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The young nobleman watched as the silhouettes approached the plateau where the great beast beneath him was resting it’s wings. He was quite visible at the moment, but that was by design. He kept the anticipation and nerves hidden beneath his mask as he watched their dragons approach on the skyline, 

On one hand, those who had assigned his squadron had given him a competent, reliable hand to ensure nothing went too wrong. The wizened dwarf was one Caleb was glad to have in his squadron, given his experience as a potent mage, not to mention as a dragon rider. The only concern was if the dwarf decided a decision he made was in some way faulty, then the more experienced and from what he’d heard, quite stubborn dwarf could undermine his authority. But despite that, Caleb was more keen to have him than not.

On the other hand, he had a beastkin who rode atop a great dragon with a thick coat of white feathers. At least, he’d heard the man was Beastkin. But his appearance seemed little different than any other half-elf he’d met, if a little smaller than he was expecting. Regardless, the spotless white feathers of his majestic dragon gave the younger man away as the third of their squadron. He made a note that he’d have to keep an eye on that one; he’d been briefed that the man, not too much younger than himself, was something of a career criminal. Still, another mage who harnesses the winds was never something to pass on, especially when most of one’s fights could be expected to be taken in the air.

He glanced around briefly, trying to locate their third. So far, he’d had no luck in doing so. Perhaps they were late, or perhaps he was simply not noticing them as they came in. He hadn’t heard much about the third rider under his command, only that they had been assigned to him. Hopefully, they would arrive sooner rather than later, but he had no way to be certain.

Still, despite the potential difficulties ahead involving his own squadron, the mission before them was an easy one. Just a routine patrol, and they even had help to the north if that became necessary. The kind of mission that would be standard for any new team, and especially any new leader. 

Just a simple patrol.

What could go wrong?

[color=6ecff6]“Squadron.”[/color] He addressed those under his command with a well-practiced authoritative tone,  While more prepared to use the tone giving speeches than orders, he could still project over the whipping of the winds. [color=6ecff6]“I am Caleb Evermoore. I have been assigned as your squadron leader. I will do everything in my power to watch your backs. I ask only that you follow my orders, and watch mine in turn.”[/color] He said, introducing himself to his squadron. He had no frame of reference as to whether or not such an introduction was expected of junior officers or not, so he erred on the side of caution. Better to be seen as too formal as opposed to rude, in his opinion.

With his introduction out of the way, the young prince barely changed his tone, pausing briefly for breath, and to ensure everyone’s relative attention, before pivoting into a last-minute briefing of their mission. [color=6ecff6]“We will be undergoing a standard patrol of the southern section of the Sunspire Mountains, while another squadron fulfills a similar task to our North. If we encounter any hostile riders, we will likely let them be unless engaged first, however we will play the situation by ear. Should the other squadron require aid, we are to move in order to better support them.”[/color]

[color=6ecff6]“This will be your only chance for questions.”[/color] Caleb offered, not dropping the authoritative tone, but letting his form relax slightly on Tir’verkalin’s back.

Once he’d answered any questions presented, his next order was simple; [color=6ecff6]“Take flight, and form up behind me.”[/color]

With that, Tir’verkalin turned around in a slow, deliberate, almost lazy manner. The magnificent creature of brass stretched itself like an oversized cat, before taking off towards the ledge at a dead sprint, throwing itself and Caleb from the ledge as it opened it’s wings, and took to the skies, starting a wide circle around the plateau so the others had the time and space to fall into formation.