by Jacinta Jade
Deson was standing there, his face controlled. ‘I only suspected due to the things I’ve seen happen to others. And maybe I haven’t been the only one not sharing everything I know?’
Siray paused. So he had linked her symptoms in the tent a moment ago to Falir’s words.
She exhaled. It wasn’t Deson’s fault that she could assume the form of a sevonix.
She took a breath. ‘What are the chances that the two of us, coming here as we did, at the same time, in the same group, make it through the tests to be in an elite unit to fight this enemy, only to find out we both take the form of a sevonix?’
Deson didn’t say anything, but his brown eyes watched her carefully.
‘And,’ Siray lowered her voice further, ‘not to mention that other special ability we now think we might have.’ She shook her head and sighed. ‘What does this mean for us?’
Deson looked away for a moment, then back at her, his eyes intent. ‘I don’t know any more than you do, but after what Falir said, I think it might be a good idea if we keep our abilities a secret.’
Siray blinked. ‘Hide them, you mean? But we have to train!’
Deson held up his hands. ‘Yes—we use them in training, but no one else has to know that we can communicate with each other in … that way. And I’m sure that with Honvil’s warning today, no one else will talk of our forms outside of training.’
Siray slowly nodded as she mulled over his words. ‘Okay. So, you think if no one outside of training observes us in our second forms, then no one outside of our unit will be any the wiser?’
Deson nodded.
Siray frowned again promptly, though. ‘What about the trainers? And Sergeant Bulmer?’
Deson shrugged. ‘I think they would follow Honvil’s advice.’
Siray was uncertain about the plan, but what else could they do?
‘Maybe there’s no reason to fuss anyway. I mean, it could all just be a coincidence, right?’ she said, trying to ignore the doubt she could hear in her own voice.
A doubt she heard echoed in Deson’s as he said, ‘Right.’
‘And’—her voice was much more confident this time—‘it’s not like there is anything between us.’
‘Agreed,’ said Deson.
Which meant they couldn’t be the next ruling pair. Or that they might be a major target for the enemy, or that even their own people would try to secret them away if they knew of their potential.
Returning Deson’s gaze, Siray only realised they had been standing there looking at each other in complete silence for just a moment too long when she heard a noise from inside the nearby cabin.
Startled, she nodded quickly at Deson, then turned and walked the remaining distance to the door.
She didn’t have to worry about being too quiet as she entered, Deson behind her, as Tamot and Kovi were still up.
From the fragments of conversation she overheard, they were apparently discussing potential opening lines for Kovi’s big chat with Genlie the next day.
The others were either already asleep or preparing for bed themselves.
Deson went to his bed halfway down the bunks, and Siray went to hers near the end on the opposite side. Removing her clothes and slipping into a longer shirt, Siray slid beneath her covers as fast as possible, wrapping her feet together and curling up into a tight ball.
Facing away from the rest of the bunks into the dark recesses of the cabin, she tried to still her thoughts enough so she could sleep.
Yet just before she finally drifted off, an image of Deson smiling the previous night popped into her mind.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
THE NEXT MORNING dawned too bright and too early for Siray. Usually able to spring out of bed, she groaned and rolled over when her own internal clock woke her up.
Yet hearing the others also waking, Siray forced herself to lurch from the bed, stumble quickly past the others, and slip into the washroom first, closing the partition in Jorgi’s face.
‘Aww, Siray, come on! Its freezing, and I’m in desperate need of a warm wash.’
Siray slipped out of her sleeping shirt and flicked the tap on to cold. ‘Why don’t you tell me something new, Jorgi. I knew you needed a wash when I smelled you from across the room last night.’
She heard some of the other males snickering in the other room as she stepped under the cold spray of water. She gasped as the icy flow hit her skin, and it took a couple of deep, rapid breaths to combat her shock. Then she stuck her head and shoulders completely under the water.
