A gentle, northerly wind blew across the tree tops of the Warren, cooling the humid air, if only for a moment. No clouds marred the bright, blue sky. The sun was a golden gem hung over the land with delicate care. Dragon riders and dragons alike had been given the day off from duties to enjoy this spring-like weather. Most of them played in the vast, sapphire ocean or went into town with friends... Most of them.
A low growl revibrated in Siltek's chest and rumbled up her throat until it burst out in another agonized howl. Her black muzzle pulled back in a snarl of pain and sweat dampened her clawed hands. Her nerves were set on edge, tingling with every feather-light touch. Each touch felt like an eternity of torture.
A cool, calming hand pressed against her straining forehead, stroking down the mussed fur. Though he hide it, Moonshadow felt his heart beating twice as quickly as it should. "It's alright." He cooed to his wife, voice barely a whisper to keep it from shaking. "It'll be over soon."
"Not soon enough!" She growled, cut short by another howl of pain. Her hand gripped his arm and held tightly. She would probably leave another bruise.
Moonshadow took her hand in his, ignoring the crushing force of her grip. He'd taken his human form as soon as the news had come. He needed it to reassure Siltek and be able to see all of the healer's cot.
A small paw tugged at his pant leg. Moonshadow started and looked down to see his first son, Damier, watching him with wide, blue eyes. The infant was frightened. He couldn't understand why mommy was crying and daddy was afraid. With a gentle smile, the Tigra/man scooped the cub up in his arms and cradled him close to his chest.
Damier squirmed uncomfortably in his father's tight grasp. He wanted to see his mother and figure out why she was howling so much. The three year old cub whimpered and twisted around to peer at the strange men gathered around the cot. They all looked anxious and poised as if ready to run. Father held mother's hand and kept repeating words he couldn't understand.
Suddenly, a new voice began screaming, drowning out Siltek's final growl. E'rik gently lifted the small, wet bundle in his arms and looked at the parents with a triumphant smile. "It's a girl." He said before handing the new born child to a nurse to care for.
Moonshadow's face broke out in a wide, infectious grin. Siltek sighed with relief and joy, her tired eyes forced to stay open so that she may see her new daughter. The cub was wrapped in a soft blanket and handed with care to the mother, as if the nurse was afraid of breaking the poor thing. Though that didn't seem likely with the powerful voice that the cub continued to use.
Moonshadow kissed the top of Damier's head and held him closer to his mother and new sister. "Look Dami, you've got a sister." His voice was awe-filled and ready to burst with joy. One hand held Damier while the other stroked Siltek's cheek. The Lironess purred softly, cradling her daughter close to her chest.
The sister-thing looked up at Damier with large, blue eyes... and began to wail. Damier, thinking this was a good idea, began to wail as well. Siltek chuckled as Moonshadow calmed Damier.
"She's a strong one." The weakened woman smiled softly. "Letanri." She spoke the name gently, pure love in her voice.
"That's a beautiful name." Moonshadow agreed, gazing at Letanri with adoration. "Little Letanri."
* * * 15 years later...
Letanri: in the Liron tongue it meant 'beautiful flower.' True to her name, Letanri had blossomed into an attractive, graceful young woman. Her fur was sleek and as dark as her mother's with only a few white tips to mark her father's colouring. A long, thick pony tail of white hair cascaded down her back and ended near mid-back, gleaming with blue-ish highlights in the morning light. Her limbs were strong and showed only enough muscle to fill out her slender form. Bright, keen eyes gazed at the world with the same, half-mocking look of her mother. Her clothes were simple and light, made to allow her easiest movement in fights and still intice the eyes of men. She was a mysterious beauty and she knew it.
She lounged on the flight fields with four companions in the warm, tropical summer sun. Her outfit of the day was a simple green dress that barely covered more then necessary. That was how she liked it. A black tie held her hair high on top of her head and let the silky strands flow down her shoulders in a natural wave of beauty. She was still young by Liron standards, but old enough to think for herself. Her four companions were the winged wolves of Marbethil, Nisil, Elmyka, Mika and Kouros. Nisil and Elmyka had bonded to Letanri's mother a few years before when the Lironess had been awaiting her husband's impression. Mika and Kouros were the children out of their first run. Only three of the seven had remained. Their other brother was Explosion, bonded to Damier. Though Letanri had never bonded either of the remaining pups, they had still become close friends. She especially took to the intelligent and mature Mika.
"The origin of Fralamar is unknown, at least to me. And since the shifting of worlds, it's even more confusing. I'm just happy knowing I'm alive and well." Kouros was saying with a dignified air. The large, brown-silver male envied his sister's intelligence and tried to emulate it as much as possible.
A golden bell hung around Mika's neck jingled with her throaty chuckle. "True, but knowledge is power; as you well know. We've never seen our home land yet there will always be that longing. No creature exists without an ancestry. We should know ours."
"Ignorance is bliss sometimes, dear Mika." Letanri purred. Her white tipped tail flicked against the supple blades of grass with a languid ease. "Mystic has a past, but she rarely talks about it." A sly smirk touched her dark lips. "Unlike my mother, who speaks constantly of my Liron heritage."
"Your mother is a strong huntress and proud warrior. Even I respect the status she held in her clan." Elmyka's soothing, educated voice drifted into the conversation. The golden brown mother lay on her side, wings spread to take in the cooling breeze.
"As do I." Letanri inclined her head in agreement. "And I'm very proud to have the Black Rose clan in my blood. Yet I've heard the story of our triumph over the hydras so many times, I could recite it in my sleep." A wry smile touched her lips as the four wolves chuckled. She had few friends other then the other rider children and her family. Most of her time was spent in some form of weapons or martial arts training anyway. Still, she enjoyed peaceful moments like this, relishing the absence of thought that came with them. Sometimes it was good to forget one's troubles.
Letanri. The deep, rich voice wove into their minds with such suddeness that Letanri jumped slightly. She rolled her eyes and sighed in a teenager fashion after recognizing Bazuk's mental tones.
Yes, Bazuk? She asked politely in response to his presence. She'd been able to bespeak the dragons for as long as she could remember. Though Damier received most of their father's magic, she had retained enough to be considered a HAD.
Well... your father's gone off on some business and I just got back from a flight. When the disembodied voice heard no reply, he continued. My hide itches and I was wondering if you'd come help me out. Please? The overly large red marked brown pleaded.
Letanri chuckled softly and gave an impression of nodding. I'll be there soon. She assured the large male. Bazuk left with a happy 'thank you' and Letanri reluctantly got to her feet.
She yawned, flashing rows of sharp, white teeth beneath her dark muzzle. Stretching her slender shoulders and lashing her long tail behind her, she glanced down at the wolves with an inviting smile. "Wanna race?"
"Alright!" Kouros exclaimed, leaping to his feet. A pink tongue lolled out the side of his mouth and a wide grin pulled at his wolfish muzzle. Mika laughed and butted her brother playfully, growling an afirmative to Letanri's invitation. Only Nisil and Elmyka declined, preferring to lounge in the shade a while longer.
Letanri and the two wolves bid the others goodbye then took off for the path that lead to the ocean. It would be a long run, at least 10 minutes, but all three of them revelled in the thrill of the wind against their fur.
Letanri is a candidate at: Opal Moon Weyr