Squall's End/Redport

Tamara stood alone, waiting anxiously in the corridor outside the quarters of Fort Squall's leaders. She shuffled her weight from one leg to the other. Today, for the first time, she was to ride upon the back of a dragon. She was going to fly with Byron in exchange for visiting her family, an agreement that still left her apprehensive. She ought to have been rejoicing. Since childhood she had dreamt of becoming a Rider—dreamt of flying among the clouds—but she wasn't sure if the cost of today's flight was worth her dreaded visit to Redport.

The last time she had seen her family was the night of the Search, the night before she had run away from Redport. She had met Byron for the first time then, though she did not know they were mates. When he found her sitting beneath a willow tree, she was already plotting her escape. Now it was time to make peace with her family. As reluctant as she was to admit it, starting a new phase of her life with a clean slate would bode well for them both.

Much to Tamara's relief, she hadn't long to wait for Byron. The fort leader's door opened, and people began filing out. She recognized most of them as wing-leaders and wing-seconds. The meeting had been important. Fort Squall was anticipating a conclave, which required significant preparations. Representatives from each of the forts, as well as the capital, were journeying to Fort Squall to discuss the coming war.

Tamara chewed on the skin of her lower lip, thinking about all the dangers the future held. These were worrisome times. She ought to be afraid like everyone else, but her life was too good to feel fearful. She had never been happier. That alone made it difficult to view the current situation as everyone else did.

"You look well today, Lady Tamara." Lord Davi stood before her, hand in hand with Lady Emmy. They had swept up without her noticing. She immediately composed her thoughts and greeted them, curtsying gracefully.

"Are you ready for your journey?" Lady Emmy asked. "It is a fine day for flying."

"I believe I am." She was determined to hide her true feelings.

"If only we could join you." Lady Emmy looked longingly towards the sky before planting a swift kiss on Lord Davi's cheek. "I must be away, my love. Duties await..." Lady Emmy bid them farewell and took her leave. With tender eyes, Lord Davi watched her depart.

At that moment, Byron emerged into the corridor. Tamara heard his roaring voice before she saw him. She looked over in time to see him grasping arms with his fellow wing-second. He then turned and cried, "There she is!"

Lord Davi looked at both of them and said, "Have a safe and successful journey. You will be missed while you are away." He then gave them a brief nod and departed. The corridor emptied thereafter.

Byron took Tamara's hand in his, lifting it to kiss her knuckles. His eyes were trained on hers, and the intensity of them stilled her heart. She did well to hide her giddiness. Were other women as weak as she? Did they go to pieces when paid this kind of attention? Was it merely a byproduct of her age and inexperience?

"Still brooding about your family?"

She shook her head—perhaps too adamantly. She had spent the better part of the day in complete anxiety, filled with apprehension about her decision. Yet, things seemed better now. With Byron's appearance, her fears had diminished. Her feelings for him were distraction enough to keep her from fretting over her father, over what he might say, or how he might treat her. With Byron, she always felt safe.

The two of them made their way through the corridors of the fort, heading in the direction of an open courtyard. "Have you packed everything you wish to take along?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Very well. I only need to grab a few things."

They crossed the open courtyard and entered a corridor leading to Byron's quarters. In a matter of minutes, Tamara found herself within. Curiosity led her to wander around the space and look over his possessions. He paid her little mind whilst he gathered his things.

His accommodations, while not overly generous, were tidy. It was immediately clear that he led an organized life. Upon one wall there were shelves of books and other knickknacks. Her eyes fell upon a small dragon no larger than a man's fist. It was carved from ice-blue stone, and nearly an exact replica of Byron's dragon form. The blue was slightly darker, but the shape and detail, from the neck spikes down to the arrowhead tail, was identical.

Drawn to it, Tamara picked it up and studied it with intrigue. The stone wasn't smooth, it was faceted; she could feel each place where a tool had chiseled away at its surface to create its shape and the details of dragon scales. It was beautiful, as was the Drengr in whose image it was created.

"A gift from my uncle." Byron's lips nearly touched her ear when he spoke. He stood just behind her, but his head leaned over her shoulder. She felt his warm breath tickling the tiny hairs on her skin. How long had he been watching her?

He took the dragon from her hands and gently placed it back on the shelves. "Tell me—is it a true likeness?"

"Yes," she whispered, suddenly caught within the intimacy of the moment. He rarely got this close. Even now she was aware of his body nearly touching hers.

"Uncle Reyr carved it for me after my first transformation."

"How old were you?" She turned to consider his face.

