Page 108 of Flameborne: Chosen

‘Bich says give the other group a wide berth. Don’t allow them to interfere in our flight. One of the riders is looking for an opportunity to unsettle you.’

‘Why? I haven’t even met these men before!’

‘I don’t know, Bren. But Bich is a good heart. I would listen to her.’

‘I am. I don’t want to fight these men. I just want to be seen to be as deserving of being here as they are.’

‘And you will,’she offered with pride in her tone.‘Now, we must take formation with Bich.’

We took a line north towards the coast and had a minute to put our dragons in the right position—their wingtips only feet apart. Within moments one of the Officers who’d been already flying slipped in behind us. He would call formation orders for us to follow, then assess that we kept the correct distance from each other and demonstrated that we understood which dragon would lead or follow in which formation.

As pivot, Saul and Bich would be expected to lead most formations. But as my brothers had been pounding into my head, knowing when to break rank, and in which direction, was just as important as being able to hold position correctly.

Within moments, Saul and Bich had set a course and held it for us to assume position on Bich’s right wingtip.

Less than a minute after that, a shout rose behind us.

“Squad, Ascend!”

These first maneuvers were easy, even for me. Ascend to rise higher—me and Akhane keeping ourselves level with Saul and Bich—descend to drop. Wheel off, which meant banking left, and wheel near, which meant to bank right.

By the time we’d gotten through the simple formations, I’d stopped feeling nervous and was enjoying myself. Akhane didn’t have any trouble keeping up with Bich. The sun was high. And we were far from the other Flameborne.

We could do this.

“Flameborne! Level sweep nearside and await next instructions!” With the full expectation he’d be obeyed, the Officer who’d been following us peeled away and returned to the clearing below.

Saul and I looked at each other past our dragons’ wings and smiled. He raised his fist in salute and I returned the gesture, my heart thudding happily.

We were doing this!

Level sweep meant we had to stay at the same height and circle the area. It was a command used for watching over others on the ground, or if difficult maneuvers were being attempted in the air. Circling, to keep eyes out for danger.

As we circled high over the clearing below, I caught a view of how many dragons and Furyknights were below. Far more than I’d expected—had they come to watch, or be part of the exercises?

‘Bren, watch out as we pass the others. Bich warns not to rise to bait.’

‘Bait?’

‘If the men speak. They may try to unsettle you while the commanding officers are all out of earshot.’

I frowned and looked ahead and above. The three Flameborne who’d teamed up were flying in a V formation and would pass over our heads, two dragon-lengths above.

Saul watched them too, frowning as well. Nothing was said as they drew close, but just before they passed directly overhead, the dark-haired one leaned down and pointed at me.

His lips moved, but his words were blown away by the wind. I heard the laughter of his teammates though, and felt my cheeks burn.

‘Little Flame, don’t—’

‘I’m not doing anything but flying, Akhane. Whatever they put in front of us, we do, right? Even if I’m going to fall. We keep going.’

‘I won’t let you down, Bren.’

I felt frustrated, but determined. They could laugh all they wanted about how long it had taken me to get here, we were still going to pass this assessment at the same time.

Soon another large dragon with a massive Furyknight flew up from our right and took position above and behind us. My nerves returned a hair—these men were so serious and so obviously warriors. Flying next to them made me desperately aware of my weakness.

I had a fleeting thought that flying next to Donavyn never made me feel that way, but then the Officer barked a command and suddenly we wereflying.