Thanks so much to my precious reviewers, Elemental Dragon Slayer, Angel of Mine, and, of course, He/She Who Must Not be Named…Guest! :P

We are here, Shiün warned them as he swooped into a controlled dive. Istalri and Nuaen squawked in surprise as Tamos's spell pulled them along and they accelerated downward toward Dorû Araeba. To their surprise, no one was in sight when they landed.

"Where is everyone?" Kyra asked as she dismounted. Nuaen tried to jump up on her shoulder but she pushed her down with a firm: "No, you'll squash me!"

Veyna hopped off after as Tamos replied, "They are here, do not worry. I can sense a dwarf coming to greet us right now.

As if on cue, a stout dwarf carrying a purple-gemstone-topped staff materialized out of the mist. He bowed. "I am Curf, Rider of the beautiful Thyst. Greetings, Tamos. Finally got out of Gedwëy Evarínya, did you?" The dwarf laughed, clapping Tamos on the back. "And who are these fine young people, come with their dragons to eat us out of hearth and home?" he jested.

Tamos smiled. "This is Kyra, her dragon, Nuaen, and Veyna with her dragon, Istalri."

"Pleased to meet ya, all o' ya," the dwarf said, his beard bobbing. "If you'll follow me?"

He led the way to a large field, where almost a hundred beings were at work. Dragons tumbled and butted through the air, all of them no larger than ten feet long. Dwarves, Urgals, and humans ran from place to place after them, but no elves. Elves were supposed to be trained on the Crags of Tel'naeir.

"Now y'all just get practicin' a bit," Curf told them, "Tamos, wards?"

"Ah, yes," Tamos said, stepping forward. The dwarf waddled off toward several large wooden shacks. After Tamos had cast his spells on the young dragons, who were itching to be in the air again, he bade them practice flying.

Veyna knelt down by Istalri. Veyna, the green dragon said in her mind, as she had become accustomed to doing.

Veyna smiled, and told her, "Gánga flauga. Go fly." Istalri blinked as if she understood and assumed a crouching position. She sprang forward…and tumbled into the dirt. Veyna burst out laughing until her dragon sent her a reproachful feeling.

How would you feel if I laughed at you while trying to learn magic? Istalri asked. Veyna froze. Her dragon's first sentence! …And rebuke.

"Sorry," Veyna replied apologetically.

Sorry flies in no sky. Now help me! Istalri flapped her wings frustratedly. And you really need to learn to mind-thought-speak.

"Agreed," Veyna said to Istalri.

"Hey, Vey!" Kyra called, "I figured it out!" Veyna glanced over at her twin just in time to see her hurl Nuaen into the air. Nuaen struggled for a minute, then flew a tight circle around them all before landing gently.

Do you want to try it? Veyna asked. No response. So much for thought-sharing. "Do you want to try it?" she asked Istalri.

I heard you the first time, Istalri told her, flashing a toothy grin.

Trickster, Veyna sighed. She gently picked up Istalri, who was getting pretty heavy. She hefted her over her right shoulder, gedwëy ignasia tingling at the contact.

With a wordless shout, Veyna hurled her precious dragon high into the sky. Once she was at the peak, Istalri's wings unfurled, letting her glide back down. She flapped her wings a couple of times, rising higher into the air. Istalri grinned smugly. She was going to be best flier on the island.

0==]=======

Tap. Tap. Tap tap. Istalri yawned and lifted her wing. Veyna crawled out from under it and squinted in the early morning sunlight. Istalri was huge now, in Veyna's opinion. Her tail was at least four feet long, and the rest of her was two times that. She could easily fit a couple of rabbits in her maw at once, and she had become an experienced flyer. She and Veyna conversed easily on many subjects, but magic still eluded them both.

Likewise, Nuaen had grown large, but was still the smaller of the two. Her bulky form was stronger than Istalri's, though, so when they play-tussled, the only way Istalri could win was to keep out of reach. Kyra, like she always had, frequently used magic in everything she did, including in feeding Nuaen. It became a game they all played: Kyra would levitate hunks of meat in the air and Istalri and Nuaen competed for the best pieces. But now it was time to leave all that behind. A long, arduous journey lay ahead, and then serious training for them all.

Curf had given them two small saddles for their dragons, inside which were a week's worth of provisions—meat for Istalri and Nuaen, bread, fruit, and vegetables for the twins—and a large gemstone, filled with power, in case their dragons got too tired. They were only two weeks old, after all. After they ascertained everything was comfortable for the trip, Veyna mounted Istalri. Nerves of tension ran through her dragon's body. Istalri had never flown with Veyna before. But now she was expected to do it for a week? It seemed almost impossible.

Nevertheless, Istalri stood quietly while Veyna adjusted the saddles straps until they were secure. Then Veyna climbed onto Istalri's back before settling in nervously. What if Istalri couldn't do it? They would be stuck out over the ocean, with nowhere to rest for leagues! She nodded to Kyra and Tamos, indicating that she and her dragon were ready. Nuaen took off first, launching herself powerfully into the air, then flapping her wings frantically to try and gain altitude. Through their mental link, Veyna felt Istalri give Nuaen a small flow of energy. Nuaen rose to an appropriate height in the air with her next thrust of her wings.

Istalri crouched on the ground and pushed herself into the crisp air. She wobbled, unaccustomed to Veyna's extra weight on her back. Shiün nudged her higher into the air with his snout and soared up himself. Very good, the orange dragon purred, Now, fly!

Istalri took off, skimming through the air. Once she was off the ground, the sky was hers. Nuaen dodged and dove after her, tail swinging from side to side. Hatchlings, we have a long way to go still, Shiün reminded them. Istalri spread her wings, letting the wind carry them along for a minute.

Don't exhaust yourself, Veyna told her.

I know, Istalri answered, but then added cheekily, but when I start feeling tired I'll just steal your energy!

Hey! Veyna cried indignantly.

Of course, it'll only last for an hour of flying, Istalri teased, puny elf that you are.

Veyna ignored the friendly insult. While we are flying, could you teach me magic?

What do I know about magic? Istalri asked, I cannot use it.

Okay…can you teach me to touch others' minds as I do yours? I can do it through you, of course, but it'd be a liability in battle…

Picture Kyra in your mind. Know where she is here. Now, imagine you are stretching your mind in her direction…

Veyna closed her eyes. Kyra, as a child, dancing for their mother and father. Kyra, lifting her first pebble into the air with magic. Kyra, confiding in her her true name. Kyra, being chosen as a Dragon Rider…

"Sja," Veyna whispered, and it was as if the world had opened up to her. Pinpricks of light dotted the mainland below. A dazzling brightness coming from Shiün and Tamos ahead, and near equal ones from herself and Kyra. She could see.

Veyna! Istalri's delight was evident. Warmth and pride from her flooded Veyna's body.

Ky, Ky! I've figured it out! Veyna said excitedly. Kyra smiled in her saddle and Nuaen let out a small purr.

Bet we can still fly faster than you! Kyra called, Catch us if you can! Nuaen sped up, lifting up into the clouds. After a second's confusion, Istalri chased her.

Hatchlings, Shiün grumbled, shaking his massive head.

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