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It was only the second time Soliel had ever sung in the travelers rest. 
Her talent for music had taken her many places, and it was rare for her 
to visit the same inn twice. And yet here she was, drawn almost 
irresistibly to this tavern. It was crowded tonight, the townspeople 
were crowded around her like a swarm of bees. She felt suffocated by the 
closeness of it all, but fought to push the feeling as far away from 
herself as she could. Setting a hat at the foot of her chair she sang 
her best, hoping that the crowd was in a generous mood. 

It was during her first break that she met Mālent, Norwall Warrenās Main 
Searcher.
"Good evening m'dear.  I'm named M'lent and I'd like to talk with you 
about
dragons if you'd give me 5 minutes of your time...."

"Excuse me?" Soliel asked, taken by surprise. "What would dragons have 
to do with me? I just sing·" She trailed off. A search? When she had 
been a little girl, bent on daydreams, she had often fancied her self on 
Search, carried romantically off by the handsome searcher. A fairy tale. 
But fairy tales can shatter, just as they had for her when her family 
had been killed by Wild Dragons- she was brought out of her reverie by 
Mālentās Questioning look.

"Iām sorry.. you were saying?"

"Let me be honest with you. I have found very little candidates for this 
hatching, and I think that you would be perfect. Frankly we need you. 
There may be a dragon waiting to be Joined with you and if you donāt 
come·."

"Let me get this right. You want *me* for a search?" She laughed. "You 
must be joking." She looked at him incredulously, but paused when he saw 
that he was serious. 

"We need you Soliel." 

"If I come, and Join, will I be able to fight the Wild dragons?" She 
asked pointedly.

Mālent gave Soliel a probing look. "Yes·why?"

"I would rather not speak of it·" Soliel Paused. "Iāll come."

Mālent couldnāt believe his luck. Hadnāt known either way if Soliel 
would come or not. 

"If we go now, could you gather my things?" She questioned. Mālent 
nodded.
The ride on his dragon Ebony had been wondrous. Soliel had never 
experienced anything like it. The Night was dark and full of stars. 
Soliel could barely see, but perhaps that was for the best, she thought 
wryly. As the wind rushed by her face, she thought of how exhilarating 
it was, and how she longed to be able to do this when ever she wished.

It was over all too soon. Before she knew it they were at the warren. 

Mālent helped her down, saying, "Iāll show you to where youāll sleep 
tonight---"

*The hatching it is begun!* Ebony told Mālent.

"We must hurry Soliel, the hatching has begun!" And he quickly dragged 
the slightly dazed Soliel to the hatching grounds. "Here," and he thrust 
Soliel towards the cracking and trembling eggs.
At a loss of what to do, she just stood there until a egg began to 
wobble at her feet. She bend down, looking in fascination as a small 
head poked its way through the shell. Unable to help herself she helped 
the young dragon untangle its wing from the last bit of its shell.

*I am Firen! I am yours!* Soliel looked in fascination a the wonder that 
was crooning at her. This was love. This as belonging. This was having a 
family again.

*We are one.* Firen said, pushing he head into Solielās hands. Firen was 
beautiful. A female, perfectly proportioned for her size, and the most 
beautiful shade of red, Soliel had ever seen. Red with a hint of gold, 
but completely non metallic. 

*You are perfect.* Soliel told Firen, who crooned happily. 

It was over before Soliel realized. Firen had been fed and taken care 
of, and Soliel knew she would have a friend for life. She followed the 
other dragon riders into the dining hall for the celebration. Soliel was 
so tired, all she wanted to do was find her bed and collapse into it.

*I love you Firen.*

*We are one.* Was the warm reply. 

--Soliel and Firen


******See my first post, this just explains Solielās joining in more 
detail. If some one would like to back log this post· go ahead!
Michelle