The General's Daughter

Hello Gauntlet

Chapter 5
Hello Gauntlet

Alex stood with Rhiannon and Violet as they looked up at the Gauntlet.

"Oh gods." Alex whispered.

"Well, that's..." Rhiannon swallows, tilting her head as far back as the other two girls as they stare at the menacing obstacle course that's carved into the front of a ridgeline so steep, it might as well be a cliff. The zigzagging death trap of a trail rises above them, climbing in five distinct switchbacks of 180-degree turns, each increasing in difficulty on the way to the top of the bluff.

"Amazing." Aurilie sighs. Rhiannon and Violet turn, staring at her like she hit her head. Alex looked at it, studying it. She heard about it from her father and grandfather. It didn't look difficult. Alex picked at her nails. A habbit she got from stress. Her long blond hair was braided into a bun in the back of her head to keep it out of her face. Bodhi had cornered her before she headed out to the Gauntlet to wish her luck. Though she didn't need it. Alex couldn't help but smile. The two were getting closer. Alex wanted to make it to Threshing alive and maybe have a good night with Bodhi.

"Still not sure why they call it the Gauntlet." Ridoc said, blowing into his hands to ward off the morning chill. The sun hadn't touched this little crevice, but it's shining above the last quarter of the course.

"To ensure dragons keep coming to Threshing by weeding out the weaklings." Tynan sneers from Ridoc's other side. Alex rolled her eyes.

"Knock it the fuck off." Ridoc snaps.

"What's your problem?" Tynan shoves a strand of hair from his eyes and turns to look at Ridoc.

"My problem? You think because you made freinds with Barlowe and Siefert that you have the right to be a dick to your Squadmate?" Ridoc challenges.

"Exactly. Squadmate." Tynan gestures towards the obstacle course. "Our times aren't just ranked individually, Ridoc. We've scored as a squad, too, which is how the order for Presentation is decided. Do you really think any dragon wants to bond a cadet who walks in after ever other squad in the processional?" Alex had to bite her tongue at those words.

"They're not time us for Presentation today, asshole." Ridoc steps forward.

"Stop." Sawyer gets in between Tynan and Ridoc, shoving Tynan's chest hard enough to make him stagger back into the girl behind him. "Take it from someone who made it through Presentation last year: Your time doesn't mean anything. The last cadet to walk in last year bonded just fine. and some of the cadets in the first squad onto the field were passed over."

"Little bitter about that, aren't you?" Tynan asked.

"Besides, it's not called the Gauntlet because it weeds out cadets." Alex said, turning on Tynan. Alex heard stories from her father and grandfather about it and her great grandfather also survived it, but they didn't need to know it. She was fourth generation of her fahter's side to become a rider if she made it and bonded with a dragon.

"It's called teh Gauntlet because this is the cliff that guards the Vale." Emetterio said, walking up behind their squad. "Plus, actual gauntlets, armored gloves made of metal, are slippery as hell, and the name sake about twenty years ago." He cocked a brow at Tynan and Sawyer. "Are you two done arguing? Because all 10 of you have exactly an hour to get to the top before it's anotehr squad's chance to practice, and from what I've seen of your agility on the mat, you're going to need every second." Alex snorted. "As you know, hand-to-hand challenges are on hold for the next two and a half weeks before Presentation so you can focus here." He flips a page on the little notebook he carried. "Sawyer, you're going to show them how it's done, since you already have the lay of the land. Then Pryor, Trina, Tynan, Rhiannon, Ridoc, Violet, Aurelie, Alexandra, and Luca." A smile curves Emetterio's lips "You're the only squad to remain intact since Parapet. That's incredible. Your Squad Leader must be very proud. Wait here for a second." He walks past them, waving at someone high up on the cliff."