A New Beginning

Chapter 54

Tessa's POV:

"Ugh. I can't believe how hard it is to catch Aeria or Taureen alone," I complained.

Dad opened an eye to regard me. "Why do you want to catch them alone?"

"To ask questions. It's weird not getting updates. I have no idea if I should be reacting a certain way to something we might be doing."

His eye closed. "If he tries to teach you any new tricks, he'll do it in easy stages. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

I snorted at his lack of concern. Adeline and Maria had met us at Taureen's home and were in the kitchen with Aeria while Taureen and Soranto were discussing how Soranto could shift his work schedule.

"If needed, I can free up most of this week," Soranto said, "but there is no way I can reschedule the repairs I'm supposed to be doing tomorrow."

Taureen tilted his head in consideration. "In my opinion, if she wants to go with you, let her go. We'll just have to send Elder Dairno an update. She may not get any crawler or sicora training, but it will be a new experience, which will likely be just as beneficial."

"That was what I was thinking. I'll try to leave quietly tomorrow morning and see if she misses me, but it won't hurt if she tags along. As long as I get their ship fixed, the crew won't even comment on her presence."

"Have they found someone to replace you yet?"

"They're speeding up the selection process and seeing who's willing to move with short notice. I expect my replacement will be arriving within two weeks at most."

Mom grinned faintly. "Let me guess, Soranto isn't getting out of the house tomorrow morning without you?"

"Nope. It sounds interesting, and it can't be any more boring than walking through the streets."

She chuckled and snuggled a bit closer to Dad, resting her head on his shoulder. He spread his wing over her and touched his nose to hers. Dirk was napping and oblivious to the gold and silver cuddlers behind him.

It felt kind of weird sitting beside them when they were in this kind of mood. I shifted my weight, pondering my options.

Maria came out of the kitchen and sat beside Soranto. I was halfway tempted to go play with her, although only Aeria and Adeline were in the kitchen right now. Aeria would likely tell me all the good gossip if Adeline went into the living room.

On silent wings, I glided into the kitchen and flew up to a wall perch near the ceiling. Neither woman noticed my stealthy entrance and continued quietly speaking as they prepared dinner.

"-so his sessions with the fighting trainer have been cut back." Adeline frowned. "One of the other trainers isn't in favor of Soranto becoming a fire lizard handler since he comes from a civilian background and isn't part of the defense groups."

"I haven't heard anything like that yet. Has there been any pressure or direct comments?"

"If anyone objects where I can personally hear them, they will be dealing with me. It's Tessa's choice, not theirs."

The fierceness in her voice was accented by the faint clicks of her rather sharp-looking knife as it diced up vegetables with ease. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she continued.

"If they try to pressure me, I'm quite a significant roadblock. Soranto isn't the type to sit by idly, either. It may take a lot to get him mad, but he's also a force to be reckoned with. His skills with melee weapons may not be the best, but it doesn't matter how sharp your belt knife is if he hotwires an air purifier into an energy cannon."