Behind him, he heard Jones say, "Good job, Sweeton."
He turned, "Thank you, sir."
Jones turned to Eldrin, "As for you..."
Eldrin closed his eyes briefly, his jaw flexing. Then he met Jones' gaze, "Yes sir?"
"That was good thinking," Jones admitted, "Keep up with that kind of attitude and we might just make an officer out of you yet. Now, where's Malevus?"
For a moment, Sean didn't think Eldrin would be able to speak. He looked too shocked at the compliment. Then he cleared his throat and said, "I'm not sure, sir."
Jones looked over at Janice.
"I'm not sure either," she told him.
"And you, Sweeton?" Jones asked.
Sean shook his head, "No, sorry, sir."
"The four of you are often together," Jones said, "I can tell you don't always like each other, but you're still always together, and you're telling me the three of you don't know where Malevus is."
None of them spoke.
"I don't believe any of you," Jones said, "But there's a good show of camaraderie right there. Is she with her girlfriend? I bet she is. I'm going to give you ten minutes. If you aren't back with Malevus by the end of them, you're going to be doing extra laps with her."
Janice unlocked the door to her shared room and Eldrin quickly opened it, stepping inside. He let out a groan when he saw Penny and Matilyn tangled up together, "Really?"
Matilyn pulled a sheet over them, "Eldrin!"
"What?" Eldrin asked, "You're supposed to be training right now, Mattie. Gods!"
"Let's... wait in the hall," Janice suggested to Sean. He nodded his agreement and the two of them ducked back out.
Matilyn glared at Eldrin, "I'm skipping this morning."
"No, you're not," Eldrin said, "Jones sent us to get you specifically." He stepped forward and picked her shirt up off the floor. He tossed it to her, and said, "Come on now. Quickly. He only gave us ten minutes."
"Sorry," Penny said, not looking at all remorseful, "It's my fault. I distracted her."
"I don't care what Jones says this morning," Matilyn said, though she yanked the shirt on over her head.
"I do," Eldrin said, "Remember, he's upset enough with us. Get up, come on, let's go. Hop to it." He clapped his hands a few times.
"Mature," Penny said dryly.
"Eldrin, wait outside. I'm not wearing pants," Matilyn said, blushing a little.
Eldrin sighed and ducked back out to wait with Sean and Janice.
"I guess that's my cue to get going," Matilyn said to Penny. She leaned in to kiss her once more, "Though I'd rather stay here with you."
"And I'd rather you stay too," Penny said.
Eldrin rapped against the door, "Hurry up," he called from outside.
Matilyn groaned. She slipped out of bed and grabbed her pants, quickly pulling them on. She pulled on her boots next and then let out another groan "Okay," she said, "I'll see you this afternoon." She leaned in for one more kiss.
"Oh for the love of the Gods," Eldrin said from outside the room, "Hurry it up. There's time to kiss later."
"You're impatient this morning," Matilyn said as she joined the three of them outside the room.
"Jones complimented him," Janice said, "He doesn't want to risk his newfound popularity with teacher by failing in his task. We were told to get you and get back, quick as we could. He didn't believe the three of us didn't know where you were."
Matilyn blushed again, "Sorry," she muttered.
"It's fine," Janice said. "I probably would've taken the advantage of some alone time as well. If it were me, you know. I mean, not that it would be me. I didn't mean if it were you and me, or me and Penny. I just meant..."
"I know what you mean," Matilyn assured her. Eldrin laughed from beside them.
Sean suppressed a smile, "Come on," he said, "Let's run."
Together they took off in a brisk jog towards the field they trained on. Matilyn glanced at Janice's uniform, "What's with the blood?"
"Training hazard," Janice said vaguely.
Eldrin laughed.
Matilyn stared at the pair of them, confused. She looked over at Sean. He gave her a small smile and shrugged a shoulder at her. She shook her head and continued to run.
When they reached the field, Jones barked out, "Finally. It's been twenty two minutes. Fall into formation. Now."
The four of them quickly joined the others.
