Aelis gasped at the state of the poor dragon, and had to force herself not to recoil in horror. She'd seen many abandoned dragons, but none like this. The dragon was totally grey, there was no way of telling what her color was at birth. For a moment, she thought the dragon was actually silver. Persikath lifted her head and stared blearily at Aelis, her eyes spinning slowly in shades of grey. Oort chirped cheerfully from his perch on one of the rafters in the dragon's den. "Oort! Come here!" Aelis hissed at the brown. He swooped and landed on her shoulder opposite Rynn and looked guiltily at her. "I'm sorry if her bothered you, Persikath. I didn't know where he was when we arrived." Aelis glared at Oort and smiled apologtically to the dragon.

He was only telling me about you, or rather showing me you.

Persikath shifted so she could get a better look at Aelis. Neither noticed that her color was beginning to return, showing her to be a soft purple.

What are you so afraid of? the dragon asked. "Me? I'm not afraid...."

Yes you are.....you're afraid of... Persikath narrowed her eyes at Aelis as she shifted uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gaze. walls? Why are you afraid of walls?

I will protect you from the walls. Persikath said, standing. "You'll....but that would mean that...." Aelis gazed up at the dragon, now back to her full glory; a bright, beautiful shade of purple with clear eyes spinning rapidly in blues and greens.

Yes, I've chosen you to be my last rider.

Persikath declared this to all the dragons in the cathair, and they all bugled in celebration from outside. Aelis stood and hugged Persikath around her strong neck, her dragon....forever.