Trevelian: The tail is for balance. Taking hold of it could hurt the women and getting thrown off could kill a man.

Yestin: Lyn is a seventh. I wonder if she would have magic in your world... *watches the vines with curiosity when they tighten* *grins*

Garan: With all respect to Kedmir, new riders have much to learn before they can match Aderyn's skill. *is helped to his feet*

Yestin: *takes Talidor from his father and puts him on his shoulders*

Tristram: Be careful.

Yestin: *nods and the twins bolt off*

Talidor:

Tristram: *looks a bit worried but smiles and follows*

Orrun: *Gives Hakor an "I-told-you-so" look*

Hakor: *Nods* Might be kind of fun to get thrown off over water... *Avoids Rune's playful swat*

Rune: You'll get yourself killed one of these days, young man. Tesmir even knows better than you.

Hakor: He hasn't been in the business of mischief as long as I have.

Orrun: Yes, because two years' difference is a long time.

Tilmere: I don't know. How old is she? Usually magic becomes apparent in a person around the age of ten.

Tesmir: *Trying not to be run down by Jek and Kedmir, who had doubled back*

Tilmere: *Walks alongside Tristram* I don't think I have ever seen this much energy in my brothers before, at least the older ones. It's nice.

Aderyn: The behemoth is even bigger. If you find him, you can use his tail.

Trevelian: *grins*

Tristram: She is only seven years.

Garan: *watches the chase and whispers something to Yestin who grins*

Tristram: It is the country, perhaps. Air and company enough to give energy, and the room to use it, aye?

Hakor: Behemoth? What is that?

Orrun: *Stares at Zveja, trying to picture something bigger* o.o

Rune: I won't pity either of you if you break something.

Tilmere: *Nods* She has a few years yet if she does. Although sometimes people learn of their abilities early. *Smiles and nods* Aye. If it wouldn't make my brothers concerned for my state of mind, I would not object to running about either.

Tesmir: *Whips around and tackles Kedmir, both barreling into Hakor* *Pushes away and continues running, looking extremely pleased with himself*

Kedmir: Ow, Hakor, get your foot off of my face.

Hakor: Get your knee out of my gut, then. =_=

Trevelian: We don't know... We've only heard rumors...

Aderyn: And seen rough sketches. He is supposed to be one hundred feet long. I think that may be stretching it. Not even basilisks are that big.

Tristram: *thinks* Magic comes naturally to your people then? *smiles* Never fear; there are other active pursuits at my home that are considered to be completely within the bounds of sanity. *chuckles*

Yestin: *walks casually over and deposits Talidor on top of Hakor and Kedmir*

Garan: Well done, little brother.

Talidor: *giggles and clamors off* *plops down next to Kedmir's head and pokes him with a tiny finger*

Orrun: A hundred feet?

Hakor: Where does it live?

Tilmere: Not as often as it does Luvarians or Elves, but there are quite a few magic weavers among humans. Seventh children are less common, but they have been observed enough to provide material for study. Rune and I would find books on it sometimes for Jek when he was just learning. It helped, I think, knowing he wasn't the only person in the world with his abilities. *Chuckles* I may do something very unconventional, just to throw them off.

Jek: Oi! What did you do?! *Tries to follow Talidor's movements without knocking him over as he climbs down*

Kedmir: We've been taken hostage-- ow. O.< *Looks at Talidor* You sneaky rascal. Come here, fiend! *Reaches out and grabs Talidor, tickling him*

Jek (mixed them up. It was Jek that was with Kedmir): *Shoves Kedmir off and springs after the twins.*

Trevelian: Aye, so the rumors say. We have yet to find him.

Aderyn: Deep in the Cubbadryt, further in than the eguiterma go, in where the soil is so muddy that it swallows men whole and no one hears their cries for help.

Braith:

Aderyn: But the behemoth lives there, and the mud doesn't bother him one bit.

Tristram: I believe magic is somewhat different here. The work of spirits and men who thirst for power... Your world must be very different from ours.

Talidor: *squirms and giggles uncontrollably*

Garan: *bolts once Jek is up*

Yestin: *to Kedmir* Look after him, aye? *takes off after his brother*

Hakor and Orrun:

Hakor: Why doesn't the mid bother him? If he's so big, he must be very heavy, and would sink.

