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Chapter Text

In this, the 628th year of our unification, it is hereby recorded that Aretia has been burned by dragon in accordance with the Treaty ending the separatist movement. Those who fled, survived, and those who did not remain entombed in her ruins.

— Public Notice 628.85, Transcribed by Cerella Neilwart

"How did you survive?" I ask Gabriel, sitting across from him in the spacious dinning room.

Gabriel.

My brother, who I had thought had died in the Battle of Beatha River. Who Cam and I had mourned for six long years, grieving our eldest brother with every fiber of our beings. Who's death had driven me to join General Sheridan's rebellion network.

"How did you survive?" Gabriel counters, icing spot where I had punched him in the jaw. "I thought you drowned to your death off the coast of Luceras."

"Touche." I acknowledge. "But, how did you survive? Every report— you took a blow to the face. Doineann was shot in the chest with a catapult?"

I trace his face, taking it in. He's older now, not the twenty four year old I had seen before he was deployed, he's thirty years old now. He's grown into his body, his facial features similar to Halden and the King's, but with the kindness both of them lack. A long, diagonal scar runs across his face, stretching from the lower left side of his jaw to his right temple, slashing across his cheek, sliding under his eye, and missing his nose.

Gabriel's face darkens with sadness. His eyes close. "Althea." he rasps. "She— she brought the two of us back when where on the brink of death. When I woke up, Ranald was unconscious, he had cried himself to sleep for grieving Althea. Doineann was strong enough to grab me and hide in a network of caves when riders came looking for our bodies."

"You where the spy." I say quietly. "The high ranking one for the rebels."

He nods. "When I learned about the truth... I couldn't just sit back and let the world burn. So I contacted Fen, joined his rebellion. Only Fen, Colonel Mairi, and General Tavis knew my identity. Duke Lindell and Xaden learned after the executions."

I reach out to Liam. "Did you know?"

He responds an instant. "No, I never did. All eight members of the Assembly are hardly here at the same time, and I never ran into Gabriel. If I had known— then I would've told you and damn whatever Xaden would've said."

I send him a wave of love and trust. "I believe you. Thank you."

"Liam didn't know about me." Gabriel says, confirming what I know. "I was never here the same time as he was— I've been running missions with the gryphon fliers, helping them fight the venin."

"And Xaden?" I ask. I force myself to think logically, without any emotions: Xaden barely trusted me, so it would make sense that he wouldn't tell me. I could, theoretically, understand, but my heart was enraged at being kept in the dark about my brother's survival.

"Xaden, like I said, knew that I survived." Gabriel says. He removes the ice and runs a hand through his hair. "When he told me you survived, that you knew the truth and part of your rebellion network— I told him to tell you that I survived. You could be trusted. So when I learned that he didn't tell me... I was pissed."

"I'm surprised Violet didn't try to punch you." I say mildly.

Violet had always looked up to Gabriel as another big brother figure, given the amount of time our families spent together due to General Sorrengail's career.

"She understood that I wanted you to be told about my survival. Miles broke my arm for her anyways. And she's more angry at Brennan right now."

Brennan, it turns out, is alive. And told Xaden to not tell Violet he was alive, even when Violet got brought into the truth. Violet is currently furious, though I don't know if she knows that Brennan told Xaden to not tell her that he survived.

"Now, how did you survive? Or rather, how did you fake your death?" Gabriel asks me. "There's no other Storm Wielder than General Sorrengail."

I grin. "Runes. General Sheridan and her riders got their hands on my boat and placed runes on it to trigger a freak storm. Valerie and Declan where nearby to help since she's a Water Wielder and he can manipulate air. They worked together to stir up the storm, and Valerie used her signet to sink the boat. The crew of the boat were rebellion riders anyways, and we swam to shore. We left enough evidence behind to fake my death."

Gabriel nods, looking impressed. "That's thorough and impressive."

A rider enters the room. "Lieutenant Colonel Rèite, the Assembly needs you to discuss..." the rider looks at me. "The recent findings."

Gabriel rolls his eyes. "I'm coming." he says and the rider leaves. He looks at me. "Want to come? Anyone is free to watch the Assembly meetings."

I nod. "Okay."

I join Valerie, Isla, Miles, and Crystal in the shadows as we watch the Assembly meeting. I squeeze Crystal's shoulder. "How are you doing?" I ask softly.

Soleil was dead, leaving Crystal without any more blood family. But she had us, and I was determined to keep her safe.

Crystal smiles sadly. "Just... just moving through it all." she says, her but brown eyes are sad and haunted.

"We risk everything if we send all of them back!" a woman shouts. Suri, if I recall her name correctly. Liam had pointed out each of the Assembly members to me before the meeting had started. "Especially King Tauri's daughter."

"And I'm his son. I was the Crown Prince." Gabriel snaps back. "Sarai knows the truth and has been working with a rebellion network, which we can confirm is reliable, for over a year."

"There are too many cadets going back." Kylynn notes. "I agree with Suri, at least some of the cadets should remain here."

"The cadets being Miles Androu, Isla Calder, and Sarai Graycastle?" Felix Gerault asks pointedly.

Miles clears his throat. "Said cadets being right fucking here."

Every member of the Assembly looks our way, and I wave lazily.

Valerie clears her throat. "Frost would be very displeased if three of her own remained here as prisoners in a gilded cage. Miles, Isla, Sarai— they're all going back with the rest of the cadets. All of them have to go back, and soon, or the rest of the Marked Ones are doomed."

"You've been listening to this meeting?!" Ulices yells, standing up. The temperature drops and Gabriel glares at him. "Back the fuck off." my brother growls.

Bodhi steps forward. "It's not against the rules."

"If they try and keep you here, Brave One, I shall burn this house into nothing but ashes." Soil growls. "Tell them that, word for word."

"Soil says if you try and keep me here, then he'll burn this house into nothing but ashes." I say.

"Lasair is threatening annihilation." Miles throws in cheerfully. My lips twitch in amusement at the Red Swordtail's threats.

Valerie looks at us. "Let's go, this isn't worth anything at the moment."

I resist the urge to smirk and follow Valerie out of the Riorson House. We make the climb up to the valley about the Riorson House.

"How are you doing?" she asks me. "And don't lie to me, Sarai."

"The pain's gone down, and the shower was great." I admit.

After punching Gabriel, Liam had been called in to carry me upstairs to his room so I wouldn't try to do something worse. I had showered and once I had emerged, clean clothes had been laid out for me: a comfortable black tank top and black pants soft to the touch. Then I had agreed to hear out Gabriel.

Isla squeezes my hand. "Never do that again, Sarai."

"Oh, Soil and I won't do that again anytime soon." I promise. "Isla, Miles, I'm so glad both of you are safe." my voice cracks. "I couldn't survive it if I lost either you."

Miles and Isla had been my family for years, and I couldn't even fathom the idea of losing my brother and sister. I thanked all the gods that both Isla and Miles had made it out of Resson largely unscathed.

Both of them hug me. "And we," Miles murmurs. "Are so glad you made it out alive as well, sister."

The rest of the trip is made in comfortable silence. My injuries act up slightly, tingling in pain, but nothing too bad, and I'm able to keep up with my found siblings.

When we arrive, I notice that Breac and Astaran are gone, and I sigh in dispoinatment at not getting to say thank you to Declan and Zahara. Lasair greets us with a trill, the Red Swordtail eagerly approaching her rider. Miles grins brightly at the sight of his dragon. Isla jogs over to Ranald, who affectionately nuzzles her and she strokes his snout.

I begin to head to Soil and Deigh, who are curled up together under a shady tree a bit of a ways away from the entrance of the valley, with Deigh resting his head on Soil's back. I realize that thee spot also gives the two dragons a clear view of who comes and goes from the entrance of the thermal valley.

Doineann lands with a soft thud, greeting me with a grunt as she digs into the sheep she's hunted. Soil opens his eyes to watch as I skirt around the Blue Daggertail with a respectful nod. I quickly notice that Doineann's ocean blue scales are marred only by the large, jagged, messy white scar on her chest.

"Hello Brave One." Soil greets once I get close, gently nudging me with his maw. I smile at him, pure, unbridled joy running through my heart. "Hey Soil." I greet, scratching his favorite spot below his right eye. He makes a deep, almost purr like sound in contentment. Deigh watches us lazily but protectively.

Soil suddenly growls, and I turn around to see Sgaeyl standing behind me. I step closer to Soil on reflex, averting my eyes. The navy scaled Blue Daggertail snorts and growls something, and Soil snaps his teeth in warning. I can feel his tension sit bleeds across the bond, how he doesn't like other dragons, even his sister, getting to close to me so soon after we both nearly died.

Sgaeyl rumbles softly and croons. Soil huffs and nudges her, before turning to me. "My sister would like me to tell you that she is very glad that you are alive, since she knows how much you mean to Sun Heart, and the Shadow Wielder cares very deeply for Sun Heart."

"Oh, um. Tell her thank you." I say and Soil huffs. He clearly transmits the message, as Sgaeyl grunts and walks away.

I sigh and turn to him. "Your sister is terrifying." I say, deadly serious.

Soil preens. "It runs in the family."

I sense Liam approaching and I turn around to greet him. "Hey love." I greet and he smiles. He then pulls me into a tight hug, his fingers gripping my shirt and I hug him back just as tightly, burying my face in his chest and breathing in his cedar and orange scent. Deigh and Soil move just enough that we're tucked safely in-between them.

"You're alive." Liam murmurs, kissing deeply me. I eagerly return the kiss. "I love you Sarai."

I kiss him again, soft and slow and sweet. "I love you Liam, until the very end."

Only when we hear Sgaeyl growl do we emerge from the safety of Soil and Deigh, curiously watching as Sgaeyl bares her teeth at Brennan. Soil throws in his own growl, glaring at Brennan.

"If Sgaeyl hates him, then so do I." Soil declares. I roll my eyes in fond exasperation at his pettiness. Meanwhile Liam chuckles in amusement and Deigh just blasts some steam, fond and exasperated at the same time.

"Hey, he's my brother!" Violet says, glaring at Soil and Sgaeyl. "Back off!"

"Don't worry." Brennan says. "Sgaeyl's never liked me and, " he looks cautiously at Soil. "It seems Soil does too. Saving his life be damned."

"It was the Healer who saved me, not him." Soil objects, and I repeat what he says in sheer amusement. Brennan just sighs while Doineann makes a noise that sounds like laughter. Deigh chuffs in amusement, steam wreathing around his horns as he observes the scene.

Andarna bounces out, golden scales shimmering in the sunlight as she practically tackles Violet to the ground. I can't help but coo at the sight, while Liam makes a soft noise.

"We need to get back to Basgiath soon." Xaden drawls, entering the valley. "We don't have any other choice."

"Right, back to the college run by the woman who sent her own daughter to die." Brennan says. "None of you should go back."

I roll my eyes. "Said woman also refused to let Colonel Aetos have Violet's memories examined probably since Threshing. Your mother is your weak point, Brennan, so I suggest you remove yourself from anything regarding her."

"Colonel Aetos was in charge of War Games, General Sorrengail wasn't with him when the final battle was announced." Ciaran points out.

"And," Valerie adds. "If the Marked Ones will all die if they don't go back."

"Juliette is going to be six in only a few days." Masen Sanborn says, his face going pale as a sheet. "If we don't go back, then every one of the Marked Ones is dead."

My stomach rolls at the idea of innocent children being executed. But I know that the King would go through with it.

Bodhi speaks, clearing his throat from his spot next to Isla, both Ranald and Cuir looming behind the couple. "We need to go back." he says, his voice clear and firm.

"Exactly." Xaden says. "And I have a plan, but with a forty eight hour window."

I tilt my head. "What's in forty eight hours?"

Xaden looks at all of us. "Graduation."

Chapter Text

There is no moment as rewarding, as stirring, as... anticlimactic as a Riders Quadrant Graduation. It's the only time I've ever envied the Infantry Quadrant. Now those cadets know how to hold a ceremony.

— Major Afendra's Guide to the Riders Quadrant (Unauthorized Edition)

Once back at the Riorson House, I pack what little I have while Xaden tells the Assembly our decision to return to Basgiath. My stuff is in Liam's room, and we both pack in nervous silence.

"Are you nervous?" I ask softly, tilting my head slightly as I look at my boyfriend. He has bruises under his eyes and on his jaw, a busted lip, and a reset nose. Neither Valerie or Brennan had mended him, since we need to maintain the cover of encountering and fighting a gryphon drift.

Liam exhales, long and slow. "Yeah."

I gently cup his face. "We'll face this together. Both of us."

"All four of us." Soil corrects me.

Deigh chimes in. "Soil is correct. All four of us will face whatever is coming together."

Liam and I share a grin.

"All four of us." Liam agrees, gripping my left hand. "All of us."

There's a gentle knock on the door and we both jump slightly. We share a nervous look and open the door.

Gabriel stands on the other side.

"Can we talk before you go?" he asks. "It will be quick, I promise."

I nod. "Sure."

"I'll see you at the valley." Liam tells me and walks away.

Gabriel enters the room and closes the door. Then he hugs me, and I hug him back. For the first time in six years, I'm able to hug my brother. Tears burn my eyes as I inhale his scent, drowning in its comfort.

"Stay safe." Gabriel whispers. "Second year will be shit with RSC, Elle, but promise me that you'll do your best to stay safe, survive, and stay alive."

