Home is a Treasure Beyond Price

Chapter 24

The day of Sombra's and Marissa's departure dawned cold and overcast, and by the ache in his knees, Nick could tell that the snowstorms were on their way. Overhead, Cadence and Sombra tumbled and glided through the air on one last hunt. It looked more like a game of aerial tag than anything else, teeth snapping together a hair's breadth from wing membranes twitched aside at the last moment. Watching that savage and beautiful dance sent a pang of wonder through him as he stared up at them from the mouth of the cave.
He wondered if the villagers were enjoying the show. They'd definitely noticed Sombra's arrival because Theo had shown up at the cave the very next day to ask about the new dragon. The villagers had nominated him since "I didn't get eaten the last time I was here." Theo had let himself be persuaded to stay for dinner; try though he did to hide it, he was curious about the dragons and Marissa. It'd been nice seeing Cadence and Theo getting along, at least until Cadence had asked what Nick was like growing up.
The dragons alighted in unison, grace and power in every motion, timing their wingbeats so precisely that they didn't get in each other's way. As he walked out to meet them, he wondered if that was how they'd moved when they'd battled their opponents: as one.
<I hope you'll come visit us, Nick,> Sombra said, as he walked towards him. Unlike Cadence, he kept his tail on the ground when he walked. <You'll have all the time in the world if you accept Cadenza's offer. And I might be convinced to tell you the story of how I met Marissa.>
"Bribery, Sombra? Really?"
<You can't fault me for trying to sway your decision in favor of my friend,> Sombra said, with a teasing tone in his voice.
<You see?> Cadence said, as she moved next to Nick. <So many benefits, Nick.>
Nick snorted.
Sombra walked over to where Marissa was laying out the flight harness. "Come on." Marissa said, as she slapped his hindquarters. "Time to get you saddled up."
Sombra twisted his head around blindingly fast and playfully snapped his jaws together with an audible click a bare inch away from Marissa's nose. Marissa laughed, and pushed him away with a hand on his snout.
<Don't get any ideas, Nick,> Cadence said.
"I'm taking notes as we speak," he murmured.
Once the flight harness was on, packs loaded into baskets and pockets, it was time for farewells.
"Keep in touch," Marissa said. She slapped Nick's shoulder hard enough that he staggered sideways a step.
Nick rubbed his shoulder and shot Marissa a dirty look, much to Marissa's amusement. "I will," he promised.
Then it was the dragons' turn. They touched snouts and closed their eyes. Nick could almost sense the quiet hum of their communication. It was a long moment before they stepped back. Marissa clambered up onto Sombra's back and waved goodbye and then Sombra took off.
They leaned against each other and watched the dragon and his Companion fade from sight.