Knite had a fun night. But now he was busy. He had arranged with Shauri a "field trip" to the library in his lair. Being somewhat private he had planned on inviting people over just wasn't sure when, well it seemed like a good time as any.

The library was huge, made by a dragon for a dragon. Built in a cave that was close to 100 feet high it wound around for about a mile in the cave complex inside the mountain Knite had called home. The long cavern had shelves nearly 80 feet high made of stone, metal and wood, all intricately carved and some with stair cases to allow access to the higher ones if you were not a huge dragon. The cavern was wide enough for two ancient dragons to stand admiring both shelves with enough room in the middle for human sized desks, book holder, or chairs with magical lamps. Everything came in two sizes, dragon and human. Huge dragon size books adorned some hi shelves while there copied human sizes were set below them. Huge book holders also occupied some spaces, so a dragon could read the books while lounging. And the books ranged from topics on arcane knowledge to zoology of different realms. The subjects were arranged alphabetically and you could find almost anything you were seeking. Several tunnels broke off from this main one but most ended in dead ends to the average person, or some even just sent you back out the way you came in without ever remembering being turned around.

A long table in human scale size was set aside at a clearing. Knite had set the places for close to 30 guests not sure how many would come. The table even had spots at it for Icer and her family if they decided to come. It was near the Kitchen tunnel which forked into the Kitchen or the BBQ pit. The Kitchen was duel sized one side human, the other dragon. It even had a built in duel stoves and ice boxes. Knite had even went to the Pit and had a few sides of Beef slow cooking. Th pit was near the cliff face leaving for natural ventilation. The smells, while divine, would not intrude on any other tunnel in the lair. Everything seemed set.

The ancient went out to the Library to give one last look around. Between empty spaces where book shelves set some of his favorite oddities and show pieces were set up. Armor from treasure hunters that would not take "go away" as an answer. Magical baubles that had no real purpose but to float up in down in place and entertain for moments. Even a set of armor from a Imperial Stormtrooper, thanks to Tachri. Even the zip chair was ready. A weird device that you could sit a couple people in and say a number 1 through 10 and it would whisk you to that place on the shelves. It ran by a track in the center of the hall way. Once in the chair you would be lifted up, whisked away then set down. Thankfully it came with seat belts but those were installed after the inventor almost got dumped accidentally cause he thought he was at the right place.

So everything was ready. He went to a cave opposite the Kitchen turn off and marked etchings in the stone. With a word and the appropriate time, he opened two portals, one opened to the predesignated spot at the school and one opened up to Icer's lair. Conjured servants waited patiently for the guests to arrive.

As people came through the huge dragon smiled,"Welcome my friends, please know my library and kitchens are open to you. Enjoy yourselves, explore, read or just enjoy the place. Feel free to ask questions, or help with anything. Welcome to my home." the ancient dragon bowed and ushered his guests in.

Moving from her lair, she glided through the waterfall guarding the entrance, then landing on the ground on the other side, she shook the water from her scales, moving through the portal, her mate could come if he wished, but after his encounter she descided to let him rest.

Glancing back once more, she smiled, then came out in the lair on the other side, eyes widening abit as she glanced about, she blinked, nearly bumping into Shauri.

Oh, hello Shauri, Knite, she looked back around to see who all else had arrived.

She chuckled quietly to the reference Knite made. Just when she was going to say something, Sha'uri had to move quickly on account of dragon taloned claws nearly stepping on her feet. She feigned a grumpy frown, but was just teasing Icer.

"Hey! Big foot... Don't you ever clip those talons? Now I know why I was invited... my feet were on the menu for shish kabob appetizers."

She did a little silly dance for a few steps, "No, no nononono, not today, sorry, fresh out of Sha'uri feet."

Giggling, she hugged Icer, too, then moved off towards the tables and began to set up the food.

By then Lyndra had stepped through rolling a small cart filled with more platters of food, quickly towards the tables she assumed were set to keep the platters warm. The half elf looked remarkably like Sha'uri, as if she were some very close relative, only shorter at 5'7" with chestnut brown hair and hazel green eyes, the brows and her full lips were almost exactly like Sha'uri's.

The cook tried to keep her wide eyed hazel green hues from gawking at the size of their host. Mostly, she tried to keep herself from passing out with fear. Even after being in RhyDin for some time, his size took her aback. All she could think about was how big he was... just so big!

Something small slinked through the portal followed by the hissing of a cat as Sabre darted after ChiChi, chasing the ferret around the tables.

Sha'uri waved to Traeline with a smile that fell towards the hissing noise, shifting her gaze towards the chase in progress.

"ChiChi! No... Akk! Sabre! Stop it! That's not dinner hun... Bad kitty! Sabre!"

But neither of her pets were listening. ChiChi was running for his life while Sabre was chasing in hot persuit as they moved swiftly down the hallways getting lost in the library somewhere.

Sigh.

"Sorry... there goes the library. Eh..."

