by Dan Neil
She smiled and stood tall, refusing to show exhaustion. “Bring it on.”
The king smiled and stared at Gaheris. “Well? What’s next? She’s four for five.”
Gaheris went through wind bursts, time shifts, and portals before King Symon ended that phase of the trial.
“I think we’ve seen enough spells. Clearly, she’s not the most talented mage—in my hundred and eighty years or so, I’ve seen far better. I can’t say I remember seeing much worse, to be honest.”
Keia swallowed. It was all still up in the air.
“My king,” Gaheris began, “The King’s Militia bears your title because they are the most elite fighting unit in the land, feared by those who would oppose you. At least, they were. Looking upon my division, I wonder if it’s still true. Keia’s efforts may be valiant, but we must ask: do we want the best in the King’s Militia or not? Is she worth the spot, limited as she is? Cruel as it may sound, some people simply are not talented enough to represent your prestigious name on the battlefield. Is this the face we’d expect to instill fear into the hearts of your enemies?”
The king’s head shook. “Now is not the time for that. Now we will hear the testimony of Captain Oliver Alrick. Captain?”
“Yes, my king.”
Symon rested his chin on his hand. “You submitted a request to keep Keia in the division permanently after her trial period, against the recommendations of Gaheris. Why?”
Without hesitation, Oliver replied, “I strongly believe in her ability to be an effective combat mage.”
“And why is that?”
Here, Oliver considered his words more carefully. “Keia harbors a true love for magic and a desire to learn at all costs. She has out-worked and out-studied her comrades three times over. I cannot name anyone who has half her dedication.”
The king waved this aside. “Yes, that’s all well and good. I doubt Keia would be here today if she didn’t want to be in the division. The question relates to her performance as a mage, not her drive as a person.”
Oliver nodded. “In the combat I have seen, the ability to adapt, be aware, and think on their feet matters more than which spells they know. Keia’s arsenal is admittedly limited—but the mind deciding how and when to use the tools at her disposal is truly one of a kind. That alone is worth every risk.”
Keia swelled with pride at the captain’s words, blinking as tears moistened her eyes.
Symon leaned forward, “Say we marched north tomorrow to fight that bastard traitor Myrddin and the Wild King. Would Keia be ready? Would you send her confidently into battle knowing her limitations?”
The king had barely finished speaking when Oliver replied, “Without question. I trust her and her comrades to work together effectively and cover each other’s weaknesses, and I trust Keia to cast the right spell at the right moment.”
Symon gave a curt nod. “Excellent. Thank you, Captain. Now we will begin the deliberation.”
Lord Mar Mercer raised his hand. “It’s a yes from me. I see something in this girl, and so does the captain responsible for her training. Skill and mastery—those things come with time, age. She is worthy of the chance.”
Keia smiled. Maybe Lord Mercer wasn’t so bad.
Gaheris shook his head and crossed his arms. “No. I’ll not accept it. Keia isn’t suited to combat. You all saw how she tired. She’s on this quest to become a soldier like her parents were, but she’ll never be what her parents were.”
Her smile faded. Yeah, I saw that one coming.
“Need I remind you she survived Arcane Veil’s assault on the palace?” Mar asked. “She was responsible for the defeat of Axl Evander.”
“Yes, after she betrayed him!” Gaheris raised his voice. “She is a criminal. She joined the King’s Militia because Captain Alrick here foolishly extended the offer—most likely on behalf of the traitor Myrddin! But for Keia? It was purely self-interest. As soon as the kingdom faces adversity—as soon as it suits her—she’ll leave! No, I’ll never accept this. Even if she were good enough, she has no allegiance to anything except herself.”
The king sighed. “So it comes down to me.”
Keia gulped. He didn’t seem pleased.
Symon rubbed his forehead and said, “Captain Oliver Alrick.”
“Yes, my king?”
The king’s gaze fell on the captain as he asked, “If I denied her, what would you do?”
Oliver stroked his chin. “I have thought for quite some time about the outcome of this trial—on where the blame might lay. The way I see it, if Keia is not seen fit to be in my division, I have failed as a captain. I would have no choice but to tender my resignation. I have brought it in writing with me today.”
Keia snapped her head toward him. What? He can’t do that!
The king leaned back. “You truly believe that she belongs in the King’s Militia? The most elite fighting force in all of Gaddeaux?”
Oliver replied, “The first time that I met Keia, she could only cast portals, and only three per minute. Within six months, she has become proficient in almost every function our division requires. I can only imagine the spellcaster that she might become over the course of a long career.”
The king nodded and stared into Keia’s eyes. The ferocity of his gaze unnerved her. Whatever he was going to say, he meant it.
“Very well, then. She’s in your hands. Her life—her death, if it comes to that. And if she betrays the kingdom, you’ll be the one to dole out punishment. You know the fate of traitors—don’t you?”
Oliver gave a stoic nod and said, “Death, my king.”
His eyes narrowed, still meeting hers. “Yes. I think we’re clear.”
Keia’s heart skipped a beat. Does that mean—
Oliver quickly brushed something from his eye and smiled. “Yes, my king. I understand.”
