The morning air was bitterly cold against Renay’s face as she stood on the flight platform above the ship. They had taken it as high into the atmosphere as they dared without risking escaping gravity. They didn’t want to escape the atmosphere and head into orbit, just reach the highest point they could before the oxygen got too thin.
A few hundred troops stood before her, Tyff by her side. No matter how cold she was, she knew that the poor troops were even colder. The clouds could be like ice at any time of day, but at this time, before the sun graced them with warm rays, the wind cut and the softest of mist became full of icy daggers.
Tyff was teaching them to stay warm without shifting, calling on their dragon to heat their blood while they stood at attention. They were responding well. So far, only a few looked truly uncomfortable.
Tyff was making a fine speech about honor and discipline, but Renay wasn’t really listening. It didn’t matter what he said, only that the troops stood to attention for the required time. After this he would have them shift and begin exercises immediately. It was a test across multiple levels of skill—resisting the cold and maintaining attention, shifting suddenly while cold, and going straight into aggressive battle maneuvers without warming up.
Renay pulled her fur cloak about her a little more tightly. She was dressed in the traditional garments of a Preor female—long leather trousers with bindings on the calves to hold on the thick boots, a heavy, embroidered leather tunic over a bright silk shirt with long sleeves and a fur-lined cape made out of a very finely tanned leather very different to the tough stuff that made up katoth pants or her tunic.
She had cut her hair very short, determined not to just look the part but take to her duties with commitment and determination. The other mates had drawn the Preor willingly into the world of humans. Renay meant to become a part of Preor and never look back.
She took a step down from the small rise where Tyff was standing and strode up and down the ranks. She knew almost every warrior’s name now and was beginning to educate herself on each one’s strengths and weaknesses. Tyff certainly couldn’t handle the job alone. While he focused on keeping their attention and making sure the ranks were straight, she looked through to pick out which troops were struggling.
She noticed a couple who were literally turning blue. She wouldn’t embarrass them by pulling them out in front of the others, but she knew Preor were honorable to the point of damaging themselves. These Preor would have to be evaluated by Yazen, like it or not. They may simply need to be put on different duties. It was her job to make sure the right warriors ended up in the right roles.
Every single one of them was precious and useful and she made sure they knew that. It did no good to work themselves to death out of stubbornness in a role that wasn’t suited to them. Many had been sent to Dawn and Yazen now for evaluations and Renay had been personally responsible for their reassignment, under direction of Tyff.
She turned to walk down the other side of the ranks, noticing a few warriors glancing her way. She knew she inspired a little fear and awe in all of them, but she wasn’t sure why. Tyff said that he had overheard the warriors talking, and they respected her calm yet firm manner. Plenty of warriors who had been reassigned had argued with her and found themselves walking away with their minds completely changed and not even fully understanding why—or how.
She returned to her place by Tyff’s side. She was ready for the next stage of the day, and she knew Tyff was almost done with his speech. Later that afternoon there would be a theory session on Preor history taught by Renay and the warriors would be required to answer questions based on today’s speech. Tyff had been in full favor of this idea but even he was surprised at how well it had panned out.
All Preor received basic theory education, but far too many abandoned these skills to focus on their fighting. Renay had decided they needed to constantly brush up on their history to maintain a healthy attitude and after she started teaching her classes, productivity in the army had gone up by fifty percent.
Constantly reminding the warriors of their heritage had created a kind of inspiration among them that nothing else could. Instead of looking forward to their own improvements and advancements, they were looking behind toward their ancestors and legacy. All Preor knew the ins and outs of their family line, but these classes gave them a wider perspective, which clearly affected their perception.
Tyff finished his speech and turned to her with a small smile. They would not embrace or show affection, not here. Both of them were completely disciplined and in control at all times when they were out of their rooms.
“Is all to your liking, overseer,” Tyff asked quietly. She nodded.
“It is, War Master. Some warriors in the third and sixth row will not complete their flight training in optimum health. Deal with them as you see fit. I will have medbay prepared to receive them and Dawn ready for their assessment.”
“As you like, overseer. I will have them complete their drills for today.”
She nodded, keeping his gaze. “As I expected, War Master. I am yours to command.”
Tyff winked at her, very briefly and she grinned. He turned back to the troops and Renay stood up straight to watch them head out to flight training.
Her position of overseer was newly created. Preor mates had been involved in training and rank since the first days, but never before had a female been so involved in the army itself. Her position included the welfare and education of troops, officially to bring together the masters from all sectors and ensure every aspect of the fleet was running smoothly. She was responsible for the wellbeing of every single soldier as well as the performance of the fleet on the whole.
The only one with more power than her was Tyff himself. She had earned her right to this power over the last few months by being firm yet fair with all the Preor she interacted with.
The warriors lined up on the edge of the ship. Renay took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly. Sometimes she still had thoughts about where she could have been if she never met Tyff, if she never knew she was a Preor mate. She could be sitting in a quiet corner of her library with a stack of books and a cup of tea. She giggled to herself as she realized she still did that. It just wasn’t what she did all day, every day.
The Preor began to leap from the side of the ship, as orderly and graceful as an Olympic swim team diving into the pool for synchronized swimming. Tyff shouted and gestured, keeping them in formation and calling to them by name and rank. Renay saw Choler’s bright yellow wings as he slipped neatly to the side with his unit. He shifted fluidly and swung into the first movement, his attention fully focused on the others around him and their beating wings.
As the final regiment shifted in the air, Tyff turned and looked at her. Even from this distance, she could see his eyes. He turned slowly, letting himself fall from the roof. She ran to the edge of the platform to look over the side and saw the magnificent thrust of his body as he shifted, his blue wings shrieking through the air as he roared and blew flame. She leaned over the platform with complete confidence, knowing he was as aware of her as she was to him.
He turned and flew back toward her, lifting to hover right by the platform. She reached out and he came forward, his huge snout gently touching her hand. She smiled, heat building in her chest that was like the swell before tears. Their eyes met and he blinked, pupils wide with gentle love. She smiled, shaking her head in disbelief.
I married a dragon. A real-life dragon. He’s a beast, a fire-breathing machine of death…
And he’s mine.
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Did you miss any of the Dragons of Preor series?
1. Jarek - http://bklink.to/jarek-buy
2. Taulan - http://bklink.to/taulan-buy
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4. Rendan - http://bklink.to/rendan-buy
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6. Hatched - http://bklink.to/hatched-buy
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10. Argan - http://bklink.to/argan-buy
11. Vende - http://bklink.to/vende-buy
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13. Radoo - http://bklink.to/radoo-buy