Pink Skylla and Yellow Vivaldi
The golden sun arose in the eastern sky above the vast forest of Kalenik. Inside a comfortable cave a minidragon awoke to the sounds of birds chirping. She raised her head and blinked at the bright sunlight. She stretched her powerful wings and slowly got up. Once out side she made her way to the small cottage a short distant from her cave. She pushed open the heavy wooden doors with her nose and stepped inside. The cottage was deserted.
“Where could she be?” Skylla thought.
On the oaken table there was a note written on a scroll. Skylla stared at it frustrated.
“Well, it looks like I’ll have to visit Tyche this morning.” She thought.
Tyche was a Scholar; she’d know how to read it. The two grew up together, so they were as close as sisters. Skylla picked up the scroll and stepped out. She headed toward the clearing to take off. On her way there, she met up with a beautiful Pegasus.
“Good morning Skylla! How are you this fine morning?” he said.
“Oh, quite fine, thank you. I just went to visit my bondmate, but she’s not at home. I found this scroll on the table, so I’m taking it to Tyche so she can read it to me.” Skylla said.
“Ah, sounds interesting, may I see the scroll?” he said.
“Of course, NightStar. I didn’t know you could read.” Skylla remarked.
“I can’t, but it’s worth a shot.” He laughed.
She laughed. NightStar looked at it and shook his head.
“Nope, I don’t understand the squiggles. Sorry.” He sighed.
They started walking toward the clearing.
“Why don’t you come with me, it’s kind of a far flight, I could use the company.” Skylla asked.
“Well, sure.” NightStar told her, “I’ve got the most interesting news for you anyway.”
“Ok, what is it?” she asked as they took off.
“Well, the old wizard told me last night that there’s a new minidragon that has been seen at the lake lately. A yellow male I believe. I’ve seen him once myself.” NightStar stated. “I talked to him yesterday when I stopped to rest. He seemed really nice, his name is Vivaldi.”
“Oh, well, I don’t know him.” She said.
“Well, he doesn’t come around here much, so he doesn’t have many friends outside of the Fens.” He said. “ I told him about you, and he seemed kind of excited to meet you.”
“You didn’t!” Skylla remarked.
“Yes I did, I figured he wouldn’t be so lonely if he knew another mini, and you were the first that came to mind.” He laughed. “Why, I didn’t think you were that shy!”
They soared through the air above the lush green trees. A short time later they landed out side of Tyche’s home. They both walked inside.
“Sky! NightStar! How are you! ” Tyche excitedly said.
“Oh, I’m ok, I couldn’t find Cerberus this morning, she left this scroll. I was hoping you could tell me what it says.” Skylla said.
“Certainly. So Cerberus wasn’t home this morning? “ Tyche asked.
“No, I didn’t see her leave either.” Skylla answered.
Tyche motioned for her to put the scroll on the wooden table. Skylla did and sat down. Mentally, Tyche opened the scroll. Her eyes glowed with a soft light as she did and she began to read the message out loud.
So sorry I wasn’t home this morning, but I was called to the village last night to deliver a message to a nearby village. I’ll be back tomorrow morning, so just help yourself to anything here. Don’t worry about StarStalker, he was the only one awake when I got word, so he’s flying both of us to the village. Tell the others I say hello. See you soon.
Skylla nodded as Tyche finished. Tyche rolled the scroll back up and pushed it back to Skylla.
“Thank you Tyche, I’d be lost without you.” Skylla laughed.
“I know.” Tyche replied laughing.
“Well, we really should be going. Stop by some time. Thanks again.” Skylla said.
Tyche accompanied them to the entrance. NightStar and Skylla walked out. Skylla turned, smiled, and then took off. They began their journey home.
“I wish she would’ve stuck around with the rest of us at the glade.” Skylla said.
“Well, you couldn’t make her stay, besides, she’s not that far away.” NightStar replied.
