Chapter 5

Of New Companions

I whipped around to face my follower.

"What are you doing in my territory, outsider?" the other dragon asked. I was so shocke that I nearly fell from the sky.

It was a female, older than me by a year or so. She had a slightly delicate build, almost like my sister, although my sister was definitely more built for fighting. I had a feeling that this stranger was more built for hunting and flying long distances.

"Well?" she asked again as I continued to stare, snapping my head back from out of the clouds. "Tell me why you're tresspassing, and I won't kill you!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know this was your territory," I replied honestly. "My family was forced to flee from our home, as the conquerors were closing in. We are headed for the ocean, which we plan to cross."

"I'd heard there was trouble to the west," the female replied, clearly curious. "What part of the Western Lands are you from?"

"Near the edge of the mountains. We left a couple months ago. My father heard news that they plan to conquer all of the Great Land and the Ice Land, then move on across the ocean to the Shining Land as well," I explained, relaxing. The female seemed more curious than hostile now, so I figured it was safe.

At that news though, she looked stunned. "They're headed here?"

I nodded. "Slowly. My father heard that about a month ago, and by then they'd only just finished taking over the High Mountains to the far west and were starting in on the plains. And there is much ground to cover to get here. I'm Kilgarrah, by the way."

"Saferrah," the female replied. "You're sure it will be a while before they get here?"

"Positive," I told her reassuringly. Then I realised something. She'd called it her territory, as if it was hers alone. And I'd only caught the scent of one dragon besides myself the entire time I'd been flying. And it had been her's. Yet she was so young, just over two years at the most. She couldn't possibly be ruling over her own territory. "Where are your parents?" I asked.

Saferrah suddenly looked ashamed. "I left them," she replied softly. "I also came from the West. My parents were Conquerors, but I hated my life there. So I flew away as soon as I was strong enough, stopping only or an hour or so at the most for rest. I was determined to put as much ground as possible between us. I wwas supposed to be looking for a mate. Witht he conquerors, dragons are sent out on their own faster. I was almost three years old at the time."

"Almost three?" It was now my turn to be shocked. Her entire story so far was shocking, but her age was probably the most surprising part. I'd already heard of children of conquerors abandoning their parents for freedom, so that wasn't too surprising. But Saferrah looked surprisingly young. Only two and a half at the most. She wasn't yet near full size, and once you turned three, you should be close to it by then.

She nodded. "I'm actually abour three and a half by now. I know I look younger, but all the new generation of conquerors do, probably bcause of the young age dragons are sent out on their own at. It should be four, but there dragons are expecte to be finding a mate by the time they're about three. Probably to speed things up so they can get a better army."

"That's probably it," I agreed.

"And now I'll have to flee again," she sighed. "Or else they'll catch me. Runaways are not treated well at all." She shuddered. "I saw it once. It was horrible. Too horrible to speak of."

"You can come with us!" I blurted out.

"What?"

"You can travel to the shining land with my family and I," I told her. "I'm sure my parents wouldnt mind." It was true. My parents were kind and accepting, and would gladly help any dragon in need. There was no way they'd let Saferrah be on her own. But more than that. I didnt want to be away from her.

I'd felt something strange and strong when I'd first seen her, almost like there was an invisible bond tethering us to each other. I had no idea why, or what it was, but I knew it was strange and special. I decided that Id have to remember to ask Kadris or Saren about it later.

I led Saferrah back to the cave that we were staying at, excited, and hoping that she could stay.

"Of course Saferrah can travel with us," Saren replied when I asked. Saferrah, who had been shyly looking down, claerly nervous, looked up happily and excitedly when she heard. I felt relieved. I was glad that my parents had agreed to le her stay.

"I'm sure that Latra will be happy to have another female close to her age," Kadris agreed. "Maybe that will help calm her."

Saferrah looked curious. "Latra?"

"Our daughter," Saren explained. "Kilgarrah has two siblings, Latra and Taris. Latra is the only female, and she is quite unmanageable."

"What's going on?" Taris entered the area. He spotted Saferrah. "Why does Latra look different?"

Saren sigehd and shook her head. "Its not Latra, Taris."

Saferrah took a step towards Taris. "Hello, my name is Saferrah. You must be Taris." Taris blinked and looked shy.

"Y-yes, thats me. Taris." I sighed. Taris had never seen another female before, save for Saren and Latra. So it was only natural that he would stammer and be shy around her.

Saferrah smiled at him. "There's no need for shyness. I'm staying with you now."

"Really? Great! Now Latra will leave me alone!" Taris exclaimed. Typical. Of course he would think of Latra ignoring him instead of the fact that there was a new dragon in our group.

"So where is this Latra you keep mentioning?" Saferrah asked curiously.

"Out flying somewhere," I replied. "As usual."

"I'm back! Where is the runt?"

"Latra," Taris groaned.

"Why do I smell a stranger?" Latra demanded as she entered the cave.

"Hello, I'm Saferrah," Saferrah said warmly. Lara simply blinked at her.

"Safferah will be travelling with us now, Latra," Kadris told her.

"Will she?" Latra replied questioningly, circling her. Please accept her, I thought hopefully. Latra began a quick, curious interrogation of Saferrah. When she'd finished, she smiled slightly. "She'll do."