Page 68 - Fourth Wing

protesting that it was supposed to be my quadrant. Lingering on what could

have been isn’t going to help me survive to see tomorrow’s sunrise.
There’s a mutter of agreement from the senior cadets ahead of us. As

first-years, we’re in the back two rows of the little square that makes up

Second Squad.
“First-years, at least one of you should have memorized your academic

schedule when it was handed out yesterday.” Dain’s voice booms over us,

and it’s hard to reconcile this stern-faced, serious leader with the funny,
grinning guy I’ve always known. “Stick together. I expect you all to be

alive when we meet this afternoon in the sparring gym.”

Fuck, I’d almost forgotten that we’re sparring today. We only have the
gym twice a week, so as long as I can get through today’s session

unscathed, I’m in the clear for another couple of days. At least I have some
time to get my feet under me before we’ll have to handle the Gauntlet—the

terrifying vertical obstacle course they told us we’ll have to master when

the leaves turn colors in two months.
If we can complete the final Gauntlet, we’ll walk through the natural box

canyon above it that leads to the flight field for Presentation, where this
year’s dragons willing to bond will get their first look at the remaining

cadets. Two days after that, Threshing will occur in the valley beneath the

citadel.
I glance around at my new squadmates and can’t help but wonder which

of us, if any, will make it to that flight field, let alone that valley.

Don’t borrow tomorrow’s trouble.
“And if we’re not?” the smart-ass first-year behind me asks.

I don’t bother looking, but Rhiannon does, rolling her eyes as she turns

back forward.
“Then I won’t have to be concerned with learning your name, since it will

be read off tomorrow morning,” Dain answers with a shrug.
A second-year ahead of me snorts a laugh, the movement jangling two