41- After the Task

19:04, 4 March 2024

I wasn't exactly in the celebratory mood once Riorson walked away.... Liam and Hetta tried but eventually Liam ended up bringing me back to my room.

" I wouldn't get to worked up about it Freya." Liam says lightly nudging into me. " No need for you to get all down."

I shake my head, rolling my eyes. " I'm not down because he didn't say congrats..."

" Sure?" He gives me a pointed look just telling me he knows it's BS.... I mean maybe... It was a hell of alot of effort to get that damned thing. I mean he looked surprised... But just something doesn't quite sit right.

I roll my eyes, " Ok..maybe a little.. but his words is what's bugging me."

" His words?"

I sigh, " Yea, somethign along the lines to not go snooping into something I know nothing about. He acts like he'd know about all those little things on the map. I mean I saw the gryphons but what else?"

Liam looks away quickly shrugging, " I don't know. I mean, technically all the wings grabbed something they really didn't know about right? Ours just came from... a more private place."

" I think Carr will have my head to. He seemed pissed."

Again he was quiet for a bit, I glanced at him seeing him work his mouth looking back at me before looking away just as quickly. " I mean, like I said none of the teachers thought we'd go to the General's office. I mean if we can break in who says gryphon riders couldn't right? I mean... that was considered a security breech."

He was right. We could've found alot deeper stuff then just a map. Ridoc tried.

" That's maybe why Xaden said that. Because we could actually get killed, and if you get killed-"

" We both get killed. Yes, it's engraved." I mutter.

" He has the most broken ways to show it... but he's a kind caring person." Liam adds quietly.

I almost laugh out loud, " Yea.." I shake my head, " I'll never understand why you guys think you owe him so much, and why you defend him tooth and nail."

" I've told you already."

" Not in detail.."

" Maybe one day."

" One day...my ass." I mumble smirking at him.

He stops, " You think I wouldn't?"

" I have a feeling you would've already but your boss told you otherwise." I state crossing my arms.

He didn't have a response, only proving I was infact right. " It wouldn't be my place to say anything anyways." He says quickly looking around the hall, scanning for I know any sort of threat. I'm used to it by now...

I scoff, " And what would he do..especially to you. You two grew up together."

" Yea, we did. And I respect him more then anyone else in the world, so I'd never say anything anyways unless he wants me to tell your or tell you himself." He says with a little more force and certainty then I've ever heard him to to me with.

" Ok."

He stands by the door waiting for me to open it looking around. " Good work today. It was a good plan." He says neutrally, obvious a little pissed at my pushing.

" Yea, same to you."

" I'm sure me or Xaden will be here especially early. So, pack and be ready."

" Bye Liam." I say quickly shutting the door on him.

" Don't be upset." Rhy's voice grumbles..as it normally does.

" I'm not."

" You are. Because you wanted to show worth to the Wingleader." Rhys answers again.

" Not true."

" Do you forget Halfblood I have all access to your thoughts?"

I sigh. " Shut the hell up."

" Do you want me to tear off one of his limbs? I'll let you pick, an leg, arm? Maybe burn his lips off so you stop gushing over-"

" Whatever you try to do to my boy I will do 10 times worse to you." The silky rich voice of Segyl enters my head threatening Rhys. " He was very impressed so get over it girl."

" I think we all just need to take a couple deep breaths here and make up." Andarna's light voice comes in making me chuckle.

I hear Rhys and Segyl chuff, knowing they'll be having a disagreement soon. " Thank you Andarna."

" Just know I'm very proud. Without you I bet they would've gotten last. I know everyone else was proud or jelous. Not sure which one is better."

Her attempts make me smile.

I pack as Liam instructed, we'll be spending a few days on the lines seeing what they're all about. Not something I'm exactly excited for..but it gets us out of here at least. See something else then the walls of the school or our rooms.

I just got into my dragon scale vest throwing on the top layer of my uniform when the..stern knocking of what I know I Xaden is behind that door. My heart almost leaps but i push it down...being a little annoyed.

I braided my hair in a loose single over the shoulder braid opening the door to see Xaden, Liam and Hetta. " I didn't know I needed a whole team to escort me."

" You packed?" Xaden asks pointedly narrowing his gaze, his eyes floating to my braid then back to my face raising his brow for an answer.

I grab the pack that was leaning on the wall holding it up. " All ready."

" Do you have knives?"

I nod.

" Do you happen to have any extras?"

" There's 3 left over...yes?"

He barges in my room looking through my stuff, " Where?"

" I have 11 on me Xaden!"

" Either you tell me where they are of I'm tearing it apart."

" Xaden...I have 11!"

He stops turning quickly, " You know what's better then 11? 14." He turns back around going through my drawer, literally pulling out clothes.

" Riorson!" I huff, " They're in the top right now knock it off!"

" See... wasn't that hard now was it?" He smiles growing to my annoyance. He pulls out the 3 lean daggers examining them then me. " Your sheaths are full?"

" Yep."

" Pack?"

" Don't they check your packs?"

" Fine. I'll take then until they check your then we'll put them in there."

He takes out 3 of his own knives sliding mine into place. " You need yours." I say sternly looking up at him. He shrugs me off, " I'm also a better fighter and can wield... I think I'll be alright."

He nudges past me, feeling sparks seemingly to dance on my skin as I hold back a gasp. He looks at me briefly before walking out. " Let's get a move on."

We go to the flight field and wait for the others, all out dragons there already..except Andarna who Rhys said couldn't make the flight or was matur enough to be on an active war field. And for once I agree with him.

Lark was the one who brought us, him leading the pack Rhys and Segyl pushing to be in second...meaning me and Xaden bascially need to ride the whole time side my side. He seems.. stern today which he gets sometimes getting me even more annoyed for the day.

He wouldn't even look at me. Or at least when I'm looking at him, sometimes I could see him sneak a glance but other then that... nothing.

We needed to ride for 4 hours....and my ass was sore. I often moved in the seat getting scolded my Rhys one move from the wind could knock me off... He said he wouldn't catch me resulting me to move more knowing that was a line of crap.

I caught off balance once and he corrected himself, Xaden move just a little below Rhys and I proving also he is watching me.

" Do you just want me to dump you in the Wingleaders Lap?" Rhys growls.

" I think your just tired. Is this to early for you old man?" I question.

I hear Segyl from the right chuckle, Xaden seems to furrow his brow looking from her to us.

" Can they hear everything we're saying?"

" I can. Your conversations are always entertaining no matter the topic." Segyl answers with an amused pitch.

" Can he?"

" No. most of the time not." She answers.

My eyes widen, " Most?!"

She chuckles again.

" What is so damn funny?" Xaden asks aloud glaring at me.

" Should we let him join?" She asks.