Kalket was fidgeting in the family Maelcom courtyard when Dinah and Marc finally made an appearance there. When Dinah went off with Malec for a private chat, he began pacing. Marc too was busy, talking to Fianna and Kessa, asking some last minute questions.

It seemed no one had time for him, and he had something he desperately needed to talk about. Out of a near sense of panic he finally bespoke Marc's mind, asking for an audience.

Marc spared him a few seconds from his schedule to reply that sure, give him a few minutes, and did Dinah need to be there?

Kalket replied in the affirmative and went back to his pacing.

Morrigan had gone back home, so he hadn't even seen her since the night before. Maybe she'd changed her mind?  Maybe leaving Kenget'Ster wasn't want she really wanted to do and she'd had second thoughts?  Maybe he was having second thoughts?  He wasn't even sure what their relationship was!  Was his invitation to her taken as a proposal in this society? He had no clue!  All these years he'd managed not to get involved with anyone.. and, there was that other, major, truly scary issue she didn't know about and how the hell do you tell the woman you've asked to go to a strange planet with you that you can't ever spend the night with her, anyway?

Such were his thoughts when Dinah and Marc walked over to join him. He sank onto the ground as they took chairs.

Dinah smiled at him.  "Sorry we've been so busy.  I didn't ever get a chance to tell you how lovely the dragons were, flying in their colors.  It was wonderful, Kalket."

He grinned widely. "They were so happy with that. But it made me kinda homesick." Then he glanced at Marc who raised an eyebrow in query.

"So," Marc asked. "What's so important?"

"Uhm, I sorta kinda invited Morrigan to come back with us."  He looked a bit like a five year old asking if he could keep a puppy he'd 'found.'

Dinah bit her lip to keep from laughing.  "Sorta, kinda?  As uhm, your...?"

"Well, that's just it. I'm not sure," Kalket said, looking sidewise at Marc.

Marc was frowning, a thundercloud forming over his eyebrows.

Dinah felt for him.  "So, uhm, you're telling me this because you need help coming up with a label?"

"Uhm, well, I'm not sure were to, uhm, put her. She kinda sorta can't stay with me. At least not all the time."

"Kal, what the hell were you thinking?  You haven't told her have you? Christ."

Kalket opened his mouth to protest, then shut it with a snap. "Maybe I should just stay here," is what he finally said.

"And that's gonna fix it?" Marc asked.  "You're gonna have to tell her. It isn't fair otherwise, and it wasn't fair asking her before she understood either."

Kalket hung his head.  "I know. I ... I really like her, Marc."

"Tell her what?" Dinah demanded to know, looking from one to the other.

Marc sighed. "Kal?" he asked the giant, reaching out to plant a hand on his massive shoulder. "Your mother knew your father a long time before he let her see him. It won't be right to just spring it on Morrigan without some time to get used to the idea. Maybe Morrigan can stay with us?" he asked Dinah.

Dinah looked from Marc to Kalket and back again.  "That's fine.  Now, if someone would just explain to me what's going on here?"

"I'm sorry," Kalket said, miserable. "I should have told someone. Especially Morrigan but I was .. ashamed to."

Dinah gave it up.  "Since clearly you aren't going to tell me what this all about I'll just go find something else to do, so you two can talk without me."

Marc put out a hand and caught hers.  "It's hard for him Dinah. Give him a bit. Let's pop over to the orchard for a bit more privacy."

"You want me to show her," Kalket said miserably.

"Not if you don't want to, but she'd understand better."

He nodded, and Marc zapped all three to the privacy of the orchard.

Kalket looked around worriedly then finally met Dinah's eyes. "I'm... mishapen," he finally said, looking down at the grass at his feet.

My father was King of the Howlers. They were called that because everyone thought them monsters who attacked civilized people. Even their own people disowned the Howlers, ashamed of them, thinking them not really Firvulag.

"They lived in the mountains, in deep caves, mining the gems there, sort of like the legends of Dwarves. What they didn't realize was that there was radiation there, and it warped their genetics over the centuries, and .. twisted us. I can't... If I sleep, or otherwise lose consciousness, then my ability to look like this ends."

