Fantasy Chivalry: Academy for Future Knights

[Sgt Grunt]

Heinrich didn't register that he'd taken a dozen steps backwards just to be able to see the heads of these dragons, and the smile covering his face showed his true fascination. While the others may have been dismayed to realize the reality of their companions, he was even more enthusiastic than before.


He continued to stare up at the beasts, eyes wide at the possibilities of having one at his beck and call while he mouthed the word, 'Incredible'.

 

[Terragon]

"Oi now hold your horses." Armel looked at the human named Heinrich looking legitimately confused. "I know having the chance at witnessing a live dragon is amazing and all but isn't that supposed to go against some particular trea-HEY!" Armel shouted at Noz as he suddenly transformed into a dragon. "What a show off. Now like I was saying-MAL, YOU TOO?!" He threw his hands up in the air in frustration as Mal transformed as well.


"You know what? Fine. I'll transform. But do anything funny and I'll use my tail to trip all of you on your arse."


Armel cracked his neck from side to side and closed his eyes. The breeze was swirling around him as he began his miraculous transformation. The scales first appeared on his face. They were white as snow and the sunlight reflected off of them. His bones began to snap as larger ones replaced them, having him grow much larger in size. The arms were beginning to spread wide apart as his wings began to appear. His hands turned and feet turned into razor sharp talons that were yellowish/golden. The tail bone began to grow out rapidly in length, with its tip looking sharp as well. Finally, his head began to transform into its natural form. Armel opened his eyes and gave out a rather painful roar as his neck bones began to crack and grow out in width and length. His eyes now had a reptilian shape and his skull grew out these rather menacing looking white horns, several on each side. When he was done he stood almost as tall as the red haired one. His two front talons landed on the ground with a rather large 'thud' while he continued to growl.


"Oi, damn it all!" Armel's voice was significantly deeper and louder than in his human form. He voice made the air rattle ever so slightly.


"It's always the neck that cracks out of place when I transform and every damn time it feels like someone slammed a log against it. Bah! So anyways. What do you want me to do? Dance? Fly about? Put on a scary face?"

 

[Sgt Grunt]

"Mostly I'd like you to stop talking, Armel." Jakob smiled when he said it, gesturing for the three dragons to simply be at ease.


"This is for your benefit as well. We get to become more accustomed to you, and you in turn get the freedom of movement to fight as you would outside the tournament arena. We will be sparring out here as often as we can, and in this form. You will all learn how best to kill both men, and dragons. Go ahead, take a quick flight, or simply stretch your muscles. Once everyone feels comfortable, we will begin."

 

[Auren]

Lureana took a step back, but not from fear. She was amazed by the dragon's size and power. She looked to the other students first and then back at the dragons. They were to fight the beasts? She could see the merit in such actions, but she was left to wonder how they would go about fighting them. She watched as they talked among each other and the Magistr. She crossed her arms and looked towards Jacob.


"What weapons are we sparring with?" she asked. "Or are we going to play a game of hide and seek to see how our evasion skills will work with larger targets?" She tried to think of different tactics to use with competitors of the size and grace of the dragons. She looked to each, examining them. She didn't know much of the dragons themselves.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

"We may do some of that, Lureana. But evasion only delays the inevitable. Eventually, you will need to slay the creature stalking you, and dragons are very... keen hunters." Jakob turned his attention away from the dragons to address the human group, gauging as best he could their reactions and what type of help they might still need from it. So far, none looked terrified or wooden.


It seems the headmaster has belabored me with kids of good stock, at least. He frowned at Heinrich, whose expression did not match up at all with what he'd been expecting, but decided to think about it later in favor of answering his students.


"The task is daunting, yes, but far from impossible. Brute force will not win the day against a creature ten times your size. This is remedied with technique, strategy, and of course, practice. You will learn to fight them with swords, arrows, pikes, and whatever else I deem necessary. While they," Jakob hooked a thumb over his shoulder at the dragons, "will learn how best to kill you." He finished with a finger pointing right between her eyes.

