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of their own. They will not share it with you unless they choose the bond.” Tan turned and focused on Fasha. “I will ask you again: did saa tell you its name?”
    Fasha stared at Asgar, though the expression in her eyes was different than what he’d seen in so many who looked upon the draasin. Most had a look of longing. That had been the way the Utu Tonah had looked upon them, seeing them as a way to greater power. The lisincend had seen them as a connection to fire. And the kingdoms viewed the draasin as a threat, a view that Tan didn’t share.
    But Fasha had a different light in her eyes, one that gave Tan a certain sense of hope. She studied Asgar with interest, but not one that burned with intensity of control. Rather, it was a curiosity. Cianna had a similar way of looking at the draasin, which was probably why Sashari had been willing to bond with her.
    “There was no name to saa,” Fasha said.
    Tan turned away from her. “And the others of you that were bonded? Did any of you know the name of your elementals?”
    The question was met with silence.
    Tan had not expected any to have actually known the name of the elemental they had bonded. That wasn’t the way that Par-shon bonded, but such sharing would make the bond stronger, and made it more difficult to sever.
    “If an elemental chooses you,” Tan went on, “they will share their name. That is how you will know you were meant for the bond. It is respect, but respect must go both ways. You must respect the elemental and they, in turn, must respect you.”
    He wasn’t sure why he bothered telling them this, other than that he didn’t want them running off to try and force a bond again. If he could convince most of them that there was another way—a better way—then he would have served the elementals.
    “Utu Tonah,” a boy near the back started. He was tall and thin and had the beginning scruff of a beard. When Tan nodded, he went on, “You have bonded this draasin?”
    “Not this one. My bonded was lost in the fighting.”
    “But you know this one’s name.”
    Tan smiled at the question. At least they were engaged now. That had to mean something, didn’t it? “I know his name, but that doesn’t mean I have bonded him. Knowing the elemental’s name is only the first part in forming the bond. The connection is deeper than that.”
    “How do we know you can really talk to it?” one of the older boys asked. He was nearly Tan’s height, but more muscular. The others around him moved to the side to give him space.
    Asgar. This is where we must demonstrate.
    Maelen.
    “What would you have me ask him to do?” Tan asked.
    Some of the others shouted out suggestions, from having the draasin raise one leg to bring back a deer it had caught. The older boy rubbed his chin and let them speak. Then he raised his hand. The others fell silent.
    “Has to be something that proves you can talk to him,” the boy said.
    “What would convince you ?” Tan asked.
    A smile spread on the boy’s face. “Let me ride him.”
    Well? Tan asked Asgar.
    You may claim it, but I am no horse.
    This is to make a point, that’s all. These children come from a place where they don’t believe the elementals have anything to offer. The first step is learning that the elementals are more than mindless creatures.
    Some would argue that you’re the mindless creatures, Asgar said.
    Tan suppressed his smile.
    “He will allow it.”
    The boy frowned. “How do you know? You haven’t asked him anything.”
    Tan noted the distinct lack of formality to his questioning. How would the previous Utu Tonah have reacted had he been questioned like this? Probably with violence and pain, Tan figured. This way was better.
    “Are you so certain I haven’t asked him anything?”
    The boy took a hesitant step forward, then another. He stopped in front of Tan, but his eyes were fixed on Asgar. “It’s so… big.”
    “He is.”
    He is right to fear me. I might eat him. This one would