Page 63 of Under Restless Skies

A small part of me questions if the instructor is exaggerating, but then I figure that only a horrible kingdom would bother us so much and keep sending dragons to kill us.

The memory of that rider and his hard eyes comes to me, and then I think about his magic, which is something Instructor Corin hasn’t mentioned even once. I don’t feel at ease asking him, but I’ll try to ask Celine, or maybe check some books. I doubt I was the first person who witnessed their magic. But what if I was? What if it’s something new, and our kingdom doesn’t know about it?

The instructor bangs his paperweight on the table again, then says, “You’re dismissed, except for you.” He points at someone in the back, who I imagine is the girl who dared answer the question he asked.

I’m surprised that the class went by so fast, when it was just him talking. Everyone walks out silently, I suppose not willing to risk detention or a trip to see Commander Mallor.

When we’re in the hallway, Celine squees. “Tonight! Are you coming?”

I frown. “Coming where?”

“The ball! To celebrate your friend.”

Alayel? I feel silly not knowing what they’re talking about. “I… was busy, and haven’t heard anything. What ball? When?”

Celine clicks her tongue. “Tonight.”

Alayel never said anything. “When was it announced?”

“Yesterday afternoon. They always announce it at the last minute, to ensure there were no recent attacks, maybe for security. Anyway, it’s tonight!”

“Oh.” Why am I feeling foolish? Alayel likely assumed I knew about it. That’s the obvious answer.

Nelly points at me. “I know why you’re upset.”

“I’m… not upset.” And yet I most definitely sound bitter.

“Yes, you are.” She chuckles. “You don’t have a dress and you’re thinking you won’t get to come, and won’t see your friend.”

I hadn’t even considered my lack of proper attire, and I’m not sure what’s funny about it. “True, I have no dress,” I say with a half shrug.

Celine widens her eyes. “Oh. Right! She doesn’t know.”

“I most definitely don’t,” I mutter.

“We’ll get you a dress, silly. We can go there right now.” Celine gives me a broad smile. “No need to feel left out.”

I almost argue that I wasn’t feeling left out, but then decide against it. I don’t want to sound foolish a second time in such a short period.

They lead me to the stairs. As we climb down, I ask Celine, “Are you taking all our classes again?”

She shakes her head. “Not the introduction to flying or self-defense, but the culture of the Kingdom of the Riders is significant, and it’s a chance for me to learn more.”

Nelly sighs. “Is that instructor always harsh like that?”

“No. He’s…” Celine purses her lips. “He likes silence when he’s giving a lecture, but he’s fair. Almost nobody fails.”

“What happens if you fail?” I ask.

Celine’s shoulders shrink, her expression suddenly gloomy. “Prison, expulsion. It depends. But his questions are not hard. He’ll give us oral exams now and then. And the class is interesting.”

“Do you think…” I stop myself and look around. Other recruits are descending the stairs too, and I don’t want to suggest one of our professors is lying. I try to ask my question differently. “Do you know how we learned about the riders? Because it’s a dangerous place, so it’s not like we went there to look at their society.”

“It’s in the books,” Celine says. “We could go to the library if you want to learn more.”

The idea is exciting. “I would love that.”

“Tomorrow,” she says. “Or after, because today I have classes… I’ll get an authorization and we can go there and study. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!”