Page 105 of Ashborne: Defiance

The women assured us that they could get me leathers quickly, and hunted through shelving in the next room to bring me a couple of sleep shirts that would fall to my knees, two cotton shirts that were made for stableboys, so tight in the chest, but only a little long, along with socks and gloves that were only a touch too big. They took my cloak for cleaning, exchanging it for a coat that was far too big, but would keep me warm on the cold nights until I received all my clothing.

“At least this time we have more than an hour,” one of them said, when Bren apologized for the late notice. “We also have our patterns from making yours, so we can adjust new sets to her measurements quickly.”

Bren smiled, and leaned in closer. “You may want to start accumulating pieces in different women’s sizes. I believe… I believe we’ll see more females before too long.”

Both the seamstresses grew wide-eyed. But Bren swore them to secrecy, before leading me out of there.

As we stepped out into the main hallway of the building, Bren leaned into my ear. “Don’t worry, they’re very good. And you can wear mine until they make you your own. They’ll be too long, but better than nothing.”

“Thank you,” I said, and meant it. Bren smiled at me and walked on, and I took the moment to examine the beautiful building again. I had to keep reminding myself not to let my mouth hang open.

The building was stunning. Unlike anything I’d ever seen—three stories tall, with towers at each end, and all made from a deep, shining black stone. Even the gabled roof and strange, wide, semi-circle wall behind it, which Bren called the Auditorium, were molded in the impossible black stone.

“The black is dragon-fired stone,” she’d explained as we entered it and my eyes went round. “The first Furyknights built it with the dragons and, well, you can see, they’ve added to it over the years.”

I nodded, but I could barely take anything in, because at every step a new beauty or strange detail was revealed.

Stone slate pressed into the gleaming black floor to give traction to all those heavy boots.

Slickly sanded and varnished balustrades lining the wide stairways from the lowest floor.

“You’ll become very familiar with this building,” Bren warned me as we trotted through the space.

We passed man after man—all tall, strong, intimidating. Most nodded greetings to Bren. Some also greeted me, others raised a skeptical brow in my direction.

My pride prickled the first couple of times, until I remembered, they didn’t know who I was.

And then it occurred to me… was I a noble any longer? Could I even claim a bloodline I’d abandoned, when I never planned to return?

What did it make me, if I didn’t?

What if I wasn’t able to become Furyknight like Bren? What if—

“You’re going to do great, Grace, I promise. And we’ll help you, don’t worry.”

Bren smiled gently at me, then pulled me through the door in the main entryway, leading me back along the paths through the buildings that surrounded this one.

The others were all large, and grand—each with wide, grassy lawns between, though the ground was torn up by dragon talons, leaving raked lines in the dirt. But none were as fascinating, or startling as the main building.

“It will all become second nature, I promise,” Bren continued, walking close and keeping her voice low. “I know it feels scary now—it will for a while. But one day you’ll find yourself just walking around. And you know what to do. And you know what you’re here for. It’s wonderful.”

I swallowed. That did sound lovely. “How long does that take?” I asked.

Bren’s lips twisted. “Um, I think I felt that for the first time about three days ago?” she said with a breathless little laugh. When my brows shot up, she raised her hands up to soothe me. “It’s only because I was being tested, then thrown into training for our trip to Fyrehold. And then… well. It’s all been a lot. But a couple of days ago I got up to walk to breakfast and it wasn’t until I was halfway to the stable and talking to Akhane in my head I realized, this is home now. It feels normal. It feels right.”

The ground around the main building was slightly higher than the rest. As we walked, I tried to take it all in—the wide, dragon-raked lawns, the tall buildings that Bren told me were barracks and officers administration building where we’d gone to Donavyn’s office, the Academy building behind us, the massive stable below all the rest—and the launch hollow behind that…

I wanted this to be my home. I couldn’t help but clasp my hands together, and pray this would become my home.

Please. Please…

Bren led me to the chambers she shared with Donavyn on the top floor of the officer’s apartments—which was a pleasant surprise. Though small, and very masculine, the furniture was functional and of fine quality. And the bathing room was such a welcome sight. Only the castle in Fyrehold had running water back home. And to learn that here, the dragons heated water for them?

When Bren offered me the chance to bathe properly, I jumped at it. Stripping the moment I was alone, and groaning as I sank into that bath. Then promptly fell asleep while I soaked.

When I woke to a deep voice in the adjoining room, I panicked, hurriedly washing, then scrambling to get out and dry myself.

It wasn’t until I was out of the bath, and I heard the low deep rumble without the panic, that I realized it was Donavyn, returning to speak with her.