Chapter 57 Alar #2
"First Lieutenant Talila Marbuk," she introduced herself, then gestured to the purple-hued dragon behind her. "And this is Xathsia."
I dipped my head respectfully, first to the lieutenant and then, more deeply, to her dragon. "I'm pleased to make both of your acquaintances," I said, remembering the etiquette Commander Ravel had taught us.
Xathsia's eyes were a striking amber color that contrasted beautifully with her scales, and they seemed to sparkle with approval. She made a soft rumbling sound that I interpreted as positive.
"You're a fast study and not easily intimidated," Lieutenant Marbuk said. "Many cadets forget to acknowledge dragons directly, especially when they are still terrified of them." She beckoned me toward her dragonia. "Let me demonstrate the proper mounting technique."
I watched intently as she walked over to Xathsia's side, maintaining eye contact with the dragonia until reaching the mounting position. With a fluid motion that spoke of years of practice, she ascended to the saddle using handholds along the dragon's harness.
"The proper mount serves two purposes," she explained as she slid back down.
"Utility, yes, but also dignity, for the dragonia, not for you.
They are not beasts of burden to be clambered upon clumsily.
You also need to ask permission. When you first flew on the back of the dragon on the way to the Citadel, your rider asked permission for you, using the dragon bond.
But now that you are aware of the dragons' agency, you should vocalize your request."
It all made perfect sense once I made the switch in my mind to regard dragons as people. I wouldn't climb on someone's shoulders without asking permission either.
"Of course," I said. "Xathsia is a respected member of the Dragon Force and should be regarded accordingly."
Lieutenant Talila smiled. "Good answer, Cadet Tekum. Xathsia is my partner, friend, and confidante." She motioned for me to approach her partner.
I bowed my head again. "May I have the honor of climbing upon your back?" I wasn't sure whether I should add a title like Madam or Your Mightiness.
Xathsia surprised me by nodding her enormous head and motioning for me to continue.
I did exactly as Lieutenant Talila had demonstrated, maintaining eye contact with the dragonia until I was standing next to the straps attached to her harness.
Her scales were warm to the touch, and their texture felt like something between polished stone and supple leather.
I used the handholds to pull myself up, mindful of my movements, and settled into the front position of the saddle.
It was lower than the back one, so even though I was taller than Lieutenant Marbuk, she should be able to see over my head from her elevated position.
She mounted behind me with effortless grace. "Well done, cadet. Now, secure your harness."
I fastened the safety straps as I'd been shown on my virgin flight, checking each connection twice.
"You are in charge, Cadet Tekum," Lieutenant Marbuk informed me once we were both secured.
How did she expect me to do that?
"I can't communicate with Xathsia telepathically," I pointed out. "How will she know what I need her to do?"
Talila chuckled. "Most communication between rider and dragon during flight is nonverbal. Small changes in the way Xathsia feels your weight distribution inform her which way you want to go, and I will tell you how to execute them."
"Please forgive my ignorance, as I have never ridden any creature before, but I have seen farmers riding bulls. I mean no offense, but is telegraphing my intentions similar in any way to riding a bull?"
"Similar in principle, though far more sophisticated," she confirmed. "And of course, Xathsia reserves the right to overrule your guidance if she thinks you're about to fly straight into a cliff."
"I'm grateful for that."
She pulled out a pair of goggles and handed them to me. "Put these on. It's not too cold today, but the wind will dry your eyes in seconds."
I took the goggles and put them on. The lenses were clear, but I suspected that riding without them would have offered a better view.
Around us, the other cadets were already mounted and ready to go with their goggles in place.
As Major Harlow gave a signal, Lieutenant Marbuk leaned forward. "Ready, Cadet Tekum?"
I nodded, suddenly too exhilarated for words.
"Lean forward and shift your legs forward as well."
The dragonia responded instantly, her powerful muscles tensing beneath us.
As she crouched, I instinctively gripped the saddle handle, and then with a mighty spring, she launched us into the air, dropping like a stone down the cliff before her enormous wings snapped open to catch the wind and surge up.
My stomach had dropped with the initial plunge that preceded our ascent, a moment of free-fall before Xathsia's wings fully engaged. Then we were soaring upward at a steep angle, the Citadel roof shrinking beneath us with astonishing speed.
The sudden acceleration and altitude change should have terrified me, but instead, it filled me with joy.
The wind rushed past, cool and clean, carrying the scent of the mountains and something else—something elemental that I suspected was unique to dragons.
Beneath me, Xathsia's body radiated heat and power, her wings beating with a rhythm that somehow felt as natural as my own heartbeat.
We leveled off several hundred feet above the Citadel, joining the other dragons in a loose formation. The view was beyond spectacular: mountain peaks stretching in every direction, the ocean not too far below, and above us, the auroras painting the sky with ribbons of color.
"Incredible," I breathed, the word inadequate for what I was experiencing.
"Nothing quite like it," Lieutenant Marbuk agreed from behind me. "Now, shift your weight slightly to the left and see how Xathsia responds."
I did as instructed, making a subtle adjustment to my position. Xathsia immediately banked left, executing a turn so smooth it felt like we were simply redirecting the flow of the wind itself.
"Perfect," the lieutenant praised. "Now to the right."
For the next several minutes, we practiced basic maneuvers—turns, gentle climbs, shallow dives.
Each movement of my body translated into Xathsia's flight path with a precision that seemed almost magical.
She was incredibly responsive, yet I never felt I was controlling her; rather, we were collaborating, my intentions becoming her actions through unspoken understanding.
"You have good instincts," Lieutenant Marbuk commented as I guided us through a series of S-turns. "Some cadets try too hard, which only frustrates the dragon. You're letting the communication flow naturally."
"It doesn't feel like I'm doing much of anything," I admitted. "She seems to know what I want almost before I do."
"That's the essence of rider-dragon cooperation," Talila said.
"The best partnerships require minimal effort from either party—just mutual trust and respect.
When you bond with your own dragon, you will find that your minds work in perfect synergy, building upon each other.
You will be able to see through her eyes and hear what she hears. "
It was easy to understand why riders became so devoted to their dragons. The connection was powerful, transcending ordinary human experience.
I thought of Kailin, with her debilitating fear of heights, and felt a renewed sympathy for her predicament. To be chosen for this life yet terrified of its most fundamental aspect seemed a particularly cruel joke of fate.
"Let's try something a bit more advanced," Lieutenant Marbuk suggested. "See that cloud formation ahead? I want you to guide Xathsia in a complete circle around it, maintaining a consistent altitude."
The maneuver required more concentration, but Xathsia responded beautifully to my subtle cues, executing a perfect circumnavigation of the towering cumulus cloud. As we completed the circle, I spotted the Citadel below us, looking impossibly small from our height.
"Excellent work," the lieutenant praised. "Most first-time fliers struggle with maintaining consistent altitude during turns. You're a natural."
"Thank you."
There was something profoundly liberating about soaring above the world, viewing it from a perspective few ever experienced. I understood now why the Dragon Force inspired such awe and devotion among Elucians—and why it was considered such a threat by the Shedun.
The strategic advantages alone were staggering.
Dragons could access terrain impassible for conventional forces, deliver devastating attacks with their fire, and retreat to safety before the enemy could effectively respond. With enough riders, they represented a military power unlike any other on Aurorys.
This realization only reinforced the importance of my mission. A dragon force of our own was crucial for Eluria's security.