Page 60 of Flameborne: Chosen (Emberquell Academy #1)

~ brEN ~

A month after I was cleared to fly solo, I was finally allowed to face the first trial.

While it was still dark outside, I was bathed, dressed, and ready, tacking up Akhane in the dark with trembling hands before a meeting with Ronen.

I couldn’t decide whether I was more excited or scared.

‘I have to go talk to Ronen and get my assignment,’ I told Akhane, laying a hand on her leg. ‘I’m sorry I have to leave you in the harness.’

‘I’m not. I’ve waited for this day. We’ll do this, Little Flame. I cannot wait!’

Her enthusiasm kept my steps quick as I trotted out of the stable—only to draw up short at the unexpected sight of a dirty, puffy-eyed Benji stumbling up the aisle.

“Blessings on you, Bren! I know you can do it!” he said, rubbing a hand through his hair, which only made it messier.

“Thank you, Benji. I’m sorry, I can’t stay and talk, I have to go to a meeting.”

“Oh, I know. I just wanted to tell you good luck before you left. I have a bet with the other boys and I’m going to win coppers!”

I blinked, then mumbled what I hoped sounded like gratitude, and hurried out of the stable and up the path to the Academy building where Ronen had told me to meet him.

It was strange to be out at this time. The pre-dawn air was chilly and it was still black as midnight. But I knew the sky would turn gray in an hour, then pink just minutes later. And then I’d take the first real step towards becoming Furyknight .

I have a bet with the other boys and I’m going to win coppers!

He’d win—if I did—because the others didn’t think I could do it.

I set my teeth.

The first trial was the flying trial and would apparently be far more intense than my assessment a month ago. But if I passed, it would prove that Akhane hadn’t been wrong to Choose me. That I had at least part of what it took to be a Furyknight.

My mind conjured an image of myself flying in full uniform—confident, sure, on a mission, and with no question in my mind that I was capable to meet it.

I wanted this so badly, nerves danced up and down from my belly to my throat.

My hands still shook when I reached the main Academy building and found the room on the first floor that Ronen had directed me to.

What I hadn’t expected was to find Gil, and platters of breakfast there as well.

I stepped inside and they turned from where they were discussing a map on the wall.

I stood to attention and saluted them both.

There was a moment when both their faces were so serious I wondered if I’d somehow already gotten this wrong.

But then Ronen smiled and said, “Come eat. It’s the day, Bren! ”

I blew out a breath and hurried to the table where there was a platter full of fruit, flaky pastry, and dried meats.

Even though I wasn’t hungry at all, I made myself dig into the food, knowing this would be a long, exhausting morning, and I’d need the sustenance before we were done.

First Ronen checked that I’d already harnessed Akhane and was ready to fly, then he sat me down to outline the three segments of the trial that I hadn’t been allowed to know before today. Gil took the seat next to me chiming in now and again.

“…The first phase is similar to your assessment, though more advanced. You’ll have to mount, clip in, and launch with the squad, then fly any formation I call—and I’ll call a lot, Bren.

All the things we’ve been practicing. The judges want to see that I’m not going easy on you, and that you can take different positions in the squad. ”

I nodded. That made sense, though I hadn’t known my brothers would fly with me today. I couldn’t decide if that made the morning less scary, or more.

If I failed them…

“…after we’ve all landed together—that’s an important part because we’d have to do it in travel, or under fire, so you’ll be expected to know how to navigate landing among other dragons—then you’ll launch again, but alone this time.

The assessors will take you and Akhane through everything from landing on difficult terrain, to dives and spirals.

Anything they ask of you, you must do without question or hesitation, Bren.

Do you un derstand? That’s critical. If you take more than a few seconds to prepare, they’ll mark you down for disobedience, or lack of courage. ”

I had a flash in my mind of that first flight, when I’d just been acknowledged. Of standing on that net, telling them all to go fuck themselves.

I grinned. “I understand.”

Ronen smiled, but Gil looked a little worried.

“Once you’re told to return to the launch hollow, you’ll be given a short rest. Akhane will be watered and fed if she wants it, then it’s the Banner Seize.

