...A little drabble that I did at 1AM, trying to build up confidence in my writing. This little drabble takes place when Miani is 18 years old (She's 24 in current time), concerning dragons and such. I'd really appreciate some feedback, since writing's not much my forte.
Story thing is under the Read More, and is 933 words for anyone who's interested in knowing the word count.
Miani glanced up at the many dragons flying up in the sky. The day was sunny and quite hot, a typical Aenraian summer day. Gongs and drums sounded, as the Choosing was about to begin. Miani then glanced around her, at the High Queen, the High King, and the other young men and women dressed in colored hides around her. She tsked in disgust, wishing for a breeze or that one or more people in the Sadiinuae Gereak would conjure a breeze, wearing hides in this heat was getting on her nerves. She longed to wear the silken robes, as they were cooler to wear in this weather. Soon, the dragons would come down, and Choose their companion, or not Choose one at all. Miani thought about her lectures on dragons and the Aenraian God and Goddess of Life, Kekri. It was said that Kekri was of all genders and none, and could turn into a dragon at will. She knew that the Dikua'Iru and Choosing were important, to honor the Dragons and the God and Goddess of Life, the dragons symbolized life for the people.
As Heir Mistress, she knew that if a dragon did not Choose her this year, that she would have to wait til the next year and the next, until she had walked the realms 30 years over. If a dragon would not Choose her after the 30th year, she would be a Dikua'a'Ruk, a Dragonless. To be a Dragonless and a High Queen would mean that she would have to earn the respect of the Aenraian people in other ways. "'Tis no help that I am mostly Aylagalian, a foreigner of this Realm," she muttered to herself. She was as tall as an Aenraian man, so she heard and knew, and was mocked for her paleness when she would come in the first month of the year from her home realm, Aylagale, to stay half the year, leaving a week after the Dikua'Iru.
The dragons flew down, landing gracefully in a circle, chattering amongst themselves in Dikua tureka. Miani closed her eyes, "Breathe, do not let your temper get the best of you." That mantra within her head from her instructors and the High Queen, daily it seemed. She sighed.
A purple dragon broke from the circle and walked towards a man of about 20, nodding at the man when he introduced himself. The dragon then introduced itself as Rekja, a female dragon.
Miani glanced down at the ground in front of her, not looking up for fear of possibly not being Chosen.
This continued until there was one left, a large blue-ish-purple dragon. The dragon walked up to Miani and spoke to her softly, "Look up, look up and see me." Miani quickly jerked her head up, looking into the dragon's amber eyes in surprise. "Y-yes, I s-see you," she stammered. It seemed to Miani that the dragon was chuckling, chuckling! Chuckling at her. The dragon spoke to her again, "I am called Syldraas. I know who you are, you wear the necklace of Heir Mistress." Miani nodded, quickly bowing, "I am called Miani, 'tis an honor to be Chosen by one such as you, Syldraas."
The gongs and drums sounded again, signalling the end of the Choosing. The people who had been Chosen walked in a line toward the High Queen and King, bowing their heads as each passed them in respect. Those who had not been Chosen walked back into the crowd gathered around.
The High Queen spoke, her voice ringing out to those gathered around, "The Choosing has ended for this Year. May the Dikua and the Gods and Goddesses continue to watch over us as we honor them in this year and the years and ages to come and pass. Festivities shall continue til this week of eight has passed, as is custom."
Soon, the crowd dispersed, and the Chosen walked to the area where their dragons waited. Miani glanced up at Syldraas, an unspoken question upon her lips. "I Chose you because you have a spirit of Fire, a spirit of Dreams, and a spirit of Caring," Syldraas paused for a minute, then continued, "All good qualities to have in one who is to become High Queen. Come with me into the shade of the large Ayua tree. Climb upon my back, and we shall fly there." Miani gulped in fear, "S-Syldraas, I am quite afraid of hei-" "I am aware. I have spoken with Rakunra, Xalun's Companion. Rakunra has informed me of your fear of heights, as well as your fear of falling, Miani. Do not worry, for we will not ride far, nor very high." Miani glanced at the ground, then at Syldraas. "Rakunra told you of these things? If she told you of these things, and you knew them, you still Chose me anyway. Why?" Syldraas sighed, "I already told you, Miani. But if you would like another reason, 'tis because I believe you can conquer anything if you put your mind and heart to it. Trust me when I say I will not fly too high or too fast."
Miani reluctantly climbed onto Syldraas' back. "A-alright, but if what you say is untrue, I do not know if I will be able to trust your word during other times." She was already higher than up on a horse, which made her uneasy. "Place your arms around my shoulders, feel free to grab onto my scales as hard as you feel is needed there." Miani did as instructed, closing her eyes tightly and grabbing onto the scales around Syldraas' shoulders.