Page 170 - Fourth Wing

It is a grave offense against Malek to keep the belongings of a dead

loved one. They belong in the beyond with the god of death and the
departed. In the absence of a proper temple, any fire will do. He
who does not burn for Malek will be burned by Malek.

—MAJOR RORILEE’S GUIDE TO APPEASING THE GODS,
SECOND EDITION

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

The next practice sessions of the Gauntlet are no more successful than my

first, but at least we don’t lose another squadmate. Tynan has quit running
his mouth, since he can’t seem to make it up fully, either.

The buoy balls are his downfall.

The chimney is mine.
By the ninth—and next-to-last—session, I’m ready to set the entire

obstacle course on fire. The section of the course that’s my downfall is
meant to simulate the strength and agility it takes to mount a dragon, and

it’s becoming clear that my size is going to fuck me.

“Maybe you can climb up onto my shoulders and then…” Rhiannon
shakes her head as we study the crevice that’s become my nemesis.

“Then I’m still stuck halfway up,” I answer, wiping the sweat from my
forehead.

“Doesn’t matter. You can’t touch another cadet on the route.” Sawyer

folds his arms beside me, the tip of his nose now bright red from the high
sun.

“Are you here to squash hopes and dreams, or do you have a

suggestion?” Rhiannon retorts. “Because Presentation is tomorrow, so if