Spike

Healer's Apprentice

Being in the shadow of a successful sister tends to hurt one's pride. Spike knew this all too well. Since the day he had hatched, all he'd ever heard about was Ratha, how amazing she was, how smart she was, how she was the best scout the clan had. It seemed like no matter what he tried to do, he could never live up to the bar his older sister had set. It didn't help that she had a mate and they had started nesting together as well. So not only was she successful in her chosen profession but she was also successful in life.

No matter what he tried to do, he always seemed to fall short. He figured since he was a skydancer, he would try his hand at scouting like his sister. He was an utter failure from the start. He was too loud and not as observant as was needed. After a week of scarring off prey and disappointing his older sister repeatedly, he decided scouting wasn't meant for him.

He tried hunting next, but being so slight of frame he again wasn't very good at it. His inability to be quiet in any situation, something very odd for a skydancer, made the prey run. Since he was so small, he couldn't gather and carry as much food back as his larger counterparts. Cerimi pulled him aside shortly after he had joined him to let him know that hunting didn't seem to be his forte. "If I can't hunt, then what am I supposed to do? My father will never accept me in the guard."

Cerimi looked at him closely. "Have you ever considered using your other talents?"

"What other talents?" he asked sullenly.

"Your caring nature. Your ability to sense when other dragons are in distress. These things come in handy for healers." She looked over where his mother and Arya were bent over the medical supplies, cataloging everything.

He gulped. "Healer? You think I could do that?"

She nodded. "Healers have to gather but their prey doesn't run away from them. And herbs aren't as heavy as meat or seafood. It's the perfect job for you."

He bowed his head. "If my mother will have me. I've messed up everything else I've done."

Cerimi nudged him towards his mother and Arya. "She's your mother. Of course she will have you."

Thus started Spike's training as a healer. Eireen welcomed him with open wings. He was a quick learner with deft hands and a calm demeanor. The one time he freaked out over a serious wound, Arya walked him through what he needed to do. After that he worked closely with Arya, following her around and listening as she gently coached him. She was a soft spoken dragon who did everything with confidence and accepted him without question. His gratitude and admiration turned slowly to love, until he couldn't imagine her not in his life.

His father approached him one evening as he was putting away the herbs he had gathered that day. "You seem to have found your calling, Son."

He looked up at the imposing figure of his father, the one person he had always admired. "Yea, it seems I have."

"And a mate? Have you found that too?"

Spike blushed, looking away. "What are you talking about?"

King looked over at Arya tending to a hunter's sore paw. "I've seen how you look at her. What's stopping you?"

Spike snorted. "So now you're giving me love advice? Come on Dad. It was so easy for you and Mom. You knew she was the one instantly. It's not like that for the rest of us."

King huffed, smoke curling around his nostrils. "Son, there is nothing easy about love. You have to be willing to take chances and put yourself out there. What can it hurt?"

"My heart."

"You won't know unless you ask." He walked away, stopping to nuzzle Eireen before heading over to the fire where some of the guard was sitting. Spike sighed, gathering all the courage he had.

He pulled Arya aside, smiling at his mother as he did. "Arya I was wondering, um we've gotten so close over the last several weeks, I was hoping that maybe you would be my mate?" The last word came out so low he was afraid she wouldn't hear it.

Her face lit up. "With me? You want to be my mate?" He nodded. "Are you sure? There are so many other dragons you could choose from."

He shook his head. "No I only want you. Please say yes."

Arya nodded, brushing his wing with her's. "Of course. We are the perfect fit for each other." Spike's heart soared at her words, knowing she was right. Karli approached Spike and Arya one evening as they sat near their fire, checking over their herb stores. Eireen sat close by, soaking Cerimi's paw in a solution. Karli sat next to Arya, watching her closely. "I have a favor to ask of the two of you. It's going to come off as weird, and you can totally say no, I completely understand if you do, but we need your help." She looked over at an older imperial female, her orange colors glistening in the fire light.

Arya followed her gaze, her brow creasing. "What can we do for you?"

"Eris is here from another clan. She's visiting on a mission of friendship and well, companionship. She would like to give her a clan a nest, but is unable to find a suitable mate in her own clan. She came to us, looking for our help."

"How could we help her?" Arya looked at Spike then back at Eris.

"Well, Spike, she seems to think that you would make a good mate. Not a permanent one, but you could give her the babies she's looking for. You don't have to, but she did ask if you would consider it."

Spike looked at Arya then back at Karli. "Can we have a moment?" She nodded, stepping away. Arya turned to Spike, sadness in her eyes. "Arya, I don't have to do this. We can tell Karli no."

"But I know that feeling. That feeling of being alone. I almost did that very thing myself."

"You did?" he asked in surprise.

"Yes. I was young and single and it didn't feel like any of the other males were right for me. I was going to take a temporary mate, thinking that maybe one of my children would stay with me and that would be enough, then you came along. At just the time when I needed you most." She looked over at Eris, watching as the older dragon perked up any time someone came near her. "We could give her what she wants. You could make her a little more whole than she is. I can't say no to that."

"As long as you are sure that you're OK with this?"

Arya stood up, walking past him and over to Eris. She sat next to the older imp, brushing her wing with her own. "Karli says that you are visiting from another clan. Do you like it here?"

Eris nodded. "Everyone here is so nice. I love how they all work together." She looked at Arya with a smile. "Are you the mate to Spike?"

Arya smiled. "Yes I am. We would like to help you."

"Are you sure?" Eris seemed nervous, fidgeting with her tail.

Arya pulled her towards Spike with a smile. "Don't worry. This isn't going to hurt my feelings. We can help you and we intend to do it!"

Eris smiled, her shoulders sagging in relief. "O that's so good to hear." Eireen and Karli watched as the dragons sat down together, talking and building a bond that would supersede clans and flights.