The Dragonriders

Chapter 9

To Lead And To Learn

Shirley

The next day one of the conventional teachers comes to the squads housing when I'm visiting them, trying to find out what they are best at. He immediately starts yelling. 'All in line!'

I instantly have my bow and arrow in hand. 'This is my squad and you should ask me to have them do something.'

The Orks both look at me with a glimmer of admiration. Meanwhile the teacher walks over to me. He is a tall Elf and somewhat intimidating. 'You still have to listen to me, Wing Leader in training. If I give an order you follow that order.'

I draw my bow before he gets to close. 'I'm also the one trained by your council member and the Mage of the council so don't think I'm afraid to let my arrow fly.'

The Elf stops in his tracks. 'So... you are a defiant one. Very well. In that case, you lead your squad. But if it goes wrong, you are responsible. Now you bring them outside for flying lessons if you please.'

I turn to them. 'Please grab your saddles and call your dragons outside. I would like to get this over with so we aren't being yelled at any more.'

The Elven girl giggles softly while the big human just looks away while sighing. Then I turn to the tall Elf. 'You can get things done without yelling. Now if you will excuse me, I've got to find my own dragon and saddle him up.'

As I walk past him he gives me a look that tells me he hates me. I go straight back to my room where I saddle up Rashter and tell him shortly what happens, using images in my mind to support it. He grumbles. 'I already hate that guy, but have to warn you to. Don't push your luck with the teachers. You need them even if you don't like to admit it.'

I sigh. 'Yeah I need them. But that doesn't mean they can disrespect me or my squad.'

He nods. 'I'm glad you take responsibility over them. But still do keep in mind that they are not you. Protect them to much and they will become unruly.'

After some fiddling with the saddle I'm finally ready to get in it. With some trouble I get in the saddle and let Rashter fly us to the others. I see the teacher stand next to a vibrant green dragon of about average size. However as Rashter starts moving in for the landing even that dragon follows the example of the dragons and people of my squad to stand back. Rashter is by far the largest dragon here, being larger than Celeste and rivaling the leader. As I unbuckle my legs and slide down the tall Elf looks at Rashter with open mouth. 'A... Wild Dragon... you are bound to a Wild Dragon...'

Rashter chuckles. 'Former Wild Dragon. I will fly with someone on my back, but only if it is Shirley.'

The Elf steps backwards. 'All right... now, miss Shirley, tell your squad you'll be practicing formation flying and to follow your dragons lead...'

I climb back into his saddle and prepare to take off as the Elf stops me. 'I want to see three formations. One is the travel V formation. Second is the straight in line formation, third the combat wing formation with you central. Whoever flies right side behind you in the first formation is your right hand from now on, same with the left side and left hand. Chose well.'

I look around the group. I really think the Ork male would make a good right hand but I'm afraid he would think with his axe to much. I cannot pick the Elf though as she is an archer like me. She would be better off at the back of the pack to support instead of at the front. The brute I would probably like in another wing than mine so he definitely not... 'Noruk, you will be flying on my right behind me. Oruk behind you and miss Elf behind Oruk. Miss Ork, you will be on my left behind me with mister Ork behind you. That leaves one place for the last person.'