"I promise." I say.

"And Cam? Is he okay?" Gabriel asks me.

"He'll be joining me in the Riders Quadrant." I say.

Gabriel sighs but smiles. "I can't be surprised. Tell him I'm alive."

"Of course I will." I reply.

He presses his forehead against mine. "I love you, Sarai."

Sarai.

My name, the name I chose. It warms my heart to see Gabriel embracing it without kicking up a fuss.

"I love you Gabriel." I say in return. And I mean it, so much.

It's dark as we approach the empty flight field. Nervousness runs through me a we approach the flight field, the riot doing what we can to stay outside, since I lack the strength to make an invisibility veil.

The flight had been full of nerves and fear. It had also taken a bit longer due to Soil needing to be careful to not reopen his injuries, which I knew annoyed Xaden and Tairn. But neither dared to say anything, not with Sgaeyl, Deigh, Lasair, and Ranald ready to throw hands... or claws, actually for Soil.

"Be calm, Brave One." Soil growls as we fly down to the flight field. "I did not choose a coward."

"Let me be scared. We can all potentially die so Colonel Aetos can keep his secrets." I shoot back.

Soil scoffs. "Just because one feels fear doesn't mean they are a coward, to be frozen and crippled. It means that they know what their limits are, and then they keep moving forward to overcome and conquer fear."

That's... actually really good advice.

"I always give good advice, Brave One." Soil says scoldingly.

The ground rushes up to meet us, and Soil lands roughly. I wince in pain as the scar on my sternum acts up.

When changing into clean clothes, after the shower, I had taken in all the new scars on my body. The scars that mirrored the ones on Soil's body.

A long scar runs down my sternum, from the hollow of my throat to just below my navel. Another runs from mid-thigh on my left leg to wind around my leg and stopping at my ankle. Two more scars on each of my flanks, running from the sides of my ribs to my hip bones. And finally, the knife scar on both sides of my shoulder from when the venin stabbed me.

Soil has a scar on is chest, a winding scar on his left back leg, and two longs scars on his sides.

I quickly dismount and he nuzzles me. "I will be nearby if you and Sun Heart need a rescue. No one will take you from me."

"As will I." Deigh agrees as he lands next to Soil and Liam dismounts. The Red Daggertail gently, affectionately bumps his maw against Liam and I. "I will be near to rescue you both of you."

"Thank you." Liam says with a grin.

I nod with a grin, stroking both of their snouts. "You two are the best. Thank you."

Both dragons preen before taking off.

We catch up with the rest of the group, and I see Xaden striding forward with tension in his shoulders. "You should talk with Xaden about his flaws and how he can overcome it before he leaves, if we survive this." I advise Liam through our bond.

Liam hums in agreement. "I will, don't worry."

The bells of Basgiath ringing, telling us that we have fifteen minutes before formation begins.

"Everyone clear on what's about to happen?" Xaden asks, his gaze sweeping the group. We all nod, and Garrick rolls his neck. "We're ready." the Section Leader says, answering for the entire group. Xaden stares at Violet for a long moment before nodding and we begin walking down the tunnel.

I ignore the riders who taunt as we stride through the hallways. "Guess this means that no one knows what really happened." Imogen whispers, and I let out a small sigh of relief.

"Of course they wouldn't know. Leadership wouldn't tell them anything." Isla points out.

Eya sighs in relief. "Then we have a shot at this working."

At the entrance of the dorms, we exchange looks before wordlessly breaking apart. I follow Crystal with Miles and Isla to Soleil's room. She stares blankly at the door before entering, her body shaking. We all follow and Crystal looks around the room, before letting out a ragged sob.

I hug her tightly, and Miles and Isla follow. Crystal clings to us as if the three of us the only forces holding her together in the hurricane of grief that's threatening to swallow her.

After a minute, we have to break apart. I check the room for anything incriminating with Isla. There's nothing, but I make sure to grab a stack of unsent letters dated from Soleil's first year and addressed to Crystal hidden in a compartment in Soleil's desk. I look over at Crystal, who grabs some books from Soleil's bookshelf, two daggers, an alloy dagger, a ring, and two necklaces. I notice that one necklace has a locket carved in the sigil of the House of Telery.

I don't say anything. All of Gabriel's belongings, other than the few scraps Cam and I had been able to save, had been burned upon the news of his apparent death. Crystal probably has nothing belonging to her parents or her brothers. So I don't blame her one bit for holding onto whatever bits of Soleil left that she can.

And if Malek has a problem with that, then he can fuck off.

"Let's go." Miles whispers, and we head for the door. I see Crystal snatch Soleil's flight jacket before we go and we slip into the corridor. We hurry down the stairs and get to the rendezvous point behind the red dragon statue in the Dragon Rotunda. Everyone else is already there, among them in Valerie. She's a key part of the upcoming confrontation.

"I really fucking hope you're right about this." Garrick tells Xaden as we slip out from the red dragon statue and go to the open door. "I'm right." Xaden responds, walking out. We all follow, and I exchange nervous looks with Isla, Miles, and Crystal.

"Garrick Tavis. Crystal Telery. Xaden Riorson." Captain Fitzgibbon says.

Xaden clears his throat loudly. "Well, this is awkward."

Every single head turns to us.

I slip on a mask of confidence as our group walks across the courtyard to the dais. Captain Fitzgibbons stares at us with wide eyes. "You're... you're not dead."

"Wow, I hadn't realized that." I snark quietly.

"Apparently not." Xaden says from the front of the group.

General Sorrengail is staring at Violet, while Colonel Aetos's face is going read. "I don't understand." Captain Fitzgibbons says. "They aren't dead. Why would they have been reported to the death roll?"

"Because of circumstances outside of their control." Valerie speaks, getting everyone's attention. She strides forward. "Lieutenant Valerie Blair, General Sorrengail." she says. "I found them fighting off gryphons on my way to Samara, given my relocation orders."

"And what happened?" General Sorrengail asks.

"Nothing of importance, since they obviously deserted!" Colonel Aetos yells as we reach the dais and climb up to join the officers.

General Sorrengail shuts him down with a single look. "What happened, Lieutenant Blair, Wingleader Riorson?"

Xaden produces the note written by Colonel Aetos— damming proof against the man— and goes into his rehearsed story. "And if you can't believe me, then ask Lieutenant Blair and your daughter?"

The General looks at Violet. "Cadet Sorrengail?"

"We were flying to Athebyne, as order by Colonel Aetos. We stopped by a lake and a drift of gryphons arrived. Before I knew what was going on, Fuil was killed and Soil was being swarmed."

Crystal sobs once, a sound that's brutal and broken, shaking with grief. Isla squeeze her hand and Miles grips her shoulder.

General Sorrengail looks at me. "What happened?"

"I don't remember a lot. Soil sensed something and he took to the sky to get a better view. That's why we got jumped." I say. I swallow down the memories of pain and panic and fear. "They got close enough for their claws to do a lot of damage, and we fell from the sky."

"How bad?"

"Bad enough for pain transference." Valerie says. "Soil was dying and so was Cadet Graycastle. I couldn't leave them, General. You can charge me with desertion, General, but I do not regret saving both of their lives."

"We fought off the attackers." Xaden throws in. "But we had to move quickly, given how severe Soil and Sarai's injuries where. Then we had to wait for them to wake up. Once they did, we came right back here."

Colonel Aetos speaks, glaring at us. "Lies, all of it!"

General Sorrengail looks at Violet. "Is this true?"

Violet nods. "All of it."

"Then, Colonel Aetos, I want to see you in my office in under an hour." General Sorrengail growls. "Lieutenant Blair, you will not be charged given how your actions saved lives. Now someone fix the death roll and get the third years their assignments. The rest of you, back in formation."

Relief hits me like a tidal wave.

We did it.

We survived.

Chapter Text

In the start of a new academic year, cadets are taken from overfilled squads to either recreate squads previously disbanded after Threshing or to strengthen squads who don't have many members.

— My Time as a Cadet: A Memoir by Augustine Melgren

I walk between Isla and Liam as we head to Second Squad, with Miles and Imogen walking behind us on either side of Crystal. I take comfort in the fact that Crystal still has Imogen, her foster sister.

As we get closer, I grit my teeth when I see Dain Aetos watching us approach with wide eyes, while Liam clenches his jaw and Isla glares at Aetos coldly. Both Deigh and Soil growl in the back of my mind as we get closer and I glare at Aetos as I take my spot. Miles, Crystal, and Imogen fall into formation as well.

Ridoc grins at me. "It's good to see you guys. Vi said you all survived, but it's different knowing and seeing it."

I smile at Ridoc. "It's good to see you all as well."

Sawyer reaches over to squeeze Crystal's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your sister. I lost my older sister Terra when I was twelve and when she was fifteen. I know what it feels like. It hurts but you have to keep going for them."

Crystal gives Sawyer a teary smile but does say anything. She just turns back to the front, throwing a vicious glare at Aetos. I resist the urge to run the bastard through with my sword for her, for Soleil, for the civilians of Resson.

Aetos breaks formation as Violet approaches. "Violet! You're alive! We'd heard—"

Violet recoils from him and yanks out a dagger, pointing it at his neck. "If you ever touch me again, Aetos, I will cut off your hands and feed you to Tairn and Soil. Coille as well, if she wants to join in."

"I would deeply appreciate that gift." Soil informs me, and I let out a laugh. Other people gasp but I just feel savage pride for Violet.

"What?" Aetos says, stopping in his tracks. "You don't mean that, Vi."

"Yes, yes I do." Violet snarls. "And it's Cadet Sorrengail, Squad Leader."

Liam grins darkly. "About time."

Xaden smirks. "You should take her word. In fact, if you don't, I'll take personal offense. She made her choice, and it wasn't you. It will never be you. I know it. She knows. The whole quadrant knows it."

"I think a lot of people just won or lost money from the betting pool." Ridoc whispers.

Aetos glances left and right, his face going scarlet. "What else? Are you threatening to kill me, Riorson?"

"No, I don't have to do that. You aren't worth my time. But Soil? He won't give a damn that Deigh and Cath are den mates, he'll kill you the first chance he gets. You're probably in the top three of his shit list. Same goes for Deigh." Xaden says.

"The Shadow Wielder is not wrong." Soil acknowledges. "If I get the chance, the squad leader is dead."

"I have nothing against Cath, in fact we are good friends. But his rider almost got all four of us killed. That I cannot forgive." Deigh adds.

Xaden glares at Aetos. "So now get back in formation, Squad Leader, before I disembowel you on behalf of Soleil, Crystal, and Sarai."

"Aww, how sweet. Can I join?" I say just loudly enough for our squad to hear.

Xaden just grins at me and walks away. Liam squeezes my hand and I lean into his warmth, closing my eyes briefly.

I open them as Panchek calls the formation to attention, and Captain Fitzgibbons reads out the modified death roll. And I silently cry as Soleil Telery's name is called, while Crystal sobs for her older sister.

The graduation ends, and Panchek makes his speech. But I can't cheer when we're made second years.

We only lost Aurelie in our squad, but it feels like we lost so much more.

The gathering hall is filled with vibrant, infectious energy as everyone celebrates. I sit with Liam on my left and Crystal on my right. Isla is off celebrating with Bodhi in a locked room somewhere.

Our squad parties and celebrates with the rest of the quadrant, but I barely touch my drink. I don't like alcohol anyways, and while it's mildly exhilarating to be a second year— attested by the two stars on my shoulder— and grief for Soleil, for the civilians of Resson, makes it hard to want to celebrate. And knowing that the venin are getting stronger and are coming for Navarre makes it even harder to party as well.

I glance at Crystal, who's staring blankly at her drink with a distant look in her brown eyes. Miles whispers something in her ear, and she smiles just barely and nods. The two of them leave, and I sigh in relief knowing that Crystal is safe.

Ridoc's voice gets my attention. "I still can't believe you guys saw action. Not War Games- which were already scary as shit with Aetos stepping in for Riorson- but really actual gryphons."

If only it just gryphons. I think bitterly.

"What was it like?" Quinn asks. "If you guys are okay with sharing?"

"I mean, I know that gryphon talons are sharp but to take down a dragon, that's really rare." Sawyer says.

My scars tingle and I squeeze my eyes shut, the memory of Resson, of Soil and the venin burning through my mind. I force myself to take deep breaths.

"We mind, and shut up Sawyer." Liam says shortly, pulling me closer against him, his arm around my waist. I press myself against him, my breathing becoming shaking as the memories burn brighter and harder. Soil's presence sharpens in my mind, curling around me. Deigh's crimson-hued presence warms as well, the Red Daggertail offering a wave of comfort.

Dead silence engulfs the squad. I open my eyes to brush the tears away, and I raise my cup. "To Soleil." I say, ignoring the unspoken rule of never talking about the dead after death roll.

Imogen sends me a soft smile. "To Soleil." she agrees, and we all drink.

"Can I offer a word of advice going into your second year?" Quinn says after a quiet moment. "Don't get too close to the first-years, especially not until Threshing tells you how many of them might actually be worth getting to know." She grimaces. "Just trust me."

And given how lucky our squad is to have not lost as many first years as the other squads, I can't help but agree with Quinn. But if Aaric gets into my squad, then I'll definitely spend as much time as I can with him.

Violet spots Xaden and excuses herself to join him.

"I'm going to have to talk to her before Conscription Day." I tell Liam down our bond.

