Lyda Cumela loved the idea of flying. One day, she dreamed that she would be able to ride her dragonet across the red sky. She'd dive through clouds and feel the wind on her face. And she'd be able to say that she was truly a dragonrider, just like her father, the Weyr master. One day, she would fight amongst her father and rid her family of her family's enemies. That would be the day she could be proud that she had succeeded her father's wishes.
But that was not today. Today, she was only 13 and her dragonnet was barely larger than a cow. 
Today, all she could do was pet her dragonnet, whose name was Fran. Fran was a young female dragonnet who had just hatched weeks ago. 
"Fran, Fran, Fran," whispered Lyda. "One day we will do battle in the clouds, but until that day comes, our only goal will be to grow. My father's enemies can wait."
"I'm afraid not," telepathed Fran. "I hear dragonsong coming from the east."
"What of it?" said Lyda.
"They are not our dragons," said Fran. "It is an invasion force."
This shocked Lyda. "Today?"
"We must go," said Fran. 
Suddenly, the horn of the Weyr sounded. All the dragons nearby (and their dragonriders) grew alert. "An invasion force!" yelled the ranks of dragonmen.
"Quickly. We must hide," said Fran. "We must allow the adults to do their duty."
Lyda followed Fran as they headed into the Weyr. Everywhere, adult dragons drew battle harnesses and began stretching their wings for the coming battle. Lyda saw her father, who was arranging a quartet of his most trusted guardsmen (and their dragons) in preparation for the coming battle. 
"Father!" said Lyda.
"Not now, Lyda!" said her father. "Get inside, and don't come out until the horn is sounded!"
"Yes, father!"
Lyda and her dragonet scurried into the Weyr. She wanted to be just like her father one day, but today was not the day. She admired her father, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel fear despite her father's bravery. As leader of the Weyr, her father would be the first target of the enemy dragonriders.
The enemy... she hated them. They were led by this man named Bryo, who wanted control of all northern Weyrs. An ambitious evil man - someone Lyda was told again and again never to involve herself with when it came time for her to pick a mate. She wanted to kill this Bryo, but she was too small to do it.
She looked her hands. They were still a child's hands.
[i]One day[/i], she promised herself. [i]One day, I will put Bryo out of his misery, and my father and all the other Weyrmasters will have peace.[/i]