Chapter 21- Ceara's Father

The next morning Wrangler woke up to find Ceara curled up next to her. Smiling to herself she quietly got up and moved away from Ceara. She softly lifted Talis's wing hoping not to wake her.

"Good morning Little One." "Good morning, I'm going to go freshen up." He hummed in response.
The boys were already awake and packing camp up. She smiled at all of them and walked over to Flameblade. He was packing her things into her bag and didn't see her next to him.

"Morning" she smiled at him
"Good Morning. Did you sleep well?" he asked
She nodded her head "Just wanted to freshen up and then we can head out."
"Why don't you go take a bath in the pond?" he suggested.
"That sounds good, I have dirt every where on me."
"Do you want company?" came a voice behind her.
She turned to find Ceara standing there.
"I could use a bath myself, I don't really want to go home covered in dirt."
"Sounds good, let's go."
Wrangler grabbed her bag and they headed off to the pond.

"Do you think the boys will be alright?" Ceara asked
"Talis wont hurt them."
"No but they seem so scared of him, they might trip over each other."

The girls started laughing in unison at the thought of the boys. Wrangler unbraided her hair and took Sunburts's bandana off.

"Ready?"
"You go first and let me know how cold it is." Ceara looked at the pond.

Wrangler walked to the pond and placed a hoof in the water. "It's a little chilly." She walked in until she was up to her hips in the water. Then she submerged herself under the water. When she came back up she turned to Ceara "It's not bad once you get all the way in."

Ceara walked to the edge of the pond and put a hoof in "Brr that's cold."
"Come on just get in."
"I will it's just SO cold."

Wrangler raised an eyebrow and then went back under the water. Ceara slowly made her way into the pond. Once she got to where the water level was at her knees she looke around for Wrangler.

"Wrangler, where are you?"
She got no answer and she turned back to the bank of the pond.
"Wrangler this isn't funny!"

All of a sudden Ceara was pulled under the water. Franticly she swam her way back to the surface. Wrangler appeared in front of her laughing.

"It's not funny!"
"Yes it was, I bet you're not cold anymore."
Ceara hadn't notice that the water now felt warm to her.
"Hey Wrangler."
"Yeah?"
Ceara splashed her with a wave of water. "Now we're even."
"Oh I don't think so"
Wrangler splashed water back at her laughing while she and Ceara go into a water fight.

Twenty minutes later Ceara called out "Truce, Truce"
"Okay" Wrangler giggled.
"Let's finish up and get back before the boys come looking for us."

They finished washing the dirt out of their hair and then climbed out of the pond. Wrangler grabbed her towels out of her bag handing one to Ceara.

"You always pack towels?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Thought they might come in handy."
After they dried off, combed their hair and repacked Wrangler's bag they headed back to camp. When they arrived the boys were waiting for them.

"Enjoy yourselves?" Ice Crystal asked
"Yes" they answer in unison.
"Where are we headed now?" asked Flameblade.
"My home, I want Talis and Wrangler to meet my father."
"How long of a journey is it?" asked Ice Crystal
"About a day."
"Too bad we can't take Talis" Sighed Wrangler.
"Why not?" asked Ceara
"He can't carry all of us we weigh too much."
Talis snorted causing Wrangler's hair to go everywhere.

"Hey why'd you do that?"
Everyone started laughing at the site of Wrangler's hair.

"I can carry all of you, do not underestimate me Little One." "Okay, Okay"
"Everyone climb up on Talis's back, he'll fly us there."
After everyone was settled onto Talis's back he pushed off .
"Tell him to head East we are not to far from the castle."

Wrangler relayed the message and Talis headed off, Ceara gave them directions as they went.

"Just over that mountaintop, there is a valley behind it. We are the only home built there. Talis will have lots of room to land."
Once they flew over the mountaintop the land cleared out and a large valley could be seen. On one side was a small cottage with smoke coming from the chimney.

"Can Talis land pretty close to the house without any damage?"