Instantly, King Symon’s entire demeanor changed. His eyes bright, he said, “I was worried, when I thought forward to today, that Myrddin had warped your mind and turned you against me. We spoke one day in the garden—do you remember?”
“I do, my king,” she said.
“As I said that day, your parents served me admirably. I still hope you will do the same. Keia Atlos, I hereby accept you into my service in the Fifth Magician’s Division, permanently.”
Keia’s back straightened, her chest flooding with relief as a massive weight was lifted from her shoulders. All those times it seemed out of reach, all those times she thought it impossible—now, here she was. Warmth flushed her cheeks as her lips curled into a grin. The feeling was overwhelming; everything blended into a dreamlike, joyous blur.
The trial’s formalities came to a close. Relishing her victory, Keia basked in Gaheris’s hateful gaze. The rest of the day was pleasantly surreal.
Oliver escorted her home and told her to report at the normal time the next morning. After shaking his hand and exchanging goodbyes, she lay on her bed and shed blissful tears. Only now, when it was over, did she take stock of her exhaustion from the past six months. It all hit her at once. She’d never been this tired in her life.
Keia thought of every time she wanted to give up. Every time she collapsed—every time she wished that it were easy again; it had all been worth it.
She had finally achieved the dream she had since she was only a child. She’d overcome nearly impossible odds and pushed her skills to the limit just to scrape by, and she’d earned her spot in the Fifth Magician’s Division. But after a few minutes alone, all she could think about was Aliya and Carter.
I hope you’re all right out there.
Chapter 22
Competition
Day 1 of the Season of Life, 1020 YAR
Keia arrived early to the training field the next morning and was greeted by Captain Alrick. Once his eyes met hers, he grinned.
“Ready for your
first day as a soldier?”
Her eyebrow shot up. “What’s the difference going to be?”
“You will be running drills while I work with the new recruits.”
“I forgot about them! Any I should know about?”
Oliver nodded. “Talented additions, to be sure. You will meet them soon enough. And I will no doubt use you as an example of the standard we expect.”
Keia rolled her eyes. “I’d rather you didn’t tell every new recruit the story of how I failed over and over again.”
“Until you succeeded.”
Keia opened her mouth, but her mind blanked. Instead, the corners of her mouth pulled upward into a smile.
He’s right.
Keia lunged forward and hugged the captain. He raised his arms in surprise.
Blushing, he said, “Um—ahem. Under ordinary circumstances, you are not allowed to embrace a superior officer, but I will allow it this once.”
“Thank you,” she said, “for believing in me all this time. At first, I thought you were just doing this for Myrddin—I think I get it now.”
Oliver patted her on the back. “No, thank you, Keia—for showing up even when you felt it hopeless. For never quitting.”
She chuckled. “I’d be lying if I said that I never thought about it.”
He suddenly snapped to attention. “Ah! Before I forget, I have something for you. You may keep your current wand, of course. It never hurts to have a backup weapon.”
Keia’s heart skipped a beat as he reached through a portal and pulled a black shield through.
Her mouth fell open. “It’s—Valiance?”
Oliver beamed with pride. “There is nothing Gaheris can do now. You are a soldier.”
Keia took her shield and cradled it. “May I try it out?”
“It is yours. There is no need to ask.”
Keia cast a few spells before turning back to Oliver. Her shoulders drooped, and her gaze was fixed on the ground.
His head tilted. “Are you all right?”
“I have to ask you something—about the trial. It’s kind of been bothering me the more I think about it.”
“Ask away.”
Keia met his gaze. “Would you really have quit? You know, if I hadn’t made it?”
He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Keia. In her hands was his letter of resignation, fully written out.
He said in a low voice, “I meant every word I said. You belong here as much as anyone, Keia. If the committee had failed to see that, I would have considered myself responsible.”
After a moment, Keia said, “I’m sorry, Captain Alrick. After everything you’ve done for me, I need you to do one more thing.”
One of his eyebrows raised. “Oh? What is it?”
She tore the letter into tiny shreds and let them scatter in the wind. With a smile, she said, “Be our captain forever.”
Oliver grinned. “I will never quit on you, Keia—or any of my soldiers.”
By now, the division was trickling in from the entrance portal. Hitch, Finnegan, and Ferred congratulated her; Vhalia looked happy but tried her best to act calm. Lesteria nodded in her general direction—the most anyone had gotten out of her. Raya and Devin arrived at the same time and tackled Keia to the ground. The captain gave them a moment to celebrate while he spoke to the new recruits.
Keia surveyed their pale, wide-eyed faces. There had to be at least forty of them, all shifting about.
Did I look that nervous on my first day?
Six months felt like so long ago. She shook her head.
I probably looked way worse.
Deione stepped in front of the veteran soldiers and looked toward the new group. He smiled at Keia for a moment, then addressed the division.
“You all know what to do. Get running.”
—
Keia grabbed at her shoulder as she rotated her arm. “Ah! That smarts.”
Devin was massaging a strained neck. “You get thrown against a tree, too?”
“Yeah. Sucks.”
