"We watch this everyday, Quinra," Norse sighed. "It is never any different. Tell me what you expect to happen."

  "I'm waiting for the dragon I saw in my dreams," Quinra said, turning to the little drake. "The one I saw when I was young."

  Norse sighed as he spread his ruby wings, "I'm not sure what that means, but if that's what we're waiting for, all right."

 "Oh, Norse, hush," Quinra hissed.

 "Well, Quinra, it's not my fault that dragons don't get out here very often," Norse sighed. "If one does come through the sunset though, I'll eat my words."

  "I'll hold you to that," Quinra laughed as she stood and started back to her village. "Just because one hasn't come in years doesn't mean one won't come soon."

  Norse sighed, shaking his head, "Whatever you say, Quinra. Whatever you say."

 

***

 

  Norse hisses in Quinra's ear as she cleans the vegatables that the cook had set in the sink. Quinra whips her hair around and smacks the little drake with her long ocean colored locks. Norse hisses again.

  "I was trying to tell you that the sun was setting again. Are we going to go watch?" Norse asks.

  "Not tonight," Quinra sighes. "I'm beginning to think you were right about the dragons not coming..."

  Suddenly, a sharp sound came from outside. Everyone rushed to the window to watch a large blue land in the rough waters outside of the village.

  "You should never give up, Quinra," Norse sighes. "No one knows when something's going to actually happen."

 

***

 

  Quinra smiled as she walked outside with everyone else, the younger children scooted to the front since it was known that Dragoneer usually took the younger ones first. Quinra stood near the back, Norse wrapped around her neck.

  "Well, well," The Dragoneer laughed. "You all look like you've near seen a dragon before."

  "Many of them haven't," Quinra piped up as many of the younger kids stayed silent. "Dragons don't come around here often. We don't have a large rampaging plant problem, and Ants can't usually get over the steep mountain ridges."

  The dragon nodded slightly, "I see. I didn't think any place on Alskyr was completely protected."

  "We're not," Quinra piped in. "We had an Ant attack just two years ago. Most of the village was injuried or killed. We've just begun to recover."

  The Dragoneer leaped off his blue's back and smiled at Quinra, "It seems like you're the one in charge."

  "No," Quinra said simply. "Our Head Lady is in her home. She's ill. I've taking over her duties for the time being."

  "Not now," The Dragoneer said. "You've got the perfect aura around you."

  "To bond a dragon?" Quinra gasped softly.

  "No, a gryphon," The Dragoneer said, laughing a bit as Quinra's face fell. "Don't worry, dear. Gryphons fight Ants, and I think it would be better to have you against them so you can protect your village."

  One of the younger kids tugged on Quinra's skirt, looking up with her big, blue eyes, "Quin, you're not going to leave us, are you?"

  Smiling, Quinra turned to look at the Dragoneer, "Protecting my village? Does that mean I will be staying here?"

  "Yes, protecting your village and calling Beckenrow's Prides if anything happens," The Dragoneer said.

  "Then I won't be leaving you," Quinra said, smiling at the little girl.

  "Yay!" She shouted, hugging Quinra's leg as the Dragoneer laughed softly.

 

***

 

  "And as the Dragoneer watched her bond, he knew that one day they would be together forever, brought together by the mating of their two dragons," Quinra finished, smiling at the children.

  "Tell us another one, Quin!" One of them shouted.

  "Yeah, Quin!" Another one chimed in.

  "You guys know that it's time for you to go to bed," Quinra laughed. "I've told you three already."

  "Just one more," Another of the children whined.

  "Oh, all right, but you guys have to get into bed before I start," Quinra finished as all the children leaped into their beds. "O.k., Once upon a time, there was a young drudge who lived in one of the worst Houses around, Imarald..."

  As Quinra slipped out of the room, the Dragoneer smiled at her, leaning up against the wall of the children's bunk, "Well, I've never heard Imarald called the worst House ever, but I can understand..."

