Sarene Meithos • Gil'ead • Talking to Lilla, Eke, and Miriel
"I'm sure all of you will make fine riders," Sarene said, looking back and forth between each of the young girls. Sarene sighed wistfully, remembering when she had been so young and free of responsibility. "Riding takes courage, as you probably know, but it also takes compassion. You must realize that in order to take on the responsibilities of a dragon rider, you must take on the responsibilities of Alagaësia, from Carvahall to Tronjheim. You must care and feel empathy for everyone your path crosses, no matter their actions." Sarene smiled at each girl, watching the wonder and amazement unfold in each set of eyes. "And I'll tell you a secret about each of your dragons, even the ones that haven't hatched. Yes, they are creatures of wisdom. But each dragon is unique, and will also learn with you. The more you learn and encounter together, the stronger your bond will be, and the more you can do for your country." Sarene nodded to her own companion, who sat in the circle of other dragons, laughing at Sardonyx and Teod. "Cairyn and I are the best of friends, and also we are each others' best teachers. He has taught me wisdom and courage, and I have most definitely taught him of humility and love. We are a team, and that is how it must be."
Ren Teod • Gil'ead • Providing a spectacle
"Why must you speak with such mean, mean words," Ren said back, laughter in his eyes. He was not going to let Sardonyx under his skin. He was sorry for disrupting her routine, but this was indeed hilarious. "I was obviously demonstrating how one is to disarm his partner with a simple blow to the sword arm. And, besides. Apes are great swordsmen! I once met a street performer with a chimp that could knock the greatest brawler out cold with a single blow to forehead with a butter knife." He turned and winked at Seraphine, silently apologizing for using the cheap move to hurt her sword arm. None of Ren's tales about the monkeys were real, but seeing the confused looks he got was probably the best he could have hoped for.
Ren Teod, please remind me never to speak to you again. You are embarrassing me, Ailla said, her eyes cold. "On behalf of my rider, I apologize for the disruption we have caused on this day, Sardonyx-elda. If it please you, we will return to the garrison, and take the filthy dwarf with us." Ailla spoke to everyone in the arena, rather than just Ren, who shot her a look of loathing for ruining his fun.
Bo Faer Dsatl • Gil'ead • Being offended by a dragon
"I'm not filthy! I just look it. It's the scruff in the beard," Bo retorted, aiming a kick at Ailla, who nudged him to the ground with her snout. "Ger'off me, yeh' bleeding dragon," he grumbled. Bo didn't like being ignored, and it seemed everyone was fond of doing that. Even Evira was off flirting with the offending director's dragon.
'Vira? What on earth 're yeh doing?
Have you seen his scales, Bo? They're magnificent!
They're blinding me is what they are. He brushed dirt off his tunic, wrinkling his hairy eyebrows at Ailla. She blew a stream of hot air in his face, sending some of the stray hairs from his beard up in flames. "Blast it!" Bo Faer yelped, patting at his singed beard.
"Greetings, Nazaroth," Evira said, ignoring her dwarf rider, who was running around like a mad man, smoking slightly. "It was most certainly a compliment," she continued, lashing her great tail. "They are like sapphires and emeralds among coal."
