Page 67 of Flameborne: Chosen (Emberquell Academy #1)

~ DONAVYN ~

An hour after the Flameborne were given their ranks, I marched back to the Council room.

The newly minted First Ranks had to be officially appointed, added to the logs, their points and evaluations recorded, and their Wing Captains officially informed and provided with notes for which areas of training to focus on.

My head spun with frustration and anger, relief and delight.

Bren should never have been Trialed with those two after what happened in the first flying assessment.

I pushed open the door to chambers intending to inform the Council that we’d be splitting the second Trial for that reason, but the room erupted the moment I stepped inside.

I was rocked back on my heels by a roar of protest.

“What the hell kind of display was that?”

“Did you set that up with the King and Queen?”

“We’ve hammered into the men that she was to be given no special treatment beyond necessities for modesty and honor, but now they all stand by and watch you just hand her First Rank?”

I blinked out of my shock as the men around the table snapped and shouted, peppering me with accusations.

When it seemed like they’d run out of criticisms to throw and they all took a breath, glaring or staring at me expectantly, I turned away and didn’t speak as I crossed the room, allowing it to go silent and my footfalls to echo on the stone floor.

‘Did you catch all of that, Kgosi?’

‘More than you, I’ll wager.’

‘Do you think I— ’

‘No, Donavyn. Do not waver. Your heart was right and true. What you handed out was justice.’

I caught eyes with Feroz who stood at the back of the room, leaning against the wall, his expression blank, but tense. At least he wasn’t shouting at me. Of course, he didn’t smile, either.

When I made it to the table, the older men stood with folded arms, or fists planted on the tabletop, while those with fewer years hung back. But to a man they were aggravated. Monk bristled like a stood-on cat.

“Perhaps now that everyone’s got that off their chests, someone can summarize for me?” I drawled, kicking out a chair and taking a seat while they all remained standing. “I find it difficult to untangle a dozen voices shouting at once.”

Some of the men were wise enough to look chastened. But most only gritted their teeth and plonked into their seats.

The petty side of me wanted to remind them to salute. But like Feroz before me, I’d always encouraged my men to speak their minds—and not to sacrifice truth to the idol of tradition. Still, it would have been satisfying to watch them all be forced to restrain themselves.

As chairs dragged and voices muttered, I waited, looking as calm and undisturbed as I could. But my heart pounded.

When they were all seated, I looked around the table. “Well? Who’s going to speak for you?” I growled.

It was no surprise when Mont was the one to push to his feet, his chair scraping loudly on the stone floor.

“Sir, this cannot be. You can’t account for her raising.”

I rolled my jaw and swallowed a curse. “I’m sorry, did you say I can’t?”

Mont’s expression darkened, but I’d give the man that he never spoke a word he didn’t truly believe. His jaw jutted forward and he folded his arms, nodding.

“With all due respect, Commander, you handed her the rank. You haven’t done that for a man as long as I can remember.”

Anger rolled down my throat like a spiked candy.

“Am I to understand that that is the opinion of every man here?” I asked quietly.

One or two of the younger ones looked askance at their Captains, but to my surprise, even Gunnar nodded, despite commending her flying when we spoke before the ceremony.

When no one spoke up again, I pursed my lips. “You all question my judgement, yes? You believe I…?”

“Lacked objectivity,” Olve muttered. “Perhaps not with malice, but Donavyn, you must see, there hasn’t been a Flameborne raised in that manner in generations. Even with precedence it looks terrible.”

“You think I went light on her?” I asked him.

“I wasn’t there for the evaluation. I only saw the ceremony,” Olve said tightly. “But that is how it looked, yes. ”

I turned to Gunnar. “Do you agree?”

“Somewhat,” he said reluctantly. “It seems like she’s been given special consideration.”

I was furious.

I was also sweating inside my leathers because whether these men knew it or not, I was terrified my affection for her had blinded me. I’d thought giving the decision to the Royals was a stroke of genius. A way to avoid looking like I’d singled her out. But if they were all seeing it this way—

‘Donavyn, do not waver. What you gave out this afternoon was justice, and mercy. These men look with their hearts, not their eyes. And so they reveal themselves.’

I rested one hand on the table, working hard not to claw my nails into the ancient wood top while I prayed for the right words. Because inside I raged. But I knew the wrong conclusions here would spread through the men.

Feroz had been right that she was a catalyst for conflict. Far more than I’d imagined.

“Are there any other accusations, apart from my apparent bias or… what was the word I heard shouted? Favoritism?”

I looked slowly around the table, meeting eyes with every man who had the courage to meet mine, but none of them spoke up.

“Very well, then I’ll answer to your concerns. But please pay attention because I will say this only once.”

I slowly rose from my seat, then leaned my hands on the table and eyed each of them in turn as I spoke, keeping my voice low, but deep.

“Any of you who watched that Trial will know that Flameborne Kearney and Akhane comported themselves with aplomb and clear skill for the first two phases of the Trial. There were no serious concerns—and some areas in which she out performed the men.”

“Because she’d had two months to practice,” Mont muttered.

I glared at him, then moved on. “But when we reached the Banner Seize, there was a shift. We had two Flameborne out there with a clear plan to sabotage her. Whether they targeted her of their own volition, or were ordered to do so, I don’t know.

But there was a marked pattern in their maneuvers to challenge her and help each other.