  "The Imaralds kicked my family out," Quinra said, quickly. "We came here just before the Ant attack. Both my parents were killed, and my brother was injuried badly."

  "What happened to him?" The Dragoneer asked.

  "The Ant venom drove him crazy," Quinra sighed.

  "I..."

  "Don't say it," Quinra growled. "Just don't say it! I've heard, 'I'm sorry,' too much in my lifetime! Just don't say it!"

  "Quinra, calm down!" The Dragoneer exclaimed, latching onto her shoulders. "Calm down!"

  "No!" Quinra cried, rushing out and down to the water, throwing herself into the surf.

  The blue Bond-search dragon bugled sharply, diving after her, but only succeeded in knocking her up against a rock. Slowly, she faded into unconciousness.

 

***

 

  "Stupid humans," a voice boomed in Quinra's ear. "Don't know not to go swimming when they're going to pass out in the water."

  "Huh?" Quinra groaned, opening her eyes.

  "Well, you're awake. That's good, I hope," The voice said again as Quinra's vision focused and a gray muzzle of a small wolf cub was pressed in her face.

  Screaming, Quinra jumped to her feet, looking around frantically, "Where am I?"

  "Marbethil Valley," The wolf said. "What are you doing here?"

  "I guess this is where the current took me," Quinra sighed, falling to the ground. "Good, now I don't have to put up with that Dragoneer's stupid questions."

  "What kind of questions?" The wolf asked, settling down in front of Quinra.

  "About my family," Quinra sighed.

  "Family? What are they like?" The wolf asked.

  "They're not like much," Quinra snapped. "They're dead!"

  "So your parents left you like mine left me," The wolf said, a tinge of anger heard in her voice.

  "I suppose," Quinra sighed softly. "Are your parents dead, too?"

  The pup glared at her, "Yes, they are," the pup growled.

  Quinra shook her head slowly, a little frightened by the pup's anger, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

  "It's all right. I don't mind talking about it," The pup sighed. "I just get annoyed when people barge in where they aren't welcome."

  "They were killed by a swarm of Ants," The pup sighed. "They ran off with the rest of our pack and left me and my siblings behind. They didn't even leave someone to watch us. When barely have of our pack came back, and they weren't among them...well..."

  "Yeah," Quinra sighed. "What's your name? I'm Quinra."

  "My name's Aaria," the pup barked happily. "Where are you going to?"

  "Back to Verita, hopefully," Quinra sighed, standing. "You?"

  "I'm going with you," Aaria exclaimed.

  "Huh?"

  "Well, that is, if Alynn approves," Aaria sighed, pushing Quinra towards a set of large gates. "We'll just have to go and ask."

  "Ask? About what? And what does Alynn have to approve? Who's Alynn anyway?" Quinra asked.

  "All good questions," Aaria laughed, "and they will each be answered in due time."

 

***

 

  "King Alynn," Aaria said, bowing in front of the large male wolf, "I have found the person whom I'd like to bond."

  "And you are?" The wolf, Alynn most likely, narrowed his eyes at Quinra.

  "I'm Quinra," Quinra said. "I washed by on shore this morning after...well, trying to kill myself in a fit of rage."

  Aaria laughes, "Fit of rage. A little too much like me, eh?"

  Alynn nods, "I suppose. I don't see anything wrong with this bonding. Aaria, you have my permission. Good luck, young one."

  Aaria grinned as she looked up at Quinra, Well, Quinra, what do you think?

  "I don't really know what to think," Quinra sighed, smiling down at Aaria. "Should we be going?"

  Aaria nodded as she turned and bound down the hall, "Come on, Quinra. Let's get back to Verita Island!"

 

***

 

  Aaria leaped at the waves as they rushed in and out. Laughing at her little companion, Quinra threw the hood of her cloak up over her head, shielding herself from the spray that Aaria seemed to be enjoying. The gray fralamaraz yelped as the wave swept her into the water. Quinra lunged forward, snatching Aaria before the waves could sweep her away from the shore.

