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31

Rhea

E veryone stands at attention in the briefing room. My excitement to finally learn more about our effort against the Screechclaws overshadows everything else. I’ve been waiting to be part of this for a long time.

Vaylen stands in the middle as usual, the other Primes flanking him. A large map of Embernia serves as his backdrop. Nate stands next to me, still serving as a buffer between Silas and me. Earlier, I asked Nate if he wasn’t worried about causing strain in his Clutch. He said he wasn’t, that it might be awkward right now because there’s only two of them, but once in Fort Ashmire, it won’t matter so much since other Skyblazes will be there.

My mind is still telling me to be wary of Nate, but my gut continues to say I can trust him. I’m not letting my guard down for now, but if he proves himself, he may help restore a smidgen of my faith in Embernia’s cream of the crop. Nate’s family is also a powerful one, but it seems they taught him the right values.

“Skyriders,” Vaylen begins, picking up a thin wooden pointer and pacing in front of the map. “This is your first official briefing. It goes beyond saying that everything we discuss here is classified and should not be shared with anyone outside the Sky Order.” He lets that sink in, then continues, “The reason our already short training time has been cut shorter is due to an unexpected attack at a border town near the Flametop Mountains, a small place called Hearthdale.” He stabs the pointer at a far western corner of the map.

Hearthdale? Why would they attack Hearthdale? That’s a small village that won’t offer them any strategic advantage.

Vaylen goes on, “Two Hearthdale residents were able to escape during the attack, and they made their way to Cinderhold to inform the Sky Order of what was happening. As you know, for twenty years, the enemy has concentrated their efforts on Cinderhold, pouring the vast majority of their troops into that region, slowly chipping away at our forces. Needless to say, our majority is also there. Cinderhold is the second most populous city in Embernia after the capital, a fortified stronghold whose capture would weaken our overall defenses given the trade routes and supply lines it controls.

“That’s the reason our enemies’ apparent interest in Hearthdale makes no sense. Unlike their previous incursions into New Ferro and Skyborough, which aimed to disrupt our food supplies.” He points to two other towns north of Cinderhold. “Needless to say, this new target is puzzling to everyone. At first glance, there seems to be nothing for them to gain by attempting to control that region.

“Hearthdale offers no other advantage than expansion of their territory, the addition of a mostly barren chunk of land. Their attack on this small goat-herding village poses no danger to our agricultural, mining, or communication endeavors whatsoever. Our strategists are baffled to say the least.”

He sets the pointer against the wall. “More puzzling still… the systematic assaults on Cinderhold have slowed down for no apparent reason. We have sent scouts into the Blighted Arcs, and the reports indicate our enemies’ numbers appear somewhat diminished. Some believe this is some sort of trick, that those troops are hiding somewhere, waiting for the Sky Order to let their guard down to mount a full force attack.

“In the meantime, we must assume the worst for Hearthdale, which means that Screechclaws have, for the first time in this long war, settled on Embernian territory. We have, in short, been officially invaded, ” he says the last word with the same disgust I feel.

To think those bitches are occupying even a small corner of Embernia sickens me.

“Logically,” Vaylen continues, “we are keeping the bulk of our troops in place. We can’t risk moving from the most strategic locations. However, we cannot allow the enemy to settle within our border unchallenged.”

Everyone nods in agreement.

“That is the reason Commander Voltguard wants this group to report to duty as soon as possible. The Sky Order’s intention is to deploy a small force to Hearthdale to expel the Screechclaw off our land, secure the border, and investigate the reason for their presence there. That small force will be led by me and consist of some of the Skyriders in this room, along with a few veteran riders.” He pauses, pacing in front of us.

This is better than I could have imagined. Normally, new riders are eased into battle, but it sounds as if I’ll get the chance to fight right away.

Vaylen stops and faces us. “Are there any questions?”

Silas speaks first. “It sounds to me like Hearthdale is only a distraction.” Silas is talking in his know-it-all tone, the one he normally used at the Academy to belittle low rank teachers and students alike.

I never liked it when he got like this, but now it grates on my nerves, which makes me realize I made allowances before because I thought he was my friend. Shameful, Rhea. You should have called him out.

He adds, “Is there a way to put in a request to remain in Cinderhold?”

Vaylen scans Silas up and down, then takes three steps forward and stands right in front of him. Though Vaylen is only a few inches taller than Silas, the High Prime’s six-four frame and muscular bulk makes the other man look small. To his credit, Silas remains impassive.

“Your job is to follow orders, Skyblaze, not create paperwork .”

I snicker. I can’t help it. It just comes out.

I sense Vaylen’s clear blue eyes dart in my direction. “Do you have anything to add, Skysinger Wyndward?”

“Sir,” I respond, staring straight ahead. “I look forward to fighting our enemies in Hearthdale. I don’t shy away from danger.”

How I wish I could see Silas’s expression. Vaylen likely disapproves of my goading comment, but I don’t care. Silas wants to be my enemy, and I won’t disappoint him.

“Skyblaze Pyrewing,” Vaylen says, “You can leave the form on my desk today, and if you expect its approval, it better contain a damn good reason for your request, or I assure you it will be denied. Should I expect to find it?”

“No, Sir,” Silas replies, anger lacing his voice.

“Good.”

I smile. It may be petty, but I enjoyed that.