The Rise of the Tamers- Book one

Chapter Five- Bumps Along The Road and Air

Tucker stared at Skellor in shock. Skellor was the new student? Skellor was his flying partner? Tucker looked at Valark in retort and Valark put a hand up. "I know. I'll talk to Myth Rider, okay?" He walked to the office in the back as Tucker stood frozen in fear. There was no way he was going to survive if he was going to be Skellor's rider. Skellor would kill him for sure as soon as he can make it look like an accident. Once they were off the ground, it would be the end for him.

Valark came back and sighed, patting his back. "Sorry buddy, but we don't have any other flyer students that can take his place. She says that you would be a great influence on him, okay? I'll be here if he tries anything. If he tries to drop you in the air, I have a knack for catching things, so you will be fine." He gave a smile, trying to make it seem like a joke, but even Valark knew that might happen.

Skellor was watching them talk silently. He was listening to everything they were saying, and he agreed. He didn't want to have Tucker be his rider either. He looked away, cursing in his head. He tried to ignore everyone's looks and tried to keep to himself, no matter what. That didn't last long, however, when Cat and Penelope walk over to him. He engaged in a small conversation with them, trying to hide his discontent with the fact he would be Tucker's flying partner. He looked over at Tucker every now and then, frowning in disapproval.

Cat finally spoke up about it. "What's the matter? Do you not like him?"

"He and I fought. I don't want him to be my partner." He glared at the floor. "Even looking at him pisses me off..."

Cat bit her lip and tried to think of something that would help the situation. She patted his shoulder. "Well, maybe being his partner will be helpful in getting along! You guys are roomies, right? This would definitely help!" She smiled sweetly at him and Skellor sighed.

"I don't think so. I think he's gonna ask for a new roommate."

"Why do you think that, Skellor? Tucker's actually a really nice kid! He'll get over the fight! A simple fight wouldn't turn him away so easily!" Penelope chimed in, trying to help.

Skellor shook his head. "You'll find out later." He spoke ominously and Cat got a dreading feeling.

"Why...What did you do?" She asked quietly, raising an eyebrow at him in a concerned way. He just looked at her and shook his head and she frowned. "Is it really that bad?"

"You'll find out later." He repeated as turned away from her, giving the hint that he didn't want to talk to her anymore. Cat and Penelope looked at each other and got up, leaving him alone.

Tucker sat with Valark and Terrace, waiting for class to begin and a familiar face walked out of the office. A tall man with turquoise goggles, a quiver of arrows and an dragonscale tunic, along with long brown boots and a bow. He looked at everyone and stood in front of the class. Tucker smiled. "I didn't know Sky Archer the was the academics teacher!"

Valark smiled and nodded. "He does academics and flying exercises, Coach does fitness work and Myth Rider does the paperwork, mission work and we go to her when there's a problem. She's the big boss."

Tucker nodded in interest as Valark quickly explained and Sky Archer spoke up. "For the new students and anyone who forgot." He looked straight at two boys who looked like twins for a moment and everyone laughed. "My name is Neil Anderson, but you can only call me that in the classroom and during training. You do not call me that anywhere else! You use my alias, Sky Archer. Understood boys?" He glared at the twins some more and everyone laughed again.

They laughed and spoke up in unison. "Sorry, Neil! It's just habit now!" The whole class giggled as they showed their playful insubordination. Neil just shook his head with a fake frown on his face and started class. Whatever was going was obviously an inside running joke, but if it kept going, then Tucker would get it eventually.