Chapter Text
Aly,
The fliers have agreed to meet you at Athbyne. Meet them on the last day of the month to drop off the weapons. You will meet with Syrena’s drift for the drops. I heard about your dragon. Your sister would be proud.
Lindell
I finished decoding the letter Duke Lindell sent. It took a week for the letter to arrive. Tomorrow we will meet the fliers. I really miss my sister. I wish she was still here. “Sphinx would like to meet you.”
Who is Sphinx?
“Your sister’s dragon. She has refused to bond since your sister’s disappearance.” I am confused. She didn’t disappear, she died. “She has theories of what happened to her rider. Sphinx has said she can't feel her, but knows your sister is alive.” I feel hope building in my chest.
See you later for flight field. My dragon chuffs. She loves it when I come to see her. When I have free time, I am either training or with Skye. I usually choose Skye, nothing beats hours in the air. I see Emily trying to get my attention. “We need to go for Battle Brief!” I jog over to her so she doesn’t get annoyed at me. “I just had a lesson with Carr,” that explains why I haven’t seen her much today, “and you have a wielding lesson with him after Battle Brief.”
“But we have flight field today after class.” Do I really need practice? No, but I get more time with Skye.
“Ya, but lets face it, you are the best rider in the quadrant. Carr knows that too, that is why he is pulling you out during flight manuvers.” Skye grumbles in my mind. She doesn’t want me to miss class either.
“Well, I will go after flight field. And if Carr has a problem with it, he can talk to my dragon.” Emily snickers. “Lets get to class.” I smile.
Xaden sits on my right, and Emily on my left. Professor Devara goes on about how a drift of gryphons attacked one of border outposts. I assume they were going for weapons, like always. Two fliers were killed. Navarre had covered up the truth of what is out there beyond the borders for hundreds of years. They pin the fliers as the enemy, when they are only stealing weapons because the weapons are the only things that can kill venin. Navarre should be joining Poromiel to fight.
I let my mind wander, and I start tapping my foot in need of a distraction. “Relax. You're stressing me out.” Xaden spoke in my mind, through our bond. I debate playing with my signet some. “Whatever you're plotting, don't do it.” Apparently I let an amused look cross my face.
I start picturing Aretia. I picture every fine detail in my room. I take in the room, the bookshelf that was across from the foot of my bed. My balcony, which overlooks the courtyard. The intricate patterns on the ceiling. The deep navy bed sheets. I loved when Xaden and I would just hang out in my room. I wish we were there together now.
Right on cue, Xaden’s eyes widen and he looks around the room like he is seeing things. Everyone else is acting fine, so I don’t know what is going on. Fix your face, I throw in Xaden’s direction.
“Are you doing this?” his voice is laced with curiosity.
What do you mean?
“I’m in your room in Aretia.” I sit up slightly in my chair.
Skye, what is happening? I reach out for my dragon.
“You’re projecting an image that only he can see and interact with. You choose who can see the image.” As if she can sense my next question, she adds, “You can’t see it because you didn’t project it for yourself to see.”
I focus and stop thinking about Aretia. I see Xaden relax his posture slightly out of the corner of my eye. Apparently, I can create illusions, I think in his direction. I can feel his shock through our bond.
Xaden and I walk to the flight field. Skye and Sgaeyl are next to each other, like always. Everyone else gives her a wide berth, afraid to get too close. She lowers her head, and I rub her maw. Like she said before, she is sweet, but only for me. I hear the sound of wings approaching us. “Stay close to your dragons!” Kaori shouts, while at the same time Skye and her sister roar at the approaching dragon. I have the feeling this dragons is a friends of theirs.
The Red Scorpiontail lands next to Syke, and I step closer to my dragon. Red Scorpiontails are the quickest to temper. “Sphinx won’t hurt you, she came here to talk.” And I thought my sister bonded a sensible green.
I hear a new gravelly voice speaks in my head, “Hello, Cruel Gem.” I take a shaky breath, that was the name my sister called me. “Yes, and I know she is alive because I am. She is my last rider, and we have a strong bond. When she dies, so will I.” Maybe I will find her. “You remind me of my rider. I believe she might have left clues in her journal. She planned on giving her wisdom to you when you joined the quadrant. She hid her journal in her room. She was in Garricks room.”
I nod, “thank you,” I say aloud. The gorgeous blood-red dragon in front of me lowers her head and lets out a puff and steam. I reach out my hand, and the red bumps her nose agains it. Sphinx extends her large wings and takes off. I will need to talk to Garrick.
Professor Kaori’s voice cuts through the silence, “Class can resume now that the unbonded dragon left.” He turns to mount Smachd and I stare daggers in his direction. Sphinx is not unbonded, and he knows it. “Worry about him later, Cruel Gem.”
I roll my eyes at my dragon, you're calling me that now too. She chortles, clearly I amuse her. Skye snarls at an approaching figure.
"Cadet Byrne, I think I said you have training with me after Battle Brief.” Professor Carr glances at my dragon.
"Tecnically, you asked Emily to tell me. And I have flight manuvers to do, so I should get going.” I take a step back, but a hand grabs my wrist.
Garrick, could use some help. My friend was the closest one to me, Xaden and Sgaeyl took off already.
Skye snarls, her head lowering and her tail swishing in agitation. Carr removes his hand and takes a few steps back. I don't think many people in the quadrant want the rath of my dragon aimed at them. I turn and run up her leg. She releases one final growl before taking off. My class with Carr later will be dreadful.
My legs are tired after our two hour pratice. "You can tell the professor about sensation wielding, but be careful.”
I will be fine. She presses her head against my chest before taking off. I will see her tomorrow. I walk to Carr's class, hoping he won't be too mad about earlier. As soon as I enter his room, I use my signet to keep him from scolding me. “There is something new I figured out that I can do.”
His eyes widen, and I allow him to talk again. “Show me.” I focus on the pain of a broken shoulder, I can project any emotion I have felt before.
“Pain,” I say. I watch his facade brake as he clutches his shoulder. I let go of my power, and Carr stands back up. “I can wield sensations.” He nods, and we continue working on my ability to control my different abilities.