The Time Tournament (Order of the Dragon #1)

CHAPTER 22

Elena

September 1429

T he morning kicked off with Tarra in dragon form, waiting for me. Killian was showing her where to position her wing. The other guys, including Laszlo, were off to the side, watching Killian move back and forth between me and Tarra. He looked so sure I’d nail it. But my hands were nearly raw from all the nervous rubbing. It felt like a test. Then again, everything was done with Killian in charge. Even though I was an accepted rider in the Fire Legion, it all felt like some crazy dream I dragged everyone into, especially Killian.

“Today we’re practicing mounting and takeoff. Ready, Rider Costin?” Killian shouted across the Rotonda.

“Yes?” My stomach twisted into knots.

“I can’t hear you.” His eyes drilled into mine with intense scrutiny.

“Yes, sir, Commander, sir,” I yelled, snapping to reality. He didn’t allow room for fear, not even a flicker of doubt.

I took a few steps back and then took off running. But just before I reached Tarra, I tripped and face-planted, skidding right into her wing.

“Talk about an arrival,” Novak quipped, and everyone burst out laughing.

Killian shot them a look that zipped their mouths shut instantly. He then grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me to my feet. Leaning in close, he said in a low voice, “Get out of your head, Rider. Focus on everything I taught you yesterday. The only way forward is up.”

I nodded, a small puff of dust escaping from my nose. I glanced at Tarra, who snorted approvingly. I didn’t have a choice but to do better.

I walked deliberately to the other side, counting the number of steps I needed to take on the ground and on Tarra’s wing. Nineteen. Just like my age. Focus on counting, Elena. It’s the only way to stop overthinking. I halted, looked at Tarra’s encouraging eyes, and began counting. One. Two. Three. The closer I got, the faster my speed. One more step, and I was on Tarra’s wing. Using momentum, I counted five more steps, then planted my hands on Tarra’s protruding neck muscles and jumped as high as I could. The next moment, I found myself sitting securely on Tarra’s back. I did it. I turned back to face him.

“Take flight, Rider Costin,” Killian yelled.

Ah, right. Tarra was already in a takeoff position when I pulled at her crests, and off we went into the sky. Despite the strong winds in my face, the air filling my lungs, and the currents hissing past my ears, I struggled to believe it. I was riding a dragon. A fucking pink dragon. I had done it before, but then I wasn’t the one in control. Now, I was the one steering a dragon the size of a building. And nothing could compare to that feeling.

From my vantage point, Killian looked like a tiny bug, perfect for squishing. Though I wouldn’t hurt an actual bug, Killian was a different story. I smiled at the idea.

After we flew a circle beyond the cliff, I guided Tarra back to the Rotonda and carefully landed us in its middle. Once we touched land, everyone cheered and clapped. Tarra screeched in excitement, almost deafening me. I felt like a kid learning how to ride a bike for the first time. Except, the bike was made of prickly scales and was twenty feet tall.

“Climb down, Rider,” Killian ordered.

I did as instructed, beaming a giant smile.

“Wipe that smile off your face, soldier,” Killian barked.

And just like that Jerk Face was back.

“Rider Taddeus, it’s your turn. Novak and the others will follow. ”

“Yes, Commander,” Laszlo said.

“Rider Costin, move in line. Today we will aim for fifty mountings and takeoffs each.”

“How many?” I asked. Everyone, including Tarra, turned to him. The feeling of disbelief permeated the platform.

“The maneuver must be sealed in your muscles, not only your brain. Taddeus, go,” Killian ordered.

Laszlo executed the mounting maneuver perfectly (in my opinion), and within seconds, they were conquering the sky. But not two seconds in, something was wrong. Laszlo began coughing profusely to the point where he lost the reins. He had mentioned his health was brittle. Was it asthma? It would explain his sensitivity to high winds.

“We have to help him,” I said.

“Stand fast, Riders,” Killian ordered. “It’s his challenge to overcome.”

But judging by Laszlo’s distress, he’ll either pass out and fall or make a mistake that would hurt both him and Tarra. Luckily, Tarra figured out something was wrong and began using the “shh” sound. According to Killian’s instructions, dragons were forbidden from using echolocation while bearing riders—except in extreme situations. The dragon always relinquished control to the rider. And it made sense. Two leaders always resulted in disaster. But in this case, it was clear that Tarra needed to take over.

Once they landed, everyone ran to Laszlo’s aid. Everyone except Killian. He had something else in mind .

“Tarra, it wasn’t your position to overtake the maneuver. Rider Taddeus, what do you—”

But Laszlo couldn’t even pay attention. He continued to cough until hollow sounds came out of his throat. His face went from pale to purple splotches in seconds.

“He needs warm air,” I said. “Or he might pass out. Tarra, can you breathe out some steam?” I asked.

She nodded and released warm gusts of steam through her nose.

