50

You watch him leave before you and Silvertwister exchange similar thoughts: this guy was definitely going to be a thorn in your—

"Kherik, come over here for a minute," Cassius calls out. You walk over and immediately notice Cassius's tired expression and Nyx's irritated one.

"Meet Vanora, one of the Red Marauder dragon trainers and the second trainer-in-command."

"Nice to—" you begin, but she holds up a hand, your words disappearing before even forming.

"I'm sure you're a talented individual, but there's just no room for a racer who came in last at a beginner's track. We came here for one racer, and we have that racer. The head trainer and the owner would stick and gut me if I agreed to do this. So, the answer is no, I'm sorry." She gives you a saddened look, and for a minute you actually think she does feel bad about her decision.

"Den do not bring him on as a racer; did you ever find a stable hand? I know you said you were looking for one," Nyx suggests, and you raise an eyebrow. A stable hand?

"No, I never found one. There were some who were interested but didn't want to leave home—that and their knowledge about dragons was crappy to begin with. All right, I think I could spin that. How does that sound?" Vanora asks you.