He hums in agreement. "That probably for the best."

I sit up straighter as Cianna approaches are group. She's holding letters in her hands. "I come with news." Cianna says, her usually serious eyes sparkling with delight. "I've been made executive officer of Flame Section, while Bodhi Durran is Section Leader. Dain is Wingleader for Fourth Wing."

Both Liam and Imogen groan in disappointment. I fervently agree with both of them.

Cianna politely doesn't call out Liam or Imogen. She turns to Rhi. "Rhiannon, you're the new Squad Leader for Second Squad." Cianna says, smiling softly. Rhiannon's face lights up with a smile as bright as the sun. "Congratulations, Squad Leader Matthias."

I cheer with everyone else. Rhiannon deserves it, and she's the best of us.

"And, I have some reassignments." Cianna adds, pulling out more letters.

"What!? But we're the Iron Squad!" Ridoc complains dramatically, pouting. I can't help but giggle softly at his reaction.

Sawyer quirks a brow. "They're aren't any other squads with nine first years."

"Sawyer is right." Cianna says. She hands me the remaining letters. "Sarai, you, Miles, Isla, and Crystal are the new second years for Third Squad, Flame Section. Ciaran is your Squad Leader, and there's a squad meeting tomorrow morning for Third Squad."

Liam groans dramatically, his grip around my waist tightening. I sigh and nod sadly. I'll miss Second Squad, the one I've been with for nearly an entire year now. But at least I'm in the same section.

"Don't worry guys, Miles, Crystal, Isla, and I will all be together in the squad that's right after Second Squad in formation. We'll still be able to hang out together." I say gently, my hand resting over Liam's heart. He takes it with his free hand.

Rhiannon nods in agreement. "You can't break squad bonds like ours."

No, no you can't.

The next day, I attend the squad meeting with Crystal, Isla, and Miles. There's five third years in addition to the four of us and I nod in greeting at Ciaran.

"Alright, welcome to Third Squad." Ciaran says. "I'm Ciaran, yes I'm a Marked One, and somehow I was made the Squad Leader. I'm bonded to Lòchran, a Red Clubtail, and my signet is Fire Wielding." he tilts his head. "Now, for introductions. Just introduce yourself, your dragon, and your signet is if it isn't classified."

A tall woman with a bow mastery patch on her shoulder steps forward. She has light brown hair, olive tanned skin, and hazel eyes. "I'm Willow Nair, this squad's executive officer. I'm bonded to Neul, she's a Green Scorpiontail, and I have the Siphon signet."

Wow, that's a cool signet.

A man with black hair, rich coffee brown skin, and light brown eyes goes next. "Aiden Farrell. I'm bonded to Seargadh. He's a Green Swordtail, and I'm an Illusionist."

Next up is a raven-haired woman with grey eyes and fair skin speaks. "Emma Hugo. My signet is Water Wielding, and my dragon is Leaghan. She's a Red Daggertail."

The final third year, a man with honey brown hair, tanned skin, and light brown eyes, clears his throat. "I'm Kian Diakos. I'm bonded to Fìor, a male Orange Daggertail. And my signet is Truth-Sayer."

I swallow nervously. I'll have to be very careful when I talk to Kian from now on, so he won't catch me lying.

"Your turn, second years." Ciaran says.

Miles goes first. "I'm Miles Androu, and I'm bonded to Lasair, and she's a Red Swordtail. My signets are Fire Wielding and Metallurgy."

Isla introduces herself next next. "Isla Calder. I'm bonded to Ranald, a he's Green Clubtail, and my signet is involved with wards." she gestures to her signet patch.

A soft sigh of relief escapes me. Isla's cover story for her signet is Ward Wearing, and Kian would've caught the lie instantly.

"I'm Sarai Graycastle." I say, introducing myself. "I'm bonded to Soil, he's a Blue Morningstartail. My signet is Light Wielding."

As Crystal gets ready t speak, I squeeze her hand in comfort. She squeezes back. "Crystal Telery." the redhead says. "Marked Ones, and I will fight back if you give me shit. I'm bonded to Coille, she's a Brown Scorpiontail, and my signets are Farsight and Agrarian."

"Well, that's basically all on my list of things to do today." Ciaran says. "Be ready for second year, Androu, Calder, Telery, and Graycastle."

Emma grins slowly. "Basgiath won't let up just because you survived your first year."

I know what they mean, even if I have to pretend that I don't know.

Rider Survival Course.

And the torture training it entails.

Chapter Text

While secrets hurt and can do terrible damage to relationships, there are times when you have to keep a secret. To protect lives, to protect what is right. It's a lesson I've had to learn the hard way.

— From the Journal of Violet Sorrengail

Two days after our return to Basgiath, I corner Violet. "Want to go on a flight?" I ask, my tone implying that she can't say no.

Violet hesitates before nodding. "Alright."

"Good, let's go." I say and grab her hand to make sure she doesn't try and bolt. I all but drag her to the flight fields while keeping up an invisibility shroud so that no one notices us.

Soil and Tairn are waiting for us on the flight fields, were I drop the invisibility shroud. "It's about time the Silver One had this conversation, Brave One." Soil tells me as I mount him.

"Yeah, I know. I've been busy with Liam. Like you've been busy with Deigh." I point out.

That makes him shut up slightly. Soil takes to the air with a grunt, and Tairn follows, flying next to him. Soil flies to an isolated mountain clearing next to a medium sized lake and lands. Tairn lands next to him, and I dismount from Soil.

Violet carefully walks down the makeshift ramp Tairn creates out of his right leg. "What do you want to talk about?" she asks once she jumps down from Tairn's smallest knuckle.

"You and your ranting about how you can't trust Xaden anymore just because he kept secrets from you." I bluntly point out. Violet opens her mouth but I hold up a hand. "No, Violet, shut up and listen while I spell it out to you why Xaden kept those secrets."

Soil rumbles when Violet tries to talk and that makes her go quiet.

"Violet, do you know why Xaden kept those secrets? Because people's lives where on the line. And they still are! He didn't keep them because he didn't trust you, not because he didn't love you, but because he had to protect the Marked Ones, who's lives depend on him. The youngest of the Marked Ones, Julianne, she's is less than a week away from turning six. She was born with her relic. And Xaden has to protect the Revolution as well. They're fucked if leadership finds out about them. While you've done admirably in making sure Aetos didn't touch you, he was still around you enough that Xaden probably didn't want to risk it." I explain.

"He still should've told me! He could've trusted me with some basic stuff, like Brennan!" Violet argues.

Alright, she has a point there.

"Yeah, Xaden should've told you about Brennan once you got brought into the fold. But Brennan? He told Xaden to not tell you!" I shout, glaring at Violet. "Don't you remember that? Xaden wanted to tell you, and asked Brennan for permission. But Brennan said no. So be angry at Brennan for that. And is knowing all the secrets of a man whom you expect to tell you, when you've known him for less than a year, trusted even less and have dated for what, two weeks worth the lives of children? Children who will die if leadership finds out about Xaden's actions. You and Xaden are... whatever you are, but you aren't entitled to knowing everything about him!"

Violet flinches and goes pale, as if the reality of the situation had finally set in for her.

"Xaden kept the truth about Gabriel from me, even with Riel told him to tell me. Am I pissed? Yes, yes I am! But to I get his logic, that he didn't have enough info to trust me? Yeah, yeah I do. I'm mad, but not mad enough to have a grudge." I point out.

"I'm just..." Violet murmurs. "I'm just so sick of secrets. Dad and Mom started keeping them after we thought Brennan died and... and I just hate it."

"Secrets can do harm, but there are times when secrets are kept for good reasons. Xaden's actions land in the latter category." Soil notes.

I repeat what Soil said, and Violet nods. "Soil's right." she says and Soil grunts. Tairn growls and nudges Violet softly and she winces before stroking his snout scales.

"Do you understand now?" I ask.

Violet nods. "I do. Thank you."

"Let's not repeat this. Learn from this Violet. You can do so much to help in the real war. And once we're out of Basgiath, once you can shield out Aetos and other memory-readers, once you and Xaden make more progress together, then you'll be brought more into the fold. But you have to work for it." I tell her.

She nods, her eyes bright and determined. "I'll work for it. Every fall, every break, every part of the hard way. Because the hard way bears the greatest fruit."

I grin. "Yeah, it does."

"I've never seen this room before." I say as I lean back in my chair.

Five days after returning to Basgiath and graduation, all of the surviving second years had been summoned to a u-shaped amphitheater style classroom on the third floor for some kind of Orientation.

"We haven't been second years before." Isla points out dryly.

Miles and Crystal laugh at my expense and I chuckle softly. "I walked right into that one."

"Yes, yes you did." Miles says with a laugh.

Along with the partying, the past week has been spent getting ready for Conscription Day. Hope and dread overtakes me— hope to see Aaric again. Dread and fear, because what if he falls from the Parapet?

"Stop worrying about the what ifs, Brave One. Focus on the now, on what can be done. If your brother falls, then he falls." Soil lectures me. I wince at how harsh and cruel his words are, but he's right.

"Good afternoon, second-years." a tall rider says, his voice amplified with Lesser Magic. He strides to the center of the floor, and the room goes quiet. "I am Captain—" he wins and scratches at the trim bear slightly darker than his light golden skin— "Professor Grady. And, as you can tell, I'm new this year and getting used to the whole professor title, as well as being around twenty one year old kids again. It's been a while since I've been in the quadrant."

He uses Lesser Magic again too summon a desk to lean again. "That's better. Congratulations on living through your first year." He slowly surveys us all. "There are eighty nine of you in this room. From what the scribes tell me, you are the smallest class to walk this hall since the First Six."

I grimace. Ninety two riders had made it through Threshing last year. Only eighty nine of us have survived to make it to second year, and around twenty two unbonded from my year have restarted their first year. Jack Barlowe was one casualty during War Games, but Mushin Vedie from Second Wing died when his signet fatally came in and another first year, Janet Summers, from Third squad, Tail Section, Fourth Wing died in the final battle of War Games.

And... Liam and I could've died during Resson.

"How many dragons are willing to bond this year?" I ask Soil and Deigh.

Deigh responds. "Originally ninety one, but a dozen more have also decided to bond as well after learning about Resson."

I refocus on what Professor Grady is talking about. "But the second year brings its own challenges. Last year, you learned how to ride the dragons who chose you. This year, you'll learn what to do if you fall off. Welcome to Rider Survival Course, or RSC for short."

Crystal, Miles, Isla, and I all share grim looks. We all know about this. Crystal from her sister and the older Marked Ones, and Miles, Isla, and I from our fellow rebel riders. I glance at Violet, who's faking shock. Good, I'm guessing Xaden warned her ahead of time.

"Don't know what it is?" Professor Grady asks with a grin, looking dead at Ridoc. "Good, our tactics work." He crosses one boot in front of the other. "RSC is kept classified for a reason, so we get your genunine reactions to the situations at hand."

"They want to keep us unprepared and in the dark. Like always." I mutter. Crystal nods in agreement.

Professor Grady continues. "RSC will teach you how to survive if you become operated from your dragon behind enemy lines. It's a staple of your second year, culminating in two full evaluations you must pass in order to continue at Basgiath - one in a few weeks and the other... around mid-year."

"I really don't want to know what happens to a bonded rider who doesn't pass." Miles mutters. "Do they just restart the year like an unbonded after Threshing or something?"

"They probably kill the rider." I say quietly.

Caroline Ashton from First Wing raises her hand. I can't help but be wary of her, since she was close with Jack Barlowe, being in Third Squad, Flame Section, First Wing together. Jack had tried so hard to kill Violet over the past year, and had come close to killing Liam during the First Battle of War Games.

"Gleann always choses poorly. He has no taste in riders." Soil says with a scoff. Deigh growls in agreement.

I really need to find out what's up with the beef between Gleann and Deigh.

"Yes?" Professor Grady asks.

"What precisely does 'around mid-year mean?" Caroline asks. "Or 'in a few weeks'?"

Miles nods slowly. "She has a point."

"You won't know the precise date." Professor Grady responds, listing his brows. "And I won't tell you, no matter how many times you roll your eyes. No professor will because quite simply— we want you to be surprised. But we do want you to be prepared. In this room, I will instruct you in navigation, survival techniques, and how to withstand interrogation in case of capture."

My mouth goes dry with fear.

Torture.

He's talking about torture training.

And I have information that is worth getting tortured for. Miles, Liam, Violet, Crystal, Isla— we all carry important information that leadership would torture us to learn, that they would subject us to memory-readers like Aetos to learn.

"You are strong, Brave One. You will survive." Soil says. I try and take comfort in his confidence, but I'm still incredibly nervous. I exchange wide-eyed looks with Liam, and I know he's equally scared.

"And you'll face trials at any time, taken from any place in the quadrant." Professor Grady says, continuing on.

Gasps and murmurs fill the room.

"The other assessors and I will give you feedback during those trials, so by the time your full evaluations come around, you'll be able to withstand —" he cocks his head to the side, as if he's trying to figure out what to say next. It just makes me even more nervous and I take deep breaths to calm down. "Well, be able to wristband the hell we're going to put you through. Take it from someone who has survived it: as long as you don't break during the interrogate portent, you'll do just fine."

Rhiannon raises her hand. Professor Grady nods at her. "And if we break?" she asks.

Professor Grady's face goes hard. "Don't."

