Page 86 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
Rhea
When we arrive atop the plateau, training is in full swing. All thoughts of Cragmere fly out of my mind at the sight of fire and dirt erupting in two distant points of the training grounds. A bolt of lighting strikes the valley below while the Skybolts fly overhead at a safe distance from us. I wish I could see an attack from a dragon, but they’re not exactly subtle. They are used in large battles with care, lest they hurt our own troops. Skyriders can be more precise and controlled, which is why humans and dragons make a good team.
A huge grin stretches my lips. I exchange a glance with Vaylen, feeling elated.
“Time to show me what you’re capable of.” He winks and walks toward our awaiting dragons, who stand next to Phoebe and Trueno.
When she notices us, she pulls away from him and salutes. “I’m looking forward to today, Sir.”
“I can imagine.” Vaylen greets Fragor with a head nod.
I do the same with Zephyros.
“Apologies for our delay, Breezehart,” Vaylen adds. “We had to take care of a few things relating to Skysinger Wyndward’s bonding announcement.”
Breezehart? No Skysinger?Maybe he’s loosening up a bit.
I don’t know why Vaylen would lie for me. I imagine it’s because he doesn’t want gossip and speculation to run rampant through our ranks, but I’m not sure. Perhaps there’s more to it. I frown, unsure of whether I like the idea.
“I’ve never been the type of man to do anything in half measures,”he said to me, making me wonder what a full measure means to him.
Vaylen’s eyes rove over the plateau. “The others are getting ahead of us. We can’t allow that.”
“Damn right,” I say, earning a scandalized look from Phoebe.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm,” Vaylen says, “but let’s adhere to our rules of conduct, Skysinger.”
I shrug, and Phoebe shakes her head.
Rubbing his hands together, Vaylen paces in front of us. “The first thing we’ll do is practice blunt attack techniques. Breezehart, according to our training books, what should we begin with?”
“Wind Blast, Sir,” she replies.
There are a number of attacks that require little precision and basically involve blasting the full force of one’s power at the opponents. Those techniques are considered blunt and unrefined, but they’re the easiest to master and can still prove effective, especially against hordes of Screechclaws.
Without warning, Vaylen pivots on his heels, crouching and extending his arms. When he’s facing the cliffside, a pure white glow starts around his hands, then spreads all over his body. I squint but watch as a prodigious mass of air explodes from his hands with a boom. Dirt crumbles off the edge of the cliff and rains toward the valley below. Off to the side, Fragor’s body glows with the same white light, a testament to the mutually beneficial relationship between dragons and riders.
Vaylen turns to us once more. “Now, take your positions a safe distance from each other, facing the cliffside, and do your best. Feel the flow within you and simply follow it.”
Instinctively, we already know how to do Wind Blast—not to mention that, at the Academy, we practiced ad nauseam, blowing sheets of paper and books off desks or making communication flags flutter. That was the extent of our power then, but now… it’s time to find out what else we’re capable of.
Phoebe walks away, slowly putting distance between us. It’s clear she’s letting me have a first go at this. Rolling my shoulders, I face the cliffside and take a deep breath.
—Ready, Zephyros?I ask.
—We are bonded, little one. No matter where you are, our connection means you will be ready as long as I live.
—And vice versa.
—Indeed.
I reach down to that spark that has always lived in my chest and now shines brighter than ever, and I let go. My elemental power surges through the rest of my body, unrestrained. With a mere thought, I direct it toward my outstretched hands, the horizon in my sight.
I’m accustomed to the feel of my power just the way I’m accustomed to the length of my gait and the texture of my hair. That’s why when an indescribable Wind Blast erupts from my hands, I panic. Enveloped in blinding white light, I yelp and throw my hands up in the air, severing the maneuver at the source. The abrupt cut puts me off balance, and I crash to my bottom.
Panting, I sit there and stare at my hands.
Vaylen and Phoebe appear at my side.
