Chapter Eight

Molis was three months old when she was finally able to start training for her magic. MeiAnne noted that at this age Molis stood at her shoulder, unless she stretched her neck straight up, but that was uncomfortable.

All the graduated trainees met at the drill field. It was a longer trek than most of the other areas on base, and usually soldiers would fly their dragon over. Sadly their dragons were still too small to fly with their partner.

When they arrived they grouped with an officer with the same kind of dragon. Most of this unit was blue and green so there were only a small number of groups. MeiAnne had never met the officer in charge of her group before, but that was no surprise as the military was very populated.

"My name is LuMya, and this," she gestured to her dark blue dragon, "Is Strav. This will not be a quick process for most of you and your partners. We took two months to just get a hang of the basics."

MeiAnne knew a lot of work was still left for her and Molis, but she was worried. It took her a long time to keep Molis from getting overexcited, would Molis take a long time learning magic? She didn't want to let Raba and his Flight down, especially since word had spread that they were handpicked.

The pair stood separate from the other trainees in their group. It felt as though Raba's kindness had singled them out. MeiAnne knew that wasn't his intention, but she wondered if they singled her out over jealousy or if it was the same mentality that singled Raba out.

She couldn't think hard on it though as she had to start following instructions. The officer led them through a kinesthetics exercise to help make sure their dragons grew to be aware of every muscle in their body. It also helped their partners learn to be aware of their own body and center of gravity, so when they could start flying they would work more as a single unit.

MeiAnne and Molis both were eager to move on to more than kinesthetics. So when the officer directed them to space out they were quick to find a spot for themselves.

"Let's get an idea of what your dragons can do before we get started. I trust you brought your extra coats along." She directed everyone to put on their warmer coats.

Strav then tensed slightly over his entire body. It only took a few seconds for their breath to show in the air, and a few moments for the ground to harden and frost to form. Strav made eye contact with each dragon as if he were speaking to them. Then each dragon followed his lead.

Molis tensed herself up just as she had seen. Her pupils narrowed to barely visible slits before returning to their original position. However unlike the other dragons she unfurled her wings.

While the other dragons around them were barely able to put frost on the ground, Molis called forth a flurry of snow. It gathered at MeiAnne's feet as she stared at her wonderful partner.

Her doubts of letting down Raba disappeared. She wasn't concerned that some of the other trainees glared at her as if she spited them personally.

Even LuMya appeared impressed. She strode over to MeiAnne and Molis with wide eyes.

"You have an impressive partner here." There was no doubting that to be true.

Molis turned her head to MeiAnne and blasted her with a warm breath. It caused MeiAnne to laugh as she brushed her hair back into place. Molis chuffed, as if she was laughing too, before folding her wings back up. The ground warmed and MeiAnne found herself standing in a newly formed puddle.

"Thank you, Molis." Molis swayed her shoulders in response to MeiAnne's sarcasm and to show she was proud of herself.

Unlike with their other training, Molis breezed through magic training. She showed a proficiency with snow, as opposed to just ice and the cold. It wasn't up to any standards for most offensive magic, but MeiAnne couldn't be prouder.

They were able to excel past MeiAnne's worries and concerns from when Molis was younger. During training Strav took Molis under his wing to make sure she was constantly challenged. She was pushed past the basics under his guidance.

Even Raba was impressed by her talent with magic. He would visit MeiAnne sometimes during training to watch Molis grow and learn.

Eventually the time came when Molis had grown large enough to carry MeiAnne on her back, although not yet fly with both of them.

This way Molis was able to practice magic and control to make sure MeiAnne wouldn't be harmed or frozen. It was strange for MeiAnne, watching Molis train while not having much effect or work for herself during this time period.

Although she did enjoy that Molis would grow so tired that she would nap after most days. MeiAnne would get to hold Molis' head in her lap and appreciate those moments of peace.

It was good she took advantage of those small moments while she did. Her next adventure with Molis would be in training to fly with her.

Molis instinctively knew how to fly on her own. Carrying someone up on the air was very dangerous for both parties while they were both still inexperienced. Raba would tell MeiAnne that as soon as she learned how to fly Molis, it would become second nature. It was getting to that point that she thought of more.

The day came where Molis was approved for flight training.

Raba offered to help with this training. "To make you more comfortable. And it helps Loola can catch both of you, but I have faith in Molis."

Molis walked with a slight sway to her hips and shoulders, common for a dragon showing excessive confidence. MeiAnne chuckled at her friend. At least one of them was confident.