Maigrod's roar echoed through the air of the desert, loud, like a raging storm, thunder in its full, unleashed fury. He spread his black wings, gliding in the air, and let the currents of wind take him higher, towards the crystal clear dome of the sky.
Athran bent towards his neck, pressing his body onto Maigrod's scales, cold even despite the bright sun that shone on the desert all day. So high above the ground, the air was cool, picking up his clothes. His face was almost entirely covered by the black scarf, protecting him from the fierce winds and sun, but as the dragon drifted through the air, taking sharp turns and changing height of his flight, he felt the fabric sliding off his nose and cheeks.
"Faster! Maigrod, faster!" he shouted. It was only a practice flight, to prepare for battles and travel, but both of them were taking it completely seriously. The dragon's black wings flashed, only a black maze, and Maigrod flew spiraling through the clouds. Athran pulled the right bridle, and they begun rising in great circles. The few clouds, as white as snow, appeared beside them, they flew right through their fog, until they found themselves above them.
Athran narrowed his eyes, outlined by thick lines of black kohl, and stared at the sun, gleaming like a huge ball near the horizon. He felt the wind weakening as Maigrod slowed down, but still much stronger than anything he would normally encounter on the ground.
The world was wide, very wide. So high above the ground, he stared at its incredible vastness. It seemed almost infinite... Clouds, scarcely placed here and there around the sky floated above the dunes of sand, spreading in every direction seemingly to infinity. He peered at the horizon, and once again, the wonder he could never explain took his breath away. It was not straight - it was a wide arch, and its sides appeared lower than the middle. The world wasn't flat.
Maigrod let out a thunderous roar once again. Athran tightened the belt that held him in the saddle, for he knew what was to follow - descending. Maigrod pulled his wings to his body and turned his head towards the ground. His rider held onto him tightly, and they broke through the clouds, only held back by the wind. They were as fast as a lightning, a flying arrow wouldn't be faster. The wind blew the scarf off Athran's head, its ends were trembling behind his back. Maigrod was getting faster and faster by every short moment that passed, aiming straight at the ground. Just right above it, he spread his wings and arose into the air in an elegant arch.
"How was this?" Maigrod asked.
"It was amazing. I'm proud of you, Maigrod."
"But you did fear I'd crash into the ground, didn't you?" His crimson eye flashed as he turned his head towards Athran a little. The elf laughed.
"I didn't. Not at all."
Maigrod growled playfully. "You did. I smelled your fear."
"Maybe a little. But my reasons are enough for that... Considering your last attempt to do this left me useless for three weeks."
"I'm sorry for that. I didn't mean to."
Athran didn't reply to his last sentence. His eyes watched a small black spot on the dunes of sand beneath, slowly moving on the desert. A traveler?
"Maigrod, look down. There's something." he ordered him.
