Chapter 2 Kailin
KAILIN
"Glory is a double-edged blade. It lifts you for all to admire and paints a target on your back for all your enemies to aim at."
—Elucian proverb
We found the rest of the first-year cadets in the lounge, a sea of deep blue and silver. As we entered, a hush fell over the room, and people scooted away from me as if I was carrying a contagious disease.
I cringed, but then I realized everyone was looking at someone behind me, and as I turned, I saw Captain Odinah, resplendent in her dress uniform adorned with rows of ribbons and medals.
She had so many of them that perhaps I had overestimated the importance of receiving one, and it wasn't such a big deal after all.
"Good morning, cadets. Proceed to the roof in formation." Her gaze swept over us, lingering on me for a heartbeat. "Line up in rows of four."
The climb to the roof was just as difficult as I'd anticipated, my exhausted body protesting the eleven-floor ascent, but I kept pace, focusing on the rhythm of our synchronized footsteps.
When we finally emerged on the roof, I was stunned by the transformation it had undergone for the ceremony.
Temporary stands had been erected along the mountain-facing side, already filling with riders and support staff.
A raised platform dominated the center, draped in Elucia's colors, silver and blue, with the golden dragon emblem prominently displayed.
Above, dragons were perched on the various ledges and outcroppings of the aviary.
I hadn't expected them to take part in the ceremony.
Well, I knew that Onyx would be there because he'd told me, and Nyxath because she was the queen of the dragons and Saphir's bonded dragonia, but the others were a surprise.
The dragons' combined presence pressed against my mind with a low hum, not quite a communication but an awareness of their attention. I checked to make sure that my mental shields were up, and none of them could read my thoughts.
Now, more than ever, it was crucial for me to maintain that shield.
We took our assigned positions, cadets arranged in neat blocks facing the platform, and senior riders filling the stands.
A familiar presence touched my mind, warm and amused, and I opened a private channel to allow Onyx in.
"You look dashing, Little Warrior," he said.
I looked up and smiled. “Thank you for being here for me.”
"I wouldn't miss it."
Commander Langston addressed the assembly, droning on and on about all the previous Heroes of Elucia and what an honor it was to be awarded that highest of medals, but I was too anxious to actually pay attention to what he was saying.
"Cadet Kailin Strom," I heard him address me. "Please, come forward."
As my legs moved of their own accord, carrying me up the steps of the platform, the figures standing on top of it seemed far away and too close at the same time.
Reality was warping around me, time and distance taking on impossible properties, and I suddenly found myself standing before Commander Langston and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Elucian Forces, General Soren Bardaky, the Chief of Staff of the Dragon Force, General Lesten Zorian, and Deputy Chief of Staff, General Elyse Tarnat.
I couldn't breathe.
"They are just human, Little Warrior—flesh and blood like you. Don't make them into more than they are."
Onyx was right.
They were not the giants I had imagined. General Soren Bardaky was actually quite short, with silver-streaked hair and pale blue eyes, but he was powerfully built and had a commanding presence.
"Cadet Strom." His voice carried across the roof. "Three nights ago, you raised the alarm and saved countless lives."
He turned to accept a wooden box from Commander Langston.
Inside, nestled on blue velvet, lay the most prestigious medal an Elucian could ever receive.
The gold dragon was rendered in such detail that I could make out individual scales, its wings spread wide as if in flight.
A small sapphire glowed at its center, ringed with silver.
He lifted the medallion from the box. "It is my honor to present you with the medal of the Hero of Elucia, our nation's highest honor for valor."
I stood still as he pinned the medal to my jacket.
"Wear it with pride, Cadet Strom," he said, offering me his hand.
"Thank you," I said. As I shook his hand, I remembered what Shovia had told me about humility and giving credit to others. "This medal belongs to every defender who fought off the Shedun that night," I said, my voice sounding stronger and more confident than it had any right to be.
The applause was thunderous, punctuated by roars from the dragons. I caught sight of my brother among the riders, grinning and clapping.
Turned out that Shovia had been right about the impromptu acceptance speech, and Saphir's words about getting help from my friends echoed in my mind. If not for Shovia, it would have never occurred to me to speak those words aloud to the entire assembled Dragon Force.
As I returned to my place, walking on legs that felt like noodles, a new voice joined the cacophony.
"Well done, Cadet Kailin Strom."
I nearly stumbled, recognizing Nyxath's voice. The dragon queen had spoken to me.
"Thank you," I managed.
"We should speak soon, you and I."
Before I could respond, her presence withdrew.
"You did beautifully," Alar whispered.
I wanted to tell him about Nyxath, but this wasn't the time or place.
Finally, mercifully, the ceremony concluded, and as we filed back toward the stairs, my brother's booming voice cut through the crowd.
"Kailin!"
I turned to find Dylon pushing through the dispersing cadets with that huge grin still plastered on his face. As soon as he reached me, he swept me into a crushing hug that lifted me off my feet.
