Mei sighed quietly to herself once the arguing pair had departed. Hopefully they would make it to the Golden Lion without killing each other along the way. If the time of day was anything to go by, she ought to be relieved from watch soon. She awaited the moment impatiently- the sooner she could leave, the better. Luckily for her, the people passed in and out of the city without incident, and soon enough the beating of leathery wings and a deep bellow announced the arrival of the next dragoon.
The small, bulky drake landed heavily on the wall, leaning its head over on a thick, bull-like neck to chuff at Teovanth in greeting. The drake's rider saluted Mei, a gesture she promptly returned, sitting up straight in the saddle. Then, without further ado, she dug her heels into the drake's sides to spur her into the air, giving her the command "Lift."
The Golden Lion wasn't far. Only a ten minutes' walk, give or take, but why walk when you can fly? Teovanth leaped into the air, her wings snatching an updraft and sending her wheeling up into the air. They stayed low, so as to see their destination, and it was as standard a flight as one could ask for, but all the same, it was exhilarating. Flying always was. At this speed the wind barely made her eyes water, and she was aware of her surroundings down to the tiniest detail. The wind whipped the cool air into gusts that felt like tiny shards of ice on her skin, and below them Teovanth's shadow slipped over the buildings, the shadow under her wings cast red on the streets below as light shone through her red wing membranes.
All too soon, Mei spotted the shining golden statue of a lion that marked the building from the air. Teovanth had seen it as well, and slowed to circle above the Golden Lion, calling loudly to alert the drake guards to her presence, a long, harmonious roar. A section in the gardens had been roped off for those arriving by drake, and they touched down lightly with a rattle of armor, and a cloud of dust raised by the beating of wings.
Mei dismounted, refusing the help of attendants who rushed to aid her. She flashed her invitation to the first to request it, and after that, they left her be. She and Teovanth walked together, Mei level with the drake's head, in order to clear the landing zone. After that, though, they both came to a halt. Mei knew her drake could not accompany her inside, but all the same, she was reluctant to leave her drake just yet. Teovanth lowered her head with a questioning rumble, and Mei distractedly patted her drake's golden-helmeted head, her eyes searching the courtyard.
In truth, these situations always felt foreign to her. Though she had been to many such events, she always seemed alienated and apart, visiting as a guest rather than a guard. Her hand stayed on the sword at her side, though she left her ornate crossbow lashed to the saddle. Suddenly remembering something, she reached up and removed her winged helmet, tucking it under one arm. As with every piece of her armor, and Teovanth's, it was polished to a brilliant gleam, and it reflected small points of light around the courtyard as she stood uncertainly by her drake's side, considering where to go.
The small, bulky drake landed heavily on the wall, leaning its head over on a thick, bull-like neck to chuff at Teovanth in greeting. The drake's rider saluted Mei, a gesture she promptly returned, sitting up straight in the saddle. Then, without further ado, she dug her heels into the drake's sides to spur her into the air, giving her the command "Lift."
The Golden Lion wasn't far. Only a ten minutes' walk, give or take, but why walk when you can fly? Teovanth leaped into the air, her wings snatching an updraft and sending her wheeling up into the air. They stayed low, so as to see their destination, and it was as standard a flight as one could ask for, but all the same, it was exhilarating. Flying always was. At this speed the wind barely made her eyes water, and she was aware of her surroundings down to the tiniest detail. The wind whipped the cool air into gusts that felt like tiny shards of ice on her skin, and below them Teovanth's shadow slipped over the buildings, the shadow under her wings cast red on the streets below as light shone through her red wing membranes.
All too soon, Mei spotted the shining golden statue of a lion that marked the building from the air. Teovanth had seen it as well, and slowed to circle above the Golden Lion, calling loudly to alert the drake guards to her presence, a long, harmonious roar. A section in the gardens had been roped off for those arriving by drake, and they touched down lightly with a rattle of armor, and a cloud of dust raised by the beating of wings.
Mei dismounted, refusing the help of attendants who rushed to aid her. She flashed her invitation to the first to request it, and after that, they left her be. She and Teovanth walked together, Mei level with the drake's head, in order to clear the landing zone. After that, though, they both came to a halt. Mei knew her drake could not accompany her inside, but all the same, she was reluctant to leave her drake just yet. Teovanth lowered her head with a questioning rumble, and Mei distractedly patted her drake's golden-helmeted head, her eyes searching the courtyard.
In truth, these situations always felt foreign to her. Though she had been to many such events, she always seemed alienated and apart, visiting as a guest rather than a guard. Her hand stayed on the sword at her side, though she left her ornate crossbow lashed to the saddle. Suddenly remembering something, she reached up and removed her winged helmet, tucking it under one arm. As with every piece of her armor, and Teovanth's, it was polished to a brilliant gleam, and it reflected small points of light around the courtyard as she stood uncertainly by her drake's side, considering where to go.