Boundless Limits {B.Durran}

23

Many people miss their family during their first year, they cut all contact so that cadets shred their armour and the niceties to show who they really are at their core. I'm someone no one would expect to ever say this, but, fuck, I miss my brother, I miss my Mum, I even miss stoic-faced Dad. I hope they're safe and I can't wait for the second year to arrive so I can send the letters that have been piling up since I got here.

T.Valkorin Journal Entry

"And... touch down." Tierney commentates as she lands on the ground with little ground shock and a small wobble. Tierney hadn't flown six hours straight before, even on nights out with Anam, there were frequent breaks and wandering around on Anam's back.

However, while flying with the riot, she was not allowed to stretch her legs this way. Dain had an issue with it each time she tried, as, 'you'll cause us to slow down so we don't break formation.' When, in fact, Anam doesn't adjust her speed.

"I did not appreciate your leader's comments either, Crimson One." Anam muses and Tierney doesn't look back as she shifts on her feet.

"I know. You snapped at Cath more than once and I don't doubt you threatened both her and her rider for trying to tell us what to do." Tierney says, "You may be above Cath in your hierarchy, but Dain is my superior."

"That you didn't listen to." Anam points out, swivelling her head like a snake as Tierney catches a look at her golden eyes as she pulls her face next to hers.

"He was wrong." Tierney's lips curve into a smile as a pang of hunger sweeps through her body, embedding themselves within her bones. "And you should eat something." She tells her dragon as she puts up a partial shield, blocking Anam's emotions.

Anam snorts and shakes her head as she lifts it back up and arches her neck in such a way Tierney has to focus on not admiring her posture. "We're on the frontlines. Stay safe." Anam orders.

"Of course," Tierney replies and starts forward as Anam retreats.

"I'm pretty sure I'm dying." Nadine bends over, bracing her hands on her knees.

"I feel that," Violet says as she stretches, she seems to give Tierney an envious look as she catches her sight before it moves to Dain, who is minimally affected, his posture is only slightly stiff as he and Professor Devera greets a tall man in rider black.

"Should've taken a stroll every hour," Tierney says with a smile, bouncing on her feet to get rid of some of the stiffness in her legs.

"Not everyone has the balance to do that." Nadine replies, "Nor wants to get yelled at by Aetos mid-air."

"He was yelling?" Tierney asks, a cheeky smile overcoming her features as she looks away from Nadine. "Couldn't hear him over the wind."

"He was communicating through our dragons." Violet points out.

"Again. Wind." Tierney's words catch the attention of both Quinn and Imogen who laugh, making the first-year look their way. 

"Welcome, cadets," The outpost commander says with a professional smile, folding his arms across the chest of high lightweight leathers. His salt-and-pepper hair makes it hard to determine his age, and he has that gaunt, weathered look all riders get when they've been stationed at the border for too long. "I'm sure you'd like to get settled and into something a little more appropriate to the climate. Then we'll show you around Montserrat."

Rhiannon inhales sharply, making it hard not to notice as her gaze sweeps over the mountains.

Tierney doesn't get to know why Rhiannon's acting odd before they're swept through the outpost. They're shown to their double-occupancy rooms, and much to Tierney's distaste, she's rooming with Nadine during their stay.