked uncertain. "We have no money to pay for her service."

Her mother shook her head. "She is a gift from our clan and from the Tidelord."

Matilda snorted. "I doubt the Tidelord would want to gift a Chargeless guardian. Are you sure you want your daughter associating with my type?"

Her mother smiled. "The Tidelord sent her himself and I am honored to see her help your clan florish."

"I'm sorry. I was rude, it's just.... we haven't had the easiest time with other dragons."

"You will find your place. My daughter has found hers."

The guardian turned to Neve then, "I am Matilda and this is my mate, Alfred. We aren't really much of a clan yet, but our land is beautiful. It's a bit of the steppes near the sea, so you would feel at home. We would be glad to accept your companionship, if you choose to give it."

Neve looked into Matilda's eyes and for a moment knew what it was like to have her mother's gift. These dragons would be her friends, the greatest friends of her lifetime.

"I'm Neve. I look forward to seeing my new home."