Zoe woke up with Petunia snuggled close to her. The dragon was sound asleep, even this late in the morning. Zoe held her hand over her eyes and looked to the sun. It had risen a while ago. Petunia stirred in her sleep. Dad and Mom must be so worried! Zoe sprung up, kicking sand. Petunia bounded up after her. She looked around worriedly, ears twitching in every direction.
"It's ok, Petunia, I just need to get home, like now." Zoe said and picked up the reins and bit.
Petunia tilted her head. She lowered it and sniffed the bit.
"Open up, let's go." Zoe said holding the bit on Petunia's beak.
Petunia opened her mouth and let Zoe slide the bit into her jaws. Zoe grabbed the reins and sprinted foward. Petunia yanked her back and squawked. Can I not go fast? Petunia slowly trodded after her. Zoe strolled forward, but wanted to race into the trees. They probably think I'm dead. Dad isn't going to be happy I didn't return home. Are they searching for me? The leaves blew in the wind as if teasing Zoe forward. I still don't know where I'm going. Wow, am I in a pickle. Zoe took one last step in the sand and walked into the trees. She looked behind her to make sure Petunia didn't hit anything. The dragon sniffed the ground, then took a cautious step forward. Zoe paused and looked at the dragon's injured talon. I've made her walk so much and totally forgot about it.
"How is your talon?' Zoe asked her worriedly.
Petunia lifted her talon into the air and sniffed it. She looked in Zoe's direction and nodded. Ok, good. Zoe walked forward, trying to retrace their steps. She couldn't concentrate. Her mind raced with the consequences she could recieve for not returning or for having a different dragon and how worried everyone might be. Zoe froze. Walking aimlessly isn't going to help me. Petunia sat next to Zoe and patted her shoulder with her beak. The dragon chirped quietly, and strangly assuringly, to Zoe. Zoe turned to Petunia and looked into her cloudy eyes.
"Have you ever seen the ForestTribe? Do you know how to get there?" Zoe asked Petunia.
Petunia tilted her head.
"Well, I guess you haven't really seen anything have you. How about heard, have you heard it?" Zoe asked anxiously.
Petunia shook her head. Petunia flapped her wings.
"You could fly and look!" Zoe rejoiced.
Petunia lowered her head and took a couple steps back.
"What's wrong? You can't fly either?" Zoe asked.
Petunia flapped her wings and shook her head.
Survivng for this dragon seems impossible. "Have you heard anything bizarre?" Zoe asked, hopeful.
Petunia flapped her wings again and squawked.
She's acting like she's flying. What's so bizarre about flying? "The race! You heard the race!" Zoe smiled, filled with hope.
Petunia nodded. The dragon sniffed the ground then walked forward. She looked back at Zoe, motioning for her to follow. Zoe stood hesitantly. How could the dragon remember where to go? She's blind. Zoe shrugged and walked after Petunia. Petunia led, very slowly, Zoe through the forest. The dragon had to constantly stop and smell or feel her surroundings. Zoe glanced around at the trees as she walked along behind Petunia. She listened to the birds. The day was hot, but there was a cool breeze to counter the heat.
Zoe looked forward in amazement. The star fruit tree they had passed yesterday came into view. She's retracing our steps! Petunia wagged her tail as she sniffed the star fruit tree.
YOU ARE READING
DragonTribes #2: ForestTribe
FantasyZoe froze as a loud squawk sounded ahead of her. She looked down to the ground were she followed a blood trail. The dragon had stepped on something sharp as it fleed from Zoe. The poor thing, I just want to help. Zoe walked forward as quietly as she...
