"We'll be off, then," says Dernis. They climb back onto Aretgarlja's back and take another short flight, landing just outside the main cluster of buildings in Paladeen.
"Where are we?"
Azril can see the tower where he met Hithrol forward and slightly to his left and the hill with the monument forward and slightly to his right. Directly in front of them is a large, open pavilion supported by a thick column at each corner.
"These buildings are where the dragons and other Companions generally sleep," explains Dernis. He gestures to the small houses that surround it. "And these are where most of the Riders and some of our other residents live."
Azril can see the tower where he met Hithrol forward and slightly to his left and the hill with the monument forward and slightly to his right. Directly in front of them is a large, open pavilion supported by a thick column at each corner.
"These buildings are where the dragons and other Companions generally sleep," explains Dernis. He gestures to the small houses that surround it. "And these are where most of the Riders and some of our other residents live."
"Wow. . ." He peers down at the houses. "So, it's not just Riders who live here?"
Azril can see the tower where he met Hithrol forward and slightly to his left and the hill with the monument forward and slightly to his right. Directly in front of them is a large, open pavilion supported by a thick column at each corner.
"These buildings are where the dragons and other Companions generally sleep," explains Dernis. He gestures to the small houses that surround it. "And these are where most of the Riders and some of our other residents live."
"Wow. . ." He peers down at the houses. "So, it's not just Riders who live here?"
"No, not for a long time. It takes a lot of people to keep us running smoothly and allow the Riders to focus on missions. Most of them live by the farm or a little ways away in other directions, but the most important people or the ones who need to be close live here."
"Wow. . ." He peers down at the houses. "So, it's not just Riders who live here?"
"No, not for a long time. It takes a lot of people to keep us running smoothly and allow the Riders to focus on missions. Most of them live by the farm or a little ways away in other directions, but the most important people or the ones who need to be close live here."
"That makes sense. So..." His face twists in thought. "...how old are the Riders? I mean, how long have they been around?"
"No, not for a long time. It takes a lot of people to keep us running smoothly and allow the Riders to focus on missions. Most of them live by the farm or a little ways away in other directions, but the most important people or the ones who need to be close live here."
"That makes sense. So..." His face twists in thought. "...how old are the Riders? I mean, how long have they been around?"
As they talk, Dernis begins to lead Azril around the outskirts of the buildings. To their left, the pass more houses and another pavilion. To their right, they pass the hill with the monument. "My dad started the Dragon Riders about 38 years ago. We've been the Riders for 33 of those." He pauses to gesture to the monument on the hill. "That monument is to memorialize all of the Riders and Companions we've lost over the years."
"That makes sense. So..." His face twists in thought. "...how old are the Riders? I mean, how long have they been around?"
As they talk, Dernis begins to lead Azril around the outskirts of the buildings. To their left, the pass more houses and another pavilion. To their right, they pass the hill with the monument. "My dad started the Dragon Riders about 38 years ago. We've been the Riders for 33 of those." He pauses to gesture to the monument on the hill. "That monument is to memorialize all of the Riders and Companions we've lost over the years."
Azril looks to where Dernis is pointing and gazes at the monument. "Wow... I guess a lot of Riders and Companions have died in battle."
As they talk, Dernis begins to lead Azril around the outskirts of the buildings. To their left, the pass more houses and another pavilion. To their right, they pass the hill with the monument. "My dad started the Dragon Riders about 38 years ago. We've been the Riders for 33 of those." He pauses to gesture to the monument on the hill. "That monument is to memorialize all of the Riders and Companions we've lost over the years."
Azril looks to where Dernis is pointing and gazes at the monument. "Wow... I guess a lot of Riders and Companions have died in battle."
"It can be a dangerous line of work," Dernis admits solemnly.
They walk a little farther and reach the mess hall. Dernis points towards a building in the distance, on the opposite side of Paladeen as the training fields. "Over there are the farms where most of our food is grown. It takes a lot to feed everyone, especially when you have several dragons at any given time."
Azril looks to where Dernis is pointing and gazes at the monument. "Wow... I guess a lot of Riders and Companions have died in battle."
"It can be a dangerous line of work," Dernis admits solemnly.
They walk a little farther and reach the mess hall. Dernis points towards a building in the distance, on the opposite side of Paladeen as the training fields. "Over there are the farms where most of our food is grown. It takes a lot to feed everyone, especially when you have several dragons at any given time."
Azril looks confused. "Wait-- do dragons eat fruits and vegetables?"
"It can be a dangerous line of work," Dernis admits solemnly.
They walk a little farther and reach the mess hall. Dernis points towards a building in the distance, on the opposite side of Paladeen as the training fields. "Over there are the farms where most of our food is grown. It takes a lot to feed everyone, especially when you have several dragons at any given time."
