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Ember  

Ember heard the other consort approaching. He stood up hastily, trying to keep from shaking. Despite what Emerald Twilight’s first consort, Shadow, had told him, he was half convinced the feral would kill him. He had made a complete fool of himself, pleading with Tempest not to leave him even when he knew it was useless, but he couldn’t help himself. Tempest had been sharp with him. “The decision has been made. If you find it impossible here, of course you can return, but you must give it a little time. Indigo Cloud are probably going to lose their only adult consort. It’s a shock for them. They’ll soon come to appreciate you and make you welcome.”

Ember wasn’t convinced, but he knew it was his duty to accept the situation. Only it was difficult being alone. He missed the other consorts and his warrior clutchmates, of course, but he hadn’t really understood what it would be like to be on his own in these unused bowers. After the awkward meal the previous night, it was the mentor Heart who had brought him up here, because the solitary had disappeared. The bower was bare and strange, and had obviously been hastily prepared very recently; the floor was still slightly wet in places from cleaning and the warming stones had hardly begun to affect the damp chill of the space. It didn’t make Ember feel more comfortable or less frightened. Various Arbora looked in, and some of them brought him tea and stayed a while, making a few polite remarks. Others looked in at the entrance, murmuring among themselves, ducking away when he looked at them. He had slept, eventually. In the morning more Arbora he didn’t know came and fussed with blankets and hearth and kettle and enquired politely about breakfast. He shook his head at them, finding speech difficult, and eventually they left him alone again.

Then the solitary appeared, clearly no happier than he had been the previous day. Ember told himself it was understandable that he was upset, if no-one had informed him what was happening. Of course he would be shocked by the arrival of a strange consort who might be taken by his queen. Moon asked abruptly about Ember’s bloodline, and Ember told him, hideously embarrassed, aware that he was over-explaining. Even though he was still young, Moon seemed so much more mature and experienced, and so aggressive. Ember found it easy to believe he had been living without a court and had to fend for himself. He knew he had to stop thinking that way: Moon’s bloodline was prestigious; he was the offspring of the reigning queen of a powerful court. But the truth was that Moon frightened him. Ember almost hoped he would stay at Opal Night, except it would mean he himself would be completely alone here, the only consort, unclaimed.

But Moon looked at Ember and appeared to soften a little. He told Ember how to get back to the greeting hall and to the teachers’ hall, saying he would be welcome there. At least he didn’t seem personally hostile, just upset with the situation.

As Moon turned to leave, Ember gathered enough courage to speak to him.

“Shadow said I shouldn’t be afraid of you.”

Moon practically snarled at him. “Shadow doesn’t know me.” Ember shrank back as Moon flung out.

******

After a while Ember decided to follow Moon’s suggestion. It didn’t seem likely Moon would deliberately mislead him, but still it was difficult enough to keep walking through the colony, past empty bowers, and down the staircase back to the greeting hall. He met various Raksura on the way, but no-one accosted him or even spoke to him, though several smiled hesitantly. He saw no-one he recognised.

To his relief Tempest was in the greeting hall with her warriors.

“Ember! I thought I was going to have to ask them to fetch you.”

“I found my way. The other consort told me.”

She reached for him. “We’re leaving soon. We’re just waiting for Zephyr. Ember …”

“It’ll be fine,” he said.

She spoke more quietly. “It will. You will do well here. They need someone like you, especially as they reestablish themselves in the Reaches: you know the courts, you know how to behave, you can advise the queens.”

“I understand,” he mumbled. She released him, and Ember stepped back as more Raksura came into the greeting hall. Moon followed Zephyr and her warriors and the formal leaving process began. Ember edged away until he could lean against a wall and watch from the shadows.

******

Afterwards, he went down the stairs again, into a large chamber with walls and ceiling intricately carved with forest trees and illuminated by spelled shells set in the walls. Groups of Raksura, warriors as well as Arbora, sat around several hearths, eating, drinking tea or just talking.

“Ember!” It was the teacher Bell, who he had met the previous evening. “Come and sit down. Have you had breakfast?”

Ember looked around. Two other Arbora were already pushing cushions towards him and hurrying to fetch food.

”I’m Bell, leader of the teachers’ caste, in case you didn’t get all the names yesterday. I know you’re Ember.” He smiled. “This is Bark and Weave. Will you have some tea? Did you have breakfast already? You need to eat properly, at your age.” Ember almost smiled. It seemed teachers were the same everywhere. He accepted tea, and the others pressed flatbread and fruit on him. “Go on, that’s easy to eat,” said Bark. “You’ll soon get used to us. You’re welcome here, you know.”

“Yes,” said Bell firmly. “Don’t worry about Moon. He’s had a bit of a shock, that’s all.”

“He was all right,” said Ember. “He told me to come here.”

All three Arbora smiled. “Did he? Good,” said Bell. “That’s good.” He sounded relieved. “So, did you have much to do with the babies and fledglings at Emerald Twilight? I suppose the nurseries there are much larger.”

The Arbora chatted amicably while Ember managed to eat a reasonable breakfast. Then Bell stood up. “Would you like to meet the fledglings?”

Ember followed him to the back of the hall, where there was an archway clearly leading to the nurseries: the entrance was carved with images of young Raksura, babies and fledglings, some of them perhaps Aeriat learning to fly. Ember smiled a little, reminded of his own nursery days in Emerald Twilight, not very long ago. Perhaps he would be allowed to spend time here; consorts were usually encouraged to help look after the youngest Raksura.

Ember saw several children being watched by teachers. Bell took him over to sit by their hearth, and he was happy to be introduced, knowing it to be a sign of trust and friendship on the part of Indigo Cloud. The babies climbed over him, perhaps curious to see another consort, given that they probably only knew Moon and the line-grandfather Ember had heard about.