"Malevus," Jones said, "You've held us up today. Do you have a good excuse, or should I just assume you were fucking around?
Eldrin laughed.
Jones and Matilyn both glared at him.
"Sorry," he muttered.
"No, sir, I don't have a good excuse," Matilyn said, "I'm sorry, sir."
"You should be," Jones said, "I threatened to make these three run laps with you for your tardiness but we've got other, more important things to discuss and you've already held us up. We're going to be working with weaponry today, but that's only the beginning."
He paused, "You're getting deployed."
"What?" Matilyn frowned. She glanced up and down the row of soldiers. She wasn't the only one who'd spoken up.
"You're getting deployed," Jones repeated, "A week from today. The king wants to see soldiers out in the field, and in particular, he wants to see Priests out in the field. So you're getting deployed far too soon."
"Well, I don't know about too soon," Eldrin said from beside Matilyn.
"What was that, Sheldon?" Jones barked.
"Nothing sir," Eldrin said.
"No, speak," Jones said, stepping up to him.
"Nothing sir," Eldrin said again.
"Speak," Jones demanded.
"I just think you're underestimating us, sir. We're in better shape than we've been in our entire lives. We've been training nonstop for weeks. I think it's a little unfair to say it's too soon for us to deploy."
"You think you're ready?" Jones asked.
Eldrin nodded.
Jones brought out a fist and suddenly punched Eldrin in the gut. He let out an oof, and doubled over in pain. Matilyn started to step forward but Janice grabbed her arm and yanked her back, "Don't make it worse on him," she whispered.
Jones shot another fist into Eldrin's stomach. He let out another cry, going to his knees. Jones slammed a knee up into his jaw, dislocating it. Eldrin fell the ground, crying out in pain. Jones kicked his side.
Everyone stared silently at them.
When Jones was finished, he looked back ate the others, breathing deeply. "None of you are ready," he said, "None of you are prepared for what's going to happen out there. Most of you, and most of the troops you'll be leading will die. You'll be killed on the field, and that's partly because you're being sent out far too soon."
"But there's no choice," Jones said, "This is what the King has commanded, and so it shall be done. But don't pretend for a second that a few weeks of running around and doing pushups and training drills makes you a good soldier. None of you are good soldiers."
He looked over at Matilyn, "Get Sheldon up on his feet and out of my face. You're dismissed. I want to see everyone back here after lunch, and this time, I don't want anyone else showing up late."
Matilyn took a deep breath and stepped forward. Before she could start speaking, Sean grabbed her arm.
"Wait," he whispered.
"What?" Matilyn turned to face him as Jones walked away.
"I know what you're thinking," Sean said.
"How can you know that?" Matilyn demanded.
"You're going to tell Jones that you're transferring squadrons," Sean said, "You're going to switch to one that uses just weaponry instead of manipulation. Sound right?"
"How can you know that?" Matilyn asked.
Sean shook his head, "If you do it," he said, "She's going to die, Matilyn."
'What do you mean?" Matilyn asked.
"I mean," Sean said, "If you switch squadrons and Penelope deploys with you, she's going to be killed. I drea
mt it."
For a moment, Matilyn couldn't think of anything to say. "Are you sure?" she asked.
"I'm sure," Sean said.
Matilyn nodded, "Thank you for telling me."
"Just don't let her join," Sean said, "Not now. Matilyn. I"m sorry."
Matilyn let out a slow breath, looking down at the ring on her finger. "Me too," she whispered after a heartbeat of hesitation. "Me too."
"I'm only going to ask you one time," William said to his son and namesake. "Are you certain you're ready for this, Will? There's no dishonor in admitting you're unprepared. War isn't something to rush into."
Will bowed his head, "I appreciate the sentiment, Father, but I'm ready."
William nodded, "I want you to be careful out there. Come back home."
He looked over at Rafinnel who was waiting atop his horse. He reached out, pulling Will into a quick, tight embrace. "I love you," he whispered. Louder, he added, "I think you're doing the right thing. Your mother disagrees, but I don't. I only wish I could be out there with you."
