The dragon-chick

[Arlette Halider]

Arlette sat cross-legged on the grond, looking critically at the small, lizard-like creature sitting opposite her. She had being trying to think of a name for her new friend, but as of yet she'd come up with nothing. Are you a boy? she mused. Or are you a girl? But the dragon would tell her nothing. Perhaps you're just too young to speak...

She looked amusedly at the small creature as it spread its wings, looking from one to the other as if it wasn't quite sure what to do with them.
"What am i going to do with you..?" she sighed. She put out a hand, hoping that it wouldn't burn her again if she touched it. Closing one eyes, she stroked its pointed snout, and was relieved that she felt no pain. The little dragon thingyed its head to one side, and looked curiously up at her. Please talk... she thought helplessly.

Straightening up, she restlessly walked back and forth in the small chamber of Farthen-Dur. When would her dragon talk? Just a name, anything. She supposed it just needed time. But in this age, time was what she didn't have.

She wished there was someone who would tell her what to do.

[Arlette Halider]

A few hours later and still Arlette had made no progress. Her little dragon sat sleepily in front of her, and although she felt that it understood her, it would not reply. She sat in deep thought for several minutes before deciding to try and tempt it into talking. Whether or not it would work, she had no idea, but she felt that she should at least try.

So... are you a girl? Because I have to pick a name for you... and I wouldn't want to give you a boy's name if you're a girl.
The dragon tilted its head to one side, and looked keenly at its partner.
I'm a boy. Arlette jumped as she heard a voice inside her head, and then looked in surprise at the winged lizard before her.
Th-thankyou... She hesitated. So now I have to choose you a name. Do you already know what you are called?
But again the dragon would not reply. So she would have to be more specific...
Hirador? nothing. Beroan? Jura? Vanilor? Eridor?
Yes.[/color] The dragon folded his wings up, and looked at her with golden eyes much like her own, his silver-blue scales twinkling as a beam of sunlight bounced off his skin.
What?
I am Vanilor.

The dragon looked pleased with himself, and Arlette couldn't help but feel a certain degree of relief. Vanilor... she smiled.

[Arlette Halider]

Quickly gathering her things together, Arlette prpared to leave. She needed some traingin, and she needed it fast. With the war approaching she had little time to spare, and now she and Vanilor had made some initial contact she felt confident that thign would progress as they travelled together.

So far, her mission to find a suitable trainer had been unsuccessful. She had recieved her dragon, but she was aware that she had to make some effort to get the training she so desired. So now she would get a horse and travel Surda and the Empire,, she would travel over all of Alagaesia if need be. She just wanted to improve her skills as a rider... She was no use to the Varden in the state she was in now.

Stamping out her fire and, after requesting she might, scooped up Vanilor and allowed him to lay around her shoulders and over her backpack. She hoped he wouldn't grow too quickly; it would become far more difficult to keep him hidden if he grew too big.

We must go to the Empire first, she decided. To the cities... I am sure to find someone who can help me there. I ahve to do things my own way. I have to find someone who can tel me what to do!
Yes. Vanilor yawned.

Althoguh this was hardly the confident, inspiring answer she had hoped for, Arlette was thankful her dragon continued to talk to her, and so set off at a quick jog to seek out a horse.