Dragon Rider Play

("hi=old"? XD)

Alterrion's piercing gaze never wavered. "That is not for you to take. If you take that, I withhold the rights to exile you and Blade from these islands. That talisman is a symbol and relic from my people. Possessing it without permission is a crime that can be as severe as death, depending on the situation."

(Typo, pure and simple.  Aiming for backspace and hit = instead.  HOLD.)

That went right over Erika's scaley little head.  She had no idea what Alterrion was talking about.  Her bond with Jeremiah was what made her able to understand him more than the average dragon might, but that was only with him.  With others, she recognized words the same as any animal might.  All she understood was he was telling her "No."  The Blade Dragon churred and tried to flap her wings defiantly.  She wanted shiny things!

(I know XD)

Jeremiah came over to see what was wrong. Once he heard what was going on, he explained it to Erika. "Little lady, that shiny is to Alterrion as my one knife is to me. It's an off limits thing."

Oh.  Well, why didn't he just say so?  Eirka went limp, huffing sadly.  She hadn't found a single shiny thing yet.  Maybe in Wilderness class.

Alterrion set Erika down and made sure his talisman wasn't damaged.

Jeremiah lead Erika to wilderness class. "Come on. I think Pat and Luke are ahead of us."

Pat was waiting for them at the bridge leading to the Wild island, passing the time by tying a short rope into a knot and letting Nightshade try to untie it.

Nightshade liked this game, and was pretty good at solving puzzles now.

Jeremiah smiled as he caught up with Pat and Luke. "Hey guys."

Pat looked up with a smile.  "Hey!  What took you so long?"

Warrior circled Luke, nudging and headbutting him.  He was still full of energy!  Why was Rider so tired?

Luke was lying on the ground as he tried to rest his already aching muscles. "I am in a lot worse shape than you, buddy." He told Warrior.

Jeremiah smiled a little. "Erika tried to nab a shiny that was off-limits from Alterrion." He explained.

"I'm surprised you still have your spines intact," Pat smiled at the little dragon.  "Are we ready to face the wilderness?"

Erika and Warrior chirped affirmative, and Warrior started trying to drag Luke along by his shirt.  He wasn't big enough to carry Luke yet, but he could help!

Jeremiah smiled and ushered for Pat to go first. Nightshade had started across the bridge and patiently waited for her rider to join up.

Luke laughed. "Warrior, okay! Okay! I can stand now!"

Pat smiled and took her time crossing.  She wasn't petrified anymore, but she still wasn't comfortable with heights, and she greeted the other side with a sigh of relief.

Warrior let go and started bouncing around Luke.  Then lets go!!

Jeremiah followed Pat. He spaced out a little as he remembered the first time he and Pat crossed one of the bridges, all that time ago. It seemed like a whole other lifetime.

Luke got up and followed Jeremiah. He spread his arms out as if they were wings and imagined he was flying in the breeze between the islands.

Pat glanced back at Jeremiah and smiled.  "At least I can cross before the lesson is over these days."

Warrior chortled as he followed Luke, spreading his wings and flapping them slightly.

Jeremiah looked at Pat. "Hm?"

Luke smiled. "I can hardly wait to fly with you, Warrior."

"Never mind.  I'll race you," Pat challenged.

Warrior chirped.  Him too!  He wanted to fly!

Jeremiah grinned. "You're on. Where to?"

Luke smiled and jumped onto the next island. He started to sing a song about flying. "I just wanna flyyyyyyy, out of the skyyyyyyy, do anything 'cause IIIIIIIIIII, I'm better than this...."

"Loam.  Ready go!"  She took off running.

Warrior leaped like Luke although it was several feet until he landed as he glided on his open wings.  Flllyyyyy!!!

Jeremiah darted after her. He was good at dodging the rougher terrain and weaving through the brush.

Loam and Blackwater both looked up as the students ran over. What did they want?

Luke laughed and showered Warrior in admiration and praise for the gliding.

Pat was able to hold the lead, but only just.  She wasn't as good as Jeremiah in rough terrain, but she was able to keep right in front of him the whole way.  Then she tripped with a yell, she fell and rolled head over heels until she slid to a stop at Blackwater's toes.

Warrior churred and pranced.  He was good!  He was excellent!

Erika took her time following her rider, although she was actually faster in the rough terrain than flat surfaces.  She scrambled along the rocks and fallen logs, hopping from one o he next agile.

Blackwater stood, but before he could say anything, Jeremiah beat him to the punch.

Jeremiah offered Pat a hand up. "You okay?" He asked her. "That was quite a trip!"

Nightshade watched Erika curiously. How come she was faster that way than on normal ground?

"I'm okay, just a couple scraps and bruises," Pat said, accepting the hand up.  "Sorry, Professor."  She started brushing off the dirt and trying to pick leaves and twigs from her hair.

Hearing the crash, Erika picked up speed and dashed to where Pat and Jeremiah were.  What happened?

(I just realized that when everyone learns Pat is a girl, Blackwater simply won't care either way, and Alterrion will actually have respect for her XD However, neither would oppose the Headmaster's ultimate decision)

"Is there anything you need of me that made you get here so hurriedly?" Blackwater asked coolly.

Jeremiah helped get a stubborn twig out of Pat's hair.

(That's good.  That's the big thing, don't stand up to the Headmaster! XD) 

"N-no, sir, we were just racing, sir," Pat said sheepishly, dropping her gaze.  "I'm sorry, sir."

(Don't know yet, but Alterrion may help them leave. He won't go against Grumbledorf, but that doesn't mean he won't try to lend Pat and crew a hand XD)

Blackwater nodded. "Just don't hurt yourselves. Tithenor being in the ward is more than enough from your team to be missing for now."