To Who First...

​It was Siate’ who spoke first after the silence that followed her introduction by Aralt.  “Greetings Acolyte.  It has been many years since you last served me.”  Everyone was startled.  Who was she talking too?  It was the Baron who realized it first besides the one that the Dragon had spoken to.  It was his mother, the Dowager Griselda, Siate’ had recognized in spite of few knowing about the Dowager being of the Dragon clan when she was a much younger Fae.  

Even Griselda had not thought out this possibility of being known.  "I don't think I even showed my tattoo yet either", thought Griselda as she brought her hand to her lips in surprise. ​

​“Greetings oh mighty one.  Yes, it has been a long time and your presence greatly enhances our Realm,” Griselda replied receiving a smile from the Wish Dragon.  It was then that Siate’ decided to address the young Dragon standing with the villagers.  “And who are you and from which clan are you from?” she asked Dree.

​After a pause while he thought about his answer, Dree replied.  “I am Drai’ochtluan and was of the Wish Dragon clan.”  Siate’ waited for further explanation but when Dree did not continue, she thought that maybe Aralt was correct and this young Dragon was a little stupid.  “What do you mean ‘was’ of the Wish Dragon clan?” she asked him.

​“As I was the only Wish Dragon before your arrival, I did not see myself as part of a clan,” he answered.  With this answer Aralt smirked.  He noticed the look that had appeared on Siate’s face.  "Yes.  I had already warned her that this Dragon was not the brightest," as he let his lips slightly curl up into a small smile.

​“The Herald mentioned that you had told him there were other Dragons possibly to the south of here,” Siate’ asked?  It was at this moment that Dree decided that he would not reveal himself yet to Aralt or Siate’ about what he was.  “Let them think of me as a has-been Wish Dragon,” he thought.  “Let’s see how they treat me first.”  Because of that decision, Dree would use the play-on-words that he and Drat had been keeping each other entertained with in the time they spent in the cave.

“That is true,” Dree solemnly answered with a slight bow.  When he did not explain himself further, it was Aralt who asked “Where?”  After appearing to be thinking about his answer, finally Dree replied.  “I am pretty sure that I said Where could be in the caves south of here.”  After another pause he continued, “Yup.  Possibly in the caves south of here.  You might want to talk to Who as well.”

​“Who do I talk to?” Aralt asked.  “Yes,” answered Dree.

​“I talk to Who?” again Aralt asked.  “That’s right,” agreed Dree.  

It was then that Drat realized the game the young Dragon was playing.  “That’s right,” said Drat as he smirked a smile to Aralt.  “You should talk to Who.  If you can’t find Who, then I suggest you go to the second cave and ask to see What.  If you don’t get an answer from them then you then try the third cave.  I Don’t Know Who is at the third cave."

At this point Aralt, shaking his head, replied, " If you don't know who is at the third cave why are you sending me there?

"No, no," replied Drat.  "Why isn't sending you anywhere.  I realize that this is all probably very confusing to you as an elder, so I will take you there if you need me to,” smiled Drat to the Herald.  Again, feeling his intelligence insulted, Aralt puffed up his head and told the rat to mind his manners and that he would be just fine without  his unneeded assistance.​

“Indeed,” the Herald replied as he marched up to Siate’ and offered to lead her to the other Dragons that must be in the southern caves.  As they prepared to begin their quest, something still nagged at the mighty She-Dragon.  “I don’t think this young Dragon is quite as stupid as Aralt thinks he is…” she murmured to herself as she turned to leave.   ​