4. Caleri
Sila's landing was quieted by the sand on the beach. She came closer to the form and it started to take the shape of a human. Sila scented the air and found it was a female. On silent feet she crept closer to the human. A crack sounded and Sila stopped in her tracks. The girl's head snapped towards her and stared. Sila squirmed under the girl's scrutiny and started backing up. The girl jumped off the rock and Sila barred her teeth and opened her wings. Sila crouched down and was ready to take flight when the girl raised her hands.
"Wait! Stop!" the girl cried. Sila froze and looked at the human. Her hair was black with highlights of blue when the moonlight hit it just right. Her eyes were a sandy brown with flecks of green and gold. "Please," the girl seemed to beg. Sila folded her wings in but kept her muscles taunt in case she needed a quick get away.
"I'm Caleri," the girl said. She held her hand out and Sila growled. Caleri took her hand back and gave the Night Fury a shy smile. Sila sat on her hunches and looked the girl up and down.
"I'm Sila," she finally said. Caleri's eyes widened and she stumbled backward into the sand.
"You, you just talked! And I understood you!" Caleri cried. Sila was surprised and walked forward to help the girl up. Caleri scrambled backward and was stopped by a boulder.
"I, I didn't know I could. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Sila pleaded. Caleri looked the dragon in the eye and felt she was telling the truth. Caleri closed her eyes and tentively held her hand out. Sila looked at Caleri and at her outstretched hand. The Night Fury closed her eyes, and like her father before her, rested her head on the young Vikings hand. Electricity coursed through their bodies and both of their eyes snapped open. Sila lifted her head away and Caleri set her hand on the ground.
"You're my dragon," Caleri whispered. Sila nodded in agreement and came closer to her human.
"We need to seal it," Sila whispered. Caleri looked at her Night Fury and stood. Caleri ran a hand down the Sila's head and neck and stopped at the base of her wing's. The young woman gently lifted her leg and saddled the Night Fury's back. Sila shifted to make sure her human would stay put and spread her broad wings.
"Okay, let's do this," Caleri said and Sila took off into the air. The wind under her wings gave her pure joy. Caleri screamed in excitement and the sudden movement. She tightly gripped Sila's neck and smiled into the night. Sila soared upward into the clouds and Caleri laughed in pure joy. She lifted her arms and seemed like she was trying to embrace the clouds.