 

[JellyFish]

Along time ago, during a doleful childhood, Cordelia had always thought fear was a nonexistent tale told by doting chamber maids to slumbering children who lay on their bedsides. She had been one of those children. Yes, she remembered the stories of deformed witches who turned lofty nobility into terrible beasts. She remembered the tales of princes and knights who could save princesses in distraught. But what kept with her now were the horrid words that brought fearsome creature as those that were before her, to life.


And never once had she been afraid. Never had she cried out in fear, ruffling her small body under the sheets. But things change. People change. She thought she would never change. However, vivid word play and simple picture weren't the same as the real thing. Cordelia came to this realization as any sense of the warm breezes that carried logic and calmness were blown with the western winds and replaced with a frigid chill.


Where was the pride she carried when she first entered these halls? Gone. Where was the self assurance of victory? Faded away. And why was all of this happening? Because she now saw what true terror was. What thick lashes that covered golden eyes couldn't tell, the pounding of her speeding heart would. The same cooled emotion she seemingly wore never left. But for those that held the observant eye, they would know she lied to herself.


Her fingers wrapped in curled fists, clenching and unclenching. Dismay bubbled in her stomach, flips and turns that made her wish if anything she had drunken something at dinner when the chance was given. She squirmed under the stares of the dragons. They were so . . . big. Much too big to simply kill with one swipe of a sword as she had imagined in her sick mind. Unease swarmed her, stabbing the courage that was always strong to a now shriveling idea, trapped in the darkest depth.


"He wishes us to fight these . . . demons. And he wishes that they know how to fight us." Her mouth moved faster than mind, which screamed for her to remain silent. "Why would dragons even want to know how best to kill us? The immense size of any of them could make any grown man piss himself if not have him curl into a ball. A single talon could pierce five men of not more if they just line up to die. So why in the names of the gods, are they learning how to kill us?" The crack of her voice once she reached the end of her short speech brought her into sight from the tree she leaned against. Most likely the best place for her now that her legs felt as if the would give away right from under her.


Every single thing on a dragon's body reminded her of a weapon. A simple, powerful weapon that just needed to twitch as a nation would fall. Perhaps she was getting ahead of herself. Perhaps she was overly excited at the prospect of learning more of what to do with her own objects of death. What would it feel like to have her sword slice past scales into embed itself into flesh.


No, this should have been what flew to her. But instead, she was blank. She wondered for a moment if maybe her father was shaking his head at her from the great beyond. Disappointed that she couldn't face the challenge in it's truest form as she laid eyes upon it.


That's when the fear began to subside, slowly and wearily as a dog who reaches it's snout to smell the strangers hand. So very slowly.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

"Any fool can kill a man, but it takes a warrior to do it with precision and grace. War is not what some Teutonic slouch would have you believe, bursting into a charge with sword held high. There is finesse, an art to killing, that allows you to best the masses."


Jakob strode closer to Cordelia, trying to take her measure as he grew near. "They will learn how best to kill us, because even as strong as they are, they are not unbeatable. You will remember this: they are your team mates now. Anything that threatens them, threatens you, and you will not tolerate threats. Am I clear?"

 

[JellyFish]

"Depends on which threat you speak of, sir." He words drawled, a spider's web full of mistrust. It all felt wrong. What human with common sense attacks a dragon? Should she shake of the suspicion that rung so high? Could she even allow herself to trust he life into the claw of these new comp-- weapons. That's what they were. That's what they all were. Simple tools to be used to the chess master's will. Who that chess master was though...is all together a different story.


When he approached, she didn't move a muscle. Nor did she wish too. Respect for his rank was a given to any of the younger students. But she would not shrink under the gaze. No, still leaning against the tree she stared him right in the eyes. Daring. Foolishly daring. But thankfully all the hot air that ran through her lungs didn't fly to her head.


