Arlaina woke as the first light of dawn crept through the gaps in the canvas of her tent, soft amber hues spilling over the woven rug beneath her. The air was cool, kissed by the lingering breath of the night, but already, the sun was promising heat for the day ahead. She stretched out slowly, her muscles aching from yesterday’s long hours of work, though there was a quiet satisfaction in the soreness. This life she had chosen—no, had been called to—was one of constant motion, of endless challenges, but also profound moments of connection.

Beside her, curled up in a massive pile of blankets and leather, was her closest companion: Kaelath, her dragon. His scales shimmered in the dim light, a deep, stormy blue that could be mistaken for a sky just before a thunderstorm. He slept soundly, chest rising and falling in deep, slow breaths. A rare sight; Kaelath, the fiercest of his kind, was not one to rest for long. But this morning, perhaps sensing the peaceful aura that surrounded her, he remained still.

Arlaina ran a hand through her tangled auburn hair, brushing it back from her face as she rose from her bedroll, careful not to disturb him. She stepped outside her tent, barefoot on the damp earth, the cool dew kissing her skin. Her boots were nearby, worn and scuffed from years of travel and danger, but for now, the earth felt good beneath her. The camp around her was still quiet, the other tamers and travelers slowly waking, preparing for the day.

The camp itself was nestled in a valley, surrounded by thick trees and cliffs that rose high above. The sound of distant waterfalls and the occasional caw of a raven punctuated the silence. In the sky, the faint outlines of other dragons could be seen—a few of the older, more independent creatures that roamed free, as their riders did the same.

Her thoughts lingered on Kaelath as she crouched by a small fire pit, stoking the embers with a bit of kindling she’d gathered earlier. He would wake soon, and when he did, she needed to be ready. Tamers didn’t have the luxury of taking the day at their own pace. Not when the bond between dragon and rider was as deep and complex as theirs.

She smiled softly as the fire crackled to life, the warmth licking at her skin, and took a deep breath, savoring the moment of solitude. In the silence, she could hear the distant rumble of Kaelath’s growl, a low vibration that seemed to come from the very earth beneath her feet. It wasn’t an angry sound—more like a reminder that he was waking, stretching his wings, preparing for whatever the day would bring.

Arlaina rose, her hands steady despite the excitement that stirred inside her. She made her way back to the tent, where Kaelath was now stirring. His eyes—bright silver with streaks of lightning that seemed to shift with his moods—met hers, a silent greeting. She moved toward him, her steps deliberate, each motion one of calm assurance.

"Morning, Kaelath," she murmured, her voice a soft, familiar comfort to the creature who had once been little more than a wild, untamed force. Now, with every year they spent together, the bond deepened. She was his rider; she was his family.

Kaelath unfurled his wings, the massive appendages stretching out with a soft rustling of leathery skin. The sound filled the air, a low, musical hum that seemed to vibrate through the very bones of the valley. As he stood, towering over her, Arlaina ran her hand along the edge of his wing, her fingers brushing the cool, smooth scales. The connection was electric, and as always, it brought a sense of peace.

Together, they would face the unknowns of the day ahead—whether it was taming a new dragon, hunting down rogue creatures, or negotiating with the people of the nearby villages. The work was never the same, and neither were the challenges. But with Kaelath by her side, she was ready for whatever came.

The wind picked up, sending a shiver through her, and she smiled as she looked up at him, her companion in both flight and life. "Let’s see what the day holds, old friend," she said, as they both turned toward the rising sun.

And so, the morning began—a new chapter in their shared story, a dragon tamer and her dragon, facing the world together, as they always had.

The wind howled across the cliffside, carrying with it the scent of rain and the distant rumble of thunder. Arlaina tugged her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her eyes scanning the horizon as she and Kaelath descended from the swirling sky. The massive dragon's wings beat steadily, the deep, stormy blue of his scales gleaming like the turbulent sky before a thunderstorm. His eyes, dark and penetrating, searched the landscape below with practiced ease.

"Something’s off," Arlaina muttered to herself, a chill creeping up her spine. Her connection to Kaelath had always been strong, but today the bond felt different—strained, like a wire pulled too taut.

They landed with a resounding thud, the earth shuddering beneath them as Kaelath tucked his wings in and surveyed their surroundings. The rocky landscape stretched out before them, harsh and wild, but it was the figure lying motionless on the ground that caught Arlaina’s attention.

The man was sprawled next to a dragon—though "next to" didn't quite do it justice. The creature's head lay just inches from the man's outstretched hand, its body coiled like a serpent.

But it wasn’t the strange dragon that made Arlaina’s heart quicken. It was the man. He was clearly unconscious, his face pale and smeared with dirt, his eyes closed as though in deep slumber—or perhaps something worse. But it wasn’t the unconsciousness that set her on edge. It was the fear in his posture. His body was rigid, as if caught in a moment of sheer terror, even in sleep. His arms were raised, almost as if warding off an unseen threat. His hands trembled slightly, and his fingers twitched, as though he was still caught in some lingering nightmare.

"Kaelath," Arlaina whispered, her hand tightening on the reins. The dragon made a low, rumbling sound in his chest, a combination of curiosity and wariness.

The bond between them was more than just the rider’s command and the dragon’s obedience—it was a shared feeling, a deep, instinctual connection. And right now, that connection was filled with unease.

The dragon beside the man was still, but its eyes—those piercing, amber eyes—were open. They didn’t blink, they didn’t move, but they were watching. Watching them.

The air was heavy, thick with an oppressive silence that seemed to hang over the scene. Arlaina slid off Kaelath’s back and approached the unconscious man, her boots crunching softly against the gravel. She knelt beside him, her gloved hands hovering just above his face as if to gauge the distance between herself and a danger she could not yet see.

"Wake up," she said, her voice low and coaxing.