Page 170 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

The roar from Kgosi behind us, shuddered through the building and sent a stableboy yelping back into the stable he’d just cleaned.

But even though it left my ears ringing, I just smiled.

It was good to be where I belonged. Whether men could see that or not.

EPILOGUE – Part 1

Two Weeks Later

~ DONAVYN ~

The underground meeting room where Shadowfang were briefed, flickered with the light of the fire, and the few torches we risked. Four dozen men—plus Bren—sat on the rocky floor, or leaned on the walls. Every face was grim, but intent. These were the Shadowfang, and their leaders. It was my job to make sure they all understood what had almost occurred, the true purpose of our mission, as Voski had identified when we were in Fyrehold, and the role they would play in this new age of Vosgaarde.

“…We still don’t understand everything that’s happened under Alexi’s rule. I doubt we’ll ever be certain we’ve eradicated all of the rats involved. But what I can tell you with confidence is that Queen Diaan is providing every resource to hunt these fuckers down, to the borders of Vosgaarde. Any person, male or female, who is found to have assisted the King, or his network with stealing dragon eggs, the mental conditioning of young, wild dragons, or the plot to remove honorable Furyknights, will be judged. The Queen is dedicated to ensuring her rule is remembered in history for the prosperity of her people, rather than the treason of her husband, the late King. She has accepted both counsel, and restraint from those of us advising her. And she shows a great deal more humility than Alexi ever did. However… the role of a Furyknight in Vosgaarde is now forever changed.

“While we remain in service to the crown—for the betterment of the people—I have made it very clear that as long as I lead, I will not allow dragons, or their bonded riders, to be used purely for mercenary gain. We will protect this land. We will protect this people—including the queen. But we will not be a tool for intimidation, or the thrust of power over another nation. And while the dragons will focus their energies on assisting us in protecting what exists, should our nation walk to war, your dragons will be offered a choice whether to fight, and none will lose their place among us, or in the herd, should they choose not to be used as a weapon of attack.”

I cleared my throat. I knew what I had to share next would be more shocking for them than the rumors I’d already confirmed about the king’s treachery. “Kgosi has been very clear with me, and I agree with his choice: The dragons are no longer tied to the crown in any manner, except how they may choose to serve their riders, individually. And any new bonded riders may choose whether they wish to become Furyknight, or otherwise. The dragonfuries will no longer accept restriction on who may be bonded, or when. Our hope is that a return to the freedom the dragons enjoyed before Vosgaarde ever existed, will also encourage a greater number of them to take mates, to breed, and even to leave the herd—if that is what they measure as best for themselves or their mates.”

“Wait, you’re going to let dragons leave? What if our dragons want to go and we don’t?” one of the men asked.

I glanced at Captain Mont. He, Olve, and Gunnar had raised this precise concern with me the first time we spoke of the new rules—or lack thereof. The debates that ensued were why it had taken so many days before we could hold this meeting.

We’d had to find unity amongst ourselves before we could hope to lead others to it.

“Kgosi assures me it is unlikely a dragon will wish to leave if his or her rider does not. You retain your bond as you always have—that was never affected by the Furyknight strictures. The dragons choosing was wholehearted, and their unity with you remains. Even in centuries past, before the Furyknights existed, dragons were free to choose—or not—and would remain with their people.”

“Are you staying, sir? And Kgosi? Because if Kgosi leaves—”

“I have no plans to change or leave—until or unless our Queen proves deceptive. And I do not believe she is. I see great change coming in the next few years. Change that will be difficult, but I believe will allow both man and dragon to thrive. I want to be a part of that. And Kgosi wants to be where I am. I don’t believe you should have any concern about the dragons losing their Primarch. Kgosi plans to live centuries yet, and likely will be ousted by the herd before he wishes to quit.”

A small wave of chuckles rippled through the room, but died quickly.

I met eyes one by one, letting each of them see how seriously I took this. “I don’t jest about the change,” I added. “Change is good for us, but also frustrating. The Furyknights of tomorrow will not look as the Furyknights of yesterday. If you plan to remain, you need to ask yourself if you’re ready to see your world shift. Because the queen intends transformation in the palace, and the greater society of Vosgaarde, as well. Change is always painful—but I believe what we’re moving towards will ultimately be for the benefit of all, so I’m willing to pursue it. I do not underestimate how difficult it might be.”

“Is that why the dragons are starting to choose women—not just Bren?”

I glanced at my mate, who was hiding her smile as she stared at her brothers next to her.

“Yes,” I said. “As I’m sure you’ve heard, a feral dragon matebonded the dragon of one your brothers. She arrived two days ago, and has submitted to Kgosi and joined the herd. She’d already Chosen a woman before they arrived here. Her rider is being assessed now for suitability—she is Flameborne. She wishes to be a Furyknight. The only thing I can say with certainty is that our requirements for earning the pin have not, and will not change. She, and any other chosen person, will be allowed to become Flameborne, and train for Furyknight, as they always have. Any who do not pass will be found other work as they always have. However, with the removal of strictures on the herd as a whole, along with the queen’s focus on bringing women into their strengths, I imagine we will see the dragons choosing more women, and perhaps others who might once have been considered too young, or too old, or too limited in some way.”

Chatter rumbled among the men. Bren leaned into Voski’s ear, but the man only shook his head and glared at Gil next to him, who grinned.

I raised my hand to quiet them. “I brought you here tonight to answer your questions, and set the stage. To let you know that you have a choice. Any of you who, with your dragons, determine that you no longer wish to serve the crown—or serve in this new, changing environment—will be allowed to leave with our blessing.”

“But, what about the Shadowfang, sir?”

“Are we being disbanded?”

Mont shifted in his seat, and Olve rubbed his jaw. This had been another point of contention between us.

“No. Not at all. If you wish to leave, you will be allowed to do so. But you are men—and women—of honor and will be expected to retain your vows of secrecy.” I paused and took a deep breath. “If you cannot see yourself serving Diaan, or if you no longer wish to be a Furyknight, the choice is yours. But please make that determination before Seventhday. On the next Firstday, I will share all of this with the rank and file, and new Wing leaders or Sergeants will be appointed if needed. But here, in this circle of trust, you are irreplaceable. And you will remain so. Your role is, as it has always been, to keep the crown honest, to protect the kingdom, and to work in the shadows for the greater good. If you choose to remain, that will not change.”

There were more questions, some of which were fielded by the Captains. And the murmur of discussion rose more and more in the echoing room. But while Mont was nervous, I wasn’t greatly disturbed. I believed that we’d selected these men well. Despite what I’d seen with Ruin and his squad, so far we’d found no indications that any other Shadowfang were involved in the King’s plot. I prayed we never would. That this room would remain sacrosanct, and their purpose could continue.

But in the end, it would be up to them and their dragons.

We answered questions for another half hour, then I broke up the meeting. “If any new questions arise as you consider your decision, speak to your Wing Leaders first.”