THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Skyblue looked in all four directions. The time had come to leave, and she still did not know which way to go.

Then she heard a call she recognized at once.

She looked up. Helio was circling above her, as golden and close as she had been in the dream. The eagle flew a little ahead and waited for Skyblue to spread her wings.

The dragon felt more excited than she had on the day she first flew, with her father and mother beside her.

Familiar landscapes seemed new. She flew as slowly as her wings allowed, missing neither the light among the leaves nor the way a scent changed as she approached the water.

Now and then she landed, walked a little, and closed her eyes to feel the air entering and leaving her body. Helio waited patiently. Whenever Skyblue looked up again, her guide resumed her flight.