Once that whistle blows, you’re in the air and you don’t come down until you have all five of your flags.

No matter how long it takes, no matter how tired you are, you do not give up, do you understand? ”

I nodded. “I mean, I understand what you’re saying, but what’s the Banner Seize?”

Ronen looked at Gil who sighed and leaned in.

“Banner Seize is a war game. It’s meant to simulate similar circumstances you might face in the air during battle.

The goal is simple: there will be five dragons in the air, circling, each with a long, weighted rope dangling beneath it.

And those ropes will have banners for each Flameborne’s squad tied to it.

You have to find each of the ropes, tear your banner off it, hold onto them and not land until you have all five. ”

I frowned. “That doesn’t seem too hard. I know it’s probably hard to get to the rope with the flying, but—”

“The banners can be tricky to reach, but that’s just perseverance,” Ronen affirmed.

“The hard part is that the other Flameborne will also be trying to reach their Banners at the same time. And, just as in battle, you’re encouraged to be as aggressive, or strategic as necessary to make certain you’re the one who gets your banners first.”

“Is it a race?” I asked, blinking. Akhane was smaller than most of the other Flameborne dragons, but that also meant she was more agile, and in many situations she was faster, though she tired more easily as well.

“Not exactly. The judges are looking for confidence and strategy. They want to see you assessing the field, just as you would in battle, and entering the fray in any way you believe will give you the best chance of success.”

“I still don’t understand why this is difficult if the banners aren’t hard to get off the ropes?”

Ronen and Gil looked at each other, then Gil answered. “Because you’re all going to be given permission to thwart your fellow Flameborne,” Gil said quietly

I frowned. “Thwart how?”

“Anything short of violent harm. Your dragons will be instructed not to flame. And you Flameborne will be checked for weapons. You only use your bodies and skills. But within that, there are no rules. If you can cause another dragon to divert from their path, or you can unseat another rider, do it.”

“Why would I want to do that?!”

“Because this is war, Bren. It’s what we do.

It’s better to know now that a Flameborne doesn’t have the stomach to defeat another rider, or doesn’t have the seat to ride out a battle, than to put them against an enemy and learn then.

The trials are all designed to test you.

So, be tested. And don’t flinch. This is your chance to show those bastards who were aiming for you in the assessment that you won’t be an easy target. ”

“But, if they’re gunning for me with those battle dragons—”

“Akhane is a battle dragon.”

“But she’s still growing!”

“That gives her better agility. You know how it goes, all the things we’ve been practicing.

Use them. And if you see an opening to thwart someone else—put Akhane between them and the rope on their approach so they’re forced to evade, or come up on their dragon when they’re distracted so they spook and maybe unseat their rider, or any of a million things that can happen in the air. Do it.”

I chewed on my lip and thought about that. I was torn. Part of me loved the idea of getting in Faren’s way and slowing him down or frustrating him. Or his sidekick Lorr, both of whom continued to whisper things about why a female Flameborne had even been allowed.

But the other half of me wanted none of that. I just wanted to do my flying, show them I was capable, and pass the trial…

“Gil and I disagree somewhat on this, which is why I wanted him to give his opinion first,” Ronen said quietly.

I looked at my Wing Captain, curious. His tone was a little reluctant.

“Gil is a fighter, through and through, Bren. It’s what he and Runar were made to do.

He’s always looking for the attack, and no matter what anyone tells you, he’s fucking good at it. ”

I grinned. Gil shrugged, but I saw the hint of a smile.

“I’m a little more strategic, and I’d like to offer an alternative option,” Ronen continued.

“We don’t know your true skills yet, or where your purpose will be in the Wings.

So that’s why we’re offering you multiple perspectives.

It’s up to you to choose what you think best suits you and your dragon. ”

“But don’t make a choice out of fear,” Gil muttered darkly. “If an approach suits your skills and ways of thinking, that’s great. But don’t choose an option you think will be easier because you’re afraid to fail.”

“What options?” I said frankly. “You just said that the others will be encouraged to thwart me, so I should thwart them if I can.”

They both nodded.