Chapter 31: The Bonding Is Tomorrow
Reynold stretched his body and he felt tired and sore all over it. He stretched again and his body made that tiring sound, that kind bone cracking sound that sounded in the room.
He was still on the bed with the memories of yesterday’s fight running at the back of his head. The melting of the Iron Talons, Nymeria’s magic and the three dragons roaring also made him to kept tossing and turning all night.
He stretched hard again on the small dorm bed and the rough blanket scratching him on his skin. All he wanted to do was to lock the door and sleep the whole day without going out but the Headmaster had ordered everyone to attend a mandatory farewell ceremony for the students they had lost, so he could not skip it even if he wanted to.
He stretched again. His mind was full of too many questions. First, how did the Aetherclaws get past the academy’s Wards when the Headmaster said the Viceroy had supposedly handle the defense magic?
And the three dragons, maybe they were not at the stable because they are not willing for the bonding this year. But still, why were they always showing up in his dreams?
Reynold finally got out of bed, letting out a big yawn. His stomach immediately rumbled loudly.
"I am fucking hungry." He muttered and rubbed his belly as he walked into the small bathroom, and took a quick cold shower. He changed into the clothes for the ceremony which was a simple black T-shirt and black pants. He had to skip his usual morning push-ups workout because the ceremony starts at 10:00 AM, and it was already 9:30 AM.
He checked himself quickly in the mirror, seeing he was looking all set and ready to go, he then left the room and walked toward the place where the ceremony would be held.
Some of the cadets in the council had a sorrowful look.
In the middle of the courtyard was a platform that held the Cenotaph of endless Vigil which was a big plain pillar of black stone.
The students were all standing in silent and they were all wearing black.
Reynold found a spot near the back. While he was looking around, a head rested on his shoulder.
It was Gwyn. She leaned her forehead gently against his arm. Reynold did not move her. He understood that most of the students were still hurting, so he just let her lean on him.
On both sides of the main stone were two tables. On the left were made with metal pieces: a couple of Dragon Rider crests that look like beat-up helmet, and a broken gauntlet. On the right were fragile, more like broken pieces of shattered crystal bits, and splintered wands.
The courtyard suddenly became more quiet as the Headmaster walked in. He was looking serious in the all black be was wearing.
Next to him were the two professor, Professor Valerius and a woman Reynold did not know, she is tall has a silver hair, and was wearing a leather of a Rider commander that was all black.
The Headmaster stepped forward, his voice low but loud enough for everyone to hear. "We are here not to cry over being defeated, but to honor a strong and final defense." He paused. "The enemy wanted to split us but they failed. They failed because our dead stood together. Now, we who live owe them a future that is worth their death. The Debt is not paid with tears. It is paid with strength, with being one, and with the promise to protect what they died for."
After the Headmaster was done addressing the crowd, Professor Valerius read the names of the dead Magic Users first. Cadet Cassandra Ford, Cadet Torr Samos, Cadet Jessa Marwin.
After the names were called, a senior Magic Cadet walked forward.
Reynold’s eyes followed the person to see it was Nymeria.
Her face was looking a little pale. She went to the display table, holding a single, thin sprig of blue. It was a flower said to bloom in deep magic, showing the lasting light of a person’s soul.
Nymeria placed the sprig carefully among the broken crystal tools. Seeing her there—alive, strong, made a tiny smile to Reynold’s lips..
The silver-haired Dragon Rider stepped forward as she reads the name of the fallen Riders.
"Cadet Saris Vol, Cadet Torvin Micheal, Cadet Benjamin Rhal..."
When the last Rider name was called, a familiar person stepped forward, Cadet Elian. Reynold remembered him as the Rider in charge of the second trial, the one who gave him a chance. Elian held a small, dark stone, the surface very smooth, it was taken from the dragons’ perch. He laid it gently next to a damaged dragon gauntlet.
The Headmaster came back to the front, resting his hands on the big stone.
"We stand on ground made holy by the blood of Wyrmwood Academy. The Iron Talon attack failed, but the price... the price is the lives we honor today. They stood together and they fell together and they are now one."
He gripped the stone. "We now have a Debt and we owe the dead a future that is worth their sacrifice, which is a united and powerful Academy. We will not let them down."
Immediately after the speech, a shadow fell on the Courtyard. Five dragons, the largest in the Academy, flew in a close group. They were not looking like the the wild and scary dragons of last night, but look kinda disciplined.
They flew in a circle over the platform and then their scales let go of a shinning powder that looked like silver snow. It was called the Draconic Dust of Grief. The dust floated down over the platform and on the Cenotaph.
As the dust fell, Professor Valerius and the highest-ranking Magic Users raised their hands as humming sound of united a chant came from them.
The moment the Draconic Dust touched the stone of the Cenotaph, the Magic Users lit it. A blue flame suddenly appeared. It was a pure eternal light but not hot enough to burn the stone, but bright enough to make the air around it ripple, it was called the Flame of Remembrance.
Immediately after the ritual, the Academy Choir, standing near the monument, started to sing.
Lift up the Vigil’s Flame, to speak the power of their name. And burns for every high-flown wing, and every magic that they had bring. Let the fire glows upon the shore, to guide them home. O, Flame lead them beyond the longest night.
The Headmaster stood up and looked straight at the crowd.
And everyone sang the last line together.
We will remember and we will stand strong together.
O’ Flame, guide them home to a peaceful land.
Soon, the ceremony ended and the line of students began to break up, everyone quietly walking away, leaving the Cenotaph and blue glow.
Gwyn looked up, tapping Reynold’s shoulder. She wiped her eyes fast as she saw Nyx. "I see Nyx. I need to go to her. I will talk to you later, okay?"
Reynold just nodded, watching her rush off. He was exhausted and tired.
𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Time to eat," he muttered as his stomach rumbled and he yawned, turned, and then went straight to the Academy Cafeteria.
The cafeteria was quiet. Normally, it was a loud and busy place, full of students yelling and laughing. Today, only a few cadets was sitting and picking the food in front of them.
Reynold ordered a lot of food, a big plate of roasted meat and vegetables and he found a corner table to eat without being bothered. He ate fast like he has not eaten for days.
He had just finished eating and was about to leave when the Academy’s loud speaker system suddenly sounded.
"Attention! Attention all first-years cadets. Immediate assembly. Report to the assembly now. I repeat, all first-years cadets to the assembly now."
Reynold groaned, leaning back in his chair. "What the hell now?" he muttered, pushing himself up. The strength he had just gotten back felt like it was instantly gone.
He walked out with the other first-years, heading to the main Assembly Ground.
The Headmaster stood on a round stage in the center, with Valerius and the Rider Dean next to him. Hundreds of first-year cadets were gathered, murmuring nervously.
The Headmaster waited until it was quiet, then cleared his throat.
"Cadets," he said. "What happened yesterday was an act of war. The enemy targeted our most important asset which is the future of this Academy and we will not give them another chance." He looked serious. "Our defenses must be stronger, right now."
He paused.
"The Dragon Bonding Ceremony, which was supposed to happen in three weeks, has been moved up."
The crowd started murmuring immediately.
"It will happen tomorrow morning," the Headmaster finished.
"Tomorrow? Seriously?"
"Fucking yes! I hope I get bond to the strongest dragon."
"Dammit! I will soon become a proper rider?"
Reynold’s face, however, was in complete shock. Why the sudden rush?