by Auryn Hadley
Sal watched the three recruits all glance to Ran's shoulders. Audgan lifted his chin a bit higher, Geoni blanched, and Calon clenched his jaw.
"Now try that again, Corporal," Ran demanded, "And if it's close to the truth, I won't demote you. Look at my shoulders one more time, and don't think I won't fucking do it."
"Sir," Calon said. "It was an accident, sir. I didn't mean to - "
Ran waved him to silence. "Sal? Arctic? He telling the truth?"
"Not a word of it," Arctic said.
"Stale piss, sir," Sal added, glancing up at Ran. "That's the closest way to describe it."
"Pretty distinct, I'd say. You been rolling in horse piss boy?"
"No sir," Calon said.
"Good to know. LT, you aren't keeping him, are you?"
"No," Blaec said. "He had a physical confrontation with my Stablemaster while we were deployed today."
"Tilso?" Ran asked, looking around.
"Yes, sir," Tilso said, walking toward them.
"What happened, Mr. Tilso?"
"When the Blades left this morning, they didn't have time to inform the recruits that the trial would be postponed. I realized it when I saw them gathering, so informed them it wouldn't be until tomorrow, unless they received orders otherwise. The human decided that beating my ass into the dirt would somehow make the Blades materialize from thin air, though."
Ran laughed at that. "I guess Risk told you before he left?"
Tilso's eyes widened, and he glanced at LT, who nodded. "Yeah," Tilso said softly. "Said it was an emergency mission and they should be back by sundown."
"What about the other two? They cause shit, too?"
"No, sir," Tilso said. "They pulled the Ace off me. Sir, I'm a horseman, not a soldier. I'm no match for elites, not even potential recruits."
Ran nodded. "LT, you going to be taking him into the field?"
"Probably. He's damned good with the horses."
"Ok. Requisition him a set of armor, fill out forms for civilian combatant, and add hazard pay to his wage schedule?"
"Can do."
"Thank you, sir," Tilso said.
"And have Risk teach him some basic defenses to go with his iliri slang," Ran added. "If you're done with Private Calon, I'll be happy to deal with him for you."
"It's Corporal, sir," Calon said.
"No," Ran corrected. "I warned you that if you lied to me again, I'd bust you. Consider your ass busted. Mr. Tilso still has two weeks to decide if he wants to press charges against you, so I'd recommend that you get real polite, real fast. You understand, Private?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll leave the others for you to deal with, LT. Glad to hear the horse is fine," Ran said, leading Calon from the stable.
Chapter 26
"You both can relax," Blaec told the recruits. "I'm not going to punish you for standing up for my Stablemaster."
"Thank you, sir," Audgan said. Geoni just nodded.
"And thank you," Tilso said. "I didn't get to say it before, but I do appreciate it."
I think you just had the perfect trial for a Black Blade, Sal told Blaec. Protecting a civilian, even at risk to themselves, combat prowess, and tactical competency, along with the brains to shut up when Audgan answered better.
Blaec chuckled, glancing at her. Good point. Let's see what the others think first. You good with this, Arctic?
Yeah, I agree with her.
Blaec nodded, and the recruits looked between them. "Ok, both of you meet us in the mess hall in 30 minutes. I want to speak more about this."
"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison, saluting properly.
"Dismissed," Sal told them.
Arctic, grab a set of pips and a pair of rooms on our hall, he thought, then opened his mind to the entire unit. I need all Blades in the mess ten minutes ago.
Seriously? Zep asked. Ryali's going to be pissed.
It's worth it, Sal though. Just blame me.
Ok, Zep answered, accepting that idea easily.
The rest of the men sent their acceptance, and the three officers turned to leave the barn. Arctic glanced over his shoulder.
"Coming, Tilso?"
"You know I can't keep up with you all, right?" he asked, falling in step beside them.
"Meeting in the mess," Sal told him.
Tilso nodded and moved beside Sal. "Remind them to speak every so often for me?"
She nodded, patting his back. "Will do."