"I was fourteen." Perhaps he was aware of their sudden closeness, for he quickly moved away to finish packing.

She continued her tour of his room. She'd never taken him to be a reader, but his book collection spoke otherwise. "Have you read all of these?"

"I have."

She ran her fingers over some of the bindings as she read their titles. She recognized many, like Beyond the Dragonfire Sea and a very worn copy of—"Sir Galadhal's Fables! This was one of my favorites as a child." She removed the copy before thinking better of it. The pages were in a similar condition as the cover. "Its owner has loved it well."

She glanced at Byron. He hovered over his bed, placing garments of clothing into a traveling sack. The bed was quite large, far too big for a single person, and covered with plush sleeping furs.

"That is the most precious book I own," he said, looking up at her with a sheepish smile. "My favorite story was 'Lord Bernard and the Red Dragon.'"

Her heart fluttered. "Mine too," she whispered at last before adding, "'Kathika and the Dworg' would be a close second." Her face warmed after she said it.

"What about 'Redcote the Fox'?"

She giggled. "I loved that one too."

His eyes sparked and she felt her heart stop beneath his gaze. He returned to his task and she was left to admire the book before replacing it. She had a private copy too, at home—her old home—on the shelf above her bed.

"We should get going." Byron gathered his traveling things and walked over to her. "It is a long journey today."

"Must we really go?" She gave the bookshelf a final glance then turned to him.

He frowned. "My dear Tamara, why the sudden change of heart?"

She sighed. "My father—"

"Your father will be happy to see that you are in good health, as will the rest of your family."

She wanted to argue but decided against it. Instead she simply nodded. He took her hand and led her away as a deep sense of reluctance settled over her.

They went to a grassy courtyard at the edge of the fort. It was a popular place for Drengr-Rider pairs to launch into the sky. When she had free time, Tamara often found herself here simply to gaze in wonder at the spectacle. Flying fascinated her.

Byron turned to her. "I had a leather harness made for you. Master Winston, the leather crafter, placed it upon my back earlier while I was in dragon form. I will be wearing it when I transform." He handed her the sack he carried. "If you wouldn't mind securing this for me?"

Her eyes were wide with excitement, but she managed a shaky nod.

Byron hesitated. "Is it the sky you fear, or your parents?"

She swallowed against a suddenly dry throat. "I fear both, I suppose."

"You have nothing to fear, Tamara. No harm will ever come to you in the sky. As far as your parents are concerned, I have already told you: they are eager to see you. Trust me. After the search they conducted for you, it is clear they care for you deeply."

"I—I hope..."

"Come." He led her to the center of the grassy area then dropped her hand. "I am going to transform now. When you next touch me, we will be able to communicate with ease, remember?"

She did. It was something she looked forward to with each passing day.

Byron moved away from her, giving her a final reassuring smile before transforming. She watched his body grow in size, still awed by the process of it. There was scarcely time to blink before a hulking dragon filled her gaze. His ice-blue scales glistened and glittered. It took a moment to recover.

Standing on her tippy-toes, she tied Byron's travel pack to his harness. She double checked to make sure the straps were tight. They held fast with each tug. Then she moved over to his extended forearm and eyed it with uncertainty.

Laying her hand upon his warm hide, she felt the hard, glassy surface of his scales against her skin. As soon as she made physical contact, she felt his easy presence in her mind. It reminded her of how empty she felt when he wasn't there.

"What is the best way to do this?" she asked aloud, feeling rather embarrassed.

Byron chuckled, but she could see there was nothing judgmental about his response. Excitement poured from him, making it obvious that he was thrilled and eager to show her a special part of his world. "I recommend placing your dominant foot onto my forearm."

She listened carefully to his instructions. As he directed her, she could see each action pictured in their shared consciousness, which helped. When she was ready, she gave it her best effort.

Getting to his forearm was not difficult, but the first time she tried to pull herself into the harness, she failed. Her body slid down his scaly hide, and her feet returned to his forearm.

"It is okay. Try again," he said. "No one gets it the first time."

She tried again. Her second attempt was met with success. She managed to place her left foot in the foothold and use it to hoist her body up. From there she swung her right leg over and settled into the harness. The leather under her was lightly padded. She was glad it wasn't hard like a horse's saddle, though it reminded her of one.

"Well done!" Byron was pleased with her accomplishment. "It will become easier, believe me."

She settled down and felt the jolt of movement as he stood from his crouched position. He walked several laps around the grass.

"There are straps to hold your legs if you feel uncomfortable. But as I have said, I will do nothing to dislodge you."

In her mind, she told him that she understood.

