Gressila was rather horrified that her brother had bonded at Cy Dragonstake. As she stood and watched, the eggs all hatched - and no dragon bonded her. This worried her immensely, and she hoped that they would get caught up in doing things other than destroying villages and taking over worlds, in the mean time while she waited.

The locals could tell she was nervous because they assured her that she'd be standing on the other sands, the proper - light - sands, to bond. Hopefully. They always added that word, because it was never certain.

At least she hadn't bonded something with ... well, too many heads. That suited her brother just fine. But not her.

At long last, though, the white-green's clutch on the normal sands was announced. Hastily, she and the few other candidates were shuffled into the sands hall and they watched eagerly as the dragons combed over the sands. The eggs were bouncing, but one of them broke and the yellow dragonet bonded. These were far more normal looking dragons, and Gressila breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, how could she possibly go back to the world with a scary, deviant looking dragon?

A green bonded next, then the largest egg of Tansak's small clutch burst open. A lovely bronze exited, and then - another! There had been twin bronzes in the egg! Even though she'd already lived a very long time and had seen stars die ... Gressila was excited. Here was life, in all its glory - and the first of the clouded bronze dragonets began to make his way toward her!

Call me Lateros. I am glad that you waited here long enough for me to hatch. I thank thee. The mighty bronze sat down in front of Gressila and arched his neck in pleasure of finding his partner.

"So am I," replied Gressila as they began walking off the sands. The pair drew odd stares from some of the older inhabitants... Weren't bronzes meant for big burly males, after all? Well, this one was for Gressila, and she knew that her brother's hydragon was female anyway.

The strength and size of their dragons would definitely come into play some day. Well, some day after Lateros had been well-fed and was no longer itchy!

Gressila and Lateros were wary when Lifera's hydragon flew off back to their old world. They knew he would be there when they got back themselves, and it would be a disaster. The hydragon's heads had blossomed so they knew it would be a nasty homecoming.

Why don't we practice flying more, Lateros said with confidence. Because I will keep them at bay. You want to protect those people, and I will help you.

"I knew I could count on you, my friend..." Gressila said. "And I'll be working on some spells to protect you."

Lateros had finally grown - but Lifera's Hydragon had grown much faster - in fact so fast that she was participating in some flight offworld.

At least they are away from here - that will give us time to correct some of the damage he's done. Lateros urged his rider. The clouded bronze dragon nuzzled his pale skinned partner and she nodded.

Gressila was exhausted from having to undo the damage time after time. This would be good because it would allow them some amount of respite from his rampages.

The Hydragon was surely the nastiest, most ill tempered thing ever hatched. And, with all those heads, she could do so much more than just bite or breathe flames... She could lay waste.

"She's at a flight, Lateros," Gressila groaned, when she realized what that might mean, "she's going to be bringing little versions of herself into some world... I hope they don't wind up here."

I hope not. Maybe they will eat her on their way out of their eggs?

"Lateros!" Gressila gasped, but then laughed. "That's so awful. Come now, let us start with the hillside - look at it, it's just black with muck."

They went along their way, over the next few months, changing the landscape to one more livable. And in time, the people below learned not to fear the softly colored bronze dragon - they trusted his rider enough, and depended upon her for their outside communication already.

And perhaps some day I might fly in a mating frenzy too? I do not know if I could find a permanent mate - you might be uncomfortable with the results.

"Why would that be?"

Because I am male, and bronze dragons rank over most others. The females like to have female riders.

"Then why did you pick me? A big strong bronze like you?" Gressila hugged her strong, wise dragon's neck.

Because you and this world needed me the most - no one else on the sands came close! Now, I will find a mate or two some day. I want to see if that lake is still polluted...