Page 128 of Forcing Fate

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. It’s not like I had time to throw my tunic on and lace it up. Most night shifts were thin, comfortable, thigh-length garments with lace or beading at the neckline… the very low neckline.

“Is this part of a new uniform?!”

“I—eh. No, sir!”

Soldiers were not allowed to wear civilian clothing, but I hadn’t thought of my sleepwear. I never intended anyone to see me in them. I was always up before roll call.

“Burn it!”

I flinched.

“Don’t let me catch you in such… flimsy clothing again! Shameful!” He turned on his heel and marched the single step out of my room. “You’ll run the obstacle course three times today because of that!”

I mentally groaned and saluted his back as he stalked through the bunkhouse, shouting at cadets who dared to meet his eyes. The cadet outside my room cast me a sidelong glance, and I glared at him before shutting my door.

Cursing under my breath, I changed into my uniform after binding my chest and pulled on my winter cloak and boots. Slipping my bandit breaker in place, I tugged on the push dagger around my neck, double-checking it was still secure. I never took it off.

I rushed from the bunkhouse and skidded to a stop, spotting Sergeant Briggs at a fire pit to the side, warming his hands. He pointed to the bunkhouse, then back to the fire. I gave a stiff salute and retrieved my night shift.

Sergeant Briggs turned and raised a single brow, making a show of holding his hands over the fire. “Well, cadet?” he prompted.

I kept my glare in check as I tossed the night shift into the fire and saluted him, refusing to watch months of savings go up in flames… literally.

The skin crinkled at the corners of his eyes as he gave me a broad smile. “Three laps around the obstacle course! Now!”

I opened my mouth to object, then snapped it shut. If I complained about running the course before the first meal, he would add at least one more lap to it.

“Yes, sir!”

I marched off toward the training fields with his laughter following me. Why they put such a man over the first year cadets—I didn’t know. He had far too much joy in punishing us.

The bite of winter urged me on, my breaths fogging in the frigid air. I threw my cloak over the fence that framed the course and shivered. It would only slow me down. I leapt over the first hurdle, then charged at the rope netting, frozen with snow and ice.

The first lap was a struggle. My hands rested on my knees as I heaved for breath. I worked up a sweat even with the freezing temperatures. My lungs burned as I huffed and pushed myself to start again.

A dragon’s roar tore my eyes to the sky. An enormous, red dragon arrowed toward the barracks. I should have kept going and ignored it, but something in my heart demanded I stop and watch.

The Dragon Rider sat atop his great beast, lying low against its neck. He was covered in the common black-leather armor of the Dragon Riders, but I couldn’t make out any more details. On his back hung a large crossbow, as was typical for most Riders.

The dragon was a large red male. I only knew of one that immense. Ge’org was close to sixty paces long, from snout to rump. His tail flung out behind him as he cut through the overcast sky. His crimson scales shined like rubies in the dim sunlight. The only one who would ride Ge’org would be his bonded Lord Ruveel—the Dragon Lord. He commanded the Dragon Fleet on the front lines.

What was he doing here?

“What lap are you on?”

I jumped at the rough voice and noticed General Rafe resting against the fence. Taking a deep breath, I threw myself into the course again.

“The second,” I called.

The snow and ice bit at my hands and I slipped on an obstacle more than once. My height already put me at a disadvantage. Adding the bitter elements definitely didn’t help.

He waited till I doubled-over, panting after my second round, before he questioned me again. “How many?”

“One more, sir,” I said between gasping breaths.

He grunted and settled in to watch.

The third took the longest. I was tired, cold, and my body was already exhausted. I was sure there would be nothing left from first meal even if I made it there a few moments before my roll call with Commander Dewal.

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