Attanya

Felix

Melody

            Morning arrived quickly. Melody woke to the sounds of camp breaking down. Rider Samsel had saddled Kaleigh and they were prepared to depart. What ensued next was the longest day of her life after they flew from light-up to darkness. By the end of it her butt was so sore that she could have cried. It was by far worse than riding a horse all day. They land in a clearing near a running stream, although Melody was in too much pain to notice that.

            Dirik helped her off of Kaleigh after he got down himself. When her feet touch the ground she stumbled. “You well?” Dirik steadied her, his voice hoarse from the freezing wind. A scarf around his face only did so much to the harsh air.

            “I’m fine. I’m just not used to riding.” Melody laughed at herself, although that action forced tears to her eyes, while beginning to untie the straps holding the saddle to Kaleighs back. It only takes five minutes to get it off.

            When she was finished she sat next to the fire that Dirik started while she dealt with the saddle. Rubbing the feeling back into her aching hands, and soaked in the heat from the fire. Although she brought thick clothes, they were hardly meant for the snow. The constant cold was enough to drive her into distraction. She felt dirty all over; she hadn’t showered since yesterday morning. Melody hands wiped her arms unconsciously, as if the motion could wipe away the dirt. Rider Samsel must have noticed because he pointed to her right. “There’s a Dome that way, you can bathe there.”

            Although she had no idea what a Dome was she stood, and walked to her bag. If he said she could bathe then she would go wherever he said to. After grabbing a towel and spare clothes she walked through the snow in the general direction he pointed. It quickly became apparent that there was a path cut through the brush and trees. The trees thinned and as she walked the snow began to clear, the air seamed warmer. Soon no snow covered the forest ground, she continued walking as if in a dream.

            A clearing with a pond came into a view, the clear pond seamed covered in a bubble of warmth and she forgot all about the weather change and gladly stripped down. She waded into the water without a second thought. The water was slightly warm, and seamed to glow in the lessening sun. It felt good against her skins as she submerged in the clear water.

            The sun long since set and skin wrinkled, she finally left the pool. In no hurry to return to camp, the hardened sand welcomed her to collect her thought. As unearthly as it seemed, she begin to think. What is the College like? Will I like it or will I regret ever entering this farfetched dream?

            A seed of doubt tried to grow in her mind but with constant attention she kept it down. There was no reason for fear, no way to avoid difficulties.

            Whatever happens, I know I can do this.

            Soon, she regrettably stood and walked back to the camp. When she returned and sat beside Kaleigh, she ran her hand across the Dragons long lean neck over and over. For a while she was entranced with her scales as if the world stood still for just a moment. Now that she thought about it, Rider Samsel’s clothes were strikingly similar to Dragon skin, without the scales. Dirik stood up, stretched then headed to the pool.

            “Rider Samsel, what is that place? It’s warmer than out here.” She resumed stroking Kaleigh’s neck. Her scales were so soft and hard at the same time, the same as a pearl.

            “We call it a Dome. Long ago, when the Mages were entered into the College they taught the Riders some of their unique magic. They taught how to control the weather in certain spots by using the energy of the plants around it. Soon after they made those Domes in our hidden rest places so Riders could survive outside cities for multiple quell.” Since Dirik was gone, he poked at the fire.

            “Why would someone stay here? There are towns all around here; we passed five or six of them today.” The thought of those small outcroppings being called a town was unnerving. They were hardly more than a group of cottages in the same area.

            “They were planning ahead. The country was at war, if someone was injured and couldn’t reach a Healer they need a place to be safe. Or if we are taken over? Then what? We can’t put the town’s people in danger just to harbor us. It’s better to plan ahead.” Rider Samsel smiled at her, his face disappearing momentarily in the flames of the fire.

            “Yes.” Soon after she fell asleep, thinking of the uses of the Domes in the cases he mentioned.

Rider Samsel

            Once he was confident that she was asleep, Rider Samsel stood taking one of his thick cloaks over to her. Kneeling he wraps it around her still form, sleeping in the nook of Kaleigh’s front legs. The warmth of her hot body was enough to still the bite of the harsh winter winds but not enough to keep away the breeze.

            This child was not what he had expected Kaleigh to choose, Dragon’s choose strong Riders. Many having brute strength and a fighting edge, even in their youth. This girl was soft, even among the full force of the Riders. I don’t know if she can keep up with the rigors of the College. He returned to his seat beside his own Flyer. The challenges for a Rider, especially an older Rider, were back breaking.

            Attanya is at war, there are people hidden everywhere that are looking for a weakness that they can’t have. Riders must be fearless and quick-witted to fight something they may not even see. This Apprentice should be a Bard rather than a Rider.

            :What’s on your mind Elder?: Kaleigh’s voice sang through his head before Rider Samsel realized she had touched his mind with hers.

            “Why her? She appears so fragile, for what’s coming she will have to hold her own and more.” He speaks quietly so as not to wake the young girl.

            :I chose her because she is strong. She refuses to quit even if the odds are against her. She’s also very determined to prove herself and keep this life. Show her some trust and she will prove herself soon enough.: Although she didn’t sound scornful, he could hear admiration in her tone. Kaleigh had only chosen a short while ago and yet she sounded like she loved the girl. It was no wonder the rejected Flyers don’t wish to pair again. They love their Rider very much.

            “We’ll see.”

            While pondering the future of the girl, Dirik walks back to sit next to the sleeping Ivria, resting her head on his lap. By this time Kaleigh wrapped the rest of her neck around Melody like a blanket, protecting her from the night.

            Before he went on this mission he had been across the border in a small town in Gulhiver, it was a highly Militarized country with little word followed on behave of the people. Although it had been closer to democracy when the late King had been in rule, after his death the Military tripled but the war had died down.

            The Monarch and Moon were concerned about the increase of soldiers without the corresponding increase in fighting. With the increase of undercover Marked, it was quickly found that the foreign King sent his own undercover soldiers across the border. Rider Samsel’s job had been to coax information from General to find any of those agents. He was brought home a moon ago to give a full report and rest; however before he was to leave there was a summoning by an egg and Dragon. The Seeker mission was given to him so he could get a few 1st days off to visit his family.

            When Rider Samsel is finished with this Seeker mission, and his rest is used up, he will be heading back over the border to try and uncover more infiltrators. Leaning against his own Flyer, he stroked the soft fur letting himself sleep. Just before sleep grabbed him, Felix spoke in the softest of voices. :Leave your restless heart in your dreams. Sleep now, my friend.: