Chapter 16

In the morning, a knock at the door awoke Benjamin. It was light and timid, so he figured it was not Heba. Thank the gods. Once he was decent, he opened the door to a small Faiyan boy who flinched at the creak of the door.

In a soft, nervous voice, the boy said, “Fukayna want… um… you eat? Then field train.” It was clear this boy knew little Aonachan, and his accent was thick. It was frustrating that Fukayna could not be bothered to send someone who spoke Aonachan, or at least an adult.

“What?” He responded with a hoarse voice.

The boy whimpered and spoke in Faiyan, gesturing with his hands and acting out what he meant. After a brief back and forth of that, Benjamin understood the boy was to escort him to the mess hall then to the training ground for his testing.

Once he was fully dressed, he followed the boy —Benjamin figured it would be pointless to learn his name— to the dining area and ate a small meal. He wanted to intercept his sister, but he never saw her or the dragon she stole. The temptation to stay and wait for her made him contemplate skipping the evaluation he was scheduled to attend, but he knew better than to anger a commanding officer with tardiness, even if they technically had no authority over him. The thought of Heba getting satisfaction in scaring him away also contributed to his decision.

The giant dragon Isak had mentioned already made his trip across the base, meaning he was expected at the training ground soon, so he signaled the boy and they left.

If anything, he was most scared of that thing. Everything shook when he walked by, and its face was primal with a hint of irritation. A giant hole was made in the wall and the behemoth disappeared into the darkness.

They sauntered to the training yard where troops had already lined up in formations. Unsure of where he was meant to be, he stuck to the edge of the yard against the wall. Not even the boy knew, frustrating Benjamin further. He searched for Heba and her beast, but could not make them out among the hundreds of Uniformed Faiyans.

“Huna, Benjamin!” The voice was confident and commanding; booming, but not ear-splitting. It was the perfect drill instructor voice. It made Benjamin turn to its source, click his heels together, straighten his back and hold his head high. He kept his vision straight, not daring to glance to either side, but with his peripheral vision, he could see a taller woman approach. He could tell the boy followed his lead. “Fi suhula. At ease, Benjamin.”

He let out the air he had been holding and relaxed his limbs, but stayed alert. Approaching him was the woman he saw the day prior. To his relief, her weasel-like beast was not with her.

Her demeanor had not changed from the previous day. She stood tall and kept a straight face, but a spark in her eyes put him on edge.

She muttered something in Faiyan, the boy nodded and scurried off. “I do not believe I properly introduced myself yesterday, for which I apologize. I am Majadon, commander of the Fortieth Unified Special Unit. I would like to introduce my partner, Jalibamawt, but he is on a mission.”

“I am Benjamin, as you know. Corporal of the City Guard Corp… formally, I guess.”

To his surprise, she acknowledged his former rank, though he still felt he held the title.

“So you’ve previously been promoted. That is wonderful. No wonder General Fukayna opted for the placement tests over our basic training. Anyway, I will be your evaluating officer for your remaining tests: Martial arts and Intelligence.”

“Intelligence? Isak only mentioned the martial test.”

“Yes, after you have sparred with Heba, I have a written test for you.”

Wonderful, couldn’t they just test me on an actual mission or something? At the very least it would make things more interesting, he thought.

The commander turned and gestured with her head. She led him around the training yard to a small hut in the corner next to the barracks.

Inside was a square arena formed with ropes attached to four posts at each corner. There was no padded mat to protect them from the stone floor. To Benjamin, it looked like a bootleg boxing arena where an illegal, underground fight would occur.

In one of the corners stood Heba, her vest removed and a pair of green padded gloves and helmet. Her beast lay behind the rope, seemingly asleep. When Benjamin walked closer, its ears perked up and one eye opened to track him.

“Prepare yourself, Benjamin,” Majadon said as she tossed him gloves and a helmet like Heba's, though red in color.

He removed his vest, folded it neatly and laid it in the corner of the room. Not only did he want to look formal and organized, but he made sure that the gun he stole would not be noticeable. After a few quick stretches, Benjamin slipped between the ropes and entered the arena with the Faiyan girl.

There were conflicted feelings brawling in his mind. On one hand, despite his ill feelings toward Heba, he felt awkward fighting a girl given the countless lectures from his father regarding women, including a warning not to strike them. However, in order to procure the most information, achieving the highest rank he could would result in being given more intel which could prove vital for Aonach.

Majadon leaned on the top rope with her elbows. “Rules of engagement: Fight with honor and integrity, nothing underhanded or lethal. Knock your opponent to the ground to win a round. This is an evaluation, not life or death. Heba, you are not to use any companion abilities… and please do not put him in the infirmary.” She said that last part with a more hushed voice, though Benjamin could still hear it.

“Are you telling her to go easy on me?” Benjamin asked after Heba gave a rigid acknowledgement.

“Do not put words in my mouth, Benjamin. I just do not want you injured,” the commander said.

“Not that I would need to use my full skill set against you,” Heba taunted.

As he adjusted his stance to what he learned in training —his foot diagonally behind him, putting his feet at shoulder width apart and elbows angled away from his ribs— Heba casually stepped forward. She stood tall with her body angled to the right, heels together and her arm out with the palm of her hand facing the ceiling.

Benjamin gritted his teeth. What is that? She’s so casual… Is she mocking me? No matter, if I attack first from her exposed back, I can easily sweep her feet out since she’s already off balance.

“Ready… Yabda!” Majadon shouted.

Caught off guard by the use of Faiyan, Benjamin shifted his back foot forward and his toe caught on the floor as he tried to stop, causing him to stumble forward. Before he knew it, he was facing the ceiling, the air expelled from his lungs. It happened so quickly, he wasn’t sure what even happened. Gasping for breath, his eyes were drawn to Heba standing next to him, showing her open palm to him in triumph.

“Point, Heba,” Majadon called.

The Faiyan backed away to allow Benjamin to rise to his feet, her hair flicking to the side as she sharply turned to face him once more. He arched his back, feeling it crackle with the release of tension. “I wasn’t ready… Usually people say ‘go’ or ‘begin’.”

As she returned to her starting pose, Heba said, “In battle, your enemy will not care about your readiness.”

Benjamin grumbled, regaining his balance and putting himself in a wider stance.

“Apologies, Benjamin. I am used to our troops. Yabda means start. Remember that for the future.”

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Got it… I’ll be ready this time.” Because Heba returned to her original stance, Benjamin stuck with his original plan. Go hard, go quick and this match is over.

“Ready… Yabda!”

With a leap, he sidestepped to put his center of mass behind Heba. When she didn’t move, he planted his right foot and used his momentum to spin. He locked his left leg with his knee bent and aimed for her hough in hopes of buckling her knee. This round was surely won.

As quickly as it came, his confidence vanished when something swept his plant foot out from under him. He twirled to the ground and smacked his face against the stone.

With a groan, he pushed himself up. The smell of iron clogged his nostrils as drops of crimson mottled the ground under him. Wiping the blood from his face, he looked up to see Heba crouched, one leg extended to where he once stood. She used her hands to maintain balance. How she managed to counter him so quickly eluded him, but it enraged him further.

“Point, Heba.”

With the grace of a swan, Heba dragged her leg toward her and stood tall, turning her back on him.

At that moment, he saw red.

Benjamin leapt at Heba, intending to grapple her and slam her to the ground like she just did to him. To close the distance, he had to take an extra step, but as he did, his world turned sideways and he felt his body slam against the cold, hard ground for a third time.

Everything spun around him. He tasted blood in his mouth and his bones ached and it became hard to breathe. When his senses slowly came back to him, he saw Heba hadn’t moved, only turning her head slightly to look at him.

“Don't be so full of yourself to think you’re the only one who thought to try that.”

“What… how did…” He did not see her move or react in any way. There was no way for her to sweep his feet from under him like before, not unless she had super speed.

“Heba, what did I say about using companion abilities?” Majadon said in a monotone voice. Following her eyes, Benjamin saw the ground where his foot was shifted slightly. It dawned on him that she manipulated the ground underneath him.

Did her beast do that? He did not even move. Or did she… It dawned on Benjamin what Majadon meant by ‘companion abilities’. Not only could their ichneumon manipulate the ground, so could their human counterparts.

“Apologies, Ma’am. I felt it necessary since he used underhanded tactics.”

The commander sighed and waved her hand. “I’ll allow it this once. But do not try my patience.” She turned to Benjamin and stood tall, scowling as she looked down upon him. “And I expect better composure from you than a pubescent boy, Benjamin. Go to your corner and prepare for another round.”

He kept his eyes on Heba as she sauntered to her corner where her beast rested. When she turned to face him, he spat blood from his mouth and wiped his face before backpedaling to his corner. He rested his arms on the dry, frayed ropes and put his weight on them. I just need one opening. Just. One.

They went another eight rounds. Majadon implored Benjamin to stop after a few, but he refused. He got closer with each chance, he could feel a win coming. If he was just a second quicker, if he just saw her weight shift at the right moment… He got a punch off in the seventh, but it strayed wide and he was bested again.

The eighth round went just as well, but once again, Heba put Benjamin on his back. As he struggled to sit up, his breath labored, Majadon took the choice away from Benjamin.

“No. I just need one more round.” He heaved with every syllable. Each breath came with pain in his ribs; he suspected one was broken, but he refused to submit. He staggered to his feet, his arms hanging on either side.

“La. No. I have seen enough. Clean up and rest; restore some energy for the written exam.” Benjamin caught the damp towel Majadon tossed to him. The droplets that sprayed him felt heavenly against his bruised, sweaty skin.

“Best not to damage your brain further. Not that it would make much difference,” Heba said as she slid through the ropes and greeted her beast.

Majadon shot a stern glare at the Faiyan girl. “Enough, Heba. You of all people should have humility. Xire, talk some sense into your companion.”

With that, every ounce of cockiness drained from her face. She slinked into the corner of the room and sat down, looking down at her knees while her beast looked… sympathetically toward Heba.

Benjamin was taken back. First dragons, then ichneumon; he had no idea animals could show emotions like that other than anger. I must be imagining things.

He sat in his own corner of the room and wiped his face with the towel until it was clean of any remaining blood. He stared at the now crimson towel. Visions of him battling the Faiyans to defend his sister flashed through his mind. All of them ended the same: killing many enemies, but falling when his ammunition ran dry, resulting in Evelyn’s capture, or murder. He realized his riflemanship would not be enough.

Clutching the towel, wringing it of blood infused water, he muttered a curse. I need to get better… I cannot lose to these people. For Evy’s sake.

Ten minutes passed, though Benjamin could have mistaken it for a few seconds. Majadon called to him from the front door. With a pain infused grunt, he rose to his feet and went to her.

“Heba,” she said, looking over her shoulder, “Tend to your duties, then meet us in the study hall.”

She and her beast stood and saluted the commander. “Yes Ma’am.” Majadon saluted them in return and they left ahead of Benjamin and the commander.

Benjamin followed the commander through a building tucked behind the barracks, leading down and further into the stone walls. At first, everything was dreary and dull, making him claustrophobic and trapped. Then they went through a nice oak door and the scenery changed. The walls were decorated with a neutral color and jagged patterns of green and red. Framed photos of various generals, Faiyan and Aonachan, hung above green lockers. Everything but the drab stone floor was in stark contrast to the other rooms he had visited. It was as if he entered a school back in Banrigh.

They entered the second room on the right where a large, wooden desk faced a single plastic chair with a tablet desk attached to the arm with a pencil resting in the groove at the edge. Without a word, Majadon gestured toward that desk and Benjamin took his place in the seat. The commander grabbed a packet from a drawer, checked each page, then placed it in front of him.

The first page was barren aside from a line in Fayan at the top. “The test has been translated to Aonachan for you. This just asks for your name.” She pointed to the Faiyan writing. Acknowledging her instruction, he wrote his name. His lips thinned when he looked at what he wrote. His handwriting was never the best, but his hands shook due to exhaustion from his fights, so his name was barely legible even to him.

Majadon looked as if she were holding back a heavy sigh. “This is a multiple choice test, shakar ichnallah… You have an hour to complete it. Once you are done, bring it to me to grade. Your time starts now.”

While she walked to her own desk, Benjamin opened the packet and began reading the questions. The wording was different, but it reminded him of the entry exam he took when joining the guard. It had questions about weapons, vehicles and tactics, and some just general math and science problems. It was nothing Benjamin felt worried about, but his mind was sluggish and he always dreaded these kinds of tests.

He looked up and saw Majadon was writing something elegantly. Her pen strokes were in a soothing rhythm as she did not stop, as if her hand knew what she was thinking and instantly put it to paper. It was mesmerizing.

As if sensing his gaze, she stopped mid-stroke and looked up. His breath caught and his eyes darted back to the test.

I can’t believe after all this, I feel like I’m back in grade school… What is happening with my life?

When he finished the test, he had no bearing on the time. An hour could have passed, or ten. He assumed it was well within the time constraint since Majadon was still writing something. Like a shy schoolboy, he wandered to the front desk and placed his finished test on the corner.

The commander stopped her writing, turning the paper over so Benjamin could not see its contents. She picked up the sheets and waved him back to his desk. He sat and watched the commander flip through the packet and mark every question, right or wrong, so Benjamin could not judge how he did. Despite the mind fog, he was confident in his knowledge, though.

He shook his head. Why am I worried about doing well on this stupid test? It doesn’t matter in the end.

Just as the commander marked the last page, there was a knock at the door. “Yadkhul,” Majadon said. In walked Heba, her hair shining from a recent shower. Her beast followed suit. “Just in time. After I give the general my assessment, let us dine together. It has been a while since I’ve been able to eat without Jalibamawt loitering over my meals.”

Heba looked ready to protest, but bit her tongue. Though Benjamin had no reservations regarding his reluctance. “Is that necessary? I appreciate the gesture, but I could dine on my own.”

“I insist.”

Benjamin and Heba shared a look of apprehension. They could at least agree on one thing: they did not want to spend any more time with each other than they had to.

“Did I at least do well on that test?” He asked.

Majadon tucked the packet under her arm and shook her head. “You are not privileged to that information.”

His eyes twitched. ““What? Why not?”

”It is standard procedure.”

It is extremely annoying, he thought, biting his tongue.

After Majadon gave the packet to an assistant in Fukayna’s tower, she led them to the mess hall. He expected the commander to bring them to a table in the corner, away from the bulk of people. To his surprise, she sat them in the middle of the hall.

When they sat, Benjamin noticed the chatter around them get quiet. The ones sitting adjacent to them remained silent while the surrounding tables had hushed voices. Benjamin did not mind, though. It was how it was the day prior, and he did not want to talk to anyone regardless. He just hoped Evelyn did not mind. She was always a people pleaser, so he worried she would be disheartened by their paranoia..

For the first minute, they sat in silence and ate their food. Then, after swallowing, Majadon broke the silence. “So, Benjamin, I assume you are adjusting well to cave life?”

He stopped chewing for a second to process her question. Something felt weird to Benjamin about the situation, but he couldn’t figure out what it was that bothered him. So he swallowed and answered. “As well as I can, though I miss being out in the sun.”

“That is understandable. Perhaps you will feel the sun's warmth again soon.” She took another bite from her meal but continued looking at Benjamin, making him uncomfortable. Then Heba said something to her commander, speaking in a hushed voice despite using their native tongue. However, Majadon cut her off. “It is rude to speak in a language your guest does not understand.”

Heba seemed caught off guard and stammered. “I was just… Why are we here, Commander? It is rare for you to come here even with Jalibamawt, yet you seem pleased to be alone.”

“As much as I miss him, it is a breath of fresh air to speak without his input. You of all people should know how energized his chatter box is.” It was subtle, but Benjamin caught a slump of her shoulders when she looked at her meal. “Besides, as I said before, I wish to understand Benjamin better.” She turned back to him. “Importantly, I wish to know what makes him tick.” Benjamin understood this was more of a question toward him than a statement.

