—Shaman Saphir Fatewever
Moki's silver-white fur was painted with touches of gold by the morning light streaming through my office windows. He was perched on my desk, chittering his disapproval as usual.
I'd explained my reasoning for the third time, and he still wasn't having it. "You are such a contrary creature, Moki. Why am I keeping you as my companion?"
The hurt expression on his small face tugged at my heartstrings. "You are such a clever manipulator." I ran a finger along his spine, which usually pleased him enough to calm him. "The prophecy must be revealed, and I need all five of themtogether to do it properly. There is no better place to do it than in the labyrinth under the ruined temple."
Moki's chittering intensified, his tiny paws gesturing emphatically.
"Summoning all of them to my office would look suspicious, Moki." I sighed, settling back in my chair. "I cannot do it, and as Kailin has pointed out, it is time to let the others know their destiny."
He chittered again, head tilting in that way that made him look impossibly clever.
"You're right," I admitted. "Isolating them during the field trip will also appear suspicious. I'll need to be subtle about it." I tapped my fingers on the desk. "Perhaps if I make it seem like a spontaneous discovery? Yes, that could work. An unexplored chamber, something that requires a smaller group for safety reasons..."
Moki made a different sound, shorter and sharper.
I laughed. "You're quite right, my friend. Thank you for reminding me. I nearly forgot to include Commander Ravel, and as an integral part of the prophesied seven, his attendance is mandatory."
The question of whether Moki truly understood my words or I simply projected meaning onto his reactions had entertained me for centuries. The truth, I suspected, lay somewhere in between. His intelligence was undeniable, but whether it manifested as language comprehension or something more primal and intuitive, I couldn't say.
It hardly mattered since we understood each other perfectly, and that was more than most people could claim, even those who communicated in the same language.
I closed my eyes and reached out with my mind, finding Nyxath's presence blazing like a star in my consciousness. The bond we shared wasn't the same as a rider's bond withtheir dragon. It ran deeper because I'd been there when she'd hatched, the first of the hidden eggs to crack open upon our return to Aurorys.
"Nyxath," I sent, wrapping the call with warmth. "I need a favor."
Her response came immediately. "Of course you do. Shouldn't you start by inquiring about my day, though?"
I chuckled. The differences in styles of communication between humans and dragons were a running joke between us. Dragons didn't engage in polite preambles. They went straight to the point.
"My apologies,"I said. "How is your day going so far?"
"As usual. Sifting through dragon politics and dealing with all their enormous egos. Now you can ask for your favor. What is it?"
"I need you to convey a message through Onyx to Ravel. I'd like to see the commander in my office at his earliest convenience. In fact, tell him that I need to see him right away."
There was a pause. "Is this about the prophecy?"
I smiled to myself. "You know me better than I know myself."
She chuffed. "After a thousand years in your company, I should hope so."
"Indeed."I wondered if I knew her as well as she knew me."I want to tell everyone involved today, and I almost forgot that Ravel is part of the prophesied group. The field trip provides the perfect opportunity to do so discreetly."
"You had doubts about Ravel being the sixth,"Nyxath said.
"I still do. Ravel is a good tracker, but not exceptional. What made me think of him as the sixth member was his special connection to Kailin. She is the center of everything."
"Perhaps he's not the one," Nyxath said.
"It's possible, but he's the only one who fits the prophecy even remotely, so until I find a better candidate, Ravel it is."
Moki had been uncharacteristically quiet during my exchange with Nyxath, even though he could tap into our mental connection with ease.
"I'll have Onyx send Ravel to you." Her presence began to withdraw. "Let me know when you are ready to leave."
"I will."
