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I woke to the sound of thunder. Rain beat down on the ledge outside the wide window filling the room with the sound. I sat up in the soft bed, trying to shake off sleep. The darkness around me was cloying, trying to pull me back into sweet unconsciousness but the wind thrashed against our dorm and in a flash of lightning I saw a half-dozen girls silhouetted against the light, trying to force the shutters closed.
A bobbing lantern came through the door with a whoosh of wind behind it just as they were finished. Soaked to the skin and irritated looking, Grandis Elfar lit our dorm chandelier with her lantern. Moans and complaints filled the room but she hushed them curtly.
“Enough complaining. Most of you will get to return to your warm beds in a minute, so hush.” She waited for quiet before she continued, peering into every cranny of the room to stare down whisperers. “I know that was you, Arielle. Watch it or it’s double stable cleaning tomorrow for you. You know that’s no idle threat. Now, I’m here for the newest wave of trainees. Front and center.”
I climbed awkwardly from my bunk and joined the handful of recruits from my wave. Grandis Elfar grimaced at me, or maybe it was at all of us.
“We’ve received an urgent message from the Dominion Capitol. The part pertaining to you reads as follows.” She pulled out a thick sheaf of paper and began to read. “To that end, all training shall now be expedited. Upon the receiving of this message any trainees who have not completed First Flight by morning shall be removed from Dragon School. Inducted and above shall be trained at the most demanding pace possible for the fulfillment of obligations...”
We gasped.
“Does that mean we’re being reduced to servants without even a chance?” Starie protested. “I’m a High Castelan. You can’t do this to me!”
“Hush, child,” Grandis Elfar looked tired and frustrated rolled into one. “No one is against you in this. It is our hope that we can fulfill the Dominar’s decree while retaining all of you, but time is urgent.” She ran a hand over her face, as if wiping away the exhaustion. “Usually you have a solid week to prepare for your First Flight. We act as though your First Flight will come before you are ready but honestly, we make sure each of you has what they need to make success probable if you set your mind to the work and really want to do it.”
“You do?” Savette gasped.
One of the Initiates behind her snickered, but Grandis Elfar waved a hand in irritation. “Of course, we do. This is a school, not an abattoir. Do you really think we take the maiming and death of students lightly? Of course not. But we must test, test, test or you will never be ready to be real Dragon Riders. Only those of tough spirit and iron spine are ready for the rigors of this life. It is our job to ready you and that can’t be achieved gently. But tonight, we must force your First Flight before you are ready, and if all of you make an attempt, we will lose some.” Her jaw line stood out as she clenched her teeth, her mouth drawing a grim line before she spoke again. “We do not wish to throw you all in the servant ranks. Many of you are of noble blood. You have the potential to be more than dishwashers and launderers. Make no mistake, we do not push you into this trial. Better to be a boot polisher than a smear on the rocks below.” She moved her penetrating gaze from one person to the next, as if to impress on us the image of spattered rocks. “But the choice is yours. The First Flight must be completed before dawn or none of you will be allowed to stay on as recruits. You will all pack your things and move five levels below to the servants’ halls. Those who complete First Flight will be initiates. Just like that. No other tests.”
“It’s storming out there,” one of the girls from our wave said in a small voice. I couldn’t help but agree, fear welling up in my own heart at the thought of slippery saddles and driving rains to contend with on top of everything else.
Grandios Elfar sighed. “And it’s dark. Tonight is a grim night but it is your only chance. If you wish to take that chance, dress. We leave together in five minutes. If you choose to stay as servants, begin packing. Dame Adelle will arrive in ten minutes to shepherd you to the servants’ quarters.”
I swallowed hard. I could just go now and sleep with the servants, awaking to a good life of being warm and fed and safe here. And if I did that I’d never see Raolcan again. Or Leng. I’d never deliver messages on the back of a Purple dragon. Was this message delivered by a Purple? Only a fool would take their First Flight – as First Rider no less – in the dark, during a storm with death waiting for them.
I turned to my bunk and started to pull my clothing on. I was a fool. I couldn’t just walk away. My belly swam with nerves, a sour taste flooding my mouth and my head feeling hot and light. I was going to hurl. I fought down the impulse. I should just pack my things. It would be so easy. I saw one girl already beginning that. She was cautious and wise. She’d probably live to old age with a parcel of grandchildren and worn happy hands. I would probably be a broken hulk on the rocks below by morning. Did birds fly down and tear the flesh from those who fell, or did they let the dragons swoop down and burn them up?
I clenched my jaw hard and fell in line.
“Amel Leafbrought?” Grandis Elfar said.
“Yes?” My hands were shaking so hard that I hid one in the folds of my clothing.
“You understand that time is precious tonight.”
I nodded.
“In light of that, you may try a First Flight but we can’t wait for you to ascend the ladder. The honor of First Flight will go to another. You will fly your dragon when you arrive topside. Catch up when you can. If you do not ride by dawn your chance is gone.”
Honor? I thought it was a punishment. After all, everyone voted for me because they didn’t want to be the one to go first. It was horribly humiliating to be singled out a second time over my slow ascent. As if I was somehow a drain on the energy of those around me. Bitterness intermingled with my fear.
“How long until dawn?” I asked.
“Next bell,” she said and turned to face the doorway, lantern held high. “Follow me, trainees. Don’t fall out of line. If you lose this chance, it’s gone forever.”
I was already three steps behind when the trainee in front of me was through the door.