Chapter 12

Flight

i'm really sorry about this...all the chapters are bad bad bad. maybe i should stick to short stories...(depressed sigh) ah well. nice chapter, with nice alnel. please read. oh, by the way, silver talon is mine. mine mine mine.

"Ah, human. You have returned. And with the Orb."

"Yes. All that it left is the Fast and then we can begin."

The dragon looked at the Captain. "Tell me, young Nox. Would you like to fly with me tonight? I am going hunting, to fill myself before the Fast begins, which is tomorrow."

Albel nodded. "I'd like that, Crosell."

"Jump on, then."

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As the wind lashed out, whipping his braids out behind him, the young fighter closed his eyes, thinking back to when he had taken Nel for her first Dragon Ride.

They were up among the clouds. Below them, a view so perfect it seemed like a painting. Above them, a beautiful blanket of stars over a blue-black background. The moon shone, crisp and clear.

"It's beautiful," Nel breathed.

Albel smiled. "Whenever I get too mad or angry, I come up here. Mainly because there's no one to kill, but it's also very peaceful." He grinned suddenly. He had an idea.

"Silver Talon!" he cried to the dragon. "Go higher, as high as you can!"

The dragon must have sensed his plan, for she gave a pleased rumble deep in her throat and her wings beat faster and more powerfully.

They went up so high it seemed they could reach out and touch the moon. Nel finally realised what they were going to do, and her grip tightened round his waist.

"Oh, Apris, no…"

The dragon let out an earth-shattering roar and lowered her head. Tucking her wings to her side, the she-dragon dived.

The dragon roared, Nel screamed, Albel laughed manically, and the wind howled and sent Albel's hair flying into Nel's face.

Faster and faster they plummeted, like an arrow, straight and sure, never wavering. The dragon let out another roar, feeling freer than any other moment in her life.

They were almost at the ground, almost about to plunge into the icy waters of the lake below them, when suddenly Silver Talon flared her wings, pulling out of the dive, skimming the surface of the lake. She let her tail trail in the water, sending spray flying out in all directions.

Gently prising free one of the hands clamped round his waist, Albel held Nel's hand, lowering it so it trailed in the water. They laughed, and afterwards, Nel's eyes had burned with a feverish light.

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Albel closed his eyes and pressed his head to Crosell's neck, feeling the dragon's muscles rippling with strength with each beat of his mighty wings.

"What were you thinking of, hatchling?" The word 'hatchling' was spoken kindly; he didn't mean it as an insult, but to the ancient dragon, the man seemed no older than a newborn wyrmling.

"The first time Nel ever rode a dragon properly."

"But what about when I -?"

"She didn't remember any of that. She was too busy clinging to me at the time."

"Ah." They fell silent. "Hatchling," he said finally. "I see our prey. Do you wish to hunt alone, or share with me?"

"Do you mind if I share with you?"

"I don't see why not." Letting out a roar that split the heavens, he dove, claws outstretched. His talons glinted in the fading light as he fell upon the like a thunderbolt sent down by Apris. The herd didn't know what hit them.

Albel watched with admiration as Crosell roared, this time letting out a plume of flame. The deer fell instantly. Crosell grabbed one in his talons as he landed. Albel hopped off and went to salvage what he could. He shuddered as the sounds of cracking bones echoed behind him.

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Albel yawned and sat up. "What…?" He rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Ah, morning, little one. It is time for the Fast."

What do we do?"

"I have already brought the body."

Albel's crimson gaze fell on the body of his beloved.

"What now?"

The dragon curled up, spreading his wings as he yawned mightily, his teeth flashing in the dim light. "Now, we wait."

i liked the bit with the flying and the pond, and...yeah...

so, review! oh, and about the voice, it's either the crimson scourge, or the dark side... oh yes...and if i've left out anyone in the gummie worms of woe and doom, then please speak up! (slightly less depressed smile)

bye! and i'll see you next chapter...unless i'm too depressed and try to kill myself...only i think suicide is cowardly...so i'll probably just annoy my 6 -foor-6 tall brother until he pummels me to a squishy pulp...yeah...