Prisoners of Sol - Girret Storm Riders (3/11)

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The Storm Riders hadn’t been the advertised, noble heroes, but there was one gift that I could enjoy in their ranks: something I’d longed for with all of my heart that made me inclined to stay. Unless I was Tunia, who I had been outside this perimeter and who I was related to no longer mattered. Test Sergeant Pyed took note of my work ethic, as I often rushed off to the gym after grueling training, when most other recruits were collapsing. My goal became to go above and beyond, to push my body past its limits, so he’d take notice.

Narol and I had survived every round of cuts approaching the end of training, and his association with me seemed to have worked out almost as well as Tunia; my internal reputation as a promising recruit must’ve extended somewhat to my choice of friends, since we were often seen together. In spite of our divergent ambitions, we wound up being an excellent team. He wasn’t a coward, which earned some of my grudging respect. He was willing to get himself dirty, slithering through pits of spiked mud on one day and swimming through terrifying currents the next.

Bunking with the savvy Girret, the two of us discussed going to the annual Jousts with family—a childhood tale we both had in common. Seeing the contestants fall from high and somehow get up, hearing the roar of the crowd; every youngster in the audience had wanted to be them one day, though it took a natural aptitude for fighting. Narol still had his action figures of the most popular athletes growing up, including our mutual favorite, Sistke. The mobility to snap his body like a cord, and dislodge rivals faster than a spectator’s blink!

Not even the Storm Riders have such reflexes, that it’s over before you can react. That readiness, responding in an instant on instinct alone: that can’t be trained. I try not to hesitate to perform my duties, since a moment’s pause can be costly. Sistke taught that, and it’s a lesson in poise that every Girret should know.

“And that’s the tale of Teensy-Tailed Troal and the Magic Sandrug,” Narol finished narrating over the phone. He often used our downtime to call home and speak with his family, telling fairy tale stories every night to his sister’s son, now that the little one was old enough to understand. “Uncle Narol’s favorite story. You didn’t hear it from me, but the sandrug is a lot like the Storm Riders sailing dunes in storms. When you grow up, maybe you could do that too!”

That cheerful proclamation caught me off-guard, as I found myself wondering if my bunkmate had once admired the Storm Rider’s grandeur for the ideal that he’d long become jaded to. Narol enjoyed his relatives admiring him, and being the pride of his family; he spoke nothing of his true wishes to skate by. Still, hearing the genuine reverence in his tone, I couldn’t help but think he once wanted to be a hero in and of itself. I wondered what’d dissuaded him to the idea, or if it was really as simple as understanding the permanence of death.

I flitted my tongue, as he extended the phone briefly to me. “Uncle Redge believes in you. You’re gonna make a name for yourself, kid; you’ve got Narol’s blood in your veins. And his sister, who’s probably far more handsome.”

“Uncle Redge better choose who to flatter with more care, or he might lose the title of uncle,” Narol hissed snidely.

“That’s fine by me. The only title I need, by the end of today, is Storm Rider.” I’d buttered up both Tunia and Pyed, though I was a little more subtle and indirect with the latter. If I was still here after the announcement came, I’d be officially inducted in the organization’s ranks—I could finally see action and make a name for myself in the outside world! I could bring back Bneria’s glory. “Who knows. Maybe we’ll get to visit your sister during the storms. We’re gonna see the world.”

“That’s right!” Narol latched onto that statement with a grateful hiss. “Over every corner of Doros we slither! It’ll be quite the adventure—but don’t worry, I’ll be safe just like I promised. We’re trained to be tougher than anyone. Your brother made it all the way; I told you I could!”

His sister, Bria, chuckled. “Oh, you’ve made us all so proud. Our parents talk about you all the time, with the most wholeheartedly endorsements and joy. You’ll have to tell me all about the ceremony tomorrow. I know you’ll make it.”

Tunia eavesdropping, gave Narol and I a shrewd glance. “Not that Narol needs the help, but him and Redge have been invaluable and selfless squadmates. True embodiments of what a Storm Rider or just an honorable Girret should be. I put in a good word back on holidays to some high-ranking family friends, and I always gush to my parents about the two hardest workers on the team. Everyone has to know they’d be fools not to admit these two.”

“I couldn’t have done anything without…” I started to say Narol, before giving my warmest hiss. “Both of you! The bonds we’ve made here will last a lifetime. I don’t have much of a family—I don’t have any, as far as I’m concerned—so you are that to me. Thank you.”

Bria gave off a sympathetic rattle. “Redge, you’ll always be welcome with us on holidays. Narol adores you like a brother. Anyway, the little one is sleeping now, so I think I’ll get off the line before I wake him. Your announcement should be coming soon anyway. I love you, brother!”

“Love you too,” Narol responded with sincerity, wistfulness in his eyes as he lowered the phone. “Well, I hear some slithersteps coming toward us, Redge. That must be Pyed telling us the names are posted. Should we go see the list of inductees?”

I bobbed my head in agreement, as a desperate fire settled into my chest. I’d done everything I possibly could to ensure I got in with the right people and passed training with flying colors. It was unimaginable what I’d do if I’d been dropped right before the finish line. Nerves tingled in the length of my body, and I flexed my sealed arms in their pockets with twitchy dread. This was the biggest moment of my life, the time where I’d see if the years of trials and tribulations had been worth it. 

Will I get to actualize the dream I had when I set out into the desert, and chose to devote my life to this calling? This is the opportunity to prove myself, for glory, for honor, for redemption. I need to be a Storm Rider like an inhabited desert needs an oasis?

I let Narol inch up to the paper that’d been posted by the front desk, as he was the first to scan the names. My anxiety was too high for me to look; it was more frightening than the first time plummeting off of a megastructure. My bunkmate turned back toward me with a neutral expression, and my heart rate accelerated to a calamitous rush. He couldn’t conceal his delight any longer, winding his upper body around my neck for a gleeful hug. 

“Is it true?” I stood frozen in disbelief, daring to hope that the day I’d longed for had come: that I’d proven myself to be strong enough to earn Girret society’s respect. “Did we make it?”

Narol’s hiss was exuberant and affirmative. “Yes! Brother, you and I are both Storm Riders as of today. When the storm cycle arrives in a few weeks time, it’s us who will be called! Real missions! We did it! I can’t wait to tell everyone.”

I returned the hug, rattling with pure excitement. “Yes! I…I can’t wait to show everyone. Doros is going to know exactly who Redge is.”

My heart was sailing on the most graceful winds upon surviving—completing Storm Riders’ training and getting the acceptance of more than just my bunkmates. The sense of belonging and endorsement of who I was meant so much to me, regardless of how it had been shaped. I had changed and learned to play the game, and I thought that would help me to have practical wisdom out in the fields. Where I could leave politics behind, however, I had every confidence my deeds would speak for themselves.

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A/N - 3! We see the trials Redge and Narol have been through together, growing close, and how Narol often calls home to his family and is their pride and joy. With training complete, the final cut that’ll make the Storm Riders is revealed: Redge and Narol both get in. Will our narrator be able to make a name for himself, now that he’s going on real missions? What will his Storm Rider deployment be like…and will Narol share his passion?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!