In the six centuries of recorded history of dragon and rider, there have been hundreds of known cases where a dragon simply cannot emotionally recover from the loss of their bonded river. This happens when the bond is particularly strong and, in three documented cases, has even caused the untimely death of the dragon.
Navarre, An Unedited History by Colonel Lewis Markham.
~
October first is always Threshing. Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday, it doesn't matter where it falls on any given year. On the first of October, the first-year cadets of the Riders Quadrant enter the bowl-shaped forested valley to the southwest of the citadel and pray they come out alive.
"Don't die," Xaden had told her that morning at breakfast. She'd barely touched her food, her stomach churning too much to eat. She remembered Professor Kaori's words: If a dragon has chosen you, they'll make it known. They'll be calling. Yet as she stepped into the dense, misty forest, silence met her ears. No call. No sign. Only the quiet crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant cries of cadets who'd already bonded, flying back to the flight field on their dragon's back.
Hours passed. Judging by the sun, she figured it must be nearing midday, and her nerves frayed further with every dragon that crossed her path. She passed greens, browns, even a few oranges, all of them letting her pass without a second glance. She moved with caution, taking in every rustle, every breath of wind, searching for a sign that one of them might choose her. But there was nothing. And now Liam was gone, having left about an hour ago, claiming he needed to "follow his instincts." Alone, Thana kept pushing forward, her feet drawing her deeper into the valley. The forest grew denser and quieter, and she sensed she was nearing the boundaries that Professor Kaori had specifically warned them to avoid.
Her father's voice whispered to her through the stillness of the trees, reminding her of the quiet nights they'd spent camping, watching stars above and learning to find peace in the wild. She felt closer to him here, beneath the canopy, where everything was raw and untouched. She loved thisâthe wilderness, the solitude. Even so, she knew her time was running short. She climbed a cliff edge, emerging into a sunlit clearing, dropping her pack to stretch. She couldn't hear any other cadets anymore, nor the distant beat of dragon wings. Had she gone too far?
Suddenly, a flash of blue caught her eye through the trees, and her breath hitched. Golden eyes glared at her, framed by vicious fangs. She recognized the dragon instantlyâSgaeyl, majestic and terrifying in the shifting light. But Sgaeyl wasn't alone. Stepping out from behind her was Xaden.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, disappointment flickering across his face.
"Kaori said to follow your instincts" Thana shot back, barely hiding her frustration.
Xaden was guarded. He looked like he was going to say something but, he hesitated. He knew something that she didn't, she was certain of that but, she wasn't sure she wanted to know, not now.
Before either could speak, a dark shadow swept over them, and the scarred dragon descended into the clearing with a thunderous flap of wings making the ground quake as it landed. Sgaeyl tensed, shifting to stand protectively in front of Xaden. There was a strange, silent exchange between Sgaeyl and the other Blue as if they were locked in some kind of fierce, unspoken argument. Thana glanced at Xaden, who looked as tense as Sgaeyl, his gaze flicking between the dragons as though he, too, was part of the conversation.
When Sgaeyl snapped, baring her teeth at the other dragon, Thana instinctively stepped out from behind Xaden and ran into the clearing. "Stop it!"
Sgaeyl dropped her head to meet Thana's stare. You can't tell a dragon what to do, the voice in her head snapped. Thana blinked, realizing with a jolt that Sgaeyl was speaking to her directly. Thana froze.
Xaden's hand twitched at his side as he addressed Sgaeyl. Please, stand down, he said. She heard that too.
"How are you doing that?" she asked Xaden. His focus was on Sgaeyl. He was attentive to her in the only way a man could be to a beast. He was being selective of what parts of their conversation Thana could hear and what was just between them.
Sgaeyl growled lowly but slowly retreated, still shooting Thana a warning look. And then, Thana turned to face the scarred dragon, her heart racing.
I've waited for you, a deep, resonant voice rumbled in her mind. She met his amber eyes, feeling their intensity pierce her as he lowered his head in a gesture of trust. Thana's hands shook slightly as she reached out, her fingers brushing his scarred snout.
"I thought you weren't bonding this year," she stammered.
I chose you on Conscription Day, he replied calmly. She still stood frozen, unsure if she was terrified or relieved.
Before you choose me, you must know one thing... "I have a choice?" Thana asked. Always.
But, before that, you must know that I will never lie to you. But that means there will be things I can not tell you. His voice carried no malice, only certainty. Not to deceive, but because some truths must be earned and others are not mine to share.
She hesitated, uncertainty creeping in, wrapping tight around her ribs.
The dragon watched her, his amber eyes unblinking. You fear you are not worthy of me. It was not a question.
Thana stiffened, shame curling in her stomach. She hadn't said it aloud, but the bond between them was already forming, her thoughts no longer entirely her own.
You are wrong, he said simply. You are more than worthy. I would not be here if you weren't.
Her breath caught. The weight of doubt didn't disappear, but it shifted, loosened its grip just enough.
The dragon exhaled, a deep rumble rolling through his chest. The choice is still yours.
Thana steadied herself, looking up at him.
"I want to go with you."
The dragon inclined his head, something like relief passing through the bond before he stepped forward.
Thana wasn't sure that the ramp on the Gauntlet compared to the steep climb it would take to mount this dragon. Without further hesitation, she scrambled up his leg and onto his back. Not bad. We'll work on it.
Thana gripped on tightly with her legs and clenched onto the scales between his wings. I won't let you fall, he said. Before she could exhale, he took flight. Xaden followed on Sgaeyl, soaring through the valley as her dragon swooped and veered in graceful arcs. Below them, mountains unfurled like rolling waves, with autumn meadows painting the landscape in rich hues of gold and red.
Thana took in the trees and the mountains and the river bends below. She could see everything from up here. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she could finally breathe.
As they approached the flight field, her dragon took a gentle lap around the perimeter, savouring the wind and the beauty of the valley. I haven't had company like this in some time, he murmured a note of sadness in his voice.
When he finally landed, she noticed that Liam had already returned, standing beside the red dragon that had eyed him back on Presentation Day. He grinned when he saw her dismount, and his dragon, Deigh, rumbled approvingly. But as Jack Barlowe strutted by, Thana's dragon hissed, making Jack flinch.
Go and tell the roll keeper we've arrived, he explained. Her dismount was a little clumsier that she would have liked. We'll practise, don't worry.
With a steadying breath, she made her way to where Garrick was taking roll, his face pale, his voice shaky as he tried to maintain his composure. "Glad to see you made it back alive," he said, the words scripted but his relief unmistakable. "For the record, tell me the name of the dragon who chose you."
Thana hesitated, realizing she didn't actually know his name. A low rumble filled her mind, Válka, he whispered.
"Válka," she repeated aloud. Kaori and Pancheck exchanged glances nearby, their eyes focused on her. Garrick cleared his throat and nodded. "You're dismissed."
She made her way back to Válka, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes on her. Chin up, kid.
With her mind still spinning and her thighs aching, she asked, "Now what?"
Now, Válka replied, his voice filled with a strange mix of pride and amusement, I show you what you're made of.