Chapter 3 - Tests
James woke up with a pounding headache, but otherwise he was in a chipper mood. Eager to begin the day, he was about to rush off and look for the cafeteria when he nearly bumped into a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage, sitting on the book case next to the bed. Where did that come from? James wondered as he sniffed it suspiciously. He decided that he hadn’t made any enemies yet, and so he proceeded to wolf down the plate’s contents.
As he ate, James looked around the room, realizing that he must’ve slept hard. The fire had long gone out of the fireplace so it was cold now, and not even one ember was left glowing in its stead. James quickly gobbled up the breakfast, warming his stomach and satisfying his appetite as he dwelled on the previous night’s game.
The nerve of that girl, he thought. Didn’t even want my name.
James shook his head and chuckled as he thought of Leidy and how aggressive she could be. She and Catherine were so similar in attitude that they would probably be the best of friends.
Two Leidys, he chuckled to himself. That’s a scary thought…but at least Catherine smells nice. And she’s a lot cuter. Of course, you can barely see what Leidy really looks like through the grime.
As he quickly put on his shoes, James made a note to one day throw Leidy into a river so he could see her true features. Arimus suddenly burst into the room, interrupting his thoughts. James jumped in surprise and stood at attention to his superior.
“Right on time, I see,” Arimus said, examining the empty breakfast plate. “If you were still sleeping when I arrived, I was going to throw you into the swamp.”
“The way I smell, that might have been a good thing.”
“Indeed…” Arimus replied, raising an eyebrow. “Come along.”
James followed nervously as he listened for signs of life coming from the west wing. Was what happened last night just a dream? On cue, the throbbing in his head started back up and reminded him it wasn’t. Arimus opened the massive oak doors to the courtyard while he hummed a tune. James shivered, remembering he left his coat behind in his quarters.
“Arimus? Can I go get my coat? I left it on the bed.”
“No you cannot. One thing you will learn here is that preparation is an obligation, not a privilege. If you are not ready for what’s to come, you must face it as is.”
“But I’m cold.”
“Then the memory of your frostbitten bones will serve as a reminder for the future.”
“Fine,” James sulked as he and Arimus crossed their arms for entirely different reasons. James was already thinking of his warm bed back home. He wouldn’t be up yet, but in several more hours, he, Jennings, and Korey would be heading over to the meadow for sparring practice. Or they would be seeing what Leidy was up to. It felt like years ago, but it had literally only been yesterday.
“Now, we will begin our first test,” Arimus said, grabbing James’ attention.
James sighed loudly in anticipation. This was it. This was where he was to test his mettle. Arimus began explaining the test as if his voice was on automatic. No doubt he had said these words countless times to new, doe-eyed students.
“The first test is of loyalty, James. As you know, a Kingdom divided cannot stand. Like a plague, one infected person can cause a ripple effect on others, creating an epidemic of the soul. No man lives their life without affecting countless others before and after him. And no matter what you believe, this is a fact. When we are born, we immediately inherit a family we did not choose, and a life we have no control over. However, as we grow, we make decisions that have a profound effect on everyone we meet. You are probably wondering what the point of this lecture is. The point is that a group, no matter how massive, is only as strong as its weakest member. If a group is in sync, all with one goal, and one purpose—that unit will be very powerful indeed. But the smallest dissent can cause a fissure that will weaken the group, and inevitably lead to their destruction.”
“So if someone had different motives separate from the common goal…”
“Precisely. This is nothing you didn’t already know, I’m sure. However, it is good to remind you of such things throughout your tests and your future training. In our code, the first rule is that loyalty is everything. Everything, James. You must ground that into your very bones. Loyalty. With every breath you take, loyalty must be there. With every thought—remember that you are not your own. Do you understand what I am saying?”
“Yes.”
“Good…now…I will ask you for formalities sake, and I will ask you only once. Do you belong to another Kingdom?”
“What?” James asked in confusion. What kind of a question was that? Of course he was of Allay. Perhaps he didn’t hear him right.
“Liars hesitate, James—to come up with tall tales,” Arimus placed a firm hand on the hilt of his blade, resting just underneath his cloak. It was the first time James had noticed anyone carrying a sword. Had it been there last night too? No, he thought. It doesn’t matter. James figured he’d better answer, and quickly, for if Arimus wanted him dead, he soon would be.
