"What are your names?" I approached the two who'd failed at making fire.
"Bela," one told me.
"Reena," the other replied.
"All right. Reena, I'm going to touch your fingers first," I said, reaching out to take her hands. She had fire—the Diviner had seen it in all of them eighteen years ago.
"You have fire," I smiled at her. "Now, I'm going to tell you how to show it to the rest of us."
CHAPTER 8
K erok
"It took her less than five minutes to coax fire into two girls' palms," Armon reported. "As if it were the most natural thing in the world. They cried, they were so happy."
"What about the other twelve?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.
"Caral worked with Sherra, to get a feel for what they were doing. Jae and Sherra's other assistants were already working with the shielding washouts on how to form effective shields. If things continue to go this well, you'll have fourteen trainees to add back to the cohorts."
"This—is remarkable," I said. "I never thought it possible, either. I have a report from Lilya after today's training. She says more than half of her cohort can do what Sherra can, after Sherra showed them how."
"That woman is a genius, and I think she has a touch of a Diviner's talent," Armon said. "She told me I had amazing fire after she took my hands."
"Why didn't the Diviner see that in the beginning?" I asked, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the desk.
"I doubt he was looking for it," Armon suggested.
"You could be right, although I've never seen her do anything other than what she did with you and those other trainees, which is see their fire. A Diviner can do so much more than that."
"Very true," Armon grinned. "Is there anything else, Commander? We've had a long day."
"Go to bed, Armon. I'll see you, Sherra and Levi on the field near the lake tomorrow morning."
"What if this changes everything on the battlefield?" Armon asked softly.
"Let's pray that it does. With our dwindling numbers, it's only a matter of time before Az-ca falls."
"I know your father stopped recording population numbers twenty-five years ago," Armon began. Yes, he knew who my father was, as did Levi.
"I know. I argued with him about it, but he and Drenn thought it a waste of time. At least Drenn did. I think Father became discouraged at falling numbers and preferred to shut it out of his mind. The Council went along with his idea, of course, and the laws recording births and deaths vanished overnight."
"No disrespect meant, but the Council is worthless," Armon said.
"None taken, and I agree. Drenn leads them by the nose in most cases, because they're afraid of losing their position with all the benefits it entails. The next time they want to argue about warrior and escort pay, I want to haul all of them to the battlefield and let them see what really happens there."
"They'll never go—or if they do, they'll deny their own eyes," Armon snorted.
"You're right. It happens more often than not. There's not one among them I'd trust with three-day-old bread."
"At least I haven't been forced to witness it first-hand," Armon breathed a sigh. "You have my sympathies in the matter."
"It's a bag of mixed frustrations," I admitted. "I've never considered any part of it enjoyable. At least there are decent times to be had on the battlefield—between battles."
Armon laughed, which is what I intended. "Go to your bed, Captain. I'll see you in the morning."
Sherra
Wend joined us after the fourth day, and after two full weeks of training washouts, some were capable enough to pass the initial shielding tests, and getting better every day. Bela and Reena were also doing well, once things were explained well enough.
In between, Caral, who had a very good memory, taught them the classwork they'd missed after washing out the first week at camp. It was evident that they'd needed specialized attention, rather than an expectation that they automatically do what they'd never attempted before.
Levi and Armon were especially pleased, and carried reports to Kerok every day unless I missed my guess. So far, there'd been no orders to stop what we were doing, so I went on, determined to get Bela and Reena ready for the shielding test.
As for the experiments with my shielding technique—those went on every morning, and Armon's and Levi's blasts were getting stronger against my shield. Kerok gave orders and took notes during these early training periods, while I performed the tasks set before me, including swift blasts from Levi and Armon.
Without my connection to Armon's fire, we'd both be dead by now, with the strength of the blasts Kerok requested.
I was grateful, too, that we did these exercises before breakfast, as sitting down for a meal allowed me some rest while I ate and readied myself for the next training periods.
Not only were we working on strengthening our shields and making our shield construction times shorter, we were expected to pass a final exam with the warriors lobbing heavy fire in our direction.
In other words, we were training for two different types of tests at the end—the old way and the new way. And, as I worked with Armon and Levi every day, I learned something about how their blasts were constructed, and how they'd hit against a shield once they reached it. I was hoping to learn more about bombs and how they hit, too, once I reached the battlefield.
"I think the problem is that you're imagining your shield as a thin barrier," I told one of the washouts later in the afternoon. "It's invisible, no matter how thick it is. The bombs the enemy sends will have no mercy when they hit. Make your shield thick and impermeable."
"You've seen bombs?"
"She went with me on the Commander's assignment," Caral said. "We found ourselves directly in the line of fire. If Sherra hadn't shielded us at the last, we'd all be dead."
The trainee's eyes grew round as she blinked at us. "It was nothing," I brushed it off. "I want you to stay alive, and a thick shield is the way to do that. All right?"
"Yes. All right," she nodded, her words breathless. "I'll try again."
"Levi?" I turned back to him—he'd been lobbing weak blasts at this one while Armon supervised.
