DragonTribes #1: RiverTribe

Chapter 14: Goodbye

Brice's eyes scanned the novices and their dragons. Dagger hid behind Alicia and every once in a while peered at Blister's Father Dragon.

"I want you to give your riding things to Alicia." Brice said as he pointed at the saddle on Blister's back.

Dyvahn snorted and took the equipment off Blister. Alicia found it odd how perfectly Blister behaved around his father. The dragon was completely different. Although Alicia could agree, his Father Dragon was quite menacing. The dragon kept his eyes locked on Blister. His muscles rippled under his scales.

Dyvahn threw his things at Alicia then turned back to Blister without helping her. What's got him so upset? Brice dismounted the strong dragon and walked into the shack. He returned with a newer saddle and reins. The metal bit was two pieces that linked together in the middle. Dyvahn placed the saddle on Blister's back.

Brice handed the reins to Dyvahn, "Now this will be a little more harsh on his mouth, he should listen better."

Dyvahn nodded. Meanwhile, Alicia had just got the saddle on Dagger. He didn't quite like Alicia putting these strange items on him. Brice came over and inspected the saddle. Alicia looked at the strap of leather, confused. She twisted it around looking at it from different angles. Brice took the strap from her and attached the leather to the back of the saddle. Then, he brought the strap between Dagger's front legs. The leather strap branched around Dagger's neck. Brice attached the straps to the front of the saddle. He walked around to Dagger's other side and attached the other strap to the back of the saddle. Finally, Brice pulled on the leather checking how loose it was.

"This is too loose. If you can fit your finger under the strap, when you fly your saddle with slide around on his scales." Brice told her.

Dagger turned his neck and sniffed the saddle. Alicia tightened the strap, but Dagger snorted when she did so. He's not so happy about this. Alicia looked over to Dyvahn. He was already sitting in his new saddle and holding Blister's reins. He glanced over at her then quickly averted his eyes. Alicia grabbed the reins and looked at the bit in her hand. Dagger sniffed it. She tried pushing the bit into Dagger's mouth, but he kept it shut tightly.

Dyvahn dismounted with a sigh, "Look, like this."

He snatched the reins from Alicia. He grabbed Dagger's nose horn and pulled his snout down with it. Dagger looked at Alicia pleadingly. Dyvahn pulled Dagger's nose up with his thumb, causing Dagger to open his mouth in irritation. Dyvahn shoved the bit into Dagger's mouth. Dyvahn handed the reins to Alicia then walked back to his dragon. Dagger continually sneezed and moved his tongue around in his mouth.

"Thank you, Dyvahn." Brice nodded to his son.

Alicia studied Dagger. The saddle was the same dark brownish black as the brace on Dagger's back left leg. The reins were smooth and thin. The dark brown complimented Dagger's vibrant red scales. Alicia smiled. She turned and looked at Blister's attire. The saddle was a little lighter brown than Dagger's and the reins were braided. Alicia slid into the saddle on Dagger's back. Dagger looked back at her, still moving his mouth with the bit in it. Alicia looked over at Blister, who stood motionless and tall. Then at Brice's Dragon, who stood the same as Blister. She looked at Dagger. Her innocent dragon was still wiggling his tongue in his mouth and hung his head low as he did so. She pulled his head up with the reins and tightened them. He grunted.

Brice nodded, "Alright, now we can fly. Ready, Boulder?"

The strong dragon nodded his head, but his eyes remained on Blister. Boulder, what a perfect name. Boulder and Blister took to the sky. Dagger looked up at them, ears perked. Then he looked back at Alicia. Alicia tapped his sides with her heels. Dagger paused for a moment then spread his wings and shot up after the others. They flew in place above the ground.