The Bonding Ceremony was tomorrow which meant Ashari worked us harder than usual to make sure that everything went perfectly. I was part of a team of three other servant girls who were sent to prepare and attend to Lady Denali for tonight and tomorrow's feast. The first feast would be to wish for the success of the event with few casualties and the other a celebration of the newly Bonded. Lady Denali was not easy to please however, and we were constantly running around preparing things to her satisfaction. The water in the bath was not hot enough, fetch more hot water. Suddenly, it was too hot! Quickly, get some cold water. Back and forth we ran, and I felt like it was perfectly fine for me to dislike her even more. Now, we were preparing her for the feast. I was brushing her long, thick black hair while the other three were preparing her clothes, doing her makeup, and rubbing her feet.

"Girl, I want a single, thick braid," she addressed me suddenly and I nodded my head before catching myself and voicing my acknowledgement. I began weaving her strands together in a simple tight braid as she told the other girl doing her makeup to not put too much. "I don't want to look too old. Just put some of the gold shimmery powder, redden my lips slightly, and use dark kajol around my eyes," she instructed. I watched enviously as the other girl got to work with the powder. We servant girls would never be allowed to apply makeup to our faces, it was a luxury we could never afford.

"You are so young and pretty!" gushed the girl who was currently rubbing her feet. I rolled my eyes at the sweet suck up. I could see Lady Denali's face slightly in the mirror to the side and the smirk on her face was unmistakable.

"Thank you...?" she prompted the girl.

"Gina, ma'am."

"Thank you, Gina. I am not yet seventeen but I am already considered one of the greatest beauties from my homeland. In fact—ouch!" she cried out, her hand immediately jerking to her hair. I may have accidentally tightened that last weave a bit too tight but honestly better that than trying to strangle her with her own hair rope. She whipped her head around to glare at me, startling the girl applying her makeup and nearly getting a streak of black kajol across her face as a result.

"How dare you!" she nearly shouted and the others cringed away from the visible anger.

I immediately bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry my lady! I just wanted to make sure it was tight enough so that it didn't fall apart during the feast. Dancing and stuff might loosen it." Even if that was true, Lady Denali struck me as someone who wouldn't accept that sort of reasoning. No, rather, she appeared to be one of those who carried deep grudges in their heart with a burning vengeance in their mind. I realized that I might have just made an enemy of someone who may become the rider of the next Queen. Someone who would have a lot of power and influence over what happens to me.

"How old are you, girl?" she demanded.

"Ten years, my lady." I hoped that my age would soften whatever she would do next. Surely she wouldn't hurt a child?

"Ten years and making careless mistakes still? Let me offer you a piece of advice, those who make careless mistakes do not often survive long enough to see the long-lasting consequences of said mistakes." Evidently I was wrong.

I bowed my head in acknowledgement, feeling my face burn from embarrassment. It's not that I wasn't used to being reprimanded, but this felt different and far more threatening. The others were watching the exchange quietly, some gave sympathetic looks while others remained apathetic to the situation. Regardless of how they felt, none wanted to get involved and be on the receiving end of her glare. She gave me one final size-up before turning back around and signaling for us to continue our tasks. We worked quickly and quietly with everyone being mindful of what they were doing. I was definitely more careful of how I handled her hair, even if the urge to yank on the thick braid was nearly overwhelming. After we finished, we tidied up the room, bowed respectfully, and were dismissed from her chambers rather unceremoniously. She would be meeting with the other tributes to walk together to the feast while we were expected to be back in the kitchen ready to serve the food and attend to the needs of the people.

When we got to the kitchen, I was nearly overrun by the cooks and servants who were busy bustling around. The use of all the stone ovens made the kitchen itself feel like it was one. It was so hot that I truly believed that the heat of Geria's fire could hold no comparison. Sweat ran down my neck and my uniform clung to my body as I ran to set the nearest platters on trays and fill the pitchers with junas, a popular fermented concoction of fruit and spices that tasted great either warm or cold. I had snuck a few sips here and there where I could, since children were not allowed to have any, and I didn't understand why it was so popular amongst the adults. While the first sip was sweet, the lingering bitterness and sharpness of the drink made my face crinkle in displeasure. I also found that it dulled my senses if I took more than three sips. It seemed more like a punishment than a refreshment.

