The next several weeks were spent camping in the Pelagiris Forest while Xander and Wintermoon scouted for a good place to build their new home. All six of the children treated the entire thing like an adventure. The boys especially had a good time. They spent more than half the time in their wolf forms chasing rabbits. Occasionally even catching them.

When it got to the point where they started to roam too far from camp, Wintermoon put Corwith and K'Tathi on guard. Hyllarr like the boys, but his only real concern was Ghost and he stayed by her side even during her lessons. Firesong had learned to take the bond eagle's presence into account when flinging mage bolts at his student. Singed bond eagles were unpleasant to be around. Vree actually helped the boys get into trouble, so Corwith and K'Tathi were the only choice for baby sitters.

The owls were fascinated with their charges and were reluctant to leave them for any reason. Wintermoon was just a little put-out by the whole affair. It wasn't often that a Hawkbrother's bondbirds chose to spend so much time with a human other than their bondmate.

Sharn was the first to make the shift. Tarlac spent as much time as he could with them, but his mate was expecting their firstborn and he didn't like to leave her side for long. Corwith and K'Tathi were the next best thing to his friend and Sharn could often be seen grooming the owls.

Everyone was sitting around the fire one night when suddenly Sharn's brothers turned as one to look at their quiet sibling. One minute Sharn was sitting there petting Corwith, and in the next, a dark brown owl was sitting in his place. Barac smirked and shifted into a Great Horned Owl while Mika and Flin shifted into identical Snowy Owls. Farlan gaped at his brothers and immediately tried to shift.

Everyone watched as he scrunched his eyes shut and clenched his fists. He shimmered for a moment, but went back to his human form. His brothers made strange hooting sounds, it was obviously laughter. Farlan's eyes welled with tears and he tried harder. Xander couldn't stand to watch him struggle any more and went to stop him.

Farlan scooted away from him, the firelight reflecting off his tears. He slammed his fists down on the ground and shifted, but not into an owl. He glimmered and then his wolf form was sitting next to the fire. But he'd made a few changes. Arching up from his shoulders were two wings. Farlan looked himself over, yipping joyfully. He strutted around the fire, his wings gently waving. Strolling over to Barac, he bowled over his brother with one sweep of his bushy tail. Then he casually plopped down on his butt and scratched behind one ear with his hind leg.

Xander collapsed on the ground, shrieking with laughter. Farlan pounced on his father and bathed his face with a slobbering tongue. Darkwind and Firesong were looking anywhere but at the ecstatic wolf-owl perched on the Champion's chest. Wintermoon had his face buried in his hands, muttering about being too old for this.

Ghost started cursing under her breath, "No fair, I want wings too."

Firesong ruffled Ghost's hair, "Don't worry, young one. You may not have wings, but you will still fly."

**********

The search for a new home came to a halt until the boys could be taught to fly safely. Wintermoon's face literally 'hurt' from trying to surppress the grins that wanted to escape his iron control. The sight of five wolf-owls flapping gracelessly around the clearing sent Ghost into giggles. Wintermoon dearly wanted to join her, but the boys needed all of their self-confidence to sustain flight.

Xander finally led Wintermoon into the woods one night after everyone else had fallen asleep. Wintermoon howled with laughter, he tried to talk about the boy's progress, but just couldn't do it. Xander just smiled and listened the peals of mirth coming from his mate, Wintermoon didn't laugh enough and his hilarity was wonderful to hear.

**********

Ghost wandered through the woods, picking wild flowers as she went. She loved her fathers, her new brothers and her teachers, but sometimes she just wanted to be by herself. She let her mind drift, enjoying the silence.

She'd never really had time for girlish daydreams, her studies and helping to take care of her younger brothers took up most of her time. This time alone was priceless to her and she planned to make the most of it. Ghost found a small clearing and sat down to enjoy the sunshine. She could hear the birds up in the trees and small animals rustling in the undergrowth. It was so peaceful that she slowly fell asleep.

**********

Xander added more wood to the fire while Wintermoon and Darkwind cleaned the boys' catch. They had quickly become the bane of treehares everywhere and there was always fresh meat for dinner. Farlan shifted back to his human form and nestled against Xander's side. The little boy tugged on one of Xander's braids, "Daddy." He whispered. "Ghost?"

Xander ruffled Farlan's dark hair, "She's spending some time alone, Farlan. She'll be back soon."

Farlan frowned, "Dark now. Supposed to be home before dark."

Xander reached out to his daughter's mind and found her dreaming. He gently nudged her out of her dreams. 'Ghost. It's past time to be back in camp. Do you want me to come get you?'

'Daddy? Ugh, I fell asleep.' Ghost looked around, but it was so dark she could barely see. 'Daddy, I'm not sure where I am.'

Xander made himself stay calm, enough though he really wanted to panic. 'What can you see, honey?'

'Not much, Daddy. It's too dark here. Can you come get me?'

'Of course, Ghost. Keep the link open, I'm on the way.'

Next Part