Boundless Limits {B.Durran}

11

October first is always Threshing.

Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday, it doesn't matter where it falls in any given year. On the first of October, the first-year cadets of the Rider Quadrant enter the bowl-shaped forested valley to the southwest of the citadel and pray they come out alive.

Tierney isn't nervous with horror or fear, but rather excitement. This is the day that will decide how she will live the rest of her life— that is if she survives.

A pitying look encases Tierney's expression as she rubs circles on Ridoc's back. The boy rests one hand on the trunk of the tree in front of him while he heaves the contents of his stomach at the stump.

Her skin tingles, buzzing as she shifts on her feet, hearing the weapons littered across her body jingle and feeling the leather straps shift from the daggers on her thighs to the broadsword strapped to her back instead of her hip where it's recommended to sit when riding a dragon.

Tierney's entire body hums with anticipation and excitement, but that doesn't mean it's the emotion everyone else portrays. "Are you all right?" She inquires, taking her hand from Ridoc's back as he stands.

"As all right as I can be," he replies, spitting on the ground and looking at the mess he made with a sense of disgust. "Sorry, you didn't need to see that."

"Everyone gets nervous," Tierney's light-hearted voice makes Ridoc sceptical as he shoots her a look, which makes her smile and creates a laugh bubbling in her throat. "I'm not everyone," she reminds him as they begin to walk toward their squad.

"Clearly. You look as if you're ready to sprint into the forest and be eaten," Ridoc tells her and she elbows him, making the boy smile, forgetting his nerves for a small moment. "That's not a bad thing, maybe you'll finally pull one over on Mairi."

Tierney's expression falls, she brings back her hand and swipes at Ridoc, watching as he skillfully ducks below her blow but falls when she sticks out her foot, tripping him.

"That was unnecessary!" Ridoc whines from the ground, Tierney stops and stands over him, her hands on her hips as she looks down at him exasperated.

"Stop bringing up Mairi, you're only going to piss Tierney off," Sawyer tells him, his entire body portraying his amusement. "Which only results in our entertainment, so please, actually, keep bringing him up."

"Aw, is our Valkorin getting petty again?" Rhiannon teases, pouting her lower lip and tilting her head at Tierney. "I know how much you try, but you can't be the best at everything."

"I'm going to hit you next," Tierney warns the woman who takes the threat lightly, smiling at the woman who runs her tongue along the back of her teeth, annoyed. "Stop rolling in the mud, Ridoc."

Ridoc's mouth opens in protest, "You put me here! Have the decency to help me up." Tierney doesn't have time to offer her hand before he grabs it and nearly pulls Tierney to the ground with him as he uses her to pull himself off the ground.

Frowning, Tierney moves to make another comment when Professor Kaori's voice rises above the crowd, turning their squad's attention to the man in front of the 147 cadets gathered instead of each other.

"Remember to listen here," the professor taps his chest. "If a dragon has already selected you, they'll be calling." He thumps his chest again, "So pay attention to, not just your surroundings, but your feelings, and go with them." He grimaces, "And if your feelings are telling you to go in the other direction... listen to that too."

"Which one are you going for?" Rhiannon asks quietly, her attention turning back to the largest matter on their hands, one of the biggest moments of their careers: Threshing.