Page 9 of Flameborne: Chosen (Emberquell Academy #1)

~ 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 been Chosen. 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 a girl.”

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 a child undermine my authority when foundations of our society were in flux and the ranks were tense.

“Come here,” I said, keeping my voice low and disapproving.

The boy’s eyes went wide, but he did as he was told, stepping forward hesitantly to stand within arm’s reach. He bit his lip and looked around, then snapped his spine straight and clasped a fist to his chest in the salute of a soldier.

‘Lionheart,’ Kgosi breathed in my head.

I snorted. ‘Shit for brains, you mean. He’s a child.’

‘And a brave one.’

I wasn’t so sure it was courage more than stupidity, but my dragon didn’t comment on character blithely. I made a mental note to ask about the boy later. “Son, what is your name?”

“I’m Benji, sir.”

“Benji, how old are you?”

“Fifteen, Sir.”

I blinked. He looked twelve. At a stretch.

He was clearly used to being questioned on his age, because his expression went sullen and his hands balled to fists. “I will grow,” he muttered.

‘Told you,’ Kgosi murmured smugly.

God, there were days it would be a gift to be alone in my head.

‘What’s precious is that you believe yourself to be alone in that sentiment.’

‘Are you trying to distract me?’

‘It appears I’m successful, regardless.’

I fought not to sigh. “Benji, I’m sure your question is shared by many of the men present, but you’ll note that none of them spoke up—why do you think that is?”

The boy’s face dropped. “I, uh, because you’re too important to answer questions?” he asked hesitantly.

I blanched. Kgosi gave a small huff .

“No, son,” I said, half-heartbroken, and half-irritated. “The older you become, hopefully the more you’ll discover that asking hard questions is the practice of good men—as is answering them. Your error was in timing.”

He didn’t move, but his eyes slid over my shoulder to check the sun’s position in the sky.

“Not that timing,” I sighed. “Benji, the day will come when your boldness is an asset, but for today—for this place, and this moment in your life, and our history—your question was rude, and presumptuous.”

His forehead pinched in confusion. “Presumpshush?”

“You spoke out of turn,” I said sternly. “And so, you will be disciplined.”

I regretted the words the moment they were out. His face paled and his fisted hands—overlarge for the size of his frame like a lanky puppy, tightened so his knuckles turned white.

Definitely accustomed to abuse.

Shit.

Fear would only press him to panic or aggression. That meant emotional stretching was needed, rather than physical. Discomfort, rather than pain. I scrambled—until I looked aside and remembered why we were here. But sir, she’s a girl. That would do.

“Since you seem to have some disdain for a Flameborne who was Chosen by an esteemed dragon, you’ll be given the opportunity to reevaluate your judgment: You are, therefore, personally allocated to assist Flameborne Bren in anything she requires today to acclimate.”

The boy blinked and his eyes went wide.

“And if you don’t serve these two very deserving females with your full respect and hard work until they’re firmly settled, you’ll be assigned to the scatpit. Do I make myself clear?”

The horror that entered his widening eyes was satisfying. The scatpit was our collection point for dragon manure. It made an excellent fertilizer and fuel—but some of the piles would be bigger than the boy was tall.

“Sir! Yes—of course. I’ll work very hard, sir, but—”

“No buts,” I growled and he snapped his mouth closed so fast his teeth clicked.

“Benji, the Academy is our home, and we are a family within it. No one else understands our life with the dragons, so this is our place for camaraderie and unity. If we stand against each other, we tear ourselves down and our enemy gains. Until the Flameborne is settled in a squad, you’ll see these two as your personal responsibility.

Their comfort is your purpose. Do I make myself clear? ”

“Y-yes, sir,” he said. He was still pale. I suspected if he’d been alone he would have given in to tears. But he kept his chin high and nodded once.

“Good, then hurry ahead and find Akhane’s stable and ensure she has plenty of water and straw to nest, we won’t be far behind you.”

The boy nodded again, staring at me.

I sighed. “Go. ”

He leaped into a run with a yelp like someone had stuck him with a thumbtack. I watched him scamper until he disappeared between the forest of men surrounding us, then took a deep breath as I turned back to the Furyknights still standing at attention.

But, Sir, she’s a girl!

What was the Creator doing to us?

“I know this is a time of many questions for all of us. Until we have the answers, your role is to trust. Trust your leaders. Trust your dragons. They were appointed to shepherd you through the Creator’s plan.

Now, please. Return to your day. Runners—find the Captains and make certain they await me in the Battle room.

Wing Leaders, report to our map room in two hours. ”

Then I put my hand to Bren’s back and ushered her through the crowd and into the stables. The doors into the building had been left open by those rushing out to see what had happened, so there was no need to open them for Kgosi and Akhane.

There were a handful of servants who hadn’t heard the hubbub outside, or who’d taken their chance to get tasks done while so many were out of the aisles. But other than that, the stables remained clear, giving us easy passage.

“Where is Akhane’s stable?” I asked Kgosi quickly.

‘She’s young. In the north wing, near the main entrance.’

I cursed. She would be disrupted a great deal there—and with all the traffic in and out the pair would attract even more attention.

“I’ll talk to the Furymaster, we’ll get her moved. She’s going to need more quiet than that will provide.”

Kgosi rumbled his agreement.

Unfortunately, for this moment there was no choice but to return her to her usual stall. And that meant I needed to settle Bren with her for a few hours—a new bond was so raw, separation could create panic in a dragon or their human.

Whistling to catch the attention of another stablehand strolling out of a stable ahead of us, I beckoned him closer. The boy’s eyes were round as platters, staring up at Kgosi, who ignored him, but those flickering ears told me my dragon wasn’t as ignorant of the admiration as he pretended.

“Run ahead to Akhane’s stable in the north wing. Find Benji and tell him we’ll also need a cot for the new Flameborne. He can get one from the Quartermaster. Now run.”

The boy took off, feet slapping on the stone floor.

I nodded to myself. That would ensure the space was empty when we arrived and give the girls some time alone, as well as providing a place for Bren to rest comfortably.

“Where are we going?” Bren asked quietly from my side.

“I’m taking you to Akhane’s stable where you two can rest together for a time while I work out the rest,” I said grimly, shaking my head slightly .

“The rest… of being a Furyknight?” she asked timidly.

I huffed and clawed a hand through my hair. “Truthfully, Bren, there are many steps between any Flameborne and becoming Furyknight. Today will be mostly about finding a way to keep you safe and healthy here.”

She looked around. “Here?”

“Not the stables, specifically, but here in the greater Dragon Keep. We are all male. And though I would trust your civilian life and safety in the hands of any man here, there are complications to your appearance.”

Her head dropped and she nodded. “I’m sorry.”

I blinked. “It’s not yours to be sorry for—should I be sorry that Kgosi chose me?”