"But, you're very clear on one thing. Very clear." She didn't specify what though. It would show in time what ran through her stream of consciousness. All in good time.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Jakob stared from behind his helmets eye slit steadily, watching the girl put on a show of defiance and waiting for her to deflate a little. When he felt confident she understood he would brooke no nonsense, he spoke softly.


"If you take issue with defending those who come in peace, you do not belong here. Take that for what you will." Jakob turned and headed back to the foot of the dragons so he could address them all. "When we fight, it shall be as one, or not at all. This group will either live together in glory and triumph, or die scattered and alone. Any who do not wish to adhere to this code will leave. That is how it must be."

 

[Killigrew]

Mahl'Iss did not at first see the wisdom in Jakob's task. Humans killing dragons or dragons killing humans was the exactly what she had come here to prevent. She had seen enough death, experienced enough desperation, and wanted nothing but the easy laze of peace. But she stayed her tongue, watched the reaction of the humans to her natural form, and was both impressed and disconcerted by the variety of reactions. Jakob observed them all in kind, careful and steadfast in his reactions, and to that Mahl'Iss was impressed. He clearly sought not to promote strife. What, then, were his motives?


Once certain his motives were not malicious, her mind pieced together the value in following his orders. There was no greater way to gain trust than to place your life in the hands of another. To teach one's weaknesses to one another may be the very exchange that could spark friendship... or at least understanding within this segmented group.


"I will do as you say, Magister Jakob." Mahl'Iss said, lowering her long neck so that her eyes were level with the man's.


Her shoulders rippled as she flexed out her wings. And as she moved backward, her claws scraped against the earth and her tail fluttered above the grassy ground, unsettling dust and leaf, coating the air with a thick cloud. "We will show you the ways of dragons, and you will find our weaknesses while we.... seek out yours. And not a one of you will fall to harm........ while I.... yet breathe." The human tongue was awkward in the dragon's mouth, growling and hissing breaking past, spit gargling in her throat as she struggled for form the words. "Airheart, Wildfire, are we three of one mind?"


Noz'Onn scoffed. "I'll play along. But this bout won't be a fair one. Best of luck, humans!" He laughed, head falling back as his neck vibrated, his head becoming a chimney, coughing smoke towards the sky.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Jakob bowed his head in the female dragons direction in a sign of acknowledgement. He knew such a thing would be difficult for a creature as proud as a dragon, but this was a thing that needed to happen. They would be the tip of the spear, and an example to all races that peace and cohabitation was not only a possibility, but a boon.


"You might think it a simple task, mein freund, but humans still managed to kill your kind in great numbers. Do not take us lightly, for that insult will not be reciprocated. Every single human you meet has the potential to kill you, and you must know how best to handle the threat. Be it a battalion of the order's best knights or a lone farmer with a bow, a weapon is still a weapon."

 

[Terragon]

"Wait wait wait wait wait." Armel said in his deep dragon-esque voice that rumbled the air. "Are you saying that I can fly around, as in right now? As in I can act like an actual dragon without severe repercussions?" A sudden excited roar escaped his jaws. "Ha! About time! You have no idea how long I had to be trapped in that damned loride-like body. Well, behold humans. For you are about to witness in pure awe a dragon moving around in his natural form! Be amazed, and don't soil yourselves!" The wind started swirling around the white dragon as his wings spread out. He leaped through the air with an excited bellow, flying quickly straight up into the sun. "Huh, did that Mal-blue whatever one say something while I was leaping into the sky? Ah oh well, I don't care. I AM FLYING AGAIN! IT FELT LIKE IT WAS YEARS SINCE I COULD BE AN ACTUAL DAMNED DRAGON!"


Arr'Muhil did a back flip high in the sky and dove towards the ground toward where everyone was, just to use his momentum to swing back up into the skies again. When he go close to the humans he gave out an excited roar that sounded as if he was saying "WEEEEEEEEEE!"