Raya, sitting next to Devin, was stretching out her legs. “They really don’t fuck around, do they?”
Keia sighed and said, “They most certainly do not.”
The day was finally over. After their normal morning run, they played capture-the-flag against highly competitive veterans of the division and were wiped out repeatedly. The reprieves of lecture and lunch went by too fast. After that, more games—and more pain.
Keia stood and stretched out her lower back. “Well, all right, guys. I think I’m gonna go get some food, and then go home and try not to think about how much tomorrow’s going to hurt.”
“What?” Devin said, “You can’t just go home! We have to celebrate! It’s your first day as a soldier. Come on!”
Raya jumped in, “Yeah, I know a really cool little pub near here. Thought you guys might like it, too.”
Keia rolled her eyes. “You’re not letting me go home sober today, are you?”
Her friends shook their heads.
Devin blurted out, “I already told Gilfried not to wait for me for dinner; so, I’m going out no matter what.”
Keia frowned, remembering the last time she went to a bar. Of course, last time, Arcane Veil was still around. Last time, she wasn’t a soldier.
Last time, Aliya was still here. Keia shook her head.
“Fine. Fuck it. I could use a night out.”
They set out to Diligence Square. From there, Keia followed her friends to the pub, which was only a few streets down from the barracks. It was on a rundown street full of shady vendors selling superstitious tokens or luck-enchanted items that happened to be cheap. The pub had two barred, curtained windows out front and a sign that read, ‘Crown’s ‘ol Glory.’ From the look of it, it was anything but.
Is this the right place? How the hell did they find it?
Devin and Raya opened the doors and gestured for Keia to enter. The inside was more promising. The wooden bar was dimly lit with torches enchanted to burn forever; booths lined the walls. Every worker in the place carried a wand or dagger.
Devin and Raya pulled stools up to the counter; Keia followed suit, trying to keep her mind off Aliya and Carter.
Raya flagged the bartender over. “Lager for all of us.” She then turned to Keia and said, “That’s all they have. I just like making a show of ordering.”
Devin leaned in and asked, “Lager? As in, from Vordenheim?”
Raya nodded. “The owner comes from there—gets the best stuff imported. So he says, anyway. It all tastes the same to me.”
Three lagers in large glass mugs were placed before them.
Keia raised her glass and said, “Thanks.”
The bartender nodded and returned to cleaning glasses.
“Now!” Devin said after a healthy swig of beer. “We’re all here. Finally.”
Keia gave a half-nod. “Sorry. I had to jump through an extra hoop.”
Devin waved her words aside. “Well, it doesn’t matter because we’re all here now! Where we’re supposed to be: home.”
Keia smiled, but the words struck her wrong.
It’s not quite home without Aliya—or Carter.
Not wanting to kill the mood, she raised her glass. “Hear, hear.”
The lager had a bitter, bold taste. The second sip was better; it was a cut above underground ale.
Raya winked. “Not bad, right?”
Mustering a smile, Keia replied, “It’s really good.”
Devin leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “You excited for Gladios?”
Raya shrugged and took a healthy sip of beer. “The Gladios Tourney? Of course I am! It’s not like I stand a chance of winning, though.”
Devin interjected, “None of us really do. But if we face eac
h other—all bets are off.”
Raya held a finger to her chin as she said, “We’ll just have to see. The brackets will be drawn later this week after the Grand Procession arrives.”
Keia’s gaze fell to her cup, her mind wandering. It was hard to care about mandatory festivities when her family was missing in the most dangerous place on Alea. Adrift in melancholy, she sipped at her lager, Devin and Raya’s conversation fading into the background.
Keia snapped to attention when Devin tapped her arm, jolting her out of her reverie. “Ah! What?”
Devin’s brow twisted in confused concern. “What—are you all right?”
Keia shook her head. “Yeah, sorry. Just spaced out for a minute there. What were you asking?”
Raya leaned in and said, “I asked if you’ve ever seen Gladios.”
Nodding, Keia said, “Yeah, a long time ago. You?”
Raya’s eyes lit up with pure joy. “Of course! I try to go both times every year. I’ve always loved Gladios. My dad almost won the Warrior’s Tourney one year; made it to the quarterfinals before he was edged out by Sir Siegfried Santem. That was before he was Sir Siegfried, of course—he was just Captain Santem. I was there, in the front row. I was also there when your sister won the Paladin’s Tourney! She entered once and won once, convincingly. Her mind magic was too much in the finals, even for her own captain. It was something to watch.”
Keia frowned. “I haven’t heard from Aliya in a long time.”
Devin placed a hand on Keia’s arm. “You and I both know that she can handle herself as well as anyone. Even if she’s in Greerwood, I promise you she’s fine.”
“And Carter?”
Devin frowned. “Keia…”
Eyes fixed on the counter, Keia said, “As soon as I can, I’m putting in a mission to Greerwood.”
They sat in silence until Devin said, “Fine—then I’m going with you.”
“No.” Keia shook her head. “This is my fight. I can’t let you risk your life.”
Devin chuckled. “We’re soldiers now. Risking our lives for others is what we’re supposed to do.”