The Golden Dragon Rider

Fortress

Opening her eyes the first thing Chloe saw was sunlight. It was shining through small gaps in the leaves and falling on the forest floor in small, uneven patterns. Her surroundings were filled with the sound of chirping birds and the wind blowing through the trees. It was peaceful and isolated, unlike the town where she lived which was always filled with bustling crowds and dragons soaring just meters above your head.

Stretching her arms out Chloe looked around. She saw Eve and Emma lying by their dragons. They were sleeping calmly without any care in the world. This made Chloe remember Vivi and how she lost her dragon. The only reason she was here in the first place was because of something her dragon said. Something about being trapped in a castle.

Vivi can you hear me?

No answer, it was like that all the time now. She wouldn't reply to Chloe's attempts of reaching her. It was lonely. Without the presence of another made all riders feel unhappy. And Chloe was not happy now. Getting up off the ground she carefully began packing her things into her backpack. She was doing this as quietly as possible because she didn't want to wake her sister and Eve. They deserved the sleep after agreeing with her crazy plan and sneaking away to find Vivian. Vivian, Chloe though. She has never called her dragon that. It was strange, she always referred to her as Vivi. 

Chloe's moving around must have woken Emma because the next time she looked at her she was stretching her arms next to Aeron who was looking around sleepily. Emma grinned at her and Aeron opened his mouth wide and yawned. Chloe laughed. Vivi used to do that as well, it was the funniest thing ever.

"Morning sis." Emma said.

"Mornin'" She said.

"What are you doing?"

"Just packing some stuff. We'll have breakfast then go. I think I know exactly where we can find her."

"Where?" She asked, taking a sandwich from her bag.

"I had a dream that I was standing in a valley somewhere in the mountains. I could hear Vivi but I couldn't see her and she was directing me to wherever she was. I think that it may have been a sign or something. Do dragons usually affect their rider's dreams."

Emma frowned at Chloe's question, "No, its not something that happens."

"Huh, weird. This isn't the first time this happened either,"

Emma raised one eyebrow, "Its not?"

"Hey guys!" Eve called. The girls looked over at her. She has just woken up along with Snowflake who yawned then tore off into the woods.

"Um, not trying to scare you or anything but I think your dragon is possessed." Chloe said.

"Oh her." Eve said, "Don't mind her. She is a weird one. She'll be back before we leave."

"Aeron is also a weird one. I still can't believe he let me ride on his back!" 

"Yes, well he doesn't mind who rides him as long as I am with him." Emma said.

"He is a special child." Eve said and they laughed. After breakfast they quickly packed up their things and took off. Chloe sat on Aeron again behind Emma who was steering him. She never got a chance to properly ride Vivi. She wasn't big enough last time Chloe remembered. But when was the last time she even saw her? Around two or three days ago. Its insane what can happen in such a short time.

As soon as they rose above the trees Chloe forgot about everything and tried her best to take in the surroundings. They were flying high above the forest with their town miles behind them hidden by mountains which dotted the horizon. It was a beautiful sight. It was early in the morning and the sun just rose giving the sky a beautiful shade palette. Chloe would have loved to paint this so that she could have the image with her forever but that was unfortunately, impossible.