Bette sighed in boredom and shifted from left to right foot for the tenth time since the hatching call had went up. She hadn't been required to wear one of those white hatching robes some of the other candidates wore, and for that she was greatful. Yet her captain's jacket was becoming considerably irritating in this heat.
"Bloody dragons." She muttered under her breath, swatting a sweat dampened strand of hair from her eyes. "Surprised the eggs aren't boiled by now."
"Cheer up." Chip, infectiously boyant and happy, smiled brightly down at her. He wore his helmet and the lights on his skin tight body suit flashed at an alarming rate. It seemed he wanted to monitor everything that went on at this fine hatching. Bette only glowered at his good mood and cursed him again for dragging her here.
Yet she was stopped in her foul mutterings as a strong tug pulled at her mind. Her eyes scanned the chaotic hatching grounds and swept over the various hatchlings that stood patiently, waiting to find their bonds. One of them though, a black and gold beauty that seemed to glow with pride, was forcing her way through the crowd.
She held her head with a self-assured knowledge that she was the best. Her webbed feet, though awkward on the ground, carried her forward without a stumbling step. Long, powerful wings folded against her dark sides, thickly built for water travel. Lighter shades of gold splashed over the short ridge riding down her neck and on the undersides of her wings. Her tail, just as powerful as the rest of her, made a snake-like trail in the sands, marking her path. Bette watched in wonder as she lifted her oily gold snout and fixed an emerald gaze on her.
You are mine! Not one other will do for me, and you will be able to pilot your ship alongside me! I would like to see it! I can help it through rocky shores and rescue you if you fall off it! The strong, bold voice echoed in her mind like a ray of sunlight.
"M- me? You want me?" She whispered in a hushed awe. Her jaw hung slack at the thought that this sleek beauty would want her. "I... well, of course!" Her heart swelled with pride and she glanced around the assembly with a grin that spread across her whole face.
Chip whooped for joy. "See, I told you you'd like it! A gold!" He cheered, eyes dancing with happiness. "Look at that, a gold!"
Is he always like that? The dragoness asked her bond dryly. Bette smirked and nodded.
"Yes, he is, I'm afraid, Gnodensyith." She spoke the name with a flutter in her heart. It sounded like music in her mind, reminding her of all the things she loved most. Now Gnodensyith was added to the list.
Kneeling respectfully, she scooped up the little hatchling in her arms and turned to stride purposefully out of the sands. Gnodensyith rubbed her wet muzzle against Bette's cheek and purred happily.
After I am fed, I would like to swim. Will you tell me about your ship? She projected to the woman's mind, feeling a mixture of joy and awe return to her.
Of- of course. Bette tested the mental connection warily. She laughed out loud when Gnod' purred with contentment. I'll tell you all about me and my ship. But for now, you have to be fed... Which way is the dining hall? Bloody...
Gnod' laughed and cooed to her bond, listening to Bette trail off in mutters again. It seems I will have to teach you about raising a dragon. Do not worry, rider mine, I have chosen you and I know you will do fine.
Aye... Bette smiled softly, gazing into the whirling blue eyes of her bond. This is what I was meant to be. Of course we'll do fine.
* * * The pleasure of flight coursed through Gnodensyith's veins. Her wings pumped with rhythmic motions, though not as gracefully as some of the other dragons. With each stroke, a rumble rolled in her throat, felt by the woman pressed tightly against her back.
I still hate flying. Bette muttered mentally. Her eyes remained tightly shut as her dragon climbed higher into the sky. She wasn't afraid of heights; she'd spent part of her life in the crow's nest. It was more the fact that this was higher then she had ever been before and much, much faster.
Calm, my bond. The black gold beauty cooed to her rider's aggitated mind. Soon we'll be back at the Warren and you'll be able to see your ship again. Besides, I would never drop you.
I trust you. Bette admitted quickly. It's gravity I don't trust.
Gnodensyith laughed loudly moments before she burst between. The trip was long and cold, passing through the nexus to the distant world of Tris'Hath. She focused her mind sharply on the endless forests and shining expance of the ocean, receiving no help from her clinging rider.
