"Nice work people!" T’ran’s voice rang out well over the water, especially when it was accented by Oshianith’s deep voice within the mind of each individual dragon. The five water-bound dragons of Adanuk were really beginning to resemble a wing. They fought Thread from the safety of the ocean near Adanuk, and had been the saviour of more than one ship...not to mention the races they got into between themselves and the shipfish were often a sight worth seeing. There was no Thread, and amazingly no races, as the five had taken advantage of the beautiful day to get some practice in.
The water dragons had more things to remember everytime they were out on the water than normal dragons had to worry about when they flew. Not only did that have to remember not to run into each other, or rocks, but they had to remember to let the riders on their backs breath once and a while. After each couple had become accustomed to swimming together, the water dragons were easily as fast, if not faster than their sky-bound cousins. They swam like dolphins, using their flippers to steer and their massive tails to propel them forward. They’d travel underwater for a short period of time, leap through the air the attack the Thread and let their rider breath, and then dive again. T’ran, R’yle and Darien, having grown up practically in the water, thought it was a blast. Miarra and Sara, disliked salt water in their eyes, which was the main reason they were out practising, when they could have been fooling around. A new saddle had been designed by T’ran and R’yle and they were trying it out.
At a sharp, piercing whistle that could be heard even under the water, the dragons returned to the beach. The five riders, who’d become fast friends even though they came from mixed backgrounds, sat in the warm sand on the beach while their dragons caught themselves dinner.
"So," R’yle brushed the wet hair out of his eyes. "Whatcha think?"
"I liked it." Sara, a once shy girl, had no qualms about informing others of her opinion anymore. After convincing her to wear the bodysuit in public, she could do anything.
Just looking at the five of them, you could tell they were different. Instead of riding leathers, they each wore a skin-tight black wetsuit and a silver whistle that they could use to notify each other of things underneath the water. Sara and Miarra had been opposed to the clingy outfit, positive that the guys were just trying to get a peep-show. After a long argument they’d realized it was easier to move in the water when you were more aerodynamic, and they’d agreed to the costume change. They also wore goggles, flippers on their feet and now they had their own kind of saddle.
"It’ll be hard to get in and out of in a hurry." Miarra stretched. "But once you’re in, you’re safe."
"It’s better than the normal saddles." Darien added, feeding his flit, Tasukeru, a bit of fish. Oushi, Sara’s flit, was on his other shoulder, nipping at the meat.
R’yle smirked. "I can’t believe they expected us to use normal dragon saddles underwater. It’s a completely different deal."
T’ran playfully punched his friend. "Hence the new saddles."
The new saddles were built to fit tighter on the dragons, and instead of sitting up, it had the rider lying down on the dragons back. "What do your dragons think?" Miarra questioned her Tynith at the same time.
After a few moment of silent speech, the dragons reached a decision: They liked the new saddle.
"Than it’s decided." T’ran put his hand out towards his friend. "New saddle." They all shook on it before returning to the water with their dragons.
Another sharp whistle call brought them in before they’d even had a chance to get wet again. Magika was waiting for them on the shore, a familiar lady standing beside her.
Tynith, Oshianith, Viharth, Megmentenith, and Nisabath all bugled a welcome to the woman who ran the institution that they’d been hatched at. Baeris waved at them.
"Hey! What’s up?" Even though they technically didn’t have a Wingleader, the swimmers usually followed T’ran’s lead.
"T’ran and Sunshine Bronze Oshianith." Magika nodded towards him.
T’ran bobbed his head in greeting and his dragon did likewise.
"R’yle and Lava Brown Viharth."
"Darien and Black/Bronze Megmentenith"
"Miarra and Teal Green Tynith."
"Sara and Seaweed Green Nisabath."
Magika smiled after re-introducing them to Baeris. "How’d you like to return to the Healing Den for a bit?"
"What?" T’ran once again spoke for all of them.
Baeris took over the explanation. "We’re having a swim...and it’s past time you five umm..." She searched for the appropriate word. "Pro-created."
The five looked at each other. This was most definitely an interesting twist. R’yle had wanted a shot at a flight since he’d impressed. Miarra was nervous, but Tynith talked her into it. T’ran made sure Oshianith thought it was a good idea before consenting. Sara had no idea what a swim was, or why it had to be done at the healing den, or what that comment about pro-creation was about, but Nisabath assured her it was a good thing. Darien was nervous. He was from Earth, like Sara, but Megmentenith had explained all this to him long ago. The bronze/black was overdue. Unfortunately for the youth, his relationship with Kyosei was slowly falling apart, and he was sure that this would not help it, but he agreed.
They all managed a smile, with varying degrees of authenticity, for the Masterhealer. "Where do we sign up?"
* * *
All the dragons shown here were impressed at and are now swimming at The Healing Den.
Background from Jolie's Designs.
