Page 121 of Grave Situation

He probably intended that to be reassuring, but now all I can think is, what if he has a panic attack about carrying a new rider when we’re hundreds of feet in the air and decides to dump me off?

Coryn releases his hold and gives Leicht’s foreleg a pat. “There. I’ll come back to talk to you tomorrow, if you like.” He looks inquiringly up at Leicht’s big head, and after a moment, it bobs in the world’s biggest nod. Coryn grins. “Excellent. Let Talon know if there’s anything you need, or maybe a treat you’d like? We can try to get it when we resupply.”

Sudden visions of having to carry around cattle intestines or something like it spur me to intervene. “We won’t be resupplying until we get to a good-sized town. Which doesn’t look like it’ll be soon. But that’s a kind thought, Coryn. Leicht’s grateful.”

The dragon makes a growly sound that might be agreement or laughter. It’s hard to tell, since I’m getting a mental sensation of both.

“Breakfast?” I ask Coryn brightly. “It’s my turn to cook, and Leicht needs to hunt for a sheep or something.”

“Okay!” Coryn starts in the direction of the cabin, and I follow.

“There are cattle not too far from here. I believe intestines are on the menu today.”

My good moodcontinues over the next few days, and Jaimin keeps shooting me secret little smiles that just make me feel even better. We never got the chance to talk about whether we were ready to announce our new relationship to Coryn and Arimen—though it’s not going to take long before they guess. I think Coryn might already have his suspicions, since we’ve been sharing a tent the last couple of days. If anything, though, it’s just made him happy.

Arimen doesn’t seem to have noticed yet. I’m putting that down to his youth and innocence.

It’s not until the third day that I decide I really can’t procrastinate any longer. That is, Icould, but I shouldn’t. It’s already been too long, and Jaimin’s right. We don’t know what lies ahead and which direction the stone will take us.

Just to be on the safe side, though, I check in with it.

Would it be a terrible idea and detrimental to our mission if I learned how to ride Leicht?

The chunk of rock’s amusement is clear as it replies, ~No~

Hmm. Maybe my question wasn’t clear.I mean, what if I learn right now, today? Wouldn’t that be a bad idea?

~No~

Godsdammit.But I could fall and die. Then who would find the champion?

Disbelieving laughter is the only response. I didn’t realize how much I was depending on the stone vetoing this whole plan until right this moment, when it didn’t.

So… it would be completely fine if we stopped early for the day and I had a flying lesson?

~Yes~

Ugh. Fine, then.

“Is there somewhere nearby that would make a good stopping place?”I ask Leicht.“The stone thinks I should have my first flying lesson.”There’s a surprised silence, and belatedly I add,“If that’s okay with you, of course. If not, we can leave it for another time.”Maybe I won’t have to disobey the stone. Maybe Leicht will decide?—

“A flying lesson is a good idea,”he says, killing that hope.“There’s a decent stand of trees about a mile ahead. That should provide adequate shelter for the night.”

I grumble a mental thank-you, then clear my throat. “We’ll be stopping early today,” I declare, interrupting whatever Arimen is chattering about. “In about a mile. Leicht says there’s a good spot.”

I get three surprised glances. “But why?” Arimen asks. “Shouldn’t we press on? We have a holy mission!”

The stabbing pain in my temple is a nice reminder of what it feels like to teach first-year mages. “Yes. Holy mission. The stone suggested we stop. We need to forage for food, anyway, but it…”I can’t believe I have to say this out loud. “It also thinks now is a good time for me to ride Leicht.” I mumble the last few words, and they all lean closer.

“What was that?” Coryn asks, and I sigh.

“The stone wants me to learn to ride Leicht.”

Jaimin’s expression instantly changes to surprised relief, but the other two are just plain shocked.

“What?” Coryn exclaims. “But… only bonded riders have ever ridden dragons!” He casts a worried glance toward the sky. “What if he gets mad and tries to eat you? I don’t think I could hold a dragon off for very long.”

The fact that he thinks he could hold a dragon off for any time at all is something I make a mental note of. We’re going to have to talk about that—nobody wants him taking on an impossible challenge sometime in the future.

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