Order of the Fire Box Set

by P. E. Padilla

  “I beg your pardon.”

  “You don’t have to beg, and you don’t need a pardon, not unless you committed a crime I don’t know about.”

  Kate swatted at Molara’s shoulder. “You know very well what I mean, Molara Grey.”

  What Kate liked to think of as Molara’s theater smile sprang to the Purple’s lips, and Kate thought of swatting her again, but withheld the action when the smaller woman spoke.

  “I’m just teasing you. I want you to do what you explained that Koren did with his firestone. Don’t look at me like that. I know you must have tried it at least once or twice since he recharged the invisibility stones. You hate not knowing something as much as I do.”

  Molara was right about that, but Kate hadn’t gained any headway in trying to do what Koren had done. “Okay, I tried it a few times, but nothing happened.”

  Molara patted Kate’s hand. “That’s fine. Just try for me. If nothing happens, it’s okay. Try for a couple of minutes, and then we’ll go back and finish our tea.”

  “Very well,” Kate said. “What exactly do you want me to do?”

  “Reach out to the stone with your mind, try to see if you can feel it, its warmth or its power. You can close your eyes if it helps you concentrate.”

  Kate did as her friend asked and closed her eyes. She pictured the gem in her mind and mentally reached for it, trying to locate it as she would an attacker in the dark.

  “That’s good enough,” Molara said. “Did you feel anything? Could you sense it?”

  “No, I’m sorry, Molara. I thought there for a second I felt something tugging at me, but I think I just imagined it so you wouldn’t be disappointed in me.”

  Molara grabbed Kate’s hand and tugged her back toward the kitchen. “Thank you for trying. Come on, we don’t want our tea to get cold.”

  They talked of the Infirium—what they could do and how unprepared they thought the group was for the task set before them.

  “And what of your translation of the demon text?” Kate asked. “Any progress there?”

  “A little, though not enough to make complete sense of it. We used what we learned from the other passages and the information in the book Valerio gave me. I’m hoping to get some of Peiros’s time soon so we can work on it in earnest. If he was placed in a normal squad, he will most likely have more down time than he did with his duties as a Black.”

  “Well, then,” Kate said. “There is the bright side to this whole debacle.”

  The sound of a door clicking and footsteps drew the women’s attention.

  “I thought these rooms were sound warded so noises can’t pass through the walls,” Kate said.

  “They are, but it’s not all that straightforward. The entire secret section, including my area, is enveloped in a big sound ward so that noises can’t go in or out. Within the big envelope, there is a smaller ward area: my rooms. With that ward, sounds can come in but can’t go out. We can hear what happens in the other secret area, but we could scream our lungs out in here and they’d never hear a peep.”

  “Oh. I suppose I never noticed when I was in here and there were others out in the main secret area.”

  “One more reason it’s kind of nice to be me,” Molara said with a wide grin. “How about we see who our first guest is?”

  Kate collected Molara’s cup and her own and took them to the wash basin. “Yes, let’s. I’ll just clean these up first and—”

  “Leave them there. I’ll clean up later. It’ll be no trouble.”

  With a nod, Kate followed her friend out into the general area.

  Peiros stood waiting for them.

  “Kate, Molara,” he said. “I have heard that we will be having a meeting shortly, to discuss…ah, the day’s events.”

  “We will, Peiros,” Kate said. “Thank you for coming. We have some decisions to make and some plans to formulate. And some of us, I hear, have some research or translation work to do.” She winked at him.

  “Yes, it is so. It is even more important now, I think. Things are becoming more difficult.”

  “You can say that again,” Molara said.

  Peiros’s head snapped to the Purple. “Why, did you not hear me clearly?”

  Molara laughed. “Never you mind, Peiros. It’s just an expression. I heard you, and I agree with you.”

  “Oh, of course.”

  As the minutes ticked by, others showed up. Aurel was one of the first, ducking his head as he came through the door.

  “Pretty Kate,” he said. “I told everyone I could find and asked them to tell everyone they could find to meet here.”

  “Thank you, Aurel. I appreciate it. I’m sure everyone got the word from one person or another.”

  Apparently they had. By the time they were ready to start discussing things, every one of the existing Black were there, though most of them were dressed in their new uniforms of red and even a few in blue. Even Wilfred showed up, though Kate had totally forgotten to ask someone to tell the young man about the meeting.

  “Very well,” Kate said loudly, “it seems that everyone is here. We have some things to discuss. Molara, Peiros, and I will start things off, and then the three of us can address anyone else’s comments.

  “First of all, we all know about the captain and the disbanding of the Black. It’s obvious that the captain knew something like this would happen eventually and that’s why he refused to command the Infirium. Once again, he has proven to be the best of us.

  “By now, we have all—with the exception of Molara and Wilfred—been assigned to new squads. It will make things a bit more difficult to coordinate, but with the new system of gate rotations, we may have more days off duty than previously. This will be helpful in completing our tasks.”

  “Do you mean for us to continue?” one of the Black said. It was Amrit Limbu, a very tall man who moved with uncommon grace for his size.

  “Of course,” Molara said. “Why would we stop?”

