DragonTribes #1: RiverTribe

Chapter Two: RiverDragons

Alicia was seven now, a big kid. At least that's what she thought. Her mommy said otherwise. While she had grown in stature and intelligence, her passion for dragons was all the same; that, and she still loved wearing her dark hair in two long braids.

Alicia slowly woke, rubbing her eyes. She slowly regained her senses. Suddenly, she sat up in bed with pure excitement. Today was the day. Today, Mommy said Alicia could help her father at the river with the dragons. Alicia threw the animal skin blankets off her and bounced out of the bed. She bolted to Mommy, who was making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Whoa! someone's excited! I wonder why." Mommy smirked.

"You know why!" Alicia shouted, unable to contain her excitement. "Are you almost done? So I can eat and go?"

Mommy laughed. She had a beautiful smile when she laughed. That's what Daddy told Alicia, anyway, but she agreed. "Why don't you sit down; it'll be ready shortly."

Alicia sat down at the wooden table. She watched Mommy squish the berries as she made juice. "Almost done?" Alicia asked again. "I can help!" She piped.

Mommy didn't reply, only smiled. She started humming to herself as she prepared breakfast. The stew in the fire beside her seemed to bubble with her song. 

Alicia tapped her fingers on the wood. The smell of the fish stew crept into her nose. "Are you almost done?" She asked, but this time with a hunger instead of a rushed feeling.

Mommy laughed. "Alicia, dear, you don't have to rush. You've asked me that three times."

Alicia giggled, asking again, "Are you almost done?"

Mommy sighed, but Alicia saw her smile. She brought over a bowl with fish stew in it and a cup of juice. "Eat as much as you can, you'll need the energy for your busy day. And don't eat too fast, you'll make your tummy upset. Daddy is waiting for you; he wouldn't leave without you."

Alicia ate, controlling her speed, although she did want to gobble it down and run out the door. She ate and drank until she felt full and rubbed her stomach. "It was delicious, Mommy."

"Be careful, Alicia. Do everything Tanu and Daddy tell you, and don't run off exploring." Mommy warned her as she got out of her chair to leave.

"Nothing bad is gonna happen." Alicia waved goodbye to Mommy. 

Mommy shook her head, worried, then waved back with a smile. 

Alicia bolted out the doorway, running through the tribe. She dashed around people and other children, anticipation fueling her every step. The dragon pens were all the way at the edge of the tribe, and so she ran as fast as her feet would carry her, trying to get there as quickly as possible. 

The RiverTribe used dragons to help them catch fish at the river, as fish was the prominent food source for the RiverTribe. That was about the only thing they used dragons for, and so they stayed at the pens. 

The pens quickly came into sight, but Alicia did not slow down, prepared to run at full speed until she entered the door. The pens were a long building. All of the dragons were kept inside over night, so it had to be in order to have a stall for each one. A huge fenced field was attached to the building; it was the only building with a fence that Alicia knew of.

Alicia was almost at the door, when it suddenly flew open. She collided directly into Tanu, the dragon pen's boy, or Daddy's assistant. Tanu flew back into the door, having to steady himself. Alicia had completely collapsed into him, nearly falling over. 

Tanu laughed, helping her upright. "Up so early, Alicia?"

"I'm here to help!" She exclaimed, nearly bouncing in place.