Any small conversation that still occurred around them died then. The only sound in the hall was the hiss of the grill at the buffet line. What is she playing at? There is no way she actually cares about my personal life. I just need to answer carefully. He swallowed a bite and said, “Nowadays, keep my sister safe, whatever it takes.”

“Lofty ambitions: An ordinary soldier protecting a dragon rider,” Majadon said with a snort. “But that cannot be your only goal, right?”

Something about her told Benjamin lying would be futile, but she could not know what he really planned to do. This is another test, he thought. Tell the truth, just not the full truth. He took another bite of his meal before answering. “I made a promise. A promise to keep Evelyn safe, and I plan to keep said promise. That is the only thing on my mind right now.”

With narrowed eyes, Majadon studied Benjamin’s face. He remained as stoic as he could, though his heart pounded hard in his chest. They remained locked in a staring contest, both waiting for the other to break.

After what felt like an eternity, Majadon smirked and retrieved her spoon with a scoop of her meal. “You sound just like your mother.”

He coughed as a piece of food got stuck in his throat. “I-I… You know my mother?”

As Majadon chewed her food, she seemed to contemplate what to tell Benjamin. “Dahlia and I trained together when we were your age and we were part of the same troop for a while. Not only do you look like her, but you carry yourself similarly. Plus, she made a similar promise when…” Majadon’s voice trailed off and for a couple seconds, she stared through her meal. “If only she were stationed here so I could show you.”

That makes two of us, he thought. Despite the urge to press her for more, he knew she was not going to give him any more information. At least not at that moment.

To his surprise, Heba seemed shy and reserved, looking away from the group. Not like her brooding, pompous anti-socialism. She seemed genuinely uncomfortable. About what, Benjamin knew not. Even more surprising to Benjamin, after looking at Majadon, her beast became fixated on him. Its eyes did not have the angry, calculating look it usually gave him, but more of curiosity.

It was the first time he really looked at the creature's eyes. They were not just black voids like he previously thought. They were a dark shade of brown, much like his own. For a moment, Benjamin swore he could see a hint of true consciousness behind those eyes.

The ichneumon growled something, to which Majadon nodded. Then she took a quick glance at Heba and seemed to recognize her unease and shifted the conversation. “I know not where you will be assigned, but based on your tests, it is unlikely to be with us. That is neither a good or bad thing, just your skills are better suited elsewhere. Wherever you end up, however, do everything you can to achieve your goal, imposing as it is. If you fail, let it not be due to lack of effort.”

Benjamin twirled his fork and picked at his food. He thought he knew what she was trying to do: catch him lying and get him to admit what his actual plans were. He was no longer sure. If she were pretending, she was gifted at feigning compassion.

With a bit of small talk thrown in, they finished their meals and walked to the barracks where Majadon offered extra training to Benjamin with their troops.

“I appreciate the offer, but I need to see my sister when she is finished with Isak.”

“I understand. Though until Fukayna orders otherwise, you still need an escort to roam freely outside of your accommodations.” She glanced over at Heba, who looked ready to protest, but shut her mouth when she made eye contact with her commander.

So I either train with them, spend the rest of the day in my room and hope Evelyn comes by, or spend the rest of the day with… her.

He weighed his options. As he inhaled to state his decision, a sharp pain in his ribs forced him to lean forward and clutch his chest. So much for maintaining my pride. Throughout the meal, he felt something was off, but he managed to conceal his pain until then.

Before he could say anything, Majadon interjected. “Or I take you to the infirmary.”

He waved her off. “No, I’m fine. I just need to rest.”

“Hra, I am taking you to the infirmary. Heba, you and Xire will lead formation until I arrive.” Majadon guided Benjamin away with a hand to his back.

He looked back to see Heba watching them. She had an eyebrow raised and her shoulders rose with a scoff. He opened his mouth to protest further, but the commander's stern look shot it down before it left his lips.

Between the barracks and the gun range was another normal door. On it was a cross with a star etched in the center. Through it was what Benjamin expected of an empire emergency room: Tiled floors with white walls, stretchers lining the room with a few occupants. There were monitors at each one, though only ones with patients were on. At the back was a glass door where he could see a number of rooms with closed doors. He assumed those were for more extreme cases or tests.

