Dragon Rider Play

Blade shrugged. "Maybe he's in the med ward. We can visit him later."

Mark took care of his dishes and went to get Warrior. He always looked forward to seeing his dragon. Warrior was always so excited to see him.

"Why would he be in the medical ward?" Tithenor asked quizzically, taking care of his dishes before turning toward the rookery.

Warrior batted his ball against the cage wall, catching it when it bounced back at him.  Fun!

Erika was laying in her cage, staring at her little wooden figurine.

Blade shrugged. "You have to admit, Pat is a tab bit clumsy, and not nearly as strong as the rest of us."

Mark entered the rookery before Blade and Tithenor got there. He went right to Warrior's cage.

"I suppose you have a good point," Tithenor nodded, going toward Mellon's cage.

Warrior was so focused on his ball, for the first time he didn't even notice Mark's approach.

Mark just smiled and watched his dragon play for a while.

Mellon chirped happily and wiggly his whole body.

Warrior missed his ball and finally noticed Mark.  With a happy crow, he abandoned his game and stood on the gate, his whole body wriggling in delight.  Hi!

Tithenor chuckled as he opened the door.  "/Hello, little one!  Are you ready to go to class?/"

Mark smiled and got Warrior out. "Hi, buddy."

Melloraumo chirped. Yes yes yes yes! Another fun day with the best rider ever!

Blade went over to Erika's cage and opened it. " Wanna go, little lady?"

Warrior chattered and purred like he hadn't seen Mark for hours.  Rider was back!  Did they get to go play with the shiny pointy things now?

Tithenor scooped him up and helped him balance on his shoulder.  "There we go, little one.  Come, let's go be the best team, yes?"

Erika scurried to hide her treasure then came back, purring and barking.  Yes!  Let's go play!

Mark smiled. "Yes. That is exactly what we will do."

Melloraumo chirped confidently and licked the side of his rider's head, making his hair stick up funny.

Blade grinned and opened the door for her.

Warrior growled and bobbed his head.  He'd be a good warrior!  He'd practice like his rider did!

"Again with the hair, Melloraumo?" Tithenor sighed, walking toward the door.

Erika chirped as a thank you and stepped to the edge, holding out her foot and waiting for Blade to hold out his hand for her to step on.

Mark smiled and went with Tithenor and wait by the door for Blade. "You will be the best warrior out there, my wonderful little Frillback."

Mellon churred. He thought his rider looked cooler with his hair like this, not that he wasn't already very cool to start with.

Blade smiled and held out his hand for his little dragon. "Wonder what little treasures you'll find today." He told her.

Warrior scrambled up onto Mark's shoulder and stood proudly, guarding his Rider from anyone and anything that dared hurt him!

Tithenor found Mellon's favorite spot and started scratching him there.  Perhaps that way he'd bee too distracted to lick his hair.

Erika stood on his hand, purring and chirping softly.  She interrupted herself by taking hold of his sleeve in hermouth and pulling herself up, her little feet gripping his arm as she slowly climbed up to perch on his shoulder then his head.  There!  Her perch!

Mark laughed happily. He loved his dragon so much.

Mellon purred and leaned into it. Oooooo..... That felt good. He nearly fell off of Tithenor's shoulder he became that relaxed.

Blade laughed softly and joined their friends. "Let's go!"

"Indeed," Tithenor agreed, catching Mellon before he could fall.  He led the way to the training center, looking around.  They weren't the first ones, for once, though they were far from last. He didn't see Pat anywhere and frowned before turning his attention to their teacher.  Perhaps he sulked still?  Tithenor thought better of him, but where else could he be?

Alterrion started class, telling everyone to continue to practice and get adjusted to their weapons. He motioned for Tithenor to speak to him before the elf went off.

Tithenor approached and stood at attention, subtly motioning for Melloraumo to stand next to him.  "Yes, sir?"

Alterrion nodded. "I would like you to practice swordsmanship over your archery today." He said. "You are a skilled bowman, but a mark of a valuable warrior is versatility."

"As you desire, sir," Tithenor agreed with a faint bow.

Alterrion nodded and walked about, guiding students and checking their progress as he did so.

Tithenor chose a sword and began to practice, moving through the sets smooth and fluid as water.  He wasn't as skilled with the sword as he was the bow, but he felt he could hold his own.

After a while, Alterrion reached the elf and gave him some good pointers about his footwork and how he handled the sword.

Tithenor accepted the advice respectfully and made the adjustments Alterrion suggested.

Erika was struggling to get something through the grass, but it kept getting stuck!

Warrior ran in circles around Mark, attacking anything his rider made move.

Mellon watched his rider and opened his mouth a few times. He wanted to do something cool too! He managed to make the air in front of him cold.

Blade helped Mark a bit more before he went over to Erika. "What ya got there, little lady?"

Tithenor paused in his work long enough to praise Mellon for his accomplishments.  He was progressing very nicely!

Erika tugged at the item then admitted defeat as the long grasses refused to surrender it.  She looked up at Blade and half whined half growled, scratching at the gold pocket watch.

Blade reached down and picked it up, examining the watch. He was impressed. It was a very nice watch. "Wow. This is a really good find, Erika."

Melloraumo churred happily and kept trying. He would learn to breath ice and freeze stuff as soon as he could!