The sun glinted off Raimir's orange scales as he stretched his wings in the courtyard of the Menagerie. Dustin gazed up in awe, his hands paused mid-sweep. This was the closest he'd ever been to a dragon.
"Beautiful, isn't he?"
Dustin turned to see a girl leaning against the fence, wearing thyme-green robes. Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she flashed him a grin.
"I'm Thalia. Raimir's my dragon."
Dustin stared, words failing him. Thalia laughed, a sound like chimes in the breeze.
"Don't be shy! I can tell you're curious. Would you like to meet him?"
Dustin's heart leapt. "I-I would love to, my lady, but I'm just an apprentice here."
Thalia waved her hand. "Nonsense. Come, he won't bite."
Hardly daring to believe it, Dustin followed Thalia into the courtyard. As they approached, Raimir lowered his great head, rumbling deep in his chest. Thalia stroked his snout affectionately.
"Go on," she encouraged.
With trembling fingers, Dustin reached out and touched the dragon's warm hide. Raimir huffed, his hot breath ruffling Dustin's hair. Dustin met the dragon's amber eyes, feeling a surge of joy.
Thalia watched them, eyes dancing. "What do you say we go for a ride?"
Dustin's mouth fell open. "A ride? On a dragon?"
"Of course! There's no better way to see the city." Thalia vaulted onto Raimir's back and offered Dustin her hand. Heart pounding, he took it and climbed up behind her.
Raimir spread his wings, muscles rippling beneath Dustin's legs. He clutched Thalia tightly as the ground fell away. The wind rushed past as they climbed higher, the city spreading below them in a tapestry of gold and green. Dustin whooped in exhilaration, his dreams taking flight at last.
Dustin could hardly contain his excitement as Raimir's powerful wings carried them higher into the sky. He had dreamed of this moment ever since he was a young boy watching the dragon riders soar above the city. Now here he was, embarking on his own journey through the clouds.
As the ground shrank below them, Dustin tightened his grip around Thalia's waist, his heart pounding. She turned and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Just relax and take it all in," she said. "Raimir will keep us safe."
Dustin nodded, determination in his eyes. He was eager to prove he could handle this exhilarating adventure.
Thalia began securing Dustin's safety harness, showing him where to clip it onto Raimir's saddle. She also provided instructions on how to stay balanced during their flight. Dustin listened intently, absorbing every detail.
Once ready, Raimir banked into a wide turn, giving Dustin his first breathtaking view of the city and surrounding islands from this new vantage point. The sight was mesmerizing. Dustin gazed out in wonder, feeling like he was seeing the world for the first time.
This was everything he had hoped for and more. As the island shrunk below them, Dustin let out a joyous laugh, ready to chase the horizon and fulfill his dreams of flight.
With a powerful beat of his wings, Raimir lifted off from the ground, carrying Dustin and Thalia into the open sky. Dustin gasped as the wind rushed against his face, the ground falling away beneath them. He gripped Thalia tighter as Raimir gained altitude, his stomach dropping at the sudden ascent.
"Hold on!" Thalia called out cheerfully over the roar of the wind.
Dustin looked around in awe as they pierced through a layer of clouds, moisture clinging to his skin. The city of Echo spread out below them, a maze of buildings and canals glinting in the sunlight. They were climbing higher and higher above it all.
As Raimir leveled out, gliding on an updraft, the full exhilaration hit Dustin. His hair whipped wildly and his heart pounded with adrenaline. He let out an elated shout, taking in the stunning panorama around them.
"This is incredible!" Dustin yelled.
Thalia grinned back at him. "I told you it would be worth it!"
Dustin closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the sun's warmth on his face. The cool air rinsed his skin. He listened to the hypnotic sound of Raimir's wings beating rhythmically as they cruised through the sky. For the first time in his life, Dustin felt truly free and unencumbered. This was a dream come true.
Thalia guided Raimir through a series of daring maneuvers, weaving between towering spires and diving down narrow canyons. Dustin held on tightly, his heart racing with exhilaration as the city blurred by below them.
"Having fun?" Thalia called back teasingly.
"This is incredible!" Dustin shouted, the wind whipping his words away.
As Raimir banked sharply, Dustin caught a glimpse of the sparkling ocean surrounding the island city. His eyes widened at the sight. He had lived in Echo his whole life but had never seen it from this breathtaking vantage point.
Thalia looked back and caught the expression of awe on Dustin's face. She grinned, pleased to be sharing this experience with him.
"Let's take it up a notch!" Thalia said. "Hold on tight!"
She patted Raimir's neck and the dragon pumped his powerful wings, propelling them even higher. Dustin's stomach dropped at the sudden ascent but he trusted Thalia completely. As Raimir leveled out again, Dustin let out an exhilarated laugh.
Thalia joined in his laughter, her eyes bright. She was thrilled to witness Dustin's very first dragon flight. His unrestrained joy reminded her of her own first time among the clouds. It filled her heart to pass on this magical experience.
The two fell into an easy camaraderie, exchanging stories and pointing out sights below. Dustin was endlessly curious about Thalia's life as a dragon rider. She answered his stream of questions enthusiastically, telling tales of adventure and discovery.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting the world in golden light, Dustin was overcome with gratitude. Soaring high above Echo with Thalia by his side was a dream come true, one he would cherish forever.
-- --
Thalia guided Raimir in a sweeping arc, giving Dustin an unobstructed view of the sunset. The horizon was a blaze of fiery orange and pink hues that took Dustin's breath away.
"It's incredible..." Dustin said in awe.
Thalia smiled softly. "The best is yet to come."
As the sun sank below the horizon, the sky transformed into a dazzling canvas. Hues of purple, blue and finally indigo emerged, dotted with glittering stars. Dustin had never seen anything so magical.
Raimir carried them lazily over Echo, the lights from the city twinkling below. Dustin felt like he was floating through a dream. Here, soaring high above the world with this amazing girl and her dragon, all his worries melted away.
Thalia sighed contentedly, her eyes reflecting the same sense of wonder Dustin felt. In this moment, their hopes and dreams mingled and intertwined, two kindred spirits sharing a profound experience.
Dustin never wanted this night to end. But he knew that no matter what happened next, he would carry the memory of this perfect flight in his heart forever. For now, he lost himself in the beauty of the starry sky and the joy of Thalia's company, savoring every second.
