Arianna Hartson observed what was going on outside the window of her room. The sun was shining, children were playing on the well kept property of her father's huge estate. The dirt roads were impeccable, the trees and hedges were well trimmed, the fencing of the pastures for the horses was as neat and spotless as the horses themselves. And yet, despite the tranquil day, Arianna was facing a storm.

She shut her eyes against the fresh memories of her father's demeanor around her. He was no longer hopeful in her role of continuing the rich family's line. No more could her father look her in the eye, and no longer did he smile at her in pride.

No longer in this perfect place did she belong, if she ever did. There was once a time where she felt she was not an abnormality. She excelled in her studies growing up, and rode horses with the excellence her bloodline demanded. She had grown up exactly as they'd hoped, inheriting her mother's long, fine golden hair and her father's startling green eyes. She had had a growth spurt in the past year, putting her towards the tall side, but it wasn't too worry-some as her betrothed was also rather tall.

Her grandmother's curse had signified all the careful planning and expense put into raising her as null. Her eyes squeezed shut ever tighter as she remembered the sharp rise of panic as her betrothed looked at her pale face in confusion as she gasped for air that would not come. Her father's look of horror as he understood what had reared itself at the worst possible moment. The secret they had been so careful to keep hidden had wrecked everything.

Any hope of re-establishing ties to the family that her marriage had originally hoped to result in were in vain. And as word spread to other well established families, any hope of forming new ties vanished as well, and her father's investors started with withdraw as to end the association with a cursed family. She was useless, and fated to be a burden unto her family name.

Her eyes re-opened as she heard the telltale thunderous clap of wing-beats against the sky. Her father had made one last ditch effort to save the family's reputation. Being host to the Riders that were going to bring the dragon eggs to the nearby city would bring in income and hopefully attract investors to replace the ones that had dropped out after the incident. She of course, was to remain mostly hidden during the visit.

But that did not stop her from watching for the dragons and their riders from the window of her lavishly decorated room.

She did not have to wait long. Down from the skies a single dragon erupted, the sunlight glittering off the sea of dark azure scales covering a huge form that defied logic in its grace. Her father immediately came out of the entrance below her, well dressed, his dark hair oiled back, and walking with the confidence that came with his role. He waited, well poised and polite, as the dragon landed ridiculously lightly, a human man dismounting in one fluid motion from his mount. Rider and dragon took a moment to affectionately connect, the Rider putting a hand on a nose belonging to a maw large enough to snap up three of him without fuss. It both thrilled and fascinated Arianna, this mysterious bond that was obvious to the observer with every Rider and Dragon pair that came each year with eggs. This Rider and Dragon pair she had seen before; a few years ago. The Rider's name was William, and the blue azure female Dragon's name was Ximena.

Arianna remembered the duo with a bit of embarrassment-she had once entertained the idea of being a Dragon Rider when she was fourteen. She had done nothing but blab about it, and her father, with amusement had taken her to touch the eggs to sate her thirst. Of course, none of the eggs had hatched for her, and her father had taken her home after assuring her she had an even more important role to uphold. She had been crushed, but the experience had silenced that one desire and turned it into determination to make her family proud in whatever they wanted of her. Which was what was expected of her.

As of now, she watched the Rider and her father greet each other respectfully. William had been a Rider of few words, and one that seemed a bit stiff in the atmosphere of high established society in their last meeting. Now he seemed to take the atmosphere with a bit more grace, although a trained eye could see otherwise.

After a few minutes, the dragon nuzzled her Rider's shoulder affectionately again, then once again launched herself into the air, gliding with ease towards the stables where a place had been prepared for her. Arianna smoothed out her lightly rose colored dress, aware that now would be the time for introductions when she was beckoned.

It took a while. Arianna found herself fidgeting when her father finally called her down. Nervously, she exited her room, remembering to keep her back straight and her chin tucked, descending the stairs in practiced grace, her hand sliding along the rail and a gracious smile plastered on her face.

