The Book Of Dragons

Chapter 5 part 1: Flight

I tried not to look back at Lara's car, because I was afraid that I would just turn back or allow her to come if I did. Instead I ignored her, and concentrated on the forest. I heard the smallest noises from dragons crawling in the trees, and felt the tiniest wind blow through my hair. I felt completely in touch with every sensation, like my senses had been enhanced. I reached the carpark in a minute or two and looked at the steep path I now had to climb. Thinking on the lesser fang and my promise to him, I slowly began heading up.

I got to the twist in the path quicker than I had expected, and tried to find where I had gone through the bushes the first time I was here. Branches tore at my sling as I ducked past them, ripping it noticeably. I made quite a lot of noise forming my new route through the brambles, and I stopped when I heard growling. Then a dragon spoke out.

Who's there? Show yourself!

I continued making a path and finally stepped out onto the edge of the clearing. The dragon that had been here before stood now, about 2 meters like I had guessed. The bandage covering his wound was still there, although dirty and torn slightly. He stopped growling when he saw me.

Oh, you.

"Yeah, me, I came back like I said I would, is that a problem?" I questioned his response.
No, I just- What happened to your arm?
"I got attacked by a poisoworm."
Ah. Yeah, they give quite a lot of trouble around these parts. Now get over here.
"Uh, why?"
Just come on.
"Ok?" I didn't really know what was going on, but this dragon seemed a lot nicer than that poisoworm. I walked over slowly until I was close enough to touch him. He kneeled down a bit, lowering his back.
Get on.
"What?"
I took a second to comprehend what he had just said. This dragon, that I barely met, is telling me to get onto his back for a ride.
Just do it.
"Ok, whatever you say..."
I wasn't exactly sure how to get on with only one working hand, but the dragon helped me until I was sitting comfortably enough. He straightened up a bit once I was on properly.
Oh, and by the way, my name's Spike.
It was the last thing either of us said before Spike spread his wings wide and took off into the air, with me trying to hang on to smooth scales with one hand.

The first few seconds were utter madness. All I could see was streaks of light brown as the wind whipped my hair into my eyes and face. It howled in my ears, loud enough to block out all noise. I shook my head wildly to get my hair out of the way.

I was flying on a dragon's back.

We were high above the treetops, and I could see just how large the forest actually was. It stretched on for what looked like miles, and the carpark was tiny in the distance. We were moving fast away from it, but I felt incredible. The wind tore at my face and chest, so I tried to get into Spike's slipstream. I ducked down a bit and the wind lessened. The air felt cold, but it was a refreshing coldness, and I loved it.
"Where are we going?" I screamed over the rushing wind.
No reply. Spike was concentrating on flying, not on answering my questions. I saw a massive lake in the distance, we seemed headed in that direction. But before we got near to it, Spike dipped his wings slightly and we began a slow descent.

I saw a clearing up ahead, bigger than the one we had just left. We were headed right for it, and we were getting low. I could have reached out and brushed the tree branches, but I didn't dare let go in case I fell. It wouldn't kill me, but I could be injured even more. Spike ducked into the gap in the trees, twisting around in a u-turn to give himself more room to land. We hit the ground softly and Spike straightened up a bit. I slid off his back lightly and landed on the ground. I looked around and saw a wrecked cabin, big enough for a large dragon to stand upright.
"Where is this place?" I asked quietly.
This, Aoife, is my safe home.