"I hear someone was a grumpy puss this morning," Father Garshom was sitting on the steps into the Grammar school.

* Maybe a little. * I trotted up the steps, turned about, and sat down next to the old priest. * Is the Sahkeena really chasing after Blue Fox? He was just beginning to fit in with the rest of our adventuring group. *

"Storm Eagle isn't going to agree to anything until Blue Fox has finished his two years, which might become three years if you folks want to keep him," Father Garshom started scratching behind my ears in an absent-minded manner. "Regardless, if Blue Fox isn't interested in the lady, nothing will happen. The Sahkuhl decided to come and visit because he's interested in dried truum and maple syrup. I think he was also curious about the lifestyle of the Green Elves since past emissaries stayed in the longhouse but his mage got to see the real living arrangements of your typical elvish extended family. He wanted to reconcile the two, and of course, it gave him and his daughter the chance to chase down Blue Fox, who they both have taken a liking to."

* How is Blue Fox reacting to all of this? *

"Well, he's surprised more than anything else," Garshom dug his fingers into my neck and shoulder muscles, which felt wonderful. "I get the impression that he didn't think they were serious about his marrying into their little two-person family. He may have assumed that as soon as he left, they would forget about him. Sahkeena Aisha had other ideas. He's close to what she's been shopping for: he's the son of a king, he's displayed bravery and prowess, he's honest and honorable, and he has skills in organizing military endeavors. Because of the way the Green Elves raise their children, he is also not at all arrogant or spoiled, which is a problem with a lot of human princes and high nobles."

* He could do worse, that's for sure. From what I saw of her, she doesn't look like a spoiled brat princess. *

"No, she's not. Her mother died when she was young and the Sahkuhl made the effort to raise her correctly and educate her for her future role as a ruler. They may dress in flashy clothing and make a great display of their power and wealth, but that's what impresses most humans. It's a wise behavior for a human ruler. I think you would find both of them both smart and personable."

* Huh. Willam said you wanted to consult with me and Cat Rider. * I changed the subject.

"I invented an amulet that lets the wyverns mind talk with non-magical sapients. If I do all the casting to make one by myself, it knocks me down for two days. I was thinking that if the three of us, and maybe Cloud Eye too, did a joint casting, then none of us would be taken out of commission for a couple of days to recover."

* Yes, I can help with that. How are things coming along for the wyverns? *

"Father Wyvern got along famously with the trolls. Having them spend the warmer weather together with the troll family was an excellent idea, Fuzzy. We need to get the son and daughter their mind-talking amulets as soon as possible. The sooner we can get them out to the Green River area, the sooner the goblins can return all the residents of this district to their homes."

* Why don't they start now? The wyverns aren't going to attack now that they understand how to get along better. They aren't stupid. *

"I know they aren't. The problem is that many goblins in the Blazroggle district have died because of the wyverns. The first minister and queen don't think it would be wise for either the wyverns or the locals to mix, given how much hard feeling there is among the goblins. The wyverns could even move to some other area within Gorgurak, but they need to leave Blazroggle soon so the goblins can return to their homes."

* Did anyone think about where they can go come winter? *

"The southern border strip in Nordweg has a climate close to their original home, between the south downs and the border bog. Very few residents and lots of wildlife south of the hills. So long as they don't raid anyone's cattle, no one will know they are there. A second possibility is the geyser valley to the northwest of the Greenwood. The valley itself is warmer than its surroundings, and the trolls offered to go with them if they decide to stay north.

"The important thing is that the wyverns now know the rules for not upsetting other races. Storm Eagle and Queen Margo both introduced the concept of wyverns trading labor for livestock if the wyverns ran out of game. A wyvern can pick up a heavy load and take it to a distant location quickly. Your decision to try to communicate with the wyverns may have changed the way the two-footed races interact with wyverns in the future. You have opened up a whole new world of possibilities for wyverns.

"Father wyvern realizes what you have done for them. He was thinking of visiting his kin who also lost their nests to the dragon invasion of their former home, so he could tell them about what happened with his family. Storm Eagle made the offer to supply mind-talking amulets for anyone that our Wyvern family escorts to Elvenhome. I think the world is on the verge of changing in a big way because of this, and it's all your fault, Fuzzy." He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and gave me a big huggy squeeze.

* I'm happy things are working out for them. It's not easy being a magical creature. *

"You don't look like you're suffering," Father Garshom gave me an incredulous look.

* Yeah? I even had to steal my own breakfast this morning! *

Garshom just shook his head and laughed.