Dragon Rider Academy

Chapter 5

The Sky Wing went last out of the seven Wings, so the group of eight students sitting under the tree got up soon enough to leave and meet up with Yuki, Tlaloc, Robin and Maya, as well as a few other Senior students. They recommended this time, for larger dragons, that the human counterpart of theirs would ride on their back. As for students with a small dragon counterpart, of medium sized one, they'd hitch a ride with one of the Seniors who volunteered. Some of the Senior Dragons were the size of the princess, so they thought she was a Senior but didn't bring it up. 

"This way, you'll be able to tell what sort of gear may make it easier for each duo when Riding, as this is a very essential SKILL, and that large and medium dragons get used to the weight of their 'Rider', as Riding is a common past-time of the Sky Wing, and we perform many exercises and events involving aerial movement." Tlaloc smiled, bouncing. "Be patient if you cannot get on your dragon counterpart's back... we'll come and help." 

Kiera was used to mounting horses, so she had little trouble when the princess also decided to lower herself close enough to the ground to make mounting easier. The princess shifted a little, and so did Kiera, to make movement easier on the ground and in flight. Diego and Breeze had to catch a ride on a Senior Dragon, William and Azure awkwardly got into position to fly.

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The Marketplace had WAY too many dragons in it for Kiera to handle just trying to look in one direction for even one second. 

There were tall dragons, small dragons, long dragons, buff dragons, spiky dragons, horned dragons, winged dragons, wingless dragons, Eastern Dragons, Western Dragons, marsupial-like dragons, dragons who had their element in the place where their wings should go, and all nameable or imaginable kinds of dragon. All colours, combinations and patterns or appearances too. 

No wonder the previous Wings took so long... this place was HUGE, and chock full of visitors and merchants, or permanent residents. 

"Alright Sky Wing," Yuki shouted from Tlaloc's back, "stick TOGETHER. As you can SEE, this place is home to many dragons and people... I RECOMMEND you stay close by to a Senior Member, and DO NOT buy ANYTHING you DO NOT need!" Some students groaned. "You will, or may, have time for shopping in the holiday breaks. Now we must collect everything you all need before the sun sets. We meet back here when you are done, and we will make sure you have everything you need." 

"Remember, there is also a likely chance of THIEVES here. Do not engage the them, nor give them reason to steal in the first place. The other Wings did not have an incident, so we shouldn't either if you behave." Tlaloc adds. "Now land and get going! You have equipment that needs buying, and Riding Gear is different for each dragon and human pair up... that means it takes TIME to get it fitted, and NO ONE CARES WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OUTWARDLY. Stay in groups!" 

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Kiera, the princess, Diego, Breeze, William, Azure, Faith and Hurricane remained in a close together group. Kiera and William, deemed the most responsible of the group, were given the list of places the required equipment would be found at, and where students normally bought gear at. The dragons didn't have as delicate skill with their clawed opposable thumbs like humans, though Breeze was tiny enough that her claws wouldn't do much damage to the list. 

The first place they went to was a place known as:
Owl & Heart's Books for Students and Bookworms. 

Obviously where they'd buy their required school books and high quality writing equipment. 

Owl was the dragon, and a small feathered one much RESEMBLING an ACTUAL owl. He was fluffy white, with brown-red feathers and a mask like a barn owl. His tail wasn't bone, and just feathers like a bird.