Seeing that he was looking their way, one farmer, who had been forced to move outside the new protective barrier, shook his fist and shouted an insult. Since the energy shield could not be seen and the dragons had not ventured near, Cameron understood why the man was angry, and he hoped the plan would work, so that everyone not only could hear that the dragons had returned, but see them and understand the danger.
Benji and Tristan removed the boarding plank and loosened the mooring ropes, then they raised the sail and stood by to trim it, when the off-shore breeze arrived.
As the sun vanished, Cameron raised his arm. Slowly the crowd became silent. "I know that you have all heard rumors of why this year's Solstice Ceremony and Pilgrimage were cancelled."
A surge of sound rumbled across the water.
"Shaka-uma has risen." A shout drowned him out, so he patiently waited for silence. "As have three of her hatchlings."
"Lies!"
Cameron held up his hand for silence. "You will see with your own eyes." Again the noise swelled.
Tem-aki leaned close, "I see why you wanted to speak to them from here. Much safer."
"That plus they all can see and hear me better."
"At least they could if they ever shut up and listened."
"They will. Right now, they are reacting to a change. Most humans don't do well with that."
"Yet, life is always changing."
"But usually not this quickly." As the crowd quieted, Cameron told them about the shield and explained that it was for their protection. Many of the farmers used the opportunity to publicly protest, but he knew that the offshore breeze would come soon and he didn't have time to waste. Then, he told everyone that Nolan would officiate over the festivities, while he left on an important voyage."
"Because he don't want to face his lies!" a rough voice shouted.
Cameron made the pre-arranged signal to Annosha, who was in her tethered dragon balloon. In turn, Annosha signaled Malin and Emmet, who were on the dragon-side of the shield, waiting to release the lanterns.
Tem-aki stared skyward, hoping that the bizarre plan would work. Worried that it wouldn't.
For the longest time, nothing seemed to happen, then there was a flurry of movement and a harsh voice shouted, "Aw, lookie there, he figures we be stupid enough to mistake a balloon for a live dragon." Raucous laughter floated over the water.
Tem-aki's fingers tightened around his. "How can they be so horrible?"
"They are human."
"Are you sure you want to return here, after we take Larwin and everyone home?"
"I belong here."
"We belong."
Cameron gave her a tender smile, as the expected offshore breeze began to fill the sail. The Sirocco began moving toward the harbor exit, which would take her through the channel and into the ocean.
The first airborne lantern hit the dragon-shield and instantly disintegrated in a starburst, while at the same time, it briefly looked as if a huge rainbow-like dome curved over Fire Island's interior. A shout from the shore acknowledged the existence of the shield, then under the protective arc, a bolt of azure lightening rippled. And people went wild with the proof that the shield was there to protect them from Skaka-uma.
It had begun.
His fingers instinctively tightened around Tem-aki's hand.
"Tell me, again, that they will be okay," she said.
"I can't, but I don't think they would do this if they weren't sure," he said, his attention never straying from Shaka-uma and her three hatchings as they flew in a strange flight-dance with two barely discernible humans and two myst cats, which was eerily similar to what Tem-aki claimed she'd seen in the skull. "It was their idea to lure the dragons here for the Ceremony, so that all could see." Cameron continued, "I would never have asked them to risk their lives, just so the doubters could believe. Larwin thought it was important for everyone to understand the new restrictions and why only those who had no apparent myst-energy could work on the other side of the shield."
As more and more lanterns hit the dragon-shield, the mammoth iridescent dome became more visible. "This demonstration certainly shows them the massive energy. and how dangerous it is," Tem-aki said. "Larwin has always been good at strategy." She turned her attention to shore, where some were staring at the sight in silent awe, while others screamed and jumped. Then Tem-aki looked at him, the light of floating lanterns and dome reflected in her eyes. "You have been planning this celebration since I met you. It is the pinnacle of your career."
"And far more spectacular than I ever have imagined possible." He looked at the lanterns, which still were thick as stars around the four dragons.
"Why leave, now? People finally believe you."
"I am only head draco because he didn't want to accept the post for fear that our sect would fail. Besides, Nolan actually likes officiating at this sort of thing and dealing with groups."
"Bu-"
He put his finger over her lips. "My position will be here when I return, as will be the responsibility to protect everyone." While he'd spent years believing that officiating at the Solstice Ceremony would be the highlight of his life, now that it was here, he realized that convincing Tem-aki to spend the rest of her life as his partner was much more important.
Tem-aki tugged his hand guiding him away from where Kazza and Saphera sprawled on the bow, to join Larwin, Nimri, Mica, Raine and Thunder who were all safe and watching the festivities on Sirocco's stern.
How could he ask her to choose between a life with him and one with her family?
"Why do you think I must make a choice?" Tem-aki asked.
Cameron swallowed, as he realized he had spoken aloud. "If I were to ask you to stay with me, you'd lose your family."
