I wondered how many of the spectators were trusted men posted there by him. "Commander," Dylon said. "It's good to see you again. Have you concluded the business you had to attend to?"
"All finished," Ravel replied. His dark eyes swept over our group, lingering on Kailin. "I trust you enjoyed your time at home?"
"Very much so," Kailin said. "Thank you again for making it happen."
"You earned it." He turned to me. "You'll ride with Dylon today. I'll take Kailin."
A few days ago, that would have sparked jealousy and annoyance, but now I was glad for the offer. Dylon was still a relatively young rider, skilled, but with limited combat experience. Ravel was a decorated commander with decadesof service. If there was any danger during our return flight, I wanted Kailin to be with the better rider.
"Last goodbyes," Milly said, her voice breaking. She pulled her children into a fierce embrace. "Be safe. Be smart. Come home to us."
"We will," Dylon promised. "We'll be fine, Mom."
Jayron embraced his son, then his daughter, whispering something in each of their ears that made them nod solemnly. When he turned to me, I expected a handshake. Instead, he pulled me into another hug.
"Remember what you promised," he said quietly, for my ears alone. "Don't listen to my mother. Her pride in Kailin is clouding her judgment."
"I got her. Don't worry."
Chicha had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the farewells, pressed against Kailin's leg as if she could prevent her leaving by blocking her from moving. Now she whined softly, tail tucked low.
Kailin knelt and wrapped her arms around her. "I know, girl. I'll miss you too." She whispered something too low for anyone else to hear, and Chicha's tail gave a tentative wag.
After Milly picked the little dog up and buried her face in her fur, Kailin followed Ravel to Onyx, and I followed Dylon to Jagura.
When it was time to mount, I approached Jagura and asked permission, which she granted with typical dragonic hauteur, and as I settled into position behind Dylon, I watched Kailin complete the same ritual with Onyx. The massive obsidian dragon lowered himself to make her ascent easier, a courtesy dragons rarely extended to anyone.
The crowd had grown during our farewells, and it seemed as if half the town residents had gathered to see us off. They stayedat a safe distance from the dragons, pressed closer to the safe perimeter.
Jagura launched first, her powerful legs propelling us skyward. The ground fell away with dizzying speed, the people below shrinking to colorful dots.
Onyx followed, his larger frame requiring a few powerful wingbeats to achieve the same altitude. I watched Kailin's braid whip in the wind, her posture confident.
As we banked toward the Citadel, I took one last look at Skywatcher's Point spread below us and thought about Kailin's parents who were returning to a quiet house and a dining table with too many chairs.
11
KAILIN
"Home is not where you come from, but where you choose to stand and fight."
—Scholar Miriel Thorne
As Onyx touched down on the landing platform, the familiar scent of stone and dragons welcomed me back to the Citadel. After three days of sleeping in my room, the austere military fortress should have felt cold and intimidating, but it didn't.
"Welcome back, Little Warrior,"Onyx said in my mind as I dismounted.
"Thank you. It's good to be back." I reached for my backpack, which Ravel was pulling out of the special compartment on Onyx's saddle.
I shouldered my pack and walked up to Dylon. "Don't be a stranger." I wrapped my arms around him. "If you don't visit me, I'm going to use my special status as the Hero of Elucia to demand to see you or come visit you."
He chuckled. "Go for it, little sister. Make it happen."
I turned to Ravel. "You are his commanding officer. I'm sure you have a say in his visitation rights."
He smiled. "Get some rest, cadets. Training resumes at dawn tomorrow."
Oh, so I was back to being just a cadet.
