The Lost Dragon Rider Girl

Boys will be Boys

Lucian stood next to Darren watching Elaine and her dragon glide above them, taking a while to think to themselves. Watching as they flew circles around the camp, they looked so elegant and at peace up there as if it was where they belonged.

"You like her don't you?" For once there was a sincere tone to Darren's question.

"Don't be stupid. I just think she shouldn't be flying. Her infection is getting worse and she's acting like it's nothing." Slight frustration ebbed its way in to his tone.

"So you don't like her but you care for her? Is that not the same thing?" Darren pressed, he was sure he saw something more in Lucians actions.

"No there is a difference." Lucian looked away from Elaine and turned to face Darren. "You see, I don't like you, I just care for you not to show how much of a total asshat you really are." He smirked and then faked a posh voice "It would ruin my reputation."

"What reputation?" Darren faced Lucian, they both stared at each other for a second before the started to laugh. Their laughter began to fade as Elaine and Serrena landed with a soft thud.

Lucian couldn't help but notice the grimace on Elaine's face and the way she clung onto her abdomen as she dismounted and turned towards him and Darren.

As she got closer however, she straightened up and appeared as if she felt no pain and had no injury. Even a small smile resided on her face as she got closer to them.

"I think that's enough flying for the day" Elaine said and walked past both of them heading back towards the tent she was put in.

"Elaine wait!" He shouted as they ran to catch up with her. "Darren and I are going on the last hunting trip early tomorrow before we move on to the meet up with others from our tribe. You'll be okay for the day right?"

"Of course she'll be okay i***t, she took on the horde by herself and you're asking if she will be okay here, for a day?" Disbelief evident in Darren's comments.

"Im being polite in checking with her. Unlike you who never learnt manners."

"Both of you stop. Darren thanks for making me sound invincible." Elaine smiled to herself. "And thanks Lucian for checking, I'll be okay. Besides I can always find another person to talk to."

Lucian watched as Elaine stopped outside her tent, her hand resting over her wound.

"I should probably change these bandages and rest for a while."

"That would be a good idea, Darren and I have some stuff we need to sort out before tomorrow." He smiled to Elaine before he left and dragged Darren with him. After they had got a distance away he stopped pulling Darren after him and slowed his pace, heading towards the dogs and their sleds. They weaved in between the grey-white snow covered tents taking care not to trip over any ropes or pegs that held them to the ground. There was about thirty people at this camp and around twenty tents, most people had to double or even tripple up. Tents that weren't occupied stored food and equipment ready for the return journey back to the tribes winter camp or as stores over the winter.

Reaching their dogs the pair started to feed and check over them aswell as their sleds. They needed to keep both in good condition because there weren't many spare parts for their journey.

"So, will that friend of yours be showing themselves anytime this year?"

"What?" Darren had caught Lucian off guard by his question. He told Darren just once about this friend and that was only after he threatened to tell his parents that Lucian wasn't actually with Darren like he said he was.

"You know, that friend last winter, when you kept sneaking off but told your parents you were with me. You said you were close"

"Yes, but if you remeber I also told you we fought alot and we haven't spoken since. So there's no need to ask about them" he kept his gaze down, pretending to be focused on his work, hoping Darren would drop the topic. Everything that happened between him and his friend was to be kept a secret, they both agreed.

"But you haven't even told me anything about them. You haven't said if they have their own sled, what gender they are. Although I bet it's a girl because you refuse to tell me and that can only mean you're worried she'd stop being your friend after she saw how amazing I am." As if it would add weight to his words Darren puffed out his chest and flexed his biceps. Suddenly his arms dropped. "Wait! Is it Leera!"

"No! It's not her and drop it okay. Im not talking about this anymore"

"Defensive much? Well it would explain the awkward vibes I've been feeling off the both of you."

"Darren..."

"Alright I can tell when a conversation has ended." They continued checking their equipment in brief silence until Darren once again started to talk. "Still think its her though." As if on instinct he ducked as Lucian threw a snowball at him, flying over his head and hitting the ground behind him. "You're going to have to do better than that Lucie!"

Like young boys the pair started to throw snowballs at one another, laughing and shouting back and forth. They were at it for a while, an hour perhaps, enjoying the moment when a familiar voice spoke from beside a tent.

"Boys, I do believe you both have a hunting trip to prepare for. Once you've finished come join the group for our last meal here and check up on Elaine on the way make sure she's okay to make the trip. She should join the meal if she can aswell." Looking up, Lucian could see Vince smiling and shaking his head before he turned and walked away in the direction of the fire pit. As he looked up Darren took advantage of the opening and landed a snowball directly in Lucians groin area making him groan and fall to his knees.

"Oh yeah, bullseye. I win." Darren was laughing as he walked to Lucian. "Better luck next time Lucie."

Groaning Lucian finished his preparations and joined Darren on the walk back. It was dark now, only the light from the main fire and a few lamps lighting the paths stopped them falling ovr the many ropes and pegs. As they approached Elaines tent they could hear low whispers, too low to guess who was speaking but Lucian managed to catch a few words.

"Last time... gorge... the cheif... girl... treat the wound..." He could only just hear the deep male voice and a hushed femal voice in response.

"Similarities..."

"... Emblem..." The man replied, sounding agitated and uneasy. Lucian didn't like that they had decided to discuss Elaine in such a poorly lit area of the camp, it gave him a bad feeling.

Keeping what he heard in the back of his mind he continued to walk towards the tent that Elaine was residing in.

"Elaine?"

Nothing, he didn't hear a single thing coming from her tent.

"Elaine its Lucian and Darren are you okay?"

There was still silence. He pulled the flap of the tent open just a little, there was no light. Inside the tent was just as dark as the noght sky was. Opening the flap furtherhe slipped inside silently allowing the light from the fires outside illuminate the space. With the small amount of light he could see a figure lying In the bed, curled up and under a warm thick fur blanket. The blanket ever so slightly moving, rising and falling at a steady, even pace. Turning around he slipped out of the tent to face Darren with an expectant look on his face.

"So..."

"She's fine, she's asleep."

"Shall we wake her? She will miss the meal if we don't." Lucian shook his head and smiled at Darren's comment, he's alway thinking about food.

"No she needs the rest. Just tell Leera to give her a little extra breakfast tomorrow." Before Darren could make a comment about Leera being his friend Lucian walked off and led Darren to the fire pit for a meal before heading to sleep themselves.