a snowball, rushing down a hill.
I just hope the avalanche we launch will be enough, I thought with a shiver.
Grabbing the thin garments from the pile, I began to dress.
Winter might be coming to the South, but it wasn't here yet. The training paddock was in full sun and warm, not suited to the mail and wool garments.
Kassie scowled as Belsesus charged at Oomoth and readied to strike. Her fingers curled in annoyance. Smack bang in the middle of her shoulder blades the wool fabric dragged at her skin in one, tiny spot. The itch was almost unbearable. She sweated while focusing on Cat. The single thread of wool tugged again, and a whimper of frustration slipped out.
'They're nearly here, Kassie.' Oomoth assured her.
Thank God, I can't handle this much longer, she thought. She gathered her energy in one hand, keeping a cautious eye on the lorus crystal. It stayed silent.
So far, so good. Just two seconds more and she could deal with that damn itch. Cat had a ball of fire in one hand and a mischievous glint in her eyes. Then the thread tugged at Kassie's back again.
'Argh!' Kassie flung the energy at Cat and leaped off Oomoth.
The crystal chime screeched in my ears as I did a now perfected tumble off Belsesus's back.
'Kass—' I began to object, surprised she'd set it off, but stopped.
Kassie danced around between the two soldiers, twisting this way and that. Oomoth looked astonished when she began rubbing her back against his foreleg armor with a sigh of delight.
After a moment she opened her eyes and stared at the three of us, all wearing the same astonished expression.
'What? I-t-c-h-y.'
Belsesus laughed. 'I thought it was another of those victory dances.'
'If you're done using my leg, I thought we might try again. You triggered the crystal.' Oomoth's tone was amused, and everyone chuckled then got back into it.
*****
Alek leaned forward as Loushka followed Sito's leap. The blackness engulfed them momentarily before they reappeared over the Southern Keep.
'I will never tire of that,' Loushka thought. 'It's just so easy.'
'I'm glad. I know the method you five used was hard work.'
'Was. But we were getting better.'
Loushka dropped to the courtyard, and Alek slid down her forearm. She lowered to the ground so he could remove the equipment. It was the fourth trip today, and it wasn't yet noon.
On the other side of the courtyard, Sito yawned and stretched, the dragon's enormous teeth glinting in the sun. Once all the gear was off loaded, everyone climbed back on their rides. Sito launched into the air and all the griffons shoved off hard racing to follow him.
'Go Loushka.' Alek urged, laughing as they darted in front of Rumal and Kerak.
Sito vanished into his leap and Loushka caught on to it, the pull from the leap dragged them into the inky blackness. The sun blinded Alek when they reappeared over the castle. A screech from behind made him twist in the saddle, just in time to see Kerak dive past. The griffon had his claws outstretched at Sito in mock attack. The dragon roared at Kerak, twisting and arcing out the way. Alek heard wisps of laughter as Sian urged Sito around.
'Go Sito. Let's practice that surprise move.' Sian grinned in anticipation.
Sito dived at Kerak, roaring and rearing back as if about to attack. Then he leaped, only to reappear an instant later behind the astonished griffon. Kerak gave a screech of surprise as Sito tackled him, wrapping his limbs around the griffon. They tumbled through the air, the two creatures grappling and it wasn't until the last moment that Sito released Kerak.
'Nice one!' Nesha's thought flashed through Sian's mind, as Sito swooped up in the air.
'Thanks, it was Sito's idea.' Sian reached out to pat the dragon's back. 'A very clever idea too.'
They saw Kerak land in the courtyard, shaking out his wings as he scowled up at Sito. The two creatures had great fun trying to best each other via surprise attacks.
Now Sito will have to be on his toes, Sian thought. Kerak hates losing this game. But it was good that they worked so well together, it was all training in the long run.
'You'll have to be ready, he'll pounce when you least expect it.'
'Just like how Racso and I would play.'
'Now that's a sneaky move,' Loushka thought to Alek.
'Worked well. We'll have to practice getting into, and out of it. Let's duck to the training field I want to see how Cat's doing.'
They dropped in at