"Get the first platters out, now!" There was no mistaking the deep, commanding tone of Ashari and I quickened my pace at the thought of her stick ready to strike those who didn't move fast enough.

I picked up the nearest platter that contained two pitchers of junas. Yeah it wasn't completely full, but I had done a lot of carrying over the past few days and my arms needed a break! Ashari, after issuing her command, had moved up the steps to the alcove overlooking the kitchen and proceeded to watch us scramble to fulfill her orders without bumping into each other or anything else. The kitchen was connected to the dining hall by a short corridor with two double doors on both sides of the hall. Both were open currently but despite this the kitchen could not see into the hall and vice versa. We scurried down the short corridor that allowed us to walk in rows of two and emerged into the glow of the hall with raucous laughter echoing throughout. We broke apart, the right row of servants going right and the left going left. The last two would go down the center of the hall and head straight to the table up top where the important people usually sat. Gina and I were the last two to enter so we scurried on down the center and up to the dais. When we arrived at the table, she went right, and I left. She would be serving the appetizers and I would be ensuring that the tankards were always filled.

As I filled the first tankard, I realized that the next person I would be serving was none other than the boy I had encountered on the balcony the day before. I didn't know if he was allowed to have the adult drink, since he wasn't an adult, so I hesitated when I got to his cup. He looked up questioningly. I stiffly began to fill his cup and he gave me a smile and nod of both approval and recognition before returning to his conversation with the older man to his left. I knew who he was because he had become a sort of father-figure to me since I had arrived at Dragonspire, ensuring I was taken care of and coming to my aid multiple times.

Godrick Wotton, rider of Nythointan, and the infamous former Chief and now general that oversaw the training and flight formations of the dragon fighters. Godrick should have remained Chief, but Nythointan had failed to be present to fly the Queen five years ago and he lost the position to Ralph Dene. Supporters of Ralph claimed Godrick was too old to be the Chief anyhow, but most of the fortress had supported him due to his immense experience and successes within the fields of battle and politics. Not only that, but he had ensured the old customs and traditions were maintained. The same could not be claimed for Ralph. Many considered him to be a failure of a leader if our current lack of tributes and tithes from the Keeps had anything to say about it. Now those lords were demanding steep compensation in exchange for what they were obligated to give freely through tradition. There was once a time where the protection and presence of dragon riders were considered enough compensation but now things were different. The lords of the Keeps were beginning to feel that the time of the dragon riders were coming to an end since the threat they usually fought had not been seen for over nearly two centuries. Why should they give away their cattle and food so freely when protection was no longer needed they argued. It was a long and complicated thing that I often heard Godrick ramble on about more times than I currently cared to listen. I didn't understand how the Keeps could deny the Accord without being punished but I suppose it had something to do with the next man I would be serving.

I moved on to the Chief, Ralph, who was impatient for me to serve the junas. I nearly spilled the drink on the table as he yanked the tankard from underneath the pitcher and guzzled it down as if he was a man who had trodden the desert for days without any water in sight. I couldn't help but stare at him as I poured him another at his gesture. A dark complexion with small, beady brown eyes darting around with mistrust and a bit of facial hair. He was small, as most were from the Dunarian tribe, but that short stature did not stop him from being freakishly strong and quick. I had seen him duel once when I had delivered refreshments to the training grounds, and he had moved with such speed and agility and struck with such strength that I thought he possessed the soul of a dragon inside of him. But despite his fighting abilities, he lacked the leadership to rule properly and so the fortress had suffered under his five-year leadership so far.

I moved on to the next person who I knew as well as Godrick. Sibilla, current Chieftess of the fortress and rider of the Queen, Shegil. She had become a mother-figure and tutor to me, helping me out as much as Godrick. It was she who had been there to receive me when my parents had sold me off and it was she who had made sure Ashari took me in and taught me well. It was she who went to the instructors and told them to help grow my love for books and knowledge. It was no surprise that I had begun to consider the two of them more as my parents than my birth ones. It was no surprise they were able to parent well considering the history behind the two.

