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The New Guardian’s Nefarious Entrapment (Fluffy Dragon TF Aftermath)   Part 8 – The Review   Gneiss came in before the council with Daffodil leading Fluffy. The young faerie guided the near-horse-sized little dragon over to one side of the arena, stroking his lowered head and talking quietly into one ear as she flew in. The little blue and white dragon’s fur looked a great deal neater than when the inspector had seen the guardian the first time.   The Junior Council seats were nearly empty. Arela and Parsnip, however, were present.   The gnome looked up to the nineteen fae now gathered on the senior seats by the mushroom ring. “I appreciate all the members of the Senior Council taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this inquiry. As you are aware, I’ve been investigating the disappearance of your most senior member, Lady Sycamore, and attempting to understand the actions of your guardian that same night in the event it is relevant to the case.”                The members of

The New Guardian’s Nefarious Entrapment (Fluffy Dragon TF Aftermath)   Part 7 – The Investigation                    A gnome appeared in the arena just outside the mushroom ring. While his clothing was normal for his type, he lacked the traditional red conical hat. Instead, he wore an unusual dark blue cap that appeared to be rather flat on top with a cloth visor in the front.   Walnut looked up from his collection. “I have some yams if you’re looking.”                  The gnome opened a small black book and peered over his glasses. “I’m Inspector Gneiss, here regarding the disappearance of an elder fae. To whom am I addressing?”                  Walnut stood up, a suddenly serious look on his face. “I’m general collector Walnut. You mean Sycamore? She’s the only one who’s been missing since our guardian went crazy one night and took off, then turned up the next day covered snout to tail with red clay. That was when we realized the old girl was missing.”                  Gneiss

Smokin' in the Boys' Room   You ever seem to have one of those days   Where it just seems like everybody's gettin' on your case   From your teacher all the way down to your best girlfriend?     Except it’s not just one day. It’s pretty much every day. Parents pushing hard to keep my grades up to get a scholarship. Everyone thinks I’m the smart guy, but really, other than studying and doing extra work, I don’t have a clue. High school sucks as far as I’m concerned, but we all have to get through it, right?    Then there’s “Sixx.” I don’t know where someone like him comes from. Six feet, six inches and two hundred sixty pounds in high school - I only know that because he’s a defensive tackle on the school football team and it’s posted on the school website. What it doesn’t say is that he holds the present record for unnecessary roughness on the field. He’s also decided that I’m one of his personal targets for demonstrating his dominance off the field.   Like now. He’s following me in

The New Guardian’s Nefarious Entrapment (Fluffy Dragon TF Aftermath)   Part 5 – The Web Woven   Another gray day greeted him in the morning. Fur streaked below his eyes and exhausted from the previous night’s revelation; he gave a precursory review of the valley below his rock before slowly setting out. Reluctantly he approached the arena.   He stopped after entering. Evidence of a large party could be seen: the leprechaun’s fiddle was in its case against the rock base of the stone deus, its player asleep on the grass near it. The tiny flowers were no longer bright, many sagging or knocked to the ground. An exhausted firefly stumbled in flight past him as he stood there. Garlands half hung from the from the ancient columns with scattered blossoms all around. Walnut appeared to be asleep although sitting in his place by the mushroom ring. The little dragon turned around and left for his patrol, ears, head, and tail down. He passed the firefly on the way.    Beyond the narrow opening in

The New Guardian’s Nefarious Entrapment (Fluffy Dragon TF Aftermath)   Part 4 – Terms of Commitment     The multitude of dancing fireflies had grown in the meadows below the mountain forest. Their two hours of activity were the brightest part of his dull, lonely nights, save for the falling stars and changing moon.  The little lightning bugs filled the valley, and their dance grew each evening with the increasing warmth of the days.   He surveyed the rest of the valley and turned his gaze to one approaching him. The others weren’t nearly so high up the slope. This one slowly came closer to Cabbage Rock, light on, light off.   Light on, light off.   Light on, light off.   He watched it between the flashes as well.   He felt like a kid again as it came closer, rising when it came near the rock. Not landing but gaining height as if it intended to go over rather than around the obstacle. He studied the little bug closely. Its silent wings flapped so quickly they were a blur, the shell

The New Guardian’s Nefarious Entrapment (Fluffy Dragon TF Aftermath)   Part 3 – The Forest Darkens   Cabbage Rock seemed to be his alone, other than for Sycamore’s visits, who only came just prior to dawn. And she often left him with painful welts hidden beneath his fluffy coat and feathers. She would give some excuse of an unkempt appearance or missing some aspect of his duties that he knew he had not. It had been some time since he had not woken before the dawn to survey the area from his perch, or had fallen asleep before the end of the witching hour. The beatings received were mostly for him just being there, as far as he could tell.  While it was still far less painful than the all-over stabs of burning iron he had suffered everywhere during the unexpected soul-binding, he wished she would stop. There was no way he could even argue her accusations. But he was well aware of the consequences for trying to do so or to try to stop her from hitting him with her magical stick. He

 The New Guardian’s Nefarious Entrapment (Fluffy Dragon TF Aftermath) Part 2 – Arela’s Move   In the morning, he awoke to the birds loudly greeting the dawn. Climbing from that comfortable hollow between the carved stone leaves to the top of Cabbage Rock, he shook out his fur as he surveyed the area around his perch. Spotting a lone bird on a branch beyond him, his improved eyesight permitted him to focus on it in close detail. It had dark blue upper plumage with a white rump above a split tail; not a big “V” like a swallowtail, but with a shallower curve between the longer outer feathers. It was a martin.   Why would I know what that bird is called? he thought. I’ve never had any real interest in birds.   * * *   “Look at that bird, Fluffy.” “I see it, mama.” “It has a special name. It’s called a martin. What do you think of that?” “Oh! I’ll always remember that bird’s name!”   * * *   Fluffy gave an inward smile at the memory, deliberately ignoring the false name inserted there by

The New Guardian’s Nefarious Entrapment (Fluffy Dragon TF Aftermath) Part 1 – Training Day   He woke but stayed just as he was, sensing the gentle sun through his eyelids.  It had been the dreamless sleep of exhaustion, yet with that niggling feeling he had been through a  nightmare. But that was in the past; now was a moment to enjoy purely being.   Well after sunrise, the cacophony of the bird’s dawn welcome had settled down to quiet chirps and normal songs. This was perfect; the temperature in the still, fresh morning air of the forest and fields beyond was something to relax in and relish for what it was.   This was one of those moments he intended to appreciate, part of his long trip before returning home to settle down to farm life. His father had died young in an accident; he had no memory of the man himself. But the stories his mama had told of his father’s adventures had given him a wanderlust. She agreed he could take five years to see the world. He had promised to return