There was a workaround, though. I could reach Nyxath telepathically and ask her to forward my request to Saphir. It was unconventional, but I couldn't think of another way that would be as effective.
Would I even be able to do so outside of a prophetic dream?
My ability to communicate telepathically with dragons was still new enough that I had to concentrate. It took a lot of effort to reach out with my mind, and I almost gave up when suddenly Nyxath blazed into my consciousness with the power of a sun.
"Your Majesty?"I said hesitantly.
"Just Nyxath,"her mental voice was immediately recognizable."What do you need, Kailin?"
I suddenly was terrified of her response to me bothering her with such a trivial thing."I apologize for contacting you directly, but I need to speak with Saphir as soon as possible, and I don't know how to ask for a meeting. Could you please communicate my request to him?"
"Saphir and I share everything, and I am glad to forward your request. But why not simply go to him?"
"I can't go to the top floor without an invitation."
It suddenly occurred to me that I would be passing the top floor on my way down to my level, and if I were the daring type, I would use the opportunity to visit Saphir's office and ask his assistant to schedule a meeting for us. But I was not supposed to leave the stairwell, and if any of the top brass saw me on the command level and asked me what I was doing there, I had no good answer.
She chuffed. "You are the Hero of Elucia. You don't need permission to go see Saphir."
"I was told not to expect any special privileges."
"I see. I'll inform Saphir of your request."
"Thank you."
16
ALAR
I've decided to start a journal, prompted to do so after learning about the journals kept for fallen riders in the archives.
If something happens to me, perhaps these words will help someone understand what preceded my demise. More importantly, if I cannot return to Eluria, if I commit to a lifetime in the Dragon Force, this record will tell my family what I faced alongside Kailin and the rest of our quintet.
—From the journal of Alar Tekum
1st entry
Istopped writing and contemplated tearing out the page. The journal should start with Codric and I discovering our Elucian heritage, making it to Elucia, and everything that had happened since. The problem was that I couldn't commit to paper who I really was and what I hoped to achieve by infiltrating the Dragon Force. Perhaps I could leave empty space after each entry to add things later, after my identity became common knowledge. I had no doubt that Saphir would eventually reveal who I was, and if he didn't, my father would do something to expose me.
He wouldn't allow me to stay here.
The thought sent a chill down my spine. What would happen to my relationship with Kailin? She was a strategic asset to Elucia and wouldn't be allowed to leave, and even if she were, my father would not welcome her in Eluria.
But that was a worry for another day.
Right now, I was worried about Kailin and why she hadn't returned yet from her flight instruction with Commander Ravel.
I put the journal in my pocket and glanced at the door for what felt like the hundredth time.
The mess hall was humming with its usual dinner-hour energy, but our group sat like an island of tension in a sea of carefully averted gazes. Ever since Kailin's dream rescue, we were being treated like celebrities, and not in a good way.
I was reminded of the court I had been so glad to leave behind. The stares I was getting here made me just as uncomfortable as the ones I had gotten there. Only now I was a celebrity by association, and Kailin was the reluctant star.
The logical explanation for her delay was that Ravel was dragging out the flight lesson, but I couldn't help thinking about the attempt that had been made on her life and that there would be more.
"Why is he keeping her so late?" I said, unable to contain my frustration. "She can't afford to lose dinner."
"Who said he is the one keeping her?" Shovia asked. "Knowing Kailin, she's the one keeping him, drilling him with questions about those dragons."
