<Talesin>


*We fly today!!!! *  


Talesin smiled fondly at the happy note of excitement in Foamfollower's
voice as he jogged across to take his place with the other trainees.  He
gave the no-longer-small dragon an affectionate thump on the shoulder, and
grinned up into the sparkling, multi faceted eyes of his soul companion.


*This will be such fun!!!*  Foamfollower butted him in the side almost
knocking him from his feet with his enthusiasm.  *And later..... Some of
the older dragons have been telling me about a wonderful bathing place....*
 The dragon shivered with delight.  *...with waterfalls and deep pools to
dive in and a sandy beach that's just right for relaxing in the sun and
being oiled.....*


*Whoa there!*  Talesin said laughingly  *We've got to get airborne yet
before you start making such big plans.  Let's wait until class is over and
then we'll ask T'grat, OK?*


*Humph!*  the dragon dropped his head to his foreclaws and sulked briefly,
but then his natural playfulness reasserted itself and his tongue lolled
from the corner of his widely grinning jaws.  *OK... we'll see.*  he conceded


<..>


He rubbed sweat dampened palms on his pants leg,  and carefully checked the
harness straps one more time before stepping up onto the dragon's proffered
foreleg and climbing into the saddle. 


*Why are you so nervous, my human?*  Foamfollower asked as Talesin settled
himself comfortably astride his lowest neck ridge.  *See..... the others
aren't worried so why should you be?*


*I'm not very good with heights.*  Talesin admitted  *In fact I'm terrified.*


*Don't you trust me?  I shall be very careful not to let you fall from my
back.*   The dragon twisted his head to gaze at him with mock sorrow and
reproach, and he had to grin as his dragon attempted to put him at ease.
*I shall keep you safe my human...*


And then there was no more time to worry because T'grat was signalling for
them all to take the air and Foamfollower took a small running leap and
suddenly.... they were flying!


Eyes tightly closed, he gasped and clung to the saddle straps as the ground
swooped away beneath them.  The wind of their flight whipped his cloak
around his face, muffling the terrified scream that came from one of the
others.....


*Who's that?*  he asked as he fought to pull the flapping material from his
face and peer downwards at the madly rushing duo.  He sucked in his breath.
 *Gods they're going to hit that cliff face....*


But they didn't... at the last second the dragon veered away and spiralled
downwards.  Talesin caught a quick glimpse of Domaia's white face as he and
Foamfollower settled not far from the pair, and then his view of the two
was blocked by Zera, T'grat and Naomi crowding round the girl.  


<..>


*Well?*  Foamfollower asked a short time later.


*Well what?*  Talesin asked as he massaged the fragrant oil into
Foamfollower's wing sails.


*Well did you enjoy the flight?  And can we do it again?*  Foamfollower
asked eagerly.


*Yes and yes.*  Talesin told him as he wiped away the excess oil on the
dragon's hide and then recapped the oil bottle.  *I thought we might try a
short trip away from the Warren this afternoon... maybe out by that lake
you were telling me about a while ago.  I want to see if there's a suitably
romantic picnic spot.* 


*Garnet says her rider likes to spend time  there.*  Foamfollower told him
innocently. 


*Who said I was thinking of asking Lacey to come with us?*  


*Well aren't you?*  the dragon asked slyly.  


He chuckled to himself and refused to be drawn.  



<Early evening>


The evening was still and warm, and the last rays of the setting sun
touched the waters of the lake turning it's surface to molten fire.  He
tweaked the checked tablecloth into position, lit the candles he'd brought
with him and put the finishing touches to the meal he'd laid out on the
small folding table.


Then he took a step back, studied the overall effect, and smiled with
satisfaction.  Hopefuly she'd forgive him his little deceit when she saw
the effort he'd put into making the setting as perfect as possible.


*OK Foamfollower... do your stuff.*  Talesin told the dragon when he was
finally satisfied that everything was in place.  


He picked up his flute and played a quiet melody as he waited nervously
while Foamfollower concentrated on sending a message to Lacey.  


After a long pause, Foamfollower said;  *Done!*


*What did you tell her?*  Talesin asked as he searched the sky for a sign
of the brilliant red queen.  


*I told her you had urgent need of her.*  Foamfollower preened with pride.
*And that she should come immediately or she would be too late. They will
be here in a few minutes!*


<..>


Garnet burst into the air above the lake and glided down to land a short
distance away from the two.  He hurried to their side, and reached up to
lift Lacey form her saddle and set her gently on the sandy beach.  


"What's going on?" she asked as her eyes took in the scene.  "He told me
you needed me urgently... and I thought you'd been hurt. I think you owe me
an explanation...."


"Let's sit down first... and then I'll explain." He offered her his arm and
escorted her to the table, helping her into a chair before seating himself
opposite.  "I've been trying to spend time with you for weeks now, but
first there was Garnet brooding over her eggs to make things difficult, and
then that little fellow of mine demanded all my waking attention."


"But we could have spent time together in the Warren."  Lacey protested
"All you had to do was ask!"


"There are always distractions there.  Or people that need you attention,
and I wanted you all to myself for a little while.  I didn't want to share
you with anyone.....not even your sister."  he grinned at her boyishly
"Forgive me?"


submitted by

Talesin & Foamfollower





-- 
Mint,  the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  FO  USS Javelin      Caliban, Lute's human  Dragon Lands  
Lillith the Mage    Broken Lands    Minty, Kirimith's rider    Dragon Lands
                 
Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/5902
http://www.dragonfire.net/~Mint/