  “Because they have punished us, killed at least one of us, and have now taken the Black from us.”

  “It is then even more important,” Peiros said, “to continue. Without the Black, the Order is vulnerable. It is at the mercy of the demons more than before. Someone or something is manipulating events to remove obstacles to weakening the Order, so the demons can crush us once and for all. I do not have to tell anyone here what that means for all humans.”

  “Yes,” Kate said. “We are facing nothing less than the total extinction of all human life. The demons want to take over our world and destroy all people. Some will simply be killed, but others will be a source of food. I do not want my family to be eaten for evening meal, do any of you?”

  There were mumbled negations and shaking of heads, but no one spoke loudly.

  “Now,” Kate continued, “we will need to figure out how to organize our efforts. Molara and Peiros are still trying to translate some of the demon texts, one of which seems to have information on their plans. If we can figure out what they are doing, perhaps we will know better how to counteract it.

  “For now, we should all assimilate into the squads we are assigned. As much as we can, at least. Keep your eyes open for any information that may be useful. We will set up chains of communication so that we are not all coming here to meet at one time too frequently. More than two dozen people walking down a hallway and not coming back out for any length of time is bound to draw attention.

  “Once we have established communication lines, each of us will report through them so we can coordinate more effectively. Do not doubt that our enemies will be watching us and will do what they can to keep us isolated. We have to be smarter and more determined than they.

  “We will come up with a plan as soon as possible. I can’t say it will be foolproof, but we will start with something and improve it as we can. We want you to give us your input and suggestions. We three have agreed to lead the Infirium, but we are not infallible. Neither are we Phrixus Achard. All we can do is our best in
a way that we think would make him proud.

  “Remember, we are at war, not only with the demons, but with whoever or whatever is trying to destroy our precious Order from within. Now, is there anything we need to discuss before we adjourn?”

  There was much to discuss. Nearly everyone present had something to say, and it took close to three hours to get to it all. By the time they were done and everyone but Kate, Molara, and Peiros had gone, Kate was exhausted.

  “That could have gone much worse,” Kate said, falling into one of the oversized stuffed reading chairs as the door closed behind the last of those to leave.

  “True,” Molara agreed. “Still. We don’t have much in the way of structure or organization, I’m afraid. We’ll need to get those lines of communication set up so we can efficiently consolidate information.”

  Peiros nodded. “It may be that in spreading all our members out throughout the Order, our enemies have given us valuable opportunities to find things we would not have otherwise been able to.”

  “Right,” Kate said. “As long as we can effectively communicate. I hardly think they will make that easy for us. In any case, I have to go and report to my new squad. Travada only gave us until this evening to do so. He promised punishment if we didn’t. If I have a chance tomorrow, I’ll come by. I will have some idea of my schedule by then, no doubt.”

  “I reported in earlier,” Peiros said. “I do not have duty until the day after tomorrow. Molara and I can discuss the things we need to put in place, as well as perhaps working on the translation?” He raised his eyebrows toward the Purple, who smiled and nodded.

  “Good.” Kate hauled herself up from the chair. “I’ll see you when I can. Somehow, I feel that they’re not going to be as accommodating with my schedule as I would like.”

  19

  Kate left her death mask with Molara. It was one of the things they had discussed over tea. Those who were carrying their masks when they came to the meeting left them in the secret section of the library while the others promised to bring them in when they could. Their black uniforms couldn’t be worn, but neither were they ordered to surrender them, so each person secreted them away where they desired, no doubt hoping to wear them again one day.

  Before reporting, she stopped by the supply officer to get her new uniform. It seemed so long since she had worn red, it felt strange. At least this time, she was able to keep her sword and shield, unlike the time she had turned in her reds for blues.

  Kate’s armor was black, but there was nothing she could do about that. They were not about to issue her a new set, not without taking her current one. She wouldn’t trade in armor that fit her well for an ill-fitting set. Instead, she wore a red tunic over it. She selected a size that fit her tightly, nearly like a skin that stretched over the curves of her armor, but better that than to have a baggy tunic getting in the way when she fought.

  If she ever got to fight again. The engagements with the demons were less frequent and intense than previously. Proponents of the new system with skeleton crews of Reds at the gate pointed to this as proof their changes were working, but Kate knew it was preposterous.

  Equipped with her new uniform and promising to come back to pick up the other sets later, she headed to the barracks for Company C. Along the way, she passed one of the large firestones bordering Parade Square. Her eyes were drawn to it and the guards around it. It seemed that as she passed one of the large gems, she found herself staring at them, as if they were begging her for attention. It was very strange. She shook her head and continued to her destination.

  The barracks looked the same as the other Red barracks she had seen. Near the door to the section for Platoon Seven, she found a room with five beds in it, each with a small desk beside them. The sergeants’ room.

  Only one man was present. He sat at one of the desks, poring over some papers.

  “Excuse me, Sergeant,” Kate said. “I’m looking for Daren Seeth.”

  The man didn’t even look up from the papers in front of him. “Yeah, I’m Sergeant Seeth.”

  “I’m Kate Courtenay. I’ve been assigned to your squad.”

