Sadler's best weapons, Parmella Sword and Parmella Shield, are in Hanging Garden. In order to get to them, you do indeed have to jump onto the backs of the flying lion-like creatures in this area. They're on a floating platform under the second set of elemental nuisances. It's been awhile since I played the game so I couldn't tell you exactly how it's done, but I'll probably play through again for the sole purpose of finding them.