21- A Rider

It was.. what I needed. It's what I missed since he left.

Dain and I lay in his bed, he's sleeping and I lay awake...remembering what Xaden said about listening in his shadows..which killed the last round for me. I kiss him lightly on the cheek before I get dressed again and sneaking out of his room.

Hoping no one else is up at this time.

I sneak down to the first year hall, just getting in my nunk when Hetta jumps up with a wide grin on her face. " Where were you?"

" Jeez- ah- I was.. I was still with Dain.." I admit, my cheeks heating up.

She grins, " So you did end up celebrating?"

I laugh, " Yea.. we celebrated."

" I can't believe we get new rooms." She sighs, " I'll never take privacy for granted again.."

" Yea..me either.."

" Well...since you were busy celebrating last night...maybe you should pack right now?" Hetta suggests, so we can make sure to have rooms next to one another. She wiggles her brows at me which makes me laugh, " Are you going to help?"

" Heck yea I'm helping!"

It only took maybe less then an hour to pack everything, making sure to bury Brennan's journal in the wat bottom of my pack...just to be safe. Soon after we were to report with our belongings to the rider rooms would be.

We were to pick and grab a slip on the door bringing it to rollskeepers, Hetta basically makes us sprint as we find rooms going in the long line to give our numbers.

Rooms 101 and 102.

As we were walking I just so happen to hear the number 103, turning I see Liam Mairi who must've been behind me, was now my new neighbor.... interesting. I'm still relieved he didn't decide to kill me.

After we pick our rooms, we were to go to the dining hall. As we walk arms go around me and Hetta and I was almost tempted to take them to the floor until Ridoc peeks between the two of us. " Who are my lovely rider women this morning?"

" Refreshed." Hetta says.

" Amazing." I say laying it on think with sarcasm. He pulls us a little closer, " Love to hear it!"

We stand in line wating to get our food, I wasn't really paying attention to see who was serving what until some hot eggs land on my hand. " Augh!-"

" Oh, sorry.." Orren's cold voice mumbled.

" Watch where your scooping asshole!" Ridoc spits. Orren just glares, " I'll try better next time."

" I forgot to ask Orren... What dragon did you get again?" Rodoc counters, making Orrwn redden in rage as we kept going.

" Ridoc!" Hetta hush yells hitting him lightly, " That wasn't nice!"

" So what? He was just being a dick to Freya. Not her fault no dragon wanted him.."

No dragon wanted him probably because he has blood of Andarna on him or something...

We find a table to sit at, I eat my food seeing more stares then usual... in my direction. I fugured that would happen, so I just focus on Hetta and Ridoc...which I didn't expect is when Imogen and a couple marked ones sat... right by us.

" Sorrengail.." She greets setting her tray across from me.

I pause, watching her sit giving... somewhat of a positive look... what is happening? " Imogen.." I say slowly eyeing the others as they sit as well. Imogen looks around chuckling, " It's always a treat watching everyone rethink the pecking order... do you know your on the top if it?"

I narrow my gaze, " Why would I?"

" Because the new rankings came out... ONce you bond they redo the class rankings. You were second and Mairi was first..you two switched. And not to mention those dragons you have...sure makes you noticed."

A couple third years from our squad sit at our table as well givng me a small smile and nod before they eat...which I return. The only ones we need yet would be Xaden and Dain then our whole squad plus some extras would be all at the same table.

" It really surprises me some of the unbonded didn't bond like...Orren for instance." Quinn, a second year in our wing said.

" Probably because he tried killing the little dragon." The third year Emery says stuffing a pear in his mouth. I look over to him, " Who told you that?"

He stops, " Is that not true?"

" No, it is.. I was just curious."

" I heard it from my dragon." Quinn says, " I guess it was discussed at their meeting. Rumor has it that's why he didn't bond. Thought being unbonded forever would be more of a punishment then death."

I raise my brows, " Does he know that?"

Imogen laughs, " And what dragon is going to tell him that?"

Everyone snickers at that...good point.

" It's going to be annoying now that they're condensing squads, we'll be getting some newbies..." Emery says sighing, hopefully they're good enough."

Imogen rolls her eyes, " Tell me about it. At least we can keep our squad..and leaders."

The mention of leaders, makes me think of Xaden..speaking of him I see him sitting at one of the Command tables talking to the other third year Garrick. My eyes look away just as fast, " After classes today I want a spar Freya." Imogen says quickly.

