‘The boy was practicing, and didn’t truly believe I’d hear him. He almost wet himself when I responded. It was quite amusing.’
‘Keg… why didn’t you tell me you’d spoken to him?’
Tendrils of smoke and vapor curled from my dragon’s nostrils.‘Because, at the time, you were rather consumed with your mate. But if, in the future, you’d like me to interrupt your evening reunions to report that I chided a child for his presumption, but also bolstered his courage, I would be happy to do so.’
“…didn’t think they could all hear me. Is that what this means? Can I talk to all of them now?”
I’d forgotten the boy was still speaking, and had to quickly focus. “You can, of course, speak with any dragon who willingly receives you. But it’s important you approach them with respect and humility,” I warned him. “If they’re reluctant, don’t push.”
Benji nodded quickly, but I could see the eagerness quivering in him.
“If you’re willing to leave the Keep with us—it may be a trying time, and you’ll miss your home—you will be given an opportunity to work with the dragons in a much deeper way. But, if you handle yourself with discipline and patience, thiswillend in promotion for you. If you do well in the field with us, and work as you’re instructed, when we return, you’ll no longer be a stablehand.”
His eyes went round. “Do I… can I get a dragon of my own?” he whispered.
“That’s entirely up to them,” I said honestly. “But whether you’re Chosen or not, serving your King and our herd in this way will offer you a new life. And a very satisfying one. But there is no room for pride, or childish outbursts. If you join us, you join us as a young man. Any sign of petulance or arrogance, and I will send you back to Vosgaarde on foot. Do you understand?”
Benji raised his chin and rolled his shoulders back. For a moment I thought he’d mimic the Furyknights and salute. “Yessir!”
I stifled a smile. “Very well. Report to the Furymaster as soon as you can locate him—the dragons should help you. And when he’s given you his assignment, tell him that the kingordered for you to report to the palace Master of the House.”
“I…what?!”
I nodded solemnly. “The king believes it would benefit us if you were trained in the basic etiquette of a noble house, in case you’re asked into the Fyrehold castle. The Master and his assistants will teach you. Those lessons will be far less exciting than those with the dragons, but a grown man would treat them with precisely the same commitment, do you understand?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“Good. Then go. Barak awaits you.”
The joy and delight that broke on the boy’s face actually lifted my heart. I couldn’t help but smile and clap him on the back as he turned and sprinted down the aisle.
God go with you, Son,I thought, then sent up a prayer for protection on him. Pleading with God that we were successful in this mission. And that he was able to walk through it without ever learning of the political currents that could suck him under at any step.
Let him come back here whole, and strong, and with a new purpose. Please…
21. The Wrong Line
SOUNDTRACK:Freefallby Nothing More (feat. Chris Daughtry)
~ BREN ~
I’d thought I’d be relieved when I woke up because there were no patrols today. But we had squad training—my usual squad of Furyknights, not Shadowfang—and it appeared that Ronen was punishing us for something, because he’d had us flying formations for hours without a break.
As usual, Akhane took it all in stride. She pushed harder to keep up with the bigger males, but her energy seemed nearly boundless. If anything, her recent agitation had made her even more energetic. Even when she panted, her eyes were bright, and she kept up.
The problem was me.
I’d done fine at the beginning, and even appreciated the reminders of formations I hadn’t flown often. But three hours in,on a surprisingly warm afternoon for the late season, my already aching body grew heavy with weariness.
I did my best to stay focused.
“Wheel near, on Wingtip!” Ronen bellowed. I immediately leaned left—Akhane’s near side, and the direction I thought we were supposed to fly. But I’d forgotten that the order applied to the pivot dragon. In this case, Ronen’s. We were all supposed to line up, wing-tip to wing-tip on the nearside ofRonen’sdragon—who was to my right.
Akhane caught a gust to level us out and move us in the right direction. We weren’t the furthest dragon, so we made it to position in time, but it was close.
‘Sorry, Akhane,’I sent, wiping the sweat out of my eyes.
‘Don’t worry, Bren. It will be over soon.’