Then a young fledgling queen came up. “Who’s this?” she said accusingly. Two more fledglings followed, both consorts.

“Frost, this is Ember, who was a consort of Emerald Twilight. They have generously given him to Indigo Cloud.” Bell spoke firmly, as if expecting a hostile reaction.

“Instead of Moon?” The little queen was furious.

“No, Frost. Moon has just gone to visit another court, as he told you. Ember will stay here.”

“Another consort.” One of the fledgling consorts spoke, looking curiously at him.

“Yes,” said Bell. “Ember, this is Thorn, and this is Bitter.”

“Bitter Starshell,” said Frost immediately.

“But generally we call him Bitter,” said Thorn placatingly.

This must be the royal clutch rescued by Indigo Cloud, realised Ember.

“You’re from Sky Copper?” he asked.

“We’re Moon’s clutch now,” said the little queen fiercely.

Ember nodded. “Of course. I’m just here to help out.”

She considered him for a moment. “All right,” she said. “Just while Moon is away.” With that she turned away and went to join some of the other youngsters who were listening to one of the teachers read. Bitter whispered to Thorn.

“I expect so,” Thorn said, staring consideringly at Ember. “Do you like stories?” he asked.

Looking at their eager eyes, Ember felt his heart melt. “I like stories very much.”

Bitter climbed up into his lap, and Thorn sighed and leant against him.

“If you know a new story, you could tell us,” he said.

Ember ignored Bell, who seemed to be trying not to laugh. He put his arm round Thorn. “I’ll tell you a story from Emerald Twilight. You won’t have heard this one. It’s got me in it, when I was younger and did something silly. You can laugh when we get to that bit. Nothing scary happens,” he added, realising that might be important.

Bell nodded to him and left. The other teachers closed in, as eager for new stories as the fledglings.

Ember spent the rest of the morning in the nurseries. Later he ate the daymeal that was brought in, conscious of the numerous Arbora who passed through the teachers’ hall apparently solely in order to stare at him.

Afterwards Bell offered to show him the rest of the colony. Together with the two younger teachers he explained the layout of the colony in the mountain tree and pointed out the Arbora and warriors’ bowers, the workrooms and the mentors’ library. Although he knew what had happened to Indigo Cloud, Ember was slightly shocked to discover how few mentors there were, how few warriors, how small the court actually was. No wonder everyone was so curious about him. And this was to be his home now? Unless Moon returned, he would be the only adult consort apart from the absent line-grandfather. Living virtually alone in the consorts’ bowers was an uncomfortable idea. At least, he thought, Indigo Cloud should now be able to build alliances with more of the nearby courts, thanks to Emerald Twilight’s intervention and his own presence; a rather unsettling thought. His mind went back to what Tempest had told him about advising the queens. He shivered, hoping one of them would accept him, or at least find him useful.

“Ember, is everything all right?” said Weave anxiously. “I know it’s not what you’ve been used to, and it must seem as if we’re not welcoming you properly, but everyone is just anxious about Opal Night and Moon. We do want you here.”

“We really do,” put in Bark. “I’m sure Pearl will welcome you properly soon, even if Jade is too preoccupied.”

“Can we show you the mountain tree?” said Bell. “There’s a door out to one of the big platforms here.”

“It’s beautiful,” said Bark earnestly. “We’re making progress on restoring the platforms and clearing the water channels.”

They met other Arbora who showed him the work that was under way to restore more of the colony’s garden plots and orchards and talked about their plans for the future. Despite himself Ember was drawn in by their obvious desire for him to share in their enthusiasm.

“There’s a Kek village at the base of the mountain tree,” explained Bell. “Have you met Kek?” He looked around. “Maybe we could find a warrior to show you –”

“Maybe we’d better wait till Pearl agrees,” said Weave. “She won’t want him leaving the tree, the way things are at the moment.” Ember, who was longing to stretch his wings a little, managed not to sigh.

A few minutes later the sound of wings made them all look up. Two warriors landed nearby and immediately shifted to groundling form.

“Ah! Ember, that’s Floret and Coil. I expect there’s some news from Pearl.”

“Consort,” said Floret. “The reigning queen apologises for neglecting to greet you properly earlier.” She took a breath. “You understand things are a little disorganised. The sister queen is leaving at dawn and there were arrangements to be made.” Or possibly more arguments to be had, thought Ember.

“Of course,” he said.

“The queen would be pleased if you would eat with her this evening.”

Ember accepted politely, wondering if both queens would be there.

“Thank you. We’ll inform her,” said Floret.

“You go,” said the younger warrior to Floret, “I can show the consort the main entrances and platforms, if he’d like.”

“That would be very helpful,” said Ember quickly. Floret hesitated, then nodded and left them.

“Thank you, Coil,” said Bell.

“Honestly I’d welcome the chance to get away for a while. It’s a bit difficult today.”

Bell laughed, and the Arbora watched with interest as Ember followed Coil to the edge of the platform and shifted to dive into the fresh cool breeze.

It was a moment or two before Ember remembered to slow to Coil’s speed, but Coil didn’t seem to mind at all. He let Ember circle around above the platform, then led him up to show him the waterfall by the mountain-tree’s main entrance, and down again past the various pools made by the falls in successive platforms. When they eventually landed on a much lower level, Ember was ready to admit the beauty of the colony’s situation.

“We’ve had bad luck in the past,” said Coil, contemplating their surroundings, “but this place is much better for us. The Arbora are happy here, and once this business with Opal Night is sorted out, the queens will be more settled.”

“And the warriors?” asked Ember hesitantly.

“We’ll be pleased to have a consort like you. Moon is all right, but he has no idea about anything a consort should do for the colony, and he belongs to Jade. Pearl…” He stopped. “I guess you know what happened with Pearl’s consort.”

