Part 13: Enduring Winter

Winter came and went, and Krisr's days were filled with researching the lands around the Refuge, preparing for the spring's journey, and, the most important task of all, wooing who he now considered to be the most attractive lady in the area... Ramona. This wooing generally consisted of making a complete and utter fool of himself whenever possible. Raina Lynn, for her part, passed her days with physical and magical training. When the time came, she wanted to be ready for anything. Occasionally, she would take breaks to enjoy the activities at the Realm.

SLAP!

Raina Lynn watched as her bondmate received a face full of snow. He shook it off and grinned broadly at its thrower before tossing a return shot. Ramona easily dodged and laughed at him.

"You're going to have to do better than that, my dear jester!

"I prefer the term 'entertainment facilitator', but if it is a jester you wish, a jester I shall be!" Krisr proclaimed... right before he was hit in the head with a second volley.

It did not normally snow this far down in the Refuge, but several of the dragons had gotten together and produced enough to blanket the Realm Centre in white glory. Many of the younger dragons had never seen snow before, including Raina Lynn. She had broken out her cloak and muffs for the occasion, and now sat out in the chilling air, her Ember Orb hanging from a golden chain around her neck. The clothing and chain had been gifts from her parents and the Realm for the holidays, and she wore them with pride, as they were her finest possessions. A few of the younger male dragons came thundering by, kicking up snow and turning in the air. Raina Lynn watched them for a moment, then snorted in disdain at their antics.

They're just showing off, she thought and turned soundly away. Of course, when she turned that way, she had to watch as Krisr flirted hopelessly with Ramona. It wasn't that Ramona didn't like him, for Raina Lynn knew she did, but Krisr was generally hopeless in all things, and flirting was no exception. Raina Lynn winced as he took yet another ball of snow to the face. He seemed to be fighting a losing battle today. Ramona, for her part, was laughing, her poppy red hair standing out against the white backdrop of snow and her cheeks and nose pink with cold. The Terran dragon shook her head and sighed. Krisr was like a lost puppy, and Ramona was more than happy to torment and tease. Through it all, Krisr kept a maddeningly innocent grin on his face, the one he used to reserve for teasing Raina Lynn. He and Ramona would verbally spar constantly, the type of banter that Krisr and Raina Lynn used to have in earlier days. Raina Lynn knew it was silly to be jealous... she was not Krisr's mate, obviously. Still, she felt a bit slighted, and the fact that the young male dragons were constantly making overtures to her did not help her mood. The group of males that had recently passed was now positioned a slight distance away, and Raina Lynn caught a few of them staring in her direction.

This is ridiculous, she thought, and rose to leave. Between Krisr's affections for Ramona and the male dragons dogging her own steps, Raina Lynn was going stir crazy. She could not wait for spring, fast approaching, which would bring their departure from the Realm and the Refuge.

She made her way back to the main cabin and was not surprised to see Indyana there, writing away in a book, as usual. Her father, Pierre, was no where to be seen, which also didn't surprise her, since he normally had errands to run for the Kailan. Since the holidays, Indyana had stuck close to Bishen Realm, but Raina Lynn knew that she too would leave when the weather broke. The Terran shook the snow out of her things and lay them to dry before plopping down onto the carpet in front of the warm hearth. Indyana looked up, her pen stayed for a moment.

"Got tired of watching the happy couple, eh?" she asked Raina Lynn with her usual insight. The dragon just smiled wryly. Indyana had a way of knowing what was on her mind.

*That, and the males were parading around as though it was their Shantel all over again,* she answered.

Indyana smiled and shook her head, expressing an opinion parallel to the dragon's own. "I was going to suggest that Ramona travel with you two, but now I see that isn't a good idea. She will stay here a bit longer, and you and Krisr will go out and see the world."

*Think he can bear to leave her?* Raina Lynn asked melodramatically. The older woman smirked.

"I have something that should cheer you up," she said, rising from her table and crossing the room to open a trunk in the corner. She returned and came over to the Bishel Dragon, crouching down and holding out an object for her to examine.

Frost Gem

It was a set of two golden rings, joined by a section of chain. In the center of the chain was a diamond-shaped, white gem. Raina Lynn could tell by the way it felt and resonated in her mind that it was a magical object.

*What is it?* she asked, raising her head off her feet to peer more closely.

"It's called a Frost Gem. it will give you a breath weapon of freezing vapor, which you can use to cool or freeze. Since you've got your fire skills mastered, this will give you something else to practice."

*Thank you...* Raina Lynn said, too surprised to be joyful yet. Indyana slipped the rings over her horns and adjusted the gem so it hung in the center of her forehead. Then, she smiled at the young dragon.

Raina Lynn

"You're welcome," she said. She moved back to her table, where she began writing once more, now with a faint smile on her lips.

Raina Lynn stared into the fire, getting used to the new feeling of her Frost Gem and thinking about the adventures spring might bring.