I pick at my bacon, " You still want to kick my ass?"

She smirks, " Not this time... to teach you more techniques."

I pause once again looking at her, " Does it look like I need help fighting?"

" No.. But a good soldier always wants to learn, right?"

I shake my head, " DO you think I'm stupid Imogen?"

This makes everyone's eyes go to the two of us, watching. Her face stiffens, " No.. I think you have a good, but cocky head on your shoulders, but unlike you I listen to commands."

Commands?

" I don't know about anyone else here but I rather not have our Squad leader die." She adds, not giving it away but..giving it away.

Xaden is commanding her to help me.

I look back over to where Xaden was sitting, his eyes were now on the both of us and our conversation. I twist my expression looking back at Imogen. " I appreciate the offer, but tell Riorson to stick his ideas far up his ass, and deep in the left."

" If you know what's really good for you, you will come after classes and train with me. If you don't come willingly just know he will drag you there. I don't think you really want that Sorrengail." She replies calmly giving me her annoying smirk knowing I really have no choice.

I snatch my tray standing up, " Yea, and this damn training from you is going to be as useful as a damn hole in a ship." I mutter walking out of the dining hall now getting to my next class.

" See you later!" She calls out.

I bite back any other remark as I keep walking to Dragon kind..now I guess it's dragon kind and flight lessons. It's now an extended class where we learn more about our dragons, and now even in this class we have a chance to die.

As I walk Rhys was right there, in my head again. " Calm down white one.. it's only training."

" Yea.. with people I don't like." I mutter. " Now hurry up and get to the flight field for this stupid class."

" On my way."

I sigh as I keep my pace going to the flight feild along with other cadets who got bonded, alot seem to give me a weak smile or wave as I walk. It's going to get some getting used to seeing I'm supposedly one of the top ones on the ' food chain' here. All because I got Rhys and Andarna people will finally give me more respect.

I wait in a spot for a good amount of time before I see Rhy's form appear behind one of the taller peaks, shortly arriving right behind me with a gust of wind. " Took you long enough." I mutter, looking back at him with a small grin.

He snorts, " I thought you'd be walking a lot slower today." He answers simply.

I cock a brow, " Why would I be walking slow?"

I see his head tilt at an angle, " Seeing you were celebrating quite a few times last night with your Squad leader I just assumed."

My face drops and he snorts, " How-" I began.

" The bond white one. We feel everything, we know everything." He says, " And I'm connected to Segyl and she's connected to.." He drifts off leting my horror take root.

OH NO.....

" He knows?!" I yell hushly.

" Oh.. he knows." He answers, his tone showing he's more then enjoying this.

I take a breath, " Do me a favor.. as soon as we take flight...drop me off and let me die."

" I prefer to keep you alive.. just so you can suffer a bit more."

" Fine I'll jump myself."

Rhys snorts again. " I'll catch you."

I send him a look of disapproval just as I realize there's no Andarna. " Where's Andarna?" I ask quickly just so we can forget about the conversation..and my embarrassment.

" She's to small to have you on her back. Therefore she doesn't need to show."

" Right.. but shouldn't she still learn this stuff? When she's older?"

" It won't be today white one now daydream of your squad-"

" Shut up Rhys!" I accidently yell out loud making several cadets with their dragons all look at me. I shut my eyes momentarily, " You know I can hear you through our thoughts.." Rhys teases even more.

" I hate you." I think.

I see Hetta, Ridoc, and Sawyer all approach us, taking in Rhys as he.. seems to be posing. I roll my eyes at him as they near closer with their dragons just arriving. Kamori started the class soon after.

" Good morning students, I congratulate you all once again for your bonds with your dragons. As you see we're on this field...from here on out your goal for this class is to grow your bond each and every day with your dragons. Today that starts with our basic maneuvers class, my advice..keep your seat. Let's begin."

We all go to mount our dragons, I literally just got comfortable before Rhys propels himself with such speed, my head spins. I feel myself get pressed into him further as he flies literally straight up following Kamori.

" Do we really need to be first, so everyone can see us?!" I yell.

" Yes." He states as Kamori takes a right while we... take a SHARP right, like an 90 degree angle right. " Jeez! Rhys!" I yell. The more maneuvers we do, the more extra Rhys gets.

I sigh, " Are you always this extra."

" I'm just showing everyone that we outperform them...but yes. Yes I am."

