Maiden Flight Read Online Free PDF Page B

fear not for her, though I thank you for your words of comfort. If anything, I fear for my own future, selfish as it seems.” Adora shook herself and changed the subject before the dragon had a chance to interject. “But it's not important. I knew a dragon when I was a child. I used to bring her melons from our garden and she would always slice a little piece for me as a treat.
    You remind me of her, Sir Kelvan. You have similar coloring in your wings and around your eyes. Her name was Kelzy.” She sighed, lost in memory. “She had a scar running near her left ear.”
    And another on her right foreleg.
    “Yes! How did you know?”
    Kelvan bowed his head to the side. She is my mother. His voice was solemn. And you are Adora. She speaks of you often.
    “She lives still?” A smile bloomed on her pretty face.
    Kelvan chuckled softly in his dragonish way. Our kind does not age as you do. When you knew her, she had suffered the loss of her knight and needed some time to recover. We bond quite closely to our partners, you know. She’s one of the elders in charge of building our new Lair and teaches the younger ranks how to fight and work with the knights. She chose my knight for me, in fact, even before I could claim him.
    “She chose well.” Adora’s eyes followed the progress of the young couple across the small clearing. They were strolling slowly, oblivious to all except each other.
    He is a good man through and through. You have naught to fear for your daughter or yourself.
    “It is selfish of me, I know, but I fear being alone. I’ve already lost children and it nearly killed me. Still, I want my girl to be happy, and her happiness lies with the young knight. It's obvious to see.”
    Then come with us to the new Lair. I am certain my mother would welcome you.
    “I refuse to be a burden. This is Belora's time. I don't want to interfere.”
    You would not be a burden, Lady Adora. We always need help in the Lair, and there are so few humans able to deal well with my kind. We already know you and your daughter can. We would welcome you both.
    Adora considered his words carefully, mulling over the possibilities in her mind. “I can cook and clean, I suppose. I also know of healing herbs. It's how we've made do out here in the forest.”
    Healing skills are always needed among the fighters. You would be more than welcome, Lady. What can it hurt to come for a visit? I know my mother will want to see you. If you do not come back with us, at least for a visit, I can nearly guarantee she will make the trip out here herself to make certain you are all right. She is not a young dragon any longer. Won't you spare her such an arduous journey? I can have you there and back again in the next day, if you will consent to come for a visit.
    Adora was torn, but she did so want to see the dragon who had been her childhood friend once more. “Perhaps a short visit. Just to see Lady Kelzy. I have thought of her often and missed her greatly. But I must return to care for my patients. I am all the help the local village has, and I can’t just abandon them.”
    Yet you do not live in the village.
    “By choice. Not because they would not have us. When I came here, I was hurt deeply by the loss of my children. Twin girls as bright as the sun.” She paused while she collected herself. Her baby girls were gone and it left a hole in her heart that was wide and deep. How she missed them still, years later.
    Nothing would ever make up for losing her beloved twin daughters. The only consolation she had was that Belora was still with her, still safe. She sighed deeply before continuing. “I couldn’t bear to be with other people and my work often brings me into the forest to gather herbs. I enjoy the solitude and don’t have much. This place was empty and available. It needed a good cleaning and still needs some repair, but it’s home. It welcomed me, helped me heal, and sheltered Belora as she grew. This place has been good to