"I'm ready," he grinned and lobbed a blast at the trainee. It exploded against a better-constructed shield.
"That's it," Caral crowed. "Exactly. Keep it up."
The trainee laughed and put up another shield when I asked.
K erok
"Three weeks left," Armon took his usual seat in front of my desk. "Next week, we test the washouts. Do you think they'll be ready for final testing when training is over?"
"Some of them," I said, consulting the progress chart I'd been keeping after Armon's daily reports. "Perhaps we can send the two early washouts through the next training class, so they'll be better prepared."
"That's actually a good idea," Armon nodded. "I can tell they're getting nervous about being behind all the others, when they'd be ready, I think, if their training hadn't ended the first week they were here."
"I think the same. I'll send messages to Father, asking for this allowance, and perhaps the same for future classes. These two—perhaps they can pass on to new trainees how to find their fire."
"Tutors. An excellent idea," Armon agreed. "Will your Father see it that way?"
"If he wants our numbers to increase so we're able to turn back the enemy. I'm going to suggest that we try it for the warrior trainees, too. Perhaps some of them only need more time. We have enough cooks and latrine diggers on the battlefield already. We need more warriors and escorts."
"Any news on the Bulldog?"
"She hasn't been captured—or seen by anyone," I said. "My guess is she went outside the domes thinking to escape, and fell victim to either her own foolishness or to wild animals."
"Not a good way to die, either way," Armon shook his head. "She'd be better off digging potatoes."
"I worry that she'll have revenge on her mind if she survives," I said. "I'v
e informed Hunter that this one could cost us all if she isn't found—dead or alive."
"No village will take her in—not with that block of ink on her wrist. They'll turn her over to the King's guards for the promised fee."
"I'm sure she knows that," Armon agreed. "But I'm not sure she can survive in the wild very long, either."
"I trust Hunter to keep a watchful eye, and to keep me informed."
"Have you approached Kage and Weren about the new techniques?"
"Yes. They're coming to witness the testing, and we'll show them then. We are cautiously optimistic about this."
"Will we retrain the escorts on the battlefield if the King approves?"
"That's my hope—with Sherra's new method, the escort trainees don't tire so quickly. They're able to preserve their strength by maintaining a constant shield, instead of raising and lowering it between blasts."
"Already, the trainees are preferring the new method, as they don't exhaust themselves with constant raising and lowering. The men who've worked with them prefer the new method, too."
"As do I. I'm hoping for clear approval from the King when he arrives to witness the trials with Kage and Weren."
"He's coming himself?"
"Barth and Hunter will also come—Barth will act as our Diviner at the end."
"Barth is a good man."
"Yes, he is."
"The lists will be coming to the warriors soon," Armon reminded me. I'd chosen to ignore it, as I had no clear choice in my mind. Who I wanted at my side and who would end up there were two different people.
"Who will get your name, Captain?" I asked.
"You know, I usually put my name on all of them, as does Levi. This time, I may be more selective. Veri's list will certainly not carry my name."
"Will Sherra's list have your name?"
"And Levi's. We've never seen anything like her, before. Caral, too—and Wend, Jae, Misten and Tera. As far as Levi and I are concerned, they may be the best of the lot."
"Then I hope you get one of them," I grinned at Armon. "It is deserved."
"We worry about the other thing, though," Armon shifted uncomfortably.
"Ah. The other thing—yes. I suppose they'd want sex or love—in some measure."
"We can love them—but not in the ways they may want," Armon admitted. "Sex is out of the question."
"I understand. This has been a conundrum for others, you know. I've asked Father many times to bend his thoughts in that direction, but he always avoids the discussion, much like he avoids the discussions of a breeding program."
"I dislike that idea," Armon said.
"As do I, but Drenn and the Council think it a good one. They believe it will solve all our problems. If that were the case, they should have started it twenty years ago, because the first crop would come of age this year," I huffed. "The whole thing disgusts me and I've told Father that. Doing it now will only be a patch over a sinkhole that is rapidly disappearing into the ground. Eventually, our lack of numbers may destroy all of us."
"I know. I don't speak of these things because I don't want the rumors to start."
"Sherra's noticed it," I huffed. "I told her to keep it to herself."
"That doesn't surprise me—that she'd notice. I tell her fairly often that she thinks too much, but mostly it's an attempt to keep her from asking forbidden questions."
"I know. Look—in a week, we'll have lists. I'll make a decision then."
"Kerok, listen to me. There's one clear choice for you in this, and if I don't miss my guess, your father and uncle have already pointed it out to you. In this, I say follow their advice. None of us want our Commander falling on the battlefield. You have deep scars, in case you didn't know it already, from the last time. Levi and I loved Grae almost as much as you did, and her death was a heavy blow. Don't allow your grief to override your good sense." Armon's face was stern and set.
"You've heard from Hunter, haven't you?" I frowned at him.
"What if I have? He can mindspeak; I can mindspeak. In this, we agree. Put your name on Sherra's list."