I roll my eyes, " Is that how you won Segyl over too? Being extra cocky?"

" She always knew I was the best."

We fly through canyons, the moutain tops, over water, plains, and slowly some riders fall. I try to tune out the screaming, which worked out quite well seeing Rhys was taking me for quite the ride as well. Though I don't think he'd actually let me fall.

There were a couple times I drifted from my seat and he corrected himself getting me right back in position. Once we were done, we were 3 minutes ahead of everyone else...even Kamori.

Which is like hours in dragon riding time. As we land I slide off feeling a little dizzy, " Dragons are alot faster then they look."

" I'm faster then said dragons." He says confidently flicking his tail. HE has a very sharp dagger tail it's also thinner then other dagger tails, curves almost like a scorpion tail but..different. I'm guessing it had to do with his defect.

Soon after the other land, still eyeing us seeing we landed long before them. Even Kamori spares us an glance. " Say goodbye to your dragons, everyone did a good job. Follow me back to class Riders."

" Don't tell them much." Rhys growls in my head. I pause looking back to him, " What do you mean?"

" About me. That nimwitt of yours wants to learn about me. Don't tell them much." He answers.

" Why does it matter? People are fascinated."

" Because the more they know..the more they'll want to kill you. You want to die halfblood?" I see Rhy's eyes narrow slightly.

" No. Right, not much."

" Good." And with that he takes off with breathtaking speed.

" I thought for sure he was going smear you across the mountain." Hetta says coming up to me as she looks up.

I chuckle, " Me too. Or let go. I know my body is going to be killing me tomorrow with how much he was whippign me around."

" But you didn't let go..that's good." She smiles.

I return the smile. " Right."

We arrive in the circular classroom soon after. In the middle where all the projections of the dragons are is a almost life size picture of Rhys flying solo. How did Rhys know Kamori was going to teach about him?

Everyone takes notice, I see the unbonded were already there when all us riders take our seats all glaring at the photo then me, some of the riders as well. Kamori stays standing as he begins the lesson.

" As you see... we're learning about the Defected one Rye-"

" Rhys." I correct.

He gives a faint smile. " Sorry..Rhys..."

" How come we never learned about him in the first place?" A second year says from one of the top bleachers. " Are there more we don't know about?"

Kamori nods, " There's been breeds discovered and extinct in my time and before. There will be more in your time as well.."

So that's a...yes?

He continues, " We haven't seen Rhys in years, we thought he was just so old he lost color in his scales and died.. we stood incorrect."

I hear Rhys chuff in my head, " I'm not old."

" How old are you then?" I wonder.

" Don't you know it's rude to ask a dragon's age halfblood?" He counters.

" What your not proud of that?"

He doesn't reply.

" What color is he supposed to be?" Another cadet asks.

Kamori looks my way, I straighten " Um.. he said either Black or Blue. He doesn't know."

" Had he ever had another rider?" A voice asks that I reconize. Liam Mairi, who was looking at me.

" Have you?" I ask.

" Yes, once before. But I don't talk about it." He says quicky and sternly.

I nod, " Yes, he has."

" What was is signet?" Liam asked again.

I shrug, " He won't say."

" I bet it's something powerful! I heard someone say he's better then a black!" another first year said, getting...all the unbonded's attention. If i could punch the kid I would.

" Are you more powerful." I ask Rhys again.

" Much more... A black compared to me would be a brown... if that.."

" So my signet-"

" Is going to be revolutionary." he answers, " And no.. I'm not going to tell you what my last one was."

I swallow. I see how it is.

" So if he wasn't at Presentation why did he bond Sorrengail." A girl, I think was in first Wing asked, one of the unbonded looking at me.

Kamori answers, " We don't exactly know why dragons choose their riders but he saw or heard about her good qualities."

" Like what?" Another one scoffed. Another unbonded.

" Maybe because both of them are defected looking." Jack Barlowe seethes looking at me with his one eye.

I smile facing all of them, " That was one of the reasons. Yes. He said we're much alike."

" To much halfblood!" Rhys warns.

The two unbonded cadets laugh mockingly. " I don't what so funny to you guys, obviosly she had something you didn't seeing you don't have a dragon." Liam snaps making them shut up.

I shoot my eyes in his direction, which he was glaring as the others but gave me a small look which I nodded to. As some sort of thank you.

Liam Mairi...just defended me.. Liam Mairi....