• • Ga'rel and Uaillikenth • •

• The continuing misadventures of... •

by Neishai

Ryslen

Uaillikenth soared through the air, circling above a minor canyon somewhere in the Crimson Mountain Range. With a signal from his rider he dove like a falcon, wings pressed to his sides, until the last moment when they unfurled with flaming intensity, red wing flying parallel to bars of red stone. He bucked, gaining altitude, a flying fish fighting the air currents of a dried up riverbed.

Sighting a likely ledge, the dragon's eyes flared for an instant, wings beating with new fervor until his talons reached out as if to grasp the outcropping. Without pause, he pushed off the wall behind it and was headed in the opposite direction, flying upside down.

Meanwhile Gato was suddenly on the ledge, having jumped out of the saddle with a flip to land solidly on the flat stone surface. He watched as Uaillikenth barrel-rolled and left their little switchback behind, chest heaving from their exhertions. His lightweight, white lace-up shirt stuck to his skin now that he was stationary.

Not for long however, for as Uaillikenth made a second pass, this time just below the ledge, Ga'rel jumped back into the saddle. "We've been out here for a while. We'll need a rest soon," he commented, not expecting his Red to literally hear him.

I want to see how far we can push ourselves. We have trained for longer periods at a time before.

"I agree that we need to stay sharp, but it's a warm day, and--"

We have every reason to prove ourselves, Gato. Who better judge of our abilities than yourself and I?

I don't like this. Ever since their graduation into rider-adult dragon status, instead of relaxing a bit Ga'rel and Uaillikenth had redoubled their efforts to improve their team. With no more classes to attend, their freetime had expanded, allowing them to experiment with new training techniques far from the interruption of curious onlookers. These aerial acrobatics were their way for every last scrap of flesh and sinew, every facet of their intuitive bond, to be ready for the unforseeable. Aerial accidents were a part of life for a rider and his dragon, and one could never be too prepared. Gato and Uaillikenth intended to test that theory.

Trust me, ridermine, as I trust you.

"Of course I do--"

Then let's try that new move we've been working on for so long.

Uaillikenth didn't wait for a response. Ga'rel was jerked back in his seat as the Red suddenly accelerated, beating his wings mightily, utilizing thermals to gain the most altitude. Ready.

Gato nodded and jumped up, to stand on the saddle. Uaillikenth dropped below him for a moment, then as the dragon spread his wings, his rider shot past, a human projectile aimed at the earth far below. He spun a little, then folded his body into a ball, spinning slowly end over end.

He was falling at a greater velocity than the dragon had expected. Slapping his wings flat to his sides, he dove. The plan was for Uaillikenth to pull up underneath Gato, who would land easily in the saddle. But that wouldn't happen if the Red couldn't catch him!

Uaillikenth, where are you? I'm losing altitude fast.

Yes, about that. You might want to spread yourself out. You're falling too fast...

Ga'rel did as was suggested and the dragon saw his rider, spread-eagle, become larger in his field of vision. When the time was right, Uaillikenth swooped below Ga'rel, catching him neatly as planned. Nicely done, Uaillikenth. The dragon landed on the edge of a cliff overlooking the mountain range and valley below. Ryslen was easily discernable from their vantage point, and several dragons could be seen in its airspace: Dark Green, Red, Blue, and one or two foreign dragons.

Uaillikenth dipped his head below his shoulders, and Gato rose to his feet to jump. The idea was for Uaillikenth to catch him with his muzzle and flip him backward, but he missed, and Ga'rel continued to fall. "Uaillikenth!" came the startled cry, but the Red reacted on instinct, and grabbed his outstretched arm between gleaming white teeth. There was a hiss of pain as the dragon lifted him to safety, setting his feet lightly on the ground. With a sinking feeling, and the sensation of warm fluid on his lips, Uaillikenth closed his eyes as he relinquished his hold on the man.

I am truly sorry, ridermine. Gato's shirt was torn and stained with blood, his face ashen. You were right, we should have stopped.

"I don't blame you. There are times in the future when exhaustion might play a role in our performance. We must be aware of that and do what we can. I'm not sorry you convinced me to keep at it."

Despite those words, the dragon hung his head as he helped his rider to mount. He made an easy, but fast flight back to Ryslen, landing as smoothly as was possible. As Ga'rel headed for the infirmary to treat the wound to his forearm, Uaillikenth noticed that the stain on his rider's shirt had expanded. He could feel his rider's pain; this was their first major accident in practice and it traumatized him.

• • •

Xerbith visited him on his ledge a little while later, explaining that G'taeo had proceeded down to see his brother. The Yellow was worried by the tone of Uaillikenth's hide, particularly his face. What was normally crimson had paled to a greyish-rust, the grey in particular enhanced by those same tones in his eyes. His grief was palpable.

Come out and sun with me, he suggested. Reluctantly, the larger Red obliged, flopping down beside his compainion with a poof of dust. How is your rider?

Okay, I guess. Tore a few muscles, bruised connective tissue. Had to reattach a pierced blood vessel. Healer suggests he stay grounded for a few days until the swelling goes down.

Ah, he's doing well, Xerbith said encouragingly. I thought he would be much worse. Rumors, you know, suggested he had a dislocated shoulder, torn tendons, extensive bleeding...

Uaillikenth didn't respond.

The point is, he will be fine. Should bounce right back, and you two will be pulling the same old stunts in no time.

It's my fault!

Does Ga'rel blame you?

The red dragon hesitated. No.

Then you shouldn't blame yourself. Your training is admirable, if a little strange. Someone was bound to get hurt sometime. And certainly you will out on the field. That's just how it is. But that he is not hurt worse only tells of your competence in the air. Xerbith did not mention what might have happened if Uaillikenth had been unable to catch Ga'rel in time. He didn't need to. The man may have had his fall broken by trees, or they may have pierced more than one blood vessel. He may have broken limbs, hit his head, any number of calamaties could have occurred!

Uaillikenth studied Xerbith for a moment, then nodded. You're right.

Of course I am.

Xerbith departed a little while later but Uaillikenth was not left alone for long. Ga'rel had informed Uaillikenth that he and G'taeo would stop on the way home for a bite to eat, so the dragon had decided to take a short nap. Not that he would be able to sleep a wink...

• • •

Uaillikenth awoke by the closing of a door. Ga'rel carefully tried not to wake his dragon, who through the exhaustion of both physical and mental fatigue had nodded off before his head touched stone. He had even instructed little Green Qyzell, who rested comfortably on his good shoulder, to be silent. "I'm sorry, I was trying to be quiet." Gato sat down and struggled to untie his boots one-handed, before Qyzell swooped to his aid, and kicked them into a corner with a relieved sigh.

Sorry for what? I wasn't sleeping. The dragon had risen to his feet, stretching languidly like a cat, then swished his tail nervously.

Gato eyed him as he stripped off the remnants of his ruined shirt. "Ah, good. Then I don't feel guilty for waking you up only to have you go back to sleep. I'm going to take a nice long nap, I'm beat."

The sun is still warm and high in the sky! the dragon protested. How can you possibly be tired?

Gato chuckled and shook his head. "I must be getting 'old' then."

The dragon snorted, but instead of exiting out to their ledge, he curled up into a ball. Then I shall sit with you until you drift off to sleep. Mustn't have you hurting yourself while I'm gone.

"Why?" Gato asked as he lay back on his bed, using his good hand as a pillow for his head. The other arm rested comfortably across his trim belly. "Are you saying that only you are allowed to cause me bodily harm?"

Precisely!

Flight!