Samantha Edwhan

End of the Winter Star

Chapter 7

“Are you sure about this, Gerold?” Adelaide asked.

“It’ll be fine,” Gerold reassured her. “Half the castle staff and the parents of the other noble families will be there to supervise.”

Adelaide didn’t look convinced. “But Luana-”

“Will be fine. It’s her birthday, Adelaide,” Gerold said. “She needs to make friends independently. Let her have this opportunity and focus on helping Misti.”

They were in Misti’s room. She was nestled in the corner of the room, on the hardwood floor. Adelaide had volunteered to help make her nesting spot more comfortable. Gerold knew this would be a good opportunity for Luana to be surrounded by dragons from outside the castle without her mother there to micromanage everything she did.

Adelaide sighed. “Very well, dear. But promise me that you’ll keep her safe.”

“I always do.” Gerold smiled.

Adelaide nodded and turned to Misti. Gerold took that as his moment to leave. Luana, Markos, and Jakob were already waiting downstairs with the castle staff. Their guests would be arriving any minute.

As Gerold reached the bottom of the stairs, Jakob came bouncing over. “Dad! Dad! Markos said thewe’ll be lots of other dwagons today!”

Gerold smiled at his son. “Yes, that’s correct. It’s your sister’s birthday today, so we’re going to celebrate with the neighbouring noble families.”

Jakob grinned and ran back over to Markos and Luana, who were sitting with Griffin, Modesty, and Clement. Gerold followed and nodded to Griffin.

“Is Misti alright now?” Griffin asked.

“She will be. Adelaide is going to help her set up a more comfortable nest,” Gerold explained. “Has anyone shown up yet?”

“Not yet,” Griffin said, though his cyan eyes followed one of the staff as they trotted up to the door.

Gerold nudged Luana to stand and led her to the centre of the room. The doors to the castle opened, flooding the room with bright sunlight. Gerold managed to make out the silhouettes of several dragons as they entered.

As the door closed behind them, he was able to make out the members of the Waltz, Hopper, Kahn, and Peacock families. He was glad to see that they had all come for Luana’s birthday. Each family had fledglings close in age to her and Markos. He tried not to be too disappointed that the Rain family hadn’t come. They didn’t have any fledglings after all, and even Gerold knew he had only invited them to be polite.

“Greetings,” Gerold said, putting on his best ‘High Caln smile.’ “I’m glad you all could make it.”

Carmina Peacock was at the front of the group and greeted Gerold with a kind smile. “Thank you for inviting us, High Caln. It is so rare these days that we get to see the castle and your family.”

“Carmina, we grew up together,” Gerold reminded her. “Call me Gerold.”

“I’m quite certain my mother would not approve of such casual terms,” Carmina said.

Gerold smiled. “Ghosts cannot tell us what to do. I want my relationship with nobles to be more casual than what Rana insisted on.”

“This is certainly a nice way to show that.” Carmina looked down at the three fledglings crowded around her legs. “Why don’t you boys say hi to Luana and the others?”

The three fledglings nodded. Two of them instantly ran over to Markos and Jakob. The third lingered and smiled at Luana.

“Hello Luana,” he said. “I’m Adair.”

Luana smiled and dipped her head politely. “It’s nice to meet you, Adair.”

“Do you want to play?” Adair asked.

“I think I have to stay while Dad greets everyone,” Luana told him.

Gerold couldn’t help but smile at Luana’s assumption. “Why don’t you go and play with Adair and the others? I’ll send the other fledglings to join you.”

“Really?” Luana grinned. “Thanks, Dad!”

Luana scampered off to join her brothers with Adair close behind. Gerold noticed that Jakob’s eyes had gone wide as the two other fledglings laughed and talked to Markos.

“I’m sure my boys will go easy on him,” Carmina said. “Where would you like me and Nash to put the gifts for Luana?”

“Gifts?” Gerold raised an eyebrow at her. “You bought multiple presents?”

Carmina giggled. “Of course, Gerold. We’re talking about your only daughter and one of the Duchies. She deserves to be spoiled.”

