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to women. He knew their new born clan would
treat the women in it a lot better. But the stripes
were still surprising so he had to ask about them
and why the two had been in the middle of
nowhere when the storm had struck. Why did
you leave your clan?
Moonglow glanced at her brother. It was my
fault, Bluestone didn t have to leave.
Yes I did. I didn t agree with our father s
treatment of you. Besides, we were born together,
I m not about to let you go somewhere without
me. Not after almost eighteen years doing
everything together, Bluestone remarked.
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Flame smiled but he felt bitter inside. He
should have taken better care of his own sister
like Bluestone had. When Bluestone mentioned
their father he could guess the rest. Unwelcome
marriage proposal? he asked in order to confirm
what Storm had told him and to get the story
first hand.
Bluestone nodded. The two men in the
bond were nice enough, but Moonglow didn t
really know either one of them, and she felt no
love for them. I d always thought that women
were supposed to love at least one of the men in
the bond. That s what our mother always told
us, but the swordbrothers offered our father a lot
for her, and I think the offer, plus the fact the
men are well regarded among their clan they
are quite wealthy too blinded him to reason.
Moonglow shook her head. As you ve
probably guessed, this happened at the last
gather. Those warriors weren t even from our
clan. I d have had to leave my brother as well as
my father. Besides, I don t feel ready for marriage
and children as yet.
Flame nodded his understanding. You re
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young to be considering it, I agree. What clan
were you with?
We were with the Sand Dancer Clan.
Most people have never heard of it, Bluestone
admitted. There are only swordbrother pairs,
their wives and children, along with a few
unbonded but married men, and a pair of bonded
swordsisters and their man and children.
Flame s heart sank. It was just the type of
small clan that Dragonwind would target sooner
or later. He might well be facing its only two
survivors. Aloud, he said, We re still a very
small clan too but you would be welcome to join
us if you wish.
We don t really know you that well. Perhaps
we could stay with your clan during Storm
Season then decide? Bluestone asked.
Flame smiled. That s a reasonable request
and I agree, it would be better for you to get to
know us better before you make any decisions.
And for you to get to know us, too, Bluestone
said. We might not fit into your clan.
Flame chuckled. So far it seems to me you d
fit in very well. We ve collected a lot of people
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with nowhere else to go for various reasons. I
can t see any problems but a storm season is the
perfect chance to spot any.
Moonglow smiled. Oh yes, she agreed,
even good friends and bondmates can be at
each others throats during them.
This is very true, Storm said as he entered the
sheltered area where Flame and the twins were
talking. He took off his goggles and dustmask
and sat down near Flame. I ve finished looking
over your cycle, Bluestone. The problem you
were having was a cracked sunstone. It s been
fixed and your cycle should work fine.
The young warrior looked up at Storm. A
sunstone? How can I possibly hope to repay you
for something so expensive?
Storm chuckled. Don t worry. I repaired the
stone myself.
Bluestone s eyes widened. You... repaired it?
Yourself ?
Flame gave Storm a look that conveyed his
pride in his swordbrother. Chief Stormdragon
is a miner of sunstones. The best I can do is
firestones and healing.
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It was Moonglow s eyes that widened this
time. Such talents are almost unheard of in our
clan. Well, we have a healer but she s getting old
and frail now. She glanced at her brother and
bit her lip. Am I saying too much?
Bluestone shook his head negatively. No,
you aren t. It s pretty common knowledge that
the magic is dying among some clans. People are
even talking about it at Gathers. No one knows
why, but it s the sad truth. Maybe it s because too
many of the most powerful mages are being sold
off to the City rather than being able to raise
families.
Flame shivered as he remembered his sister s
fate. That does seem to be the case in a lot of
clans. Was it so in yours?
Bluestone shook his head. Our Chief didn t
believe in slavery, but we lost our most powerful
watermage when we were children to the outlaw
Darksky. Not that anyone really minded, the
guy was a total asshole and treated everyone like
his personal servants. The only thing we missed
about him was his ability to call up water from
places where the spring had gone dry.
Flame exchanged a look with Storm. What
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Dragon & Fenyx 5: Darksky s Home
Bluestone said bore out what Darksky had told
them but Flame had to wonder how the young
man would accept the presence of the outlaw
throughout the storm season.
Darksky is part of our clan. He s no
longer stealing people from their clans, Storm
explained.
Bluestone turned his head to look at his sister.
They were silent for a moment then the young
warrior said, I don t think we ll have a problem
with that, so long as he doesn t try to sell anyone
to the slavers and so long as he understands any
attempt to sell my sister will result in him being
torn to bits.
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