Tilmere: *Nods* I would not be surprised. It all depends, I suppose, on how magic is used. It is a tool, and it can be used for good or ill. Dark magic, though, is never good. It is unnatural. *Passes Kedmir and Talidor* Ah,MYou have taken one of them captive?

Kedmir: *To Yestin* Aye. *Looks at Tilmere, pausing his tickling* It does appear that way. *Stands, holding Talidor carefully on one shoulder*

Jek: *Charges after the twins, vines sprouting in front of them at intervals.*

Aderyn: He's too tall. He sinks to the bottom but his head is still out, so he just walks through it.

Trevelian: *can't help but grin at his sister's dramatic storytelling*

Tristram: *nods* I believe I understand that. *to Kedmir* I apologize for my older sons. Usually they're a bit better about caring for their brother.

Talidor: *puts one hand on Kedmir's head and points at the dinosaurs with the other, telling some story in unknown words*

*the twins keep running and dodging the vines, but are somewhat slowed down*

Hakor: And you're not worried he would come out and... kill?

Tilmere: *Smiles* It took a little while for us to understand, too.

Kedmir: Ah, it's alright. I haven't hoisted a child on my shoulders in years. *Starts walking toward the dinosaurs, listening attentively*

Rune: *Comes charging out of the trees toward the twins, roaring*

Jek: *Does a double-take and turns and runs*

Tilmere: *Laughs* At this rate we'll get there by midnight.

Aderyn: He hasn't yet. That's why he's only a legend. Perhaps, one day, man will create enough ruckus in the Cubbadryt to drive him to it.

Trevelian: *shakes his head and chuckles* He is said to browse as the elk do, but from the tops of the trees and the bottom of the swamp.

Tristram: *smiles at Talidor and Kedmir*

Talidor: *hears one of the eguiterma make a sound and tries to mimic it*

Yestin: *changes direction and is off again*

Garan: *follows, but is nearly overtaken by Rune* *quickly ducks down right in Run's path and curls up as tightly as he can*

Tilmere: I am certain my eldest daughter is thinking the same thing; she can keep nearly any animal steady, but prefers to move quickly. But we have nearly reached Niwlveld.

Hakor: Why would you want to drive him to it?!

Orrun: What does it find on the bottom of the swamp?

Kedmir: *Chuckles* That was very good. You like those creatures, don't you?

Jek: *Circles back and chases Yestin*

Rune: *Yelps and stumbles over Garan, falling over* Ow.

Tilmere: *Laughs*

Rune: You will be next, brother.

Tilmere: Mmhm, I'm sure. *To Tristram* *Smiles* So much of the world to see, going fast is the only way to see it all. Hopefully these rascals will still have enough energy when we get there.

Aderyn: Who said I wanted to do it?

Trevelian: Weeds and sunken trees, I suppose. There are plenty of those under the more shallow waters.

Talidor: *keeps making little whooping noises and bobbing his head back and forth*

Yestin: *catches up to Zveja and stays close to the dinosaur's side* You're really going to let me win a race like this on foot?

Aderyn: -_-

Yestin: *grins*

Garan: *shouts ahead to Yestin* I told you it would work against someone! Sorry about that. *helps Rune up* *whispers* Next? Do you think he'd trip if he chased me too?

Tristram: *chuckles* All too true.

Iola: Look, Hakor, that's the barn! *points to a long building that's jsut come into view*

Tristram: It seems they will.

Hakor: Well, you said maybe someday man would drive him to it. I guess it sounded like it was something you wanted to have happen.

Orrun: Wouldn't that drown him, sticking his head underwater and eating?

Kedmir: *Tries to follow the rocking to keep his balance*

Orrun: *Looks at Zveja* You're racing?

Hakor: I think he was teasing.

Rune: *Laughs, accepting the help* Mm, I don't know. Tilmere is smaller and more lithe than I am. He's seen you do it to me, so he would be expecting it. *Grabs Garan and hoists him over his shoulder* But now you will have to escape me if you plan on causing him mischief.

Hakor: *Looks ahead eagerly* I see it! Are there more creatures inside?

Orrun: *Eyes widen with eagerness*

Tilmere: *Smiles, shaking his head*

Aderyn: I don't want it to happen, but it might... you never can tell...

Trevelian: She's only teasing. He seems to prefer to keep to himself. It doesn't drown otters, seals, or turtles.

