Liya smiled with a nod and continued watching the training.

The training goes on with a few standing out to Liya and Tanique. The rest while good don't seem to be in the same class as themselves.
Buck watches with interest as well seeming to take stances as if he is learning.

Liya smiled at Buck with approval before her attention turned to the few that stood out. She watched them closer as they trained and made mental notes of their stances and techniques.

“Those guys are impressive. Do you know them Tanique?”

Tanique smiled and nodded
"Well, technically  I know all of them, though I only know a select few well.  Only a small number I consider friends, though I consider them all family "

Tanique knows some of them but some are newer recruits though she is correct that she knows their families from the standards they bare.

Tanique starts telling some fun but strategically useless gossip about some of the riders.
"That man in the silvery armor is Ivangard whose family owns the silver mines in the East Mountains.  Their one of the richest families in the land.   Ivangard was super spoiled and snooty when he first joined,  thinking that his fancy armor and well bred horses would make him the best.  It was a hoot to knock him off his perch and teach him humility.  Thankfully, he took to his lessons well and we're close friends now."
She gestured to a tall woman with a black battle axe.
"That's Cinda.  She's actually the opposite.  Her family was one of the poorest in the land.   I think her great grandfather gambled their money away or something.   So she came in with a chip on her shoulder, thinking she'd have to claw her way into our ranks.  We taught her that we're all truly equal here."

Liya chuckled as she put names to the faces. “I would love to have seen that. I’m glad he took it well though.”

She watched the tall woman, Cinda, with the axe. “Her skills with the axe are badass.” Liya smiled and looked to Buck, “Make sure you watch her closely Buck.”

Buck nods and focuses on Cinda.

Bastion looks her way too.

Tanique grinned
"Yes, i taught her many things originally, but she was such a fast learner that she actually taught me a thing or two later on.    And that woman over there, with the raven colored hair? That's Annette.  She was a notoriously horrible practical Joker when she first arrived,  but i pranked her myself to show her what it felt like, and she curbed her bad behavior.  She still does pranks occasionally, but they're always small and tasteful"

"I think, I'd like her." Bastion smiles.

Liya chuckled, “Me too.”

Tanique smiled
"There's actually a little bit of a rivalry in the ranks, between those who think our Thunderbird magic, that affects the wind and storms, should only be used as a last resort if our martial prowess fails us, and those who think our storm riding is justanotherweaponin our quiver.  The Martial Purists think that if we use our magic in battle, we're essentially giving up and admitting we can win otherwise.
The Stormy Weather crowd, on the otherhand, thinks that battles are too be won, no matterhow one does it"

"Hmmm, I think I am a Stormy Weather crowd kind of guy, but gotta admit those fighting out there are impressive in their own right."

“Hm. I can see both points of view.  I’ve never used magic  in a fight before, except that time when we first met Buck, so I rely on my martial training. But, if you have the skills for more then use it if you can.”

Tanique nodded with a smile
"I definitely lean towards the Stormy Weather crowd, especially after talking with some Amber relatives.   But I can definitely see how it can be a point of pride to defeat an enemy without magic, especially if they have none"

"Buck Learn Magic?"

Liya looked to Buck, “You want to use magic? Alright then. We have some other training to do first, one thing at a time. But there’s no reason you can’t learn magic too.” She smiled.

Tanique smiled ruefully
"He's probably better off learning your magic.   He might be able to learn some simple tricks, but full Thunderbird magic is risky to learn "

Buck smiles, "Learn Paint."

Liya smiles, “I will make sure you get the opportunity to learn anything you want to learn. You’re a fast learner, so there’s no limit to what you can do.”

Tanique grinned
"I'll definitely have to make time to travel Shadow more often.  Meeting people like Buck is certainly worth cranky elders "

"You really should Lady Tanique, there is so much out there to see."

“You’re always welcome to join us anytime, Tanique.”

Tanique chuckled
L"That's the downside of being a National Treasure.  Not much leisure time "

She grinned, showing that she was  mostly,  kidding

Liya chuckled, “You are a treasure, Tanique.”

She sighed softly “We should get back soon though. We have a lot to do.”