Bloodwing Academy, #2
The Bond That Burns
by Briar Boleyn
Contents
CHAPTER 1 - MEDRA
Overview
In the aftermath of Nyxaris’s awakening, rival houses clash over ownership of the dragon and Medra. A tribunal is ordered, but Viktor asserts control, brutally testing Medra’s mind until Professor Rodriguez intervenes. Medra is confined in Drakharrow Tower, while Rodriguez reveals hints of hidden dragon history and dire stakes.
Summary
In the stunned silence after Nyxaris departs, crowds and Bloodwing’s board descend on the Dragon Court. Viktor Drakharrow immediately interrogates Medra, while Natsumi Avari asserts House Avari’s claim to the dragon. Headmaster Kim calls for order and a tribunal, but fear spreads, especially from Lord Sylvain, who demands Medra be confined.
Viktor insists the dragon belongs to its rider and the rider to House Drakharrow, pressing for control. When Medra refuses to explain, Viktor assaults her mind with thrallweave. Medra resists behind hastily raised mental defenses, bleeding from the strain, until Professor Rodriguez storms in and forces Viktor to stop. Natsumi pointedly thanks Medra, underscoring the politics at play.
Kim authorizes confinement in Drakharrow Tower. Rodriguez helps Medra away and, racing time before Summerfell empties the school, warns her about Viktor’s power, the tribunal’s delays, and the need to bluff control over Nyxaris. He hints at a suppressed dragon history—plague, lost records, and secrets Viktor might know—while refusing details for fear of torture breaching his thrallguard.
As they near the tower, Rodriguez outlines best and worst outcomes: intensified rider training versus the potential destruction of both rider and dragon to prevent civil war. Medra admits her failed bonding attempt and that Nyxaris is gone. Rodriguez urges her to hold out until the tribunal.
At the tower, Blake escorts Medra to a prepared, luxurious room that still feels like a cage. Medra rejects Blake emotionally and demands he leave. He departs, locking the door, leaving Medra imprisoned to await the tribunal and the consequences of awakening Nyxaris.
Who Appears
- Medra PendragonRider who awakened Nyxaris; resists Viktor’s thrallweave, is confined to Drakharrow Tower, and weighs political dangers.
- Viktor DrakharrowDominant highblood elder; claims Medra, launches brutal thrallweave interrogation, and secures her confinement pending tribunal.
- Professor RodriguezIntervenes to stop Viktor; helps Medra, hints at hidden dragon history, and advises survival tactics before the tribunal.
- Natsumi AvariHouse Avari regent; asserts claim to Nyxaris, backs tribunal, warns against thrallweave damage, pointedly thanks Medra.
- Headmaster KimImposes order, clears students, endorses tribunal, and approves Medra’s confinement in Drakharrow Tower.
- Lord SylvainAnxious highblood; fears Medra’s power, demands her immediate confinement while questioning delays.
- Blake DrakharrowMedra’s archon and consort; offers help but is rebuffed, escorts her to a prepared room, locks the door.
- NyxarisAwakened dragon; departs after refusing bond, his return and allegiance fueling political conflict.