The Boon of Alon

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Morning is a blessing, despite my exhaustion, but only because I know Suthi can't follow me down to the dragons. Lemi and Rev eat breakfast with me but say little; Erno won't look at me when we pass in the hall. I've disappointed everyone.

But it hurts worse when Chama catches me before I head out.

"So," she says quietly, without her usual bombast, "I heard what happened yesterday."

I hang my head. I don't really want to hear what's coming, but it's better just to get it over with.

"I can't lie. I'm a little disappointed in you," she continues. I knew it was coming but my gut drops out anyway, leaving me a hollow shell. "I know you've got some concerns about that prophecy business. That was not the way to handle it."

"She tried to kill me," I mumble. If I'm getting kicked out, this'll be the time.

Chama's hand lands on my shoulder, firm but not hard. I'm waiting for her to yell, but she doesn't. "A lot of people are going to try to kill you," she says calmly. "Sometimes it'll be personal. It's part of being a rider."

"What'm I supposed to do?" I ask, chancing a glance up at her. She looks serious, but it's not a total glare, so I guess that's a good sign. "When she tries to talk to me?"

"...Talk to her, maybe?" She says it like it should be obvious. I guess it is. She squeezes my shoulder. "You're going to have to work this out, one way or another, and words are how we prefer to do it up here. Not insults, mind. Your goal is understanding. For both of you."

I say nothing. I don't know what I could say, or even what I should say, which is why I'm in so much trouble now.

Chama sighs and lifts my chin so I have to look at her. She's still frowning, but at least there's something like sympathy in her eyes.

"I'm going to talk to her today, while you're down by the lake," she says. "If I can get a little insight on her side of the story, we can work out a plan. Mediation and all that." She drops her hands to her hips. "And I will look into this matter with the rebellion. I told you—if you're really in danger, I'll get you out of here."

I've already looked into "this matter with the rebellion" as much as I can. Unless she can talk to Iamon by virtue of already being a rider, I don't know what more she could learn than what I know. I nod without much hope, and Chama smiles crookedly and pats my shoulder.

"I know you're used to conflict you can handle with weapon in hand," she says. "We're supposed to teach you other ways. Unfortunately, you're going to end up being a learning experience for the other recruits, too, but I promise you, there is a solution. We just have to find it. So, chin up, kid."

I don't feel particularly reassured. But I nod, and I guess that's enough for her, because she gives me a final pat and sends me off to the dragons. I haven't been kicked out. I haven't even been yelled at. I feel like I got away with something, even if Chama was pretty clear that I didn't.

By the time I head down the stairs to the lake, all the other recruits are already down there. I hope Yrite knows I'm coming to talk to him today, because otherwise I think someone else will have gotten there first. I search for the dull gold of his scales as I climb down. There—way out along the shore, apart from everyone else. I don't see anyone with him, so maybe I lucked out and he's still free. Of course, there's also the possibility that he doesn't need or want oiling today, and I'll have to wait another day.

Still, I can at least ask. I get my oil and weave along the crowded lakeside, nodding to the recruits and riders and dragons I pass. Most nod back. Some of the recruits don't. Suthi's got a few people on her side, I think, somehow. I feel a twist of anger in my gut and try to clench it down—Chama said the goal was understanding, right? I feel like Suthi is chasing me, pressuring me; I feel threatened, but I guess there's no particular reason why anyone else would. She tried to kill me, but no one here was there to see, and even if they were, we were fighting anyway. Did anyone notice, back in the arena? It sure doesn't seem like Suthi got in any trouble for it. Here, it's just my word against hers–