[DL] Aloft at last

Darlea filtered in with the rest of the trainee's. The familiar smell of the
Warren Dining Hall wafted to her nose and she breathed deeply. Having spent
a great portion of her youth here, it held many fond memories.  Of course
the three days spent with Makayla made it seem that she had not been here in
a long time. It was funny the way life changed for people.

"Darlea!" she heard her mother cry.

"Mama," she ran and gave her mother a big hug. She hadn't seen her mother
since the banquet. "I've missed you. I'm so sorry I haven't had any time to
spend with you. You wouldn't believe how much work there is to do on a baby
dragon. It more work then I ever did here in the kitchen with you."

"I'm sure it is, my child." Sheltie remembered well what it was like the
first few weeks of a dragon's life. Life had changed for her considerable
after D'Nar had joined with Porthios. It was only the beginning of the
changes that thier relationship had gone through. She was pregnant and had
never felt more alone. Not that D'Nar hadn't tried, because he tired with
all his might to stay.  But forces greater then his wishes kept them apart.

"Can you sit and chat with me, mama?"

"I wish I could, but I have so much to do here.  One day soon, Darlea, when
neither of us are quite so busy. Now go, sit and eat. You have much to do
today."

Darlea hugged her mother again and ran off to join the others.

Spying M'ressan she ran over behind him and put her hands over his eyes.
"Guess who M'ressan!" She teased.

"Ahhh, let me think... Who could it be... I would have to guess... Could it
be... I'm sure it is that sweet Darlea." He teased back, taking her hands
from his eyes and turning to look at the giddy girl.

Darlea squealed with pleasure. "You are so good at that game, M'ressan!"
Laughing she changed the subject, "Do we fly today? Makayla says it will be
soon. Is she right?"

"You, beautiful lady, shall just have to wait until training to find out.
Now go eat... you'll need your strength." 

"Oh, I'm so excited!" Darlea gave a quick curtsy to the DragonLady, then
nodded to the rest of the table as she ran off to tell the others that she
was sure that they would fly today.

****

<This is the best meal yet!> roared Makayla. Her stomach was full from her
first kill. She was not the only dragon roaring. The others were also
pleased with their first change to eat fresh kills.

<Well, come here, deary and relax while I oil you down> Darlea told her.
Makayla lay down and Darlea began the oiling. <Are you ready to fly with me,
Makayla?>

<Oh, yes, Darlea. I have been waiting for this day. I will be extra careful
with you and I will not let you fall.>

<I know you wouldn't, sweet one. I have been waiting for this day also.>

It took several hours to oil the sparkling emerald dragon. She was growing
so large so fast, it seemed that she would never stop. It was also taking
three times as much oil as it had before. Once she reached her adult size,
the full body oiling wouldn't be a necessity any longer. But while she was
growing it was, or else her hide would split. Darlea would not allow that to
happen.

By the time Darlea finished, M'ressan was almost ready to start training
again. So Darlea quickly grabbed a sandwich and raced to sit as close to him
as she could.

****

The leather saddle was on Makayla's shoulders and neck.

<Is it comfortable, deary?> Darlea asked, concerned.

<I'm a little uncomfortable, Darlea. But I will get used to it.>

<No, Makayla. It must be comfortable. I will not have you uncomfortable.>
Darlea climbed back on the rock beside the dragon and began adjusting the
straps. She fidgeted with the straps until she was sure that the dragon was
indeed truly comfortable. Then she climbed into the saddle and strapped
herself in.

Darlea had taken many exciting rides upon her father's dragon, Porthios, but
none of them compared to the exhilaration she felt as Makayla climbed into
the air.  The still air at the bottom of the Warren was replaced by the rush
of air through her blonde hair. The skies were clear and bright blue. 

Darlea looked down careful not shift her weight too much on the dragon's
back. The Warren was a giant crater within a large mountain range. From up
in the sky it looked so small. The people wandering around in the central
courtyard appeared like ants.

<Do you like it, Darlea?> asked Makayla.

< I love it, Makayla. You are indeed a marvelous flyer!>

--Darlea & Makayla


Kristen
(AKA - Dr. Janna Swansen, CMO, USS Bismarck, ASR)
(AKA - Lt. Krysa Jenn, Ops/2O, USS Feynman, ASR)
(AKA - Ens. Ainese Kev, CSciO, USS Magellan, WW)
(AKA - Bree, Broken Lands, WW)
(AKA - Darlea & Makayla, Dragon Lands, WW)
(AKA - Dr. Darla Shane, CMO, Starbase 109, UFPI)
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/kris.htm