Rove landed to the ground with a thud.  Immediately, Alder's brown head popped up from among the grasses.

"Rove!" he called.

"How'd you know it was me, doofus?" she teased, grinning at him. "It could have been any random dragon."

Alder shrugged. "I recognised your wing-beats. You have a special way of flying that nobody else does."

Rove felt herself blush.

"I have the seeds you asked for." She said, changing the topic. 

"Thanks!" Rove passed the bag to Alder, who picked a couple of seeds from within. "From Ringlet?"

Rove nodded.

"Good old Ringlet. She must take a big risk getting these, if anything related to trees are as banned as you say." Alder examined one of the acorns.

Rove sighed. She hated to leave, but it had to be done. "I have to go back before Polyplax misses me."

Alder was obviously disappointed, but understood. "Alright. When will I next see you?"

"I'm not sure. Next week, maybe?"

"Ok. Bye." Alder folded his leaf-shaped wings around her for a hug.

Rove rested against his cool scales for a moment, then regretfully pulled away.

Alder watched her from the savanna floor as she flew away. Rove already longed for when she could next slip away and visit him again.

Rove hoped she could arrive home unnoticed, but getting in was just about as hard as getting out.

Polyplax was in the foyer, desperately trying to explain something to Stinger. They both whurled around as the door clicked shut behind her.

"Rove!" Stinger cried, rushing to her daughter. "You disappeared! We thought something terrible happened to you! What happened?" 

"I got lost, that's all." Rove called back as she flew to the next level. She couldn't be bothered taking the stairs. 

"This is the third time this month you have 'gotten lost'. And I was watching you, so I take the blame."

"Then don't watch me, and you won't take the blame.' Rove swung the door of her room shut behind her.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Polyplax walked in. Rove scowled at her from her bed.

"Ever heard of knocking?" She asked.

Polyplax ignored her comment. "I know where you go. What is so important out in the savanna? How about tomorrow, you and I go and take a look?"