A nurse greeted them in Faiyan. She spoke with Majadon, who spoke back in her native tongue. At some point, she pointed to Benjamin’s ribs and the nurse nodded and retreated into the back.

“Apologies, most nurses speak only Faiyan.”

The nurse came back alongside a woman in a white coat. “What is the issue, Commander?” She asked. When she spoke, it was immediately clear to Benjamin that she was not proficient in Aonachan.

Instead of answering, she looked at Benjamin and gestured for him to respond. Reluctantly, he pointed to the stop that Heba hit the hardest. “After combat training, I feel sharp pain here when I breathe.”

“Ah, follow,” The doctor said before turning toward the glass door. He obliged with a grumble, but Majadon grabbed his shoulder.

“Before I forget, you left this. Uniform code requires it on outside training facilities.” Benjamin’s breath caught as she handed him his vest. He prayed she did not find the gun stowed away in its pocket.

When he grabbed it, his heart sunk. Light as a feather. Oh gods… did she find it? Maybe that’s why she was questioning my motives. Or maybe it just fell out at some point. I just have to pray that’s the case and find it later. He tried to read her face, but there was no indication of her noticing his trepidation.

With a chuckle that was more ladylike than Benjamin expected from the commander, she smacked him on the back, sending a wave of pain through his injured chest. “Don’t look so worried, we have the best doctors here. They will take great care of you.” She turned to the doctor. “Call for me when you release him.” When the doctor nodded, Majadon raised her hand to Benjamin and left, leaving him alone with the doctor and nurse.

Turning left, they walked down the wide hallway to the first door on the left. The doctor pointed to the bench against the wall. He sat on the bench and analyzed his surroundings.

To his surprise, it was just like a normal doctor's office. The floors were a laminate tile pattern and the bench was cushioned and covered with durable upholstery. Contrast to his expectations of a stone rectangle with dreary walls that matched the cave floor.

He jumped as he felt a cold, metallic object against his skin as the doctor lifted his shirt and pressed the stethoscope against his chest. She listened intently, moving the diaphragm to various spots on the front and back of his torso.

The doctor rested the stethoscope around her neck and beckoned him to the room next door. From the time he broke his wrist as a kid, he recognized the x-ray machine. “Remove your shirt,” the doctor said as she placed a lead shield in front of his lower body. He obliged and set the shirt at his feet. While topless, he saw his left side had multiple spots that were various shades of purple.

The machine in front of him buzzed to life and made clicking sounds. Only a few seconds later, the doctor came out from her own shield and led Benjamin back to the previous room. From there, she told him to stay put and closed the door.

A few minutes later, she came back with printed pictures of his ribcage. She placed it on a board in front of him that provided backlighting. Pointing to the ribs on his left side, she started speaking Faiyan, but quickly corrected herself. “No fractures, but some bone bruising. So two weeks rest and you will be fine.”

I guess it could have been worse… But two weeks of doing nothing… I can’t have that.

“You will stay here overnight for observation as precaution.”

“What? So I can’t even go back to my own—” Inhaling sharply between phrases, he felt a familiar stabbing pain in his chest. From his cringed position, he reluctantly nodded in agreement. Lifting his shirt, the doctor placed an ice pack on his bruised side and wrapped it in a bandage to keep it in place.

He was surprised when he was then led to the front room with the few other sick or injured Faiyans. None of which acknowledge his existence, which he did not mind. If him being there made them all sit silently, then he could at least rest easy.

He woke up with a startle. Not even realizing he drifted off to sleep, he sat up and rubbed his eyes to find out what the commotion was.

At the entrance, several nurses and doctors surrounded a gurney. They lifted someone onto it and began shouting various Faiyan phrases. While various scenarios ran through his mind, he noticed the old dragon rider, Isak standing at the foot of the gurney. Isak? What is he…

Before he could finish his thought, they wheeled the gurney to the back rooms, Isak in tow. His heart sunk as atop the gurney was an unconscious Evelyn.