Page 19 of Flameborne: Chosen

She stumbled once, just before we reached the lip of the bowl and the gathered dragons and men there, but she caught herself before I had to steady her, then raised her chin, and kept walking.

Well done, Little Flame.

I pointed her towards the Academy buildings because I wasn’t sure what else to do. She would need to see Akhane’s stable, and then we’d have to find her a squad for training and…

The thought trailed off as the Furyknights and stablehands, and everyone else who’d gathered nearby, started towards us now that we were out of the bowl—a press of human and dragon flesh that even I would eye warily if I didn’t know for certain they’d listen to me.

Bren shrank in, her shoulders round, dropping her head as if she were trying to disappear from sight.

With a growl at a couple of the men who stormed towards her, I leaned over her again and murmured in her ear.

“You are reborn by the dragon flame. Let the fire refine, and burn away your old humanity to reveal strength, and wisdom. Whoever you might have been, whatever you might have done, it no longer matters. You’re one of us now,” I whispered. “Do not shrink from those who share the honor—and don’t let them make you small.”

She nodded quickly and licked her lips. She still looked scared, but she raised her chin and rolled her shoulders back. But I could feel the trembling in her as we walked together.

I raised a hand to the voices of protest and disbelief that suddenly surrounded us. Their questions would be answered, and their concerns addressed. But for now…

Let her find her way. By the Creator’s light, let her find her way.

5. Scandalized

~ DONAVYN ~

It wasn’t a long walk from the launch hollow to the dragon’s stables. But our progress was slowed by an ever-increasing crowd of dragons who’d heard Kgosi and were celebrating a new Flameborne, and their riders who struggled to believe the truth their dragons whispered.

By the time we reached the outer wall of the stable buildings—built in a huge cross that left spaces for washing and care in the yards between the wings—the men were crowding so close, Bren shrank into my side, her eyes wide with fear.

No Flameborne should take their first step with their dragon in fear.

Splaying my hand at Bren’s back to steady her, I lifted my voice and let disapproval harden my features.

“Warriors!” I bellowed, “Stand tall!”

Every Furyknight in the crowd snapped to attention, fists thumping to their chests.

“Sir! Yes, sir!” Their shouts echoed over the surrounding forests, and up to the Dragonmaw Cliffs.

Gripping my jacket on Bren’s back, I didn’t move except to glare from man to man. Those nearest, seeing the storm in my eyes, immediately began to sweat.

Good, then I hadn’t lost my grip after all.

‘Even you wouldn’t lose them that quickly,’Kgosi murmured dryly.

I ignored him.

“Your dragons spoke the truth,” I said, my voice still loud, but calmer now. “A female has beenChosen.She is Flameborne.”

There was a collective grunt and shocked inhales from the men, but I continued.

“It will take some time for us to orient her. Captains, you are to attend the Battle room in one hour. Wing Leaders, I’ll need you after midday meal to discuss assigning a squad.”

“But,Sir…she’s agirl.”

Every Furyknight in the vicinity froze, waiting for my wrath to descend on the stablehand. The boy had only spoken what they all thought. But the men were wise enough to remain silent in their judgment.

“Who said that?” I asked quietly. A lanky stablehand—little more than a boy—was shoved out of the crowd and staggered to a halt a few feet from me. He must have been new because I didn’t know his name. At a guess, he probably arrived fleeing a home of poverty and abuse, and was one of the youngest, who all slept in the loft. If my instincts about Bren were right, the two might have more in common than a passing glance would suspect.

But even if they didn’t, I couldn’t let achildundermine my authority when foundations of our society were in flux and the ranks were tense.