Rose bolted upright the next morning, bewildered for a moment. Steadily recent events began to come back to her, and she stopped feeling so panicky. Bluefinch was snoring quietly on the other side of the glade, and Fuego was ecstatically wolfing down a deer. He caught sight of Rose and smacked his lips.
Deer is good.
I'll bet. Is there anything for me to eat?
Bird.
Great. Can you make a fire for me?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Oh you horrible Dragon! Rose clutched at her head, and froze. She felt her face, then ran to the pool of water. Her face stared back at her, both of her honey-coloured eyes staring back. She screamed with joy. She leapt across the clearing and hugged Bluefinch around the neck.
"Thank you, thank you, so so so much!"
Whatever. Let me go back to sleep, silly child. Rose ran back to the pool, admiring her reflection. Fuego came up behind her as softly as only a Dragon could, and pushed her in. She screamed, jumped out and hit him on the nose. He angrily pushed her over and pinned her down.
Stupid vain girl. Don't do that again. Now stop struggling.
Why?
You chop off hair. Make it short.
No! Never! I love my hair!
Don't make me do it.
Rose shot him a murderous look and still refused.
I make Bluefinch do it. Rose glared at him.
What the hell do I chop it off with?
I not think of that. Rose grinned smugly.
"Looks like I can't then!"
Fuego showed his teeth.
Bitch! His powerful back legs ripped the ground as he lunged into the air. The sound of Rose knocked over by the gust of wind, then heavy swearing woke Bluefinch again.
LEAVE ME ALONE!!! Jesus!
Sorry Bluefinch.
Well, I'm up now. I'm going hunting. Where's Fuego?
No idea.
Stay right here. Do not leave.
Why would I leave?
Just don't, alright?
Whatever.
Bluefinch launched into the sky as well. Rose was left alone. She sat and watched the clouds for a while, then remembered Lily's bow. After much kerfuffle she strung it and got an arrow on it. Then she aimed at a tree trunk. She let go of the string and the arrow landed at her feet. She had a new hobby.
After two hours of straight practising she couldn't feel her fingers. She sat down next to her bag and closed her eyes. When she awoke, the bag was shaking.
"What now?" She tipped the contents of her bag onto the floor. Dakarai watched from where he was tied to a tree intently. He had also been practising: practising getting out of the way of Rose's erratic shooting. The Dragon egg was shaking, and then a small crack appeared on it. Rose stared as the crack got longer and wider, until a small, elegant head poked out of it. The Dragon regarded Rose worriedly. Rose watched as it strained to get out of its prison. Eventually she couldn't stand its mewing and desperation, and reached out her hands, intending to pull it from its shell. As she touched its head a burst of searingly painful energy shot up her arm. She fought the blackness, all the while determined not to pass out and leave the little Dragonling in its egg.
When the pain receded somewhat she tentatively reached out to the Dragon again. No pain reached her this time. So she stroked its head and tried to pull it out. It squeaked in pain and pictures of tearing wings reached Rose's mind. She shook her head, wondering where they had come from. But some presence made her sure that pulling the Dragonlet from the egg wasn't a good idea. So instead she grasped the jagged edges of the egg in both hands, and ripped it apart. The hatchling was so pleased to be free it scrambled onto her lap and tried to climb her torso to reach her face.
Rose picked it up and studied it. Miniature gold spikes studded its spine and neck. It had miniscule gold claws and scales of the darkest midnight black Rose had ever seen. But it was when she looked at its eyes she got the biggest shock. Fuzzy eyes the exact same honey shade as hers gazed groggily back at her. Somehow she felt sure it was appraising her too, wondering if it had made the right choice of Rider. Rose nervously reached out with her mind, like what she did with Fuego, Dakarai and Bluefinch.
She found a tendril of thought that connected her to something else. She followed it and it led to a strange mind. She saw the Dragon blink in shock, then felt a reply to her exploration. The Dragon probed her mind, and she understood hunger. She laughed and led it to the remnants of Fuego's deer. She spoke to the hatchling.
Eat, baby.
A dim acknowledgement reached her and the baby tore into the deer. Rose watched it happily as it sated its hunger.
A Dragon. My Dragon! Didn't Fuego say it was a boy? I shall have to think of a name for it – him.
"Little baby, come here."
The Dragon tottered over, his stomach bulging. She settled down on the ground and wiped the Dragons mouth with the edge of her tunic. Then he curled up and fell asleep quickly. Rose watched him sleep, growing to love him more and more every moment. She leant back against a tree and closed her eyes, completely content.
When Bluefinch and Fuego returned they saw the two fast asleep. Bluefinch was delighted.
Oh, how sweet. I can't believe it hatched for her – the silly girl that she is. Isn't he a sweetie?
Yes. I like colour.
Rose woke up suddenly, jumping as she saw the two large heads leaning over her. Her movement woke the baby, who cowered in her lap at the adults. She reassured him gently and pushed him off her lap.
Meet your foster parents, baby!
She got an impression of sheer terror from the Dragon, so she held him in her arms, and he nestled up close to her. Bluefinch was unimpressed, but Fuego was enchanted.
What a coward!
He so sweet, what you call him Rose?
I'm not sure Fuego. And he's not a coward, Bluefinch! He's just a baby.
Still a coward.
Rose looked down. The little Dragon had fallen asleep again. Rose smiled, and put him down on the ground. Fuego sniffed him as he slept, and grinned happily.
You are acting like you're the father, Fuego! Rose laughed. Fuego shuffled his feet.
As the sky grew dark Rose settled down on the mossy ground.
Sweet dreams, baby.
The Dragon snored happily.
Goodnight Fuego. Goodnight Bluefinch.
Goodnight child.
Goodnight.