Sibilla's heart belonged to Godrick and the same could be said in reverse. Everyone knew he had been patiently waiting for the chance to fly her dragon again so that they could not only lead together once more but be allowed to share in their feelings again. Only the Chief and Chieftess were allowed to couple together because the strength of the mating between their dragons was so strong and vivid that it bled onto their flyers, linking the emotions and feelings of all four. This unison was also necessary to present a solid, unified front to others who looked to the fortress for its guidance and leadership. If the Chief and Chieftess could not get along, it would indicate weakness and the fortress would suffer under the neglect that comes from the two that would strike constantly at each other. While Sibilla and Godrick had been fortunate enough to have fallen for each other and given the opportunity to share in their feelings during their time together, they also shared in the unfortunate scenario where Godrick lost his position and therefore also the privilege of being with Sibilla. Ralph was now the only one allowed to be with her, but he had shown no interest in the woman nearly twice his age and she would never have allowed him into her bed anyway. Many believe that the fortress was currently suffering because the two leaders were failing to come together and present a unified front. Sibilla was eager to retire though and with the arrival of a new Queen egg, she had begun to plan for it. Everyone knew that if Sibilla did retire, Godrick would soon follow after, and both would finally get to be with each other without the harsh burden of being Chief and Chieftess. Losing the two at the same time however would be another devastating blow to the already crippled fortress.

She glanced up with a warm smile as I poured the junas and I could see the wrinkles forming around her eyes and mouth when up-close to her. She was aging quite well in my opinion, maintaining her beauty and charm despite the tests of time. Many also considered her a skilled leader because she had led the fortress matters under her authority competently enough for ten years since Shegil won the Enthronement. The Enthronement was an event that only happened if two or more female Queens were in the fortress and one could not have a position or did not want to accept a position in another fortress. The Queens would then compete in a series of events to prove which would be the senior Queen and therefore whose rider would become the Chieftess. Shegil had won against Rellerth, Iva's Queen, and had maintained the position ever since. Iva and Rellerth had remained in the fortress despite the consecutive losses and so Shegil's title had been elevated to Queen Dowager while Rellerth maintained the original Queen title. When the new Queen hatched tomorrow, Shegil would have her title elevated to Empress Queen Dowager automatically and Rellerth would be considered the senior Queen. When the newly hatched Queen was old enough, the Enthronement would happen again to see who would become the next leader. If Shegil failed to win, she and Sibilla would be retired and given the option to stay in the fortress with no power or sent to the Elysium Isles to live out the rest of their lives in peace. If Ralph failed to fly the next Queen when Shegil retired, he would be given the option to join her in the Elysium Isles or join the dragon fighters as a Sentinel, a leader of a flight wing. But everyone knew that Ralph was already making plans to successfully fly the next Queen and avoid both those fates.

I moved on to the last person at the table. I had seen him around quite a few times, either talking with Ralph or Godrick or sitting in the library reading book after book. He always wore the same plain black over white robes and was often met with respect everywhere. I didn't know what position he held but it must be important, like maybe a master of some sort of craft or a lord visiting, but it had been three years since I had seen him around and he had yet to leave or do something I would consider a craft. When I moved to pour him a cup, he covered the top with his hand and shook his head with a small smile.

"Do you have any water by chance?" he asked. His voice was deep but soft, as if he was not willing to yell but could demand authority if needed.

"No sir," I replied.

"Well, when you get a chance, fetch me some water. I don't like to drink junas often."

I nodded and scurried off back to the kitchen. Gina had already served the table and left without waiting for me. When I reached the kitchen, she yanked me to the side and the pitchers on my tray wobbled dangerously.

"Whoa, you'll topple the pitchers!" I exclaimed.

She made an impatient noise and steadied the tray and pitchers before staring hard at me. "You took so long to serve drinks and I saw you talk with both Speaker Julian and–!"

"Girls!"

We both whirled around, looking like we had all the time in the world to gossip and maybe it might have seemed like it since we did kind of stop and talk instead of moving on to another task. Ashari had her hands on her hips, eyeing both of us sternly.

"Do you think now is a suitable time to be talking?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow. We mutely shook our heads negatively. It was best to not speak when Ashari was riled up elsewise you were sure to be beat with a ladle. "Then get back to work and if I see you slacking off again..." She didn't need to make up a threat, our minds were already churning with all the horrible things she could do to us. Gina raced off and I too turned to go but Ashari put her hand on my shoulder, holding me back.

