Large-gold-Eldunarí-Glaedr sat atop a rock, but to Istalri it felt as if he were standing over her, watching her every move. Istalri strained, desperately trying to extend her wing into the ridiculously difficult position into which Glaedr had commanded her. Her wing felt as if it would snap in two if she pushed it much further.
Enough, Glaedr said. Tomorrow we shall be starting the journey back home, but remember the exercises I have taught you. Few dragons can learn their true name in such paltry days as we have.
Yes, Glaedr, the dragons murmured in unison. Istalri clawed at the frozen dirt with her talons. She did not know who had discovered themselves as of yet, but she could not help but feel behind despite Glaedr's reassuring words.
Her belly had long since stopped growling with hunger and had reconciled itself with the absence of food for the length of the retreat. The dragons drank only from the icy stream nearby first thing in the morning. They were now allowed two hours of free time each day, although sleeping, eating, and talking were strictly forbidden. Very-very-old-wise-Umaroth usually led flights out over the Spine and taught the history of the peoples of Alagaësia while Glaedr spoke of the history of the dragons during a meditative period.
Most of the time Istalri stayed to hear the tales of Glaedr, but today she did not feel like listening. She was on the brink of something wonderful and her body itched and tingled whenever she got close. A mounting excitement was building within her.
Who am I? she asked herself. It came to her as a whisper of thought, daring and playful, beautiful and spirited. She said nothing to the other dragons but she felt Glaedr's pride wash over her a few seconds later. The excitement was draining away now, leaving her with a sense of contented peace. She swiveled her head around to lick one of her sage-colored scales near her chest. The small barbs on her tongue slipped into the place between her scales perfectly.
That big-circle-moon-night, all was quiet except for the deep rumbling of the dragons' breathing, although if dragons older than seven years had been there it would have been a much more deafening noise. Glaedr roused them at the crack of new-light-dawn and began the flight at once. Istalri's calm state remained and she felt no inclination to speak to anyone on the way back despite the fact that it was still forbidden.
Five days later, land was spotted below them once again, as they had taken the seaward route back home. The thunder of dragons glided smoothly down, returning from their long retreat. A host of other-being Riders awaited them with cheers upon the ground and many hugs and pats were given. Istalri searched for partner-of-her-mind Veyna and found her standing next to Vestira's-partner-Sorrell. Veyna engulfed Istalri in a long hug.
I missed you! her Rider exclaimed.
It took Istalri a minute to find her mind-thought-speak-voice. I missed you as well, she hummed.
Their minds one once again, Veyna offered, Do you remember Sorrell?
I do. Istalri was happy to see Veyna again, but she felt slightly haunted by her experiences with Glaedr. She had come back a different dragon.
I've been spending a lot of time with him since you were gone. A host of memories streamed into Istalri's mind but instead of trying to watch them all carefully and miss most, she glanced at each before returning her attention to her Rider.
He seems nice, Istalri commented.
He is. You should meet his dragon sometime, she's a handful, Veyna grinned. How was your retreat?
It seems almost…untouchable now. Surreal. But: Veyna's eyes widened as Istalri shared the precious knowledge she had gained.
Istalri! That's amazing! Veyna exclaimed. So it was worth going?
Of course, Istalri snorted before nuzzling her Rider, but I'm glad to be back.