Talidor: *leans forward and reaches toward the ground*

Yestin: I am. She's not. *points to Aderyn*

Aderyn: Yestin, so help me, I will make Trevelian duel you for honor. -_-

Yestin: If you can catch me.

Garan: *is thrown over Rune's shoulder* Hulgh... *voice is a bit strange, since his stomach has a shoulder digging into it* That's fine... I'll just stay here... *starts pickpocketing Rune*

Iola: Yep! Twenty-three eguiterma and eleven baryonyx.

Orrun: *Visibly relaxes when Trevelian says she's teasing*

Hakor: It's partial to seals, otters, and turtles? What are... otters?

Kedmir: *Staggers forward quickly as Talidor reaches down* Whoa. Do you want off? *Lifts Talidor from his shoulder and sets him on the ground.

Orrun: *Laughs* Are duels of honor often done with your family?

Rune: Oi, son, what are you doing?! *Tries to look over his shoulder*

Tilmere: I believe he is thieving. You know, that habit Tesmir had for about a week?

Rune: Yes I do. =_= *Tries to swat Garan*

Hakor: *Does the math in his head* Thirty-four?! All of them are yours?

Tilmere: *Frowns* Where is Tesmir?

Jek: He ran on ahead, I think.

Tilmere: Does he even know where we're headed?

Kedmir: There's a huge barn ahead. I'm pretty sure that's where his curiosity will take him.

Aderyn: *laughs* No, he likes to keep to himself too much. I'm sure we're all safe.

Trevelian: No, excuse me. I meant that seals, otters, and turtles do not drown when they eat below the surface. At least... I believe seals do not...

Aderyn: You don't have otters?

Talidor: *hangs from Kedmir's arm and leans wobbily around because he can't quite walk yet*

Aderyn: Only when necessary.

Yestin: Only when Aderyn is annoyed...

Garan: Me? I'm just looking. Ow-hey!

Iola: *nods* Yes. Ta lets the miners use them to haul things.

Tristram: I hope he has the sense not to get too close to the stalls. They can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.

Orrun: Oh. *Relaxes more* *Looks at the dinosaurs* How big do the eguiterma and baryonix get?

Hakor: Ohhh. *Shakes head* I don't think so. I haven't seen any. There might be some in Luminne or Ainran, though.

Kedmir: *Gives Talidor the use of both arms to steady him*

Rousen: How often is that?

Rune: *Grins and shifts his hold on Garan, setting him down for a second before tucking him under his arm* There, now I can keep an eye you, you rascal.

Hakor: Amazing. *Looks at Rits and touches her(?) neck lightly* I've never seen anything like them.

Tilmere: *Frowns* I do too.

Kedmir: Does he still have that fish with him?

Tilmere: I hope not. While he does seem reckless, he knows when enough is enough.

Rune: Sometimes.

Tilmere: Thank you, Rune. =_=

Aderyn: This is their fully grown size, but some of the older ones get larger.

Trevelian: They look like large weasels with long, thick tails. They prefer streams and rivers to the swamp, but we see a few.

Talidor: *takes a few wobbly steps before deciding to just hang from Kedmir's arms*

Aderyn: Too often.

Yestin: *laughs to himself but doesn't answer*

Garan: *tries briefly to get away when he is set down, but then resigns himself to being carried* Does that mean you want this back? *holds out Rune coin purse as he inspects one of the coins*

Iola: Never?

Tristram:

Yestin: Should I go ahead and keep an eye on him?

Orrun: *Looks at the dinosaurs, awed* I wonder if we have larger creatures back home, but we just haven't found them yet...

Hakor: They sound fun!

Kedmir: *Smiles and holds still* Now what?

Rousen: *Laughs* Why so often?

Rune: *Eyes widen* Hand it over, you imp! *Tries to grab the bag, but he's smiling*

Hakor: *Shakes head* You don't see much of anything exciting in a boring landlocked city.

Tilmere: I think he'll be okay. He may not even be there. With any luck we may have finally lost him in the forest.

Jek: I wouldn't count on it.

Aderyn: There must be some in the sea, at least.

Trevelian: Aye. I've seen them play with each other before.

Talidor: *leans forward and rocks back and forth, still holding onto Kedmir's hands*

Yestin: Because we find her threats amusing.

Garan: *pulls the bag away and puts the coin back before handing it to Rune* Your city uses coins?