"How close can you get to the house?" "After I land I can walk as close as you would like." "Okay than as close as you can get."
"He is going to land and then walk up to the house." She told Ceara "Okay" she smiled in response.

Talis landed about one hundred feet from the house. As he walked the ground shook like an earthquake was happening. Once they were in front of the house Talis laid down to let them all off.

"Father! Are you home?"
"Ceara is that you?" came a deep voice.
"Yes, I brought company with me."
"Ceara! How many times do I have told you no outs...." As he came out the door and seen who was there his jaw dropped.
"T-T-Talis?"
Talis nodded and hummed at him in response.
"Forgive me" he bowed his head.
"Father this is Wrangler" she pushed Wrangler forward, "she is Wind Rider's decendant."
"It's nice to meet you" smiled Wrangler.
"Ah, you resemble your father" he smiled "And they are?" he motioned towards the boys.
"Oh this is Flameblade, a solider from Royal Sky Castle sent as my guardian and the others are soldiers from King Bryn's army" answered Wrangler.
"Our home is small but do come in" he motioned for them to follow him.
After they were all inside they filled up the living room and kitchen.
"Talis will be safe outside, no one really comes around this area."
Ceara giggled "Father I think you should introduce yourself."
"Oh yes I forgot in all the excitement. My name is Demetrius decendant of Sita of the Triad."
"Wrangler please tell my father your story. He will be able to help you figure some things out."
"Okay" Demetrius listened intently as Wrangler told him her story "and here I am now."
"hmmm, the only thing I can think of is that your mother's blood line was stronger in your other world. Princess Morning Star is very powerful but you would have to have pegasus blood to become a pegasus. Plus only Triad members can communicate with the dragons. Talis knows you were his protector so that can not be questioned."

"His protector?" she asked
"Yes the Triad protects the dragons from the villagers. Have you not heard the story?"
"Well Oracle has a book but she hadn't finished the translation before I left. Most of the books we found along the way didn't really tell me much."
"Hmmm, well your father should have told you then."
Wrangler hung her head "My father died shortly after I was born."
Demetrius took a deep breath "I'm sorry I shouldn't have been so aburt."
"It's fine" Wrangler smiled weakly.
"Father why don't you tell her? I mean after all you are a Triad memeber" Ceara suggested.
"Alright but after dinner, Ceara go fetch some wood. I'm sorry we don't have much to offer but I can fill your stomachs."
"We appricate anything you can share" Ice Crystal spoke up. "We should set camp up outside" he told the boys.
"Wrangler we do have an extra room if you would like it." Demetrius offered.
"Thank you but I will have to find out what Talis wants to do first."
"Of course, it's there if you would like it" he smiled.
"Let's go boys" Sunburst instructed.
Wrangler walked out with the boys but didnt join them instead she walked over to Talis.

"How are you holding up?" she asked "Just fine, lots of room out here." "Yes there is. Talis Demetrius has offered me a room inside but if you would like me to sleep out here I can turn down his offer." "No you should sleep inside Demetrius is a good man." "Do you know him?" "No I never had the pleasure of meeting him but I know the Triad blood flows through his viens." "Okay. What are you going to do for dinner." "I can hunt some wild animal since there is lots of room. Don't worry about me Little One I'll be alright." "Demetrius is going to tell me about the Triad since my father couldn't." "That is a wise idea, he will be able to tell you alot. Once we start training you will learn even more."
"Dinners ready!" Ceara called out of the doorway.
"Go join them, I am going to hunt for food and then I will come back and sleep." "Okay, be safe." "I will"

With one push of his wings he was off of the ground, winking at Wrangler he took off into the night sky. She turned and walked back into the cottage, joining the others at the table.

"Demetrius I will take that room. Talis thinks it would be a good idea and I could use something soft to sleep on."
"That's wonderful. Now eat up everyone and once everything is cleared away I will tell the story of the Triad."

Everyone started passing around the dishes and piling there plates up. Ideal chit chat happened during dinner but Wrangler was aniouxs to hear Demetrius tell her about her past and her heritage.