Azril looks confused. "Wait-- do dragons eat fruits and vegetables?"
Aretgarlja laughs gently. "Very rarely. They raise livestock on the farms as well."
Aretgarlja laughs gently. "Very rarely. They raise livestock on the farms as well."
"Oh--right. I knew that," Azril replies sheepishly.
Dernis and Aretgarlja exchange glances. "Part of the training for a new Rider is to learn about us," says Dernis. "You'll learn everything in time. Trust me. Now, why don't we continue the tour."
He continues leading Azril around the edge of the buildings. They pass more houses and a couple more pavilions before stopping a a long, squat building with a tall chimney. "This is the armory and the forge." One side of the building is open and Azril can see a handful of people working on various smithing projects. "Would you like to meet Obsȃr?" asks Dernis. "He's our head smith. If you're interested in helping out around here, he's the one whose permission you'll need."
"Oh--right. I knew that," Azril replies sheepishly.
Dernis and Aretgarlja exchange glances. "Part of the training for a new Rider is to learn about us," says Dernis. "You'll learn everything in time. Trust me. Now, why don't we continue the tour."
He continues leading Azril around the edge of the buildings. They pass more houses and a couple more pavilions before stopping a a long, squat building with a tall chimney. "This is the armory and the forge." One side of the building is open and Azril can see a handful of people working on various smithing projects. "Would you like to meet Obsȃr?" asks Dernis. "He's our head smith. If you're interested in helping out around here, he's the one whose permission you'll need."
"Yes, I'd like that," he replies, eyes bright with interest.
Dernis and Aretgarlja exchange glances. "Part of the training for a new Rider is to learn about us," says Dernis. "You'll learn everything in time. Trust me. Now, why don't we continue the tour."
He continues leading Azril around the edge of the buildings. They pass more houses and a couple more pavilions before stopping a a long, squat building with a tall chimney. "This is the armory and the forge." One side of the building is open and Azril can see a handful of people working on various smithing projects. "Would you like to meet Obsȃr?" asks Dernis. "He's our head smith. If you're interested in helping out around here, he's the one whose permission you'll need."
"Yes, I'd like that," he replies, eyes bright with interest.
Dernis steps inside and leads Azril over to one side of the room, where a short man wearing a leather apron is instructing a pair of boys about Azril's age. Seeing their approach, he dismisses the boys and Azril is able to see him more clearly. A couple feet shorter than Azril, he is bald and his skin is a pale green color. He is a goblin, though Azril would likely not know this, since there are no goblins where he comes from. The goblin shakes Dernis's hand and says, with a thick accent, "Dernis Jiwovz. What brings ya to my forge?"
"Good afternoon, Obsȃr." He gestures to Azril. "This is Azril. He's a new recruit and he's interested in smithing."
Obsȃr grins. "Excellent. We could always use an extra pair of hand 'round here. You have experience?"
"Yes, I'd like that," he replies, eyes bright with interest.
Dernis steps inside and leads Azril over to one side of the room, where a short man wearing a leather apron is instructing a pair of boys about Azril's age. Seeing their approach, he dismisses the boys and Azril is able to see him more clearly. A couple feet shorter than Azril, he is bald and his skin is a pale green color. He is a goblin, though Azril would likely not know this, since there are no goblins where he comes from. The goblin shakes Dernis's hand and says, with a thick accent, "Dernis Jiwovz. What brings ya to my forge?"
"Good afternoon, Obsȃr." He gestures to Azril. "This is Azril. He's a new recruit and he's interested in smithing."
Obsȃr grins. "Excellent. We could always use an extra pair of hand 'round here. You have experience?"
"Yes, sir." Azril tries not to stare at the color of Osbâr's skin too much. "Not a lot, but I worked for the local smith in my town for a few years to earn a few extra wages."
Dernis steps inside and leads Azril over to one side of the room, where a short man wearing a leather apron is instructing a pair of boys about Azril's age. Seeing their approach, he dismisses the boys and Azril is able to see him more clearly. A couple feet shorter than Azril, he is bald and his skin is a pale green color. He is a goblin, though Azril would likely not know this, since there are no goblins where he comes from. The goblin shakes Dernis's hand and says, with a thick accent, "Dernis Jiwovz. What brings ya to my forge?"
"Good afternoon, Obsȃr." He gestures to Azril. "This is Azril. He's a new recruit and he's interested in smithing."
Obsȃr grins. "Excellent. We could always use an extra pair of hand 'round here. You have experience?"
"Yes, sir." Azril tries not to stare at the color of Osbâr's skin too much. "Not a lot, but I worked for the local smith in my town for a few years to earn a few extra wages."
Obsȃr nods. "That works for me. Why don't ya come by tomorrow and we can get ya started."
