Recent content by Khaato Khusakhane

Khaato didn’t quite catch the argument between the senior riders, but his heart leaped into his throat when he heard the sun dragon rider’s name associated with his own. He breathed a sigh of relief when the nobleman decided to continue squabbling with a fellow cadet instead. Of course, nothing...

Outer City That damned red dragon wouldn’t leave Khaato alone for a second, even when the eclipse seemed to have nearly severed their bond. The dual eclipse was the only way Khaato could escape; he slipped away as the giant hunted. Otherwise, Argoroth always found him, always tracked him...

Khaato’s seat atop the red dragon may have distanced him from the other riders—so much so that it was difficult to discern their faces from his vantage point—but he couldn’t shake the weight of a scornful gaze falling upon him. He glanced at the Solherre before turning his head away. Argoroth...

Khaato wouldn’t have been able to dismount to speak face-to-face with anyone even if he wanted to. Even with his dragon lying down, it felt like climbing up a small hill. The red dragon’s fiery eyes glanced at the moon dragon but otherwise paid her no mind. Khaato gave a sheepish wave toward...

It was six months into a veritable imprisonment. Six months Khaato suffered at the claws of perhaps the most wicked creature he had the misfortune of meeting. In his naivety, he thought a dragon would bring him the glory, power, and respect that would lift his family out of poverty. He imagined...

Khaato looked back outside, pursed his lips, then glanced back at the feathered dragon. It ruffled its dusty brown and black feathers as it chirped. The boy narrowed his eyes at the creature, wondering if it was going to wait for a straggler to pick off. It wasn't nearly as threatening as the...

Khaato looked at Zali, dumbstruck, and blinked. In his terror and confusion, the boy completely forgot the sting of his cut. That wasn't going to kill him immediately. The dragon, however, was. He yelped as Tuon abruptly dragged him to his feet. It was enough to spur him to action, and that...

Khaato's heart stopped the instant he realized he wasn't alone in the skull. He flinched at Zali's sudden noise, but remained firmly out of open view. Not that it would've helped since their position was given away a little loudly. And the woman standing outside was scolding them. Khaato didn't...

Khaato ventured out of his earlier hiding spot after what seemed like an age, but it wasn't long before he came across the carnage. Bloodied, mutilated corpses—or even groups of them—appeared on his path many times. He grimaced as he stepped over and around them, trying to resist the urge to...

Seeing the volcanos belching ash and lava and the contestants gathering around him, many of whom were seasoned warriors or cutthroat criminals, the realization that Khaato likely signed up to sprint into his own death quickly sank in. Thanasis sometimes sent riders out to the villages under its...