"Ok, I think this should work now…" I said, adjusting the straps. Spinedrill hissed, lowering his head to allow me to adjust the straps around his spines. Finally, I stepped down, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "If this works, then you can come above ground with me," I said pleased, watching as Spinedrill twisted his head, adjusting to the new feeling of the straps. He grinned wide, his all six rows of teeth rotating. I laughed, holding my hands up, " hey! I know your excited, but still..I'm not food." I laughed again as he butted his head against me. Scratching underneath his jaw, I peeked into his mouth, "I think I need to do another cleaning. Your last meal left some stuff," tapping his jaw to signal I was going to reach into his mouth, he slowed and stopped rotating his teeth, "you even have some rocks in here."
He hissed, rubbing his head against me, clearly happy at the idea of a brushing. I smiled, hugging his head. "Ok, we should probably test out these new goggles. To see if the sunlight bothers you at all," i explained, walking over to my pack and Spinedrill's saddle. Picking up his saddle, I lugged it over to him, but Spinedrill slithered away. I gave him a look, "come on, Spinedrill. We will only go above ground for a couple of minutes, if it doesn't work, we'll come back down and try again a different day. Ok?" I raised an eyebrow, shaking the saddle in my arms.
Finally, he slid over to me. I smiled, and lifted the saddle on him, tightening the straps around him. I turned and grabbed my pack sliding it around me. Using a rock to boost myself up, I slid myself into the saddle. I grinned, pulling my goggles on, and sliding my hood and mask on. "Are you ready?" He grinned himself, rotating all of his teeth. Leaning forward, I closed my eyes and Spinedrill shot forward, burrowing throughout dirt and rock.
I took a deep breath as we burst through the ground into sweet, non-stale air. I quickly remembered Spinedrill, watching carefully as he hid from the warm light, before slowly relaxing. I rubbed his head, "are you ok buddy?" He cautiously waited, before diving underground again.
Ah, damn…I thought it was going to work this time…I cursed in my head, making sure to grab my saddles grip. When we broke through the ground into an open area, I dropped my jaw.
We were outside again. "YES! Yes!" i laughed, absolutely thrilled. I took his reins, and dug my heels in him and Spinedrill shot forward. He flew forward and we coursed through the sky for what might be the first time ever. I hugged him for behind, "I knew you could do this! I knew it! I knew it! Just wait until we show my brothers!"
He swirled, spinning through the air. I let him enjoy himself, before I slowed him to a steady speed. I leaned over, patting my dragon, "Why don't I show you to my home?" I asked him. He trilled.
I nodded and sent him in the direction of my camp. While I waited, I enjoyed the sun, and the clear, air, breathing in deeply. I opened my eyes, confused. I should be smelling fresh, pine from the pine trees, but I smell only smoke for some reason. Furrowing my eyebrows, I looked around, my jaw dropping as I stared at the pillar of smoke at the exact direction of my family's camp.