It was certain. The world had ended. Fal’thor slumped onto his bed with shock and absolute disbelief etched onto his face. Two Speakers. And after he had waited so long for just one to come along! The magnitude of this was too much to bear. Already, Ailthea would be contacting other clans, telling them of the miracle, the long reign of Fal’thor ended by the birth of twin Speakers, an event that had never once occurred in the long history of the Bishen species.

The knock on his door was tentative but insistent, and he managed to extract himself from his bed and move to receive the being, who turned out to be none other than the father of this unusual clutch of eggs.

“Mister Speaker,” he said without preamble, “I have been informed of the, ah, unusual circumstances surrounding my children, and have come seeking your advice. I know you are the Speaker, and not the Seer, but I felt you would be the best to come to in such cases since you know what is involved.”

He bowed his head slightly, blinking his large, luminous eyes, and Fal’thor waited patiently until he had composed himself.

“My children mean the world to me,” the dragon said, “and I want nothing more than to be there for every single moment of each of their lives. However, I am not certain it would be best for them to have two Speakers in such close quarters. I have heard that the learning process can be somewhat painful, and that accidents of many kinds can occur while they learn to use and control their powers. I am afraid that two beings of such power living and growing together could very well damage themselves, each other, and perhaps the rest of my children.”

Fal’thor made to speak, but the father held up his tail to indicate he was not finished. “My apologies, Master Speaker, but please allow me to finish.” Fal’thor inclined his head and settled again, waiting for the remainder of this speech.

“Ever since I began my training,” he continued, “I have heard nothing but stories of this strange clan of Bishen, the Machesri, who live with and are companionable with humans. I myself did not approve of this at first, as I have learned the stories as well as you, but when I heard reports pouring in of the obvious health and good spirits of these dragons, and even that Tr’ynka Valae was beginning to see some merit in their society…well…I believe, and the Kailan is behind me, that the birth of two Speakers in one clutch is a sign. I think one of them should be sent to the Machesri to act as our link, so we can learn more about these unusual dragons that does not come through several sources. I am not questioning your abilities to relay information, of course,” he added hastily, eyes wide, “but I would simply like to know more about the Lost Dragons than we have already learned.”

He settled backward slightly, eyes soft and mouth set, indicating with his tail that he had finished speaking. Fal’thor took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and then blew it out in a puff of ice crystals.

“Sir…” he began very slowly, trying to determine how to word his next statement, “I see you have been very thorough in your research and study of the role of Speaker. I understand your concerns and your wishes, but your daughter would simply not be able to learn the communication without proper training! She could only speak when spoken to, would never be able to seek out others…”

“Then teach her by mind-speak,” the father interrupted, leaning forward again. “I know it can be done, as it has before. I am quite settled on this, Sir, my mate and I have given it much thought, and I will not be willing to accept that as your answer. I will see both my daughters receive every possible opportunity they may be granted, and this is the greatest opportunity of all – to have the chance to become a liaison, an ambassador of sorts, to an unknown clan of our kind, one we have not spoken to in centuries. It is positively enormous. I could not live with myself if I hadn’t allowed one of my girls to experience that sort of opportunity.”

Fal’thor sighed, rubbing the tip of his tail across his snout. The father had a point, his logic irritatingly correct as Scholars intended to produce, and he could see no real objection to this arrangement.

He lifted his eyes to the father, who looked somewhat sad but very determined, and nodded almost imperceptibly. “All right,” he said finally. “I agree.”