“Her consort Rain had died, and she didn’t want another. After her sister queen died she wouldn’t take one of the consorts and she sent them away to Wind Sun and Mist Silver.”

Coil looked a little surprised. “Well yes, obviously you know the courts. Pearl was unhappy for a long time. But things have changed. I don’t think you need to worry at all. She doesn’t like Moon, but Moon isn’t a proper consort like you. I think she has accepted we needed Moon, still do. But whether he returns or not I believe she will welcome you. The alliance with Emerald Twilight is important too. Only…” He hesitated again. “Pearl has her favourites, of course, among the warriors. You’ll see.”

So Pearl had taken warrior lovers rather than another consort. Given Jade’s fury with Emerald Twilight over Moon’s situation, where did that leave Ember? Coil changed the subject, discussing the predators which threatened the Indigo Cloud colony and politely asking about those at Emerald Twilight, though Ember could only respond vaguely. He was not looking forward to the evening.

******

Ember returned to his bower to find the Arbora had been there, making the area more welcoming with additional rugs and pillows. There were some gifts laid at the entrance too; just small things, since no-one had known he was arriving, but Ember appreciated the gesture. The young teacher Bark appeared with two more.

“Ember, these are for you from the Sky Copper fledglings. Bitter made this, with Thorn’s help. It’s supposed to be a consort.”

“I can tell from the colour,” said Ember with a smile. It was a miniature Raksura made from twigs with wings of overlapping black leaves.

“And this is from Frost,” said Bark, rolling her eyes. “She says you don’t have to wear it but you’re their consort until Moon comes back so you should have a gift.”

It was a narrow silver armband, or rather bracelet, which would have been much too small except that someone had apparently hammered it further open to fit a larger wrist.

“Frost got Merry to open it up a bit more. Don’t feel you have to wear it.”

“Of course I will,” said Ember, and pushed the bracelet onto his wrist, where it fit well enough. “Please tell Frost I’ll look after it for her.”

“You’ve got thin wrists still,” said Bark consideringly. “You’ve got a bit more growing to do yet. Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“That’s all right,” said Ember, warmed by the friendliness. “Thank you for letting me help with the clutch today.”

“It was good of you. They’ve had a difficult time, and they’re not the easiest of the fledglings to deal with. Not that queens are ever exactly easy. Do you need any extra clothing for tonight? There’s been no time to make you anything, I’m afraid.”

Ember was well equipped with formal clothes, so Bark left him to bathe and change for the meal. He got ready quickly, not knowing how long he would have to wait, and then sat nervously by the hearth, wishing for something to read. However he was not alone for long, as several of the Arbora he had met out on the platforms came to greet him, tell him who had made his various gifts and suggest how best to display them. Ember got up to make tea with the cups and tea someone had left, and soon found himself surrounded by people eager to talk and ask questions. They were mostly younger Raksura, some probably no older than himself, and like most Arbora he had known they enjoyed speculating and gossiping about the court. Ember learned about Pearl’s favourite warrior, River, and heard more of some of Moon’s adventures.

“You’re not a bit like Moon, though,” said Strike, a young hunter. “It’s good to have a, well, a normal consort as well. If Moon comes back. When Moon comes back, I mean. So who’s going with Jade anyway?”

This was a topic that engaged them all until Floret appeared to conduct him to dine with the queens.

******

Pearl

Pearl settled on the cushions placed ready for her. Her warriors disposed themselves around her. She checked automatically that the best dishes and cups had been set out, and watched as Jade arrived with her faction, who seemed to be still debating which of them would travel with her to Opal Night, even though she and Jade had already decided after only a minimum of argument.

She frowned at her own warriors when they seemed inclined to be rude about the young consort who came in with Floret. At least Emerald Twilight taught their consorts how to behave properly. Ember made his way to the appropriate place in front of her and waited to catch her eye before sitting down without fuss when she acknowledged him.

She watched him covertly as food was brought out and everyone settled in to eat. His court had provided him with some elegant formal clothes. He wore little jewellery, reflecting his youth and unclaimed status, but to her experienced eyes it was well made and beautiful. Good. He probably wasn’t being sent because he was troublesome or useless.

Her eye was caught by a narrow armband that surely hadn’t been provided by Emerald Twilight.

“It was a present, or rather a loan, from the fledgling queen,” said Ember with a smile, noticing her reaction.

“Frost. I might have known.” Pearl was actually rather surprised. Frost was difficult even for a fledgling queen, and possibly the last person to welcome a substitute for Moon.

“It’s only until Moon is back.”

If Moon came back. If he didn’t, well, perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing if the Sky Copper fledglings had bonded with Ember.

“He told them stories, apparently,” said River in somewhat disparaging tones.

Pearl looked at him. “That’s what consorts do, help protect and care for the young of the court.” River looked down, and Pearl hoped he wasn’t going to be a problem. He could hardly have forgotten the days when there were several consorts at Indigo Cloud. Warriors were idiots. She concentrated on eating, and the warriors followed her example.

She realised Jade was looking at Ember too, almost as if seeing him for the first time. If Moon didn’t come back, Ember would be the only consort they had, not counting Stone. Pearl frowned at the thought of Jade perhaps taking Ember. She had only reluctantly given Moon up to Jade, and she didn’t even like Moon. She had the Sky Copper fledgling queen to think of as well. It would be several turns at best before Indigo Cloud was powerful enough to deal with another colony for a consort. She didn’t like to think what it might mean if Moon was lost to them. And then there were the Fell to worry about. Pearl felt as if there was a stone in her stomach compounded of anger, guilt, and fear.

Ember was looking at her with concern. She straightened her spine and settled her mane. He must be wondering what kind of court he had come to. She nodded to him and he smiled tentatively. He was certainly very pretty, and she wondered if he had noticed the reactions of the Arbora he had met. Coil had reported admiringly that his conformation and wingspan were excellent and his speed in flight everything to be expected. Her other warriors seemed impressed too, though in their case it meant they were making quiet snide remarks among themselves rather than exerting themselves to make him feel welcome like the Arbora.

