20

Abauruth is a monarchy, ruled by a King and Queen who share the power of the crown. Under them are Dukes and Duchesses, then Viscounts and the Viscountess, Baron and Baronesses, and then knights.

Each rank of nobility has certain privileges corresponding to their class, the amount of land they are granted also correlate. Dukes could own entire towns if they pleased, though anyone else could only dream of such a feat. Most of the nobles in Abauruth fall below Viscounts, with little hope of ever becoming more, unless marrying into a higher-up family.

Knights are a particular case in the list of nobility. They are able to hold land and allowed to take in servants, but their big payoffs are their stables. All knights are given a stable that can keep at least ten horses and two dragons. No other noble is given this freely, though that does not stop them from attaining it.

Though they are nobility, Barons and Baronesses are hardly treated as such. They are rarely invited to the royal family's balls, and the other nobility hardly acknowledge their existence. It isn't rare to see a father try to give his daughter or son away to the higher nobility, persuading the nobles that they are valuable.

Next

You don't blame them though, when even peasants treat you like one of them, it has to be tough. You close the book and try to recount if you ever saw such nobility. You heard about them, sure. But actually seeing them was a different story. There's bound to be at least one in Ampleforth, but your village held none. You stand and return the book to its proper place, nodding thanks to the instructor before leaving the room.

Next

By the time you finish, it's time to head to the stadium. The sun is already beginning to set, which is always a sign for the evening races. You mount Silvertwister, and the two of you ride towards the stadium, every beat of his wings carrying you closer to something you've wanted to do all of your life.

At one point, you actually have to see if your heart is still working; it seems like it skipped one too many beats. It's just too much; you're riding towards your dream.

Silvertwister is forced to land in the town center due to the town's no-fly rule. Luckily, the stadium is only a couple minutes away.

The two of you begin the walk when you find yourself staring at an admirable racing saddle sitting in a store. It's far better than the saddle that's currently on Silvertwister's back. This one is a dark-brown leather saddle that's made for racing: light, comfortable, and adjustable. Professional saddles are probably of a higher quality, but for someone of your current status, this saddle would do the job.

You bite your lip and look at your own saddle; the saddle doesn't make the dragon or the rider, but it could be the difference between a win or a loss.