Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"It's extremely rare," Invah nodded calmly, helping Fiona secure the saddle. "It tends to stay in families, but some Callers who understand the ability have been known to teach it. You are probably the only Caller some of the other dragons have ever met."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would have thought that it was something the others could do as well considering that they have been riding a lot longer than myself." Fiona said as they turned towards the keep once they were past the mountains.

"There's something that I want to ask you that's rather personal. Would you stand up for me at my wedding? My Da will walk me down the aisle, of course, but I want you there and playing a special role as well." Fiona asked, changing the topic towards something more cheerful.

 

[KieranSoares]

Invah paused at that request, looking back over her shoulder at Fiona. "Of course I will, my love..." The softness in her eyes told Fiona she was deeply touched by the request. "I never thought I'd be asked to do something like that."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, you're my Ma, right?" Fiona asked with a soft smile. "And Sam will have way more family there than I will. It would make me feel better if both you and Gaiann were there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll be there for you, I promise," Invah murmured. As they reached the keep and Fiona slipped down to fetch her saddle, Invah first scooped her up in her arms. She hugged Fiona to her chest with a quiet sigh of contentment.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona hugged Invah tightly, her cheek pressed against her scales as Invah showed her the love and contentment that she felt. "Thank you for loving me, Invah."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's not hard to love you, little one," Invah murmured before finally setting her back on her feet. "Go on. Let's not keep Ezra waiting."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded, stepping into the stable to gather her saddle. Roman would return soon and the stable hand would take care of him so that he could return to Kennah and Elin. It would be time soon enough to fit Elin with her first saddle and tack. She would leave that decision up to Sam, however. He seemed more attached to the little drake anyway.

 

[KieranSoares]

By the time they returned to Ezra and Sadah, they found the two working through complex exercises and acrobatics, running through emergency dives and rolls and landings. Ezra was able to do it all holding on with just the stirrups and his legs, practicing spear positions as Sadah went. It seemed this Rider took his role every bit as seriously as Fiona's previous teacher.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think I'll stick with a safety harness." Fiona commented as she got the last buckles fastened on Invah's saddle, settling herself down so that she could get herself strapped in. "If I didn't, Sam would tan my hide. He's already not comfortable with most of this."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Expert Riders work without them because once you're experienced enough, they're more hindrance than help," Invah explained. Once Fiona was strapped in, Invah spread her wings and stretched, settling the saddle properly. Sadah came in for a fast and graceful landing, trotting up beside Invah.

"Are you ready, Caller?" Ezra asked, sliding his spear into a sheath on the saddle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose if Invah is." Fiona said as Invah got settled. "It's been a while since we've ridden together so it might be a bit bumpy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You'll get back into it quickly. Just follow me." He leaned low for Sadah to take off again, and Invah was close behind. Any maneuver Sadah took on, Invah mimicked to get Fiona used to it all again.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona took little time to get comfortable again, holding on tightly to her saddle when things got too rough. Thankfully Invah knew when she needed a moment to slow down and get her bearings again.

 

[KieranSoares]

Once Fiona was back in the swing of things, Ezra set a harder course. Invah was broader than Sadah and not quite as fast, so Ezra didn't push beyond her capabilities, but it was a proper workout for her too.

Eventually Ezra signalled Invah to move under Sadah, and he leapt down onto the saddle behind Fiona. Once he was settled, Sadah pulled away. "There will come a day that you see a dragon shot out of the sky," Ezra told Fiona bluntly. "And when that happens, you might have a chance to save them from crashing to the ground. But the hard part is knowing to let go if you can't save them, or you risk yourself and your partner."

Extra signalled Sadah and she bolted forward in the sky some distance ahead of them. "We'll show you how it works. But it's a hard landing, so be ready." With another signal, Sadah let her entire body relax as if she'd been knocked out, and she began to fall.

Invah raced forward, catching Sadah around the middle as her wings struggled with the increased weight. They were still falling, but it was only slightly faster than a normal descent to land. Close to the ground, Invah forced Sadah's wings to fold and pushed her away so she wouldn't be crushed and her wings would stand less chance of being broken if she truly we're unconscious, and Invah landed a bit hard, the shock nearly unseating Ezra. He might have fallen if he weren't ready for it.

 

[heartofcourage]

The straps kept Fiona secured as they hit the ground roughly, the descent making her stomach drop to her toes. It was a sobering reminder that they were doing this for battle and that she very well might see her friends and family hurt in the process.

"How many times have you had to do something like this?" Fiona asked, looking over her shoulder at Ezra.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Too many," Ezra answered quietly as Sadah rose and shook off dirt and grass. "And sometimes, there is nothing you can do, even if they do land safely."

Ezra stood and jumped over to Sadah when she came close enough. "And sometimes, you must save the Rider and let the dragon fall," he added quietly, his tone telling her he'd had to do that before. "But we are focusing on you, Fiona. Invah already knows how this all works. We're going to work on transfers, in the event another Rider is wounded and needs attention before the dragon can safely land. Sometimes Riders may black out if the dragon is forced to resort to extreme maneuvers. If they don't come to right away, you want to get to them quickly and secure them until they're conscious and lucid again."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's happened to me before. Gaiann brought me down until I had gotten my legs back under me. I worry more about Samuel than myself, however. He's never been good with heights and seems to be determined to make this work."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll make sure the General is well able before he goes into any combat situation," Ezra promised her. "Danica is likely going to be his main trainer. She may seem bright and gentle, but she's a harsh taskmaster. She'll run him into the ground to get him ready."

Sadah and Invah took off at the same time and Ezra signaled them to fly below, letting Fiona try the climbing version of the transfer a few times back and forth.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona did everything that Ezra asked until she was exhausted. At lunch, she was propped against Invah, enjoying the shade that her large form cast. She was dozing, her food half eaten beside her when she heard the sounds of drakes approaching. Lifting her head, she smiled to see Sam on Kennah, Elin and Roman bringing up the rear.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam slipped from his saddle as Kennah came to a halt, having brought his own lunch to come and eat with Fiona. "Hiya, love," he murmured, settling beside her after greeting Invah as well.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And I'm the hopeless romantic?" Fiona asked, looking at Sam with a smile as he dismounted and came to join her side. "I thought we were at war and you had a busy schedule of drilling new recruits. What changed?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, Ma made me stop fer lunch. So I figured I'd come out an' see you. But if you don't want me 'ere," Sam shrugged with a little grin and made as if to rise and leave her again.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't you dare, Sam." Fiona said, kissing him with a grin as she pulled him back into a seated position.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam chuckled to himself, gladly indulging her in that kiss and lifting a hand to her cheek. "So how's it goin'? Shana said Ezra'd be a tough teacher."