The cold lifted suddenly, rushing sweet air back into her lungs. Gnodensyith drew in a deep breath, tasting, for the first time, the tropical splendor of the Warren. Her maw opened wide and her wings snapped to full length. A long, trumpeting bellow split the air as the oily gold spiraled towards the waiting assembly of dragons and riders. Beside her, a higher, smaller voice joined her own. She glanced briefly towards Chip and Lokkith, noting in distaste that the blue wasn't even half her size.
Welcome home. A soothing, feminine voice trickled through her mind. The gold started slightly, looking around for another dragoness. She snorted angrily as the voice chuckled softly. I suppose I should've told you I was telepathic.
Gnod' looked down to see the straight backed, commanding form of Mystic looking up at her. Back winging to a landing, the dragoness cast the mage a curious look then gazed around at the other dragons. Can all humans do that? Or will only you be giving me heart attacks.
Mystic laughed out loud, her staff held lightly to one side. I apologize. I'll be sure to warn you before I do that again. The woman smiled warmly up at the large gold, still not fully grown, then looked towards the dismounting riders.
"Honey! I'm home!" Chip cajouled happily, hopping down from Lokkith's small back. Bette muttered something under her breath, having a longer fall to the ground then the happy-go-lucky male.
"Well, you were right." The Captain of the Rising Dragon gave Mystic a wry smirk. "And I'll never admit that again in my life."
Mystic laughed again and nodded compliantly. "Fine with me. Though I think your crew will want to meet this beauty soon."
"They know?" Bette groaned quietly.
"Of course they know." A new voice, happy and deep and quite familiar. Chris stood to one side of the crowd, decked in his full Captain's outfit. "Your ship awaits, Captain Artimis. Fully restored and with a new placement at the Terglinear docks. Your crew has been anxiously awaiting your return for the past two years."
Bette tried to look disgruntled at the thought that someone else had supervised her ship's repairs. Yet, logic was an annoying thing and rightly told her that two years was a long time to wait. She cracked a small smile. "Thanks. I owe you one."
Chris shrugged lightly, a winning smile playing across his lips. "No problem."
If you are quite done with reunions, I would like to get into the water. Gnod' lifted her oily gold head proudly. The light of the sun danced off her hide, shifting between black and gold with each breath she drew.
"Well, no time like the present." Bette grinned and hoisted herself up to Gnod's shoulders.
"Don't forget," Mystic called after the water bound pair as they prepared to make their home. "you'll be riding in the Water Wing. Report to Seneia and Dalnia tomorrow morning."
Bette nodded and waved to the crowd as Gnod' demanded room to take off. Space was cleared and the dragoness lifted into the air, followed by her small, blue companion. Briefly, Bette thought of the reactions she would get from her crew. Her, the ocean loving old grouch, riding a dragon. A playful smirk touched her lips.
* * * Salty water rushed passed her sleek hide. The diluted image of the sun caused her golden black colour to dance with life, like a gem hidden far beneath the waves. Currents of force swirled around her wings, trying to push her back. Yet with a few well placed kicks, Gnodensyith barrelled forward along side her bond's ship.
A low keen, like a whale's song, echoed through the murky depths. Gnod' had long ago learned that she could 'see' ahead of herself by listening to the revibration of her voice. Sometimes she used this ability just for the fun of it, seeing how many notes she could hit with that eerie sound.
Low, jagged rocks and forests of seaweed bounced back to her sensitive hearing. With a quick flick of her tail, Gnod' trust her long, sleek form through the water and hit the surface.
Bette felt her bond's bellow before it erupted in the air beside her. The 50 ft. long dragoness sailed into the sky, snapping her wings open to gain the wind. Her large bulk blotted out the sun momentarily and, once again, gained the awed looks from the ship's crew. A mist of cold, ocean water washed over the prow and cooled Bette's sun kissed face. The woman laughed, ducking another wave as Gnod' returned to the water with a mighty splash. Her helm's man sputtered beneath drenched bangs and glared at the golden beauty.
"Hard to port." Bette informed him with a smirk. "Gnod' says there's an outcropping of rocks up ahead."
"Yes Cap'n!" He returned, his muscles springing to life as he turned the large, wooden wheel before him.
Gnod's head cleared the surface again, a mist of white foam spraying up from her opened nostrils. For all effects, she looked like an overly large dolphine... with wings and feet. Dalnia says we have Wing practice later today. All riders are to be present. The oily gold beauty snorted indignantly. I don't see why I can't be Wing Leader. I am gold after all.
