The unwanted, the hidden, less.... liked.. species, had a place. Here their children learned self-defense. Self-esteem. How to care for themselves, and for others. How to undo traps, and avoid harm. And most of all, learned there were those out there that truly cared, no matter what species they were.

A dereg world decides that literacy is the ultimate in keeping the populace in their place. Those that struggle to learn to read are segregated and given the WORST, most dangerous, the most horrific, jobs in the entire world. The CEO's learn quickly an educated population doesn't like being treated that way. The CEO's learn their own lessons, too late. The CRC, thinks teaching the populace to read was a FANTASTIC idea!

A person had a perfect memory. Working hard, they went to the B'Nari to get an artificial body, but kept that eidetic memory talent of theirs. Then they went to an Archiivas world, and asked to please spend time in the libraries to read, and make friends.

The Wish

I sat before the quiet fire,
Thinking of what it is that I’d desire.

Would I want fame, fortune and gold?
Or countless riches, too vast to behold?

Would I want to be a star, my name up in lights?
Or days lived in glory, with passionate nights?

Finally, into the fire, I made my wish.
And it was not for fame, nor to be rich.

I wished for peaceful days and even gentler nights.
And, someday, a world, with no war or strife.

And whether on land, by air, or sea,
We’d all live in peaceful harmony.

A bard sat within town playing their mandolin and singing. It was Rememberance Day within the city where people remembered those that had fought in those wars, and died defending the innocent. The bard's own family had been one of the many who'd been lost, and it was of one of their brothers they sang of. Next to them, sitting in a large basket as close to the fire as was safe to keep it quite warm, a dragon's egg. The bard's future young friend.

Lament of the Lost

Winds ride under the wings as the great beasts take to the air.
Their riders on their backs, defiance in their tones, they fly to destiny.
Yet one by one as the war does rage..... and their riders fall...
Each one, these lovely creatures let their wings to fold,
And plummet to death's great Hall.

Amidst the fallen was a rider, a young one who'd just begun.
His dragon died amidst the battle, his heart, the pain had stung.
Amongst the mourning lay a dragon who's rider had been slain as well.
Upon that dragon's back he shouted, now it’s time that our enemy fell.
So the two went together... to fight their hated foe.

Each one within the heat of battle, forgot their cries of woe.
For the battle they won that day and for their dead they prayed.
The dragon and rider went together, to rest until another day.
Oh where, great dragon, do you fly, up there, amidst the skies so lonely?
Where is it have your brothers gone, as you search skies and sea?
Oh where, great dragon, will you go, when your brethren are found?
And a new rider alights your back, and you are destiny bound.

I had someone help me get a PEAKD account. Apparently Hivesigner is by invite only. Fortunately, I found the PEAKD Discord page and they helped me get in so I can make comments again. Btw, I find it amusing you use Brii or Bree for some of your character names. My nickname is Bri - short for Bridget. LOL

Good to see you again, Internutter! I love all of your stories, esp. the ones where the wealthy elites get their keesters handed to them because of their behaviors.

Btw, if you ever have prompts from past stories from your steemit, if you want the story, I'll go and look for it for you. I've been doing that for others when I see prompts that quite obviously link to some of your stories from the past.

From - Bridget.

Is there any other way than posting on PeakD to comment on your postings? Some of them are wonderful but try as I might, I can't sign in to PeakD and there seems to be no way in despite all their "login options" short of buying subscriptions that I cannot afford.

Daniandshali - aka Bridget Kielas-Fecyk

What book are you talking about and where can I find it? I love your short stories.