The Young Warrior. Different POV. Not an entry.

So I did a story here for this months competition.

The Young Warrior

I have found that short stories are a good way to get used to a character before adding them in a book. This is why I wrote the above story. Today, I added that character in to my third book. Actually I added both of the main characters from the story.

I thought perhaps some may get a kick out of seeing it from the books POV. It is not the whole story, in fact only the last bit but it may show how I tend to write. Just thought some of you may enjoy it. Read the above story first or this will not make much sense. If you have read my other short stories here you will be in the same universe.

It is nowhere near a final edit. It is quite raw in fact.

See next post.

P

YOUNG WARRIOR (POV Prince Commander)

I returned to the Weyr Ship where I found most of the hatchlings outside sleeping with their new Riders still surrounded by family and friends. I joined them as the afternoon flowed into the evening. A few hours later we were all ushered into the Celebration Deck for the Hatching Feast. We had one extremely large table to cater for us and the few others that would join us. Our Dragons were laying around the edges of the deck. We were served what looked something like a giant clam shell. The shell was fascinating. Its exterior was mirror like with a golden hue and the inside seemed to be pure gold. In it was the sea creature nicely cooked together with purple salad and some shredded meat. It was delicious and I realized that I was going to have get used to eating different foods.

As we were eating Queen Rider Katil explained that the shell fish was great delicacy that they farmed in the inland sea. It extracted gold from the water and used it on its shell to avoid any other creatures from settling on it. The only predator it had was extremely dangerous due to its propensity to bite anything at any time and had an extremely powerful jaw. They had wiped it out from the inland sea although it still existed in the other oceans of this world. Every five decades they had to add gold to the sea in the form of gold dust. Without the depredations of predator the shell fish population had exploded and was kept in check by farming it.

After the main course the Elf Lord wanted a short word with Titarth and I. “Keeper, I am aware you do not have your old memories as yet so I will start at the beginning. Elinith is a Silver Great Dragon. She was assigned to me to assist in my work on your behalf. Sometimes it is dangerous work. She lost three Riders in quick succession. One was murdered while she slept, one died of a disease that we could not counter in time and the last fell in battle. She is only three hundred and sixty five years old and has been in seclusion for twelve years. It is sad but I am told that Great Dragons need this time to themselves. When she served me, she did so very well. Her Arcane abilities are very well developed and I taught her much. Just now she sought me out by long range mind link having to trace me across four worlds. That in itself is difficult.”

I nodded and he continued, “She has rescued a Young Warrior who has only just received her Wrist Guards and apparently is very young to have achieved this. This Young Warrior used Arcane Power to assist her movement for a day and a night before attempting to cross a wide ravine using an Arcane Shield to overcome gravity which is where she exhausted her Arcane talent and was plunging to her death when Elinith rescued her.

Elinith is amazed at this Young Warrior’s ability. She tells that she has never seen the like before. The little one is scared of her Talents and believes that she will be forced to use them even if she wishes otherwise. The Young Warrior wants to explore her Talent without expectations and then choose what she wishes to do with them. Elinith believes that I should provide whatever is needed to guide the young one. I would not gainsay the Silver, she is wise, even for a Great Dragon. I seek your council Keeper.”

Titarth sent, "Elinith is an extremely capable Silver, I think highly of her. If she believes this Young Warrior needs our help then we should examine the little one ourselves. We need to be careful not to add to her fears." I said, “Have Elinith bring her here and do so now. I will make some arrangements.” I went to talk to Mia and asked if she would meet the Young Warrior when she arrived and escort her to Amelia. I updated Amelia on what we needed to do and had Titarth link us all together. Then I found the Warrior Princess and discussed the situation with her. After that I asked C5 to see if he could find any information that would help.

We did not have to wait long before a Silver Great Dragon landed on the ledge and a Young Warrior dismounted gracefully. Mia met her and escorted her to our table keeping up a relaxing banter. Mia was using telepathy as one needs to with Warriors and sent, "Amelia, Queen Rider, this is our Young Warrior guest. She has to be the prettiest Young Warrior I have seen." Amelia turned and sent, "Well, hello, I am Amelia. You are gorgeous! I have never seen a Warrior with your colors. Your fur is almost the same color as my hair." Then in a very gentle manner she swept a small calming spell over the youngster and very gently sent, "You are amongst friends. Be at ease. Elinith has asked for our help and we are all pleased to be asked. Ah, here comes the love of my life."