She thought of one small concern that Ember might be able to help with.

“Do you know about the Sky Copper fledglings? Should we be looking for any distant relatives of theirs?”

Ember thought for a moment, mentally reviewing the alliances of the Reaches colonies.

“It was a small court. These were the only royal clutch, and there were no consorts at other courts in the present generation. Indigo Cloud were their closest allies and had given them consorts in the past, but not recently.”

Pearl nodded. “That’s what I thought. So there will be no opposition to them coming into Indigo Cloud unless someone particularly wants to make trouble. And we all have enough problems at the moment with the Fell threatening the Reaches.

“You’ve been well brought up,” she continued approvingly.

“Thank you,” said Ember, relieved. Shadow had made very sure Ember knew what he had to about Indigo Cloud and all the courts with whom they had alliances or relationships of any kind.

Looking at him, Pearl realised how nervous he had been. Not just shy; practically petrified. She smiled. “It will be a pleasant change to have a consort who knows how to behave.”

Jade growled, and Ember visibly flinched. Pearl cursed herself.

“Of course you’re angry, Jade,” she said, “but there’s no reason to take it out on Ember. I didn’t mean to insult your consort. I only hope you’re able to convince Opal Night to behave sensibly.”

“Really? Then as I intend to leave at first light, I’d better get some sleep.” Still clearly angry, Jade shifted and leapt to climb up to the queens’ bowers. With a brief gesture of apology, Balm hastily got up to follow.

Pearl sighed and sat back.

She had hoped that returning to the Reaches might be a chance for the colony to recover. If Moon’s bloodline was truly as prestigious as had been claimed, if Jade managed to recover him, if they eventually produced royal clutches, Indigo Cloud’s standing with the neighbouring courts would improve and they could look to build better relationships both in trade and new bloodlines. It was a lot of ‘ifs’.

It had been a long time since Rain, since she had a mate who truly understood the consort relationship. She hadn’t been able to think of taking another consort after his death and had sunk into angry despair, feeling isolated from the rest of the colony but unable to deal effectively with the problems facing the court on her own. Indigo Cloud had suffered one blow after another, and it felt as if every decision she made was the wrong one. She missed Flower, who had never hesitated to disagree and stand up for her own opinion when she thought it necessary. Queens were argumentative and difficult by nature, but she had got on particularly badly with Jade, who was too young to take control in any case, and she had allowed Stone to bring in a consort who might cause yet more trouble.

She didn’t want to think what might happen if Jade lost Moon, but she should try to have a plan. 

She looked again at the young consort from Emerald Twilight. Difficult to imagine a court that actually had too many consorts. At least if Opal Night refused to return Moon, she could rely on some kind of support from Emerald Twilight and Sunset Water. Perhaps. 

In any event she must act as if Jade was bound to succeed. Jade had many supporters, and the Arbora liked Moon. The pair could be the making of the colony’s future. On the other hand, while Emerald Twilight’s gesture shouldn’t be ignored, Jade was not the right queen to take advantage of it. She was young and impulsive and currently completely focused on Moon. She would not react well to being offered Ember as consolation, which would be unhelpful for their relationship with Emerald Twilight.

Ember was young, but clearly not stupid. If Pearl didn’t frighten him into a fit she might be able to make something of him.

She looked around. Unsettled by Jade’s abrupt exit, the Arbora were murmuring among themselves and some of them were already leaving for their bowers.

She smiled at Ember, drawing him in with a power she had not previously bothered to exercise.

“Perhaps everyone should get some sleep. Coil can show you the quicker way back to the consorts’ bowers.”

Coil jumped up eagerly. “Up here, see the clawmarks?” He shifted and began to climb up to the higher levels. Ember followed rather more slowly. His shifted form was indeed beautiful, Pearl noted, watching him climb neatly and gracefully. She decided she would take him flying the next day.

“He did that deliberately,” hissed Drift.

Pearl raised her eyebrows and Vine cuffed him. “The queen told him to go that way,” he said.

“Very pretty,” muttered River. “Good bloodline.”

Pearl agreed.

******

Ember

When Ember got back to his bower he found it full of Arbora. Coil hesitated but left him, murmuring “another time”. Ember stared after him in surprise.

“He likes you,” said Bark, looking up from the hearth where she was arranging teacups.

“We all like you,” said Weave cheerfully.

There were now plenty of mats, pillows and rugs for everyone to sit and drink tea, snack, and gossip. Ember wasn’t sure how much of the friendly attention was due to the novelty of a new consort, but it made for a much more pleasant evening. That night he fell asleep on the cushions, surrounded by the warm presence of several Raksura.

******

He woke early because Bark was easing away gently. “Sorry,” she whispered, “but I must be back in the nurseries soon.” She woke Weave and they crept out. Ember hoped he was not responsible for causing trouble for them with Bell.

The remaining sleepers were also stirring, discussing tea and breakfast, deciding to go first to see if Jade was really leaving at dawn. Ember trailed down the stairs after them all, unsure whether it was appropriate or not. As they came down to the level of the greeting hall, there was a commotion above them and the mentor Heart came rushing down.

“Let me through! No, ask one of the others, I’m in a hurry!”

A furious Pearl stood in the greeting hall directing a few scurrying warriors and hunters. Bone, the leader of the hunters, stood next to her. Another young mentor – Merit, recalled Ember – knelt over the body of the sister queen, while various anxious Raksura were held back by the sheer force of Pearl’s anger.

For an instant he thought Jade was dead. Bark and Weave cried out in shock. Then Jade moved, pushing Merit back, hissing furiously.

