The Shantel is one of the most wonderful happenings in the life of a Bishen Dragon. It is the time where they are considered complete members of their clans. It is the time where they are allowed to take mates. Most importantly, perhaps, it is the time when they receive their breath weapons. Because of this, the breath weapon is very important to a Bishen, for various reasons of course.
Not only are the breath weapons and magical objects that are received at the Shantel the rights-of-passage for many, they also allow the Bishens to protect themselves, their young, and their bondmates. Without the breathweapons of some, many young Bishels would die of various predators. Most predators, however, are not so stupid as to pick a fight with a full Bishen. Thus, the Shantel is a wonderful occurance. It is wrought with glee and joy for bondmates and dragons alike. It is also a time of great pride. Hence, Clarinet's Shantel is no exception.
A week after the second docking of the Majestic in the Obsidian Sea, Indyana sends word that the Shantel is to take place. Sandrylene and Tren sit talking when the elder woman exits the portal to the cabin to tell the group such. Clarinet is sitting on the shore playing King's Corner with Richard.
*I win, dear lady,* Richard taunts.
*Fiddle,* Clarinet responds, sticking out her tongue. *If you'd missed that last move, 'twould be my victory.* She smiles and bows her head in defeat. Richard, being the one with fingers, picks up the runes and places them back in the bag. He then folds up the game board and hands both to Tren.
"Wonderous news!" Sandrylene exclaims as Indyana leaves. "The Shantel takes place today!" She runs over to Clarinet, careful not to slip on the slick floor of the cavern, and gives her bondmate a great hug.
Clarinet merely blinks. *My Shantel?* she repeats. *Today?*
*Jolly good!* Richard exclaims. *Tell me how it turns out, won't you, love?* He tips her a wink and waves. *Must be off, though. Urgent dealings just come up.* With that, he dives into the sea. A little while off, he surfaces again and flutters off to the west.
"Richard," Tren chuckles. "Ready to go, ladies?" he inquires, straightening his shirt.
Clarinet nods and Sandry grins. "Anytime, Tren."
The realm in which the Kailan lives seems crowded, to say the very least. Bishens of all types are gathered there with their bondmates and young. Not only them, but also the Bishens that were adopted out to those who participated in the Kailan's Quest are present. They have also brought their bondmates along for the ceremony.
Clarinet gazes about, trying to comprehend just how many other dragons are present. She slowly turns her head from side to side, catching the different hues of red, blue, and green. Suddenly, she feels very out of place. *I'm, umm... I'm going to go mingle,* she projects to Sandry and Tren. The two humanoids nod and wave to her before setting of to socialize themselves.
Clarinet finds a pool of water nearby. It is being occupied by a few other water Bishens and shrapes, among them, two that seem nearly identical. They are two blue sisters, and Clarinet nods to them before striking up a conversation with another Bishen. The two talk for a little before the other's mate calls. He departs, leaving Clarinet alone and fairly uncomfortable.
She reasons that it is best for her to relax, and thusly, she slithers into the pool of water. Underwater, few Bishens are present. She can vaguely hear the goings-on topside, and she feels the fear and anxiety leave her body. As she relaxes, she slowly rises from the water. Suddenly, her head breaks the water, and as her eyes focus through the air, she sees a red terran Bishen before her. He seems a bit too preoccupied all of a sudden.
*Yes?* she asks him, blinking. He seems too lost for his own good. Perhaps he has lost his mate? Though, he does seem a bit young for a mate. She blinks again.
*Umm...* The red Bishen seems to struggle for a moment; it appears that he is trying to remember why he came over here. A pair of females are looking at him and giggling. *Ah, yes, the Shantel... it will be starting soon. You must go line up near the entrance to the Kailan's cave,* he finally reports.
The other two shrapes begin their walk to the cave. Clarinet slithers from the water and nods. *Thank you,* she says before continueing on her way. She feels his eyes on her back as she does so.
Suddenly, a shrill *Pierre!* resounds from the trees nearby. Glancing over her shoulder, Clarinet notes that the red Bishen is suddenly jerked from his daze.
*Pierre, eh?* Clarinet muses softly to herself. Somehow, she likes the sound of that name. It seems to fit him. She thinks of this as she joins the line and awaits the Kailan.
The shrapes have been waiting in line for what seems like hours. In reality it's been but five minutes, but it seems far longer. Clarinet begins to feel the burn of eyes on the back of her head, and she glances around quickly to see fairly few Bishens there. She glances to the other end of the row and sees the other two marine sharpes staring at her. She goes stock-straight, blushing for a moment. Her blush subsides, however, as a hush falls over the line and the crowd.
From out of the cave before which all are situated flies an old red arboreal. The Kailan. He is battle-scarred and sage. His eyes belie the vast amounts of knowledge which are embedded in his mind. He lets down upon his rock, staring first at the crowd and then at the shrapes. He glances at each of them in turn before begining his opening speech.
*Shrapes, you belong to one of the most varied and unique clutches the Realm has seen thus far,* he projects. *From far away lands and places, you have gathered here today for a very important step. Today you will receive a magical object and receive your breath weapon. With this, you will become full Bishen, and take your place among our proud clan.*
Clarinet feels slightly soothed at this statement, but again becomes nervous as he begins glancing along the line at the shrapes. She blinks, trying to remain calm and collected.
