Story - Frayni and Solsin
"Solsin, you're back," cried Frayni as she ran towards him. The lion Thaaweo turned around as he heard her voice.
"Yes, the clan just arrived last night," he replied with a sharp-toothed smile. "I'm here to trade for some things we need."
"Too busy for an old friend?" Frayni asked jokingly.
"Of course not," Solsin said, then looked around quickly. "What's that noise?"
The two Thaaweo looked up as the sound became closer and nearer, and seemed to be coming from above them. It was the sound of flapping dragon wings, and soon a green dragon came into view, passing directly over them. The evening sun cast the dragon's shadow over the village, and the villagers ran out, alerted by the sound.
"The clan's in danger," growled Solsin, alarmed by the sudden appearance of the dragon.
"No, it's landing," Frayni said, pointing to the dragon, flying lower and lower over the village. She ran towards the dragon, followed closely by Solsin. Halfway, she was forced to stop, gasping for breath as he caught up.
"Quick, get on my back," he told her as he crouched low. Frayni grabbed his shoulders as he stood up and ran swiftly, barely seeming to mind her weight.
"Sorry to bother you," she apologized when she got her breath back.
"No problem. It's just like the time we first met, remember?" he replied.
"I remember. I fell and sprained my ankle. You carried me to the healer."
Solsin halted just outside the town, and Frayni climbed off his back. The villagers were gathered to their left, facing the green dragon and a stern-looking human woman on the right.
The village chief, a canine Thaaweo, stepped forward and said, "We do not bother you humans. Why do you come to disturb us?"
"My name is Manya. I mean no harm, I'm just here to find candidates to Impress dragons like my Hilth," said the woman.
"There are no candidates here. Please leave," said the chief.
Manya stood her ground stubbornly. "Hilth, are there any worthy ones here?" she asked her dragon.
Hilth, the dragon, swung her head slowly to look at the crowd arrayed in front of them. Then she turned to stare directly at Frayni and Solsin, who gasped and stepped back.
Manya walked towards them and asked, "Would you come with me? Hilth says you two have what it takes to Impress a dragon."
"Impress a dragon?" Frayni asked curiously as Solsin gave the stranger a hostile glare. "I could have a dragon like yours?"
"Oh no, you don't own a dragon," Manya said with a laugh. "Your mind and your dragon's are linked so you can share your thoughts and become companions for life."
"I'll come with you," Frayni said decisively, drawn by the thought of having such a magnificent beast as a companion.
"I'm coming too," Solsin announced, stepping forward and staring fiercely at Manya. "I'm not letting her go alone."
"I wanted both of you in the first place," said the Searchrider, smiling as she led the way to Hilth. The entire village waved farewell as they flew to Tiyaza Citadel.