Page 20

Chapter 20

Zayne

T he day had finally arrived for us to head to the games. We’d been working so hard to get here, and now that it was finally time, I second-guessed whether we’d worked hard enough. I wasn’t sure you ever felt fully ready for the Games, especially not the first competition of the season, but we were a thousand percent better than we were last year at this time, so there was that.

This was Ash’s debut, and I was thrilled for him. Having our clutch here added a bit of adjustments the team didn’t normally have, but nothing too difficult. And having them here, meant there was a new level of excitement running through everyone.

Packing and traveling to a competition were not new concepts to me. I’d been a Flight Leader for half a century, and I’d traveled to more competitions than I could count. But it had never been like this. Not even close.

This one was the first for a lot of things—not just the first competition I was excited about in a long while, but also the first where I would be traveling with my entire nest and mate, and with a team I’d prepared with my Co-Leader. Even if we didn’t win, I was proud of everything we’d accomplished.

The team had gathered at my home for a last-minute peptalk before we left. It turned out to me more egg admiring than anything else, but in its own way, it energized them in a way I hadn’t seen before.

We were set to leave in a few hours—if the team could decide on how the seating arrangement would work. It was that squabble that showed me just how closely we’d grown together. They were acting far more like clutchmates than teammates, and as annoying as it was, I loved it.

Ash and I sat on the couch while all five members of our team surrounded our nest, gazing at our eggs like they were the most precious things on earth. Which fair enough, because in my eyes, they were. Hayden and Kellan also stood nearby, peeking over the shoulders of the students who couldn’t seem to drag themselves away from the eggs.

“It’s only fair that Crista and I ride in the van with the nest. And the Flight Leaders, obviously,” Scott tacked on as an afterthought.

“I think we should draw straws,” Jay said. “Just because you guys are captains doesn’t mean you get to ride in the van with the nest. We could split up the time. We’re going to stop at some point on the way there, right?”

“It’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive. There’s no reason for us to stop,” Hayden said.

“Well, then whoever rides with the nest on the way there can ride in the other van on the way back,” Issac said.

They weren’t fighting over being shotgun or who got the captain’s chairs. No. They all wanted to be close to the eggs. It seemed everyone had strong opinions on who would be with the nest and for how long, and each of them showed both admiration and a protective side as they did so.

“Some of us are traveling home with our parents. That’s not fair.”

Ash covered his mouth with his hand, fighting back a laugh. I shared that sentiment. Who knew that our team would get so attached to our two precious eggs? We could understand the sentiment, we were quite attached to the little buggers also. I never dreamed that our team would adopt them as their own as well.

Since we would only be gone for two days and two nights, we’d gotten a smaller travel nest, which was already placed in the van. It had several of the special blankets, including the ones the team had gotten for us that matched our school colors. It wasn’t their nest, but it would do.

The only thing I hated about it was that my mate and I couldn’t snuggle up with them in it as much as we’d have loved to. But it was either a travel nest or Ash staying home with them and that wasn’t going to happen. Not only had he worked too hard not to see the fruits of his labor, but that wasn’t even why. It was me. I couldn’t be away from them for two days, either.

“Team, I think it’s a good idea if we draw straws.” Ash had finally had enough listening to them talk in circles. “You’ll all get a chance to spend time with the eggs, just as you have done nearly every day all week. And when we’re driving, you’re going to be sitting in your seats anyway, so it really doesn’t matter who rides in the van with the eggs.”

They all seemed to mull that over. Eventually, it was determined that myself, Ash, Jay, and Crista would ride in the van with the eggs, while everyone else rode in the van with the luggage. Once we arrived Scott, Issac, and Susan would get a chance to stay with the eggs while Ash and I got the team signed in. In all the things I thought we might struggle with this competition, who drove in which vehicle hadn’t been one of them.

