Stormson

Talon didn't know WHY he still bothered with this. You put fourteen years worth of work into someone, try to help them be better, and you end up getting completely screwed over.1

He supposed it could have been worse. Star wasn't the BEST charge, but she was better than some of the others. There were rules about living here, and one of them was that everyone took responsibility for everyone else. Starthorn was Talon's charge, and had been a pain in the ass ever since he met her.2

She was only a couple years younger than him, but seemed SO much younger than that. She was spoiled to DEATH by the Lady Saytre, until Talon had come and been assigned her. 3

Talon rubbed his hands together, almost becoming warm at the thought of Luna and his little sister running around the house back in the carefully guarded village. Saro and Livia would be there, too, most likely. Comet and her mate would probably be out while her parents visit his, while two of Comet's cubs... Talon's teeth chattered and remembered where he was and why. Just another one of Star's BRILLIANT ideas: go wandering around in the woods, at night, at the height of winter, with two crazy wolves.4

He turned when a twig snapped from four feet to the right, and he felt a hundred sixty pounds of fur landing on his back, and heard laughter that bordered on wicked next to his ear. "You're too easy," she said.5

"And you're gonna get killed when the Lady finds out that you've been out here."6

"You wouldn't tell her, would you?!"7

Even with his face in the ground, he could just see her eyes getting big and wet. He wasn't a sucker. Well, maybe a little.8

"Not if you get this THING off me, and get back inside so I can go home." 9

The wolf on his back immediatly jumped off and walked over to sit beside Starthorn. Talon got up and glared at her. "Where's the other one?"10

Starthorn grinned and Talon hit the ground again.11

Talon's neck ached as he opened the door. Damned girl... who ever heard of a person followed by two wolves?! He knew though that even with all his complaints, he wouldn't have chosen any other charge if he'd had the choice. Star could be annoying as hell, but she had a good heart, and if nothing else she was interesting.12

As if being tackled by two wolves wasn't enough, the moment he opened the door his six year old sister, Rose, tackled him. NOT good for his sore muscles. "Hey Rose."13

"What'd ya get me?" she asked, not wasting time.14

"Who said I got you anything? I didn't go out shopping, I went to...take a walk." Rose's chin quivered. Talon sighed. "Tomorrow, ok?"15

Rose's smile beamed with sunshine, and she trotted back over to the fire where Luna dozed. She looked up when he came in, and waited for him to come over. "Saro tells me his grandchildren were out tonight." Talon explained with a sigh, and Luna laughed. "Don't worry. She'll calm down in a couple years."16

"You said that four years ago."17

"Well, she's not lighting things on fire anymore, is she?"18

Talon had to admit that was true.19

"Don't worry, when Derron gets home, you can get approval from the council for some time off."20

"I think it'll be ok. After all, how much damage can she really do?"