Iola: Why is it boring?

Tilmere: There will be workmen in the barn that will have an eye out if anything dangerous were to happen. I take it that he is rather a trouble to you.

Orrun: Probably. I read a book that had a few myths about creatures in the water. Rousen said they were only sailors' tales, made up by too much drink.

Hakor: Are they friendly? The otters?

Kedmir: We should catch up to the others, little sir. *Lifts Talidor up over his hand and settles him on his shoulders*

Rousen: Amusing? How often do you win?

Rune: *Takes the bag and tucks it out of reach* Aye. It's used for many things there. Doesn't your city use coins? *Sets Garan down, then rotates his arm, grimacing*

Tilmere: Not quite the same as doing it with youngsters, is it?

Rune: Not quite, no.

Hakor: Nothing happens there. We wake up, some of us go to work, some of us wander around doing an odd job or two. We come back and go to bed. *Shrugs* I think things will be more interesting soon. We're going to leave the city.

Tilmere: *Nods* He is rather prone to mischief. Back home he is known for that, and people can prepare accordingly. Hopefully he will have the sense here to be careful. He's a good lad, just young and still energetic.

Aderyn: They could be real. What sort of creatures are they?

Trevelian: They shy away from people, the same as any other animal, though I have heard there are otters further south that can be tamed and kept as pets.

Talidor: Uuuh-uuh-uuuh-uhh *with every step*

Yestin: Oh, we never actually fight. She would name Trevelian her champion and he would win.

Aderyn: And Yestin can't challenge me, because none of the Seeras would fight for him and he would lose.

Yestin:

Garan: *laughs and stretches, cracking his back* No, most of our region doesn't. The easterners do, but they have much larger cities, and are more defensible. Trading by gold in quieter areas would just attract dragons.

*the group is now much closer to the barn*

Iola: *gets her leg over Ausma's neck and jumps off, tumbling in the grass before hopping up and brushing the grass off of her dress*

Blodwyn: Iola!

Iola: Don't worry, Nain. The grass is all soft here! I won't get hurt.

Blodwyn: *looks sharply at her granddaughter, but doesn't say anything more at the moment*

Aderyn: *is glad her grandmother is in front and can't see her*

Iola: But aren't cities interesting too? There must be all kinds of shops full of colorful things to look at, and lots of people to talk to, and a trade market. What's the food like there? How come you're going to leave the city?

Tristram: As well he should be. Not to worry, there will be workmen in the barn, and nothing to entice him into the Cubbadryt, so there isn't much trouble for him to get into.

Orrun: There's a long serpent far away that guards an island. Another one is said to live very deep underwater, and it can freeze the waters, too, if it's wakened. Another one is said to plague the Nyrian Isles and eat Nyrians. I want to see what that one looks like. They don't have any pictures of it or the one that freezes water over.

Hakor: As pets? What do people do with them?

Kedmir: *Smiles*

(Oh gosh, Tal's so adorable. XD )

Rousen: Why do you keep dueling if you can't win?

Rune: Why would it attract dragons?

Hakor: *Smiles and is about to applaude Iola's jump, but stops and glances at Blodwyn and lowers his hands*

Jek: How much room do the baryonix and eguiterma need in a stall?

Hakor: *Nods* They are sometimes. But after you've lived in them for a long time you've seen 'most everything, and it all isn't new anymore. *Thinks* The food is good. It's not extravagant or rich, but very filling. There's a butcher in the city who knows how to season the mets just right so it tastes like it's been smoked over a camp fire, even though you cooked it over a kitchen fire. And then the Sunberry pastries are delicious, too. Especially you get them right from the oven. *Glances at Tilmere* We're going to fight sgaisnt the emperor. He's been horrid to all Allare, and we need to stop him. But you can't tell anyone, alright?

Tilmere: *Nods*

Rousen: What's in the Cubbadryt?

Aderyn: Oooh, they sound fascinating.

Trevelian: I'm not exactly sure...

Talidor: *points to the barn* Bor.

Yestin: We never actually duel, she just threatens.

Garan: Dragons lust for gold. The larger cities are sometimes attacked by marauding dragons, in search of gold, but they can defend themselves well enough. In rural areas, it isn't so easy. There will still be livestock lost every once in a while, and some people use gold to save money away, but they never trade with it unless they have to.

Tristram: Not much more space than they take up. The baryonyx move around a bit more, so they take more space.

