The Tiger Within 375 Flight Part 1

She was pleasantly surprised to see how well he took to Ember's ways. The twins were younger than most the dragon's at the reach, and had only had four master's between them both, and very little training that hadn't come from a younger Kyera or her mother. Seeing that he was in good talons, Kyera let her mind wander to the past, those days she had spent learning to fly herself.

It had been a cold spring, colder than they had expected and a rigorous storm had clashed across the valley for several days. There was no rain, just rapid winds, dark clouds and the thunderous boom of lightning without a single streak of light to be seen. The sunlight could hardly pierce the dense cloud cover. Back then, Kyera had only been, perhaps 4 years old. Her mother had been… well her mother. Those had been such sweet times.

She had been less graceful then, dressed as a cute little toddler and only half her motor skills up to par. Kyera had been so shy back then, but herself didn't really stand out in those old memories. Instead it was the woman who had led her up the hill the first time, and set her on the back of a Storm Dragon. That great black dragon with her shadowy wings that fluttered against the sky, defying the sunlight's wish to banish the shadows to the night. Her mother had been so regal sitting upon that old one's back.

Kyera remembered the soft winds as they caressed her hair for the first time. Looking up at Akira, who had nestled Kyera between her thighs on the dragon's back. She had been just as beautiful then as she was now. The memories unchanged by the pain her mother had caused only a few short years later. Kyera could still see the way the joy lit a fire in her mother's eyes, the brightness in her smile as the sunlight bathed her skin, making it glow. Her long white hair had been pulled into a high ponytail, dancing in the wind behind her as they glided through the air. It had been Kyera's first taste of true freedom.

"Kyera, LOOK OUT!" Cried a voice from below Kyera. She felt the dragon twist and spin in a evasive maneuver. A streak of air, murderous intent streaked past her. Several more shot past, disappearing into the air behind her as Ivory twisted and changed alt.i.tude to miss each one. Kyera finally realized it was a bolt of some sort flying past. Too large for a arrow, dragon bolts.

The thick rods were made of saplings, with a spear head attached to the end of the shaft. They flew straight and true, propelled by magic for accuracy and force. She turned in place looking back to see Ember and the other dragons flying south, away from the flurry of Arrows, separated from the other flyers, Kyera forced herself not to panic. Ramsey would see to Clovis, she didn't have to worry about that. Right now her focus could only be surviving to get back to him. She had to get back to him.

"Ivory I'm going to undo the restraint. We are going to have to work together to get out of this." Kyera warned the dragon beneath her. Every inch of her body was tense and aware of the danger she was about to face. Ivory seemed to recognize her intent without saying a word. Kyera's nimble fingers untied the leather harness and freed her from restraint. She brought her feet up, balancing on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet as she traveled along the scales and spines of Ivory's back.

Reaching the saddle bags, cast over her back, she untied the the bags flap, opening it. Within it was a simple cloak and a quarter staff that was tucked in place for situations just as these. Kyera pulled the cloak on, and spun the quarterstaff between her fingers. The shadows sheathed the wood as she spun it, seeming to ready for the battle to come.