“Jade, please!” cried Merit, “Stay still. And don’t try to shift! Heart is going to put you into a healing sleep, please let her.”

Heart flung herself down beside Jade.

“Your injury caused you to shift. You need to stay that way or risk wing damage.”

“I have to be able to fly! I promised Moon!”

Pearl came to crouch beside the mentors. “Listen to me. Your arm is badly broken and your shoulder is torn. You won’t be able to fly for a while. If you insist on behaving like a foolish fledgling you may damage a wing permanently. Do you want that? Let the mentors do their work. We will make arrangements to get to Opal Night, I promise you that.”

Jade attempted to outstare her but failed. “All right,” she said, finally. “Go on, Heart, get it over with.”

A moment later Pearl stood up, touching Heart’s shoulder lightly. “Very well. When you’ve finished treating her, get her to her bower if she’s fit to be moved.” She looked around. “In the meantime, keep everyone back.” She glared at the warriors who stood nearby. Floret nodded. “We’ll take care of her.”

Then she turned to Bone. “Are they hurt?” For the first time Ember noticed the two young Arbora who stood huddled together close to Bone, watched over by four warriors.

“Far less than they deserve,” said Bone grimly. “Perhaps Merit could take a look at Salt’s leg.”

“Yes. And after that, you and I will have a word with them. Have them brought to my bower.”

Pearl turned away. She looked round the greeting hall, where many Raksura had come out onto the balconies and stairways to see what had happened, most looking as if they had just woken up.

“Take the consort away from here,” she told Bark and Weave. “It’s no place for him.” She shifted, startling Ember, and leapt to climb up to the queens’ bowers.

Bark took his wrist. “Ember, come with us. We’ll have tea and get something to eat.”

“Let’s go back to your bower, it’ll be more peaceful than the teachers’ hall,” added Weave. “I expect someone will come to explain everything eventually.”

“I’m fine,” said Ember. “Shouldn’t you go back to the nurseries? I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“Better if we do what Pearl wants,” said Bark firmly. “Come on. I’ll make tea. You can bathe and then perhaps later we can go down to the nurseries.”

“I’m truly not that delicate!” protested Ember, but he went with them anyway.

Gradually the story came out. Salt and Braid, two young hunters, had chosen today (“of all days!”, said Rill, who had joined them in Ember’s bower), to creep out at first light to explore on their own, across a newly restored bridge which led to a platform on an adjacent tree. “No doubt they wanted to show off to the rest,” said Weave. “It’s a stupid age.” Ember nudged her and she laughed. “It’s a stupid age for hunters, I mean. Sensible teachers and consorts wouldn’t behave like that.” She bumped his shoulder.

“Anyway,” said Rill, “they were in a neighbouring tree or something, and they disturbed a predator. A really really big predator. Bone thinks it was hibernating. They woke it, or tripped over it maybe, disturbed it somehow anyway and it came after them. It caught Salt by the leg.”

Everyone gasped.

“It was really fast. Braid tried to jam its jaw with his spear, but it was too strong.”

“But then the warriors on patrol arrived,” said Grain, who had followed Rill into the bower. “They held off the thing and Salt got away.”

“Bone called it a snatcher,” said Rill.

“And then Jade came?” asked Bark.

“The warriors must have sent someone to let her know,” said Rill. “She fought and killed it,” she added with satisfaction.

“Is Salt all right?” asked Ember, then remembered he had seen him earlier. “He was standing up at least.”

“He’ll be fine. His leg was torn but the mentors fixed him up,” said Grain. “He’s got the worst bit to come. Pearl will rip them apart.”

Ember stared.

Bark laughed. “Not like that! She and Bone will make them explain, probably in front of everyone, exactly what they did and why.”

“Then Bone will probably make them do all the worst jobs for ages,” said Rill cheerfully. “Tanning, dyeing, cleaning equipment, oh, plenty of unpleasant work for them!”

“Serves them right,” said Grain. “Jade is quite badly hurt.”

“And who’s going to go for Moon now?” wondered Bark.

The question kept the court occupied for most of the day.

Ember followed the young teachers down to the hall, where Bell immediately sent them to the nurseries. He himself sat with Ember and made sure he ate a good breakfast. Ember was beginning to think Indigo Cloud had a rather exaggerated idea of the frailty of young consorts. Coil and Vine came to join them and tell the story from the warriors’ point of view: Vine had been leading the patrol that fought the predator.

“Bone says in a way it’s a good thing to know there are these creatures nearby. He’s going to lead a group of hunters and warriors to check there aren’t any more in the neighbourhood.”

“Do we know our own tree is all right?” asked Bell.

“Definitely,” said Vine. “We couldn’t possibly have missed something that big when all the platforms were checked for decay.”

“Pearl will probably make us check again anyway,” said Coil with a sigh.

“What happens now about Moon?” asked Ember hesitantly. “I heard Pearl say something would be arranged?”

“I don’t think anyone knows,” said Bell. “The mentors are scrying.”

******

Ember didn’t get to hear any explanation Pearl and Bone might have extracted from the erring hunters. Once he had eaten, Coil took him to meet the fledgling warriors Spring and Snow, who greeted them both enthusiastically.

“They’re from Amber’s last clutch. A few of us helped them learn to fly, and now they’ve learned to hunt I’ve been taking them out sometimes to keep their skill sharp. Moon thinks it’s important even though they’re young, and I think he’s right, at least while everything here is so new to us. If something happened to the colony the way it did to Moon’s home, far better if all the warriors could hunt for themselves.”

“Can we go hunting today, Coil?” asked Snow eagerly.

“I’m sorry, but I think we’d better not risk anything today that might upset Pearl, like an unauthorised hunt with fledglings. But soon, I promise,” said Coil.

Spring was looking at Ember. “Thorn says he tells good stories.”