Iola: *listens attentively to everything Hakor says* *nods* I won't tell a soul or a body. Is he out in the planes or the forest? How come he's not in the city?

Tristram: Not much, in looking at it, but the ground can be uncertain and rather treacherous in places, so it's best to avoid if it you are unfamiliar or lack sure footing.

Orrun: *Nods eagerly* Rousen said he would bring back a scale of the serpent one day when he goes out to the ocean.

Hakor: Maybe they're like the furry cats I've seen rich families own. They don't have much use, they're just there to be petted and cared for.

Kedmir: *Nods* Aye, that is a barn. Do you like the barn?

Rune: I see. You're dragons must be more wild than ours. I haven't heard of dragons raiding tones or cities for gold before.

Jek: *Nods* But probably bigger than a horse's?

Hakor: *Smiles and winks at her* He is in a city far from mine. We're going out to find more people to help fight him.

Tilmere: *Nods* Is there anything past it?

Kedmir: *Peers at the barn* Oh... Tilemere! I see Tesmir!

Tilmere: Is he being eaten?

Rune: Don't sound so hopeful.

Kedmir: No... He's on the roof, the idiot.

Tilmere: He's what?!

Aderyn: Maybe we'll find a scale of the behemoth.

Trevelian: Perhaps, but otters are like weasels. I can't imagine them being used for decoration.

Talidor: *nods a wobbly and vigorous yes* Ieh.

Garan: I don't know how wild they are. The stories say that they are very cunning. It just seems that they are power hungry and materialistic, but that isn't so different from people at times.

Tristram: Oh, yes.

Iola: You should take Zveja. Ta taught him to fight, and he can swim.

Tristram: Not for some distance; it goes on for leagues. Beyond it is a region called Irendale, but it is said to be the home of spirits, so few men venture there.

Yestin: *watches Tesmir* Well, there are worse places to land than that bit of land. *shakes his head and talks under his breath* No subtlety...

Orrun: That would be amazing! What would you do with it?

Hakor: *Nods* Maybe some people use them for finding food? If they live around water, they could catch fish.

Kedmir: *Grins* I'm sure you have tamed a great many of these creatures, aye?

Rune: *Nods* True. It is interesting how different dragons can be in different worlds, when now it almost seems as if there is hardly any distance between them.

Jek: How much do they eat?

Hakor: That would definitely scare off the emperor. He's probably never seen such a powerful creature.

Tilmere: Spirits? That's interesting. Do you believe that's what it is?

Kedmir: *Chuckles* Oh, give it time. He will somehow find every bad place. They either gravitate toward him, or vice versa.

Tesmir: *Sees the approaching party and waves*

Aderyn: What does one usually do with a scale?

Trevelian: That is possible. I don't imagine they eat very much, but perhaps they could be taught to chase fish toward nets.

Talidor: *giggles*

Garan: There are supposed to be other sorts of dragons as well. Some of them are only beasts, but others are said to be wise.

Tristram: The baryonyx do not need feeding every day, but they take fish, so it can become expensive to feed them come winter. The equiterma can eat piles of straw and branches in a single day.

Iola: Good.

Tristram: It is possible that there are demons in that region, I have heard that it does not feel like a normal place, but I can't say for certain whether the stories are true.

Yestin: *laughs at Kedmir's words and watches Tesmir*

Orrun: You could sell it for a lot, probably. Finding it would give roof of its existence, and you could become famous for it.

Hakor: *Nods* That's true. They would have to be very fast. I've seen Tesmir try to catch fish without bait.

Kedmir: *Smiles and puts and jump/exaggerated step in his pace*

Rune: *Nods* They do have that look of knowledge about them. At least the illustrations in books do. I have yet to see one for myself.

Jek: *Nods* How long have you used them? Or others used them?

Hakor: They're almost like dragons without wings. Flying dragons can be scary enough. But when he sees the wingless ones... we would win for sure.

Tilmere: *Nods* It sounds similar to a place in the ocean east of Piensor. Full of mystery and speculation that makes for interesting and thought-provoking stories. Although the demons sound worrying.

Tesmir: *Walks along the roof to the edge and peers down, then carefully descends down its slope (if there is one?)*

Aderyn: I wonder what his scales look like...

Trevelian: I believe they are. *chuckles* Quite an undertaking, that.

