by Narro, B. T.
“It looks like he’s questioning many Krepps’ loyalty.”
As Zeti and Keenu maneuvered through the crowd, she saw dead bodies scattered throughout. She recognized some of them as wall guards. In a panic, she looked for Suba, hoping not to find her. She didn’t get a chance to conclude her search before Doe called her over and pointed at the wall.
“Stand there with your back against it,” he ordered.
She obeyed, careful not to say a word until asked a question.
“When did you find out that thousands of Krepps had abandoned the army, making themselves traitors?”
Not only was Doe waiting for her answer, every nearby Krepp watched. There were hundreds of them in view. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. An onslaught of terror closed her throat, producing only one thought. I’m not prepared for this.
“Answer me!”
Zeti thought quickly. When would she have found out if Suba hadn’t told her?
“This morning,” she answered. “I heard Krepps talking about it.”
Doe’s silence made her second-guess her ability to lie. Could he tell her words weren’t true? She wondered how difficult it would be to jump over the wall and escape without being killed.
Impossible, she realized.
“Did you have any knowledge of the plan before they left?” Doe asked.
“No. I didn’t know.”
Someone in the crowd blurted, “She’s lying!”
Zeti recognized the male Krepp. He’d wanted to be her seshar, but she’d denied him. He’d pestered her, and eventually she’d insulted him in front of his friends.
“He’s just saying that because he’s angry I embarrassed him.”
“Quiet, both of you,” Doe said.
Zeti was surprised her leader wasn’t angrier. But then she saw how sluggish his movements were as he turned to check on the Krepp in the crowd who’d spoken. He’s exhausted. Zeti felt pity.
“You don’t need to worry about my loyalty, Doe,” she risked saying without being asked. “I’m no traitor. I want Slugari meat as badly as any other Krepp, and I believe the Humans in Kyrro deserve to die. They killed a close friend to me. Vantikar.”
Although the word usually meant taking revenge on those who’d wronged you, it also could mean avenging the death of a friend or family member.
“See.” Doe turned to the high-ranking Krepps behind him, nearly all of them male. “This is how a Krepp of rank should speak.”
Zeti always assumed they were jealous of the favoritism she received from Doe, and the looks on their faces proved it.
“Keenu, you’re next.” Doe pointed his black claw at the wall.
Doe asked him the same questions. Keenu answered calmly, unworried.
It wasn’t long before Doe was satisfied. He turned to his audience. “Even speaking about leaving now is punishable by death. If a Krepp comes to you and admits he’s planning to leave, you must report this or you’ll be punished severely. Tell this to every Krepp you see. Now get back to your tasks.”
The hundreds of Krepps dispersed. The encampment was even more bare than usual, for those that had gone with Haemon hadn’t returned yet.
Maybe the cowards have realized the kind of welcome that awaits them on their return. They would be mocked, though Haemon would hear none of it. Zeti found herself wondering if Doe would mock Haemon when they were alone. But her leaders didn’t tease, she realized. They scolded, yelled, ordered, but never belittled.
And they’re never happy, Zeti realized. Never content.
She wondered what Doe would be like once they finally took over the Slugari colony. Would he enjoy the victory? Was he even capable?
She found his determination inspiring. Half of Zeti’s mouth curled up in a grin when Doe called her to speak with him and Keenu.
“I’m sending you both to Tenred with a thousand Krepps. Once you get there, speak with Nebre. Get a sense of how likely those Humans are to fight beside us when we invade Kyrro again. If Kyrro doesn’t attack Tenred a week after you get there, bring the Krepps back here.”
“I’ll do that,” Keenu said. “But does this mean I’ll miss marching to Kyrro?”
“No. We’ll wait for your return. There’s still more work to be done with the Dajriks’ weapons, and we need to find out what went wrong with the army Haemon led. We might need to develop a counter to whatever strategy or weapon the Humans in Kyrro used to defeat them.”
“When should we leave?” Keenu asked.
“I’ll have a thousand Krepps ready by tomorrow morning.”
Chapter 4:
EFFIE
When Effie returned from breakfast, she was surprised to find Steffen’s door still shut, even after Cleve and Reela left on his horse.
He’s still sleeping? He’s going to miss breakfast.
Because all the students were up late into the night clearing the aftermath of the battle, breakfast hours were extended. But Steffen had been in his room for hours longer than any normal person needed to sleep.
He’d been distant the night before. While Cleve had shared some of his adventures in Greenedge and gotten to know Zoke and Vithos, everyone—despite their exhaustion—was in good spirits. Except Steffen.
Effie knew it was because of Marratrice’s death, though she didn’t know if he was sad or if it was the trauma of seeing her dead body. Cleve told Effie that he’d had to practically drag Steffen away from her.
Effie knocked on his door. “Steffen, you really should get up and eat.”
“I’m naked.”
“Well, then get dressed and come out.”
“Fine.” She heard rustling.
“I know it must be hard to lose someone close to you.”
“You can come in.”
Effie opened the door to find him sitting slouched on his bed.
“I don’t feel like eating,” he said.
