Audrey took a step forward into the woods that covered Labyrinth Mountains. She followed the trail for about five minutes before losing it to the overgrown bushes and fallen trees. Climbing higher up the mountain side Audrey became exhausted. She saw snow and quickly, with every advance forward, found more of it. Forty-five minutes of uphill battle was finally taking its toll on Audrey. Leaning on the trunk of a massive tree she slid down to the ground. only wanting to take a short break Audrey stood back up and walked over to the river to splash water on her face. Cupping her hands then submerging them in the running water Audrey was surprised to find that it was warm. Dipping her head lower  she splashed the water onto her face to wake herself up. She was exhausted from the hike up here and was annoyed with herself for even venturing out here at this late of an hour. Looking at her reflection in the river Audrey pulled a few leaves and twigs out of her long purple hair. Sighing she spoke to the reflection, "Well, I guess I best be gettin' back to Ma, Joey, and Beck. Remember, you are to be married to Beck in four days. No chickening out! you're doing this to help Ma." Audrey practiced a smile then looked up. She stumbled back in fear of the beast that stood on the opposite bank. It was huge and the opal colored scales shone brilliantly in the moonlight. Spikes ran from the creature's head down to the end of the tail that was wrapped around it. Massive wings rested on its body. The beast drank from the river, its black tongue darting in and out. Audrey was glued to her spot; she had never seen such a terrifyingly magnificent animal before. Getting up to her feet the creature looked up from drinking, the pale blue eyes with an outer ring of black locked onto Audrey's. She could not tear her eyes from the beast's, even as it spoke to her.<span style="color: #FFBF00">"Hello Audrey. Are you finished with talking to yourself, because we really must be going now?"</span>Audrey's face flushed a light pink; then she noticed that the animal, for one spoke to her, and second did this without moving its mouth.<span style="color: #FFBF00">"Audrey, I am Miora. A dragon. And you are my new rider. Get on, its time to go."</span>Miora lowered her head allowing Audrey to climb on.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0040">"Excuse me!? I don't know you first of all ans second you can't just pop out of nowhere and tell me what to do."</span>Audrey's anger flared. She had enough of being told what to do back at home. She wasn't about to let some magical talking animal come and start ordering her around too.<br/><br/>** Miora's patience was running thin. The time they had was trickling away because this crazy purple haired hormone crazed female wouldn't listen. Rising to her feet Miora trudged through the river's gentle flow of water to where Audrey was standing. The human girl stood her ground and didn't flee, obviously trying to hide her fear. She seemed strong and this gave Miora a bit of hope.<span style="color: #FFBF00">"I'm sorry if I am not doing this whole introduction thing properly, but we don't have much time. You still need to go home and say your farewells to whomever you reside with. Then we will be off to train."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0040">"No, I'm not going anywhere with you Miora."</span>With that statement from Audrey Miora snapped the human girl up by her clothing and flung her onto the space between her wings.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">"That bag there, its a gift for you. I'm sorry Princess, but you don't have a say in this. I'm just as annoyed with it as you are upset."</span>Miora unfolded her wings and with a powerful leap took to the air.<br/><br/>** Audrey held on for her life. As they climbed higher She let out a scream of fear that was only drowned out by the rushing wind. Once they leveled out Audrey's fears were replaced by adrenaline. Miora did a barrel roll and Audrey almost lost grip. Positioning herself upright again she Adjusted into the dip that was between Miora's wings. Grabbing hold of the deadly looking spike in front of her and tightened her legs into position must have been a signal because as soon as she was secure Miora did another barrel roll then dived downward. Audrey's pulse began to race. At the last possible moment Miora pulled up and landed with a gentle thud in the back of Audrey's little house. During thee flight Audrey enjoyed herself and would have laughed had she not been afraid of a bug becoming dinner. Sliding down from Miora's back Audrey made her way in through the back door. Once Shut with a click she made her way to the living room where her mother was often found. A fire was already going in the pit and as she approached the sofa she gathered what to say.<span style="color: #BF0040">"Ma?"</span>Audrey whispered to the figure on the couch.<br/><br/>"Audrey, I was beginning to wonder when you'd be home," the masculine voice sent a chill  down Audrey's spine. Beck rose from the sofa and faced Audrey, swaying a little in his spot. He had been drinking, a bottle of alcohol was laying on the floor next to his feet. Beck stepped closer to Audrey and began to talk again, "What were you doing Aud? Screwing another man!?" Audrey back away only to be  betrayed by a wall. By now he was yelling more accusations in a messy slur. At a pause in his ranting Audrey spoke up,<span style="color: #BF0040">"I d-didn't sleep with anyone."</span>She stuttered from fear, knowing that Beck wasn't one to listen, but still trying.