Chapter Text
“Though not forbidden, cadets are strongly encouraged not to develop strong romantic attachments while studying in the quadrant for the efficiency of the unit.” -Article Five, Section Seven, The Dragon Rider’s Codex
“Second Lieutenant Sorrengail”
I look up from prepping Dealaigh, my blue morningstartail, for flight to give my commanding officer my attention, “yes sir?”
The Major looks at me with, is that regret? I start to slightly release the hold on my shields and pull on the thread of power stored on my grounding beach, preparing to read what he’s about to say to me.
Are you sure you want to do that? It will be difficult to distinguish truth and half-truths or partial truths from lies today.
I sigh in response to my dragon, she’s right, but the look on the Major’s face indicates he doesn’t want to tell me whatever the plan is.
He’s sending barely second year lieutenants into a battle any experienced officer knows they aren’t prepared for. Of course he doesn’t want to tell you what the plan is that he believes will likely send you to your death
Do you believe it will likely cause my death?
Dealaigh snorts it would be foolish to think there isn’t a probability of death, but you know I always choose to be confident that we will survive Warrior.
“I’m going to have you act as our communications back to command today. I know the distance is far, so you’ll need to monitor your usage to counter burn out. Ensuring the intelligence and communication flow between us and Calldyr is maintained is of the utmost importance. You’re why we’re here today.”
Truth
Being the first distance wielder in almost a century is proving to be a bit cumbersome. They really sent an entire command out here just for me to be here? I throw the thought to Dealaigh, not necessarily expecting an answer
Of course, my Warrior, both you and your chosen mate are made for the front lines.
“Yes sir, I’ll monitor my usage, and make sure Brennan is close enough that if things get truly dire, I can rely on his signet to assist, only if necessary, of course.”
The Major’s face falls momentarily “Second Lieutenant Brennan Sorrengail will be attached to another team for the duration, so you won’t be able to rely on his abilities today.”
My stomach drops and my deep blue eyes snap across the field, seeking out the orange daggertail, which is of course next to the black morningstartail, and meet the amber eyes of my husband.
Dealaigh growls behind me sending you to battle without the Mender is a mistake that no competent person in command would make.
How likely do you think it is that strictly command made that decision?
I send Brennan an icy glare when I see that he’s paying attention to my gaze. Half listening to the Major as he details my position and the requirements he has of me going into today, and acknowledging that the plans will change if we meet the resistance we’re expecting.
When we survive this, I will be sure to have words with Tairn about the dependency his rider has on your mate
I watch his frame as he starts to make his way across the field towards me, deftly avoiding getting into any dragon’s personal space, and I turn back to my commander.
“I understand and will adjust as needed.”
The Major turns and notes Brennan’s approach, “I’ll give you two some privacy, then” he’d always been awkward about a married couple serving under him, never quite knowing how to treat us.
It’s not just Naolin’s dependency I’m concerned with
Brennan reaches me, and attempts to pull me in for a quick kiss, but is interrupted by Dealaigh snapping her teeth at him. He takes a quick step back before looking up at the dragon and back to me “She’s not happy with me it seems.”
“She’s not the only one.” The words come out hotter and harsher than I mean for them to.
“Andy –” he closes the distance, blatantly ignoring my snarling dragon
I raise a hand, “don’t. I just can’t hear whatever it is you feel you need to explain right now. I don’t want you to feel you need to lie to me today.”
He places his hands on my upper arms and pulls me towards him, placing his forehead against mine. “Andy,” he takes a deep breath “I love you.”
Truth
But that had never been my concern, I knew he loved me, my concern was if I was his first choice, or his choice at all.
Now is not the time to concern yourself with this doubt. A doubt that you’ve held for this long without really wanting to know the answer, knowing, not knowing, nothing will change today.
I nod “I know.” Answering both Brennan and my dragon.
“I’ve loved you since you sat next to me in Battle Brief on our first day at Basgaith, you were my first love and I will love you until the day I die and today will not be that day. Neither of us will die today.”
Partial truth
He leans in to kiss me, it’s not a deep kiss, but it is intense and I feel myself smiling slightly as he pulls away. He throws me his signature cocky grin, the one that brings out his dimple and throws me a wink “You know you’re my favorite.”
Lie
✦ ✦ ✦
I wish you would stay off the ground, you’re too vulnerable and I can’t protect you
I wipe the sweat dripping down my face as I dismount. I was already starting to feel the signs of the beginning stages of burnout, trying to mitigate the requirements of battle and the requirements of my body without Brennan is starting to feel like a disaster
How else am I supposed to get the information passed? It’s not as if you would let them come up and get it from me
Dealaigh snorts as I search the skies, straining to see if I can pick out the correct orange dragon.
Marbh says Brennan is still fighting. Worrying about him is not advisable.
I know, but I can’t help but worry
Worry is a waste of energy when you do not have energy to waste
Another piece of paper is pushed into my hands by an unknown Captain, replacing the one I just handed off, and I turn to mount, wielding once again to make it to Callydr
✦ ✦ ✦
That was my last jump, I can feel the fever burning throughout my body as we land back in Aretia. We shouldn’t have gone back to Callydr this last time, I execute a running dismount, too far from the command tent, while Dealaigh launches back in the air to avoid any cross bows or other dragons while I'm on the ground.
I make it halfway across the field before I collapse to the ground.
I try to push myself off the ground, but my vision starts to close in around me. I’ve been still for too long, I hear the sounds of battle around me. I have to move.
I don’t think I can stand
Warrior, you have pushed yourself well past what I advised, I have sent for someone to meet you, I will be to you in moments, and then I will place you at the medical tent. You cannot pull anymore power today.
I feel someone grab under my shoulders, pulling me up to my knees, and an intense pain radiates through my side, an unbidden scream ripping through my throat. I turn on instinct, pulling a blade from the sheath at my thigh. I can’t see who attacked me, instinct taking over and I can feel the dagger going through bone and muscle and then the heavy weight of another person drops as I try to roll out of the way.
I look to the sky, and my vision clears just enough to see an orange dragon what I think, or hope is a daggertail. I’m not sure it’s him, but I need to believe he’s still here, still alive, that at least the last thing I see is what I believe to be him safe.
The last thing I hear before everything goes black is Dealaigh’s roar of rage, terror, and mourning as I feel the bond between me and my dragon snap
✦ ✦ ✦
Dealaigh guards me for almost a full day, only allowing healers beneath her front legs to tend me. Snapping at anyone else who dares approach.
There are no menders to help
She tells me that Marbh fell silent and that Brennan is dead.
Prepare yourself, the General is coming