Coil laughed. “That should be safe enough for you today, if Ember’s willing? Sorry, Ember, we’re rather starved for new tales in Indigo Cloud.”

The warrior fledglings were older than the Sky Copper trio, and they also wanted stories with rather more fighting in than Ember was used to. Rather than try to describe predator battles he hadn’t actually witnessed, Ember told them the origin stories of Emerald Twilight, which were certainly full of adventure and incident.

“The mentors are going to want to hear these,” said Coil. “I don’t know if they have them in our library, but I’ve not heard them before, except a short version of the one about the Great Leaving, I think.”

There was a stir through the nurseries as Rill came to tell everyone that the scrying was complete, and a general rush to hear the result.

Pearl stood with Heart and Merit in the teachers’ hall, and it seemed all the court who could get there. The mentors looked tired but triumphant.

“We saw Stone. He’s on his way back and should be here soon.”

“Of course we don’t know what “soon” actually means,” said Pearl, for once without any sarcastic inflection.

“We felt him not far off. It definitely can’t be long,” said Heart. “But there’s something else. He’s not alone. We think he’s with one of the flying boats. It’s not definite!” She spoke above the rising murmurs of the Raksura present.

Merit backed her up. “He’s not travelling alone, and there’s a vessel of some kind. What else could it be?”

Pearl nodded. “This is good news," she said, loudly enough for everyone to hear her. "The line-grandfather is returning. The mentors feel no sense of threat from whoever he’s with. Jade will be told as soon as she wakes. In the meantime the warriors will extend their patrols.

“Ember!” She looked across to where he stood. “Come with me.”

******

She took him flying. Of course everyone was hoping to catch sight of the line-grandfather, but since no-one knew exactly when that might happen, this flight was more of a chance for them to get to know each other. A small group of warriors escorted them, but Pearl largely ignored them, leading Ember up and out into the cool breeze over the forest, soaring above the mountain tree’s canopy. She and Ember flew fast and high, leaving the colony behind, revelling in the air currents. Ember pushed himself, showing off a little, though of course Pearl was faster.

By the time they came in to land on the highest platform of the mountain tree Ember was feeling the strain, but exhilarated and happy: Pearl was very aware of the change in his scent. She shifted, and he immediately followed her. He was attractive in groundling form too, lithe but strongly built, though he lacked something in muscle density. He was watching her, smiling, breathing a little heavily still. She could tell that he desired her. Not quite the meek youngster he had appeared when Tempest brought him. No wonder the Arbora were so attracted.

“I like to fly back through the waterfall,” she said. “And it will give the warriors time to catch up.”

She shifted again and they flew together through the spray around the waterfall which cascaded down the massive trunk of the tree until they reached the lowest platform, and back up to the knothole which was the main entrance to the colony.

“No sign of Stone,” reported Floret, as the warriors joined them, and Pearl nodded. “We’ll keep the patrols out as long as there’s light to see.” That would mean longer patrols, since they normally only stayed until all the Raksura out hunting or working on the platforms had returned for the night, but in the circumstances no-one would complain.

She turned to Ember. “I must go and see Jade and Heart and have a word with Bone. Get something to eat, have a bath.” She took his wrist, rubbing her thumb gently over the pulse point. “That was a good flight. I’ll see you later.”

Ember went to bathe, grateful to have the bathing pool to himself. He was leaning back against the warming stones, remembering Pearl taking his wrist, when the first Arbora arrived, Weave and Rill. Ember would have liked a little more time to himself, but he was pleased to see they were carrying platters of food.

“No sign yet?” said Rill.

“How was Pearl?” asked Weave almost at the same moment.

He climbed out of the pool and dressed quickly.

“No sign,” he said. “What do the flying boats look like anyway?”

They were delighted to be able to describe the flying ships to someone who had never seen one. Ember made tea, glad to avoid Weave’s curiosity for the time being.

“So, what happens now?” he said. “Why would the flying ship come here?”

“Maybe to trade,” said Rill doubtfully. “They are traders, after all.”

“They’re explorers too,” said Weave. “The oldest groundling, Delin-Evran-Lindel, he’s rather like a mentor except he has no magic. But he’s interested in everything. He writes about different races, like Raksura. And he gets on well with Stone. He probably just wants to see the colony. The mentors didn’t sense anything serious.”

“Scrying isn’t always accurate,” argued Rill. “There could be something going on that doesn’t affect us directly, they might not see that. I just want Stone to be back.”

“I miss Blossom,” said Weave. “Bell’s all right, of course, but it’s better when Blossom’s here.”

“Will the line-grandfather go after Moon?” asked Ember.

“Oh yes,” said Rill with offhand certainty. “Have you finished eating, Ember? Because we could go down to the teachers’ hall and find out if how Jade is and if there’s any other news, maybe if Heart has scryed again?”

“You go,” said Ember. I’ll see you later.” He managed to persuade them to leave, saying truthfully that he was tired.

******

Pearl came to see him a little later, alone.

“Food? That’s a good idea.” She sat next to him and picked up a piece of flatbread.

Ember thought she looked beautiful but tired. At some point he had stopped being afraid of her and begun to sympathise instead, and today’s flight had made him realise how powerful and fast she was. He poured tea for her, very aware of her closeness, with her attention solely on him.

“How is Jade?” he asked.

“Asleep still, but healing well enough. We’ve been debating about waking her. The mentors want to keep her asleep as long as possible.”

“Surely that’s a good idea?”

“She’ll be angry if we don’t wake her the moment we can. If I thought she would be sensible I would do it, but of course she won’t be.”

“Could the line-grandfather carry her to Opal Night, perhaps?” Line-grandfathers were big, he knew.

Pearl snorted at the thought of Stone carrying Jade for days on end. Then she sighed.