"I love you too," Will said before mounting up, "Give my love to mother and Alyssa, please." For a moment, he looked like a young child again, about to leave home for the first time. William swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. Then Will cleared his throat and he looked his age once more. What's more, he looked strong, prince-like atop his horse.
William nodded. He looked at Rafinnel again, "Take care of my son," he demanded, "And win me this war, Contras."
"I'll look after him as though he were my own," Rafinnel pledged, "And I shall bring you back the Black King's head on a pike."
Several of the gathered soldiers let out a cheer at the promise. Rafinnel glared at them and they quieted back down. William bit back a smile.
William nodded towards the men as well, "Thank you for your service," he said before holding a long salute. The men, Rafinnel, and Will returned it. William swallowed once more and then turned away.
Will fell into line beside Rafinnel as they led the troops out. He cleared his throat and said, "I want to be honest with you, Battle-Master. I dreamt of this, sir."
Rafinnel glanced over at Will, "That's not something to joke about, young princeling."
"I'm not joking," Will said, his tone sharp. "I dreamt of this moment, of you and I, riding together to war. Long before the attack on Valishna, I woke with this specific moment, burned into my mind."
For a moment, Rafinnel didn't speak. Then he nodded his head once, "Forgive me, Prince William. I did not mean to insinuate that you were lying. It's just, where I come from, to dream is rare."
"I've never met anyone else that has," Will admitted.
"It's quite the experience," Rafinnel said.
"Have you dreamt then?" Will asked, curious.
"Just once," Rafinnel said, "I dreamt of the day your father rode into the kingdom of Rafix."
Will nodded. He hesitated before saying, "I've dreamt plenty of times."
Rafinnel frowned, "And yet, I have not heard of this. You have kept it a secret, Prince William."
Will nodded again, "I knew," he explained, "if I told anyone, it would become something large. I don't want people to love because they believe me some sort of religious symbol to rally on. Honestly, I'm not sure I'm that religious at all."
"You do not believe in the Old Gods?" Rafinnel said, surprised.
"I'm not sure," Will admitted.
Rafinnel bowed his head, "It is good that you question what you are taught to believe, Prince William. I am glad I will not be riding to war with a man who doesn't know how to think for himself."
"Do you believe?" Will asked.
"I do," Rafinnel said.
They rode in silence for a moment.
"Was there more to this dream?" Rafinnel eventually asked, "of the two of us, riding together."
Will nodded, "There was the flash of steel," he said, "and the sound of a girl's laughter. Broken ribbons littered the ground and there was a beautiful city, made of glass."
"You speak in riddles, Prince William," Rafinnel said.
"No," Will contradicted, "I dream in them."
He sighed and glanced over at his shoulder at the men, "Do you believe they'll come to respect me?"
"Our troops?" Rafinnel frowned. "They have the utmost respect for you, Prince William. You are the son of your father, after all."
"That's not the sort of respect that I mean," Will said with a sigh, "I don't want to spend my entire time here being treated differently because of the family I was born into. I want to serve as true soldier. Do you believe they'll come to see me as one of them?"
Rafinnel shook his head, "They cannot," he said, "It would be impossible for any of them to forget that you are the Prince of Arinford, and they should not. Someday, you'll be their King. As much as you wish to be one of them, you are not, and you never will be."
"It isn't easy," Will said, "I wish it were, but some days, I feel as though it is more a burden than a joy to be a prince. To know that my friends and companions are only there out of obligation and the love and devotion is directed towards me comes naught from my actions but from my name."
"It won't always be that way," Rafinnel said, "Someday you will rule over them, and you will then surround yourself with people that grow to love you for yourself, and you will have the peoples' devotion because of your just and loving rule."
"Perhaps," Will said, "But I dreamt of my future once, Battle-Master, and it wasn't full of people and love and justice."
He hesitated before falling back a bit. Rafinnel glanced at him curiously.
"It was purple," Will said, "That's all. Just purple."
