Dorelle's Journey

01 The Beginning

 "You have two more weeks of latrine duty, Dorelle. And you will keep pulling it until you teach your dragon to shut up and obey."

 "But…"

 "No but!"

 Dorelle stared at Ferren. "Mashira prevented Bedelin from getting hurt. What's so bad about that?"

 Her Wing Commander stared back, unimpressed. "Mashira only prevented Bedelin from learning a valuable lesson. And here is your lesson for today, and you'd better learn it now: Dragons do not talk out of line. Never, ever. They do not think on their own. They obey their riders, or they are removed from service."

 Dorelle was confused. "Removed from service? But there are no dragons outside of the Skyforce."

 "That's right." Ferren looked grim. "They are removed permanently."

 "But…"

 "Do I have to spell out every little thing for you, stupid fisher girl? Those dragons are destroyed, because they are a liability to everyone, including their riders."

 Dorelle's heart froze. Mashira was threatened with death because she warned Bedelin of a mistake? She had no words left, no will to fight. She couldn't risk Mashira's life. She forced herself to a mute nod.

 "Good," Ferren growled. "Now take yourself away and keep that self-righteous dragon out of my sight."

 "Yes, sir."

Dorelle managed swift strides, rather than breaking into the panicked run she would have preferred. Latrine duty was one thing, unpleasant but bearable. Having her dragon threatened with death was something else entirely.

When she reached Mashira and found her dragon alive and well in their lair, she breathed a sigh of relief. She ran and clung to the dragon's neck.

 Ferren wants to kill me? Disbelief colored Mashira's voice.

 "Yes." Even now Dorella only spoke in a whisper. "He doesn't like your intelligence, your independent thinking. And he believes they made a mistake by taking me in."

 I didn't make a mistake in choosing you, Mashira said gently. And we are together.

 "Yes." Dorelle's voice broke on that one word. "But we have to be careful. Ferren wants you to just obey and pretend you are a dumb animal."

 The dragon laughed. I am not.

 "You know it, I know it. But look at the other dragons. They just obey."

 Mashira sighed. I don't know how they do it.

 "Your life depends on pretending to be just like them," Donelle said urgently.

 I will do my best, then.

 They spent a few more minutes together, then Dorelle had to run off to clean the latrines.