The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 21

The following morning, Eyarr and I made it back to the market we'd been camped near for the past few weeks. Eyarr wanted to make me a saddle that would fit on Riptide's back and just to show me how to work with leather, as I was unfamiliar with using the material. I always thought it was interesting to see how many people in the North wore leather and how they could make all sorts of things with it. The craftsmanship was remarkable.

Eyarr was gone for a couple of hours to get the supplies, leaving me with the dragons and starting to lightly pack our stuff in anticipation of our trip to Eyarr's past.

He finally returned with a bag full of supplies.

"Alright, Laeli, I'm gonna show you how to make a dragon saddle." I nodded and watched him first take measurements of the area on Riptide's back that would be appropriate for me to sit and where it would be most comfortable so that it wouldn't get in the way of his shoulders and wing movement.

After taking the measurements, he wrote them on a piece of parchment, appearing to make a few more mental notes. He grabbed the leather, metal, and twine from the bag.

"So... you made all of your gear by hand? Including Cliffire's saddle?" He chuckled.

"Not all of it. The saddle, yes, but a number of my belongings I traded for, like my sword and some of my books."

"Really?" He nodded, not saying anything further on his trading, and I didn't push it.

We sat near the fire pit, it being midday with plenty of light. He laid the leather out on the ground, tracing the shape needed with charcoal.

It was the first time it hit me how skilled and handy Eyarr was. It was one thing seeing the things he had made himself. It was another to see him make stuff. It was very impressive and fascinating.

For hours, he worked on the saddle mostly in silence, periodically requesting my assistance with certain tasks, such as holding the metal pieces and twine, cutting, and organizing. He was totally focused on his work, and even when he asked me to do something, I barely uttered a word not to distract him.

We worked on the saddle well into the late evening, by the time the moon rose. Eyarr worked on the finishing touches, finally leaning back, flexing out his sore hands, then placing them on his thighs.

"Finally done!" He boasted. I came over to take a look, and I was quite impressed. I looked at him, giving him an encouraging, proud smile. He stood and held it up in his hands like a trophy, turning towards Riptide, lifting the saddle for him to see. Riptide didn't seem too fazed by it; if anything, he was curious about it.

Eyarr gave me the saddle to remind Riptide that I was going to be his rider. Riptide observed as I gently set the saddle on his back, waiting to see if he would reject it. So far, so good, though. Eyarr helped me secure it in the proper places, making sure nothing was too tight or too loose.

Once we were confident with the saddle, we stepped back to allow Riptide to process it and start to get used to the new sensation. He grumbled from deep within his chest, and Cliffire made a noise in response from behind us. I guessed it was Cliffire just assuring Riptide that it was okay.

"Well, at least they're getting along!" I remarked.

"Let's wait another day before we leave, allow Riptide to get used to it, and so we can pack and get ready. Sound good?" I nodded.

"Sounds like a plan."

After another long day, I was beginning to feel restless about being on the move again. I couldn't sit still, constantly pacing and looking out towards the ocean, watching the horizon.