Page 57 of Flameborne: Chosen

“The order has been given. Squad, do not break ranks until it is complete!” he barked.

I was numb from cold, shaking from fear, and he wanted me to salute?

‘The Flameborne’s first flight is a trial. An introduction to flight before you have built your strength for riding,’Akhane said softly.‘Honor your Wing Captain, Bren. Follow the order.’

I wanted to cry, but clearly these men were insane and wouldn’t stop until I’d done it.

Praying that the Creator wouldn’t see fit to pitch me into the ocean, I slowly eased my grip on the net with one hand. At first it wasn’t so bad—but when I raised my arm as Harle had demonstrated, the pull of the wind almost yanked me loose.

With a squeal and a wobble, I slapped my arm back to my chest, then grabbed for the net again, praying for mercy.

A great round of whoops and whistles sang through the sky above and below.

“She did it first time!”

“Jealous, Harle?”

“God, you guys won’t ever let me forget that, will you?”

“A mark of the Furyknight is humility, brother. Consider yourself humbled.”

“His dragon, Kyan, is humbled, anyway.”

“Enough!” Ronen barked. “You’re supposed to be examples to your new squadmate!”

Everyone quieted after that and a moment later, Ronen called across to me again.

“Flameborne, Attention!”

I froze. Attention? That was when they stood straight and didn’t move. He couldn’t mean—

“Flameborne Kearney. This is your trial. This is your flight. I call you to stand to Attention and lift your chin in the pride of a Chosen. See the world from your dragon’s eyes and thank the God who made you that you share this view so few men—and even fewer women—will ever see!”

“You want me to stand up? Is this a joke?”

“No.”

“I’m not killing myself for your amusement, you can all go fuck yourselves!” I didn’t know where the words came from. I’d never spoken to a man like that in my life.

A chorus of “Oooooo” rose from the surrounding dragons, followed by a few chuckles. But even though they were obviously waiting to see me punished, I didn’t take it back.

Imeantit.

On the verge of tears, I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed.

To my surprise, the skies were quiet for a time. The only sound was the dragons flapping, and the wind rushing past my ears, and snapping in my shirtsleeves.

“Gil?”

“Yes, Wing Captain?”

“Please relay to Flameborne Kearney the tale of Harle’s first flight.”

“And don’t forget the part where he shits himself!” one of the men called from overhead.

Instinctively, I looked at the man on the dragon to my left. Gil. The Lieutenant, I thought. He rode a gray male that flew like a seal in the sea, barely flapping, riding the winds like they were waves.

He was a big man.In build and coloring he reminded me of the Commander, though his hair was short. But the smile he shot me when he saw me looking at him was far too bright and pleased.