Page 518 - Fourth Wing

“Good morning, huh?”

Dain looks at Rhiannon like she’s drunk too much mead as he approaches
the squad. “Not really, no.” He glances over the rest of us. “I know it’s

early…or late, depending on your night, but we’ve spent all year training

for this, so wake the hell up.” He turns to face the dais as Panchek takes the
podium.

“Thanks,” I whisper to Rhiannon as she stands back at my side. I’m not

up for listening to Dain lecture me about my choices. Not tonight.
“Riders Quadrant!” Panchek shouts, his voice carrying across the

courtyard. “Welcome to the last event of this year’s War Games.”

A murmur rips through the formation.
“The alert that was sounded is similar to what it would have been if this

were a real-life attack—to see how fast you would muster—and we will
continue this exercise as if it is. Were the borders to be simultaneously

attacked, and the wards faltering, you would all be called into service to

reinforce the wings. Colonel Aetos, would you do us the honor of reading
the scenario?”

Dain’s dad steps forward, scroll in hand, and begins to read. “The
moment we’ve dreaded has arrived. The wards we’ve dedicated our lives to

upholding are falling, and there has been an unprecedented, multilevel

attack along our borders, putting villages under siege from drifts of gryphon
riders. Mass casualties among civilians and infantry are already being

reported, as are the deaths of multiple riders.”

He’s laying on the melodrama pretty thick.
“As we would if you were a battle-ready force, we are sending your

wings in every direction,” he continues, focusing on each wing until coming

to ours. “Fourth Wing to the southeast. Each squad will pick which outpost
they will reinforce within that region.” He holds up a finger. “Choices are

first come, first served. Wingleaders, however, will be assigned to theirs for
the purposes of determining a headquarters for this exercise.”