#naeen

Together with the dragon, whom she called Naeen, Vaella was able to explore the land more clearly. Within a day she located a misty grey keep - small, seemingly abandoned, yet… new?

It had taken some exploring to ensure there were no surprises within, but once it was deemed safe the group moved in, christening the keep with the name Misty Keep for the swirling mists that encircled it in the morning.

Most of them chose to remain in the castle proper with Vaella, claiming rooms and settling in, but Aelyx (the oldest of the men) chose to stay in the barracks alongside his newest knight's apprentices: Alerie, Thoren, and Gaemon.

She's seen the undercurrent of worry in Vaella's eyes whenever talk of the future comes, the determination there to keep them all safe. Sometimes she's overheard her talking to that beautiful blue dragon of hers, pondering a future where dragons are never lost again. It's something Daenaera can understand, being dragon-blooded herself.

But it's not enough for Vaella to be bonded to a dragon. They need more dragonriders, dozens if they can get them. Safety is something only numbers can afford them, and if they come into conflict with the other groups it's an advantage they very well might need.

Summer, Year 1

Leaning against Naeen's sun-warmed back Vaella can feel nothing but contentment - her companion rumbling in agreement. There are days when she is certain she could be happy with just this - the open sky, Naeen's clever wit… but no, that's selfishness trying to claw it's greedy way into her mind and she knows it. She has a duty to her people: there's no room for running away, living as some sort of vagabond.

No matter how appealing it might be.

Still, small escapes in the name of mapping out the territory are acceptable given that she's the only dragonrider among them. "Daerahien, do you think it's true, that there's really some of my own people there?"

"Aelyx doesn't seem to be the type to lie."

Yes, that is true. And he was very clear with the names of some of those men - Bennett Stark among them, a man with no love for her family. Alerie's brother also was there though they were closelipped about how they managed to summon a gateway. Not like they had a dragon or a legendary warrior to sacrifice.

"Does how they got here matter so much to you?"

"Not really." She sighs heavily, again thinking of Aerea. I miss her so much it aches. "I just worry it will complicate things, especially with the suggestion of a school and even an exchange of members."

Tensions are... high. That day in the hatchling nursery Vaella was almost certain she was about to meet her fate at the hands of the dragons her family was so desperate to have.