"Yes, Mistress Ashari?" I couldn't help but sound meek for I was sure she was only holding me back to beat me.

"Gina is older and wiser, she knows better than to stop during the middle of duties," Ashari began, and I scrunched my nose up. Yes, I may be one of the youngest servants in the fortress, but it isn't like I don't pull my weight enough to be considered similarly with the older girls! "But I know you as well. You are a bright and talented child who has a good set of wits about her. I find myself expecting more from you than I do from the older girls because I hope that one day you might be interested in taking over my shoes."

"Mistress?" My astonishment could not be contained. Me? Take over? I was still incredibly young and Ashari wasn't that old either!

"Yes," she affirmed my questioning gaze.

"I'm not worthy, there are many others who have worked here longer." And coveted your position too.

"Ten, fifteen, twenty – it doesn't matter your years on this world. What matters is what you can do. Yes, older ones have more experience, but sometimes true talent can make up for lack of. I believe you have some talent, girl, and if you had been born to a better lot I'm sure you would have done greater things. But you are a servant and the best a servant can ever hope for is to work their way up to the highest rank in their division."

I knew the rules of the fortress very well. I understood the division in the caste despite being young. But to hear someone both acknowledge and push me down in such a way made me sad for some reason. She was right, I would never amount to anything more than an overseer for servants if I chose to rise up. Anger and resentment filled me quickly and I cursed the unluckiness of low birth, at my parents who chose to sell me off as a tribute to the fortress five years ago, at the lack of opportunities given to us who were forced to carry the weight of those luckier in birth. Yes, my only worth had been tied to being offered as a tribute. a gift. Those things that were once freely given to help the fortress, now being paid for thanks to Ralph. I, who would have been free under the old laws had only been worth twenty dracons. But better a servant at the fortress than whatever else I might have been outside these walls. At least there was some protection and prestige to the position.

Ashari could easily read the fluctuation of emotions drifting over my face and I knew she sympathized because she too resented the lack of opportunities for those who had the skills and intelligence to be so much more. She sighed and patted my shoulder, a form of comfort and comradeship. I studied her hand on my shoulder, noting the scars from burns and other injuries that stood stark white against her dark skin. Her hand, big and warm and a source of comfort for a five-year-old who didn't know much of anything except clutching at Sibilla and staring at the tall, scary lady in the kitchen. Her hand left my shoulder and she walked away, giving orders as she went and never looking back. I was somewhat relieved that she hadn't because I didn't want her to see me begin to silently cry.

The feast went on and I didn't have a moment's break after her intervention and taking a moment outside to compose myself. When I wasn't struggling under trays, I was thinking about Speakers and how I could find out more about them. Gina would often try to catch my eye, but I avoided her underneath the watchful gaze of Ashari. The tributes from the Northern, Southern, and Eastern districts sat near the leaders table in the middle. There were three from the Northern, eight from the Southern, and the five from the Eastern. Our fortress, centered in the Western district, had offered up the most amount as the egg was laid here. A total of sixteen had come from our district, a staggering amount. The tributes were composed of both genders with males outnumbering the females. Their ages ranged from fourteen up to their early twenties. There were thirty-two tributes compared to the twenty-two clutch that was laid by Shegil. Though a bit lower than average, twenty-two was a fine amount for a Queen to lay, especially if it was her last clutch. The largest clutch recorded was forty-six, but that had been over six hundred years ago and a clutch of even thirty was rare to behold nowadays. The average was twenty-five with a few less and a few more at times. That meant that ten of these tributes would walk away without being Bonded and one female specifically would walk away the luckiest of the bunch. The tributes had been the talk of the last few weeks with many wondering who would become Bonded with the Queen and though many wanted it to be someone from within our district, there was no denying the favoritism that surrounded Lady Denali. It almost seemed assured with how everyone treated her and her manner of behavior, poised and elegant with a soft smile and eyes that gleamed with hunger for power and prestige.

For some reason, I hoped she wouldn't succeed. Not just because I knew I had made an enemy out of her, but because I also knew that if she were to have the chance, no, the opportunity to take over the fortress and lead, it would not end well. She would be a female Ralph; I was sure of it.