Training 1: 8028, 9694, 10777: Chapter 1

Biorhythm

Background

 

Lametta blinked miserably in the blinding sunlight. Why did she agree to this nonsense… Training, yes, but being up and about in the afternoon sun when she should be deep asleep dreaming of seas of moonlit clouds was intolerable. The shadows were sharp and unnatural to the soft moonglow the young hawk was used to. Beside her, two other adolescent stryx stood glumly, looking almost as miserable as she was. Xochipilli, a black and white harpia already powerfully built, and laced with flower garlands, puffed little balls of fire from his beak in annoyance. Lafayette, a sandy hued gryph hooded purple and pink, loomed lanky over both of them only slightly more alert. All three had come to this place to train themselves into fighters and hunters. 

 

Around them stood the accouterments of the training school like torture equipment hungry for blood and pain. Obstacle courses lined the perimeter of the school grounds caging them in. A small, dismal looking barracks hunched at the far end of the grounds. Strewn about the yard was various exercise equipment that looked like it was meant to take a stryx apart, beak and feather. At the heart, where they now stood, was a huge arena marked by a low wall. And before them glowered a creamy frilled corva, feathers pointing askew in every direction, and a pale boy with snowy white hair, arms crossed at his chest: their new tutors… the training masters of this school. Beside the formidable looking pair stood a black and white horned harpia crowned with a spray of feathers, holding a clipboard and looking incongruously chipper. 

 

The be-paperworked harpia cleared his throat and puffed up his chest, smiling warmly. “Welcome new students to the Flint Feather Training School! My name is Marvolo and I’m the guidance counselor here. You can feel free to come to me with any problems you might have, or just to talk! My office is always open.” He gestured to the two stoney-faced professors behind him. “These are your new training masters, Rapscallion…” the corva nodding curtly, “and Oboe” the boy giving a two fingered salute. “Their job is to teach you everything you’re going to need to know to be great hunters and arena fighters!” 

 

Lametta stood at attention, all sleepiness driven from her by the prospect of finally getting started, and glanced down the line at her fellow students. Xochipilli, like her, was alert and ready to start. Lafayette however, still seemed ready for a nap as he watched their new tutors with hooded eyes. She wondered if the lanky gryph was planning on taking this training as seriously as herself and Xochipilli. 

 

Rapscallion hopped forward a few paces. “Xochipilli and Lafayette, I will be your training companion. We will specialize in arena fighting… how to judge your opponent and how to win a fight without breath weapons.” Xochipilli, who had been looking cocky at the advantage of his fire breath, deflated a little, side-eying the larger gryph beside him. “We will also learn how to maximize your maneuverability, and use it against larger opponents… or how to surprise a smaller opponent with agility.” Lafayette appraised the much smaller corva as he considered that his own size advantage could be taken away.

 

Oboe stepped up to Lametta. “Lametta, you will be working with me. We’ll specialize in hunting and fishing techniques, as you’ve indicated you don’t wish to fight in the arena.” Lametta nodded shyly. Nearby she heard Lafayette snort, and she whipped around to glare at him. 

 

“Just because I won’t tear another Stryx apart for sport, doesn’t mean I won’t do it for fun” she snapped, bristling at his mockery. Xochipilli frowned disapprovingly at the gryph.

 

Lafayette smirked back at her. “A human and a chicken hunting together… how appropriYOUCH!” Rapscallion had flown up and pecked the insolent gryph hard on the head, while Xochipilli had given him a hard shove sending him tumbling in an ungainly heap to the ground. 

 

Oboe sauntered up to him. “Appearances can be deceiving, Lafayette.” The boy seemed to melt away for a minute and in his place stood a huge stark white feline-looking creature crested with feathers. Massive kill-claws adorned his thumbs. “Ketucari know the benefit of being underestimated…” he hissed. The cat melted away leaving the boy once more. “Perhaps you should consider this your first lesson.” Humbled, the gryph got back to his feet. 

 

Marvolo cleared his throat. “Well, now that we have that settled, I suggest everyone retire to the barracks to rest and settle in. Training will start promptly at dusk, so I suggest everyone start mentally preparing yourself. And remember children, you’re always welcome to come to me with any issues!” 

 

Filled with a new respect for their teachers, the three students trudged to the small housing complex, Lametta and Xochipilli walking together with Lafayette lagging sullenly behind them. This training should be interesting if nothing else...

 

818 Words

 

Tier 1 - Trust 

This is the beginner's stage of training, and one of the most important. Draw your hatchling or adolescent Stryx interacting with his/her rider or another Stryx, learning basic movements, or how your rider/Stryx guide otherwise gains your dragon's trust. (Drawing you rider/companion stryx is REQUIRED. Riders one per stryx with three stryx max, companion stryx counts for up to two stryxes being trained.)