A quick shake of her head, and she withdrew just as fast, flicking the tap back off and reaching for her towel straightaway.
Jorgi continued to whine. ‘Come on, you know I’m not allowed to go in there until you’re done.’
Siray rolled her eyes as she dried herself. ‘I’m almost done,’ she called out.
The next voice she heard, however, wasn’t Jorgi’s.
‘I wouldn’t hesitate to go in if it were me.’
Siray froze for a moment in surprise at the sound of Tamot’s quiet words, then began pulling on a long shirt that reached halfway down her thighs. She heard a few mutters and groans thrown back at Tamot, and knew the other males were scolding him. They were all unit mates after all, members of a potential elite unit, so there was no way any of them could form bonds with another member that went beyond friendship.
At least, that was what the trainers enforced.
True to her word, Siray finished dressing a moment later, and, tucking her towel carefully about her shoulders to cradle her long, wet hair, she slid open the washroom door and stepped out, where Jorgi was keenly awaiting her emergence.
‘Told you I wouldn’t be long.’
Jorgi just gave her a sleepy nod and then stepped past her into the washroom.
He was promptly followed by Deson, who she avoided looking at, and Rowp.
Siray had always thought it was funny how most of the males invariably wanted to shower in the morning, even after having one in the evening. Yet after having a wash herself this morning, she had to admit it woke you up faster than even one of Falir’s famous morning brews.
With most of the males occupied in the washroom or in getting dressed, Siray pulled on her undershorts while wearing the extra-long shirt and then faced the corner as she removed the long shirt and wrapped her chest.
Turning back to her trunk when she was done, she pulled out a new pair of overshorts, socks, and a new shirt, quickly pulling on the clean clothes before turning back to locate her boots.
And froze when she saw Deson standing there in a towel, her boots held out to her.
Siray blinked for a moment, her hands and mouth not working at all, while her eyes found it surprisingly easy to linger on, and take in, Deson’s chiselled, damp chest.
His toned arms remained extended towards her, and Siray finally managed to speak as she reached for her boots.
‘Um, thanks.’
‘Sure,’ Deson said easily.
As Siray grabbed the boots, Deson held them for an instant, making her look up as he leaned forwards.
‘Meet me outside as soon as you can, so we can talk on the way to the meal tent.’
Siray gave him a nod, trying not to stare at that chest, and began pulling on her boots as he moved away. When she had finished, she stood up and walked to the door, trying to move as casually as possible while wondering what he wanted to talk about.
As she reached the grass outside the cabin, Deson exited behind her.
They set off in the direction of the meal tent.
‘I’ve been thinking more during the night,’ Deson said carefully. ‘And I think we need to go further than our original plan last night of hiding our second forms outside of training.’
Siray frowned at him. ‘What do you mean?’
‘We’re being trained to fight. All the weeks of training before this phase were just to prepare us and weed out those not suited for what we’ll be doing. Thus, while we can figh
t in our normal forms, I’m guessing that we’ll mostly be fighting in our second forms, which are stronger and faster.’
Siray nodded as she realised where he was heading. ‘You’re right. As soon as we engaged anyone in battle, the whole world would know.’
Deson nodded. ‘And if one of us is valuable …’
‘Then both of us more so,’ she finished.
‘It’s why I came straight to you this morning,’ he said.
Siray looked at her feet as they continued wandering towards the meal tent. ‘So, what do we do, then?’
She watched as a small field rodent ran through the grass before them.
Deson shrugged nonchalantly. ‘We do what Honvil mentioned yesterday. We learn a third form.’
Siray halted in disbelief for an instant before spinning to Deson.
‘Learn a third form?’ she hissed at him. ‘We’ve just finished learning how to Change! And we don’t even know if we can learn a third form!’
Deson held up his hands in placation. ‘I’m just saying it’s a possibility. But if it doesn’t work, then I don’t see us being able to keep our second forms secret for much longer. And then it won’t be long until someone notices our special method of communication.’
