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Amarylla rode atop Star and wandered through the Beor Mountains. Star was her loyal steed, and had been with her even when she was back in Surda. Riding on Amarylla's lap was a baby dragon!

She had discovered the red dragon egg a week before in the Beor Mountains. First, she saw a red glow beneath a pile of leaves and when she dug through the leaves she found the egg! She recognized it as a dragon egg, from the stories she had heard in Surda and also from the Varden. But, she didn't quite believe it herself until it hatched!

And out popped a baby dragon. A week passed now, and the young dragon grew rapidly. It was still small enough to carry on Amraylla's lap, though it was heavier than it was a few days ago. The red dragon's scales shimmered in the dawn's early light. Shockingly, Star was already used to the dragon.

Midnight had spent a month in the mountains now, mostly wondering and debating weather or not to venture out into the world she considered unknown because up until now she and spent very little time anywhere near other people mostly because people feared or hated her race.
she walked silently through the trees her feet made little to no sound on the ground. but as she walked she noticed something glimmer in the fading sunlight something nestled under a heap of leaves in the crook of a tree. curiously she walked towards it suspecting it was some raccoons hiding place of shiny things. but none the less she walked over and brushed away the leaves, much to her surprise she wasn’t looking at silly treasures of a raccoon but instead a silver round stone that sparked and glimmered in the light. she turned it over in her hands currishly wondering what it was. still holding it in her hands and examining the stone she continued to walk aimlessly.

Saira trodded silently through the feral wilderness.
" i should probably remain inconspicuous while i am with you, my little youngling."
She was carefully and somewhat-lovingly carrying a small bundle of a breathing, living creature in lavender satin.
But where was one so poor to find a beautifully knit satin fabric like that?
She had stolen it, along with a couple necessities; which were running out.
She stroked the bundle lovingly. It purred.
As she gently lifted up the bundle flap, it's eyes immediately opened.
In her hands, remaining as still as time, was a black dragon.
She cooed to it gently, it looked at her with mysterious golden eyes, and as she lifted her finger up to it's nose to tease it, it nipped her nails.
Saira immediately closed the flap. The poor thing is starving. I should probably find it some animal to consume. She thought to herself.
Without warning, she saw a flicker of movement.
Better to chase than give up She thought to herself as she brought out her staff and immediately started on running.
Hmm... since i'm not that experienced with magic, i should probably just stick to bludgening the poor creature. she thought with a shudder.
The chase prolonged. The creature, whatever it was, seemed to notice her and go even faster. What's stranger, it nickered, like a horse.
It could be a lethrblaka. Those creatures get more timid than just about anything i've ever seen when they sense a challenge.
Something even odder happened. somehting on the lethrblaka had jumped off and prolonged into the forest.
Oh no! which one shall i chase?! she thought, upset.
her strange creature in her arms seemed to notice what she was thinking and jumped off to follow in pursuit of the nickering mount. She jumped toward the creature that was off the lethrblaka.
They both didn't get far.
It was clear to Saira that both of them were exhausted, and had been traveling a far way off. but they weren't lethrblaka.
The creature that Saira's youngling was growling at, the one that was cornered between two boulders, nickering and rearing in fear, was a black horse; a star patch atop it's head.
And in Saira's direction, a young girl, bow at the ready in one hand, a luminous sword in the other.
And growling at her side: a vividly colored, large dragon; it's color was the same tint of fire that shone deeply in it's; and her eyes
Saira looked at the girl questioningly. Cautiously, she asked:
"Who are you?"

"That's a good question." Saira replied calmly.
"I have been chasing you out of inexperience, and I beg your apology. But my creature, my dragon, is starving, and I had just assumed you for -"
She stopped, noticing that her own dragon was whimpering from hunger.
Then, a pang of ravenous starvation had whipped through her. This was definitely more than just being hungry, it was a kind of illness, a terrible illness, with only one cure.
"Slytha." She whispered gently. Then Saira watched as the dragon's eyelids slowly descended, and then it fell asleep. At least now the hunger was not so bad, it was hidden in a blanket of slumber, and that made it seem tamable.
"- I just assumed you for a creature to hunt." She continued.
"My name is Saira, I am rapidly running out of provisions, and was growing desperate.
I beg your pardon again, but what is that magnificent creature? I have one just like that, and it's name is Jidako.
I'd really like to know where you got yours though. I found mine in a damp and abandoned cave that I used for temporary shelter, but then it was just an egg and I thought it would be good to keep for wherever I would need it.
How did you find yours? And where are you headed? And yet, who are you?"

Saira nodded, smiled, and tried her best to get an elegant curtsy, but fumbled as she held the dragon in one hand as she nearly tripped.
She blushed, thinking how stupid she was and that the elegant Amarylla would probably think that she was offending her.
"Forgive me. I'm am running away from my home, well, actually a dwelling. It's not really mine, for a cruel woman lives there, and I do not wish to go back to her ever again. I was running away when I bumped into you.
I apologize for startling your horse, it's quite beautiful, and elegant, it must have been trained well.
As for the Varden, I was actually seeking them for a fit shelter, and a teacher to study further in magic."
She held in her breath. That was no way to talk to a noble; she scolded herself. Saira bent down to one knee at the Amarylla and said quite hopefully:
"I would be honored to accompany you in the journey, that is, if you are wanting to travel with a lowly serf like me?"

Saira didn't feel ready to know this girl's secret.
A little more time to get to know her. she said to herself.
"I've finally made a friend, and I hope to know about you." Saira felt energized, joyful, and dizzy all at the same time.
She was energized with joy from all that had happened just then, and dizzy, for her dragon's starvation had bored through the blanket of sleep, and he was now fully awake and screeching in a reedy tone.
"I hate to bother with a question like this, but do you have any food? Jidako is practically killing me from these bolts of hunger!" She said with a quiet laugh. Though it was not very funny. She hadn't had any food in 2 nights, and she felt just as bad as Jidako did.
Jidako still had enough strength, and with a restrained grunt, he jumped out of Saira's hands and approached Tora silently and as cautiously as had Saira when she had first seen Amarylla.
Jidako stood silent. Cocked his head, and spoke to Tora telepathically.
Who are you?
That was the first thing that Jidako had said to anybody, and as Saira watched on , she knew that he was talking to Tora; knowing that talking to someone just like himself was a good thing, and she smiled.
And Jidako stood on silently and patiently, and waited for an answer.

Tora cocked her head to the side and replied telepathically, I am Tora, little one...and who are you?

Amarylla smiled, as she watched Tora and Jidako. After a few minutes she remembered Saira's question and blushed...she said hurriedly, "No, I do not have any food... but I can hunt. There is actually more game in the Beor Mountains than meets the eye. Wait here!"

Amarylla spoke to Tora through thoughts, Wait where you are; I am going hunting. Protect Saira, Jidako, and Star if the time need be. Saira replied, Of course! Amarylla retrieved her bow and an arrow from her quiver and stalked through the woods, memorizing her way. She spotted a deer and shot it down with an arrow precisely through the heart. Then, Amarylla dragged the deer by its legs all the way back to Saira, and the others. She smiled triumphantly and questioned, "Will this be enough?"