Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Dragon Rising ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

In which a startling discovey is madeabout Yugi's friends and Yugi has a birthday

 

Alianna, like her drow companions, was rarely surprised. Jade and Drizzt, like their adopted wolf-blooded tribe, were rarely surprised. And yet the three, seated in front of the mirror in Jade's potion room, sat and stared in surprise. “Why did we not see this coming?” the female drow asked. Drizzt and Alianna shrugged, just as puzzled as she was. “Really, we should have. Those children have been around enough magic exposure to have absorbed it. Especially that Shadow magic. Quite unpredictable, really. And it usually takes a gift to even experience the things they've gone through because of it, anyway,” she continued.

 

“That still only really explains half of it,” Drizzt said dryly.

 

“What in the names of the gods are you talking about?” Jade asked, looking at her lover's reflection.

 

“Nothing, really, except that Amazons are usually born Amazons,” he replied dryly.

 

“And a few develop the ability after long exposure to magic. And, aside from their experiences that their little Duel Monsters game brought up, Yugi is an innately magical being. Of course they developed something,” she retorted tartly.

 

“But an Amazon?”

 

“You got a problem with that?” Alianna asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

“No, and if I did, I'm not nearly crazy enough to say it to her face.”

 

“Although, this would explain her…behavior, the last few weeks.”

 

“What has she been doing?” Jade asked.

 

“Oh, you know, the usual. Nearly sending a boy careening through a wall when he cat-called. Having a royal freak out over their final exams. Oh, and when she was…what do they call it, Ali?”

 

“P.M.S.ing?”

 

“That's it. When she was going through that, I swear those three boys were nearly slaughtered in grotesque ways on several occasions. I haven't seen Yugi afraid for his life before, but he was terrified that day. Very skittish.”

 

The grin on Jade's face said that she found the whole situation funny. Of course, so did the other two, but they had laughed about it quietly when the whole event occurred.

 

“Well, I suppose this means I should get a hold of a few contacts for them, hm?” the drow woman asked, looking at her light skinned counter part. Alianna grinned, “Yes, please. And talk to Skot and, or Skywise. I'm sure they'd love to help.”

 

“Of course. Will you be joining us soon then?”

 

“I think so. Yugi's birthday is in two days, so I think we'll be coming back maybe a day or two after that.”

 

“Oh, it is? I'll call his father then. I'm sure he'd like to know that we found the boy again as it is. I'm sure he'll want to send something.”

 

“Thanks, Jade.”

 

“I only encourage the rumor that I'm a heartless bitch. I never said I was.”

 

“We know that, love,” Drizzt replied with a grin. She only sniffed daintily in retort.

 

Drizzt rolled his eyes and looked at Alianna, who was smiling at her friend's lovable haughtiness. “We'll talk to you soon then, Jade,” she said, giving her friend a brief hug around the shoulders, which was returned. “See that you do,” the dark skinned elf replied, “And keep my streeaka wael in line, please.”

 

“Hey!” Drizzt said indignantly.

 

“I will, Jade.”

 

Drizzt grumbled, “`Reckless fool,' my ass.” Jade grinned and embraced him, “I say it with affection and you know it.” He returned the embrace, “Yeah, yeah, I know. I won't cause too much trouble.” He kissed her softly before letting her go and turning to the portal that Alianna had opened.

 

“Have fun, you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't,” Jade called after them as they began to cross through. They grinned and waved before the glowing gateway faded and closed behind them.

 

Yugi, after two months of education in arcane arts and almost a month in martial, and having ingested nothing but food and drink from Terran, was much taller. He now reached five feet, ten inches, eye level with Drizzt. The drow (a master in the martial arts, Yugi had painfully discovered) suspected the boy still had an inch or two in him and several more pounds of muscle to go. By now, he was easily a match for Joey or Tristan, as untrained as they were. As for Tea…the drow had a suspicion that it would prove otherwise.

 

At the moment, he was watching his young student focus on a candle as Alianna lectured him on the purely arcane aspects of magic. “Concentrate, Yugi. Only the most minor of magicians must use chants and gestures. A great magician must only focus his will. Now, light the candle.” Yugi, having gotten chants within a week, had moved on and was currently practicing the gesture part. He slowly turned his hand, palm towards the ceiling. The candle sputtered to life, fluttered precariously, and settled into a steady burn. “Excellent. Now, put it out,” she said. Yugi moved his hand, a graceful, slow sweeping motion to the side that came from the wrist and moved the hand up at a slight angle.