Chapter Text

What's even harder than going through your own Conscription Day? Having to watch the new first years go through it. There's a reason, outside of being a squad leader or executive officer, most third and second years don't bother to get to know the first years until after Threshing, unless a first year is someone you know.

— Recovered Correspondence between Squad Leader Soleil Telery to Crystal Telery

It's weird, being on the other side of Conscription Day.

"Are you excited to see Sloane again?" I ask Liam as we walk to the mess hall together.

Liam nods. "I am. I've been waiting years for this."

"You're not on any Conscription Day duty, right?" I ask. I hadn't volunteered for any duty for Conscription Day in order to see Aaric if— no, when he made it across the Parapet. Isla was with Captain Fitzgibbons taking names at the base of the turret, since Bodhi and the other Marked Ones going to be busy checking on any Marked One who made it across.

"I'm with Violet on turret duty." Liam admits. "The first year Marked Ones, they need to see one of their own before they start the Parapet."

A smiles spreads on my face. "That's a very noble thing to do, Liam."

"I'll tell Aaric that you're waiting for him when I see him." Liam promises me.

I kiss him softly. "Thank you Liam."

Liam kisses me back, just as sweet and soft. I could melt into the kiss. "Always, Sarai." he murmurs.

As I enter the mess hall with Liam, I see Ciaran heading to the leadership table. I quickly job over to him, tapping him on the shoulder. "Ciaran, can I ask you something?"

He turns around. "Sure Graycastle. What is it?"

"My brother, Aaric, he's a rider candidate. And I haven't seen him in eighteen months. If he makes it over, can you put him in our squad?" I ask.

Ciaran tilts his head. "Does he know?"

"He does." I confirm.

"Alright then, I'll pull some strings and get him in our squad if he makes it over." Ciaran promises me with a grin. "More the merry for our crowd."

I know what he means.

I grin brightly. "Thank you Ciaran."

Conscription Day begins, and it's a beautiful sunny day compared to the raging storm from last year. I anxiously wait in an alcove just off from where candidates who make it across the Parapet enter the citadel.

"He'll make it." Miles says confidently. "He has good balance and great form. Aaric will make it across Sarai. Don't worry."

"I'm his sister Miles. It's my job to worry." I say.

"He doesn't have to do this in a storm." Miles points out.

Willow makes a noise from behind us as she passes by, stopping to look at us. "Graycastle is justified in worrying, not just because of her brother. My Conscription Day was like this as well. Three hundred and eight of us made it across the Parapet. Eighty nine candidates died. The Parapet, no matter the weather, it always takes lives."

"Thank you for the confidence, Willow." I say, rubbing my temples.

"Hey, trust your brother Sarai. Don't let the worry and fear drown you." Willow advises me.

I give a tiny grin. "Thank you Willow."

Hours go by and then I see a young woman enter the quadrant. She has blonde hair, sky blue eyes, and a rebellion relic curling around her left arm, from her wist to just over her elbow. She looks around the courtyard, as if attempting too find someone.

"I think see Sloane." I tell Liam.

Liam responds instantly. "I told her to look for you."

I approach the woman. "Sloane Mairi, right?"

She stiffens and faces me, her eyes narrowing. "That depends. Who's asking?"

"I'm Sarai Graycastle, Liam's girlfriend." I say, introducing myself.

Sloane's eyes widens and she takes in my appearance. Then she grins and hugs me. "So you're Sarai Graycastle! Liam wouldn't shut up about you in the letters Imogen would send for me. He wouldn't stop waxing lyrical about you."

My cheeks go red and I blush furiously. "H-He did that?"

"Yeah. And it's such perfect blackmail to hold over him." Sloane says with a mischievous smirk.

I laugh. "Just don't embarrass him too badly."

"He's my big brother. It's my duty to embarrass him." Sloane chirps.

Another laugh escapes me, bright and warm and free.

Sloane links up with Imogen, and she gives me a cheerful wave as she and Imogen vanish into the sea of cadets. Meanwhile, I frantically check each new cadet for Aaric's familiar face.

Then I see him.

A petite, black haired woman enters the courtyard, trembling slightly. And right behind her is—

"Aaric!" I shout with the brightest grin, moving forward.

My brother's head snaps to me, and royally green eyes identical to mine lock with my eyes. Shock, delight, hope swirl around his green orbs, mirroring my own cocktail of emotions.

Eighteen months.

Eighteen months since I last say him, promising I would see him again once he crossed the Parapet.

Gods, he's grown up. He's taller now, with broader shoulders and a more muscular yet lean frame like Liam. He's grown into his features. My brother isn't the nineteen year old boy anymore, but a young man now. But Aaric will always be my little brother to me.

"Sarai!" Aaric cries out, running to me. I meet him halfway, pulling him into a tight hug, pressing his forehead against mine. His hands grip the back of my sleeveless turtleneck, shaking slightly.

And it's like nothing has happened, as if we've never been separated.

"Gods, I missed you so much Aaric." I choke out, happy tears running down my face. Aaric's crying tears of joy as well.

"I missed you to Sarai." he tells me, his voice wobbly. "I missed you every day."

We embrace for another minute before a soft voice cuts through the air. "Aaric?"

I let go of my brother to see the owner of the voice. It's the cadet who was ahead of him. A petite woman with jet-black hair worn in a simple twisted bun, her fair skin a sharp contrast to her dark hair and bright blue eyes. I quickly note the rebellion relic on her right arm, going from her wrist to her elbow.

"Made a friend, Aaric?" I ask with a teasing grin. "You make the best friendships on Conscription Day."

Crystal was someone I would never regret befriending.

"Yeah." Aaric says brightly. "Thea, meet my older sister Sarai."

She nods, looking hesitant and nervous.

"I'm friends with Crystal Telery, and I'm Liam Mairi's girlfriend." I tell her simply.

Thea looks at me closely, and sees something that makes her relax. "Thea Lir, it's good to meet you."

I quickly realize who she is: Thea Lir, daughter of Christina Lir, a Rider Major and Jacob Lir, a Healer Captain. Jacob had been killed in the Battle of Aretia, while Christina had been executed in the Calldyr Executions.

"We met on the road to Basgiath." Aaric explains.

Thea rolls her eyes. "And by that, he means I had to rescue him from bandits."

A laughs scapes me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Thea. Come on, let's get you two in my squad."

I lead the way to the roll-call keeper: Aura Beinhaven. It's easy to persuade her to put both Aaric and Thea in my squad, and I feel pleased as we walk away.

"As a heads up, when the dragons arrive, don't run." I warn. "You'll freak out, but do not run. It's just to weed out the weaker willed cadets. If you don't move, then you'll be fine."

Both of them nod. "We won't." Aaric promises.

"I'm not a coward." Thea says firmly.

I nod approvingly with a proud smile. "I know the two of you aren't. You've made it this far, haven't you?"

Chapter Text

The little stunt with the dragons during Conscription Day is the weed out the weaker willed cadets. Anyone who doesn't run is perfectly safe.

— Recovered Correspondence between Wingleader Gabriel Tauri to Princess Estelle Tauri and Prince Camlaen Tauri

After the last cadet makes it across the Parapet, it takes an hour for first year assignments to be sorted. And since assignments are always by wing, then section, and then squad, I wait impatiently for my squad's turn.

"Be patient." Isla whispers to me. "Ciaran pulled the strings, remember? Aaric will be with us."

"I just can't wait for this day to be over with." I whisper back. From his spot ahead of me, Aiden grunts. "I know what you mean. I have a cousin, Elise Farrell, she's a Squad Leader in Second Wing, and I was nervous as hell last year."

Soon, it's Fourth Wing's turn. Claw Section first, and then it's time for Flame Section. Eya, who fought at Resson, is Squad Leader for First Squad. So her squad goes first, and then Second Squad. My heart aches at being separated from my original squad. I think back to what happened this day exactly one year ago— meeting Crystal and Liam, getting assigned to my original squad, the beginning of an eventful and scary but wondrous year.

The gods had shined on me, putting Crystal, Isla, Miles, and I all in the same squad. I pray that Ciaran and Aura go through with their promises to put Thea and Aaric in my squad.

"They better not separate you from your brother, Brave One, or I will have words Lòchran and Dagolh." Soil rumbles.

"Who's Dagolh?" I ask.

Deigh joins the conversation. "The Red Clubtail bonded to Aura Beinhaven, the new Wingleader of Second Wing."

Well, that's good to know. I quickly focus on paying attention to squad assignment, and I let out a sigh of relief as Sloane is assigned to Second Squad. Liam will be able to be with her, and I smile at that thought.

"Good, she's with Liam." Crystal says, relief shining on her face.

"We're up next!" Ciaran hisses. "Be quiet!"

I go quiet, and I hold my breath as Aura Beinhaven calls our squad. Ciaran raises his hand to indicate to the first years where to go. "Third Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing: Timothy Allard, Katherine Bailey, Aaric Graycastle, Dallas Ives, Thea Lir, Leah Philips, Noelle Raoul, Callum Saar, and Isaiah Vale."

The first years approach and I nod in greeting at Aaric and Thea, who take spots next to each other. The noon sun beats down on the courtyard, and I keep my face blank as squad assignments are finally finished and the welcome ceremony finally begins.

Panchek gives his ominous welcome speech, revealing that seventy one candidates died on the Parapet. That's four more than my year. Aura Beinhaven gives a surprisingly inspirational speech about the honor of defending our home. Then Dain is next, and I roll my eyes when he starts to talk. It's clear that Aetos is trying to step into Xaden's boots. But he isn't Xaden, and lacks the magnetic charisma Xaden has.

Aaric gives me a confused look when I scoff during Aetos's speech. I shake my head, silently conveying later and Aaric looks away with a nod.

The sound of wing beats fill the air, and the first years gasp as a riot of dragons fills the air. The riot includes Cath, Panchek's Green Clubtail, Iris Drue of First Wing's Brown Scorpiontail, Dagolh, Lyell Stirling of Third Wing's Green Swordtail, and—

Oh gods.

"Shit." I hiss under my breath as Solas, Major Burton Varrish's one eyed Orange Daggertail, all land on the outer wall. I had been unfortunate to meet Solas when I was fifteen and it was one of the only times the King had come in my defense.

"Solas is here?" Soil growls, alert and wary.

I swallow nervously, "Yeah, he is. Varrish is the new vice-commandant or whatever now, but why is Solas here?"

Before Soil can respond, I reach down the bond to Liam. "The one eyed Orange Daggertail is Solas, Major Varrish's dragon. He's wildly unpredictable and unstable even for an orange. Keep your eyes on him."

Liam responds immediately. "I will, don't worry."

Slightly more settled, I focus back on reality. First years shriek and scream as masonry falls left and right from the wall as the dragons dig in their claws. But I don't even blink. And none of the bonded riders so much as flinch.

The first years, if they run, are lunch for the dragons. But not a single one of the dragons— minus Solas probably— will try and attack me and risk the wrath of Soil and Deigh.

"If they try and attack you, if they kill you, my final act will be to vanquish them from the earth. You are mine, Brave One. They have no right to touch you." Soil rumbles. "But keep your eyes on Solas. I do not trust him, nor does any sane dragon."

"A third of you will be dead by next July!" Aetos shouts. "If you want to wear rider black, then you earn it! You earn it every single day!"

Cath digs his claws into the masonry and leans down over Dain's head, his swordtail swinging behind him. He unleashes a blast of hot steam over the crowd that makes me gag. Gods, there has to be something rotting in his teeth.

Screams and cries go around the courtyard, and I see a cadet from Tail Section of Third Wing break from their squad to run back to the Parapet.

"And we have our first runner." Emma says, a hint of weary exhaustion in her voice.

Two others from First Squad, Tail Section, Third Wing break away as well.

"It seems extra contagious this year." Aiden muses.

The three runners collide right behind our squad and keep running for the Parapet. My instincts flare as a bad feeling curls in my gut. The dragons didn't let them get this far last year.

"Keep your eyes on Solas!" Soil shouts, breaking through my thoughts.

I glance back at Solas, who's eying the three runners as if they're prey. He's getting ready to blast them and he lowers his head.

Oh shit, at this angle—

"EVERYONE GET FUCKING DOWN!" Ciaran roars, his voice amplified with Lesser Magic.

I don't hesitate— I tackle Isla to the ground, covering her with my body as much as I can.

Less than a second later, dragon fire blasts overhead and I swallow the urge to scream as flames shoot directly over us, the fire singing any exposed skin that it can. I look up just enough to see Aaric covering Thea.

"BRAVE ONE! SUN HEART!" Soil roars, his worry and protectiveness and rage crashing down the bond and adding to my own mix of terror and fear and anger.

Deigh screams, a sound fury and carnage. "NO! NO! SUN HEART! BRAVE ONE!"

As quickly as it started, the flames end. I gasp and greedily suck in fresh air as I roll off Isla, helping my sister to her feet. "Are you okay?" I ask, checking her over.

Isla nods, scanning me. "I'm fine. What about you?"

I look down at my self. "I'm good."

Crystal and Miles join us, both slightly singed but otherwise unharmed. We grip each other's forearms tightly. We all made it.

Then I turn to the rest of my squad. Aaric is fine, and he's helping Thea back to her feet. I let out a sigh of relief at the sight of the of them. Thea and Aaric are slightly singed, but they're alive and unharmed.