Her faint hope of her father looking at her with a beam on his face and a sparkle in his eye was squelched as he kept his focus on the Rider, instead gesturing to her with a hand.

"And this is my daughter, Arianna. You would remember her from the Bonding Ceremony from a few years ago," her father re-introduced.

William looked up and acknowledged her as she reached the base of the stairs and curtseyed.

"Pleasure to once again be in your presence, Rider William. I hope your and Ximena's journey went smoothly," Arianna said politely, looking briefly at her father for some shred of approval. There was none.

"The flight has been pleasant for the both of us," William responded kindly. Her father finally caught her eyes, and her hope soared.

"Arianna, would you be so kind as to get us some refreshments? I'm sure Rider William is hungry after his long flight."

Feeling as though she had been slapped, Arianna kept her demeanor perfectly, and forced a smile onto her face.

"Of course father."

Curtseying again, she left to complete a servant's task. The Rider's deep blue eyes bore into her back as she left.

The evening meal had been uneventful. She had eaten with them, as was customary as her father's daughter. Though William and his dragon Ximena had been to the town previously, her father hadn't been the one to host him and his dragon. William spoke very little, although his sharp gaze told he was analyzing every bit of spoken and unspoken word. The lack of reply on William's part made no difference, as Arianna's father spoke more than enough to fill up the silence. Her father had spent the first half hour complimenting William's demeanor and his dragon's magnificence and how enthralled he was to have them at his estate. William had once asked about Arianna's mother, and quickly her father turned on a dime and wove the dramatic tale of how her mother had become heart-crushingly barren after having Arianna, and eleven years after that how a breathing sickness had suddenly taken hold of her and taken her life. It was true, but the breathing sickness had not been sudden. Arianna's kind, golden haired mother had had the sickness all her life. It was an odd sickness, as one would be perfectly healthy until one tried to do any extraneous work, although it sometimes could be unpredictable in its occurrence even then.

Arianna did exactly as was expected of her, listening respectfully and only speaking when spoken to. Even so, her father did not directly acknowledge her other than to dismiss her for the night.

Night time was her only release. After changing into her jodhpurs Arianna made haste to the horse barn. Gone was all the trained grace in her step, and obliterated was the aura of daintiness. She quietly closed the door of the house behind her. As normal, she gave a quick glance down and around her pathway to make sure none of the servants were out.

Rested assured, Arianna broke into an unlady-like run, scurrying to the barn while hugging to shadows. The horses that were turned out into their paddocks snapped their heads up as she passed. One of the biggest figures let out a hearty neigh at the sight of her, immediately moving with purpose towards the gate.

"Shh Cobalt," Arianna scolded with a smile. They both reached the gate at the same time, and Arianna slipped inside the paddock with the lead-line in hand. At the sight of the lead-line the horse snorted, pretended to spook at his owner, and took off bucking. The first genuine laugh Arianna had had in a while bubbled up in her throat and threatened to spill over. Cheekily, the stallion returned, giving his head one last toss before waiting for her to clip the lead line on, an innocent expression on his face. Once the clip was in place, the boisterous young stallion playfully reached out to attempt to take a chunk out of her arm.

Immediately the stallion was reputed with a snap of the lead line, the look of humor never leaving his human's face. Feigning insult, Cobalt snapped his ears forward and planted his feet in the ground accusingly. Arianna reached up to scratch the 'spot' behind his ears, and was rewarded with the horse leaning his head against her hand, his top lip quivering in delight. Satisfied, Cobalt blew out, and followed her out of his paddock quietly. Reaching the nearest entrance to the barn, Arianna stopped to light a lantern. The moment she lit it Cobalt leaped in the air, landing at the very end of the lead line and yanking her arm to the side.

"Cobalt?" Arianna questioned, but the horse stood frozen, sides heaving, an effective 'holy hell' expression on his face. Turning, she found the candlelight dancing off dark azure scales that were tinted black in the night's shadows. Realizing she must have woken the sleeping dragon, it took a moment for the muscles in the back of her throat to work.