  "Thank you, Quinra," Aaria coughed, spitting out the water she had swallowed.

  "Glad to," Quinra sighed, kissing top of the pup's head.

  Aaria laughed, whacking Quinra's face with her wet paw, "Catch me!" She shouted, rolling over and taking off down the beach.

  Quinra laughed, rushing after Aaria, but suddenly, Norse appeared in front of her, "I found you! Finally! I found you!" He called, wrapping around her neck. "Quinra!"

  "Norse, stop," Quinra gagged, "you're choking me."

  "Oh, sorry!" Norse exclaimed, relaxing his grip. "I found you. Finally, we can take you to bond."

  "We?" Quinra asked just as the Dragoneer winked between over her.

  "Finally!" He shouted. "Quinra, I thought you were dead!'

  Aaria growled softly at the newcomers, piering at them with her deep amber eyes, "Are they friends of yours, or are they just an annoyance?"

  "Friends," Quinra asked, smiling as Aaria's gaze softened.

  "Oh, well, nice to met you then," Aaria laughed.

  "That's Aaria," Quinra said. "Aaria, this is Norse, and that's...I have no idea what your name is."

  "I'm J'kuan," The Dragoneer sighed. "Quinra, I'd really like to take you to bond."

  Quinra sighed, "Gryphon, right?"

  "Yep, that's right," He said, smiling broadly.

  Quinra nodded slowly, "And where will I be going?"

  "Um, that's the problem. I have no idea," J'kuan sighed. "Any suggestions?"

  Aaria yelped, "How about...no, they haven't had a clutch in awhile. Forget I said anything," Aaria laughed softly.

  Quinra smiled as she tussled Aaria's fur, "Thanks for trying, love."

  "Welcome, Quinra," Aaria rumbled softly.

  J'kuan laughed softly, "Well, how about we just go back to your village for awhile and think on it? We don't have to take you to bond right away. Besides, I'm sure you'd like a nice rest, and be able to see your family again."

  "I have no family," Quinra growled softly. "But, I will go back."

  Aaria rumbled softly, nuzzling at Quinra's side, No worries, love. I'm here now.

 

***

 

  Quinra smiled softly at Aaria as the children of the village practically smothered her with attention. The little winged wolf was loving it until the youngest one accident pulled on her tail too hard. She yelped softly and rushed over and behind Quinra.

  "Don't worry, kids," Quinra sighed as the youngest children began to whimper softly. "Aaria just startled a bit. She isn't mad at you."

  I didn't mean to upset them, Aaria sighed to Quinra. "I'm sorry, kids. Please, don't cry."

  The children smiled softly at Aaria, "They won't," The eldest kid sighed. "I promise. Come on, little ones. Time to go swimming!"

  Quick as a flash, most of the kids were gone, running for the lake. Quinra laughed softly as the eldest one turned, winking at her, before taking off himself. Aaria rumbled happily, turning her head to examine her tail.

  "Love, it was one of the younger guys that doesn't know his own strength," Quinra sighed, stroking her tail softly. "He didn't mean to hurt you."

  "I know," Aaria sighed. "But it did hurt."

  She turned, walking slowly into the kitchens of the village. Quinra followed after her. The Head Lady smiled at Quinra and Aaria as they entered the room.

  "Playing with the children, again?" She laughed. "I'm starting to think I should just put you and Fanul in charge of them. He knows how to keep them from crying, and you can entertain them easily."

  Quinra smiled as she took her place next to the Head Lady at the sink to wash dishes. Aaria rumbled softly as she stood beside Quinra. She wished she could help, but she had tried once. She could never get the hang of carrying the dishes in her mouth, and she wasn't strong enough to move them with her mind. Quinra reached down and ruffled Aaria's fur.

  No worries, love. I do fine with them on my own, but thank you for wanting to help, Quinra thought, smiling down at Aaria.

  Thank you, Quinra. How about I got out and swim with the kids? Aaria asked.

