Page 140 of Black Wing and Shadows
“It’s hilarious,”she corrected, smug as ever.
By the end of the hour, the sky was littered with cadets—some grinning ear-to-ear, others hanging limply like half-dead ragdolls. All of our saddles stood the test of our wild fliers. At least four had landed early, one clutching his stomach, another pale and trembling.
Esme landed with a triumphant snap of her wings, lowering herself so I could slide off. My legs hit the ground like wet noodles, and I grabbed her foreleg for balance, groaning.
Micah stumbled past, his face green. “I really hope they don't do this to us tomorrow…”
“We absolutely will not. It’s only fun when we’re training. Trust me, we all get a good laugh—well, except Korra, she’s a quiet one,”she shot down the bond before taking off.
Sadie smirked, still glowing with adrenaline. “Speak for yourself. That was the best hour of my life.”
I groaned again. “I hate you.”
CHAPTER 46
Our downtime before dinner turned out to be actual downtime, except we weren’t allowed to venture beyond the courtyard. Even though my father had cleared everyone, we were still being watched unless it was lights out. Tables had been brought in so we could sit and talk.
Lili, Alex, Eleanor, and the other Platoon Leaders walked into the courtyard, drawing everyone’s attention. “All Flight Guides, come with us,” Eleanor announced.
Michalova, Laderra, Aeltharion, and I—along with the others from Dragon Wing and Eagle Wing—stood and moved toward them, exchanging quick glances. We followed them into Dining Hall One, where the rest of cadet leadership already sat. Scullin and Kamban were present as well.
“Thanks for coming in,” Kamban said. “Everyone in this room has been read in and is aware of what will occur when cadets arrive back. Cadets are due on January fifth. Everyone here returns on the third. We’ll go over perimeter details to ensure every cadet is vetted.”
Scullin stepped up beside him. “Does everyone understand? Questions?”
Silence stretched a few heartbeats.
“Alright then,” Scullin said. “Rider cadets and Drusearon cadet leaders report to Captain Vindex’s room. The rest of you—the only train coming through tomorrow arrives at zero-nine hundred. Don’t miss it. Dismissed.”
We filed out to the courtyard where cadets clustered at tables or stood in groups. Corson strode in front of us.
“Riders, listen up—we’re going to Vindex’s classroom. It’s time to discuss flight plans—”
“I thought we were doing that after dinner?” a Rider from another wing cut in.
“We were,” Corson said, “but we have time now. Dinner is in an hour. After you eat, pack and be ready to leave at zero-six hundred.” He motioned to the Alpha side, and we headed in.
All eighty-nine of us—sixty-five first-years, twelve Rider cadet leaders, and twelve Drusearon cadet leaders—packed into Professor Vindex’s classroom. It was large, but with all of us, it felt full. A wall-sized map of Yebel hung at the front. My gaze drifted, as it always did, to Winterhand Stronghold—then slid northeast to Ashwynd, where Zane’s family lived, where the duke of the Veil of Vultures lived.
Professor Hildegard stood poised at the front. Of course, he was helping organize. Flying was his domain. “We’re breaking this into sections by destination province. Once your plan is set, you can head to the dining facility.” He turned to the map and tapped Veskonia, the southeastern province. “If you’re going to Central or West Veskonia, eastern Esten, or Fort Dasyn, come forward.”
Eighteen cadets stepped up. He held out a quill pen. “Circle your destination unless you’re bound for Dasyn.”
Three were from Feather Wing—two of those to Dasyn—seven from Dragon Wing, five from Eagle Wing. One by one, they marked villages. Six were going to Dasyn. Most others aimed for border towns, which made sense. Veskonia had more Shapeshifters, and deep Veskonia could be less welcoming to other Fae. Kalona, a coastal fort with a Shapeshifter majority, remained heavily guarded, and nearby towns were friendlier. The beaches were spectacular. It had always been one of my favorites to visit.
Hildegard worked their routes, pairing them into travel groups—some splitting only near the end. He reminded everyone that forts, outposts, and encampments had Riders or Drusearons on air patrol and had already expanded their patrol zones to support returning cadets—standard forleave periods. Once they had their orders, they filed out. Seventy-one of us remained.
Hildegard circled a finger over the map. “Northern Veskonia and south-central Eastvwyth?”
Fifteen cadets stepped forward—only one Drusearon. Michalova and Lorenzo were part of this group. Two would go to Coastal Camp Echo, including Robert. If I could be a fly on the wall when he got home… it had come out that his “Rider father” wasn’t his father. That affair explained why the tincture didn’t work for him. The rest of the villages were scattered across the region. The lone Drusearon headed for Mid-Eastvwyth. Hildegard reviewed their plans and gave a sharp reminder not to fly directly over the fliers’ vale—no need to stir tempers.
“Next up, western Esten or Cliana?” he called.
Fifteen stood—eight to Cliana, seven to Esten. It was oddly grounding to see where classmates actually called home. Many still had at least one parent in uniform, forever moving. Micah circled Whisper Outpost on the Esten/Cliana border.
Lili and Alex marked Zion Outpost, the same as my father this rotation—another border post. Three cadets were bound for Lakish Outpost on the coast, with a planned stop at Zion.
“If you’re going to Glonia—or any towns between the college and Glonia—step up,” he said to the forty-one still seated. Nineteen moved, leaving twenty-two for the Veil of Vultures.