Talidor: Buh-uh Uh-uh Uh-uh.

Garan: Nor have I. I wonder if they could be trained like our mounts. That would be an impressive undertaking.

Tristram: My great-grandfather was the first to learn to train and keep them. Before that, my family had only a small mine and a bit of land, and were not known as Scalestrides. I do not know of any others who have kept creatures like ours.

Iola: Wouldn't winged dragons seem more fearsome? They breathe fire, and walls don't trouble them.

Tristram: I often wonder about the rumors of demons. They are surely true in some places, but the superstitions of man seem to put them many places, simply because he is afraid, or does not know where his soul is safe.

(There is one. It gets pretty snowy here, some winters...)

Orrun: Maybe they're brown and muddy. Or green, to blend in?

Hakor: *Nods* He wouldn't give up until Rune had to drag him out of the water late at night.

Kedmir: *Grins and and slows, then turns and walks backward.*

Rune: Some people already ride dragons in Allare. They live far in the mountains, though.

Jek: So they've been in your family for several years. How old do they get?

Hakor: Yes, but the emperor's never seen a baryonix or an eguiterma. We don't have to tell him they can't breathe fire.

Tilmere: *Nods* I suppose it's more comforting for some to assign a familiar thing to an unknown one, even if it's on speculation. Where are the demons that are true?

Tesmir: *Makes it halfway down before he slips. Yelps and scrabbles around before digging in his heels and stopping right at the edge.

Tilmere: *Visibly stiffens and almost starts forward, but forces himself to relax.* -.- I sometimes wonder if that boy will be the death of me.

Tesmir: *Waves and dangles his feet over the edge before dropping*

Aderyn: Probably; I meant the feel though. They might be smooth like a snake's or bumpy like Zveja's.

Trevelian: *chuckles*

Talidor: *tries to turn his head around so that he can see where they are going*

Garan: I still want to be the first Carganan to do so.

Tristram: I can't say for certain, the winters sometimes get the better of them, no matter the age, but my grandfather said he always remembered having Ausma, so she may well be nearly a hundred.

Iola: Then you can take them with you, and your knights can ride them into battle, and they'll fight too and you can win. *nods decisively*

Tristram: In the temples. Not in every temple, but in most. Many people turn to their finite gods when they desire something. If they want it badly enough, it is an easy moment for dark spirits to trick them into getting their allegiance.

Aderyn: *rides forward a bit when Tesmir seems about to fall, sees him catch himself and drop, then brings Zveja over and makes him lie down*

Tristram: He does seem eager to impress...

Aderyn: *to Tesmir* Wouldyou help the lady down? *meaning Braith*

Orrun: Oh. Maybe smooth, so nothing can get stuck on them when he's in the water?

Kedmir: *Rotates back around, almost loses his balance, but stays upright.*

Rune: *Nods, smiling* A worthy goal. You have enough energy and resolve to persue it.

Jek: One-hundred? Amazing... How long does it take to train them?

Hakor: *Grins* Thank you for the offer, lass. We don't have any knights, though. Will farmers and ordinary townspeople do?

Tilmere: *Nods* What happens when that happens? As far as I know, demons don't show themselves in Allare, if they exist at all. *Looks at Tesmir* Sometimes, yes... I suppose younger siblings feel the need to do that.

Tesmir: Of course. *Comes closer and reaches for Braith* My lady.

Tilmere:

Aderyn: Or rough, so he blends in with the rocks. Perhaps he is like an island, all covered in moss and trees.

Gwenifer: *makes Rits lie down*

Trevelian: *helps his sisters down*

Talidor: Oooooooooo.

Garan: *smiles to himself*

Tristram: Hardly longer than it does a horse. If they are young, they learn quickly, as eagles do, that it is well in their favor to work with us. They have shelter, food, and exercise, so they soon see that there is no reason to leave.

Iola: We have knights. Maybe some of Aderyn's friends can help.

Tristram: They either torment their new victim, or use him to torment others. They are real. Whether they hide in deception, or appear boldly, they are always real.

Braith: *accepts Tesmir's help* Thank you.

Aderyn: *swings herself out of the saddle and tugs Zveja forward and into the barn where she hands his lead to an attendant*

Tristram: He wants to know that he can be all that his brothers are. It is reckless at times, and doesn't always work to his advantage. My son Garan can be the same.