  All right, but be careful, Quinra said as Aaria bound out of the door.

  "Hun, don't worry about them," She said. "You go play with Aaria and the kids. I'll take care of them.

  Quinra smiled at the Head Lady before turning and running after Aaria. Aaria was already splashing in the water. The kids were loving having her play with them.  Aaria seemed to be loving it, too. She called sharply when she spotted Quinra running out to them. Quinra dove into the water as the kids laughed.

  Aaria paddled over to Quinra, nuzzling her happily with her wet maw. Quinra grinned at Aaria before snatching her around the neck and dunking her under the water. Aaria yelped as she gasped for breath before she was pulled under.

  "Not fair!" Aaria called as she resurfaced. "Not fair at all. I was greeting you, and took me by surprised. Not fair!"

  "All's fair in love and war, my dear, and this...is both!" Quinra exclaimed happily as she splashed Aaria.

  Aaria laughed at Quinra as she dove under the water. Suddenly, a young man popped up in front of Quinra and splashed her.

  "Fanul!" Quinra screamed as she shielded her face. "You little pest!"

  Fanul chuckled softly as he dove back under the water and swam away from Quinra. Quinra grinned, taking off after him. Suddenly, there was a loud bulge from overhead. A dragon had landed just outside the village. Quinra looked up, blinking at the dragon. Aaria rumbled softly.

  "Do you think that could be for you?" Aaria asked.

  "Only one way to find out," Quinra sighed.

  Quinra and Aaria pulled themselves out of the lake. Aaria shook out while Quinra ringed the folds of her dress to get out the excess water. The rider leaped off of his dragon and strolled over to Quinra.

  "You're Quinra, I figure," The Dragoneer said.

  Quinra nodded and smiled, "Yes, sir, I am."

  The Dragoneer grinned, "Well, then, I suppose you're the one I'm suppose to bring back. You might want to go put on some dry clothing. We're going to be arriving in a wintery climate."

  Quinra nodded slowly, "All right, I'll be right back then."

 

***

 

  Several minutes later, Quinra and Aaria returned, dry and happy each carrying a bundle of items including food, clothing, and other things. The Dragoneer grinned softly as he lead them over to his dragon who just happened to be an oddly colored. Quinra said nothing, though, as he helped her up, fastening her in.

  "You'll have to keep a good hold..." The Dragoneer started, only to be whapped in the head by Norse as he shot forward.

  "You're not forgetting me, are you, Quinra?!" Norse exclaimed, curling tightly around her neck.

  "Course not, Norse," Quinra said, laughing as a grubbing little hand latched onto her skirt.

  "I'm going, too!" Fanul exclaimed.

  The Dragoneer laughed softly before leaping onto his dragon's back and offering a hand to Fanul, "If you want to, son, you're more than welcome to come along."

  Fanul grinned brightly as he leaped on in front of Quinra, "Of course I want to!" He exclaimed.

  Quinra sighed softly, "Well, this is going to be fun," She said before laughing, resting her head on top of the fourteen year old boy's head.

 

***

 

  Darkness. Quinra groaned softly as she was poked in the side. She opened her eyes and smiled at Fanul, but frowned at the expression on the young boy's face, "Fanul, what's wrong?" She asked.

  "Quinra, he's gone. The Dragoneer's gone, and we're alone," Fanul sighed softly.

  Quinra sat up slowly, looking around at the lush forest they were in. The Dragoneer had said they were going to arrive at a wintery climate. What was going on? Aaria suddenly rumbled at Quinra's side, Norse latching onto her neck with his tail.

  "I don't like this," Aaria said. "Something's wrong. He wouldn't have just thrown us off in the middle of nowhere."

  There was suddenly a sharp bluge from somewhere in the middle of the forest, and the oddly colored dragon was spotted flying upwards and teleporting. Quinra blinked slowly.

  Fanul gapped, "Usually when dragons do that, it means..."

