Sarillia

Chapter 7:

The four young dragons watched their elder siblings, Lux and Amantha, take to the air. Soaring majestically above them, the two circled casting shadows on the nests far below.

"I want to join our 'Avath in their quests", Sarillia sighed, "I want to be as beautiful and graceful as Amantha."

"You will," Temeraire smiled, "We all will. We just have to finish our studies and grow a little larger. I mean, just look at me, I'm already up to 15 quools long. When I'm fully grown, I will be at least a good head taller than Amantha."

Scratching the earth beneath her claws, Sarillia looked down, "I guess. I just want to join them now."

"Now. Now. None of that," Aurora said, landing near to her, "You are still but weeks out of your shell. You must grow first, then you can complain if you are too short." Gesturing to Sarillia, she continued, "Come here and let me brush your hair and wash your scales in the lake. That way you will be very pretty. Even the unicorns will be jealous."

"Really?" Sarillia pranced over excitedly, twirling once around and setting the leaves into a tizzy of motion, "I could have them over for tea and fish and crickets and we could tell stories to each other."

"Well, I think they would certainly like to hear the stories, but I don't think they will eat the fish and crickets. Here, sit down and I will tell you a story of how Father and Mother met."