Page 123 - Fourth Wing

The Red Scorpiontail in the center of our circled tables is a fraction of its

actual size, six feet tall at most, but it’s an exact replica of the actual
firebreather waiting in the Vale for Threshing.

“Red Scorpiontails, like Ghrian here, are the quickest to temper,”

Professor Kaori continues, his perfectly trimmed mustache curving as he
smiles at the illusion like he’s the dragon himself. We all take notes. “So if

you offend him, you’re—”

“Lunch,” Ridoc says from my left, and the class laughs. Even Jack
Barlowe, who hasn’t quit glaring at me since his squad took over their

quarter of the room a half hour ago, snorts.

“Precisely,” Professor Kaori responds. “So what’s the best way to
approach a Red Scorpiontail?” He glances around the room.

I know the answer, but I keep my hand to myself, heeding Dain’s advice
to lay low.

“You don’t,” Rhiannon mutters next to me, and I huff a laugh under my

breath.
“They prefer that you approach from the left and from the front, if

possible,” a woman from one of the other squads answers.
“Excellent.” Professor Kaori nods. “For this Threshing, there are three

Red Scorpiontails willing to bond.” The image changes in front of us to a

different dragon.
“How many dragons are there in total?” Rhiannon asks.

“A hundred for this year,” Professor Kaori answers, changing the image

again. “But some might change their minds during Presentation in about
two months, depending on what they see.”

My stomach hits the floor. “That’s thirty-seven fewer than last year.”

Maybe even fewer if they don’t like the look of us after we have to parade
by them for their perusal two days before Threshing. Then again, there’s

usually fewer cadets after that particular event anyway.
Professor Kaori’s dark eyebrows rise. “Yes, Cadet Sorrengail, it is, and