Soulbound

As soon as we returned to the base from our mission at Kain Castle, Annalyse and I began my training with the ferocity of a rampaging griffin. For the past few weeks, my mornings started with hand-to-hand combat then my afternoons were filled with practicing combat drills. My evenings either finished with lessons or reading, depending if Annalyse was called to a meeting. Commander Hargin had been calling for a lot of meetings of late, and I had a feeling it had something to do with King Sylus, but would anyone tell me? No. From what I gathered from people in the hallways, King Sylus had raided the villages closest to the Aborian Sea and built a fort where Brar used to be. King Renkon and Commander Hargin worked together to have all the villages in the valley evacuated and taken to Riverwood. There, King Renkon has deployed his soldiers as a first line of defense against an attack. For now, thankfully, King Sylus’ men have only remained in the valley.

I felt useless. While war stood on the horizon, while peoples’ homes were torn down, I remained in the West, safe in Dragon Canyon, supposedly ignorant of the world around me. The other Knights at the base didn’t let me forget it, either. No one had outwardly said anything to me, but I heard them during our meals in the mess hall, saw the looks of distain in the hallways. I hadn’t earned my place here like everyone else had. I was just a farm girl given power I didn’t know how to use and needed protection. I wasn’t worthy of being a Dragon Knight. Wasn’t worthy of Arkon.

I was forever thankful for Annalyse. She never let me once think I didn’t belong here. Normally, I would have relied on Jacob, but he and Grayson had been spending a lot of time at Kain Castle lately. I’d only seen them once since we returned from my dinner with Prince Leonidas, and it was just a brief passing in the hallways. He’d been so caught up with his conversation with Grayson he didn’t even notice me. Annalyse had pushed me hard at the gym that day. She knew just what I needed to get through the day.

When I wasn’t with Annalyse, I spent my spare time with Arkon. The other dragons still didn’t feel comfortable around him, so we found a private nook hidden away from everyone to sit and talk. We shared each other’s memories through our Bond and reminisced about the good times in our lives. It felt good to talk about my family and cry when the memory of them hurt too much. Our connection only grew stronger with every passing day. I learned more about him, how he moved, how he thought, how he felt. I was a part of him as much as he was of me.

This morning I woke up to have my riding gear dumped at the foot of my bed. I stared at it, blinked, then peered up at a beaming Annalyse. My own smile grew, knowing this only meant one thing: I was finally going to learn how to fly! We had practiced many times on the ground, where Annalyse taught me proper positioning and techniques, but there was only so much I could learn on the ground. She had been holding back on me, promising to take me out if I exceled in everything else she taught me. Something about not wanting to overload me with information. Today, I was allowed to spread my wings and soar.

We’re flying today, Arkon! I basically screamed in his mind.

Amused, he agreed to meet me in the stables after I break my fast--which I had entirely forgotten to do until he’d mentioned it. Excited, I leapt out of bed and changed into the gear. We ate quickly in the mess hall then made our way down to the stables where Arkon and Aster were already waiting for us. I ran to the saddle room and grabbed the nearest saddle, bumping into someone in the process. “Sorry,” I murmured, stepping around him.

He blocked my path, arms crossed. His eyes drank me in, taking their sweet time, then he snorted. “Only Knights get to fly a dragon, sweetheart.”

I’d never met this Knight, but even if I had, his features were so generic, I doubt I would have remembered him. Apparently, though, he knew me and didn’t like that I was here. Too bad for him. I wasn’t going anywhere. “I am a Knight.”

He shook his head at me, chuckling without humour. “Barely. You think Hargin would let you join without your storm dragon? You’re just a figure head for King Renkon to strut around. You should stay in his castle, not with us.”

Having my handful of Knights saying similar things to me since I got here, I stepped right up to him without fear and threw his glare back tenfold. “I belong here and I’m going to prove it.”

Annalyse appeared in the doorway. The cool look she set on us was chilling in the sense that it was the spitting image of her mother. “There a problem here?”