“Come on, I’ll walk with you.” Effie was eager to visit Alex, but Steffen looked like he needed company.
He got to his feet and shuffled past her.
Once they were outside, he said, “Haven’t you already eaten?”
“Yes, but that’s fine.”
“I see. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
They walked in silence, Steffen looking around as if it was the first time he’d been in the Academy.
“It feels so different now,” he said in a subdued tone. “Just last night, there were bodies everywhere.”
“This might not be the best time, but I think it’s important you realize this war isn’t over—”
“I know,” Steffen interrupted.
Effie continued. “There’s going to be a lot more death. Rather than grieve those we lose, it’s best we enjoy the company of those closest to us who are still alive. Reela and I are still here, and I’m sure Gabby is safe. I expect she’ll visit soon, along with your mother.”
“You’re right.”
Although Steffen was agreeing, it was hard to know if her words were making a difference. She decided not to press the matter. Some feelings took more than words to resolve.
“The worst part about this is that I’m angry at the King, not the Krepps,” Steffen said to Effie’s surprise. It was rare to see him even frustrated. He glanced over his shoulder before continuing. “Marratrice told me she didn’t belong in a war, and now I agree. There’s probably many at the Academy who shouldn’t be on the battlefield, but just because they signed the admission contract, they’re forced to fight. And to die. She shouldn’t have been required to fight.”
“You might be right, but what’s the alternative? We can’t allow people to claim they aren’t suited for battle, giving them a choice about whether they’ll fight. Too many would’ve fled at the sight of the Krepps.”
Steffen chewed on his cheek. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Direct that anger toward our enemies. No one would need to die if Tenred had signed the treaty. And the Krepps—I can’t believe they would go to war again
st us just to get to the Slugari. They’re monsters.”
Steffen nodded.
By the time they were done eating, Effie had made him smile a few times.
He admitted that the food helped him feel better. “But there’s guilt every time I feel anything but grief, as if that’s all I should be feeling.”
“What’s there to be guilty about?”
“That I’m alive, enjoying myself.”
“There’s no reason to feel guilty about that. I’m sure Marratrice would rather you be happy than depressed. Wouldn’t you if the reverse had happened?”
“Well, I’d like her and you to mourn at least a little bit.”
Effie could tell he wasn’t joking. In fact, the statement was so brutally honest she had to laugh.
She put her hand on his shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, Steffen. We would.”
The Redfield bell chimed. As usual, Effie jumped, gritted her teeth, and let out a flood of curses by the time the second chime sounded.
“That damn thing is too loud!” she complained as they started toward the stadium in the center of campus.
But Steffen’s concerned expression made worry replace her anger in an instant.
“What’s wrong?” Effie asked.
“I was thinking what this announcement could be about, and I think I know.”
“What?”
“Before the Krepps attacked, Terren announced we would be taking the fight to Tenred. So that’s probably what this is. I think the King wanted to send his army into enemy territory but had to delay it because of the Krepps coming here.”
“Already? They can’t expect us to fight again so soon.”
Steffen shrugged. “Why not?”
Because that isn’t fair. Effie didn’t say it. That had stopped being a reason when she was twelve.
“And he’s probably going to give us the death count,” Steffen added.
Effie sighed. Steffen was right too often to doubt him.
Reela knows people; Steffen knows everything but people. What do I know? What am I good at? It frustrated her that she didn’t know the answer.
They sat along the wooden benches, waiting for everyone to find a spot. Effie saw Vithos and Zoke enter together, his dark gray skin making the Krepp stand out far more than the Elf. They’d shared Cleve’s room last night while he was in Reela’s bed.
Effie wondered if Zoke and Vithos shared the bed or if one of them slept on the floor. The thought of them in the small bed together, fighting over sheets, made her grin.
Even after all the time Zoke had spent in the Academy, he still was the subject of stares. He didn’t see Effie and Steffen, so he and Vithos sat on an empty bench.
Reela and Cleve were nowhere to be found. Effie figured they were in the stadium somewhere, which she noticed was emptier than she’d expected…a lot emptier.
How many died last night?
Terren took his spot in the center, raising his thick warrior arms to quiet everyone.
“Congratulations to everyone on our victory.” The headmaster paused to applaud, only half of the audience joining him. Effie clapped while Steffen didn’t. “Although we didn’t get to kill the Slugari that led the Kreppen Army, we did slay over eight thousand enemies before they retreated, three thousand of them killed by our forces here at the Academy. We owe our thanks to each other, our instructors, and the men and women who gave their lives fighting for Kyrro: four hundred and thirty-one of them. Their names will be engraved on the Redfield wall, and a memorial will be held when this war is over.”
Terren placed his right hand over his heart, waiting for everyone to stand and mimic him.
“Life goes on,” the headmaster boomed. “But not without the memories of those we’ve lost.” Terren let down his hand and motioned for everyone to sit. “We’ve gotten questions about visitation. We know you want to see your families and friends, but we can’t allow visitors.”
Effie heard discouraged mutterings from the crowd.
