As the sunset shone through the sheer curtains of the Imarald House dining room windows, Maggie sighed and bowed, her dancing finished for the day. Lokau clapped and smiled at the young girl as he stood.
"Thank you, Maggie, dear," Lokau sighed. "Wonderful as usual."
"Thank you, sir," Maggie said, bowing slowly before she turned and left the room.
Maggie smiled as she heard the thunderous applause that followed as she left the room. It had never been that loud before. Lokau must have had several extra guests that night. Maggies Housemaid greeted her as she entered her room.
"Good day, Milady," the Housemaid sighed.
"Day, Liz," Maggie sighed as she removed her hair clips. "How have you been?"
"Busy as usual," Liz sighed.
"Good, good," Maggie sighed. "Did anyone come for me today?"
"No, are you expecting someone?" Liz asked.
"No, Liz, I'm not," Maggie sighed. "I just thought maybe my brother..."
"Maggie!" Minyri, Lokau's wife, exclaimed as she entered the room. "That was wonderful. Your best show yet. Our guests were very impressed, but I don't think it was by your dancing."
"What?" Maggie sighed.
"They say their dragons think you would make a fine bonder," Minyri sighed. "I'd hate to lose you, but I have no choice. I must let the Dragoneers take whomever they wish."
"I...Minyri, I can't go," Maggie sighed. "This is the last place my brother knew I was! I can't leave until he comes back!"
"Maggie, your brother left us five years ago," Minyri sighed. "I doubt that he will come back."
"No!" Maggie exclaimed. "He will!"
Dear, do not worry, A voice echoed in Maggies head. If your brother does return to the House, we will come for him. Please, come back with us.
Maggie gasped and looked up and around, "Who said that?"
"Said what?" Minyri asked, smiling at Maggie. "That must have been one of the dragons."
Maggie nodded slowly and sighed, "Do you promise? Do you promise to come for him?"
I promise, The voice crooned. I promise.
***
Maggie watched the green roof of the Imarald House disappear as she clutched the sides of the large green dragon. As the wind blew her hair back away from her face, Maggie shaded her face from the sun.
"Where are we going?" Maggie asked.
"Cincanta," The Dragoneer sighed as she tucked a strand of hair back into her helmet.
"I...I've never heard of it," Maggie sighed.
"I doubt you would have," The Dragoneer sighed as everything went black.
"What was that?!" Maggie shouted the second she could catch her breath.
"Oh, that. Don't worry about that," The Dragoneer sighed. "Not yet, at least."
Maggie sighed and shook her head clear of the darkness and cold she had just experienced. The dragon under her gave a quick sigh as she circled down towards a large Caer.
"Arayalliz!" Someone shouted, waving up at them. "Is she for Sameth's clutch?"
"No, I just brought her here for the hell of it," The Dragoneer scoffed as her green landed. "Go with Samna. She'll take you to met Sameth and then to the candidates barracks."
Maggie nodded as she slipped off the green's back and down next to Samna. The Dragoneer greeted her with a friendly smile.
"Welcome to Cincanta," She sighed. "My Sameth is on the sands right now. Would you like to met her? Arayalliz tells us to take every candidate to meet the dam, but you don't have to..."
"NO! No, it's all right," Maggie exclaimed. "I'd love to met her."
"Wonderful," Samna sighed. "Come with me."
***
Maggie smiled up at the large green that stood before her, "It's nice to met you, Sameth."
Is she the best Arayalliz could do? Sameth growled.
"Sameth!" Samna exclaimed. "That's not nice!"
"No, Samna, it's all right," Maggie sighed. "She's entitled to her opinions."
The green rumbled happily, Well, maybe she's not so bad.
Maggie smiled up at the Sameth, "Thank you, Sameth."
"Maggie, should we be going to the candidate's barracks?" Samna asked.
Maggie nodded and bidding Sameth good day, she and Samna started back towards the barracks.
***
Two eggs hatched simultaniously, to reveal a large blue and a small green. Both dragonets fell from their shells and bumped into each other from the momentum. The little green hissed a threat, and the blue looked a little stunned. Quickly, Maxwell and Maggie rushed forward, Maggie to the small green, and Maxwell to the blue. The little blue dragonet accepted him quickly, crooning his affection for the boy.
"Your name is Treth?" Maxwell inquired of the blue, who allowed his embrace, eyes whirling happily.
Meanwhile, the green gave Maggie a little playful chase across the sands before she stopped and allowed the young girl to lead her off the sands, "Very funny, Mikahlth," Maggie teased the green. "At least we know you're the fastest, right?"
