Skyriders by Polly Holyoke

Author:Polly Holyoke [Holyoke, Polly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2023-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

When Kie reported for her afternoon shift, the Academy stables were deserted. She heard a big cheer go up from the newer stadium. Everyone must have gone to watch the Term’s End Tournament. While she tried to decide whether she should do the same, she heard a man’s voice raised in fury.

When she hurried around a corner of the building, there stood a Rosari nobleman shouting at Ruden Mirsar and his skysteed. That man must be his father, she guessed, because he had thick, ruddy eyebrows and strong shoulders like Ruden’s. The boy stared at the ground, his face pale, his freckles standing out like brands, and N’Saran hung his head while the man berated them both.

“True Mirsars and their skysteeds fly through their pain,” Lord Mirsar yelled. “You two are gutless cowards, and you disgrace our family’s name!” With that, he turned on his heel and stalked off.

Kie tried to back away before Ruden or his skysteed spotted her, but it was no use. The moment she moved, they both raised their heads and glared at her.

“I bet you’re glad my skysteed’s injured and we can’t compete today,” Ruden said resentfully.

She had been feeling sorry for Ruden, but his words made her burn with anger. “I’m not glad you can’t compete today because of N’Saran’s injury. I wouldn’t want any skysteed hurt.”

“I guess I should thank you for telling me about his sore muscle,” Ruden said as if the words were being dragged out of him. “I can’t believe N’Saran lied to me. I should be able to tell when my skysteed is hurt.” His anger seemed to drain away as he stroked N’Saran’s neck. “We fly and fight so well together, but sometimes I can’t hear his mindspeech very well.”

“If the Academy would let you cadets spend more time with your skysteeds,” Kie declared, “I think you’d understand them better.”

Ruden shot her an intent look. “Would it help if I could find ways to be around N’Saran more often?”

“I just know that we couriers spend days and nights flying with our skysteeds and caring for them ourselves, and every courier I’ve met understands their skysteed perfectly.”

“I’m not sure where I’d find any more minutes in my day, but I’d gladly spend my nights in the park next to N’Saran if it would help us understand each other better.”

The big skysteed leaned into him and nibbled at his shirt while Ruden scratched N’Saran behind his ears. Then the cadet turned to face Kie again and squared his shoulders.

“Kelton and Gunge told me about the practice sessions you’ve been holding in the old stadium. May I come? I’m going to make a practice triwire like theirs, and I’d like to learn how to throw it accurately while N’Saran’s healing up. If the chimerae attack Pedarth, I want to know how to use every weapon that might be effective against them.”

Trying to hide her dismay, Kie thought quickly. Ruden was the best skyfighter in his class, and other cadets would surely take note if he started to learn the old ways of fighting the chimerae.

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