“We need your complete focus and dedication, especially during these next few days,” Terren continued. “We mustn’t forget that this war isn’t over until Tenred agrees to peace and the Krepps are defeated. So that’s the next step for us. We’ve defended our homes. Now it’s time to show Tenred how strong we really are when we tear down their enormous walls.”
Effie felt anxiety squeezing her ribs together. Steffen was right. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Tenred has been severely damaged by an explosion, and now King Welson Kimard is sending nearly his entire army through the Fjallejon Pathway to scare them into agreeing to peace. All third-years from the Academy are required to go.”
The stadium buzzed. Effie couldn’t decipher if it was from worry or excitement, so she checked the faces of those murmuring.
Worry, she concluded.
“First-year and second-year students are asked to come but aren’t required. It’s necessary that some stay behind in case the Krepps attack Kyrro before our army returns from Tenred. The remaining instructions will be explained by your instructors. Meet in your usual spot for battle training.”
Is that all? Everyone was still seated, but Terren already was walking toward the instructors, who were getting up from their seats.
It was the first time Effie had been summoned to Redfield and Terren had left her feeling worse than when she’d entered.
Another battle, but at least I’m not forced to fight. Finally students started standing and filing out.
“Are you going to fight?” Steffen asked her.
“No, are you?”
“No.”
Many had stopped outside Redfield to pose the same question after they found their friends. Effie and Steffen ran to catch up with Zoke and Vithos.
“Will you both fight?” she asked.
“Yes,” Zoke answered. “The only reason I’m here in Kyrro is to fight.”
“I fight,” Vithos added. “You not fight?”
“No,” Effie replied.
Steffen shook his head.
“Where Reela?” Vithos asked.
“I don’t know,” Effie said.
“She not there.” Vithos pointed to the stadium.
“How can you tell?” Effie asked.
“Psyche. I can sense her.”
A new worry took over. Where did Reela and Cleve go after visiting Terren?
Effie met with the other Group One mages and her instructor, Penny, in their usual classroom. When it became clear that a few students were missing, Effie realized they weren’t just late. They’d died. The thought was like a slap to her heart.
“We’re going to the Group Two classroom,” Penny announced. “I have to tell them their instructor fell in combat. After, I’ll explain the plan for Tenred.”
They followed Penny to the classroom next door.
There weren’t enough seats, so Effie and the other Group One mages stood along the walls. It was a painful sight to watch sorrow fill the faces of so many students when Penny delivered the news. A few of the girls started to cry.
Effie thought about her last instructor, Marie Fyremore, and she cried too.
“Your new instructor will be here tomorrow…for those of you who haven’t gone to Tenred,” Penny said. “I’ll remain in the Academy to train those who stay from Groups One, Two, and Three. For the third-years in the room, and anyone else thinking about going, this is what you need to know.”
Penny cleared her throat and unrolled a scroll. “I’m not as good as Terren at speeches,” she admitted with a smile. “Forgive me if I must read the rest.” Her finger found a place on the paper. “For those who didn’t know, our continent of Ovira is small in comparison to Greenedge. If we exclude Sumar to the south of us, the territories in Greenedge—Goldram, Zav, and two others—each have about the same landmass as Ovira. So although we have nearly one hundred thousand people living in Kyrro, and that number may seem like a lot, in Goldram alone there are nearly seven times that nu
mber. Our army, threateningly large at twenty-five thousand, is actually barely formidable compared to the one hundred thousand in Goldram.
“Considering those numbers, each person’s ability to fight is worth that much more here in this war. Think about that when you’re deciding whether you should attack Tenred or stay here. The chance of the Krepps coming while our army’s away is extremely slim. The Krepps that were here last night are still retreating back to their encampment, and it’ll be about ten more days before they reach it. So while we need some people here just in case, we’re expecting half of the first- and second-year students to volunteer. Each of you is important; four times more important than any one person in Goldram’s army.”
Penny looked to have finished. She glanced around the classroom with a grin, as if expecting something. Then she muttered, “I spend half the night writing this thing and I don’t even get one clap? I don’t know how Terren does it.”
Effie and the others applauded meagerly.
Her instructor blushed. “Anyway,” she said, “make your decision tonight. Those marching to Tenred will meet by the northern gate after breakfast. You’ll be led by the commander of the King’s Guard, Hem Baom.”
Effie nearly jumped as she heard the name of Alex’s brother. If Hem’s going, Alex will too.
“The purpose of this attack isn’t to kill everyone in the Tenred Army,” Penny continued, “but to push them back deep into their territory while we take down their walls. Once their walls are no longer protecting them, they should agree to peace.”
Penny made it sound so simple that Effie was tempted to change her mind.
One student asked, “How will the walls be destroyed?”
“They already were heavily damaged during the explosion. I believe the King has siege weapons, but I don’t know specifics. However, I was told that as long as the Krepps don’t come to defend Tenred, it should be an easy victory.”
Chapter 5:
EFFIE
The rest of Effie’s time with Penny and the other mages was spent discussing the battle strategy for Tenred. Effie didn’t pay much attention after she’d definitely decided she wasn’t going. She was more worried about Alex. Being a warrior, he could be part of the front line.
