Crackerjack II

Chpt. 22: Dragging On

Training the next day was difficult for more than one reason. Scorch smugly stared each time Kristen was berated for yawning. She frowned but kept herself from snapping at him. She didn't want to damage her chances of keeping the bond. 

Spencer allowed the students to stand by their dragons on the condition that they didn't touch. 

"I know you all are giddy about having your dragons staying with you now, but don't forget that you're all still proving your dedication to the bond." Spencer ducked his chin. "They certainly don't forget."

Kristen snuck a glance up at Scorch but jerked her eyes back to Spencer when she found the golden eyes already on her.

"Dragons are incredibly intelligent. They know the difference between sleep time and training time. Unlike some of you."

Even though Spencer wasn't looking at her, Kristen blushed and dropped her gaze.

"They might be nice and cuddly in your cabins, but here, they turn on the pressure. So you all need to, as well."

Several rides snorted, Scorch among them. Kristen frowned. How could the dragon already be judging her?

"A bond is a link between you and your dragon, not only your mind but also your soul." Spencer raised his hands. "But that's a level I'm not even on yet, so let's stick to brains."

The less-nervous riders chuckled.

"For those of you who don't know, a bond allows emotions, pictures, thoughts, and even sometimes your play-by-play viewpoint to travel to your partner. Most of you have been transmitting emotions already."

Tobias clicked in his throat, and Spencer pointed.

"Yes, exactly. It takes a lot more effort for your dragon to reach out to you than it does for you to talk to them."

Kristen shifted her weight, recalling with a wince her impatience over the past few days.

"Now, this may seem a bit strange, but stay with me. We're going to spend today teaching your dragon to speak. Sylvia will be helping me today because teaching language is her bullseye." Spencer glanced at the door. "If she ever gets here."

Scorch grunted, and Kristen looked up in time to see him cock his head at a golden dragon across the circle.

Ernold leaned around Scorch. "Speech therapy!"

Kristen swallowed a giggle as Spencer continued.

"Please, please, please, nobody start talking to your ride like they're an imbecile." He shook his head. "It's just that they can't talk, so their thoughts won't be in words until we can teach them."

At that moment, Sylvia slipped in with Moonstone on her heels. Several dragons lowered their heads in deference.

"Ah! There's the instructor, now!"

Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. Had a student in the library need some extra attention."

"Don't worry, we know the book jockey field is a competitive one. We wouldn't want you to get a paper cut."

Moonstone growled a warning, and Spencer laughed.

"Anyway, I was talking about teaching the dragons words."

"Right. As riders, your job is made easier because they already understand words, they just can't relay them yet."

Spencer crossed his arms. "Already went over that."

"I'll be head on this since Ace, here, doesn't have the patience."

Kristen kept drifting off during Sylvia's never-ending instructions. She got the basic idea. How hard could teaching words to such a smart animal be?