  Quinra and Fanul were dashing off into the woods without even a word to Aaria and Norse, but the two compainions were dashing after them. When they reached the middle of the forest, they came to a wide clearing where the Dragoneer lay, bloodened and dead.

  Quinra gasped softly, "What happened?" She sighed softly.

  Fanul shook his head before noticing that the Dragoneer's pins were all missing, "Thieves," He said. "I've heard for people killing for ranking pins. The stones are worth a lot of money pawned to the right people."

  Quinra sighed softly, moving over to the Dragoneer and closing his eyes before moving a few fallened leaved branches over the body, "Let's leave him in peace. See if we can find a way out of this forest."

  Fanul nodded slowly, his eyes lowered in respect to the fallen Dragoneer before moving forward into the thickit. Aaria rumbled softly, moving forward, bowing slightly to the Dragoneer before following Quinra and Fanul.

 

***

 

 

  Fanul sighed as he watched the sunrise. Quinra yawned as she woke slowly, Aaria curled in next to her. Quinra peered at Fanul, not believing her eyes. The young boy was covered in flits. A large white was perched on his head, peering up at the sunrise as well. They all seemed to be facinated by the sky's burst of color.

  "Fanul?" Quinra asked softly.

  The boy turned and smiled at Quinra, the flits on his shoulders, on his head, and in his lap peering at her. Aaria stirred slightly, yawning her wolffie yawn before blinking at the sight of Fanul covered with the flits.

  "Fanul, where did they all come from?" Quinra asked.

  "There's a colony a few meters from here," Fanul said. "They like me," He said, grinning, "and I'm sure they'll like you, too."

  "A colony?" Quinra asked, only to be drug to her feet by a suddenly moving Fanul.

  He rested her down the hill and into a small grove where a lake sat. There was several little flickers like there always were whenever Quinra came to gather water, and Fanul grinnned, reaching out his arms and whistling slightly.

  Suddenly, the air was filled with flits of all colors, even a few that Quinra had never seen before. Several of them landed on Fanul, adding to maybe the five he already held, and a small one, a rainbow colored flit, landed on Quinra's shoulder across from where Norse hovered.

  "And most people have never seen one without legs that could talk, either," Quinra sighed, laughing at Norse as she little rainbow curled up on Quinra's shoulder, resting her rainbow colored head on Quinra's neck.

  "I'm not a flit, I'm a drake. I thought I made that perfectly clear when we first met," Norse huffed.

  Quinra laughed, "I know, hun. I know," she said, hearing Aaria rumbled angrily.

  "Get them off of me, Quinra," Aaria sighed, shaking a bit to try and rid herself of the white and black flits that where perched on her head.

  "Aaria, don't do that. You'll scare them off," Quinra sighed.

  "What if I want to?" Aaria sighed, shaking again.

  Fanul laughed softly at Aaria, "Come on, Ria, they aren't going to hurt you."

  "Maybe so, but I still don't like them on my head," Aaria growled, shaking again, causing the two flits to wing off of her head and flutter over to Fanul.

  Quinra turned and grinned at the young man, her heart suddenly making a slight leap. She sighed softly as her mind thought to itself, 'Only in my dreams have I ever seen someone so handsome... '

  Aaria rumbled deeply in the base of her throat, Of course, I was wondering how long it would take you to realize you thought that.

  Quinra blushed softly as the rainbow flit woke, nipping gently at her ear. Quinra laughed, gently stroking the flit's head. Fanul grinned broadly at Quinra as he settled down next to her.

  "I do believe that one there likes you," He said, beaming. "There are a dew here who have consided to stay with me, and that one wants to stay with you."

  Quinra sighed softly, grinning at the rainbow flit, "I like her, too," she said, stroking the flit's head.

 

***

 

  Aaria was the first one to protest on staying in the colony for the night since the flits seemed to insist on cuddling up with her. Quinra and Fanul, however, were glad to have a place not in the thicket of trees and bushes to stay. As they slipped off to sleep, Quinra could almost swear she saw a pair of glowing eyes watching her, but she wasn't awake long enough to be sure.

