"Geez, you'd think that if you were so scared of height you'd be shorter." Miarra gritted her teeth. By morning the entire weyr knew why Miarra had turned down the searching. She'd never accuse Mala of blabbing her secret, but... Miarra sighed. Mala was destined to tell Media and Media would tell everyone.
She flopped her normally cheerful self down on a bench and waited for breakfast. Luckily the meal came and went with limited derogatory coments, as most people were busy stuffing their face. Miarra quickly made her escape back to the beach. The water seemed to have a calming effect on the youth. She smiled faintly at the ocean and dipped her feet in a tide pool.
Miarra didn't turn when she heard footsteps behind her. She guessed it was Mala coming back to try and cheer her up. "Don't bother. I don't need your help." She muttered to the girl.
A familiar voice answered, but it wasn't Mala. It was Weyrwoman Magika. "Okay, it's your choice. Just trying to help out." Magika turned and headed back to the Weyr.
"Ack." Miarra spun quickly and ran after the Weyrwoman. "No. Don't go. I'm sorry, I thought you were Mala."
Magika smiled, understanding. "It's okay. I figured as much."
Miarra offered the Weyrwoman a half-smile. "So...why are you here?"
Magika laughed. "Blunt as always." Miarra smiled back at the older woman, not offering to restate the question. Magika sighed and the smiled faded. "I want to know why you're afraid of flying."
Miarra kicked her feet in the sand. "Dunno."
Magika looked intently at Miarra. "I don't believe that."
"Heights." Miarra mumbled. "I don't like heights."
Magika smiled. "Is that all?"
Miarra was confused. "I guess. Why?"
"How do you feel about water?"
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Miarra stood, all her worldly possessions in her bag, waiting for a dragon to arrive.
Mala smiled. "If you ever get to The Healing Den, send a flit."
Miarra smiled. "If they can pry me off the dragons back." The two friends laughed.
Mala broke the silence. "I can't believe there's a clutch of water dragons. Magika must have looked hard to find it."
Miarra smiled. "Yeah. When I asked her about it she told me that she thought anyone who a dragon thinks should ride, will ride."
A small green/gold dragon appears from between with a woman on her back. The woman dismounts with a smile. "Sounds like Magika. Are you Miarra?"
Miarra couldn't help but smile at the rider. "I am. You must be Baeris."
The rider grins. "That's me. This is Dulath, my dragon. Ready to go."
Miarra looked questioningly at Dulath. The green/gold was smaller than most dragons, but still flew. She gulped. "I guess."
Baeris smiled. "Don't worry. It'll be over quick. Let's just get you to the Healing Den." Miarra climbed onto Dulath's back and held on for dear life. As the dragon left the ground, Miarra squeezed shut her eyes and tightened her grip on the saddle. It the panic-filled instant before they dissappeared between, Miarra assured herself that dragon or no dragon, she was never flying again!
Miarra was a little confused at that moment but she would later swear she could hear Dulath smile at that vow.
Miarra is a candidate at Baeris Kshau's Healing Den.
Background from Jolie's Designs.
