The Sminal stopped pacing and stared at him immediately. It's glowing yellow eyes were piercing into his soul. Don't look afraid, just certain, his mind warned. Estil stood up straight and pushed his shoulders out more. The Sminal was only the least worried, only because no other creature entered it's cave, ever. It was clearly studying him, probably because his small size. It must have remembered him because it's eyes flashed, and it charged.

All Estil could do was watch. Now! His mind screamed. He braced his knees then pushed away from the ground with all his strength. He was so close to hitting the roof that he could stick out his tongue and taste it. The Sminal was confused but didn't stop, and ran right underneath him. Gravity pulled him back down and Estil landed on the creatures back. It let out a loud screech and it's eyes seemed to grow larger. Estil spun around and sat right side up, so he was on it properly. The Sminal couldn't stop, and ran right out of the entry point and opened it's wings. Estil was flying. On a Sminal.

His jaw dropped. He felt happy. But the Sminal did not want to be rode. It flipped upside down, trying to throw him off. Estil clutched it's horns and refused to let go. He swung his feet up and tried to latch on, but ended up making a gash in the beasts upper rib area. What did I just do! The Sminal turned right side up but continued struggling. It even blew fire at him, but missed. He felt the intense heat of the blue flame.

Suddenly, it's tail rose up and slashed Estil's leg open, it bled badly. Gross enough, his blood ran into the cut his feet had made. The Sminal calmed down at once. Estil risked healing himself before he lost too much blood. It seemed he had won the Sminal over, by having Estil's blood run in his veins. Gross. "Land." He commanded. Surprisingly enough, it listened.

The Sminal neared a mountain top, flared it's massive wings and made a steady landing. Estil clambered off and went to inspect it's cut. To his surprise, it was healed over and glowing slightly, the sign of a blood bond. Estil noticed the Sminal was in fact, a girl. "I'm going to name you Kramor." Estil informed. The Sminal purred and Estil petted her head. An enormous smile crossed his face. He had done it! No other Defel had ever thought possible, no other Sminal ever ridden. He had fulfilled his destiny.

"At least the trip back will be easier." He laughed. Kramor laid down and Estil climbed onto it's back again and sat a little behind her shoulders. "Let's fly!" He yelled with excitement. Kramor jumped up and started to fall down the mountain, wings tucked in. "Woo-hoo!" Estil screamed, thrilled. Just as the treeline was rushing up to meet him, his Sminal opened her large wings and soared. Flying was even better in real life then in his dreams. He felt weightless, happy and victorious. The wind was blowing back his fur and it felt fantastic. Most importantly, he felt free. "This is insane!" Estil yelled, partly to himself, partly to the wind, and partly to Kramor. She grunted, seeming to be agreeing. Will I get my warrior strips now? He wondered angrily. But everything else brought his good mood back. Maybe it didn't take strength, just determination. Estil had a flash back to when the Sminal flew upside down, that took a lot of strength to stay on, but he figured it was more the need to and will power then strength.

Kramor tilted upward suddenly and Estil noticed the orange sky. It was so intensely beautiful. "Let's go home." Whispered Estil, wanting to be with Cera. Also wanting to show everyone his grand accomplishment. His Sminal seemed to know exactly where their home was, since he took them right to the meadow. There was a lot of screams from his colony, but they quieted down when they noticed a Defel on it's back. Everyone looked as if they didn't believe their eyes. "Land, girl. It's okay, they won't hurt you. Just remember you must not hurt them." Estil whispered into her ear. This will turn out great, He thought sarcastically.

"That's a Sminal!" Someone yelled. The whole meadow became a loud chatter. "Is that a Defel riding it?"
"I must be seeing things!"
"I didn't know that was possible!"
"Watch out! It could be dangerous!" But one voice stood out. "Is that you, Estil?" Called Cera, from below. As soon as Kramor touched the ground Estil hopped down and ran at Cera, who was already bolting towards him. Cera jumped and hugged him while Estil spun her around. "I knew you could do it!" Cera yelled. Estil smiled. Kramor laid down, bored. The meadow was still a loud mix of voices that were hard to pick out.

Max burst through a crowd of people. "Told you that you were crazy." He teased. "Well now I know for sure." Estil said, letting go of his mate. Everyone rushed in to cram around Estil and the Sminal. He took Cera's hand and led her over. "Cera, this is Kramor. My Sminal." He was bursting with pride. Cera's eyes were wide and curious as she reached out to pet Kramor. The creature let her and Cera was almost freaking out. "No way!" She yelled jumping up and hugging Estil again. A few courageous Defels walked up and carefully petted the Sminal, but most stayed behind. Either too shocked or scared to step up. Kramor didn't like all the attention, that was clear. "Please don't touch her." Estil advised.