"Ah," she said gently.  "Kal, you don't have to show me if you don't want to.  But, uhm, Morrigan, is she, uhm burning her bridges if she comes with you?" Dinah asked.  "I mean what's she expecting?"

"I don't know," he said miserably. Devlin told me her heart was going with the new house, so I.. I didn't want her unhappy either so I asked her if she wanted to come with us. Maybe you, as head of the new house could talk to her and uhm, Calum? Maybe, if she hates me, she can come back."

Dinah's eyes flew to Marc's.  "I uhm...well...can you reach her, Kal?  I mean, I don't know how to reach her or Calum."

Kal nodded and bespoke Morrigan in his head. "She said she'd be right here in a minute."

Dinah, who'd been thinking more along the lines of much later, nodded.  "So, what is it you want me to talk to her about exactly, Kal?"

Kal looked from Dinah to Marc and back again. Marc was wearing his sardonic face, his hands crossed on his chest, keeping his own counsel on the matter.

"I guess maybe ask her how it works if she leaves and comes with us, if she's like tossed out on her ear, or what."

Dinah opened her eyes wide at him.  "Oh."  She glanced at Marc.  "You're remarkably quiet all of a sudden."

"Mmmm. I am. Mostly because I'm trying hard not to scream."

She made a rude noise and waved at Morrigan, approaching from the courtyard.  "Hi, thanks for coming."

"Sure," she said, bestowing a brilliant smile on Kalket before sharing a less dazzling one with Dinah and Marc.  "What's up Kal?"

"I was explaining that I invited you to come with us. We, uhm, had some questions," Kal said.

Morrigan nodded, looking from him to Dinah.  "What do you want to know?"

"Well," Dinah began, feeling her way, "I was just ah, wondering how this all works.  I mean I'm a House in name only, as it were and may never be anything else.  So uhm, I was wondering what you were ah, expecting and how your brother felt about you coming with us?"

"I don't know, I haven't really thought about what to expect.  Kal and I haven't talked about it, there hasn't been time.  But Calum, when I mentioned it, was delighted with the idea."

Marc noticed that already Morrigan and Kal were arm in arm.

"Uhm, Morrigan..."  Dinah stopped, looking around helplessly at Marc and Kal.

Marc finally took the hint. "Morrigan, we were wondering.... If you don't like the Refuge, that's where we're going, or like the new house, can you come back if you want to?"

"Sure," she said puzzled.  "Why wouldn't I be able to?"

"So, uhm, coming doesn't make you a member of the new house?" Dinah asked, curious.  "I don't know how this works, you see."

"No, not unless I ask and then there'd be an in-weaving, like with you and Sere'Ster."  Morrigan explained.

"Well," Marc added, "we just wanted to make sure that your house wouldn't be mad at you for coming with us."

"Oh, no.  Calum's glad.  Thinks he's got a spy there now."  Morrigan said.

"Ah," Marc said. "Does he?"

She laughed.  "Nope. Does he need one?"

Marc grinned. "I hope not. So, you are going with us?"

"That's the plan," she confirmed.  Then she glanced up at Kal. "What's wrong?  Tell me."

"Uhm, " Kalket said.

"I think that's our cue, Dinah," Marc said, giving her a look.

Dinah nodded and grinned, wagging her brows suggestively.  "And yours."  Her smile became all sultry seduction.

Dinah and Marc popped out for their own heart-to-heart leaving Kalket and Morrigan standing in the orchard.

"Uhm," he said.

Morrigan stepped closer.  "What is it Kal?" she asked softly, laying her hand on his arm and smiling up at him encouragingly.

"It's that... This is an illusory body, Morrigan. I've deceived you and now I'm asking you to go away with me and I haven't been honest."

"You haven't deceived me," she said.  "I knew it was.  I uhm, saw your genetics."

"And you don't mind?" he asked studying her face. "That's because you haven't seen what I really look like. If I were normal I would look something like this," he added, a bit defensively.