 

Or it would have been if, at that very second, Joey and Tristan had not come charging through the door, which they did, Joey pursuing Tristan in hunt of a Game Boy. “GET BACK HERE YA BASTARD!” Joey howled. Yugi jumped, his hand flinging to the side and the wax of the candle splattering all over Alianna's lovely face and shirt. Drizzt bit his lip and snorted back a laugh. Yugi looked from his two friends to Alianna and blanched, “Oops.”

 

Alianna calmly wiped the wax from her face and shirt, and then turned a steely gaze on the still arguing teenage boys. “Enough!” she said, her voice resonating and echoing in the room, making windows shake and the skull of an iguana nearly yatter off the table. Joey and Tristan froze dead still, staring at her with wide, startled eyes. Yugi gulped and remained quiet, staying as inconspicuous as possible. Drizzt was still fighting back laughter.

 

The elf woman glared at the two boys, “I understand that you are still young and that pointless contraption is expensive. But I agreed to teach you minor magic, and since that is the case, I will not be having my time wasted by such pointless spats. Is that clear?” They nodded. “Good. Sit.” They sat, hands in lap. “Now,” Alianna said, “As I was telling Yugi, only the greatest of magicians ever move past chanting and gestures. The best must only focus their will and have the magic do as it is told to.”

 

She picked up her silver wine glass, the liquor inside was green and mildly spiced, Yugi had found out after snitching a sip, and resumed her walk around the table. “Any questions so far?”

 

“Whatcha mean by focusing their will?” Joey asked.

 

“I mean they don't have to speak or make any gesture.”

 

“But why does that make them so great? I mean, couldn't a guy who can only use incantations do the same thing?”

 

“Yes. But being able to control magic through force of will shows a high degree of discipline and skill.”

 

“But why go through all the trouble when you can do the same thing with an incantation?” Tristan asked, “I mean, so what if it requires talking. It gets the end accomplished, so big deal.”

 

Alianna suddenly turned on the two boys, throwing the contents of her cup towards them. They yelped and back pedaled, hands flying in front of their faces to ward the oncoming splash of wine.

 

Nothing came.

 

Yugi stared in open mouthed astonishment and wonder.

 

The wine was suspended in mid air, as if someone had frozen that precise second of time when it left its vessel in a green cascade. He reached out and pushed a single droplet through the air. Alianna winked at him with a grin before turning her attention back to the other two boys.

 

“The big deal is that at some point, talking will get a magician killed. So, they'd better be able to either use only gestures or be able to control the magic with their will. And sometimes, their hands are bound. Well, in captive situations, people aren't usually allowed to talk. What then? A great magician doesn't need to worry about using his voice or hands. Like the psion, a great magician's greatest weapon is here,” she tapped her temple with her free hand. “As for discipline, it is essential. There are plenty of would be magicians who are now dead and in the ground because they did not have the patience required to discipline their minds, so when they called on magic, it turned on them and consumed them. Any more questions as to why bother?”

 

Tristan and Joey shook their head emphatically.

 

“Good.”

 

She set the cup upside down firmly and sharply on the table, “Then let's get on with it.” The wine fell from its suspended status and splashed over the two boys, leaving them dripping and smelling of fragrant spice. Drizzt burst into laughter.

 

Yugi looked from his two wet friends to his teacher with new respect. He was starting to understand just how capable Alianna was in her use of magic. Through that, he was beginning to understand just what it meant when Alianna said that Deirdre could beat her.

 

By the time dinner came, Joey and Tristan were wine free and had managed a basic understanding of some lesser cantrips. Tea had arrived as well, coming in just in time to see Yugi get annoyed with Tristan for switching potion ingredients on him and watch the young half blood make the charm Tristan was concocting blow up in his face, leaving it soot blackened and his hair frizzled.

 

As the young folk sat at the table with Solomon, Alianna touched Drizzt's arm as the two finished loading up serving plates. “We should inform them all, since they're here,” she said. “That way they can start learning basics from you before they go to Terran. Or they can decide if they even want to come with us.” The drow nodded and walked to the table, placing the last of the dishes and taking his seat at Solomon's right side. Alianna settled herself between the drow and Joey.

