Noria opened her eyes and let out a calming sigh. She felt relaxed, steady, and ready. She stood up from her meditation spot and glanced down to the small figure next to her, Azelea.

Her partner was quietly resting, with the occasional snore. Curled up as she was, Noria couldn’t help but smile. However, her movements must have disturbed the citrine dragon.

Azelea stirred, lifting her snout up and letting out a yawn. She blinked once, then twice before looking up to Noria.

Have a good nap?

Yes, Azelea responded, her grogginess slowly fading. You done?

I am, but–

Her partner hopped up onto all fours. We go see Haldria?

She let out another sigh, this time with slight annoyance. She had plans to go visit the tanner but she also had other plans she wanted to get done first. However, seeing the dragon’s excitement she made a decision.

Yes, we can go see Haldria.

Yay! Haldria nice, she tell me all kinds of jokes, Azelea commented as she worked out the last of her sleep.

Noria had to keep from rolling her eyes. Haldria’s ‘jokes,’ were as perverted as they came. However, she had long since given up on stopping Azelea from learning from the tanner. They get along well. Maybe too well…

Hmm? Apparently, her partner was listening in to her thoughts.

Nothing. Come, let’s go see her. I need to finish up the last few enchants. But as she said that, Azelea was already bounding off.

With a shake of her head, Noria took off after the dragon…

A few minutes later, the two of them were at the tanner’s tent-turned-workshop. Even more tools and equipment had been assembled, no doubt crafted within the last few days.

Noria ignored all of that, and focused on the woman running it all. Haldria was in her strange, thick garb and standing over a wooden barrel that served as a makeshift vat.

Azelea, wait! she called out to her partner.

The citrine-colored dragon came to a sudden halt, noticing her concern. What wrong? the dragon asked, turning her head to her.

That stuff is potent. I promise you, you don’t want to get any closer. It’ll singe your snout off.

Azelea scented the air. But I no smell anything.

Noria gave her a nod. Of course you won’t smell anything, yet. I set multiple enchantments to purify the air. But, the closer you get, the more the smell will overpower them.

Oh… Okay. Her partner came back to her and sat down at her feet. How long we wait?

Noria gave a shrug. Shouldn’t take too long, it looks like she is nearly done. As she said that, Haldria suddenly straightened up, quickly slamming the vat’s lid down.

“Gods, these enchantments are amazing!” the tanner shouted before she noticed Noria and Azelea. “And here is the talented woman who made them!” she added.

“They working well?” Noria asked, slowly approaching.

“Well? No, honey, they are amazing!” Haldria said, taking off her hood and wraps. “No wonder you were begged to be the village mage.”

“Yeah… Begged. If you ask me, I wasn’t given much of a choice.”

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The tanner sucked in a deep breath of air, fearless of any lingering smell. “I’m aware, but none of that matters anymore. I mean, just look at you! You are engaged to such a dashing, handsome, and well hung man–”

“Haldria!”

“–Not to mention, you managed to hatch a dragon egg. And speaking of…” she leaned down and softly patted Azelea’s head. “How are you doing?”

The dragon’s tail began to wag as she let out a cheerful yip.

“That’s great to hear!” She looked up to Noria. “You know, I think I’m starting to understand her. But, I’m curious, when will she learn to speak aloud like Zira?”

Noria stopped her fuming and considered the question. “I…don’t know. In another month or two? Maybe longer? I’m not sure how it works, if I’m being honest.”

Zira say she projects her voice. Say it not hard but takes time to learn and practice! I practice, but it not easy… But she say I just need more time.

“Azelea says she has been practicing but she isn’t there yet. But with luck, it won’t be too long,” Noria said.

Haldria beamed at Azelea while scratching under her snout.“That’s wonderful! Oh, I can’t wait until you can speak to me! We can tell each other all kinds of jokes!”

“Gods, please, no…” Noria grumbled. “It’s bad enough that you are teaching her such foul language.”

“Foul language?! I’m hurt!” The tanner gave an exaggerated expression of shock. “I am merely a woman who is comfortable with herself!”

Noria gave her a blank stare. “Is that why you shut down whenever someone you aren’t friendly with comes around?”

“Ouch… That actually hurt,” she said with a wince.

“Good, because that’s the sort of emotional pain you put me through!” Noria huffed, folding her arms.

“Okay, okay… I get it, I’m sorry. I will tone down the naughty jokes. Happy?” the tanner said as she stood up.

Noria continued to stand there, looking as unhappy as possible before finally dropping her arms. “I suppose that is the best I can get out of you… Apology accepted.”

“Good– Say, want to see what I’m working on?”

She gave Haldria a curious look. “Is it Zira’s saddle?”

“It is, but not only that…” The tanner motioned for them to follow her.

Azelea was the first to rush forward while Noria took to the rear, still weary of catching a waft of the foul air.

The three of them made their way to one side of the tent. There, laying upon a table was not one, but two partially completed saddles. They both looked identical, save for a few minor alterations. However, upon a closer inspection, Noria noted the names of two dragons stitched into the leather.

“Impressive,” she said genuinely. Her partner let out another cheerful yip in agreement.

“Thank you.” Haldria looked pleased but there was a hint of a question in her voice.

“What is it?”

The tanner took a moment, trying to decide how she should respond. “I was thinking…” Haldria trailed off.

“Yes?”

“I was wondering if you could enchant them?” the other woman asked after another moment.

Noria took a second to answer, staring back down at the saddles. “I suppose I can, but why are you asking me and not Felix or Eri?”

“Huh? Oh, I just thought it would be cool. They didn’t ask me to ask you or anything. I just thought saddles made for dragons should be extra special.”

She brought a hand up to her chin in thought. “I suppose there are a few enchants I could think of that would be beneficial… But they should be done when the saddles are finished.”

Haldria waved the concern away. “That’s fine. I’ll be done in a few days, and then you can enchant them.” There was a pause as the tanner’s calm demeanor suddenly shattered. “Oh man! I can’t wait to see their faces!”

Noria rolled her eyes. “Anyway, what about the harnesses? I don’t see them here.”

“Those will be easy, I can make them in an afternoon.” Haldria gestured to the saddles. “It’s these beauties that take time!”

“Right… Anyway, I came here to finish up enchanting your tools. I’ll go ahead and get started on that.”

Haldria and Azelea watched as Noria shook her head and made her way over to the tools.

Once she was out earshot, the tanner turned to the dragon and whispered, “Want to see something else I’ve been working on? But you can’t tell Noria about it at all, it’s a surprise!”

The citrine-colored dragon cocked her head before giving a nod.

“Perfect…” The tanner quickly waved for the dragon to follow her as she snuck into her tent. There, she grabbed a small trunk and opened it. Reaching in, she pulled out the start of a rather risque red leather dress.

“What do you think? Think it’ll look good on Noria?”

Azelea grew excited as her tail began to wag once more. She let out several more yips in the process.

“Perfect. I think I’ll present it as a wedding gift.”