Oriel practically glowed from the nearness of water, and Koleyn wondered. If this was the creature's reaction to the tiny stream, what would it be when they finally reached the sea? It would be too glorious to look at.

They had stopped several times so that Oriel could play in the water. It kept asking Koleyn to join it, but the elf always replied that someone had to watch for trouble. That was the only time that the smile dimmed, and Koleyn felt horrible. But when he pulled it out, the smile was back to its brightness again. It slowed them down, but it made Oriel so happy that Koleyn couldn't find it in his heart to deny the request.

It just meant that they were in a place with few camping prospects when it was beginning to get dark. And while Oriel seemed content to move with the sure-footed grace it had developed since reaching water all night, Koleyn could not. He needed sleep, and he needed it somewhere halfway safe.

He left Oriel sitting on a rock near the water to look inland a bit from the water, but although the trees provided some shlter, it wasn't enough. To be in the shelter, they would have to sleep among the roots, and neither would get sleep that way.

A musical laugh drew his attention back to the river. Even through the trees, what he saw made his heart run cold.

Sword sliding out of its sheath, he ran back to the river, pushing his way in between Oriel and danger. Danger in the form of a dragon not much larger than they were.

Oriel's laughter stopped, and it put a hand on Koleyn's shoulder, following the hand with its chin as it leaned against his back. "You strengthen me with your care," it said softly in Koleyn's ear, "But Nirveli means no harm.

Koleyn burned from the intimacy of the contact, but his sword didn't waver. "It's a dragon, Oriel. Dragons are dangerous."

"The spirit never claimed I wasn't," the dragon said in a deep bass that had a similar musical quality to Oriel's.

The blue creature moved from Koleyn to stand in front of the dragon. It raised its hands and the dragon lowered its snout into them. "Nirveli is a water dragon, Koleyn. I have no fear of him."

This time Koleyn's stance wavered. "I'm neither a water creature nor a dragon. I fear him."

"If you protect this one, there's nothing to fear from any water creature," the dragon told him. "Rukuwai has told me your quest. You may share my cave this night."

It was almost too much to hope for, even coming from a dragon. Although a dragon cave was the safest place to be, and if he truly had nothing to fear it was the ideal situation. He lowered his sword, bowing to the dragon. "I thank you for your offer. We will accept."

Oriel's laughter started again as it was lifted to the dragon's back, lying against it as if it were a bed.

"Rukuwai?" Koleyn asked, walking next to them. "Is that your name?"

"To the dragons," Oriel answered, laughter bubbling through its music.

The cave was small, meaning they all slept closely. Oriel stayed between elf and dragon, one hand staying on Nirveli's snout. Koleyn curled around it from behind, and slept better than he had since they had run from the mountain stronghold.

Morning came. Oriel was sad to leave, throwing its arms around Nirveli in a hug before turning without a pause to wait outside the cave.

"Watch it carefully, my brother," the dragon told Koleyn. "One such as that should not be harmed."

"I know," the elf answered. "And I thank you for your protection to one not of your kind."

There was an answering look that seemed almost a smile as he bowed and left. Taking Oriel's hand, he set out again along the course of the river toward the sea.