Sr. Fledgling

P’tan walked down to the lake where his dragon was doing drills. He looked up as his rider approached but didn’t stop. One of the older dragons bugled at the red and he swam faster. As P’tan watched he felt his own muscles start to ache and he sat down. Alioquith swam a few more laps and then the older dragon bugled again. The red sighed deeply and then glided towards the shore. He walked slowly from the water and flopped down in front of his rider. “You look tired,” P’tan said. Alioquith snorted and said, “Tired? You’ve got to be kidding, I think I’m going to pass out.” P’tan smiled and patted his dragon’s neck. “Well it will be for the better later. Don’t think you’re they only one doing conditioning Alio. I just got back from the weight room. I thought my arms were going to fall off if I bench pressed one more pound.” Alioquith started to breathe more regularly and he said, “Is it to be like this every day?” P’tan nodded. “I’m afraid so. However, we’ll only be doing it every day for six months. After that you begin to fly.” The red sighed and said, “Yes I cannot wait for that moment. However, I know that as soon as I can fly, there will be other drills that I must do every day.”

Alioquith and his rider started to walk back to their caer to rest when a young boy came up to them. “P’tan?” He asked. The redrider nodded and the boy said, “The seamstress wants to know when you are to come and get your new patch.” P’tan slapped himself on the forehead and said, “Oh I totally forgot! As soon as I get Alioquith back to the caer and get something to drink I’ll head down.” The boy nodded and ran back the way he had come. They continued walking to the caer and when they got there P’tan asked

, “Will you be alright for a few minutes while I get that patch?” Alioquith sighed. “I have been alone longer. So the answer to your question would be yes.” P’tan nodded and then walked out of the caer and towards the seamstress’s quarters.

He walked down the stairs and opened the door slowly. “Seamstress?” He called out. There was a pause of silence and then she said, “Come on in. I’m assuming you got my message?” She asked. P’tan nodded and said, “Yes I did. Thanks for reminding me, it had totally slipped my mind.” The seamstress nodded and handed him a sr. fledgling patch. He thanked her and was about to leave when she said, “Does that jacket still fit you P’tan?” He put his arms out and said, “Yes I suppose so, I mean, it does fine for me.” She nodded and walked towards him. She looked and the sleeve length and took a few measurements and then smiled, “Well good. I’m glad you didn’t go any over the past year. That means more free time for me, which doesn’t happen often.” P’tan smiled, thanked her again and then walked from the room and towards his caer.

He sat down in one of the chairs when he got back and ripped the old patch from his jacket. The tearing sound pleased him and he sighed. “Well jr. fledgling training is officially behind us Alio.” The red warbled in happy agreement and P’tan set out to find a needle and thread in his cluttered desk. When he found it he went back to his chair and stitched the new patch to the upper part of the sleeve. When he was finished he held it out and looked it over. Please with his work he set it down and picked the old patch up. He walked over to the trashcan and was about to throw it out when he stopped himself and walked towards his desk again. He opened one of the drawers and pulled an old box from it. He opened it and looked through it before placing the patch in it and closing it again. Smiling he went into the other room and patted his dragons shoulder. “Alio, we have another training session right about now.” The red grumbled but sat up on the couch. “More swimming?” he asked. P’tan shook his head. “No I think you have the flapping lessons now.” Alioquith stood up, stretched his legs and then said, “Alright, I will head down there now. Where do you go?” P’tan looked over the sheet and said, “The field, I’m going to be running etc. Would you like me to walk you to the hunting grounds?” Alioquith shook his head. “No I am capable of going by myself.” P’tan nodded and they each headed to their conditioning session.