Tem-aki looked from him to the shimmering shield, which looked like a dark wind-bow in the moonlight. "How can you believe that, after all we've been through?" Tem-aki took his face in her hands "I think Nimri is right about anything being possible, if we just believe." She tightened her grip on his hands. "I believe that if I choose to stay with you, you are added to my family and I will gain, not lose."
Cameron wrapped her in him arms and kissed her, as he looked forward to an amazing future.
### The End ###
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Other books by this author
Sci-Fantasy
Kazza's Chatterre Trilogy
Star Bridge
Nimri, an herbal healer and Chatterer's new Keeper of the Peace, must safeguard her tribe from their bitter rivals. To do this, she must find her 'magic core'.
Many light years away, Colonel Larwin Atano, an elite Guerreterre Shadow Warrior, fights to save his intergalactic star-fighter. Despite all efforts, he crashes.
Larwin perceives Chatterre's resources as a means to gain power and prestige and views the planet's inhabitants as a minor inconvenience.
Nimri believes Larwin is a supernatural Guardian, who will protect her tribe from their rivals.
Who will survive the coming conflict?
Thunder Moon
Thunder Cartwright dreams that madrox will invade Chatterre and destroy his world unless the Star Bridge is closed.
Raine, a Kalamaran Dragon Shepard, must catch a rogue mooncalf and return it to the herd or face possible death.
Who will win and who will die?
Fire Island
Tem-aki Atano fell through a rift when the Star Bridge was destroyed and now must find a way to survive on an island which worships Fire Dragons.
Cameron must figure out a way to keep the dragons, which are hatching near an extinct volcano at his island's core, dormant, so that they do not destroy things, yet keep the faith alive.<
br />
But the beasts are hatching... will they destroy the island and everyone living on it?
Xander's Sea Purrtection Files
Latitudes & Cattitudes
~ a short & free prequel to The Sea Purrtector Files ~
Xander de Hunter is a rising star on Catamondo's kick-boxing circuit and dreams of becoming a Purrtector. After a match in Seattle, he is asked to help find Cha-Cha, a white Norwegian beauty, who is missing.
With Merlin's assistance, they follow Cha-Cha's trail into the Puget Sound where Xander must face his biggest fear – water.
The Red Claw
Dame Esmeralda, the Purrsident's littermate, has been catnapped. Xander de Hunter, Catamondo's Sea Purrtector hurries to Jamaica to help rescue her, even though Jamaica is one of Dogdom's strongholds.
Could this be a trap?
Purr-a-Noia
Catamondo and Dogdom's peace treaty is in jeopardy. In Haiti, witchcraft and voodoo seem to be involved in a plot to hex the Purrsident.
Will Xander be able to restore the peace?
Coming in 2016: The Vi-Purrs
The Daily Mews reports continued violence in the Dominican Republic Purrtectorate.
Xander discovers that the Moreau situation is still affecting the ability of Catamondo to purrtect cats. Worse, the office of the Purrtectorate seems to be involved.
Will Xander be able to save the integrity of the Purrtectorate and restore peace?
Contemporary Suspense/Romance
Deadly Rumors
Kelsey MacLennan and Devlin Doran both want to make the world better.
Doran believes the rumors about the MacLennans dealing drugs, so his goal is to bring them down.
Kelsey MacLennan wants to make the world better, but her senatorial political campaign turns deadly and rumors abound, when the incumbent must win or be killed by his backers. Devlin Doran's younger sister died of an overdose, so his goal is to prosecute pushers. Rumors abound that the MacLennans are high in the local drug network and he is targeting Kelsey MacLennan.
Will they be able to separate fact from fiction or will the rumors be deadly to them?
Fatal Attractions
Ariel and Tempest Danner have escaped Tempest's homicidal father for the sixth time in five years. Armed with new identities and disguises, they are determined that Fairbanks, Alaska will be a sanctuary where they can live in peace.
Stone O'Banyon, their new landlord, has been divorced for three years. All his energy is focused on his job and Dolly, who would never hurt him.
The last thing Ariel needs or wants is the attraction she feels for another tall, dark man, who seems hard as the granite he is named for, but the fascination will not go away. Stone isn't any happier with his obsessive thoughts concerning Ariel.
Things seem calm, then Ariel and Tempest catch sight of the man they had hoped they would never encounter and things turn fatal...again.
Passion's Fire
Prior to the blaze that killed her husband, Jacqueline Cardew believed her husband wrote the "fiery messages' she received. Now she finds a new note inside her locked house. Jacqueline suspects her faceless stalker murdered Adam and she is next. She flees north, where she joins Link Gavallan's group on a two week long Alaskan wilderness canoe trip. As they float down the desolate river, she receives another message…
Instead of finding a sanctuary, has she made it easier for the unknown person to trap her?
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Fire Island: Book 3 of The Chatterre Trilody (Chatterre Trilogy) Page 26