Murawl stepped forward to come confront him. "That's a real Sminal?" He whispered. Estil nodded. "Well this is history in the making. Never before has anyone attempted such a journey of sacrifice, bravery and mystery. You, Estil, have confirmed that Defels can in fact, ride Sminals. I'm sure everyone would love to hear you tale to tell, but of course, that is your choice." Murawl said rather quietly. "Why not. I see no harm, it will help our history greatly. Plus I'm sure Sco is dying to hear about it." Estil laughed, looking into the crowd at his wise teacher. He looked shocked. "Very well." Began Murawl smiling. "Let us go to the tree. Oh, and bring your new friend." Murawl suggested.

Estil's story took longer than he anticipated and the sun had gone down a while before he finished. Plus questions took ages, until he just stopped them and told everyone to go to bed.

Estil trotted to Kramor. "So, are you staying here or going home?" He wondered. She answered by laying down, like she was his guardian. "Alrighty then." He laughed, laying down beside the Sminal. Cera laid down beside him. "I told Marla and Gin about-" She paused. "Us." Estil looked up at her. "They told a lot of people." She whispered through gritted teeth. "That's fine, though. Remember what I said about not caring what they think? Well that comes into play now." He explained, pulling her close.

Estil awoke to Kramor looking straight into his eyes. Estil blinked. Cera was still asleep in his arms. She looks so beautiful when she sleeps, he laughed to himself. Careful not to wake her, Estil untangled himself and stood up. There were still many people watching him and Kramor. A sight they probably won't get used to. Kramor stood behind him. "Go eat, girl." he advised. His Sminal lept up and flew off into the distance. He decided to get some food too, before Cera woke up. He trudged into the forest and it was darker then usual. The forest didn't seem welcoming today, which was really strange. The forest kept getting darker and darker as he walked. Must be a storm coming.

He stopped and feasted on some hablees he found in a large puddle. "You should let me ride that Sminal of yours." said a scruffy voice in the shadows. Estil's head snapped up so quickly he saw stars. All he could see were two glowing eyes. The voice was not recognizable but terribly familiar. Something he's heard his whole life. "Let me ride your Sminal!" demanded the beast. "And why should I?" Estil growled. "Cause I've been dreaming of that moment my entire life!" pleaded Sco, steeping into the sunlight.

"Sco?" Estil exclaimed, shocked. "Please." He begged, eyes full of need. Estil was taken back a moment. Why should I? I'm the one who risked my life to find this creature, the one who tamed it. No one else even tried to find one, no one else even thought about it. Sco may have taught me about them, but that doesn't matter. No one else should be allowed to touch it, never mind ride it. "No." He whispered. "What did you just say to me?" Sco hissed. "You didn't earn it, so why should you ride it?" Estil shot at him. "I tried, many times. It never worked!" He cried. Sco looked so depressed, Estil re-thought the whole idea.

"I don't think it's a good idea." Estil decided. "Listen here you little freak." Sco spit, charging towards him, grabbing his throat. "I am going to ride a Sminal, your Sminal. So why don't you make this easy?" Sco threatened. Estil was getting light-headed. Can't. Breathe. Your going to pay for this. Estil tried to call out for help, but only ended up making strange gurgle sounds.

"Don't do this the hard way." Sco warned. Estil tried to pry his fingers off, but they were clamped down tight. He tried swatting his face, but couldn't reach. I'm going to die. He swung his tail up and smashed Sco's arm, but made little difference. Estil's vision swarmed. I can't die so soon! Suddenly, Estil was taken down, along with Sco, and he sucked up air like a dying fish. He started coughing uncontrollably. Estil glanced up at his hero and found Kramor standing there. "You saved me." He coughed. Kramor grunted at him. Then went back to Sco. To his horror, his Sminal swiped his claws along Sco's body, cutting him in four pieces. His jaw dropped. His breathing had almost returned to normal. Kramor walked up to his owner.

Estil petted her cheek. "Thank you, but you didn't have to kill him. Your gonna be in trouble." He warned. Kramor's eyes showed that she must protect him. It's like they were designed like that. Once their tamed they have to protect their masters, no matter what. And kill the harm, to prevent future attacks, Estil realized. "Let's head back." He suggested. Kramor nodded and allowed Estil to get on her back. She lit a blue fire on Sco's remains and flew off. Should I tell? No, I can't. The meadow was quite filled today. Hopefully no one will find him, or what's left of him.