NINE
I Have a Journey, Sir, Shortly to Go
"YOU CAN'T BE DEPLOYING," PENNY SAID. SHE stared at Matilyn, "Not after this morning. You can't be. It's too soon. Besides, we talked about this. We're going to be joining and deploying together. You're switching squadrons. To something less Chakran focused. Remember? Mattie, say something. Anything."
Matilyn felt dazed.
"Mattie, please," Penny said, "Just say something."
"I don't get a choice in this," Matilyn told her, "It's too late to transfer squadrons. Jones announced deployment already. The only thing I could do is drop out."
"Then drop out," Penny pleaded.
Matilyn shook her head, "I can't do that," she told the other woman, "You know that, Penny. The Guard? That's where I belong. I know that now. I can't back out. I can't. Besides, Eldrin joined because of me. I can't him go alone."
"He'd leave if you were leaving," Penny said.
Matilyn shook her head.
"Fine," Penny said, "Fine, I'll him I want to deploy too. I'm sure he'll let me go with you guys."
"You haven't had any training," Matilyn said, "He's not going to let you go with us, Penny."
Penny shrugged, "I think he will," she countered. "Training doesn't really matter. You guys are barely trained at all. They're only interested in one thing, and that's getting Priests out on the field. I'm a Priest, too. I'm in good shape. I could even deploy as a medic only. The training requirements are a lot less stringent."
"You said you wouldn't join the squadron I'm in now," Matilyn said.
"Well, I changed my mind," Penny said, "Losing you is worse, Mattie. Especially after this morning. We said the words. We're both ordained. You know what that means. That means we're married. We can't be separated. Not now. We're supposed to have more time together."
"If that means signing up with your squadron, I'll do it," Penny said.
"You can't," Matilyn said. Her mouth felt dry, and she couldn't get Sean's words out of her head. She didn't know him that well, but she believed him.
She also knew Penny wouldn't.
"You can't join up with me. I'm sorry," she said.
"Yes, I can," Penny said, "Just let me talk to Jones. I'm sure he'll allow it. I'll explain the situation to him. He'll understand."
"Jones doesn't work like t
hat," Matilyn said, "He's not going to just let you join because your girlfriend got a deployment announcement."
"My wife," Penny corrected. "You're my wife. We said the words."
"He won't let you join," Matilyn repeated.
"Why are you being like this?" Penny demanded, "You don't even want me to try?"
Matilyn glanced away. In the distance, she saw Eldrin talking with his family. He looked much better than he had after Jones had beat him up, but even from a distance, she could see the bruise on his jaw where it had been hit. Janice had helped heal him after, to Matilyn's surprise.
Right now, she could see him ruffling the hair of Hope. Lucy was standing next to him, her arms folded across her chest. She looked as though she were pouting.
"They let her out of the infirmary?"
"What?"
"Lucy," Matilyn said, "they let her out. Look, she's over there with Eldrin and the others."
Penny blinked, "Are you even listening to me?" she demanded, "What's wrong with you, Mattie? Do the words we said this morning mean nothing to you?"
"Is that what you want to hear?" Matilyn asked, spinning around to stare at her. She let out a shallow breath of air, "They were just words, Penny. Just stupid words said by foolish girls. No, they don't mean anything to me. They can't."
"You don't mean that," Penny said.
"Yes," Matilyn said, "Yes, I do." Part of her had wished that Sean had said nothing. She swallowed a few times.
"Why are you doing this?" Penny asked.
Matilyn ran her tongue over her bottom lip and hesitated, "I don't want you to get hurt out there."
"Is that what this is about?" Penny said, "I don't want you to be hurt either, Mattie, but we'll be together. Isn't that worth the risk?"
"No," Matilyn said, "Of course it's not."
"Then drop out," Penny said, "There's still time. Stay with me."
Matilyn shook her head, "I can't do that. I won't do that. I finally feel like I"m going to make a difference in the world. I won't lose that."
"You'd rather lose me instead," Penny said.
"I wish it wasn't a choice," Matilyn said.
The Warriors of Valishna (Cartharia Book 1) Page 10
