Page 90 of Flameborne: Chosen

I blinked. “Ready for what?”

“We’re going again. We’re going to do this a dozen times, at least. I’d say more, but I need to let Ekko rest before patrol tonight. This is all to help you find your seat and strengthen your legs. Eventually we’ll practice with Akhane so you can get a feel for her—every dragon feels different. But for now, this is how you learn. Each of the brothers will spend mornings with you so you can work on strengthening and sitting the bumps…”

And he wasn’t joking.

I spent the next hour sitting all those bone-jarring, teeth cracking strides, then sweeping into the sky, elated, for a few seconds, before we landed once more, discussed how I could have ridden it better, then tried again.

By the time Ronen said we were done, I was exhausted, my tailbone aching and bruised, and I deeply doubted Akhane’s decision to Choose me.

But even those short flights raised my spirits and gave me a reason to keep going. So, as I thanked Ronen and hobbled back to the stable alongside a jubilant Akhane, I smiled. Maybe it turned into a grimace when I missed a gutter and took a jolting step, but I still smiled.

It wasn’t until I made it back to my room and saw the book that I remembered it wasn’t from Ronen.

I frowned and reached for Akhane in my mind.‘Someone came yesterday and left a book for me here while I was out. Do you know who it was?’

‘The Commander. Your General.’

I blinked.‘Donavyn? General Donavyn Arsen?!’

‘Yes, he came to get Kgosi and had a small parcel that he left for you.’

‘I… that wasn’t… Akhane, he’s notmyGeneral! He’s all of ours. He’s—’

‘Don’t splutter, Bren,’Akhane laughed in my head.‘Your General is yours the way our Primarch is mine. Those who lead, a piece of them belongs to us.’

That soothed me a little—the last thing I needed was for the dragons to be telling each other—and their riders—that I somehow thought the General belonged to me!

I blew out a breath as that moment when he’d smiled at me played in my head and my heart squeezed remembering that tugging. But the thought made me squirm. The General was kind and generous toeveryFuryknight and Flameborne. Ruin had spoken of him often and—

As always, thoughts of Ruin sent me fleeing my mind.

I wanted to go back to my book immediately, but I knew I needed to bathe properly today. And Akhane had just told me that it was Donavyn who’d brought the book.

I found the note he’d left with it and read it with fresh eyes.

~

This small gift recognizes your achievements in overcoming obstacles, and reaching new heights. I hope you find it inspiring.

Well done, Flameborne.

~

My cheeks warmed and I smiled.

I hope you find it inspiring.

The story was about a young, strong woman who found herself completely out of her depth, but rose to the challenge and won an entire Kingdom.

At least, that’s where Ihopedit would end. Things were rather dire at the point where I'd fallen asleep.

But the message was received.

The General wanted me to rise. And as I turned that humbling and exciting thought over in my mind, I found I wanted him to keep believing that I could.

Then I took a step and my tailbone screamed and I groaned. I needed alotmore practice, and a lot more strength before I’d be able to ride Akhane taking off. Even if she wasn’t as jarring as Ekko, I didn’t stand a chance.

I wanted to go practice more immediately, but I knew my brothers were all scheduled for patrols this afternoon and evening. Asking them to give up these last precious hours just to exhaust themselves and their dragons was hardly fair. And besides, it was embarrassing that they had to hold me onto their dragons. Surely it was better to be riding my own and understanding her better?