Wild Rider (Dragon Castaway Book 1) [Complete] {2018 Wattys Longlist}

Chapter 11

"Well, here we go, everything has been leading to this" Wyena thought, ruthlessly fighting down the nervousness erupting in her chest as she donned her leather armor and riding boots. It had been a long road and now, finally, after a year of training and effort she had made it to the top of her class. She was about to be the first among the group, and the first woman as far as she knew, to meet and break-in a dragon.

Last night she had been so excited at the prospect she could barely sleep, but as she had been led into armory and waited to be called, fear had crept in. She still remembered the commandant's words when she had first arrived. If she wasn't careful her new mount could easily turn and devour her.

Closing her eyes she breathed deeply as she centered herself and recalled what her riding trainer had taught her. It was believed that dragons could pick up on the emotions of their riders so she would have to show no fear and force her will on her mount to gain its compliance.

She snapped to attention as the door opened and commandant Lenian stepped inside. Looking her over he nodded with approval.

"Cadet Dieron, are you ready to meet your assigned dragon and assume your duties as a Dragon Knight of Balistrea?" he asked formally.

Bowing formally in return, she recited the words that had been drilled into her over the last year. "I, Ceago Dieron swear to fight for and protect the state of Balistrea with both my life and the life of my dragon. May I die gloriously in battle"

"Very well, come with me" Lenian said beckoning to her as he turned and walked down the corridor.

Wyena fell into step beside him the spurs on her riding books jingling as she went. Her heart rate jumped as the commandant led her over to a large metal door and gestured for her to stand in front of it.

As she took her place he turned to look at her his expression one of utter seriousness. "You must proceed alone from this point. At the end of this tunnel you will find yourself in the arena. Your dragon will be waiting for you there. Your task is straightforward, saddle your mount and when its chains are released you must make it submit to you."

"Yes sir" she said fighting to keep the anxiety out of her voice.

"Be warned that several cadets have died during this initiation" he added grimly. "Do you still wish to proceed?"

"I do" she replied with a confidence that she didn't feel.

"Very well, your fellow cadets will be watching" he said his expression softening. "You are currently our top cadet, make sure you set a good example for those who will come after you" Opening a metal flap the commandant took a large key from around his neck. Heavy steel bars and hinges screeched as he unlocked the door and pulled it open to reveal another corridor. A rack off to one side held a number of large saddles with the family crests of the riders on them.

Wyena collected the saddle with her own crest on it as the door slammed shut behind her. Taking a deep breath, she once again gathered herself and walked down the corridor. Stepping out into the arena she momentarily froze in awe.

She had seen the dragons before, but this was different, this one was hers. Seventeen feet long and seven at the shoulder, it's leathery green scales spoke of incredible toughness and power. As she looked it over she saw several men, stable hands most likely, waiting to release its legs and neck from the shackles that bound it.

It growled at her as she stepped forward but she refused to show fear in front of either the dragon or her fellow cadets and she ignored the implicit threat. Throwing the saddle over its back she cinched it tight and climbed on.