Name Meaning: Gift (ana, from anna=gift)
*Stadus* *Bond* *Hatching&Sr.Caulf* *Adult*
*The storm swept in quickly. Too quickly for many of the small sailing ships. Vrana ran along the dock as fast as her legs could carry her. Tanzeryss swam up along side, a man huddled on the dragon's back. Vrana reached out and yelled over the howling wind for him to take her hand.
As soon as the man was safely on the dock Tanzeryss disappeared below the choppy waves. Vrana lead the man down the dock and passed him to others waiting there. By the time Vrana got back to the end of the dock the black sea dragon had another storm victim for her. This next man griped her hand tightly. Vrana barley noticed, her fingers were so cold. Her wet suit helped keep her body warm against the chilling wind and freezing rain, but her hands were colder than ice.
She helped victim after victim out of the frigid waters. Vrana was running back to help another when she suddenly slipped, plunging head first into the water. Bubbles swirled around her, it took her a moment to orient herself.
A sleek black body appeared on her right. Vrana reached out and grabbed hold of the familiar shape and Tanzeryss pulled her rider to the surface.
You're too cold. Go inside and get warm. Tanzeryss said with a worried tone.
I'm fine. They need my help out here! Vrana thought back to her dragon, the wind was too loud to yell over.
No, The black's thoughts were firm. Go inside.
Ground formed beneath the woman's feet.
All right, I'll go, Vrana assured her bond. She then staggered her way to the clinic.
*A few days later Vrana and Tanzeryss were assigned the watch duty. Vrana was glad, she would much rather be on watch than cleaning pieces of debris from the storm off the beach.
Vrana squinted out over the water, shielding her eyes with her hand. She gave the black hide under her a loving pat. Vrana really hadn't noticed how much Tanzeryss had grown. The sea dragon was nearly forty-eight feet long now. The black had grown long and sleek, with a delicately featured head and beautiful golden amber eyes.
It had been almost three years since Tanzeryss had hatched. Had three years really gone by that fast? Vrana wondered how her father was doing. She sent him letters almost every week, so she knew he was in fine health and good spirits. But she wanted to visit him.
You're thinking of your father again. Tanzeryss said swiveling her head to look at her bond.
"I miss him. I haven't seen him since the day I left to come here."
You could ask Covelord Diasc if we could take some time off and visit him? Tanzeryss suggested.
"I think I'll do that, Tanzeryss."
*"How much farther?" Vrana asked peering towards the east.
We are five minutes closer than we were when you asked five minutes ago.
"It's taking longer than I remember."
Be patient. We'll get there when we get there.
Two hours later they came into sight of the little fishing village Vrana used to call home. Nothing had changed, Vrana noted with a smile. The fishing boats were tied up here and there along the old splintery dock. Flocks of sea birds swooped and glided over head, as if welcoming them.
Some fishermen spotted them from the dock and began to wave. Vrana waved back searching for her father in the quickly forming crowd. She soon spotted him walking up the beach and urged Tanzeryss faster. The black sea dragon had barely pulled up to the side of the dock when Vrana jumped off and ran as fast as she could to her father. She almost knocked the older man off his feet as she hugged him.
"Don't strangle me to death!" Waton said with a laugh.
"I've missed you, father," Vrana said releasing him. The man smiled proudly down at her.
"Is this Tanzeryss?" He asked motioning towards the sea dragon watching them from the water. Vrana didn't have a chance to answer as Erak pounced on her from behind.
"I knew it was you come'n in. My goodness she's big!" Erak said with an awed tone as he spotted the dragon.
Why, thank you, Tanzeryss said sticking her chin in the air.
Vrana laughed as Erak blinked dumbly at the dragon.
"She...talked to me," he stuttered still blinking.
I talk to whoever I wish.
"Of course you do, Tanzeryss love. I want you to meet my father Waton and my friend Erak." Vrana gestured to each man in turn.
Pleased to meet you.
"Well, aren't you a polite one," Waton said, daring to reach out and scratch the black's chin.
Suddenly a group of children jumped recklessly into the water. They swam over and began to climb on Tanzeryss. Women from the town began to yell at the children to leave the sea dragon alone. Vrana assured them that Tanzeryss didn't mind, in fact she seemed to enjoy them.
Vrana watched with a smile as Tanzeryss helped a smaller lad climb on her back. Then she began to paddled slowly around the dock.
I like these little things. There kind'a cute, Tanzeryss told her bond.
"Look's to me like she's in good hands. Let's go find some coffee and you can tell me all about your time at the cove," Waton said guiding his daughter towards the shore.