“I know, I just miss her sometimes.” Skylla answered.
Some time later they both landed near the edge of the lake to rest. Skylla bent down to drink.
“There’s that new mini I told you about.” NightStar exclaimed.
Vivaldi flew over. “Why, good to see you again NightStar. How’s it going?” he asked.
“Pretty good, I’d like you to meet Sky.” NightStar laughed.
“Ah, a pleasure to meet you Skylla.” Vivaldi said with a smile. “NightStar’s told me so much about you.”
“Likewise. I’m sure.” She said shyly.
“Well, I really should be leaving.” NightStar suddenly broke in. “I’ll catch you two later.”
They both said goodbye and NightStar flew off. Skylla watched as he disappeared over the trees.
“So, uh, tell me a little bit about yourself.” Vivaldi awkwardly said.
“Well, as you can see, I’m a Pink mini, I live a short flight from here not far from my bond mate, Cerberus.” Sky said. “NightStar is one of my oldest friends. I grew up with a lot of other minidragons. Cerberus adopted a lot of us. They’re as close to me as family. So who’s your bond mate?”
“Oh, her name is Latharna. A friend of ours moved here recently and I’ve been coming to the lake while she helps him move in.” He answered.
“Hm, I think Cerberus may know her then.” Skylla said.
They both sat down near the edge of the water. Skylla looked out across the water and Vivaldi fiddled with some grass. She could tell he was a bit shy. She looked at him and he looked down at the ground avoiding her eyes.
“You know, you don’t have to be so shy around me.” She said.
“Yeah,” he started, “ I know, I just, I don’t know…”
Behind them they Skylla heard leaves rustle. She looked back alarmed.
“It’s only a squirrel. Don’t worry.” Vivaldi comforted her.
“I’m sorry,” she said shaking her head. “I don’t know why I’m so jumpy. I could’ve sworn we were being watched.”
She watched the squirrel scamper away into the woods.
“Say, do you like to swim?” Vivaldi asked suddenly.
She looked at him, “Well, yeah, I guess.”
“How about we go swimming. It’ll cool us both off.” He said
“Well uh, ok.” Skylla answered.
“Great.” Vivaldi said as he took off. “Last one in is a human!”
She watched as he rose in the air. She took off quickly to catch up.
“Hey, not fair!” she cried laughing.
“So, come on, I’ll show you a trick a Fisher once taught me!” he laughed.
He soared higher and higher until she could barley see him; she flew a little higher but then stayed there. He suddenly came flying down and kept gaining speed. When he was about 20 feet from the water he suddenly spread his wing and dove straight in with a great splash. Then a few seconds later he flew back out and stopped beside her.
“Your turn.” He said with a smile.
“No, I couldn’t possibly.” She said.
“Aw, come on. Ok, I’ll go up with you.” He reassured her.
“Well, ok,” she nodded. “I’ll meet you there.”
She watched as he rose in the air again. Sky held her breath trying to get ready. She heard something in the woods again. This time she spun around. Sky saw a flash of metal. She felt her eyes widen as she spotted an arrow coming straight toward her. Skylla saw a flash of white blaze toward her. It knocked her down into the water. She landed heavily in the cool water. Skylla resurfaced gasping for air and saw Vivaldi race down toward the trees. Skylla saw NightStar on the edge of the water. He had been hit but was still standing. A human jumped out of the bushes and landed on the sandy shore. He looked at her with such coldness in his eyes, which she’d never forget. He strung another arrow and aimed at her.
“Oh, where’s Vivaldi? Is he all right? What’ll he tell Cerberus?” the questions raced through her mind.
She tried to move but was paralyzed by fear. She heard a great crashing sound and a menacing roar. She watched helplessly as Vivaldi flew toward the human. He hit him with such a force that the man was thrown into the water. Pieces of wood floated in the water. The man’s bow washed onto the shore. NightStar rose in the air and took off.
“Wait, don’t leave me!” she cried.
