Coronation
Every cadet’s dream was to succeed in their training and bond with a dragon—today was the day that my dream would come true.
Most people would’ve guessed I wouldn’t have lasted a day—Hells, I thought I wouldn’t either. Small, petite, temper spicier than her actual bite. But a combination of being faster due to my size, willing to fight dirty, and training my ass off meant that I’d made it to the Coronation. My stamina gradually increased, my confidence as well, and after a treacherous climb up the Endless Stairs, I’d made it to the platform too, breathing heavily, but alive.
Despite a full year of training, you were still being tested by the serpents that watched from afar.
There were only ten cadets, out of a class of fifty selected to have a chance at becoming Riders, that made it to this elevated platform on the top of the mountains. Torches surrounded the platform, flickering to the high winds at this altitude. Around us, jagged peaks acted almost like a cage, trapping everyone in but the dragons able to fly above it. In front of us, the leading Riders, faces wrinkled with age and experience, dressed in their leathers labeled with honors and their Gems, stood in attention.
General Meredith took a step forward.
“The ten of you are the finest in your year,” she said, voice booming despite the roaring gusts all around us. Her eyes surveyed us, stopping on me in particular. I’d straightened, still only reaching the shoulder of most of the men who stood beside me. “The fact that you have made it here means you now have a chance of bonding with your dragons.”
“Even now, there is a chance you’d get rejected. That you still aren’t worthy.” Her eyes narrowed. “It’s your last chance to head down those stairs and return to safety. You’d become part of the infantry, but you’d have your lives.”
I shivered, from the cold and her words; even after a full year of training, it could still end. In the corner of my eyes, a couple of the cadets seemed to have second thoughts. One of them, a man by the name of Reis, took a step back and turned around. “Sorry, I can’t risk it,” he muttered as he headed down those steps. He’d spoken about taking care of his aging parents—doing this to protect them. Guess he figured he’d do more for them alive than as dragon meal.
“Nine of you remain,” Meredith said, voice low but firm. “Anyone else?”
When no one else moved, she nodded. “Then, let the Coronation begin.”
The gusts around us picked up even more, swirling and chilling me to my bones. Barely—I was barely able to remain standing with this sudden assault. It was like I was about to be swept off my feet and thrown off the mountain. Gritting my teeth, planting my foot down, I prepared futilely to remain here.
Mother and father had always called me too stubborn to live.
Gasps around me from the others made me look around, then look up. Unable to stop myself, I also let out an exclamation of awe.
The sky was painted with aurora colors: red, green, violet, and dark blue streaks colored the pale clouds that hung overcast. And, slowly, the clouds parted, and twenty dragons flew through the opening. They landed around us, roaring as they did. I stiffened. Blue Snakeheads, green Lockjaws, red Splittongues—and… my eyes fell on the black Shadowbringer. One of the rarest dragons of them all, said to be only one born every thousand of years. Most of the cadets, even the leaders, were staring at its arrival, its bulk larger and more menacing than the fangs baring dragons around it. The others stayed a distance away, almost in reverence. Eyes, bright gold with narrow slits, scanned us like the prey we were—and I swore it met my gaze and kept it.
Intelligence lay behind those eyes. I saw the creature considering, pondering.
Did it want to eat me?
Or did it want to bond?
Either way, I kept my eyes on it, even as it snarled, teeth the size of swords, and just as sharp, fully bared. I heard a scream and then silence.
Eight left.
The smell of char.
Seven.
We were warned.
I didn’t move, staying right where I was, maintaining that staredown with the Shadowbringer. It skulked towards me. Despite its size, it was almost silent, like the way shadows encroach as the sun sets; faint thumps and a low grumble were the only tells that it approached. As it grew closer, it appeared even larger, towering over me—I swore just a breath from the monster would make me fall over like a bale of hay. Despite the chaos in the platform, as dragons toyed with the cadets, finding the one that strikes their fancy or pruning the ones they deemed unworthy, it felt like only the Shadowbringer and I existed on this platform.
I stood firm.
Eat me, if you really are going to, I thought.
It canted its head, stopping when it was right in front of me. Its hot breath, smelling of sulfur and acid, caustic against my skin.
Unmoving, I looked up into those intelligent golden eyes.
My mind felt like it was almost to burst, as another voice intruded on my thoughts. Deep, rumbling, and peerless.
I don’t want to eat you.
And… almost disgusted.
I blinked.
It encircled me, looking over with me; each step threatened to topple me.
Then, are you going to bond?
Depends. It’s under consideration.