“I’m not, Arimus! I’m not!” James cried, waving his hands frantically at Arimus’s grip on the hilt of his sword. Arimus did not relax his hold.
“How do I know you’re not lying?”
“I—I don’t know. I just—my father was born here, and I was born here, and—”
“—what of your mother?”
“My mother? She was born elsewhere, but that’s just what my father’s told me. I don’t actually know if it’s true!”
“Which Kingdom, James?”
“I don’t know! He’s never told me more than that!”
Arimus studied him carefully as James felt his own pulse racing, to the point it felt like the veins in his forehead were about to burst. James’ mind told him to strike at Arimus—maybe catch him off guard and run away before he was killed, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. He had never seen Arimus in action, but his very aura radiated danger. He was calm, but he was also like the quiet kid in school that no one messed with. Sure, he looked harmless, but like everyone else, he too had a past behind that cold glare. Such a look did not come without experience.
James shuddered, hoping Arimus would arrive at the right conclusion. He knew he wasn’t guilty, but he was sure he looked the part. The sweat and the shaking probably weren’t helping.
“Okay, James. Calm down. I believe you,” Arimus stated finally. James noticed he still hadn’t relaxed his grip.
“What does it matter if my mother was from another Kingdom or not?”
“Nothing in and of itself. I have no prejudices, but people tend to have a strong sense of culture and family. Someone could be traveling with a person they hate for years. All of a sudden they find out they’re cousins and they become best friends, or they suddenly feel protective of one another. Should we meet your mother’s kin, the fact that they are related to you by blood should have no bearing on the fact that they may be our enemy. I expect you to do your duty and follow orders if the occasion arises. I’ve seen many give up their allegiances in the name of blood.”
“Did that ever happen to you?”
“You really have no tact when it comes to personal questions, do you?” Arimus replied. James decided he wasn’t going to ask another question after that. He also realized that Arimus wasn’t going to answer the question. Arimus merely sighed upon seeing James’ disappointment and continued. “To answer your question, no, it didn’t happen to me personally.”
“Oh.”
“So now that that’s out of the way, this first test can continue.”
“I thought that was the test.”
“James, I believe your words, but that doesn’t mean you’re not lying. We must know for sure.”
“I’m not lying.”
“I know,” Arimus said matter-of-factly. James threw up his hands incredulously.
“Then why do we need to test my loyalties further?”
“James, don’t be so defensive. If you have nothing to hide, then relax. The fact of the matter is, we don’t know who you are. It would be different if we’d served together side by side for years and suddenly I questioned you. Your wounded emotions would be warranted.”
“I guess so.”
“Now,” Arimus began, raising a hand toward the Academy entrance.” I would like to introduce to you one of the generals in the highest division—”
“—like Kyran?”
“Yes, like Kyran. General—”
“—what rank?”
“What do you mean rank?”
James eyed Arimus oddly. Did Catherine lie to him last night about the ranks? Otherwise, how could Arimus look at him with such confusion?
“You know, rank,” James stressed, as if that explained everything.
“Oh yes, rank. General of the 8th class,” he spat out as if he were making it up. “General—”
“—do you even know?”
A roaring cry of frustration echoed throughout the courtyard from the Academy entrance as the oak doors slammed open and a short but menacing-looking woman stormed toward them like they were about to engage in battle. Her violent red-purple hair swung in the wind as if it was a whip, swatting at the air like there was a swarm of gnats present. Her thin scarlet breastplate had the symbol of an orange-red flame, and her sword’s sheath glistened despite the lack of sunlight. But besides some steel knee pads and forearm gauntlets, it didn’t look like she had any other armor on, and from how furious she looked, James could only imagine why she didn’t need it.
“Who’s this lady?” James asked abruptly. She immediately thrust her nose into his.
“My name is Scarlet, okay? Scarlet: scar—let, with a scar in there. Got it? GOT IT!?” Spit sprayed in James’ face and he tried to decide whether to wipe it away or not. He raised a hand to do so but he quickly let it back down out of fear.
This lady is nuts, his mind blared.
Scarlet lifted her head back toward the sky and screamed again in frustration. Arimus struggled not to smile.
“What’s so funny, Arimus?” she demanded, turning to face him. He smiled warmly.