  That made the man’s head snap up. “Courtenay, is it?” She could hear the sneer in his voice. It sounded much like when Travada said it. “Took your sweet time in reporting. Perhaps the Princess of the Black was too busy for menial soldier duties.”

  “No, Sergeant. It has been an eventful day. Major Travada told me to report by this evening, and so I am here.”

  Seeth stood up and made a show of looking Kate over carefully. The way his eyes lingered on her hips and chest, she reconsidered the tight tunic.

  He was of a height with her, with short-cropped blond hair and light-hazel eyes. She supposed with his strong jaw some women might find him attractive, but the hungry look in those eyes made him repugnant.

  “Well, at least you’re something to look at. There are three other women in the squad, so you will be bunking with them. No funny business, though. If you want that, you can come and see me. I promise I’ll be accommodating.

  “I want to make one thing clear, Courtenay. No matter how much I would like to strip you out of that armor, you will get no special treatment here unless you do something really nice for me, just as with the other women.

  “Your former place in the Black will hold no weight. In fact, I would not mention it if I were you. You’ll find that your command—sorry, former command—is not particularly liked around here. Do as you’re told and don’t cause troubles, and things will be fine. Any of your heroics will just get you punishment. Understand?”

  “Yes, Sergeant.”

  “Good. Unless you’d like to show me what you’ve got under that armor, leave. I have work to do.”

  Kate didn’t respond. She didn’t know where the women’s bunks were but assumed it was set up the same as the other barracks she’d been in. She would not waste one word on this pig if she didn’t have to. She’d rather put her sword through him.

  She already missed her brothers in the Black. They always treated her with respect. As she headed up the stairs to where the women’s bunks should be, she wondered if she should even stay in the Order at all.

  When she opened the door to her new barrack, there were two women occupying the room. Both sat up from their bunks, their conversation stopping.

  They looked like they could have been sisters, if it wasn’t for the fact that one had tanned skin and dark—almost black—hair, while the other had pale skin and blonde hair. They shared the same form, heavier than the women Kate had known outside the Order. They reminded her vaguely of Charity, the woman in her first squad during training, though Charity was bulky with muscle and these women, while smaller, didn’t look fit by any means.

  “Pardon me,” Kate said. “Is this the barracks for the women of Anvil Squad?”

  Both women looked her up and down “You must be that Black,” the dark-haired one said as she scowled. “You’re not much to look at, are you?”

  “So we’re back to this, are we?” Kate mumbled.

  “What’s that?” the lighter one said. “Are you going to try to show attitude on your first day?”

  Kate sighed. It was like she had stepped back in time, to before she was in the Black. How she hated those days. “I will take that to mean that I am in the right place. I’m Kate Courtenay. May I have your names, please?”

  The darker one swung her legs over her bed and got to her feet. “You don’t need to know my name. I don’t want it passing those filthy lips of yours.”

  “Then I suppose I will just call you Dark and your companion Light. It is no matter.”

  “‘It is no matter,’” Light said mockingly. “Who taught you how to speak?”

  “My parents, of course,” Kate said. “Did you know yours?”

  “What?” Light shouted, jumping out of her bed to stand next to Dark.

  “Will you test me physically, now?” Kate asked. “I might as well drub the both of you. If you attack m
e, of course. I could hardly be in worse trouble than I currently am.”

  The two women looked at each other, then sized up Kate once more. Besides being taller than both, she was obviously much fitter. While she had a warrior’s build, the two of them looked to be designed for eating cakes. It was a pity they weren’t nobles; if they were, they could dine on cakes and desserts all day long.

  “There don’t need to be none of that,” Dark said. “You just watch yourself around us. I’m Daren’s favorite, after all.”

  Light turned to her friend. “You are not. I’m his favorite. He told me so.”

  “He told me so, too. Not that you’re his favorite, but that I am.”

  “Anyway,” Light said, turning to Kate, “don’t be getting on our bad side. Daren pays us special attention on account of the special attention we pay him. So just you be quiet and stay out of our way.”

  “Yeah, like she says,” Dark added. “Come on, let’s go somewhere else. It’s beginning to stink in here.”

  They left Kate alone in the empty room. One of the other beds looked to have been slept in recently, so Kate assumed it was already claimed. There were three others to choose from, and she took the one in the corner of the room, farthest from the door. She sat down on it, put her head in her hands, and wished she was anywhere else.

  20

  The sergeant came up and told her she was on duty the next morning. He hinted that she could skip it if she helped to entertain him that night, and then after she had balled up her fist and very nearly lost control of herself, he left quickly. At least he wasn’t so stupid that he missed overt signs he was about to be beaten unconscious.

  She turned in early and rose with plenty of time to get breakfast before reporting to the gate.

  She had not been on duty as a Red since the changes had been made. If the current standard operating procedures sounded idiotic when she heard them explained, they seemed more so when actually following them.

  The soldiers on duty before her had already left the area, coming down the stairs and passing Kate and her squad waiting at the bottom. It was patently ridiculous to leave the gate unguarded like that. Once the last of them passed, Sergeant Seeth suggested more than ordered them to go up.