“I’ll be back, don’t worry! I’m going to get help!” he bellowed.
The man swam to the edge and crawled out. Vivaldi landed and folded his wings down. The man pulled out a metal dagger and lunged toward him. Skylla swam to the shore. Vivaldi dodged him and whipped him with his powerful tail. The man fell to the ground but got up a few seconds later. Again he lunged, but Vivaldi was too quick. He grabbed the man’s wet shirt and threw him into the woods. He leaped in after the man. She heard the sounds of a struggle and then all was still. Over head, a shadow passed over the water and Skylla looked up to see StarStalker and Cerberus.
“Oh, my God!” Cerberus cried as she ran towards her. “What’s going on!”
“We were attacked, we were swimming,” Skylla sobbed, “and a human attacked us. He fired arrows at me! One hit NightStar! He went to go find you.”
Cerberus hugged Skylla, “It’s ok now, please, don’t cry.”
She sobbed against Cerberus’s shoulder. Another person jumped down from StarStalker’s back.
“Vivaldi, he saved me!” she said between sobs, “ Oh, is he alright?”
StarStalker went back into the woods. All of the trees had been flattened and there was blood smeared on a few of the rocks. A few feet away StarStalker spotted the human. He was ravaged and bloody. StarStalker seriously doubted the man would live. He then heard a low groan and turned around. He saw Vivaldi lying there. He was hurt, but would live.
“Wait, Vivaldi?” The other girl asked.
“Yes.” Skylla said with tears in his eyes.
“Oh my God, where is he!?” the girl said panicked.
“Back in there.” Sky answered. “Who was that?”
“That’s Latharna, his bond mate.” Cerberus explained. “ I met her in the village, she was visiting someone she knew that just moved close by, so I offered to give her a ride to the lake.”
Skylla nodded. She watched as StarStalker took off.
“Where’s he going?” Sky asked.
“To get a Healer I imagine.” Cerberus said.
Latharna walked back, she had a relived look on her face.
Sky went back. Vivaldi was sitting up. He looked at her and turned away. There was blood running down his face.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re alright!” Sky cried.
She wrapped her wings around him in a hug. He winced. Latharna and Cerberus walked back toward them. They stopped a few yards away from them and quietly talked. Skylla watched them.
Cerberus stepped forward. “I’m going to get Bandit, he can help us get him back to the cottage.”
She quickly left. Latharna walked up to them. She pulled a fairly large piece of cloth out of the leather bag at her side and gently put it on Vivaldi’s wound.
“He’ll be alright, don’t worry Skylla.” She reassured.
She nodded. Skylla looked at him through her tears. He smiled slightly.
A few hours later they were all sitting in the back room of Sky’s cave. Vivaldi sat there staring into the fire. Outside Cerberus thanked Bandit.
“Don’t worry about it, “Bandit said, “I’m glad to help. Well, I’ll see you soon.”
He called a goodbye to Skylla; she looked, smiled, and waved. Bandit took off. Cerberus and Latharna returned to the cottage. Sky nudged him gently. He turned toward her and smiled.
“Sky, I have something to ask you.” He said.
“Well, uh. I wanted to know if, uh” he stuttered, “well, would you be my mate?”
She laughed, relieved. She saw his face fall.
“Don’t look so worried, I’d love to be you mate. It would be such a honor.” She cried happily.
His smiled. She wrapped her wings around him in a hug.
“Great.” He said in a low voice.
By this time Latharna and Cerberus were standing at the entrance. Skylla looked up. She had tears in her eyes.
“Why are you crying?” Cerberus asked.
“Because I’m so happy!” she said.
They told them the good news. Both bond mates listened silently. Latharna smiled. Behind them Sky saw NightStar land. He folded his wings and walked in. His side was bandaged, but he’d be better by next week.
Vivaldi said, “Yeah, I guess you were right. We would be perfect mates.”
Skylla and Vivaldi
