DragonTribes #1: RiverTribe

Chapter 5: Looking for a Dragon (OG)

Alicia took the harness off of Shark. She exited his room and Tanu handed her a pack.

"I put some of the fresh fish in there," He took the harness from Alicia, " If you don't find a dragon tomorrow, we expect you to be back."

Alicia nodded, "Thanks, Tanu."

Alicia made her way to the ocean's bank. The trip would take a while until she found a SaltDragon and even longer for her to find one that accepted her.

Alicia looked at the sun as she sat on the sand. The tide came up and ran between her toes. Alicia scanned the surface of the water. Fish were breaking the surface and swimming frantically farther out.

Something must be disturbing them, something known as a dragon. A dragon burst from the water and caught a fish. A smaller one followed it. It's a mother and it's dragonling. Mother dragons were the worse to encounter. They are extremely protective and are willing to die before their dragonling. Alicia stood and walked farther down the beach, creating more distance between her and the dragons.

***

The day had been long and unsuccessful, Alicia had eaten two of the three fish in frustration. She rested her head on the pack and pulled a wool blanket over her. She looked up at the stars and fell asleep.

Alicia woke up, her head in the sand. The sun was reflecting on the blue water. She turned and drowsily reached around for her pack. She couldn't feel it and sprung up, uneasy. She looked around frantically. Further up the bank, her pack was in shreds. Dragon tracks led up to the pack.

"Stupid dragon must of been hungry." Alicia picked up the ruined leather scraps.

She sighed and quietly followed the tracks. After about an hour of walking, Alicia froze and stared ahead. A dragonet laid basking on a rock ledge in the sun. The sun reflected off his navy scales.

There is the fish snatcher. Maybe he is the one. The dragon suddenly lifted his head, as if he heard Alicia's thoughts. Luckily, he didn't look at Alicia, instead he slithered into the ocean. He stayed submerged for quite a while. Alicia waited patiently. The dragonet reappeared with a mouthful of fish. He lifted his snout to the air and gulped them down.

Alicia approached quietly. You will be mine, I will come home a dragon tamer. The dragonet froze and locked his gaze on Alicia. Alicia froze. He lowered his head and sniffed the sand in her direction. She moved a few steps closer. The dragon stretched his webbed talons. He suddenly pounced on her. Alicia screamed and tried to grab his gills, a weak spot on the SaltDragons. Before she could react, he bit her shoulder. The dragonet jumped into the water with a large, loud splash.

Alicia cursed under her breath as she stood up, "I swear to the moons..."

She rubbed her shoulder and looked at her hand. I'm lucky that was only a warning and he had his teeth retracted. I'm lucky he can retract his teeth.

***

The sun was replaced by the moons before Alicia got back to camp. She treaded to her Mother's house. The sheep baa'd loudly as she walked by. Alicia opened the door and was swallowed by Mother's arms.

"I was so worried," Mother pulled away to check on Alicia, "You're not hurt are you?"

Alicia shook her head, "I wish I found a dragon that accepted me though."

"You look exhausted." Mother handed Alicia some bread, "Did you at least find a dragon?"

"Oh, yea. I found a mother and her dragonling and a fish snatching dragonet." Alicia spoke with a mouth full of bread.