 

[Syrenrei]

Officially Areynia was there merely to observe the students and the dragons. It was no secret that the church believed the dragons to be demons and thus they were suspicious of this recent treatise between the different races. Though they might call it folly and shun it, the church would not practice willful ignorance of the activities that transpired. It had been suggested that a watchful eye be present at as many gatherings as possible. Some of the elder faithful were incredibly paranoid and worried about damnation by proximity; others viewed themselves above such a station; a few thought it was a dangerous assignment. It raised more than a few brows when Areynia volunteered herself so readily and incessantly for this particular task.


The order still found themselves somewhat perplexed by the acolyte's arrival. She was not the somber sort that was expected and groomed so frequently. Most young men and women had such bizarre excitement fade from their demeanor in serious study and contemplation over texts; but Areynia's only persevered. What criticism could they truly lobby against her? For being so eager to serve? For being too joyous? For being clumsy? A few grumbling, ancient, irritable seniors had explicitly told her to temper herself but yet her charm pervaded. At every opportunity she was there to help with menial tasks and she showed diligence in her memorization and application of prayers. Still, she was a little annoying after prolonged exposure because silence and rest was desired by most of the sane. To get her out of the temple for a few hours and have the piece of mind that no one important would be lost to the "demon watching" task was almost too good to be true.


And so Areynia stood behind the small crowd of students with a goofy and placid grin on her face. The church would not have her fly off the handle without provocation (for they wanted to be as blameless as possible when accusations were formally lobbied later) so no one expected her to talk or act. Still, a reaction of some sort was a little called for. People had just shifted into blasted dragons! It was awe-inspiring! It was terrifying! It was thought-provoking! The priestess, however, kept her hands clasped behind herself looking as pleased and content as if they were out at a picnic. Her gaze moved over the humans and dragons alike without commentary, scorn, or horror. The amber fragments of her irises shone demurely in the sunlight and she smiled brightly at anyone that turned to look.


It was appearing more and more that the priestess was either in her own little world or an idiot savant. Most bets were on the former rather than the latter.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Jakob, satisfied that everyone was through murmuring amongst each other, raised a hand to indicate they fall silent. The exuberant dragon still soared thorugh the sky above, bellowing out his pent up angst. He was ignored.


"Students! I will start you out with the basics. Dragons have multiple weaknesses. First and foremost are the underbelly and spinal ridge. These are blind spots that can be utilized in extreme circumstances. A dragons eyesight is like that of a cat, and thus, peripheral vision is somewhat stifled. They have keen scent glands that can be fooled by an abundance of pungent smells. Above all, a dragon can hear a heartbeat within fifty yards, so anywhere with lots of activity is preferable when you are hiding." Jakob strode up to the group with arms wide. "Today, you get to test all of that. Beginning now, we will play a game of hide and seek. Be back here before nightfall if you are not found." He stood before them, watching them all look amongst themselves with indecision.


"Well? Get going! You have two minutes before I send them after you!"

 

[Auren]

Lureana listened to Magistr and the other girl, Cordelia she believed was the name. She had been around the group for a limited time, and with all the training, she hadn't gotten to know them well. Her gaze fell upon the dragons. Dragons as teammates. She thought on that for a bit, her eyes gazing over them as she took in their size, their scales, how they moved their wings. Dragons and humans had fought once, that was told in the history of their land. Somehow, humans had won those fights. She wished a few of the books detailing the tactics with the dragons hadn't disappeared from the library. She didn't know who had borrowed them, but she would hope they would return them soon.


She looked to the others of her group. Together or scattered, she thought. Which were they truly? She thought scattered, but she made no move to say so. Her gaze followed to the blue dragon. She had been the most cooperative of the group, but she was harsh, very harsh. And then, the new dragon, well, he rambled a lot, and was loud. She watched as he flew to the sky, his wings stretched in freedom. Flying, now that was something the dragons had an advantage with.