"I'm so sorry-I didn't realize, I mean I forgot, I-

Her horse killed the tension by decidedly walking up to the she dragon with an arched neck (apparently over his fear), curiosity dancing in his eyes. Ximena touched noses with the horse. After a few moments of this display, Arianna's midnight colored stallion squealed, striking at the dragon with his forelegs in a playful challenge. Abashed but amused at the ridiculousness, Arianna snapped the lead line and led him firmly past the azure dragoness.

"Must you have your mighty moments at inopportune times?" she muttered to the horse.

The dragoness, her head cocked to the side and let out a strange coughing sound as Arianna led her horse to the ties near her saddling stall.

What brings you out here so late? Ximena asked, blinking in a perplexed manner as she rested comfortably on a bed of hay the servants had painstakingly made for her.

Without thinking, Arianna replied as she clipped Cobalt to a chain a few doors down.

"Just...needed something to do."

She froze, and stared. The dragon gazed at her quietly while the young woman sputtered to figure out if she had gone entirely mad or not. Williams had once said during the Bonding Ceremony that dragons and riders communicated to each other with their minds, so she had expected that dragons did hold a size-able intelligence. However, it was a bit different when the dragon had directly addressed her in her own language. Arianna began to fidget, realizing the rudeness of her position as she held her horse's lead-line.

You may continue. I am awake anyways. It is nice for interesting company to present itself as my Rider is fast asleep.

The tension left the young adult's body, and she nodded her head and walked into her saddling room to grab a curry and a dandy brush. Walking up to Cobalt, she presented the dandy brush to him.

"Hold this."

The stallion considered the brush for a moment before indeed opening his jaws and grabbing it as though he understood her. Ximena let out an odd, almost bird-like trill, amused, before once again falling silent. Arianna went to currying her horse, using the round wooden brush in concise circles starting at the stallion's neck. The dirt freed itself in clouds that came billowing off the shiny horse's coat and settled on his owner. The clouds became bigger as she moved towards his hindquarters.

The deer-animal seems to be quite fond of you. Ximena noted. Arianna smiled.

"He was a present from my mother. After I was rejected at the Bonding Ceremony Ceremony, she bought him at a yearling sale as something for me to put my focus on. My father was less than happy with her-at that point he wanted me to focus on more lady-like things. My mother responded by saying every high-class women worth her flesh should have strong leadership skills, and one of the best ways to do that was by training her own horse. Although, the horse she bought for me was honestly out of my skill set at the time," she said, remembering the countless rope burns she had attained and the many falls that had knocked her off her pedestal of pride, so to speak. Her breath began to come out in a faint squeaking sound as she worked to loosen the dirt off the other side of Cobalt's frame, and she found that she had to take breaths in more frequently, as she was used to doing at times.

Arianna worked more quickly, taking care not to breath in the dirt as much as possible. The large dragoness moved with the grace of a cat, arcing her body around the front of them. Cobalt froze, as if to say 'It moves?!'. Ximena let out a large gust of breath, blowing the dirt out of the barn aisle and out the door. Within a few moments, Arianna found she could breath much easier. She turned to thank the dragon, but found the words caught in her throat as Ximena commanded her attention with an eagle like gaze.

Perhaps you belong not in a dusty stable, but out in the fresh open skies.

Ximena backed out the exit and spread her wings, the night air seeming to welcome the graceful creature back into its embrace. A longing that Arianna had shut away for five years reared its head and spread her with sadness.

The next morning welcomed Arianna warmly. Making haste as to not waste any second of the day, she quickly prepared for the day, picking out a tasteful navy blue riding habit and braiding her long hair around her head.

She found her father at the table, the usual cooking servants (Marie and Roenna) bustling about with plates of food. Arianna thanked Marie as she placed a plate of bread and eggs in front of her when she sat down. The brunette nodded and hurried back with Roenna

"Father, I was going to go out to town today before it became too crowded. Would you like to ride along?" She asked, daring to speak first. Silence stretched on before her father turned his eyes to her.