Whether she was female or not, watching that, I would have disciplined those two, and knowing what I know now, I would have been far harsher on them if I’d understood that they managed to remove a fellow Flameborne’s banner to stop them achieving rank.

That isn’t just strategy, that is cheating.

And I defy any of you to argue that their punishment was light. ”

“I don’t believe anyone protests their discipline, Donavyn,” Gunnar muttered. “We watched them work together. It was a breach. You were right to remove them before they were raised.”

“I’m glad you agree, but in that case I ask you: if we know we have cheaters in the sky, and their efforts successfully diverted another Flameborne who did not instigate, how can you possibly believe I offered special treatment?”

“Because—”

“That was a rhetorical question, Mont!” I snarled.

Mont’s mouth snapped closed and he sat back in his chair as I returned my attention to the others at the table, but now my rage simmered in my chest. I had to clench my teeth and force myself to keep my voice low.

“We all watched her fly efficiently, and skillfully—clearly prepared for the Trial and holding her own. Then she endured injustice and sabotage—to the point that her dragon was injured—and did she complain? No. She landed, ensured her dragon was safe and healthy, then marched herself straight to the stage and called the failure her own.”

I let that thought sink in for a moment. In a room full of prideful, capable men, I knew some were squirming in their boots knowing they’d be the first to fight and throw accusations if they were in her shoes.

“I watched that young woman face that ceremony as if it were an execution—she didn’t waver, didn’t flinch.

She took full responsibility, and did not blame others even with the grounds to do so.

That is a display of character I would kill to breed into my men.

Bren Kearney is not a toy or a fascination.

She is not an object for gossip. She is an example.

“The only “special consideration” she received from me was that for a moment I considered not giving her the rank despite the fact she'd clearly earned it, so that she would be free and we wouldn’t have to deal with the added complication she brings. It shames me to admit that I even thought of choosing my own comfort over the duty and skill of my charge. Had those exact events occurred and a male Flameborne been the target, I wouldn’t even have taken a second thought.

Did I give her special consideration? Yes—and God is my witness it was right . ”

I straightened and huffed my disgust. “God forgive all of you for whatever this is. I’m coming to see that it isn’t my prejudice being drawn into the light by her presence.”

I stepped back and shoved my chair back under the table. “Gunnar, you’re aware of my notes. Please make certain they’re included in the reports. I find I have need for some air.”

Then I turned on my heel and walked out of the silent room, my footsteps ringing on the stone.

My heart was full. I was certain she was right to have been raised. But fuck it. I also knew how it looked.

‘Don’t let their clinging to tradition make you doubt yourself, Donavyn,’ Kgosi rumbled in my head. ‘You spoke the truth—and I honor you for it.’

I was humbled. ‘Thank you, Keg.’

‘No need for thanks. You know I don’t give honor where honor is not due.’

I nodded as I marched through the building and down the stairs, the tension in my shoulders and neck made my skin feel tight .

I hadn’t handed her the rank. She’d earned it.

But if even my Captains thought I had, what chance was there that the rank and file wouldn’t?

And then what would happen? She’d already had two Flameborne inexplicably target her.

What else could come of this if others began to resent her, or believe the ridiculous rumors that she was some sort of distraction for the King?

I had just pushed out of the building and into the sunlight when I halted. “Oh no… Oh no!”

Kgosi had been sunning himself on the grass, but rose to his great height and lumbered to my side as I stood there, gaping at the Keep, but eyes unseeing.

‘What is it, Donavyn?’

I swallowed, eyes darting, looking for a way through, but there was none. “The King,” I said.

‘What has the self-important little rat done now?’

Kgosi didn’t despise our human King, but he definitely wasn’t enamored with him.

“The rumors,” I murmured, looking over my shoulder to make sure none of the men had followed me.

‘I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific.’

I clawed a hand through my hair, grimacing.

“There are rumors, about Bren,” I said darkly as I started the walk to the stables, Kgosi keeping his strides to my pace.

“Some of them say she was a plant, the King’s toy, put here intentionally for his entertainment.

Others say she caught his attention when she was Chosen, and he’s ordering me to keep her in the ranks. ”

‘Preposterous.’

“Yes. Well, it was,” I said flatly. “Until I just went and asked the King and Queen to make her raising a Royal Decree for the first time in generations. Shit, Keg. Everyone who thought those rumors were nothing are going to think there’s substance there now. What the hell was I thinking?!”

‘You were thinking to keep the decisions professional and accountable. You thought correctly.’

“And possibly just made her situation worse!”

‘In terms of gossip, possibly. But I have a feeling our Little Flame will find her fire again soon, and she’ll be as eager to prove herself worthy of the rank as any man.’

That was likely true.

I prayed it was. She’d taken a real blow today. I hadn’t seen her that deflated since that night at the tavern—the night I did everything in my power not to think about.

But now there was no choice. I had to find her. But find her alone. I had to prepare her. Make it clear what was expected so there could be no accusations of her raising being anything but justice, as Kgosi had termed it .

I also had to make sure no one saw us together in any personal capacity. Because even those with the maturity to ignore gossip wouldn’t ignore tales of the General raising a woman, then spending time with her privately.

‘I hope you’re ready for some company, Keg,’ I sent on a sigh. ‘I’ll be spending the evening in the stable tonight.’

‘I won’t complain.’

‘That’s good. Because I won’t be leaving until she gets back from celebrating with the squad. We need to talk, and there’s nowhere else that we can be sure we won’t be seen.’