 

Plates had been filled and animated chatter about the day had been kicked into full swing when Alianna caught Solomon's eye and nodded faintly. The old human, informed of the new discovery previously, cleared his throat to earn the attention of his grandson and the other three adopted grandkids. “I believe Alianna and Drizzt have something to share with you,” he said. The four teens turned their attention to Alianna, who set down her water glass and folded her napkin in her lap. “Drizzt and I recently visited Jade to see what we've missed in Terran. While we were looking in the mirror, we discovered a rather…interesting…fact, I suppose, about you,” she said. “And we've figured out why the fact has occurred as well. When a being is exposed to magic for a long period of time, then they start to absorb it. In some cases, the being will start to manifest abilities. In this case, you four's past experiences with magic and the Shadow Realm has left an imprint, as well as you three's,” she looked at Joey, Tristan, and Tea pointedly, “Continuous exposure to Yugi, who is innately magical to a high degree.”

 

“Meaning…?” Joey said, a little confused by where this is going.

 

Drizzt suddenly sent a knife spinning rapidly towards the boy, aimed straight for his throat. “GAH!” Joey reacted without thinking, leaning back wildly in his chair and throwing a hand up. “Joey!” the last three exclaimed in unison. Yugi was stopped by Solomon's hand on his arm, as Tristan threw his hands out to steady the falling chair and Tea reached out the grab the precariously balanced Joey.

 

The drow, seated at the other side of the table, grinned with satisfaction and crossed his arms over his chest as the teens processed what was now happening. Joey stared in shock at the knife that quivered a millimeter from his palm. Tristan gaped alternately from the knife to Tea, who was easily supporting the chair with one hand, Joey's weight and all. “Good reflexes, boyo,” Drizzt said, taking a drink from his tea glass. Yugi reached out and took the knife from the air, only to find it a little resistant. “No magic,” he commented thoughtfully, “Joey, let go of it.”

 

“I ain't touchin' it!”

 

“Stop thinking about it.”

 

The knife came easily away in Yugi's hand. He grinned and looked at Alianna and Drizzt. “I guess I'm not alone in being…odd,” he said, passing the knife back to Drizzt while Solomon chuckled. “Tea, put Joey down,” Yugi added. Tea blinked and let go of the chair. BAM! “OW!” Joey yelped as he hit the floor. “Oops,” Tea said. “Explain!” Tristan said in a piteously confused voice as Tea reached down and hauled Joey up, chair and all…with one hand. “Yes, please,” these last two chorused. Alianna looked to Drizzt, who finished chewing the mouthful of orzo pasta and grilled salmon and swallowed before taking over. “Psion Templars,” he said, pointing his fork at Joey and Tristan, “Amazon,” he pointed his fork to Tea, “Look it up.”

 

“Are you kidding me?!” Yugi exclaimed, suddenly looking excited. The elves shook their heads. “Grampa, where's that book on—” Solomon pointed to the living room, “Third shelf, four down from the left.” Yugi was gone in a flash and back just as quickly, thumbing through an older book whose pages were starting to yellow. “Psion Templar…” he muttered before stopping at a page, “Ha! Found it!”

 

The book was passed to Joey and Tristan before Yugi began eating again; the three adults had continued their meals through this entire time. The two boys bent their heads over the book for several minutes before looking up at the two fey and Solomon. “Seriously?” they asked. Drizzt raised his glass towards them like in a toast before taking a drink. They looked at each other, “Sweet.”

 

“Ahem.”

 

Everyone looked at Tea, who had her arms crossed over her chest and was glowering. “Amazon? As in the whole female warrior race, super strength, Xena warrior princess thing?” she asked. “No Xena bit, but if you exclude that, you have it in a nutshell,” Solomon replied with a cheerful grin. Tea's eyes slid to Joey and Tristan and she grinned evilly. They swallowed hard and found their plates to be very interesting. “Actually,” Yugi spoke up, “I've read in the books Jade has sent me that the Amazons, once they come of age, of course, remove one of their breasts so they can theoretically shoot their bows better and as a sign that they fear no pain.” The grin on Tea's face died instantly and Joey and Tristan stopped eating in horror. Yugi blinked, then shrugged, “Just what I've read.”