"My little sister, the Hero of Elucia," he said against my hair. "I'm so proud of you."
"Can't breathe," I gasped.
I hadn't seen or spoken with Dylon since my arrival at the Citadel, and I had been disappointed that he hadn't come to see me. He wasn't a cadet with limited mobility. He was a rider, and he could have requested permission to see his sister, at the very least, after returning from defending Podana.
I was still mad that I had to find out he was okay by asking Ravel through Onyx.
Dylon set me down but kept his hands on my shoulders, studying me with that protective older brother look I knew so well. "You are skin and bones, and you look exhausted. What have they done to you?"
Naturally, he assumed that I looked like that because of the grueling training.
"I'm fine." I glared at him. "Why haven't you visited me? I'm sure you could have found a moment to spare to say hello to your sister."
"I'm sorry." He let out a breath. "Before Podana, I was told to stay away so no one could accuse you of getting favorable treatment because your brother is a rider. Then, after the attack, I was sent on a special mission. I only returned last night."
I was stupidly relieved to get a reasonable explanation for what I had thought was indifference.
"Let me guess. You are not allowed to talk about where you've been and what you've done."
He chuckled. "I have a feeling that soon your security clearance will be higher than mine, but for now, this is not information I can share with cadets.
" He cast a glance at my friends and grinned.
"I have something that will make you even happier than receiving the medal.
" He reached into his jacket and withdrew a cream-colored envelope from an inner pocket bearing the Dragon Force seal. "Compliments of General Zorian."
Expecting a letter of appreciation or perhaps a monetary supplement to the medal, I broke the seal, pulled out the letter, and unfolded it. The words swam before my eyes for a moment before crystallizing into meaning.
Cadet Kailin Strom is hereby granted three days' special leave in recognition of exceptional service to Elucia. Transport will be provided by Dylon Strom.
He was right. This was much better than the medal.
I threw my arms around him. "Did you arrange this?"
Dylon squeezed me tight before letting go. "I might have whispered a few words in Commander Ravel's ear, and he later communicated my suggestion to the higher-ups. The best part is that I get to spend this time with you so that we can celebrate your award as a family."
I was going home.
I was going to sleep in my bed, smell my grandmother's herbs hanging from the rafters, and feel Chicha's warm weight against my legs.
The images pulled at something deep in me, a longing I'd been suppressing since arriving at the Citadel.
But then I looked over my shoulder at Alar, and my throat felt suddenly tight. Three days without him. Three days without falling asleep in his arms and waking up entangled in his limbs. I didn't know if I could do that.
The conflict must have shown on my face because Dylon followed my gaze, and understanding dawned in his eyes. "Ah. The Elurian."
"His name is Alar," I said, gesturing for Alar to step forward. "This is my brother Dylon. Dylon, this is Alar."
Alar offered Dylon his hand. "I have been looking forward to meeting Kailin's big brother. She speaks fondly of you."
Something passed between them, a silent masculine communication, and then Dylon nodded, apparently satisfied with whatever he'd seen. "I've heard good things about you as well. Thank you for looking after my little sister."
"We looked after each other. I had a bad case of altitude sickness," Alar said, and I was afraid he would continue in the same vein and say that I had a bad case of acrophobia, but he didn't. Instead, he took my hand. "I will miss you."
"And I will miss you.” I squeezed his hand. "Maybe I can shorten my visit to two days."
Alar shook his head. "Your parents and grandmother would never forgive you. Go home, enjoy time with your family, and I will be right here when you return."
I was about to respond when Commander Ravel joined our group.
"Cadet Strom." He inclined his head formally. "Allow me to add my congratulations."
Unlike my brother, Ravel had come to see me after he'd returned from Podana and had congratulated me in person. This was for show.
"Thank you, Commander." I saluted him.
"I have something for Cadet Tekum." Ravel turned to Alar with a smirk that had my gut twisting. What was he planning for Alar?
He produced an envelope from his pocket that was identical to mine except for the name on the front.
Alar's confused expression echoed mine as he accepted it, broke the seal, and scanned the content.
His eyes widened. "I'm also getting a three-day leave so I can accompany you." He smiled at me and then turned to Ravel. "Thank you, Commander."
Ravel nodded. "I thought that the Hero of Elucia's vacation would not be complete without the man she loves by her side. The General agreed, and he approved your leave."
My heart stuttered. Had Ravel done this for me?
"Thank you," I whispered. "That's so incredibly thoughtful."
"You should thank Onyx." Ravel lifted his head to look at his dragon.
"He can be quite persuasive when he wants something, and he likes you.
Besides, you are still recuperating, and you need Alar to take care of you.
" He turned to Alar. "Kailin is Elucia's most precious asset. Make sure nothing happens to her."
An asset.
I swallowed, fears and speculations returning in force.
Wasn't it strange that they were letting me go home to visit my family after acknowledging my importance to Elucia?
Giving me the medal was like painting a target on my back, and sending me home was like inviting the predators to a race of who would get to me first.