The camp was quiet at dawn but not peaceful. Every beast sensed the tension carried by the red horizon. Even the wind sounded different as it moved through the pines. Evan walked through the camp with a steady pace checking each enclosure one by one. Gale stood tall near the center post watching the sky. Ember fluttered her wings nervously while Strand rested but kept one eye open. Crest perched on the tallest log scanning the land. The two new wyverns shifted restlessly in their smaller enclosure.
Evan stepped to the center of the camp. “Today we begin squad formation training. This is different from simple flight drills. You will fly as a coordinated unit following a sequence of signals for turns climbs dives and emergency shifts”
Gale responded with a deep rumble. Crest screeched sharply. Ember and Strand lifted their wings. The young wyverns chirped uncertainly.
Evan brought out several long flags made from lightweight cloth and tied to smooth wooden poles. Formation training required clear visual signals until instinct took over.
He raised the first flag. “Gale leads the formation. Ember left wing. Strand right wing. Crest high circle above us as aerial scout. The young ones will observe from the ground until ready”
He climbed onto Gale’s saddle and double checked the harness straps. The wyvern crouched low and launched into the sky with a powerful push. Ember followed with a steady beat of wings. Strand glided upward with cautious rhythm. Crest rose faster than all of them circling above with wide arcs.
Evan tapped Gale’s neck twice. Gale shifted slightly left. Ember matched the movement but a moment too late. Strand lagged. Crest signaled with a screech from above.
“Again” Evan whispered
Gale leveled and repeated the shift. This time Ember responded instantly but Strand tilted too far toward the wind and wobbled. Evan signaled Gale to descend slightly.
They landed on a flat clearing near the ridge. Evan dismounted and walked to Strand. The young wyvern lowered its head in embarrassment.
“It is not failure. It is experience” Evan said gently “You learn by feeling the wind not by force. Watch Gale’s wings and listen to the draft. Instinct grows only through repetition”
He guided Strand through several wing exercises. Gale watched with calm authority as if teaching through presence alone. Ember flapped patiently while Crest perched on a rock.
After a few minutes Evan mounted Gale again. This time the formation rose with smoother timing. Gale led. Ember matched his rhythm. Strand followed more confidently. Crest soared above keeping them informed of air pressure shifts.
They practiced climbing spirals wide turns and rapid drops. Evan signaled each movement with flag gestures or taps on Gale’s neck. The sky slowly warmed with morning light.
A few minutes into training Crest screeched twice a warning call. Evan looked upward. A small but sudden wind shift hit them from the west. Gale adjusted quickly. Ember steadied herself. Strand slipped sideways but corrected within seconds.
Better
Much better
They continued until sweat soaked Evan’s gloves. The beasts breathed heavily but remained focused.
After a long set of drills Evan brought the squad back to camp. He gave each beast water and dried meat then opened his notebook to record their progress. Gale showed excellent stability. Ember reached near perfect timing. Strand needed more practice but improved quickly. Crest’s scouting instincts grew stronger every day.
Evan sat on a crate thinking through the next steps when footsteps approached from the path. A group of villagers from Southcrest arrived carrying packs. Their faces were tense.
Evan stood. “Is something wrong”
A man stepped forward. “We need help. A caravan is trapped by shadow beasts near the southern cliffs. The roads are blocked. They are running out of supplies”
Another villager added “Your wyverns are the only hope. We heard you formed a contract with the council. But please do not forget the common folk. They need you too”
Evan felt a weight settle on him. The council’s duties could not replace the needs of civilians.
“Do you know how many people are trapped”
“Seven merchants. Two guards. They have a child with them. The beasts surrounded them when the red mist grew thicker last night”
Evan closed his notebook and stood firmly. “Then Dragon Freight will act. Gale Ember Strand prepare for rescue loadout”
The beasts reacted instantly. Gale raised its wings. Ember chirped with sharp determination. Strand hopped forward. Crest circled overhead already sensing urgency.
Evan walked to the villagers. “You will stay at the camp. We fly immediately”
The villagers bowed their heads in gratitude.
Evan equipped Gale with the heavy lifting harness and placed emergency ropes and blankets into the load frame. Ember and Strand carried lighter gear. Crest flew ahead to scout.
“Formation one rescue pattern” Evan commanded
The squad launched into the air with stronger unity than earlier that morning.
They followed the villagers’ directions toward the southern cliffs where the land dipped into a deep ravine.
As they approached Evan saw smoke rising from a small campfire. Around it figures huddled close together while dozens of shadow beasts circled on the upper cliffs.
Evan narrowed his eyes. “They survived the night. But not much longer”
He gripped Gale’s harness.
“Rescue begins now”