Page 38 of Tempest Rising

"Raze," Kane continued, "you're most familiar with the local flora and fauna. You'll take point on scouting and foraging. We'll need to find food along the way—we can't waste time stopping for long hunts."

Raze stepped forward, navigating around a fallen log covered in bright green moss. "The Guild buildings are in that direction," he said, pointing west where the terrain sloped upward into steeper, rockier ground. "I can tell."

I remembered Raze from the times Mason and Kane ate lunch together. Pretty sure he was a wolf shifter, always cracking jokes and lightening the mood. He seemed like the kind of guy who could keep things from getting too intense out here. And honestly, we could use that.

Kane pressed his palm to the earth, his eyes closing in concentration. The air around him hummed with elemental magic, rippling through the ground like waves on water. A nearby patch of wildflowers trembled in response to his power.

I lingered in silence, feeling a flare of uncertainty. Kane hadn’t assigned me anything. I wasn’t sure if it was an oversight or an intentional snub, but either way, it left me feeling like dead weight.

"He's right," Kane confirmed, opening his eyes. "I can feel the stone foundations of the Guild from here. Let's move. We'll look for a defensible position to make camp as we go—somewhere with water access and natural cover."

We started walking. Kane took point, his confident stride setting the pace through the dense forest. I followed a few steps behind, close enough to catch the subtle tension in his shoulders whenever he sensed something worth investigating but far enough to avoid crashing into him if he stopped suddenly.

Mason's solid presence at my back was reassuring—I could practically feel his protective aura radiating forward. Raze moved like a ghost through the trees around us, sometimes appearing on our left, sometimes our right, his keen eyes constantly scanning for threats or resources.

After watching the others navigate the rough terrain, I felt a surge of gratitude for that month-long backpacking trip I'd taken during college. While two full days of hiking seemed daunting after spending the last couple years buried in library books, at least I wasn't completely out of my element. The rhythm of walking brought back muscle memories I hadn't accessed in a while. Maybe I'd actually have something worthwhile to contribute to this challenge beyond just trying not to slow everyone down.

I stepped forward to walk beside Kane, my stride matching his pace. Our awkward interaction from a few days ago still lingered, but the tension needed addressing before it affected the group dynamic.

"This feels like more than just a survival test," I ventured. "Four people, all needing to make it back together... seems like they're testing how well we work as a unit."

Kane's sharp gaze flickered to me, considering. "Agreed. The requirement that all team members must reach the Guild or none qualify for dragon bonding is... telling." He paused, stepping over a fallen log with fluid grace. "Individual strength means nothing if we can't function cohesively."

The way he said it made me think about how different we all were—not just in personality, but in species. Each of us carried centuries of ingrained prejudices and power dynamics.

"I've noticed how tense things get between different species during training," I ventured carefully. "Makes me wonder about the bigger picture. I've been trying to wrap my head around the politics, the factions, the way supernatural species interact. And then there are the Dragon Riders, who seem to operate almost... above it all?"

Kane’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something sharp and calculating. “That’s because they are,” he said, his voice low and measured. “A Dragon Rider isn’t just a warrior. The bond between a Rider and their dragon is one of the most powerful connections in the world. It gives them not just physical strength, but influence. Political power.”

"So it's not just about riding dragons," I murmured, pieces clicking into place as we regained stable ground. The sound of a distant stream added a steady rhythm to our conversation.

"Exactly." Kane's eyes met mine, and for once, I saw respect there. "Dragons are rare, their Riders even rarer. The bond isn't just physical; it's magical, deep. That kind of connection gives a Rider authority most species can't challenge." He paused, studying me as a ray of sunlight broke through the canopy, illuminating the silver in his eyes. "It's why your candidacy is... controversial."

“And since I’m human…” I trailed off, the weight of that truth settling over me like a heavy cloak.

Kane’s lips twitched into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Since you’re human, you’re an anomaly. The first of your kindto be chosen. That makes you dangerous. And in a world where power is everything, dangerous things are rarely left alone.”

“Great,” I muttered. “No pressure or anything.”

Kane actually smirked at that, the expression fleeting but there. “Consider it a compliment. Dangerous can be useful.”

The weight of his words settled over me. Before I could respond, movement caught my eye. Near the base of a large granite outcrop, half-hidden by sword ferns, familiar leaves swayed in the breeze.

"Wait," I called out, moving closer to inspect the plants. The soft earth gave slightly under my feet as I knelt. "I thought so. Chickweed. These are edible. High in nutrients, too." I examined the leaves more carefully, remembering hours spent studying botanical texts in the library. "We should gather some while we can."

Raze grinned, clearly impressed. He crouched beside me, inhaling deeply. "Nice catch. I can shift and catch us a rabbit later—make a proper meal of it. Plenty of them in these parts."

Mason stepped forward, his large frame casting a shadow over our impromptu foraging. "We should take a water break," he rumbled, already shrugging off the pack. "Getting dehydrated up here isn't something we want to deal with."

The concern in his voice was subtle but unmistakable. Mason’s hand brushed mine as he handed me the water bottle, and for a moment, I felt the warmth of his skin lingering against mine. His touch was always so gentle, despite the raw power he carried in his massive frame. I glanced up at him, catching the way his dark eyes softened when they met mine.

I didn’t want to admit how safe I felt with him nearby, like nothing in this wilderness could touch me as long as he was there. But did he feel the same? Or was I just another responsibility for him to bear?

"Thanks," I murmured, taking a long drink. The cool water was refreshing after the uphill climb.

Raze tilted his head suddenly, nostrils flaring as a breeze rustled through the clearing. A slow smile spread across his face. "Blackberries," he announced, turning slightly to the west. "And where there are blackberries, there's usually water. Two birds, one stone."

Kane took a final sip from his water bottle, passing it back to Mason. "That would make a decent lunch stop. How far?"

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