14. Guests

The plan was simple.  She and Regal would fly to Lonely Island and try to find the Volcano Thistles needed to make the treatment for Sea Bird Fever.  Talsha was sure there would be an outbreak of something and wanted to have at least some medicine in store for as many diseases as possible.

The problem was that it was 20 miles to the coast and another 15 across the water to the island.  So far, as far as Brinn knew, Regal had never flown more than a mile at a time, and that was with out extra weight.

Between preparing for her trip and preparing for the upcoming flu and fever season,  Brinn was very busy.  Talsha had her and Regal fly to the farther valleys to collect leaves from the early spring plants.  That way they collected herbs and worked on distance flying at the same time. 

Some mornings Talsha and Brinn spent preparing and storing medicines.  On those days Regal and Brinn would fly out in the afternoon until Regal started to tire.  Brinn would give him a good rub down when they got back. "Sore wing muscles won't do either of us any good."

One morning, while Talsha was discussing medicines with Brinn, there was a commotion outside. both women hurried to the door, but Brinn got there first.

The sight that met her eyes made her laugh until she cried.  Regal was standing guard between the cottage and some visitors.  Mousy, who never got upset about anything, was standing right beside him with his hair on end trying to be as fierce as his friend.  The wide-eyed  horses looked like they would be happier anywhere besides where they stood.

"Brinn, for heaven's sake, call him off,"  said the healer.  "I think your family would prefer to still have their horses here to ride home on after their visit.  Mousy, come here.  You are not a dragon and they are friends."

"Oh, yes!" said Brinn as worry replaced her laughter.  "It's alright, Regal, they are friends."  As she went out and put a hand on  him, she could feel Regal's anger cool.  Once she convinced him that there was no danger, she smiled at her parents, then turned back to the dragon.  "Maybe you and Mousy should go hunting for awhile, huh?  Then you can come meet my family."

Regal snorted, looked at Mousy, and they both headed off to find entertainment elsewhere.

"Was that… a…dra…dra…" sputtered Brinn's mother.  Brinn put a steadying arm through her mother's and guided her toward the cottage.  She glanced back at her father and caught him shaking his head in amazement.  Martilia kept looking from Brinn to her father and back.

"Yes, Mother.  Regal is a dragon.  As soon as you are settled inside with a cup of tea, we will tell you the whole story.  We have been hoping you would come by."

Half an hour later the tea cups were empty and the story had been told.  "You mean you two can understand each other?" Brinn's father asked.

"He understands me and I can feel whatever emotions he feels.  It works pretty well."

"Now that the surprises are out of the way," stated Talsha, "there are some concerns I would like to discuss with you.  I have plans for your daughter and her flying friend."

She explained her concern about an upcoming epidemic and her hope that Brinn and Regal could get the necessary plants from Lonely Island.

"At full strength, Regal should have no problems with the trip," Talsha added, "but he is not yet full grown.  They will need to rest somewhere along the coast for awhile before they cross the channel.  I'm afrain a dragon landing in your back yard might cause some talk.  Do you know of some place they could go?"

Brinn's father thought for a  moment.  He looked at Brinn and said, "Remember when you were little and we took a trip to the southern point of Sea View Peninsula?  That was when I showed you Lonely Island and told you it's story.  Do you remember that cave that we camped in?"

Brinn smiled.  "That was one of my favorite trips.  Just you and I went to meet that supply ship from Arrowhead Bay."  There hadn't been many trips with just her and her father.  "That cave should be big enough for both Regal and me to get inside if need be."

"Good."  The healer nodded.  "One less thing to worry about."

Before Brinn's family headed home they were introduced to Regal.  Martilia even got to sit on his back.

         "My daughter, the dragon rider!" said Brinns father proudly.  He looked at Talsha. "He's bigger than what I've heard dragons are supposed to be, and I've never heard of one with wings." 

"I've never seen one with wings either.  I figure that was why he was shoved out of his nest.  He was different.   Well, their loss is our gain."

"We'll keep an eye on things in town and let you know if anything worrisome starts happening," Brinn's mother informed Talsha.  "We'll also tell people not to shoot at huge birds.  I don't know if they will believe us, though."

"Well, if things go well, your daughter will be a big part in keeping our friends and family safe this summer.  I'm very proud of her."  Talsha put an arm around Brinn.  "I'm also grateful she has such a wonderful family.  Thank you for your help."

Brinn's parents shook hands with the healer. "Any time, any time at all."