Chapter 3: Hunters

Tearhne asked three of the most powerful females to meet with her to discuss Aymeri's fairy. If she can get Aithne, Dechtire and Moryn on her side, other less powerful nests will follow along that much easier. The fact that Aithne is Aymeri's mother, Dechtire is her own and Moryn is Seirian's cannot hurt her cause, though Tearhne cannot count on it helping. The elder dragons have large nests and many children, and are not prone to that kind of favoritism when considering matters that concern the whole of dragonkind.

"Aymeri should have killed the fairy," Aithne says, anger in her voice, not pleased with her son's flouting of their laws.

"Aye, but it's too late for that now," Moryn points out,  "He was seen by the second fairy as well as they one Tearhne keeps at her nest. Killing that one alone would no longer be enough; we'd have to make war on all the fae kind."

"You are known for letting your males do as they please, daughter, and thus far it has served your nest well," Dechtire says, "But allowing your first to bring a fairy into your nest..."

"Aymeri made the choice to lay with the fairy rather than kill her, but bringing her into the nest was my decision," Tearhne explains, "There is greater benefit to keeping her than in losing her."

"Explain yourself," Dechtire says, "Tell us what benefit the fairy brings you."

"She has magic, different from ours, and powerful. Just as we strive to populate our nests with males of different strengths and temperaments, we should also make use of what the fae kind can give us."

"Well, perhaps every nest should capture a fairy," Dechtire says with a wry smile.

"Aymeri and his fairy share a bond of love," Tearhne says, "She is with us willingly, not a captive."

"If we change the law, allow fairies to see us in his form, how soon will it be before we lose all our males to them?" Aithne asks.

"They might seek out the fairies for affection, and even seduce some into the nest, but surely they wouldn't leave. A male without a nest is a still a child, or an outcast," Moryn says.

"There is no doubt, things will change if the law changes," Dechtire says, "But going to war with the fae kind will also bring change. Change and much death, for, pretty as they are, the fae are powerful and will not submit easily to death like dumb prey."

"You suggest we change our law out of fear of war?' Aithne asks.

"Not fear," Dechtire says, "But we must consider what we do. we are on the brink of great change, and  the decision we make will be one our kind will live with forever. I suggest only that we think before we act."

While Tearhne meets with the elder females, Aymeri speaks with his younger brother Kirwyn, who had been an infant when Aymeri left to join Tearhne's nest. Now the boy has come of age, and seeks advice from his elder kin.

"Moryn has asked me to join her nest," he tells him.

"That's a high honor," Aymeri says, "Her nest is old, and powerful."

"And I would be her seventh," Kirwyn says, "But Arienh has asked me to be her first..."

"But she has not yet come of age," Aymeri nods, "And you would remain a child in your mother's nest until she does."

"What would you do?"

"Well, you know what I did. Moryn asked for me as well, and I would have been her fifth. But I accepted Tearhne's offer."

"She had already come of age," Kirwyn points out.

"Aye, I didn't have to wait, and that made the choice clearer," Aymeri says, "But I would have waited if I had had to. Joining an old nest like Moryn's is a great honor, and gives you a high place in our society. But, to be first of a new nest, that's a challenge. You'll have to earn your honor and your place in society. It will be on you to strengthen the nest, help to choose your brothers, and keep them in line. You must be prepared to lead them to greatness, or else be known only for your failings."

"Honor earned is greater than honor bestowed," Kirwyn says.

"That's my opinion," Aymeri says.

Kirwyn nods, "I would be as great you someday, brother."

"Become the first of Arienh's nest, and you'll be my rival," Aymeri says, "Best be prepared."

 The hunters take aim; there will be meat tonight.

Unseen, Riain watches. Even from this distance, the dragon can sense that the prey is no mere animal. Like him, it is a creature of magic.

The arrows hits the fleeing animal.

Struck, she is no longer able to maintain her form, and falls to the ground wearing her true shape.

The hunters are stunned by the sudden transformation of their prey.

And they are even more surprised by the attack that follows.

Shayeleigh's last thought as she loses consciousness is to wonder who her rescuer is. Not a hunter, for she can feel his magic, yet he is not fae. What then? she wonders.

Even in this form, Riain has the strength of a dragon, and his blows fall hard on these hunters.

They are as weak as any prey animal, he thinks. Except for their weapons, they are weaker than most creatures Riain has taken down.

They have no magic, but they have weapons, and they dress themselves. What manner of creature are they, and where have they come from?

Whatever they are, Riain thinks as he chokes the life from the younger one, they have seen him, and they have to die.

The older hunter follows his son into death.

With the strange creatures dead, Riain approaches the fairy, lying unconscious and wounded on the bank.

He sighs in relief when he discovers that she yet lives.

Perhaps Seirian could help her if he brought her back to the nest. Seirian has a gift for healing. But to bring another fairy to their fire while Tearhne pleads Ico's case to the elders...Riain thinks better of that plan, and realizes his only option is to bring her to her own kind.

"Ico has gone somewhere beyond my magic," Tania whispers. She has told Auberon, and only Auberon, of Ico's encounter with the dragon, "I fear I may have sent her to her death."

"She is not dead, I can feel that much," Auberon assures her, "The dragons have magic that keeps us away, but Ico is with them, alive."

"But what do they mean to do with her? Why has she not returned?"

"Tania, did you not tell me she and her dragon were embraced when you came upon them? Perhaps she is taking pleasure in his company..."

"He said he should have killed her before he left us," Tania protests.

"And yet he has not," Auberon says, "Trust in her. Ico can take care of herself."

"Come, let me distract you from these thoughts," he says, taking hold of her and pulling her close.

Dragons know well the places the fairies favor, and make it a habit of avoiding them. Riain enters their territory cautiously, meaning not to be seen while he delivers their injured kin to them. As luck would have it, the first fairies he encounters are too distracted to notice his approach.

"Be well, fairy," he whispers as he lays his burden on a bed of clover. He makes a noise as he runs off, to attract the attention of her kin, and lead them to her.

"Shayeleigh!" Tania cries, taking the fallen fairy into her arms, "She is injured! Do you think it was the dragons who did this?"

"I think not," Auberon says, "I've seen dragons kill before, and it's far, far messier. Let's get her healed, so she may tell us herself what happened, and who brought her here."

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Special thanks to Karima, Daijahv and Jillyson for helping me find CC for this story. You guys are the best!