<br/><br/>"Lies!!" Beck bellowed and smacked Audrey across her cheek so hard it knocked her to the floor. Her face stung, but she would try not to cry in front of him this time. Pulling herself to her feet she rubbed her face. All Becks yelling must have woken t he household, because her little brother Joey and her mother appeared in the hallway. "Whats going on" Joey asked. Audrey quickly turned her face to hide the hand mark on her cheek.<br/><br/>"I heard yelling." Audrey's mother spoke up looking them both over.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0040">"Yes, Ma, Beck was yelling because he is upset that I have to  leave with the wedding so close, but I have to."</span><br/><br/>"Where do you have to go at this late hour Dear? Oh my did you just get in?"<br/><br/>"Busted." joey snickered after their mother had interrogated Audrey.<br/><br/>The mother stepped into the kitchen, "Here I'll put on some tea. Joey dear would you please light some candles?" Audrey's mother reappeared from the kitchen and placed the water in the fire to boil. Audrey started her story, beginning at the market that morning.<br/><br/>** Miora couldn't stand this waiting. When she heard a man's voice yelling then silence following it took all of Miora's will not to bust the house down to see what was wrong. She hated not knowing. Plus, she wasn't very patient with time being so limited. After the sun was up enough to flood everything in gold light Audrey finally walked out. The first thing Miora noticed was the red mark on her left cheek. right behind her new rider was a man, an elderly woman, and a little boy. Once Miora Spotted the man she restrained herself from chomping his head clean off his neck.<br/><br/>"Miora, This is my mother and little brother Joey." Audrey gestured to the woman and the little boy. Joey's eyes were huge with excitement, but he stayed positioned behind his mother. Miora bowed her head slightly in greeting.<span style="color: #BF0040">"And this is Beck."</span>Miora smirked at seeing the fear that was written across his face. She merely moved her head closer and leveled her eye with his to get a better look and he was shaking like a sapling in a stormy wind.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">"Audrey, we have to get going now."</span>Once Audrey began to step closer to Miora Beck grabbed her by the arm and flung her to the ground.  Miora's rage flared at the puny human and she gave a vicious growl then knocked him over with her tail. Flashing her big rows of teeth at Beck she circled him so that he could not escape.<span style="color: #FFBF00">"Listen boy! You better pull in the reigns on your anger because its about to get you in some serious trouble."</span>Miora refrained from roasting the disrespectful scum. She shooed him along, threatening him with his life. The mother and brother rushed over to aid Audrey. Tears stained down the mother's face. Miora stepped back a few feet to give them space. She was really losing time, but decided that they would need this little bit to talk. After a few minutes Miora gave a grunting noise and Audrey slid into her space on Miora's back.<br/><br/>** launching into the air Audrey gave one last wave to her mother and brother. Miora took it easy on the way to Labyrinth Mountains to train Audrey. While steadily making their way back Audrey attended to her arm. He left finger marks that she knew would bruise.<br/><br/>***Over the next few weeks Miora taught Audrey how to heal with herbs and to fight in defense and offense with both hands and swords. Audrey became very skilled at wielding two blades and found it easier to fight in that form. She learned stealth and how to start a fire. When it came to flying Miora was easily agitated because Audrey wouldn't try to learn. Miora knew she could do it though. Miora and Audrey often fought over trivial things. one day while Audrey was practicing with her two blades, part of the gift she had gotten from Miora, she was interrupted.<span style="color: #FFBF00">"You have done well young rider. Your spirit and determination has grown. You've learned fast. I think you are ready to move forward and meet the others. Get some rest tonight because we leave at dawn."</span>Miora turned and walked away.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0040">"Hey! I couldn't have done any of it without you."</span>Audrey wiped sweat from her face ans shook a few loose strand from her face before flashing a big smile.<span style="color: #FF0040">"Thank you Miora."</span><br/><br/>At the first light of dawn Audrey was up and ready. her stringy violet hair was pulled back into a nice ponytail and her bangs hung just above her eyes. All the items were packed and she had just returned from the river with a bag of water and dumped it onto the fire when Miora woke up. The majestic dragon rose from her sleep and stretched her wings and legs as well. After shaking the sleepiness out of her system Audrey broke the peaceful silence,<span style="color: #BF0040">"Mornin'! ready to go?"</span>Audrey was really excited about meeting other riders, she's been secluded from the real world for the past weeks during her training. Walking over to Miora Audrey places the swords in their place and threw the backpack onto her shoulders. Audrey wore the gifts Miora had given her. A light leather skin shirt was under her original one and beneath the light chain mail to  protect her. The arm guards were a perfect fit and were fastened to her arms securely. hopping onto her usual spot Audrey adjusted until she was ready, Miora jumped into the sky then rocketed upward with the beating of her wings. They began their journey to Kalra'vi Mountain Range to meet up with the other dragons and their riders.