The thought almost seemed playful. Was this creature toying with me?
With a flicker of annoyance I struggled to hide, I asked, Care to make up your mind?
Oh? Are you standing up to me?
It stopped in front of me again, face right up close to me. Lips parted, revealing those sword-like teeth again.
If you’re going to just keep circling me and blocking the others from considering me—yes!
Suddenly, I felt my body grow cold, like a deep shade had fallen and obscured the sun, blanketing me in frigid trembles. Shadows crept through my body, inside, outside, engulfing me completely.
This must have been what death felt like.
Oh, don’t be so dramatic.
Again, that playful voice hinging on arrogance.
You wanted a bond, didn’t you?
It circled me, tail thrashed once, shaking the ground. During the Coronation, you must not show any fear, even as the dragons tested you. One must prove they were worthy.
I have several conditions.
My eyes widened, heart racing with desperation. A chance to bond with Shadowbringer?
Anything.
I want those fried pickles I see you humans eating. And, those books, the ones with pictures. Right, and it’s really annoying picking fruits and vegetables myself—so I want you to deliver my meal to me.
Wait, what?
Its powers, swelling inside of me, converged in my heart, and a shining, obsidian gem formed in front of my chest, floating until I grabbed it in my hands. It hummed with the power of the massive dragon next to me.
Everyone always runs when I come close. There’s no chance to even ask for it. Do you know how tempting it is? Smell of oil mixed with fermented goodness?
Its voice crowded and overwhelmed my brain with rants about pickles. I could barely focus on what was happening around me, as other cadets formed their bonds, but mostly stared at a Shadowbringer’s choice for a bond.
The frail one, barely able to stand on top of the mountain.
Oh, give yourself some more credit; you’ve stood for a long time.
It huffed at me and nearly toppled me.
Oh. If a dragon could have a look of pity, then I was sure it was making that expression.
“Seven cadets. Seven bonds. Good.” General Meredith resumed control of the platform as the unbonded dragons flew away, back to their lairs beyond the mountains. Seven remained, each close to their Riders. “Back in the Academy, your dragons will be registered, your bonds official.”
I stared at Shadowbringer—my bonded dragon—and I couldn’t help but associate him with… fried pickles and comics.
You’re really fixated on that.
“You’re officially first years. Your training at Rider Academy will now truly commence.” Meredith’s gaze fell on me; this time, I was sure. “I expect great things.”
My fingers tightened around the obsidian Gem created from my new bond with this pickle-loving, comic-enjoying dragon.
You’re really harping on the pickles.
Because where am I going to find you pickles in Rider Academy?
They have fryers, right? Fine, I’d take those fried potatoes if you can’t fry me some pickles.
Aren’t dragons supposed to eat meat?
Never liked the flavor.
You don’t eat meat?
Well, no, I’m just partial to vegetables.
“Rider Delihan, are you really going to stand there? Grab your harness and leave.” The general’s voice rang sharply through the air. Her dragon, a silver Broadback, was next to her, gazing at me and my dragon with a haughty air.
Didn’t you hear her? Grab the harness and leave.
Now I was sure it was mocking me.
Say one more word, and I’m not going to sneak you your fried potatoes.
It’s part of our bond condition.
It puffed again, a low growl as I walked away to grab the saddle that General Meredith’s underling, Major Salenger, had set out for the newly anointed Riders. Only one was left, an older pair that looked a little worse for wear.
Ugh, that has to go on my back?
You distracted me from the nice ones.
Rider Academy needs more resources.
Hard when you’re at war.
“Zyra Delihan.” Meredith’s words were a warning for me to hurry.
“Sorry, General, sorry—” I rushed back to my waiting dragon, whose tail flickered with annoyance.
We’d been trained on how to put these saddles on, and I clambered onto its large back. Despite that prissy attitude, it remained still for me.
Prissy?
Stop reading my mind!
You’re loud.
I attached the harness, and the dragon stood to its full height once I was seated. It was one thing practicing this in training; it was another to actually be on a dragon. But a full year had passed. I wasn’t going to slip off its back.
Are you sure about that?
Just fly.
Say please.
Please, just fly!
Once it soared, I held in my scream. Giant wings longer than some villages flapping through the air. And I was supposed to hold onto just this leather and bronze harness? That was supposed to keep me attached to this dragon?
Oh, stop panicking. If the other Riders are fine, what makes you different?
Well, for one thing… people have fallen off!
Your cohort is fine.
Their harnesses aren’t worn and broken!
I felt the dragon rumble, like it was laughing.
It’s not funny!
I screamed as he dove.