The Knight backed away from me, tossing Annalyse a disarming smile. “Nothing wrong, Anna. Just giving the newbie some tips.”

“That’s Sergeant to you, Emery,” she barked, shoving past him to grab a saddle for Aster. “Don’t hold up my recruit.”

He snapped his heels together, moving aside in the same motion, and saluted by slapping his fist over his heart. “Yes, ma’am. Sorry, ma’am.”

Feeling a little smug, I picked up my saddle and slipped past him. “Have a nice day, Emery.”

Arkon was waiting for me, eyes on the Knight as he exited the saddle room. He huffed, smoke trickling out of his nostrils. “I can zap him next time he bathes, if you’d like.”

I laughed, thinking he was joking--until I sensed a protective surge coming from him and realised he was utterly serious. “No. We don’t need to stoop down to his level. He’ll get the last laugh when I’ve mastered our magic and I put King Sylus behind bars.” I lugged the saddle onto his back and secured it to his form as easily as breathing with all the practice I’ve had. I swung into the saddle and grinned at Annalyse. “Besides, Anna put him in his place. Which was so badass, by the way,” I added for her benefit.

She paused in the middle of her inspection of my form and raised her eyebrows at me. ”Badass?” It was like she had never considered what kind of example she set, how inspiring she was. It was time someone set her straight.

“Duh! Anna, what you do every day here on the base is an inspiration to women everywhere! I hope one day I can be half as good as you. How do you do it?”

A pink hue climbed up her cheeks, but she shrugged it off, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “You really wanna know the best way to shut them up? Show them up.”

“How?” Gods, I would love to rub it in all their faces and show them I deserved to be here as much as any one of them, but I could barely hold my daggers without making Anna cringe. It’ll take forever to earn everyone’s respect here.

Her grin turned diabolical when she peered over to Aster. “I know just the thing. It’s not far from here and it’ll be perfect for your first flight. Your form looks good. Just remember the take-off is the roughest part, so hold on tight and dig your heels into the stirrups. Yes, just like that. Arkon,” she turned to address my Bonded, “when we’re going through the canyon, take your turns slow until Eva gets used to your movements. You have the advantage of having a Bond, use it to coordinate. It won’t be long before you move as one. That is the best feeling ever. Ready?”

I sensed how eager Arkon was to do some real flying; with the imminent threat of Prince Darius’ army in the East, he wasn’t allowed to leave, and being one of the larger dragons, it was hard for him to truly spread his wings in the tight confines of the canyon walls. His excitement reverberated through me and had me itching to hit the skies. “Let’s do this.”

Annalyse quickly hopped into Aster’s saddle. They took the lead, leaping off the ledge into the canyon. Arkon walked up to it, and a gust of wind slammed into me, sending my hair back. I made the mistake of looking down. It was a long way down to the river below. My heart pounded in my chest, sweat building up on my palms. I felt naked without Grayson behind me, shielding me from the harsh wind already threatening to tear me off Arkon’s back.

I don’t think it’s an appropriate time to be thinking about males, Little One, Arkon teased in my mind.

My face flamed. Quiet, you big lizard. Let’s go. I’m ready.

He couldn’t hide his smug amusement from me even if he tried. Quite proud of himself for embarrassing me, he took his first leap off the ledge. I’ll never forget my first time for as long as I lived. The gut-wrenching feeling of falling was terrifying, but once his wings caught the current and the stone in my stomach dissolved, I felt like I was on top of the world. It was empowering. Not even gravity could bring us down! In my excitement, I released the handles and held my hands out to the side with a hoot of joy. “This is amazing!”

Arkon joined me in my elation and roared so loud the air around me vibrated. This is what it feels like to be free, Eva. It’s wonderous, is it not?

I want to feel like this all the time.

One day the sky will be ours and I will take you anywhere you want. What he left unspoken was that that day might be some time away. We weren’t safe to roam the world as we pleased until King Sylus was no longer a threat.