We did allow Scott and Issac to carry the eggs—under very close supervision—from our nest to the van. Ash and I had planned to do it, but our hands were literally shaking as we each made our attempt. The new-parent fear of dropping them had settled in and taken root. It was best we chose people slightly removed, people who wouldn’t let panic cause them to stumble. We trusted them. They’d do anything for our clutch.

We stood outside, each of us getting ready to leave. I held Ash’s hand as excitement and trepidation rolled through me. We were on our way to our first competition as Flight Leaders, where our hard work would prove to be successful—or not.

I was confident that we were going to do well. Our team was solid, and we’d had enough practice under our belts to have the routine come naturally, despite its difficulty level. But I’d been confident in the past, as well, and had it not turned out well, so there was still this nagging feeling in the back of my head that we’d fail.

And for me, I’d failed last year and numerous times before. I could handle it. My mate could too, but I didn’t want that for him. He’d helped me turn this thing into something special, something that might be a game changer for our school and potentially the sport. It was for him that I needed this win out of the gate.

If we lost, then we’d simply be relegated to the lower division tiers. It wasn’t the end of the world, even if it felt like it. We’d still compete, but not in the top positions. And while there were far worse things that could happen, I didn’t want that for them. It would shake their confidence and make the rest of the season so much more difficult.

Both Ash and I worked hard at getting them to feel confident, and I expected to see it reflected in my team’s eyes. Instead, they all seemed to have reluctance and fear in them. I felt like a failure.

“Team, once we get to the competition, things are going to move fast. We’ll get settled into the dorm rooms provide for us. Then there’s the welcome dinner tonight, and then tomorrow, competition starts.”

I handed them each a packet with the information so they could have it on hand.

“Some of you have already been to these competitions with me, so you know how it goes. Others, this is brand-new for you. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask.”

The team took a break from staring at the eggs and focused their attention on me and Ash, their hands gripping the folders tightly. They may not have said it out loud, but their faces showed the anxiety that had wiggled its way into their minds and gained a foothold. They said it was good not to be too comfortable when you competed, that a little fear went a really long way. If that was true, we were ready.

I took a moment to catch the gaze of each member of my young team, attempting to reassure them. When I turned to Ash, his own trepidation was visible on his face as well. I needed to spend the trip yanking that worry from him. He had enough on his plate with the eggs traveling with us, the first time competing, and being the only eagle Leader.

“The Dragon Flight games aren’t just about skill and cool maneuvers, it’s about teamwork and building community that will last you a lifetime.” That was what drew me to them in the first place. Competition could be found in all different arenas, from music to chess to soccer, but this camaraderie was really unique and special.

“These games have a history. Dating back further than even I remember.” There were a few giggles. Everyone on the team seemed to find constant amusement in my age. “There was a time when dragons flew freely, but so did demons. It was because of our teamwork and community that we were able to send the demons of Earth back to where they belonged.” Those were dark days I truly hoped we’d never see again. “But once the war was done, dragons continued to be ready. Continued to train.”

I loved that something that began as a way of saving dragon kind could turn into something that uplifted it.

“We all come from different backgrounds, but what has made us strong—what will make us unstoppable in competition—is our unity and trust in one another.”

Nearly everyone nodded along. Maybe my message was seeping in. Please let that be the case.

“We lift each other up, and together, we’ll thrive. No matter what happens on the field, we’ll face it as one.”

Ash continued from there. “We’ve forged a bond this season. You all have cemented yourselves as worthy team members and made a significant impact on mine and Zayne’s family. We truly believe in every single one of you. And we’re honored to have been your Flight Leaders this season. Let’s remember that when we take to the skies tomorrow.”

Our team whistled and cheered, and even the eggs seemed to pulse with a glow of excitement.

“Let’s get moving,” I said. “We’ve got a victory to secure!”

No matter what happened from here, this season was already a success in my book. We had turned our team into so much more. They took risks, supported each other, were the world’s best hype people, and understood that this wasn’t about winning, at least not completely. We were still going to win. Probably. Maybe. Fingers crossed.