Thread: To Train A Dragon Rider (Distain2003 & darkangel76)

The sun streamed through Lianas window, rays of light dappling the lush red curtains surrounding her canopy bed. Some of the light gently fell upon her cheeks, warming them a little. Slowly, she opened her pale eyes and gazed toward her window. Sitting up, Liana suddenly realized what day it was. It was the day of the lottery. Unlike last time, this time, her name was actually up for being drawn, her father completely unawares. As a result, she more than wanted to be present at the drawing of Azurs next dragon rider. She knew her presence would cause at least some mild alarm with her father, though she hardly cared. She was a woman now, as far as she was concerned and it was time to stop living behind the shields her father kept on building up around her. Liana understood why her father acted as he did. He wanted to protect her, to keep her safe. But all it did was keep her in the dark, keep her nave. She wanted to learn about the world. How else could she possibly rule a country one day if she was kept clueless about so many things? So slowly, over the past several years, since the first time shed been eligible for the lottery, shed begun to take notice of things around her. Her fathers and his advisors expressions when discussing certain matters, the way the various warriors for Azur carried themselves. She paid attention to what the commoners said, along with those of the royal court. She listened for subtleties and was more than upset when she learned about how sheltered shed really been. And then there was the special treatment with the lottery. Upon learning that, she vowed that shed never have her name excused from another lottery ever again, so long as she could help it. Pushing off the warm blankets, Liana swung her legs over the side of the bed. She slipped down to stand up, the stone floor cold against her bare feet. She walked over to her window and peered outside. In the distance, she could see a dragon flying overhead, an enormous black one. It looked so ominous to her eyes and she wondered how anyone could ever ride such a beautiful, yet terrible creature. She wondered, if she ended up being called in the lottery, if shed be able to live up to becoming a respected dragon rider of Azur. She knew nothing of such things, her skills in fighting or anything physical practically non-existent. Heaving a sigh, she went over to her armoire and picked out a gown for herself. Her fingers gently brushed the delicate satin of a deep blue gown that she was particularly fond of. She slipped out of her night dress and put on all her underthings stockings, slip, corset. She then stepped into her gown. It was difficult getting dressed in such elaborate things without assistance, but this morning she had no choice. None of her attendants expected her to go to the lottery drawing and she wanted it that way on purpose. Had they known, it wouldve alerted her father that something may have been plotted. Liana finally secured her gown about her body. She looked at herself in the mirror and heaved a sigh. She looked the part of princess, a part shed mastered. A part she was tired of playing. She hoped that today her father would see that she was no longer a child. No longer one to be coddled and shielded. Quickly, she fixed up her hair and exited her room, heading quickly down the stone corridor. Liana arrived at the place where the drawing would be held. Her father and his advisors werent present yet. Nor was the name holder. But she knew they soon would be there and then the explanations would begin for her. As she waited, she peered over the edge of the balcony she knew her father would be standing on. The very one where hed set up the name holder and draw the name for the next dragon rider. The people were already starting to mill about. She could see the fear and anxiousness on their faces. Looking up to the skies, she saw the dragons again. Again there was the large black one and again she wondered what sort of person rode such a beast. Time stood still as Liana watched the black dragon flying above everyone. She wondered if the rider was merely keeping watch to ensure no riots occurred or if there were other reasons she was unaware of. Reasons that would make most peoples blood run cold from the hard truths of war. Trying not to dwell on such things, she continued to stare at the beast flying overhead, totally mesmerized at how someone had been able to tame him.