The ache of those thoughts wouldn’t help me. I made myself turn away from them and focus on remembering the map and instructions while I waited for the Trial to begin.
The sky was just turning pink over the trees, but it would be an hour or more before the sun was bright. And another before the mists burned off.
I took a deep breath and turned in the other direction, reminding myself how incredible it was that I stood there in the bottom of the launch hollow wearing flight leathers. No other woman had ever stood here with her own dragon. None.
Aside from me there were only five other Flameborne for this challenge because Faren and Lorr weren’t here. Thinking of them made my spine go cold. I looked up at the gathering crowd on the top lip of the launch hollow, wondering if they were among the messengers and stableboys. But I couldn’t pick them out and it seemed silly to try. Even if they were watching, they wouldn’t be allowed to fly.
Thankfully, the horn was blown and the dragons all raised their heads. We turned to face Donavyn and Captain Mont, and now I had areasonto stare at him. My chest still burned, though.
“Flameborne, if this was true battle, your orders would be assigned by your Wing Leaders. Defenders, go to your Wing Captains now to receive your instructions. Attackers, remain where you are anddo not interfere.
I found myself bobbing on my feet with anticipation and remembered Akhane’s words about impatience. I would have to ask her about that.
Moments later, the three men who’d chosen Defense left their Wing Leaders and ran to their dragons. They all mounted faster than I could. Akhane and I moved to the edge of the launch hollow so there was plenty of room for them to launch.
The men crowding at the top clapped as they took off. Then, as quiet fell, a tension settled in the hollow more impenetrable than the dawn mists.
Twenty minutes was a long time to wait when there wasnodistraction. But finally Donavyn barked at us to receive our orders, and I raced to Ronen.
He smiled at me grimly as I saluted. “Orders, Sir?”
“Your orders are clear, Flameborne, First Rank: attack the tower. Fire the windows and doors. Ignite the munitions within. If you can take the flag, your team is victorious. No matter what you face, react as you would in true battle. This is every man for himself—no coordination with other Pairs and no real fire. Are you clear?”
“I’m clear, Sir!”
“Very good. You’re released. Go!” I squeaked and took off, but didn’t miss Ronen’s quiet words behind me. “God go with you, Bren.”
I sprinted straight to Akhane’s side and up the mounting strap as quickly as I was able. We were the last to launch, but only just behind the others. And once we were in the sky, it hit me: this was the second trial. If I made it through this I’d be almost there.
I leaned forward, making myself as streamlined as possible as Akhane sought to catch and pass the other dragons to whom we’d lost ground with my slow mounting.
‘We can do this, Akhane,’I sent, thrilled and terrified in the same breath.
‘Yes we can, Bren. Yes we can.’
50. Trial by Fire
SOUNDTRACK:Maestroby cjbeards
~ BREN ~
An hour later we circled in the clouds high above the tower. I chewed the inside of my cheek and cursed, looking for a new opening.
Things had started great. With Akhane’s slightly smaller size and increased agility, we’d managed two successful dives where she’d fired the contents of the tower. The first shot was iffy—Akhane blew too late. But regardless, we were showing up. I’d felt great. But now it had been half an hour since we’d made any real impact. I had to keep abandoning runs because they caught sight of us too easily. The mists hadn’t lifted, which should have worked in our favor. Yet somehow the three circling the tower in staggered aerial spirals that kept them moving and constantly facing in different directions meant we couldn’t get a shot anymore.
I suddenly understood why Ronen said the Defendersalwayswon this challenge.
“I should have chosen Defense,” I muttered.
‘Untrue, Bren. We aren’t suited to it. This is better. But we need a new approach.’
That was the rub: Akhane wasn’t supposed to take any line or maneuver that I didn’t order. So, I couldn’t just ask her how to get through. And even though visibility was worsening, they were too tight on the tower to offer us any openings.
‘What we need is a way to draw them further from the tower.’
‘Keep thinking, Bren,’Akhane said smoothly.
The problem was that I couldn’t coordinate with others.