I leaned forward, brushing my hand over the scales of his shoulder. One day.

Annalyse called for us up ahead. The bendy part of the canyon was fast approaching. It was time to focus. I gripped the handles, digging my heels into the stirrups for extra support, and melded my mind with Arkon’s. When the first turn came, I leaned with him, adjusting the angle when he asked for more or less. We flowed through the canyon effortlessly, like the river below us. It was harder work on my body than I expected, but we made it out of the mouth without a hitch and I let out another hoot once we were clear and Arkon could expand his wings to their full length. His relief to finally open his wings fully soared through me and became my own.

Anna and Aster circled back around to meet with us; they swept underneath us then twisted and came up on the other side in a flashy display of Aster’s nimble prowess.

I cannot move like that, Arkon grumbled in my mind after sensing how excited I was to try that. I am too big.

We’ll come up with our own tricks, I comforted him, loving the idea of coming out here every day to practice with him. He liked the idea too and purred beneath me.

“You’re a natural, Eva!” Annalyse called. “Anyone who says you’re not meant to be a Knight is a jealous fool! You ready to prove them wrong?”

“Hells yeah!”

“Meet me down there.” She pointed down towards to the White Wood. It was a section of forest that stretched along the westward length of Dragon Canyon, all the way to the edge of Lensonten. The trees weren’t nearly as tall as the ones that followed the Aborian River, but their leaves were just as green and lush. I read that it was known for its illustrious colour in the Fall, and people would come from all over to watch the leaves turn for the season. I looked forward to seeing it when Summer rolled to an end.

Aster angled for the tree line first then Arkon followed suit, taking a much broader turn for my sake. I could have handled the tighter angle, but I didn’t say anything. There would be plenty of time to see how far I could go in the sky later.

We landed in front of the abrupt row of trees leading into the forest. The woods was aptly named after the bark on the trees, which were predominantly aspen and birch. It seemed more like a wall of white stone than a line of trees when we were this close. It was a little daunting, especially when Annalyse seemed to think there was something here for me to prove to the rest of the Knights I was worthy to be one of them.

She hopped off Aster’s saddle and stretched her arms above her head. I slipped off Arkon’s back far less elegantly, adjusting my weapon’s belt and my quill’s strap. It’d been so long since I was actually allowed to be armed, it felt strange to have them on my person once again.

“Good job up there,” Anna praised, beaming. “You’re becoming a very promising student. I think you’re ready to take your training to the next level. Question is: do you? If you don’t believe in your abilities, you will fail this task. Understand?”

Considering we were here because I kept being told I didn’t belong here and I was starting to wonder what I was doing here, I think I did. We were here because my training brought me here and she was confident I could move forward. But, more importantly, I had to believe in myself, because, in the end, I was my biggest enemy. Spiting my coworkers was just the cherry on top.

“What’s the task?”

She flashed me a daring grin. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail, and in the blazing morning sun, it looked more like a trail of fire down her back than hair. It made me wonder if she was a fire sprite in another life. “We got a report that an Ogre was spotted in the area. We have squad that typically deals with threats like this, but this seems like as good a time as any to see if you’ve been paying attention in my lessons. The mission is simple: hunt and kill the Ogre.”

My eyes bugged. “You’re kidding me.” Our sessions were hardcore, but this was taking my training to a whole new level. One didn’t just simply kill an Ogre. There was a reason it took a squad of Knights to kill them. They were strong and had incredibly thick hide. One wrong move would end with me flattened under its foot.

She set her hands on her hips. “I’m dead serious. You have big shoes to fill and I’m here to make sure you fill them to the brim--and live. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t be asking you to do this if I didn’t think you were ready. Think of this as a test. One where if you pass you’ll earn the entire base’s respect.”

“And if I fail?”

Her expression was deadpan, offering no sympathy or remorse for what she was asking of me. “The Ogre will have you for breakfast.”

