Page 20 of Flameborne: Fury
I was suspicious, but the dragons were awake and alert. And I was surprised to find that when I approached Faren, even though I was in my nightgown, it occurred to me thatI outranked him.I could give him an order and he’d have to follow it.
The petty part of me wanted to make him go clean scatpits, or something. But if they were sending him here to humble him, I didn’t want them deciding they needed to do the same thing to me. When I reached the door, I kept the knife at my side with one hand and snatched the paper from his fingers with the other.
“Thank you,” I said through my teeth.
He gave me a flat look, then reached for me.
I startled and brought the knife back up, but he sighed. “I’m supposed toblessyou,” he muttered. “I have to put my hand on your head.”
I didn’t want him to touch me, but at least I was the one with a knife. So, I kept the blade visible and dropped my arms, nodding at him to do his job.
He planted that big hand on my hair and muttered.‘May your mission go as it is assigned, and may your future be clear,’he mumbled, then yanked his hand back like there were bugs in my hair.
Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the stable, both dragons snorting plumes of smoke in his wake, then turning to look at me.
‘He’s gone,’Akhane said.‘His steps continue down the aisle.’
‘Thank you. I’m going to dress. Do you need to drink or eat before we go?’
‘What are your orders?’
‘You don’t know?’I asked, shocked.
‘No, Bren. We’re warned that it’s coming, but we aren’t given foreknowledge. This is a test for you and me to work together. Without help.’
‘Well, now it’s here, so you can stop feeling worried, okay? We’ll leave in a few minutes.’
With shaking hands I lit the lantern in the corner and broke the royal wax seal on the paper, opening it quickly. It fluttered in my trembling fingers so I could barely read the scrawl. But I scanned it once, frowned, then put it on the bed and read it again while I dressed.
~
Enemies encamp to the north, outside our borders.
Find the camp. Gather intelligence to assist us in defending against them. Then return with the news as quickly as possible.
~
North?Where?Outside the borders? That was hours of flying!
I tried desperately to remember all the details my brothers had taught me was to be gathered if there were suspicious people or activities identified on patrol. Once I was dressed, I threw the parchment and more charcoal into the bag in case I needed to write anything down, hefted the bag over my shoulder, and marched out into the stable.
Akhane was already on her feet, blowing smoke and steam. She was obviously worried. I could feel her tension, so I did my best to keep myself calm.
As I harnessed her, it felt surreal. I swallowed hard. This was it. This was my final test. If I passed, I’d be a pinned Furyknight. If I failed, I’d be a servant with a wasted dragon for the rest of my life.
No fucking pressure.
Akhane farewelled Kgosi, then followed me out the door and down the aisle to the western wing, towards the exit to the launch hollow. I walked out of the building knowing that the next time I walked in, there’d be no more chances. I’d either be a Furyknight, or not.
My body hummed with energy.
Night was heavy over the woods around the Academy, but the sky was barely lightening over the sea. It was still over an hour before dawn. By the time the sun rose, we’d be flying over unfamiliar terrain.
I swallowed hard, filing through all I’d learned so far, praying I wouldn’t forget anything important.
North is beyond the Palace. To stay on course from the launch hollow, fly straight towards the duelingpeaks of Tanagar that can be seen in the distance once you’re higher than the tree canopy.
The dark, damp air outside brought a chill with it that I only felt where my skin was bare. There would be rain later. I checked the hood hanging behind my shoulders, making sure it wasn’t twisted or tucked in the neck of my leathers.
