Bonded: Chapter One (Redone)

by Sicilian Sea in a place where your secrets are whispered on the breath of the wind.

A/N: All right everyone.  Bonded is back. This is the original first chapter. Nothing has changed, I'm just reposting it to kick the revival of the story off. To those of you who followed Bonded to its 21st chapter, I thank you, and this story is going to be rewritten. To those of you who are clicking on this for the first time and don't recognize Bonded, well then welcome and enjoy my original first chapter. You may, if you wish, read through the chapters, but as of now, Bonded will be rewritten. A warning: This may take some time between chapters. I can only do so much a day, and write so much, so if there's days, or quite possibly, weeks between posting, please, keep reading this book. It just takes me time, as you may have learned from reading any of the who knows how many chapter stories I've posted over my near year at KidPub. So, yes, just a forewarning, since I've got a lot to write these days. Also, there is another chapter book I'm currently working on. Resurgence is currently in its first chapter. Here's the link: http://www.kidpub.com/book-page-or-chapter/title-suggestions-welcome-cha...  

            The light bounced off the waves in small darts, momentarily blinding the eyes of any unlucky onlooker. The ocean was a bluish grey, the waves turning a vivid, sparkling emerald when they progress closer towards shore and became breakers that crashed against the sand. Palm trees sprouted arbitrarily along the imaginary line where soil took over for the sand. The sunset was transforming along the horizon. A creature raced down the beach, the body was small with a thin build, and its limbs stretching as it joyously ran. It was scaled in gold that glittered against the sunlight. It appeared as a tiny dragon, granted it was young, but it wouldn’t get much bigger. The creature’s wings were frail looking, the membranes almost transparent. The dragon had its wings tucked to its sides, allowing its legs to carry the burden of the run. Its neck was stretched out to its full length, concealing the ridge of scales that rose along its spine and ending at its shoulder blades. Its tail was about half that of its body, and was occasionally lashing out to the side to keep the dragon’s balance while it ran. There was a prominent ridge of raised scales above its eyes and nostrils and just above its eyes rose a pair curving horns.

Its bright amber eyes surveyed the sand as it ran, the head occasionally whipping to the side to stare at the water before resuming its original position. Suddenly the dragon whirled around, as if it was struck from behind. It came to a dead stop, sand clattering against its scales which glinted as it moved, before trotting forward. Its breathing was labored, its breath rattling out between its slightly unhinged jaws. It was staring fixatedly ahead, eyes locked on something sitting beneath a palm tree. It was a girl; she was watching the creature race across the sands, occasionally staring out at the jeweled waves before snapping her attention back on the dragon. It trotted over to her, slowing to a walk as it neared.

“Enjoy your run?” The girl questioned softly, running her hand along the dragon’s arching back like one would do to a cat. The dragon stopped, turning its head to face her.                 

            Yes, very much so. It feels good to run. A male’s voice replied. He turned his head again, looking in the opposite direction of where they were. Even now the girl still admired how the scales along his body glittered whenever he moved.

            “Are they coming?” She asked, straining her eyes to see who was approaching.

            Yes.   He replied faintly. As if to prove his statement, two dragons, the same size as the golden male, pelted down the beach in the same carefree manner the first had demonstrated. One was the same grey blue as the ocean; her racing companion was inky black. Both of their eyes were amber yellow. He watched them wishfully, before turning his head questioningly at the girl.

            “Go ahead; I know how much you want to.” She answered, guessing what he wanted. He gave her an unmistakable smile, chirring as he raced off to join his friends. She watched them race down the beach for a few moments before movement caught her eye. Three people, two girls one boy walked side by side on the sand, their eyes were on the frolicking dragons as they walked. They appeared to be talking, but the ocean blocked their voices. She got up then to hail them over, before spotting the strange creature walking patiently beside his master. He was also a dragon, silvery blue in color. He had longer legs than the typical dragons. There was a strange crest of feathery membrane nestled between his horns. His eyes were a light yellow green, the pupils flicking here and there watching just about everything that moved. He wasn’t wary though, he appeared calm. The girl started toward them, traversing the sand to step in front of her friends. They paused, watching her approach.

            “Hey guys!” She chirruped, flashing them a smile before allowing it to flicker as she placed a curious gaze on the strange dragon. “Who is this, Amari?” She asked, addressing the boy. He didn’t reply right away, he was busy watching the dragon watch her, but as the dragon moved toward her he replied,

“This is Varius.” She nodded, stooping and stretching her hand out for Varius to scent. He did so before backtracking to his master.

“Where’s your other dragon?” She asked, standing back to her full height.

            “Ali? She’s still around. She’s back home at the moment, wasn’t feeling her greatest today.” He said that as if it explained everything. She nodded again, turning her attention to her two formerly neglected friends.