Arctic detoured to the office while Sal and Blaec found a table in the back of the mess hall. While they waited for the rest, the iliri glared at anyone who thought about sitting too close. It didn't take long before they had a private area for their unit. One by one, the rest of the Blades trickled in, finding seats around their officers. Zep grabbed a bottle of mead from the shelf and a fistful of glasses before sitting beside them.
"Ok, we had shit with the recruits while we were out," Blaec said when they all were there.
"How bad?" Shift asked.
Tilso gestured, drawing eyes to him. "They were on time for today's trial, and I saw them from the barn. I guess no one had told them you were out, so I did. Well, Calon didn't like it much."
"What did he do?" Risk growled.
"I'm ok," Tilso told his lover. "He came at me fast, dumped me on my ass, and knocked the wind from me, but Geo-whatever and the pale one, they kicked the crap out of him."
"Isn't Calon the ranking recruit?" Zep asked.
"Was," Sal said.
"Well," Tilso continued, "an off-duty officer, some guy in blue, broke up the fight. Said he was going to report it to LT. He did, and LT asked me." Tilso looked to Risk. "I wasn't going to say anything until I'd told you about it. I didn't want you to worry."
Risk shook his head. "LT's family. I'm not worried about who hears it first, ok? You sure you're fine?"
"Yeah," Tilso said. "He doesn't hit as hard as Cessa. I'm fine."
"So," Arctic said, "Sal was with Ran for the afternoon, causing a whole lot of interest in half the base - "
"Seriously?" she asked, interrupting.
"Carrying clothes to the General's quarters? Yeah, a few people noticed."
"And none of them noticed that I left clean, I bet."
"Ran will take care of it," Blaec assured her. "And probably gloat a bit, but go on Arctic."
"So, we didn't get to talk with her, but we called the three in to give them a chance to tell us what happened from their point of view. Sal, of course, appeared right on time."
"She does that," Cyno said, catching her eyes.
She shrugged. "Well, Calon had no regrets and thought that his species would be enough to get him out of any shit. Geoni had no problem giving us his side of the story, about as bluntly as Zep would, but Audgan chose his words incredibly well, setting up his defense in the event of a court-martial."
"Nice," Razor said. "I knew I liked that kid."
"Right," Blaec said. "Then Sal pointed out that we don't really get a better trial than this. Quick thinking, tactics, saving a civilian, and everything we look for. All the recruits were there and only those two, who've been the top running favorites since they arrived, stepped up."
"So, we calling this final and pinning them?" Shift asked.
"Up to you all," Blaec said.
"Sal?" Cyno asked. "Can ya pass a memory to the group?"
"I've never tried, but I think so. Why?"
The little man smiled. "Let’s get the complete story. Ahn?" he asked the Stablemaster, holding out his hand. "Think of how it started, from the moment ya realized they were gatherin', and touch me?"
"Does this hurt?" Tilso asked.
"Nah. Feels kinda strange ta me, but you will na feel a thin'."
Tilso nodded and took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he tried to remember. Exhaling, he reached for Cyno's hand, holding it gently. The little assassin sucked in a quick breath and tried not to tense, breathing slowly and deeply until Tilso let go.
"Fuck," Cyno grumble
d, sitting back. "I vote yes. And Tilso's easy ta read."
"Thanks?" Tilso said, unsure if it was really a compliment.
"Here, kitten." Cyno offered his hand.
She rested her palm lightly against his, closing her eyes as the bright flame lit in her mind. It didn't take long to copy it and bundle it tighter.
"For the rest of you, let me know if you don't get it," she said, passing the memory into their heads, not needing to touch them to do it.
The Black Blades sat in silence for a long moment, each of them watching Tilso's view of the ordeal. If anything, he'd downplayed the anger and rage with which Calon had attacked. Audgan had responded instinctually, rushing to protect someone weaker than himself. Geoni had been only a step behind him. The iliri had worked together without even intending to, just as the Black Blades always did. Every nuance of the memory made Sal even more confident that they'd be a perfect match for the Blades.
"I vote yes," she said.
"Yes for me," Arctic said.
"Me too," Risk added.
"They got my vote." Shift sighed, trying to rub the memory from his eyes.
Razor said, "And a yes from me."
