Flange stood on his perch
high up on the black cliffs
overlooking the weyr,
eyes glowing like rubies
in the dark.
He could see several camp fires
far down below that had not yet
been extinguished.
On other ledges
he noticed compatriots
sleeping or pacing.
He was still and he listened.
He could hear the wind whistling
at the very tops of the cliffs
and down through the canyons.
He set his mind on the woman.
He felt her stir in her sleep.
He knew she had been restless lately
and he had hoped that she
would request an evening ride
to help her relax but after
she had taken care of his feeding
and put new rushes in his nest,
she had been busy
cleaning the hold,
probably trying to get herself
so exhausted she would be too tried
to think. He was worried about her.
Ever since red eyes met blue
there in the sand pits
when he was first hatched
and they had been “impressed” with
each other, they were in perfect tune,
each knowing what the other
was thinking and feeling.
He did not own her nor she him,
but they belonged to each other
until death parted them.
She had been mother,
sister and dearest friend to him
for as long as his memory spanned.
It was his duty and his pleasure
to protect, confide, conspire,
and bring joy to her.
Together they rode the high reaches
and often flew to the sea.
Flange was a young dragon
in the prime of his life.
He had become known among
the others as strong, brave,
and compassionate. His red eyes could
reflect his great courage
and determination or they could
fill with tears when a fellow
was hurt or killed in battle
or especially when his lady
was sad or ill.
As is common,
he communicated with his kind,
although in the dragon way,
he was unable to transmit his thoughts
to any human but her.
He stood 15 feet with a wing span of 45,
having not yet reached
his full growth.
He was considered handsome
by the others with his
scales of copper and was
sought after to mate
but he was not yet ready for breeding.
She had risen
and he became more alert.
She appeared at the door
to the keep and cast her eyes
around the cliffs and he heard her think,
“Come to me”.
His eyes sparkled with pleasure
that at last she was seeking him.
He had a full stomach
and had rested in the afternoon sun
and was ready to fly
among the night clouds.
He noticed she had brought
the fire-lizard Myka
with her and the little green reptile
fluttered on her shoulder.
Myka was full grown and stood
about two feet tall with a wing span
of sixty inches. It was useless
to try to communicate in any detail
with Myka who tried to understand
but often was scatterbrained
and had difficulty remembering anything.
Flange wondered if he would accompany them
on their midnight ride.
Although he was fond of Myka
he didn’t share her tender feelings
for the little fellow who tended
to chatter incessantly.
He spread his wings
until he gently landed a few feet<> in front of her.
He could tell that she
had not been resting well.
Her eyes held sadness
and her mind
was full of thoughts of alone.
He knew that she was past
her prime and that her childbearing days
had ended but that she was still
of an age where she needed
a mate. He had commiserated with her in the past
about the unhappiness she had endured
with a mate that had disappeared
somewhere over the far reaches.
He knew she was being most careful
in her selection this time
to make sure her mate
was truly suited to her.
Lately she had become discouraged
with the knights that were available
because they seemed
so shallow and so unlike
anything she was seeking.
He wanted to help her,
to comfort her but he knew not
how to make up for her lack.
The only solace he could offer
was an understanding heart,
a soothing midnight ride
and the subtle assurance
that he would always be there
and be her companion.
He flattened himself as best he could
in front of her so that she
would be able to climb his leg
and reach the base of his neck.
She smiled and reached to stroke
his eyelids, which he loved,
before she hoisted herself
up to rest aboard him.
Myka chattered to Flange
that she had been distracted
of which Flange was already aware.
They reaffirmed a silent pact
to try to cheer her up.
Surely in this vast kingdom
her mate waited for her.
Flange knew that she was positive
that she would know this knight
and he would know her
but he wondered where and how
they would be able to find this magical man.
Naturally, he had made it
his duty to help in any way he could.
She instructed Myka
to stay behind in case she was missed
and told him where
to find a special treat she had left for him
in the hall and he flew away
happily in search of it.
Flange was delighted
that they would be alone
to enjoy the quiet and peace
that gliding through the night skies
without words would bring.
Slowly he spread his wings
and they arose,
higher and higher above the hold
until the castle looked like
a child’s toy. And then they began to glide.
Her auburn hair flew out in back
of her and her eyes filled with tears
as the wind whistled past them.
Below now they passed the Forest of Songs
and then the castle of Dakkor.
She knew where he was headed
and she laughed with approval.
On and on they flew
through the black skies
seeing below them places they often visited
or saw from a distance during flight.
There ahead was the ruins of Dread
where it was told dwelled the souls
of the haunted, the wind making a mourning sound
as it blew through the cracked and broken columns.
In the distance but coming up fast
she could hear the thunder
of the Sea Of Tears.
She felt the difference in the air
as it became heavier around them
and she smelled the scent
that only the sea gives off,
tangy, alive and brisk.
More than anywhere else,
this was the place she loved.
Flange knew that it quieted her soul
to feel the great power
of the ocean and to gaze at forever
in it’s great depths.
As is life, the sea goes on and on.
He lit on a huge rock to rest
and to let her soak in the energy
the waves always brought her.
He knew that the ocean was as much
her life force as fire was his.
No matter how discouraged, how weary,
or how distracted she became,
this place was as a balm to her spirit.
She stood looking out
into the endless horizon
feeling that everything must be
as planned after all,
and that surely she was only being
impatient for the fates to intercede
before the time had fully come.
Flange touched her mind with his spirit,
sending a message of love and
assurance to her and she turned
and smiled at him, thanking him silently
for his depth of understanding
to bring her to this place
he knew would rejuvenate her.
Dawn was beginning to break over
the horizon when they prepared to depart
and lifted off to head home.
Evidently Myka had been watching
for them as he was instantly out
waiting to light on her shoulder
as soon as they touched down.
He was full of chatter and good humor
owning to the treat she had
left him which he had fully devoured,
leaving none for later.
Stroking Fange’s eyelids once more
she bid him go and get some rest,
silently thanking him once again
for his understanding and comfort.
He rose to his favorite perch
to think and to sleep.
It was just as sleep was lulling him
that he had his idea.
Flange knew every dragon
from every kingdom
between here and The Sea Of Tears.
Surely if any species
would know of any “special” one
it would be his friends.
They would be the first
to spot the exceptional,
the extraordinary in a man.
He determined to enlist them in a quest.
This was not as foolhardy as it seemed,
Flange was well aware
of who she sought
as she had communicated this
to him on many occasions.
First he spoke to Dolmar
and then Moyath, Geo and Lanant.
They communicated the information
to others until the whole
dragon kingdom was aware of the quest
and had pledged to search
for one man in one place in this time.
The man went about his business,
unaware that he was the target
of the great search of a lifetime.
He only knew two things.
He was alone and he was on a quest.
