Page 116 of Flameborne: Chosen

“Right.”

“Good.” He patted my arm and smiled again. “Congratulations, Flameborne. You’re on your way.” Then he raised his chin and strode off to his next task.

I turned to walk out the other doors towards the courtyard, planning to go back to the stable and lay down with my newest book, the third that I had purchased with my own earnings, which made it feel even better, when a throat cleared to my left.

To my surprise, it was Saul, standing among a few other men—Furyknights, they had the Sigils on their chests—and all of them were smiling.

“That roll was amazing, Bren!” Saul said, beaming. “Faren shitting himself when he thought you’d fly into him was the best part.”

The men all laughed. I chuckled as well, though the memory of that moment gave me the shivers. “Thank you. But your healing was incredible. I can’t even tell I was hurt!” I said, extending my arm to him again. “If that’s what you and Bich can do, I hope you’re always close when we face an enemy.”

Saul’s smile broadened, but he scratched his neck and shrugged. “It was Bich, I just let her tell me what to do.”

“Well, thank you. I’m grateful.”

I awkwardly waved to them all, then started for the door again, but Saul caught my arm gently. I startled and turned, pulling my arm back to my side.

He raised his hands. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, I just… your squad left?”

I nodded, eyeing the men behind him, but none of them had that telling gleam in their eyes. I swallowed. “Yes, they’re on patrol.”

“I understand. But my squad’s off tonight and they’re taking me into the city for a drink. Did you want to come with us? We’ll be home before high moon. They’re on shift mid-morning.”

“No one wants an aching head,” the blonde man behind Saul with the broad shoulders said, then winked.

I smiled, heart thudding. I was torn. It would be nice to get out and do something. And Ididfeel like celebrating. But I didn’t know these men.

I was about to say no, when I caught Saul’s hopeful gaze, his brows high and his eyes just a hair too wide.

I found I was touched. And I wanted to go.

“I guess I could come out for an hour or two?” I said quietly.

Saul beamed again, and two of his brothers nudged his back, and laughed. “Great!” he said. “Well meet here for dinner first, then go. Are you in?”

I looked at them all, but it was clear they were standing by Saul. And I liked Saul. I nodded.

“I’m in,” I said.

Moments later when I left the dining hall, as the door closed behind me, I heard a whoop and one of the men shout, and I grinned.

I had made Saul happy. And it felt good.

Ifelt good.

It had been a long time.

That night, I sat at the long table of a tavern on the edge of Vosgaarde City, just inside the city’s walls. It was a long, wide room with huge windows that let those in the street see inside, though it was dimly lit now that night had fallen. A fireplace large enough for me to walk into if it was cold, crackled and popped at the end opposite the bar and kitchen. A few lanterns were lit in the corners throwing cones of warm light into the room, and there were candles on the tables.

But the shadows were deep, and made deeper by the tall statures of the patrons, who were mostly Furyknights. There were other citizens here—mostly women—but it was clear this was a favorite spot for the dragon riders. I saw Sigils and uniforms at every table. Including mine.

Feeling warm and a little fuzzy at the edges, I looked up the length of the wide, wooden table where I sat and counted red faced Furyknights in every seat.

How had this become my life?

The table’s long, thick top was sticky with spilled ale. I’d ordered a goblet of wine because it was the only alcohol I had tasted before, and I knew I could sip it and make it last a long time. But it seemed to disappear even more slowly than I thought. Which didn’t explain the woozy sensation in my head, like everything was strangely distant. I squinted. My goblet was still almost half full even though I was sure we’d been here for a couple of hours.

I was doinggreat!