I approached and knelt next to them. I sent, "Greetings Young Warrior. Let me see what we have here." I was a little stunned at the Power she radiated. I continued, "You have the gift of being able to hear all Great Dragons. That in itself is a very pleasant wonder. May my Dragon greet you? He also needs to peek into your mind. He will be gentle." The Young Warrior smiled and nodded her consent. Titarth entered with Amelia and I overlaid with his mind. This was an awesome mind and yet the doubts were clearly evident. We would have to be so careful.

Titarth withdrew and I sent, "Well, you certainly need training and I can see your concern clearly. So what I will do is to ensure you are trained to use that impressive Talent of yours. You can go as fast or as carefully as you need to. There are just a few arrangements to make and we will have to consult an expert. We do not want to make any inter species mistakes and I do not know all I should know about Cubs and Young Warriors. So, I wonder where she is." I reached with my mind and was answered. The Warrior Princess approached and sent a greeting.

The Young Warrior bowed deeply and sent, "Warrior Princes of Ressalon, I am honored to meet you. I apologize if I have caused any problems." The Warrior Princess sat next to me and smiled sending, "You have not caused me any problems. Many Warriors have no idea what I do apart from Healing. What we are all doing right now is solving an important issue and I am pleased to help in any way I can. This is exactly what a Princess of Ressalon is supposed to do! Relax Young Warrior, everything will work out."

I sent to the Warrior Princess on an open link, "What I would like to do is to keep her here and have our two newest Queen Riders teach her along with the Elf Lord. That should be enough to start with. Elinith rescued her as she ran herself right out of Arcane Power. As I understand it though, she should be staying with her Parents for another year. Warrior Princess, I am not sure how to solve this but I will not have this Young Warrior risking a single strand of her fur. She is too pretty." C8 walked up, sat and sent, "I have some further information if I may be so bold, Sir."

I answered, "Go ahead C8, what do you have for us.” C8 sent, “This Young Warrior has Parents that are on my training list for Queen Rider Amelia. Her father is one of the most knowledgeable scientists outside of the Builders on the subject of AIs and her Mother is a Master Healer who specializes in Neuron Patterning. We could make our lives easier if we bring the Parents here. They could pass on their knowledge to Queen Rider Amelia and be close to their daughter as well. They would also learn a great deal living in a Weyr Ship for a year or so, as would our Young Warrior and that is always beneficial to everyone. If they are willing of course."

I smiled and asked the Young Warrior, "How does that sound to you Young Warrior? Would that work, you would certainly help us to achieve some goals and also you could help with two Queen Dragonets. Not many Warriors get to do that, young or old." Then I paused and gently added, "Perhaps this is all a bit fast for you. Would you like some thinking time? I do not wish to seem to rush you. No one will ever force you to do something other than what you want. Right now, we have more Arcane knowledge here, in this Weyr Ship, than is usually assembled anywhere. It is yours to gently learn from as you need and at your own pace."

Her Aura showed a conflict being dealt with so I waited patiently with a smile to show I understood. Well, all my nice planning turned to dust as she asked very directly and respectfully, "Sir, who are you if I may ask?" I smiled and replied, "I was hoping to shield you from that answer for a while longer. My thought was that if you knew who we all were you would feel compelled to do as we suggested and that would violate your free choice. However, you have asked. How much do you know about the recent battle with Demons?" She answered, "Everyone has been following it! It was an awesome battle that will be recorded in our history forever. Those Earth people certainly know how to make weapons but one of them almost killed the Prince Commanders. My Father thought that more testing should have been done!"

