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part 6: growing pains

by Neishai

Time passed as it always does. The days and months swept the girls along as the routine of caring for a young dragon set in. At first, there was feeding to be done, until the draklings were old enough to catch their own food. Always, there was the hide and overall health to monitor and care for. They had learned to fly, and to make aerial maneuvers that they had never even dreamed were possible, except in their imaginations.

It was all very new and exciting.

Then came a time when the dragons were nearing adulthood. The females were almost old enough to mate, and the young males had long since began taking an interest in them.

Piosa had, unsurprisingly, attracted for herself a small following of suitors. She was pleased to no end, practically glowed and preened like a golden flitter under their warm attentions. It took her off mind the situation at home, if it could be called that any longer. Several of her brothers had sworn to visit regularly, but those she had received thus far could be counted on one hand. From them Piosa heard that her father rigidly refused any contact with her, her mother seemed afraid to even speak of her in private. This awful news and the lack of support tore at her self-esteem far more than her suitors could possibly build back up again. It seemed as if her emotions could reach lofty highs and devastating lows, though she put forth every effort to remain outwardly serene. She was withering inside, her only consolation being the two groups with whom she had the most contact -- those shallow young men who loved her status and beauty, and those precious few who would love her through any hardship -- Sumuru, Guastatoth, and Wachterth.

Sumuru was ever at her side, like a gargoyle in the rain on its cathedral roof, pushing away any unwanted attention with as much force as was necessary. Sometimes Piosa felt caged in by her guardian's presence. Sometimes she just wanted to steal off with one of the boys, totally forget everything about her life, including Sumuru. Her friend knew the dangers of such impulsive behavior, and valued her safety far more than her sunny smile.

When she got over her anger, Piosa understood she was only looking out for her friend.

Like her rider, Wachterth was never far from Guastatoth, should the need for her presence arise. Indeed, it was easy to forget that the young Black was in fact female herself, especially with her boyish rider, so that many a rider had mistaken Wachterth for a jealous suitor.

Both she and Sumuru knew that there would come a time when Guastatoth would rise, and all they could do was have faith in their counterparts. Until then, though she had been dishonored by Piosa's father, Sumuru refused to slacken in her responsibility to Piosa.

Sumuru was busy enough for two people. Not long after her meeting with Jödaan had she forgotten him completely, with the confrontation with Piosa's father the night of the hatching and Guastatoth's upcoming flight looming over her head to worry about. Increasingly, she found herself holding Piosa in her arms at night as the girl sobbed herself to sleep. The new emotions linked to her dragon had only worsened the situation.

Jödaan, however, had not forgotten Sumuru.

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