Lureana looked over her teammates again, and her gaze fell onto the woman that had come to watch. She was smiling, and Lureana didn't hold that against her. She turned her silent gaze back to the Magistr once he bolstered his announcement. She moved the moment he had mentioned their game. She weaved between the trees, pausing a moment to smell and listen. Then she weaved again, stumbling when her foot caught hold of a root. She finally found a few piles of animal droppings, and cut some pines, rubbing it along her skin and clothes in order to cover her scent, adding a bit of dirt here and there as well.


Then, she found a large underbrush underneath a few noisy squirrels. She tried to calm her breath, as she did in many battles in order to control her heart-rate. Lureanna turned her eyes to the sky, waiting for the dragons. She felt herself grin a bit. Whether she found or not, she was sure this was going to be a bit of fun. That wasn't something she usually experienced while training at the academy.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Heinrich had been a tad too awestruck while the magister had spoke, and nearly missed the start of the drill until the other students began darting away. He blinked in confusion, trying to remember all he could on Dragons and their abilities. He regretted bringing his armor with him, but knew there was nothing to be done for it now as he too raced off into the forest.


They'll be looking down for the others, which means I should be up.


Grinning to himself, Heinrich began seeking out the tallest tree he could find and shimmied upwards. If his luck held, he might even be able to ride a dragon before the day was out.

 

[JellyFish]

Cordelia, like usual was the last one to run. But how could she be the first? Images of her being crushed under that floundering dragon that swung himself into the sky would haunt her. She shuddered, feet pounding sprinting like a deer against the soft earth, barely touched and known by man’s hands. Knowing not where the other students would hide in desperation, she sought safety away from the looming shadows of the trees that stood like giants above her. Her heart had calmed into a steady ‘thump’, and she gave thanks for that. She didn't have much time but she felt certain on one motion and a smile inhumanly like that of a wolf appeared.


The trees flew by as she jumped and evaded anything to block her way. She hadn't worn any armor and had kept to the simplicities of a shirt and pants. If she had known earlier of what was planned of this misadventure, she would have worn softer shoes. The crunching of leaves and twigs was an open reminder of how open she was to be swooped down upon.


“To think. . . I’m literally being hunted by the same things I planned to kill. Isn’t this just a swell turn of events.” Bitterly she snorted, the view of the school coming to view. How long had it been? One minutes? Two even? Time seemed to fly when you're running not for your life but self dignity and respect. The school was still off in the distance and the tree were becoming less dense. She began to doubt her decision. Trees would make it difficult for the dragons wings to push past but open ground… oh how foolish.


But something caught her eyes and she slowed. A wagon? On a road that headed to the nearest village. Gasping in utter delight, she could see the sign of the school emblem on aging wood. Servants rode in the front, laughing amongst each other as the knights that came along to protect held a stony silence.


Victory! Who said she needed to go back to the school where the dragons had been permitted to wander freely in their forms? The village would revolt at the sight of the beasts and even in their human forms, their coloring would be their downfall. The magister never had even laid down solid rules of to what they were permitted. An opportunity that was so sweet to leave and flutter away.


“Oi! Stop!” Cordelia jogged to the wagon, startling the horses with her sudden presence. The nights stopped, an instinct to survey any dangers that might befall the servants and their chores. The glared down at Cordelia, making silent observation until one of the knights had a flash of realization.


"Hey, aren't you the Duke’s kid?”


Cordelia rolled her eyes, dithering on whether to be offended or appreciative of his words. “I am his niece actually. I am on training --” Cordelia instantly groaned seeing the group's eyes narrow. They suspected her of trying to skip her classes.


“Oh pish. I’m not trying to leave. We are doing an exercise and I need your assistance. I need you to take me the village so I can stay there until you decide to return which be around sunset, correct?”


The knights made no move to answer but a servant girl that looked to be around her age, disclosed the information the men held to clearly back. “That’s right! We going shopping to buy more food since you students eat so much!”


Cordelia sighed in relief but her trials weren't over yet. Permission was still needed yet she felt she could win this. “Sirs, you would be granting me a deep favor which I will gladly pay for graciously. If you don’t want to be paid and still doubt me, when we return you can question my magister of what I was doing. If I have deceived you, I assure my punishment will very great by both my teacher and my uncle.”


