The night sky of the area in which the Kailan resided differed greatly from that in which our seafarers had traveled. The sky was littered with stars, but little else. It was clear and without the comfort of other celestial bodies. To Sandry and her companions, the alien nature of it was terrifying.
In the world on which Sandry was born, there were two moons that rose with an hour separating them. These moons waxed and waned in opposition with each other. They also rose at opposite ends of the sky. In the early days, many scholars thought them to be the war chariots of two opposing deities. Now, however, they know better. With the invention of the telescope and sextant came a better understanding of the world in which they lived.
Sandrylene was the last in line to be judged by the Kailan. She waited patiently through noon and the early afternoon hours as the oldest Bishen called each to his stone so that he could hear the trials through which each lived to gain the Seals' locations. By the time it was Sandrylene's turn, it seemed as if decades had passed, not merely hours.
*What is your name, child?* the Kailan projects.
"Sandrylene, sir," she replies.
*Who do you lead?*
"I lead none, sir. However, my comrades have delegated me as temporary leader. They claim that they will follow me for all time, but I do not desire such a privlage."
*Do your comrades have names?*
"Tren and Clar, sir."
*How did you come across the Quest, child?*
"It would be best if I tell you our entire story, sir. That will be less confusing."
*Then by all means, go ahead.*
"Yes, sir." She smiles nervously and begins her tale, prefacing it as she deems necessary. It seems to take forever, but perhaps that is only due to the Kailan's office and his unwavering stare. She finishes near the begining of sundown.
*Thank you, Sandrylene. You may return to your friends,* the red arboreal projects. As Sandrylene returns to Clar and Tren, the old dragon makes an announcement to all. *Each of you will slumber here with me that I may further understand your relationships with your fellows.* He twists his scar-riddled face into the attempt of a friendly smile. *Sleep well, all of you. I shall give you my decision come the morn.* He bows his head and flies back into his cave.
Sandrylene reaches the sides of her comrades and sighs. "So, what did you two do all day?" she inquires.
"We played King's Corner," Clar replies, grinning.
"For an entire day?"
"Nearly. We listened to a few of the stories being told. Yours especially."
"That's very kind of you."
Tren, who had been silent until now, pulls out his flute. As Clar and Sandry talk, he takes a seat upon the ground and begins to pipe out a melody. He attracts the attention of a few, but none dance.
Sandry, whose chat with clar is heading on the road to an argument, catches the notes readilly. She silences Clar and drags him to an area a little less crowded. After forcing a few steps, the pair soon begins to dance together. Closer. Farther. Closer. Farther. All in time to Tren's tune.
Watching Clar in the starlight, Sandry wonders why she never saw beauty in his vaguely foreign features before now. Was it because we were locked into a social stalemate? Did if fear my father's response? Why? she muses mentally as she dances with him. Each stares into the other's eyes, ignoring all but Tren and his flute's rytham.
The Marian is not jealous. Indeed, he had been wondering for some time why the pair, who seemed so perfect together, never courted. It puzzled him until now when, seeing them dance, it dawns on him. They needed to destroy all former thoughts of home before they could move on to make new lives.
The day brakes with little enough advent. Sandry is decidedly nonchalant and wakes her friends as the brilliant sun crests the trees. She, as a few others, rose while the stars still reigned. The excitement was too much, and try as she might, she could not lull herself into another slumber.
Clar groans as Sandrylene gently shakes him. "Awake, lazy one!" she hisses in his ear.
Clar groans again. Sandry rolls her eyes and nudges Tren. The musician awakes with little difficulty. Soon enough, he is by Sandry's side, yawning.
Sandry attempts to wake Clar again and sighs. "Awake or I shall rend you and hang your limbs to dry from the rigging of the Majestic!"
"You're all heart, Sandrylene," Clar mumbles, forcing his eyes to behold the sun.
Sandry grins and offers her friend her hand. He does not take it, however. By the time it was offered, he was already fast asleep again.
Sandry senses that she has lost this battle and makes a sound of frustration. Within the hour, Clar is awake of his own accord.
A little before midday, the Kailan soars from his cave and lands upon his rock once again. He beckons the adventurers to gather about him. All do as he instucts.
*All of you showed much valor by seeking out the Fourteen Seals. Many of you have experianced the virtues of each seal. Thus, none of you shall leave without a Bishel Dragon egg of your own. You may even select the gender of the egg. Remember, the female eggs are blue and the males, green. That said, it is time to announce the one that shall receive the special egg.*
As the Kailan pauses, Sandry hopes that someone far more deserving than she will win the prized egg. She decides that she will be content knowing that she lost to someone of more character. Besides, what does it matter if she wins or not? She participated out of boredom and a love for adventure.
The Kailan, deeming that he has built up enough suspense, continues. *The winner of the egg is the leader-elect of a group of three.* He pauses again to collect his thoughts.
Clar glances about during the lapse in the speech. He wonders which that person is. Certainly there are more than one group with such circumstances.
His thoughts collected, the Kailan continues again. *Her name is Sandrylene and she hails from the land of Weldox, a land from which she was forced to emmigrate to avoid a most untimely death. Sandrylene, please come forward.*
Tren seems barely surprised. "Congratulations," he whispers in Sandry's ear. The crowd begins to mutter as no one steps forward. Tren gently nudges Sandry forward. The crowd, seeing movement, both parts away from and presses towards her simultaneously.
*Don't be shy, child,* the Kailan projects.
Sandry forces herself to take a deep breath and spins on her heel. She grabs her cohorts by their wrists and sets her shoulders. She begins to drag them along with her down the aisle that has been formed.
"Sandrylene?" Clar asks, bewildered and confused.
"I don't lead. We're a team. We've gotten this far together, I shan't go on alone," she replies.
Tren shrugs inwardly and smiles. "It is all the same to us, Sandrylene." He and Clar flank her willingly before sotpping in front of the Kailan.
The trio kneels at generally the same time. Sandry bows her head, takes another breath, and gathers her wits. "I thought she would be given to someone worthy," she objects quietly as she rises.
*You are worthy, Sandrylene. I trust you shall nurture her well.* The Kailan lets out a shrill whistle that souns very much like a sharp "TREE!" The call echos off the trees before being answered from all directions. Many Bishens emerge from the wood in sets of two; each pair bears an egg. Obviously, they are all the parents of the eggs to be adopted. All the parents place the eggs in a row. The number of females and males is equal. The Kailan explains this.
*The eggs that are not chosen will grow unbonded. They will perpetuate the wild clan. All delegates may now select an egg. Sandrylene, please wait.*
The others approach the eggs with a craceful, though slightly regretful, reverence. Soon, each leader has selected an egg. Sandry notes that Clar and Tren quietly have begun to socialize with the participants and the dragons. Within minutes, most are ensued in conversations.
The Kailan deems this a fine time to slip away. *This way, Sandrylene.* With all of the other Bishens about, it is easy for the oldest to fly off unnoticed. Gliding silently, the Kailan leads the way into the woods.
The forest... Back to the begining!
Background by Ender Design.