She blinked, then giggled as Shauri teased her, smiling as she was hugged. I haven't been doing much of anything lately Shauri, and no I haven't clipped my talons.

A slight grunt of surprise then as Traeline appeared on her back, and she grinned to her friend. Will your mother be joining us as well this evening Trae?

The Headmaster moved through the portal. The invitation was confusing to him. None the less though, he came. As he appeared in the Lair he looked around. Those with exceptional hearing could hear him say.

"In the name of Anu and all that is Holy..."

The Headmaster just stood there for a moment. It had been quite some time since he had been to a dragon's lair.

He had walked with Shauri over to a near by shelf. The book shelf stood before them close to 90 feet high made of natural stone wall and marble naturally infused together solid in construction this contained hundreds of books, scrolls and other odds and ends. The large dragon dips his head and looks at a near by stand talking at it.

"Star charts, shelf 4, section e, f and g."

A disturbance near the desk rose and went to the shelf large charts were pulled from the shelf with more care then any hands could. They were brought down and set before them on the near by stand.

He got pounced by Shadow.

"Well hello there. No not really a party more of an open house for the Ravenheart School, please feel free to join, this is my library and you?re more then welcome to join. Feel free to have some food and explore my library. "

He smiles then turns back to Shauri.

"Shauri if you could just check these out and make sure they are accurate, I would really appreciate it."

When she looks she sees very detailed star charts of the system they were just at. Some things look good, but she can see some obvious details askew. Knite turns as the schools headmaster arrives.

"Excuse me Shauri."

The large dragon smiles and bows slightly to excuse himself, and heads over to Briarius.

"Ah Headmaster glad you could make."

The ancient dragon bows.

"Please feel free to explore my library and if you need copies for your school just let me know and I will be happy to accommodate you."

Again he bows.

"Now if you excuse me, I am conferring with Shauri about some star charts."

He turns and heads over to Shauri quite happy that so many people are showing up.

"I am not...thank you Mistress Lyndra."

The Headmaster chants a few words of a fly spell and begins to hover around looking at the books.

A smile was on her snout as she looked around at all the friends gathering, nodding to Briarius and Tina as they were spotted.

A talon wiggle to Shadow as well, then unfurling her wings, she pushed off the floor of the lair, gliding around lazily, not touching anything.

She smiled and waved at Icer. Then stared at the ferret, cat and balls. She caught sight of the shiny thing in the ferret's mouth;she stared. Then ran to Knite. "Um...Knite? How many magical silver bracelets do you have running around? Do you want me to uh..pause the cat and ferret?"

"Yes. I drew them once I got back from our little trip. I plan on going back to that one moon, Zed and explore a bit. I so love new places."

She smiled, peering up at Knite when he said this.
"I would like to know what you find there, if you don't mind. In fact, I could send a small group of scientists along with you if that's okay? Then you could help each other explore the place. We haven't spent much time with it."

Finally realizing Tina was there, she winked to the girl with a mother's mirthful eye.
"Ah, so my girl did make it. Which book are you reading?"

Blink, her head bobbed up and down as the ferrit's chatter was incessant upon that bouncing red ball. Her jaw dropped open.

"Chi Chi..."

She admonished him gently yet with a certain measure of authority. For once the ferret did what he was told, dropping the item as he was bouncing on by. She used her psionics to draw the item to her, handing it back to Knite. She wasn't smiling too much.

"No, never a dull moment. I'm sorry about that... I will take care of them myself. They aRe my animals...."

She got up to go catch her poor ferret, and her cat herself.

Sha'uri stopped her persuit at Knite's prompt and settled to just watch her poor ferret just bounce up and down moving along the hall. Sabre, of course, was trying to jump up after the ferret but never quite got the timing close enough to get a good grip. She simply slid off the ball and landed on her feet hissing up at ChiChi. Sabre would swipe up at the air and then lay down to roll around and play with her tail for a moment before she jumped up and chased after the bouncing ferret again, starting that whole cycle all over. Okay, she had to chuckle.

"Cat's got a wire loose I think.."

Sha'uri was no less facinated by the prospect of new knowledge then Knite was... even excited about it.

"Beacons are a good idea. Maps are good too. I'd appreciate anything you can do. I don't know if I'll be there for the whole thing, but I'll probably stop in from time to time. I'm sure Alex, my son, will be there more often then me. He's been wanting to go there and explore. So, Knite .. when would you like to get started?"

He looked around a bit to make sure no one was to bored. He knew children sometimes no mater what the knowledge just wanted to be entertained so the ancient had placed a few diversions around his library. The goblin war balls were one such diversion, although he did not think the ferret would find them first.

"Shadow my friend don't worry about the trinkets about, they are there for the purpose of entertaining. Nothing that can harm anyone is around."

He was actually enjoying this company quite a lot. The right amount of leaned scholars and playful children always made him happy.

"Shauri my friend, I was hoping to go back in about a week. I have some prior engagements here and I have to make sure my employer doesn't need me."