Estil's spotted Cera off to the side of the meadow with Marla. He saw Max looking up and waving his arms at him. What now? He moaned. "There." He said, pointing to Max. Kramor immediately followed and landed near Estil's friend. "Hey buddy." Estil greeted, hoping down. Max was staring at the Sminal. "Still can't believe it." He gasped. "Yeah, me either." Estil laughed. "Wanna go to the Large Pine tree?" Max suggested. "Sure." He agreed, leading the way. "Um, your Sminal is following us." Max whispered. "Yeah, I know. It's like my protector." Estil explained. Max nodded.

They reached the pine tree in a few minutes. "So any certain reason you drug me out here?" Estil mocked, climbing towards the top branches. "No, not really. We just haven't hung out in a while." Max explained. "Yeah, I guess I lost track of time." Estil signed, stretching out lazily to soak up the sun on a high branch. "How's the Sminal?" Max questioned, looking down at the beast by the bottom of the tree. "Awesome! Like you wouldn't believe how intense it is!" Estil yelled. "So jealous, I always knew you were special kid. And I knew it wasn't just your size or speed." Max confessed. "Really? I guess I kinda figured that, but after April died, it just, vanished you know?" Estil explained. "Yeah, that's understandable. You two meant a lot to each other. How you doing about that?"
"A lot better then I thought I would be. The weird thing is, life goes on. I needed the right motivation to reach my full potential, I guess that was it." Estil realized.

"It took your best friend dying to make you change history? That seems to be a pretty impulsive move on your part." Max pieced together. "Meh." Estil signed. "I did change history, didn't I? I never thought of it that way." He realized. "You never even told me what you were going to do." Max scolded, offended. "Well, sorry." Estil stuck his tongue out. "People are going to have a hard time getting used to it." Max explained. "Yeah. Hey I can trust you, right?" Estil began. "Course. That's what best friends are for."
"Don't tell anyone, kay?"
"Okay." Max promised.

"Okay, so today I was out getting some breakfast and well, I ran into Sco." Estil signed. "I'm listening." Max urged on. "Well, he asked to ride Kramor, and when I denied him he started strangling me. I thought I was going to die, no one was around to help." This got Max's attention. He sat up and his eyes were wide. "Then Kramor swooped down and knocked him off me." Estil described. "What happened to Sco?" Max wondered. "My Sminal cut him up and we flew away, then I got you in the meadow." Max stared at him for a moment. "You-" Estil placed a firm hand over his mouth. "Killed Sco!" Came his muffled response. "I didn't tell her too! She just did! All she was doing was protecting me, is that so wrong?" Estil questioned. Max was still freaking out. "Oh, no one's going to be happy about this. They may run you out! They'll probably kill you little pet too. Are you going to tell Murawl?" Max exclaimed, voice rising. "Your going to wake the whole forest! Shh!" Estil warned.

"First, I'm going to tell Cera, she'll tell me what to do." Estil planned. "Oh yeah, so you and Cera? Did I miss something there?" Max questioned. "She's my mate." Estil said simply. "Kinda thought so. But your so young!" Max judged. "Your point?"
"Just saying. Jeez kid you stand out like a log in a meadow. You ever think your going to blend in?"
"That's highly unlikely. I've never been the type to color outside the lines. I personally like standing out, being a different person then everyone else. There's not that many people like that in the world." Estil explained. "Yeah, I see your point. Ever think the colony will throw you out?" The question caught Estil off guard. He sat up. "You think that I'll get expelled?" Estil worried. "Well think about it. You tamed and flew a beast that no ones ever dreamed of riding, or even knew you could, you bring it back and it kills our storyteller, who was loved by many. Your short, incredibly fast and strong and you have a mate when your only eleven. There is no one else like that here, there never has been. Being short and fast is standing out enough. I think they may consider expelling you." Max explained.

Estil thought about this for a moment. "Well I can't change how I look!" Estil exploded. "They're counting a reason I got when I was born. Oh, sorry, I'll just grow another few feet and become weak and slow so I don't sick out as much! I don't believe this!" Estil freaked. Max held up his hands in surrender. "Tell them that." He suggested. "They think I already stand out? They haven't seen anything yet!" Yelled the angry Defel. He stood up, lept off the tree and landed with a quiet thud. "Calm down, Estil! Your going to make it worse!" Warned his friend. "Good!" He called back, jumping onto his Sminal.