Kina

“It’s not like it matters whether I have a bond or not, Jino,” Kina sighed as her black flit, Siaya, zipped around the room. “I can do just as much work without one. It’s nice that you have been searched, but I don't need to be."
“But Kina, there are so many Caers, Aeries, and Coves that need Bonders,” Jino whined.
“Well, they can just look somewhere else. Besides, how am I going to care for a bond and keep up my studies at the Institute?”
“You’ll be able to do it, Kina. I know. You’re strong,” Jino said.
“I may be strong, Jino, but that does not require me to bond,” Kina sighed. “Besides, Siaya is all the company I need.”
“But Kina…”
“No, Jino!” Kina shouted. “NO!” She screamed as she stomped out of the room. “Stupid brother. Thinks anything that he does, I have to do.”
Kino sighed as she pulled out her High Level texts from the Verita Institute, twelve books in all. If she was going to become a medic, she was going to make sure she knew how to do everything.

Setting aside the books on human and dragon care, she opened her book on the care of Gryphons.
“Such delicate wing frames,” Kina sighed as she studied the picture of one of the Belrin Isle Gryphons. “They look so regal.”
Siaya chirped and flitter over to her shoulder. She shook her head and chirped again.
“Well, I think so,” Kina sighed. “If I did bond, I’d want to bond a Gryphon.”
Saiya chirped loudly at her in protest, but Kina just glared, “To bad, my mind’s made up. I’m going to find the nearest Aerie and apply.”
Jino stuck his head in the door and smiled at her, "I knew you'd see it my way."
"Char you!!!" Kina shouted, throwing one of her books at him.

***

Kina walked up the path from Beckenrow, Saiya still protesting loudly, "Be quiet you little ant! I've made up my mind. Mairya has agreed to take me to High Ice Aerie so you have no more say!"
Saiya chittered and flittered off, squeaking violently as she went.
"Ready, Kina?" Mairya asked as Kilace landed next to her.
"Ready," Kina sighed, as she carefully boared the jet black Gryphon.
"Wait for me!" Jino shouted, rushing down the path. "I'm coming, too!"
Kina frowned at him, "Didn't you tell me you had been bond searched the other day?"
Jino smiled, "Yeah," he sighed.
Kina frowned, "Don't tell me it was for..."
"High Ice," Jino smiled.
Knia groaned, "Ashes," She mumbled under her breath.
"What's the matter, Kina? Aren't you glad I'm going, too?" Jino smiled. "At least you'll know someone there."
Kina mustered up a smile for her brother as he boarded Kilace as well.

***

Cyfrace nuzzled Kina as Kina placed her books down beside her desk. She smiled down at her lovely purple Gryphon. Cyfrace chirped happily at Kina as she wrapped her tail around her

bond's leg. J'no smiled over at his sister as they listened carefully to their lessons. Cyfrace nuzzled his Xax as they laid next to each other and slowly fell asleep.

***

Kina laughed as Cyfrace called happily, "Kina, let's go back to the barracks. Xax and J'no are already there."
"All right, love," Kina sighed. "Let's take the long way though."
Cyfrace chirped happily as she fluttered in the air, "Come on, Kina. I'll race you to the barracks!"