But Solas took out not just the three runners, but one of Second Squad's first years, along with Timothy Allard and Leah Philips from our own squad as well. I check on the rest of my squad, my green-eyed gaze sweeping over my squad. Willow, Aiden, Emma, and Kian are all fine. So are the rest of the first years. But I don't see—

"Ciaran!" Willow yells, starring horrified at a pile of ash.

Miles pales. "C-Ciaran's dead."

My blood goes cold. "That wasn't an accident."

Violet, Imogen, and Liam are all in Second Squad, while Crystal, Miles, Isla, Ciaran and I are all in Third Squad. Bodhi is the new Flame Section Leader. If none of us had dropped to the ground, then we would all be dead. And Ciaran is dead.

Solas wasn't just being his usual psychotic self. What just happened was a fucking assassination attempt. And with Colonel Aetos reassigned to one of the tiny outposts in Southern Wing that means Varrish is after us.

I snap back to reality as Tairn lands on the wall right behind my section, taking out the entire top row of masonry of the back wall. The first years scream and I snatch the back of Katherine Bailey's shirt to stop her from running away. Without hesitating, Black Morningstartail lets out an utterly devastating roar that nearly knocks me to my knees. The roar shakes through the earth, through the foundation of the Citadel and shatters every single window in the Citadel.

All of the dragons minus Solas step away and lower their heads in submission to the older, stronger, more powerful dragon. But Solas holds his ground until Tairn lets out another roar and smashes his morningstartail against Solas's face, the force of which knocks Solas off the wall. The Orange Daggertail hits the ground with an audible 'thud' and then hurriedly flies away.

Tairn roars again at Solas's retreating figure before he turns to Violet. They communicate silently until Tairn takes off, his great black form flying away.

"Holy shit." Aiden says, slack-jawed and utterly stunned. "What the fuck just happened here?"

"An assassination." I whisper, my own voice so faint I can barely hear it.

I wait for Aaric outside of the men's dorms after dinner. He quickly finds me and I beckon him to follow.

"What happened this morning?" Aaric asks me, his voice shaking. "Sarai, Sarai that can't have been normal."

"It wasn't." I state grimly. I take my brothers hand and throw up an invisibility shroud. "Come on, the walls have ears here."

Aaric doesn't ask any more questions and I go through the events of the day in my mind.

With Ciaran now dead, Willow had taken over as Squad Leader. She had appointed Kian as her executive officer and had handled the first years while I had checked on Liam, Violet, and Imogen. All three of them were fine but shaken. Sloane, thankfully, is okay as well.

And with Ciaran dead, every rider from Resson is now on high alert for more assassination attempts.

I maneuver through the hallways until I find the hidden alcove I where I had told Crystal who I used to be, where I had talked with Violet after she learned I was in the Riders Quadrant. Then I throw up the most powerful sound shield I can weave and drop the invisibility shroud.

Then I hug Aaric tightly, reassuring myself that my brother is okay. He hugs me back, just as shaken.

"Aaric," I say. "We have so much to catch up on."

Chapter Text

You need to be alert at all times to survive the Riders Quadrant. Everyone is out for us except for our fellow Marked Ones and the few friends we have. Killing is common here, and if your enemies think they have a chance, then they'll take. And don't even get me started on the other kind of killings.

— Recovered Correspondence between Squad Leader Soleil Telery to Crystal Telery

"Sarai, what happened last year?" Aaric asks me. "And what happened today?"

I take a deep breath and begin to explain what happened last year. I start chronologically, from my Conscription Day and work my way to now."

And during the final Battle of War Games, which Colonel Aetos was in charge of, Colonel Aetos assigned Xaden to Athebyne as his personal headquarters. Colonel Aetos laid a venin lure in Resson, to bait in venin." I explain. "I was with Xaden's riot along with Masen, Violet, Ciaran, Isla, Garrick, Soleil, Bodhi, Miles, Liam, Imogen, and Crystal, and we all stayed to fight at Resson and protect the civilians."

Aaric's jaw drops. "Why would Colonel Aetos do that?"

"Because he's a sadistic bastard. And Dain, he's a memory-reader. He read a bit of Violet's memory about Xaden telling about Athebyne. Dain went running to his father, which is why Colonel Aetos laid the trap. Resson was destroyed, Soleil Telery was killed alongside her dragon Fuil, and Soil and I almost got killed." I explain quietly. "Colonel Aetos was reassigned, but Varrish is definitely in on his schemes. The attack yesterday from Solas was an attempt to kill Miles, Bodhi, Imogen, Crystal, Violet, Isla, and I. And it killed Ciaran."

Ciaran, who had kicked the legs out of Willow when she hadn't reacted in time. He had sacrificed himself to save her— and from what I learned from Bodhi, they had been in the same squad together since their first year. They hadn't been dating, but they had been good friends.

"You can't let Aetos touch you, Aaric." I say.

"He was on turret duty, and he knows who I am. He probably knows who you are now." Aaric tells me.

I roll my eyes and grin. "It's about time he figured it out."

Aaric blinks, visibly confused. "What do you mean?"

Bright, bubbly laughter escapes me. "Because I was in his squad last year. I was assigned to his squad during my Conscription Day. I was in his squad for an entire year and he never figured out who I was. Granted, he was a second year with a different schedule, I avoided him when I could, and Miles usually shielded me from his sight, but I was right in front of him. And he never figured it out."

I can't help but keep laughing. And Aaric joins me, laughing as well.

Eventually, our laughter dies down. "Alright, is there anything else I need to know?" Aaric asks.

Gabriel.

I swallow nervously. "Gabriel is alive."

"It's weird as hell to be all the way up here." Ridoc says the next day during the first Battle Brief of the new school year. Crystal, Miles, Isla, and I had all decided to sit with our original squad, and Liam, Rhi, Violet, Sawyer, and Ridoc had all been happy to sit with us again.

"We haven't been allowed to sit up here." I remind him.

Ridoc nods. "But still. It's weird."

"At least the view is better." Sawyer says.

Rhiannon nods in agreement as she lays out her supplies on the desk. "Defiantly easier to see the higher portions of the map." she looks at Violet. "Did you have a good run this morning?"

"I'm not sure I'd call it good, but it was affective." Violet replies.

"You went on a run this morning?" Crystal asks.

Violet nods. "I haven't had any luck sleeping, so I've started running with Imogen."

"Can I join?" Crystal asks. "I've been having nightmares about Soleil—"

Crystal cuts herself off and grips her pen so hard the knuckles of her hand turn white. I reach over Isla to squeeze her hand supportively, while Miles wraps his arm around her shoulders and Isla squeezes her other hand.

"Yeah, you can join." Violet assures Crystal.

Ridoc clears his throat to cut through the air. "Look at all those first-years with their quills and ink." he says mockingly, looking down his nose slightly. I can't help but chuckle in amusement.

"Last year we didn't have lesser magic to use ink pens." Liam says dryly from his seat on my left. "So don't act so superior."

"But we are superior." Ridoc chirps, puffing his chest out. And it makes Crystal laugh, so I shoot Ridoc a thankful look.

Professor Devara enters the room and I sit up straighter. "I heard she spent the last week with the Southern Wing."

I wonder if she saw anything. I wonder. Professor Devara is a Captain, and when an officer is promoted to Captain or Major, that's when they're usually brought into the fold about the conspiracy about the venin. I tune out Professor Devara's speech, which is the same as last years. I have to suppress my glare and urge to throw a dagger when Markham enters the room, and I squeeze Liam's thigh when my boyfriend makes a jerking motion.

"Do not give the sheep your attention or anger, Brave One. They are beneath you." Soil lectures me. "Kill him when the time is right, and when you can get away with it."

"I understand." I reply.

Soil chuffs but doesn't say anything. Liam's eyes look distant, so I know that Deigh must be privately talking to him.

I glance down at the first years. Aaric sits next to Thea with another cadet, Callum, on his left. With his hair cut, and if he keeps his head down, then Markham won't be able to recognize. I can only pray to the gods that the King doesn't sound the alarm until after Threshing.

"Aetos Junior looking at you." Liam says down the bond. I don't react, instead carefully looking around underneath my lashes. I easily spot Aetos frequently glancing at me, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

A soft scoff escapes me. "It's about time he figured out I'm here."

When Professor Devara begins the lesson, I take notes about the attack on the village of Sipene. It's a mountain village high in the Esben Mountains, that makes trade with Monsterrat. But few know that it's also a supply depot for Monsterrat. So the drift of gryphon fliers had to be making another desperate raid for alloy weapons.

"And for the other topic of this classroom," Professor Devara says. "The outpost of Athebyne was attacked three days ago."

Violet gasps, Crystal drops her pen, Isla makes a strangled noise, and Liam's leg hits the underside of the table. It takes all of my self control to not make a gasp or react but the memory of the Battle of Resson flares and my scars tingle.

"Is there something wrong, cadets?" Markham asks, his gaze sweeping up to our row.

"No." Crystal says. "Just surprised, sir."

Aaric shoots me a concerned look, and I silently shake my head.

"Didn't you guys get sent to Athebyne?" Sawyer asks me.

I nod. "Yeah."

I stay silent for the rest of the lesson, gripping Liam's hand under the table as I fight to stay in the present and not fall into my pain filled memories.

Assessments happen after lunch, and I stand with the other second and third years against the wall across from the first years. Rhi and Violet are talking about something in hushed whispers while I pay attention to my squad's mat.

Thea wins against Dallas Ives, and it's clear that she's been trained. Dallas puts up a good fight, and he takes the defeat at Thea's hands with grace. Katherine Bailey looses to Noelle Raoul, and sulks over it and slaps away Noelle's offered hand. Noelle looks sad but Thea squeezes her shoulder and whispers something in her ear, getting the blonde haired, gray eyed girl to smile.

"I hope Thea and Noelle become friends. Like how I befriended you and Isla." Crystal murmurs.

"You mean, when we forcefully adopted you into our trio." I say dryly.

Crystal snorts in amusement, tucking some errant strands of red hair out of her face. "Fair point."

Aaric is called against Baylor Norris, a first year from Second Squad and easily wins the fight.

"Damn, he's just as good as you are." Ridoc says with an impressed whistle.

Then Sloane is called against Mischa Levin.

"I want her instead." Sloane says, drawing a dagger and pointing it at Violet.

Liam makes a strangled noise and I silently pity him.

"No, Sloane, that isn't happening." Imogen says firmly. "I can fight her." Sloane shoots back. "From what your letter said last year, her joints pop right out. How hard can it be?"

"Very hard. I know who trained her. Isla and Xaden, along with Sarai and Miles." Imogen counters with a stern glare at Sloane.

Rhiannon gives Imogen an unimpressed look. "It was a squad effort."

"A very good squad effort." Violet says, giving all of us a thankful smile.

"Cardulo is correct, Cadet Sloane Mairi." Emetterio says, sighing as if this year has exhausted him already. "Cadet Sorrengail is well trained, and I will not unleash her against a first year. Now disarm and take your place on the mat against Levin."

Sloane reluctantly puts the dagger away and steps onto the mat to face off against Mischa.

"You should talk to Sloane. I can help if you want." I say.

Liam reluctantly responds. "I can handle it. She's my sister."

I know better to push, so I don't.

"He is being unnecessarily stubborn." Soil huffs.

"Imagine if you and Sgaeyl were in their place, Soil." I point out.

Soil goes quiet. "You have a point."

"Did someone say Sorrengail?"

A look over to see a brutish first year lumber over, his dazed eyes looking over us.

My hand goes to my sword that's sheathed at my waist and light pools in my hands. Liam's hands flex, as if ready to yank Violet away.

This is bad. This is very bad.

A girl from First Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing steps forward. "Hi, I'm Violet Sorrengail. See, like my—"

The first year snaps her neck with his bare hands.

Chapter Text

It is not unheard of that a candidate enters the Riders Quadrant having been paid to assassinate a cadet. I'm sorry Mira was targeted but proud to say she dispatched the threat quickly. You have enemies, General.

— Official Notice from From Commandant Panchek to General Sorrengail

I stare in shock as the brutish cadet drops the dead girl's body to the ground.

"Nadine!" Eya yells, rushing over to the dead girl's, Nadine, corpse.

The brutish cadet frowns. "Nadine?"

And then Violet steps froward, holding two of her daggers. "I'm Violet Sorrengail. Your fight is with me, but I doubt you can kill me."

Violet throws one dagger before I can even blink, but the cadet blocks it with an arm. Her second dagger lands in the shoulder, burying itself to the hilt. The cadet roars and Violet charges, two more knives in her hands.

Dain surges from the crowd. "Violet!"

But Violet and the cadet are already brawling.

I curse and draw my sword, moving to interfere. Damn Violet's pride, Iron Squad sticks together.

Miles is already there, easily picking up the cadet and throwing him away from Violet. Liam moves to help Violet to her feet while the cadet lunges at Miles, his hazy gaze still focused on Violet. Without even hesitating, Miles snaps the cadet's neck with his bare hands.

Then I see it. "MILES!" I yell as another cadet lunges with their battle axe out.

My brother twists and spins, fluidly dodging the axe. He draws his own sword and runs the cadet through, gutting the cadet like a fish. There's a shout, and I Liam yank Violet out of the way from another assassin, moving so gracefully and powerful that I can't help but gawk for a second.