I released a long, steady breath, pushing all my nerves aside. There was a time and a place to let my anxiety get the better of me, but today was not that day. I’d been waiting for a chance to prove myself. This was it. “I better make sure I pass, then.”

She pumped her fist in the air excitedly. “There’s that Dragon Knight spirit! Oh, and Arkon, you can’t kill the Ogre for Eva. You can use your Bond like I taught you to find it, but Eva needs to show me she is more than the storm dragon rider.”

A low growl rumbled in his chest. I patted his shoulder, easing his worry. “I’ll be all right, Arkon. I can do this.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but, after sensing my confidence, he relented with a nod. “Very well. Let us hunt this beast.”

He leapt into the air, beating his wings until he was high enough above the canopy to clear the tallest of trees--which thankfully weren’t as tall as the ones by the Aborian River.

I took a deep breath then stepped into the forest. The White Wood was light and airy, easy to navigate and find my prey. It had been almost two months since I had to hunt, but I hadn’t lost the touch and it felt good to get back into it. Except now, I had been given more skills, taught how to be efficient and swift. I felt more in tune with the world around me, my own body, than I ever had.

Or maybe it was Arkon’s senses stretching over the forest in search of the Ogre. I felt his magic fall over the wood like a thin film, touching every tree, leave, and creature.

I found it, Eva.

The canopy was too thick for me to see him from the ground and the Ogre was too far away to find it with my Dragon Vision, so I let the tether between us guide me. I didn’t have to go far before the Ogre appeared in my Vision. It was a hulking big outline, lumbering between trees northward, towards Lensonten. A major part in an Ogre’s diet was human, so it made sense, but I wasn’t going to let it get that far.

Steeling myself, I drew my bow and crept towards my target. The wind was in my favour and blew my scent south. It didn’t matter which way the wind blew when I got within ten feet, my nose was still assaulted by the raw stench of the beast. Its thick leathery hide was stained with blood, days old by the look of it and not its own; there were no visible injuries.

I snuck as close as I dared and took a moment to assess. “Always take in your surroundings and the situation if you have time,” Annalyse had once told me during one of my lessons. And that was what I intended to do. “You don’t become the strongest warrior by jumping in head first. Always have a plan.”

What’s the plan? I thought to myself, not daring to utter a word. Ogres didn’t have the best hearing or vision, but the forest had gone silent with the monster on patrol; any noise I made would tip it off.

I scanned the area, slowly following the beast as it made its way through the forest, unbeknownst to its shadow. The trees were thin, not any bigger than my thigh, but there were plenty.

An idea formed in my mind.

Very good, Eva, Arkon praised, seeing the plan in my mind. You were listening to Annalyse.

Haha, I mocked back at him then focused on the task at hand. I pulled a few arrows from my quill and cut the rope I had attached to my hip into several sections then tied the ends to the arrows.

Once everything was set, I caught up to the Ogre and stole a steadying breath from forest. As soon as the first arrow was loosed, I had to act quickly before the Ogre reacted. After another breath, I let the first arrow go; it slammed into the tree beside the Ogre.

The monster let out a startled grunt then swung around to face me. In quick succession, I fired off three more arrows on different trees. With the rope in my hand, I skirted to the other side of the Ogre and looped one around its wrist. Roaring, it tried to jerk free, but I tied the other end to a tree, pinning it in place. I swiftly did the same with the other three ropes, which finished with the beast tangled and flailing uselessly against its restraints. While it struggled, I drew my daggers and ran up to it. I thrust my dagger into its chest. Crying out, it reared up and yanked on its restraints. The rope held strong, but I watched the trees bend and creak in protest. They wouldn’t hold long.