Morrigan just shook her head, her smile growing warmer.  "Nope, I don't mind.  At least not the way you mean.  I mind for you, that it bothers you so much.  And I do know, for the most part, what you look like.  Your genetics tell me."

"Oh," he replied. "Do you think me a coward for wearing this disguise?  My people all did it. But sometimes I think I should.. That I'm not .."

"I think it's up to you.  Women wear make up and no one minds.  Pretty much the same thing, I think."  Morrigan said.

"Ah, true. If I were to sleep with you, really sleep... I return to normal then. I've been.. I was afraid to tell you that, and afraid that would happen."

Morrigan studied his face carefully.  "It's up to you Kal.  All of it.  But I'm glad you told me, trusted me with it, you know?"

"I didn't," he replied miserably. "I ought to have. I hope you can forgive me."

"But you did, even though I already knew.  So there's nothing to forgive."  She took a step closer, reaching up to caress his face.  He looked as miserable as he sounded.  She drew him down to meet her as she stretched towards him, kissing him.  "Nothing at all," she repeated.

Dinah looked around the courtyard where the dragons were starting to land. It suddenly occurred to her that the unheralded appearance of dozen dragons who’d decided they were going to be part of Siol’Ster was going to make quite an impression of Stephen, particularly after she told him they were going to be living in the mountains above the Refuge. She stifled the grin that was trying to take over her face.

She walked over to where Malec and Fianna were standing, waiting to say good bye. “Thank you Fianna, for everything” she said, smiling

“It was our pleasure, Dinah.” Fianna hugged her warmly.

Malec bowed respectfully. “Thank you for coming,” he said.

Dinah nodded. “I’m glad I did,” she said and realized it was true. “You’ll keep me informed, like we talked about, right?”

Malec actually smiled at her as he said, "I will. And thank you for helping Malachi. He's a good man."

Dinah grinned.  "Yeah.  It seems to run in the family."  Dinah smiled again and looked around.  Everyone was there.  "Well, you know where to find me, Malec.  Good-bye."  she said, shaking his hand before heading over to where Marc was.  "All set?" she asked.  "Got the explanation rehearsed for Stephen?"

"I thought that was you're job," he replied grinning, as he swung up onto Cola.  She trumpeted her joy and the others took it up with her.

"Oh no," she said swinging up on Quinn.  "It's you.  I think it needs that mano a mano, hombre a hombre approach."

Marc laughed out loud. "Well, he's got enough reasons to be pissed at me why not another dozen?'

Malec put an arm around Fianna, and shared a look with Malachi who looked torn where he was sitting astride Briony.

Malachi finally smiled.  Then the dragons opened the portal and they were gone, reappearing above the Refuge.

Eli, mulching the rose bushes saw them first, the dragons soaring and gliding checking out their new home.  He sent a mental nudge to Stephen telling him to look out his window.  After that the news spread like wild fire.

Stephen, looking, felt his mouth fall open.  "Oh my god," he said softly.  then he said it again, louder, before heading for the front lawn.  He got outside, just a head of the stampede, and looked up, waving at a figure he thought might be Marc's.  As he did the dragons started landing.

Marc was grinning, as was Dinah.  "Want a ride?" he asked Stephen.  "This is Cola. She'd be delighted to let you see the place from the clouds."

Stephen bemused, nodded.  "Now?" he asked, sounding suddenly like a ten year old boy at the prospect.

Cassidy, behind him, called out, "Dibs on after."

Others were gathering around to examine the dragons too.

"Cola," Marc said, "This is Stephen. He owns this place so be particularly nice to him.  That's Cassidy. He's love sick but otherwise okay."

"Ha!" Cassidy said, a very male grin on his face.  "What a lot you've missed while you were gone."

Stephen felt Cola gently probe his outer shields.  "Hello," he said aloud, laughing as he let her help him on her back.  Then they were in the air, soaring above everyone, Stephen still laughing.

Irisa popped in then and walked over to Dinah. "Wow. Who's this then?" she asked.

"This is Quinn.  Quinn, this is Irisa."  Dinah introduced them.  "Want to ride him?"