"MOVE BRAVE ONE!" Soil yells. I shake my head and I move, sneaking up behind on the third assassin. I my sword down on the third assassin, landing ab low to the kidneys. The cadet yells in pain, trying to move away. He's quick, but I'm quicker. I decapitate the cadet, cleaving his head from his body in one single stroke.

Blood spurts from the stump and I jerk back, getting splattered in the face with the third assassin's blood.

"Violet!" Dain yells again, finally reaching us.

I spin around, sword out. "Back the fuck off." I breathe, breathing hard.

Crystal suddenly gripes my shoulder and I relax slightly. I still glare at Aetos, and I see Isla with Miles out of the corner of my eye.

"Everyone calm down!" Emetterio barks as he strides over. "Sorrengail, Graycastle, Androu, Mairi— are you all right?"

"Vi has a concussion." Liam reports. "But I'm okay."

Miles scoffs. "That bastard couldn't even fight properly."

"I need to shower." I say flatly, trying to wipe away the blood with my free hand. Crystal hands me a handkerchief and I give her a thankful smile.

"That can happen later." Emetterio dryly tells me. "Cadet Mairi, take Cadet Sorrengail to the Healers Quadrant. Head wounds are never something to take lightly."

Liam nods and escorts Violet out of the gym. I grip my sword as I take deep breaths, trying to calm down.

I glance at Aaric and Sloane, who give me wide eyed looks of horror. I just nod once— I'm okay— as I force my legs to move.

"Holy shit, what Mairi did was hot." I hear one of the first years mutter.

I can't help but agree, even as irritation and jealousy flare in my gut.

"Do not pay attention to them, Brave One. Sun Heart will never look at anyone else but you." Deigh says.

"Damn, do you think Mairi is into men?" Dallas Ives asks.

"Um, I feel sorry for breaking this to you— wait, no I don't." Visia, a repeat, says. "Liam? He's with Sarai Graycastle. They've been dating since February of this year, and he's down bad for her. She's just as in love with him. Their dragons are mated anyways, so it's probably a sign from Loial."

A smile breaks on my face. Maybe Visia is right.

Soil scoffs. "You and Sun Heart fell in love before Threshing. You two chose each other for your own hearts. Deigh and I respectively bonding with the two of you is a coincidence."

"Shhhh." I say and Soil scoffs again but retreats from my mind.

Violet sends with through Tairn to all of the Resson riot riders still in Basgiath— Colonel Aetos is sending assassins after us.

Which is even more of a reason for Crystal, Miles, Isla, and I to stay together. Luckily, we already warded our doors, and Crystal and Miles trade off sleeping together in each other's room.

I crash in Liam's room for the night and pull out my communications crystal. After imbuing it with power, I open it to the general channel.

"River to anyone who is listening: Colonel Aetos is sending assassins after everyone who was at Resson. Varrish is in on the scheme as well." I say before turning off the crystal.

Liam pulls me into his lap and I lean against him. He's warm and strong and steady, safe in the chaotic, fatal storm that's the riders quadrant. "I wish the Revolution had those." he says wistfully.

"You can look at mine, but it took years for leadership to design these." I explain quietly. "And how's Violet?"

"She's fine. Nolon's really busy, but Winnifred gave her a tonic that fixed her instantly." Liam says.

I nod. "That's good."

A trickle of annoyance comes down from my bond with Soil. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"Sgaeyl must leave already with the Shadow Wielder." Soil says grumpily. "I am not used to being separated from her for so long, and the majority of the visit was for her and Tairn to meet up again. To be separated from Sgaeyl for so long is unsettling, nor can I fly off to visit her since I have you now, Brave One. Sgaeyl would visit me wherever I was stationed with Adelina, and I would fly out to visit her and Tairn when Naolin was alive. I pity Tairn and I fear for Ranald and Cuir next year, when Cuir's rider graduates."

"Did you get to see Xaden?" I ask Liam. He fostered with Xaden under Duke Lindell, and I know that they're incredibly close.

Liam nods. "Only for a few minutes, since I decided to give Violet and Xaden time alone. I think they're doing better."

I smile. "That's good. Violet and Xaden are good for each other, they just need to work out their communications skills. But since Xaden has learned to keep secrets for so long, I don't blame him having to relearn how to communicate properly with Violet."

And I was able to break through to Violet why Xaden kept those secrets. At least she got the message and learned her lesson. And I can tell that she's taking it seriously.

I fall asleep next to Liam, his heartbeat lulling me to sleep like a lullaby.

Chapter Text

Running lands are a: Annoying and b: Worthless. We need to learn to go off the damn ground with what's going on beyond the borders.

— From the Journal of Isla Calder

"First flight lessons of the year!" I hear a cadet from Third Wing cheer as the crowd of second years heads up to the flight fields. More cheers and crows of excitement filter through the air and I can't help but grin in agreement.

Flight lessons are always a favorite for all rider cadets. And I'll take any excuse to see and fly with Soil.

"This year will be more difficult, Brave One." Soil warns me. I know he's only speaking down our personal bond. "I have recovered from my injuries, but I must still be careful. And second year techniques are always more difficult than what you learned last year."

I give him mental nod down the bond as I begin to climb the steps to the fight field. "I'll handle it. We will handle it like always, Soil."

"So, what do you think we're learning today?" Miles wonders.

"Something difficult." Crystal bluntly points out.

I snort. "Oh, really? I didn't know that."

We all giggle in amusement. As we get to the top of the stairs, I grin at the sight of the flight fields. All of the dragons are standing in the same formation we do during the morning, and I can see Soil and Tairn even at such a distance. Those two practically loom over the rest of the dragons.

An Orange Daggertail blasts some steam at a cadet that gets to close, and I step closer to my friends as we begin to hurry to Fourth Wing's section. I spot Rhiannon and Violet talking about something— the letter in Violet's hands, maybe?— as we head to Third Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing's designated spot.

Soil has claimed the front spot, with Ranald next to him. Lasair and Coille stand behind them, the two she-dragons tails intertwined.

"I do miss standing next to Deigh. At least your new squad assignment isn't too far from him." Soil laments as I approach him.

"And you see him all the time anyways." I point out dryly. I easily mount him and settle into the seat, relaxing as I sit down. Safety floods every bone in my body.

Because if I'm with Soil, then I'm safe. I make sure he knows that, and his presence gently curls around my mind as if to give me a mental hug.

Deigh huffs in amusement, twisting his head around to stare at Soil. "I am right here love."

Soil snorts but then suddenly growls, baring his teeth. I look down to see Varrish approaching Soil. A deep warning growl escapes Soil as he bares his fangs even further and a flicker of fire escapes his nostrils.

"I would recommend backing away, Major." I say carefully. I try to get up but Soil's magic springs out, bands of invisible magic forcing me to stay in the seat. "You are not getting anywhere near the Cruel One." Soil snaps.

"Fascinating. This is the dragon that was felled by gryphons." Varrish says. His gaze his polite yet disdainful as he takes in Soil, his gaze lingering on the new scars that mark Soil's body. I have to resist the urge to either use my knowledge signet on him or try and kill the man.

Soil snaps his jaws. Solas approaches, hissing and baring his fangs and I shiver, remembering my own encounter with the Orange Daggertail. I have no idea what Solas says, but Soil lashes his morningstartail and brings it down within half an inch of Varrish. The man, for the first time since I've met him, has the faintest flicker of fear on his face.

Ranald, Lasair, and Coille begin to growl warningly as well, and they all glare at Solas and Varrish. Deigh snarls, glaring at Solas and flexing his claws.

Well. Solas is certainly unpopular.

"He is an unstable psychotic freak that the Empyrean should've executed years ago." Soil snaps. His agitation and hatred bleeds down the bond, making me equally pissed off.

"Back away, Varrish." Kaori says as he comes close. "Soil might've recovered from his injuries, but he's extremely protective of Cadet Graycastle even without them. If he deems you a threat to him and what he considers to be his, then there's nothing stopping him from scorching you off the face of the continent."

Varrish scoffs. "First we have Cadet Sorrengail's feathertail refusing to come to flight lessons, and now... this. If a dragon can be felled so easily by gryphons, why do we let him remain? I would recommend getting—"

Lasair opens her jaws and breathes fire, burning a scorch mark deep onto the grass. When it stops, I see that Professor Kaori is fine. But Varrish is signed and his face is covered in ash.

Solas snaps his jaws at Lasair but Coille blasts him in the face with fire.

"Varrish." Kaori says. "I would suggest leaving the flight fields. You obviously have no reason to be here, and I don't recall your application to being my teaching assistant."

I suppress a laugh. Barely.

But the dismiss is there, if unspoken and implied.

The vice-commandant goes red in the face.

"And you forget that Soil was caught off guard and that Cadet Sorrengail's feathertail is undergoing the Dreamless Sleep to become an adolescent dragon. It's a sleep so deep Andarna cannot wake up, and she literally cannot come here." Kaori adds. "Cadet Sorrengail came to explain everything to me after the Empyrean revealed that feathertails are young dragons. Young dragons that cannot channel until they undergo the Dreamless Sleep, but still young dragons. Andarna is merely going through a very vital and very important life cycle. Nor does she obey your whims, let alone Cadet Sorrengail's." Kaori's eyes narrow. "You forget that dragons do not answer to the whims of humans."

"The Dragon-Watcher is very smart." Soil observes.

"Did the Empyrean reveal the truth about feathertails?" I ask.

Deigh hums quietly. "They revealed most of it."

The tone of the Red Daggertail implies that I shout not push any further.

So I don't.

Varrish leaves, and Kaori turns to face the crowd. "Welcome to your first flight lessons as second years. The third years have volunteered to demonstrate a very important maneuver you will all learn." he gestures to the sky. "A running landing."

I raise my brows, but follow his gaze. Cath flies in from the west, blocking out the sun for a moment as he dives.

"Cath isn't slowing down." I hear Isla notes.

"Good. Hopefully Aetos will fall and snap his neck." Crystal bluntly declares.

"Cath will slow down, but not by much. And if Aetos lands to close to me then I'm roasting him." Soil declares.

I snort softly in amusement and turn my attention back to the Red Swordtail. My jaw drops slightly when I see Aetos perching on Cath's shoulder, crouching with his arms out for balance as Cath drops to the level of the fields. The beats of his wings slow down as Dain moves to slide down Cath's shoulder and stands on Cath's claw while his dragon his still flying.

The Red Swordtail subtly flares his wings as he approaches Kaori, slowing down just enough for Dain to jump off. He hits the ground while running, burning off the momentum. He comes to a stop just a bit too close to Soil, who promptly snaps his jaws and blasts steam at Aetos, ruffling his hair as Soil bares his fangs.

He immediately moves away as Cath lands next to Dain, looming over him protectively. Cath snaps his jaws with a growl but Soil snarls and a blast of fire escapes his nostrils, glaring down at Dain. Shame it isn't fatal, or Aetos would be nothing but ashes. Deigh growls as well, slapping his daggertail on the ground while glaring at Dain alongside his mate, his claws digging gouges into the earth.

"And that is why Aetos is a Wingleader." Kaori announces. "Perfect execution. This approach is the most efficient landing for when we need to engage in ground combat. By the time this year is over, you'll be able to complete this safely. Try your own method, and you'll be dead before you hit the ground."

"And yet, this maneuver is completely pointless for the real war we have to fight." Liam points out down the bond.

"You're right, but we can't say things like that right now." I reply. And I look in worry at Violet, how stands next to Bodhi in-between Tairn's forelegs.

This maneuver isn't compatible with her body. She's grown stronger over the past year, but she can't change her biology no matter how hard she fights to strengthen and build up her muscles and joints.

Kaori continues talking. "Today we're going to practice the basics of moving from the seat to the shoulder." Bodhi and Violet talk in hushed whispers. "Now mount up "

Those who haven't mounted get on their dragons, and after a heartbeat Kaori takes to the skies on Smachd, his Brown Swordtail. Soil follows, claiming the spot right behind Smachd, and the lesson begins. I walk with careful steps to Soil's shoulder and then back to his seat.

A rider from First Wing falls, their scream echoing through the sky until their dragon catches them. But no one dies, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Your network does alloy runs, right?" Bodhi asks Isla and I later that night.

"We do." Isla says. "Is something wrong?"

"The forge is under heavier guard, and we can't slip in. But we do know that they moved the newly made knives to somewhere else." Bodhi explains.

"Our group has our own luminary, and we drop off more than what your group does. You could wait until we find where the daggers are being held." Isla suggests.

I nod. "And we can help look. Miles has gotten better at learning how to sense metals near him, and he can tell the difference between normal metals and alloy weapons."

Bodhi nods in relief. "That, that would be helpful. I'll tell the others."

"Rebels stick together Bodhi." I tell him.

He grins. "Yeah we do, Sarai."

It takes us two days to find where the daggers are being held. The Marked Ones take only two dozen, and to make sure leadership doesn't know that we find the alloy daggers, a Marked One with a duplication signet replicates the taken daggers to put in place. The signet replicates everything it copies, down to the atoms, so the replicated daggers will have the same abilities as the forged daggers.

It might seem small, but it's a still a win against leadership.

The night after, Violet flies out for Samara.

Chapter Text

There is a natural distrust that must be overcome between infantry cadets and riders. This exists mainly because riders will never trust that infantry has the courage to hold the line when dragons arrive, and infantry will never trust that the dragons won't eat them.

