The Dragonriders

Chapter 29

The Return Of An Old Rider

Tara'li

Later in the day we start moving out. I can see how many wings came now, as I see six wings in the air and the council. I don't lead my wing into the air as I help with the final preparations of some of the Dwarves. Then I turn to my squad. 'Sha'iva, I need you to do something for me. Sha'nok is ready to become a Dragon Rider herself now. Please fly her back to Celaris with your sub wing so she can get her own dragon. I got a letter to whoever is in charge there now that she is to not go through the trials and get straight to the soul bind before returning to the front lines with the first wing that gets send here where she will rejoin our squad. After that I got one more task for you. On your way back use the spare place in your saddle to bring an Elven smith back here so Tresh'ta can get a normal armor.'

I hand her two scrolls, both sealed with my seal but one with "Celaris" written on the outside and the other with "Emerald City" written on the outside. She takes them both and puts them in her saddlebags while Sha'nok climbs into the passenger spot. Then she turns to me. 'Will you be fine without me here? You know I'll kill you if you get yourself killed.'

I laugh softly with her about that. 'Don't worry about me. If you get there and back again in a decent time then I'll be fine. Know that I trust you with quite an important task here...'

She nods and commands her sub wing to take off. Then I climb on Rashter and see Tresh'ta standing nearby. I feel slightly conflicted at that point. Rashter notices my conflict and helps me out. 'You know... it would be good for both of you if you let her. She needs it and you need to connect with her again. This is the best way.'

For a moment I want to sputter but I sigh. 'Fine. You get your way. I'm not the one who has to carry the weight.'

Rashter walks over to Tresh'ta in response...

Tresh'ta

I hear the heavy footsteps of an old dragon and look up to see Tara'li on top of her massive, armored dragon. The dragon takes a couple of sideways steps before laying down and Tara'li leans forward. 'Rashter helped me make a decision. I didn't fully agree yet but...'

She stretches her arm out towards me with an open hand. My mouth drops open. 'Are you serious? Are you willing... to let me ride your dragon?'

Tara'li doesn't speak, instead her dragon does. 'You both need it. Now please make a decision because we are about to be left behind.'

I grab Tara'li's slender hand and she pulls me onto the saddle. When I sit I notice just how massive that dragon of hers is, with just how wide I have to sit to get my legs to the side. She must have seriously trained her body to stretch to get comfortable in this saddle.... Then I wrap my hands around her waste. Tara'li somewhat cool points down. 'There are leg straps on either side and a large ring to get your foot in. No need to grab hold of me.'

Mostly in shame I start working on the straps. I should have known she got the straps included in the saddle. She is both a queen and one of the council. Of course her saddle would have leg straps.... With the straps fastened the huge dragon jumps into the air. Somewhat in fear I wrap my arms around Tara'li again, who is actually sitting there in a relaxed fashion. With mighty wingbeats the huge dragon gains altitude and stabilizes his flight. Behind us Tara'li's wing gathers, and to my surprise she has a female Ork on her left and a Dwarf on her right. 'Ehm, Tara'li? How does it work again? The ones flying behind you are your left and right hand, right?'

Tara'li nods. 'On my right, the Dwarf, is Noruk. He is my right hand. On the left is Flashee. And yes, she is an Ork... but I trust her.'

An Ork as a left hand? A Dwarf as a right hand? And then also just in their peoples armor? Though... the Orks chest piece does have some iron plates underneath it that I suspect are made by the Dwarves simply because they are to smooth to be fully Ork. Then I smile. Who am I to criticize Tara'li on how she leads her squad? It is her squad and considering she is the one who had to offer me a lift... yeah I guess she is the one in the right. Especially with the giant dragon who I heard also burned down the village she lived...