Atticus And Artemus
Atticus and Artemus had a long trip in. Getting to The Winged Defenders Keep was quite a trek from their home, which was a little village named Chojo in the very north of the kingdom. They had just went home for a little stay to visit with the family and catch them up on their lives. but they were summoned back. They were both on Atticus' horse, Shinrai. Artemus slept on her brothers shoulder most of the way, hood up and arms tucked around her abdomen. However for the time she was awake she was reading her scripts and scrolls about how to be great dragon rider, jotting notes down off Atticus' back. All the while Atticus would lead the horse through rough spots, deal with troublesome highwaymen and ward off any no-good-doers. He didn't mind though, He was skilled with a sword and he always loved caring for his little sister, He just felt a little bad about how much she would have to get used to hard times as soon as they got there. He knew how tough this training could be, and how much it could hurt if you found out a dragon didn't want you, after all that hard work, two years in a row. He knew she would be picked though. She trained and studied all the time on her own.
Atticus' head drooped, he was tired, and they had been in the same valley with nothing interesting to look at besides the rock wall faces for what felt like half the day. Jolting awake after almost falling off the horse he was suddenly very perky and alive, accidentally waking his sister in the process. But she didn't mind, Her eyes were wide with amazement. After looking over his shoulder and seeing it in her face he turned back and saw The Winged Defenders Keep finally emerge from behind the rock face. It was an incredible sight, every time he saw it. This would be his third time here. His third attempt at a dragon. At least he could show his sister around and be a fill in guide for her.
"BY THE HEAVENS, THE KEEP! I can see it! With my own two eyes!" Artemus thought as she whipped out a blank scroll and started sketching the portrait, using her brothers back as an easel. "You are seeing the same thing I am right brother?" her voice was weak. She only partially heard her brothers reply. They were in the outer-gates now, seeing all the towns folk and their homes. Artemus dismounted, following her brothers lead and he guided the horse by the reins walking out in front. Her light tan hooded cloak blowing in the wind. It didn't take long for them to reach the entrance to the Keep itself, their pace had quickened considerably since they arrived. "This was to the training village, Artemus, don't get lost now. Follow me." She took her eyes off the grand towers and archways of the Keep and drilled them into her brothers back, determining not to lose him in the crowd. He dropped off his horse at what he referred to as the best stable keepers in Tor, whom he regarded by their first name despite them being clearly older than him. They traded smiles and handshakes like old friends, then he called her and they continued on she had to give a little hop every once in a while because she couldn't keep up with the pace her brother held.
Finally reaching the inn within the village Atticus ducked inside and went straight up to the innkeeper, "They called us down here, May I have my usual room please? And perhaps the one next door for my sister? The innkeeper smiled and made a little small talk, obviously talking about the past with her brother, She slid the key out of his hand for her room. There was a little tag with a number on it, "18", She looked at all the doors and eventually found her room. Scrambling inside and arranging everything the way she wanted it. She was too excited to hold any of it in. That moment she heard her brother at his rooms door and swung her door wide. "How long until we are called?" she asked impatiently
"Soon, Be ready, I asked if the innkeeper would let me know when all the other trainees are headed to the Pool. It cant be much longer." He assured her, knowing no other answer other than 'Right now' would satisfy her.