— Major Afendra's Guide to the Riders Quadrant (Unauthorized Edition)

The next day, I join the rest of my squad in the gym. Willow had managed to get our entire squad a block of time on Saturday afternoons for training. And she had made it very clear that no matter your plans, you had to show up.

So I do, feeling excited.

"Do you want to spar?" I ask Aaric with a grin. We used to spar together often back in the royal palace, and it's been eighteen months since we last sparred with each other. I want to see how Aaric has grown.

My brother grins, his green eyes lightning up. "You're on, Sarai."

We take our spots on a mat, and I settle into a calm, still position that gives no physical tell away. Aaric shifts on his feet lightly, surveying me calmly.

Then he lunges, throwing out a right hook.

I twist to the side, my training kicking in. I grab his punch and flip Aaric over my shoulder. He lands on his feet and tries to kick the legs out of my and I dodge the blow, jumping lightly. I twist again to avoid another blow and lash out with my legs, landing a solid blow to the stomach. He wheezes, faltering and I punch him hard in the neck. Still, he throws out a punch and gets me in the face, the force of which snaps my head to the side as I stagger. He kicks me as well and I roll as I fall, my hands flying out to push me back to my feet. I kick the legs out of Aaric and then get him in a leg lock. He bucks and strains, and his larger frame lets him escape it.

But I knew that would happen.

I side step his neck attack and punch him twice in the face before round-house kicking him. He spin kicks me back and we both stumble back, panting.

"Stale mate?" I offer, gingerly touching the bruises blooming on my face.

Aaric nods. "Stalemate."

I grin at him. "You've gotten better, little brother."

"So have you sis." Aaric says.

"Wow!" Noelle says and we turn to her. "That was so cool! I know how to fight but damn."

A smile blooms on my face. "Thank you Noelle."

Noelle spars with Aaric, Isla tries to teach Katherine only to get blown off, prompting Willow to intervene. Miles, Aiden, and Kian begin to have a three way fight, and I join Thea and Crystal. My sister in everything but blood is showing the younger woman new fighting techniques. "May I join?" I ask.

Crystal grins. "Sure, you're a damn good fighter. Thea, watch and learn."

We have a quick demonstration fight that Thea watches with wide eyes. Then I help run Thea through some of the moves I had used. She's a good fighter, but she's rusty, as if relearning how to do it.

"My fosters stopped teaching me once they learned Xaden was made Wingleader. A lot of others my age and the younger ones, they all stopped teaching us." Thea explains when I ask. "I tried to practice on my own, but my fosters were always watching me."

I grit my teeth, anger on behalf of Thea and the younger Marked Ones blooming inside of me. I tell this to Liam down the bond and he gives me a wave of resignation-determination.

"Well, you're here now. And we'll teach you." I say.

There's a shout, and I turn to see Miles standing victoriously over Aiden and Kian. I cheer for my brother, grinning brightly.

Our training period ends, and Miles, Isla, Crystal, and I get some lunch.

"So, I've been thinking about going to Chantara." Isla says.

Crystal nods. "That would be interesting—"

"Now!" a voice shouts, and before I can react, a bag is thrown over my head. And then I'm unconscious.

I jolt back into consciousness with the scent of something acrid filling my lungs. I roll away and kick out with my legs, causing someone to yell and fall to the ground. I push myself up, my head buzzing as I set up.

"What's going on?" I ask, reaching for Soil.

Exasperation and annoyance comes down from his end of the bond. "The course you would not have to take if you remember your basic flight lessons and not fall off."

Ah, now I get it.

This is the land nav portion of RSC.

My gaze sweeps the area. Crystal, Miles, and Isla are on my left. I see two groups of eight infantry cadets, a scribe cadet, two healer cadets, and three other rider cadets from First Wing.

The infantry cadets are all so similar. The same uniforms— only their name tags and patch designations are different—, the same close cropped fade haircut for the men, the same tight buns for the women. The Infantry professor is a woman wearing robes dyed the same dark blue as the infantry cadets, while Grady stands to her side.

"Does anyone know where we are?" I ask.

"Nope." one of the rider cadets says.

"Soil?"

"I am not allowed to say."

"Rise." the Infantry professor says. All eight infantry cadets leap to their feet, but I don't move.

Professor Grady nods at us rider cadets, and I slowly get to my feet.

Grady steps forward. "Welcome to your first land nav exercise. You will all be working together to get to your designated pick up zone indicated on the map. Infantry cadets, you've been doing land nav since first year, so you'll be the ones everyone else is leaning on the most to navigate the forest. However, the healer cadets are vital to make sure that anyone injured is able to get fixed up. Cadet Pierre Davies of the Scribe Quadrant is here to record all of the events. And of course, the rider cadets are important given their knowledge of how to handle any dragon encounters, and their signets will be important."

The Infantry Professor sweeps a hand around. "Third Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing, you're with Third Squad, Bronze Section, Fourth Battalion of the infantry. First Squad, Tail Section, First Wing, you're assigned to First Squad, Steel Section, First Battalion of the infantry." she passes out supplies. "Despite the differences in your training, you must all work together to survive this, and for the future. Only when all quadrants of Navarre's military work together, do we prosper."

"Now." Grady says, clapping his hands. "Introductions. From Third Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing we have Sarai Graycastle," he gestures to me. "Isla Calder," he introduces Isla. "Miles Androu," he points too Miles. "And Crystal Telery." he introduces Crystal.

All of the non-rider cadets eyes stare at Crystal's rebellion relic. I casually pull out a knife and begin to sharpen it slowly.

The other rider squad is James Walker, the Squad Leader with black hair and sharp grey eyes, Olivia Abbott, his blonde hair and green eyed executive officer, and Nathan Scott, who has black hair, light brown skin, and dark brown eyes.

The infantry cadets from Third Squad are Bridget— the squad leader— Yvette, Timothy, and Ezra. The infantry cadets from First Squad are Max— the squad leader—, Dawn, Vincent, and Amalie. The healer cadets are Julian and Laura.

"One more thing: There's another group on the other side of the woods, and while your dragons are hunting them, their dragons are hunting you. So good luck. Your deadline is tomorrow afternoon." Grady says and he walks away into the woods with the Infantry Professor.

We all stare at each other, and there's dead silence.

"So." James says. "Should we get this started?"

Five hours, ten arguments, and one fistfight involving Miles and Ezra— Miles won— we make it at least a third of the way to the rendezvous point.

"We're going to go through a patch of poison ivy." Crystal warns as we halt in front of a patch of forest.

Max sneers. "And what would one of your kind know? Shut your mouth, Marked One—"

Isla promptly stabs him in the shoulder. "Shut your fucking mouth." she snarls, eyes blazing with anger as she raises her dagger.

I have to wrap my arms around her middle and drag her away. "You can't kill him." I hiss.

"Coille and Ranald can." Isla growls, still struggling.

"I'm an Agrarian." Crystal continues as if nothing as happened, her tone even. "I've gotten very familiar with plants. Trust me on this."

"Right, why should we?" Yvette says haughtily. "Why should we trust a traitor?"

Fuck her. Yvette's a dead woman walking.

Within a minute, every plant within fifty feet of us withers and dies. And Crystal is the only Agrarian in our group...

"WOULD YOU STOP JUDGING ME FOR MY FAMILY'S ACTION!?" Crystal screams at the top of her lungs, her brown eyes blazing with pure hatred and anger, years of repressed rage. "I WAS FOURTEEN WHEN THE APOSTASY HAPPENED! I WAS FIFTEEN WHEN IT ENDED! WHEN I LOST EVERYTHING!" More and more plants begin to decay while great green vines erupt from the ground, lashing out. "TELL ME— WHAT THE FUCK DID I DO THAT MAKES ME A TRAITOR OTHER THAN BEING A CHILD WHEN THE APOSTASY OCCURED!? WHAT BATTLE DID I FIGHT?"

The infantry cadets go quiet. Pierre Davies scribbles furiously.

"WELL!?" Crystal bellows.

The familiar sound of wingbeats fill the air, and Coille lands behind her rider, her forelegs framing Crystal's enraged, trembling form. Her scorpiontail lashes and she roars, exposing her fangs. More wingbeats fill the air, and Lasair's ruby-scaled form hovers overheard.

"Lasair and Coille have promised to spare you and Isla." Soil assures me. I get the sense that he's watching everything play out from the bond. "Those cadets are lucky that Làidir isn't nearby. He would not take kindly to hearing his rider's sister be disrespected."

I quickly recognize the dragon. Làidir. The Brown Swordtail previously bonded to the late Adonis Telery. He hasn't bonded in the six years since Adonis's unjust execution.

I step forward. "She asked a question. What did she do?"

Nathan Scott nods. "What did Telery do?"

Max and Yvette stutter.

"Shut your prejudiced mouths." Miles growls. "Or I'll shut them for you. Now let's get our shit together and work together."

We make it to the pick up zone in the late afternoon of the next day. We had encountered a grumpy Orange Daggertail last night, who had decided that hunting some cows was more appetizing than exhausted cadets for dinner, and a temperamental Red Scorpiontail this morning, who had roasted Yvette and Max when the two had made eye contact with the dragon.

But we don't encounter Solas, and I'm fervently grateful for that.

"You're all later than expected, but you did well." Grady says. "Congrats cadets. You'll have the rest of the day to rest and recover from your training."

One by one, the dragons land. I grin at the familiar presents of Soil, Ranald, Lasair, and Coille. First Squad heads to their dragons— James Walker to his Green Clubtail, Olivia Abbott to her Orange Scorpiontail, and Nathan Scott to his Brown Swordtail.

"I missed you." I tell Soil as I stroke his jaw, my hands moving up to scratch his favorite patch of scales below his right eye. He makes a purr-like noise. "I was confident in your success, Brave One, and I am proven correct. Sun Heart has been very anxious over your return, no matter what Deigh and I tell him."

A smile breaks out onto my face. It's good to know that Liam missed me as much as I had missed him. "I'm coming back." I fondly assure my boyfriend.

"Good." Liam replies eagerly. "I'll be waiting for you on the flight fields."

He sounds worried and relieved.

"What happened?" I ask Deigh, Soil, and Liam as I mount Soil.

Soil growls, causing everyone minus Ranald, Lasair, and Coille to give him nervous and fearful looks. It's Deigh who speaks, his voice calm and frosty with anger. "The Cruel One nearly killed the Silver One by pushing her to a burn out."

Well, if I needed anymore reason to kill Varrish, than this is certainly it.

Chapter Text

It's not that smuggling the alloy weapons out are what is hard— it is the risk of getting attacked by the wrong drift.

— Recovered Correspondence between Colonel Alfred Thornton to General Ramona Sheridan

"I'll see you in my room, you don't have to meet me at the flight fields." I assure Liam down the bond as the flight fields come into view.

Liam mentally pouts down the bond. "But I missed you and I want to see you, Sarai. I haven't seen you in days! So unfair."

"We'll see each other soon, don't worry Liam." I assure my boyfriend.

"Pathetic lovebirds, the both of you." Soil bluntly declares. But amusement and fondness rolls down from his end of the bond and I grin. "That's rich coming from you, Soil." I tease him.

Liam laughs. "You do the same about Deigh, Soil. And it's Sarai, I'll wax lyrical and miss my girlfriend whenever I want. You do the same for Deigh."

I immediately go red in the face, heat turning my cheeks pink and the flush goes down my neck.

"You're probably very pretty right now, darling, flushed red because of me." Liam purrs down the bond. I shield him out and reach down my crimson bond with Deigh. "Are partners are menaces."

Deigh sighs dramatically and fondly. "They are. And we love them anyways."

Once I get back to my room, I take a long hot shower to clean off the dirt and grit of the forest. I emerge from the bathroom and change into a white nightgown, and as I finish drying off, someone enters the room.

I inhale sharply as Liam presses a kiss onto my neck, but I angle my head to give him more room. "You're excited to see me." I muse, letting out out soft noise and pressing against his sculpted, muscular body.

"You were gone for two days." Liam says, his hands gripping my hips. "I was so lonely."

"I'm pretty sure Ridoc, Sawyer, Violet, and Rhiannon would object to that."

He presses his face against against my neck, inhaling. "Your scent is my favorite." he says, voice husky and deep.

"Stop trying to seduce me and get on with it." I purr, pressing myself against him exactly where he wants it before pulling away.

Liam stays in my room that night.

The next morning, Liam kisses me deeply as he presses me against the door of my room, and we walk to the mess hall together.

Ridoc waves us over to a table, where Violet, Miles, Crystal, Rhiannon, Sawyer and Isla are already waiting. There are two trays waiting for Liam and I, and I nod in thanks at my friends.

"Thank the gods your back, Sarai." Ridoc tells me as I sit down. "Liam was utterly miserable. He was more pathetic than a wet kitten, moping around. And then we had to recruit Sloane in order to get him to wait once Soil told him that you were coming back."

"Oh he told me how glad he was to have me back last night." I say, resist a hand on Liam's thigh. He just smirked and curled an arm around my waist.

It's good to be back, with Liam, with my friends and found family.

Challenges begin the next day.

"Sarai Graycastle and Lucille Evans!" Professor Emetterio calls, and I step up. Lucielle Evans joins me on the mat— she's a squarely built black haired, grey eyed second year from First Wing.

"Weapons or hand to hand?" I ask.

Lucille hums. "What do you think about daggers?"

I grin. "Sure."

Quickly, I unsheathe one of my daggers and Lucille brings out a dagger as well. I settle into an opening stance, watching Lucille as she gazes at me with narrow eyes, shifting on her feet.