“She won’t be well enough even for that for a while. No, we’ll keep her asleep at least another day. Or until Stone arrives. I expect he’ll want to go for Moon by himself, which would almost certainly be a disaster.”

She drank her tea and looked around.

“I see the Arbora like you,” she said, and Ember laughed. The bower was certainly comfortably furnished now.

“Everyone is very kind,” he said.

She reached out and touched Frost’s bracelet. “Did you see the fledglings again today?”

He nodded. “Coil introduced me to the warrior fledglings too, and they all came to hear stories.”

“Coil did?” she said with raised eyebrows.

“He and Vine have been friendly,” said Ember as calmly as he could, hoping he wasn’t blushing, though of course she would scent his embarrassment. Pearl laughed.

******

Stone

Stone arrived the following morning, just far enough in advance of the flying boat to warn the colony of their arrival.

“Yes, yes, we know,” said Pearl impatiently. Surprisingly, as far as Stone was concerned, she had come out with a crowd of other Raksura to meet him. “Come inside. We need to talk.” She took him up to a large chamber on the queens’ level often used for meetings.

Stone had been looking forward to a warm bath and a chance to enjoy Delin’s reactions to Indigo Cloud’s mountain tree home, and he was not pleased at being immediately accosted by Pearl. He looked around. As well as Pearl’s warriors, Balm was there, along with Bone and all the mentors.

“What’s happened? Where’s Jade?”

Predictably, he was furious with everyone.

******

Ember

Feeling a little more confident now, Ember had asked Bell to show him some of the areas of the tree he hadn’t yet seen, and was taken to see workshops and food preparation areas, and down to the lowest levels of the mountain tree where the chamber which held the colony’s seed lay.

They were on their way back up to the teachers’ hall when Floret found them.

“Ember! Pearl is looking for you!” She was obviously agitated.

“What’s happened?” said Bell. “Is it Stone?”

“Yes, and Pearl wants Ember now. Jade’s awake.”

When they arrived, Pearl and Stone were arguing. Jade was sitting propped up against cushions, with Balm at her shoulder and Heart hovering anxiously. She caught sight of Ember and hissed, and they all turned to look.

“This is Emerald Twilight’s apology? He’s an infant.” Disappointed, since it was obvious Ember was too young to have had any part in the decision, Stone turned away.

“I suppose there was a time when you were young, though it’s hard to imagine it,” said Pearl acerbically.

“Stone, you’ll go, won’t you,” said Jade forcefully.

”Yes, I’m going, right now.” Stone looked at Jade. “He’ll be back if I have to tear Opal Night apart.”

“At least we should have some plan for how to deal with them!” said Pearl angrily.

“No we don’t. Their behaviour is ridiculous. You saw how Emerald Twilight reacted when they found out. They may be a powerful court but they won’t want to alienate the whole of the Reaches.”

“Threatening them is your strategy?”

“You have a better idea?”

“Pearl, please let him go. At least to find out if Moon is all right.” Jade’s distress was obvious.

“Eat something first,” said Pearl to Stone, surrendering with a snarl. “If won’t help anyone if you fall out of the sky.”

Bell touched Ember’s wrist and led him quietly out of the chamber. He sent some of the hovering Arbora outside to arrange for food, and then took Ember back to the teachers’ hall. They sat with the Arbora and some of the warriors who were discussing the situation anxiously.

“Stone’s gone,” reported Thistle a little later. “He calmed down a bit. He had to admit Jade’s injury was not her fault, and he blames himself for not warning us about the predator the hunters found, though of course he couldn’t possibly tell us about every potential threat even if he remembered them all. He said the flying boat will be here soon, before the end of the day.”

******

In the evening Pearl sent an invitation for Ember to eat with the rest of the court in a formal meal to welcome Delin and the other Golden Islanders, some of whom were seeing Indigo Cloud for the first time. Ember dressed carefully, a little nervous for his first encounter with the groundlings.

Pearl herself came to fetch him.

“Jade’s still angry. At least Delin has a solution for our problem.”

“What’s going to happen?”

“Delin has offered to follow and carry Jade in the flying ship.”

“That – seems like a good idea?”

“I hope so,” said Pearl with a sigh. “Sometimes I think nothing will ever go right for this court.”

This was an unusual admission for a reigning queen.

“I don’t mean you, Ember!” said Pearl. “I’m saying all the wrong things today. Come and meet them all.”

The evening meal was a mix of celebration and anxiety. The flying ship’s groundling crew were entertained enthusiastically and the returning Raksura eagerly exchanged news. Pearl and Delin discussed the best route to Opal Night. Jade was not present, but Balm reported that she had met Delin earlier and accepted his offer.

Pearl spoke to Ember occasionally, and Coil introduced him to the warriors who had returned to the colony with Stone. He looked at the Golden Islanders with fascination, but found their speech difficult to follow: he had only learned a little Altanic. Perhaps he might be able to learn more, now it might be useful.

******

Jade left early the next morning with her clutchmate Balm and four other warriors as soon as the Golden Islanders had readied their ship. Ember was fascinated by the flying boat. The crew were friendly enough but didn’t have time to talk to him and the various Arbora who were also keen to ask questions. “Wait till we’re back, then we’ll show you. Your queen is in a hurry.”

Once they had gone everyone tried to carry on as usual with the daily work. Bone led a group of hunters to make sure there were no more snatchers in the immediate vicinity. Ember went to the teachers’ hall for breakfast and listened to Blossom and Bead’s account of sailing across the skies with Delin’s boat. He spent a little time in the nurseries, helping the teachers distract the children, who had picked up on the general tense atmosphere and were inclined to be restless and fretful. After the daymeal he sat talking with Merit about the mentors’ libraries in Indigo Cloud and Emerald Twilight, and found himself promising to help with acquiring more books when he visited other courts in future.

