Page 229 of Dragon Champion (Age of Fire 1)

Then met young Djer, who cut collar-ring.

I crossed the steppes with dwarves of trade

On the banks of the Vhydic Ironriders slayed

Then sought out NooMoahk, dragon black

And took my Hieba daughter back

To find her kind; then took first flight

Saw NooMoahk buried in honor right.

When war came to friends I long had known

My path was set, my heart was stone

I sought the source of dreadful hate

And on this Isle I met my fate

Found Natasatch in a cavern deep

So I had one more promise to keep.

To claim this day my life’s sole mate

In future years to share my fate

A dragon’s troth is this day pledged

To she who’ll see me fully fledged.

Through this dragon’s life, as dragon-dame

shall add your blood to my family’s fame.

They flew up and up, circling each other. Natasatch panted with the effort, but sailed higher and higher, till she was above even the beacon-mountain. AuRon circled her, worried and shouting advice.

“Will you be careful? If you’re not used to altitude, you’ll make yourself giddy.”

“Let’s touch the Sun, AuRon! She’s calling to us.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Dragons are so literal,” she said, rolling over and swooping under him.

They embraced, their necks and tails wound around each other, and their wings met. They began a long fall to the world below, joined. They fell for a minute or more before they broke the embrace, hearts pounding.

“That’s how it’s supposed to be,” Natasatch said, turning lazy circles. AuRon swooped around her, flicking her lovingly with wingtip and tail. “Among the clouds.”

AuRon’s body rippled with color, first red, then orange. He wandered through the spectrum and back again in delight. “Climb again, my mate,” he implored.

“The last one almost burst my heart, my lord. Let’s find a cool pond of glacier water. We’ll drink, and I’ll catch my breath. Then we’ll try to go higher.”

They flew over a glacier, dazzled by its whiteness in the rare sunshine. Using it, Starlight caught them unawares.

“AuRon, beneath you!” Natasatch shouted, catching a flash of scale.

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