Dektol

"Samnolan! Get back here this instant!"

A boy of perhaps eight ran laughing from the playroom, trailing two dolls from one bony fist. Wails of girls followed him out. An older boy with a wild mane of black hair followed him out.

"Samnolan!" he yelled again. "I'm warning you, get back here!"

"Make me!" the boy cried, running as fast as he could. The dark haired boy put on a burst of speed, stretching his long thin legs as far as he could. Samnolan turned to look back at Dektol, and tripped over the threshold and stumbled into the dunes.

Samnolan landed sprawled out in the soft sand and the dolls went flying, knocking into one of the sand-covered eggs, and slipped over to the other side. The dragoness was not amused and growled at them. Dektol slowed to a stop quickly.

Samnolan had curled up into a fetal position, awaiting the pummeling that usually resulted from a chase.

But it didn't come. He cautiously uncurled, and saw Dektol standing above him.

"Want a hand up, Samnolan?" he asked, extending a hand.

The dragoness growled again.

"We're leaving Melth, honest. We just need to retrieve those errant dolls..."

The green dragoness gingerly picked up one doll in her claws, and flung it toward the boys. The second followed. "There!" she snarled. "Now don't come back!"

Dektol pulled Samnolan to his feet, and snatched up the dolls. "Thank you Melth." He said, and they quickly departed. Melth was quite the temperamental mother.

Samnolan was awed by Dektol's kindness. Of course, it had never been in Dek's plans to harm Samnolan in any way...

Dektol was a kind and caring young boy, and his parents hoped that he wouldn't outgrow it. Dektol liked to play and run and wrestle, but he was very good at observing the limits of other children, so he didn't overdo it.

As time passes, this caring and gentle nature will probe to his advantage, but now, it merely got him plenty of babysitting opportunities. And Melth? She recovered from the intrusion, and hatched her children without incident.

* * *

The sun rose over Yslen, and found a few of the Caer children hard at work on a small project . The fall harvestbegan today, and they wanted everything to go well. When the harvesters arrived in the kitchen for breakfast, they found all their gear assembled and lunches packed. The children were ready to go help as well, but there was one problem.

One of the dragons - the feisty Melth, in fact, had taken a shine to one of the harvesters. He was 19, and his once unruly hair was tamed back in a low tail. He was lean and wiry-strong, and compassion shone in his vivid green eyes. Indeed, he was Dektol, and Melth was determined not to let him leave the Caer - unless it was under her conditions.

"Melth, it's Harvest. I have to go and help, or there won't be food for the winter."

Melth snapped. "No. You don't. They'll do it, you'll stay."

Dektol narrowed his eyes. "Melth, you're older than I. You know full well that every able body is needed to help with the harvest. Why should I be the exception?"

Melth glared. "How dare you question me, boy! I said you stay!"

From behind the green dragon came a much calmer voice. "You didn't answer the question, Melth. He does have a valid argument." Melth turned to glare at the subdued brown who was the bond of the current Caerlord. "Answer him Melth." Sigyrth suggested calmly.

Melth begrudgingly answered. "I've been talking to the seadragons at Vallen Cove. They're saying there's rumor of many dunes at Caer Tol-eressëa. They know that Aqua Seyiz took beautiful Meghana to Caer XYZ, and they're all jumping - literally - to be the next to take a youth with bonder potential to a Caer, and they asked me to bring them one."

The great brown nodded. "But why Dektol? Why not Andiac, or Kikira?" Someone asked.

Melth growled. "Must I be questioned in everything?"

"Apparently so." Another harvester said.

"I've had my eye on Dektol since he rescued that Samnolan from my wrath years ago. As for Andiac and the rest, give them time." By this time, quite a group had gathered around the angsty green and Dektol.

"So if all this turns out to be true, Dektol will be the second of Yslen to travel in hopes of bonding." The Caerlady said from amid the crowd. She hadn't pushed her way through. Dektol obviously had control of the situation - with the old brown on his side.

"Do you approve, Lady?" Dektol inquired, meeting her eyes through the mob.

"Yes, Dek. I do. If there are eggs at Caer Tol-eressëa, you have my permission to go. Take today to okay everything with your family, pack, and contact the Caer."

Melth calmed, and sat back on her haunches.

"Thank you Lady." Dektol said, "And Thank You Melth - but next time you want to single out someone with potential, try not to be so hostile. It comes across wrong."

Melth lashed her tail in an irritated fashion. Dektol took his chances and stepped forward and hugged the dragon. "Melth," he whispered softly to her "Thank you. If there's anything I can do to repay you..."

Melth whispered back so softly Dektol wondered if she'd spoken directly to his mind. "Dek - convince them to let me rebond."

Dektol's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't known that Melth missed her bondmate so. Kennei had died of an allergic reaction so long ago, no one thought Melth wanted to rebond, though she stayed on.

"I'll do my best, Melth." Dektol whispered back, and let the green go. The harvesters had begun to trickle away one Dektol hugged the dragon. The Caerlady hadn't given them the day off.

* * *

It didn't take long for Dektol to get packed, with the eager, excited help of his younger twin sisters. His family was excited to have their eldest traveling to a Caer - the first in many a year. The impression Dektol made once he arrived at Caer Tol-eressëa would determine if any more bondworthy youths made the journey. The seadragons were able - and willing - to take the youths of Belrin Isle to anywhere on Alskyr.

Tol-eressëa was eager to have him, and Yslen hoped that a bonder-exchange might be made. Perhaps those from off-isle would be more desirable to the hatchlings?

Dektol promised himself that he'd find out somehow. It took much less time than he'd anticipated to get ready - and to confirm that there were eggs. While he was busy, Melth flew down to Vallen to arrange transport.

When he had a spare moment, Dektol went to the dunes to tell the lovely cream dragoness the news. She was delighted to hear it, and settled down to have a nice chat with the even-tempered young man before he departed. She had five eggs, and all seemed to be healthy. "I was hoping that I could ask you to come and be near when my eggs hatch. You're a nice man, Dektol." The cream said.

"Really? I'm honored. If I had known..."

"Nonsense Dek. You go to Tol-eressëa and make us proud. My eggs will find bonds, don't worry."

Dektol smiled. "That's why I came to talk to you. Melth is..."

"A vicious and nasty dragon!" the mild mannered cream interrupted.

"...Incredibly lonely." Dektol finished.

The cream's jaw dropped in astonishment. "No..." she said in disbelief."

"Yes." Dektol said. "I came to ask you to summon her to the hatching."

The cream's eyes narrowd.

"Now, now. Don't take it like that..."

"She'll turn my sweet babes into monsters!" the cream snapped.

"No, your sweet child will settle Melth."

"Do you promise?"

"I can't promise, but if Melth is as lonely as she claims..."

The cream sighed. "I will let her come Dektol, but I can't force one to bond her."

"I understand, love." Dektol said. "Thank you."

"Good luck, Dektol" the cream said, softly, closing her eyes.

* * *

Before sunrise, Dektol and Melth left the Caer, with the good wishes of all. Just after sunrise, Dektol left Melth's company, and set off astride the great black Zemilz.

* * *

Dektol was pleasantly surprised to actually see Caer Tol-eressëa. It was fabulous, the way new places were. The dragoness who was zealously guarding her eggs absolutely adored Dektol, and he found great pleasure in talking to her.