Redemption

Where loyalty lies

Chex's Pov
The more time slid by, the worse my burning got. There were times when my stomach was so pulled taut I refused to eat, and only nibbled at the stags Ronny had brought me; or sometimes I'd go ahead of myself and brush my fangs on Aifos' cheeks, sometimes even my tongue. Their skin was always so soft my body thrummed. Moreover, they rarely shied away, but reproached me anytime I was a bit too rough.
After this outcome, I'd often let out a whine and push my snout on their neck, their rich smell surrounding me.
One day, I managed to gather enough courage to shuffle over to Ronny and ask him how he could stay so unbothered in our Rider's presence, since there was too much familiarity between their touches to give away anything else.
The brown of his irises grew amused as I saw the white flash of his fangs, -Familiarity doesn't always mean neutrality.-
-Doesn't it? But I was sure...-
-Despite being smaller than Tairn, I am as old as him. I have been called too many names not to be aware of my surroundings.-
-You are a hundred years old?-
-Yes.-
-So your size is smaller than ours.-
-It may be because for most of its life your kin is wild. Whereas, some of mine can hatch only in the presence of their beloved.-
However, they were way older than Aifos; I carefully trudged my ground, -So... What happens if the Rider dies?-
-The dragon dies alongside its chosen, most of the time. I am an exception.-
-Why?-
His voice turned sour.
-The Rider That Was Not Meant To Be chained me to him through dark spells after killing my chosen. His death gave me the very freedom that had been denied to me for a hundred years.-
-I'm sorry. I... I didn't know.-
-Now you do.-
Carefully, I brought my nose against his cheek and we stayed there for a couple of heartbeats, until he shifted slightly and we parted.
-Does Aifos know?-
A silly question.
-Of course they do. They were the first to take care of me after a whole life of neglect. When they saw me falling from the sky, they were with their mother. She was friend of the Elves, and I vaguely remember their chants which broke The Rider That Was Not Meant To Be's spells. I was as big as Tairn, perhaps even more, and now, here I am.-
There was something fascinating in the way he talked about his troubled past: with a detached tone, that suggested they were only dry facts; and yet, his eyes never met mine.
-You chose well.-
A quick smile, -I know.-
We stayed there until Aifos ended their sparring with Xaden and reached us. Ronny garbled them welcome and said he would bring for us a couple of deers.
After he launched off, I looked at our Rider and felt the numbness in their limbs as if it were mine.
-Wanna fly?-
Their eyes sparkled and their smile was brighter than any sun, -Yes! Just let me put on you the saddle.-
When their sweet weight was finally settled on my back, I ran and then lifted ourselves off the ground. At their excited holler, I pumped my wings faster and faster, until we pierced the clouds as a golden spear and could finally hover above them, my shadow chasing us through the clouds.
They laughed, then bumped their forehead on my neck; it was the first time they shared with me this endearing gesture while airborne. When I purred softly, I felt their smile against my scales.
-Ronny was lucky,- I said, -To run into you.-
-He told you, then.-
-Well, I kind of asked him. It was... It was your tyrant, right? The one your professor killed?-
Their sigh was slow.
-Yes, Galbatorix. The Mad King.-
-I hope Malek left his soul unrecommended.-
-If he *had* one.- I flapped my wings, heavy silence between us. I felt Aifos straightening and rolling their neck, their voice soft, -But now, enough with this, please. We're flying together and it's the best part of the day!-
I flicked my tail and forced myself to think about the wind, their tights around my sides, my wings stretched wide; the quiver of their lips that night when I'd brought them to Syrena's drift, how full they looked under the moonlight.
Aifos bent down, their chest against my neck. Their voice vibrated with anticipation, -Let's go baby!-
With a roar, I pulled my wings back so I could dive steeply. The wind roared in my ears and fought against my wings to snap them wide, so I tightened them around my flanks and strengthened the muscles of my tail. Upon me, Aifos cheered and laughed, especially when I roughly opened my wings and flicked my tail so we wouldn't crash on the fortress.
Sgaeyl watched me landing and my Rider patting me and then jumping off the saddle, their hair windblown and their cheeks of a darker shade. A silly smile played on their lips, while their eyes crinkled.
It was only after I nuzzled my Rider I raised my head to look at Sgaeyl, whose scales gleamed sapphire under the sunlight.
-Hello, Sgaeyl!-
-Hello, Little One. I see you had fun with your Rider.-
-Oh, yeah! We flew so high, the clouds were under us! That was, like, half the sky.-
-I'm glad.-
-And you? How was your flight to Basgiath?-
-Good,the wind has always been behind me.-
- How's Andarna?-
-She's still Asleep, but I think she's about to wake up pretty soon.-
I nodded, -Yeah. I did so after a while, too.-
Then, I felt Ronny's mind nudging on mine, -I have killed the deers. I'll send you my location.-
I chuffed amused upon Aifos' groan.
-C'mon man, I've just unsaddled him!-
-You can go,- I said, -I'm not hungry.-
-You sure?-
-Yes. I'll stay here with Sgaeyl.-
They nodded, smiled at me and walked back into the outpost so they could leave there the saddle.
Then, I turned to Sgaeyl and watched her for a while. She truly was deadly beautiful, with her bone-white talons and  sharp daggertail.
No wonder Tairn had fallen for her.
My voice was meek, -Can I tell you something?-
-Of course, Little One.-
-Just... Promise me you won't judge.-
-I promise.-
-It's that... Aifos isn't... Uhm... How, how did you know Tairn was the one?-
She turned her head to the horizon, the light glinting off her scales.
-I've always known, I suppose, ever since I woke up from my Sleep. But he was way older than me, and I had to prove myself worthy of him.-
-So you felt some kind of... Call?-
-Yes. You're feeling it too, I gather.-
I avoided her eyes and looked at my talons. They were a bit too small, but still sharp.
-Yes, but not for... For a dragon.-
When her eyes slightly widened, I tightened my wings and hunched my back.
-You think the little Alagaesyan Rider is your mate?-
I hated her rushed words.
-Aifos. Yes.-
-But... How?-
-I don't know!- I snapped, -I just feel some sort of call, like you said.-
-It's just that it has never happened before.-
-I know! Ugh!- I flung my wings over my head, and whispered, -Is there something wrong with me?-
I heard Sgaeyl shuffling closer, and felt her wing draping itself over my back. Slowly, I unfolded my wings and she nuzzled my cheek, -Nothing is wrong with you, my Little One. You're just a little bit peculiar. Besides, if you were even slightly boring, you would remind me too much of that smoke-snoring Cath.-
I snorted smoke, and she tightened her wing on my back, -You're my ward, and I'll never abandon you for being yourself.-
I curled myself around her and snuggled closer, just like I used to when I was still a hatchling.
-I miss Darna.-
-I know. I miss her too.-