Zep just nodded. "Cyno, man, you're gonna have to put Geoni on his ass a few, but I like the little fuck. Audgan? I think we all knew from the moment he arrived. I'm good with this."
"Shit." Sal turned to Tilso. "We're going to need two horses."
He grinned. "I'm ahead of ya. Put a deposit on a pair earlier."
"I didn't give you a retainer," Blaec said, leaning forward to look at him better.
"You were busy. Look, a gelding and a mare, both over sixteen hands, both from good lines. Their pedigree is long gone, but they were toys of some rich ass on the north side. One of the guys in the barns told me about them."
"How long to work them up?"
"That's the best thing. They're selling them because they keep dumping their riders. Sounds like they're a little too well-trained. I don't know where they came from, but they're solid in all their ground work. Combat moves, too. Pretty sure I can have them starting airs before the new guys can sit through them."
"What color?" Sal asked.
"Bay and a chestnut, minimal white. Why?"
She nodded. "Terran. I bet they're war spoils that made their way up here."
"Nice," Blaec said. "Very nice, Mr. Tilso. Next time tell me?"
"This just happened this morning. It got lost in the shuffle, LT. I just know how you prefer we own our horses, rather than having them assigned, and I had enough spare cash."
Risk chuckled at that. "I'm not the only one that heard that, right?"
"No," Sal said. "He's family and he knows it."
"Fuck yeah I am!" Tilso laughed. "Just got my ass beat for you all."
"Tell Risk to kiss it and make it better," Zep teased, "or I might."
"You're starting to worry me," Risk told him. "We aren't all as laid back as LT with the idea of sharing."
"Guys," Blaec said, halting the conversation before it got out of hand. "Our boys are on time."
Arctic handed something to Risk beside him, who looked and nodded before nudging Tilso. "I'll tell you when," he said softly.
"Me?"
Zep leaned across the table, "Yeah, you got your ass kicked. You get the privilege."
"Thanks, guys. I mean it."
"Come sit," Blaec called out to the recruits.
Both men nodded and made their way to the table, taking the empty spots at the end.
"You both went above and beyond today," Blaec told them. "First, I want to say thank you. Tilso's a part of our family, not just our Stablemaster."
"I kinda figured, sir," Geoni said.
Audgan just smiled, saying nothing until Blaec raised his eyebrow, encouraging him. "He smells like Risk, sir."
"Does that bother either of you?" Arctic asked.
They looked at each other, completely confused. "No? Should it?" Geoni asked.
Blaec shook his head. "No, but a lot of humans have problems with it. Do either of you know what we look for in the next Black Blade?"
"I can guess," Geoni said, continuing when Blaec nodded at him. "You've made it known you're iliri, although I haven't figured out Zep, yet. So you want respect for the pack, loyalty until death, and men who can protect the whole. You're fighting for more than just freedom from Terric, too. In Guttertown, they're talking about the Kaisae and how she'll save us. I'm guessing that means we work for us as well as the country?"
Blaec nodded. "Pretty much. Audgan?"
"You want us to do more than fight, though," the pale boy said. "We need to know when to hold back."
"That's still fighting," Geoni grumbled.
"Yeah, but it's not always about swinging a sword. The Black Blades are infiltration and extraction. You're a mixed group. I know there's a reader, a linker, a finder, at least one healer, but I haven't figured out the rest yet."
Zep laughed at that. "Human," he offered.
Cyno leaned forward and pointed. "I'm the reader, Razor's a finder, Sal's a shifter, Arctic's the linker, Shift and Risk heal, and LT's a seer."
"No shit?" Audgan asked, looking up at Blaec with awe.
"It's weak," Blaec told him, "and pretty damned random."
"Always is, sir."
"So what exactly is it you do?" Cyno asked the kid.
Audgan grinned. "It's a mutated skill. Part finder, part linker, a bit of both but not like either. I make fear."
"How?" Arctic asked.
He shrugged. "I dunno. I just seem to know what bothers them. Like spiders for some, or snakes for others. Sal doesn't like her family hurt. That's what I did in the spar."
"Damn," she breathed. "It's not even a conscious fear."