 

“Ow! I am not cutting one of mine off!”

 

“I never said you had to.”

 

“And no one is going to make you,” Drizzt said. “One, you weren't born into their culture, so I highly doubt they'll make you, two, I happen to know some of them don't because they simply don't wish to. Actually we have a friend who is a born Amazon and she refused the ritual. And by the way,” he said with a grin to Solomon, “Her name is Xena, although she is not princess.”

 

A few moments silence as everyone resumed eating, Tea still looking a bit pained. “So…do we train with Yugi or what?” Joey asked. Alianna smiled as she refilled her glass, “In the minor magical training I'm giving you and the education in understanding magic, yes. You'll be joining him in his time with Drizzt, who will teach you the basics of martial. When we leave for Terran, you are free to come with us and we have tutors ready to teach you there.”

 

The three looked at each other, then Yugi, who looked up and gave them a hopeful smile. He really would like it if his friends could come with him. Having another student to be with would make things more interesting.

 

“I'm in,” came the answer in triple stereo.

 

Solomon grinned and looked at the two fey, “You do realize what you're getting yourself into, right?” Drizzt smirked, “I think we can handle it. You'll come visit, right?” The old man nodded, “Of course! I have to check on my grandson and these other three to make sure they're listening to their teachers.” Alianna, seeing an inquiring look from Yugi, looked to Solomon, “Will you need help in the shop while we're gone? I can have a friend come help you out.”

 

Solomon paused. “Which friend?” he asked cautiously, “Because I'd rather not have a repeat of last time with Nightstalker, Jules, or Jen, either singularly or in twos or threes.”

 

Yugi sensed an amusing story there. Alianna grinned, “Blair? He's milder than those three and he can help you out with anything else that you need done.”

 

“Agreed.”

 

Another silence settled. Then Joey and Tristan looked at each other and snickered. Yugi and Tea looked at each other, then at their two friends.

 

“Hey, Tea,” Joey said.

 

“What?”

 

“You'd look funny with only one boob.”

 

“JOEY! TRISTAN!”

 

BAM!

 

Yugi, Solomon, Alianna and Drizzt all sighed deeply. Solomon was happy that he wasn't the one teaching the teens about their new abilities. Alianna and Drizzt were wondering how they always wound up with beings such as these. Yugi just sighed because nothing much had really changed.

Yugi blinked his eyes open as he felt a gentle hand lightly rubbing his back. He heard a familiar voice softly singing.

 

“I'm wising on a star

To follow where you are

I'm wishing on a dream

To follow what it means

 

And I wish on all the rainbows that I see

And I wish on all the people we've ever been

And I'm hoping on all the days to come and days to go

And I'm hoping on days of loving you so…”

 

Yugi blinked again and rubbed his eyes before turning his head to see who was sitting on his bed. The person was hard to make out, but he rubbed his eyes again and blinked several more times. That brought them into focus a bit better, although they were still a bit difficult to see as clearly as a normal person.

 

A woman, with beautiful, waving red hair and kind, amethyst purple eyes, sat next to him, singing quietly and rubbing his back. He stared. “Mom?” he finally stuttered in a quiet, shocked voice.

 

She stopped singing and smiled at him, “Hello, Yugi. I'm sorry to wake you early, but I had to see my little boy on his fifteenth birthday.”

 

Yugi turned and sat up, still in shock. “What are you doing here? How are you here?”

 

She smiled again and brushed his bangs out of his eyes, “I've always been here. I just got special help to show up today, since it is your coming of age birthday.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“You're learning quickly.”

 

“Yeah…it's actually kinda interesting, the whole magic thing and all. Why didn't you ever tell me?”

 

She laughed and cupped his face in her hands briefly before taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, “You were a little boy! And you knew of it but were much too young to start serious study.”

 

“I knew?”

 

Her smile faded into a troubled frown, “Don't you remember?”

 

He shook his head, “Not much. I don't remember ever knowing you were a magician or anything like that.”

 

“And your father?”

 

“Black hair comes to mind.”

 

“That's all?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

She huffed in annoyance, “That meddling Council! I will have to have a word with them!”

 

“Mom?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“How? You're kinda…dead.”