"Are you ready?" he asked, although he did not wait for an answer. He knew from her thoughts that she was. "Good. Hold on tight."

Without further hesitation, Byron's powerful legs and forearms vaulted from the ground. The wind whooshed past her ears. Instinctively, she reached for the straps as the ground below them shrank away. Her body felt heavy; she could hardly keep hold of her head.

There was no room for fear. Byron's reassurance was constant, so she accepted the feelings as normal and allowed herself to enjoy them. Once she did, the joys of flight overwhelmed her. She was unsure if her feelings belonged to Byron or herself. She could neither tell where hers began or his ended. They were one. Everything between them was now shared through the connection of her flesh to his scales.

It was pure bliss.

She grinned, spreading her arms wide. "This is incredible!" she screamed. "I can hardly believe it! I'm flying!"

"I told you, did I not?"

"It's...unbelievable," she whispered, trying to take in every part of the experience.

They were above the fort now, climbing higher into the sky. Rather than begin their journey, Byron turned on his wing tip. They circled around the city, taking in a grand view of Squall's End. The city was huge—much larger than Redport. It stretched out beneath them in miniature. Tamara saw the large town homes, Lord Rahl's castle, the marketplace, the docks, hordes of sailing vessels, and beyond all of that, Stormy Bay feeding out into the sea.

After completing his flyover, Byron turned northwest and began flapping his ice blue wings in the direction of Redport, towards her family, towards her old home... Her heart thudded in her chest; every flap brought her closer to her dread.

"You must not fret. This journey is important. You cannot start your new life on bad terms with your old one."

She agreed with him, but that did not make it easier.

"Let us think of something happier."

"What do you suggest?" she asked, eager as he was for something better to think about.

"How do you like flying?"

He knew the answer before she spoke it. She offered her thoughts anyway. "It is the best sensation I have ever experienced. Sometimes it feels like floating, other times, like falling. But I am always safe." She admired his powerful wings and the ease at which he controlled them. "I wish we could spend every day doing this."

"Soon we will." She saw his meaning within his mind; when they completed their training, they would be assigned to teams. On these teams they would patrol the Vestur territory. Fort Squall's coveys often ranged into the North for weeks at a time, flying by day and camping by night. The adventurous idea thrilled her.

"I wish we could begin training now."

"This I know."

"Why not start early?"

Byron said nothing in response, but she knew that he was considering the matter. It was unconventional. Still, she hoped she might sway him.

She left him to his thoughts, turning her attention to Stormy Bay as she watched it sail by beneath her. When she began to feel dizzy, she rested her cheek against the warm scales of Byron's neck and shut her eyes, allowing the sensations of flight to take hold.

The day passed in a blur. Byron stopped once they reached the other side of the bay so that she might stretch her legs and relieve herself. But for the most part, they stayed in the sky.

It took the better part of the day before they saw Redport sprawling beneath them. Tamara gazed upon the city and realized that from the sky, it was hardly familiar. She had never seen it like this. Her father's castle sat near the middle of Redport's city, slightly elevated above everything else. Once more her stomach gave a tense jolt. The time had passed too quickly. She was hardly ready for this.

"We will get through this together." Byron made a wide circle around the castle's battlements to find a landing place that would fit his large form. When he spotted one in the upper courtyard, he descended. She could hear the surprised noises emanating from the patrons below as they espied the approach of a Drengr and his Rider.

How grand Byron must have appeared to the people below. And what would those people think when they saw Lady Tamara arriving on the back of the son of Lord Davi, twin brother to the famed Reyr the Gold?

"I imagine they will be quite impressed. You have done well, capturing such an important Drengr warrior for yourself, Lady Tamara."

Her face burned with embarrassment. She released a nervous laugh. Sharing thoughts would take some getting used to.

Byron expertly landed on all fours, tucking his wings tightly to his body. "You may dismount now," he said. "When you have removed my traveling things, I will shift."

It was common knowledge that when a Drengr shifted, whatever was on them at the time stayed with their other half. She wasn't sure how it worked, but she knew magic made it possible. This meant he would be wearing the same exact clothes he was in that morning. It also meant that when he turned back into a dragon some time later, the leather harness would still be strapped to his back.

With great reluctance, Tamara lifted herself and swung her leg over the harness that held her in place. Holding tightly to one of the straps, she slowly slid her body down until her feet came to rest on Byron's extended foreleg. She tried to be as graceful as possible, knowing others might be watching. Once she was sturdy, she undid the ties that held Byron's traveling things in place. Traveling sack in hand, she hopped down to the ground.

