Riders of Arogoth

Condor Enclave

(A few hours later)

They glided downward back out of the cloud cover and as they did, the three looked into the distance astonished at what they were seeing.

"Is that..." Fira pointed.

"Condor Enclave? Yep." Herald answered.

"No wonder everyone talks about it so highly..." Raven exclaimed as they got closer.

The Enclave was truly astonishing. With it's high walls, a castle stood high. It was massive and only grew in size as they flew closer. The castle almost looked like glass as the sun bounced off of it. There were so many dragons flying through the air carrying riders on their backs. Training sessions were being held in many different places. Lectures, combat training, and riders with free time made the castle seem so alive. They coasted over the many activities and soared through and in between the castle. The castle itself was such a massive structure, you seemed to feel so much smaller when flying next to it. As we flew through, everyone must have noticed that it was a carrier dragon and cheered. 

"Why are they cheering for us?" Sakaza asked.

"You're the new chosen. The ones you see here are the recruits and chosen before you. They have been here training for 1-4 years... Depending on how long ago they came here." Herald explained as they flew straight up the side of the castle and gently landed inside a cubby on the side of the castle that was mean't for landings. "Here we are. You three must wait here. A guide will come to get you soon. I must begin my journey back for the next travelers."

"Thank you very much Herald." Fira said as the other two were staring off the edge of the cubby at the height and magical island.

"I'm glad that I was able to carry you three. It's been 4 years since I transported the chosen. I was truly honored. It's been just too long since I've seen this island." He explained as memories flashed through his sad eyes.

"We really did appreciate you taking us here and protecting us. Thank you again." Fira said as she walked up to Herald and wrapped her arms around his large neck. She couldn't even come close to hugging his whole neck.

Herald smiled, "you're a special three... I can tell. Now, do your duty, train hard, and become warriors." She said with trust and determination. 

"We will. And you, you... Keep being the best Carrier Dragon." Fira said as a slight grin appeared on her pale face.

Herald nodded and pushed his wings down and launched himself to the air. In only a few minutes, he disappeared into the afternoon lit sky.

A door opened from behind the three as they snapped around. "Fira, Raven, and Sakaza, correct?" A lady dressed in a white tunic with a wooden board and paper attached to it asked.

"Yes, that's us." Raven replied.

"Very well then, follow me. I will show you to your dorms and where your training will take place." She stood holding the door open as she motioned for the three to walk through ahead of her. As they walked through, there were even more so astonished by the inside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the 60-70 foot ceilings. Colorful carpets led the way down a long staircase. Blue, black, and white torches burned, lining the long staircase. Once they reached the bottom, they walked down a hallway into a whole new room. This room, amazingly built. The walls were glass, the ceiling even higher than the last. Reaching nearly 90 feet. They could look outside and examine all of the dragons with their riders flying and training. 

"This is the main hall, you may walk or study here. In the next room, we have the cafeteria. You will replenish yourselves here daily with three square meals a day." She opened the door to the cafeteria that's walls were lined with gold and carpets that were blood red. 

"They must really trust people not to drop food on the floor..." Sakaza commented.

"Prices to clean or replace the carpets is not a problem. So, no worries here." The lady said.

"We never did catch your name." Fira said to the guild.

"Oh, I apologize. You can call me, Herona." She smiled. "Now, through this room, leads to the weapons room." She led them through... So many different types of weapons. Axes, battle hammers, swords, katanas, spears... and so many more. "Now, through here, and up these stairs we have the dorms." She stopped at a small table that stood at the bottom of the staircase. She gathered some papers and sorted them, then handing the three each of their own. "There is a map and your schedules. It will explain the times of your training, your instructor's name, and then of coarse the map of where to go." She chuckled. "Just upstairs, your dorm room numbers should be on your sheet of paper.

"Wait, we get our own?" Sakaza asked.

"Oh yes, of coarse. You each have a bedroom and bath in your dorms with a walk in closet that has your required outfits in them. Everything you need will be supplied in your dorms for you."

"Wow... How rich is this place..." Sakaza blurted.

"It is amazing. Now, find your rooms and settle in. I would suggest getting a good night's sleep... It's a long day tomorrow."

The three thanked Herona and made their way upstairs. They searched for their rooms. 

"What number do you guys have?" Raven asked.

"I have... 118," Fira replied.

"I haveeee, 116," Sakaza said.

"I've got 117, so I'm across from you two." Raven replied.

"I guess so." Fira said as she turned the golden knob on her dorm room. She walked in and the room was not small. It was quite large for only one person. The bed was large enough to fit 3-4 people in it, and the bathroom was very luxurious. With the bedroom, came a walkout. Fira explored outside onto the walkout and to her left out of surprise was a small pool. She felt the water, it was warm. Very soothing. "What did we do to deserve all of this?" She questioned to herself. "It's almost modernized..." She shook her head trying to wrap it around the whole idea of the Enclave. She then found the closet that Herona mentioned. She slowly walked into it. It held the finest of clothing that Fira had ever seen. It had black leather flying and combat suits, tunics, sleeping gowns, cloaks, armor, and boots. "This is amazing..." Her eyes sparkled as she touched the leather flying suit. It smelled fresh. She then rushed out and found the other two opening their doors as well. They all screeched at the same time.

"This... Is... AMAZING!" Raven exclaimed.

"There's a warm small pool in my room.. These people literally spoil the chosen." Fira remarked.

"Indeed they do. Imma get some sleep though, I'm sure there's a reason that Herona warned us." Raven said.

"Same here, sleep well guys." Fira said as she waved good night. All three poked their heads back into their dorms and went to sleep, awaiting the next morning.