Page 398 - Fourth Wing

avoiding him in general. Funny how much can change in such a short time.

We join the others, and Major Quade gives us the grand tour of the
outpost. My stomach growls, but I ignore it, taking in the hectic energy of

the base.

The fortress is basically four massive walls, filled with barracks and
various chambers with turrets on each corner and a large, arched entrance

that boasts a spiked portcullis that looks ready to drop at any second. On

one end of the courtyard, there’s a stable with a blacksmith and armory for
the company of infantry stationed here, and on the other is the dining hall.

“As you can see,” Major Quade tells us as we stand in the middle of the

muddy courtyard, “we’re built for siege. In the event of attack, we can feed
and house everyone within for an adequate amount of time.”

Adequate? Ridoc mouths, lifting his brows.
I press my lips together to keep from laughing, and Dain gives him a look

that promises retribution from where he stands beside me. My smile falls

away.
“As one of the eastern outposts, we have a full twelve riders stationed

here. Three are out on patrol now, three wait, standing by in case they’re
needed, and the other six are in various stages of rest,” Quade continues.

“What is that look for?” Dain whispers.

“What look?” I ask as the distinct roar of a dragon echoes off the stone
walls.

“That should be one of our patrols returning now,” Quade says, smiling

like he wants to mean it but can’t quite find the energy.
“The one where someone just sucked the joy out of your world,” Dain

responds, bending his head slightly and keeping his voice low enough that

only I can hear him.
I could lie to him, but that would make our semi-truce even more

awkward. “I was just remembering the guy I used to climb trees with, that’s
all.”