Welcome to Gaia! ::

Shadow dismounted from Tia and told the dragon to wait. She stood at the back of the party, guarding the rear out of habit, and because she let the Lady and Braska go first. She was a bit uncomfortable, seeing how she felt she didnt belong their.

Leanna sighs as she watchs the others race off, but she wouldn't dare risk waking up and jarring around Hilel and Miki wouldn't take that risk either. So Leanna and her Kitsusagi's can be found at a slow trot towards the castle, Hilel napping away in his basket and more then likely, he would be given to his "mommy" Tia to look after for a bit so Leanna could talk to the Queen.

She smiles as she talks to herself, "Well, it looks like I lucked out when Grandma gave me Hilel as an egg, but I can guess why father was so upset. No one ever said if you have a dragon you have to train with it! And I know Hilel will be a great protector when he grows up!" Hilel snorts in his basket, and then settles down.

[[ Short copost a la Trish, Dreor and I, with slight editing. Just so everyone knows what else is going on. ...if they don't. ninja ]]

The dark-skinned woman stood with a huff, picked up her two leather traveling pouches and headed for the double doors. "Where are you going?" asked the feline, standing and lashing her tail.

"To find someone who can tell me what is going on," replied Akilah, yanked open the doors and strode out, with Abiona close behind.

---

"Really, Brenau..." she sighed. "I'm fine!" She added as she strode through the castle gates toward the meeting courtyard. "You mustn't fuss." She smirked; inwardly, she liked it when he did so.

Brenau chuckled. "You're almost as stubborn as your sister," he noted. A servant caught his arm then and he turned to listen to what he had to say. "Ah, is that so. M'lady," he said to Gwen. "You have a visitor."

Turning, the woman clad in white gowns faced Brenau. "A visitor you say? Perhaps someone with news of the attacks of late..." she whispered, a deep worry seizing her.
"A Southlander, actually. Would you like me to go with you in meeting her?"

"A Southlander?" she said in awe. "Yes...please attend. It seems these days that Athas can no longer trust those they once said as friends."

The lord offered his arm. "Off we go, then." Within a few minutes, they were at the room where Akilah had been waiting for so long. Brenau opened the door for Gwen. Akilah, on the other hand, was halfway down the hall and studying paintings on the walls. She had no idea the Queen and her knight were looking for her. "Hm...ther'es no one here," said Brenau. "Wherever did the child get to?" He thought for a moment. "M'lady, why don't you have a seat. I'll find the Southlander."

"Hello?" her voice echoed down the hall, still not spying the youth. "I knew the Southlands wouldn't come to trust us again..." she sighed, her words not meant to be said aloud.

Down the hall, Akilah's head turned toward the sound of the Queen's voice and she headed back towards the room. Standing in the doorway with her feline companion at her said, she said carefully, "Do not presume it so just yet, Your Excellence."

She smiled and tipped her head to the girl. "What news do you bring us from the south?" She motioned for all to come and seat themselves at the table.

[[Trish, you and I need to get together and finish this up, yes? ]]

Shadow smiled and gently patted Leanna's shoulder, "I have faith that the princess is safe, she's at the castle now, and Braska's with her, And besides I dont think Tia would let me leave you and Hilel" She laughed and smiled, gently patting Tia's head "it seems her maternal instincts have arised and she thinks its her duty to look after Hilel" She smiled again and shook her head slightly. She looked up and saw they were a moment from the castle grounds. Tilting her head to the side she wondered what they were to do now.

Shadow smiled and laughed "I'm sure Tia has much to teach Hilel" Looking up at the castle as well Shadow smiled a bit, "I have faith the princess will find me something to do" she laughed "i highly doubt i'll get a job as an instructor" she grinned, "i wasnt even trained with Tia, we just grew up together and in doing so found out each others habits, fighting and riding style" She was a bit worried that might be a problem, not having proper training with her dragon...she'd see when the time came.

She smiled and looked at the castle as well "I'm confident in our training, but the princess might not be" Smiles a bit "I just want to help in some way, even if its a small way, altho i'd like to help to the best of my abilites...only two abilites really...fighting and healing" laughs softly and bites her bottom lip as she looks at the castle. Shakes her head as though deciding upon something silently. "make that three abilites" smiles softly.

Shadow laughs and hops off Tia, patting the dragons head "you up for it Tia?" smiles. Tia bows her head to Leanna, accepting the little dragon, she licked Hilel's head and sat down by the castle entrance. Shadow looks at Leanna, "now what?"