"Don't be ridiculous," he scolded. Arianna's stomach immediately dropped to her pelvis.

"I have much more important things to do today. The first day of the Bonding Ceremony ceremony is tomorrow!"

Arianna turned her gaze downward.

"Yes, of course father. My apologies."

Her father let out an unsatisfied huff before getting up to leave her eat alone.

Arianna looked down at her plate, suddenly without an appetite. However, she looked at the carefully seasoned and poached eggs and freshly baked bread, remembered how hard the servants had worked to give it to her, and ate.

After breakfast, Roenna had already tacked up Cobalt for her. Arianna thanked her as she took the reins of her horse, before staring at her incredulously. The stallion's mane and tail were well brushed, trimmed and glossy. The bridle and saddle were freshly oiled, the matching black leather of the saddle sitting pristinely on a fresh evergreen saddle pad.

"How did you-

"I've been with your family since you were a babe, milady. And as such, I know how not to get eaten alive by your horse, if I am allowed to say so," the older woman said with a smile. Her eyes crinkled at what Arianna was wearing.

"Milady! Where is your proper riding attire? That's most unfeminine for a lady of your standing!" Roenna exclaimed, taking in Arianna's simple brown and tan riding outfit and the hair left loosely swinging in a ponytail. Arianna bit her lip, having purposefully changed when her father had decided not to accompany her.

Arianna relaxed and laughed bitterly. "My standing was lost about two weeks ago, Roenna."

The old woman pursed her lips, but said nothing as Arianna mounted her large stallion with practiced ease.

Cobalt pranced in place as her weight settled into the cushioned saddle, tossing his head at his owner's forlorn energy. Arianna didn't berate him-she was eager to leave the soon becoming unbearable suffocation of being on her father's property. She said a quick farewell to Roenna, and then turned her attention to her four legged steed.

"Onward, you silly beast," Arianna said fondly, bringing up the reins to a soft feel on her horse's mouth and shifting her weight forward.

They tore out of the property's mile and a half long entryway like bats out of hell, leaping over the gate instead of opening it.

Arianna felt a small sense of peace creep into her as for the moment, her father and all her problems were left behind. Surprised glances, and a few curse words were spoken as they passed a few other riders on the road, however the foul mouthed were ignored. Her horse's powerful strides were joyful underneath her, as above all, Cobalt loved to run. He tossed his head and stretched out even farther, his long strides eating up the ground. At the two and a half mile mark, Arianna shifted her weight back. Cobalt bucked underneath her, nearly unseating her in his protest, before slowing to a canter. She laughed. Arianna allowed him to canter, asking him to slow down gradually before asking for a trot, and then finally, a walk. Despite having just moved for four miles, the young horse wasn't very winded. Only a light sweat dampened his neck. With flushed cheeks and wind-tousled hair, thoughts of her father's unmet expectations were far from her mind as she rode into town.

Riding down the dirt roads of the town was something that required focus, as vendors were driving their horses with carriages to their assigned selling spot, local people were bringing their animals through to the sale barn, and children were recklessly darting in and out of traffic screaming excitedly. Some of them already wielded multicolored wooden swords, the most popular of which was the famous bright blue that mimicked KingKiller Eragon's sword. Having been to the Bonding Ceremony only once the year before, and only been in town a handful of times, Cobalt was unsettled at first underneath her. But with Arianna's gentle but firm guidance, he settled quickly.

With interest, Arianna took a swift look around on her way to the center of town, knowing that almost every stand would be sold out on the second day of the Bonding Ceremony. The few people that knew her, such as the local farrier (looking up briefly from shoeing a short bay pony) greeted her, but she hadn't socialized much, growing up focused on her studies and learning what being a good high society wife would mean.

Arianna already knew exactly what merchant she was looking for. It had been a yearly tradition, going into the center of the town with her mother and father and browsing the shops. Being well off meant that Arianna almost always had the pick of something coming off the sales of the Bonding Ceremony. When she was a little girl, it had been mostly about trying different sweets and pastries. When she turned eleven, her mother had bought her Cobalt. The years after that her father had encouraged her to buy pretty trinkets and dresses, relenting to get new things to ride with only after she had picked out something he found suitable.

But none of that mattered now. The money Roenna had put in her saddle bags clinked with every step her horse took. Bittersweetly, her father could not tell her what to do with this sack of coins-Arianna had scavenged it herself.

A sudden aviary snarl cut through the air and her thoughts. Cobalt stopped in his tracks, his ears flicking back and forth anxiously while he tensed for a possible take-off. Arianna stroked his neck solidly and quietly waited until he blew out to walk him forward. Ximena's form rose up out of the crowd in the town's center, William seated on her back and talking to someone who was out of Arianna's view. She watched them for a moment, the dragon's glittering form and snow-white spines and horns drawing her gaze and capturing it. Somehow, the female dragon had the perfect mix of grace and power that seemed to pulse in the very scales of her slender form.

Clucking to her horse, Arianna drew her gaze away and trotted onward.

Arianna!

She jerked on the reins, startled. Cobalt stopped with a snort, as if to say, "How rude."

Rider William? She responded tentatively, reaching out mentally. She wondered if she hadn't gone mad-both Rider and Dragon had not moved from their position or activities.

Yes. You haven't gone mad. Watch-Ximena will blow fire in a moment.

True to the Rider's odd way of speaking, Ximena rose her head to the skies and let loose a torrent of white and blue flames that forced the air to shudder around them in their heat.

In a couple hours, would you meet Ximena and I outside of the town borders?

Arianna paused, absentmindedly stroking Cobalt's neck. Formerly, it was most unbecoming for a young woman of her status to meet a male, even a Rider, alone out in the woods.

I have suggested this. My Rider will be planted under my paw if you so wish. Ximena's oddly melodic voice had a spot of humor. Embarrassed, Arianna quickly changed her pattern of thoughts.

Which side of town am I to meet both of you?

She was answered by a stream of images that flipped through her mind's eye. She found she had to concentrate to be able to see clearly.

Do you need me to repeat it? Ximena asked with patience.

No.

Very well. We'll see you then. Rider William's voice came through this time. Arianna's eyes saw the slender form of Ximena lift her wings, and the crowd scattered to make room. The dragoness bugled, and launched from a standstill, becoming one with the wind in an instant.

Blinking, Arianna put a squeeze on the reins to gain the attention of her startled horse (who was staring at the disappearing blue form in the sky with utter astonishment), and signaled for them to continue their ride into the town's still growing bazaar.

"Ahh! There's my girl! Lady Arianna! How have you been?" an old friend, thinner than when she had seen him the year before, waved her over to his halfway set up tent. Grey blue eyes too bright for his age sparkled with jolly cheer as Arianna trotted over.

"Arvid! Nice to see you!" she greeted warmly, bending and wrapping her friend in a half embrace from her horse's back. Arvid stepped back and rubbed Cobalt's neck firmly.

"And you, Cobalt, how you've grown! He's really filled out, milady!"

"Yes, he sure is handsome," she agreed, reaching down and patting him. The horse puffed himself up and tossed his head proudly.

"How are Dee and Windle?" Arianna asked, peeking a gaze at the old swaybacked carthorses hobbled and grazing nearby. Despite their old age and being a merchant's horses, the old stallion and mare's dark coats were sleek, and their weights were exceptional.

"They still bicker every so often like an old married couple, but they've been good company on the long road," Arvid replied, looking at the two horses fondly. "And you!" he exclaimed, gesturing with grand gusto. "You've gone from a girl to a young woman, and grown a foot, it seems like!" Arianna rubbed the back of her neck, self-conscious of her height.

"And where is your father? I would like to see him as well-and what of young Erland? I expect you two have been wedded already." he continued, then looked at her with an inspecting gaze. Arianna shifted uneasily in the saddle. Arvid's eyes quickly widened.

"You aren't with child, are you? You should know you ought not to be in the saddle-

Arianna's own eyes about popped out of her head.

"No! Of course not-

"Why not?"

Shame bubbled through the young woman's figure from her head to her toes. Arianna bit her lip as she tried to bubble out an answer. Arvid watched, after a moment understanding crossed his expression.

"He refused you due to your illness, hasn't he?" the words themselves were sharp, concise, and drove a hot knife into an already sore spot in her chest. Arianna hung her head in shame before finding words.

"More as in his family refuses to allow their prized son to marry into a cursed family."

"Cursed!" Arvid exclaimed, the anger in his normally jolly voice shocking her out of her self-pity. He put a hand on her shoulder, drawing her attention.

"Surely only a fool would fail to notice that one who is truly cursed does not make nearly as pleasant company, neither would they have the talent of horses as curses cancel out everything good in a person."

Slowly, a small smile found its way to Arianna's face.

"Thank you, Arvid."

"Yes. Now, come, come. On my travels, I picked up a saddle pad and bridle that would suit Cobalt and yourself perfectly."

Arianna rode out of there with far more cheer than she had begun with, a new bridle with jade jewels across the brow-band stowed away in her saddle bags, as well as a black saddle pad with a matching green jeweled liner rolled up neatly and tied securely to the back of her saddle. Content, she reached down to stroke her horse's neck when a stone clunked smartly against her thigh. Two moving figures blurred in the corner of her eye before her horse lept to the side, gathering his hind legs underneath him. She lifted a rein and held it, riding the panicked horse in a tight circle.

"And stay away, you dirty rats!"

Looking up, she realized the angry voice to belong to the town baker, Darin. Arianna didn't know the man well, but she had been to town to pick up bread a couple of times with her father. The violent expression on the man's husky face unsettled her. He reached down for another rock as Cobalt stopped spinning and she could see the situation clearly without distraction.

Her eyes blinked disbelievingly as Darin charged at the child that had clearly tripped, a fist sized rock in his hand. Arianna's body was already in action before her mind had fully registered it.

"Stop! What are you doing?" were the words that tore out of her mouth. Cobalt had responded to his rider's wishes the moment he had settled, surging forward and closing the distance between them and the child in three strides.

Darin scowled at the horse and rider blocking him. "Get out of the way! A thief's not worth protecting."

"What on earth did he steal that would cause a grown man to go after a child?" Arianna snapped, irritated.

"He and that girl that was with him stole an armful of Ceremony rolls! It's my right to punish those that take from me, milady!" Darin snapped, raising his eyes to hers when she blocked him from going around her. Recognition flitted through his eyes, and he spat on her leg. Cobalt pinned his ears, affronted.

"And a cursed woman has no place speaking up against any man!" Darin snarled. Arianna swallowed, burying the shame and embarrassment that rose up with a slap. Darin had always made sure to treat both her and her father with the utmost respect until now. The presence of the boy behind her steadied Arianna's resolve, and she reached into her saddlebags.

"Here. Now you can not call him a thief as his bread has been paid for," Arianna said, her outstretched hand holding half of what was left in her money pouch. Darin sneered, but his eyes looked at it hungrily.

"If you refuse payment, the boy can not be held at fault. The bread will be considered a gracious gift," the threat hung in the air, suspended between them as Darin struggled with his conflict. Cursed or not, Arianna's father was still the wealthiest man in Petrovya, and still held status. Darin clawed at her hand, pocketed the money and stormed off.

"Thank you milady," an awe-colored voice spoke behind her. Looking down, she found the boy staring up at her gratefully. Bile rose up in her throat as his unkempt state. The boy's brown hair was a matted mop on top of his head, and streaks of dirt covered his skin. The skin around his eyes was sunken, and the ratted tunic he wore hung over his frame like a a sheet. His thankful expression was diluted in obvious exhaustion unbecoming of a child, and his sickly, twig-like figure looked as though the next gust of wind would send it tumbling. An unpleasant odor emanated from the boy as well.

"Are you really cursed?" the boy asked suddenly. Silence cut through the air. Cobalt stretched his neck down to the filthy boy, and began lipping the boy's neck. A laugh erupted from the boy, lighting up his broken body with gleeful joy, and for a moment, she could see a normal child. Arianna smiled and extended a hand out to him.

"It's rude to ask such things, you know. What is your name?"

The boy eyed her hand warily.

"Don't worry, I'm not turning you in," Arianna assured. "You see, I have no one to spend the day with, and Cobalt seems to think you'd be good company."

The boy's face cleared, and he stared up at her in disbelief, before cautiously taking her hand and climbing into the saddle behind her.

"It's Harper."

"Hmm?"

"My name-it's Harper."

The next couple of hours were spent well, Arianna thought. She learned that yes, Harper was homeless, and he had a younger sister named Aderyn whom had been with him. Their parents had died of sickness the year before, and Harper and Aderyn had been surviving on their own since then. Harper was good at hunting for food for them both, but as the drought of the summer had made the pickings slim, he had had to resort to stealing. It was refreshing and odd for Arianna to think of living in such a way-she had only ever lived with her well off father and mother. It was unsettling to think of children a few years younger than her living in such a way. And although she could do without the smell, to be able to talk freely to someone without restriction was a pleasant experience.

"You really need a bath," she said, curling up her nose. Harper smacked her shoulder, munching on the smoked jerky she had bought for him. The boy had gulped down every last bit of food she had bought for him, and she kept feeling compelled to buy him more every time he ran out, as if his wiry frame would fill out in a matter of hours if she fed it enough.

"That's not nice to say! What good would a bath do, anyways?" Harper responded heartily.

"It'd help get rid of the smell-you and your sister are going to touch the eggs this year, aren't you?"

Harper smacked his lips behind her thoughtfully, drawing out a loud 'hmm'.

"Maybe, but what would happen if one of us is chosen and the other is not? My sister can't live on her own, and the new dragon rider would be taken to the Rider's island for training."

"Maybe she wouldn't have to. There's plenty of room at my father's estate. We have a lot of rooms." Arianna pointed out hopefully. Although her father and her weren't on the best of terms, perhaps he would consider it. Harper didn't respond to that.

"Harper!"

A small figure with the same big brown eyes and hair as Harper waved to them. Her frame was a little better than her brother's.

"Gotta go, that's Aderyn! Thanks for everything!" Harper said, slipping out of the saddle and scrambling over.

"Hey, wait-" Arianna called, but the two malnourished children slipped off between the many tents before she had a chance to follow. Puzzled, she nudged Cobalt into a trot, but she found no trace of them. An odd feeling of loss spread through her. A familiar blue nudge on her brain brought her back to the present.

"Come on, Cobalt," she said, redirecting him and swallowing hard. Silently, she promised herself that she would find those two again and give them a place to stay with regular food.

It took some remembering, but before the sun fell, Arianna found the path the dragon had shown her earlier. Seeing no one around her, she brought up a feel on her horse's mouth and invited Cobalt to gallop. Although it had been a long day in the saddle, her horse was more than willing, and surged forward with the speed only a well bred horse could offer. For the next few minutes, once more Arianna found her worldly troubles faded, as she laughed and ducked under branches moments before they would have smacked her across the face, leaped over fallen trees and boulders, and turned sharp and narrow corners at a blinding speed. There was no clearer freedom than this, no better joy the world had to offer.

The narrow forest pathway opened up into the field that Ximena had shown her, and Arianna knew she was close. Even more so when a huge shadow appeared over her and Cobalt's playful running turned into an outright bolt for a few strides as the blue dragoness and her rider greeted them in the setting sun's orange light. Arianna giggled when her stallion got over his fear and began futilely racing the dragon's shadow on the prairie. Knowing her horse well, instead of pulling on the reins, she directed his forward energy into a large circle, tightening the circle each lap until he broke gait and settled, pleased with himself. He watched quizzically as the dragoness settled on the ground and sat down.

"So what is it that you wanted to meet me here for?" Arianna asked boldly as Rider William dismounted Ximena. She couldn't help but admire how the dragon's scales glowed in the dying light.

"Actually, it was Ximena who insisted on this. She said you might not get a chance, and when a dragon states something, it's generally best not to argue," William responded, turning and rummaging through the dragon's saddlebags.

Arianna blinked. Away from high society, William had a much different air about him. Something less withdrawn and regal-a change in his energy that seemed to make him more human. She wondered if all Riders were like this.

"You'll need to get off your horse for this," the Rider said, not looking up from his rummaging. Embarrassed at being caught with a lack of courtesy, Arianna immediately dismounted. But William betrayed no further reaction, and Ximena did nothing other than to shift her weight at her Rider's side impatiently.

Arianna froze when William brought out a long oval shaped object that shone like polished gold. He settled it gently on the ground, before repeating the process and bringing out four others; bronze, brown, gray, and magenta. She would have had to be a fool to not realize what they were.

"But-

Do not argue, little one. Ximena chided the moment her braced thoughts tried to voice themselves. You will touch each one of these unhatched eggs, and give each a chance to choose you as their Rider. When one hatches, you will come with us to be trained with the rest of the PeaceKeepers.

Arianna did not miss the 'when' instead of 'if' reference. Rooted to the spot, she stared at them, choking down the foul memories that surfaced. Urged on by the expectant gaze of Ximena and her Rider, Arianna stepped forward and knelt closer tentatively. She reached first for the one that transfixed her the most, the egg with a rose-like hue with dark veins webbing across it. Her memory served her well, as the smooth and cool feel of the egg was exactly as she remembered. She rested her hand on the top, holding her breath.

And waited.

The time slipped by, and William gestured her to the next one. The brown one had a rich hue that had her wondering what kind of hatchling lay curled inside.

Whatever kind of hatchling there was, did not stir. Swallowing back the familiar disappointment, Arianna reached for the gray. As her palm rested once again, she looked closely at the dullest egg of the bunch. It was merely a simple gray egg, with no particular characteristics.

This one did not stir for her either. What little hope had been within her sank like stone.

Try the bronze.

Arianna did. She stretched out, hoping that perhaps the dragoness had felt something that had caused her to nudge Arianna in the egg's direction. She touched the solid bronze egg and waited once more. Arianna's refueled hope was to no avail as it became clear there wasn't even a wiggle that came from the dragon egg in response to her touch

. The last egg was the one she had figured she wouldn't have a chance of hatching. The gold on the egg made it seem like a forbidden thing, as though whomever this egg hatched for would be destined to be unfathomably great. Arianna laid her palm on this egg as though it were made of glass. When the egg didn't move, for a moment she wondered why exactly becoming a Rider was so important to her.

The first thing that came to Arianna's mind was a need to redeem herself. She had let her father, and more so, the family name, completely and utterly down when she had had one of her fits right in front of her husband-to-be. It would mean the utter world to be able to right what she had wronged.

As she stared at it, hoping for some sign of acceptance from the hatchling within, Arianna realized a desire she'd rather not have. Stronger than her desire to right what was wronged, was a desire to run away from it.

The golden egg's silence was cold and unforgiving.

"Well, that's a shame." William said, a puzzled expression decorating his face. Ximena let out a breath and bent her head down to Arianna. Arianna looked at the dark blue dragon's muzzle, trying to let no emotion show on her own.

Surely you will find your bondmate, little one. The dragoness's voice was filled with remorse-though not by tone. Oddly enough, Arianna felt the emotion from Ximena rather than hearing it.

"Thank you for this opportunity," she said, giving a quick courtesy bow to Ximena and William.

Turning, Arianna mounted Cobalt. Her stallion knawed at the bit in response to her energy. She kept her head low and gave the signal to gallop, getting as close to the wind as she ever could be.