Siray shook her head vehemently. ‘We don’t even know if that’s what it is. Was …’ She shook her head again but looked at Deson, biting her lip as she thought hard. It could work. If they could learn a third form fast enough, then they could both use that form and swear their unit mates to secrecy about their other form.
But how could they learn a third form when they were still going through the basics of Changing?
Siray took a deep breath. This seemed way too much to consider before breakfast. Yet any plan was better than none.
‘Okay, I agree. But who could we get to train us?’
Deson seemed to relax a little. ‘We could ask one of the experienced fighters stationed here—maybe one of them has the ability to Change into multiple forms?’
Siray immediately thought of Baindan. If only he were here now. ‘I don’t know if any of them can. Or at least, I haven’t heard that any can.’
Deson’s mouth tightened. ‘What about Wexner?’
Siray shook her head at that idea. ‘Too uptight, and I don’t think he has multiple forms. And it would mean sharing the secret further than the circle of people who already know.’
‘Alright, it was just a suggestion. Let’s work with that idea, then—just people who already know. Who already knows about our second forms that could be persuaded to give us extra training?’
Siray snorted. ‘That leaves a pretty small group. Honvil, Sergeant Bulmer, Gesad, Dirl, or one of the others.’ Siray looked back at the cabin to indicate who she meant by ‘others’. ‘But I’m pretty sure everyone else in the unit is just as green as you and I.’
Deson frowned. ‘Dirl and Gesad report to Sergeant Bulmer, and he would notice if their schedules changed to provide extra training outside of regular times.’
‘So they’re out,’ Siray said. ‘I’m not sure that Sergeant Bulmer would be a good idea either, given what a stickler he is for following process. I’m not sure he would even understand our concerns.’
Deson nodded. ‘I agree. So, we’re left with Honvil, then.’
Siray cradled her arms as she considered, still watching her feet. She decided movement might help her think, and she began leading Deson in the direction of breakfast once more.
‘I think he may be our best chance. And, as he is the most knowledgeable trainer about Changing, our best chance of learning a third form fast enough would be with him.’
Deson nodded slowly, then more firmly. ‘Agreed.’
‘So, how do we approach him?’
‘I don’t know. We could just ask him outright when the others aren’t around. Do you know where he lodges?’
Siray shook her head. ‘I don’t, but I’m betting our very own centre of knowledge will. I’ll ask him at breakfast.’
Deson turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. ‘Won’t that be risky, asking Tamot questions about Honvil?’
Siray shrugged. ‘Less risky than returning to Falir or asking the trainers.’
They were approaching the meal tent, and Siray looked back at their cabin. She could see the others were now heading their way.
Deson saw Siray look and twisted his head also.
‘And there they are,’ he said. ‘Let’s get inside and get busy with breakfast.’
Deson ducked beneath the low-hanging entrance, but Siray just bent her head, not being as tall. ‘I’ll tell Tamot we want to know because—’
‘You two.’
Siray practically jumped when a voice interrupted her from behind. Turning swiftly, she ducked back out beneath the flap of the tent. And froze when she saw who it was that had spoken.
Honvil.
Siray blinked and then looked quickly at Deson, who had also remerged, but Honvil spoke again before either of them could.
‘I know what you need. Listen and obey my instructions. Siray—’
Here Honvil looked at her, and Siray blinked as she felt him command her fullest attention with his gaze.
‘Leave the tent and tell the other trainees you’ve been summoned to see Sergeant Bulmer. Then, once you’ve passed them, come straight to my tent.’
He rapidly told her where she could locate it.
‘Deson. Proceed as if you’re intending to sit and have breakfast. Falir will call you up and ask you to take my breakfast to me. I’ve asked him to include a bit more this morning so you don’t miss out. See you both soon.’
Honvil swept round them and walked past and into the tent.
Siray glanced swiftly at Deson, who was staring back at her, stunned. Apparently they were going to get some answers a lot sooner than they had thought.
