The Sons of Satrina: A Sons of Satrina Novel

by Kristan Belle

  For Jackson and the others, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. Fucking awesome! Out there in the field? With real warriors? Watching their every move? Watching them fight? Up close and personal. It didn’t get much better than that.

  “Right. When I call your name, you will team up with the Warriors that are assign to you.” Kelton picked up a black clipboard with several sheets of typed white paper on it, as the class of trainees tensed up, fit to burst with nervous excitement.

  “Master Warrior Wrenston, you will be teaming up with Master Warrior Johan in the field. He will be joining you shortly as he has been unavoidably held up at the council.” Warrior Wrenston nodded and the excitement ran like an electric current through the trainees. This was it…..

  “Wrenston, you will have Miles and Raines from the graduate team,” and the two grad students marched over to stand to attention next to the warrior, “And the trainees shadowing you will be…” Kelton didn’t mean to make for a pregnant pause, he simply need to double check that he had made the right decision with the names, “Masterson and Scott.”

  A cheer went up in the room as Trey and Dylan bounced up from their seats, high fiving and bumping fists as they made their way over to stand next to Master Warrior Wrenston, grinning like a pair of Cheshire cats as they stood there proudly.

  On the whole, Kelton had been satisfied with the selection that the council had come up with for the first lot of trainee’s to enter the real world. Trey and Dylan had picked up the defensive moves with ease, never faltering. That was all he could ask for right now for the task ahead.

  “Next up, Master Warrior Verynai will team up with Master Warrior Nolange in the field, who is also still at the council offices. Graduate warriors are….Cillines and Nox.” The graduates walked over to stand next to Warrior Verynai, who was a scary, pierced and tattoo covered giant among men. “Your team will be shadowed by… Thormond and Smithson.”

  Another roar went up from the crowd of graduates, clapping Jackson and the other trainee, Roman, as they made their way to the front to stand with their team.

  Jackson couldn’t hold back the grin as he stood facing the rest of them. It wasn’t like he was gloating or anything like that, but the competition was hot for these positions and there were only two more places left up for grabs. Initially, Jackson had thought that if he was chosen, he would stand up there, legs apart, hands behind his back, a serious expression on his face like the other graduated warriors, but there was no way he could contain his excitement like that. He was practically bouncing on the spot. He’d secured his spot. It showed that Warrior Kelton and the council had faith in him. It was a truly amazing feeling.

  He was so pleased that his dedication and determination had paid off, and also that of his friends. It showed that the extra time they had spent in the gym and concerted effort in the training rooms, going that extra mile, that it had all paid off. It had all been worth it. Every ache, every pain, paled in comparison to what he was feeling right now.

  Kelton paused for a moment, and took a second to compose his face. He was not too sure with this last pairing. He knew that they both had the defensive skills but he still wasn’t sure that they could be trusted out in the field. He had to base his judgement on the defensive skills, though, and the rest of the Master Warriors had agreed with the decision of the council. If he could have changed their minds, he would have, but they were having none of it. This was their final decision. Kelton just hoped that they wouldn’t live to regret it.

  “Graduated warriors Lyndon and Davis will join up in the field with Master Warrior Merion and Master Warrior Dixon. As will trainees… McKenna and Kellerman.”

  For a split second, the crowd of trainees were stunned, before another round of cheers erupted. Aisline sat in her chair, staring dumbly forward as hands started to clap her on the back and push her to her feet. There was no way on this earth that she could have heard that right. Did he really just say her name? No way! Did he? She even had to glance over at Warrior Kelton for confirmation and he nodded and tried to smile reassuringly at her, beckoning her forward to stand at the front of the class with the rest of the chosen ones.

  If Aisline had been male, Kelton would have wholeheartedly agreed with the council’s choice. He knew that she had the strength and skill, but sending the first female warrior out there? He still wasn’t certain about that, but the council had overruled him. They pushed for Ash to be in the first wave as soon as her skills became apparent. They said that it made a bold statement to choose her over some of the male trainees. Sure, Kelton had plenty of faith in her, but he thought that this move was too risky.

  With a look of sheer disbelief still plastered firmly on her face, Ash stumbled to the front and stood next to Master Warrior Merion who whispered, ‘congratulations’ to the pair of them.

  Looking at each of the other trainees in turn who had also been picked, their jubilant feeling was contagious and she started to revel in the position she had been afforded. HA! She’d done it!

  “The rest of you will continue to train in the confines of the academy on the sessions that the other will be in the field, or in training. Please all bear this in mind - this selection will change. Once in the field, there will be those of you out there who find that you are not ready to be out hunting our enemy, positions will rotate. This is purely an exercise and each of you will be expected to participate. We want to make sure that we get the best out of all of you. This is a field exercise and each and every one of you will get a chance to prove your worth.” Warrior Kelton turned to talk directly to the ones who had been selected to stand by the Master Warriors for the first wave of the field training. “We are putting a lot of trust in you. This could be the making of you. Or it could be the breaking of you. If you have any questions whatsoever, direct them to the Master Warriors of your team. Take note of everything involved in the strategic planning. We want you all to learn and improve.”