Yestin: *helps Blodwyn off of Ausma*

Orrun: *Eyes widen at the thought* It must get rather heavy.

Kedmir: *Peers up at Tal* Ready to dismount?

Jek: *Nods* They seem like an animal for all purposes.

Hakor: Sounds like a plan.

Tilmere: *Nods* I wouldn't be surprised if a particular race in Allare had demons. They are almost demons themselves...

Tesmir: *Helps Braith down* A pleasure and honor. *Bows low*

Tilmere: *Nods, watching Tesmir. His eyes hold a flicker of guilt*

Tesmir: I tried climbing the wall, but I couldn't make it quite all the way. I kept on pushing away from the wall and falling over.

Rousen: I think you're doing it wrong.

Tesmir: I figured that. *Looks at Tilmere with a rogueish grin* Took you all long enough to get here.

Tilmere: We were enjoying the scenery.

Aderyn: But wouldn't it be interesting?

Talidor? *shakes his head*

Tristram: Indeed.

Iola: Good. *giggles*

Braith: *smiles and curtsies*

Tristram: *puts a hand on Tilmere's shoulder* It took time for me to learn to understand my children. You've done well with your brother.

Aderyn: *approaches Kedmir* Here, do you want me to take him?

Garan: *nods* Grip can be difficult at first.

Orrun: It would! I wonder if animals would live on it?

Kedmir: No? I suppose you like the height.

Hakor: *Pats her head* I suppose we'll need to figure out how to get enough food for them.

Rousen: *Approaches the barn door and peeks in curiously*

Tesmir: *Grins back*

Tilmere: *Looks at Tristram, then smiles a little* I hope I have...

Kedmir: *Looks up at Talidor* What say you? Would you prefer the arms of your charming sister?

Tesmir: *Nods* There aren't as many holds as there are in trees. The one edge is too high. *Looks at the wall again, sizing it up*

Aderyn: Birds and frogs might. Especially if there was a tree on it. I wonder why there aren't any stories of behemoth being like that...

Iola: Well... the baryonyx are the ones that fight... so it might be a little hard...

Trevelian: *takes Ausma's and Rits' leads when the others have dismounted* *leads them into the barn past Rousen* Don't be shy, come in and see.

Braith: *goes and takes Sulwyn's hand and starts leading her toward the house*

*Blodwyn, Gwenifer, and Lyneth follow*

Tristram:

Talidor: *shakes his head*

Aderyn: Oh, yes you do. *grabs Tal and tickles him*

Talidor: *giggles incessantly*

Garan: You have to learn to strengthen your fingers, because you can't get a hold *makes a fist* like you can around a branch. *nods toward the corner of the barn, away from the others* Here, I'll show you.

Orrun: Well, now there can be! Nobody's seen him, so they can't say you're wrong.

Rousen: *Smiles and follows, looking around curiously*

Kedmir: *Smiles, lowering himself to his knees so it's easier to remove the wriggling boy*

Tesmir: *Nods* *Goances at Tilmere*

Tilmere: *Smiles and waves him off* Go on. But don't be foolish.

Tesmir: Since when have I been foolish?

Tilmere: Oh, listing them would take all day.

Aderyn: I shall have to tell some distant traveler so that it becomes common knowledge. *nods and grapples with a squirmy Tal*

Talidor: *wiggles around, then leans toward Kedmir and gives him a baby kiss on the cheek before consenting to be held by his sister*

Trevelian: *walks the two into the long barn that is lined on both sides with large stalls*

Garan: Only a day? You need a bit more practice...

Iola: *grabs Hakor's hand* C'mon, do you want to see the house?

Orrun: How far do you think it will go?

Kedmir: *Grins and plants a kiss on Talidor's cheek* It was a pleasure being your mount.

Rousen: *Peeks inside the stalls* Can eguiterma and baryonix breed together?

Tilmere: *Laughs* Ah, but to get the full story and to fully embarrass my little brother, a day must be taken.

Tesmir: I am proud of this. *To Garan* Where to?

Jek: *To Tristram* How long ago was this barn built?

Hakor: Sure. Lead the way.

Aderyn: Only time will tell.

Talidor: *blinks*

Aderyn: Come on, llawenydd bach, let's get you indoors so I can show Kedmir how to ride properly.