 

She smiled impishly and patted the hand she still held, “You let me worry about that. I may be dead, but I still have tricks up my sleeve.” He smiled back. This was the Deirdre he really remembered, always laughing about something and having at least three pranks ready at all times.

 

“Well, I should let you get back to sleep. My time is going short and I just wanted to wish you a happy fifteenth birthday, Yugi.”

 

“Thanks, Mom.”

 

She smiled, then clapped her hands together, “Oh, I almost forgot. I do have something for you.” He blinked as she reached into the pocket of her plain white gown and pulled out a small black box, “This was mine. Your father and grandfather gave it to me on one of my birthdays. I want you to have it now. Oh, don't open it yet,” she said, covering his hand as he moved to open it, “Wait till you wake up.”

 

“Okay…?”

 

She smiled once again and placed her hand against his cheek, beaming like the mother she was. “You've grown so much. So handsome.” He blushed faintly. “You'll drive the girls wild, I expect. Especially when you smile. Very dashing.”

 

“Mom!”

 

“Oh, hush!” she laughed, “Let me dote, it's my job. Now, behave, but have fun and break the rules every now and then so life doesn't get boring. Don't be afraid to push the line. Listen to your grandfather and your teachers; they know what they're talking about. Don't be afraid to try things, because that's the only way discovery happens.”

 

“I will, Mom.”

 

“And remember what that plaque on your grandfather's wall says. `Sing like no one can hear you, dance like no one is watching, and love like it's never going to hurt'. Pay attention to that, especially the last one.”

 

“What?”

 

“You'll see, in time. And remember that I'm always here, even if you can't see me. So, talk to me if you need to and keep in mind that if you do misbehave, there are several people who have the right to give you the talking to that I would. Oh, and if anybody ever gives you any trouble, just tell them not to meddle in the affairs of dragons, because they're crunchy and good with ketchup.”

 

He grinned, “Yes, ma'am.”

 

“Don't you `ma'am', me! It makes me feel old!” She smiled at him once again and stroked his cheek with her hand. “Happy birthday, son.” She leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “I love you.”

 

“I love you, too, Mom.”

 

She smiled, “Now go back to sleep. I'll stay until you do.” As if in response, he yawned and lay back down, hand curled in front of his mouth, the other clutching the little black box. Deirdre started rubbing his back again and softly singing.

 

“I'm wishing on a star

To follow where you are

I'm wishing on a dream

To follow what it means…”

 

Yugi awoke, still hearing his mother's voice singing to him softly. A slight smile appeared on his face and he figured it wasn't a bad way to start a birthday. Then he blinked as he realized his hand held something. So, he sat up and sure enough, when he opened his hand, a small, black velveteen box sat in his palm, the rounded corners a little less fuzzy from years of being open and closed. Brow furrowed curiously, he opened the box, pulling the lid back on gold hinges, and stared.

 

A ring sat in the box, nestled in a bed of royal purple velvet. It was silver, by the looks of it, a bit tarnished with age, but that only added an antiqued regality to it. The metal was in the shape of two dragons, coiling around each other to make the band and claws holding two small diamonds. The mouths of the dragons held the center stone, a masterfully cut, dark green emerald that had a starburst cut on the bottom, which he saw when he held it to the light. He turned it this way and that, examining other details, finding that the dragons were two different species, a black and a silver. The black's eyes were tiny sapphires and the silver's were tiny amethysts. He smiled as he ran his fingers over the ring, feeling the minute scales of the dragons and the ridges on their horns. He found an inscription on the inside of the band reading “For Deirdre, Love S & Y.” On the side opposite it, he found another inscription that made him smile and his heart sing. “For Yugi with Love, Mom.”

 

“Thanks, Mom,” he said quietly, still smiling as he slipped the ring onto his middle finger, brain vaguely registering that the ring expanded slightly to fit his finger.

 

Yugi was greeted by the smells of freshly baked bread, bacon and eggs when he walked out in his jeans and t-shirt. Drizzt looked up from sorting that morning's mail from Terran (Yugi had discovered that it was delivered by colorful little pixies wearing blue mail-man caps and toting comically large messenger bags that could `hold a troll', as Drizzt had said). “Hey, the birthday boy's up!” the drow said with a broad grin, “Happy birthday, Yugi.”