Suddenly, the Kailan's gaze falls upon her. She stiffens up again before he speaks. His voice relaxes her. *Clarinet, come forward.*
Clarinet does as she is told. She slithers forward and presents herself to the Kailan. Her nervousness soon departs.
*You have grown well, as I was sure you would,* he tells her. *Your intelligence is great, and you have seen places that many only hear of in stories. To you, I give this Vision Gem. It will allow you to feel the future when the fates allow. Also, it gives you the ability to shoot bolts of energy with your gaze. Use it with care.*
Clarinet carefully takes the opalescent gem and slithers back into line. Before she turns, she tips a wink to Sandrylene. Sandry and Tren grin and nod, respectively. She then remains almost perfectly still throughout the rest of the happenings.
The twins are next to receive their breath weapons. They are given an electricity amulet and a water drop gem. The gifts seem to suit their conflicting personalities well. Next, a blue terran female is given a gem that allows her to call forth rain with her song. After her comes a blue arboreal male. He is given a gem that allows him to see clearly always. A green terran female is given a stone that enhances her growing abilities. A female arboreal is given a jewel to allow her to shape the clouds to her likings. A green arboreal male is given a stone that will always point him towards his goals. Finally, a red arboreal female is given a sun gem, one that allows her to mimic the rays of the sun in varying intensities. The Kailan then addresses the crowd again.
*After all our kind has been through, it is good to see this healthy clutch. Joy and laughter are once again returning to our clan,* he says, looking at the twins and Devgan, who smile back at him. *Congratulations, for you are all now Bishen. Go, live and grow, both wisely and well!*
Clarinet moves towards Sandry and Tren. She is beaming with joy and relief. She takes the Vision Gem that has been granted her and shows it to the pair. They give her their approval and congratulations. The three begin to leave for the portal and their ship.
Suddenly, a vaguely familiar voice resounds. *Clarinet!* it calls. *Wait up!*
Clarinet turns and blinks. Trotting up after them is Pierre. The moonstone female smiles serenly. *Sandry, Tren, I'll catch up. Don't unmoor without me.* She smiles to the pair who shrug and leave, chatting and laughing. *Pierre, isn't it?* she asks, addressing the red terran.
Pierre nods. *Yes,* he replies, laughing a little nervously. After receiving a waiting stare from Clarinet, he sighs. *I, um... I want to talk to you.*
*That's obvious. About what, pray tell?* She cocks her head to the side, curious.
*Everything.*
"So, Clarinet, what did Pierre want?" Sandrylene inquires as she helps raise the anchor to the Majestic. The group had recently discovered that lifting the dragon was much easier (and less painful for her) than letting her leap and jump to the deck of the ship. In spite of this, however, Clarinet rarely suns herself on the deck, especially if she can help it.
*We're not leaving quite yet, Sandrylene,* Clarinet responds, giving her companions a secret smile.
"What do you mean?" Sandry asks, blinking. Clarinet slithers from the anchor, and Tren and Sandry let it fall back into the water.
Clarinet blushes a little and turns away. *If you can't tell, I suppose I'll have to spell it out for you. It's just that he-*
"Thinks you're beautiful and you find him wonderous," Tren jumps in, smiling. He pats Clarinet gently upon the head. "Nothing wrong with that."
Clarinet turns to Tren. *How did you know?* She blinks, confused that he could read her so easilly.
"You were far more flustered after the Shantel when he began talking to you than before when you were to meet the Kailan." Tren smiles.
*How-?*
"Good hearing is another trait inherant to the Marians." Tren rises and stretches and begins to walk away. He stops. "There is a way to determine if you two will be good mates," he adds, half-turning.
*Yes? How?*
He chuckles. "The Kailan himself praises you for your intellegence and you've not yet thought of this?" He presents the Vision Gem.
The newly-turned Bishen smiles. *I'd hug you, but I lack arms!* she exclaims. *That was stupid of me.* She takes the gem gently in her mouth and closes her eyes. As she breaths, faint outlines form in the air. They move quickly and silently, though Clarinet seems to be able to discern their motives easilly.
"What did you see?" Sandry asks as Clarinet sets the gem upon the deck of the Majestic.
*We move around alot, you, Tren, and I. However, every few months, we stop here, at the Refuge. Tren, you eventually bond with a creature, but it is not a Bishel. You and Sandry govern this ship well into the next decade. You were talking of building a country on Inla when I stopped gazing,* Clarinet provides happily.
"And of you and Pierre?" Tren prompts.
*Didn't I say? Though we rarely see each other, we become happy mates, and he sires many good clutches through me. It's funny, really, because we have little in common save our species. However, because of our mating, the moonstone variation becomes a little more common, and because of his attributes, many noble, kind, and honest Bishens are added to the realms.*
Sandry, Tren, Clarinet, and the Majestic remained at the Obsidian Sea until the laying of Clarinet's first clutch through Pierre. They stayed until after the Shantel of Clarinet's first clutch, and just a bit afterward. Sandry and the others chose some of the bondmates and their friends and they form the core founders of the city on Inla.
True to Clarinet's predictions, Tren did bond with a creature, eventually; a Clarus Dragon. Sandry did construct a nation on Inla; she called it Dendrinla, in honor of her father, Dendrik. All of them led full, happy lives, the rest of which are to be saved for another story.
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