Page 432 - Fourth Wing

captured professors rank somewhere in the middle.”

“But they like to switch it up,” Dain adds. “The same way we could be
going for a real objective on the line only to discover it’s not as valuable as

we thought.”

“So how is this both offense and defense?” Rhiannon asks. “If they have
the egg, then clearly we should go get the egg.”

“Because we’ve also been given a flag to defend and no outpost to do it

in.” He grins. “And our squad has been assigned to carry it.”
“You gave Dain the mission to defend Fourth Wing’s flag?”

“I’m hoping he learned something from your sister’s lesson at

Montserrat,” Xaden replies, but his voice is quieter, which I’m starting to
learn means he’s farther away. I can’t help but wonder if we’ll have the

ability to communicate this way in a few months when more distance
separates us.

My chest aches at the thought that he won’t be here. He’ll be risking his

life on the front lines.
“And who is going to carry this flag?” Imogen asks.

Dain somehow manages to smile even wider. “That’s going to be the fun
part.”

Over the next twenty minutes, we’re drilled in strategy during the walk

over to the flight field, and from the sound of it, Dain was paying attention
to Mira.

The plan is simple: play to our individual strengths and pass the flag

often, never giving First Wing a chance to spot who is carrying it.
When we get to the flight field, there are dozens upon dozens of dragons

filling the muddy field, all positioned as though they had formation in their

squads, too. It’s easy to spot Tairn, seeing as his head rises above all others.
There’s a palpable air of anticipation as we walk by the other squads, all

mounting as the squad and section leaders give out last-minute orders.
“We’re going to win,” Rhiannon says with confidence, linking her arm