“Laszlo, I need you to step into the steam,” I said and grabbed him by the arm. Terek did the same on the other side. Once he stepped into the steam, his airways opened up, and he inhaled deeply. A few more minutes and the color returned to his cheeks. Finally, he could speak. “I don’t understand what happened. Yesterday’s flight went well.”

“It might be the colder fall air in the morning,” I said.

“Rider Taddeus, perform the maneuver again,” Killian commanded.

“You must be kidding,” I said.

He shot me a look I’d relive only in my nightmares.

“Everyone else, stand fast,” Killian commanded.

I ran to Laszlo and gave him a piece of cloth I ripped from my undershirt sleeve. “Tie this around your mouth and nose. You need to keep your airways warm.” I smiled.

“Rider Costin, one more warning, and punishments will follow.”

“You can do this.” I patted Laszlo on the shoulder, then ran back to the others .

Laszlo tied the cloth around his mouth and nose, then approached Tarra, whispering something in her ear. Afterward, he went to the starting point and once again performed the mounting maneuver and the takeoff. But once in the air, he uncorked his jar and began swirling his magical wind. At the same time, Tarra blew out steam which mixed with the little gusts spinning around his finger. Laszlo made it slightly bigger and brought it to his face. The little steam wind twisted around his head, offering a constant influx of warm air. Genius.

“I don’t get why Commander doesn’t let us wear helmets,” I said to Kovak.

“Who said we won’t be wearing helmets?”

“We will? Then why—”

“Commander Valkorian believes in raw, rough training. A rider that can fly in any circumstance will be undefeatable,” Kovak said as Novak and Terek agreed.

Despite his cruelty, these three brothers admired Killian’s style of training. I assumed they were brothers.

“I need to ask. You are brothers, right?”

“If our names don’t betray our familial ties, then the darker shade of red definitely should.” Novak chuckled.

Now I felt a little dumb for asking. “Well, you never kn—”

Tarra screeched in the air, bringing our attention to the sky. Laszlo took on a wider circle above the ravine and turned back at a greater speed than expected. Still, he pulled at the crest reins and landed Tarra perfectly.

An uproar of excitement erupted when he jumped off Tarra.

“Next time, be prepared in advance, Rider Taddeus,” Killian said.

Laszlo nodded and walked over to us. We mushed him into a hug that immediately disbanded once Laszlo began coughing again.

“Excuse me, mates. I’ll handle it better next time,” Laszlo said.

“Rider Terek Mihel, your turn,” Killian commanded.

The youngest of the brothers by the looks of it, Terek, stepped forward. He looked more confident than Laszlo and I combined. How I wished to be like him. Confidence was something I’d always yearned for but never truly felt.

He sped up to Tarra and mounted her in one slick move. Now I knew what Killian meant when he corrected Laszlo the first time. Why was I here again? Ah, yes, the translucent triplets said I could.

In the blink of an eye, Terek soared into the air. He swerved around a bird and guided Tarra into a sharp turn. But once he approached the Rotonda, he stood on top of Tarra.

I glanced at Killian and saw the fury simmering in his eyes. Was this wrong? Terek seemed skilled enough to pull it off. He still held the reins and prepared to land when a gust of wind destabilized him and made him lose his balance. He was mere inches from the platform when his footing slipped, sending him plummeting into the ravine.

“No!” I yelled.

“Tarra, go after him,” Killian commanded .

Tarra used her echolocation sound and plunged into the ravine. We all rushed to the edge. She had to save him. She had to. Kovak wanted to jump into the ravine as well. Killian held him in place with one steel hand. And just to be sure, he did the same with Novak. In moments like these, Killian’s true strength was undeniable.

“There’s nothing you can do at this point, Rider Kovak Mihel,” Killian said. “Rider Terek Mihel knew the standing maneuver was forbidden. He took the risk and paid the price. It’s a lesson for everyone else.”

These were the least comforting words anyone could say. What was wrong with him?

“Kovak, Novak, it’s okay. Tarra will save him,” I said.

“The harsh truth can’t be supported on hope alone,” Killian said.

And as if the Fates wanted to prove Killian’s point, Tarra returned without Terek on her back. She landed exhaustedly in the middle of the Rotonda. Laszlo ran and brought a cloak to cover her as she turned.

With tears in her eyes, Tarra said, “I tried. I flew so fast, but the river below already swallowed him, and the stream’s currents took him far away. I couldn’t even retrieve his body.”

“Today’s training is over,” Killian said. “You are dismissed, Riders.” He turned and left. No compassion. No consideration. Just business. The man had a heart of stone.

Novak looked lost. But Kovak, the eldest, quickly pulled himself together. “We better return home. We must tell the family. ”

“Don’t you think it can wait?” I asked. “You still need time for yourselves.”

“There’s no need,” Kovak said. “We knew the risks when we joined. The only way forward is up.”

I remember Killian saying the same words to me. It was a strong stance on life and hardships, but was it enough?