The General's Daughter

Threshing Day

Chapter 7

Threshing Day

October 1rst was always Threshing Day. Alex felt like she was going to be sick. She ran her hands through her hair. Her father was here for Threshing. He always went to Threshing. Alex was getting sick at the thought of not bonding with a dragon and seeing the disappointment in her father's eyes. She nearly had a panic attack last night and Violet had to go find Bodhi to help settle her down. He just held her as she paniced. He actually sat with them at breakfast to make sure she ate something. Ridoc was already throwing up by a nearby tree. Alex closed her eyes as she got her stomach to settle down.

"Remember to listen here." Kaori said from the front of the 147 of them, tapping 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. And if your feeligns are telling you to go in the other direction... listen to that, too."

"Which one are you going for?" Rhiannon whispered.

"I don't know." Violet said.

"The red one that was looking at me at Presentation Day." Alex said. Rhiannon nodded.

"You memorized the cards, right? So you know what's out there?" Rhiannon asked.

"Yes. I just don't feel connected to any of them. Dain tried talking me into a brown." Violet said.

"Dain lost his vote when he tried talking you into leaving. I'm gonna punch him in the face if he asks you again." Alex said. Alex looked at Rhiannon. "What about you?"

"I'm thinking about that green. The one closest to me when they got all up close and personal with you." Rhiannon said.

"Well, it didn't eat you, so that's a promising start." Violet said with a smile.

"I think so, too." Rhiannon said, linking her arms with Violet and Alex.

"If you go in groups, you're more likely to be incinerated than bonded." Kaori argues with someone. "The scries have run the statistics. You're better off on your own."

"And what if we aren't chosen for dinner?"

"If you're not chosen by nightfall, there's a problem You'll be brought out by a Professor or senior leadership, so don't give up and think we've forgotten about you." Kaori said. He checks his pocket watch. "Remember to spread out and use every foot of this valley to your advantage. It's nine, which means they should be flying in any minute now. The only other words I have for you are good luck." Kaori nods as he sweeps his gaze over the crowd. Then he leaves, marching up the hill and disappears. Alex breathed easily.

"Be careful, both of you." Rhiannon said, hugging Violet and Alex.

"You too." Violet said.

"Don't die." Ridoc orders. They seperate.

Alex walks through the forest, feeling a slight pull in her chest. Bodhi told her he be keeping an eye on her, but she knew he couldn't interfere. Alex saw dragons flying in the air with their new riders. Alex came to a cliff and looked out. A green dragon flew over and Alex saw Bodhi sitting on it. Alex smiled as it disappeared. Footstepse from behind and Alex turned, still feeling the pull in the distance. She froze.

Four Cadets stood in front of her. She reconized from Second Wing. They had daggers pulled. Alex didn't like this. Her hand went to one of her daggers on her thigh.

"What do you want?" Alex said.

"Your not going to get a dragon." One to the right said. Alex felt her heart sink as one looked at her. She reconized him as one of the guys she beat in the challenges.