  Morning, and the light was streaming through the trees. As Quinra woke, she screamed sharply at the large green muzzle shoved in her face. Quinra was quick to her feet as Aaria woke, the flits around her scattering as she growled at the green dragon. Wait, it wasn't exactly green. It was more of a green/black color.

  "Oh, I'm so sorry. Aussie here has a habit of getting too close sometimes," The Dragoneer said as she appeared next to her bond.

  "It's all right," Quinra said, smiling softly. "I was just a little shocked."

   The green sniffed at Quinra before turning to her rider. The woman smiled slightly, "Hmmm, it seems that we're both in agreement."

  Quinra blinked again, "And what?"

  "That you would make a fine bonder," The woamn said. "I'm Min, Searcher for Ryslen, and I wish you would do us the honor of returning to bond one of our dragons."

  Quinra blinked agian before she saw Fanul stir, and the green's gaze shift on him. Min smiled softly as she looked as well, "I'd be honored, Dragoneer," Quinra sighed.

  Min grinned broadly, "Well, you won't be alone. You, sir, are welcome to come also."

  Fanul grinned like a crazy man, "I'd be happy to!"

 

***

 

  The fact that five of the flits that had been clinging to Fanul the whole time had refused to leave him, wasn't very surprising, but the fact that they insisted on perching on Aaria was.

  "Why do they have to ride on my back?" Aaria asked softly as they walked around Ryslen.

  "They like you, Aaria," Fanul said, laughing softly. "'Sides, I can't exactly carry five flits comfortably."

  "Do you think I'm comfortable? Because I'm not," Aaria huffed.

  "Oh, hush, the both of you," Quinra laughed.

  All of them grew silent as they entered the housing area for the clutches. The number of dragons was amazing. There had to be at least sixty of them. It was easy to tell which ones were the females since they were all wrapped around their tiny clutches.

  Quinra smiled softly as she felt Fanul's hand come down on her shoulder, "This is it," Quinra whispered softly. "This is my life."

  You two are sickening, really, he said as F'nul whapped him gently.

  "Oh, hush," F'nul said, laughing.

  F'nul laughed brightly, "In a minute, Ezith. Let's wait for Quinra and Tezeth first."

  Hiya, Ezith, Tezeth said with a draconic grin.

  Heya, Tezeth, Ezith grinned, butting her back.

  F'nul and Quinra smiled at each other before turning and stroking their dragons' muzzles, "You guys ready?" Quinra asked.

  Both Tezeth and Ezith nodded wildly.

  "F'nul?" Quinra asked softly, tilting her head back to look at him.

  "Hmmm?" Was his reply as he yawned, trying to stay awake.

  "When did you know that you loved me?" It was a question she'd asked often, but one that he'd never had a decent answer to before.

  F'nul furrowed his brow before smiling deeply, "I think I know now," He said. "When we went swimming that one time, remember?"

  "We went swimming a lot," Quinra laughed.

  "Aye, but there was one time, when my trunks got washed away, and I didn't want to get out of the lake because everyone would...SEE," F'nul said, grinning. "You took off your top and laughed brightly, grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the water. THAT....that was when I knew."

  F'nul nodded and grinned, "I am. Very," He said, stroking her hair lightly. "That showed me what a kindhearted person you were, sacrificing your own dignity to save mine," He said, kissing her on the cheek lightly.

  Quinra blushed softly and nodded, "That was embarrassing."

  "And this is even more so," Aria sighed, padding and and peering up at them softly. "Go inside. Everyone can see you out here," She said, looking around the main courtyard of the Caer.

  Quinra blushed deeper, "Eh... True. Let's go, F'nul," She said, grabbing his hand, leaping to her feet, and dragging him inside.

  "Oooo!! Kkkk!!!" F'nul replied in a shakey voice as he almost tumbled over as he was dragged inside and the room slammed behind him.