They split up to follow Honvil’s instructions, Deson ducking into the meal tent and Siray heading away from it and back out towards the main section of the camp.
She was a short distance from the meal tent when Jorgi and Rowp reached her.
Siray schooled her features into a look of resignation and annoyance.
Jorgi called out to her. ‘Hey, Siray, where are you going? You’re not going to eat anything?’
Siray paused briefly, before turning to Jorgi. ‘I’ve been called to see the sergeant,’ Siray confided. ‘He probably wants to ask why Wexner is giving me additional lessons.’
Jorgi scrunched up his face sympathetically.
Even Rowp said, ‘That’s too bad.’
Rowp loved mealtimes, and, being built like a wall, he seemed to need a lot of them.
Siray was turning to set off again, when Kovi, Loce, and Tamot also reached her.
Kovi pushed past the others, speaking directly to her. ‘Did I hear you right? The sergeant wants to question you about your sessions with Wexner? Do you think he’ll make you stop them?’
Kovi said all this in a bit of a rush, and, with her thoughts otherwise occupied, it took Siray a moment to realise the reason for his sudden panic. She smiled reassuringly at him. ‘I’m sure the sergeant won’t tell me to stop Kovi, as long as I keep performing well during the main lessons.’ She shrugged. ‘He probably just wants to tell me off for not asking permission first.’
Kovi sighed visibly in relief. ‘Good. Because I’m holding you to your promise from yesterday.’
Siray chuckled. ‘Don’t worry, Kovi, I’ll come through. Now, I better go before the sergeant has another reason to yell at me.’ She waved quickly to the others and set off.
‘Shall we save you something for breakfast?’
Siray turned around once more at the sound of Tamot’s voice but kept walking backwards. She saw that Tamot hadn’t yet moved while the others continued on.
Best just to keep moving, she thought.
So she called back, ‘Thanks, Tamot, that’d be great.’
She waved again as she spun once more, hurrying away before a
ny more questions could be fired at her, and kept heading towards the camp headquarters until a line of tents blocked her from the view of any trainees still not inside the meal tent. Then, taking a sharp right-hand turn, she kept walking until she hit the edge of the camp. Another right-hand turn had her walking until she reached a double-sized tent with a small cart in front of it.
Siray didn’t look around as she approached and ducked straight inside. She didn’t want to look nervous or have anyone note her presence there.
‘Welcome, Siray.’
Siray peered into the dimness of the tent, her eyes adjusting after the bright morning. As the shadows within took solid form, she saw Honvil sitting at a small table that was positioned to one side of the tent. She approached the elderly trainer, clasping her hands nervously.
Honvil smiled gently at her. ‘Come and sit. Your friend will soon be with us.’
Siray gave Honvil a small, polite smile and sat down across from him.
Once again, Honvil’s eyes seemed to rake her mind, and his smile changed slightly. ‘It is hard to see such eyes in one still so young.’
Siray frowned ever so slightly. ‘What do you mean?’
Honvil continued to look at her, and, to Siray, his eyes seemed both sad and farseeing.
Then a noise came from outside, and it was with relief that Honvil’s eyes were pulled from her by the entrance of Deson. He came in, carefully balancing a large tray, pausing for a moment as his eyes adjusted.
Siray slipped from her seat and went over to take some of the more precariously perched items from him. Her hands full with a pot of warm liquid, mugs, and some small plates, Siray returned to the table and set out the things to one side.
Deson carefully lowered the tray and the rest of the items to the table, and Siray’s stomach rumbled as she caught the delicious smells wafting from the dishes.
‘Thank you both.’ Honvil gestured for them to take a seat.
Once Siray had resumed her chair and Deson had taken the one beside hers, the three of them sat still and silent for a moment.
Honvil smiled once more and said kindly, ‘I believe even young bodies such as yours still need nourishment each morning. Please.’