Chapter 19

Benjamin and Heba simultaneously broke their trance and followed the voice.

Looking down on them from a ledge was Fukayna and her beast. Her arms were crossed behind her back as the ledge shifted down the wall and retreated into the ground. With elegant authority, she strode to them, her beast matching her stride.

Heba pushed off of Benjamin and stumbled. Either from shock or exhaustion, she struggled to stand at attention. “G-General Fukayna, I—”

The general cut her off with a wave of her hand. When Heba closed her mouth, Fukayna held out her hand to Benjamin. He stared at it for a painful amount of time before realizing she was helping him. Reluctantly, he took her hand and she pulled him up.

He staggered, but maintained his footing. The world spun around him and her words were muddy, so he could barely comprehend her words. “That was quite the spectacle you two displayed. A fine fight indeed. It is obvious you both have great talent, talent I would implore you to direct at the true enemy when the time comes.”

“How… How long were you watching?” Heba asked.

The general reached into her back pocket and pulled out a copy of Heba’s note. “Hafara made me aware of this upon his usual inspection.” This made Benjamin scowl. “You really thought I would not have eyes on you at all times? I trust my soldiers, but I trust Hafara above all. And when he spies on you, you would never know.” The beast at her side growled with pride.

Fukayna pulled the gun from Benjamin’s hands and gestured for Heba to sheath her sword, which she quickly obliged. Fukayna pulled the slide back and looked in the chamber. With a faint smirk on her face, she said, “Quite a bold bluff, Benjamin.” She rotated the gun to show Heba the empty chamber. Despite the praise, he scolded himself internally for letting it get to that point.

In his peripheral vision, he could see Heba glare at him with a mixture of anger and astonishment.

“However, you were forced into that situation because you let Heba overwhelm you. You rely too much on your gun skills, and that will get you killed.”

Heba let out a soft snort, as if to say ‘yes, you do’. The smug look on her face. was quickly wiped away when Fukayna snapped her gaze to Heba.

“You are an exceptional fighter, one of our best. Your speed allowed you to close the gap on Benjamin. But you over rely on something, too: Xire’s magic.”

As if she were slapped awake, Heba gasped and turned toward her beast. “Xire!”

Fukayna gestured to her beast. It nodded and leapt around the rocks in that direction. “Worry not, child. Hafara will tend to him.”

Upon Fukayna’s beast reaching hers, Heba relaxed. “Along with the overuse of his magic to aid your attacks, you left him exposed. What is the primary duty of a companion?”

She said something in Faiyan that sounded like a military creed drilled into her head.

“To protect ichneumon with pride, dedication, and our lives,” Fukayna repeated in Aonachan for Benjamin’s sake. “Had you not seen the danger as soon as you did, Xire would be dead.” Those words seem to cut through any thread of pride Heba had left. Her head sank into her shoulders and her gaze became distant.

“I know you despise long distance fighting, but it would help you protect him. I implore you to hone those skills.”

“So you would have let it die? If those beasts are as sacred to you as it seems, why didn’t you stop us?” Benjamin asked.

It was subtle, but there was a twitch in Fukayna’s eye whenever he used the terms ‘beast’ and ‘it’ in regards to the ichneumon like Heba.

“One final test. Not just for you, Benjamin, but for Heba and Xire as well.” Heba remained distant, but her eyes shifted questioningly. “Yahmi warned me of Benjamin’s theft, but I wished to see what he would do. Then Commander Majadon informed me Xire found it and brought it to you, Heba. Why did you not bring this to your commander?”

Heba shifted her feet, hesitating to answer. “At first, I questioned the practicality given his relation to Evelyn. Ultimately, I decided to tell you that night. However…” She let out a deep sigh. “When I saw his genuine concern for Eveyn’s condition, enough to disregard the danger of his own situation, I couldn’t bring myself to turn him in yet.”

Benjamin was taken aback. The gratitude he felt for her concern with Evelyn battled with the hatred that came with the wounds she dealt to him.

“So I waited until I knew Evelyn would live, and by then I felt… empathetic. So I wanted to give him a chance.” Not daring to return Benjamin’s gaze, she looked up to the general. “I did not intend to kill him, only to confront him. Of course, if he laid out plans to turn on the resistance, I would have turned him in. However, he only expressed concern for his sister, which is… admirable. Whether he’s still lying or not, I cannot tell. Either way, it was my own test of sorts.”

“But when he nearly killed Xire, something changed,” Fukayna finished the explanation for her.

Heba nodded. “I saw red. I couldn’t stand such an attempt on my partner's life.”

“I do not blame you for that. Any companion would feel the same.”

The clicking of claws against stone stole their attention as Fukayna’s beast returned, a now unconscious ichneumon on its back. The general motioned to the blocked off tunnel to the base. Her beast put a paw forward and the wall created a few minutes ago sank into the ground. “I will clean the rest of this mess. This conversation will continue in the morning. For now, tend to your wounds and get some rest, I will send someone to fetch you both in the morning.”