Gerold smiled and shook his head. “I suppose it’s okay since it’s her birthday. You can put the gifts in the Great Hall, on a table near the entrance.”

Carmina nodded and turned for the Great Hall. Her husband, Nash, followed. His wings bulged in an odd way and he waddled a little as he walked. Gerold guessed that he was carrying the presents under his cloak.

The Hooper and Kahn families were next to step up. Gerold dipped his head to each of them.

“It’s good to see you. Has much happened since we last caught up?” he asked.

“Not as such,” Karl Hooper replied. He nodded to his wife, who took the gift they had brought to the Great Hall. “Though I hear much has changed in the castle.”

“I wouldn’t say a lot has changed,” Gerold said.

“Don’t be modest, Gerold. The whole Calndom knows about Griffin and Misti’s new nest. Surely, you must be excited for them,” Karl said.

“I am. I’m really happy for them. But one nest doesn’t change everything in the castle,” Gerold told him.

“Perhaps we should focus on the birthday girl instead of the new nest,” Nora Kahn suggested. She smiled at Gerold. “I don’t believe Luana and Zina have met before.”

Gerold glanced down at the young fledgling at Nora’s feet. She looked a year or two younger than Luana, with short horns and scruffy mane. He had only met Zina a couple of times before. This was her first time in the castle.

“I believe you’re correct,” Gerold said, looking back at Nora. “I think Luana would love to meet her.”

Nora smiled and nudged Zina. “You heard the High Caln, dear. Go introduce yourself to Luana.”

“Okay, Mama.” Zina grinned and ran over to the crowd of fledglings.

Karl also nudged his daughter, Victoria, and she quickly joined Zina. Gerold smiled as he watched them approach Luana. Her face lit up as she recognised Victoria’s voice. The two had been friends since they were nestlings.

“Sooooo.” Topaz sidled up beside Nora with a mischievous grin. “What’s the latest with you and Adelaide? Any new eggs for you two yet?”

“Topaz, we don’t ask questions like that to the High Caln,” Nora said with a sigh.

Topaz smiled and wrapped a wing around her. “You might not, darling, but I have no qualms about collecting gossip.”

Gerold chuckled and shook his head. “No such news from us, Topaz. There’s already enough little ones running around the castle. I’m certain Adelaide and I will be keeping our family unit as it is for quite some time.”

Topaz pouted. “Too bad. If the Rain's ever have another nest, they might want a little Everhart Duchy to befriend.”

“They know as well as we do that they’ll be moving into the lower noble district once I’m gone,” Gerold said. “I think they would benefit more from befriending the families there.”

Topaz gave a half shrug, half nod of agreement. Gerold realised the Waltz family were still waiting to be greeted and excused himself from the conversation to greet them.

“Paul, Briar, it’s nice to see you both again.” He dipped his head to each of them.

Briar smiled kindly at him. “Same to you, Gerold. We appreciate you inviting our son and daughter to Luana’s birthday.”

“I wouldn’t have it any different,” Gerold said. “I’m sure Markos will be happy to see them both again.”

The two fledglings in question, Simon and August, looked up at their parents expectantly. Briar gave them a nod and they hurried to join the others. Gerold turned to watch them. Simon barrelled into Markos with a big grin, knocking them both to the floor. Meanwhile, August said a quick and polite hello to Luana before joining in the rough and tumble play.

Paul sighed. “Some days it feels like they’ll never stop running into each other like that.”

“I’m sure they’ll grow out of it as they get older,” Gerold told him. “Give them some time.”

As Markos, Simon, and August chased each other around the room, Luana had started a discussion with Victoria and Zina. Gerold was glad his older two were making strong friendships on their own terms. Even Modesty seemed to be taking part, enjoying a game of tag with the Peacock sons. But then he noticed that Jakob was crouched behind Clement, peeking his head out with wide eyes. Clement looked equally uncomfortable with all the new dragons in the room. It seemed that both of them were growing to be shy.