Swearing, I swiped at the Ogre’s leg, cutting deep into the muscle; it collapsed onto one knee. Now that it was down to my level, I aimed for its throat-

It tore its hand--and the tree--free and swatted me back. I hit a trunk hard and gasped for air. Black dots swam in my vision, but I could still see the Ogre swinging the tree, roots and all, my way. I barely moved in time to dodge it. The tree splintered on impact and the ground shuddered by the sheer force of its strength; a few pieces of shrapnel imbedded themselves into my armour, thankfully going no further, but one piece nicked my cheek.

Hissing, I wiped the blood away and dodged its fist hammering down for me. It tried to step for me, but the other trees held it in place, groaning as they protested.

Get on its hunch, Arkon’s voice came through the link. Ogres aren’t known for their flexibility. It’ll have a hard time reaching you on its back.

After leaping to the side to evade yet another attack, I peered at the warty hunch fifteen feet above me in question then puffed out a breath of frustration. Easier said than done.

You can do it. You are small and agile. If his words of confidence weren’t enough, he opened up his mind and let me feel how confident he was in me and how proud he was of me for coming this far.

I used it as fuel to push myself just a little bit further. Holding my daggers tight, I ran at the beast, ducking under its free arm as it came for me, then I slid behind it. With a war cry fit for a dragon, I leapt onto its back, lodging my daggers into its hide. I used them to climb of its back until I reached the hunch. The Ogre scrambled to reach me, tearing its other arm free in the process. It thrashed and swung its arms desperately to grab me. Amidst trying to balance and avoiding its flailing arms, I raised my daggers above my head then swung them in a downward arc and sunk them deep into the top of its skull. Bone cracked and flesh squelched.

And then the whole beast tumbled down to the floor.

I hadn’t planned on what to do after I’d killed it. I fell off its back rather cumbersomely and landed uncomfortably on my side. Into a pool of its blood. Moaning, I jumped to my feet and shook as much of the blood off as I could, but it was still stuck in my hair and gear.

Eva! Are you all right?

I peered up and saw Arkon’s shadow through the canopy as he circled me from above. I’m okay. Just covered in blood. Which way to Annalyse?

Follow me.

I used our Bond to follow him out of the forest. The further I went, the more my bones began to ache. At the time, I had been so focused on staying alive, I hadn’t noticed all the bumps and bruises, but now I felt them with every step, and by the time I exited the forest, I was ready to end the day.

However, Arkon and Aster weren’t the only dragons in the clearing, and Annalyse was chatting with Captain Ahura, who was less than displeased by what she had to say. There were other Knights here too, armed to the teeth, just waiting for the captain’s orders. Emery was amongst them, but I chose to ignore him for the time being.

When I stepped out of the tree line, Arkon came to me and pressed his snout into my chest. I scratched the scales under his chin where he had a cluster of short horns underneath. I’m proud of you, Little One.

I looked up into his bright blue eyes. Thanks, Arkon.

“By the gods! Someone get a healer!” Captain Ahura rushed to me. “Greene, what happened?”

I glanced down at myself, realised what a mess I was, and laughed. “I’m fine. It’s not my blood. There’s a dead Ogre in the woods, though. Someone might want to clean that up.”

The captain’s face fell flat--then he turned on Annalyse, absolutely furious. “You sent the new recruit to kill an Ogre by herself? Hargin, what were you thinking? She could have been killed! Do you have any idea how important-”

Anna stood proud and unabashed for her actions. “Of course I know how important she is, Captain. The Commander asked me to train her for a reason, and I’d say I’ve done a good job of it. Let’s see any other new recruit kill an Ogre--albeit messily, but that’s just practice.” She winked at me. “Our job here is done, Eva. Let’s get you cleaned up then we can practice some aerial drills. Have fun cleaning up, boys!” She called to the other Knights then swung onto Aster’s back.

I climbed into my saddle, trying my best not to slip and look like a fool in front of everyone then we leapt into the sky. Once we reached the stables, Anna hopped to my side and gave me a high five. “You were awesome! That is how you show them up. Now go clean up. We’re doing drills until the sun goes down.”

“Yes ma’am!” I saluted then ran for our room.