 

Yugi grinned at his friend as he slid onto a bar stool to watch Alianna at work at the stove and counter. “Happy birthday, boyo,” she said, leaning over the bar and kissing his cheek, which made him flush. “Thanks,” he replied. “Want any help?”

 

“Not today.”

 

“Besides,” Drizzt said, pushing a stack of brown paper wrapped parcels, “You got some gifts from Terran.” Yugi stared blankly at the stack, “Who do I know in Terran?”

 

“Not so much as you know them as they know you or knew your mother and sent you something.”

 

“Why now?”

 

“Well, we just recently tracked you down again, and you're fifteen. You're of age now. That's something to be celebrated.” The drow then noticed the ring on Yugi's finger and his eyes widened. “Mirror of fire!” he exclaimed, taking the young man's hand and holding it up for inspection, “Ali, look!” Alianna looked up, then blinked, “How in the hells did you get that?”

 

Yugi saw no reason to keep it a secret, so he told them of his mother's visit while he was asleep. The fey broke into broad smiles as he finished up. “I should've known she would,” Alianna said ruefully. “Then again, she was always tricky.” Yugi grinned, “I know. I remember that.” Solomon came in then, and was also told the story before he noticed the ring on his own. When Yugi held up his hand to his grandfather, the old man smiled and hugged his grandson. “It is good you have it,” he said, “You ought to have something of hers.”

 

“Breakfast!” Alianna announced.

 

The four ate quickly, then Yugi was dragged into the living room where he was made to open the gifts he'd received, despite his protests. “Look, we're curious, even if you're not,” Drizzt said, “It's our nature. Now open them before we really start bothering you.”

 

The first one opened was from Jade, containing another thin volume written in her own hand, this one focusing exclusively on potions, poisons, and antidotes, including her recipe for an all purpose neutralizer. Also sent with the book was a set of crystal vials for storing brews in and a small silver scale for measuring ingredients. Yugi couldn't help but smile as Drizzt sighed and shook his head as he referred to “that woman!”.

 

The second one he opened came from a Skot and Skywise. “Be really, really careful opening that one,” Alianna warned him, “Those two are like my brothers and they're the kind that tend to start bar fights if they get bored.” With the note of caution, Yugi opened it very carefully and very slowly, checking each fold for springs and other easily hidden things that could trigger a prank. He needn't have worried, however, because it was a practical satchel made of supple yet sturdy leather, with a long strap so he could throw it over his shoulder and have it rest across his chest and delicate beadwork with beads made of wood, copper, and bone. A copper bead fit through a loop under the top flap to hold the satchel closed. “What's this made of?” he ventured to ask. Alianna and Drizzt both ran their fingers over the hide before grinning, “Deer.”

 

A third was from Miyagi, a name Yugi recognized with a grin. “Your little dragon, eh?” Solomon said, nodding towards the shaped scar on Yugi's arm, just visible from under the shirt sleeve. “Yup,” his grandson replied, pulling a book from the paper. It contained detailed drawings of dragon anatomy and physiology, as well as some good notes about their behavior and traditions. Yugi set it next to Jade's book.

 

The fourth came from two people named Alorah and Tanyaa. “Those would be your cousins,” Solomon told him, “From your father's side.” It contained a leather bound book of blank pages, along with a pen and ink set. He looked to Alianna in confusion, she smiled. “They know you have your mother's gift of magic. It's a blank book to write down your favorite spells and potions.” He rather liked that. Actually, he liked everything so far—the gifts were practical things that he could use.

 

The fifth, when he read who it was from, made him stop. He stared at it for a long time, unsure of what to do or think. Elegant script on the tag addressed it to him, but he had a bit of a hard time believing that is was actually his. “What's wrong?” Alianna asked. Yugi ran his fingers over the long, relatively thin package. “It's from my dad,” he said quietly. Solomon patted his hand, “Open it, then.” Yugi took a deep, calming breath, the way Drizzt had taught him, and pulled the paper off. An elegant, leather case came out and he carefully undid the clasps. He gasped as he opened the lid. Inside laid a beautiful, gently curved blade with runes running along the blade next to the etched design of a dragon in flight. The hilt was silver, studded with four lines of tiny amethysts and wrapped with black leather. The cross guard was designed to look like vines with small roses on them. The sheath matched the blade, a long, serpentine dragon running along it.