Heba began to salute, but Fukayna stopped her, gesturing for them to follow the beast before handing Benjamin a clothes and bandages.

As he followed the beast, a slight limp in his stride, Benjamin fumbled with the bandages. He did his best to stop the bleeding, but it would require more effort later in a mirror.

Everyone was silent at first, but as they approached the last turn, Fukayna’s beast grumbled and clicked its tongue. Heba hummed in acknowledgement. When Benjamin gave her an inquisitive look, she said, “Hafara said he’s taking us through a separate tunnel so nobody sees us. Too many questions would be raised if we were seen in this condition.”

The beast created a hole and led them into a dark tunnel. When the wall closed behind him, he tensed. If they wanted to kill him, they could easily do it and leave his body within the walls of the mountain. Not even his hands were visible to him, so a sneak attack would be devastating. Then with a click, a row of lights illuminated the tunnel and Benjamin released the breath he held.

The walk to Benjamin’s quarters took what felt like hours, but they finally arrived at the barracks, entering through one of the walls. Fukayna’s beast laid its compatriot on the ground, leaving it for Heba as it escorted Benjamin to his dormitory. As Benjamin reached for the door, the beast clicked its tongue and gestured to Benjamin's wound.

“I’ll be fine,” Benjamin said. It nodded and walked away.

Only when he shut the door did Benjamin realize he spoke to it as if it could understand him. What is wrong with me? It must be the blood loss.

He went to the mirror and removed the hastily applied bandages. The cut was not deep, but the blood kept pouring. He firmly wrapped new cloth around his forehead. It became soaked in crimson, but no blood seeped down his face.

After washing his face, he collapsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.

As he laid there, his mind flashed with images of Heba crouching over her ichneumon. The scene played in his head over and over again. It was identical to what he saw with his sister in the clinic: Evelyn hovering over the dragon like it was a person… A person she cared deeply about.

The idea that these particular animals could form these kinds of relationships with humans still seemed preposterous, but still the idea crept into Benjamin’s mind. There were so many people that seemed to believe it, and given they were all separate accounts, Benjamin ruled out mass hallucinations.

So if that is true… What other claims of theirs are true? He thought as he closed his eyes. Perhaps there was more to this resistance than he thought. He just hoped whatever assignment he was given would lead him to the truth.

A knock at the door startled him awake. With a grumble, he staggered to the door and opened it. The same Faiyan boy from before stood there nervously.

He let out a squeak as the door swung open. “G-General Fukayna requests your presence… immediately,” he mumbled. The boy’s pronunciation was crisp and intentional; clearly he had been practicing.

Benjamin felt a pang of guilt for the way he mocked the boy; it was not his fault he was born into a different language. It also made Benjamin ponder taking Majadon’s advice to learn Faiyan.

“What for?” He asked, feigning surprise.

The boy shrugged. “Do not know. She says it urgent.”

“If you say so. Lead the way.”

The boy nodded and sheepishly led Benjamin to Fukayna’s tower. Sitting in the lobby was Heba, her ichneumon sitting at her side. Their eyes briefly met, but she looked away and placed a hand on her partner.

From the stairwell, Fukayna emerged, drawing everyone's attention. “Thank you, Shunu, you are dismissed. The rest of you wait here.” The general then disappeared up the stairs.

Benjamin nodded to the boy. “Thanks, kid. Good work on the Aonachan. Keep it up.” The boy beamed, then scurried out of the building.

Taking a seat across from Heba, Benjamin looked at the beast. Despite the exhaustion and bandages around its leg, the beast held its head high and eyed Benjamin. Whatever emotion it conveyed in its gaze, it was intense.

They sat in silence, the only sound coming from Heba’s hand combing through the beast's fur. Benjamin looked over at the guards posted at the stairs. They stood tall in their white and green uniforms. Their vests had a red trim that Benjamin did not notice on his or other vests. Neither of them seemed interested in the trio, so he hoped they would not listen into any conversation they had.

The thoughts he had last night were weighing on him, so he took a deep breath and spoke just above a whisper. “Your ichneumon… is it alright?”

Heba stopped stroking the weasel-like creature, but kept her eyes on it. “Why do you care?”

“Just curious. It didn’t look in good shape.”

She resumed stroking its fur as she pondered a response. “If you are curious, he is fine. Only a sprain in his paw and magic exhaustion. It would take more than that to take Xire out.” The beast grumbled, causing Heba to perk up. She said something in Faiyan, and it responded with a click and growl. Benjamin watched carefully. Even with his lingering doubts, they seemed to be having a genuine conversation.

“What did it— he say?”

Heba sighed and looked at Benjamin, a faint hint of dejection in her eye. “He complimented the plan you hatched with the stalactite; it was clever and turned the tide of the fight.”

He had no idea how to respond to the compliment. Not only did he not expect anything of the sort from the duo, but to be complimented by an animal broke his mind. “O-oh, thanks.”

