I leaned in as low as I could over Rhiannas's neck as we flew on into the horrible night. It didn't just cut down on the wind resistance but it also gave me a tiny bit of shelter from the teeming rain. I quietly used Carrodocs's trick to dry my clothes and warm my muscles. Luckily, Zalibar wasn't there to see. I mean... he had pretty strong views about people 'squandering cerebral capacity on matters of mere personal comfort,' but I'd decided that, if I was called into action, it'd be better if I wasn't frozen solid or struggling with cramp or something.
Rhiannas swung around to head north once more and, to relieve the tedium, I glanced, really carefully, round his mind. I mean... I'd never dream of trying to probe him... I basically knew what would happen if he caught me doing that... but when we were coupled in such a tight flying meld, I could have a quiet nose around at the thoughts and feelings floating about on the surface of his cloud.
As usual, his mind was locked solidly in on his job, keeping an eye on what the people round the island were doing and looking out for any possible threats. I was always amazed at how he managed to stick so solidly to such a boring task. I mean... no human could ever have kept concentrating like that on such a horrible night.
I scanned the horizon, using Rhiannas's eyes because, in the deep, moonless blackness, my own were totally useless. And, as I scanned, I had a moment of understanding. Dragons see in black and white. That's why they use those wavy line things instead of the flags that people would use... the 'Slashed Sunrise' repeated S pattern for the House of Rhian and the 'Permanent Wave' thing on my mother's bracelet.
Feeling rather pleased with the flash of understanding, I settled back into the mind... and body... numbing boredom of the sentry flight.
A soggy dawn was trying to break on the dreary eastern horizon and I was half dozing when I was blasted into full wakefulness by a shrill call of, "Be alert!" from Rhiannas. Another dragon, coming in from the south, had shifted course slightly to intercept us.
I secretly stretched and fed a bit more of my will into warming my chilled body, particularly my hands, which were numb with cold.
As the other dragon approached, I saw that it was Caronas, Carodoc's mistress, and that he was riding neck guard for her. When she was still a respectable way off, she broke into a non-threatening circle. "Salutations, Edify Rhiannas, mighty guardian of our boundaries," she said. Her carefully chosen words acknowledged his senior status and that he was currently busy with Council duties. "I, Caronas, would approach and parlay."
"I consent to your approach, though the nature of my council duties allow for but a brief interruption," Rhiannas replied, just as carefully.
I nodded to Carodoc as they approached but Rhiannas wasn't happy with that. "Remain vigilant," he barked as he leaned back in the air, shedding a little speed to let Caronas join us. The two dragons fell into a cautious circling formation, about six wingspans apart.
"I see you are sporting the new neck guard of whom I have heard so much," Caronas said.
"I have high hopes for her," was Rhiannas's careful answer.
"Are we to have the pleasure of witnessing her participation in the Neopyte Gates Race, this coming quarter day?"
"I had not thought to enter her on this occasion."
"Am I to conclude that you are of the opinion that she does not have the talent to make the grade in such a rigorous contest?"
"On the contrary, she has made considerable progress, these past months. Were I to enter her, I would have every confidence in her ability to make her mark."
"So you would merely expect her to 'make her mark'?"
"Oh no, on consideration, I anticipate she would prevail."
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Rhiannon - Dragonrider
FantasíaOn a school holiday in the Scotish Highlands, Katie discovers she has an unusual talent which draws her towards a mysterious island that nobody else can see. There she finds herself in a much more primitive world, a world of flame and sword, with mu...