            “How are you two doing? What have you been up to?” She asked, hearing the other dragons racing crazily in the sand behind them.

            “Nothing really, Ziarre.” The first one replied. She was shorter than Ziarre, mossy blonde hair crowning her head. The second one was slightly taller than her, sharing Ziarre’s brown hair. She smiled.

            “Have to agree with Alezae, Ziarre. Nothing to report.” She smiled almost apologetically.

            “That’s disappointing, Kiley.” Ziarre replied, shaking her head as if she was actually disappointed. Kiley smiled again.

            “I know our lives are boring. Enlighten us, if you would please Ziarre, what you’ve been up to?” She asked her eyes seeming to laugh at her friend. Ziarre smiled back.

            “Come now. My life can’t be any more boring than yours.”

            “What? Jarah not making your life interesting?” Alezae questioned mockingly shocked.

            “No.” Ziarre replied, giving Jarah an accusing glance. The dragon caught her fleeting look, bounding over from where he was several yards off with the other two dragons. He slowed to a trot, and then a complete stop at her side, looking up at her expectantly. He looked around confused, looking at her friends in the same puzzled manner.

            “You’re not in trouble Jarah.” Amari tried to explain. “She’s just complaining that you’re too mellow.” Jarah appeared confused, before understanding dawned on his face. He flashed them one of his toothy smiles and glanced back at the remaining two dragons. The blue female trotted over, her dark companion following behind.

            “Should we head back?” Alezae asked, looking at each of them in turn.

            “Well if these guys are done running around-” Kiley started to say before she was cut off by Ziarre.

            “What about Varius? He hasn’t moved from your side, Amari. Does he want to run around?” At the mention of his name, Varius looked up at Ziarre, almost startled. He glanced up at Amari, possibly arguing how he was fine, or begging to be allowed free, it was difficult to tell by his expression. After what seemed like a minute Amari replied,

            “He doesn’t really care, but I was thinking as a last minute way to get their energy out how about a race?”

The three girls just shrugged, glancing at their dragons whom of which were silent.

            “Yes?” Amari answered for them, and then said, “Okay, you four. Whoever can get to that,” He pointed to a twisted piece of driftwood a few hundred yards off, “and back wins, but you have to start from here.” He picked up a stray weather beaten stick and walked a few feet away dragged a line in the sand and walked back, tossing the stick to the side. The four friends watched their dragons trot over, including Varius, who had an interestingly lethal gate to him. The dragons lined up, nearly brushing shoulders as the waited, tensing for the start.

            “This is childish.” Alezae muttered.

            “Hey, it’s just a way for them to get their energy out before we have to go back to the village and you know how serious it is back there.” Kiley replied.

            “Yeah, but we all know Varius is going to win. He has longer legs and he’s been standing here for the last ten or fifteen minutes while Celeste, Jarah and Kieran have been running around.” Alezae replied seemingly complaining.

“Ready you guys?” Amari asked the dragons, ignoring Alezae. “Alright… get set….Go!” He shouted, watching the dragons bolt forward. They were nothing but blurs and right from the start they could see Varius’s longer limbs and rest made him the leader. Celeste, the blue-grey female was seconds after him, though she wasn’t moving any closer. Kieran, the coal shaded male was right behind her and behind him was Jarah. Jarah suddenly slowed to a stop, turning and trotting back toward Ziarre. Worry flashed across her face, but she hid it in an instant.

“Jarah, what’s wrong? Why did you stop?” She asked as he neared, but he didn’t reply until he was at her side. He sat down, his jaws unhinged as he panted. His eyes rolled uneasily from person to person, finally coming to rest on his mistress.

Tired. Just. Tired. He answered simply, even his answers were short.

“What’s wrong with him?” Alezae asked, both Kiley and Amari, watching him to hear as well.

“He says he’s tired.” Ziarre replied, not sounding convinced.

“That could be, you were here sooner than we were.” Amari pointed out. Ziarre nodded agreeing. By now the other three were trotting back, Varius in the lead. He didn’t seem as tired as Celeste and Kieran were, but that would have been expected.

“We should go back now.” Ziarre stated, unnerved by Jarah’s behavior. None of her friends countered her statement; they simply nodded and beckoned their dragons forward. Celeste trotted up with Kiley and Kieran trailed behind Alezae. Amari walked back with Ziarre, who had slowed her pace for Jarah. She grew fed up quickly, stooping down and scooping her dragon up in her arms as so she could keep pace with the rest of them. It was also hurrying matters along that dark was steadily progressing. It frightened her that Jarah didn’t whine about her picking him up, usually he complained and tried to break free from her grasp, but this time he just sat listlessly, his panting becoming a quiet wheeze.