You are that. Bette chuckled mentally. Her tanned hands clasped the smooth grain of the balcony as she leaned forward over the prow. Rising Dragon had been restored to its former greatness when Bette had left to Stand. Now, the green and gold dragon head that marked the front of her baby glistened with an almost life-like brilliance in the tropical sun light. But we're also new to this Wing riding thing and they're far more experienced. Besides, colour doesn't matter here.
Well it should. Gnod' seemed to pout, though a spark in her eyes told of her mature humour.
A shrill cry and fluttering of light blue wings cut off whatever reply Bette had in mind. Both dragon and rider turned to see Lokkith, Chip's bond, leap from the water and trill a series of high pitched notes before falling back into the waves. Gnod' snorted her distaste.
I'm certainly more mature than him.
A shardin' firelizard's got more maturity then that creature. Bette muttered in reply. She glanced warily over her shoulder, noting Chip's command of the crow's nest. He switched positions as he saw fit, doing whatever he felt needed to be done. Though he was offically considered her First Mate, Bette refused to acknoledge him as such. It was bad enough having him as a member of the crew.
Dragon over board! Lokkith bellowed suddenly into everyone's minds. He leapt over the stern of the ship while making the cry, showering everyone in cold, glittering drops of water. See? I'm a dragon and I went over the boards! Lokkith gibbered happily at Gnod' as he swam up beside her. The large gold roared and swatted at him lightly.
I'll put you under ground if you don't shut up. The gold muttered in much the same way that her rider muttered at Chip. Both females cared about 'their' males, but neither would admit to it. In fact, they did quite the opposite.
Play nice. Bette playfully scolded her bond. Gnod' snorted lightly, lifting her tail and spraying the side of the ship with a blast of cold water.
"Man over board!" This time, the cry was real. Bette whirled to see Chip diving off the side of the ship, aiming for a place just beside Lokkith. With an annoyed sigh, the Captain removed her jacket and handed it to the nearest person.
"What're you doing?" The crewman asked in bewilderment.
"Following that fool before he gets himself drowned." Bette returned. She hoisted herself to the railing and stood there uneasily for a moment. Gaining her balance, the sea fairing woman dove off the wooden planks of her baby and hit the water with a small splash.
"Captain over board!" Another crewman called. Those not hard at work at the moment rushed over to the side of the ship to see their beloved Captain surface and climb onto Gnodensyith's broad back. A few of them whooped and hollared, still awed by the sweeping elegance of the water bound queen. Even more laughed as Chip and Lokkith sped by, cutting a sharp turn before veering towards the beach. Gnod' bellowed in surprise, glaring after the small, quick winged blue.
"Take the ship into port!" Bette hollared over the crash of the waves against her ship's hull. "Unload the supplies and report to Chris. After that, you can have a two day shore leave."
Her announcement was met with a few groans and protests that they should have a longer break.
One week's shore leave. First Mate's orders. Lokkith projected suddenly into everyone's mind, earning a great deal of cheers. Bette and Gnodensyith glared after Chip and his bond.
What gives you the right to override Bette's orders? Gnod' snapped imperiously at Lokkith. The small blue chirped sweetly and spun around to slide up beside her. Chip grinned in the same manner as his dragon from his precarious perch on Lokkith's back.
They've been working all month. They deserve a break. Came Lokkith's reply. Both dragons acted as negotiators for their bonds when actual speech was impossible.
Gnod' snorted and fell silent as she discussed the information with Bette. With a toss of her great head and angry flick of her tail, Gnod' nodded to the smaller dragon. Fine. One week. The last part was echoed in every mind of the sailors onboard the Rising Dragon. Again, a round of cheers chorused through the crewmen.
He's lucky he's so damned cute. The black and gold queen growled in disgruntled annoyance to her bond. Bette smiled and hide a laugh.
They both are. But don't let them know that.
Do you take me for a fool? The light hint of humour in Gnodensyith's deep voice brought the laugh from Bette's throat. She thumped her dragon's shoulder affectionately, giving her the orders to take them into shore. Self-assured, regal, and bossy, Gnodensyith was everything her rider had ever hoped for. Now, if only they could get those damnable men to behave!
Gnodensyith was impressed from: The Healing Den