"You need to even ask."  Irisa asked.  "Of course I do."

Meanwhile Stephen was gliding through the sky's on Cola's back.  "Marc say's this is yours, that we have to ask you about where we can put out lairs." Cola said, banking left and swooping downward after Quinn.

Stephen, not paying attention said "Lairs?'

"Yes, where we'll live here." Cola answered.

Stephen paid attention to that one.  "Uhm Cola, I think I need to speak to Marc, if you don't mind.  We could ah, finish this later, perhaps?"

"Sure," she promised.  "Whenever you want."

Stephen nodded and slid off her back, looking at Marc.  "Uhm?  Marc?"

Marc broke away from where he'd been talking to a wide-eyed Reno. "I hear you've been busy. Sorry to have stuck you with things."

"Uhm, yeah.  We lost another team, and the press and all that...but that can wait." Stephen said, waving it away.  "Uhm Cola just asked me where they could put their lair?"  he asked, still trying to grasp the idea.

"Well... it, uhm, seems the dragons bond to their riders. And the dragons choose, and uhm, then there was this thing with Dinah starting a whole new house, and well, then additional dragons chose to come with the house, and, well, here we are."

Stephen took a minute to sort through all that.  "So, you pretty much had no choice but to go along with the flow and then Dinah sicced you with telling me they're staying here and not at her house...presumably because Mabel wouldn't like it?" Stephen nodded as if he understood. "What I don't follow is the new house thing?  Is Dinah moving here to live?"

"Ah, good question. Would you mind?"

"Me?  No, not at all.  She's always been welcome here.  She can babysit maybe, for the..." He stopped and grinned a very male sort of grin.  "Doni's pregnant.  You're actually the first one we've told."

Marc grabbed Stephen in a bear hug. "I'm so happy for you and Doni. I know you've wanted it." Then after he let Stephen go, he asked, "How's Doni taking it?"

"Not too sure at the moment I think, and not liking caffeine withdrawal or the morning sickness."  Stephen said.  Then he sobered.  "So uhm, the dragons are staying and Dinah's staying too?  At least for now?  Uhm, what happened?"  Stephen asked.

"Why don't you and Doni come by this evening and we'll try to explain. Not that I'm sure we can, you understand, but we'll do our best."

"Love too," Stephen said.  "And uhm, here comes Tabitha."

Cassidy now aboard Cola saw Irisa aboard Quinn.  Irisa leaned forward and whispered something to Quinn. Quinn dived down at Cola who turned mid air and fell in beside Cola.

Cassidy grinned at Irisa.  "Wanna race?"

"Of course!" she said and Quinn shot off before Cassidy could even respond.

He laughed and leaned into Cola's neck.  "You go get 'em girl." he whispered.  "Can't let em beat us!  Be no living with her!"

"I heard that!" Irisa called as they raced across the sky.

Cola yelled a dragon war cry and surged ahead of Quinn.  Quinn, determined to win, poured on the afterburners and raced after her.  Irisa reveled in the speed, flashing her smile at Cassidy as they drew neck and neck.

"Hey!" yelled a golden dragon with a blond aboard. "Who said you guys could have all the fun!"

Tabitha, who had indeed been heading in their direction looked at the dragons while a satisfied expression crossed her face.  "I see it went well," she asked Marc, lifting an eyebrow at him.

"Stop looking smug," Marc muttered. "I'm not sure it qualifies to be included in your dreams."

"I don't think it matters one way or the other.  May I see the sigil?" she asked.

Marc eyed her. "I hate this woman," he said to Stephen, but the tone made it clear his thoughts were somewhat mixed on the truth to that statement.  He turned up his palm for Tabitha to look at.

"Thank you." she said.  As Stephen looked from one to the other, feeling, as he always did when they talked, like he was listening to a foreign language.  "Who are the two you brought back with you?"

"Malachi and Morrigan. From separate houses. Houses at war, I might add."

"Yes.  Well, you'll take of that, I'm sure.  Let me know if I can help," she added breezily, pausing as a thought crossed her mind.  "What are you planning next?"

"I'm gonna find Lily's kids."