Then she lunges.

She slashes at me but I fluidly dodge and I spin-kick her, sending her sprawling on the mat. She's on her feet quickly but I thrust, my dagger driving into her shoulder. She shrieks and I quickly pin her to the ground. "Do you yield?" I demand.

Lucille nods frantically. "I yield!"

"Match goes to Graycastle!" Emetterio declares. I take Lucille's dagger and stride back to my squad, keeping my back to the wall.

"That was great." Thea says, her eyes wide and sparkling.

I give her a smile. "Thank you."

Miles is called up— and he wins against a third year in under five seconds, ruthlessly slamming the man to the ground. The third year surrenders immediately and Miles collects a new short sword to add to his collection.

Neither Isla or Crystal are called to the mat. But Aaric is, and he wins. Noelle is called to the mat as well, and she claws out a win by the skin of her teeth.

Then Katherine is called to the mat, going up against a first year from Second Wing who's built like a bear and heavily muscled. Now, Katherine is the most prickly of the first years, barely listening to whenever one of us try and drill her. But I murmur a prayer for her as the match begins.

The gods don't hear my prayer: Katherine's opponent is too quick, too swift. She isn't able to parry quickly enough and when she tries to dodge his dagger, it winds up being buried in her throat.

Katherine's dead before she even hits the ground.

Friday arrives, and just as I emerge from physics with my squad, Deigh's furious roar bellows through my mind. My knees buckle and I press myself against the wall, gasping. Before I can even ask Deigh what's wrong, I feel it.

My bond to Liam going cold, smothered, vanishing.

I scream in fear, anger, and horror.

Hours later, I'm grumpy, irritated, and worried.

Deigh is following Liam, silently tracking Liam. Deigh assures me that Liam is alive, that it's just some kind of serum— but none of the three of us are happy about being severed, however temporarily, from Liam.

"It is unnatural and foul. And if they dare to try it on you, Brave One, then I shall move their existence from the living." Soil declares, his morningstartail lashing behind him as he lands. I sit up straighter when I see Xaden, and I dismount to meet him.

"Do you want to go with Bodhi and I on a dagger run?" he asks. I see Bodhi with Cuir, carrying a rucksack. Xaden carries a second one.

I raise my eyebrows. "Sgaeyl and Tairn are visiting with each other."

Then I realize what he means. "Oh, oh. Yeah, Soil might not be willing to carry you."

Soil huffs. "Since it's for a good reasons, I will tolerate it. But I will throw him off if I want to."

"Alright then." I mutter. "Well, you're welcome to join us. Soil will throw you off if he wants."

Xaden just scoffs. "Of course he would."

"Okay, now I'm really tempted to throw him off." Soil declares and I snort in amusement.

Soil, mercifully, does not throw off Xaden and we reach the drop off point without getting caught.

There's a small drift of gryphons waiting for us. Including two women who can only be sisters, and remind me of the gryphon flier, Syrena, from War Games.

Xaden goes tense when he sees the younger of the two. I dismount from Soil and Xaden follows, while Bodhi dismounts from Cuir.

"Lieutenant Riorson." the older woman says, eyeing me warily.

"She's with us, don't worry Major Cordella." Xaden says. "Sarai, meet Luna Cordella. She's Captain of Echo Drift."

Luna nods at me in greeting. She's a beautiful woman, with straight glossy black hair, fair skin, a full mouth, and high cheekbones that rest below depthless black eyes. I know a bit about her— the middle of the three Cordella sisters, orphaned nieces of Viscount Tecarus, the heir to the Poromish throne. "Cadet." she says, and then pauses. Her eyes narrow and I clamp down on my self control, forcing me not to look away.

I nod back. "Major Cordella."

"Xaden!" the younger woman says, trying to step forward. She has the same features as Luna, but her cheekbones aren't as high and her eyes are wider. Soil immediately growls, baring his fangs. At the same time, Luna's arm shoots out to stop the younger woman. "Back to Kiralair, Cat." Luna says warningly. "Or you're done with alloy runs."

Cat.

She must be Catriona Cordella, Xaden's former betrothed. Younger sister to Syrena Cordella and Luna Cordella.

"But Luna—"

A man coughs loudly, cooly eying Catriona. She falters and steps away, back to her gryphon. I look at the man: He has black hair, coffee brown skin, and dark eyes.

"Thank you Nasir." Xaden says and hands over his bag of alloy weapons. Bodhi hands over his.

"Thank you." Luna says, giving Xaden a thankful look. "And good luck, Xaden, Bodhi."

I mount Soil, and Xaden joins me. Bodhi gets back onto Cuir and Soil takes off, with the Green Swordtail following.

"Has Luna met Gabriel?" I ask.

"Yeah, a lot. He works with Echo Drift sometimes, helping them push back against the venin. They're a formidable team, with her Empathy gryphon gift from her gryphon, Eiralair. She can sense incoming venin, and he can turn the battle in their favor with his signet." Xaden explains.

"And Nasir?" I ask.

"Nasir Vega, her second in command. I don't know his gryphon gift, since it's highly classified. But Harenaraine, his gryphon, he's powerful." Xaden explains. "He and Gabriel are close, but not as close as Luna and Gabriel."

I grin. "Thank you for the new teasing material."

Xaden huffs. "I'm suddenly thankful to have been an only child."

"Also, good on you for breaking it off with Cat." I tell him. "Violet's much better for you. She loves you for you, not for politics or for a crown."

Xaden goes quiet but he smiles softly. "Yeah, I know. And I love her so much words can't express it."

Chapter Text

Blues are arguably the most protective den. Earn their love and loyalty, and they will fight and die for their loved ones.

— Colonel Kaori's Field Guide to Dragonkind

"Are you okay?" Aaric asks me during breakfast. "You've been really distracted and on edge for the past few days."

I blink at my brother. "Yeah, I'm just..." my voice dies and I trail off. "Soil, Deigh, and I— we've been cut off from Liam. Some kind of serum for a second year exercise. It's very," I swallow, struggling to come up with a word. "Unnerving."

Two days. That's how long Liam, Violet, Ridoc, Sawyer, and Rhiannon have been gone on for their squad's land nav. Deigh, Sliseag, Feirge, and Aotrom have been taking shifts stalking them according to Deigh, in order to keep an eye on their riders. And so far, no one has died— and Deigh got to beat the shit out of Baide, to his delight.

But I still miss Liam, and I miss him desperately. At least he and I could communicate through the bond during my land nav assignment, but with his end of the bond muffled, I couldn't feel him at all. It was completely disconcerting and unsettling.

"It is foul and unnatural. I have no idea why it was even made, this has never been done before." Deigh growls. His agitation leaks down the bond and makes me snap at Callum Saar before I quickly apologize.

Aaric studies me. "Do you love Liam?"

"Of course I do. He's the one for me." I say. "He's the only person I'll ever love, Aaric."

Then I grin mischievously. "Now, you and Thea?"

My brother goes red in the face. "Fuck off Sarai."

I laugh but I smile at him. "I like Thea. She's a good person."

"So I have your blessing?" Aaric mumbles, still blushing.

"Absolutely." I tell him with complete sincereness.

He smiles. "Good to know."

Later that day, I drop off some homework assignments before wandering through Basgiath. Crystal and Miles are off on a date in Chantara, and so are Isla and Bodhi. I could try and do some research into creating wards, but my best shot to finding anything useful are the sub-level vaults.

Shaking my head, I reach out to Soil. "Feel like a flight?"

"I'm in the mood for one." Soil agrees. "See you soon, Brave One."

A tiny grin fights its way onto my face, and I head to my room to change into my flight leathers. Then I head to the flight fields, but as I walk through the halls, I sense something off. It's in the smallest shift in the air, the tense silence.

My blood goes cold as I realize that I'm all alone, and it is far, far too quiet.

Without hesitating, I throw up an invisibility shroud and I activate my knowledge signet. My eyes glow gold as I scan the empty hallway.

Knowledge sears into my mind as soon as my gaze settles on the entrance of the hall. Assassin, former Infantry soldier. Sent by Colonel Aetos, let in by Major Varrish

Fuck, Varrish is scheming with Colonel Aetos. I really need to start working on an assassination plan for him.

"Soil, warn any Resson rider's dragon that I'm going to need back up." I say as the assassin enters the hallway. He looks around confused and I carefully, quietly, draw my sword and approach the assassin.

"Brave One—" Soil starts.

I don't hear him finish.

I drop the invisibility shroud and bring my sword down. But he's fast and deflects the blow, but I roll with it and get in close to swipe at his weapon arm and leg. He yells, stumbling back, and I drive my sword through his heart.

My heart races and I quickly run to the end of the hallway, still gripping my sword.

Then two more assassins appears out of nowhere, swords drawn. I curse and begin to parry and deflect, forced back into the shadowy hallway. I thrust and I slice through a major artery on one assassin, but the other assassin slams his sword across my guts and stomach.

I scream in pain and stagger back, one arm trying to keep my guts inside of me. My sword falls to the ground and he lands another blow to my legs but I kick him hard in the face, forcing him back as well and giving me some breathing room.

"This isn't personal." the man says. "I just need that pardon, and if I kill you, then I get it."

"Fuck you." I snarl. "You forgot one thing about me."

The man pauses. "What?"

"I'm a fucking rider, bastard!" I yell and summon my light. I thrust it out at him and he screams for one long, horrible second before he goes quiet. His burned, charred corpse hits the ground.

I stumble forward, trying to not die as I emerge from the tunnel. I stagger into the quad, gasping in pain.

"Help is coming, Brave One. Hold on!" Soil says. Distantly, I hear his wingbeats, and he's rapidly approaching.

"Look out!" a voice, Imogen, suddenly yells.

I snap my head around to see another assassin lunge at me, his sword coming down in a lethal death blow, and there's no time for me to summon my light and burn him inside out.

But before he can kill me, a dagger erupts from his neck and he gasps before falling to the ground, dead. Soil then lands, shaking the earth as he lands in a way that ensures I'm right between his forelegs.

I can only see my savior for one minute before I black out.

Thea.

"-be alright?"

"She needs time to recover. Nolon got to her in time, but her energy was already low." another voice, firm but gentle, replies. "I've seen injuries like this before. Her being out for the past few days? That's perfectly normal."

I force my eyes to open and I hiss as bright lights assault my eyes. "Fuck." I groan and I feebly use my light signet to absorb some of the light and lessen the harshness.

"Sarai!"

Crystal appears, her dark red hair stark against her fair skin. "Hey, take it easy." she says, gently helping me into a sitting position. Miles and Isla immediately appear at my side and I give them bright smiles.

"What happened?" I ask.

A healer appears next to me. "Assessment first, then questions." she says sternly.

Not wanting to get in trouble with a healer, I comply. Once she's gone, Isla locks the door and makes some motions with her hands. "Alright, the doors warded. We're all clear."

"You almost died." Miles says bluntly. "Thea got the last of those fuckers. She and Imogen stabilized you before Soil picked you up in his claws and carried you to the Healers Quadrant. It was almost as bad..."

He trails off, and I know what he means.

"When Soil and I got injured at Resson." I murmur, finishing his sentence. "I'm assuming you all got attacked as well?"

"Miles and I got attacked by a group of twelve. Miles killed eight, I killed the other four." Crystal says.

Isla shakes her head when we all turn to look at her. "No. But Bodhi, he's been attacked twice so far. He won, obviously. The four of us, we've been sticking together. I think that's why no one's tried to attack any of us."

"Now, let's get you out of here before Liam tries to storm the room with Aaric at his side." Miles says, grinning lightly.

I perk up, a smile breaking out onto my face. "Liam's back? Is he okay? Is Aaric okay?"

"Liam's fine." Crystal assures me. "He freaked out when he learned about your attack, and Bodhi had to be called in. Aaric's alright as well, he was here a few minutes ago before he had to leave for his duty chore."

"Come on, let's go." I say. My found family laugh but we exit the room and head back to the Citadel. They fill me in on what I've missed for the past three days: The regional notice from Rhiannon's village, another attack on Imogen— and she promptly killed the bastard— and just basic stuff for me to catch up on.

I reach down my bond to Liam. "Hey love."

Liam responds instantly, relief coming off his golden bond. "Sarai! You're okay!

"Of course I am." I say calmly. "I'm Soil's rider. They need to try harder."

"Please, they cannot kill you. They are pathetic and you are far more powerful than they are. They need to try harder to even be able to kill you." Soil says.

Deigh sighs. "Can we please stop discussing how the assassins need to try harder?"

"Yes Deigh. Sorry Deigh." I say. Soil and Liam sheepishly echo me.

And as easily as breathing, the four us of fall back into easy conversation and warmth.

The morning after I wake up, I pull Thea aside after formation. "Thea," I say "Thank you for saving me."

She blinks before just smiling. Not gloating or smug, but relieved and softly and sincere. "You're my squad mate, you're Aaric's sister and Liam's girlfriend. Of course I would save you."

I grin warmly. "I'll save you as well, Thea. Thank you. Aaric adores you," Thea goes red. "So you're part of my little family now. I want to spend some more time with the first girl who's ever gotten my brother's attention."

"Really?" Thea squeaks and I nod. She blushes. "O-Oh. And I would like to spend time with you as well."

And just like that, Thea Lir becomes part of my little family, a family of love and choice, defined not just by blood.