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There are four levels of predator that riders are capable of creating: Hider, Hunter, Marauder and Mythical.’ On the last of those words, Mitchell went a bit misty-eyed. ‘The Hiders are the least powerful – think of the types of animals that eat others but aren’t that big or scary, the ones that lie in wait to strike, like a snake. The Hunters are the next level up – like that jackal today. Then Marauders are even more impressive – like Rex’s cheetah. He must have studied cheetahs really closely in the library. And then—’ ‘Wait, Rex created that cheetah based on a book?’ Bobby interrupted. ‘Riders used to spend hundreds of hours in libraries poring over ancient illustrations brought by the first people to train here,’ Mitchell explained, and then he blinked rapidly. ‘I’ve just had a thought! Maybe that’s partly why elemental predators have stayed banned. After the Treaty, maybe the Island was worried that Mainlander riders would be better at creating them because Mainlanders can study the predators in real life.’ ‘That sounds very likely,’ Skandar said darkly. ‘Anyway,’ Mitchell continued, clearly wanting to finish his lecture, ‘the Mythicals are the fourth level of predator and hardly any riders in history have been able to create those. The First Rider could, and one of the silver brothers who started the ancient war with the spirit wielders. Erm, let me think…’ ‘Mythical? As in, they take the shape of mythical creatures?’ Skandar couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. ‘Yes. Phoenixes, griffins, krakens, thunderbirds, dragons—’ ‘Dragons?!’ Bobby looked very excited.
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A.F. Steadman (Skandar and the Skeleton Curse (Skandar, #4))