The beast nodded in acknowledgement.

After a brief pause, Benjamin continued, “what you said about me with my sister. Was all of that true?”

She didn’t respond immediately, but she looked down and pondered the question. Her beast then whispered in her ear. She nodded and looked back up at Benjamin. “Yes. When I saw you with your sister, it was the first time I thought you might have some form of empathy in that cold, black heart of yours; that maybe you could understand why we’re preparing to fight. You saw how much your sister cared for Lumin. That is akin to my bond with Xire.”

“And to do that, your plan was to beat me up?”

“Teach you a lesson, yes. But I just wanted to see if you actually planned to betray us like I thought. Plus I…” Her mouth hung open as she debated continuing, but ultimately closed her mouth.

Before he could press further, Fukayna called to them from the stairs. They followed the general to her office where her own ichneumon was sitting next to her desk. The beasts exchanged clicks of their tongues.

Fukayna sat down at her desk, rested her chin on her interlocked knuckles and looked between Benjamin and Heba. Both stood at parade rest at Fukayna’s order, keeping their gazes forward. “It seems you are all doing well enough. Now, will I have your full compliance in what I expect of you?”

They all nodded.

“Good. First, that was your first and last fight outside training. I cannot have two of my top soldiers quarreling.”

“So does that mean you’ve figured out an assignment for me?” Benjamin asked, a sense of shock, but also pride at the general’s compliment.

Fukayna’s sharp glare pierced him. He reminded himself to glue his mouth shut until he was ordered to speak. “Yes, I have. So too have I found a place for your sister within our ranks when Isak thinks she is ready.” She pulled out a sheet of paper from her desk and read from it. “Benjamin, you are to be assigned to Yahmi’s squadron of sharpshooters. Despite the theft of a weapon, Yahmi was insistent. Your skills would be valuable under him. Though you still must work on your hand to hand combat. You will report to Yahmi at noon today for his… orientation. Evelyn, however, will be assigned to Commander Majadon.”

”My squad?” Heba asked. She received the same glare Benjamin received.

“Correct. While I wish to discuss it directly with Jalibamawt, based on Isak’s report, she and Jalibamawt worked well together. And you know how picky Jalibamawt can be.” To his surprise, the ichneumon at Fukayna’s side made a noise, which made everyone but Benjamin chuckle. “So that is why I need you two to figure out how to get along. When our surface operations begin, your squads will often collaborate, so I cannot have your quarrel continue. Especially if it would also create a strain within your squadron, Heba. So, you will—”

“Actually,” Benjamin interrupted. All four pairs of eyes darted to him. Each one felt like a dagger except for Fukayna’s to his surprise. Despite him interrupting her, she seemed more curious than angry, which gave him the confidence to continue. “I have an idea that may help with that and our skill issues.” He looked over to Heba. “What if we trained with each other?”

Both Heba and her beast gaped at him. She took a step back and clenched her fists. “Are you serious? Training you would make sense given your… inadequacies, but what do you have to offer me? Your skills do not align with what I need. Not that I would enjoy either regardless.”

“I beg to differ. General Fukayna said you need to protect your… partner, right? The best way to do that is to keep enemies as far away as possible. Is that correct, General?”

She nodded. “It seems you have been watching companion training.”

”If I am going to fight alongside them, I should know how they fight.” While it was partially true, he still wanted to find any weaknesses he could exploit. “What I observed was the humans shooting shards from the ground. While a superior ichneumon companion could help you with that, I think in the interest of settling our dispute, I could help with that.”

”How could shooting a gun help me with my shard shot? You don’t even know if I need shard shot training.”

Fukayna, who seemed happy to let the two talk it out, interjected. “Do you think your shard shot is infallible, Heba?”

Heba opened her mouth, but closed it without a response. Benjamin continued, “I see striking similarities in technique between shooting a gun and shooting a shard. Hate it all you want, but I can help you in that regard. If you’re going to be teamed up with my sister, I need to make sure you can protect her.”

Heba looked down and then to the general, as if to plead for her to deny the request. Fukayna responded to her plea with a shake of her head. “I, for one, like this plan. Don’t you, Hafara?” Her ichneumon nodded.

Heba gaped, looked between him and Fukayna, then finally sighed in defeat. “Fine. We can try this plan.”

“Good,” Fukayna said, lowering her interlocked hands to her desk and sitting back in her chair. “I will arrange for Commander Majadon to observe this training, at least until she is comfortable with leaving you three alone. See to it that you find a good time to schedule your training outside of normal drill. Oh, and you may need these.”

Benjamin’s jaw dropped as Fukayna handed him not only his refurbished city guard gun, but the pistol he swiped from Yahmi. Both were unloaded, but she also gave him a few clips of ammunition. “Do not fire these outside the range unless absolutely necessary. I do not want to have to revoke this right from you again. Unless you all have something else… No? Then you are all dismissed.”