Page 16 of Forcing Fate

Sunlight shone through the dragon’s opaque wings as it glided over the armory office, and I ran outside to admire it. Its white talons flashed in the light, and its glittering tail lashed from side to side as it flew. It circled a few more times before heading to the Dragon Canyon, where all dragons and Riders lived.

It was a thick gorge, straight through an enormous mountain, with natural caverns hollowed and dug out further by Dragon Kind. They provided shelter from the elements and stayed cool in the summer. During the winter, those who remained retreated to the hot springs below the school.

Still smiling, I returned to my task. Hatching Day was a few months away. The idea of flying like that, wind tugging at my hair, tearing through the sky—a shiver of excitement ran through me. The freedom and liberties it would allow me were hard to fathom.

I went back to attempting to organize the shields but was suddenly absent minded, as I could only think of which hatchling would be mine in just a few short months.

Chapter Five

Willhelm led me back to the barracks’ gate at sunset. The sky, painted with hues of golden orange and pink-kissed clouds, took my breath away. Its glow highlighted the magnificent dragons teeming above. Most of them thrived for this seasonal change, especially the beasts who protected the homelands their entire lives.

Two young dragonlings who were too small for their Riders, weaved beside each other, racing and testing each other’s skills. They were the size of large horses and taunted one another with mock roars and little bursts of flame. This was perhaps their second Hatching Day coming up, and they were showing good growth.

“You’re assigned to the barracks for another two weeks?” Willhelm asked.

Men still milled about, wrapping up tasks before dark. Now accustomed to my presence, most barely gave me a second glance.

“Yes. I’m due to assist General Rafe tomorrow morning. Originally, Master Elon was next on my schedule, but I received word of the change weeks ago. Perhaps the General’s injury has something to do with it.”

Willhelm grunted, and I glanced over to see him frowning. We’d built up quite a friendship during my term with Master Damon. I looked forward to his pleasant company. Though sometimes it felt as if he treated me like a child, there was a mutual respect between us. He was kind and gentle, nothing like my peers at the school.

When his sullen demeanor lingered, I prodded. “What is it?”

“General Rafe hasn’t been here in the homelands for quite some time. I’ve heard some rumors about him.”

“Like what?” I asked. When he didn’t answer, I moved into his path, causing him to pull up short. With an encouraging grin, I raised a brow. “What rumors? They might be helpful if he’s a prickly soul.”

His eyes sought mine before he grimaced and stepped around me. “I won’t gossip about a General. All I’ll say is when someone is absent from proper company for a length of time, they tend to forget what proper company requires.”

“Ah, so he’s rude. I can handle that.” I laughed, gesturing to the men bustling about. “These past weeks have supplied me with plenty of practice dealing with impudence.”

In truth, my time in the barracks left me happier than expected. Sure, I was out of place, as if a bright sign that read ‘Look at me!’ was plastered to my forehead. I didn’t even see laundry maids or female cooks anywhere. I was alone in my femininity, yet it still felt more like home than the school grounds ever did.

These men—well, they were men. They weren’t insolent boys or devious girls, or cranky old women who had nothing better to do than critique your life. Yes, they were brash and sometimes absentmindedly vulgar, but despite their rough edge, they were honest. The few who escorted me throughout the weeks proved to be quite polite in their own way. It was like they knew their purpose in life, and weren’t squabbling over what someone else was doing, or that someone else wanted the same thing they wanted.

“You’ll be fine, I’m sure. You’re a resilient one.” Willhelm broke from his reverie as we neared the gate and offered me a faint grin.

Though the smile was small, it delighted me to see he was at ease in my company. With Willhelm, or even the blacksmith, Elib, it felt as though I were taming a wild horse. I had to be gentle and friendly to urge them out of their stoic, closed-off, man-made shells. Elib even took brief breaks during my midday meal just to sit and make quiet conversation about the things that happened on the barracks’ side.

“General Rafe was due to arrive today, but I didn’t notice a caravan. Do you think he’s late?” I asked, pausing at the gate.

“Oh, he’s here. He doesn’t like to make a scene.”

This surprised me. I thought perhaps there would be a small gathering or something of the kind when he arrived. I hadn’t heard of anything, but students were not often invited to such functions. Perhaps his injury left him incapacitated for the time being.

“After being away for so long, you’d think a celebration would be in order,” I said, taken aback.

“Miss Avyanna,” Willhelm waited until I lifted my eyes to meet his before he finished, “be wary of him.”

“Of course.”

I tucked Willhelm’s warning away in my mind. Although it excited me to have another few weeks in the barracks, I wouldn’t allow that excitement to cloud my judgment or affect my behavior.

“Thank you, Sir Willhelm,” I said, turning to leave.

“You’re welcome, Avyanna.”

My steps faltered a bit, but I kept walking, crossing to the school grounds. He had never addressed me without a title before. No one really had, besides my peers, who couldn’t care less about titles. Something about the way he said it conveyed friendship. Was it even appropriate for one as young as I to be friends with a man so much older? If I was asked weeks ago, I’d have said a friendship between a woman and a man was improper. Yet the easy connection and respect we shared was far better than any relationship I had with the girls on the school grounds.

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