Trevelian: *hands the two leads off to another man working in the barn* No, they are quite different. We keep them from any breeding at all, if we can help it. Unlike horses, our mounts lay eggs as turtles do. The young can be very difficult to care for.

Tristram: *chuckles* Garan's goal is to have songs sung of his tumultuous exploits. *winks at his son*

Garan: *looks offended* Just one short ballad! *laughs* Just around this side of the barn; it's much easier.

Yestin: *follows*

Tristram: My father built it when I was a child. The first barn was built on loose soil and near collapsing.

Iola: *pulls Hakor down the path toward the house* It's this way, just follow them. *points to her sisters, mother, and grandmother*

Orrun: *Nods*

Kedmir: *Pretends to look horribly offended* I wasn't that bad! I got the creature moving, didn't I?

Rousen: Oh. What do you do if one or more dies? Why are they difficult to raise?

Tilmere: *Laughs* Aye, I do fear sometimes that is what Tesmir's will become.

Tesmir: *Walks backward for a minute as he follows the twins* Admit it, though, Rune would be able to sing it well.

Rune: Well? Maybe. Willingly? Never.

Tesmir: *Runs to catch up to the twins*

Jek: *Looks at the barn* Why was the first built on such poor ground?

Hakor: Race you?

Aderyn: I didn't say you couldn't ride, I just meant that it takes a bit more practice to transition between horses and reptiles...

Trevelian: We have to get rid of the bodies, but we can catch and train more. It's only that the eggs spoil easily, and the mother gets very protective of them, so it can make them dangerous to be around.

Tristram: *laughs* Even if I could sing a song of my sons with a straight face, they would make an great effort to keep its words from reaching me.

Yestin: *is already above Tesmir's head as he climbs the far wall of the barn*

Tristram: It wasn't, we just had several harsh winters that left it a bit flooded. The ground didn't take well to that, so a a new one was built so that it wouldn't happen again.

Iola: Okay. *bolts off the path and into the the open meadow, in another direction from where the other women are walking*

Kedmir: I still suspect you all were against me.

Rousen: *Looks at the dinosaurs* How do you get rid of the bodies? *Thinks* Could you make a second barn exclusively for breeding, so the usual caretakers wouldn't be in harm's way when looking after the others?

Tesmir: *Watches Yestin, then tries to climb up after Yestin. He scrambles a bit, but manages to climb* Well, that was less than graceful.

Jek: Oh. Does that happen often?

Hakor: *Smiles and takes off after her, making sure he lets her stay just ahead of him*

Jek: *Watches his twin*

Aderyn: *laughs* I'm going to take this one *switches Tal to her other side* back to the house. You can stay here and look at the animals if you want.

Trevelian: A few of the other animals must drag them, but we haven't lost one in some time. *shakes his head* No, they don't like to be around anyone when they are brooding. They can get rather violent.

Yestin: Grace comes later. *moves sideways a bit to reach better holds*

Garan: Hold yourself close to the wall too. It helps to keep you from slipping off.

Tristram: *nods* Winters can get very cold and bring a great deal of snow here.

Iola: *giggles and keeps running*

Kedmir: *Nods* Alright. *Tickles Tal* Behave yourself, now. You're sister has you.

Rousen: Oh... Do you try looking for young eguiterma and baryonix to catch, or older ones?

Tesmir: *Presses himself against the wall, straining to pull himself up and find holds*

Jek: *Nods* Do the animals enjoy the snow?

Hakor: *Charges after her, roaring*

Talidor: *squirms*

Aderyn: *smiles and turns to walk after the others and toward the house*

Trevelian: The younger. They are smaller and less aggressive, so they're easier to tame.

Garan: *watches from the ground*

Yestin: *reaches the peak of the roof, wraps his arms around the wooden beam that juts out, and pulls himself up*

Tristram: They have cold blood, so they aren't very fond of the cold. They stay in the barn through most of the winter.

Iola: *grins and tries to go faster, though it is difficult in a dress*

Kedmir: *Smiles and follows Tesmir and the twins, watching them*

Rousen: How do you train them? Is it similar to training horses?

Tesmir: *Follows, when he grabs the beam he loses his footing and dangles from the beam before scrambling up.* No one tell Tilmere I almost fell.

Kedmir:

Jek: Oh. So they're like snakes, in a way? I never see any snakes in the winter.

Hakor: *Smiles, gaining on her* I'm right beind you!!!!