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In hindsight, Pyro should have known better.
He loved his crew, he truly did, but sometimes he needed to breathe, it was why he left Tegrith in the first place.
But flying alone as a rogue dragon rider? Dangerous. And as a joyride? Dumb.
That’s how he found himself sailing over the freezing ocean, mind absent as he stared up at the sky above the clouds surrounding Cinder like a pool of cotton candy.
The first sign was when Cinder began to slow his pace, head flickering minutely from side to side in observation.
“What is it, Cinder?” Pyro asked aloud. He had always found it calmed the dragon down, even when he was a baby and curled into the fire of Pyros arms, he would talk to him.
The second sign, was when pyro heard it himself. The undeniably there but quiet flak of much larger wings than Cinder currently held.
Cinder was only 5 years old now, compared to Pyros 24. He had found him only a few months into his leave from home and the bonding that took place was strange- but not unheard of.
Since then, Pyro had found three other dragon riders who held no ties to the Dragon Guard that trained at the academy, they were simply chosen.
But now, as another, larger and older dragon surfaced above the clouds next to Cinder, Pyro feared for his choices.
“Who are you?!” He shouted at the lone rider.
At least, he was alone, until another large, but different species, of dragon rose from Pyros other side, caging him in threateningly.
And he made a fatal mistake.
As Pyro prepared to launch Cinder into a dive to escape, he glanced down at his sword at his hip.
The left rider, on a larger green dragon and adoring green and brown armor, swooped above him and the dragons claws grabbed him by the shoulders, ripping him away from his dragon.
“HEY?!” His feet kicked uselessly through the free air.
Was this how it ended? Killed without jury for riding solo?
But he wasn’t dropped.
Instead, the other rider and their orangish brown dragon, was able to soar closer to a panicking Cinder and toss a lasso around the dragons neck. He begrudgingly began to follow the two larger dragons now controlling his own rider.
Pyro feared the worst still.
——
After only a few more minutes of flying, an island camp into view. Then, as they got nearer, it revealed to be several along a tight line.
The largest housed a giant dark oak building and tons of complimentary buildings.
Even nearer, Pyro was able to see Dragons and riders alike wandering around the open areas and even guards on dragons perched on different posts.
Oh shit.
Pyro had never heard of another Dragon Center other than the Academy, but this place looked serious.
He was quickly flown to a landing pad on the second largest of building, one with grand pillars outside that usually designated a town hall or court room. He suppose he should have expected that.
As he was placed down, the dragons body weight above him was not completely lifted as the rider dismounted. In a moment of pure panic, Pyro whipped around to find where the other dragon and rider had gone. Where was Cinder?!
The rider in green quickly removed their dragon scale mask, clearly made from the sheddings of her own dragon, to reveal soft features and light brown hair cut to frame her face. In said hair were gold clips and green gems that seemed to glimmer in the sunlight.
“Don’t worry about your dragon, they will be taken to the stables and kept safe,” she said sympathetically. “I’m Drift, by the way, and um… it’s gonna be okay?”
She seemed more unsure of it than Pyro so he just allowed a small grunt in response.
“I mean, I’ve never seen a rogue dragon rider…” she stalked up to his crunched form inquisitively.
She seemed to notice his awkward stance.
“You aren’t going to run, right?” She tilted her head to the side, her dragon seeming to mirror her above him.
“And go where?!” He huffed, agitated and scared, but shoving it all behind a mask of anger.
“Right.” With a sharp whistle, the green dragon released Pyro fully and began off to the side of the building, perching there for the time being.
“She beautiful,” Pyro couldn’t help but comment.
A fond smile overtook Drift’s features at that.
“She is, isn’t she? That’s Fern, and yours?” She turned to him expectantly.
Pyro barely hesitated to comment, not particularly feeling frightened anymore and now rather excited to share with this strange girl.
“That’s Cinder.”
“Awww lovely. I’m curious… how did you bond?” Drift asked kindly.
Now Pyro was a little more hesitant to share.
“I found her, an abandoned baby.” He smiled despite himself, remembering that small, stumbling dragon that he called his own right away.
“I’ve never heard of that…” Drift sighed, clearly contemplating that answer.
Wings could be heard as another dragon began to land on the roof.
“Commander!” Drift quickly squeaked out, moving into a stiff yet slightly off “at attention.”
She was quickly released by a slight wave of the woman’s hand.
“Young rider, what is your name?” She asked firmly.
“Pyro Dagmeare. And I’m not a child, I’m 24!” Pyro felt the need to clarify. He hopped if word spread of his capture, his crew would hear of it and know to move on.
Drifts eyes widened beside him and her stance became rigid once more. Odd.
“Well, Pyro, you shall stay here until we decide what to do with you. Captain Drift, keep an eye on him, yes?” The Commander ordered calmly.
“Yes, Commander!”
And so it began.
————
Drift began to show Pyro around a little, but only to areas she considered to be safe: the dining hall, the great hall, etc.
Along the way, the rogue seemed to notice her discomfort after his name had been revealed.
“And this is-“
“Drift.” Pyro cut in.
“Yes?” Drift cringed and turned back to the boy.
“Why are you acting strange about my name? I’m not that infamous, am I?” Pyro tried not to boast often but he couldn’t help it. This reaction, though, was a new level.
“It’s just… there’s someone here you might know…” Drift sighed.
“Drift!” Came a deathly familiar voice.
Oh no.