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Chapter 9: A Surprising Arrival

Later in the nursery, Miria, Alexei, Jason, and Genhyl sat near Charaustra's egg. It was rocking and her squeaks and scratches were quite audible. Don't rush, Jason told her, but Char just kept pushing at her egg. She had a job to do, and she was ready to get on with it. Jason turned back to Genhyl.

"Why won't the station help?" Jason asked, trying to understand the situation. It seemed that L'mdana was under attack by a superior force... aid should be given in this case, it seemed. However, Genhyl had stated that action would not be taken.

"It's politics," Genhyl said with overt disgust. "No action can be taken without the proper discussions and negotiations. While they're negotiating, however, our planet is being torn apart! These intruders, however, aren't striking to take over, they're striking to destroy our very heritage." Genhyl snarled, and Jason heard Char let out a growl from inside her egg. Genhyl glanced over nervously, but Jason pushed on.

"Do you have any idea what they are looking for?" Jason asked Alexei. She lowered her head.

"They seem to be taking artifacts... things they could sell as art and treasure." She said simply. Jason saw Miria frown. Alexei was hiding something.

"There must be something else," Jason pressed, trying to get Alexei to reveal something. "They wouldn't take such risks for mere treasure... there must be something there. Something that will give them great riches or power." Jason watched as Alexei took a deep breath. Char, insider her egg, paused to listen.

"There are legends..." Alexei began quietly. "They speak of objects of power... from the very days of the gods. These objects held great power... power to destroy, power to protect, power to heal... Legends are often based on truth, Jason. These intruders may be searching for these artifacts... and the first place to start is the temples of the gods themselves. Here, treasures may have been sealed for centuries, protected by followers and temple guardians."

"You don't honestly think the artifacts exist, do you?" Genhyl asked. "They are stories... fairy tales for children. Even if the objects did actually exist, I doubt they would possess any supernatural powers."

"It doesn't matter what you believe, Genhyl," Jason said, drawing a sharp glance from the officer. "It matters what they believe, and if they believe these artifacts are worth risking everything for, they will continue their plundering."

At this, Char snarled and Jason felt a hot blue splash of rage and lightning as she lunged against the shell of her egg. With a crack, a fissure appeared in the shell. Genhyl jumped up and stepped back. Alexei remained where she was, but raised her hooded head. Miria leaned forward, peering at the egg with interest.

Gathering herself, Char slammed into the shell again. The crack widened and spread. Jason stared at the egg with apprehension. Char made one last effort, throwing herself with her remaining strength. The shell shattered and her head burst through. Jason gasped, as did the others. Char, hoisted herself weakly and struggled to be free from the egg. Jason, sensing it was time for him to intervene, pulled the egg shell apart and gently pulled her onto his lap. She lay there, breathing heavily but looking pleased with herself. She gazed around at the group gathered in the nursery.

Charaustra

Her delicate skin glittered and glistened, smooth like water and deep and colorful as crystal. Jason couldn't believe it... his very own Char was a Glass dragon!

She growled and glared at the people staring at her, and Genhyl stepped back. Jason smiled however. Char was impatient, wondering what the hold up was.

"First you have to rest," he told her. "We have to make preparations before we leave anyways." Char narrowed her eyes, but she seemed to agree with him. She curled up and closed her eyes, falling into a doze nearly instantaneously.

"When she wants to get something done, she does it," Genhyl observed. Miria regarded Char and Jason carefully.

"I have to admit I'm a bit surprised, Jason," she said. "Glass dragons, from what I've heard, are tempestuous and hard to handle. From what I've seen of you, I was guessing a Red or a Blue..." Miria looked puzzled.

"Well, everyone's wrong occasionally," Genhyl told her, waving a finger, but he was smiling in a teasing manner.

"No one can judge the depths of the soul with complete accuracy." Alexei spoke with a more serious tone. "Glass lives as a smooth and beautiful surface, until tension and force cause this facade to shatter. They are a mystery, even to those who have spent their lives around dragons. They are understood only by their bondmates, if at all."

Jason stroked Charaustra's skin, listening to her quiet breathing and getting used to her presence having a moving form.

"We should prepare," Alexei said, and Genhyl nodded.

"We will leave tomorrow morning," Genhyl said. "Until then, Jason, Miria." With a curt nod and a bow respectively, he and Alexei left the nursery. Miria stayed a moment longer, examining Jason and Charaustra intensely. Jason flinched a bit, feeling awkward and a bit trapped. Miria sighed.

"Sorry, Jason," she said apologetically. "I just never pegged you to be someone with a temper." Jason paused to think for a while. He had always been rather mellow and laid back. He knew the feeling of tension, however... like at any moment he could shatter into a million pieces, explode outward in a rain of daggers... perhaps Char's coloration wasn't as surprising as Miria might think.

"Some glass walls are thicker than others," Jason said slowly. "They don't crack under pressure quite as easily."

Miria regarded him gravely for a second, a look of enlightenment crossing her face. "I understand," she said. Then, she turned quietly and left the room.

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Chapter 9: A Surprising Arrival

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