Drakonis

Friends

Sitting outside on the balcony, I reclined on the bench with Nymara nestled between my legs, her head resting gently on my chest. As the evening breeze brushed against us, her voice was a soft murmur against the backdrop of twilight. She shared stories of what had happened since I left, her words weaving a tapestry of their lives during my absence.

She spoke of her father's decision to join mine in battle, an action that had kept him away for two long years. Her eyes, though filled with the weight of time apart, sparkled with a hint of pride. Her mother, too, had been active in supporting the refugee camp on the east coast, a testament to their growing understanding of the war's harsh realities. It warmed my heart to hear how her parents had come to recognize the gravity of the situation and extended their help.

I still pondered about her Kairos wanting to ask more questions but I decided to stay quiet for today and enjoy this peace with her.

Her smile was a rare and comforting sight amid the chaos in my mind. "I spoke with your brothers a few days ago. They're doing well," she said, her eyes reflecting genuine relief. "Uhroh has been a strong leader, so I wasn't surprised to hear good news."

I returned her smile, feeling a bit of weight lift off my shoulders. "I'm glad to hear that. Uhroh's always been like that."

Nymara shifted her attention back to me as she turned her body to stare in my eyes. "Ashley and your sister are helping with the refugees. They've been doing a great job. The humans haven't shown any interest in the ocean coast, which is a relief."

Her smirk was contagious, and I felt a lightness in my chest. "It's good to know everyone is safe and well."

I've been watching her work diligently all day with the council and felt an urge to do something together that could offer us both a respite from the tension. "Since we have a moment, how about we take a break from all this?" I suggested. "I'd love to show you something. Would you like to go for a ride on our dragons? It might be a nice change of pace and a chance to clear our heads."

Nymara looked up, her eyes lighting up with interest. "A ride on the dragons? That sounds wonderful. I haven't had a chance to fly in a while, and it would be nice to spend some time away from the maps and strategy."

I felt a surge of excitement at the thought of spending time with her in a different setting. "Great! I'll go get Frostbone, and you can meet me at the stables. I'm sure Orinth would love to see you again."

Nymara nodded, her expression brightening. "I'll be there shortly."

As she left to prepare, I felt a renewed sense of anticipation. The thought of flying with Nymara, sharing a moment of peace amidst the chaos, filled me with both hope and excitement.

I headed to the stables to meet Frostbone. As I approached, I saw Nymara already there, standing beside Orinth, who was eagerly shifting from one foot to the other. The sight of her with the dragon made my heart flutter; it was a beautiful contrast to the gravity of our previous conversation.

"Ready for a ride?" I asked, my voice light and enthusiastic as I approached.

Nymara grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Absolutely. But let's make it interesting. How about a race?"

I raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in my voice. "A race? You're on. I'll warn you though, Frostbone has a competitive streak."

Nymara laughed, her excitement evident. "Orinth and I have had our share of races too. I think we're up for the challenge."

We mounted our dragons, the familiar rush of anticipation and adrenaline coursing through me as Frostbone stretched his wings. Nymara adjusted her position on Orinth, her face set with determination.

"On your mark... get set... go!" I shouted, and with a powerful push from Frostbone and Orinth's eager leap, we were off.

The wind rushed past us, the world blurring as we soared into the sky. I glanced over at Nymara, who was leaning into the wind with a wide grin. Her joy was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile back.

We sped through the clouds, the dragons expertly maneuvering through the air. Frostbone and Orinth were evenly matched, each trying to outpace the other. The thrill of the race was exhilarating, and for a few moments, it felt like everything else had fallen away.

Nymara pulled ahead slightly, her laughter ringing through the air. "Looks like you'll need to catch up, Loran!"

Not one to back down from a challenge, I urged Frostbone to stretch his wings further. "We're not done yet!" I called out, as we closed the gap.

As we neared a familiar landmark, a rocky outcrop we had often flown over, I saw Nymara look back, her eyes twinkling with competitive spirit. We pushed forward, both dragons giving their all. The race was tight, each dragon's wingbeats creating a powerful gust of wind.

With a final burst of speed, Frostbone surged ahead, crossing the finish line just before Orinth. I let out a triumphant cheer as we landed smoothly on a nearby plateau.

Nymara touched down beside me, her face flushed with exhilaration. "You beat on pure luck."

I dismounted and walked over to her, a broad smile on my face. "Don't be upset we beat you like I said we would."

Nymara laughed, the sound as clear and bright as the sky around us. "You've become a great rider."

We stood there for a moment, the cool breeze rustling around us, the dragons resting peacefully nearby. The joy of the race had brought us closer, and as I looked at Nymara, I felt a deep sense of connection and contentment.

"I'm glad we could share this," I said softly. "It's moments like these that remind me how much I've missed you."

Nymara's smile softened, and she reached out to gently touch my arm. "I've missed you too, Loran. It's good to have these moments, especially in the midst of everything else."

"Training up north was rough," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "Every day, I couldn't stop thinking about you and my family... wondering if I'd ever get to come back and be with everyone. It was terrifying, feeling so far from everything that mattered."

Nymara's eyes softened as she listened. She took my hand, squeezing it gently. "Loran, I know it's been hard, but you're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

I looked at her, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability. "Thank you."

She smiled, her gaze full of warmth and encouragement. "I want to stay like this forever."

As we stood there, the tension of the past days seemed to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and camaraderie. Even if her and Kairors were to get married I'd be happy for her. I want the best for Nymara and our planet.