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Belora.”
    Adora surprised them all by bowing low to Kelvan in the old way first, before she even acknowledged his rider. The dragon preened openly at the show of respect and stood to his full height, returning the courtesy with a formal sweep of his wings.
    "You honor my humble home with your presence, Sir Kelvan. Be welcome here."
    The honor is mine, Madam. Your daughter claimed you once knew my kind and I am pleased to see the old ways preserved in your memory. You do both our peoples proud. Kelvan included them all in his silent speech.
    Adora blushed prettily as she straightened. “You are a handsome dragon, Sir Kelvan, and a pretty talker.”
    The dragon rumbled in a way resembling laughter and all the humans smiled as he laid the dead stag at the lady's feet.
    An offering for your table, Madam. Courtesy of your daughter.
    “And Kelvan too, Mama. That's how we met. I shot the stag, but he didn't see me and snagged it from above for a snack. I disputed his claim to the stag and he brought me to Gareth to see who was in the right.”
    “Ah yes, you bring me not only a dragon, but a knight as well.” Adora clapped her hands together in joy though her tone was mischievous. “You are Sir Gareth?”
    The young man strode forward to stand before her. “I am.”
    “Welcome to our home, sir. It has been many years since I last saw a dragon and I must admit complete ignorance of the knights who work with them. The dragon I knew as a child had no partner at the time.”
    Gareth smiled kindly down at her. “We are not much different from normal men, Lady, except that we can hear the dragons as you do and partner with them to protect the innocent.”
    “It is a noble calling.”
    Gareth inclined his head to acknowledge her words.
    “But worrisome. If you are here, trouble must not be far behind.”
    You are perceptive, Madam. The dragon’s powerful voice sounded through all their minds. Trouble brews on the border and the king has dispatched us to create a new Lair not far from here. You must be cautious in your travels and dealings with strangers. The skiths are growing restless.
    Adora gasped but did not otherwise show the fear his stark words brought to her soul. Her keen mind worked around the dire news as she made her guests welcome and turned the subject to more pleasant matters.
    She asked them about the new Lair they were building and prepared refreshments while Kelvan, in an uncharacteristically thoughtful move for a dragon, dragged the stag away into the forest to prepare it for the women. A few swipes with his razor sharp claws and it was ready.
    When he came back, they were sitting around the fire pit in front of the small cottage, talking amiably. Being certain he had everyone’s attention, Kelvan covered one nostril with an overly large digit and exhaled a burst of flame over the spitted stag. When the flame subsided, the animal was fully cooked, just right for human consumption.
    Dinner is served.
    They laughed at the dragon’s wry humor.
    After dinner, Gareth and Belora took a walk down to the stream to gather water and steal a few moments alone together. It was obvious to Adora that her beautiful daughter was deeply in love, as was the tall young man at her side. His heart was in his eyes as he looked down at her girl, and she knew it was a long, lasting kind of love that filled his heart. Though she had never known a knight before, she knew dragons and the men they chose to fight with had the highest qualities of nobility and honor. She had little to worry about as far as her daughter's match was concerned, but still her heart was a little heavy watching them.
    He loves true and deep, Lady. It’s the nature of knights to decide what they want quickly and pursue it. Many recognize their life mates within moments of meeting. The Mother guides them in all things. Fear not for your girl. The dragon came up to sit across from her, his wings folded loosely against his sides as he sat on his haunches.
    “I