Rain

The winter rains were always miserable.

Dani and the dragon met up usually by the rocky hills on the north side of town when it rained. It had been raining a lot the last few days, and they could find some shelter on the side of the hills. They had a game of fetch they sometimes played, where Dani would call out what to find, and they would rush out into the rain briefly, grab whatever she called, and race back to the shelter.

But after several days of that, it was just the kind of day to sit and visit.

The dragon laid on it's belly, constantly watching the landscape. Dani would sit in front of it and lean against it, feeling it's warmth.

Dani told the dragon about he note that came to her house last week. She shared all the details about the fine lettering of her name on the front, along with the strange symbol of a "C" with a slash through it. Strangely contrasted with the single word "HELP" scratched hurriedly on the inside. Did Mr. Effert send it?

Dani sighed with the weight of the world on her shoulders at the thought of Mr. Effert. His journey to the Dragonhome was supposed to be brief. He should have been back long ago. He didn't like the idea of Dani going to the Dragonhome at all, and she told him she would stay put until he got back. Clearly plans have changed. She would think about going out to try to "help" or find Mr. Effert, but going on a journey of such magnitude seemed beyond her now. Especially with the cold winter weather, and her lack of confidence in taking care of herself, and the dragon.

The rain seem to come down harder. Dani clothes her eyes, and thought about what Mahina would do.

*****

The next day, the rain was worse. Dani's had helped her mother with some chores in the morning, but she was able to get out of the house after lunch. Dani started to head up towards the hills, when there was a cry of anguish from the river, and people were rushing towards it. Dani started heading there as well, and made her way straight across the town square.

Suddenly the dragon, carrying something large in it's claws, landed roughly in front of Dani. Dani's eyes and mouth dropped open in surprise to see her friend here, in plain sight of the few people who were in the sqare at the same time.

The dragon, looking a bit overwhelmed, let go of it's load, and jumped back into the air and flew quickly away. Dani knelt down at the package as it was making a noise. The package was a small child! A wet small head and arms popped out and the child's cries were distinctly heard. Dani grabbed it, recognizing the child to a son of a local fisherman and gave it the hug the child desperately wanted.