Call of the Dragon by Richard Fierce

Author:Richard Fierce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonfire Press

11

Mina was awake well before dawn. She paced her chamber anxiously, continuously running her hands over the front of her armor as if to smooth it out. Her nerves were on edge. This day was probably the most important that she’d ever waited for. The last two weeks of training had been arduous, miserable even. It felt like months had passed.

But it was over.

Almost.

She took a deep breath and continued pacing. Copper was recounting his time with her to the Enclave, and upon their approval, they would test her to prove if she was a capable warrior.

A warrior.

Mina almost laughed. Her life was so foreign now. She’d been raised from the position of a slave to a height that she’d never dreamed of.

Copper had pushed her beyond what she’d thought possible. Every day, she woke up before dawn and practiced with the sword, then with the bow, then back to the sword. She had no time to relax, had barely received any personal time to reflect on what she was doing. Now that she had a small amount of free time, she didn’t know what to do with herself. And so she paced, her thoughts full of turmoil.

What would happen if she failed? War, obviously. But what about her? What did her fate look like? Scarier still, what did her future hold if she succeeded?

You dwell on things you have no control over, Copper said, his voice invading her mind.

I can’t help it. What did the Enclave say?

They want to see what you have learned. Grab your sword and come with me.

Mina’s sword was already strapped around her waist, so she stepped into the hall. Copper regarded her in silence.

What troubles you? he asked.

I’m afraid of failing.

Do not fear failure. It is a fire that refines you. Give everything you have in these tests. Whether you fail or succeed, you have done your duty in trying.

I will do my best, Mina swore.

They headed above ground, where the Enclave was waiting for them, as well as a host of other dragons. Mina’s breath caught in her throat. There were so many of them, and they were all different colors. Their shiny scales glinted in the sun, creating a myriad of miniature rainbows.

Why are they all out here?

You are the first rider in a thousand years, Copper replied. It is a momentous event.

The invisible weight of their judgement and expectations suddenly fell on her shoulders. She hadn’t expected so many witnesses. Still, the stakes were clear in her mind. She cast the doubts aside and walked with as much confidence as she could muster.

Mina, step forth and kneel before the Enclave.

It was the silver dragon, the one who’d probed her mind when she’d first arrived. Mina left Copper’s side and approached the group of leaders, then knelt in the sand.

Today, we will see what you have learned. Put forth your best efforts. Not only to convince us, but because you are a rider. We are in a unique predicament, and I trust that there is a reason for the bond between the two of you.

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