Dragon Legends (Return of the Darkening Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

boot steps behind us and the instructors—all senior riders—and Commander Hegarty strode forward. Instructor Mordecai was with them—not my favorite instructor. He limped, and as usual a scowl pulled down his face. Sometimes I thought he’d prefer to have the academy kept empty and all to himself. The feeling of unease from my dream returned—as if the world was still not right and I was still dreaming. I pinched myself to check—it hurt, so I knew I was awake.
    I could also see my brother Reynalt with them. Although Ryan flew with Prince Justin, it was Reynalt who was one of the senior captains. He was on almost on an even footing with Commander Hegarty—and while Hegarty was entrusted with the academy to train all riders, Reynalt was our tactical leader out in the air.
    I heard Wil whisper to Jensen, “What is he doing here?”
    “Evaluations,” Jensen whispered back.
    I frowned at them, but kept facing forward. When we’d been recruits, evaluations could mean getting kicked out of the academy entirely if we proved we weren’t good enough to be Dragon Riders. These evaluations could only mean it was time to find out what squadron we’d fly with, and what our roles would be.
    Dragon Riders from the academy would defend the city. The King’s Own, which Erufon had once led, was down to Prince Justin and Ryan—just one dragon. The Black Claws—Reynalt’s squadron—were always the first into battle and the fiercest fighters. But some dragons were heavier and better suited to transporting heavy loads. And the Green Flags acted as messengers, traveling vast distances—they were also usually made up of the skinnier, green marsh dragons.
    Kalax was a crimson red—strong and fast and a natural candidate for frontline duty, so I was hoping we were become Black Claws.
    “Today you will be conducting a series of practice drills,” Commander Hegarty barked. It was odd. Every time I looked at him the feeling that something wasn’t quite right came back. Now I knew I should have eaten more at breakfast. I should be looking forward to the day, and not worrying about stupid dreams.
    “It’s going to be a long, hard day in the saddle, ladies and gents! Your first mission is to fly to Ghastion Point and back. First team back is the winner!”
    A moment of stilled amazement held everyone. Unless it was an emergency situation, Hegarty was a stickler for flight protocol. He wanted the flights to be logged, the correct flags to be produced to be able to signal the approaches of each dragon, the kits inspected before they went out. He never just announced a scramble like this.
    “It’s a combat-response practice,” Jensen said, already breaking rank and dragging Wil with him to the equipment sheds.
    I started running as well. If the commander wanted to see how fast we could get in the air and deploy, I was going to show him we could be the fastest. At the equipment sheds, riders jammed in, everyone trying to grab their harnesses and saddles.
    Seb got his saddle and ducked out. A nudge lifted in the back of my mind—an urge to get to the platforms. I knew he was calling Kalax. Unlike the others, his dragon affinity meant he didn’t need to have a special dragon whistle to call our dragon. I could even feel a shiver as he touched minds with Kalax. Seb had been trying to teach me to do this, but it seemed to me that his dragon affinity was more than rubbing off on me lately.
    “Get off!” Shakasta shouted, pushing one of the younger riders out of the way.
    “Out of the way,” Beris snarled, pushing Merik to one side and grabbing his saddle. Beris ran for the platform, but Jensen was reaching up for saddles and harness, throwing them to whom they belonged. “We’ll all get out quicker this way,” he said.
    I caught my saddle and heard Kalax’s roar from above. A flicker of pride stirred. She was the first dragon to arrive, none of the others had started calling their mounts yet. Seeing Merik fumbled with his