He shook his head. "Doesn't have to be. I just need to shove it. Like passing a memory, but more."
"You been linked before?" Arctic asked.
Audgan nodded. "Amma was a linker. My dava was probably a finder, but he got conscripted."
"You don't look confused," Blaec said to Geoni.
"I've heard the rumors," he admitted. "We never had a linker, and those who knew their skill, they were usually rogue, but I know it exists."
"Where ya from?" Shift asked.
"Western border," Geoni said. "Too dark to make it into Viraenova."
"You?" he asked Audgan.
"Guttertown."
"Dru kanna Inessi Cynortas?" Cyno asked, his expression hopeful. Sal only caught the name of his mother.
"Ya, kierna vaena derc denwar canzara," Audgan answered.
"She still good?"
"Yeh. Your amma?"
Cyno nodded. "Yeh. Thanks, man."
"She thinks you're dead, though," Audgan said. "I mean, Inessi, we all know her, but her son got conscripted and she thinks he's dead. If that's you...?"
Cyno shrugged it off. "Kinda figured. I did na leave real nice." The tone of his voice made it clear he didn't want to talk more about it.
Blaec was watching the new guys closely. "You seem comfortable with our ways. You sure you still want to go through with all of this? Elites don't live very long."
"Hasn't really been a problem for the Blades," Geoni pointed out. "Zep's going on like ten years?"
"Twelve total, but yeah."
"Arctic and Zep have been with us from the start, but I have lost men. Any of us could be next," Blaec told them. "Your chances of living a long life are a lot better if you stay out of the line of fire."
"Not really," Audgan said. "Just look at me. Ask Sergeant, I mean Lieutenant Luxx. It's not really that safe anywhere when you're this pale."
"He's right," Sal said.
"Better to die for what you believe in than waste away trying to hide from anything you could change," Geoni said softly. "Guys, I want to live to be a grumpy old man, but my chances are a lot better with the Blades than with the regulars. They send our kind out to find the snipers, since we can be replaced so easy."
"I fucking hat
e humans," Zep said, shaking his head.
"Not what I expected you to say," Geoni admitted.
"He does," Cyno assured him. "Rather a lot. That's why he's here."
"Can I ask something?" Audgan looked up at the officers. "Off the record, and all of that?"
"You can ask," Blaec assured him. "I do not promise to answer."
"How does she fit in?"
"I'm the Second Officer," Sal said leaning forward around the others to meet his eyes. "That's it."
"For now," Blaec clarified. "We know, Audgan. She doesn't believe us, but we know."
He nodded, then looked from Cyno to Blaec. "Ahnor?"
"Me," Blaec said, holding his gaze.
The kid nodded, smiling as he lowered his eyes to the table. "That's what I thought."
"Ya know those Star Fall guys are trying to get you in shit over that, right?" Geoni asked.
"I'm lost again," Sal said. "My Iliran is nonexistent. I was raised by humans."
"He knows yer fuckin' LT," Cyno explained. "They can smell it."
"You sure it's Star Fall?" Arctic asked.
"Yeah," Geoni said. "They have no idea how well we can hear. I have the cleanest pair of boots, but I heard the whole thing."
Audgan tapped his shoulder. "Touch Cyno, man."
Cyno leaned back and offered his hand. Geoni shrugged but grabbed it. It looked like nothing more than a handshake, then Cyno turned back.
"Shit's about ta get real bad, guys," he said, reaching for LT.
"Fuck," LT whispered. "That changes things."
"Trials postponed then?" Geoni asked.
The Blades all smiled, but Blaec answered. "No, they're over. You both just passed the last one. I'd like to offer you a place in our family, if you're still interested."
"Serious?" Geoni gasped. "Fuck yeah, sir. Fuck yeah."
"Audgan?" Sal asked.
"Why me?" he asked her.
"Ayati," she told him. Fate.
He nodded. "Yeah. This matters. This is what I want to be a part of."
Tilso stood and walked around the table to their sides. With a gentle smile, he held out his hand, showing them both the small pin made of dark stone. When they nodded, he pinned the crossed blades to their collar, and offered each his hand.