 

Yugi ran a faintly trembling hand over it before he picked up the note inside. It was scribed in the same, elegant script: “Happy fifteenth birthday, my son. I am glad to know that you are well, and I hope to see you again soon. Your cousins are eager to catch up, as am I, and I hope you can forgive me for not being able to contact you sooner. Take care until I do see you again, and, should you wish it, use this well. It belonged to your mother, and I believe she would want you to have it. All my love, Yugi. And happy birthday.” He felt tears prick the corners of his eyes and he blinked rapidly before refolding the note and tucking it back in the case and closing it. Thanks, dad, he thought.

 

The sixth and final gift said it was from two people named Marina and Caspian. “You were friends with her and her older brother as a child, although her father didn't like it,” Solomon said, “They're elves from some sea-based tribe. Her father is some lord or what not. Very uppity.” Alianna snorted and rolled her eyes. Yugi blinked, not recalling faces although the names did sound familiar, and opened the package. Inside was a shadow box made of smooth, dark wood, with the clearest glass Yugi had ever seen set neatly into the lid. In the shadow box was a collection of shells, from both the shallow reef floor and some of the deeper parts of the sea. They ranged from pale cream to a blue so dark it was nearly black, and had anything from speckles and barnacles on them to long, sharp spikes decorating them. Each was neatly labeled in clear, strong handwriting. The note attached teased him lightly about having another thing for his `hoard', which made Yugi roll his eyes and grin.

 

“Hey, you missed something here,” Drizzt said, handing him an envelope that had fallen from the paper.

 

Yugi accepted it and neatly slit it open. He expected to pull out a note, but instead, a small painted portrait came out along with a little post script reading: “My pest of a brother thought you'd like an updated portrait of us. Happy birthday, Yugi! ~Marina.” Yugi blinked and looked at the two people in the portrait. The male was slender yet well built, sort of like Drizzt, with broader shoulders than the typical elf. His hair was a cinnamon brown and his skin was the smooth tan of a born coastal dweller. His eyes were a clear, clean blue with flecks of green. The female was shorter than the male, reaching only about his nose or eyes. Her skin was gently tanned, also like a born coastal dweller but like one who spent more time on shore than on a boat. Her hair was the black of a raven's wing and her eyes were a dazzling, pure shade of cerulean. “Is this them?” he asked.

 

Solomon leaned over to inspect the picture, “That's them. Hmm. Marina takes after her mother. I'm not sure who Caspian looks like. He has never really favored either parent.”

 

“His grandfather,” Alianna said, “He looks like his grandfather.”

 

“Better than Raoul. He's so…sharp looking,” Drizzt commented.

 

Yugi absently slipped the portrait back in its envelope and set it on the shadow box while the three adults talked. He was beginning to wonder where Tristan, Joey, and Tea were when there came a familiar voice from the door.

 

“We're he-e-ere!” Tea sang out.

 

“Happy birthday, Yug!” Joey hollered.

 

They walked in and a clothing box was sat in his lap. “Open it!” Tristan said.

 

 

He did so, and then started laughing until tears came out of his eyes. When Drizzt raised an eyebrow, the young man only held up the t-shirt that had come in the box . It was dark green and had a grumpy looking dragon curled up on a pile of gold, glowering at a man who was miniaturized by the dragon and its gold. In yellow script surrounding the picture was the message, “Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.”

 

What had really started Yugi into his fit of laughter was lying in the bottom half of the box. Sitting there, nestled in white tissue paper, was a bottle of ketchup and a silver, ornate fork.

 

*****

Few notes!

 

A disclaimer: yes, I got the idea for the scene where Alianna throws wine from Merlin, starring Sam Neil. It's a good movie, Queen Mab rocks, and I thought it would be an awesome little bit in the story.

 

As for Tea and the Amazon bit: Yes. She is one now. I mean no offense to her fans, but I personally find her a tad bit annoying, so I decided to have some fun with her and the rest of the gang while I was at it. As for them cutting off one of their breasts, in some stories they do it so they can aim better with their bows. As for the bit about them not being afraid of pain, I don't know if that's in the stories or not, but I thought it worked.

 

And finally, a dragon's hoard of thank you's to Isis the Sphinx for reviewing and giving me the tip to include references about Shadow magic and Duel Monsters. Thank you muy much!