At that moment, her contact with Byron was broken. His reassuring thoughts were swept from her mind, making it painfully obvious how much his strength had helped her. It felt as if half of her was missing. A familiar worry seeped back into her mind; the drowning essence of it pressed down upon her.

As if sensing this, Byron shifted quickly and found her hand. "Just relax," he whispered in her ear. "I am right here."

She nodded.

"Lady Tamara!" Several people rushed forward to greet them. The one who spoke was Kenna Josephine. Tamara was surprised by how relieved she was to see her old nursemaid and tutor. The woman was all smiles and politeness as she came over, curtseying repeatedly. Then, most surprisingly, Kenna Josephine swept Tamara into her arms, giving her the only hug she had ever received from the woman.

As soon as their embrace was over, Byron was right there to take up her hand again. Others greeted them too. The steward was not far behind. He gave her a warm welcome, a low bow, and informed her that her family was not long behind. True to his word, her brothers rushed forward moments later.

Jonah swept her up into a big hug, lifting her off the ground and shaking her before setting her back down. She embraced Daniel and Brandon the same way. Again, Byron reclaimed her hand when she finished saying hello.

"Our own sister! A Rider!" Jonah cried with clear excitement. "You must be her mate," he said, appraising Byron.

"Aye, I am." Byron stepped forward to grasp Jonah's forearm in greeting. She introduced her three brothers, explaining that Jonah was the eldest, followed by Brandon, who was three years younger, and Daniel, the youngest, who was only fourteen.

"You gave Mother and Father quite a fright, you did!" Jonah explained. "They searched for you ceaselessly when you went missing."

"We all did!" Brandon said rather heatedly in a tone that did not match the kind twinkle of his eyes.

"Not I," Daniel said, throwing his nose in the air as if he knew more than his brothers. "I knew where you were all along, Tamara. Anyone with a bit of sense would have known you went to Fort Squall."

"Is that so?" Byron asked, curiously eyeing the lad.

"Yes," Daniel said. "I always knew Tamara wanted to be a Rider. She never shut up about it when we were younger."

Byron smiled wide as he looked down at her. She felt her cheeks redden from the intensity of his eyes.

"My darling girl!" a woman hysterically shouted, rushing forward. Her mother had finally arrived. "Oh, my dear heart!" She threw her arms around Tamara, holding her there, sobbing into Tamara's hair.

"I am sorry, Mama!" She apologized affectionately. Her mother's tears were contagious. She found herself crying too. Together they wept in each other's arms.

She would never have guessed that her mother's touch was so missed until she felt it. It took time for them to calm down, but when they did, Tamara wiped her tears and turned to Byron. "Byron, this is my mother, Lady Astra Redwynn, wife of Lord Aaron Redwynn of Redport." She introduced the two of them and only then did she notice her father's absence. She felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Where was Lord Redwynn?

"It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady." Byron took her mother's hand and kissed her knuckles, honoring her. "We have flown many leagues today. Tamara is both tired and hungry. I hope we may see to her needs."

Tamara blinked several times. Byron's request, which addressed her needs alone, sent warm tingles through her body.

"Of course, of course!" Her mother beckoned for them to follow her into the castle. Byron led Tamara behind her mother. The crowd trailed behind them as everyone, servants and highborns alike, filed into the castle (they had attracted quite a crowd).

"How long will you be with us?" her mother asked as they walked.

Tamara realized that she and Byron had not yet discussed the length of their stay. She was about to say as much when Byron answered instead. "We plan to stay a fortnight. We can remain no longer than that."

Tamara nearly stopped dead in her tracks. Two weeks was far too long. She gave him a look that said as much, but he ignored it, pulling her along.

"Two weeks?" Lady Redwynn was jubilant. "I did not think I would be so lucky." They entered the dining hall. Her mother barked several orders at the servants who scurried off to fetch refreshments, then turned, finally taking in her daughter's appearance. "My dear Tamara, we must use this visit to ensure you have proper attire for the fort. You left all of your beautiful gowns here."

They took seats at the head table. Her brothers sat next to them while her mother bustled about, instructing servants who brought forth food and drink. Her father remained absent.

"Where is Father?" she quietly asked Jonah. A strange look passed over his face.

Her mother overheard them and answered immediately—almost too quickly. "Your father has business. He cannot be here at this time."

Tamara saw through her mother's words, Lady Redwynn's expression said more anyway. Her father had not wanted to welcome them. It was just as Tamara suspected—he was still angry. Knowing that left her feeling the same deep unease that had warned her to stay away. What had she gotten herself into? Whatever it was, it was too late to turn back now.

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