“It was just cute the way you stormed out here, all—”
Scarlet smacked him across the cheek and then immediately put her hands to her hips. She was about to say something when she suddenly changed her mind and slapped him again even harder. She huffed and puffed as Arimus cupped his mouth.
“I told you! I told you not to call me cute! You never learn! I don’t care who you are, you still have to respect me! Think about it—you’re standing here calling me cute in front of a recruit! How is he going to respect me!”
“You didn’t have to slap me twice,” Arimus stated calmly. “One was sufficient.”
“Two for flinching!” she retorted.
James gulped as she shook her head in amazement and began calming herself down, muttering little prayers to herself. Arimus almost let a grin slip but Scarlet had already raised a hand in anticipation. Arimus cleared his throat and patted Scarlet on the shoulder lightly.
“This is General Scarlet, James. Although you can address her as Scarlet the same way you would address me or Kyran. She is here to continue the first test. I also apologize,” Arimus stressed as he glanced at Scarlet’s turned back out of the corner of his eye, “for not introducing her properly. She is your superior after all, and she deserves all aspects of the word: respect. She does get fired up when you mention the forbidden word which you now know, but otherwise she is a well-tempered, level-headed individual.”
“Thank you, Arimus,” she said. James realized she wasn’t so evil-looking when she was calmed down.
“You’re James, right?” she asked him. James wasn’t sure what to say.
“Correct.”
“Now this is nothing out of the ordinary. I just have an innate ability to sense if someone is from another Kingdom.”
“Oh.” Nothing out of the ordinary she says…
“Just relax,” she whispered as she placed a hand on his forehead. James didn’t know what to expect, whether there was going to be some pain involved or if she was reading his thoughts, which was the last thing he wanted since he was trying not to think about how lovely her hair smelled. He knew calling her cute was heresy. What other offenses were there?
“He’s clean,” she said matter-of-factly before backing away. “Well, not in every sense of the word.” Scarlet wrinkled her nose.
“Thank you, Scarlet. James, you’re free to go for the day.”
“That was it? Seriously?”
Arimus chuckled.
“I know what you’re thinking, but believe me, this was as serious a test as any other. If you were from another Kingdom, I would have killed you seconds ago.”
“Besides,” Scarlet chipped in. “This test is nothing. All it determines is where you come from. The second test won’t let you down, rest assured.”
“I’m ecstatic.”
“Okay, well since my job is done, I’m off…Arimus—always a pleasure. Make sure you see me by the end of the day.” And with her message sent, Scarlet jogged through the courtyard gates rather than the Academy doors.
“Why is she going that way?” James asked. “Wouldn’t it be easier to go through the main building?”
“We all do it. Not only is it great exercise, but occasionally you come across a stray beast from the forest which makes the walk even more exhilarating.”
“Naturally.”
“James, I want to also let you know that your solitude is now over, though I heard you cut it short anyways.”
James gulped. Was there a reprimand for that?
“You heard about that, huh?”
“Yes, Catherine told me.”
“Oh. So she knows who I am?”
“Not exactly. She just said there was a new recruit that talked too much and he had a gigantic bump on the back of his head. She also added that you were quite ugly.”
“I didn’t know the bump was that visible,” James muttered, trying to ignore the last insult.
“I assumed it wasn’t your brain expanding from a wealth of newfound knowledge.”
“Did she say anything else?”
“She said she’ll see you tonight in the east wing where your new room is. The east wing is where the cafeteria and the dorms can also be found.”
“So that means she wants to see me.”
“Sure,” Arimus said flatly. “But don’t get too attached to Catherine. Relationships are strictly prohibited in the Academy. They’re too distracting from the task at hand. If you wanted love, you should have stayed with the commoners.”
“So you and Scarlet…”
“No,” he stated very firmly. “We entered the Academy together long ago. We’re old friends—which explains our banter. But that’s all.”
“It looked like it could be more than that.”
Arimus scowled.
“Run along. You don’t want to miss lunch. The cafeteria is on a tight schedule.”
“Why didn’t you say so?!” James exclaimed as his stomach roared. He ran quickly through the Academy entrance, oblivious to the thoughtful stare Arimus gave him.
The Last of the Sages (Sage Saga, Book 1) Page 4
