Chapter 2: Land of Desert and Flame

Don stood staring up at Yarik, the great female dragon returned his gaze.

She was beautiful.

She didn't have scales per say but thick, leather-like skin. Her feet were large and powerful, four claws, one looking vaguely like a thumb on the inside of the fore-foot and one turned to the back of the foot on the hind-foot.

Her wings were large and bat-like in form, the skin seemed to shimmer there.

Her head was long and slender, like her neck, and was framed with a mix of spikes and what appeared to be feathers.

Greetings little one.

Don jumped slightly before chuckling nervously.

"Um…hello," he managed.

Come. Jouir and her rider will lead the way. We must return to the camp.

Don nodded and sighed.

"I…but I have to get home…my family…they'll be…worried about me," Don sighed, fumbling with the ruby-like crystal in his hand.

Yarik gave him a gentle look.

You wish to return? This task I have asked of you is life-binding…you accepted my invitation…

Don jumped as he felt a probing in his head, gently searching his mind.

You didn't know what the Hu'kun was?

"The…Hu'kun?" Don managed to stammer.

Yarik sighed and cocked her head.

The Heart-Stone, the glowing ruby I sent you…that you now clutch so closely…is my…link to my rider. This stone came from my very blood and heart, it is a direct link with me. As long as you carry it I can find you, protect you, and you may ride me. It will leave its mark on you, until you die.

Don remained silent for a few moments.

"So…I can't go back?" he managed softly.

"Is there a problem great lady?" Jouir's rider called.

Don's head snapped that way, eyeing the slightly smaller, orangey-golden dragon the figure was astride.

"Are all of the Dragons female that take riders?" Don asked.

Most are, the males usually do not take riders because most of their time is spent in the Fir'sa. You might say…desert…most riders can't stand the heat in such a place.

The males also guard the hatching grounds, the Fir'ba…volcanic areas on the edge of the desert…called the "fire-beds" by most riders.

"Oh…" Don managed, "out of curiosity….why don't the females live out there?"

There was a faint rumbling sound and Don blinked, then realized that she was laughing at him.

We do…just not so deep into the Fir'sa.

"Ah," Don sighed.

Come…the sooner you help me complete my task the sooner you may leave.

"What is your task?' Don asked as she dropped the front of her body down to allow him to get up, into the simple saddle-like harness she had on.

To lay my clutch and return with my young back to the forest so that I might raise them…then…I will send you back until I am ready to return to my duties.

"I guess…I did accept your request didn't I?" he sighed.

Yes, you did.

"Then I am honor-bound to help you," Don replied.

Very good, now I shall show you my home and the lands around it….are you strapped in?"Yes," he managed before yelping surprise as Yarik launched into a fast run and leap up, wings beating the air.

She strained to gain altitude before evening out and chuckling.

You may open you eyes little one…think and I will understand you….no need to speak.-Y

You know…either one of my elder brother's would've loved this…but me…-D

Yarik laughed again.

But you accepted my invitation.

Yeah…

The rumble that was laughter, returned for a few seconds.

Don jumped as a whoosh of air above them alerted them to Jouir and her rider.

Don started to ask before turning in the direction that the second rider pointed and gasping.

The vast desert stretched out before them, the forest clinging to the edge, just faintly in the distance steam and darkened ground could be seen.

The creamy sands where they had been melted into a yellowish, before being burnt into an orange-ish-gold, the sands then deepened into a rich red, before the sight of the mixed shades met the eye.

Swirls of every, fiery, hue adorned the landscape; rivers of red through the cream and vice versa, pockets of bright shades against darker or darker against lighter.

It's beautiful…-D

Yarik banked to the left, heading out, deeper into the great sands before slowly dropping altitude.

Jouir and her rider were the first to touch down, landing on her hind feet, Jouir beat her wings to steady herself and slow down.

Yarik landed on her front legs, running as she hit the ground, strides eating up the distance despite the deep sand around them.

She stopped finally as Jouir caught up, trotting through the deep waves of color.

Yarik turned and waded through those same waves.

Don dozed off before they reached the camp.

When he woke up he sat up straight and whipped around in confusion.

He was in his room.

No dragons in sight.

"What?" he managed in confusion.

"Don? Dude you had us worried," Mikey greeted as he darted into the room, "Dudes! He's awake!"

"It was a dream?" Don mumbled, slowly shaking his head.

"Don," Leo greeted, pulling his younger bother close, into a tight hug.

Leo stepped back as Raph pushed in and dragged him into a hug.

"Donnie," Raph gasped, relief etched into every line of his face.

Don pulled free and gave them each a bewildered look.

They each sort of chuckled.

"You've been out cold for a whole month bro," Mikey whispered nervously.

Don's eyes widened in shock.

Don opened his had and winced.

"You burned yourself on something when you fell, we couldn't find it though," Mikey cautioned, touching the bandages gently.

Don's eyes narrowed before he started unwrapping the bandages.

"Don?" Leo questioned, "you shouldn't-"

"I have to look," Don snapped.

They stepped back.

Don gasped, eyes widening when he saw the burn.

"It was real…the mark of the Hu'kun," Don breathed as the oval, redish scar showed itself.

"What Don?" Leo asked.

Don jumped.

"Nothing…it's fine," Don managed, "I'm…I'm fine."

Don narrowed his eyes at the scar and shook his head nervously.

"Why was I sent back before Yarik completed the task?" Don mumbled, "was I in two places at once?"

A/N: Uuuuuummmmmmm ….what'cha think? More coming soon!