Chapter 3 - The Five-Day Execution
By the next afternoon, Chancellor Reev had convened an emergency tribunal. He couldn't outright override the ancient statute without sparking a revolt among the traditionalist guards, but he could manipulate the parameters.
"The council acknowledges the beast's unusual behavior," Reev announced to the packed hall, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. "However, given the creature's proven lethality, we cannot risk lives indefinitely. The beast is scheduled for execution in fourteen days."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"However," Reev continued, fixing his icy gaze on Winn, who stood at the center of the hall in her plain linen tunic, "in accordance with the old laws invoked by Deputy Commandant Kalen, we will grant this stable hand a provisional trial window. She has five days. Five days to complete a formal, full-flight bond. If she fails to fly Kestrel across the outer canyon by sunset on the fifth day, the bond will be declared invalid, and the beast will be put down immediately."
Five days. It was an impossible deadline. Standard rider bonding took six months of intense physical conditioning and magical synchronization.
After the tribunal adjourned, Reev walked up to Winn in the corridor, leaning in close so only she could hear.
"Five days," he whispered with a thin, humorless smile. "Five days to prove a stable girl belongs on the back of the most dangerous beast in the realm. I look forward to watching you fall, little girl."
Winn met his stare without flinching. "He isn't dangerous, Chancellor. You're just afraid of him."
Reev’s smile faded instantly, replaced by a dark glare before he turned and swept away in his silk robes.
That night, Kalen met Winn outside Kestrel's pen. "He gave you an execution disguised as an opportunity, Winn. Reev wants you to fail. He needs Kestrel dead."
"Why?" Winn asked, placing her palm against the warm, scales of Kestrel’s snout as the giant dragon leaned into her touch. "Why is he so eager to kill a dragon that could be the academy's greatest weapon?"
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"Because Kestrel wasn't wild when they found him three years ago," Kalen said softly, looking around to ensure no guards were listening. "He belonged to the late High General Vane — the man who ruled this academy before Reev took power. Vane disappeared mysteriously in the northern valley. Kestrel was found searching for him."
Winn felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Kestrel wasn't just rejecting riders out of stubbornness. He was hunting for his lost master — and he knew exactly who was responsible for his disappearance.