“Not just books,” said Merit, “any kind of records. We’ve lost so much. Those tales you told the fledglings, for example. It’s important to keep as many records as we can, not just for our own colony.” Thinking of Sky Copper, Ember agreed.

******

Pearl

Pearl watched the sky ship depart, manoeuvred with care up through the forest towards the canopy. Once it was clear of the colony, she called the warriors back and sent some of them off with Bone and a group of hunters to check for predators. She discussed the day’s work with Bell, Knell and various other Arbora and made sure those working outside were adequately guarded.

It was good to have Blossom and the others back, but the atmosphere in the colony was undeniably tense, with everyone anxious for news from Opal Night, wondering what further disaster might strike them. Pearl herself was restless, frustrated at not being able to do anything but wait. She looked around and called to River.

He looked at her, eager but uncertain. She took his wrist and shifted to carry him up to her bower. Sex would help her relax, and she could tell him what she intended with Ember.

The remaining warriors muttered among themselves. Blossom and Bell looked at each other.

“I hope she knows what she’s doing. This could be very disruptive for the court,” said Bell.

“They say she’s taking the young consort?”

“It looks like it.”

“River’s not a complete fool,” said Blossom reassuringly. “At least she’s remembered to tell him. He’ll get over it.”

“And Ember’s clever, for all he’s young,” said Bell. It’ll be all right.”

“If Jade brings back Moon, it’ll work out fine,” she agreed. “And whatever happens I doubt Jade will want Ember. Maybe Pearl just wants this resolved before Jade returns so there’s no big scene.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.”

******

Ember

When Ember returned to his bower to change for the evening meal, he found another package on the steps, wrapped in silky black cloth. Inside were a belt and necklace of a beautiful and unusual design. Ember had never seen anything similar, and guessed they had been traded from somewhere beyond the Reaches. He felt embarrassed and warmed and a little overwhelmed. These were courting gifts.

Pearl had asked Ember to eat with her that evening. Coil came to conduct him, his eyes widening when he saw the jewellery. He smiled slowly.

“So, it’s true?”

“I hope so,” said Ember a little nervously.

“Ember, of course it is! You know she told River earlier she was going to claim you if you were willing?”

“He told you that?”

“No, Drift said. Drift’s an idiot though so I wasn’t absolutely sure.”

“I did hear something about it.”

Because of course the Arbora had been speculating most of the day about Pearl abstracting River so publicly. There had been many sidelong glances at Ember.

“I hope River is all right.”

“Oh sure, he’ll just have to get used to not being Pearl’s favourite any more, which some of us won’t be too sorry about.”

“I’m sure Pearl will still have warrior lovers.”

“So might you,” said Coil, looking at him, and Ember blushed.

******

Coil left Ember in Pearl’s bower.

She was alone for once, sitting beside the warm bathing pool. She looked tense, but relief spread across her face when she saw him wearing her gifts. She gestured for him to sit next to her, and reached out to touch the necklace. “Good. I’m pleased you accepted the gifts.”

He didn’t answer her directly. “I thought I would be traded away for an alliance.”

Pearl stared, surprised.

“You were so angry with Emerald Twilight. I thought you might not accept their gift. And I know the colony needs to reestablish itself in the Reaches.”

“I would never have done that. By giving you up to us, Emerald Twilight have shown themselves an ally. Sunset Water too. The other nearby courts will fall over themselves to visit, if only out of curiosity about this whole business.”

She touched his wrist. “I’ll spoken to our best metalworkers, and they’ll make an armband. But of course it won’t be ready for a while.”

“I’m happy to wait.”

“In any case I don’t want to rush anything. You’re very young.”

“Not that young,” protested Ember.

“I warn you, people will say I should let Jade take you.”

“Please don’t do that.” Ember was emphatic, though he was fairly certain she didn’t mean it.

“No. Not just because I want you for my consort, because I think it’s right for us and the court, but because Jade is not ready to take control of the colony. There are those here who think I should step back, but she’s too young for the responsibility, too impulsive. She doesn’t want anyone except Moon, and if she can’t have him she’ll be angry for a long time. I know how I felt after I lost Rain. I pushed Amber’s consorts out after she died. I almost did the same with Moon.”

“You don’t feel like that any longer,” he said softly.

“No. No, I don’t. This is right, and it will be good for Indigo Cloud.” Maybe it wouldn’t last, but for the first time in a long while Pearl was feeling hopeful.

Ember thought she looked relaxed and calm. He smiled inwardly, warmed by the idea he could make her happy. She was as magnetically attractive as any queen, but especially a reigning queen who wanted to possess him, and being her first consort would be better than he had imagined.

“If there are no more disasters for the colony,” he said carefully, thinking of Moon.

“All the Reaches colonies will have dangers to face. But this is our home, the right place for us, I know it. You and Moon are bringing new strong bloodlines. Indigo Cloud will flourish here.”

“If Moon comes back.”

“Moon will be back,” she said, suddenly confident. She pulled Ember in to her side, wrapping her tail around him, and he leant against her, soft groundling skin against the rougher texture of her Arbora scales.

“You’ll have to fight him for first consort,” she said, teasing.

She laughed as Ember pulled away, horrified.

“Ember! Of course you won’t. But if you allow him the role, that will make Jade happy. And Moon will be more at ease. You make him feel inadequate, you know.

“Yes, really,” she said when Ember looked startled. “I can tell. He was a solitary, he has no idea how to behave.”

Ember looked at her through narrowed eyes. “Maybe I’ll get him to teach me to fight.” He eased back down against her, still a little suspicious.

“Maybe you should.” She tugged him back in to her side. She liked that he wasn’t quite the delicate youth he had first appeared. She turned her head and nipped gently at his neck, and Ember felt warmth pulse through his body as she moved to wrap herself around him, pushing him down against the cushions.

“Or maybe I could do that,” she said, and he laughed.

******