The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 12

Okay, I forgot how big Cliffire was when standing. My head didn't even reach the shoulder. I swallowed hard, feeling my mouth run dry; damn, I wish I had brought a water jug with me.

I watched Eyarr mount the saddle easily, clipping himself on for safety and giving Cliffire a hearty pat on the neck.

"I... don't know about this."

"Come on, trust me. Cliffire won't let you fall." I watched the dragon's body move, trying to visually understand how he navigated with riding equipment on his back. Cliffire watched me intensely as well. I guess he sensed my hesitation as he gently nudged me with his nose. I goodheartedly patted his nose horn as I physically prepared myself.

With a breath, "Okay, help me up." I walked over as Eyarr held out his hand for me. I lifted my foot into the stirrup, where Eyarr moved his foot for me.

I grabbed a loop on the saddle and gripped his forearm tightly. His hand also firmly gripped mine.

"Ready?" He asked. I wordlessly nodded as he pulled me up in one go, hoisting me behind him. I felt Cliffire shift underneath the saddle, adjusting to the additional weight on his back. I swayed for a moment, trying to focus my weight accordingly. Once I felt balanced, I held onto Eyarr's shoulders, feeling the muscles flex under my fingers, and I tried not to dig my nails into his shirt.

"Okay, he's going just to walk around first. Don't move too much. Allow your body to sway." Cliffire tilted his head as he waited for me to adjust. I took a deep, shaky breath in and nodded in affirmation. He took a lumbering step forward, trying his best not to make any major movements. I wasn't worried about becoming sick from the movement since I've been on the ocean so much, but the ocean was vastly different than being on a dragon.

But soon, I realized that the gentle swaying of Cliffire was similar to the gentle swaying of waves. It actually didn't take long for me to adjust to it.

"You doing okay?" Eyarr asked.

"Actually, yeah, I am. It's not too bad."

"Great!"

Over the next few days, Eyarr helped me become used to everything a dragon did, from walking, running, and jumping. And flying was the last thing.

By now, I could easily pull myself onto the saddle with little assistance from Eyarr.

"It's going to be an intense rush, so hold on, okay?" I nodded, gripping the saddle with my thighs and wrapping my arms around his torso. Cliffire spread his wings with a gust of wind. He turned to face the exit of the clearing towards a cliff. He began to walk, turning to a sprint, and with a mighty flap of the wings, my heart dropped as I watched the ground vanish beneath us, taking to the clouds.

I couldn't help but yell as he climbed higher into the sky. I felt the chill of the air around me, the hair on my arms rising. The wind tore through my hair, and I pulled my half-braid out, letting all my hair loose.

Once I processed the takeoff, Cliffire leveled out, and I allowed my eyes to open fully.

I couldn't explain the feeling I felt deep inside my soul. It was... different.

It felt like something had been lifted off my shoulders. I'd felt free on the ocean, but I felt... freer. Freer than I'd ever felt in my life.

I stretched my arms out, letting my fingertips graze the clouds surrounding us. Despite the cold air, I could feel the warmth of the sun's rays on my back. I felt my heart pounding. Not out of fear but sheer joy. I sucked in the clearest breath of fresh air through my nose.

"CHEE HOOOOOO!" I cried out. It had been so long since I let that cheer of excitement escape me like that.

Every movement of Cliffire's wings seemed to reverberate in my body. In front of me, I heard Eyarr let out a whoop of adrenaline, he directed Cliffire in a deep nosedive toward the sea, and I could feel the sting of the whooshing air against my face, but I didn't care.

I saw the ocean concave as we approached the sea, but Eyarr didn't notice. He pulled Cliffire up just in time, the air pushing the waves up around us, ocean water foam splashing us as we banked around the wave.

Eyarr pulled us back up to the cliff where we took off from. Once we landed, I felt lightheaded and dizzy, and still felt the adrenaline pumping through me. Eyarr jumped off the saddle and looked up at me. He didn't need to say anything. He knew I thoroughly enjoyed every second of that flight.

I was still lightheaded from the air, and when I tried to get off, I lost my focus and fell, Eyarr swiftly catching me.

"Looks like we need to get you to bed so you can sleep that adrenaline rush off." He commented, carrying me bridal style. It was awkward, but I was too dizzy to care.

"Can you walk?" He set my feet down and held me as I attempted to balance, but I was still too lightheaded. When I lifted a foot, I lost my balance again and fell backward, being caught by Eyarr again.

"Alright, I'll help you back to the house." I couldn't help but laugh, and he laughed with me.

As we returned, Eyarr said goodnight to Cliffire, who made himself comfy in the stall.

As we walked back to the village, the sun was beginning to set, and I could feel my head regain its senses. I was able to lead us back to the house. Eyarr helped me up the stairs to my room before heading to his.

As I changed for bed, I couldn't believe I'd ridden a dragon! It was better than anything I could have imagined, and I couldn't believe I was hesitant initially. If only I could tell Mom, Dad, and Aihe. Mom would've loved to ride a dragon. I don't know about Dad and Aihe, but Mom for sure.

As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but think about what it would be like to see that waterfall in person. It took me hours to fall asleep. Once I did, I dreamt of the ocean. Feeling the sheer power of it and its transition into the weightlessness of the sky.

If that was what it felt like to be free, I've lived it.