No matter how hard I tried to focus elsewhere, my thoughts always returned to the ceremony.
A dragon. An enormous dragon. A dragon capable of deciding whether I was worthy. Wonderful.
By evening, old memories had begun surfacing. Memories of my father. Memories of constantly being judged. Memories of learning that weakness attracted criticism.
I had spent years hiding fear behind perfect manners and polite smiles. Tomorrow would be no different and I refused to let anyone see me break.
The following morning arrived far too quickly.
By noon, thousands of people had gathered throughout Dragonspire.
Citizens filled balconies, courtyards, towers and bridges. The entire fortress seemed determined to witness the ceremony.
I stood on an elevated stone platform overlooking the central court
