Fennyr ran through the forest at top speed, his sides heaving. He knew that running would be useless. He could hear the monster crashing through the brush. The sound was getting closer. Suddenly, the creature attacked him from behind. The figure flipped him over on his back and pinned down his forearms so that he was unable to move. The attacker opened its jaws to roar in triumph and-

"Ha! I win!" Pyria yelled, sky blue eyes bright with merriment.

Fennyr groaned. "Only because you didn't give me a big enough head start."

"Head start? You're bigger than me. You should be giving me a head start." Pyria was right; Fennyr was big and muscular, while Pyria was long and thin (but she was stronger than she looked). They made quite an odd pair wandering through the streets of Renzr with Fennyr's reddish brown scales fading to a dark tan on his belly and Pyria's scales like diamonds shifting colors with different lights.Even their personalities were stark contrasts, Pyria was impulsive and energetic while Fennyr had a cautious and thoughtful attitude. Yet they had been friends since their Sousa or hatching day thirteen years ago.

"Are you excited for the Gladnar trials?" asked Pyria as they flew back to Renzr.

Fennyr shrugged. "I guess. I just don't know what the big deal is." Pyria was so surprised she faltered in her wingbeats and fell like a rock for a few feet before regaining her balance. She stared at Fennyr with wide eyes.

"Not a big deal? It's only been a tradition in the Renzr tribe for a hundred years and you say it's not a big deal?" Pyria wasn't mad, just shocked. Looking back at her, Fennyr was reminded of how beautiful she was; not just in her scales but in the way she held herself and looked at the world with profound joy and wonder. He snapped back into reality.

"I just don't know what the point is; two dragons go into an arena, fight until one of them submits or dies whichever comes first, the winner gets honor, fame, and glory, and the loser gets banished from the tribe for eternity."

Pyria looked away sheepishly."Well, when you say it like that." She perked up. "But it's the reason Renzr is the strongest tribe in Paradiso. You know the motto; Throw out the frail-"

"And the tribe will prevail." Fennyr finished the sentence. "I know, but it's still wrong. Why should the weak be thrown out? They should be protected like the rest of us. Perhaps even more protected because they can't protect themselves."

Pyria lapsed into silence for the rest of the flight. After about an hour of flying, the forest below them broke away to reveal a dry desert climate. In the center of the desert was a circle of stone wall two dragons high and about as thick as Fennyr's arm length. And in the center of the wall was the city of Renzr, a thriving, bustling, metropolis. 

Fennyr and Pyria landed in front of the doors which were guarded by two heavily armored juveniles. When they approached the doors the two guards crossed their swords in front of the gates and frowned at them. 

"State your names please!" said the first guard in a voice that was sightly louder than was necessary.

Pyria rolled her eyes. "Safu, we've been friends since I was born. You already know our names."

Safu shrugged his gold-scaled shoulders and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry Py, rules are rules." He reassumed his guard stance. "Now, state your names or entry shall not be allowed."

Pyria rolled her eyes again but answered. "Pyria, daughter of Spiral, and Fennyr son of Sulfur. 

"And what is your business in Renzr?"

"Uh...we live here." 

 Safu smiled again and signaled the other guard to open the gate. Inside the gates, there were many tents and dirt houses. The city was even busier with the Gladnar trails in less than an hour away. Merchants were shouting advertisements for their goods, dragons were rushing to get good seats, and exasperated parents were rushing around trying to round up all of their hatchlings in time for the festivities. 

And scurrying through the crowd, bumping into people on her hurry was a small blue dragon. 

"Azul? What's wrong?" Pyria asked concerned. Azul stopped to catch her breath. She had aquamarine scales fading to sky blue on her belly, to navy blue at the end of her tail and wings. Unlike most of the dragon species she had fangs twice as long poking down from her upper lip lie stalactites. However, she would never use her rare talent; she was too sweet and caring.

After recovering her breath Azul turned her emerald eyes on Fennyr.

"Your father wants you." Fennyr's blood ran cold. "Follow me." Azul turned and started to walk away. Fennyr locked eyes with Pyria.

"Good luck." She said. Fennyr nodded and followed Azul to see his father.