"Armon, I don't have any desire to carry the body of someone I love off the battlefield again."
"There are times," Armon said gently, "When I can't help but wonder if I'd even be able to walk if Levi fell. Still, we go out to the battlefield and do what we were trained to do with the best the lists will hand us. Don't handicap yourself, Commander. Without your steady hand, the King's army could fail—and sooner than you imagine it might."
"Your concern is noted, Captain," I snapped. "My decision on this particular matter is closed. You're dismissed."
"As you say, Commander." Armon turned on his heel and stalked out the door.
Sherra
Neka and most of First Cohort were pleased to see Fourth Cohort join them for training. Veri was there and bursting with jealousy and hatred—it was easy to read her thoughts in this.
Hayla, however, was more than happy to see those of us from her former Sixth Cohort, and bounced with happiness until Nina, their instructor, told them to settle down and move into formation.
We'd be marching to First's training field to work together. I and the others who worked with me would be showing them the new method of shielding.
That meant Armon and Levi were with us—to toss blasts at our shields. I'd heard them talking softly together behind us as Lilya marched us toward First, who were waiting for our arrival. Only a few of their words were understandable, as they'd hung farther back than they normally did to have their conversation.
"He has to make the proper decision," Armon hissed at Levi. Levi's response was unintelligible. Then, "Hunter says," came from Armon, before his voice dropped away again.
Hunter. Kerok's friend and an advisor to the King. What would he have to do with any of this? Perhaps they were discussing the new method we were teaching, and whether it was effective enough. The King would have to approve it—Armon told me as much.
The new method would save and prolong lives—I was sure of it. Without the King's approval, however, we'd go back to the old, exhausting way, which would surely cost us precious lives.
In this matter, all I could do was the best I knew how to do, and hope it would be enough. Levi and Armon were already believers; but they weren't the King. Squaring my shoulders, I waited for Lilya to call me forward. Neka and Hayla wanted what I could teach them.
Veri wanted nothing to do with me.
I waited to see how our day would go.
"She should have gotten demerits," Wend said while we ate our midday meal. "Acting like she didn't understand and almost frying Levi? That's not only stupid, it's dangerous."
"If Sherra hadn't shielded him," Jae shook her head.
Our topic of discussion was Veri, and how she'd intentionally botched her first few attempts at the new method. The moment Nina screamed at her after I'd shielded Levi from his own, ricocheting blast, Veri had straightened up and performed to expectations, like the others in her cohort.
"She's going to kill somebody, mark my words," Caral said before biting into a buttered roll. "Out of stupidity and a thirst for revenge."
"She needs to learn that she's not as special as she thinks," Misten said. "The Bulldog didn't curb her jealousy, either, like she should have."
"At least Nina doesn't think Veri's so special," Wend agreed. "Did you see how embarrassed she was when Nina pointed out that she was the worst in the class after she almost fried Levi?"
"Levi's a friend, and doesn't deserve that treatment from anybody," Caral sighed. "Armon, too."
Captain? I sent mindspeak to Armon after taking a few moments to consider Caral's words.
What is it, trainee?
Put your name on Caral's list—and tell Levi to do the same.
We're not supposed to be discussing these things with escort trainees, he pointed out. It's against the rules.
Then forget I mentioned it.
Mentioned what?
Thank you, Captain.
Your thanks are noted, trainee.
"I think the lists will go to the warriors soon," Tera whispered after hunching down so other tables wouldn't hear.
"The final decisions won't be made until the day of the trials, when we'll be ranked into groups. The best students will be in First group, the worst in Fifth, since Sixth was disbanded. The warriors who are chosen by First group will be struck from the remaining groups' lists," Caral said. "Lilya says the warriors consider it a token of honor to be chosen by First group. I'm already in Fifth group," she added. "I think all of you will have better choices coming your way."
"You may be surprised," I patted her shoulder. "Just don't let it bother you, all right? I will never forget the sight of you punching Ura in the face—it was very satisfying at the time."
"I don't regret it," she said and ducked her head to hide a smile.
"Y ou'll be learning how to angle your shields, beginning today," Armon informed me after stepping both of us to the farthest training field. "Instead of repelling what's thrown at you, you'll be adjusting your shield to softly catch and cushion it, before forcing it away. Like catching an egg without breaking it, and then tossing it before it explodes in your face."
"We'll be manipulating what we make—interesting," I breathed. This bore thinking about.
"And that's why we want to try something new today," Kerok, who'd stepped in beside us, announced.
"What are we going to try?" I asked. Yes, his words made me curious.
"Instead of shielding Armon's blasts, I want you to catch them—whole. Then I want you to place a shield completely around them—if you can. Forcing them away from you is the next step, if the first two are successful."
"You want to lob those bombs back at the enemy, don't you?" I blinked at him.
"It came to me last night. I know some escorts are very skilled with their shields, and some may be capable of this. For the few talented enough, I'd like to make this an option."
"I'll do my best, Commander."
"I believe I'd like to see your best, trainee."
The Rose Mark: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 1 Page 11