His time in Rhydin had been fun. He didn't need the money but he loved the work as a cartographer and messenger. His employer was a simple contractor. She was well respected and only contracted the dragon out with personal that she deemed honest enough. And now with meeting Shauri he had come to find another planet to explore. Knite loved the prospect of uncharted lands to explore, but then again. Who is to say the land was uncharted?

Just then a huge blue flying disk came cruising down the hall high over head. Knite snaked his neck up and snagged it in his maw. Not seeing anyone who tossed it the dragon sent it coasting back down the way it came. He smiled at Shauri.

"A dragon has to have fun sometimes."

With a big goofy grin the dragon pulled out some more books to show. It was a good day.

Sha'uri nodded to Knite.

"That would be lovely. Contact me at the school and we'll take it from there."

Shifting her gaze to Bri, her eyes lit up into a smile, not saying anything but looking between Bri and Knite obviously liking the idea.


Lyndra was quietly reading the book, Intro to Cantrips, munching on a few carrots. It was describing various movements of the hand to entice the weaves of magic. Subconsciously, she was moving the carrot like a wand waved by a maestro (sp?) when all of a sudden several little dancing firepeople, about an inch high, began to dance across the table ....

She glanced down to take another bite of her carrot and thinking the table was on fire, she let out a scream, tossed the carrot to the gods only know where and half fell out of her chair trying to get away.

Tears filled Lyndra's eyes and her stomach felt like it was churning with possessed butterflies. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and hear the rush of blood through her veins. It was the most intense moment, one she had not been prepared for. She didn't know how to handle it even though the Headmaster seemed quite calm ... she wasn't. Even after he made the firepleople disappear, she felt no comfort.

Shaking, she set the book down on the table and walked away, trying to be calm, trying not to cry, trying not run into anyone as she tried to find an exit through bleery teary eyes ... She just wanted to curl up and hide.

Sha'uri sensed Lyndra's emotions as she walked away in some random direction. She gave Bri a look, nodding him towards Lyndra.
"She wasn't expecting that, Bri. Maybe you should talk to her."

She meant comfort, too.

The Headmaster followed the young woman.

"Cantrip."

When Lyndra looked up, puzzled at the word, she saw the Headmaster looking at some tapestry nearby. He was obviously talking to her but not looking at her.

"What you just cast was called a cantrip. It is the simplest manipulation of magick."

He looked at her.

"Surprised? I suppose you were. I remember when I came back to RhyDin. I was convinced that I was completely unable to use magick again. The rush of power that filled my entire being when I recast again was exhilirating...but frightful all at the same time. I wondered what had happened. What caused it to return? I suppose you were following a similar track in your own mind. Now, I'm not Mistress Sha'uri nor the young Mistress Christina so i don't passively use an ability to read minds, but I do have the age and experience to know a frightened sorceress when I see one."

He sat next to her and looked out into the cave as he spoke to her.

"Sorceress. A woman who commands magic as it flows through her blood. They require little study and potentially wield great power. Sadly, without proper guidance, they can easilly fall into more base or negatively charged endeavors. Now, I know a bit about this as I do have sorcerous blood running through my veins as well. If you want, we can help you. It'll take a little work and time, but you could be washing the dishes while sitting and enjoying a cup of tea...that is...if you care to learn..."

He nodded

"I am certain there are lessons Mistress Sha'uri would also be more suited than I, but all in all, I am not the Headmaster of a Arcane School for nothing."

"I am certain there are lessons Mistress Sha'uri would also be more suited than I, but all in all, I am not the Headmaster of a Arcane School for nothing."


Lyndra smiled. "I wouldn't presume ye were for nothing, Master Briarius. When should I begin lessons?"

Eventually, ChiChi had slipped from the bouncing ball and landed on the top of a shelf. He didn't look so well as he simply curled up in the center of the shelf and just laid there feeling a bit whoozy. The up and down motion for so long had been too much for him.

Sabre gave up the chase moments later realizing the ferret had gotten off somewhere. She had no clue where the nemesis was, nor even of her own location. All she saw was rows and rows of shelves. She did remember the scent of food had been strong upon her arrival. It was into that direction she made her trek, following the scent of several scrumptious morsels.

Sha'uri cocked a brow as Knite left abruptly, though she sensed his apprehensiveness. This caused her to be alert, gazing round the place with a keen eye.

At first, Lyndra thought Brairi was serious, as in serious ... until she stood up to go with him and saw the smile cracked upon his visage. She smiled, too, a bit bashfully.

"No worry here. I doubt I have that kind of potential."

Nod. She walked back with him to find the others.

:: She blinked as she finsihed the book in the short time she had been there but none the less she moved about the gigantic place her eyes going up and up and up until she spots a book she cannot reach..a frown visits her features but a determined look...concentrating she tries to grasp the book and slowly it floats on down to her hands before her will breaks and she laughs in glee from the success as she goes over to ehr mother and lifts the book up to ehr::

Mommy look what I found!

:: she beams up at her..it was the first book they ever read together..Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain::