The air was brisk and the pace made by the dragon made the rider wish he'd worn something over his face. It did not matter though. The rider was just happy to be on his dragon's back and enjoying the skies. The bold brown dragon wheeled around and his rider marveled in the athleticism. They flew for hours until slowly the dragon began to glide, circling slowly down to the lake below. The rider laid forward against the brown hide and he inhaled deeply, taking in the dragon's spicy scent. He had smelled countless times before but it always seemed like it was the first time. The rider straightened up as his dragon landed beside the lake. Both the rider and the dragon felt the pride beaming off of each other. The dragon was proud of himself because he had dazzled his rider. The rider was proud because he was still so happy that such a fantastic dragon had chosen him to share his life with.
The rider dismounted and gave his handsome brown dragon a hearty pat before they both went into the lake. They enjoyed the lake together as they had many times. They splashed, swam, and played as if they were both youngsters. When the dragon decided he had enough of the lake, they relaxed on a warm bed of rock. The rider had bundled his riding jacket up to use as a pillow as the two of them watched the sun begin to set. The dragon and his rider were both relaxed. The rider smiled when the dragon's neck and head turned and laid closer to him. He moved and embraced his dragon.
They were together.
The man awoke from his dream crying. He clenched his eyes shut and cringed as his felt the tears on one side awkwardly flow across the scars on his aged face. For a brief moment, the man thought he could still smell and feel the dragon's handsome brown hide. For a brief moment, the man's mind called out desperately, trying to do anything and everything it could to reach the dragon. He felt nothing call back and was acutely aware of an emptiness that existed somewhere deep within him. The man clenched his fists now and beat his bed furs as if he were trying to pound against cruel fate itself. His mind and heart now raced as they haphazardly filled the holes in his mind and heart with the memories of what had happened and the pain that was inescapable.
The man wiped the tears away and finally relaxed his hands. His face twitched from the anxiety. He inhaled deeply now and noticed the air in the Hold smelled of fresh klah and meat. He exhaled as if he were trying to blow away the pain and emptiness that ran through him.
Lytol opened his eyes and stood to face the day.