"A normal skeleton crew for a heavy-weight dragon is like ten people," Andy added. She shrugged. "That's for battle-readiness, though. It's easy enough to just take care of the harness with just two people. Lawrence and I can usually handle it."

"Pern dragons have battle harnesses, so they can carry some sacks of firestone with them, but they only have one rider per dragon. Of course, these dragons also have a mental and emotional connection to their riders." Belle shrugged. "Just a difference in styles, I guess."

"I think Novik read some of McCaffrey's work," Andy said. "I think. I'm not entirely sure. But the two styles are very different."

"I can tell that much already," Belle said dryly. "That's okay, though, we can have preferences."

Andy nodded.

"I can't wait to see how well the two mesh," she said. "My favorite kind of dragons and yours." She grinned. "I came across someone with a Toothless, once. She was kind of a ditz, though. There was a world of difference between her black dragon and mine, and I don't think she quite grasped it."

"Yeah, just a little bit of difference." Belle shook her head. "Toothless was awesome though. Probably the most adorable dragon I've ever seen or heard of."

"Oh I know," Andy agreed. "There was about a week when I actually wanted one, after I saw the movie."

"I dunno if I'd want one, but they were definitely adorable." Belle chuckled. "And if I was going to get some sort of small mini-dragon, I'd get fire lizards. Because that would be awesome."

"I kind of liked the Tiny Terrors," Andy said. "They were like the size of a housecat, and they were so adorable."

"They were," Belle admitted. "And that one purred! It was adorable."

"I know!" Andy said. "Kaelas would treat the thing like a challenging chew toy, though. And I think it would annoy these two enough to get itself squished."

"Yeah, I know," Belle said with a little sigh. "At least a fire lizard can go between to get away."

"I think I vaguely remember something like that," Andy said. "Sounds familiar at any rate."

"Well, you're not a total loss," Belle grumped. "You still need to read those books, and I will bug you until you do."

"I DID read those books," Andy insisted. "I just don't remember them. I got distracted by something else."

"Well I will bother you until you read them again so you actually have some idea what I'm talking about. I demand it." Belle grinned.

"I DO have an idea of what you're talking about," Andy pointed out, grinning. "Just a very vague one."

"Well you have to UNvague your idea," Belle grumbled. "Soon. Very soon. Because I will continue to bug you until you have reread those books to my satisfaction."

"I'll get around to it eventually," Andy promised.

"You better," Belle said. "Now, what are we doing for the time being? Dinner and sleep or are you going out again?"

"Heading back to camp would be a good idea," Andy suggested. "I think the dragons have been swimming long enough."

"Yeah," Belle said, looking out at the dragons. "You go grab them and I'll see if there's anything good around to add to dinner."

Andy nodded and went over to the shore of the lake.

"Temmy!" she called. "Li Li! Come on, let's head back! And grab a fish on your way out if you can!"

The two dragons came back to shore and shook themselves off, sending water everywhere. Andy had already resigned herself to getting wet, so she didn't bother trying to jump out of the way.

Daemon, on the other hand, had already moved well out of the way, and only approached once they'd stopped. He motioned for Belle to get up first, since then hopefully he could shove her over closer to the middle.

Andy climbed up onto Lien's back, making herself comfortable between the white dragon's shoulders. Once everyone was settled, the two dragons took off back towards the camp site without needing to be told.