Briam

By: kgk

Chapter 3: Traveling

The next morning, Kelli saddled Etana, and started off, while Briam hunted. About and hour later, she saw him flying towards her, deer carcass in claws.

I guess your hunt was successful then?

Very. The deer put up a good chase through the trees, but to no avail.

Thank you, but I really don't want to hear the detail. Ahh, I see you even went to the trouble of skinning it for me! Thank you, Briam.

As Briam landed, he looked at her with intelligent green eyes. I would do anything for you, little one.

Kelli embraced him, and they stayed like that for a while. (a/n awww, tender moment)

Briam waited patiently as Kelli measured against him, and cut the skin to fit. Together, they figured out where all the pieces should go. (a/n remember, Kelli trained with the Varden, and she knew Brom for a short while, and he taught her once how to make a saddle.) She put it on him, and stood back to admire her craftsmanship.

I think it looks good, if I do say so myself. How does it feel?

Comfortable. I will still be able to move agilely in it. You did very well.

Thank you, Briam. She said, smiling at him. Now, what do you think I should do about Etana? I don't want to leave her here, she's been a faithful horse.

She can find her way back. She is smart. He admitted grudgingly. But we should make for the Varden in all haste.

Kelli sighed. I suppose you're right, as always.

She unpacked the saddle bags, and hung them on Briam's silver neck spikes. Looking the horse in the eyes, she pressed upon it the idea of getting out of the desert, and going to a village. Still unsure if it had understood her, she let it go, and watched as it galloped west. Once Etana was out of sight, Kelli sighed, and climbed ungracefully onto Briam's back.

Ready? He asked playfully.

Kelli sighed. I suppose so.

Briam tensed, and then leaped into the air. Kelli closed her eyes and clutched his neck spikes as he rose higher and higher. The cold wind swept her wavy hair away from her face.

You can look, Kelli. I won't let you fall. Briam told her matter-of-factly.

Squinting, Kelli peaked out and, looking down, saw the trees looking like ants. She gasped with wonder. Everything was so far away! She looked to he left and nothing but desert for leagues. To the right, the mountains stretched above her, higher even then them. Filled with wonder, she told Briam,

It's so beautiful! I don't think I would ever land if I were a dragon!

I have to eat and sleep. But now that you're a Dragon Rider, you don't have to wish to be a dragon. You, too, can become a master of the sky.

Yes. I guess I can. She murmured, still amazed by what she was seeing.

When the sky finally started to turn pink and orange at the horizon, behind them, Kelli began looking for a clearing to stay the night at. Finding one, she pointed it out to Briam. He glided down and she started a fire.

Good night, Briam. She said sleepily.

Good night, Kelli. I will take the first watch.

Kelli went to sleep right when her head hit the ground.

The next day, they reached the Beartooth River. For the next couple of days, they traveled along that, talking to each other more often than they ever had while Kelli had ridden Etana, and becoming closer with every passing day.

author's note: well, okay, there it is. I know not much happened this ch., but next ch., they'll reach the Varden. Anyways, REVIEW! Ta!