Her speech held such dear candor and delicate petition, the knights melted and were only pushed under that spell when her eyes took a soft tone, sparking in untold hope. The one who had recognized her held out a hand to carry her one his horse, but she refused, much to his disappointment. “I apologize but I believe it be best I ride in the wagon. Preferably hidden under the sheets.” The servant girl laughed shaking her head. “Just to warn yah, they kinda smell. We don’t tend to wash them and rain causes them to be slightly ..musty.”


“A shame…”, Cordelia muttered a hiss as she climbed into the wagon. At least she wouldn't be easy to smell, hidden under the musk of horses, sweaty servants, and men that sweat under burdensome armor. Placing herself in what was a comfortable position, she covered herself under the sheets that smell of moldy potatoes and … rotting meat? She gagged and covered her nose as the wagon began to move once more.


“My dignity has already been torn and I have to stay here for about ten more minutes”, she thought glumly remembering the village as she past on her way first here. “This better be worth it..”

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Jakob waited for the allotted time, idly watching the dragons as they too sat waiting to begin the exercise. He had debated on whether or not to give the dragons restrictions, but in the end decided against it. He wanted the students to be shocked at how easily they could be found.


"Alright, mein freunds. The time has come. You have until sunset to find our wayward teammates. There will be no roughness, or injuries in their retrieval. Understand?" He waited for their acknowledgements before waving them off in the direction the students had gone. "The dragon with the most students returned will get first choice of meat at the academy feast. Have fun."

 

[Terragon]

Armel observed all of the humans scattering about and was wondering what was going on. Were they really running away in fear from him and his other ilk? No, if that was the case he would hear them screaming and trembling. When he flew over Jakob he overheard something about 'hide and seek.' He snorted to himself out of sheer amusement. Dragons are natural hunters, even if their prey was not in plain sight he can still hear and smell them. Armel eyed the human named Henrich. "Ah, look at this one. He found a really large and nicely covered. Good thinking!" Armel quickly and silently perched himself on the tree above the human. "Eyy, this spot is pretty good loride." He whispered to Henrich with a rather large grin on his face. "So, who is the silly one that we have to hide from? The mean and crazy ice lady?" Armel asked being completely oblivious that he is one of hunters.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Heinrich had felt the beating wings above him and froze, the displacement of air being the only thing to alert him. When it whispered in a low rumbling baritone, he nearly fell from his perch in shock. He regained control of his rampant heartbeat slowly, eyes wide and hand over his chest as he looked up at the beast.


"Uh... Ja, Ja! We are hiding from her." He nodded quickly, letting his mouth run with the idea his brain hadn't caught up with yet. "Can we fly somewhere less obvious? I thought I could catch the drop on her from up here, but if you found me so quickly, it must not be too good."


I'd like to see the Hochmeisters face when he hears about me riding a damned dragon. If that doesn't earn me a knighthood, I'm not sure what will.

 

[Killigrew]

"Hide and seek?" Noz'Onn was laughing. "That should reveal this overwhelming superiority we have over humankind. But I really don't think it's fair." He began to descend, his body swimming back into its previous shape. As a human took the place of a dragon, Noz'Onn's clear voice rang out in laughter. "I'll show them just what they're facing in this body alone!" and then, quick as a bullet, he sped off into the forest proper, booted feet pounding against the grassy floor. His head faced the sky as he ran, and his nostrils sucked in the breath of the woods.


Mahl'Iss shook her head at the antics of both the fire and the air dragons. they played much too hard and thought too little. Her enlarged form thudded through the forest as she sauntered on, her nose raised high to catch the scent of the running humans.


Closest, and smelliest, was the boy Heinrich. Sweat all but emanated off him, grime and a musty scent potent in its mixing. She turned round a tree, her head snaking out and she caught sight of there, Arr'Muhil already resting beside the boy. Well, that one was certainly fast. She rumbled a little in the back of her throat. Mal couldn't let the new guy beat her.


