<span style="color: #9C9C9C"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 115%; line-height: 116%;">"Really? About how much did it weigh? Could you tell how hard the scales were, or if there was fur…”</span></span></span></span><br/><br/>It was his lingering fear of the Dragon Master that pryed Motto’s attention from the Princess of Dragons and beauty and everything ever.  The hunter blinked and brought a hand to his chin.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold"> “It felt… as heavy as a yearling, only it was smaller.  Oh and it had scales.  Well, leathery skin.  I didn’t know dragons came with fur!!”</span></span>The Dragon Master’s speculations of a possible connection registered and Motto experienced a brief euphoria that was so intense it caused him to stagger.  Somehow he ended up at the Dragon Master’s feet and pawed at him.  The words that came from the young man were mostly slurred gibberish, but Motto’s tone suggested that he was grateful and pleased.<br/><br/><span style="color: #9C9C9C"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 115%; line-height: 116%;">"All right everyone! We should have left by now so now we must hurry….”</span></span></span></span><br/><br/>He jumped up at the sound of her voice and listened with all his might as the Loress directed everyone where to go.  It thrilled him to hear her pronounce his name, but Motto forced himself to focus on the orders given and began to move straight for the doorway when little arms slid around him.  Realizing that it was the kind-hearted tribe girl Mayleen, a smile loosened up Motto’s tense features and he returned the hug.  Her advice sounded very good and he made haste to grab biscuits and a warm mug before finding his wagon.  It was easy to spot.  The messy one with horses that didn’t seem to get along.<br/><br/><span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold">“Hi there fellas..” </span></span>He held out biscuits to them.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold"> “I don’t like that you have to wear all that stuff, but I am very grateful that you’re helping me get to the Dragon Riding school.  I’ll do my best to be good to you guys.  Quit messin’ with him!  <span style="font-size: 115%; line-height: 116%;">Hey, let him eat his biscuit!</span>”</span></span><br/><br/><span style="color: #9C9C9C"><span style="font-size: 115%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">"If someone would kindly lead the blind man to his horse."</span></span></span></span><br/><br/>Motto glanced around for a blind man but saw none.  Giving his horses one last warning look, the hunter clambered up into the driver’s seat and took up the reigns with care.  He hated the idea of forcing animals to labor and it bothered him to be the one to do it.  This was another challenge of course.  To be a Dragon Rider, he would probably have to do many uncomfortable things.  Motto would do his best and try not to abuse the horses as well.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/WP3SRKT.jpg">[ img ]</a>