Only less than a tenth of the size of that brown, Deakoth was awed for a moment.
He is so big...
"He isn't so big compared to some of the others in the Wing," Commented a woman with a ribbon oddly wrapped about her eyes as if to blind her.
"You are this dragon's rider?" Than' asked.
"Indeed," the woman answered. "I am Bethany and this is Neuroth. We've been sent from the Protectorate to tell you that you've a spot, along with your sister Kyani, in the Uplifted Spirits Wing at the Kshau Protectorate."
"Oh! Oh!" Than' said in surprise, "I know about the Protectorate!"
"Of course you do," Bethany said, "You're a Foster of Raanatani. She's... Well, she is quite highly thought of among the ranking members of the Protectorate. All of her children are welcome with us."
"So... the Uplifted Spirits wing... What do you do there?"
"It is a construction wing, we move things. We build things... And sometimes we get to knock stuff down..." Bethany giggled.
I will like it with them, Deakoth announced, I like it already! I like this Bethany rider! She has a funny way of seeing and hearing things! And Neuroth is very friendly!
"Well, we still have a turn to study and get better at our work, but... I accept the offer, Bethany! I will do my best, and Deakoth will too!"
"Good! Now, I must go visit Kyani. You can come along, Deakoth, if you wish!"
The little dragon trilled and fluttered into the sky behind Neuroth, as Than' laughed below.
Or read below to see the Adult Stage!
Neuroth snorted and bespoke to his own rider, then laid his large head down on the warm stone ledge.
"We've changed our minds," Bethany said, "we're going to have a new wing. You are welcome to either, of course, but with what you just said," she looked out at that wash where the spanning bridge lay nearly complete, "you'll still be best off in the Uplift wing."
With a start, Than' looked at Bethany. "You mean the wing isn't --"
"It isn't the wing, it is just fine. Some of us tinkers have found a more specific group to hang out with. That's all. We're all still housed down near Alabaster, anyway. Last I recall, it would be kind of hard keeping a dragon on those little rolling hills near your mother's Cothold."
Bethany smiled, knowing something that Than' didn't apparently. But he did not ask. He instead thanked the brown rider and went to go visit his sister Kyani.