She dropped her head low after the second scent, her legs propelling her forward as her neck dropped low to the ground to sniff at it better. As her pace quickened, the smell began to fade, and Mal's narrowed eyes raisedto search the area around her. She drew in a long breath. No, the scent as not gone, merely muted. Masked. Mixing with the grotesque addition of feces and vomit.


Mal who had tasted the guts of dragons was little effected by so tame a scent. She rushed in the direction of the smell, and her ears pricked with the sound of Noz'Onn running a number of feet away, down the forest path in search of the third student hiding from them.

 

[Terragon]

"Huh." Armel said as he saw fire and ice running and flying about sesrching for humans. "So uh. According to deductive reasoning, I can only conclude that I am indeed a hunter as well." He let out a somewhat silent yet embarassing hiss. "Oops. Well, bad news is that you are the first one to be caught. Good news is that you had a nice spot and you now have a MAGNIFICIENT view of us dragons absolutely wrecking you humans at hide n seek. On the side note, no. I would not let you ride me unless I can absolutely trust that you are not stupud or crazy enough to slip or jump off while we are in thr sky. On that note. SQUADELLA, I AM OFF!" The tree shook as he shot straight up into the air once again. "You know. I think I have pretty much spotted every single human and I have only been in the air for a few minutes. I think I will let them have their fun for a while. Eh, but I sort of feel like freaking out another one here and there. Hrm, which one should I pick this time?"

 

[Auren]

Lureana heard the dragon before she saw it. It was the blue one, with the strict attitude, and it wasn't being very quiet about moving. Lureana moved slowly from one bush to around another one, her movements disguised by a squirrel that started to chatter loudly at the dragon for disturbing its home. The dragon raised her nose, and sniffed.


Lureana didn't move, slowing her breathing and trying to rest her heart beat. If she moved, the dragon would spot her. If she didn't move, it was likely the dragon would walk past. Then, she could move. Maybe not outrun the dragon completely, but she could move through the trees faster, she thought. She stayed quiet, watching and feeling as if she was a part of a stalemate. She twitched her nose as the smell of the contents on her clothes and skin. If she wasn't in such a tense situation, she would have laughed at her state. She was a Lionhart, and not above getting smelly and dirty. If the other Lionharts saw her, they would scoff at the idea of her methods. But this was a game of survival, and if covering smell was a large part of the tactics to stay hidden, she would do whatever she needed to do.


She felt the edges of her lips quirk into a smile. There was a sort of adventure with this part of training. She knew her weaknesses as a fighter, but she'd never had to actually use them in a real-life setting. Especially when this seemed like a simulation of what would happen if she had been in dragon territory.

 

[Killigrew]

It was difficult to get a handle on the scent. There was just so much to smell here -- so much life, so much activity. And so much of humanity had wandered this way before. Mal circled her head through the area as one claw stretched out before her. Honestly she would have just burst out a scattering of ice were this a battlefield, and found the human like that.


But she spared herself the thought. No harm must come to these humans. Mal's nose passed by the low dirt by the trees, and she took another step forward, inhaling deep as she narrowed in on the scent.


The nose was simply the best tool to use in finding things, especially smelly things like humans.


With one claw Mal dug in where she'd thought the human lay, but found it was merely where she'd been previous. The dragon snapped her neck around, with renewed haste following the new trail of mixing smells.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Heinrich felt his lip twitch involuntarily at how the drill had turned out so far, watching the newest dragon fly off after the others only stirred in him yet more anger.


So close! He hadn't expected to remain unseen, only to be so long enough that he could potentially be the first to strike. It would have made a much more potent point if he were the one who 'found' them instead of the other way around. On retrospect, however, it became clear he was over-equipped for this exercise. The stink of his armor alone was likely enough to tip the edge from his favor. Growling and muttering under his breath, Heinrich made his way back down the tree and towards the magister. It was going to be a long day.