Taking up a Mission

"Why'd you knock back the horses they were going to lend us?"

Mai finally asked, after about an hour of walking on their feet along the wandering path towards the near town of Braxel.

"I wouldn't rely on them; they were far too flighty and timid around us..."

I wonder why...

The dragon-girl looked about, then suddenly handed over her small pack, after she got out a double weaved circle of rope, long enough to nearly stand on once she placed it oddly over her head.

"...and why ride those silly little horses..."

Lygawa grew rapidly into her true scaly self, while the weaved rope loop settled snugly around the base of her neck.

{...when something much better is on offer!}

"Really?!"

Mai was shocked by the sudden development.

{I am by far faster. Then instead of days travelling, we can be there this very afternoon, yes.}

She's going to let me ride... her... in the sky!

Mai had to settle her shaking hands before she touched the soft scales, and while Lygawa assisted her up onto her back, she was already slightly giddy, even before they'd left the ground.

[Now do hold on tight, yes.}

One leap, and a couple of wing beats later, they already rose above the tree canopy.

So cool!

A few more flaps and they were well clear of the forest, and then Lygawa started to glide through the air gracefully, already catching an updraft.

{So how do you like your first flight?}

I can't break it to her that I've flown a few times already... but this is way different to a plane...

"Absolutely wonderful!"

The air sailed through her hair and flapped her clothes as Lygawa freely manoeuvred through the wind, making only the occasional wing strokes as they floated along below the fluffy clouds.

"It's so calm."

They gently sailed on for a few minutes in near silence, as Mai took in the stunning all around view.

"Do you like to fly?"

Mai asked after a few little sways.

{I've nearly always been able to take to the skies... but I suppose I do like the ease it gives me, yes.}

Mai could see Lygawa's smile, from just her big sparkling eyes, as she looked back to her passenger.

{However most dragons don't bother, or see it as something special...}

"Well it is - what else has the skill to take to the air as you do..."

{Birds.... but then they cannot do this... please hold tight, yes.}

She flapped her wings and the pair shot forward, before she sharply spiralled with greater velocity. As she still held on tightly, Mai was feeling some gravity at play; that helped hold her towards Lygawa's shiny body, which shimmered in the sunlight, while she keenly took it all in with fully opened eyes.

"Oh wow!"

Mai was not usually an adrenalin junkie, but this ride was now very exciting.

Lygawa eased off the speed, but performed for her passenger; with a few banking turns, a skim over the highest of the forest covered hills below, with some ups and a couple of plunges too, while making sure to be graceful enough that Mai was not too thrown.

After the next rise, a greater cleared area appeared ahead, and Mai spotted what looked like a small town too, as Lygawa went back to a simple glide once more.

Gosh, that was super quick...!

{I should land now... somewhere out of sight, yes?}

She started to dive a little, aiming toward the edge of the still thick tree cover below.

"That was incredible!"

Mai exclaimed, still feeling the excited buzz.

{I'm glad you liked it...}

"I would be happy to book another first-class seat on Air Lygawa again, anytime!"

The dragon didn't know what to make of all those words Mai had used.

{Uh? Books... 'First-class seat'...?}

She looked back confused.

"Thank-you for letting me experience this, it really was fantastic!"

Lygawa found a suitable patch to put herself down on.

{It is my pleasure.}

Just before they touched down, the dragon promptly transformed, leaving Mai slightly hanging from her slim shoulders and back, gently finding the grass underfoot at the same time as her carrier did.

"...and a perfect landing!"

They both smiled with great satisfaction.

Giving back the little pack with the rope stuffed back inside, Mai estimated they could make the final distance without a problem, well before night was due.

"Pity I couldn't just land in the town somewhere..."

Going by the stories told of dragons by the locals - that would certainly cause a major panic...

"I don't know if you'd be received all that well though."

Mai fixed her pack back under the others long hair.

"True, then on foot it is, yes."

The silvery girl tottered out ahead on the grass, in her little lighter-silver shoes.

Neither had even been in a town as big as Braxel before, with a lot more people out and about, and while Mai had wanted to draw as little attention as possible, Lygawa had dashed her hopes early on.

The dragon was making far too much of her 'protector role' then Mai had guessed she would; carefully watching out for near passerby's, returning stares from those who watched them, and whisking quickly between Mai and perceived threats - like loud sounds and fast carts on the streets - in fact her actions were drawing attention their way.

"Lygawa, just walk normally..."

Mai whispered.

"Huh? I am walking..."

She scanned her head about blankly with wide eyes again, before locking onto another pedestrian, veering to get between Mai and this new person and force their walk further away.

Geez, enough already...!

Mai grabbed Lygawa's hand and reeled her back to her.

"Ah!"

She pressed up against the blue cloak she'd bought for the silver dragon-girl to have on, in order to attempt to lower her profile, and clutched her arm close.

"Stay calm... stop whipping your neck about and walk casually... please."

Mai spoke quietly but forcefully to the creature, which had frozen still from the others sudden grasp.

"Sorry... I just - I will..."

Lygawa blushed a little with embarrassment.

They walked on quietly and calmly then, without further incident, casually glancing at the many shops and occasional eateries along the street, till they came across a hotel in the centre of town.

"This one looks good, want to stay here?"

Mai asked, but wasn't answered, as oddly Lygawa was still lightly blushing, as she stayed subdued and closely clung to.

When they entered the hotel, Mai continued to take the lead and got a room for the both of them, for at least a three day stay.

"So it's just you two..."

The receptionist sounded fairly worried.

"Is that a problem?"

"Well... I must tell you that there have been a few... um, incidents involving young ladies. It would be best to stay in well kept areas and never alone out at night."

"Oh... can you be more specific?"

"I'm afraid it is quite unsafe at the moment... several women have been recently murdered..."