Dragon's Future--Chapter 13 b

"What is this?" he asked in awe.  "Carryl, are you awake?"

"Hmm," she asked sleepily.  She cuddled further under the warm wing.  "Is it time to get up already?" she asked.

Glendyn laughed.  "I don't know what is going on around here any more, but I do know that we just may have a chance against this turquoise dragon.  Girl, how did you save this dragon?"

Carryl sat up and realized where she was and who was talking to her.

"Oh, Glendyn," she floundered as she struggled to stand up.  "I-I," she paused, "I don't know exactly.  She," Carryl paused.  How could she explain what she had heard last night.  Would Wyn still hold to it this morning?  "She let me sleep here," she finished lamely.

"Don't worry, Carryl.  Whatever you did, it is okay.  You brought her out of her grief.  I don't know what she will do from here on out, but she is alive.  That is because of you."

"Glendyn," Wyn called to him, "Honored rider, I choose Carryl as my rider."

Glendyn stared at the dragon.  "Are you sure?" he asked.  "Is this really what you want?  If something happens to her," he didn't finish.

"Then I will do my best to protect her.  She is free to my thoughts and to my life."

Carryl was staring at both of them.  She had heard dragon conversations before, but she had not heard human and dragon conversations before.

"Who will train her?" Glendyn inquired.

"I will," the dragon answered.

"Very well."

Glendyn turned to Carryl and started to speak.  Upon seeing her expression, he paused, "I see you heard that.  Therefore, I welcome you, rider.  Do all in your power to protect your dragon."

"Yes, honored rider, I will protect her."

"Now, let us go see about the other patient, healer/rider," Glendyn commented wryly.

"Duskya was with him during the night.  She didn't call me; so I am thinking that he slept peacefully.  His youngling has a way of healing the mind.  I am not too sure exactly how it works, but I tried something like it with Wyn."

"Well, I can't tell anything wrong either," Glendyn admitted.  "I was hoping he was well enough to start training some riders in what he did."

"He may need another day's rest before too much work, Glendyn."

"He may not have it, Carryl.  The turquoise dragon will be back.  We don't know when."

"Let's see what he has to say," Carryl compromised.

At the quiet knock at the door, Duskya opened it.  

"Come on in.  Have either of you had breakfast?  You can join us if you wish."

The two looked to see Ruskya sitting at the table.

"Carryl and Glendyn, come on in," he welcomed.

They all sat down, even though Glendyn had already eaten.

"Ruskya," Carryl asked, "how are you?"

"Thanks to you and Kyn, I am doing wonderfully.  And how is Wyn?"

Carryl paused with the spoon to her mouth, "She is doing fine."

"Fine?" Glendyn replied.  "I have seen two miracles today.  The first was Wyn and the second smaller one is you Ruskya.  I'll take that back, it was three miracles.  You, Ruskya, are the third.  The second miracle was hearing Wyn take Carryl as her rider."

Duskya and Ruskya stared at Glendyn as if they hadn't heard right.  Carryl blushed.

"Glendyn," she tried to say but was interrupted by Wyn's voice.

"He is right.  No other person your age has ever been chosen by a dragon.  No other dragon has ever had two riders either."

"Carryl," Duskya called, "are you okay?"

Carryl shook her head.  "Sorry, I am just getting used to the conversations including me.  It's a little disturbing.  Do you get used to it?"

"Conversations?" Duskya asked.  "What are you talking about?"

Ruskya was quicker to catch on, "Yes, it gets easier.  You just have to learn how to carry on two conversations at one time.  Would you mind sharing with us what happened?"

Carryl smiled, "Gladly.  I really don't know how to explain though.  I was calling to her to come back and to live.  I was sharing pictures of life, but I then sent a picture of the turquoise dragon.  She came to life.  I calmed her back down.  She asked me if it was true about her rider.  Then she asked me to stay with her and be her rider."

"You had an actual conversation with her and she asked you?" Glendyn inquired.  "I guess I should not be surprised any more by what happens around here."

"Welcome, rider," Duskya said.  "You will be a welcome addition."

"Thank you," Carryl answered.

Ruskya looked at Carryl intently.   "Welcome, respected rider," he said.  

Again Carryl blushed.  To have Glendyn announce it as so was one thing, but to have Ruskya use the official title was another.  She still couldn't believe it was true.  She was so flustered that words would not come to her mouth.  Instead she heard them in her head as if she was trying to communicate with a dragon, "Thank you, honored rider."

Ruskya's voice answered although his lips did not move, "You are welcome.  I am honored to have you as a fellow rider."

Her eyes got large as she looked at him.  He smiled and nodded while the words came to her, "Do not be afraid.  You may be able to talk with me, Duskya, and Kyn this way.  I will explain more later."