  Kelton moved back to the centre of the room, putting his hands behind his back, he adopted the stance of the Warrior. “Right. Trainees that have been selected, you will now assemble with your teams to be briefed on your first assignment. The rest of you will convene in the technology suite. Professor Ranger will be there to set you your own assignments. Thank you. You are all dismissed.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three.

  There were a few disgruntled groans from some of the trainees as they left the sparring room to head over to the technology suite, but who could blame them really. One person who stood out from the rest was Jase, who was jumping up and down like a mad man, attracting the attention of the rest of the warriors who were threatening to knock him out if he didn’t calm down, but only in a joking kind of way. He was really excited for the rest of the guys who had been chosen and couldn’t wait to hear all the stories when they got together later. He wanted to know everything they were doing down to the smallest detail. Jase wasn’t bitter at not being chosen. After all, he was one of the weakest at defence in their group of friends, so his name not being called was not much of a shocker. He was pleased that his buddies had been put forward for this and couldn’t wait to get all of the juicy inside gossip.

  As for the others, the grins were still firmly on their faces as they stood patiently waiting to find out what they were in store for. Jackson, Dylan, Trey and Aisline all turned to look at each other and simultaneously burst out laughing. None of them could believe that they’d all been picked. It was amazing. Aisline didn’t even let the fact that she was paired up with Denver put a damper on her feelings.

  Yes, Denver. Exactly. Not perfect, but she could ignore him just as well out in the real world as she could in the academy.

  He was stood next to her, already preaching to the graduated students about how they should be doing things out in the field, and the warriors were doing their very best to ignore him. Ash rolled her eyes at the other guys and they all erupted into fresh laughter.

  “Attention warriors.” Master Warrior Kelton�
��s voice belted out over the raucous laughter. “You will now meet with your group to find out your assignment and to get prepared. Each of the trainees will prepare a full evaluation, including safety measures for the group, back up plans, weaponry detail, etc… and have it on my desk by dawn. This is not for fun. This is for real. This is part of your combat education and every aspect of this field training will be under taken with the utmost seriousness. Your failure to follow orders could result in disastrous consequences, the least including immediate expulsion from the school if orders are not followed to the letter. Your full attention and cooperation is required at all times.”

  With one last glance at the trainee’s and warriors, Kelton nodded at the Master Warriors and walked out of the room, retiring to his office. The second he left, the room exploded in animated chatter again, quickly hushed by the Master Warriors who ushered each group out of the sparring room and into their respective conference rooms to lay out the plans for their first field trip.

  Kelton tried to keep a clear head as he moved away from the sparring rooms, but he couldn’t shake the foreboding feeling. How did the council ever think it was right to take first years out into the field? Sure, he had faith in them and he’d seen them fighting, and that was why he had mostly agreed with the choice of the council. Each of them had excellent defensive skills, but he hoped that they wouldn’t need them.

  But, first years? The older students, sure, he could sort of understand the benefit of sending them out, but these trainees here weren’t ready. No matter what they, or the council, thought. Kelton knew they weren’t cut out for this and he just hoped that none of them got hurt in this little experiment from the council. They were fools to put this into operation and he hoped that every one of them involved would come out of this unscathed.

  Jackson and Roman followed the warriors out of the room, but before he filed out, Jackson turned to find Aisline still grinning at him. His own smile faltered as he thought about the danger she could face out there, but her happiness was infectious and he couldn’t help but grin back at her. Shelving thoughts of her safety, he knew that she was more than competent and that Kelton obviously shared that view when he’d picked her, Jackson sped up to follow the others down the corridor to where they were going to hold their meeting, leaving his concerns behind as he went.

  Shutting the door behind him, Jackson took a seat across the table from Master Warrior Verynai, next to Roman. The atmosphere had changed considerably and they were all ready to get serious and get down to business. Excitement coursed through him as he thought that he would be doing this for real in a few years’ time.

  Master Warrior Verynai was shuffling through a pile of paperwork while he spoke quietly on the phone. The others waited patiently, the laughter forgotten. This was the real deal right here.

  Master Professor Verynai had decades of experience out in the field against the Lamia Mortuorum and was highly respected. He looked about twenty-eight, as was the norm for a fully matured Lamia, with short, spiky dirty blonde hair and a matching goatee. With a ring through the centre of his bottom lip, and a bar through his eyebrow, and tattoo’s covering every available inch of his skin apart from his face, he radiated lethalness. Jackson would have been happy to have been with any of the Master Warriors, but Verynai had a fierce reputation due to his relationship with his Katana, and Jackson knew that he would learn plenty from him.