I smiled at the reply and sent, "Queen Rider Amelia here is the Grand Master Healer that saved almost two Wings of Great Dragons who were severely injured. Because of her efforts we managed the Battle without loss of life. She will tell you that she had lots of help, and she did, but without her those Great Dragons and Riders would have died. She can teach you a great deal. Over there we have Queen Rider Christine, the youngest and most recent Battle Commander of Ressalon. Riding the Preeminent Queen, she took a full Wing into the Demon Realm itself to recover the missing Sword of Balance. She is also the one that bested your Warrior Prince Commander in playful combat. She can teach you much about using Arcane Powers in combat. The one sitting next to her is an Elf Lord, second in command of the Forces of Balance. He can also teach you much and he enjoys teaching young minds. I am the one that ordered the Earth weapon fired. I was aware of the risks. A few little things went wrong after that. I am Tez. With Titarth, and you have felt his mind earlier, we are the Prince Commanders of the Battle Forces of Ressalon and we are the Keeper of Balance."

She took a step backwards and bowed as deeply as she could. Her Aura displayed confusion and a question waiting so I sent, "Your Aura shows a little confusion. Ask, it is the way that we learn." She shook her head. I sent, "Ask Young Warrior, there is nothing you can ask that would offend." She gulped a little and finally asked, "Why do you not just order what you need done. Why do you need to ask the Warrior Princess for advice?" I sent, "I do not interfere in the development of any of the Species that choose to serve Ressalon. If I did so I could stifle their growth as a Species. That would be unthinkable. One of the most precious things we all have is our freedom. Our freedom to choose where our life will lead us. In your case, I will ensure that whatever you choose will be your choice and your choice only. You may learn all that you wish to from this wonderful group I have assembled here. Where you go and what you do after is up to you. Any and all that serve us do so of their own free will with full knowledge of the risks involved."

I looked at the Warrior Princess and asked, "What do we need to do next?" She replied, "I will send a request to her Parents. I know them well due to their professions. They will be thrilled on several levels. It will not be a problem, in fact, they will likely be awed at a direct request from me." I chuckled and sent, "Add Titarth’s and my name to the request. It is a request from the Keeper of Balance." The Warrior Princess seemed a little awed as did the Young Warrior. Titarth linked the Young Warrior’s mind in as I sent to Elinith, "Elinith, I dislike throwing this Young Warrior in the deep end so to speak. I have a request for you. Would you consider staying here for a while at least until her Parents arrive, perhaps a few days extra while she makes the transition. She likes and trusts you and I think those feelings are mutual." Elinith answered, "It would bring joy to my mind to do so. I would be pleased!"

Then Mia came up and thought, "Well I am glad you all got that straightened out. You have probably scared this Young Warrior half to death." Mia turned to the Young Warrior and sent, "Why don’t we find the Weyr Queen Rider and find somewhere that you and Elinith can stay while you are here. Then perhaps you and I can go exploring this Weyr Ship that seems to be a Dreadnought sitting on its blunt end." The Young Warrior smiled and replied, "I would like that very much, Elinith was very kind. We have Castle Ships that are almost the same as this one. I wonder why they all have different names."

I sent, "Off you go then and have some fun. Thank you Princess!" As they left the Young Warrior asked Mia, "Mia, are you a Princess?" Mia answered, "Yes, a very new one. A few weeks ago I was just Mia, an orphan that needed some help. Now I am the Draconic Princess, Rider of Kirrith, Preeminent Queen Dragon. Sounds good but in reality I am still Mia, I am still an orphan, but, the number people that I love and trust has increased dramatically. Try not to let it bother you. We all need friends and sometimes titles get in the way of that. I have to check on Natalie, she is my sister and then we can find a place for you to stay."

Titarth dissolved the linkage as we all breathed a sigh of relief. It had gone very well and I was pleased. That Young Warrior had an astounding ability, one that required careful training. Titarth thought, "She will do well with what we have provided. Her future will be bright no matter what she chooses." I looked at Akemi and said, “Watch them please and see that any needs are met. Stay close and also see that Elinith needs nothing. She is without a Rider and I would care for her in any way I can. You could use some experience at dealing with Great Dragons and Warriors. If the constant Telepathy becomes a burden simply ask Titarth for some help.” Akemi nodded and went towards Elinith. Titarth sent on a narrow link, "They will both realize what you are trying to do in time, probably sooner than you think. They are a nice match though. Well done, I will watch over them." I smiled. Amelia leant over and quietly said, “I didn’t know you were into match making. Nice if it works though.” I just grinned in reply.

Sorry double post.