The landing was nothing short of spectacular.
The Silver-Crested Imperial Talon's massive wings created powerful downdrafts as it descended, forcing many students to shield their eyes against the swirling grass and dust.
The rider guided the enormous creature to land just thirty feet from our group, its talons digging into the earth with surprising gentleness for a beast of its size.
I nervously chuckled to myself, glancing around at the assembled students.
No Kaelen, but practically every royal or noble first-year was present.
This wasn't coincidence, after all the specialized classes like this were often stacked with influential students.
Politics extended everywhere, even into course scheduling.
The rider dismounted with fluid grace, sliding from the Talon's back and landing lightly on the grass.
She was tall and striking, with fiery red hair cascading down her back in waves that caught the sunlight.
