> Xanthia eagerly ran back and changed for the first time into her
> dragonrider clothes. Black leather pants, vest, and boots, and she put on a
> bright red blouse underneath the vest, the same color as the stripes on
> Maxima.
> 
> "Where are you going" Ashelle asked her redheaded friend, noticing her
> wearing the leather outfit for the first time.
> 
> "Craft Hall!" Xanthia answered simply, and tore out of the barracks as fast
> as she could, running with all her might to the Craft Hall to find the
> saddler's store.

  Ashelle looked perplexed, now why was Xanthia going to the Craft Hall?
She got dressed and headed to the green with Oaklah...today was supposed
to be a special session.

> Xanthia told Maxima to go and she did, flying in the air until they landed
> on the practice green, where young dragons and their riders were already
> gathered and listening intently to the trainer.
> 
> All eyes fell on the redheaded healer and her black dragon as they landed.
> 
> "Maxima can fly!" Ashelle exclaimed, surprised to see her friend
> dismounting from her dragon.
> 
> "Of course she can, she is a dragon!" Xanthia replied happily.

  Ashelle gave her friend a hug, and let out a whoop!  "Great!  So now you
and Maxima can tell the rest of us how *we* can do it?"  She grinned
happily, and Cali laughed too...calling everyone closer, and explaining
all about flying.

  Taking turns, each pair were allowed to let their dragons take a short,
sometimes hopping flight, and after a few times...several had finally
flown without making a mistake or looking like a hatchling stumbling from
the shell.

  Ashelle grinned as Oaklah flew and landed several times...and Cali
gestured her towards the Craft Hall.  "Go get your saddle..and after you
are fitted, and get your flying leathers, come back here.  Then we will
see how you do solo...on Oaklah."

  Taking off at a run, Ashelle joined the others getting their flight
saddles, and riding leathers.  Then she went back to learn how to put the
saddle on Oaklah, using Maxima as an example.

  Everyone looked at Xanthia and Maxima in a new light as they were chosen
as the examples to show everyone else how to launch and land, and make
simple turns and such.  Then Xanthia gave Ashelle a hug as it was her turn
to take a solo flight on Oaklah.

  T'jellan stood watching from the background as Ashelle mounted Oaklah,
and glanced almost nervously at Cali and Xanthia before telling Oaklah to
launch.  She let out a whoop and Oaklah bugled with joy as their too-short
flight came to an end and they had to land.

  She hopped off Oaklah's back, and ran to give Xanthia a hug..then she
spotted T'jellan.  She ran and made a flying leap, wrapping her arms
around him with a happy squeal.  "I flew!  I flew!"  Cali arched a brow,
watching the two, then smiled..seeing the relaxed look of happiness on
T'jellan's face.  About time he was at peace with himself.  She turned to
let another pair take their turn, and Ashelle bounced with delight.

  "Can we fly together now, T'jellan?  When will we get assigned to wings
and such?  Oh drat...I need an apartment!  Who do I see?  Can you help me
find one?"

[Tag:  Morgie, Kris!]

---------------------

Jeanette
Ashelle/Oaklah * Whiteriver Warren