Dragon Rider Play

Jeremiah nodded. "Yes please. I want to know, and would feel a lot better to know you'll be by my side too, toriaun." He paused a moment. "Do you think it would behoove me to learn about elf culture and etiquette?"

Tithenor considered. "It may help, yes."

"May I enroll to take your classes then, teacher?" Jeremiah asked Tithenor.

"It would be my honor," Tithenor smiled with the best bow he could manage.

Jeremiah smiled. "Thanks." He said before he looked down. "If I can repay you some day, please let me know."

Tithenor caught Jeremiah's arm again.  "Jeremiah," he said softly, "it is my desire to repay you for what you have done."

Jeremiah looked confused. "What for? I've hardly done anything other than make your father hate me."

Tithenor smiled faintly.  "Yes, but that is not hard.  Before then, you taught me to care again.  For that, I can never repay you."

Jeremiah smiled. "I'm glad I could do that." He looked down. "And here I was thinking it was you who's done everything for me. I never really had a family or anyone who cared or wanted to care about me, and then you came along."

Tithenor pulled Jeremiah to him in a hug.  "Drow or no drow, family or all alone, you will always have me, honeg."

Jeremiah smiled and hugged him back carefully. "Thank you, toriaun."

Tithenor groaned softly, resting his head on Jeremiah's shoulder.  "Do me a favor and go see what is wrong with Mark?  I need to rest."  Everything that had happened this morning had drained him.

Jeremiah nodded. "I'll return at lunchtime, okay?" He stood and went to find Mark and Pat.

"Okay."  Tithenor closed his eyes and put his arms around Mellon.

Pat was following Mark, giving him space, but concerned.

Mark was pacing in the bunkhouse. He was muttering to himself, and all Pat could hear was something about Warrior, dragons, and someone named Luke.

"What about Luke?" Pat finally asked, sitting cross-legged on her bunk, holding Nightshade on her lap.

Jeremiah walked in the bunkhouse in time to hear Pats question. He sat down beside Pat.

Mark shook his head. "Luke is my younger brother. He is coming tomorrow. I need to talk to him, and the Headmaster while Luke is here."

"Why is your brother Luke coming?  How is he getting here?  Why do you need to talk to the Headmaster?" Pat blurted.

Erika tried to climb up onto the bunk next to Jeremiah.  She could get used to hanging out in the Bunkhouse.

Jeremiah stroked Erika's head as he listened, curious.

Mark shook his head. "My father died, and I'm the only one who can run that farm with any sort of competence or success. Luke is coming to help me with my things, and I need to talk to the Headmaster about dropping out. I can't let the dragons in the farm's care become ill treated or worse."

Pat winced.  "I'm sorry, Mark.  No wonder you've been distracted."

Mark shook his head. "I didn't want to say anything until after Tithenor was a bit better. I still don't know how to tell him."

"Yeah."  Pat started to bite her lip then forced herself to stop. She had to break that habit!  "I understand why you have to leave, but... It feels like we're breaking up the clan."

Mark smiled a little sadly. "I'm sorry. One of the reasons I want to speak to Headmaster is because I wonder if there's any way Luke could take my place. He's curious, and would grow a lot here."

"Is that possible?  For one to take the place of another rider?" Pat asked, glancing at Jeremiah.

Both guys shrugged. "Hence why I want to speak to Headmaster." Mark explained