  “Right, guys. Warrior Lange will join us shortly. First things first, I want to personally assess your physical abilities. Only then, will we proceed with the planning of our operation. Should you not pass the physical test I set you, don’t be disappointed, it just means that you are not good enough.” Verynai said, with a smirk. The others chuckled nervously.

  “Oh, come on! Have a bit more faith in yourself than that.” he laughed again as he stood up. Jackson and the others followed his lead and exited the room, heading over to the gym. What? He meant right now? Oh crap.

  Roman glanced apprehensively over at Jackson who could only shrug his shoulders in response. God knew what Verynai would put them through. He just hoped that he would pass the test.

  And it was about as every bit as gruelling as they had expected, but Verynai seemed pleased enough with them to admit them all into the strategy meeting that would take place the next day. Jackson was sweating with exertion and stress by the time they’d finished the circuit he’d set out for them. It wasn’t like he just stood there and assessed them, though. No, Master Warrior Verynai worked alongside them, which Jackson respected.

  The strategy meeting assignment deadline had been extended to the end of the next day. Master Warrior Verynai had wanted primarily assess their physical capabilities and wanted to put off strategic planning until they’d rested and the excitement had died down. Clear heads were a must for this critical planning.

  Kelton whole heartedly agreed with this. Each Master Warrior led their group differently, either focusing primarily on the physical or academic and he was happy to leave them to their own devices. They knew the guidelines that they had to follow and he trusted them implicitly. As long as the students put in a full and comprehensive account, he didn’t really care which way they did it. As long as it was drilled into the trainee’s how important the planning stage of operations was, he would sit back and let them get on with it.

  He knew that this was also a major thing for the trainees. Out in the field, he knew that each of the warriors led their teams in their own manner, and seeing the different approaches to combat and training would help the students find their own feet. This was a world of change for them, and hopefully, the experience would make them stronger.

  He hoped.

  Kelton sat in his office and watched the trainees pass by down the corridor on their way to retire for the daylight hours. You could tell by their faces which Master Warrior had been leading the groups - Jackson and Roman looked exhausted by the rigorous workout Verynai had put them through. Trey and Dylan looked like they were nursing monster headaches from their information over load, as did Ash and Denver.

  It was those two that gave him cause for concern. Aisline he knew she could more than handle herself, but he still had reservations about sending out the first female warrior in their history out into the breach. And Denver? He had the defensive down pat, but lacked discipline. If he could just keep it together, keep his head down and keep his big mouth shut, then they should be alright.

  They would just have to wait and see what they were all made of.

  Chapter Twenty-Four.

  Jackson would have killed for a drink of water and greedily glugged down the glassful that was sat on the table in front of him when they reconvened in the conference room the next night. Satiating his thirst meant that his mind was fully on the task ahead. He’d already had to go down to the donors to power up and make sure he was ready for whatever was thrown at him.

  The night before had been gruelling and his body was still screaming for mercy from the work out that Master Warrior Verynai had put them through. This morning, however, his mind was more than alert and he was ready to face this assignment head on.

  Roman also sat in the conference room, looking ready and willing, with his notebook open and pen poised.

  Jackson and Roman didn’t roll in the same circles, but they had a mutual respect for one another and they both knew that this pairing would work well. They had a common goal and were determined to achieve it to the best of their collective abilities.

  And they damn well couldn’t wait to get out there.

  They had been scheduled to do some mock up operational strategies in their academy research into warrior training and they had done a little so far, so as of yet, they didn’t have much idea what to expect. This was more or less brand new to both Jackson and Roman, who sat in awe staring at Master Warrior Verynai as he began to pace around the room.

  Grabbing the laptops that had been set in front of them, the two trainees got ready to make plenty of detailed notes that
they would need for their essay that Warrior Kelton was expecting. They really didn’t need the extra work load of an essay on top of everything else, but Jackson could understand why he had requested it. By noting down the details, it would help to ensure that they knew what they were letting themselves in for out there. Both trainees were typing furiously.

  “Tomorrow night, we have been given the great pleasure of hitting one of the Mortuorum’s nests.” Tomorrow night? Jackson thought they sure weren’t wasting any time on this. He just hoped that he’d be ready for it. Master Warrior Verynai carried on as if he hadn’t seen the look of shock on the trainee’s faces, “There are supposedly four of the parasites inhabiting the space, at least. Their location and identities have been leaked to us as possible suspects in the assassination of our leader. If there is anyone in the vicinity of the operation, they will either be subdued and brought in for questioning or eliminated, depending on the situation when we reach there.

  “Roman, Jackson. You two will shadow only. There will be no combat. No contact. No conversation. No dancing. Zilch. Nada. You are there to observe an operation in action and detail it back to warrior of all badass, Kelton.” He paused for a moment to check that everyone was clear, and once Jackson and Roman had nodded in confirmation, he paced back over to the desk to scatter paper in organised chaos.